knitting calms me

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Are you kidding me? I can't believe this woman is so very talented and can just give away creations like this. I was going to make a bat costume. Seems a little lame now.

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-08T10:43:00.001-07:00

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Seeing as I'm a bad mom and didn't buy Sophie a new backpack for her first day of Kindergarten this would be quite timely!

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Seeing as I'm a bad mom and didn't buy Sophie a new backpack for her first day of Kindergarten this would be quite timely!

Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-08-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another beautiful Grosgrain creation. This colour would be great on Sophie!

Just about the prettiest thing

2009-05-09T23:01:00.001-07:00

That I have ever made is almost done. My Autumn Rose sweater, started last November in a big furious pace and then slowed down, is finally done - except to trim tack down the steek. So, no finished photo yet. But - I have finished a bunch of other stuff. We went to California in the trailer and my dad got deathly ill we found out on our return. Seriously, he almost died. It was so scary and has been a really hard time for all of us. Good news is that he's now out of the woods and on his way to recovery, but it will be a long road. So now its just a big line of photos of finished objects from the past two months. Not pictured is a pair of Salto socks in Shibui Knits Grey, a lacy mohair scarf for Sophie's ballet teacher and an almost done Owls sweater in Rowan Purelife. Looking at it all together makes it seem like I have done alot!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-02-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am determined. One day I will win one of these fabulous makes. The cuteness of this kills me.

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-02-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

More fabulousness from Grosgrain. I've been absent lately, just because I've been lame but I've been making stuff!

Fabric Hound contest

2009-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.fabrichound.com/blog/?p=97" target="_blank">Stoffe-Fabrichound.com Giveaway"
src="http://www.boutiquepop.com/photos/albums/userpics/10003/bdaypartysm.jpg"/>">

For some reason I still can't figure out how to link. Let's see if this works.

Avoidance leads to hats

2009-01-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to avoid having to think in Autumn Rose (why can't I adapt to changes in patterns? I'm such a sheep - follow instructions, no problem. Change things up and I stall) I've cast of for another hat. Claudia in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK that is, well, sublime. I want to pet this yarn all day long.

I think its going to be too small though and destined for a good friend with a wee noggin.

Amazing give away

2009-01-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

Wow - wouldn't this be fantastic? Printable colouring pages from photos? I can't imagine how much Sophie would love that.

I've finished stuff

2009-01-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, its true. I have finished a few things.

First off, Selbu Modern. A hat that I have coveted for a while but am kind of meh with my final result. The problem? The yarn I selected, Manos Silk Blend, the most luscious thing you've ever touched, was not suited for this project. Too big of a gauge. But I stubbornly went ahead and made it and now instead of looking all dainty with flowers it looks like its on steroids. Oh well. Lesson learned.

Second, cranked out in less than two evenings, is a hat for a co-worker of mine who has decided to leave us for tons more money in the cold of Fort McMurray. So a hat seemed like the likely thing to make for him. Maybe he'll think of us down in the warm south while he's freezing his butt off up north. The cake we got him for his going away lunch tomorrow says "Don't worry, its a DRY cold".

The night before

2008-12-30T23:15:00.000-08:00

The last night of 2008. Hard to believe the year has gone by so fast. There were so many things I meant to do this year, too many to list.

So the goal for next year is to not have too many expectations and to take things as they come.

The snow has finally let up and given us a little breather. I think anyhow, they're forecasting more this weekend. I don't know if we'll ever get a chance to meet up with my family in Vancouver. Every planned effort has been thwarted by weather.

The weather didn't stop us from getting into Vancouver on Monday to catch the Moscow Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker at the Queen E theater. Imagine - a question about every 20-30 seconds for 2.3 hours. She was in awe with it all. Loved it so much. It really was funny. There was a couple in front of us that kept tossing looks back but c'mon, its a matinee, what do you expect? Someone is very excited to be starting ballet lessons next week.

On the knitting front I've stalled on Autumn Rose as I'm actually going to have to read the directions instead of just following the chart so what did I do? Cast on for Selbu Beret in Manos Silk Blend. Oh heaven, this yarn is fabulous. A bit big for this project but its lovely to touch and should make a nice cozy hat.

Because this is supposed to be a knitting blog

2008-12-24T23:43:00.001-08:00

DSC_0039.JPG, originally uploaded by wotocho.

