tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52635989494536205942024-03-05T04:40:49.405-08:00Schatzi's knitsMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-31473628849294124722016-02-15T11:03:00.000-08:002016-02-15T11:03:00.341-08:00Moving!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently realized that I have been blogging for over 4 years! Already! Four years of coming here and sharing bits and parts of me, and it feels like so much has happened.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To be honest, I have been feeling the need for a new look. I will always have a soft spot my for original concept, for the original name, but I’ve felt that I’ve outgrown it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The search for a new name has not been easy. Trying to find something that accurately expresses what this space is all about, has been confusing. It forced me to really wonder, what do I want to talk about and share with my readers? Knitting of course, but ultimately more than that. I have shared a lot more than just knitting projects here, I’ve talked about other interests, worries, longings, plans, my kids, family, our travels. And it will continue along the same lines. So what name would capture all of this? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What name could capture my love of knitting and wool, and my wandering thoughts, wondering about life, experiences, lessons. And then it hit me, it’s actually quite simple. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My blog is about </span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“Wool & Wonder”</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It has a nice ring to it does it not?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wanted this new name to also reflect a new aesthetic. I find that in the last years my tastes have really matured. Does that mean that I am finally maturing? Hm.... possibly, but the bottom line is that I am more confident when it comes to my taste. And I had a very clear idea of what I wanted the new look to be. Clean, bright, modern with a touch of whimsy.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My friend Tara, who is an extremely talented gal, offered to design my new logo. I have to say, it was a great experience, I had a lot of fun working on a concept with her and it was really exciting seeing it all come together. I am extremely pleased with the end result. It feels very…me.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From now on you will find me at </span><br />
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<a href="http://woolandwonder.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wool & Wonder</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Come along for the ride. Do not forget to refresh your Bloglovin link!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14662361/?claim=6knnjhms3rt">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></span><br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-45965884785451420182016-01-31T12:51:00.004-08:002016-01-31T12:51:37.970-08:00Style A Knit - Svalbard<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I bet by now you thought <a href="http://schatzi-knits.blogspot.ca/2015/05/style-knit.html" target="_blank">this project</a>, my tiny step towards a more handmade wardrobe, had been scrapped. Well, I am here to tell you that it is finished. Just in time for s</span>weater weather, which, yes, has been here for a while, but I am only now getting around to admitting it to myself. The only good thing about low temperatures is the need to wear knits. Preferably all layered, and topped off with a cardigan like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/svalbard" target="_blank">Svalbard</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am so proud of this project. It has been a huge learning experience, one that I am happy to say I have mastered without too much pain. I love a project that stretches your limits, that teaches and challenges. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">It has shown me that I can knit more complicated patterns then I thought. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/heavens-hand-wool-classic" target="_blank">The yarn</a> turned out to be a great choice for the project. It has wonderful drape and makes for this lovely cushiony fabric. It is difficult to describe, but I believe it turned out the way it was supposed to. I am looking forward to reaching for this cardigan over and over again in the winter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;">And on a completely unrelated note, I have some exciting blog news to share next time around! Stay tuned </span></span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-7079708841692286122016-01-21T19:51:00.003-08:002016-01-22T17:48:38.748-08:00Happy Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2015 ended in a family cold, that dragged on for weeks. We are just now recovered, and it feels like we completely missed out on the holidays. We huddled and cuddled under blankets, moving from couch to bed, and looking for cozy spots. I stayed away from blogging because I could honestly not string a coherent sentence together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now I am back, recovered, and ready to talk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Winter days, which are certainly here now, can only be survived by wearing warm, cozy knits. I am one of those people that are perpetually cold, my feet are always frozen. What I realized I needed, is a pair of wool slippers, just like the ones my grandma used to make. And being confined to the house for a few weeks, I had plenty of time to research and find a pattern that greatly resembles the slippers I remember from childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I used the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/simple-house-slippers" target="_blank">simple house slippers</a> pattern by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/temple-of-knit" target="_blank">Temple of knit</a>. It’s such a simple, straight-forward pattern, just the way I like it. I cannot repeat it enough, simple lines and great construction are what I admire the most in a pattern. It’s an almost comforting knit. I made a pair for everyone. And bonus….this is the kind of knit you can model while sick. I did not even have to move from the couch to take the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are all better now, and sporting a new pair of slippers, clearly, things can only go up from here, right? Just think of what I can accomplish with warm feet!