Tag Archives: lace

Jun 3

Fashion Show

Upon a few request of seeing my bump and my newly purchased dresses for the upcoming weddings I’m attending, I decided to do a little fashion show on my back porch:

SNC00013

This outfit shows my bump really well.  It is a $3.00 bargain shirt at the maternity section from Goodwill and my awesome $20 score of Express Editor Pink Pants with Alexis in Wisconsin back so many years ago (that you can’t see).  How am I still fitting in those you asked?  Thanks to the magic Bella Band, I am still able to wear all my regular pants un buttoned!

SNC00017

Next up is the beautiful Poppy Flower dress found at Destination Maternity at the Promenaude at Evergreen Hills.  We were way early for the movie “UP” so we went across to find me some grubs.  Destination Maternity was on the way to Moe’s, and was having this huge side walk sale (75% off!) so we wondered in.  I think I will wear this dress to the rehearsal dinner next Friday.  (As a side note, UP was really good.  But don’t go without some tissue!  There are some really touching moments in the movie.)

SNC00022

On Sunday, CostumeChick, BackStageKnits, and I went up to West Farm mall to find some dresses for me for the weddings.  We scored this at H&M of all places!  The dress is not a maternity dress, but it is roomy and comfortable for me.  It was inexpensive (~ $39) and I will be able to wear it again after I have the baby!  I can see myself dress it down to wear it to work, or dress it up for a wedding.  I’m probably going to wear this to the wedding next Saturday.  I’m thinking red jewelry and red nail colors…  I don’t own any red shoes though… hmmm…

SNC00023

This was found at Caché.  I *HEART* that store.  Always had.  It is, again, not a maternity dress.  I can see myself in this for many summers to come.  It was 50% off, plus additional 10% because one of the strap is defective (it can be easily sewn back in place).  I’m thinking of wearing that to the rehearsal dinner for the August Wedding.

SNC00031

This is another great find from H&M (~ $55).  It is super comfy and flow-y.  As you can see, plenty of room for me to grow into even though it is not a maternity dress, and wearing this to the August wedding is definitely not a problem.  I’m thinking of wearing my black pearls set of jewelry that I wore for my reception.

And while we are at fashion, I might as well show you this shawl I made as a wedding present for my cousin:

SNC00033

Pattern – Icarus Shawl by Miriam L. Felton (Ravelry Link Here)
Yarn Used – 2.5 skeins of A Touch of Twist Aussie in Ebony
Needles – Harmony size 4
Gauge – N/A
Knit – February 21, 2009 to May 20, 2009

I have to say, I was bored while knitting this, hence it took me so long.  Plus for awhile I was low in energy so I didn’t get to knit it either.  This, however, could be a really great beginner shawl – a little bit of lace edging that’s just enough to start learning lace, but simple stockinette and yarn overs makes up the majority of the shawl.  Of course, if you just want a easy shawl pattern that you can take along to SnB or watch TV with, this could be good for you as well.

Well, what better way to end this fashion show with a fashion no-no?  This is a dress I tried on to show that some retro styles should just NOT be allowed to come back, EVER:

SNC00006

Feb 23

New Hampshire

What an interesting trip!  We arrived at Waterville Valley for the Regional Ski races Friday night late, so we didn’t do anything fun.  But Saturday and Sunday was full of knitting and such for me, while David is with the ski teams.

I started my Saturday late, 5 hours later than David.  I was hungry and asked for some advice on where to go, and I was pointed to the Coffee Emporium.  I ordered a Caramel Hot Chocolate and Stuffed Bagel with Jalapeno Cheese and Mushroom.

img_0323

Doesn’t that look good!?  The place was PACKED!  For good reason of course!

After my very full filling breakfast, I set out to find Patternworks.  I’ve always wanted to visit the place, but being in the middle of New Hampshire, it is hard to take a trip.  It turns out it is only about 45 minutes away from where we were.

img_0326

img_0327

img_0328

img_0329

And that’s just some view of the store.  The store is huge!  and packed!  It’s got different rooms full of yarn!  Although I think it may still be smaller than WEBS.  It’s hard to judge since the layout is so different.  I chatted with the nice ladies there and bought some buttons and a tool I’ve been wanting for awhile.

img_0363

Those buttons and the ear wires are on sale for almost nothing!  It was a great find.

