tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88339839196543836552024-03-18T21:59:12.984-07:00Live.Love.Yarn.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-12188307913900532302012-10-07T16:11:00.000-07:002012-10-07T16:14:38.749-07:00Zinnia's New Lease on LifeSo, I warned you fairly that I would be including more Doll-related-posts here right? Yes? Okay good. <br />
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This post is about Zinnia, my Pullip Papin. Zinnia came to live with me this past Spring. I remember falling in love with her look. Her stock clothes are so kooky and fun. Her mohair wig is zany but adorable. I placed my bid on the Evil Bay and waited it out. I remember de-boxing her thinking, "Oh my! She comes with so many awesome pieces!" I brought her outside almost instantaneously to photograph her.<br />
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I noticed her quirks right away. She is squeaky as all get out, she has a funky wrist, she had pretty bad "box hair", and her collar bone/neck looked very different from my other Pullip who also has a type 3 body. Unfortunately, over the few months that I have owned her I just haven't bonded with her like I had hoped I would, like I did with my other Pullip doll, Charlotte. I didn't really know what to do. Sell her? Change her wig?<br />
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Andrew and I are making the "big move" in January to our first apartment! We are beyond excited, but it means I have some scary assessing of my yarn and doll <strike>hoards</strike> collections to do. For the last month or two I have been contemplating, leading to the almost-decision to re-home Zinnia. She is in great condition, I have all her stock, her original box. Should be no problem. I began talking about her like she had already moved on. Then, about two nights ago, I spontaneously bought a new doll. I was all giddy and then I looked over at poor Zinnia. <br />
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Right then, an idea took hold: what if instead of finding a new home for her I tried to give her another chance here? As soon as the idea hatched I knew I wanted to give it a try. If she is really meant to move, in the end, she will. It is so (too) easy for me to fall in love with a new doll. Sadly, it was too easy for me to fall out of love with this one I already had. So I'm going to give Zinnia another chance. I'm not exactly sure what it will entail. A radical make-over? An obitsu body perhaps? Maybe no cosmetic changes at all, just more attention on my part.<br />
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I want to document this journey for other enthusiasts, hobbyists, dolly-lovers, whatever you like. I also want to document it for myself because if I don't learn to fully appreciate that dolls I already have...well...let's just say things could get out of control. So stay tuned!!<br />
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...Until Next Time...</div>
Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-739595667859676362012-08-22T16:41:00.003-07:002012-08-22T16:41:47.505-07:00In the MeantimeIt's been pretty busy over here since I got back from my mini-vacation in Connecticut (for those of you who don't follow me on on Flickr or IG: I went to Connecticut!). Now that I am working full-time most of my free time is being spent relaxing with my Boo or hanging out with my best friend. She goes to school about two hours away from me so we we are squeezing in all the time we can get. As we speak (or, rather, as I type) I am teaching her to cable!! <br />
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So with me being rather busy and not knowing when I'll be able to hunker down for the next "real" post I wanted to share some link love, as I sometimes do, with you in the meantime...<br />
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<strike>Five</strike> Four Things I'm Diggin:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shizu_bara/sets/72157628665934875/">The Adventures of Yukikko</a>- This one is for my fellow dolly lover's. Laura's photography is simply amazing and Yukikko is probably one of my favorite dolls right now. I have been loving following her 365 project.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dHN0fsZC3k">This ridiculously simple doll book-making tutorial</a>- I found this via Yukikko/GreenTea and I am thoroughly obsessed. I haven't had the time to sit down and try this out but when I do you better believe my dolls are getting a little Harry Potter collection :) Also, this is everything a tutorial should be: easy, fairly short, and super approachable.</div>
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<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/sassy-water-368368">Sassy Water</a>- First off, I love the name. This is a recipe from the Flat Belly Diet and I must say, it is delicious. Give it a go.</div>
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<a href="http://weavezine.com/content/potholder-loom-basics-and-beyond">This article</a> has really been tickling my fancy, enough that I picked myself up one of <a href="http://marthastewart.lionbrand.com/knitAndWeaveLoom.html">these</a>. I know, I kno- but I had a coupon and a store credit and I just wanted it, darn it! </div>
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Until Next Time!</div>
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Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-45858939069299198992012-08-12T05:56:00.000-07:002012-08-12T05:56:43.525-07:00Toys, Toys, and More Toys<br />
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<em>My first Blythe, Cordelia. </em></div>
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I suppose it's no secret if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter but I have a confession: I love toys. It is indeed a recently new development, relative to the span of my life, though it feels like I have loved toys and been collecting forever. Less like a new part of me and more like an exsisting part of me that only got it's chance to surface. It really started this December, with an unexplainable infatuation with Blythe. (If you don't know Blythe, get to know her. Her story is amazing) I can't even remember how I stumbled on my the first photo of her, but I did and I was captivated. I started knitting sweaters for her before I even considered that I might have one. I could go on and on about growing up to soon and reconnecting with my childhood, and maybe someday I will, but for now I will just say this: for some reason toys, dolls specifically, make me very happy. Shortly after taking to Blythe (and getting my first one!), I fell hard for Pullip. Then Littlest Pet Shop petite Blythes. Then I fell in love with toy photography. This I can somewhat explain: it is the best, most sensible way for me to share my toy obsession with you. There is something magical about capturing your toy whether you set out on a shoot with something in mind and you get that perfect expression or whether the expressiveness of your toys totally catches you off guard. Then I was on Blythe Kingdom and falling in love with the community of Blythe collectors. Then I was on Flickr, with ambitions that far surpassed my actual abilities.<br />
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<em>Le petit obsession</em></div>
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In the midst of falling down the rabbit hole I found Alice. Alice writes a wonderful blog called<a href="http://my-plastic-fantasy.blogspot.com/"> My Plastic Fantasy</a>. The first post I read by her was: <a href="http://my-plastic-fantasy.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-your-doll-out-in-public.html?showComment=1343741822238">Getting your doll out in public!</a>. Give it a read, even if you're not a CrazyDollPerson this post is also a lot about being yourself, loud and proud! I didn't realize until I read this post, and I felt something resonate deep inside me, that I wanted desperately to share my doll love with the world. In the months leading up to this cathartic event I was, of course, sharing my new hobby with the Best Boyfriend in the World and the Best Friend in the World and I was tweeting and IG'ing a little but I so longed to be Public with my dolly love. I am so inspired by how unabashedly obsessed Alice is and utterly jealous of her immense creativity. I also love the casual way Alice includes her toys and dolls into her everyday life. When I read "Getting your doll out..." something inside me was unleashed. I showed Andrew the post and conveyed to him my longing and asked for his support. Of course he gave it, willingly. I began to take photos much more enthusiastically, got involved in the online communities more enthusiastically, started living a little more enthusiasticlly. <br />
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<em>This is my Takara petite, Miss Sally Rice, with SnugglyKitty (who is the best sport ever!)</em></div>
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At first I thought I was weird for wanting to play with dolls (because, honestly, I never intended to "collect" or "invest" in them, even if that is what I told my self and loved ones to justify it), then I decided it didn't matter if I was weird if it made me happy, and now I have decided that I am <em>not</em> weird. I am obsessive. Overly-enthusiastic. Silly. But I'm not weird. I am a just a girl happily exploring a new hobby that brings her endless joy. I can't fathom why I though I couldn't share this new love with you, my friends. Maybe I was embarrassed. Maybe I was afraid of rejection. But I'm not anymore- I am thrilled to here and be who I am and share it with anyone crazy enough to try to follow along! (Crazy, because I can't even keep track.)<br />
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<em>Harris, Hubert, and Hamish the Havoc Wreakers of </em>Brave <em>fame.</em></div>
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As you could have guessed there will be a lot more toy and dolly related posts on here. But do not be disheartened, I am still Live.Love.Yarn. I could never leave the house without yarn, I'll just have to get a bag big enough for my yarn and my dolls now! Thanks for playing along and as always, <br />
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Also, add me on Flickr!! I am LiveLoveYarn over there too, naturally. Some of the photos from this post are photos from my Flickr (to pique your interest with Shameless Self Promotion), but I am newly making a serious effort to post original content (that means minimal re-posting) here, there, and on IG.</div>
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<em>My Pullip, Charlotte, looking peaceful and serene</em></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-65456019165413481242012-08-04T16:31:00.002-07:002012-08-04T16:31:22.922-07:00Heritage Days on the Coastline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>Blue skies, fun rides</em></div>
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Today my family and I spent the day in Scituate for Heritage Days. We had such a nice afternoon I couldn't help but sharing :) I'm not really very sure why it's called Heritage Days, there wasn't a whole lot of history or heritage going on that I saw, but that doesn't mean it wasn't awesome. It mostly consisted of awesome vendors, food trucks, rides, and live music. There were some great booths with handmade goods, others just some cool stuff. There was a lot of great jewelry to look at.Though some of the vendors were a little weary of us touching their wares, some were just fine with it and those are the ones we purchased from! It's funny, I always find that the artisans are eager for you to handle their goods while other vendors seem less eager for you to do so.<br />
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My mother got me the amazing bracelet above as a congratulatory pressie cuz, guess what- I GOT THE JOB. I start my new position at the library on Monday, and I am thrilled. The bracelet is made of cracker jack prizes! This vendor had some beautiful vintage button jewelry but I couldn't pass up this colorful, nostalgic creation. Also, I've really been diggin on toys lately but more on that later. She was so funny, she told us that when she got the brush (when she was little!) she tried to brush her own hair with it, to which my Mom chimed in that she used to brush her dolly's hair with hers!<br />
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Of course, their was also amazing food and because my family and I have no shame here are some humbling photos of us enjoying our selective treats. I had an amazing. Phenomenal. Other-worldly pulled pork sandwich. The vendor-lady was literally pullin it off the grill when I stepped up, how was I supposed to say no? It was MONDO. It was smoky, sweet, with just a little kick. So good.<br />
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My mom went with a traditional fried dough ;) And then got a little funky to the live music. <br />
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<em>She might just kill me if she knew I showed you this, but then again she's a lot like me- in that she doesn't take her self to seriously</em></div>
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We also popped in a little music shop boasting ukuleles galore and they did<em> not </em>disappoint. I started playing last summer, very little. I have a cheap little Mahalo that I strum every now and then (my nails are too long right now and I am rather enjoying having pretty nails for the first time....ever, so I will enjoy them over the uke a little longer). The shop owner was pretty proud of her selection, as she should be, and let me snap a quick pic of all the gorgeous little four stringed loves.<br />
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And, oh yeah, did I mention that we were right on the coastline and the weather was gorgeous and although it was hot the salty sea breeze was so heavenly? So Heavenly.<br />
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<em>That's my lil bro. I can never get an authentic smile out of him, so this = gold.</em></div>
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Until next time, Friends.</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-59978892360963696942012-06-13T07:05:00.000-07:002012-06-13T07:05:22.305-07:00A Short, But Sweet, UpdateWell as you can see I am still struggling with blogging regularly. I am currently brainstorming ways to remedy this and I thank everyone who cares enough to read me for their continued interest and patience :) I hope it will all pay off, for both of our sakes.
