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New book on knitting. . .

I think I've mentioned my awesome library system before.  Basically I go online and can search a bunch of libraries in Illinois.  Then I "place a hold" on the items I want and they are shipped out to my local library.  The local library call me and I go pick them up!  Now this is an excellent use of my tax dollars as far as I'm concerned!  You may want to see if your library does this too!

So anyway, last week I was browsing the online catalog and came across a knitting book that almost looked like a text book to me.  I hadn't seen it in the bookstores and I was really curious.  So I "placed a hold" and was called a few days later.  Wow!!

The book is called The Art of Knitting and it was written by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne (in French originally, but it has been translated into English).  The sub title is "Inspirational Stitches, Textures, and Surfaces" and that is a great explanation for what this book is all about. 

The basic format is this -- there is a graph with a basic stitch pattern, following that  is a diagram of the pattern (this is in a format strange to me, but very useful in describing what the yarn "does" in a particular stitch pattern), then there is an illustrated representation of the knitted fabric.  Next is the incredible part -- there are *numerous* photos of the stitch pattern knit with different materials including many different yarns and sometimes combinations of yarns.  It is a visual treat!

The book is massive with over 300 pages, 600 color photos and hundreds of diagrams.  There aren't any "patterns" in here, it's more of a collection of ideas that will inspire and hopefully get you creating your own knitwear!

Really -- check this book out!  I think that you will be glad that you did!

I'm going to post this over at Two Frieds Collect Books too!

More on organizing (the contest)

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far!  I'm getting good ideas and I've already done a bit of re-arranging and tidying up! 

There is still time to send me your tips!  After reading and responding to many of your emails and comments I have discovered a few things:

• My room is already pretty much organized, but it is not "pretty".  Any tips on hiding the stuff I need, but making it accessible?
• I don't really have much to purge.  I purge constantly.  So I need tips for making things neat and organized.  But the stuff that is there is pretty much necessary for the businesses and school.  Here are the thing I have that must stay:  computers (2), printers (2) (although could I get rid of a printer if I had a wireless router? ), scanner (although could I get rid of the printers and get one all-in-one printer w/ a scanner?  The more I type the more ideas I get!), all stamps on the shelves --  which are for my online rubber stamp business (and while they look empty, that will change drastically in a couple of weeks when they will be overflowing with the 2006 stamps!), a place for patterns --  which are for my knitting pattern business  -- in various stages of completion (back from the printer, folded, photo attached), Maddie's school stuff.
• My furniture is so mis-matched!  Do I have to buy all new?  Is there a way to integrate some of what I have?  I've looked at IKEA, Pottery Barn, filing cabinets (topped by doors? counter tops?). 

So maybe by organization I meant hiding or camouflaging  :)  Or just making things match! 

Please keep sending me those ideas!  I especially like links to sites / items / photos!

Organizational Dilemna (or a contest!)

As this year comes to a close and I start to think about 2006 my mind settles on one major goal -- organization!  As least in my office. 

I run two businesses and homeschool Maddie in this office and it's a mess.  Maddie uses an old cardboard Kinko's box as her school desk (well, it is kind of good because the box holds all of her school "stuff" too) and she's getting a little big for that.  Then there's the fact that I have two computers set up right now, but one isn't on a computer desk, so it's pretty much unusable.  And there are piles of things everywhere!  It's a mess.  See for yourself. . .

Western View of the Office of Shame


Southern View of the Office of Shame


Eastern View of the Office of Shame


Northern View of the Office of Shame

So, as you can see, it is a total mess.  I spend a majority of each day in this office and I would love to have it look like a spread from Martha Stewart Living, know what I mean? 

