Announcement...

... of a new direction!!!

The Spring 2008 design collection ,"The Illustrator", was my last for Mission Falls under the licensing of the brand name to CNS Yarns. My departure came about quite suddenly and unexpectedly.

But, with that said, I have the most fabulously inspiring adventure of unbridled design freedom ahead of me! All sorts of pokers are in the fire...

Stay tuned...

O is for...

... one year older.

happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me ee... happy birthday to me!

I took time to visit a beautiful nearby beach...

and start a "me" knitting project!

I've chosen Sea Tangles--- one of the mid-summer delights from Knitty.

The Habu yarn must be transcendental--- I can only imagine a sweater that weighs a mere 2 ounces! Alas, none in my stash. I dusted off a bag containing a 550 gram cone of natural sport weight Euroflax Linen.

It is nowhere near as ethereal, but it appears to be creating an equally interesting textile.... stitch gauge is good... row gauge way off... must fudge... love the fudgability of certain knitting!

After a few more rows, I'll end my day enjoying a wonderful gift...

I can't wait...

... until I can get this book in Canada!
You lucky Americans can order it here now.




The author, Lena Corwin, has an inspiring blog.
Melanie Falick-- of STC/Melanie Falick Books-- has a great Q & A with Lena here.
Let the surface printing begin!

Yarny...

... thrills of London in snapshots!

South Bank-- fanciful crocheted creatures of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef.

Loop-- pretty as the pictures.

The Good Yarn Stall-- a passionate Spitalfield's Market find.

I Knit London-- emergency knitting needle purchase-- Knit Picks' Harmony circular... I think I could knit everything in a solid neutral for the rest of my life if I were allowed the joy of watching the coloured wood of theses needles dance with the yarn.... swoon....

Yes, I dared to cross an ocean without yarn, needles or any other knitting paraphernalia.

I thought I could take time off from active knitting to enjoy just the thoughts of it.

W-R-O-N-G!

Liberty of London-- did someone say "sale"?

50 Canadian dollars for 10 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed in a heart pounding shade of red... Orient. How could I walk away?

Knitting silvery silk through "The Chunnel" speeding towards Paris....

N is for...

New design!
The Fall 2008 Vogue Knitting fashion preview is out.

Check out my "chase away the winter blues" foot cozies!!

I had an idea...

Some of you may remember an "idea" I blogged about way back in May.
Well, the "idea" has hit--- yet another--- challenge.
I did all my cutting--- 4 pairs of unloved jeans were scavenged;
went out and purchased my BIG and ORANGE needles;
knit until I created just short of 17 feet of this...

Then I reached a point of struggle... my original idea was just not working... my only recourse?

F-R-O-G!

Now I sit and stare...I'm thinking crochet... must buy BIG hook!

To make matters worse, all of these had to land at my door this week...

Can you spell d-i-s-t-r-a-c-t-i-o-n?

Well, there is a storm quickly approaching.... I think I'll blissfully fall into the arms of procrastination. Enjoy your weekend!

12...

...Rules to Live By

Robert Louis Stevenson

1850-1894

• Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
• Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously.
  
• Don’t let criticism worry you. You can’t please everybody.
• Don’t let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.
• Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
  
• Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.
• Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
• Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about places.

• Don’t spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
• Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
• Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.

When you read the words it seems so simple.

It's all in the application... don't forget to breath!

M is for...

... macarons! French macarons!!!

Not those North American chewy, desiccated coconut concoctions. Those are coconut macaroons. Not that there is anything wrong with them.

But these are magically, marvelous, melt in the mouth morsels.

Imagine, if you can, two delicate meringues embracing a luscious schmear of chocolate ganache or raspberry cream or pistachio cream or... or... or...

My personal favourite? Chocolate. Dark chocolate... Chocolat Noir Amer!!

I can't believe I lived until June 23rd, 2008 oblivious to the existence of these lovelies!!!

Merci, Paris!

Now I have two lofty goals for 2008: master the invisible zipper... and the French macaron!

Happy...

Canada Day!

Our celebration always includes strawberry picking and Poutine-- the best of Canadian comfort food!