Things have been upbeat around here lately. I am taking an online course, Psychology of Learning, that I am really enjoying to me surprise. I tend to lean more toward a humanistic perspective so I didn't expect behavioral and cognitive theories to have any value for me, but I am actually very intrigued. Also, I am applying for a a full time position at the library I work in. I have been too superstitious to say it, but I feel the need to. It is a position that I may not be technically qualified for but I am putting myself out there anyways, I have nothing to loose and I love the library. So my online class is taking up some physical time and the job application is definitely taking up a lot of my mental space.
That's really all that's going on here, so until next time (whenever that may be...)Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-50290455686314455952012-05-20T19:08:00.003-07:002012-05-20T19:08:46.758-07:00If You Give a Kid a Crochet Hook.......He'll Want to Learn to Crochet. Ah, if only it were that easy. I have been <strike>training</strike> trying to teach my brother to crochet since his hands could hold the hook. He's pin sharp and curious as a cat. He also lives with a diagnosis of ADHD, so his brain sometimes goes a mile a minute. As someone who has anxiety, I know first hand the magical properties of crafting that soothe the mind and calm the soul. That being said, he's had his own bamboo handled "J" hook for a few years now, but it mostly collects dust unless I need one in a pinch. Whenever he sees me making something he either a) wants it for himself or b) has a new request for a handmade item he would like tomorrow please and thank you. But until yesterday, he had no real desire to learn the craft himself. <br />
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<em>My Brother with his cool thrifted whip</em></div>
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I'm not really sure how it happened. I think I just caught him at the right moment, or maybe he caught me at the right moment. It happened yesterday, but I can't remember if I suggested it to him or if he suggested it to me. Either way, within a few minutes we were both at the kitchen table with a ball of wool from my stash and his neglected gold "J". <br />
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<em>"Cr-a-a-a-a-ck!"</em></div>
I crocheted the chain and did the first row, which is the most frustrating even for a seasoned crocheter. Then I just stood behind him and helped him here and there. Within the time it took for him to crochet his first few stitches he had already mastered the wrist movements! In my opinion, the wrist movements are the hurdle in teaching crochet. Every new thing we learn has a little hurdle that seems to make the new skill so very hard, yet when we jump that little hurdle the new skill seems all of a sudden so clear! When teaching crochet, I tend to think the first little hurdle is learning to twist your wrist with the hook and yarn. My brother, after watching me for about a second, said, "You do it so fluidly!" and that was it for him. He only had a little difficulty tensioning the yarn, so I helped him with that.<br />
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In thirty short minutes we had a crochet square very indicative of a new crocheter, yet so beautiful all the same. For a moment I hesitated, what would the square be? While a first crocheted anything is very exciting, it is not as exciting as a first crocheted potholder, coaster, patch, or anything thing-with-a-purpose. Would he be disappointed, thinking this little square was obsolete?<br />
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<em>First Stitches</em></div>
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Of course not! He's an eleven year old, with an imagination that stuns the adults in his life. Naturally, he knew what it was right away. A whip-grip. Yes, you heard me right. He as a whip we found in a thrift shop (that he is only allowed to use outside) that is "just like Indiana Jones". I sewed the square onto the whip, it was a perfect two hand grip for him of course. Sometimes I wonder why I worry at all. In the end this colorful piece of wool fabric and it's purpose are so very him. And, a bonus, when we talked about his lesson the next day he told me he actually liked it and understood why I spend so much of my free time doing it! Be still, my beating heart.<br />
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<em>Tah-Dah!</em></div>
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This experience, this quality time, with my little brother was so spontaneous yet so wonderful. I am trying to convince him to join me in a Summer crochet-along featuring a <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hello-my-name-is-amineko-nekoyama/1103276396?ean=9781589235717">favorite cat</a> of ours. I'll let you know what he decides :)<br />
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Until Next Time</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-72886842911090478362012-05-16T15:51:00.004-07:002012-05-16T15:51:49.919-07:00Bringing May FlowersWell the rain as finally (almost) subsided here, though it was a little drizzly and awfully grey this morning. At the first glimpse of sunshine I grabbed my camera and ran outside for a morning stroll. Like I said, I love rain but I admit I was going a little stir crazy. I love sweats and tea but a girl can only last so long before the vitamin D deficiency starts going to her head. But let me tell you, the moment I walked outside (for the first time in four days) I knew it was all well worth it. <br />
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It was almost as if overnight everything had come alive! My little world was all of a sudden so lush! Some of the flower bushes in my neighborhood looked like they were actually exploding with blossoms.<br />
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The birds were singing such a beautiful song. The air was brisk from all the rain. It was so delightful. Yards were overtaken by dandelions. Wild patches of grass had sprung up, making our yard look a bit more like a jungle than a yard...<br />
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But either way, I am so very grateful for our wet spell. I got some much needed couch time to decompress from this semester and the result was a wonderful, lush, fresh world all around me!<br />
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Until Next Time</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-62734632965443647512012-05-03T11:22:00.002-07:002012-05-03T11:22:51.846-07:00Rainy Days<br />
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Raindrops on the Window</div>
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It's been raining here for three days now and by the looks of the weather report it won't be clearing up until early next week. I'm not complaining, not really. You see, I actually kind of like this weather. It's perfect for cuddling with your furry friends, reading, drinking lots of tea, knitting or crocheting, and it's a lot easier for me to study for finals when it isn't gorgeous outside. <br />
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My SnugglyKitty, Sugar</div>
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So that's mostly what I've been doing. A lot of studying, a little bit of yarn-y, and even a little bit of cleaning and destashing. Yes, you read that correctly. I said destashing. Magazines in particular were my focus this go around, but I'll be posting on that <strike>futile</strike> effort later.<br />
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Mom's Sunny Shawl in Shalimar Yarns Breathless</div>
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I like rainy days because they give me a reason to be cooped up. I love being outside when it's nice out, but there is something so nice about staying in your sweats and plopping down on the couch during days like these. I've also had the past few days off from work so I have been able to get a lot done and still have time to relax, for which I am very grateful for. </div>
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Rainy Day Friends</div>
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The semester is coming to a close and I am getting pretty excited with plans for Summer. My best friend will be (relatively) close again, Andrew and I will have some more time to spend together, and naturally I've got all kinds of crafty plans. But for now, I'm cuddled up on the couch appreciating any excuse I have to be as lazy as possible.</div>
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I hope you've got some weather you can appreciate, for whatever reasons, where ever you are at right now.</div>
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Until Next Time. </div>
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<br />Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-7235919329430790772012-05-01T14:19:00.000-07:002012-05-01T14:19:06.883-07:00The Truth About BloggingSo, you might have noticed that I haven't blogged in almost a year. That being said, this post has been culling in my mind- creating itself, working itself through, and fleshing itself out. Honestly, I had thought I was done. Thrown in the towel, abandoned ship. See the things is, I stopped blogging because I wasn't enjoying it anymore. Writing the posts, photographing projects for it, finding all the links, all the parts had become arduous and I was beginning to resent it. I sat down a few times and tried to squeeze something (anything!) out, but it just wasn't flowing. A week went by, a month went by, six months went by. At first I felt a twinge of guilt. I felt I owed the few readers I might have had a proper explanation or "good-bye", but pretty soon I realized that I felt much better without the pressure of blogging in my life. Now and then I may have had an idea for a post or two, but it wasn't enough to get me back on the blog. Eventually, I accepted it- the blog days are over. Surprisingly, I was actually quite fine with it. <br />