Here are the major issues:

• I have patterns (currently in the plastic drawer thingies on the "shipping" table on southern wall) and rubber stamps (currently on two shelving units on the northern wall) that need to stay here and be near me for work.
• I need a packing area where all of my packing supplies are easily within reach (the big table along the southern wall serves this purpose now, but often gets covered with non-shipping stuff.)
• Two computers -- I want to set up the old one (which is currently not really usable due to its location) for Maddie.  The second computer desk in the room is on the southern wall and is covered with my paper cutter, postal scale (which I use a lot and should have with the "shipping" stuff) and sizzix (which I don't use very often anymore).
• I have built-ins at each end of the room which you can see in the photos, but they need better organization. But how?
• Three walls are mostly windows, so I can't really put anything on them.  This is good (natural light abounds!) & bad (only short things can be on these three walls).
• The eastern and western walls are metal below the windows -- they are actually radiator covers (yep, we have an old house with radiant heat).
• I have lots of files, but no filing cabinet.  If I had a filing cabinet, where would I put it?  Ugh!
• I don't know where to start.  This is my biggest issue.  I think if I start I'll do something totally wrong and have to start again and again.  Is there a method I should be following?  Help me!

Here's where you come in.  Send me links!  Send me ideas!  Send me photos!  Help me out here!

I'll pick a random name from the list of idea senders.  And I will post a list of the best ideas (otherwise known as the ideas that I end up using or learning something new from) on the blog.

You can post ideas in the comments, or email them to me!

Santa was good to me. . .

I must have been a good girl this year because Santa brought me lots of wonderful things.  My favorite of them all is this beautiful Needle Tree that Theresa's Dad made.  Somehow Pete, Theresa & her dad conspired to have this beautiful work of art made just for me!  I could hardly believe it when I opened the package and saw it there!

Don't know what a Needle Tree is?  It's for holding your knitting needles, of course!  And holding them in style, I might add.  Theresa's dad made her one of these a while back and I have admired it *so* much!  I'm so flattered that her dad made one for me! 

I received lots of other goodies too!  (I'm spoiled -- really I am!)  Pete got me some CD's (Chutes too Narrow by The Shins & The Tyranny of Distance by Ted Leo & The Pharmacists -- both *excellent*), a super comfy robe, A Man without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut (my all time favorite author) and he's getting and assembling a new desk chair for me.  Don't I have a great husband?

Other favorite gifts -- lots of Origin's ginger stuff from my sister, MAC make-up brushes from my Mom and an awesome Le Creuset French oven (cast iron pot).  Yeah, I'm a lucky woman!

I almost forgot (probably because after I opened this gift it was taken away again for safe keeping) my Mom got my sisters and her tickets to see Wicked!!  It's going to be a girls day out -- to lunch and the show.  How fun is that?!?

Favorite gifts that I gave: The Final Solution print by Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine.  He is one of Pete & I's favorite artists.  And Jay Ryan's new book -- 100 posters, 134 Squirrels.  (Pete has been looking at this book a lot -- so I think I did good  :)

And of course it was fun getting gifts for Maddie.  She is so appreciative & filled with wonder at this age -- it's very fun. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Top 5 of 2005

Time for the traditional top 5 list.  Now these aren't books written in 2005, they are my favorites of the books that I read in 2005. . .

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See.  I read this book back in September and I'm still thinking about it.  You can see my original review here.
2. Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney.  Massive book that you can really sink your teeth into.  I reviewed this one back in August.
3. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.  I didn't read a whole lot of non-fiction this year, and I have to say this one reads more like a novel.  You can see what I had to say about it in this post.
4. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.  Yeah, another Oprah book club book.  What can I say. . . she knows how to pick them!  I read this book back in February.
5. Saturday by Ian McEwan.  Another excellent book by McEwan.  See my comments on this book from back in May.

Now I have to say that there were quite a few books that almost made it into the top 5.  Including Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go which I read in May; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which I devoured in August; and finally Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson which I just finished. 

All in all, it was a good reading year.  I read less than half of the books on my 2005 reading list, but that's how it usually goes.  My reading habits are very organic and usually take unexpected twists and turns throughout the year.  I didn't read much non-fiction this year, so maybe that's something I should focus on in 2006. 

Now comes the fun part!  Making the 2006 reading list!  Any suggestions?

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a great holiday! I'm off to drink some glogg, watch some presents being opened and open a few myself maybe :)

Like a kid at Christmas. . .

