2013, Lets do this

I wanted to write about my New Years resolutions.
I always want a list. THE list. What I need to do before I'm 30. What I need to see before this and that.
I think my lists only got up to #5. And it was tough getting there. This year I decided to be a bit more realistic than "Travel to China".

1. Clean the house
My house is clean, but I want to be the queen of clean. Spotless clean. I used to be like that, but then I moved into a teeny tiny house and things started to pile up. This August we're supposed to be moving into a new house, and I plan on keeping it spick-and-span. AKA, shoes off at the door!

2. Get a Cat
Or a rabbit. Y is OK for either. Or both. That will happen in the new house as well.

3. Cut the sugar
Almost three years ago I went on a Candida diet. It lasted for almost 5 months until I broke down and ate a piece of chocolate. Since then I've only felt guilty every time I eat junk food of chocolate. Both Y and myself plan on eating healthier, less fat, sugar, meat. Tons more veggies and grains.
Make more food at home to take to work, freeze in advance. It's possible, I did it before, I can do it again.

Lululemon, Runder Under Pant

4. Fitness
Tomorrow I'm in the gym. I'm not a bum, but I need to work out more. Besides, I need an excuse for new running gear :) AKA, I need to loose 3 kg.

5. Read more
I used to love reading, and I still do, but it seems I don't have any time. A newspaper just isn't enough. 10 minutes before I go to bed is a good start.

This is getting harder...

6. Read more design magazines
Actually READ them. Cut out the pictures I like and want for inspiration, and do it. It's really not that hard. Just a matter of doing.

Agas & Tamar, Gold Studded Earrings

7. Buy myself jewelry
Because I deserve it.

8. Sew more
Even if it's late at night and just for 15 minutes. I know I'm pushing everything until our new house, but once we move, we'll finally have room for an actual studio, and it will make things easier. These days I need to pull out the ironing board on the kitchen counter, clear off the table for my cutting board... It wi;; be easier once everything is already OUT.

9. Be a better person
Be more polite. Say good morning to more people. Talk less behind people backs. Offer to help, don't turn people down. Be more patient. Keep my voice down. Stress less. Don't take my work home, don't bring my personal life to work. Bake more for co-workers. Smile more.
Mostly, think before talking/doing.

A Beautiful Mess, Elsie's Mojito Recipe

10. Drink more wine
And learn how to make cocktails. Every now and then a Mojito is nice to drink.

11. Try new things
Be open to new ideas. Change is not always bad.

12.
#12 is reserved for something private. But it's there and happening. Hopefully it's something that I'll be able to have accomplished by 2014 :)

OK 2013, I'm ready Let's do this!

Marc Johns

Inspiration is everywhere: Tiles

I've definitely been interested in tiles lately, the different colors, shapes and sizes.
I've been getting a lot of inspiration from them, be it for the color palettes, or finished pattern. I love how you can use a simple shape and turn it this way and that, change the color, and get something amazing.
I hope to get better at quilting to actually use some of this inspiration for quilt patterns.
Soon, very soon...

Studio Fludd

Marrakech Desgin

IXXI

In Bits Mosaics

Lunba Chowdhary

Baby it's cold outside

Winter is finally here. The other day we dusted off our heater and plugged it in. I dug out my slippers and hot water bottle. My fingers are always freezing cold, and our showers are super short because we never have enough hot water.
But for some strange reason, I keep looking at people all bundled up in sweaters and think to myself, "but it's till too early for bulky sweaters!"  I think I only admit it's winter in about February. Then, it's already too late. It's almost spring!
Time flies.
I know I need to start my winter knitting/sewing early, but I'm always late. Right now I want to knit another blanket. or, in other words, a fat warmer. But it'll only get used next year. Until I get around to it.

My dream living room has a big round wicker basket, filler with hand knit blankets. Colorful and chunky. And they will always be folded neatly inside. Each family member will have their favorite fat warmer to cuddle up in and fall asleep with.
Sounds lovely.

Anne Hanson, one of my favorite designers has lovely blanket patterns. I've knit Honey Baby (gifted) and the Hourglass Throw. Both were a pleasure to knit, as are all of her patterns.

Our Fat Warmer

Another blanket I knit was from Madelinetosh, Heirloom. I loved knitting it, and think I will gift it to a co-worker who is expecting her first child any day now.

Heirloom, but I call it "The Big Green"

But the first blanket I ever tried knitting crocheting was the Babette Blanket. What a pattern! I started back in 2009, and laughed when I read that it took some 9 months to complete it. Boy, was I a beginner.

I completed most of it right away, but then things got slow. I got bored. I really should have used more than 4 colors. 

To this day it's still missing the last panel, but it's big enough to wrap up in. The yarn is pretty heavy so it's super warm. Since I hate weaving the ends in, (and I can also use the excuse that it's still not finished!) there are loose ends all over the place. Oops.

 But Y loves that old blanket. He uses it every day, and claimed it his. I have a plan to finish it and surprise him with it, maybe next year...

