That Folder of Inspiration

I don't know about you, but I often come across various and sundry ephemera that calls my name and tugs on my creative heartstrings.
These images I tend to collect.

I have a folder (and I've honestly titled it "Inspiration", and it sleeps in my filing cabinet next to my desk).
The mosaic above is a collection of (a very few) of those such images.
It's also a thing or two that lies around my apartment, adding a bit of loveliness to my everyday.

There is also a great number of sketches in this folder. I've spared you all the eye-offending experience that posting most of those images would be. The only one included is that peacock in the bottom row, giving us all a bit of a questioning glance.

Do you have a place where you collect thesesuch images? Carry a sketchbook? I've been thinking that would be a much better approach than grabbing random scraps of paper!

If You Can Turn Your Mind To Summer; Or, Test Knit, Beach Bailado

Pattern: Beach Bailado
Yarn: approximately 350 metres of Butterfly mercerized cotton
Needles: 5mm circs
Gauge: 4 sts/1" in mesh lace pattern
Size: pictured in S/M, but also sized in M/L

This pattern is destined for the Summer edition of Little Seasonals.

The first of two patterns I'm designing for the publication, Beach Bailado is a bikini wrap with simple mesh lace and a subtle ruffled shaped (I based it on my ballet wrap, which is also part of the reason it's named Beach Bailado).

It's a pretty basic knit, which would likely not take you very much time at all (it took me about 2 weeks, but I will admit that I was working on a few things at once!)

If you are interested in test knitting this piece, here are some more details:

-due date: April 30
-you can use any yarn you wish, as long as you can get gauge
-send along your name, Rav ID, email address and size you're interested in knitting (you can reply to this post, Rav message me, or send me an email at canarysanctuary at yahoo dot com)
-I don't mind if you wish to post your progress on your blog or Rav. If you do post, I'd appreciate a link :)
-unfortunately, I can't provide yarn support. But, you will get first crack at this pattern, as well as a cleaned-up and edited final version of the pattern upon publication.

Thanks everyone!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Melinda VerMeer
Blog: melindavermeer.com
Etsy Shop: Painted Toes
Rav ID: gldelx
Some Great Designs: gldelx's Rav Designer Page

I really hope that many of you have already come across gldelx's designs; they all have such great and interesting construction, and are each and all very pretty! She's got a fantastic eye for design; she co-manages a LYS in Portland, Happy Knits, and has architecture design in her professional background (not surprising, I'm sure, once you see the structure she employs in her knits!)

This Indie Designer Profile will be a bit different from usual: I'll point out a few of her pieces, but I have some cool info about the designer herself to share as well!

Here pictured you see her latest design, Under Wraps Cardigan. This piece is versatile. I love the way the model is wearing it, but you can also drape it over your shoulder for a more "wrap" look. Check out the pattern page. Believe it or not, this pattern is only $1.99! How beautiful is it! This is something I could see myself wearing through and through.

Another great knit is her wrap, Nautilina. I love the wavy lines of lace running across this piece.

I usually approach the designers far in advance of publication, and since I first contacted gldelx, she's published the above patterns. I was so happy to see all the great creativity! My original idea was to feature her very cool Chalet Brioche Cowl. Check out that texture!

For some colourwork, have a peek at her Flux Cap, and see Auld Lang Syne Cape for a cute wee free pattern.

Get some more details and links here, at her Knit Picks Designer Page.

And now, for more about this talented designer!

Favourite yarns: "Most all Madelinetosh I’ve encountered - particularly the lighter weight bases like Tosh Merino Light, Pashmina, Tosh Merino DK. Malabrigo Lace, Sock, Silky Merino, Rios and Worsted also are fantastic to work with."

Some favourite designers: "Cat Bordhi is simply amazing with the way she puts things together, Stephen West does a great job of creating really interesting uni-sex designs, I love what Susanna IC has done in creating crescent shaped shawls."

Projects I like to knit: "Sweaters, shawls, hats & occasionally socks (with a readily available supply of sweater quantity yarn now, my sock knitting has vastly decreased)."

Projects I like to design: "Items I think appeal to many people both to knit and wear. Garments that offer sizing options to work with many body shapes/sizes and often include shortrows to add shaping & options for different body shapes to choose from."

Future plans: "In 2011 I plan to add additional lace projects, a felted project, maybe a sock design and possibly a mens garment or two to my design library."

Pretty Gallopavo; Or, I Have My Giant Pom Pom (at last!)

Pattern: Pretty Gallopavo (download now)
Yarn: madelintosh Vintage
Needles: 5mm circs and dpns

As the title implies, I've been hankering for a huge pom-pomed-knit for quite some time now.
Years ago I bought a Giant Pom Pom maker, and have at long last put it to good use. (believe it or not, this is only the second largest size said pom pom maker can produce. It even goes up to 5"!)

