Month: October 2015

Last summer, I decided that I would do my best to give the children something hand made and personal everytime they receive a gift from us.

For Eloise’s fourth birthday, I made her a pair of kitty mittens and a matching scarf. She happily modelled!

This is something that I made in stages and pretty much without pattern. I made the mittens during our Vermont vacation using a basic mittens pattern. During the Montgomery County fair, I made the greatest part of the scarf, and last week, I made the icord that connnects the mittens.

Because of my resolution, I have already made Gatien’s birthday present and started a quilted blanket for Eloise’s Christmas present… I am on it!

This week end, I also made quince paste! Gatien and I were at the farmer’s market when we found quinces… I love quince paste, it’s sweet but not too much, and the golden color makes me feel happy every time I take a bite. So here is a pic for those of you who never tried before.

 

Alright, I don’t need to be that negative, but this is the first time, that I do not complete a project!

Last week, life took over, and while I did do some knitting, I did not complete any of my almost done projects. So this week, there won’t be a picture or a tale of a finished project. Instead, there will be story of “How the Beast found a new home”.

The Beast, is the nickname of my new toy, which if you follow this blog you already heard about: my new weaving loom.

Yes, the Beast has found its new home in our basement. Its transport was an adventure worse telling in itself. On Thursday night, right after work, I went to Home Depot (the equivalent, in bigger of Leroy Merlin or BHV) to rent a truck. Now, fun facts about renting a truck there: it’s on a first come first serve basis. So me, and my Optimism showed up there, certain that a truck was waiting for us! Well… no!!!

A bit perplexed, my Optimism and I decided to rent a big car at the next car rental! Yeah!! So the American Big car, my Optimism, and I showed up at Lydia and Stephen’s house to big up the loom. After moving the Beast (which I want to remind everyone is very large and heavy!) to the car, we noticed that the Beast was larger than the American Big Car! For the French amongst you readers, an American Big Car, is very very very big!

My optimism and I learned our lesson, and we went back today with a moving truck. Yes! A large moving truck with loading ramp and the all shabang! Frank mastered the driving, while the kids and I followed in the car (not the American Big Car, I unfortunately had to give it back ;-)). The Beast was loaded and is now in its new home.

I couldn’t be more excited. Thanks Lydia and Family for this wonderful gift!

This week, I’ll give you a tell without a picture.

The reason is, I completed an alligator scarf for G. but since it’s a surprise for his birthday, I did not want to show him, and take a picture. Hence you will have to believe me, and wait until Dec. 10 to get a pic.

I had a lot of fun completing this scarf. One because it looks really fun and I can’t wait to see Gatien wear it. Two, because I was able to use some of my left-over yarn. Talk about stash busting…

A big news this week, I am getting a 42′ floor loom. Noooo, I do not know how to weave yet, but I already scheduled lessons, and Yes, it was too good of an opportunity to pass. I went to see the loom yesterday, which belonged to my friend’s Grandmother. My friend does not know how to weave, and does not want to keep it. She kindly offered it to me. We still need to figure out how to bring it home, but we already found it a place in our basement!

 

Did you guess the answer to this fundamental question?

If like me, you thought that it would be harder to complete one project a week you were wrong! Last week, I did not post. Not because I did not complete a project, but because I did not get the time to take a picture. So this week, we are catching up on two projects, and a random picture to make up for my tardiness. Yes, I am delivering a bonus!

At the end of the summer, I tried out a new stitch called the chinese wave. I fell in love with it, and decided to use scrap of cotton yarn to try it out. I ended up finishing two balls of yarn left over. I made two wash clothes. I typically do not use wash clothes but these end up being so soft, that I might make an expection, and give myself a spa experience every once in a while 🙂

For anyone that likes to make birthday and Christmas gift, you know how far in advance you need to think about them, and start making them to be able to complete everything in time. I am a big fan of hand made gifts. I love making them, and receiving them.

This year, I got a head start on my planning and production! I just finished a hat for one of my friends’ daughter. E. is modelling, but the hat will disappear in a special drawer until it makes its reappearance for Christmas.

And because I care about those of you reading my blog, I missed a post, fall is upon us, and I love baking, here a bonus picture of Cranberry oranges scones…