I am *so* impatient!!  I keep looking out the windows every 5 minutes -- literally.  UPS tracking says that my new computer is on it's way.  My current computer is rather old (and pretty grimey -- believe me, you don't want to see the keyboard -- ewwwww!) by computer standards.  I think we bought it 3 or 4 years ago.  Lately it has started to act a little cranky -- giving me out of memory warnings and malfunctioning every now and then.  Since I am completely dependent on my computer to run my businesses, and since tax time is coming up and I could use another deduction, I decided to take the plunge and order a Dell.  The computer geek in me can't wait to see it!

Where the heck is UPS, it's after 5PM!

Coffee Filter Snowflakes!

Yesterday afternoon Maddie and I made coffee filter snowflakes.  I love the above action shot  :)

Getting ready yo unfold the first one!

And our finished flakes!

You all know how to make these, right?  Buy some super cheap coffee filters, mine came in a package of 100 and were less than $1 at Target.  Fold them in half a few times and then snip off some bits here and there.  Unfold and you have snowflakes!

Coffee Filter Fun:

• Paper Snowflakes
• Coffee Filter Butterflies
• Coffee Filter Flowers
• Coffee Filter Fish

I found all of these from a quick search.  I'm sure there are lots of others -- super cheap and keeps the kids busy while they are waiting for Santa to arrive  :)

The end of a tradition?

As most of you in the Chicago area know, Marshall Field's was bought by a big department store conglomerate and they are soon changing the name to Macy's.  This doesn't sit well with all the Chicagoans that I've talked to about it.  Despite this, we made our annual trek into Chicago to go eat in the Walnut Room at Field's by the big tree.  This year it was done all in silver and blue and the ornaments were from Swarovski.  It was gorgeous!

And the trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to Santa!  Here is Maddie proudly displaying her "I Saw Santa" pin. 

It was a lovely day (despite the migraine I had) and the lines weren't unbearable.  And now I have a stack of Frango boxes downstairs calling my name -- yum!

I stayed up late and read the first 4 chapters of Wendy Knits

.  I'm really enjoying it!  I'll give a full review as soon as I finish!

And tomorrow. . . coffee filter snowflakes!

Wendy Knits ARC!!!

OMG!  Look what came in the mail today!  An ARC of Wendy Knits!!  I'm so excited!  I'm off to read it now. . .

A girl after my own heart. . .

She's crafting!  Can you tell what she's doing in this picture?  If you guessed French Knitting, or Spool Knitting, you are correct!

I didn't think she was old enough for this yet, but her Farmor (father's mother, or paternal grandmother in Swedish) bought it for her for Christmas and she was great at it!  I was so proud. . . and so was she. . .

I had never heard this referred to as French Knitting, but I see after searching around a bit on the net that it is commonly called that.  It's also called Corking or Knitting Nancies.  Here is the kit Farmor got for her.

And here are some links:

• French Knitting Reels -- how to make your own knitting reel.
• How to use a knitting spool -- photos showing how to use the spool.
• Corking -- A book that tells you how to make corking toys, as well as what to do with all those knitted cords.
• Spool Knit Jewelry -- a Klutz kit for the slightly older child.  This one looks like fun and includes everything you need to make bracelets!

And now I'm off to Marshall Field's to see Santa and eat by the big tree in the Walnut room!

Swedish Christmas

Here's my holiday table.  I took a picture going the other direction where you could see both trees lit up, but I'm afraid that the "candlelight" setting on my camera requires a *very* steady hand -- something I didn't have after 2 cups of glogg (more on glogg later. . .)

And here's our smorgasbord (did I spell that right, Pete?)  Swedish Christmas is heavy on the meat and starch.  From top to bottom we have: traditional rice pudding with lingon berries, jello salad, Swedish meatballs, potato sausage, ham, scalloped potatoes, limpa (Swedish rye) and cardamom tea rolls. 

Before dinner there were lots of snacks including Bond-Ost (a caraway seeded cheese) served with knacke bread (hardtack -- like rye krisp kind of).  Oh -- and Sil (pickled herring).   And of course there was glogg!  Glogg is a mulled red wine that you drink warm and it is so good!