The idea for this knit came (mostly) from the lovely yarn. And the title? While gallopavos aren't particularly pretty, they certainly have wonderful plumage!


The madelinetosh Vintage is beautiful for this knit, for all the reasons you would expect tosh to be beautiful. But, I found, upon snipping all those ends for the pom pom, the yarn does this other real cool thing: the inner core is a lighter green than the outer, and seems to almost glow.
I tried to get a good pic of the prettiness... and have failed :(
Enjoy, for those last few cool days we have. The hour's changed, Spring is coming, and I have many more patterns brewing!

Oiseau Wednesday

I was very excited when, after only a few seconds of "training", Henry and Anne were comfortable enough to eat from my hand!

They're still very unsure about it; if I happen to move my other hand, or look at them the wrong way, they're off. But it's very sweet to see them sharing the seed, really rather politely, right from my hand.

Computron is dead! Long Live King Compy!

It's official, my compy has bit the electronic dust.

And now, dear readers, I have a new addition to my wee electronic family.
(Witness an On button that you just can't miss!)

I'm no techie, but man oh man, when you're used to a geriatric computer, who's booting up takes at least 2 minutes, who can't handle iTunes, web browsing, and image editing at the same time, and who's fan sounds constantly like a droning airplane ominously looming somewhere and all around you, it's something of an exciting novelty to have a functioning computer!!

Ok ok ok, I've done my virtual/verbal (and trust me, my reality/physical) happy dance.

Carry on as you were!

Family Tree; Or, I Play with Fabricy Silhouettes

I thought I'd share a current project with you today, though it be not knitting!

Ages ago, I got some fun fusible sheets from my LQS (that's Local Quilting Shop!). My intention was to make some sort of pretty wall-hanging, and that's what I have the beginnings of in this photograph.

Here you see my family, parents and my two siblings. The fusible sheets worked wonderfully, and I think I'm addicted! I need to run back there and get loads more.

I will be making at least one more family-silhouette-tree, but I think the next version will have a much stronger colour palette.

I've never quilted an applique; I'm a little concerned that my skills aren't up to the task. I do have plenty of time though. The plan is to have a wee lap quilt ready for a Mother's Day gift.

Wish me luck!

Setting Goals, Planning Knits

Sometimes it's difficult, sometimes it's inspiring, but it's always certainly character building.

The yarn you see pictured right is destined (in my sanguine mind) to very soon become a few new knits.
To own the truth, at the outset of March and my post-a-day challenge, I had high hopes that I'd have, at the very least, some WIP photos to share with you. As it happens, they simply sit as you see them here, ready in yarn cakes, quietly awaiting their pulling, looping and intertwining dance to creation.

But, on to the challenge!

One of the things I'm trying to do this year is submit proposals to various yarn magazines and publishers, attempting to get published. I'm seeing it as a test of the quality and creativity of my knitbrains; currently I'm waiting to hear back from two different sources. It's exciting, and I'm hopeful.

You'll be seeing a bloggily-written happy dance if the replies to my submissions are favourable. In the meantime, it's off to make something of the lovely madelinetosh yarn you see gracing this post. I only hope I can do it justice!

Colour Me Herringbone

Quick Poll:

I've been toying with the idea of creating a herringbone sweater, with gradual colour changes throughout.

I have a couple choices in colour families to utilize, seen individually in the pictures below.

Which do you prefer?

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Lusianne Backward
Blog: Knitting in the garden
Rav ID: Lusianne
Some Great Designs: Lusianne's Rav Designer Page

For nature-inspired, adorable and whimsical little knits, look no further than Lusianne.

I've included a photo of the pretty Grouse slippers for several reasons; they're sweet and simple, a quick knit that leaves you with a functional project, one with character. Also, this photograph is lovely, and reminds me that Spring is indeed on its way.

Look at her Elf hat to see a great knit, sized for children through to adults. This piece, as the designer says, seems as though it could just blend in with nature. I love the pointy top, and the discreet wee ear warmers.

Finally, I'll point out her Bellflower elf hat. This lacy bonnet is also sized for children to adults. As Lusianne says, it's not fair that kids get all the cute and interesting hat patterns!

Collection Obsession; Or, Blank Pages Are Exciting

I was always interested in collections.
As a little girl, I was all about gathering any and every thing that intrigued me, from rocks to bird's nests, porcelain dolls and critter's bones, beautiful feathers, bookmarks, and Pogs.

The impulse is still there (and perhaps that's a hallmark of a knitter... or at least, all the ones I've ever met. Yes, say hello to the stash!)

