I have learned a lesson that I honestly should have already known.
As a bag junkie, I am forever on a quest for the perfect bag. What makes a perfect bag? Well first you need to define the usage of the bag. Everyday? Shopping? Knitting? Etc..
So I found that the said bag in my previous post is not the perfect gift. The straps are too wide for the recipient (a petite person) as they slip off because they are too wide. And maybe the size is too large as well for the petite person. Therefore, I’m not going to make bags as gifts anymore. Except for myself! However, I will make them on an as requested basis and for commission to sell.
Speaking of sewing, I received my new dream sewing machine! So exciting! And, I even got some Signature DPN needles for my other addiction of sock sewing.
It’s New Year’s Eve day and this is my LEAST favorite holiday. I’d rather treat it like any other night, with the exception of splurging on a surf and turf dinner that I’m cooking tonight. We woke up to a beautiful snowy setting, so I made a fire, grabbed a big cup of coffee and my knitting and voila…I’m like a “grandma” as a dear ole friend has classified me on facebook. DH wants to have a party, or go to a party…and truthfully, I wish we were in PA with you tonight knitting with other fine folk :)…then DH would have someone to stay up to midnight with…sigh…when will we ever live closer to one another.
I’m on a roll..we woke to snow and that means there’s no need for me to go anywhere today except sit at my sewing machine! So as I mentioned in my last post, I modified the Multi-Tasker Tote to be shorter by about 1 inch or so, including the straps and I have hit success. I’m very happy with the outcome. I think it needs some type of closure either a snap or toggle but all in all it looks good. Hope the fabric isn’t to “out there” for Mom…I also hope she’s not reading this now… DOH!
Now that I’m done with that project I need something to do with peanut so I came across this great project for us to do. She’s selling a little village but there’s also a single house as a freebie with adorable printable patterns!
(Pardon all the iphone pix - it is only 8am on a Sunday morning!)
I’m busy making gifts for the holidays. I have to share a gripe though. All those beautiful special magazines that come out in late November/December with patterns of homemade gifts are published too late! It just makes us panic and feel inadequate for not finishing anything in time..or maybe that’s me.
We had our first snow up here in the new house. It’s beautiful. I’m happy I don’t have to go anywhere today. I’ve been sewing as a break from knitting. I’ve finished one pair of socks for a friend. I frogged a neck cowl I made because it was so large it would be confused with a poncho. So I’m down one gift.
I just purchased Anna Maria Horner’s Multi-Tasker Tote pattern. Great fun pattern. But the bag is larger than I thought. I originally had ideas for a knitting/craft bag which it is perfect for. But I was also going to make one for Mom to use as an everyday purse but I’m afraid its too big. So I was up until 11 modifying the pattern and cutting new fabric. Hopefully my modifications will work.
We’re making progress on the house still. Kitchen wallpaper gone and repainted. That was after I destroyed the wall underneath the wallpaper..they didn’t prime or paint the sheetrock so it just peeled off..I’m pretty sure there’s another level of wallpaper and sheetrock underneath it!
The formal living room baby blue carpeting is gone! And I discovered beautiful dark wood floors. What a coup! I acquired a sofa and coffeetable/ottoman piece and it’s coming together. My challenge is window treatments. Roman shades for soft casual elegance or 2″ white wood blinds for style as well as function of offering some privacy? Here’s what it looks like now (oh and the cornices are going too - if anyone wants them just pay for shipping and they are yours! - Same goes for 6+ pleated fabric shades.)
I was at my LQS and saw what I want for Christmas, albeit a bit expensive for a Christmas gift 
The Emerald 183. It’s a intro level electronic sewing machine but some nice features!! My Kenmore is OK but a bit clunky..ok I know I can justify it if I keep talking… The benefits of buying from a local store is a lesson and service..I’ll definitely need that lesson.
So house update: I’ve removed wallpaper from the powder room (used to be black floral.) Thought I’d be bold, chose a blue paint. Painted it. Hated it. Hired a painter to repaint it for me in a more neutral color. Not neutral enough (BJ Hazelnut Cream) because the floor is black and white and well, Hazelnut Cream has some pink to it and frankly it looks like shit against a black and white floor. However, before I realized I hated that color too, I had the same paint applied by said painter in my bathroom which I removed navy wallpaper doned with metallic shells. At least the tile in that bathroom is cream and it sort of goes. Sort of.
Then I removed the wallpaper blue paisley border in our bedroom. I broke down and purchased a steamer after getting immensely frustrated after completely only one wall in one days time. After much scrubbing, some hot water burns and scraping. I got most of the glue and border off. However, the truth will be revealed once we paint it because that’s when you notice whether you actually got all the glue off or not. This room will be painted off-white. I just cannot commit to another color mistake at this point.