I’ve got back to where we were staying about the same time David got back.  We were hungry and took a walk to the town square (a little gathering place by the resort area) and went to a little mexican food take out place for dinner.

img_0334

img_0335

Don’t they look good?  I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture before I bite into the giant burrito I got.  David’s chili was a bit more tomato-y than we both liked, which was a let down, but the rest was absolutely delicious and inexpensive!  I was surprised at the prices for being a ski resort place.

After dinner, we decided to walk around at all the shops and wait for the fireworks.  While we were browsing through the the country store, we came upon this:

img_0338

img_0341

Yup.  It says Bitch.  And I have no idea why.  It is fun to look at though.

The fireworks was pretty but hard to capture.  We tried.

img_0349

We passed out rather quickly after we got back to our room, despite the fact that I only woke up less than 12 hours ago, but apparently, I was tired.

Sunday was a lot less eventual.  I got up around 8, and was planning on going to Inspired 2 Knit & Tea, but due to the fat flakes of snow coming down from the sky rather rapidly, I decided to stay local.  I went back to Coffee Emporium and ordered the same breakfast, but enjoyed a cup of Chinese Flower Green Tea this time, and knitted.

img_0353

That is Icarus in progress.  So far, it is a super fast knit and I’m really enjoying it.  I have since made more progress though, since after I left Coffee Emporium, I went and sat in the lounge of the place we were staying and watched NCIS marathon and knitted some more.

David got out at a reasonable time, and on the way home, we stopped at Inspired 2 Knit and Tea right before it closed.  The owner was super nice and knowledgable on recent trends.  Even though I have said that I’m on a yarn diet, I went away with some local spun and tea:

img_0365

That’s three skeins (750 yards total) of 100% Shetland Wool by McGinnis Brook Farm, from the sheep Lola.  I already have a plan for it.  I think it will become one fo those pretty doily blankets.  The tea is Notting Hall Peaches Supreme.  I haven’t tried it yet, but I think I may break it out tonight.

The drive on the way home, however, was quite interesting.  The snow didn’t stop and it just kept on going.  Until we got to MA.  It became little snow, then turned into rain when it cross the CT border.  Needless to say, we were home safely.

So did you do something fun this weekend?

Aug 1

Catching Up

I guess it has been awhile.  Wedding preparations have been taking over most of my life, so I guess I will give you a list of what’s been happening around here:

  • I switched blog – as you can already tell.  I’m still trying to figure out how to make it pretty.  So bare with me on all the changes that’s going to happen around here.
  • We have two more “new” vehicles.  I gave my old car to David’s mom who doesn’t have any transportation, and bought a ’03 Passat GLS Wagon in Red with black interior and heat seats!  The other one is a Kawasaki touring bike.  David uses as his commuting bike and we ride to go places once in awhile.
  • We went to the Red Sox vs. Yankee Game last weekend.  Yankee killed the Red Sox, but we had a good time, even though it was completely way too hot to do ANYTHING.
  • David made me a raise bed outside the gate, and I replanted all the cantaloupes and only one died, and the rest are thriving!  And my herbs are going crazy!!!  I cut a bunch and gave it to Archiknist and another bunch to another friend at work.
  • I finished Woodland Shawl, but haven’t block it yet.  Maybe this weekend.
  • I started a Schaefer sample and am hoping that I can finish it this weekend.  We’ll see.
  • David is away for his Bachelor Party – White Water Rafting in Maine.  Yes, the man has weird taste for his party, but hey, at least he is having fun.
  • David’s mom and step mom and my female families are in town for my shower.  So excited to see everyone!
  • I had my second fitting for the gown, and this time, I took pictures!  However, can’t post it here since you never know when that sneaky groom is going to read this.  Maybe I will password protect it on my next post.
  • Wedding invitations were done and mailed last week.  I know quite a few family members and friends had gotten them, which is a good sign, since I mailed the whole box of invitation up to the Wellesley Island Post Office so they can hand cancel the stamps.  As far as I know, they were perfect as perfect can be in my standard. :)
  • When we went to the Sox game, we took a detour to WEBS, and WEBS Bead Store.  It just happened it was the Northampton Side Walk sale and I bought a bunch of Classic Elite Inca Print for $2/skein!  Seriously!
  • I joined Ravelympics, which is knitting one or multiple items that is challenging for me during the Olympics.  I chose a lace shawl in 17 days.  Am I nuts?  Maybe.
  • Engagement pictures are coming in the mail.  Suppose to be getting them tomorrow :) .  Can’t wait.