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKNIEI58uz0FIDNX7YvLWRLoPK4fLq8jLgZfEHUpyFVm-508JBuI4bFc0JCWANXrnJ9YXMvto_IGsyIQN_ZGBTO8LA8sJaFOS1pWTP-M6QbsO0bRau5_R7-qEMmWvKN9xe_8VXjZGxU0/s1600/Hand+knit+family+slippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKNIEI58uz0FIDNX7YvLWRLoPK4fLq8jLgZfEHUpyFVm-508JBuI4bFc0JCWANXrnJ9YXMvto_IGsyIQN_ZGBTO8LA8sJaFOS1pWTP-M6QbsO0bRau5_R7-qEMmWvKN9xe_8VXjZGxU0/s1600/Hand+knit+family+slippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-56773440033789968672015-12-01T13:40:00.001-08:002015-12-01T13:40:16.553-08:00Let the Holiday season begin<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How did you spend this year's first advent? we started preparing the house for the holidays. Pulled out some favourite decorations, made the outside look pretty, planned Christmas activities all the while listening to the Vienna Boy's Choir create a festive mood. I also managed to put the finishing touches on this year's Advent Calendar, and just in time. This year's version features a mix of hockey cards and of course chocolate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Details? <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60289852/" target="_blank">This IKEA fabric</a> caught my eye last year, and I had to have it, as I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for an Advent Calendar. Add in some <a href="http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/2015-upper-deck-series-2-hockey-tin-12pk/6000191150462" target="_blank">hockey cards</a>, every 8-year old boy's favourite, and some chocolate, and voila, our 2015 calendar.</span><br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-21712685612297391512015-11-15T17:29:00.002-08:002015-11-15T17:29:38.228-08:00Giving Back<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://dupetitmouton.com/" target="_blank">Local yarn shop</a> is the best. Really. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/knitpurlmama" target="_blank">Robyn</a>, the owner, always puts a ton of thought into her window displays. Every season is welcomed with an imaginative, fantastic idea. There was the Valtentine’s display with sheep wearing heart-shaped sunglasses and chocolate boxes filled with little yarn-balls, the yarn-bombed bike, the Christmas tree made of yarn. It’s always a lot of fun to see what she comes up with next, and more often then not the knit-night group is also involved in the planning and creating of the necessary pieces. It’s so much fun to let your imagination fly and to see it all come together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For this year’s winter display, Robyn is starting this wonderfully thoughtful campaign. She has asked her customers and friends to knit up a collection of Polar Bears. She provides the pattern and the yarn, you simply pick them up at the shop and knit it up. It’s a very easy quick knit. This collection of bears will grace her Holiday window display, after which she will donate them all to a children’s charity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find it is a great idea. It rallies this wonderful community of knitters, because ultimately we all knit for the love of the craft, but at the same time we always want our pieces to bring joy to someone. And in this case, they certainly will. I cannot wait to see the finished window display.</span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-34655754078530707772015-10-07T09:08:00.001-07:002015-10-07T09:08:26.577-07:00Escape<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have recently
gotten the opportunity to visit Zurich for work, and I allowed myself an extra
day to explore the city and meet with a very dear friend of mine. This was my
first visit to Switzerland, and I can tell you right now that I do not want it
to be my last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find it really
hard to put into words how beautiful
this little town is, especially bathed in golden autumn light. You can walk
along the Limmatt river, crossing back and forth over the different bridges to
the old part of town and the main shopping street. There are cobblestone
streets, and hidden alleys. There is no shortage of restaurants, offering plenty of choice, my favourite part being the café
chairs in front of the restaurant, covered in lambskins for when it gets cool,
where you can sit people-watching and enjoying delicious lattes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather was also just right for a little cruise on Lake Zurich, which gives you glimpses of perfect
Swiss towns nestled along the shore with beautiful gardens, and incredible
views. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Around every corner
is a beautiful view, a peaceful spot to just sit and absorb it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are few glimpses
I also shared on <a href="https://instagram.com/demelomonica/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S. I did not see any yarn shops....bummer...</span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-67225319457870507632015-09-21T17:14:00.002-07:002015-09-21T17:14:26.775-07:00More Inspiration - Macaron cardigan<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since we've moved to the suburbs, venturing out into the city is considered "an outing" in our house. We all enjoy our little trips, and make an effort to keep things interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before the start of school, we took the kids to one of Montreal's prettiest outdoor markets, "Atwater market". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is always such an enjoyable experience. Fresh produce everywhere, the smells and colours all delicious and tempting. My favourite spots is this little patisserie, tucked away in a corner. We always make a pit-stop there, to enjoy a cappuccino or hot chocolate and a macaron.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I walked in this time, and saw their display, it hit me...this would be a perfect colour combination for a girl's cardigan. Inspiration is funny that way, it lurks in the strangest places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My project is a girl cardigan called "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/semis-de-printemps" target="_blank">Semis de printemps</a>". It is another gift for my nieces. Their mom had asked for a simple go-to cardigan that can be used any-time, and this pattern is just that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The yarn I chose to use for it is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/noro-taiyo-sock" target="_blank">Noro Tayo Sock</a>, in a colourway that perfectly suits my inspiration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you recall, I just spoke about colour inspiration in my previous post. To me, it is such an important part of choosing a project to work on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm wondering...what inspires you when you choose yarn for a project?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-74077838597736776202015-09-17T18:01:00.000-07:002015-09-17T18:01:01.423-07:00Celebrating<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Milestones. The sign that one has accomplished something. It feels good to look back, and to be able to see how far you've come, what obstacles you've conquered, the way you've grown and changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This particular milestone, is my 10 year wedding anniversary. Ten years of laughter and joy, ten years in which we've watched each other become parents and learn immensely about ourselves, our life and our relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wondered for a long time what an appropriate gift would be. It's not an easy choice. I wanted something we'd both enjoy, and also something memorable. I scoured Etsy for ideas, and then I found <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KlamotyStudio" target="_blank">this</a> amazing little shop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The immensely talented Sabina makes these custom cartoon-style portraits. The likeness she was able to achieve is uncanny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The gift was a hit, and I may just make this a recurring tradition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-67733142466690903762015-09-06T09:40:00.000-07:002015-09-06T09:40:19.996-07:00Inspired by Art<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
