Vera cushion cover

This is an old silk scarf by Vera, a little worn. A little iron-on interfacing has given it the strength to live on as a cushion cover. This would also be beautiful framed. Viva Vera!

Out of Print

As the holiday season begins, I am adding old books to my lists. Often the easiest way to find a gift for a reader (that hasn't been read) is to delve into second hand bookstores, in person and online. Slightly Foxed is a wonderful resource for discovering stories. 

A Christmas library addition from last year: The Coat-Hanger Christmas Tree by Eleanor Estes. 

A Handknit for Ft. Ross

My son asked me to knit this for his class overnight at Ft. Ross coming up next week. I started this at the beginning of the playoffs and here we are at the end of October getting ready to watch the Cardinals take on the Red Sox in Game 6 of the World Series. Oh this is not World Series knitting here!

The pattern is Dr. G's Memory Vest by Kirsten Kapur. I substituted some seed stitch for the side panels and sized it down a bit to fit my little guy. The problem is, he's not so little and now I have to rip back and size down a little less! The wool is Quince Yarn's Lark in Gingerbread.

Paper mache lanterns for Halloween

I've been making paper mache lanterns for Halloween. I have a bunch of those led "candles" that flicker to place inside. I'm getting picky about the balloons. I wish they were more globe-like. My first layer is leftover printing paper, it dries pretty translucent. Then I get fancy with strips from the Financial Times. I like to use the art and auction ads.

Market Bag Drafts

My first market bag has been coming along with me on small shopping trips. The straps need to be wider. It also needs a leash for keys and a phone pocket.  It needs a lining. I like to use oven mitt quilting to insulate bags. It gives them some heft and really makes a difference protecting ice packs and cold things. 

Kitchen Details

As September looms into view I am arming myself to attack the new year. The drawers in the kitchen have been brought to order with foam board dividers. I am going to be using a lot of felt and marbleized paper, because that is what I like to see when I open a drawer! I'm sitting here on the floor with my ice latte gazing into the cabinet and wondering if I could paint a mural in there. Happy Labor Day weekend!

Fernfrost

There is 15 inches left on my Evelyn Ackerman rug and I just can't lift it. I am resting with Anne Hanson's Fernfrost and some Fibre Company Meadow. I did not even realize it was lace weight when I bought it. I just loved the color, Larkspur, and the feel of wool and silk and linen. 

For the Makers project

Have you seen the craft project boxes from For the Makers? I am working on a drawstring bag from my July box and adding some embroidery. These ready to go projects get me thinking about other ways to make things. Sometimes I let my children do the projects.

Fitted top

"Alabama Studio and Style" is my favorite Alabama Chanin book. I page through it all the time trying to decide on an appliqué pattern or embroidery pattern. I have made a few basic pieces without embellishment, each time I have altered the pattern a little.  I am thinking of making a poncho or wrap next, maybe with the fern embroidery. I am blogging from my ipad and do not know how to paste in links using blogger!

Evelyn Ackerman's Launch Pad

The Midcentury works of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman include wall hangings, wood carvings, mosaics and more. I am knitting Evelyn's wall hanging entitled Launch Pad from fabric strips. There are 10 inches to go, but lifting and turning it is difficult and I am pretty certain I do not have enough black fabric to finish it. I need to order a very nice rug pad to place underneath, something with skid control and a lot of cushion. I am already planning my next rug. Next time I will knit more manageable pieces! Next time I will try to lure young children to help me. The Ackerman's web site is here: http://www.ackermanmodern.com/studio.html

More embroidery

I've been trying out some beads on my tote bag. I feel as though I can have large designs and beads on my tote bags, but not on my clothes. I've been sewing some Alabama Chanin pieces without embellishment to get the fit right. Now I need to come up with a subtle design. 

Paper lanterns

Lanterns filled with votives or LEDs are so beautiful at night. The dark paper mâché figure to the left is a castoff I found at the thrift store. This folded paper lantern is a beginning to my lantern hunt. I want to make a large sample with foam board. I'm using Helen Hiebert's "Paper Illuminated" to work my way through lantern ideas. I would like to make some of these out of more durable material to hang outside, candle boats in the trees. 

Summer embroidery bowls

This warm weather has recommitted me to some Alabama Chanin projects. I am trying out different designs on squares of canvas which will be sewn into totes.  I would like them to grow into very luxurious totes with linings and key fobs, interior pockets, and maybe one of those exterior wallets for change. I like to keep my tools in little bowls. Last winter I lined this one with wool felt. I can stick my needles into the felt and the scissors don't clang around inside. It's a sweet little bowl and I think that suddenly becoming useful has really perked him up.