That’s all I can think of right now.  My camera battery had died and I can’t find the charger.  I have been using a back up camera, which is okay, but not as good as my regular one.  I better get going to find myself a charger on ebay or something before I’m completely pissed at myself for losing it.

Enjoy your weekend!

May 21

Happy Birthdays!!

This week is birthday week for Sunflowerfairy and Archiknist. We had cakes for both of them. One of the cakes is an ice cream cake from Ashley’s and one is vanilla cake with chocolate icing from Julia’s. YUM. And as one of the birthday giveaways, Sunflowerfairy had a little drawing at SnB for her “Shut p and Knit” mug and I won! :)

And I started another shawl to keep p with 2klace as I am pretty behind on this whole knit lace 51% of the time thing.

This is beginning of the Woodland Shawl. I actually had quite a few repeats done earlier, but after consult with Archiknist, we both decided that the 89 stitches the pattern called for is too small for a shawl, it was more like a scarf. So I frogged it tonight and re-cast on for extra 4 repeats for total of 137 stitches. we’ll see how this one goes. I’m using Schaefer Andrea again for this project as I have quite a few left overs and I really enjoy with the yarn. Plus the color is just gorgeous!

So David and I are going up to 1000 Islands this weekend to take care some wedding stuff, plus to see a house for potential vacation home. What are you doing for memorial long weekend???

Apr 19

Some Progress

So I suppose I should update the knitting first -

Let me present you… The Kiri blob! I figure I should keep going on the lace thing so I can keep up with 2klace! It’s getting longer and longer to complete each row, but I suppose that’s the trade back with an easy start right?

Next up, some knitting books!

I pre-ordered Shear Spirit awhile ago and it finally came on the day of the release. Gale and Joan did an awesome job with this book and I can’t wait to see Gale to congratulate her! And in order to get the free shipping, I ordered the 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I already flipped through this one before, but I really liked it so I couldn’t live without it. The third book is Knitting from the British Islands by Alice Starmore and Anne Matheson. I swapped this book with three pair of sock yarn from Ravelry. It’s an older book so it has some very interesting garment (if you can even call it that).

So now I’m done updating the knitting related topics, on to FOOD! :) I saw this recipe on Barefoot Contessa so I decided to try it:

I got the fresh noodles from the farmer’s market. I also got a pint of chocolate milk, a parsley plant, and some bread. All I can say is YUM.

I started reading a new blog – Vanilla Garlic. I know, it’s not knitting related. But who can say no to food? I found him in my search of cupcakes, and this one captured me. The only thing I needed was an orange to make it!!!! Tada!

I haven’t try it yet, but I should go now to try it… I’ll let you know in the next post!

Apr 9

Rusted Root and Some More

First, I want to say “THANK YOU” to all who commented on my MoonDance. I really enjoy knitting it. And the more I look at it, the prettier it gets! And if you are on Ravelry, and you like my MoonDance, would you please “heart” it?

The reason I was asking is because recently, I got this message in my Ravelry message box:

Request to use your photo: DSC01862
We’d like to feature your photo on the page for Pink Frosting by Elissa Sugishita

So if you are on Ravelry, and you search for Pink Frosting, MY Pink Frosting is the picture you are looking at!!!!!!! And currently there is no other picture listed for MoonDance besides the designer’s original picture! So if you like it, “heart” it!!!

Now, without further ado:

Pattern – Rusted Root by Sarah and Rachel from Zephyr Style
Yarn Called For – 3 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Sedona Red
Yarn Used – 4.5 balls of Kona Bay Cotton n Red
Needles – KnitPicks Harmony size 6 for body and size 4 for edging
Gauge – 5 sts per inch
Knit – March 31, 2008 to April 7, 2008
Modifications – I added increases towards the bottom of the tee to shape it even further.