What I have noticed is, that in order to be perfectly happy with a knit, I seem to have to knit it twice, maybe even three times. I guess the perfectionist in me has a hard time feeling satisfied. Then again, isn’t that the very definition of a perfectionist?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Perhaps I need to learn to love, maybe even embrace, the imperfections that come with hand-made items. That is a long term goal for sure…Letting go is not something that comes easily to me. Still, improving on a knit must surely be a good thing. I have a great example. Only a few weeks ago, I knit my first version of <span class="il"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/ruffaluffagus" target="_blank">Ruffaluffagus</a></span>. While the result is adorable (blogged about it <a href="http://schatzi-knits.blogspot.ca/2015/06/tttkal-2015-project-accomplished.html" target="_blank">here</a>), as soon as it was blocked and photographed I already had a mental checklist of changes put together. And since I have a niece the same size as my daughter, and it was all fresh in my mind, I immediately cast on for another one.<u></u><u></u></div>
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My improvements you ask? Here's a really brief summary. I cast on more stitches, to give it more of a tunic/dress shape, instead of the ruffles, I chose a simple lace pattern called "<a href="http://www.knittingstitchpatterns.com/2014/11/cluster-5-stitch.html" target="_blank">The Cluster stitch</a>". To avoid my previous issue of the neck-opening being too tight, I started the back split earlier, and last but not least, I decided to make it a long sleeve top, simply to be able to prolong the wear. I am delighted with the end result. I cannot wait to see my niece wearing it.<u></u><u></u></div>
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And how about this colour combination? My mind immediately went to Monet’s works when I saw it. His series of Water-lilies paintings especially. </div>
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And who does not love projects that only use one skein of yarn?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-91975089521484601422015-08-25T15:23:00.003-07:002015-08-25T15:23:50.668-07:00Dîner En Blanc<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you ever been to Paris? It’s a magical city. I have visited a few times now, and it’s forever surprising, always beautiful and increasingly fascinating. I do not think I will ever have enough of it.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my favorite memories, is of walking through the streets one night and coming upon this huge gathering of people. There were hundreds of tables set up, all draped in white tablecloths, lights, flowers, music, everyone dressed in white as well, sitting down, having supper under the stars. A mesmerizing picture. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For years I wondered about this gathering, until a couple of years ago when I heard about “</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dinerenblanc.info/" target="_blank">Dîner en Blanc</a>”. Are you familiar with it? It’s an outdoor picnic, in a secret location that changes every year. You dress in white, bring your own table, chairs, and food. You set up, have dinner, after which there is dancing, and it all wraps up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1684573827" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">23:00</span></span>, when you gather your things and return home. I cannot tell you how much fun it is. We have participated twice now, and it is the perfect date night outing. It’s now being organized in lots of cities around the world. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really enjoy the anticipation, the planning that goes into it. Thinking of what type of food to bring (we opted for sushi this year), what to wear, how to decorate the table, it all adds to the excitement of the event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">via <a href="https://instagram.com/demelomonica/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">via <a href="https://instagram.com/demelomonica/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What does this have to do with knitting? Well, nothing to be honest, except that, even though the event is usually scheduled at some time in August, I do live in Montreal, and the weather can be capricious. That made me think, a beautiful occasion such as this deserves a knit. Something beautiful to grab in case it’s chilly. Something special enough for such an event. I am planning on having it ready for next year’s Diner, and I have narrowed it down to the following 3 patterns. Which is your favourite?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bamboo-wedding-shawl" target="_blank">Bamboo Wedding Shawl</a></span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-54900304273993340302015-08-20T10:05:00.001-07:002015-08-20T10:05:26.093-07:00Design Mom Feature<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have go-to blogs? Blogs you always refer to when you have a question, blogs that you check in on daily?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a few, one of my favorites being “<a href="http://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a>”. Gabrielle manages to cover so many topics I am interested in, like parenting, decorating and travel. Her stories of living in France were amazing. She also has these fantastic columns about “Living with kids” and “Birth Stories”, stories that you can get lost in, and almost always relate to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I only quickly mentioned it on the blog, but my daughter was a preemie. She was born 12 weeks early, and spent 2 months in the NICU. It was a very difficult time for us. Not something that I openly shared or felt able to discuss at the time. But a year and a half later, after reading one of the <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2015/06/growing-a-family-a-perfectly-imperfect-baby/" target="_blank">birth stories shared by another reader</a> on the Design Mom blog, I felt ready to write about it. So I started writing, and it felt good, cathartic to write it all out. At first, I simply wrote it all out because I thought it would help me heal from this trauma, because that is what this experience was, but once I finished, I thought that by sharing it, my story may help someone else going through something similar, give them hope, or maybe even help them heal. So I sent it to Gabrielle, and to my surprise, she found it interesting enough to publish on her <a href="http://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am of course honoured, and thrilled, and a little terrified…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you guys are curious, hop on over to her blog to read about <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2015/08/growing-a-family-oh-the-guilt/" target="_blank">Sienna’s story</a>.