If I had enough patience I'd knit him a brand new one, but I think some patterns are only made to be knit once. That's how they become special ♥

A blanket for the Bub

Hope everyone has a warm weekend! 

Stay home snuggled under the covers with someone you love (Let them bring you the hot chocolate!)

In a rut

A little while back I ordered my first Fat Quarters. Margurite, but Stitch studios for Riley Blake.
On the screen it looked lovely, vintage and sweet.
In reality, it's pretty, but not what I expected. The pattern I had planed for it- was out. Some of the prints were much larger than I had expected.
As much as I find fabric hunting hard, pattern hunting is even harder. I've spent the last 2 days searching the internet for that one pattern that said "Me, ME, PICK me!"
It isn't there. I've searched.
I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to make from it. I wanted to make a baby blanket, but Swoon (Camille Roskelley) is looking awfully nice right now.
I have come across a TON of gorgeous blankets I do plan on making. Some day.

Here are some of my favorite inspirations:

Plum & Bow Blossom Patchwork quilt from Urban Outfitters ($169-$189 here) Isn't it gorgeous?
This got me thinking about the beautiful Indie line by Art Gallery.

Star Light Star Bright, by Jocelyn Ueng. Available in QUILT Magazine, December/January 2013 issue.
I NEED this magazine! ASAP please.

The next one isn't a quilt, but something I've had my eyes on for a while-

This lovely scarf/wrap/stole is from Plumo. I have this "thing" with triangles lately, and this just takes my breath away. I feel calm and happy just looking at it. Imagine how I would feel with it wrapped around my neck. Ah, pure bliss.
I desperately want to make this into a quilt (seems simple enough), but I need to get my hands on a color card first. I want solids, and the right way to get there might just be to dye my own fabric. That could be an adventure.

This isn't a quilt either, but it gets me thinking. Mostly how I need more scraps ;) But also about the use of Neutrals, and how simple can turn stunning.

You can read about the idea behind this beautiful piece over at Wit & Whistle.


Don't forget, you have a 15% discount on everything in the shop! Good until December 3rd, using the code HOLIDAY12 at checkout!

Head Start

I know I don't celebrate Christmas, but seriously, I cannot resist the super fun holiday fabrics!

Blitzen, by Basic Grey for Moda

I ordered a whole bunch last month, and finally received them the other day. I was so happy with everything!

The only problem was that I had mistakenly ordered the wrong amount of one fabric. All's good though, I'm sure I'll find something to do with it!

Blitzen, by Basic Grey for Moda

This weekend, after a long break I finally sat down at the machine. The whole darn day. I had to stop early so I could take pictures. It gets dark here so early. At 16:00 I was pushing it.  I have to start sewing more during the week though, I just can't find enough time.

Joy, by Kate Spain

All fabrics were bought from Sew Lux Fabrics, which had awesome customer service, and great selection. I will definitely be back!

You can find all the bags in the store. Don't forget you have a 15% discount when using the code HALLOWEEN12 at checkout. Good until October 31st.

Weekend FO

This Friday I finally finished my Imogen Cowl.

I cast on in May, and somehow threw it into a project bag and forgot about it.

I lost my knitting mojo back in June, and the cowl went with it.

Imogen cowl, pattern by Carrie Bostick Hoge 

Yarn used- Madelinetosh TML, 

colorway- Betty Drapers Blues

Ravelry project page

 The pattern is quite easy to remember, but took me a while to "get into it". Until I memorized it, I stopped working on it.
Knit with 3.5mm needles, I'm still not sure if I should have gone up or down a size.
I also used the three needle bind off. Could not be bothered with the Kitchener stitch.
The pattern shows through, but not as much as I'd have like it to. But it could just be the kind of pattern. When bunched up around my neck, it doesn't really matter.

 I used 1.5 skeins, 18 repeats in the end. It turned out a bit long, I was afraid it wouldn't be long enough. If I lived in a slightly cooler climate, this would be awesome to wear with a T-shirt. I'll have to wait at least another month to wear this though. Maybe in the evenings?

I think this is going to get a lot of wear this winter, even though I'm slightly "meh" about it now. I'm not sure why though. I love the color, the yarn, drape, what's not to love? It might just be our never ending summer has me dreading anything too hot.

 On another note, I LOVE madder patterns. Isn't the Immie baby blanket adorable? It looks like it's based on the imogen pattern, but knit with much heavier yarn. I think I'm going to have to make that blanket my next!

Happy Weekend

So...
I was going to post a FO post today. I still don't have the pictures, but that was the plan.
I'm going through a bit of a rough patch lately, work, life, and over again.
It's a bit hard for me to be happy these days, I feel like now is the time to make THE change. Not sure what the change is, but it's time.
Today I came across  three videos on Youtube which made me happy.

I know they are three very different videos, but they all give me a happy feeling inside.

I think it's also the music I listen too. I love the melancholy music, indie and beautifully sad. Bon Iver, Zola Jesus, Antony and The Johnsons, Angus and Julia Stone...It inspires me. But I need to know how, when, to listen to certain music.

Hope these videos made your weekend a bit happier, they have for me ♥