A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

WIP Wednesday

 I love my WIP posts, well that’s when I actually have some progress to report ;o)

Our summer has been full of water play, pools and beaches. Meal eaten outside and friends to have fun with but not much in the way of creation and crafting. My craft table has been looking like this since the summer solstice. I guess it’s ok, there will be plenty of time to make when the days are shorter and colder.

I managed to finish two projects for Layla. I think the boys are starting to notice that I am knitting only for the little miss because I just had a request for a red  hat just like the one Cousteau wears.

Speaking of red. The Ruby Red (i felt a bit poetic) is one of my favorite knits ever, I love the color and the Malabrigo worsted is one of my favorite yarns. I wasn’t too sure about the choice of the yarn until I worked a couple of rows. I love the feel of it!

I modified a February Sweater by E. Zimmermann to make it a short sleeve and in garter stitch. I will have to do some math to make it in a bigger size.

Layla wasn’t too sure about the two button thing ;o) and as you can see we’re going for a minimalist look here.

Another project that made it before this update is a Marron Glace Milo. I had knit one before for my little nephew and promised myself to make one for L. Tadaaa!

The model was not very cooperative but what can I say..she’s too cute!

What are you working on lately?

WIP Wednesday: progress and a bounty

We made a trip to NYC this weekend. In fact I expressed my desire to visit the new Purl Soho and my sweet husband obliged. It kind of helps that his favorite Shawarma sandwich place is around the corner.

I really miss living in a big city. I know it sounds crazy but I was born and raised in a big city. I miss being able to walk everywhere. Leave my home for a walk to get some bread, the newspapers or a Sunday morning coffee around the corner. Wander in the streets. I wouldn't mind living on a farm (as long as I have the internet and UPS can deliver books to my doorsteps). But suburbia is really getting to me! Excuse the whiny interlude...

Anyway we made it to NYC and our final destination was Purl Soho. I love the new store, big roomy and walls covered in beautiful yarns and fabrics. Salim was with the kids while I admired everything.I was ready to go home with the whole store.

I got some Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile, Etsuko Furuya linen and embroidered linen for a twirly skirt. And my reward for being good and sewing all of these will be another trip for some more goodness. I can't believe I have to go all the way there for nice fabric. I've been asking all around me and there are no fabric store in my neck of the wood. Crazy!

My Children Clothes Challenge week has taken a back seat because of Tarek's birthday and Salim taking some days off but I plan on finishing all of my projects before the end of the month.

My needles have seen some progress this week. I got started on the Ishbel and made some great progress. Well that is until I realized that I had made a mistake in the lacy part. Which taught me a valuable lesson, a life line when knitting a lacy pattern is not a luxury.

What are you making?

WIP and other things

I have one finished project and another one on the needles. I am getting motivation by my decision not to cast on anything until I am done with it.

The Baktus turned out as beautiful as I thought and I love the feel of it : soft and squishy. A little someone already claimed it for cold days.

I am also knitting a Little Dots for Layla with some Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Cotton that I got locally here. If you're in the neighborhood you have to visit Angelfire Studios, it's such a warm welcoming store. Justine is the owner and she's an amazing woman. She just single handedly designed/photographed and cataloged all of her yarn and opened an online store.

Meg @ Elsie Marley has just started the most wonderful group ever: A Kids Clothes week! The rule is pretty simple for a week we have to sew kids clothes for an hour. It will be during the second week of May. You can cheer us on or just ooh and aahh here ;o)

It's exactly the nudge that I need to tackle all those patterns/fabric that I wanted to sew for my children. And if that wasn't a good enough of an excuse, you'll get motivated by the button it is soo cute.

I was awarded a Honest Scrap by the Clever Mommy. How cool is that!  I really love it when you take the time to comment or show your love for this little space of mine. The rule is that I have to share 10 things about me and pass on the love to 10 other blogs. I am working on it, more about it on Friday.

For now I'm gonna have to say bye and go cuddle a very mad little miss.