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-67339326638515460762015-08-11T18:16:00.000-07:002015-08-11T18:16:44.129-07:00Boston Getaway<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Summer is in full swing here, and we have already gone away on our vacation, returned, spend another lovely week at home, and are now back at work. It almost feels like summer is over. Almost, but not quite. I am determined to make the best of every remaining sun-filled day.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our vacation this year was spent in beautiful Boston. It is not our first time in this city, and because we enjoyed it so much the first time, we wanted to re-visit it. It is the kind of city that offers countless options for activities that are fun to do with children, lots of which are free.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought I’d tell you about my top choices.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u></u>By far, our favorite experience was the Boston Public Library. Their Children’s section is huge, with a play-area for the young ones, and of course rows upon rows of books to explore and immerse yourself in. We spend a few wonderful hours exploring it all, discovered a few new favorites<span style="color: #1f497d;">. </span>There are computers at the children’s disposal, with reading apps and games, which were a big hit as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u></u>The Library itself is a beautiful building from the late 1800’s with marble halls, impressive murals, creaky floors, wrought iron spiral ladders,<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span>floor to ceiling bookcases. It is filled with the sound of pages turning, and respectful whispers. The knowledge contained within those walls seems almost tangible. My son was in awe of the sheer amount of books, and was incredibly excited to explore the map-room, where you can admire maps depicting imaginary worlds written about in some of my favorite novels, by Jules Verne, and series such as “Harry Potter”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “Lord of the Rings”, “Neverland” , but also rare, antique geographical ones. To make our experience complete, we were fortunate enough to catch a concert in the Courtyard, which this time was given by 2 singers from the Boston Lyric Opera. They were great at engaging the children and making it relatable and fun for them. A day that was a success all around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u></u>A<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>relaxing place to explore is Boston Common, a wonderful green space, perfect for spending the day on a picnic blanket, watching the kids splash away in the Frog Pond <span style="color: #1f497d;">(</span>which is a wading pool<span style="color: #1f497d;">),</span> perfect for cooling off. For the younger traveler, the Tadpole playground is irresistible, with more water works and climbing opportunities. We ate a delicious lunch by Brewer Fountain, where a food truck named Clover Food lab was stationed. It is a lovely place, with café tables, umbrellas and a lovely view of the golden dome of the Massachusetts State house. We were even treated to a piano concert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once you are ready for further exploration you can walk over to the Public Gardens, where kids are lined up to take photos with the bronze statues of the “Make way for Ducklings” stars. If you feel like spending a few dollars you can take the Swan boats on the pond, but if not, you can just walk through the park admiring the surroundings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u></u>Another day was spent exploring the waterfront. There is lovely Columbus park, right by the water, after which you can walk around the harbor front, and admire the docked boats and yachts. If hunger strikes, Quincy market is just across the street, busy and teeming with people, but offering lots of choices for lunch. Once satiated, you could head back to the harbor, where<span style="color: #1f497d;"> t</span>here are numerous cruises to choose from<span style="color: #1f497d;">.</span> An inexpensive alternative is taking the Charlestown Ferry<span style="color: #1f497d;">,</span> which is a 10 minute ride over to the over to the Charlestown Navy Yard, an interesting place to explore with kids<span style="color: #1f497d;">.</span><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u></u>We took a day to drive out to Hyannis and spend a lazy few hours at Kalmus beach. It was amazing. The water was surprisingly warm, the breeze was refreshing, not a cloud in the sky, and I did not want to leave. The smell of saltwater does this to me every time.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rest of the week we spent visiting the Museum of Science, The New England Aquarium, The Museum of fine arts, and simply exploring Boston neighborhoods. I loved the fact that the whole week we were there, we only once used public transportation, and managed to reach all of our destinations by foot. Boston is such a pedestrian- friendly city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You will never run out of interesting things to see or do, that is for sure. </span></div>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-38428063833937497962015-07-19T16:09:00.000-07:002015-07-19T16:09:40.428-07:00Keeping record<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The school year is out. The begin of summer vacation was greeted with relief and joy. No more homework, no more stress, no more negotiating playtime. I am sure you can relate.<u></u><u></u></div>
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On the last day of school, Aidan came home with a backpack bursting with art-projects. Which I love, it’s always great to see what he’s been up to. And of course he has an emotional attachment to most of his drawings. We have binders full, from daycare to preschool, Kindergarten, and now Grade one, I’ve been keeping it all. It was a matter of time before I had to make a decision as to….. where to put it all?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Aidan is showing a bit of an interest in photography. He always asks for my camera to play around and take his own shots. He’s also claimed my old Ipod as his own, and is practicing writing emails to us, which to be honest is great practice for his spelling, and makes for some adorable correspondence. Along with writing he’s been taking photos. That gave me an idea.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I decided to sit with him, go through our massive collection of drawings, select his favorites and photograph them. Pinterest has an abundance of ideas on how to de-clutter and store you kids artwork. Initially I was going to create a collage, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/244742560975296835/" target="_blank">similar to this</a>, but then..... I thought of something else. <u></u><u></u></div>
