How it is that I thought once we moved, things would calm down and I'd have more time for blogging?! Well, we're getting there, but not yet. I don't even have a place to setup my 'blogging computer' (i.e. the computer that has Photoshop), so I had to temporarily set it up on the dining room table. Ugh!But here I am with my first mid-century decorating post! Most of our free time that hasn't been devoted to unpacking and ... Read more »
Checkered birthday outfit
Happy 35th birthday to me! Here's to my first outfit post in our new yard. I'm so excited to have an outdoor space now. It was a rather cold and miserable day (as often happens to us April birthday babies), so lots of wool was in order. Unfortunately you can't really tell that I dared to match up two different checked patterns, in my overalls and my blouse. But I think it worked. You'll just have to take my word on ... Read more »
Happy Easter
Happy Easter! While it's not on my birthday this year, I was born on Easter Sunday, so it's always been kind of a special day. This year, we had Mel's parents over for lunch. Mel's mom was kind enough to bring all the food since we're still settling in, so we had lasagna, lamb, and asparagus. And of course, there was plenty of cheery colorful Easter candy for snacking after dessert.I sent my mom a couple of quick snaps of ... Read more »
Starting to plot my corner of the basement
Thanks for all the lovely comments on our new house! We are super busy unpacking and figuring out all the stuff we need to do or buy, but it's been awesome. ♥One of the things I'm daydreaming about now that we've moved is my sewing and craft space! In our condo, my sewing "area" (and I use the term loosely) was the dining table. Not a very useful setup and annoying when we actually wanted to dine at the dining table.Now ... Read more »
Introducing the Golly Ranch House
It happened! Last Wednesday, we officially sold our condo and bought our first house. A ranch house from the 1950s, that I think I'm dubbing the Golly Ranch House. Everything went smoothly with the closings, and we moved in that night. I just can't believe it! Everything that's been occupying so much of our time over the last three months finally came together. It's kind of an incredible feeling. I'm both excited and ... Read more »
See my wedding post on Etsy!
Hi all, I have some exciting news to share! If you check out the home page of Etsy, guess what you'll see today?Yep, that's our wedding! I was asked to write a post for Etsy, for their Handmade Wedding series.Now how the heck did I have time for that during all the moving shenanigans, you ask? Simple—this was in the works a few months ago. ;)It was fun to share the handmade, vintage and second-hand details of our little ... Read more »
VKC: Quick tip on un-knitting (and my work-in-progress)
Hello, hello! I'm sure you can guess what I've been up to lately. Right, more packing. Not an exciting topic of conversation, so let's move on. I grabbed a few minutes for a mini knitting tip. A tiplet, if you will!Sometimes you have to un-knit part of your work-in-progress. It's often called ripping or frogging. Frogging is an onomatopoeia... "rip it...rip it"... get it? It stinks when you have to do it, because it means ... Read more »
Packing, in textures
I walked around yesterday and took some photos of things I would be packing up sooner or later for the move. Some so soon they've already been packed, only a day later!Boots for moderate winter weather... Hand knit sweaters...Unceremoniously stored stockings...Blouses...lots of blouses...Garter belts...Pretty underthings...End of winter/spring jackets that it will soon be warm enough to wear...Vintage frames that may one ... Read more »
Vintage finds, AKA the only shopping I’ve done in months
Last weekend was the Chicagoland Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Show, an overwhelmingly large show about an hour away from Chicago in Elgin. Last year I had a great haul. This year I was a bit more restrained, even though this show, more than any others, often has the largest portion of things to my personal style and taste (though not always my budget, of course). Once we knew we were going to buy a house I ... Read more »
Sunday Pictorial Beret
I can't believe as I'm posting this, I've reached over 500 followers. Wow! I must say I'm incredibly humbled and flattered that there are that many of you who actually want to read about my mundane little life. :) I've been wanting to do a giveaway for this milestone, but being in the throws of moving, it's going to have to wait a little longer. Stay tuned!Today I'm sharing my latest knitting project, a beret from A ... Read more »
VKC: Planning colors for vintage stranded knitting
Hi everyone! Has it been long enough since I've been able to do a Vintage Knitting College post?? Good grief! I was expecting to have so much more time to devote to this, but with the condo selling/house buying, obviously life has gotten in the way. Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my last post, I can't wait until we've moved and everything calms back down so I can get back to regular blogging! :) So let's ... Read more »
Where have I been?
Hi everyone!!My goodness, it feels like it's been just about forever since I've been able to do anything related to my blog. Or reading any blogs, for that matter. Or knitting. Or sewing. Or anything. I feel like I've dropped off the planet...because I pretty much have!So what have I been up to? Mel and I are selling our condo and buying a house!I know, no reason for keeping that a secret, right?? Partially I didn't want ... Read more »
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a warm and merry Christmas. Thank you all for the joy you bring to my life. Many happy returns to you and yours! ... Read more »
Boy, have I been busy!
Hello, everyone!I confess I've been almost completely absent from blog-land for a little while. Some things have come up in our home life that have taken precedent over pretty much everything else, and sadly that includes blogging and catching up on all my favorite blogs... and you know that takes some time! :) Don't worry, there is nothing wrong—in fact, I hope it ends up being the beginning of something fantastic for us ... Read more »
VKC: Charts & vintage stranded knitting patterns
Hi everyone! Let's talk about stranded knitting and charts. A bit about charts and stranded knitting Modern stranded knitting pattern use charts to convey the colorwork part of the pattern. Sometimes they'll use multiple colors in a colored chart, sometimes just shades of gray, or different shapes to represent different colors, or some combination thereof. Here are a couple of examples. {Source: charts ... Read more »
Fake a good hair day with a beret (on a windy day)
Today I'm finally sharing a little tutorial I've thought about all autumn, as I've lazily enjoyed wearing berets quite frequently. I love berets (tams, tammys... call them what you will). They are my favorite hat to wear, and my favorite hat to knit, too. You can knit cabled ones, fair isle ones, slouchy ones, you name it. And finding vintage berets isn't usually too difficult, either. As an added bonus, felt berets ... Read more »