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Here's why: I realized during my months off that I was feeling a pressure when working on my blog. A pressure to perform, if you will. I was also operating, the entire time, under the belief that I had nothing to contribute. I loved reading blogs, but I didn't love writing my own. So, where was the disparity? Well, I thought about it for a little while and I realized something. My favorite blogs really get my gears turning and they each offer something unique. Whether it be writing style, content, photography style, personal flair, or what have you. I realized then that I wasn't enjoying writing my blog because I wasn't offering anything unique. I didn't feel I was putting anything into the blogosphere that didn't already exist in some form. This is odd because, quite frankly, I am rather unique. If you think I'm tooting my own horn, ask someone who knows me about Kiki, or my dolls, or any of my personal philosophies. You'd have to ask someone else, you see, because I never talked about any of these things. What was happening was that I was trying a little too hard to be polished, to be a brand. I was thinking to myself, though maybe not entirely on a conscious level, "My blog is called Live.Love.Yarn. so I blog about yarn stuff." Knitting- cool. Crochet- cool. But everything else in this complex life? School? Love? Did you know I took a sewing class or that I love to read? Work? Other hobbies? I prevented myself from blogging about these things because, I thought, "Readers are coming here for yarn". <br />
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But I am a lot more than yarn. I do love yarn, I love everything about it. But what about the "Live" and "Love"? By trying to brand myself I severely compromised the image of who I am. I manipulated my blog and image so it was cut and dry "yarn". By trying to brand myself I revoked my own freedom to be my unique self, and all the passion and excitement I had for sharing my uniqueness. I became jaded by the attempt to be too polished, lost my interest, and kind of gave up. <br />
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Now, crafty business owners and business supporters don't get me wrong here. Brands are great. Fun even. But I'm not a crafty business women (yet?) and I, personally, did not go about creating an image in the correct manner with the right the intentions. <br />
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But here is the good news: I'm back. Thanks to a series of events that have been taking place over the past few weeks, I am back. I am invigorated and empowered and ready to try again. I have to give a big shout out to Sister Diane, creator of <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/">CraftyPod</a>. The pieces of these ideas were all kind of ricocheting around in my mind trying to take hold of each other to form something, but it wasn't happening. When I listened to <a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2010/10/08/craftypod-123-being-more-authentic-online-with-kirsty-hall/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to ">CraftyPod #123: Being More Authentic Online, with Kirsty Hall</a> it all kind of clicked into place and I realized what had been bothering me. about blogging, all this long while and why. Anything she publishes is great and saturated with inspiration and ideas to really get you thinking, but this particular podcast really resonated with me. <br />
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I can promise it isn't going to be perfect, it never has been. If your subscribed to this blog still and you're thinking, "We've heard it all before", I can't blame you. I kind of feel the same. I'm thinking "Maybe it'll stick this time, but maybe it won't". But what is important is this: if I get to write about what I want to and really be myself I'll be much better off than before. I think I really owe it to myself and you to give it another shot. <br />
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It's going to be very different this time around, but I am really excited by that prospect. So thanks for tuning in again, if you are. If this is your first time here, welcome. I hope we can all enjoy the ride.<br />
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Until Next Time.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-51492640599565243492011-10-21T11:24:00.000-07:002011-10-21T11:24:59.619-07:00FO Friday: Cabled Fingerless MittsIs it Friday all ready? Yes! Today I have a finished object to share with you and they are cabled fingerless mitts!<br />
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It is starting to cool off in good ol' New England and my hands are always the first thing to feel the chill. Every year I scour Ravelry for fingerless mitt patterns, but for some reason I always talk myself out of making them! Which is a shame, because my hands get really cold. These were great though- the cables kept them very interesting and the construction is really smart. Also, they are nice and stretchy which is important for a good pair of mitts. <br />
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These took a whole two days to make. Phew! Talk about commitment, eh? Really though. I finished one in a sitting and the next day I sat down and cranked out another one. This pattern was pretty easy, though I would say it does require some crochet knowledge. It was my first go at crocheted cables and I really liked how they turned out.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> Cabled Fingerless Mitts</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabled-mitts-6">Cabled Mitts</a>, Crochet Today! Nov/Dec 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yarn: Knit Picks Elegance in Ash, 1 skein</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hook: size E</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mods: I went down a "yarn size" (from worsted to DK) and down a few hook sizes to an E because I have very small hands. I also added one row of sc blo before seaming up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You can pop on over <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/liveloveyarn/cabled-mitts">here </a>to see my Ravlery Project Page if you would like.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">So Happy Friday, everyone! Tonight Andrew and I will be on our way to Connecticut for the weekend to visit some good friends. My friend Sue and I will also be going to STICHES east! Yes, that's right....remember my yarn diet? I did it! I went four months without buying yarn, patterns, and needles. Needless to say I think it will be a fun weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-17339725499281974562011-10-19T16:30:00.000-07:002011-10-19T16:30:07.676-07:00Living VicariouslySometimes when you have three tests on one Friday and three projects due on the next Friday, and you're starting a new (and exciting!) job on the Monday in between, and you've got plans to visit friends out of state on the Saturday after, and a room to clean, and a car, and spouse to love, and...well I think you're beginning to sense a pattern here if I'm not wrong. Sometimes life gets just plum busy. During those times it is sometimes necesary to live vicariously through the lives of your fellow Crafty Bloggers. <br />
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So here are some Lovely Online Things that have been keeping me afloat, inspired, and living vicariously for the past few weeks.<br />
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#1 (as in currently most inspiring) <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2011/10/blanket-journey.html">Lucy from Attic24 and her Ripply Blanket Journey</a><br />
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#2 (as in slightly, but not much, less inspiring) <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aveiro-azulejo-square">Simply amazing, bet you didn't even know you could do this with crochet.</a><br />
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#3 (you get it) <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-love-this-wrap">Next Project?</a> But I'm thinking with some stashed Malabrigo, three buttons, and fringe. Someone, please, let me know if this is not as cute as I am envisioning it (it has been known to happen).<br />
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I hope to have more for you soon, when my academic rigors slow for a bit and I am a little more settled into my new job and schedule. <br />
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Until Next TimeElisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-83554031468411325892011-10-08T16:35:00.000-07:002011-10-08T16:35:22.911-07:00She's Back**Every now and then we all need something to remind us why we love the things we love. As a Knitter and Crocheter it is easy to get caught up in the latest patterns, the beautiful yarns, the newest magazine. Even selecting a project can become taxing- the right size, the perfect color, the exact gauge, the functionality, the wearability, the durability. <br />
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Sometimes we crafters just need to make something. To feel the yarn glide through our fingers, to relish the feeling of creating.<br />
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Sometimes we need to be spontaneous. To let our creative spirits guide us. Remember when you first started? Everything inspired you. All you wanted to do was cast on, start a foundation chain. <br />
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Every now and again it is good for us to throw care aside. To momentarily neglect the ever-growing pile of works-in-progress and unfinished objects. To dive into our stash, pull out something, and begin.<br />
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I have to thank Jennifer Ackermann-Haywood her quarterly magazine <a href="http://craftsanity.com/">CraftSanity</a> for the opportunity to do just that. The moment I saw <a href="http://craftsanity.com/2011/09/throw-on-a-giant-doily-blanket-and-celebrate-your-granny-style/">this post</a> I was exceptionally inspired. I'm not sure if was the color, the way she wears this blanket as a shawl, or the quintessential modern-granniness of it. Whatever the reason, I was head over heals in love. I was feeling inspired and did not allow myself to dampen my inspiration with excuses of too many projects, too much to do. <br />