The next morning we had cardamom braid and coffee cake from the Swedish Bakery -- yum!

It was lovely to have Pete's mom here for a few days and Pete was wonderful (& so was Maddie).  I will leave it at that, other than to say that I will not be having Swedish Christmas here next year.  I'm glad that I did it for Pete's mom's sake though.  Maybe her daughters will step up next year.

Swedish food resources:

• Swedish Bakery -- I had to have all the baked goods shipped to me from Swedish Bakery because there was bad weather the day we were supposed to go up to Chicago.  Everything arrived here in great condition -- well packed and fresh!  You can see pictures of most of their baked goods on the website.  I ordered cardamom braids, Andersonville coffee cake, limpa, cardamom tea rolls and cinnamon bread.  Yum!
• Wickstrom's -- Wickstrom's is also in Andersonville (in Chicago) and they are a Swedish deli.  You can get the Bond-Ost, Knacke Bread, Sil, Glogg mix and tons of other things.  I haven't ordered online from them, but I have shopped there in person and they are wonderful! 

A Pair!

Finished!  (I would have posted them sooner, but TypePad has been messed up for the last couple of days.)  These were so quick and easy!  They were made using the seed stitch stripe variation of the mitten pattern in Holiday Knits.  I used Galway yarn and size US 6 double points (because I didn't have the US 5's the pattern called for.)

Maddie has tried them on and declared that they are warm & comfy -- so I think they are a winner!

It feels like Chiristmas. . .

Because good packages keep heading my way!  Today I received this gorgeous Trekking sock yarn in colorway 91 from Emy.  It is totally my color!!  I can't wait to start them!  Thanks so much, Emy!

Seed Stitch Stripe Mitten

Maddie has been in need of some new mittens for a while.  She's still wearing these which I knit 2 years ago!  So last Thursday when we were at B&N, Maddie and I glanced through some of the newer knitting books (you know the 2 or 3 that I don't own yet -- ha ha!) and she saw a cute pair of mittens in this book:

Holiday Knits by by Allison Isaacs & Sara Lucas.  So of course I had to get the book.  The mitten pattern is kind of nice because it is written with three different cuffs and two different patterns for the mitten part.  And there are 7 sizes!  This mitten was knit up in just a couple of hours and uses hardly any yarn.  I'm using the leftovers from the Princess Hat.

There are no earth shatteringly original patterns in this book, but for some reason I really like it.  I'll post a full review over at Two Friends Collect Books as soon as I find a free moment.

Mail -- and it's Koigu!

The mail was good to me today.  Maria sent me these lovely skeins of Koigu.  Thanks, Maria!

And the postman also brought another box of books for me.  I know, I'm completely addicted!  Here's what arrived from Amazon:

• Holiday Knits by Allison Isaacs & Sara Lucas
• Kids' Embroidery by Kristin Nicholas
• Colorful Stitchery by Kristin Nicholas

Man, I need more shelves.

Crewel Embroidery

A while back I bought The New Crewel by Katherine Shaughnessy of Wool & Hoop fame.  I had been to her site before and when she came out with this book, I knew I had to have it. 

Back in the 70's I remember doing the little crewel embroidery kits my mom would let me get from the local craft store.  It seems that they went out of fashion and modern designs were not to be found.  Then comes The New Crewel,  Wow!  Shaughnessy has taken this craft and brought it totally up to date with her hip modern designs. 

It got me thinking about crafts, which is what brought on the craft post from the other day.  Sometimes I feel like I am stuck in a rut and I have to try something different.  This book kick-started me and I'm all excited about crafting again!

I went and purchased this kit from discountneedlework.com and they shipped it out quickly.  I got started on it last night. . .

Yeah, it's a very traditional design, but there is something in me that loves the very traditional.  More to come. . .

Vickie Howell Blog Tour -- Gallery

A gallery of projects from New Knits on the Block.

 

The Tooth is out There Alien Tooth Fairy Pillows
Vickie Howell * Level: weekend at nana’s

Losing a tooth is a big deal in a little kid’s life. Make saying “bye-bye” to baby teeth an out-of-this-world experience with these cool Alien pillows! Oh and when your child asks you if there’s such a thing as the Tooth Fairy, just tell him or her not to worry; the tooth is out there.