Colorful WIP Wednesday and a giveaway

This week has seen a bit more knitting and crafting. It was so nice to see things coming out of my needles.I finished a Milo vest for my youngest nephew. A lovely pattern, I plan on making one in a bigger size for Layla and maybe the boys. I used some Sublime Baby Cashmerino Silk, such a wonderful texture and drape. I think this yarn works up wonderfully in garter stitch.
I also started a Baktus scarf using some Madeline Tosh sock in Turquoise. I think this pattern might become one of my absolute favorite, such a nice rewarding knit. I first saw it on Waldorfmama's and I might even be tempted to make another in a silky yarn for the spring/summer. And if I'm bold enough I might go for the lacy version. That is if I can shake the sleepiness away.I know WEBS has a sale right now and I might...listen to me trying to rationalize more yarn purchase. Totally ridiculous ;o)Some time ago I read this post about kool-aid dying and planned on doing it. I had a LOT of fun and here's some of my yarn. It's really an easy introduction to yarn dyeing. Speaking of yarn dyeing, Heather made a two part introduction to natural dyeing that is absolutely wonderful. If you ever wondered how to dye yarn naturally you have to read her posts. I am trying very hard not to get hooked on that, I have enough addictions as it is.
I think I might have gotten a bit excited with the kool-aid dyeing and I have way too many skeins right now. So I decided to give some away I called the color-ways peche melba and fraise. It's a 100% wool in worsted weight (about 220 yards).Leave a comment on this post before April 26th. I will choose 2 winners who will each get one of the two color-ways. You can gain three additional entries (remember one comment per additional entry):

1. Add me to your blogroll
2. Mention the giveaway
3. Join this blog with Google Friends Connect (on the left sidebar)

The winners are Larissa and Earth Mama. Congratulations!!

Spring and cleaning

I am in a full blown spring cleaning mood. I feel the urge to declutter and organize my whole house. I caught the bug reading this great series by Tsh @ Simple Mom and Kara's week of spring cleaning adventures . To be honest I've done a lot of tossing/donating so I feel really down to the basics except a closet on the first floor, my office (never gonna happen) and my basement (aka the dumping ground).

Except today I decided it was just too nice to be inside. So we took a trip to the lake. I can't believe I'm calling it a trip as it's a 1mn drive from my house. I am ashamed to say that I drive there. I tried walking there once with a double stroller, a large canvas bag, a snack bag. Getting there was doable but coming back...so now I drive and  my sanity. Who ever built the houses in my neighborhood didn't think sidewalks were necessary! Welcome to Suburbia!

So I forgot that my office looked like a bomb exploded in it or that my sink was overflowing, that crumbs littered my kitchen floor...

We made castles.

Dug for dinosaur eggs.

Handed down beloved shoes and accepted them with a lot of pride and happiness.

And managed to knit 4 rows ;o)

Who cares if the house is a mess?!?

WIP Wednesday

I can feel spring coming! The weather has been warmer and we had a lot of sunshine lately. It’s making me think of spring knitting and projects.

On my needles this week, the “Granny” bag with a lovely shade of blue. It’s the second pattern I am knitting by Jennifer Casa and I have to say I really enjoy her instructions: Simple, clear and she always has enough pictures and diagrams to help get a better idea of what I work on.

Speaking of her patterns, I love patchwork notebook cover she made for Sew Mama Sew.

 

It was so nice outside Layla was able to wear her poncho, I still need to add a ribbon or i-cord to tie the hood but I just can’t make up my mind. What would you suggest?

Some of the things that inspired me this week:

• This cute little sweater is just adorable.
• This cowl by Justine @ Angelfire Studios.
• The latest edition of Rhythm of the Home.
• A little rabbit just in time for Easter.
• The latest issue of Petite Purls, especially the knitted dolls.
• A car organizer by Heather @ Shivaya Naturals.
• A beautifully executed Kimono Dress by Deena @ i make stuff.
• Great idea for chore cards by Angie @ Creative Mama.
• An essay by Kate @ Blankie Chronicles.
• Her pictures.
• And don't forget you still have a chance to win a spot in this wonderful class.

