Looking good

I cannot believe it's been weeks since my last post! Three, to be exact. Where has the time gone? We're in February?

I do have a good reason though. Last summer I mentioned that I was trying hard to make some changes in my life. And I am finally seeing results. Our house sold, and we are moving! I am surrounded by boxes, lists, and well...dust. The new house is also ready, and I have to admit that my knitting obsession has been pushed aside a bit by my decorating obsession. I have to warn you, this year, you may see quite a few decor-related posts. But that's OK, right? Gotta shake things up a bit.

And because I want to keep things interesting, I took another fairly significant decision. This year, I will be participating in a craft fair! I don't have a lot of other details for now, but what I can tell you is that it's the Montreal POP Puces Market. I visited it this winter, and it's such a wonderful event. Local artists showcasing and selling their work. I felt really inspired, and encouraged. Also reading about Rebecca's experience over at nook, made me think that I'd probably have a blast!

So I've been experimenting with patterns and sketching out ideas. I had never tried a felting project before, and since 2012 seems to be a year of new adventures, I dove right in. Inspired by a woven basket that one of my good friends brought me back from the Philippines, I knitted and felted this little catch-all. It now proudly sits on my night-table, and I find it really practical. So I am thinking I will whip up a few for the market, and Etsy shop. I've already tried different sizes and also stripes, but the simple one, like this, I like best.

Now, what do you guys think of using safety pins to pin the basket into shape? I find it cute, a more "masculine" touch, but I am toying with the idea of trying beads or buttons.

In closing, I promise to not take another extended break...it feels strange and I do miss everyone that visits...

A slow start

I've been meaning to blog about my first 2012 FO for over a week now, but somehow my inspiration fails me.

The beginning of the year has been pretty quiet. After the madness of the holidays, some R & R was welcome. I was also pretty much stuck on the couch for a week after Christmas, as a nasty cold got the better of me. A perfect excuse to do some selfish knitting, right?

I had gotten an extra skein of Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, when I purchased yarn for my sister's Christmas hat. I knit her the Rosebud and chose to make Habitat for myself. Both patterns are easy and extremely well explained, and also a lot of fun to knit. At the same time they were my first experience with charts, and I have to say I like it (though hard to do while watching TV). The end result was great for both hats. My sister really likes her hat, even though I thought it ended up a little too large. My gauge was right on, and still it ended up a little too big. Funny thing is that with Habitat I had the exact opposite issue. Gauge right on, but it's a tiny bit too small. Either way, I've gotten some use out of it already.

Now a few words about the yarn. My fellow knitters have asked for my opinion, and I have to say I love it! As you knit with it, you fish bits and pieces of organic matter still clinging to the yarn, which serve as a reminder that this is the real thing. It's got a bit of elasticity to it, and it feels squishy and warm. In other words, the real thing.

Hm, I think I've found a theme for 2012, a focus, because I don't like the idea of resolutions. I want to be real, true, true to myself, to my newly discovered passion and creativity, to my family and what is truly important to me.

Bring it on 2012!

Ringing in the New Year

I have fought off my Dayquil induced haze for a few minutes to come here and wish you all a very Happy New Year and a wonderful 2012.

I have also taken a few minutes to look back on my 2011 projects, and I have to say that I
was pleasantly surprised to see that I managed 21 of them, I think that's not too bad.

And now, I will crawl back under my blankets and hope that my voice returns in the next few days.

Deck the Halls

I finally mananged to take a few photos of our own Christmas decorations to share with you guys. Aidan has really enjoyed helping me.

We started with his room. I especially like these little wooden ornaments.

Every year we've added a few special pieces like this star.

The Christmas Pyramid and Advent Calendar belonged to my grandmother and I count them among my most treasured possessions.

I had quite a number of crafts I wanted to make, but only managed these snow globes. Aidan loves it. It's a really fun and easy thing to make. For anyone interested, I kind of followed this tutorial.

And last, but not least, our own Christmas tree.

The only thing missing now, are the gifts, and I really hope I will finish all of my hand-knits in time.

Four Years ago today....

Four years ago today, I experienced the happiest moment of my life when i was able to hold this in my arms:

It seems that I just blinked and he has transformed into this:

He has taught me so much, about myself, life and especially love.

Happy Birthday, Schatzi!

Montreal Christmas market

In keeping with my newly established Christmas traditions, we ventured to a Christmas-market this weekend. Last year’s was a great experience and even though we were not fortunate enough to have much snow this time around, it was still great.

With Michael Bublé’s new Christmas CD playing, we headed to the Marche de Noël de L'Assomption. At the market, we were greeted by a wonderful smell of vanilla and cinnamon roasted almonds. We strolled by the different vendors and admired the offerings, even ran into a familiar name. 

People were milling about buying Christmas trees and warming up by the fire pits that were strewn about the market. A little train was blasting carols and taking excited kids on a ride around the neighbourhood to admire the Christmas decorations. The kids enjoyed watching people eating maple taffy, and posed dutifully with a giant nutcracker. 

Until….a familiar sound caught their attention. Surely it could not be? Did someone really say “HO, HO, HO”?

To everyone’s delight Santa made an appearance at the market. Of course, we also had to greet him and tell him about our own wish list, which by the way includes a garbage truck (don’t ask).

It was a wonderful outing and I can say that this is definitely a tradition I will hold on to.

This weekend I will go around the house and photograph some of our decorations to share with my readers.

Advent Calendar

There is something magical about the time before Christmas. In my family the season was always kicked off by December first, the advent time, the count-down to Christmas morning.

I've been working hard at starting my own family traditions, and it is a continually evolving list, but so far we have hot chocolate to welcome the first snowfall, a visit to the Christmas market, weekly cookie baking and this year, I am adding crafting to the list.

It's so easy to feel inspired by the multitude of ideas out there, and I am always amazed at the talent and incredible ideas my fellow crafters display. Last year, I made A. an advent calendar (see details here), and he really liked it, so of course I had to make one for this year. He's a big Lego and Playmobil fan, and they have great ready made Advent calendars.

That was my starting point, but the presentation I wanted to personalize. So, using this tutorial I made 24 boxes (took forever),wrapped them, made tags, and finished at 11:30 on the 30th November.I can't begin to describe how his face lit up in the morning at the sight of it. It made the papercuts all worth it. Next, we're making our own snow-globes, and on the weekend we're checking out this Christmas market. And soon I'll be updating you on my Christmas knitting as well.

Happy Advent everyone!