I finally went and got my own copy of the new Vogueknitting. WOW! There are some wonderful patterns contained in this issue. From Nicky Epstein's stunning "Wedding Dress" to Jeannie Chin's quirky "Dolman Hoodie", there is something interesting for everyone.
Epstein's "Wedding Dress" is knit in Artyarns' "Beaded Silk & Sequins Light," "Silk Mohair Glitter," and "Ensemble Glitter Light." A bodice knit on it's side with pearls at the scoop neck, hints at the drama to come from a back view. A daring open back, with a drop waist that brings us to the hexagonal paneled skirt. Petal-like sleeves echo the same hexagons. What a beautiful work of art!
I can see myself attempting Cheryl Murray's "Reverse Fair Isle Coat". Cleverly designed to draw attention to what is usually the "wrong" side of the fabric, the pattern is worked in reverse stockinette, so the stranded colorwork is the highlight of the coat. Worked in Blue Sky Alpaca's "Melange", the pattern comes in extended sizes (which is always nice), and also features a shawl collar, and a nice below-the-hip length. The colorwork is brought to light at the end of the sleeves as well, giving you ample opportunity to try your hand at this interesting design element.
In a bright teal, Lily Kate France's "Cabled Mittens", really stand out. Cables race up the arm from the very tip of your fingers, beginning and ending over and over. The thumb is encompassed with ribbing and with a generous length of 15", you won't have to worry about winter winds creeping up your arms. Knit in a merino/silk blend from Fyberspates/Lantern Moon's "Scrumptious Aran", these mittens are certainly scrumptious.
With interesting articles on Shetland Wool Week and a "little" store in New York called Annie & Co., seven book reviews, and an excerpt from Kaffe Fasset's autobiography, this latest issue is one I'll be pouring over for awhile.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Mini Staycation
Yesterday, we took the kids into Springfield to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. What a wonderful place! The kids had so much fun and learned a lot. Country kids that they are, just driving into downtown Springfield is amazing to them. With the taller buildings and the one way streets. So sheltered.
When we got into the museum, we were greeted with the suggestion that we step into the holographic theater that was starting a performance in 5 minutes. That really helped set the mood. Kellen got scared a bit but otherwise enjoyed himself. Lorenne and Josh loved it. After leaving that, we went into Journey 1, which began in a replica of a log cabin that Abe Lincoln might have grown up in. It was so small and cramped. But what I noticed right off - the knitting basket at the foot of the bed! Josh rolled his eyes at that. What was so interesting about the exhibits is how they were sectioned off and as you entered one, you wound your back into different rooms that had pictures and vignettes and artifacts. They led you around and out to the very next exhibit. There was another theater that had a performance about seeing Lincoln through eyes of the times and not the mist of the legend he has become. It was very thought provoking. I knew that he was not well liked by many at the time (I went through a phase of reading up on the Civil War era), but I didn't realize just how despised he was by everyone for one reason or another.
We ate lunch at the Subway that's conveniently located in the museum, got one of those souvenier pennies for each of the kids and finished up at the gift shop. Kellen got a bag of little soldiers, with cannons and horses and wagons. Lorenne got a quill and ink pot.
Next stop was Lincoln's home.
Because we got there later in the day, we were unable to get free tickets to go inside. Which was a bummer to say the least. But, we walked around the neighborhood, where there are a number of houses that have been restored to their original look so you can get a sense of what it was like. There are actors walking around in period dress and can tell you anything you like about the houses or neighborhood. We found it interesting to learn that until the mid-80's the streets were not blocked off and that there was actually a Piggly-Wiggly in the lot across the street from the Lincoln home.
Last stop for the day was to his tomb which is located in hilly Oak Park Cemetary.
Except for the bratty kid who was yelling at his grandma in the parking lot, making fun of the way she parked and begging for a butt-whoopin', it was a good way to cap the day. I haven't been there since I was a kid, and neither had Josh.
We also drove around the Riverside Park and saw that there's a stable there and so now the kids want to go horseback riding and are going to go to the Olympics in horse jumping and babble babble babble.
It was a good day, and good way to end my summer vacay from work.
I go back on Wednesday. Scary stuff, that. Not really, but I've become accustomed to sitting on my butt here at home and sitting on my butt back in that office just doesn't sound quite as appealing.
I've got some ideas for next summer and an actual vacation. We're very overdue. We've never gone on a vacation, the four of us, and Lorenne will be 12 in March and we'll have been married 13 years. Josh gets another week of vacation next year as well, after 9 years working for the company. I'm going to convince him to spend it with us over the summer break and not trapping with his dad in the fall. We'll see what happens, considering his dad didn't get to trap last year because of his leg injury. Pulled his thigh muscle away from the bone, two days before season started. He was out at work for three months, healing. Poor guy. Anyways.... I suppose that's all for now.
