Reality

Inspired by Great Ghosts!

Despite the influx of spring clothing into stores and the rain pounding my window, it's still too cold to revel in spring fashion. (However, the rain is doing a fabulous job of washing-off my car.) Thus, I am making every effort to re-vive my tired winter wardrobe to carry me into the days when I can (finally) sport spring clothing.

Exhibit: The creation of the chunky scarf I never got around to making all winter.
(Spring storm update: WHOA, lightning!)
I just cast on 20stitches onto 10mm needles with Lionbrand Thick and Quick (2 balls) and knit up some seed-stitch.
Row 1: *K1, P1* repeat until end.
Row 2: Knit the purls and purl the knits.
Repeat until scarf reaches desired length.

For further evidence of the supreme coolness of bulky knits, do check out Wool and the Gang and their blog. Seriously, do the French do everything right? *nods*
I will leave you with an example.

RIFLE - Anna Melcon Bond

Ok, so I've bought two artist prints now. The last one being the stunning Husky Print by Sarah McNeil. I've come to the realization that when I move out in August I will have no furniture, but enough art to fill the walls.

The next artist I would like to purchase a print from is Anna Melcon Bond. Her shop may not even be open yet, but I'm eagerly anticipating the opening and I think you should, too. :)
Check out her blog RIFLE and her flickr.
On her blog is a little sign-up for email notification of the shop opening.


Oh, P.s. you might want to check out her wedding, too.

Bella Mittens.

I forgot to post on the blog about my Bella Mittens. I made them out of beautiful navy Lopi Alafoss, Icelandic wool. The wool is so authentic and scratchy, perfect for long cabled mittens. The pattern was really well written and great to use. So nice of Subliminal Rabbit to share. After I made them I did find out that the original mittens came from Ruth Cross, a brilliant knitter from the U.K.

Weekend Sewing

Luke mentioned he was putting in an amazon order the other day and kindly asked if I would like to order any for myself.... why yes, of course!
So, around the end of March, Heather Ross's book Weekend Sewing will be in my hands. Which is almost perfect timing because school will have slowed down and I will finally have time again to sew. I think I associate sewing with summer because that's when I find the time to haul out the machine and get down to business. Thankfully, Weekend Sewing appears to be full of perfect summer projects.
I think the first two things out of the book I will make are an apron and a little tent.
I think I will start small.

Lenka "The Show"

Happy song, cute video.
Today I finished the second last paper of my B.A.!

Tonight Luke made me supper, brought me the film he got developed for me, then we watched a movie.

Cropped Trousers

Oh my.
These are so cute.
With high-heels, a crisp button down, and a straw hat.

Mid-Thigh Denim Shorts

AltamiraNYC

Not that it is anywhere near warm enough to sport shorts here, but I'm already dreaming of spring and summer wear. Now, I love denim cut-offs, but ever since the reincarnation of Daisy Duke by Jessica Simpson, all I could find in stores were teeny tiny, bum exposing, short shorts. Not exactly what I wanted...

As soon as I saw this picture on of Sarah Ruston on AltamiraNYC, I exclaimed "hallelujah!" Finally, shorts with a mid-thigh inseam. Now, I realize that I could find a pair of baggy men's jeans in a thrift store and cut them off to my liking. However, part of me is hoping the perfect pair made for women will arrive in stores shortly. Either way, this spring, mid-thigh cut-offs will be mine!!

Vogue.fr

Fulfilled resolution.

One of my resolutions was to buy more art and since making that resolution I have purchased a Black Apple Print. One that is particularly special to me called The Little Knitter, special because I like to wrap scarves around my neck as I knit them, too.

I find art is a wonderful investment.
Free art, well that's even better.
Thanks to Readymade Magazine five artists were asked to recreate the Great Depression posters to fit modern life and they are all available for free download.
The posters are colorful, cheerful and uplifting.
In these hard times, free art just might save the day.


(via ~>O<~)

Greenhouses

It's supposed to warm up tomorrow, I can't wait.
I got navy wellies for my birthday and I cannot wait to put them to good use.
Even if Spring is still far away.

My dad used to build a little greenhouse in our backyard during the winter. It had a wooden frame and the walls were just clear thick plastic. I used to hang out there and take of my jacket but still see the snow outside. It was so liberating, and warm, and green.

I think that is why I'm so drawn to greenhouses and sun rooms. Take this top picture for example, from an artist's house in France. Wouldn't that be a nice escape?

No idea where this bottom picture is from.
But I want to drink tea there every morning.

Sarah McNeil

I haven't been the best blogger lately.
School gets priority over here.

Unfortunately, school has been pretty rough this week.
You win some, you lose some, I guess.
It's a good thing that I found Sarah McNeil's
work yesterday on Windy Day's blog.
Nothing like cute animals to cheer me up.

Sarah sells her knitted animal brooches on her etsy, and her blog has an extensive list of the retailers carrying her work.

I love this little wolf print.
It will help fulfill my resolution to buy more art.