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I created Aidan his own Instagram account. A private one of course, that I manage, but where he can upload his photos. Not just his artwork, but other pictures he takes. He always sees me using my account, and asks questions, so I thought he’d have fun with his own.<u></u><u></u></div>
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And as a bonus, later on, I will be able to use a service like <a href="http://www.printstagr.am/" target="_blank">Printstagram</a> Or <a href="http://www.blurb.com/instagram-books" target="_blank">Blurb</a> To turn his photos into magnets, a calendar or a book even.<u></u><u></u></div>
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He’s very excited about the idea, and we’re looking forward to immortalizing our summer adventures. Lazy afternoons spent in the backyard, biking around the neighborhood, exploring new corners, probably some selfies. It will be cute to see them all from his point of view.</div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-88819585501049437342015-07-09T15:37:00.000-07:002015-07-09T15:37:09.121-07:00Svalbard Progress<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Svalbard…isn’t it a great name? I don’t know why, but the name is what caught my attention to begin with. Not the ideal way to choose a knitting pattern I agree, but in this case the look did not disappoint either. Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago. I believe that loosely translated it says pointy mountains. What a perfect name for a knitting pattern, don’t you agree? Scandinavia, mountains, snow-covered peaks….all of these images make me want to pick up the needles and knit away.</div>
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I initially planned on having the cardigan finished for my return to work, but as so often happens, things came up, and I started late. I had found the perfect shade of yarn, a warm, sunny, mustardy color, a yarn that I think will perfectly compliment this pattern. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Then I started reading the instructions. Right away, I noticed that this was going to require some serious concentration, as you are keeping track of several types of increases at the same time and different types of patterns for the front, back and sleeves. The cardigan is knit in what is called a Cartridge rib, which is simply a succession of K3, P1 stitches, strategically aligned to create this wonderful texture, so I thought, really? How hard can this be?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Famous last words. I started, and almost immediately stopped when it came to setting up the sleeve stitches. The diagram included with the pattern, did nothing to lift the mystery for me. I read through project notes, and noticed I was not the only one confused, so I emailed Brooklyn Tweed Support for guidance. In less then an hour I had an answer with detailed row-by-row, stitch-by –stitch instructions. If that is not support, I don’t know what is!<u></u><u></u><br />
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I was determined however to understand the instructions, and not just blindly follow them, so in the end I made up a diagram to help me along.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I will post it here for any knitters that may come across the same issue to use. After all, knitters help each other, don’t we?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Once you get it, the yoke starts growing quite quickly. And then you can knit along until your next challenge pops up...the sleeves. I had to ask for help for a second time, and it was swift and concise, and it even came with photos. I am still working on a diagram for that, and will be posting it soon.<br />
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I cannot wait to show you the finished project, it's my new favorite.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClmAOBohzRz1VeZVasxrLAbwO8xTcuHy2S_yj4NypMv5EBlHn-MNq-Jp4ATPxGc2oqi7MdfGFsOEQV5s-lVaPlzpsScJO50bDja-PkS_kxzV7yelblkbPhAsttKIlSCrQ4Gvgr93WZHI/s1600/Svalbard+yoke+increase+chart-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClmAOBohzRz1VeZVasxrLAbwO8xTcuHy2S_yj4NypMv5EBlHn-MNq-Jp4ATPxGc2oqi7MdfGFsOEQV5s-lVaPlzpsScJO50bDja-PkS_kxzV7yelblkbPhAsttKIlSCrQ4Gvgr93WZHI/s640/Svalbard+yoke+increase+chart-page-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-f22P7q3yCtYU1QRXYzNTdfd00/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">To download click here</a></span></td></tr>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-83097402385670343862015-06-28T17:04:00.003-07:002015-06-28T17:04:29.579-07:00The city that never sleeps<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could not resist giving you a glimpse of our recent NYC get-away. Babysitters are hard to come by, so when my mom agreed to watch the kids for 3 days, we jumped at the opportunity to plan a little excursion. New York was a logical choice for us, I never get enough of this city. There is always more to see, more to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time around, we walked the high line, explored the West Village, got our first taste of Brooklyn, and enjoyed our first Broadway show. It was a relaxing, yet exhausting getaway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New York never disappoints. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It also does not need words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So enjoy the photos.</span><br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-37626345987935019392015-06-16T14:19:00.000-07:002015-06-16T14:19:15.641-07:00TTTKAL 2015, a project accomplished<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are going to get a kick out of this one. As I mentioned previously, I decided sort of last minute to join into Shannon's TTTKAL 2015. I have a ridiculously busy schedule these days, so I only committed to a little top for my daughter. Surely I thought, I could do this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I am proud to say that I did. Finish in time, blocked and ends woven in. I managed to snap a few shots while my little one was napping, and I made the deadline! Ok, the extended one, but a deadline nevertheless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have to say that I am proud of the ever-growing collection of handknits she has. (And at the same time I feel terrible that I have not knit anything for my son in....a while.