Here's what I've been working on lately (among other suprise items that I'll post once the belated birthday person gets it). I so love this sweater. And I learned all about colour dominance and which yarn to carry over/under. All these years and I'm just figuring this out now. Wow, sure does make a difference. Almost so much so that I'm tempted to make me redo one sleeve. I'll finish the body and see how I' really feeling about that when I get there. I hope that bit of curl on the waistband comes out or it will drive me batty I'm sure.

First Cookies and Milk

2008-12-24T23:40:00.001-08:00

DSC_0031.JPG, originally uploaded by wotocho.

This is the first year someone in this house has really been excited about Christmas. Its been terribly cute and this note almost makes up for the crazy moodiness that came out of such a small person. Almost.

When life hands you lemons

2008-12-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

The lemons in this case are sub zero temperatures and crazy snow that lasts for more than 2 days, a rarity in these parts. Our lemonade was to take the kids out to the elementary school (that both of us went to so long ago) and toboggan down the hills. It was sooooo cold but the kids had a blast. Lots of screeches, screams and laughter. Such a fabulous group of friends this little girl has.

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another awesome Grosgrain spectacular. I want to be her daughter! What a fabulous model.

Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-16T23:22:00.000-08:00

Something about getting the tree up really solidifies the holidays for me. This year we were able to get a tree taller than me for once. Our first Christmas in the new house. It still feels to big and fancy but its slowly starting to feel like home.

On the knitting front, I started two wee hats for the daycare's twins. Using Brown Sheep Lambs Pride worsted - feeling a little too thick for this project but its got to be done by Monday. Hopefully I'll figure out how to link ravelry to this post at some point.

Sparkly

2008-12-14T23:39:00.001-08:00

DSC_0051.JPG
Originally uploaded by wotocho

Oh its finally done. For the past few months I've been haunting the thrift stores collecting vintage ornaments to make a wreath like this one http://pixigenne.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/the-ornament-wreath-words-of-advice-and-caution.html

After many sticks of glue, burnt finger tips and one rather sliced thumb (should have taken a photo of that - lots of blood) its finally done. There are still some gaps that I admittedly started to fill in with non vintage baubles but stopped m

yself because it didn't seem right. I'll fill in the gaps with those that I collect over time. There were actually some ornaments that I just had to put on the tree they were so fabulous. A 50 cent box of 9 ornaments of the most fabulous shades of Christmas, made in Eastern Germany. I was rather nervous putting it up, wondering if I'd have a big fall like pixiegenne but its still hanging on the wall and looking lovely. I lurv it.

Threading wick

2008-12-13T19:49:00.001-08:00

DSC_0013.JPG
Originally uploaded by wotocho

Candles

2008-12-13T19:39:00.000-08:00

We got to do the coolest thing today (other than go select our Christmas tree). There is a local monastery of Orthodox monks who make candles for churches all over Canada. Once a year they are allowed to sell them and the mill where I work is one place quite a few get sold, due to a church connection at work. Graciously they agreed to give us a tour of the monastery this year. You often see the monks walking down the road when you're driving into work or going home and I've always wondered about them, where they live and what they do. Today we got a small glimpse into their lives and it was truly wonderful.

We got to see where and how they make candles, wine, bread and their art, chapel and daily life. It was such a wonderful experience. They were so welcoming and humble. I brought Sophie along, thinking she would like to see how candles were made and they were so kind to this small wiggly person running around their monastery - which in itself is incredible as they built the entire thing themselves. The place was immaculate and every single thing in it had its place and purpose.

I still don't know how to upload photos so check out the uploaded photos on flickr. It really was special.

Twitchy

2008-12-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

Is it bad that I get all twitchy whenever the new Knitty is released? Pretty much the whole world stops while I go through all the fabulous new patterns and dream about what I'm going to knit next then I look at my UFO pile and come back down to reality.

I'm still figuring this whole blogging thing out so I'm going to take my 10 minutes of computer time before having to make dinner to try and sort some of this stuff out.

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Or this? Bright green? I think a certain small Sophie would look pretty fabulous in this.

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

How could you not want this. I want it in my size!

Mainly because I want to win a Grograin dress

2008-12-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

Hi - I read too many blogs, knit too much and spend alot of time thinking about crafting things when I really should be working. The main impetuous to starting a blog is to get a chance at winning one of those fabulous Grosgrain creations. Selfish? Maybe. We'll see if I get beyond that.