What’s inspiring you lately?

WIP Wednesday and Lovely Mail

I received a package from K. my Vintage Swap partner. Such loveliness I had to share it with you.
A cross stitch pincushion , a lovely sewing card, lace trims, vintage buttons and a beautiful vintage sewing case. And oh a beautiful flower cut doilie that I already started using but you can see it here.
And just because she's awesome she also sent me some handmade stitch markers.
Don't you love it when the mailmen brings you such packages instead of the usual bills. Well I do!!

Did I ever mention my Ipod touch love! Well I am absolutely in love with my Ipod touch. It's always in my bag or in my hand. What's not to love? it holds my emails, calendars, adress book, RSS reader, groceries lists...and since I read about ithere, the knitter's best friend.
So in this picture are my favorite things: my comfy chair, my knitting and my right hand (aka Ipod touch)

I am still on a Thorpe binge since last week as you can see. It's just fun, easy to knit and such a cute gift. I am working on my third hat but I think that after that I might need a change.

I will need some inspiration. What are you working on?

WIP Wednesday: Hattitude

I declare February my least productive month of the year. I have no idea what I did with my time (well, I do. Making phone calls, driving myself crazy and worrying about this). I am so glad I finished the month with a coup d'éclat.

My friend Emilie's birthday was yesterday and this year I wanted to make her a gift. She doesn't know it yet, well she probably does now as she reads my blog, but she will be getting a hand-knit piece by me. I loved making it for her, wondering which color might please her and if it would fit.

I made her a Thorpe Hat with a Pink Frost Malabrigo. I was very anxious because I had to start the hat from the top. I used the Emily Ocker Cast on, watched this video and then I was on a roll. I have to say that the first three rounds were a bit tricky because the DPN kept slipping but then I had a BLAST!! Thank you so much Kirsten, I loved this pattern.

So much as I just started a new one for the lovely T. And I have another skein in a beautiful purple shade for H. This time I'm using Araucania Nature Wool Chunky.

And I am about ready to embark on a new adventure. Yesterday I read this post and I was in awe. I have to try dying my own yarn. I already bought an insane amount of Kool Aid all the while trying to explain to Tarek that no he wasn't drinking it. Just ordered some yarn here and hope to have some fun over the weekend. I am just wondering what color my crockpot will end up being.

Work in Progress

A bit of this

A bit of that

And new things...

Slow and steady progress. What are you working on right now?

WIP Wednesday

The picture is totally unrelated to the post but you have to humor me. It's been snowing all day, gray skies and lots lots of snow. 8 inches can you imagine!!

I know some of you are snickering right now, especially if you live up north but that's a LOT of snow for New Jersey.

That  said I love being stuck home because of the snow. All of us at home with nowhere to go, so we got ourselves busy. A messy kind of busy.

:: We made chubby crayons. I read this post from Mackenzie a while ago and wanted to try. The boys were fascinated by the melting crayons in the oven. I hope that doesn’t give them ideas about melting other things.

:: then I remembered this post by Deena and I wanted to try. I wasn’t patient enough to let it really melt. But I still love the end result. It is so cute.

:: then this very cute boy asked his mama for pink ice cream. You see penguins need ice cream!!

:: Do you know a better way to taste ice cream??

:: And at the end of the day some TV time. Because I’m out of ideas and because they really laugh loud at Babar’s tricks and just because…

:: I was able to work on my Layla's poncho. I found the pattern here and I totally agree with Grace. I will make it long enough to cover the hands. I am knitting it with a lovely Lorna’s Lace Shepherd Worsted and guess the name of the colorway…Valentine. After the February sweater finished just in time to be worn in February, I’m making a valentine poncho for my little sweetheart.

Tomorrow we most likely stay home too and I hope to finish it.

So what is your favorite activity on a snowy day?