Another year almost over.....

So about 24 hours before my last Christmas gift becomes a New Year's present. This scarf needs just one more foot! Then it's onto a cowl, finally! I'm reading a great book on Scandinavian knitting patterns from the 70s and gathering up new ideas for mittens.

For now I'm just reading your blogs and checking out photos on flickr.
Here are a collection of my favorite recent finds:
1. Knit wreaths, too bad next Christmas is a year away.
2. Bearded guys. Crawford is my favorite. Ashleyg is amazing.
3. Cupcakes and one wicked icing recipe.
Word to the wise, a half batch of the icing is more than enough.
4. An old post about an impromptu birthday party. That Sally Shim is
a talented lady.
5. Party drawings by Megan Whitmarsh.
6. A beautiful chunky wool cardigan.
7. A chunky crocheted lace scarf.
8. An awesome gift guide I wish I saw a couple weeks ago.
9. East Village boys from The Sartorialist.

Resting

My very first soft trees were a success! I was so happy to finally get the time to make them. I ended up making two sets for gifts. It was a wonderful Christmas full of friends and family, and Apples to Apples (the best party game I've ever played!). I was the recipient of some awesome gifts: an I-Pod Shuffle (the belt clip is great), High-waisted skirts in asphalt, cranberry, and brown, and Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted gifts to mention a few!

What was your favorite part of the holidays? Favorite gift?

Christmas Wrap-Up

I'm still scrambling to knit and sew the last of my gifts. I love making gifts for everyone, but it's crunch time! The funnest part was wrapping them all up with brown paper and string with handmade ponpons!
Have a merry Christmas!

Outfit Inspiration #3

(click on images to enlarge)
In the Nylon Dec/Jan 2006 issue there was an article called the Big Chill by Eviana Hartman and it dealt with the unattractiveness of winter wear. The stylist Nicky Coan created these amazing ensembles that make me (almost) wish winter was year-round. It was these pictures that made me fall in love with mixing textures: delicate and soft knits with tough wool plaid. Every since this spread I'm hooked on recreating these looks. I would say they are the biggest influence of my personal style, and represent my day to day look.
I was so excited when I saw the APC fall 07 collection because one outfit could have jumped right out of the magazine. They've got a plaid jacket, white dress, and wool scarf. I thought they were marketing just to me!
-Grey jacket, or Duffel coat
-Shorts in tweed or white
-Hunter wellies
-White sweater, yeah I really like this one
-Plaid shirt (under white sweater)
-Tights and socks
-Hand knit mittens. I have no shame. :P

Outfit Inspiration #2

Scanned from British Vogue August 2006 (Click it to see larger version)

Deep down inside I have always wanted to be a hipster. You know, have everything a little ironic, an asymmetrical haircut, skinny dark jeans, beat up sneaks, backstage at shows. The cool kid who has deep conversations about politics and snaps party pics. However, it will never be.

For one I'm not ironic, I'm ridiculously genuine to a fault, I have curly hair (so much for Emily O bangs), and I'd rather stay home and knit than be caught in a big group of people I don't know.
All this and the allure is still there. That's why I love the way fashion can symbolize a certain lifestyle. I can live vicariously through my clothing. I can put on my skinny jeans, a baggy ironic t-shirt, a thrift store plaid shirt, chucks, and keffiyeh if only to dream. But, if you do see me dressed up like this, do stop; I would love to grab some coffee and talk to you about communism....

Outfit Inspiration #1

I saw this image of Ashely Olsen on Who What Wear Daily's winter fashion post and I fell in love. So I've decided to do a series on my favorite outfits, trying to break them down and give suggestions on similar items if possible.

What really caught my eye at first was the bright purple blazer and its fur trim. It looks amazing with her blond hair, and to be honest is my favorite color. I really love blazers paired with casual attire. The second thing that really stands out for me is her gray cashmere sweater, it looks cozy and comfortable. The muted colors of her sweater and pants really let the jacket pop. I know she lives in a warmer climate so the sandals work, but I would have chosen some comfy boots!
Approximations of the look:
One bright purple jacket
One gray cashmere sweater (Canadians try this one!)
Black satin skinny pants
Brown Sandals

New Hat

I acquired a new had this weekend at Superstore.
It's from Joe Fresh, possibly the greatest thing...unless we got some
targets up here in Canada. I bought it for six dollars (it was supposed to be 12 until, but when I went to the till it was on sale!) It looks kinda of like a cloche and I love it!

Mittens on the Brain

My mitten knitting spree has now crossed over in to my baking:

I've become obsessed. I keep thinking up knew color combinations, and after Christmas I'm thinking of creating some new patterns to possibly sell on Etsy. Does anyone have any tips for Etsy selling? They would be greatly appreciated!
Here they are so far:

I love the colors of the newest pair.
Also since I've been checking out Etsy so much lately here are some of my favorites!
Bloesem's Pink Collection
Number Twenty-three

Crochet Coasters. They sold out already, but just take a moment
to appreciate their beauty.

A Baker's Dozen from Shim + Sons

My Folk Lover
Up in Trees Print
Ok I'm biased because they're already on my wall. A great pal gave them to me, she is so clever. This weekend I discovered a write up about the artist in my Australian Frankie magazine.On my wall. Apparently I framed them backwards, but I liked
how the trees joined up, so I left it.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

My favorite portrait from The Sartorialist in awhile. Stunning, and so seasonal. We picked out our tree on Saturday morning I didn't have a green and red plaid coat to wear but it was still festive! Also is that a Sveta Dresher Cowl hood?? What a great shot. That guy has an amazing eye.

Post Secret

I finally got a chance to see the PostSecret exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery with Luke. If you ever get a chance to see it, do so. It was incredibly moving. Some secrets were tragic and horrifying, others were hilarious. The show really took me through a roller coaster of emotion. The best part was that at the end you could make your own postcard to put in a locked bBlogger: Copycat - Edit Post "Post Secret"ox to be sent to the creator. I really enjoyed how normal the exhibit made me feel, I had this feeling that everyone has the same fears and worries. Deep down we all feel the same.

Wiksten Made

Wiksten Made, originally uploaded by erica_knits.

I've had my Portland Jumper for almost a month, but I finally I got the chance to take a photo! Or rather someone to take it for me. I love it so much and wear it every week. Thanks Jenny! Oh and the photo is blurry because I got really excited about it, and excited about being done school!

4 out of 10

I should be bundled up like this because it is so cold here! It was minus 40 degrees with the wind chill. All I wanted to do was stay in bed, but today was my last day of school! I am still writing that paper... 6 pages to go. Picture from I-D magazine.

Almost Done!!

I apologize for my prolonged absence, please bear with me for a little longer. I'm in the middle of writing two papers for the last week of school so I'm swamped. In the meantime it is the first of December and it's not to late to make one of these! Thanks JulieRee!
Like many other bloggers soft trees are also on my to do list, as is a ball wreath.
I'm also reading these two blogs, so beautiful.
I'm also loving the styling of the Urban Outfitters Gift Book.
I'll be back in a few.