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The discussion on the thread today turned to heirlooms, and loving grandmothers knitting and sewing away. It seems most of us have fond memories of just that. I wish I had a photo of my grandmother knitting, but alas there are none. Still, knitting will forever be linked with her, and that is so immensely special to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I digress. Back to my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/ruffaluffagus" target="_blank">Ruffaluffagus</a>. Once the photos were snapped, I was ready to have her wear it for Father's day this weekend. I thought I'd just try it on, to make sure it was perfect. I had measured after all, but it's always good to double-check. <a href="http://schatzi-knits.blogspot.ca/2012/08/spring-garden-tee-why-you-should-always.html" target="_blank">I have had my experiences with measuring</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You may have guessed it by now....it does <b>not</b> fit! It seems that once I added the collar everything tightened. I can fix it of course, and I will, but it's one of those moments when you let out a well-deserved swear-word.</span><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-30126677850162137372015-06-06T11:56:00.002-07:002015-06-06T11:56:28.490-07:00When knitters get together<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you know, I am a mom. A mom of 2, whose son is quite the sporty type. We have soccer, swimming, hockey, power-skating lessons... it busy, very busy. And as my daughter grows, it's only going to get worse. So finding a day when my schedule is clear is no easy feat. But it worked, for myself and my knitterly friends. We all cleared a Saturday, and gathered at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/sourberrylily" target="_blank">Lilian's</a> place for an afternoon of ....yarn-dyeing.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lily and I took a workshop together a few years ago, and since then we've been hooked. And sadly enough it's taken us this long to get organized and meet to do it again. This time around however we wanted to try something a little different. Instead of acid dyes we used natural, plant-based ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had tea, onion peel, pomegranate, turmeric and cabbage. These were not our snacks, but our dyes. It was fascinating to see everyone's imagination take flight and experiments turn out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My inspiration came from a few evenings before, when I was having snack and tried to sneak in a few paragraphs from one of my favourite books. The colour I was hoping for is a pastel yellow-pink-orange colour, and as you can see, it turned out pretty well. I used a combination of pomegranate dye, and onion peel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was so much fun! I came home with my mind buzzing with ideas, and thoughts and questions... I looked up articles and plants, and I am going to try this again. For sure! As soon as I can clear my schedule again! Hopefully it will be sooner then a couple of years from now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a side note, red cabbage is not a good choice... I guess there is a reason it does not come up as an example when researching natural yarn dyeing. It smells...</span></div>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-18919150820763093282015-05-24T12:14:00.000-07:002015-05-24T12:14:06.538-07:00A Love of Travel <div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I love travelling. I was lucky. As a child I would accompany my grandmother on her yearly visit to her sister in Germany. This was a huge deal at the time, as Romanians were not free to travel across the border. My first trip with her was at the age of 3, and I looked forward to our vacations every summer. I still remember the thrill of boarding a plane, knowing that only a few hours later we would touch down in another place, experience a whole new reality, different smells, different routines, different customs. I think that these trips are at the root of my “wanderlust”, and I will be eternally grateful to my Oma for opening my eyes to the joys of travel.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I want to do the same for my children, I want them to experience the world and all it has to offer, to learn about , become immersed in other places, places that will broaden their horizons and teach them about life. My oldest has been to a few places with us already, but I noticed that, of course, at this young age, his memories fade, he forgets about his trips. That made me wonder about what the best way would be to help him hang on to these memories.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Sightseeing is not always easy with children, they have little to no patience for exploring a museum, walk the streets of a new city but I found a way around that. What works for us is pretending that we are on a treasure hunt. We give Aidan a map and tell him he needs to help us find a specific location. It gives him the sense that he is in control of our explorations, and what child does not love that? <span style="font-size: 11pt;">I find it helps him cement those memories more, as he was not just a follower, but a leader.....Or maybe he's just getting older...that is of course entirely possible, but I like to think I have come across a genius idea here!</span><br />
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And now the maps that he's used to guide us, are a treasure in themselves. So I thought I'd incorporate them into his room's decor. I came across this <a href="http://www.cuorhome.net/heart-images/gifts-crafts/origami-heart-by-mastaazumarek/" target="_blank">tutorial for folding origami hearts</a>, and tried it with the maps. Once framed and properly labelled, they are the focal point of his room, and he proudly shows them off.<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-58513388193856762502015-05-21T17:50:00.000-07:002015-05-21T17:50:21.490-07:00TTTKAL 2015, Here We Go Again<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn’t it funny how certain events are hard to resist? I am proud to say that I have been joining <a href="http://veryshannon.com/" target="_blank">Shannon’s</a> KAL’s from the beginning, I have missed only one I think. So when she announced the start of this year’s <a href="http://veryshannon.com/knitalongs/" target="_blank">TTTKAL</a>, even though I hesitated at first, I signed up anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How can you go wrong with a KAL whose first rule is to “have fun”? There is no pressure, you do not have to finish, just cast on and do your best, you can knit an adult size piece or a child’s top, the possibilities are endless. Honestly the hardest part is to keep up with the chatter on the Ravelry thread.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, as I have limited knitting time these days…we have way too many after school activities, and yes, I realize I have no one to blame by myself…but nonetheless, limited knitting time lead to me choosing a baby-sized knitting pattern to join the TTTKAL. I am making <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruffaluffagus" target="_blank">Ruffaluffagus</a> for my daughter in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/koigu-painters-palette-premium-merino-kpppm" target="_blank">Koigu KPPPM</a>. I adore the color scheme of this yarn, and so far it’s great to knit with. And the pattern is adorable ... it's the ruffles .... I believe!