Finally! My miserable creative funk is lifting. I really appriciate the emails and comments you've continued to send while I've been AWOL. Lots of positive changes in my life and I'll be sharing some of them here. For today, I'll fill you in on the very limited crafting since my last post.
Finally added buttons to Loppem! The fit in the shoulders and back is great with the pattern size 34, but I definitely recommend adding some kind of bust shaping if your bra measurement is 34-36 and over a C cup. It's perfect after being arranged just so, but this is what happens when I move around, and it gets even worse when carrying a purse. Just add a few stitches between the armhole and the cable band.
Sorry for the bad focus. The auto timer is handy, but then the auto focusing takes over. Loading this photo did make me really look at the side board and wonder why it was so cluttered ... oh yeah, the last vestiges of holiday rearranging. Most things got dumped in my art room. Considered renting a back hoe to excavate. Freed my sewing machine and found my desktop this past weekend. So happy to get my art room back!
This open front cardigan was flying along in mid-December. The pattern is the top-down Lion Neck Cardigan by Wendy Bernard from her book. Rowan RYC Alpaca Soft is not the spec'd yarn, but it is working to gauge. The alpaca/cotton boucle is indeed soft with a pretty good drape. No stretch though, so it's brutal on the hands.
Finished the body and did the endless ruffle before the sleeves, which I thought would inoculate it against the dreaded WIP flu. Yet, this is about where it was a month ago. Not fair really as it fits and I like it. Doesn't help my motivation that we've had the hottest Jan in over 20 years. Is that a collective moan I hear? Well, we do have nice winter weather here in San Diego, but I'm not a fan of 80-90 degree temps in Jan. I want rain and chilly temps for at least Dec-Feb so I can justify sweaters and quilts.
My creative energy may have been depleted, but my mail carrier certainly delivered cheer and inspiration. I am so lucky! Brenda sent me both this pillow and mini-quilt. The pillow uses the same fabric line of a quilt I've already got pieced, so I guess I'll HAVE to finish it next year so we'll have a set for the family room.
Her mini-quilt has such beautiful, elegant colors and will look great in our dining room next year. Thanks so much for sharing with me Brenda!
Jean, my flickr Swap 'til You Drop partner, sent me this wonderful package:
The swap theme was Sweet, Sour or Savory and her coffee quilt is perfect for me. That cute little box had individual espresso packs and the cat is covering recipes and some lovely fat quarters.
It's such a fun and witty quilt. Thanks Jean!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE her crazy quilt stitch and bead work!
I watched that swap deadline fly toward me, then swoosh right past. Jean has been very understanding about what's been going on in my life, but I've left her hanging far too long and it's just not fair. Over the weekend I set myself to making her quilt before doing anything else. I'm almost finished, so I'll save that for another post and get back to quilting.
Happy New Year everyone.
Great to see you back!
Posted by: Jeanie | January 19, 2009 at 07:01 PM
I just bought that Wendy Bernard book. I'm taking a top down sweater class starting tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to make some of the things in the book - including that ruffly sweater. I love it! I agree with the warm temps - it needs to be cool in the winter! I keep hoping to see some cool temps coming, and they keep forecasting warm. Those are some lovely swaps that you received.
Posted by: MichelleB | January 19, 2009 at 08:16 PM
ooo, I love that cardigan. The ruffle looks like a nightmare, however. Very smart to get it done first!
Posted by: marissa | January 19, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Hello and nice to have you back! Like the cardigan and just love the quilts and cushion. Already making me think about what I could do, but need to practice a bit first!
Posted by: alisonb2 | January 20, 2009 at 07:30 AM
What a lovely surprise seeing your update this morning. I certainly understand the ups and downs life throws at us and what it does to our schedules. You take all the time you need, good luck with getting everything sorted! Love the ruffle cardi, I hadn't seen that one yet. I don't know how you keep knitting with these temps as warm as they are. We still cool down quite a bit at night which is the only thing keeping the needles in my hands on a daily basis, our trees and shrubs are setting buds and I know we will get at least one if not two hard freezes before spring sets in which will destroy the crops once again! Have a wonderful week with your girls! Alison
Posted by: Alison | January 20, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Yeah your back! My life has been pretty similar to yours if I'm picking up the hint. Not great. Downright depressing at times and all this January brown isn't helping. I keep trying to start a new blog entry but haven't had the heart of inspiration. Our winter has been unseasonably warm too and dry, very dry. Great for shoveling and certainly better for my joint issues, but I'd take straight up warm without the constant brutal winds. You sweater is great and I love the little baby quilts, the tree and the coffee. How cute. Friends make life easier to swallow. :o) I hope life smiles on you and February is better for both of us. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Julie | January 20, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Dear Nancy,
Being featured in your blog makes me feel like a celebrity having made the cover of People Magazine :) Thanks for celebrating my quilt gifts - it is so nice to know that they will cheer up your house next holiday season.
Missed you - glad that you are back!
Hugs,
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda G | January 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM
I just bought that book with a gift card I got for Christmas! I LOVE it. I'm in this top-down sweater knitting obsession right now.
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Thanks for guiding me through this gonna be a perfect gift.I find it good entries that would walk me through. Great post.
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Posted by: send gift Philippines | February 24, 2010 at 09:43 PM
oh! its winter, the sweaters are so useful for those days! i really love them!!
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You are so generous! I just love finding beautiful and artistic freebies like this. They really brighten up my day, thank you!
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These are really beautiful sweaters. Love them and gives me some ideas
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Posted by: Sarah | August 16, 2010 at 02:23 PM
You are definitely one cool chick! Your work is so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Posted by: Belinda | September 09, 2010 at 05:24 AM
LOVE the Christmas stuff. Wow. You are really talented!
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