Everyone needs a Patron Saint of Knitting

I am so thankful for knitting saints who clean out their stash and pass on yarn they no longer need.  I think they might like to remain anonymous so I will just say "Thank you!" (you know who you are).  This project is dedicated to the Knitting Saints!

I read this little saying on a blog, "I sketch, I swatch, I rip." I've just designed a sweater for myself on a bit of paper and this saying sums it up.  I was going to add the word "measure" but swatching is measuring.  Many people skip the  step where you do a guage but I am convinced that it's the most important step in most of my knitting projects.  My sweater is going to be fabulous!  I'm using alpaca tweed yarn, a 4.5mm circular needle, a piece of knitter's graph paper (from southseasknitting.com), and a tape measure. It's called Highlander - 45% baby alpaca / 45% merino wool / 8% microfiber / 2% viscose.  The colour is plum with an oatmeal coloured fleck.  Stay tuned!

Vintage Cardigan

My dear friend, Billie...You are so hip and gorgeous!
Here is Billie wearing a vintage cardigan that she picked up in Akaroa, New Zealand (near Christchurch). I love the design, the colour, the pattern of the lace. It's hand made and looks beautiful.

Clevedon Wine and Food Festival

Here's a few pictures of the wine and food festival.

La Belle France!

It's a wonder I haven't blogged about french interiors.  I'm in love with the French Provincial style and have so many great ideas for my home decor.  I have the ideas but putting into action is the hard part.  The magazines, blogs, and books are so gorgeous!  It's a really big idea to try to get that look from the furniture and objects that I've got.  Some of the items that I would need.  This picture is the dream.

List of objets francais:

1.  white linen tablecloth
2.  white candles in bell shaped glass
3.  wrought iron wall hangings
4.  a very large key
5.  white mirrors
6.  blackboards
7.  antiques
8.  perfume bottles
9.  baskets
10. urns
11. old prints
12. white china
13. plaster sculptures/busts
14. wall sconce

Tahki Stacy Charles

It's still so hot and muggy but I'm starting a new summer project for the winter!  It's a spanish style shawl that was given to me for my birthday.  It's found on the Tahki Stacy Charles website and is made in the red Filatura di Crosa cashmere, silk and extra fine merino.  This will be knit on a 4mm circular needle.  It looks harder than it is. The fancy ribbon yarn is called Operadarte and is made in Italy.  It has a black picot trim and it is simply knit onto the shawl through every other eyelet square space.  I can't wait to get it done! 

Speaking of Italy, welcome back Braden, Andrea and Kaira!  There's no place like home.

When someone gives you jam...

You make scones!  Thank you, Karen, for the beautiful blueberry and strawberry jam.  See Karen's recipes and dreamy farm happenings at the Struan Farm blog.

Breakfast

It feels like it's 40 degrees here. The humidity is about 100% and we're dripping.  I've made pumpkin soup and I'm about to make pumpkin pie but I've been told that it's still summer! I don't think anyone feels like pumpkin soup for lunch.  It's still delicious.

Musical vegetables!

Vegetables playing music

Embroidered tea towels

I have been photographing some vintage things from my cupboards.  I'm not a hoarder but I can't throw away anything homemade.  These are some embroidered tea towels that my husband's grandma made.  She was a Canadian born Russian.  Her heritage is quite interesting as it involves famous Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy who paid for the Doukhobors to travel to Canada in 1899. Some went to Saskatchewan and some to British Columbia. Tolstoy had similar ideas as the Doukhobors about laying down arms and living peacefully. You can read more about this on this website.

A Fresh Catch

The boys went fishing with their Dad and friend, Daniel.  They were on a 15' aluminum boat off of Kawakawa Bay.  They were hoping for a King fish but came home with a good feed of Snapper.  It was a great feast for dinner! Ben and Nick caught the fish and we had roast carrots and potatoes with salad.  I don't usually blog about my dinner menu but I decided to make an apple pie to go with our healthy autumn meal.  I forgot to take a picture of the fish so here's what it looked like.

Check out the apple pie... yumm!