Lining

I made this striped bag a while ago. I want to carry a lap top in it, so it needs to be a little more structured. I went to the fabric store, and was surprised by the challenge. I wanted some twill, or cotton non-stretch fabric. The bag has 4 stripes of color, so couldn't we at least match one of them? I looked all over. Here is waht I settled on. It's a little whimiscal. But it is a nice combination of the colors.

presents

I got a present!


That girl! I swear the days are 27 hours for her! She is one crafty inspiration!

These beads were needle felted, and made into a bracelet, and given to Moi! It's like secret pal, but not secret!



I also got this:

It's a felted flower based on the designs of Nicky Epstien in "Fabulous Felted Flowers". In real life it is a dazzling shade of light blue, and the beads are an radiant in the middle. I wear it on the strap of my purse, so it is with me every day.

THANK YOU!

Shop much?

I am engaged, and in the planning process for our wedding.
This week I had the opportunity to try on some gowns. Some were better than others. But some were absolutely comical. I am looking on-line as well.

I just want to share with you some of the 'choices' that I have. Today there is one hands down winner. I think I'm safe posting that. I don't think I am risking that any of you reading actually wore that dress. And the hat too. How fantastic. Notice that part of the bustier is see through?

Still riding the wave

The suitcase is put away, but there are still amazing reminders of the trip everywhere. I could post for the next two weeks about it.





One of my pleasures was meeting Erika Night. She has written so many books. A favorite is Simple Knits for Cherished Babies. But there are many to choose from.

Debbie Bliss

So instead of a picture of knitting, I'll give you more pictures of fantastic knitters.



Over the weekend I had a really nice conversation with Debbie Bliss.







And we met Vicki Howell, host of Knitty Gritty.

All Yarn All Weekend

I went to San Diego for the National Needle Arts show.
The weekend was complete blur of inspiration.
One of the highlights of the weekend (highlights of the year?) was a color class with Brandon Mabry. It really stretched my perspective about using color.




The assignment was to take a postcard of an image in art, and translate the image into knitting. Almost like painting with yarn. The way that the pieces looked in our hands, and the way they looked on a board, or farther away was amazingly different.





Brandon himself was charming. He used different language when he talked about color; a combination was "cheeky", or "juicey". By describing the palate and the composition with rich words, it brought things into a different light. I will strive to use color more bravely, and talk about it with words that are more specific.
Now THAT is a new year's resolution.

New year disaster, averted

I've been working on the Cable Sweater. Insert the "Holidays" and all that comes with them. Things actually swirling around in warp drive. I went shopping on New Year's Eve, for a few more things. And I ran into a friend of mine at the grocery store. About an hour after I got home my friend called me. She found a knitting project IN THE STREET, outside of the market. She figured it was mine, and if it wasn't she planned to take it to the store, and see if anyone claimed it. Yes, it was my cable sweater! It had fallen out of my bag!! Holy Buffalo! My beloved Cable Sweater spent time on the street! My beloved Cable Sweater was almost lost forever! Boy oh boy, I tell you what. I am ZIPPING my bags closed now!

Country Roads

Look at this beautiful little lane. How very peaceful and quiet it must be.



Did I arrange for a little vacation? Did I get out into the country of the day?
No.
Part of every New Year's Resolution is "exercise more". Check. I got my body up and went on a walk! I met a friend for coffee over the hill. This "street", this dirt road, is right in San Francisco. I cannot decide if this is absolutly charming, or if it is a horrifying oversite of the city officials. For now, I will just celebrate the fact that I walked anywhere. And the fact that lovely big mature trees are within spittin' distance of my house. What a tremendous change in scenery.

Recycling a Sweater

I love the acid green of this top. But it had a turtle neck long enough to be a third sleeve really. I carefully cut that off.

Now I am contemplating the neck treatment. Will I just tack it down with some contrast ribbon? And that flash of hot pink will be my little secret? Or will I run beads around it? Or will it be crusted in jewels? Am I a rhinestone person? Not so far, really, but maybe 2007 is the year of the "bedazzler"?

Victory

I have been in a fantasy football league for two years now. It's participants are all people in my family, including my dear nephew. Unlike some 'tough' leagues, this one is g-rated. All comments and smack talk were appropriate for an eleven year old. These special men are all in Virginia, so it's a cross country affair. It has been such a good excuse to talk to my brother more regularly. The conversations always start with "what is going to happen next week?" or "good game!" And then we get to more meaty things like work and family... All of these men are crazy smart, and stat-heads, so I am WORKING to keep up.

The league just ended the season, and I would like to share the results with you. Look who took first place! ( What luck really, and a whole lot of fancy last-minute trading!)
Happy New Year!