Thursday, July 26, 2007

Interweave Fall Preview

Oh that Eunny Jang, why does she haunt me so?



Doesn't she know about the unfinished projects I already have languishing? I have no room for more m'dear... but those cables. Oh those cables.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I think my mind is still on vacation

nyc

I love Seattle, but today I'm dreaming of a day in New York with nothing better to do than eat bagels in Central Park.


Central Park

Monday, July 23, 2007

Reception

The reception was a mellow, pleasant picnic where the weather held off enough to prevent an actual downpour. Kids were (mostly) free to run around and adults were free to eat all the blackberry cobbler they wanted.

Here's some of the Hilltop crew doing just that.



And here are many of us with the beautiful blanket they knit for Jesse and I! I believe it's from Mason Dixon Knitting.




That's Karen, Martine, Jenny, Jesse, Betsy, me, Teresa and Daphne (some of the knitters involved are not pictured here). It's adorable and because of the coolness of this summer I've already begun to use it!

Thank you all for the lovely handmade gift to warm our home.

*EDIT* All pictures by Seth Howard.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Brooklyn Finds

Ohio Knitting Mills Interior

One of the places I was most proud to find independently in New York was the Ohio Knitting Mills in Brooklyn. It's a store full of never worn vintage sweaters from the 1940's through the 1970's. The owner apparently bought a warehouse full and is using it to stock his store.

The wares not only stock his store but parts of the original Ohio knitting mill used to manufacture these sweaters are furniture and Christmas work party pictures from the forties decorate the walls.

Not only is it beautiful as a snapshot in time, but you just might get a great deal. The sweaters themselves aren't cheap, but after asking about a table of ribbon in a corner I got a great price per spool. Let's just say I filled my backpack up without a second thought.

Ohio Knitting Mills
231 Smith St.
Brooklyn, NY
718.596.7103

Open Wed-Sat 12-8, Sun 12-6

Ribbons

My sis and I also made it to the Etsy Labs. They were hosting an open house, "Cupcake Day" where cupcakes were served and crafted up on totes, pillows, etc.

Steph vs. Owl

That's my sis staring down a giant owl. There were lots of supplies for jewelry making, sewing, knitting, crochet, and general craftiness. It was cool to see the hub of etsy and so many people crafting together. (Note the cupcake bag, adorable!)

Etsy Lab Brooklyn

Next time I hope to go to the Make Workshop and Craft Lab.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Ta Da!

There have been lots of questions about the dress and so I'm finally posting a picture of it- proof I finished before the wedding. I'm not all dressed up yet, this is in fact a picture of the girls getting ready in the boudoir. Oooh la la!

The Dress

Still, not too bad eh?

I was pretty happy with it considering how much I strayed, improvised, from the original pattern. It's a combination of Rowans' Butterfly, Alhemys' Ingenue and my own pattern. I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk and Rowan Kidsilk Spray.

Also if you've read this far you deserve to be reminded about the Half Price Knit Night happening on Capitol Hill tomorrow at 7pm - around 10pm. Let me know if I'll see you there!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Purl Visit

While in New York I had to take a half day to visit Purl in SoHo. Purl is not just a store (or even two stores) to me. I read their blog almost daily and it keeps me updated on a variety of fiber arts. I reread the owners book, Last Minute Knitted Gifts and am looking forward to her new book: Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts.

I knew I would enjoy my visit to their two stores.

Don't I look happy?

Me at Purl Yarn

This is me in front of the windows of Purl, can you see the colorful displays of natural fiber yarn? Honestly, I went in, I drooled and I bought a magazine. That's it, one magazine. Albeit an expensive, imported magazine, but just the one. It could have something to do with the mountain of yarn I'm now catologing on ravelry... but I digress.

Purl Patchwork is it's own store just a few doors down from Purl.

Here are the adorable hoops I plan on mimicking one of these days...

Yes, Yes, Purl

Could I have the whold display please?

Purl Patchwork Window

How much is that kitty in the window?

Purl Patchwork

I didn't get away with just one thing at Purl Patchwork. No, it seemed like I had to have one of each. Not having much of a fabric stash at home made it easy to justify lots of beautiful purchases.

Now I need to get sewing while it's still skirt weather.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Halcyon Days

I can't sum the whole trip up - but it was just what I wanted. It was swimming and picnics, fireflies and lightning storms, dancing and laughter. It was a really good time.

This is the view from our "love cottage", where Jesse and I stayed, towards the grist mill where most of our guests stayed. You can see Zena Creek to the right.

Grist Mill

This is the ladies lunch Jill held for us the day before the wedding. That's Quinn, Clara, Diane and me (in the hat). We dined on the high lawn and the ladies shared advice, wisdom and wishes for our marriage. My favorites were the old adage "not to go to bed angry" and even better: to be adventurous!

Ladies Luncheon

More to come of the actual wedding, meanwhile I did find some New York City craftiness to get up to...