Music Me-likes: A Song That Describes Me

One of my favourite albums ever is Nelly Furtado's "Folklore".

Being that I have difficulty choosing just one, I'll share a couple songs from that album that I feel fit today's theme.

"Fresh Off the Boat"

"Try"

Music Me-likes: A Song That No One Would Expect Me To Love

(I don't want to get too deep and thoughtful on you here, but:) Things depend so much on context.

For me (and most likely for others of you out there) it's not an easy ask to accurately summarize how others see you.

When given the opportunity to pick other people's untainted and unacquainted brains I do: it happens rarely, but is interesting, if still revealing nothing more than general stereotypes and pre-judgements.

For example:

I work in a museum, in the gallery space itself. Dimly lit. Desk tucked into a corner.
After a short conversation, one visitor commented that I must be a quiet person.
Another that I must be very self-disciplined to regulate my own research and work schedule.
Yet another that I don't seem to be the "marrying type".¹

Hm.

In another awakening of self-image: a group of friends decided we should all make mixed cds and swap, so that we could introduce each other to new and interesting music. Some in the group were a bit surprised to see this band, video below, on there.
I didn't know I didn't give off a Cock Sparrer vibe!
Maybe it's the glasses and the museum job. And maybe the knitting.

Cock Sparrer "Teenage Heart"

¹ I do believe this deserves a hearty wtf?! When asked to elaborate, this visitor could not. So, my brutish insecurity kicked in, and began yelling at me that he must mean "you're too ugly to be marrying someone! Who'd want to marry you!" :p

Music Me-likes: A Song From My Favourite Band

I have difficulty choosing a favourite band, so I'll cheat and give you three.

If you had asked me this when I was sixteen, I would have had no hesitation in telling you that it was Nirvana.
Here's "Aneurysm"

A band that I've loved for practically my whole life is the Beatles.
Here's one of my favourites from them, "The Ballad of John and Yoko"

And finally, here's a newer favourite, the Be Good Tanyas with "Ootischenia"

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Tracey Castonguay
Rav ID: Knittinella
Some Great Designs: Knittinella's Rav Designer Page

In her Rav Store, Knittinella features three fabulous toe-up sock patterns.

It's difficult to pick a favourite, but the Balmoral sock, most recently published, just might be it. The interweaving texture of the cables is beautiful - just my type of sock!

Another lovely selection is her Athelrod
sock. It's a short-row-heeled construction, with simple word instructions for an easy knitting experience.

Finally are the cute Life's a beach socks, with a heel-flap-gusset construction and adorable wee cables running along the length of the sock.

With such sweet sock patterns, it's hard to believe each one has only 5 or less projects to its name!

I'm looking forward to more designs from Knittinella :)

Music Me-likes: A Song That Makes Me Fall Asleep

This day's selection was a song from one of my quintessential teenage albums. I'd throw the cd in the stereo, hit the repeat button, and relax before sleeping.

Nine Inch Nails, "A Warm Place"

Music Me-likes: A Song That Reminds Me of a Certain Event, and A Song I Can Dance To

Now morphing into an every fourth day post, here's my next two choices for music me likes:

A Song that Reminds me of a Certain Event:

It was my high school grad dance. Of all the people to randomly pull me onto the dance floor, it was a dude I'd had a crush on in grade nine. It was so funny and ironic. Of course he decides to dance with me when the crush was years gone!
The song we were dancing to?

Spirit of the West's "Home for a Rest"

And to continue the dancing theme....

I can dance to anything because I'm awesome that way :)

So, I'm making the executive decision to retool this day into "A Song I Really Like Dancing To", with a bonus selection for "A Song I Wish I Could Find a Partner To Dance To" (really, who wouldn't want to be flung about a dance floor to Jump Jive and Wail?)

Shakira "Hips Don't Lie"

Brian Setzer Orchestra "Jump, Jive and Wail"

Music Me-likes: A Song That Reminds Me of Somewhere

For today's musical interlude, I'll present you with a song that reminds me of my elementary school; specifically, that little room on the first floor for all the kindergarteners.

We got to sing and "exercise" to this song. I can even remember the teacher's flashy 80s outfit, putting the record on the player and all us five year olds getting excited for some reggae.

Bob Marley's "One Love"

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Shauna
Blog: Deezknitz
Etsy Shop: Deezknitz
Rav ID: deezknitz
Some Great Designs: deezknitz Rav Projects Page

There's a fabulous array of patterns available from deezknitz. Especially in the hat department! Check out this piece, Summer Slouch Hat. It was an Etsy Artist of Color Pick of the Week on June 9.
Very summery selection! I love the artful crochet - this same textural focus can be seen in her other designs as well.

Take for example her more wintery selection of hats, of which the 360 Set is one. I really love the undulating texture of the hat, gloves and cowl. All these pieces are available for purchase in her etsy shop.

And she's not only a talented hat designer - check out the adorable sweater she created for her son!

Music Me-likes: A Song That Makes Me Sad, and a Song That Reminds Me of Someone

Oops, skipped a day!
Both these sort of mesh well together anyhow.

For the song that makes me sad, it's a song that reminds me of one of my dear departed yellow birds.

Coldplay "Yellow"

And, for the song that reminds me of someone, it's one of my mom's favourite songs ever, Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill"

Music Me-likes: A Song that Makes Me Happy

My parents have passed down their, um... eclectic, taste in music to me.

I was raised on tapes, 8-tracks and records of the Beatles, Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Elvis, CCR and Fleetwood Mac.

The fondness with which my parents recall their memories attached to Fleetwood Mac (particularly Rumours), has infused me with love of the album as well.