I hope I get into the swing of all this.
Oh PS: cast on for a pair of fingerless mitts for Lorenne. In a soft blue yarn, DK weight. Although I'm knitting them right in front of her, she doesn't know what they are and doesn't ask about what I'm making. So hopefully they can stay a surprise. Kellen has been asking for a knitted Angry Bird stuftie or an Angry Bird hat. I hate commercialism but the patterns I've seen for the hats are pretty cute. Maybe for Christmas...
When we got into the museum, we were greeted with the suggestion that we step into the holographic theater that was starting a performance in 5 minutes. That really helped set the mood. Kellen got scared a bit but otherwise enjoyed himself. Lorenne and Josh loved it. After leaving that, we went into Journey 1, which began in a replica of a log cabin that Abe Lincoln might have grown up in. It was so small and cramped. But what I noticed right off - the knitting basket at the foot of the bed! Josh rolled his eyes at that. What was so interesting about the exhibits is how they were sectioned off and as you entered one, you wound your back into different rooms that had pictures and vignettes and artifacts. They led you around and out to the very next exhibit. There was another theater that had a performance about seeing Lincoln through eyes of the times and not the mist of the legend he has become. It was very thought provoking. I knew that he was not well liked by many at the time (I went through a phase of reading up on the Civil War era), but I didn't realize just how despised he was by everyone for one reason or another.
We ate lunch at the Subway that's conveniently located in the museum, got one of those souvenier pennies for each of the kids and finished up at the gift shop. Kellen got a bag of little soldiers, with cannons and horses and wagons. Lorenne got a quill and ink pot.
Next stop was Lincoln's home.
Last stop for the day was to his tomb which is located in hilly Oak Park Cemetary.
We also drove around the Riverside Park and saw that there's a stable there and so now the kids want to go horseback riding and are going to go to the Olympics in horse jumping and babble babble babble.
It was a good day, and good way to end my summer vacay from work.
I go back on Wednesday. Scary stuff, that. Not really, but I've become accustomed to sitting on my butt here at home and sitting on my butt back in that office just doesn't sound quite as appealing.
I've got some ideas for next summer and an actual vacation. We're very overdue. We've never gone on a vacation, the four of us, and Lorenne will be 12 in March and we'll have been married 13 years. Josh gets another week of vacation next year as well, after 9 years working for the company. I'm going to convince him to spend it with us over the summer break and not trapping with his dad in the fall. We'll see what happens, considering his dad didn't get to trap last year because of his leg injury. Pulled his thigh muscle away from the bone, two days before season started. He was out at work for three months, healing. Poor guy. Anyways.... I suppose that's all for now.
I hope I get into the swing of all this.
Oh PS: cast on for a pair of fingerless mitts for Lorenne. In a soft blue yarn, DK weight. Although I'm knitting them right in front of her, she doesn't know what they are and doesn't ask about what I'm making. So hopefully they can stay a surprise. Kellen has been asking for a knitted Angry Bird stuftie or an Angry Bird hat. I hate commercialism but the patterns I've seen for the hats are pretty cute. Maybe for Christmas...
Monday, July 30, 2012
New names and a revelation (I'm boringgggggg)
Windy Hill Knits......
After two years, I thought I'd start anew with the name we've claimed for our homestead. It's a fitting name, Windy Hill. Sometimes we love our breeze, say in the summer, when it's 110 degrees and we think we might melt. Other times, we hate it, say in the winter, when it's 10 degrees and our nostrils freeze. Oh, our house. The wind has ripped off so much siding, it's pathetic. (Hate the wind then.) We have a leaky window, and no matter how much caulk we fill it with, still seams to leak like a sieve when the rain (what rain? we're in the middle of a hideous drought!) blows off the porch roof, inbetween the siding and the window and down into our living room. The roof line is starting to look a bit bowed. We've talked about adding on, moving the front door location, remodeling the kitchen and bath and switching their locations. None of it will happen. Most likely. I'm not expecting it anyway.
