Portland is My Kind of Town

Had a little weekend get away with Jesse, technically for his birthday, but I was the one who really wanted to get out of town. And if I'm not going to Bellingham I'm usually going to Portland. So Portland it was.

We stayed at The Grand Lodge, a McMenamins place in Forest Grove, OR. In case you were wondering this is NOT that close to Portland... especially if there is a detour. After some turnabouts in long fields of corn we made our way safely to the hotel. It is a really fun place to stay, with lots of paintings like this:





(but less blurry) to commemorate the people who have contributed to the history of the area or the Lodge itself. There are also large metallic slides, leftover from when it was a retirement home for Masons. Apparently they were for evacuation in case of fire, but they don't look that safe to me! I even heard from a friend that her husband broke his tailbone on one!

The best thing about the Lodge is the disc golf course. According to the Lodge site: "The object of the game is to complete each hole on the course in the fewest number of throws and land your disc in an elevated metal basket commonly referred to as a disc catcher." For me, the goal was not to get my disc too muddy and to stay somewhat near the baskets. Jesse takes this pretty seriously, I think this was how I got him to agree to this trip in the first place.



He takes it pretty seriously. First the wind up.







Then the release.







Whereas I am more of a Sunday in the park type thrower.







As close as I am to the basket, that disc is not going in. Well it was my first game.

The first place we ate in town was also my favorite. It's the Little Red Bike Cafe on N Lombard. They serve delicious sandwiches and coffee.





I also opted for the Buttermilk Berry Shake. Definitely worth seeking out!



There are definitely yarn stores in Portland. We visited a few, but there are many more.



We visited Twisted PDX on NE Broadway. They have one-page reproductions of all of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s original newsletters for $1 each! I snatched up several including the hand to hand aran pullover. They also had several of her and Lucy Neatbys dvds. Some Japanese knitting books. Many beautiful shop samples, but I didn't take any pictures at this stop! Bad blogger.



However I did buy this pattern too, perhaps for next spring?



We also went to Knittn' Kitten on NE Glisan, it's a thrift, craft store! Can you believe it? Two of my favorite things combined. They had a variety of sewing notions, buttons, snaps, etc. Lots of vintage fabric for only a couple of dollars a yard. I am just starting my sewing obsession, so I'm trying to take it slow. I bought a few yards of fabric, but don't have pictures quite yet. Some vintage knitting books. For when I have kids and want to dress them like old people. :) With the names I'll give them it'll all work out. They had yarn, but shockingly enough I didn't buy any yarn on this trip. No one can believe it.


We went to The Dig thrift store, where Jesse bought a few clothes but I didn't find anything. The prices were great I just didn't see as much in my size. Definitely worth a look especially if you're in the neighborhood.

We went to the Mill End Store which is just fabulous. I was a bit overwhelmed. Their Simplicity patterns were 99 cents! They had tons of fabric in a warehouse, with a very nice staff. Their oilcloth was the cheapest I've seen. Jesse triumphantly helped me pick out this fig pattern.






All in all a great trip. I'll have more pictures of the spoils I returned with soon!

Belated

Proof for my sister in Japan that I celebrated the Fourth of July in proper fashion.

Think of Every Town You've Lived In

I was also able to go to the Bellingham Farmers Market on my short visit. Besides delicious crepes, honey, and fruit they have musicians:




handspun Spincycle yarn:







and what that yarn can become:







As well as Moth and Squirrel Toys, that share a booth with Spincycle:




and Rachel, a Spincycler herself!



Yes, there's a lot to love about Bellingham. I know Carly and Andy love it too. Just look at those smiling faces!



But I had to go home sometime, and when you leave Bellingham I suggest you do it by train.



It's a lovely view, hugging the coastline of the Pacific. If you can get them to show The Harvey Girls for in board entertainment I suggest that too.

My train was most accommodating.

Keep Bellingham Weird

Recently, I was able to go to Bellingham for a long Memorial Day weekend. A trip that was long overdue. I find Bellingham both surprising and relaxing, comforting and ever changing.

For instance while hanging out at the Black Drop Coffeehouse I noticed this passing by.



Suddenly my everyday brown hair just became a little... mousier.



It's not every day you wish you'd bought a wig.



There's always next year, as this is an annual event in B'ham. There isn't a real reason for it, they just say its a Fun-raiser. I love this town.

But my real reason for coming up was Opie.



