Foxes

As predicted, I came home from the Robber shopping event, not with Christmas gifts, but presents for myself! One of which was this lovely ring by Species by the Thousands. I went in thinking I would buy the wolf ring, but this little guy stole my heart. The finish on this ring is amazing. I've admired Species by the Thousands jewelery at Robber for quite awhile and it was time to make the leap. In fact, Robber is one of only two stores in Canada carrying this amazing jewelery line.

Foxes are magnificent animals. I've been lucky enough to see two of them in my lifetime. It's hard to pick a favorite species of fox (why would you, really?) but, the lovely Planet Earth series introduced me to the Tibetian Fox, which I'm positive is the coolest fox in existence.

The orange fox print in the background is by a local Toronto artist, Katie Muth, who I had the pleasure of meeting at her table at Winter Fling...A Craft Thing this past Saturday. (Thanks Michelle for letting me know about the craft sale!) The print is actually a card, but I think I will just put it in a frame on my wall.

Fierce Bunnies by Sonja Ahlers

DSC_3414, originally uploaded by fieldguided.

Anabela introduced me to Sonja Ahlers yesterday when my friend Kaye and I met up with her at the One of A Kind Show, here in Toronto. I had heard about Sonja's fierce bunnies before the show and seen them behind glass at Magic Pony, but nothing compares to seeing these bunnies up close and holding them in your hand. They are the softest sweetest creatures that will make all your worries go away. Just what I needed after a rough week.
I simply couldn't resist taking home one in a mitten (being a mitten knitter, and all). Taking advice from my favorite quote from Le petit prince: Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux (It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye), I took my time picking my bunny, looking for a special one. The special bunny that I took home is the little one in the beige mitten on the right. Isn't she sweet?

You can find some of Sonja's bunnies in her etsy shop.
Anabela has a lovely post about working at the booth with Sonja here.

Hot Water Bottle Cozy

My friend Alison likes to send me magazine clippings she thinks I would appreciate. She's right on every time. The latest clipping I received was a picture of a hot water bottle cozy knit with oatmeal coloured wool with a cable down the front. I knew I had to try to make a pattern of my own, how hard could it be! Well, four attempts later I think I've come up with the keeper. Sadly, after four attempts I gave up on the cable, it got too complicated.
Funny thing, after I finished the first version I went into the Indigo Book Store on Bay and Bloor and found the exact water bottle cozy in the clipping for $29.99!

I was going to save this pattern for myself until after Christmas, but I thought maybe some of you would like to make some quick Christmas/Holiday gifts, as well.
I hope you don't mind that it's not typed out. It's a small pattern, but I hope it isn't too hard to read! Plus, I thought my wonky little drawing might make you smile.

The pattern. Click on it to make it larger.
Let me know if anything confuses you or is incorrect.
ERRATA: Super important on the increase row right after the ribbing you should end up with 32 stitches, not 36! Anna (who is smart as a whip!) caught this math problem right away. She is right, if you start with 16 stitches and increase one for every stitch you have, you end up with 32. Now you know why I'm not a mathematician. :P
Thanks Anna!

The supplies. You'll need two skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca's Bulky yarn and circular or dpn needles in US size 17 or 12.75mm.

The back with a hole for removing the water bottle.

The front.

The first attempt. I need more water bottles to fill them now.
I used two balls in a mustard color and one in grey to make three.

Robber Shopping Event!

Poster by Caitlyn.
Click on the poster for a link to the Robber blog.

I was so excited to discover that a number of my readers are fellow Toronto residents (Hi Michelle, Hi Julie! To name a few.). So, when I heard of this shopping event at my favorite store in Toronto, I knew I had to let you know about it, too.
Here's the down low:
When: Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 from 6-9pm.
Where: Robber, 863 Queen Street West
What: Night of Shopping
Why: To support the Daily Bread Food bank and to shop for lovely items.
How: Bring a non-perishable food item to receive 15% off Fall/Winter merchandise!

I hope they're able to collect a number of items for the food bank and I hope to see you there!
I've got my eye on a few things:Steven Alan Striped Sweater.

Species by the Thousands Black Wolf Ring.

A Fantastic Weekend.

When Anabela invited me to come with her to the American Apparel rummage sale with her this past Friday and I couldn't say yes quick enough! One of the most exciting things about living in the big city to a girl from a small town is the possibility of an exclusive sale!

The excitement waned a little upon taking a look at the lineup. Eep! (This doesn't even fully capture the insanity.)But, we forged on.
I left with a nice pea-coat in a burgundy color that seems to be discontinued on the site.
Our pal Caitlyn picked up another cute winter jacket, and Geoff and Anabela found a few goodies as well, but I'll let them tell you about it. :)On Saturday, a group of us went out to see Fantastic Mr. Fox, and yes it was (fantastic, that is). I won't tell you more, you'll just have to see it, too. Now I'm rounding off the weekend with some homework accompanied by Sufjan Stevens's Songs for Christmas.
Hope your weekend was equally fantastic, and if you celebrated American Thanksgiving over the weekend I hope it was lovely and delicious!

In desperate need of recipes

Pardon the poor photo snapped by my Blackberry.
Last night I made this Chickpea and Fresh Tomato toss recipe that a friend recommended, it was yummy and made enough leftovers for lunch.
It was just the kind of recipe I needed for quick, cheap, and delicious food.
I'm looking for more recipes that are delicious and easy to make, what are your favorites?

Happy Early Christmas to Me!

I have been patiently waiting for Anna's shop to open for ages and my patience was rewarded today. Wow, was it ever! I just bought myself (and a few Christmas gifts for good measure) a ton of adorable stationary including that adorable animal card above.