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I finished my lovely <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/liveloveyarn/willow-doily-blanket">Willow Doily Blanket</a> in just about a week, and I am ecstatic over it. I love snuggling under it in the chilly mornings with my coffee and during the chilly evenings with my book or another project. <br />
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As kind of an aside- go check out CraftSanity, it really is great. You can purchase a paper copy or a digital download. There is something very fresh about it, something that seems to get back to the roots of why we do it all in the first place.<br />
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** Yes, I have been away for a long time. Yes I am still doing Project Spectrum and am on a yarn diet. I could have written an apology post, or an excuse post. But I had my reasons to be away. I am well, my family is well and most importantly....I'm back.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-31181703250940832062011-06-16T12:53:00.000-07:002011-06-16T12:53:43.393-07:00Thrift Thursday, Finally.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome to the first Thrift Thursdsay Post! Thrift Thursday is all about my love for thrifted clothing, all things vintage and not-vintage-at-all, how to buy secondhand and still look good, and most importantly: being good to our Good Ol' Mother Earth who has been so good to us all these years!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope Thrift Thursday will expand to include tips on thrifting, home decor thrifting, re-furbing (or refurbishing), and much more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today's piece is actually two pieces. This is an outfit I would most typically wear to work. The thrifted items are the top and necklace. The non-thrifted items are the slacks and shoes. I found this orange top at Salvation Army and loved it for the design element of the trim. It is definitely reminiscent of crochet but is machine-made so it is not actual crochet. The necklace I got at a consignment store and is really one of my favorite accessories. It goes great with orange, yellow, and white. There are little engraved flowers on each bead though you can't quite see that from the distance these are shot at. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmw9gn-DhmVbVH3sLVQTeHUwcfM-oRNMFq5_k7cpAAa1WHf0I76k7qhOuFkABrec6ckwLD_gcgzo4rAlHyUWMNAI_41w9QIh9UU-6L4IhZxg1zK4pZ1bFSoI8R0n5GU93DhwArhXWuMde/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmw9gn-DhmVbVH3sLVQTeHUwcfM-oRNMFq5_k7cpAAa1WHf0I76k7qhOuFkABrec6ckwLD_gcgzo4rAlHyUWMNAI_41w9QIh9UU-6L4IhZxg1zK4pZ1bFSoI8R0n5GU93DhwArhXWuMde/s320/IMG_1767.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So there it is. You can look good and professional when wearing thrifted fashion!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until Next Time.</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-14161250943218581362011-06-15T12:57:00.000-07:002011-06-15T12:57:46.925-07:00Avoiding Obvious Green Post Titles<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You know like, In The Green or It's Not Easy Bein' Green. Anywho. It's about half way through June here and half way through the month of green. I was telling my best friend Ashleigh about how surprised I was by the lack of green in my stash. Thing is- I always gravitate to it and tell myself, "No, you already have plenty of green...you need to use other colors." But in telling myself that everytime I wind up with essentially no green yarn. I said essentially. I do have two skeins of Cascade 220 waiting patientlly to become sleeves and buttholes on my Tea Leaves Cardi. I also had one ball of Knit Picks new <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Chroma_Fingering_Sock_Yarn__D5420203.html">Chroma</a> yarn in fingering weight. I have never used a color transitioning yarn, and at Knit Picks prices I thought, "What the heck?" So I grabbed a ball in North Woods, assuming it would be socks. I will say this now- had I known they would, indeed, not be socks I may not have picked this colorway (but that is kind of what Project Spectrum is about). So after dubiously casting on for a sock, realizing it was a little too thick/thin and fuzzy for socks, and hearing Ashleigh tell me that it is "way to pretty to be socks", I ripped and cast on spontaneously for a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83952633@N00/3646583926/">Lacy Baktus</a>. When I say spontaneously I means as spontaneous as casting on can be: I had never even favorited this pattern on ravelry! But I will say, Knit Picks Chroma loves Lacy Baktus. Don't you think?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIGR86Sto6rt12tzV0igj457dUeyb9lhvsNVV2v_iiuXnj5bmMAHR8gs2Xgd2lniFioOnIJmKIjI8Vw0gQ9-DO5nu1A6mlib9r0oWl23-mVsmFMZu46871xv6Q1dWYcU_7oIpvWMEkVOz/s1600/IMG_1784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIGR86Sto6rt12tzV0igj457dUeyb9lhvsNVV2v_iiuXnj5bmMAHR8gs2Xgd2lniFioOnIJmKIjI8Vw0gQ9-DO5nu1A6mlib9r0oWl23-mVsmFMZu46871xv6Q1dWYcU_7oIpvWMEkVOz/s1600/IMG_1784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIGR86Sto6rt12tzV0igj457dUeyb9lhvsNVV2v_iiuXnj5bmMAHR8gs2Xgd2lniFioOnIJmKIjI8Vw0gQ9-DO5nu1A6mlib9r0oWl23-mVsmFMZu46871xv6Q1dWYcU_7oIpvWMEkVOz/s320/IMG_1784.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">At first I was weary of the colors, I am not much of an orange girl. But now I am in love with this scarf/shawl. The orange is more of a terra anyways. So pretty! Also, now I know why yarns like this and Noro are such favorites. They are really fun to use. The pattern is great too, I love the way the shawl grows and the "lace" is simple enough for me to handle (which is a plus). So that's basiclly all that's going on by way of green. I was planning on buying some green crochet thread, but I can't. Which leads me to my news. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I, LiveLoveYarn, am officially on a yarn diet. I am going cold-sheep. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">There, I said it. I jokingly asked Andrew if he thought I could go until Stitches East (in October) without buying yarn. He said "Absoutley, without a doubt- you have no chance at all" or something like that. So it became a full-blown-shake-on-it-bet. If I can go until Stitches without buying yarn, patterns (magazines, books, individual patterns), and crochet hooks he will donate $30 to my Stitches shopping spree (after much debate I convinced him to exclude needles since they are not as interchangeable as hooks). If I should lose I have to fork over $30 to him which he can spend on food for the weekend. I have more than enough yarn to get through Project Spectrum and then some. Also more than enough UFO's, but we don't talk about that. So wish me luck on that front. <a name='more'></a></div>I'll be doing a little green cooking, but my Baktus is keeping me plenty happy on the craft front for now. <br />
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Until Next Time.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-22404140711910200392011-06-01T16:53:00.000-07:002011-06-01T16:53:23.984-07:00One Last Day of Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes I know its June 1st, and technically the first day of green. But I wanted to do one last post on red. So here she is. First up are my crochet thread earrings. I used size 10 crochet thread and the granny square pattern from my Harmony Guides Motifs book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cOgc4IviAuBCFx9kWTi04ns0zNbPYcdxhfAM6puJHMERZ9MGCT3dSxXaDThcKF4MNi7D2RpDWHUGvqAir3Lp0ixS09cpIaggT7e1l_3Z_cTJ1cyBcZHORPFXT84vKcmdHNeveJdVKUKM/s1600/earrings+two+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cOgc4IviAuBCFx9kWTi04ns0zNbPYcdxhfAM6puJHMERZ9MGCT3dSxXaDThcKF4MNi7D2RpDWHUGvqAir3Lp0ixS09cpIaggT7e1l_3Z_cTJ1cyBcZHORPFXT84vKcmdHNeveJdVKUKM/s320/earrings+two+blog.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrVvLuHU27PysZTA4DyZ7JBRS3FBXeMR93IDykhoFuN_v1XuR_ntY29-g-EvPaal0A-KNiDTqGNmnKY-pKfY_VO4fQhNCm4JsJExxR0VDIWWkHdNc6UN_2bVp9SzuiH7FZUI8XahXyt8G/s1600/earrings+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrVvLuHU27PysZTA4DyZ7JBRS3FBXeMR93IDykhoFuN_v1XuR_ntY29-g-EvPaal0A-KNiDTqGNmnKY-pKfY_VO4fQhNCm4JsJExxR0VDIWWkHdNc6UN_2bVp9SzuiH7FZUI8XahXyt8G/s320/earrings+blog.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a little flower motif from Linda Permann's Crochet Adorned. I am planning on making two more with one less repeat each (so they are smaller) and making a headband.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQasvYja-jW9bIv_MRZdeQmAgddurEHhlkQ64T8Fv4tD65dmAeyNsjYgsY0CvoLvFlzsqX-c1pqodZ1-kFRBV3gUxd9MRZQp6QvgXEDsRnLBTtodmdFXdwh7QZdLVf3HIhVssKxQhV0NZR/s1600/flower+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQasvYja-jW9bIv_MRZdeQmAgddurEHhlkQ64T8Fv4tD65dmAeyNsjYgsY0CvoLvFlzsqX-c1pqodZ1-kFRBV3gUxd9MRZQp6QvgXEDsRnLBTtodmdFXdwh7QZdLVf3HIhVssKxQhV0NZR/s320/flower+blog.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally- the red beret. I have been wanting a red beret forever. But for some reason it just wasn't happening. I tried three yarns before I stumbled on this one in a yarn sale. It is Plymouth Happy Feet and it is perfect. This design is improvised using my knowledge of beret construction and yarn conservation. Every two or three rounds was a double crochet, ch1 round to conserve yarn. I love it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD63fjYXvrSpsuOEHUsw9D2uHe9HTxwxhViaYtYLEeurpXAX4FWjoEoA1cMkhUTbcoQY8XU7U97MDmeiXIa1_ixQ5eMT0-2Z6fmiuKa7GQboXkYZ5uP_0QRRxOr26OnNcU7eurWC6A488m/s1600/blog+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD63fjYXvrSpsuOEHUsw9D2uHe9HTxwxhViaYtYLEeurpXAX4FWjoEoA1cMkhUTbcoQY8XU7U97MDmeiXIa1_ixQ5eMT0-2Z6fmiuKa7GQboXkYZ5uP_0QRRxOr26OnNcU7eurWC6A488m/s320/blog+hat.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSOgxR9lVxPiLwd4X-1BvlxlDCR7bevqhjTIbgOHcqpVRwbuixBY4xrIuj96fshOnxw2jvbMlu2XxuNeClfmw5vASyCVOax37F6PAQdTY6kmWMJZISSqtSzc-O4tvAUQSiZvZB6XjNe4P/s1600/IMG_1739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSOgxR9lVxPiLwd4X-1BvlxlDCR7bevqhjTIbgOHcqpVRwbuixBY4xrIuj96fshOnxw2jvbMlu2XxuNeClfmw5vASyCVOax37F6PAQdTY6kmWMJZISSqtSzc-O4tvAUQSiZvZB6XjNe4P/s320/IMG_1739.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Also, I made spaghetti sauce! (And turkey meatballs) Remember what I said about being a novice baker? Same applies to cooking. Remember the first thing you ever crocheted or knit? How you were so proud of it and it was so beautiful even though it was really ugly and probably a poor fiber choice? Well that's me with baking and cooking.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZZPgcGGekAVzfdv1XqNsBqVg0M8jYrQAS8NTjlJ4Csg7l-vu2_2ftC63ozaRrStCFXAPlhuXZX0_VZ6zxj7Dd5A9738F-dVhSwXQ1e0IsvNbyk7_xONglOmpNqWZY1gYU3SKkGk7DsvY/s1600/IMG_1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZZPgcGGekAVzfdv1XqNsBqVg0M8jYrQAS8NTjlJ4Csg7l-vu2_2ftC63ozaRrStCFXAPlhuXZX0_VZ6zxj7Dd5A9738F-dVhSwXQ1e0IsvNbyk7_xONglOmpNqWZY1gYU3SKkGk7DsvY/s320/IMG_1744.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">So that wraps up May. But definitely not red. I find myself loving, appreciating, and not fearing this color now that I have worked with it during this month. But seriously- BRING ON THE GREEN.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until Next Time!</div><br />