Drawstring Backpack
  Kerrie Rycroft * Level: playdate

Greatest American Hero
  Super Kid Cape
Vickie Howell * Level: weekend at nana’s

In the land of pint-sized superheroes, the right attire is essential for crime fighting success. This vibrant, cotton cape will keep your favorite little protector both cool and collected under the pressures of battling the bad guys. Knit it up as shown, or make a wool version to keep your caped crusader warm on even the chilliest of adventures!

Cocoon Nap Sack
Vickie Howell * Level: summer camp

This nap sack is perfect for a sleepover or nap time. The luxurious cotton chenille, coupled with its handmade goodness, will keep your child feeling cozy whether at home reading a book or away at day care.

Splash Mermaid Dress-Up
Tina Marrin * Level: summer camp

As a child I sooo wanted to be a mermaid. They are princesses of the undersea with their graceful movements and their long gossamer hair trailing in a slow wave motion. And I grew up in what you would call a “Koi family” . . . that is, our family was and IS really IN to Koi fish (fancy Japanese Carp); complete with clubs, competitions, and endless talk of Tancho’s, Kohaku’s, and Ochiba’s (Koi varieties). Also, as fate would have it, I have only water signs in the significant places of my astrological chart. So with all these water influences, it doesn't surprise me that the theme has crept into my knitting designs.

Schneider Tool Set & Pouch
Vickie Howell * Level: playdate

When we’re building or fixing something in our house, the kids always want to “help” by grabbing all of the tools. In effort to keep sharp metal objects out of their hands, I designed a softer set that they can hold in their own personal tool belt. Although it’s doubtful that they’ll stop going after the real thing any time soon, at least they’ll look extra-cute doing it!

 

Diff’rent Strikes Bowling Ball & Pins
  Vickie Howell * Level: playdate
My little strikers love to bowl! So much so, that I’ve often contemplated constructing an alley in my apartment. I decided, however, that a better idea would be to knit up a toy bowling set that’s durable enough for the kids to play with during the day, and soft enough for them to cuddle up with at night.

 

Photo Credit: Cory Ryan
  Excerpted from New Knits on the Block, by Vickie Howell. © Vickie Howell 2005-2006, used with permision from Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.

You can see Vickie's post from yesterday over at LollyKnitting Around.  And tomorrow she will be stopping by Scout's Knitted Swag.  You can see all the stops on her tour here.

Owl Embroidery

Thanks for all the great crafting suggestions!  I have added quite a few to my list.  I'm sure you'll be seeing some new projects of all kinds on the blog in the coming months!

Speaking of new projects.  If you remember, I received a great backtack II embroidery kit from my backtack buddy Joelene.  I tried out a design from the Stitch-It Kit a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately I scorched the fabric when transferring the design.  On top of that, my stitches were pretty wonky, seeing as how I was taking massive amounts of codeine at the time.

So last night I pulled everything out and decided to try one of the cute owl transfers she included.  I was much more successful!  I think when I finish this I will make a little quilted pillow or something with this at the center.  Anyone know where I can get some cute owl fabric?

And since I am the book girl (I originally typed lady -- but it sounded so old!). . . I have to tell you about the Stitch-It Kit & the Embroidery Stitch Bible, both of which I am using to make my little owl.

The Stitch-It Kit is a great value, I think.  It includes a booklet describing techniques, tons of iron on transfers, the hoop, two tea towels, thread in various colors and a needle.  Really everything you need!  And the transfers are very hip -- having been designed by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching.  (Oh no -- Resistance is futile!  I just went over to her site to get the link and found some patterns I must have!)

The Embroidery Stitch Bible has a *lot* more stitch in it.  So once you learn the basics, you will want this book.  I just remembered that I actually reviewed this book back in August.  I had checked it out from the library, decided that I had to have it and then went and bought it.  I'm glad I did.

Up next -- Crewel Embroidery!  I have a kit on it's way from discountneedlework.com that I am hoping will arrive today!

