WeaveZine

The first issue of WeaveZine! (Spring 2008)

Weavers now have their own free online publication. Issues will be quarterly; with planned regular features including book and product reviews. There is submission guidelines for people interesting in contributing.

The editor of WeaveZine also has a blog called the WeaveGeek. Now I am not a weaver but that didn't stop me from checking it out and she does mention the Yarn Harlot in her blog.


This beautiful luncheon cloth woven by Kate Jantz-Koprivnik (previously referred to as the woman that taught me to knit) is currently featured on main site page of WeaveZine (well done Kate!). It is the subject of Kate's article: Subdued Glitz.

In her article, Kate shares the experimentation that went into achieving the subtle glitter she was looking for without compromising the feel or the drape of the woven piece. At the end of the article is a pattern for the luncheon cloth.

Enjoy!

Another snow day

The best thing about this snow storm is that it ended the strong wind and rain storm before it.

Nice felted bag

I thought I would share this nice felted bag that was given to me as a gift. The tag on it was "Jillorraine Originals." (I believe I was reading it correctly). I hunted the Internet but couldn't get any information on the maker. It is a pretty bag though and I am sure will hold a project soon.

And the quilting doberman and two of the cats...just because.

Rescue kitten says goodbye to 2007

Since it is the first day in 2008 it is unfortunate that I don't have any projects to post about yet. Lots of knitting and quilting in progress. I believe my first resolution is to finally finish the pink quilt that breaks all my needles.

Since I don't have any projects I want to talk about; instead I will talk about the pets. :)

Poor younger kitty; even her favorite pellet stove perch isn't sacred anymore...

And she knows better than to mess with elder kitty when it comes to the pillow. If she is very quiet and still; elder kitty will let her stay there...



And of course; the quilting doberman...



We have had an amazing dump of snow out here over the past week. This hiking photo was taken yesterday on the 31st. It is about a 10 minute drive from my house and not all that much higher elevation. Absolutely beautiful day though.

Christmas creations

I didn't get to sew as much as I had wanted for Christmas gifts; but I did make a couple of things.

One was a yoga mat bag. I followed Simplicity 3683 "Yoga accessories." Ugh. The pattern. It was painfully obvious how long it had been since I had followed one of these types of patterns when I made this bag. I have high hopes that these pattern companies are going to start pushing themselves either into the digital and/or color photo age of patterns.

I honestly am lucky that I actually did take some sewing classes as a kid and have a base of knowledge on how to read these patterns. I am so used to magazine patterns now, or small company envelope patterns/books with color photos and where they must do a lot more testing and if there is a mistake it is a lot easier to find a correction online.



I might be a little bit bitter because of how long it took me to understand a basic pocket. :) The result was great though!



I also knitted a dress for a bunny I had knitted a few years ago. This pattern comes from the book Debbie Bliss "Toy Knits," and the pattern is "Farmer Rabbit." I think this is the 3rd article of clothing I have made for that bunny.

Curse of the baby sweater

FINALLY I finished this baby sweater...about 6 months past birth date. Thankfully, not only does it fit; but it is too big. Pattern is "robin hood jacket" from Zoe Mellor's "adorable knits for tots."

I thought that the worst thing that happened on this sweater was when I ran out of a yarn (Rowan cork is discontinued and I ultimately located it at Fine Points); but no, once I got the hood finished and the buttons bought...then I discovered my larger mistake. I forgot the buttonholes. Specifically I forgot 3 buttonholes. I actually made one of them; fortunately at the bottom of the garment and not in the middle.



SO. After a suggestion from my mom I went the strip o' snaps route and actually, it all turned out very well! I have to thank the particularly helpful woman at Pacific Fabrics for her almost afterthought comment of "I hope you have a zipper foot." I may not be particularly good at using it, but I do have one, and without her saying that I am not sure how long it would have taken me to remember on my own to use it.



You will note the strip of purple (or is that magenta? I believe it is called "very berry") on the hood...that wasn't an artistic decision. I actually ran out of the blue yarn I had ordered.

About 2 hours after the jacket was photographed outside a dark snow storm rolled in and blanketed the yard.

Card making

So this is sort of fun. Yesterday I went to Make an Impression in Issaquah. Not actually one of my more favorite stores, but the closet one. I was looking for maybe a new stamp for my last minute card making which means I won't actually get much done. I didn't find a new stamp, but I was fascinated by the use of tiny beads on cards.

Basically you have this super strong sheet of adhesive that you cut to shape, stick on the card and then sprinkle with these impossibly tiny and rambunctious beads. The process makes embossing seem controlled.

But, I liked the result. I don't know if the the photo will show it well.

First, just one ornament beaded so you can see what it looks like with and without beads:



Then, the all the ornaments beaded:



Lastly, and not related to beading, but rescue kitten had his neuter yesterday. I thought it meant that he would be slowed down for the day but no such luck. He weighed in at an impressive 8lbs (considering we could barely keep him at 2 lbs a couple of months ago this is amazing growth as the vet said) and while one of his teeth is still significantly offset it is still not a problem at this point.