cherry branches skirt

I finished my Wiksten Tulip skirt last night. This project is one that had been on the list for quite some time.

It was a bit confusing for me at one point a few days ago but, mostly because there are no diagrams and my mind was too tired when I was trying to figure it out. It was quite clear the next morning.

I love the look of this skirt. It's a very pretty and feminine design. It is high waisted which I don't wear much but, I think I am going to pair this with a slim black top and most likely tights when it's a bit cooler. Oh, how I miss my tights in summer.

I decided on the fabric and purchased it in the early Spring when the cherry blossoms were blooming. It's a Japanese cotton by Kokka available at Purl. The hand is incredible on this fabric and worked well with the pattern although I believe it calls for medium weight linen.

sashiko embroidery two

Another sashiko piece finished. A bit more involved then the last. Stitching these samplers in the heat of summer is so nice and relaxing

two new birdie brooches

These two millinery brooches have just been added to my Etsy shop.
Have a nice weekend.

Liesl

I finished Liesl last night. I went with the cap sleeves and cropped sweater look but, I plan to make it again with the longer sleeves and body for Fall in that gorgeous green shade Ysolda is sporting because I am obsessed.

This sweater was very easy to knit however I kept making a silly mistake when I was binding off for the sleeves. I kept forgetting to knit one and then start the bind offs so the lace was coming out wrong. This mistake meant ripping out, redoing, ripping out again this time unraveling more then I wanted to and then finally figuring out what I was doing wrong.

I used Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran which has a pretty drape. This yarn was on sale at my LYS and I stocked up.

Apparently, I am not beyond going out in my front yard to take pictures in my pajamas.

lately i have been making bonnets and sweaters

ms. s in constant motion


I know, I know the bonnet again. I just can't stop. And, that's not even all of them I tried out the brimless bonnet version which is perfect for my 1 1/2 year old. The baby size is too small for her and the child size a bit big (though she wears those too). The brimless child size works the best.

The newest batch is on Flickr. There are 5 of them.

In the hat department, I knit an Icing Swirl for myself. But, what really has been keeping me busy has been Liesl (seen below) and I think I will make 2 versions. Also, need to finish up the Owlet sweater for Ms. S



-we went down to the shore for a few days. played in the sea, sand and rode a few amusement rides for good measure.

floral top and cradle blanket

In between working in little bits of time on my cathedral quilt and some other projects I made this little top for Ms. S to wear down the road. It's a size 3. I really can't justify making her any more summer clothes although the Fall projects have begun and will continue.

I also made her a matching cradle blanket that would fit a doll cradle that used to belong to me as a wee one.

















In other news:

This weekend I made a trip into the city to meet up with my cousin and we paid a visit to Habu Textiles. I could have stayed for days looking and dreaming up ideas. My consolation: it is only a 40 minute train ride and a bit of walking away. I left with a few cones of silk mohair 32B in color 26 Madder and one that was on sale N 58-29 Merino in a gorgeous shade of red. I was so overwhelmed- silk crepe, paper, fine silver, silk stainless steel, romney fiber... so much goodness. I also had a lovely Indian meal and was gone from the house for 7 hours! I don't think I've ever left the house alone for 7 hours. Seriously, it's been a long time...years. The most is 2 maybe 3.

walking in the garden

On Tuesday night Scarlet surprised us with walking. At first I wasn't sure if this was real because a few weeks ago she had taken 8 then 13 steps but, then stopped only taking maybe 4 somedays. But, Tuesday she was ready. I had blown up some balloons and was throwing them across the room and asked her if she would get one and bring it to me. Normally, when I suggest her to walk she turns her head to one side and says 'no' pretty defiantly. So, I was surprised when she did walk and then she just kept going back and forth in the room. We quickly grabbed the camera and made a little video.

She is now walking all over the house and it is so unbelievably sweet. I forgot what babies look like when they start walking and how proud they feel. She has been grinning and giggling as she goes.

I took some photos of her outside today. She took a walk along the flowers stopping to admire them.



I recently knit this sweater for her. It is so incredibly soft and I love this color on her. It's Malabrigo Yarn in Damask Rose. I have another sweater on the needles for her right now. Little sweaters are so satisfying and I may have to do one or two more. I also have plans to start a new one for me soon and if I ever find the pattern with my notes to finish one I started last Fall.

the birds

During the school year, Matty learned a lot about birds. There was a volunteer who would come and teach the kids about different types of birds. Each child would get to hold a stuffed animal that made it's bird call or a card that showed the name of the bird with a picture. Then the children would match them up.

There is also a bird feeder right outside the window and M's teacher told me how much my little guy loves to sit in the rocking chair looking at books and watching them come to eat.

I also love birds so it's been nice to have something to discuss besides trucks;) I think it would be nice to go on one of those nature bird walks with him someday.

A few months ago I made a whole armload of birds. These have buttons on the front and loops on the back for hanging.

cathedral window

I've become obsessed with cathedral window quilting this past week and when I was up for it this is what I found myself wanting to work on. There was quite a bit of laying low and knitting and embroidery as I was hit with a cold for a few days.

I was surprised at how simple the process is. I love the folding and way it layers and builds up.
I used this tutorial which is excellent. And, I just realized that Valerie is making one too.

I am going to turn this into a quilt for our bed. Perhaps it will be done by this Winter. Maybe?

---I had been wanting to do this tutorial when I first saw it about a year ago. At the time I was a little nervous/scared about quilting but, no longer.

I am trying to decide whether to leave some windows blank or fill them all in. Hmm.

ribbon dress

Ms. S you are such a sweet and funny little one....

I love how you bounce up and down to music you like even when you are sitting down.
I love how you always hold my hand and make sure it is set just the way you like and lead me wherever you want to go making sure that you are understood by yelling and tugging if I go in a direction you don't want me to.
I love the sound of your laugh when I tickle your side or the middle of your neck.
I love how sometimes when I try to sneak in a tiny bit of knitting or read something you lean over bringing your face to my view and say Mama looking at me with your big blue eyes.
I love how you used to know where your tummy is but now you always point to your toes instead.
I love how you say Mama all the time but rarely Dada which is nice because your brother said Dada forever before he said Mama.
I love how you insist on feeding yourself although when you have mastered the spoon consistently it will open up so much more for you.
I love your tiny wisps of hair. I still can't believe you are blond.

I love so many things about you my sweet baby girl and I am addicted to making you clothes.



Scarlet is wearing Atelier Akiko fabric in Ribbon Stripe from here. Sundress pattern by Habitual. Made by me.