One Whole Year.

What a year it has been. A year of meeting new people and being inspired. A year of personal journeys and new horizons. I hope that everyone everywhere in the world is looking forward to a happy, healthy 2009.

1. Merch, 2. Snow Day, 3. Into the fog, 4. I wonder…, 5. Fuzzy Magoo, 6. morran on ice, 7. string theory, 8. a simple rule…, 9. Whidbey Island, WA, 10. Untitled, 11. Heretical, 12. Dovetailed, 13. Over hill…over dale, 14. Untitled, 15. giants, 16. S O L I T A R Y . R E S I D E N C E, 17. Outward, 18. stacked squares, 19. horse hair nest, 20. Different perspective, 21. Plant, 22. shine, 23. turning, 24. hydrangea skeleton, 25. pink & grey, 26. thistle, 27. flock in flight, 28. the passenger, 29. johannes, 30. he tolerates me…, 31. mossa, 32. Margam Abbey Ghost, 33. textured linen – stack 1, 34. from the train window, 35. light source, 36. Habitat Hat

I want to thank everyone that has left a comment here! You all have been so encouraging and it has lifted & connected me in a way I had not foreseen. I want to keep pushing myself to open up, to try and say those things I usually keep to myself.

I have quite a list of personal goals as well, including the old standby ‘lose 10 pounds’ (har har… don’t we all? No, really…. tell me I’m not alone).

Cheers!

Fitting.

The first dress is a fitting success, Floria was quite pleased (as am I). I also tried on the tie-front frock and it fits perfectly. So, I will keep moving with the pattern.

I hope everyone is having a happy, safe holiday season!

Seasons.

Have a wonderful holiday and New Year, internet. Thank you for a fun filled year: a year of meeting new people, discovering new sites and exploring handmade (and then some). I’ve enjoyed all of the comments here and I thank each one of you. Here’s to 2009! *clink*

Sundress in Wool.

When I made the Simple Sundress pattern, I hoped that it would be a versitle enough pattern to translate into heartier fabrics for fall and winter (i.e. corduroys and wools). I put it to the test with another dress for Floria and I am quite satisfied with the outcome.

The fabric is a very soft Pendleton 100% Wool Tartan that I’ve had for over 15 years. I’ve been saving it for something small and special. The tie is  Carolina Chambray in Black.

Edited to add: finally a little Christmas snow….but it’s coming all at once!

Wee Peek.

Another Christmas frock is forming….

1, 2, 3…

A few weeks back there was a great pattern on Ravelry for a cowl that I faved. It’s a very clever, quick pattern and I made a mental note for Christmas presents. The original pattern called for garter stitch, but I’ve also made a few in seed stitch. I like the look of the seed stitch, but the feel of the garter stitch (loose versus thick).

So, if you knit and are looking for any last-minute gift ideas, I recommend this. The only trouble I’m having is deciding who should get which color!

More photos here.

Sometimes Music is the Only Thing that Saves Me.

In my wildest fantasies – the kind you daydream about, but maybe know you could never fulfill – this is me:

In my mind, I go back time to the place where I am young and classes and lessons are put upon me by my parents. In real life, those lessons were ballet, and I was very good at it, and loved it. But in my fantasy, they were guitar lessons and piano lessons and I write my own music. In real life, I’m shy (painfully so) and awkward, but in my fantasy I can stand on a stage and say what I mean. Sing it in a way that resonates with people, and play guitar in a way that’s inspirational. My parents fostered an intense love of music in us – both of them are hardcore music collectors, but neither of them were musicians.

I think that’s why I so love spending time with my sister and her kids. I know my sister has this same fantasy (we could have been the first Tegan & Sara, thank you!), so to see how much she encourages my nephews’ interest in music is awesome. They are good…really good little musicians. Most importantly, they rock out.

For now, I settle for my car – my favorite place to sing. I sing my heart out, out of tune. I play lefty guitar in my living room, and not very well…. but with so much new music out there that is inspiring me, I am going to get back to it. My motto in life is ‘every carries a burden’. I never forget it for a second. Someday I will find my voice.

Frock.

Back in August, which seems ages ago, I made a new pattern. It was a deep V-neck tunic and I made 3 prototypes and sent them off for input and testing. I adjusted the sizing a bit and made some more. Then, I just dropped it. Forgot all about it thanks to the Election, the economy, work, vampires….

Julie asked me for a holiday frock for Floria and the tunic popped back to mind. I’ve modified the neck line and made it dress length with a slight A-line in a rose, wide-wale corduroy. I am very pleased with this new pattern. I think I like it even more than the tunic. However, I will develop both because they are slightly different and I think the dress is a bit dressier. Now – to bring it to life as a pattern. That is the hard part.