And tomorrow Vickie Howell will be stopping by on her book tour.  Come see the great gallery of photos from her book!

Insatiable

I am an insatiable crafter.  I have tried almost everything.  Seriously. 

Don't believe me?  Here's a list:

• Knitting (duh)
• Spinning
• Dyeing wool
• Sewing
• Quilting
• Cross-stitch
• Crewel Embroidery
• Embroidery
• Needlepoint
• Crochet
• Jewelry Making
• Beading
• Metal Smithing
• Enameling (on metal)
• Metal Casting (sterling Silver)
• Tole Painting
• Ceramic painting
• Cake Decorating
• Book Binding
• Paper Making
• Calligraphy
• Temari Ball Making
• Needle Felting
• Rubber Stamping
• Scrapbooking
• Soap Making
• Lip Balm Making
• Bath Salt/Bath Fizzie Making
• Candle Making
• Preserving (making Jams)
• Origami
• Friendship Bracelet Weaving
• Plastic Canvas Crafting
• Decoupage
• Fimo Clay Bead Making
• Fimo Clay Sculpting
• Macrame
• Glass painting
• Glass Etching
• Ornament making (the ones with the sequins)
• Watercolor
• Drawing
• Pastel
• Pen & Ink Drawing
• Wreath Making
• Weaving
• Myriads of crafts kits as an adult and child
• Beer Making
• Wood Burning
• Stenciling
• Tie dying

I am positive that there are things I have forgotten.  In fact, I have all the supplies for lino printing & stamp making sitting on one of my work tables. 

So, what crafts do I still need to try?  Leave me a comment!  If you know of a good reference book for your craft, let me know about that too! (I am also an insatiable reader and book collector.)

And what crafts have you all tried?  Show me a list on your blog!!

Winter Wonderland!

We have two *huge* fir trees in the front yard and I love how they look covered in snow.  Up top is tree 1 and here is tree 2. . .

We are supposed to get 4-5 inches south of Chicago where I'm at and having just shoveled our drive and walkway, I can confirm that we have already gotten a couple of inches.  Here's a shot of my "kitchen" garden this afternoon. . .

I like to leave the stems because I think they look very cool in the winter all covered in snow.

And tonight is the Stamping Online / Black Sheep Bags Holiday Party!  I told Maddie this last night and I also told her that daddy couldn't come.  She looked at me incredulously saying -- He can't come?  You mean you won't let him into the house?  Yep, I said.  It was hysterical -- she couldn't believe what she was hearing!  In actuality it is Pete's company Christmas party tonight and he always jokes that Maddie and I hold our company party the same night. 

Ours will be much tamer than his if previous years are any indication.  See, Pete works for this real estate company in Chicago headed by a huge real estate tycoon (he's like the Chicago version of Donald Trump.)  And every year he throws a *bash* for his employees with his own money.  At these parties there are sometimes exotic dancers dancing around in their skivvies -- I kid you not!!  Needless to say the spouses are not invited.  I've seen pictures though and it is wild.

In contrast, Maddie and I will be hanging out, eating Mac & Cheese and relaxing.  We already had our outing to the bookstore earlier in the day in order to avoid the snowstorm.  Time to go knit!

A Million Little Pieces

Yesterday morning I finished A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.  I literally couldn't wait to read more of this book every day over the past week.  Frey's real life story of his battle with alcohol and drug addiction fascinated me.  Believe it or not, I really related to his story. 

The book starts with a nearly comatose Frey coming back to consciousness in an airplane with no recollection of how he got there.  His parents then take him into drug re-hab and he has to go through de-tox followed by some brutal dental and medical procedures.  As the book progresses Frey comes to terms with his addiction and conquers it. 

Frey's style, which lacks 'proper' punctuation and capitalization, adds to the book rather than detracts from it.  He puts you right into the moments that he lived through.  You get so caught up, that it's really difficult to set the book down.

His follow-up, My Friend Leonard, is on my "to read" list and luckily my sister owns a copy and recently finished it.  Yeah for sisters who read good books & like to share!  (I also borrowed Freakonomics from her recently.)