Last summer, I started working as the assistant secretary at the high school. Our high school. It was weird at first, since some teachers from our time are still there. But, I like it. I feel as though I might be making, not a difference or an impression, nothing that lofty, but a positive spot in all those kids lives. Hopefully. We've made some changes to the office. It looks great in there, with new paint and a furniture move. It was time. It's looked the same for about 25 years atleast. I've liked the time off this summer. Being on the same basic schedule as my kids has been wonderful! And two months in the summer has been a dream. Going back on the 8th. It's gone by too fast. Haven't done anything fun this summer. Thought we'd have a mini-vacation at least, but we had to fix the AC and the sump pump needed a new motor. And the Yukon needs new tires. The list is endless. We're going to try to go to Wildlife Prairie Park in Peoria next weekend. My last weekend.
I don't know how suited to blogging my mind really is. I never really kept a diary or anything as a kid. And there's always a little person asking me about something or talking incessantly about a particular topic.
I've been knitting a lot. Can't remember the last time I picked up a crochet hook. easier to find patterns I guess. I hope I can get this cabled sweater done in time. It's a beautiful dark red wool, and I don't wear red nearly as much as I should. My coloring is suited to red, but my personality is not. We'll see how it looks when I'm done.
I guess that's all for now.
After two years, I thought I'd start anew with the name we've claimed for our homestead. It's a fitting name, Windy Hill. Sometimes we love our breeze, say in the summer, when it's 110 degrees and we think we might melt. Other times, we hate it, say in the winter, when it's 10 degrees and our nostrils freeze. Oh, our house. The wind has ripped off so much siding, it's pathetic. (Hate the wind then.) We have a leaky window, and no matter how much caulk we fill it with, still seams to leak like a sieve when the rain (what rain? we're in the middle of a hideous drought!) blows off the porch roof, inbetween the siding and the window and down into our living room. The roof line is starting to look a bit bowed. We've talked about adding on, moving the front door location, remodeling the kitchen and bath and switching their locations. None of it will happen. Most likely. I'm not expecting it anyway.
Last summer, I started working as the assistant secretary at the high school. Our high school. It was weird at first, since some teachers from our time are still there. But, I like it. I feel as though I might be making, not a difference or an impression, nothing that lofty, but a positive spot in all those kids lives. Hopefully. We've made some changes to the office. It looks great in there, with new paint and a furniture move. It was time. It's looked the same for about 25 years atleast. I've liked the time off this summer. Being on the same basic schedule as my kids has been wonderful! And two months in the summer has been a dream. Going back on the 8th. It's gone by too fast. Haven't done anything fun this summer. Thought we'd have a mini-vacation at least, but we had to fix the AC and the sump pump needed a new motor. And the Yukon needs new tires. The list is endless. We're going to try to go to Wildlife Prairie Park in Peoria next weekend. My last weekend.
I don't know how suited to blogging my mind really is. I never really kept a diary or anything as a kid. And there's always a little person asking me about something or talking incessantly about a particular topic.
I've been knitting a lot. Can't remember the last time I picked up a crochet hook. easier to find patterns I guess. I hope I can get this cabled sweater done in time. It's a beautiful dark red wool, and I don't wear red nearly as much as I should. My coloring is suited to red, but my personality is not. We'll see how it looks when I'm done.
I guess that's all for now.
I'm Baaaaaaaaack
Oh my goodness, it's been soooooooo long. TWO YEARS!!!! Let's see what's happened....
I've gotten the hang of knitting. I've made mittens, stuffed animals, baby clothes, hats, a blanket for charity, a top for myself, socks and a shawl. Right now, I have a cabled hoodie on the needles for myself.
I work at the local high school as a secretary. Lots going on there. Nearly time to go back to school, too.
I'm sewing curtains for Lorenne's room. All she had was sheers so I'm using those and some cute aqua colored fabric to fashion some new ones.
Lorenne will be in junior high this year. :( And Kellen will be in first. :( My tiny babies are getting big and it's super sad.
We started going to church again last year. Josh got baptized and it was AWESOME!! We're growing in Christ more every day.
I'll have to fill in more as I have time. Can't believe I even remembered the password to get in here. LOL!!
I've gotten the hang of knitting. I've made mittens, stuffed animals, baby clothes, hats, a blanket for charity, a top for myself, socks and a shawl. Right now, I have a cabled hoodie on the needles for myself.
I work at the local high school as a secretary. Lots going on there. Nearly time to go back to school, too.
I'm sewing curtains for Lorenne's room. All she had was sheers so I'm using those and some cute aqua colored fabric to fashion some new ones.
Lorenne will be in junior high this year. :( And Kellen will be in first. :( My tiny babies are getting big and it's super sad.
We started going to church again last year. Josh got baptized and it was AWESOME!! We're growing in Christ more every day.
I'll have to fill in more as I have time. Can't believe I even remembered the password to get in here. LOL!!
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