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</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-62166712312827081222011-05-30T15:46:00.000-07:002011-05-30T15:46:35.746-07:00So Much For ThatDisclaimer: blogger made an executive decision and decided I wasn't going to be posting anything for a day or two. But were back....<br />
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I am by no means a baker being said- I do enjoy baking. Little stuff. Stuff your six year old could make with equal finesse. Even so, I always feel really accomplished in the end.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwVs1jdZH6-Dr-uWVx89qfqZHHUjExhnNBS23tnnTwunI4-DOSS0CRBWdRaZUb4APR0SKpuTM7prUoUIiF0A17x_at1H-QcMuVoKBVPNHxxxxTd02gC2iJoePgS4f8f6gUvy1EbqZBuY/s1600/IMG_1686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwVs1jdZH6-Dr-uWVx89qfqZHHUjExhnNBS23tnnTwunI4-DOSS0CRBWdRaZUb4APR0SKpuTM7prUoUIiF0A17x_at1H-QcMuVoKBVPNHxxxxTd02gC2iJoePgS4f8f6gUvy1EbqZBuY/s320/IMG_1686.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there are your standard-run-of-the-mill red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Used this recipe. They were delicious and I was so proud that I made another batch and brought them to my uncle's surprise 50th birthday party. If you would like to make some of your own delicious cupcakes, but only want one batch then cut the frosting recipe in half. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I will admit- I defintely enjoyed having cupcakes around to eat at every whim. Might just have to make some more.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time!</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-87653926536590478012011-05-27T13:43:00.000-07:002011-05-27T13:43:25.809-07:00Project Spectrum FO 1Disclaimer: this post includes capitals, as LiveLoveYarn has been reading too many English blogs lately. <br />
When I "signed up" for PS I knew May would be the least organized of the whole project. I had finals the first and second week and I oral surgery the second week. Think you can forgive me for not posting? Well in effort to make up for I will be blogging every day (starting today) until the end of May. A blog-a-thon, if you will. Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been a Little Miss Busy Fingers. So May. Red. Daunting, haunting, classically beautiful red. Did you know I have not one skein of red yarn in my stash? Not even any acrylic from the Early Days when I grabbed Any Yarn in Sight. Then I thought; why? Why no red? Then I had a little peek through my wardrobe and there was not a red article in sight. I like red as much as the next girl- so why don't I own anything red? I think, maybe, I was a little scared of the color. I decided the best way to overcome that was to start small. Like say...a necklace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbAb8xMuLTyjCJlOBjRc3_wdZyooVpv6w_yWqF6KOmZKj51IOQRsB4qgW8TaBx6OmjKXt41wrP828b-s5dRpMuAFesxSgFfAkSyzGRBtCnDqaPTN9E-CE7499Aqunk9CNGDQ2zJ4Uk_qt/s1600/necklace+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbAb8xMuLTyjCJlOBjRc3_wdZyooVpv6w_yWqF6KOmZKj51IOQRsB4qgW8TaBx6OmjKXt41wrP828b-s5dRpMuAFesxSgFfAkSyzGRBtCnDqaPTN9E-CE7499Aqunk9CNGDQ2zJ4Uk_qt/s320/necklace+blog.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
I think I'm in love with this necklace. I have never worked with size 10 thread before and man is it Teeny Tiny. The pattern is the <a href="http://crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/lace-pearls-necklace">Lace and Pearls Necklace from Crochet Today April/May 2010</a>. I decided to forgo the beads and (clearly) change the color. I followed the pattern exactly (cough, foronce, cough). The result is Just Lovely, and I am very proud of my little peice of crochet-wearable-art.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-73390683806617915342011-05-25T18:28:00.000-07:002011-05-25T18:28:21.104-07:00Welcome Back (to me)!Hello!<br />
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Wow, it has been so long. Too long. I have quite a lot to catch up on. But, first things first: the semester is <em>done</em>. Done. I can't believe it. There was a good stretch there where I was really beginning to believe it would never end. But here we are. This was undoubtedly my most rigorous semester yet, but I am so proud of myself for sticking with it. More than sticking with it though- I actually did quite well this semester, academically speaking. I was even exempt from my Biopsychology final for having a A on all the tests. My Ethics of Harry Potter class was by far my favorite though. Not only because I am a complete Harry Potter dork, but because I actually learned quite a bit. Alongside Harry Potter 1, 2, 6, and 7 we also read Aristotle's <em>Nichomachean Ethics</em> and Machiavelli's <em>The Prince</em>. These are books with content I would never had considered reading without this class, and I think that my professor was very wise to use pop culture to introduce philosophy to someone who previously had no interest. Also, it was a challenging class- the professor was a tough grader- but I did really well and that made it all the more rewarding.<br />
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But enough about that, right? It's Summer! Well...summer break at least. The weather has finally started coming around though, which is great. So what have I got planned this Summer? Well, quite a bit actually. This semester left me little time to indulge in the things I love most, like crafting and reading. So, while I did contemplate getting another job to fill my summer free time I decided against it. Instead I will be using that free time to indulge in the kinds of things I couldn't during the semester because, quite frankly, I worked hard this semester and I deserve it! So, my plans are as such:<br />
<ul><li>Take a sewing class</li>
</ul>I signed up for a two-hour-a-week-for-eight-weeks class which started last Tuesday. It is at my local fabric and yarn store, and it is a sewing class for beginners! I have wanted to learn to sew since before yarn ever tickled my fancy. Every summer they offer this class, and every summer I come up with some reason why I can't take it. But not this year! So I've got my fabric, my pattern, all my notions, and my first very own sewing box. I am so excited to be taking this class I can't event tell you! <br />
<ul><li>Join in on Project Spectrum</li>
</ul>Project Spectrum is basically a seven month long creativity exercise. Please check out the facebook page, Tumblr, and ravelry group if you want to learn more about it. This is PS's fifth go-around and my first. This years theme is "The Basics" so were working with all the primary and secondary colors. The organizer of the movement talks about this years theme on her blog. So after some serious considerations (along the lines of: I just finished a challenging semester, will I really want to have any structure this summer/I don't want to feel obligated to craft like I was obligated to study,do homework, go to class, and work when I'm not doing all that?) I decided I was in. We'll see what it blossoms into. <br />
<ul><li>My very first segment!</li>
</ul>Let's face it- all the real bloggers have one. Okay, maybe not all. But a lot of bloggers do and since I will have time to blog this summer I would like to give it a try. So, drum roll please, this summer I will be featuring Thrift Thursdays. More on that <em>next</em> Thursday. <br />
<br />
So welcome back to me and my readers! It should be a very exciting summer, and I am really excited to see what is in store! Do you have any plans? Let me know!<br />
<br />