THEN, I attacked the kitchen. The kitchen had Laura Ashley blue coral wallaper combined with black and white (faux marble) vinyl flooring. Either these people were blind or drunk all the time and didn’t notice how loud this kitchen really was. I mastered the steamer, got it down. But also removed much of the sheetrock. They never primed the sheetrock and honestly I think they sheetrocked over another layer or wallpaper as little peeks of it appears in some spots. Now that our kitchen went from 1970’s Irish geriatric drunks to 2009 crack den. NOW it’s time for the professionals. Today was day one of the wall repair and priming. The fumes are noxious and my head hurts but I’m excited at how good it’s going to look when completed.
And yes, we’re painting the kitchen Linen White.
First I have to say, wow are we lame - Nicole - it’s been since July 22nd since I last posted and you ..well…you have to come up with your own post/excuse as to why you haven’t posted..I know it’s a good excuse but filter it for the GP
So, my favorite festival of the year is coming - NY Sheep and Wool Festival! We go together and indulge for the weekend in all good things. Now before I buy new yarn, I should tell you how I’ve used all the stuff I bought last year, except..I haven’t. All that blue moon fiber I stood (I mean - we stood) in line for is still in my stash. I should at least CO a pair of socks with some of it to justify all the new stuff I’ll end up buying that weekend. But, I should have a list of projects in mind so I know quantity/gauge, etc…so I have to get on it. I’ll post it on here soon, hopefully before we leave for Rhinebeck.
Sadly, I haven’t been knitting as much as I’d like. Work is busy - thank goodness. And the house has consumed the other spare time..oh and watching the Tudors series via netflix. My family room is not as livable as I’d like it to be even with the new paint job. I don’t know what it is. It’s probably just the furniture arrangement..dunno…but I have a new friend that is an interior designer that I’m bartering with and I’m really looking forward to working with her and making my house more comfortable.
OK, one last note, I’m seriously disturbed about my husband’s influence on my daughter when it comes to music. I envisioned my daughter taking piano or guitar lessons and loving classical and jazz music..but instead she’s rocking out to billy idol every chance she gets. In fact, she’s brings along her ipod and little speaker to all playdates. She’s 7 people! Thank GOD she hasn’t taken to the devil sounding music my husband listens to in his car..because seriously, I’d arrange and intervention. WOW - don’t I sound like I’m 70 years old! I guess I’m just an old soul.
before
after
kitchen light
after
We moved out of our old house on a Thursday. Stayed 4 nights with our gracious best friends. Cookie the cat had a vacation with another set of special friends. And on Monday we closed and moved in! So it’s 1 week and I’ve managed to unpack more than 75% of the house..although I still can find my pens and pencils for my office..but I’m making progress! In 3 days I primed and painted the family room which made me borderline insane. My hand still aches but knowing the money I saved (to spend on other things) was well worth the daily pop of Alieve. Our new fridge and dishwasher are in. At last, water and ice right from the door (simple pleasures people.) But the piece de resistance is the new cadillac Samsung Washer and Dryer, it’s a sin they are in the basement because it is appliance porn.
So now, what many of you have been waiting for..a before and after..be patience, one room at a time..
The Before
The After
Well friends - the garden is a virtual jungle right now… I’m in there almost everyday coaxing the little squiggly squash tendrils upward away from it’s tomato and cucumber neighbors. The cucumber’s tendrils are leaning towards the tomato and I have to separate them as well. So far everything is growing like gangbusters and I’m very pleased and also surprised by how fast nature takes over. My tomato plants are more like trees and are full of green tomatoes. Of course I’m all nervous that my ripening veggies and fruit will now be discovered and stolen either by mammal or insect. Today I found an adult squash bug and flicked her away in a hurry. In a paranoid fashion I checked under every leaf to see if she left any eggs. I’m the ever vigilant landowner!
The gorgeous little pea flowers are giving way to pea pods that look good enough to bite into now. Does anyone know when I’m supposed to harvest them? I have no idea how to tell if they are ready to pick. Also no idea what to do with my onions.. how to or when to harvest?
I believe the biggest change I will be making next year is adding another bed and giving the seedlings more room so they aren’t so cramped when fully grown!
Sunday, June 14, 2009 Posted in Knitting
A special gift for a special friend. Why all my crafty friends have to live so far away, I don’t know! Ravelry links for hat and sweater. I did not love the pattern and the yarn was kind of splity. I should have known that 100% would not have any elasticity to it, which I personally like as far as a garment keeping it’s shape, but I fell in love with the color..
I finished this blanket with plenty time to spare. It was to be a birthday gift for dd but I couldn’t wait until then. She loves it. All snuggled up in bed. Makes my heart sing.
by Nina
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