She'd moved to a new house, had a new dog and was slogging through school when I came up to see her. But she still managed to find time to take me to one of our favorite breakfast spots, The Little Cheerful Cafe. Those smiles mean we know we came to the right place.

This was the first place I ate at when I moved to Bellingham for college in 2000. Like a lot of Bellingham it has changed, but it's still colorful and funky. Decorated with cancan girls, mermaids and even a pterodactyl kite



And I had the chance to get better acquainted with Opies' friend Chase.



Can't you just tell he's fun? I certainly thought so, and this is an especially good thing to know as Chase will be accompanying us on an Opie/John/Jesse/Kat trip to Oaxaca, Mexico in the Fall.

Opie and I are turning 30. Yes, 30. And to celebrate we are taking a trip I've wanted to take for a long time. I've always wanted to celebrate my birthday in Mexico, as it is Dia de los Muertos. 30 seems like an especially good birthday to realize some dreams.

Playing Tourist

Saturday I played tourist in my own town.

I got up early on the sunniest day of the year, so far and headed to Pike Place Market. Just enjoying seeing so many people out soaking up the sunshine, walking their dogs and showing off their babies. I walked through Post Alley and appreciated the various graffiti and collages, enjoying how they play off eachother and contine to change with time.




Then I walked North to the Olympic Sculpture Park. It was a little further away from downtown than I thought it would be, but worth every step. This view is from a pedestrian bridge on the way.



I love how Mt. Ranier seems above it all, mightier than the largest stadium, more majestic than any shipping crane and more mysterious than the ferry boats.

Here's the waterfront portion of the park with the Olympic mountains in the background. It's still a new park, the grass is coming in and the whole place feels very manicured.



I saw two security guards on foot and one in a golf cart. Seemed like a lot of supervision for the laidback tourists. Certainly for one knitter.



This guy and I had the same idea for a shot. I imagine his is improved for my not being in it. ;)



I made a little progress on the sock I started. It's a very simple, just go round and round type of sock using some long ago purchased Koigu, colorway Thanksgiving I believe. Since this picture I've made it to the heel!



I finished off my downtown adventures at Anthropologie where I managed to find pants for $10! And a cute new robe, for considerably more. Not to mention that later that evening I went to my first Gay Bingo.

It was such a good day that I almost don't mind the wicked sunburn I have, in April.

Hilltop Fire Sale

For those of you who survived you don't need to hear the tales of glory.

For those of us who weren't there, we never got to test our mettle.

I bring you, the Hilltop Fire Sale.




People were lined up for hours before the store opened.

I'm not sure anything like this had ever happened on Queen Anne before.

Once the doors opened the store was instantly wall to wall people.




Congratulations to the stash enhancers! I've seen your haul on ravelry. :)

If you see me at Hilltop I'll be the one behind the register trying to reorder yarn as fast as I can. :) There's some books, patterns and needles still left on sale.

We'll see you all again as soon as you've recovered!

*All pictures are from Martine as I was a big chicken, at home knitting in my pjs.

Chilly Hilly

Today was the annual Chilly Hilly bike ride on Bainbridge Island. Now I'm not in shape to bike 33 miles and truth be told I don't even own a bike. However, that didn't keep me from being part of the support team!

Some Hilltop knitters rode in the race and some more of us chose to support them by shopping for yarn and fabric, as well as eating some delicious food.

Here's Shannon enjoying a beverage after the race. Which is actually a tiny dessert.




I managed to find a little something to treat myself with, isn't it pretty?



It's a dark chocolate tart filled with caramel and a mocha on the side. Yum.

I also managed to wear my new favorite sweater.



Obviously, Seth likes it. Or he's just proud that he actually did bike 33 miles.

I'm especially proud of these darts.



I started with the Boatneck Bluebell pattern from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel, and then I went my own way. This yarn is so beautiful I didn't think it needed much embellishment.



The yarn is a worsted weight merino from Spincycle Yarns, in the "Castaways and Cutouts" colorway. It goes with everything I own.

Progress!

I have been knitting, and even finishing a few things. Knowing the end of the year is coming soon, I've felt a frenzy to be productive and finish projects that languished during the year.

These have been waiting the longest, over a year. I know they look deceptively simple, but there are little fingers hiding inside those paws and since I always knew they were a gift I'd been less inclined to finish them.



Here they are in progress:



I'm so glad they're done and now I can think about doing a pair for myself!