Here's a sampling of one of my happy faves from that very LP, Fleetwood Mac's "I Don't Want to Know"

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Alexandra Charlotte Dafoe
Website: Delicious Knits
Rav ID: alliknit
Some Great Designs: alliknit's Rav Designer Page

I'm excited to be talking about this week's designer for a few reasons.

First of all, she's very talented, and has a number of fab patterns published.

See her wonderfully textured Blackberry Cabled Cardigan (right). It's hard to choose a favourite part of this design, but I think it might have to be that collar. SO stylin'-ly perfect.

I'm also excited to talk about alliknit and her work because she's on the verge of releasing a beautiful new pattern, the Celtic Cathedral Cardigan (pictured below). That link will take you to her project page, but hopefully soon you'll be able to download the finished pattern for yourself.



She has many other great knits! Take her Whole Wheat Cardigan. A sweet, short and simple combination of lace and cables, in what I believe would be quite a wearable knit. It's always great to find a pattern that you know you can (and will!) wear over and over.

There's also the cool colourwork of Houndstooth Hat and Mittens (Set). I love me the houndstooth - academic classy vibe with a twist of fun!

And finally, there's the perfectly cabled Irish Moss Toque. This designer really has a knack for texture. Can't wait to see the finished Celtic Cathedral Cardigan!

Music Me-likes: My Favourite Song (of the Moment!)

Inspired by my upcoming Stag & Doe, I thought a round of silly music meme was in order.

So, here begins Day 1 of the 18 part saga, "Music Me-likes".

Here's the list:

Day 1 - A favourite song
Day 2 - A song that makes you happy
Day 3 - A song that makes you sad
Day 4 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of somewhere
Day 6 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 7 - A song that you can dance to
Day 8 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 9 - A song from your favourite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favourite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 15 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 16 - A song that you're embarrassed is on your iPod
Day 17 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 18 - A song that reminds you of your childhood

The way I'm retooling this particular meme is to simply post, every other day, a vid link to the song which best fits that day's description. If anyone wants to join in the fun, all the better!

For today, I'm supposed to post "A favourite song".
Seeing as how I obviously can't choose an all time favourite, I'll go with my favourite of the moment, MGMT's "Time To Pretend."

L'Oiseau Bleu: Knit Picks Stroll Stars in "The Bluebird of Happiness"

If you've followed this bloggy for a while now, you may have noticed the distinct lack of cerulean- or cobalt-coloured, teal- or turquoise-tinted, yarnny friends. (that is, until very recently!)
This is in part due to my stated, (waveringly) confident opinion that blue is not my colour.
But oh, how lovely it can be.
Irresistible, in fact.

Meet Exhibit A:
Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Deep Waters.

The tone-on-tone action happening in this yarn dances beautifully.
Especially with my current design.

It's all about cables, sock yarn and a scoop-necked sweater that sits on my coffee table and begs me to come home soon soon SOON and knit more. This yarn makes me so happy!

As you can see, it's currently in the getting-started stage.
This is in part because I had a bit of a time wrestling with which cables to use, and of course, my mortal enemy, Mr. Mathematics.

In the end Mr. Math and I've signed a truce; he's claimed he'll work with me on this one.
But just this one.

Damn you Mr. Math!!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Tara-Lynn
Blog: Stay Fancy Free
Etsy: Yarn Over Movement
Rav ID: yarnovermovement
Some Great Designs: yarnovermovement's Rav Projects Page

Some designers just have a really cool vibe. I think yarnovermovement is one of them!

Check out her shrug, Orillia (pictured). There's so many things I like about this, I think it's going to have to be in point form:
-texture: both in the yarn and stitches
-colour(s): hue-on-hue action is awesomesauce
-shape: bell sleeves are awesomesauce-on fire!
-practicality: so much - one can never have enough shrugs. I can so see this with a cute dress, or even with jeans/casual skirt

And speaking of skirts....

The York Mini Skirt is, quite possibly, one of the best knit skirts I've seen. It makes me want to run out and buy bulky, bulky yarn.
But then again, so many of her pieces are worked with this weight, it's making me rethink my whole dedication to the small gauged! (check out her projects page/etsy for so many more).

This designer knows how to style her photos, and make what are clearly solid, stylish and eye-catching patterns look even more appealing.

I'll give you just one more example before I go: her Extra Long Drop Stitch Cowl. It's that bulky yarn at work again! The stitch pattern compliments the yarn perfectly - if you look closely at the photos, you'll be able to see the twist to the yarn. It's so lovely, it would have been a shame to smother it up in another texture.

Knot Tying 101; Or, How Wedding Planning Comes Along

...wherein I natter on about my nuptials, and I'm all about those crafts!...

My deeply-ingrained love of making lists, and subsequently checking things off said lists, is one of the big things propelling me forward in my on-going task of wedding planning.

See here the most recent of checks, my "bouquet wrap".

In one of my last wedding posts I mentioned that I would be crafting with several wee framed photos. This is the end product.

Since I'll be making my own bouquet, I thought it'd be nice to add some personal flair.

My wedding gown had to be hemmed up (about 6" up!) and with the extra silk I embroidered this little design.
The photos are of his & my parents' and grandparents' weddings.
The ring stitched on is his great grandmother's, purchased in the 1920s. I wanted to incorporate it into the day somehow, and unfortunately it's about 3 sizes too big for me to wear.
So, on to the bouquet wrap it goes.

And in non-crafty news...

About a month ago we had our engagement photos taken (yes, clearly not any time near our actual engagement, but it was included in the wedding package so we had them done.)
Here is a link to our photographer's blog, where she's posted just a few of the images she took on the day.
You *might* recognize the background of these photos; it's served as a photo shoot for me before!