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now all I have to do is book some time each evening to try and catch up on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/very-shannon/3201678/1-25" target="_blank">R</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/very-shannon/3201678/1-25" target="_blank">avelry thread</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-39362421431969420272015-05-13T17:52:00.000-07:002015-05-13T17:52:13.245-07:00Style a Knit<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My return to work, from maternity leave, has prompted a wardrobe overhaul. I have gone through </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">several "styles" in my life in an attempt to find the real "me". It's been an interesting journey, but I believe, or rather hope, that I have finally matured. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For some reason, this time, I was determined to approach it from a practical point of view. I've been reading a lot about </span></span><a href="http://www.un-fancy.com/capsule-wardrobe-101/what-is-a-capsule-wardrobe-anyway/" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">capsule wardrobes</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, and I can see its advantages, especially for a person whose morning routine is a mad dash. Simplicity, a formula, interchangeable pieces, all a must at this point in my life. So, I am working on creating one for myself, and I have decided that as a knitter it would be essential to incorporate some knits into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am “limited” to a pretty typical casual business attire, but that does not mean that I cannot be a little creative. And to be honest, I am having fun planning outfits around handmade knits. I am thinking this may even turn into a regular column on the blog, what do you think of “Fashionable Knits”, “Fashion Purl-ice” or better yet “<b>Style-a-Knit</b>”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After a few delightful hours spend on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KNITulescu/favorites" target="_blank">Ra</a></span><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KNITulescu/favorites" target="_blank">velry</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/schatziknits/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, I have a list of knits that I will have to "whip up" to add to my wardrobe. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be cheap, it's certainly not going to be fast, but it's going to be SO much fun! And you'll hear about every detail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My first choice? A <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/bristol-ivy" target="_blank">Bristol Ivy</a> pattern called Svalbard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pattern name: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/svalbard-3" target="_blank">Svalbard</a> Outfit inspiration <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/schatziknits/wardrobe/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-11893962292973178262015-05-06T19:36:00.000-07:002015-05-06T19:36:16.424-07:00Knitter's Frolic<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently had the best weekend getaway! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Picture this: road trip with
a girlfriend, uninterrupted knitting time, pedicures, wine and fantastic talks
with like-minded people, a wool-festival aptly named “Knitter’s Frolic” and
workshops filled with an amazing wealth of information, all new and exciting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This adventure has been in the works for a while. Robyn, aka
<a href="http://knitpurlknitpearl.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">knitpurlmama</a> and I had originally planned to go to Rhinebeck, a couple of years ago, but that never
turned into reality. Still, we kept the dream alive and finally decided on Toronto’s
Knitter’s Frolic. We met up with another wonderfully crafty friend, Jen of <a href="http://spinnerknits.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Spinnerknits</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was so busy having fun that I did not even pull out my
camera. I do have a few Instagram shots to share though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Besides the overwhelming amount of yarn, I immensely enjoyed
the 2 workshops I took. The first one was with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/sivia" target="_blank">Sivia Harding</a>, who makes these
incredible knits adorned with beads. I learned a tremendous amount from her and
I cannot wait to experiment more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second workshop was with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/kateatherley" target="_blank">Kate Atherley</a> whose enthusiasm
for brioche stitch is contagious! Oh, the possibilities!! So many new things! So
little time!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I came home with what I consider a modest yarn haul, and I
am currently obsessively researching and planning stages of upcoming projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now that I’ve gotten a taste of yarn shows/festivals, I
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNH0EJcluRcJ-SaK0CSjZn4YyVn8WZ6nfH43G4VJ5H5Zr_eZw0QzY6r1pQ9GTUBuPkdlsa1WqgyYblv82cpoHNU9SXg8cLoJeI5KsUCuBKeNwdMxjTUD8TCa0m2bS8G60Idx7CO2rNV8/s1600/Knitters+frolic+Kate+Atherley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNH0EJcluRcJ-SaK0CSjZn4YyVn8WZ6nfH43G4VJ5H5Zr_eZw0QzY6r1pQ9GTUBuPkdlsa1WqgyYblv82cpoHNU9SXg8cLoJeI5KsUCuBKeNwdMxjTUD8TCa0m2bS8G60Idx7CO2rNV8/s1600/Knitters+frolic+Kate+Atherley.JPG" height="640" width="372" /></a></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-27491729512348615962015-04-17T16:55:00.000-07:002015-04-17T16:55:03.313-07:00Taking a deep breath<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last few weeks have meant more changes in our routines, in our lives. I am back at work full-time, and that, as you can imagine, is a huge adjustment. Schedules are upset, habits must change. Everyone’s a little on edge. Does that happen to you as well? As much as I crave change sometimes, I am always uneasy when it happens. The unknown, the imbalance….let’s just say, I will be happy when things have settled back into a routine.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we needed a family activity to regroup. Since winter was still in full swing a few weeks ago, even though the calendar said otherwise, we thought we’d venture into the woods, for a <a href="http://www.cabaneasucrenantel.com/" target="_blank">sugershack</a> experience. And to be perfectly honest, I was looking for a pretty location to take some decent pictures of my finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cinder" target="_blank">Cinder</a> scarf. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did I mention my feelings about change? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, the plan was in place, details ironed out, reservations made. We woke up to bright sunshine <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_436132868" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday </span></span>… and checked the weather forecast. It said -14, or rather -24 with the wind-chill. Does that sound like an idyllic day to go walk outside? My thoughts exactly! So instead we chose to regroup and …. well, clean the house, since that also needed doing. Our sugar shack experience had to wait for another week, but we did make it happen. It was still chilly, but sunny and beautiful. Still a perfect day to be wearing <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/cinder" target="_blank">my Cinder</a> scarf.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/classic-elite-yarns-ariosa-100-merino" target="_blank">Classic Elite Ariosa</a> yarn is perfect for bundling up against the elements. It’s soft and gives beautiful definition to the cables. Speaking of which, how perfect is this pattern? I love the fact that it is reversible. It practically begged to be made into an infinity</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">scarf</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. It knitted up quickly, and is a perfect substitute for my Herringbone cowl which I have worn con</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">stantly over the last few winters.</span><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-10688583656543967612015-04-05T08:40:00.001-07:002015-04-05T08:40:04.844-07:00Renfrew <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope you don't think that all I did on vacation was gorge on sweets and relax? Well, ok, you got me, I did, but I also did some knitting. When packing for our vacation, I purpusley left any hats at home and took yarn with me instead, to knit myself one. I had been eyeing the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/renfrew" target="_blank">Renfrew</a> pattern by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/jane-richmond" target="_blank">Jane Richmond</a> for a while, and decided this would be my next pattern to knit. I used <a href="http://o-wool.com/collections/yarns/products/balance" target="_blank">O-Wool Balance</a>, which was originally meant for another project, but was re-purposed last minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was such a quick and satisfying knit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do your knits have a story? Most of mine are associated</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> with a story, an event, a location. The blanket I knitted while my baby was in the NICU, the scarf I knitted during my first KAL, the beach bag I knitted on the beach (where else?), the summer top that required hours of untangling linen yarn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For me, this hat will always evoke images of a drive through the Alps. We were fortunate enough to be able to spend a week in a chalet, in a ski resort called </span><a href="http://www.badkleinkirchheim.at/en/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Bad Kleinkirchheim</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. It was a three hour drive from our place in Vienna, and I spent it chatting with my cousin, a wonderful, uninterrupted talk we hadn't had in years. The babies were sleeping, and we chatted away while I knitted my Renfrew. It was fantastic, quality girl-time. And what better backdrop for photographing a knit then hiking trails in the Alps?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ravelry notes <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITulescu/renfrew" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-63860936319334174122015-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:002015-02-19T11:32:14.701-08:00Christmas Abroad<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As promised, I am back to tell you about our amazing trip to Austria. We spend three glorious weeks with my family. It had been more then 20 years since we celebrated the holidays with them last. It was a picture-perfect experience. The house, filled with laughter and chatter, the smell of the most delicious home cooking wafting through the air at all times. We feasted on traditional dishes and gorged on the most incredible cookies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was glad that Aidan got to experience a different kind of Christmas traditions. It was refreshing for us grownups as well. A celebration away from the hustle and bustle of shoppers and malls, from the pressure to find the latest, trendy gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We instead were able to focus on family and togetherness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have always lived in a big city. I am used to being one among many, incognito if you will. Even living in the suburbs there is a certain anonimity that can be reassuring. But experiencing the holidays in such a close-knit community as the one of my family lives in, was refreshing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They live in a small village about 50km outside of Vienna. Everybody knows each other, helps each other. Every day, a new neighbour would call at our door with home-made goodies. (I suspect that we were also a curiosity to check out... the far off relatives, you know. ) My uncle, <a href="http://schatzi-knits.blogspot.ca/2012/09/love-where-you-live.html" target="_blank">the beekeeper</a>, shared his bounty with villagers as well. On Christmas eve we all joined in a little church ceremony during which our Christmas tree magically appeared at home, to the children's delight. They were in awe, their belief in the magic of the holidays renewed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Christmas will remain a cherished memory for our little family. I can only hope that we will have others like this in the future!</span><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263598949453620594.post-52764658046811798942015-02-08T08:15:00.001-08:002015-02-08T08:22:29.281-08:00A New Year<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was supposed to be a "Happy New Year's" post, but time got away from me. 2015 is off with a bang, and I am already playing catch-up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2014 was an interesting year for me, for my little family. Interesting and difficult, fraught with worries, but overall a good year. It's brought us closer, made us stronger, as such experiences usually do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find I have learned to be more confident, positive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All these lessons did however make it hard to be a consistent blogger. I am hoping to change this in the coming year. I have a few ideas I am hoping to pursue, projects I'd like to share, items to knit, photograph, places to visit and tell you all about. Plans, so many plans. I want to turn this blog into a place my readers will want to visit over and over again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will be back shortly to tell you about our recent trip to Austria.</span><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916143525821854340noreply@blogger.com1