So what am I reading now?  Well, first I have to tell you that I have the *best* husband.  Knowing that I was feeling miserable with this cold, he went to the library last night and got Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer for me to read.  (I recently finished Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and really liked it and I heard this one was even better.  We shall see!)  And he also picked up Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, the author of Gilead, which is supposed to be an excellent book.  I'm reading it next. 

One final book item. . . has anyone read Wicked by Gregory Maguire?  I'm thinking of getting it for my Grandma for Christmas.  She usually reads Danielle Steele, Anne Rivers Siddons etc.  Do you think she would like Wicked?

Vickie Howell Book Tour

This week is the Vickie Howell Blog Tour for her new book New Knits on the Block.  She's going to be stopping be here on Sunday!  You can see the entire list of sites she's visiting here.

Don't know who Vickie is?  She hosts Knitty Gritty which I have never been able to see since my local cable doesn't include DIY.  But the projects she does on the show are available online which is cool. 

And if you remember, a few weeks ago I finished the Princess Hat from her new book.

So stop by on Sunday and check it out!

Thanks for the Cold Remedies!

Thank you everyone for the great cold remedies!  I've been sipping tea with honey and lemon and getting rest and I'm feeling a little bit better -- but very tired.  The trip for tomorrow has been canceled and rescheduled for later this month.  Maddie was very grown up and understanding. 

I'm going to try many of the things that were recommended!  Although it appears that some of the best remedies need to be taken at the very first sign of a cold which was Sunday -- missed the boat there. 

Speaking of remedies -- you can't get cold medicine off the shelf anymore.  Darn meth lab people.  I had to wait in line at the pharmacy as if I were getting a prescription -- doesn't seem like a very good use of a pharmacists time, but I guess it has to be done.

Time to go lay in bed again and veg out. . .

I'm sick -- have a remedy?

I guess I should have seen this coming.  I've always had a pathetic immune system.  Someone sneezes around me and next thing you know I have a cold.  (Unlike Pete -- thank goodness Maddie has his genes when it comes to this!)

So anyway, I guess having surgery probably weakened it a bit more. . . then the freezing cold weather arrived. . . and the busyness of the holiday season. . . and now I have a nasty little cold.  We are planning to go to Marshall Field's to eat by the big tree in the Walnut Room tomorrow and I feel like, well you know what I feel like.

So tell me your remedies!  Your quick fixes!  What you do to get you through when you have the sniffles, a sore throat and are oh so tired.  I need help here people!  I have a 5 year old that I do not want to disappoint! 

The Dala Horse

The Dala Horse, or Dalahäst, is a traditional toy from Sweden.  They are carved from wood and beautifully decorated using the swedish painting technique called Kurbits painting.  The oldest ones, some of which can be seen here, date back as early as 1624.

The Viking's religion, As, viewed the horse as sacred, which is probably why horses were carved.  There is a whole lot of information on the Dala Horses and their history at the Grannas website.  Grannas, the oldest existing manufacturer of Dala horses, was started back in 1922 by Grannas Anders Olsson.  It is still family owned and the horses are hand-carved and hand painted.  You can see pictures of all the production step here.

And what about those Dala Horses at the top of the page?  Those live with us.  The red one is Maddie's and is newer.  The Blue one is Pete's, which I believe he got as a child (am I right, Pete?)  The black one is very special -- it's rather old and was given to Maddie as a special gift from her Farfar (Father's father in Swedish) shortly before he died.  And those little ones are Pete's -- I think they are also kind of old.  Can you believe it -- I don't have one to call my own yet!

So, that's a little bit about the Dala Horse.  Here are some more links on Dala Horses:

• The Dala Horse... From Folk Toy to Lindsborg Tradition
• A Dala Horse quilt square pattern
• Picture of the Giant Dala Horse at the Scandinavian Heritage Visitors Center in Minot, ND.
• Wooden Horses of Sweden from Folk Art to National Symbol -- a book about the Dala Horse and the men and women who make them.  There is also a book called The Magic Horse by Chris Mosey which is out of print and apparently hard to find.  (I have to look for these when we are up in Andersonville!)

