swap #2

Here's my Vintage Parisian Shadowbox. The swap recipient requested wedgewood blue, brown, sandstone, and terra cotta colors, so I tried to incorporate those as best I could.

swap #1

I've been busy finishing some swaps for a fun event I'm attending next weekend. Here's a photo of my house-themed mini canvas. Stay tuned for more photos this week...

fun freebies

image credit: whip up

Check out all these great sewing patterns!

grab bag
mousepad
tote bag by Jay McCarroll, Project Runway winner
flower bowl
buttercup bag
wristlet
fat quarter clutch purse
flip flops

stitches west

We attended a wedding in the Bay Area on Saturday but I flew in a day earlier to hang out with some knitting friends at the Stitches West Market. I'm so glad I did because it was phenomenal! I went off my yarn diet for a few hours and here's the damage...

yarn: Jojoland Melody Superwash

intended project: Swirl Shawl

yarn: Jojoland Melody
intended project: TBD

yarn: Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Lace

intended project: Eve Stole

yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play
intended project: second attempt at Clapotis (read about the first here)

I did my research with the vendor map that Kelie kindly provided me a few weeks ago, so I already had a shopping list before I arrived. The only impulse buy was the Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Lace. Not bad considering all the yarn I could have purchased, right?

functional

SWTC gave out free 1/2 skein samples of this yarn at a knit night they held at TNNA 2009. The colorway is not my favorite but they work fine for pedicure socks - I won't have to worry if I accidentally spill nail polish on them because it will blend right in. Note to self: for self-striping yarns, use a short row heel. A heel flap breaks up the stripes too much.

bacchanalia

We went up to LA for a short getaway last week and I finally went to French General which I've been wanting to visit for years. It was so fabulous and I wish I had photos of the cute little store to share with you, but I just did not have time. I had to move quickly so we could get on the road and beat traffic. Just trust me and go if you have the chance. The owner, Kaari, is so nice and her shop is the best...check out her blog and website to get a feel for her impeccable style. The store is currently only open Fridays from 11-4 and I suggest calling ahead.

Just started these Bacchus socks from the Fall '08 issue of Interweave Knits and it's fun so far. At first I wasn't sure when I saw all the charts in the pattern, but they are actually easy to follow. I need to work on making those little bobbles more consistent though. The yarn is Nature's Palette fingering and the colorway is Zinfandel - perfect!

dieting sucks

So I've been eating No Pudge Fudge as my occasional treat, and they aren't too bad for nonfat brownies but I'd much rather have this or this or this!

fat quarter purse

photo credit: whip up

Here's a fabulous tutorial for making a bag out of a fat quarter. I've always wondered about what to do with this cut of fabric, and this project makes wonderful use of the whole piece. She uses a beautiful custom-designed fabric from Spoonflower but of course any fat quarter would work.