Wednesday, April 29, 2009

my decorating style

No posts of knitting yet - My 'puter decided to die. This isn't the most ideal time to invest in a new one, but I'm not sure it ever is! In the meantime, I took this quiz linked from How About Orange. It's fun and quite accurate! My decorating style is a mix of 3 specific styles :
24% Classic

Arts and Crafts:

You tend to prefer simple to ornate and natural materials over man-made. Warm tones found in wood and brass make you feel comfortable, and good craftsmanship excites you like nothing else.

You enjoy patterns that highlight our natural surroundings such as plants and trees. You prefer rectilinear forms and straight lines, however you love to find intricate details (ooooh, stained glass!) where you least expect it.




Nantucket Style:

Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house.

Your art and accessories speak directly to the activities that are found at the beach. Pieces of driftwood you found here, pictures or paintings of the amazing views there. Things that remind you of the coast - surf boards or fishing boats - are found throughout the house. The feeling of the seaside is both abstract and literal in the design of your space. The fabrics are natural, cottons and linens and are light in color and touch. Much of the furniture is wood or wood framed (the lighter the better, think driftwood!) and wicker, when done right, is a must.

And since your true inspiration is the sea, the colors and textures in your home are the same that you would find at your favorite beach: white, light beiges and grays of the sand and driftwood, a variety of blues for the ocean and sky, and greens and vibrant blues of the sea glass� but the key is white! Your space should feel light and airy and give off the mood one has when at the beach: laid back!

Your furniture is comfortable and the layout is cozy. The more it reminds you of actually sitting on the warm sand, the better! And what do you do at the beach? Hang out with family and friends - and your home is just an extension of this play place. And though the space is filled with large white furniture, it somehow manages to feel both durable and casual


Classic:

What's old is new again! The beauty of Classic style is how well it takes all of the beautiful forms, colors and textures of the past and reinvents them in a way that feels both fresh and inspired.

The style itself is a mix of European influences and French, English and Italian antiques and replicas are often used together. Furniture is well proportioned and comfortable and the rooms give off an air of sophistication and grace. Oil paintings depicting still-life or nature scenes and emphasizing symmetry of pairs helps maintain the traditional nature of the room. Windows are often covered with opulent fabric shades and/or drapery.

Traditional rooms give off an air of history that seems to say "I was here long before you, and will remain long after you've gone." And yet, even with this level of sophistication, the rooms are soft and inviting.


Saturday, April 25, 2009

fits and starts

I have been trying to go through my stash and use it up. That said, I think I've been frogging just as much as I've been knitting! Last year at the MSW festival, I bought some beautiful merino spun by the good folks at Brooks Farms in Lancaster Texas. I bought 1200 yards thinking I could get 5 sts to the inch and make a cardigan. I've started on 2 cardigans and ripped both out! I just don't seem to get gauge on this yarn. No matter what needle size I use, I end up with 6 sts to the inch. Sigh...

I also started theXOX Vest by Amy King using some Jo Sharp classic wool I acquired at Webs in Northhampton, Mass. This pattern is so cute, but the yarn I'm using just doesn't fit. I've started over twice. I'm not ready to rip this one out yet, but really, will I wear it?

So, I'm now stuck, wondering what to do with 1200 yards of Brooks Farm and ~1000 yards of Jo Sharp. Maybe I just move on to something else and come back to this?

Happy weekend knitting!

Monday, April 20, 2009

textured shawl recipe



Words cannot explain how much I love this shawl I've named Garden. It's incredibly soft, snuggly and just so simple it's beautiful.

Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe - Ravel It
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino color: Garden (the hubs did a good job - he purchased this for Xmas!)

Last, but not least, here's the finished Owls sweater.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

hoot! hoot!





So, it's not quite done but close so I thought I'd post my new owl sweater! Isn't it fun!

I still need to sew up the arms and I have a mistake right at the breast level that I need to fix somehow - It's the wraps - I did them incorrectly and now have a hole :( Ideas are welcome about how to fix that hole as those owls are not coming out!

Pattern: Owls by Kate Davies - Ravel It.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky
Size: 38

I'll post some shots wearing it soon :)

Thursday, April 02, 2009

photo friday

this friday, i'm thinking about...

  • what shawl i'll make out of this gorgeous yarn from rhinebeck...



  • how much i can't wait until the butterfly exhibition at lewis ginter botanical gardens...



  • how crazy and snugly my cat is...



  • how much i absolutely love hydrangeas...



  • how fortunate i am to have the hubs...