Until next time.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-47711456325618254502011-03-17T19:24:00.000-07:002011-03-17T19:24:34.663-07:00The "Perfect" Scarf<div style="text-align: center;">A while back I treated myself to two luscious skeins of Cascade Pure Alpaca in a gorgeous ice blue colorway. I originally intended to make a <a href="http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2009/11/cedar-leaf-shawlette.html">Cedar Leaf Shawlette</a> with it, but decided that some other yarn I had in my stash was more suitable for that project (more on that later). So in the stash it sat. Until. I had an enlightened moment. This yarn was destined to be an infinity style scarf/cowl! So warm and soft, it is perfect for neck wear and I had a shawl's worth I would definitely have enough with not too much left over! But it needed to be slightly lacy, because alpaca is very warm. Now all I needed was the pattern. Well, easier said than done. This one's too solid, this one's too lacy, but this one is jusssst right ;). After scouring Ravelry I found the Seraphina Cowl and the instant I saw it I knew. This was the one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEXyYCSCZUu7MBeQa9UnQ5fkvbm0bhmo9gfzyHkSDg1lsG6b_yJlmbiOFNOqCKUfbl5o11AE2Lh7xPgr-myGCHL4d1EeUWay4xK9eRZv-nIcnbrOSt1IPmLoEAphOBwpLol0Hsfy-mcEV/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEXyYCSCZUu7MBeQa9UnQ5fkvbm0bhmo9gfzyHkSDg1lsG6b_yJlmbiOFNOqCKUfbl5o11AE2Lh7xPgr-myGCHL4d1EeUWay4xK9eRZv-nIcnbrOSt1IPmLoEAphOBwpLol0Hsfy-mcEV/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just enough solid fabric and lace and, I must say, holey drape! (Get it? hole-y!) I love this scarfcowl (heehee). It got a lot of good use this winter, and I can still wear it with a tee on warmer days. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtdd10RTA8HTkAuhbz8941qXZbHQit0OSK0-1EQ8EOWSzSiDRoDJR3KuUjW-shwOn7vySdMyz1bczJExyHRncWLYxZLfbDyS_rmhJQ3u4OGVnkxjf65UhFT5cP-5QjJcyxIvlrUYa_5-O/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtdd10RTA8HTkAuhbz8941qXZbHQit0OSK0-1EQ8EOWSzSiDRoDJR3KuUjW-shwOn7vySdMyz1bczJExyHRncWLYxZLfbDyS_rmhJQ3u4OGVnkxjf65UhFT5cP-5QjJcyxIvlrUYa_5-O/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Details:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=10595220&media=RAV&utm_source=media&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=RAV">Seraphina Cowl</a> by Abigail Wang</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hook: G, <a href="http://www.shopredheart.com/default.aspx?PageID=62&CategoryID=42&ProductID=2092&RootCatCode=03000">Susan Bates bamboo handle</a> (looove)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Modifications: Went down a hook size, crocheted more rows</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-PureAlpaca.asp">Cascade Yarns Pure Alpaca</a>, colorway 3031</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm really happy with this cowl, and it is a part of <a href="http://knitpicks.com/">KnitPicks</a> Independent Designers Program so the pattern only $1.99! Head over there and check it out, it's a pretty sweet program with both crochet and knit patterns available. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ud_ZZOWQ8KVYmYBFJktnCO3BDuN8iSrRlmx4WzAn9CrB07t4D4hw-crHJYOdtdMO9ImyRfNSWq-0TXrHeAg-kdvtNzzTMZ_WXDAO0iOCCJLHdBcLWUMq8XwsbJT1bg-dlwhQ__4pt1oL/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ud_ZZOWQ8KVYmYBFJktnCO3BDuN8iSrRlmx4WzAn9CrB07t4D4hw-crHJYOdtdMO9ImyRfNSWq-0TXrHeAg-kdvtNzzTMZ_WXDAO0iOCCJLHdBcLWUMq8XwsbJT1bg-dlwhQ__4pt1oL/s320/IMG_1467.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, its really versatile. Doubled up its pretty warm and very fashionable. Tripled it's extremely warm! I found myself tripling it outside and wearing it doubled inside. All in all, great pattern (well written, easily memorized) + great yarn = great cowl.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also wanted to take a second to show you my earrings. They are vintage, passed down from my great grandmother. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6em5WDNOMDIvclvFoGWOTnyVmHE0q6iCXr2Ik1wF-yYsQWpf7rMF9hc6oCHfoBla55VRQIIiwUF8zz5QXQoG44t-prQDp-GhHlduVpJh8Y-eOOm6xiAbqxIMW4w35nqAoU6n3yVSt5ooa/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6em5WDNOMDIvclvFoGWOTnyVmHE0q6iCXr2Ik1wF-yYsQWpf7rMF9hc6oCHfoBla55VRQIIiwUF8zz5QXQoG44t-prQDp-GhHlduVpJh8Y-eOOm6xiAbqxIMW4w35nqAoU6n3yVSt5ooa/s320/IMG_1486.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty, huh? Well that's about all for now. I hope you're all working on some equally satisfying projects while enjoying the first glorious signs of Spring!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next time</div><div style="text-align: center;">Peace&Love</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-62168962967497262182011-03-09T09:16:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:16:32.410-08:00The Week-Long Break Americans Pretend is During Springtime<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Otherwise known as Spring Break. <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">The Yarn Harlot</a> had commented on her blog that in Canada it's called March Break because they don't try to kid themselves by pretending it's Spring. I do love her but, quite frankly, I am all for pretending it's Spring right now. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, I've just returned from a brief little vacation in NH with Andrew and I must say this: it was wonderful. We both put a little money from a few paychecks aside so we could eat out, do fun things, and maybe even shop a little. Or a lot. You know. We were staying in Manchester and payed visit to Derry and Hooksett. I think my favorite part of the stay was the arcade/candle pin bowling alley. It was a lot of fun and because it was so empty I got to bowl without feeling self conscious (I;m not the best bowler). Also really great was CJ's, which stand for Cactus Jack's, which is right off Exit 2 on Route 93. Great food there, Andrew got what he dubbed the "best prime rib he's ever had", and it is no secret that the man is hard to please. And, of course, there was yarning. We took a fifteen minute trip to Derry, NH to an amazing LYS called The <a href="http://www.yarnandfiber.com/">Yarn and Fiber Company</a>. I left with two beautiful skeins of yarn and a very satisfying customer experience.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MZv4dQPHPS_h89EFz_VUG9kR9XKKSmJzhm4XeGVMd-QcZqcqdJoQfo53Pdu2dAhjFuVCF2chQiqyb6tINvULpW-spGsgdFHWmgScSjn6GCT2puFslt60KosUz0QmbDTEKlecaeKTzlHY/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MZv4dQPHPS_h89EFz_VUG9kR9XKKSmJzhm4XeGVMd-QcZqcqdJoQfo53Pdu2dAhjFuVCF2chQiqyb6tINvULpW-spGsgdFHWmgScSjn6GCT2puFslt60KosUz0QmbDTEKlecaeKTzlHY/s320/IMG_1377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is, I believe, the owners brand of yarn called <a href="http://www.ivybrambles.com/site/index.php">Ivy Brambles</a>. This yarn is the <a href="http://www.ivybrambles.com/site/ivybramblesyarn.php?cPath=1038_1584">Romatica Merino Lace</a> in the colorway Storm. It looks like a lot of yarn, because it is. That's about 1,000 yards of superwash merino laceweight right there. I have no idea what to make with it because I possibilities are basically endless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYiUoSdCYDszK661VRV4jb1R2Og_XWSCfCiW8Kov_g5jiQm_1NA_WinwcP8kbSpWXHaDriQ2njBlArNZRlDCBGctVXb904ZW_dMeu0Z-7yLvHBAVd35jT64DS3HCgcD3YZbU3Y1VG7mr_/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYiUoSdCYDszK661VRV4jb1R2Og_XWSCfCiW8Kov_g5jiQm_1NA_WinwcP8kbSpWXHaDriQ2njBlArNZRlDCBGctVXb904ZW_dMeu0Z-7yLvHBAVd35jT64DS3HCgcD3YZbU3Y1VG7mr_/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is <a href="http://www.ivybrambles.com/site/sockscene.php?cPath=1038_1047&sort=2a&page=2">SockScene</a>, also by Ivy Brambles, in the colorway Petunias. I asked my mom that if I was to make her a hypothetical shawl, and she could hypothetically choose any color she wanted what would it be? Hypothetically, of course. She said fuchsia, but not too pink, and not too bright. As impossible as that description sounds, I think Petunias hits it on the nose (and, of course, it's much prettier in person). I haven't decided if the hypothetical shawl will be knit or crocheted yet, but if I decide to knit it (hypothetically) I think this yarn would like to be a <a href="http://feministy.com/blog/traveling-woman/">Traveling Woman</a> shawl. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>We also hit up an amazing antiques shop in Hooksett before we hit the highway home. This place, <a href="http://www.loghouseantiques.com/">the Log House Antique Center,</a> was beautiful. And huge! We both out like little antique bandits. Andrew acquired himself a 1953 silver certificate (an antique dollar) and I left with two sets of gorgeous vintage buttons and a yard of vintage fabric. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy3KuA50R2Lj4hM6YWPhq3KxxXn34r4JehXwCNTfCRpHCa0Uwi2L5y_ckejmHD1m3-K7FZ_-28sawCDP9CIwD14LJSXVsALoc3odyxeDXPTj0ar0PusdDTlZMB07rnUvxso5NG7bMRqea/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy3KuA50R2Lj4hM6YWPhq3KxxXn34r4JehXwCNTfCRpHCa0Uwi2L5y_ckejmHD1m3-K7FZ_-28sawCDP9CIwD14LJSXVsALoc3odyxeDXPTj0ar0PusdDTlZMB07rnUvxso5NG7bMRqea/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know which of the three finds I'm more in love with. These were only $3 and I'm going to be using them on the <a href="http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2010/08/shawl-collared-cowl.html">Shawl Collard Cowl</a> I finished a little a while ago. These buttons are not only gorgeous, but they are perfect for the cowl, which is also navy.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XKEFtVhErfvAvWpQUN93bx7U_P5t8Wy-5EU_ltoV9Dnr8-mn7zyU5Eg8pz6MpIMkOBKSd65IdXTIaBH4gvmfSHR0OKG_bB4789u1CH2PCZrgnBMWcU7xoThO9F6dr8gziR4kQ_44aiZc/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XKEFtVhErfvAvWpQUN93bx7U_P5t8Wy-5EU_ltoV9Dnr8-mn7zyU5Eg8pz6MpIMkOBKSd65IdXTIaBH4gvmfSHR0OKG_bB4789u1CH2PCZrgnBMWcU7xoThO9F6dr8gziR4kQ_44aiZc/s320/IMG_1400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These are a nice purpley, maroony, burgundy color, and although I have no plans from them they are certainly turning my creative wheels at the moment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiopTBe0jKD-Wwon0FGb20ShTnWrg8bALyhXFPelX_zCK3LhwS2K97NawoTAOaVHBs3bxp0Au-eApplkn6hN2vSalFLyaGvHnFRGbVjooiHTe8iyYj1UkR3ygr7EKm4R8aB-TctY7lIkAp/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiopTBe0jKD-Wwon0FGb20ShTnWrg8bALyhXFPelX_zCK3LhwS2K97NawoTAOaVHBs3bxp0Au-eApplkn6hN2vSalFLyaGvHnFRGbVjooiHTe8iyYj1UkR3ygr7EKm4R8aB-TctY7lIkAp/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This I almost left without this but Andrew, being the little devil's advocate he is, talked me out of that terrible idea. The yard was $7 and it's simply gorgeous. Again, no concrete ideas but I've got pillows, skirts, shirts, and bags in mind. I'm not a very accomplished sewer, but I have been dying to learn and maybe this will finally light the fire. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So that was my little vacation in a crafty nutshell. We really want to go back and visit the multi-level laser tag arena so we'll probably be seeing more of Manchester, Derry and Hooksett! On a slightly different note (I promise this won't be the lengthiest-post-ever) you might have noticed I changed my blog name. What was once known as Frogged, is now Live.Love.Yarn. Why the switch? Well it's kind of simple actually: on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/liveloveyarn">ravelry,</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/liveloveyarn">twitter</a>, and almost every other social networking site my name is liveloveyarn. I love this name, and I think that re-naming blog creates a more cohesive on-line identity. That being said, I am still continuing my "I will post when I am able to but no sooner than that" hiatus, and this semester is still sufficiently kicking my butt. My current WIP right now is <a href="http://www.madelinetosh.