Stripey Bag Share

For whatever reason, I have found myself not in the mood to share lately. It could be the lack of light we have been having around here or the past several months. It could be the thing where set Martha standards of gargantuan proportions for myself and fail to hire the crew of minions to do things for me. Whatever. Today I feel a bit lighter, and so to celebrate, I am sharing this stripey crocheted bag with you. It is no particular pattern, and is not a bag yet, but rather and large stripy loop with 5 balls of cotton yarn dangling from it. You may remember them from this. Or not. The colors, and the sunshine, and the green grass are happy, are they not?

Ptarmigan

Don't you love how her gorgeous hazel eye peeps over the top. I didn't have time to get good pics of this cowl before it was wrapped, seeing as it blocked in front of the fire on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, Lizzy was kind enough to get me some good snaps.

This pattern is called Ptarmigan, and is by the incomparable Jared Flood who is talented and must be praised. It was a very fun knit, and doubly lovely in pale pink cashmerino.

Things

Things that are making me happy today.

Today is the day before Halloween. That is what is making my daughter happy, along with pumpkin carving, and volleyball practice. But these are the things that are making me happy:

My Anthropologie catalog that arrived in the mail today. The combination of intricately unique items in it, and the inspiring layout make me drool. It also makes me sad that I have not been receiving the catalog for ages. I can almost taste the shelf full of loving bookmarked catalogs sitting in a nice neat row. Le sigh. Life is full of such small regrets, I suppose.

Also, that skein of recycled silk with it's circus bright colors, and sheen. New today. Yippee!

This cover made from this crochet pattern is not new. I finished it a few weeks ago, but it is still making me smile.

New Friends

Gorgeous new yarn, meet new leather chair.

New leather chair was found at a junk shop and purchased for the price of a pillow. Gorgeous new yarn was purchased with with care at an online shop called knitpicks. I hope that you will become good friends, as we will all be spending a great deal of time together.

I just knew they would like each other.

I think that it is important when making introductions to include personal details. It shows consideration, and makes it cozier. Don't you think?

Erin's World

Erin's world is full of yarn.

And books.

And Babies.

And beautiful objects. Can we just take a moment to note that this tiny and perfect canvas was created by the drummer of Blind Pilot and I really don't think that it is fair for one person to be so talented.

Yesterday, her world was also full of Strawberry Margaritas!

We traveled far, my Maddie and I, to roll around in Erin's world. And roll we did, with delicious libation aplenty, (virgin for the wee ones) and playtime for all.

See our adventuring feet!

After a gorgeously tactile trip to the yarn shop, we had a delightful rummage through Erin's voluminous library of crafty books, talking frequent breaks to run our fingers through baskets of yarn.

I just have to take another moment to show you this yarn. My favorite of the day, soft and delicate like cobwebs. No, it did not come home with me, just a few too may pennies, but we shared a special moment.

After that we just had to pull out our projects du jour, and sit down on the couch for a good chat and stitch. All that stitching and chatting will make you hungry, and since no was was about to do anything silly like cooking, (plus, apparently the oven was full of dirty dishes:) of course we needed pizza.

Lynda, we thought of you the whole day through... and I got to hear your voice on the answering machine.

Completely satisfied, Maddie and I made the long drive home, already planning for next time.

Best Day

Today has just been the best day! In the mail, glorious mail, came my package from Australia! My cheer gift from a new friend that was just the cheer that I needed.

Sooo pretty! A beautiful hand knit Noro silk cowl just for me. It is the most gorgeous thing, and the colors are super perfect. Now I am really excited for the cool weather. And did you see the gorgeous Australian Merino to make something coordinated? Oooh, just the inspiration that Ineeded!

And the card, did you see the card? I am going to be giddy all night!

A Little More Yarn

I was inspired to get organized. In reality, I was inspired to move my yarn from Bags to baskets, to make it more viewable, and thus more tempting. 'Cause yarn needs help with that. :)

Here's a little basket of acrylic for your viewing pleasure.

And some wool. Watch the drool, and notice the fantastic hank of Autumn in the middle there. Yes, that was a gift from my lovely friend, Erin.

And now, do you want a peek at the unfinished bamboo scarf? I thought so.

Mmm, yarn.

A Little Yarn

A lot of yarn actually. Whilst we were off galavanting, my lovely aunt dropped by a bag of yarn that a friend of hers was giving away! I thought that I would take this opportunity to show off some yarn and talk about projects.

I am working on two projects at the moment. A Bamboo scarf, and the unfinished pillows. I am really excited to finish both. Now this pile of scrumptious wool arrives, literally, at my doorstep, and I am wondering if there is enough for a sweater.

How do I tell, does anyone know? Each time I feel a Spring chill I think about the lace wrap that I want to knit for myself with that natural merino I got a while ago from knitpicks, and then I found this great pattern for a swingy skirt for Maddie.

Also, I still have the harem of cotton that is waiting to be crocheted into stripy pillows.

It is really terrible, so many projects, so little time.

Yes, that is a pile of yarn in the background that I dumped out on my bed, but refrained from rolling in.