Now, I've moved on to (the obvious) yarn, fabric and other fibre, but have added to the mix a somewhat bizarre attraction to lovely blank note books.

Here you see pictured a very small sampling of my beauties.

Recently I've been trying to be very good and responsible, and actually make use of these items/this collection; though, I continually have the dread feeling that what I'm defacing the gorgeous object with my little words and thoughts, which could never be wonderful enough to do the object justice!

Setting that aside, I think the utilization of this collection recontextualizes it and (demotes it?) from the status of collected item to functional object.

As I'm asking knitters, I'm sure many of you will answer in the affirmative:
Do you collect anything? Did you have the same impulse as a child? If so, have your interests changed?

(To own the truth , I still am drawn to feathers, nests, bones and the like, but certainly don't have the impulse to retrieve them from nature and keep them in my home!)

Oiseau Wednesday

A fantastic idea ocurred to me late last night: the only time the birds aren't jumpy, flighty and freaking out is when they're all settled down, puffed up, and ready for bed.
So I traipsed (quitely) up to the cages after dark and snapped a few quick pics of some very sleepy song birds.
First you see Henry and Anne, cuddled up to each other as they tend to do.

Next is my sweet little confused Butters. It really looks like he's giving me something of a quizzical look. As much as a creature without eyebrows can give a quizzical look.

And finally is wee Hilts. I love how on both Hilts and Butters you can see their side feathers still slightly puffed up. How rude of the human to come and disturb their sleep!

Malassada Day; Or, Dough-Frying Good Times

Today is Malassada Day!
Amongst the many labels applied to the day before Lent begins, Malassada Day stems from the same gorge-yourself-crazy spirit of Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday and the like.

Things like sugar and lard were meant to be used up before the fasting of Lent began, and what better way to do this, so the São Miguel islanders thought, than to make copious amounts of delicious, delicious fried dough.

Malasadas¹ are basically doughnuts, and hoo boy, are they good when fresh out of the pan!

My grandmother's always made them with a hole in the centre, but apparently the "traditional" way is to simply form a ball of dough, sans hole.

Want to fry up some of your own?
Here's my grandmother's recipe

Vavo's² Malassadas

Ingredients
2 tbsp soft butter
1 tsp salt
12 eggs 1 cup sugar
sliced lemon rind
2 lbs flour (6 cups)
jar of Mazola oil

Instructions:

Put 2 packets of Fleischmann's yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water, for about 5 minutes
Stir yeast. Put in a big bowl.
Add everything, except flour, and mix with electric mixer. When soft and blended, add flour and mix by hand.

Let rise for around 4-5 hours.

Take small amounts, shaping them into doughnuts, and carefully putting them in a frying pan, filled with boiling oil.

Let both sides get golden brown (this doesn't take long at all!)

Remove, and coat with sugar.

Oh yes, and consume immediately.

Yum.
____________
¹ Here's some info about Malassadas.
² Vavo means grandma in Portuguese.
³ Image sourced from this site.

"A Ball! I Love a Ball!"; Or, I Sew Me a Regency Gown

Last weekend saw a good friend and I off to the ball!

Because I am a nerd, the prospect of sewing a gown and attending a ball was far to much excitement to be borne.
Research, fabric shopping and needle-threading ensued, and the satiny yellow gown you see before you was the happy end result.

I was going for a Netherfield-ball-BBC-Pride-and-Prejudice feel, with the v-neck inspired by Jane's gown, and the small floral hair decorations from Lizzy.

The evening was fabulous, with plenty of English Country dancing to be had; we even learned one of the dances they perform in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (it's the one with the clapping, where Mr. Collins embarrasses Lizzy with his horrid lack of skills).

I have to admit that the dress did not turn out quite as I had envisioned, but it was completed nonetheless (with the attendant challenge of button making and button-hole creating going over in a less-than-favourable manner. All I can say is that hot glue was used, and pins were liberally employed in the final result).

I hope to hone my dress-making skills, and one day be worthy of the purchase of several metres of a good fabric.
Til then, I'll stick with the frustratingly finicky inexpensive satin, and the creative expulsions of fowl language it provokes.

To the Big City for Gaga!

On Thursday, I went to see Lady Gaga in Toronto.
It was quite a show - I've never been to this sort of concert. It was more a theatrical performance than anything else. Incredibly fun and entertaining.
I was a big fan of the monster-puppet (who at one point "ate" Gaga), as well as the bit of crowd surfing she did at one point.

We also got a bit of a treat: the YouTube viral sensation that is ten-year-old Maria from Winnipeg came out and sang "Born This Way" with Gaga herself. Maria is a very talented little girl! See the (rather long) video below:



Read about Maria and the concert here.