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=tealeavescardigan">Tea Leaves</a> in Cascade 220, and I have three FO's to show you when I get the chance to photograph them all.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center">Until next time, and I hope this post finds you all well, </div><div align="center">Peace and Love</div><div align="center">Elise</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-52841107635238367292011-01-26T12:11:00.000-08:002011-01-26T12:11:57.970-08:00I'm Sorry To Say It......but I have decided I am going to be taking a blogging hiatus. I'm not sure for how long, and I'm not sure exactly what this means. I am full-swing into my Spring semester with six classes and still working part time. My winter break was delightful (and fruitful, crafting wise) but now I need to focus on The Ethics of Harry Potter (which I really hope I can share something about eventually), Biopsychology, Social Psychology, Orientation to the Psych. Major, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, and Classical Piano 1. ::Deep intake of breath:: Also, there is working at the bookstore, spending time with my significant other, and maintaining sanity to concern myself with. Over this semester I probably won't have much time for knitting, crocheting, or reading and I really don't think I will have time to blog about it. Much. I promise if I do, I will. Instead I am announcing my little break which I think is a nice alternative to simply not blogging for a few months, losing any readership, and then feeling terribly guilty. However, I will be back. I promise. I will leave you with a few photos of what happened during our last few snow storms. Hopefully all those projects will be on Ravelry soon (where I am known as liveloveyarn) so you can grab the details.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Until next time, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Peace&Love</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-84677568742052812392011-01-10T13:14:00.000-08:002011-01-10T13:14:37.799-08:00I Meant To Write<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Er. Blog? Really, though I did. I had a nice little "lets-look-at-the-year-and-discuss-resolutions" post all planned out for your reading pleasure. But the Time Eaters paid me a visit, and we all know how that ends. Not well. But alas, here I am. I wanted to share a few projects with you briefly and-still-hopefully-discuss-resolutions. First is a beret I wear approximately eight days a week. (For those humming The Beatles right now- I love you.) Really though, I love this hat to death and I will most likely wear it to that point. It is the <a href="http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/raspberry-beret">Raspberry Beret</a> patter by <a href="http://lindamade.com/">Linda Permann</a> featured in Crochet Today Sept/Oct 2009. I made mine with Patons Classic Wool. I'm sure I made some mods but I made this beret so long ago that I have no idea what they are. "So long ago?", you say. Yes, maybe even a year ago. It went straight from the hook to my end and never really left. I was sitting around the other day and I realized I never even blogged it or put it on Ravelry. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's adorable from the front and side, but the real surprise and stunner comes when you see the back.....</div><br />
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Whammy! Isn't is pretty? I love that Linda was able to take something so beautiful and turn it into a fully functional accessory. Also, in this color it matches almost everything I own. I'm not quite sure it's for a beginner, but I am not one to tell someone what they can't do. A beginner with a lot of patience and ambition could probably crank this out. It took me all of a day. Best day I ever spent crocheting ;).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Also, there is this. An off-the-fly Nook cover I made for my latest and greatest tech toy. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">You can see the joins in this pic, so you know it was made in the round. I chained the length of the Nook then double crocheted in all the sts until the last. In the last st I crocheted two in one sp and then I crocheted in the bottom of the chain until the first where I crocheted two in on sp again. Then I joined and continued crocheting in the round until it fit and decreased accordingly for the flap. It was pretty easy and quick. I followed <a href="http://crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com/2009/05/do-you-frog.html">this tutorial</a> by Robyn Chachula of Crochet by Faye for the frog closures. They took a few tries, but in the end I think they look pretty good for a first try. What do you think?</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think the simple double crochet body and contrasting frog closures give my new Nook case a very elegant and classy look . I used Encore Worsted for the body and Swish Worsted (left over from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/liveloveyarn/everyday-cardi">Mom's Cardi</a>) for the closures.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On resolutions- Something amazing happened this year. When I sat down to make my usual list of resolutions (eat better, live more sustainably, exercise more, take more time for myself) I realized that I didn't need to write things down as resolutions because I was living them! I have been eating a lot more organic and good-for-me foods as well as recycling and reusing lots of my things. I am going to the gym at a slow and steady pace and am trying to practice more yoga. I have learned that is very important to take a few minutes for yourself to breathe and do things you love and that make you happy. Suddenly, I felt very grown-up and aware of myself. I realized that I am becoming the woman I have always wanted to be. I think I like it. I've also begun to cook and bake more and I have even begun keeping track of my finances. Watch out world! The difference, I think, between this year and all the other years is that I didn't try so hard. I started making little changes, and the big ones happen organically. I'm not too humble to say that I am rather proud of myself.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stay tuned in though, that perfect cowl is blocking and I am in the midst of a CAL with my best friend over at <a href="http://redhatwritings.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Red Hat Writings</a>. Lets make this year as fulfilling as the last one! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Peace&Love</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></a></a></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-8687332417123388692010-12-30T07:20:00.000-08:002010-12-30T07:20:49.770-08:00Winding Down<div style="text-align: center;">Well, it looks the like holiday madness is over. And by madness I mean loveliness. Lovely madness? Mad loveliness? Either way, as much as I love the holidays I am not afraid to admit they can be a little taxing. I feel like this year I swung right from "finals mode" into "Christmas mode".</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT9E5TijwZJOdXW2g5AexjSWoYqjfKeFA1cDQrYzWEy5j4xSgHKG9v6iuQ36uhQgdXLxXxiAEJmRvqFqrjPw9oBjY4s1AeOYAwHEkMae9wAhiMAX6Zsmm1DHbthjpxF92Ma-SNICo6G8m/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT9E5TijwZJOdXW2g5AexjSWoYqjfKeFA1cDQrYzWEy5j4xSgHKG9v6iuQ36uhQgdXLxXxiAEJmRvqFqrjPw9oBjY4s1AeOYAwHEkMae9wAhiMAX6Zsmm1DHbthjpxF92Ma-SNICo6G8m/s320/IMG_0846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(this is my Grammie's lovely all purple tree)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After studying my arse off and sweating over all those dreaded tests there was still shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, and visiting to do before I could entirely relax. However, Christmas was simply sweet. Last year Andrew and I felt like two chickens running around with our heads cut off. We went from his house, to my house, to Grammie's house, then back to his house, out to dinner with his family, back to his house, and all the way back in the direction of Grammie's to my Uncle's. This year we approached it in a much more calm and convenient way. We got a GPS! So no more going all the way back home as starting point. We got to do all the same things, in a much less stressful way. And I think it's safe to say I made out like a bandit. I got a stocking full of pamper-me luxuries from the Whole Body department of Whole Foods. They are soo yummy and good-for-you too. Also, I got a Nook (e-reader) and the complete set of The Harmony Guides knitting stitch books. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnac_ha-6nUjmvpb8mul36yQzomWOwZpp40sfuO4111ymYL_TZMj-hgxTDB7JeXWae8UysQGyeJT5d2fZSZxssKoYU7MAwO7wBEtCiUhLzScYsfWj9VovUH3mTC7u2pCGyoxYSuPqIMwq/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnac_ha-6nUjmvpb8mul36yQzomWOwZpp40sfuO4111ymYL_TZMj-hgxTDB7JeXWae8UysQGyeJT5d2fZSZxssKoYU7MAwO7wBEtCiUhLzScYsfWj9VovUH3mTC7u2pCGyoxYSuPqIMwq/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I love this old-fashioned Santa doll. You can pretend I cropped Andrew's hand out.)</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">In other news, the semester is at last over. No more of that horrid social work class. I know I didn't go much into it but the teacher was completely over-working us and not paying us any respect during our class discussions. Needless to say, I am more than glad to be done with that class. My grades were all posted and I am very pleased. I made the Dean's List again and though I don't set my sights on it, its always nice to be rewarded for all that hard work throughout the semester.