Hope you found this interesting!  Even though I only have a touch of Norwegian in my blood, I am so taken with everything Swedish!  I'll post more about Swedish crafts in the future!

A little bit of Swedish Christmas

Yesterday on our trip to IKEA I saw a lot of Swedish ornaments and I decided it was time to use our second christmas tree this year.  This is a whole Swedish tree and is sitting in the corner of out dining room.  Here's a close-up of a traditional Swedish ornament:

The straw ornaments are very traditional, as are the tomte's hanging from it.  Don't know what a tomte or tomten is?  See my post from last December.

Straw animals are popular too -- darn forgot to photograph our big straw reindeer!  But here is a picture of a cool straw wreath I bought at IKEA:

Pretty cool, huh?  And more Swedish Christmas info will follow.  I'm having the traditional Swedish Christmas dinner for all of Pete's family at my house this year, so I'll be sure to blog about that too!  And if you want to read more on your own, Pete's Mom got me the book Swedish Christmas by Catarina Lundgren Astrom a few years ago.  It has a lot of recipes for Swedish holiday goodies as well as some info on the traditions.

And I'm collecting info on Dala Horses too!  More on that soon!

Post ideas & IKEA

I *heart* IKEA!  And today that's where we are off to.  But I have been thinking about some upcoming posts.  Things I've been wanting to write about and/or photograph.  Here are some things you can expect in the coming days:

• All about the Dala Horse.
• Interesting new knitting books coming out soon!
• Info on Crewel Embroidery.
• Post about Swedish Christmas traditions.

So you can see, I have lots of ideas -- but little time for execution.  I really want to tell you / show you about the Dala horses because I really love them.  Maybe tomorrow!

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Well, I'm all healed from my surgery and it's time to report back on my books to recuperate by.  I finished Watermelon by Marian Keyes & Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer and gave a short report on them here.  I didn't even pick up either Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich or The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby -- guess I don't like to recuperate with non-fiction -- so I'm still mid-way through those.  And I just finished White Teeth by Zadie Smith last night, so I better give you a report on that. . .

I really enjoyed White Teeth -- it was a leisurely read that was filled with lots of great characters and some hilarious writing.  I can see why she has been called a rising star and I'm now eager to read her latest -- On Beauty. 

White Teeth seems to fit in well with the overriding theme in a lot of the fiction I've been reading over the last year or two -- the struggles of 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.  Many of these novels seem to be set in London, as is White Teeth.  Maybe this is just the popular genre of the time, or maybe I've just fallen into the habit of picking up books of this type, I'm not sure.  But I find them extremely enjoyable and often insightful.

I would give you a plot summary, but this book is truly epic and I don't know where to begin!  It's a great read and if you are willing to devote the time to it, I think you will enjoy it and come away with some insights too.

Up next is A Million Little Pieces by James Frey which I started at midnight after finishing White Teeth.  Let's just say that I had to force myself to put it down at 1 am -- now that's a good sign! 

Picot Pride!

Okay, it may seem silly, but I am very proud of this picot cuff on my current SIP.  I kind of flew by the seat of my pants here and figured out how to make the picot edge as I went.  I think it turned out really well and may even be the right size -- a bonus!  (I really thought I would have to rip out and try again once I figured out how the sizing would work.)

It's even nice and neat on the inside, don't you think?  Surprising since I was up past midnight knitting these.  I swear it was like reading a great book -- I just couldn't set it down.  Picot edgings are fun!

Now I only hope sock #2 turns out the same way when I get to it.  I did take notes, but I have notoriously bad handwriting and often lose my notes as I have 5-6 project notebooks floating around at any one time.

Oh and for the curious, that's Regia Jubilee colorway 5472 -- pinks and browns -- what could be better?

New Knitting Magazine -- Knitting Fog!

There is a new knitting magazine that is just starting out called Knitting Fog and I did an interview that they have posted!  It's mostly about knitting blogs and the knitting blogs web ring.  (Be kind!  I was still recovering from surgery and taking codeine when I gave my answers to the questions!)  They also have their first free pattern available online.

Check it out!