In the meantime I made a pair of quickies for me:



These are Wonder Warmers from Spincycle Yarns using their single ply worsted merino wool.



I also made a hat for myself:


(Sorry for the dark picture.) It's the Virgo Hat from Spincyle in their single ply worsted merino wool, colorway "rusted rainbow." I call mine the Scorpio hat, since I was born in November.

Lest you think I only knit small things I also finished this:


The pattern is the"Jane Origami Crossover Sweater" from Perl Gray. The yarn is Ottawa from Fleece Artist and it's quite delicious. Hilltop is selling them in kits and I made this one as a store sample.

Thanks to Monica for taking this picture.

Now I am pondering what to knit next... Any suggestions?

A Well Loved Object

I consider this humble i-pod cosy to be one of the most successful things I've ever knit.

The reason is simple. What you see before you are the contents of Jesses' pockets. A minimalist, not a lot of stuff is in there, only the bare essentials. Keys, wallet, pen and i-pod, not complete without its cosy. Everywhere he goes, this cosy goes and so a handknit piece of me goes too.

It makes me want to knit a fine layer of cosy for many treasured, small objects.

Achtung

My friend and co-worker, Jenny Chase-Rappaport is participating in the Queen Anne Artists Trunk Show this Saturday November 10th from 11-4pm with her unique hand crafted toys and accessories for all ages. Her booth will be "Rocket Boy and Danger Dog Knits."

Come by and check out her wares!

The Awful Truth

I love Ravelry just like every other knitter/crocheter I know.

My only problem with it, is that it is forcing me to confront how many unfinished objects I have or at least how many I'm willing to own up to...

Currently we have:



Pop Up paws for a friend of Jesses.

The yarn was free and is not colors I would normally use, so I had no problem making it into a gift. I had never made fingers or even half fingers before and thought it would be neat to try. Ok, it was neat but tedious and I dread the thought of doing another. Then, the friend began to nag us, a lot. I asked Jesse to remind her that I don't have hand knit gloves of any kind. That it is a gift and one shouldn't rush hand knit gifts. The more she nags the less I want to knit it...



An adorable teddy bear for an adorable niece. The A is for Alina. The bear is from Unusual Toys for you to Knit and Enjoy. Embarrassingly enough I keep losing the little pieces of it, all those arms, legs, and ears... sheesh.



One for the store. Beautiful pattern, beautiful yarn... tons of short rowing and stockinette. And now I'm at the point where I should be picking up stitches. Hmmm...



Another for the store... the yarn is beautiful, it's hand dyed Handmaiden, but the pattern. Oh this pattern is not good. Bad, bad pattern writer. Names withheld to protect those I don't want to insult. But, what could a person have against a provisional cast on?

Ok, those are the ones I can bring out into the light.

I know I'm not the only one.

I'll see you on Ravelry, I'm Stampalina there.

Birthday Flowers

Birthday Flowers
Originally uploaded by Stampalina

Someone brought me flowers home from work for the very first time.

My day does not end at midnight

but officially my birthday does.

It was a good one, a mellow one. Which is what I needed.

Jesse and I had some good time on the road to and from Bellingham. I go to pick the music on the ipod and, as usual, he did all the driving.

We drove North to spend time with Opie. Had brunch at one of my favorite spots in town, Mount Bakery. Although none of us was hungry enough to try their crazy Eggs Benedict, which come served on a Belgian Waffle. Next time I'll resolve to show up hungrier.

We hung out at a fabric store and fondled various things. Steph bought fabric to make many aprons. I had the good luck to not only be included in this generous apron making and giving, but also have the chance to learn something by watching Steph work on them later.

We stopped by Goodwill and found many $3 finds. I now have more sweaters in my wardrobe to counteract the chill, does it feel like snow to anyone else? I know it's too early, right? Please say yes. I live and work on top of two separate, large hills...

We ended the evening with a large Stephmade dinner including many of my favorite things, eggplant, kalamata olives, parmesan, pesto, garlic and pasta. I also got to love up her pets quite generously, especially Wyatt as I do have a tendency toward the felines.

Most of all I had a chance to breath a bit easier. To share some of the load I've been carrying and hopefully to do the same for her. There is an ease in being with someone who has known you nearly half your life. A comfort to just being able to be with someone.

We're 29 now and while it's a bit of a shocker I think we can handle it. Especially if we're able to see each other once in awhile.