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfNheFN7AKW99y7EpjP8FU7mMZsWabaL6e0O_9wPgXuBy9uI2ZKJJ-g0hTt0Sd2Lep2ekp2c0TgbWc8sbQfHhNsVPGPkka_u6boHJTbEAlzQNasZ1QPgq8NlwCT3npix4psfwIprppsS1/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfNheFN7AKW99y7EpjP8FU7mMZsWabaL6e0O_9wPgXuBy9uI2ZKJJ-g0hTt0Sd2Lep2ekp2c0TgbWc8sbQfHhNsVPGPkka_u6boHJTbEAlzQNasZ1QPgq8NlwCT3npix4psfwIprppsS1/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a> Also! We got a blizzard the day after Christmas! Oh just when you think Mother Nature has settled in for a Winter's nap She pulls out all the stops. Everything is covered in white now, and it is beautiful. Something about snow makes me feel so peaceful. Before our storm, though, I snapped a picture of Brattleboro that I would like to show you. The PBH has been a little more difficult to snap. When he isn't wearing it (and he won't let me take pictures of him) it's at his house and I am here. I will try to resolve this problem, mainly because I am rather proud of this hat, and I conceived the idea and wrote the (very simple) pattern all on my own. </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In other yarn news, I am currently working on the most gorgeous project. I think I might be in love. It's so beautiful it deserves it's own post. (All in good time, my friends).</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7985FsSKaghzcSBZqzQbTvX3p0rO9Oy2NjOOQdmmBcjqmo5NdtSWApdsL8Py-EpFs7EzkJXZdUqgYq2YfgpRJxlu1vK4kW63z8E2PU-2Cyc2sUkK8zLovwAHcIf55ba_6HLkhNYoWhwPW/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7985FsSKaghzcSBZqzQbTvX3p0rO9Oy2NjOOQdmmBcjqmo5NdtSWApdsL8Py-EpFs7EzkJXZdUqgYq2YfgpRJxlu1vK4kW63z8E2PU-2Cyc2sUkK8zLovwAHcIf55ba_6HLkhNYoWhwPW/s320/IMG_0791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I love the hat. And hats in general. They are so quick and can be anything you want them to be. Fashionable, trendy, classic. This hat is all of those. Plus warm. Highly recommend. I found the ball band the other day, and its lost again. I promise I will give the farm from Maine where this yarn came form proper cred! As you can see, and its much less obvious in person, I am a terrible finisher. I don't like having to sew my knitting. Oh well. Great hat anyways. So, that new year of ours will be rolling in soon and I have got some resolutions stewing. But more on those later.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Peace&Love</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-35716371171096606092010-12-15T12:20:00.000-08:002010-12-15T12:20:53.840-08:00Oh, Theres No Place Like Home For the Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9j9Iz1cTbrmelYT4dqlpL_k1syvPsdsdWjnpVFplExT4nX-i7XM5ryFlHXSLRVxEXupLN0BDhVLKc9cpMrE6F6lXhoRFWPI7dmXmZIRFr_AQdTG6fgmlzMu9QdzR-5zdOr-PYL1Q3v-Z/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9j9Iz1cTbrmelYT4dqlpL_k1syvPsdsdWjnpVFplExT4nX-i7XM5ryFlHXSLRVxEXupLN0BDhVLKc9cpMrE6F6lXhoRFWPI7dmXmZIRFr_AQdTG6fgmlzMu9QdzR-5zdOr-PYL1Q3v-Z/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's that time of the year again. I will let you all know that I am a holiday-a-holic. I begin preparing for Christmas the day after Halloween and I am in full blown holiday mode from November 1st all the way through January 2nd. Thursday night I convinced my mom and brother to bring up the tree and decorate as a family. Grudgingly, my little brother joined and my mother was enthusiastic to have some help decorating. I must admit, no matter how early I start playing Christmas music and doing my holiday shopping, the tree makes everything feel so much more holly and jolly.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5ASuMk2dShmUXfo3g291RQv_hOK2wa0opwufYWm6Key9YSKLRygELCgaloGBxml5dbBO_Af4l8OwAhpX12yqoLO7Q56GS5PMByyveh5uhp_N5i9nNrokSvxB5LTaxGJcM-Shyphenhyphen7JSOtch/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5ASuMk2dShmUXfo3g291RQv_hOK2wa0opwufYWm6Key9YSKLRygELCgaloGBxml5dbBO_Af4l8OwAhpX12yqoLO7Q56GS5PMByyveh5uhp_N5i9nNrokSvxB5LTaxGJcM-Shyphenhyphen7JSOtch/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And it never hurts to decorate the home and tree in the comfort of your bathrobe ;). Something else I love about decorating the tree? Every year, as we unwrap the ornaments from the tissue paper, I am excited to see which ornament I'll find next. It is a little like Christmas morning, and every ornament has nostalgic feeling and a special meaning. There are, of course, the paper ornaments you made for your parents (or your children made for you) in kindergarten with little hand prints or pictures with toothless smiles. There is the ornament you received from your best friend as a gift. I could photograph every ornament on our tree and tell you what it means to me, but for the sake of keeping my readership I'll just start with one.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the "sapphire angel". She was a gift to me when I was very young, and she gets a special place near the front and top of our tree every year. I love her because she is beautiful, and she holds up her sapphire star lighting the way into a new year. Also, my birthstone is sapphire and she has strawberry blond hair like me. When I was younger I thought someone made her to look like just like me. Now I'm a little older I know that isn't the case, but that doesn't diminish the excitement I get from unwrapping and placing her proudly on the tree each year.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">In other news, the semester has (at last) come to a close. It was a hectic semester for me. I had a very challenging social work class that took up much of my time, and when I wasn't studying for that or other classes I was usually working or volunteering. In the midst of it all I managed to find a new job that I love and change my major to one I know I will succeed in and that I find fascinating. Understandably, I am welcoming this winter break with open arms. I am hoping to read, knit, and spend time with the ones that matter most to me.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The Brattleboro and PB hats are both done (yay!) and ready to be photographed any day now. I'm hoping I can feature those in the next post. Along with the Barbie Tree. "What's the Barbie Tree?", you ask. Well stay tuned and perhaps you'll find out. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">One more photo before we part. I was inspired to take this photo by my best friend, over at <a href="http://redhatwritings.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Red Hat Writings</a>, latest post called Amateur.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MyT6I4MSH7baoGneeU7AKeQtYnAa86iZ36wQi00YTJ_UoI8ppLbecMzb0NrQO51s7hsEDwsqWKnKzdR7YM2iqFF8PceIZnV3EMKHqbxXAV4jAWGTa6KbQ3BSLQjwSPdK1RsA_WujYMVW/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MyT6I4MSH7baoGneeU7AKeQtYnAa86iZ36wQi00YTJ_UoI8ppLbecMzb0NrQO51s7hsEDwsqWKnKzdR7YM2iqFF8PceIZnV3EMKHqbxXAV4jAWGTa6KbQ3BSLQjwSPdK1RsA_WujYMVW/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, I hope you enjoy family holiday traditions and begin to make some of your own as well.Happy Holidays!</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8833983919654383655.post-38623628210408799012010-12-06T19:56:00.000-08:002010-12-06T19:56:50.118-08:00Ladies and Gentleman, I Give You...<div align="center">Kitty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEH_PIdVkUKk4L_RVC5etVZkbjEbJi3nDAK8s0rO4Ug-3WoKg7QpOmA0OjvzQUiB5TwsE1JV2LjxC3bS9ZsWrZUgTzwaeqzp5SRSj1NxQBh411f3nxaFTlrWcQse7PlP-A3KSDthULUHm/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEH_PIdVkUKk4L_RVC5etVZkbjEbJi3nDAK8s0rO4Ug-3WoKg7QpOmA0OjvzQUiB5TwsE1JV2LjxC3bS9ZsWrZUgTzwaeqzp5SRSj1NxQBh411f3nxaFTlrWcQse7PlP-A3KSDthULUHm/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Otherwise known as Sugar. Since having gotten my new camera all I do is take picture of everything. Which is good, I think. Now I would really like to learn how to adjust the ISO and aperture (and stuff) with real purpose. Until then photo shoots with the my wittle baby will have to do.<br />
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<div align="center">I know, I know. Shes precious.</div><div align="center">In the meantime, though, I have been knitting a little. Mainly the Brattleboro Hat and what I have coined the Painfully Boring Hat. However, the PBH is for my better half so that in itself gives me joy when knitting it. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DOuY3e_PkENO0zMQxBBQPfakGX_Upi_zFs4YfzfqFEZC8pTU6-UwzFFgEA_SNAQhLdRw8yQ2J6c1ZiHUuVHCZDaeyFYjpRIQu4t-jwS17-Ztsj_OV8Lpz1k5HI1DJY7TziR8j3f1m4pF/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DOuY3e_PkENO0zMQxBBQPfakGX_Upi_zFs4YfzfqFEZC8pTU6-UwzFFgEA_SNAQhLdRw8yQ2J6c1ZiHUuVHCZDaeyFYjpRIQu4t-jwS17-Ztsj_OV8Lpz1k5HI1DJY7TziR8j3f1m4pF/s320/IMG_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes, that's about nine or ten inches of stockinette in the round. He likes his hats warm and plain. So we decided on stockinette I'm planning on folding a good four or five inches in and sewing it there, to act as extra warmth without disturbing the plainess he endears so much. The best laid schemes...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh077gFmPb9BuzcXskoGtZbFlXnMcdJdtz5Ne7gnPwI8ZM3iYpp7XIHBUkv7m-iAbTCalpQlMdSLHlHDBOLX4NXF5RE1CavwDt32aC_sYMrA6RI7ypb3qwB8zvikMMp4mIXyorjPtqdIspf/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh077gFmPb9BuzcXskoGtZbFlXnMcdJdtz5Ne7gnPwI8ZM3iYpp7XIHBUkv7m-iAbTCalpQlMdSLHlHDBOLX4NXF5RE1CavwDt32aC_sYMrA6RI7ypb3qwB8zvikMMp4mIXyorjPtqdIspf/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is said <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brattleboro-hat">Brattleboro Hat</a>, from <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/New-England-Knits.html">New England Knits</a>. Or maybe you know it from Interweave Fall 2010? Anywho. I made some mods, as I have a tiny head and I knit it in this rough and tough wool from Maine that I am absolutely in <em>love </em>with. Well, that's about it over here. My first sophomore semester is wrapping up and I have been working quite a bit with the holiday season in full swing. But, boy, do I have plans for winter break.<br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13969206426844301075noreply@blogger.com0