This is a super fast knit, although the lace part is a little confusing because there is no chart, and it’s not a even chart even when I made one. Though that should not discourage you to try to knit this tee. Another thing I would do different is to use a different cast on (I saw on Ravelry a lot of people did tubular cast on) so I don’t have to pick up the edges later to finish it, although it really isn’t hard. I wish there was more puff on the sleeves as you can tell it really isn’t obvious.

Obviously I have to start something, and I decided to do another lace:

That’s Kiri in Schaefer Andrea. So far, the yarn is to dye for! And the construction of the Kiri is really interesting. I’m thinking of doing a tutorial in case of people not understanding what the instruction meant.

So I joined 2klace in Ravelry awhile ago. It means that 50% of my work for 2008 has to be lace. And so far, Here is the list:

Irish Hiking Scarf
Honeycomb Socks
Cocoa Swap Piggy
Red Sox Socks
Square #1
Jacobean Socks
Undulating Waves Scarf Swatches (lace)
Wedding MoonDance (lace)
Rusted Root (lace)
Kiri – WIP (lace)
SotS WIP (lace)
Aspen Top Down Sweater

There are total of 12 items so far, and only 5 are lace and two are WIP!!!!! So I better go catch up! And you there, you should go heart my MoonDance ;)

Apr 5

Oh The Prettys

Or the Pretties? English is never my strong point, but then again, this is not about English. Let me present you with MoonDance:

Pattern – Moon Dance by Melanie Gibbons, aka Pink Lemon Twist
Yarn Called For – 1000 yards of lace weight yarn, JaggerSpun Zephyr used, Ebony
Yarn Used – 866.25 yards (2.75 oz) of JaggerSpun Zephyr in Vanilla
Beads – 95 Swarovski crystasl in Crystal Moonlight and Crystal AB, bicone, size 3
Needles – KnitPicks Harmony size 4
Gauge – N/A
Knit – January 9, 2008 to March 30, 2008
Blocked – March 30, 2008
Modifications – I added size 3 bicone crystals in crystal moonlight and AB effect, alternating between the pattern repeats.

Like I said from the last post, Melanie is a genius on this pattern. It is super easy and absolutely a fast knit for lace. I would said this could be a good first lace project for someone who is new to knitting lace. Here are some more shots of the pretty:

I started another pretty after Moon Dance:

This is Rusted Root from Zephyr Style. I am using Kona Bay Cotton in red. This is a fast knit and the yarn is super soft! I wish I have more of the Kona Bay Cotton. It seems to me this yarn is either being discontinued or just very hard to find because not many people carries it.

So Archiknist came visiting today. I haven’t seen her for a few weeks. Partly because I don’t usually go to the Wednesday SnB anymore due to schedule conflicts. We sat around knitting (big surprise?) and made dumplings. Yum. A good and relaxing fun was had by both.

So was your Saturday relaxing and fun? I sure hope so.

Until next time…

Mar 30

MoonDance Magic

So that Pink Lemon at Pink Lemon Twist – she is a genius when it comes to designing her stoles. Look at how this border is constructed:

Beginning

Finished

Yes, it’s knitted perpendicular to the stole! Isn’t that cool? And I unravel successfully on my first provisional cast on:

Beginning

Finished

And now it’s resting:

Maybe I will be able to take a picture of in the sun tomorrow afternoon, after it dries. Until then, I leave you our (David’s and my) favorite song lyrics:

Moondance by Van Morrison

Well it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
You know the night’s magic
Seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight
Seems to shine in your blush…

Can I just have one a’ more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with a’ you, my love?

Well I wanna make love to you tonight
I can’t wait till the morning has come
And I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you’re never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that, you can’t hide…

Can I just have one a’ more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with a’ you, my love?

Well it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I’m trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
You know the night’s magic
Seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight
Seems to shine in your blush…

One more moondance with you
In the moonlight
On a magic night
la, la, la, la, there’s a moonlight
On a magic night
Can’t I just have one more dance
With you my love?

Mar 24

Dumplings, Anyone? And More!

This past Saturday, CostumeChick, WifeMomKnitter and I went to Anphoe‘s for some knitting and chatting, and also for some dumplings!

Anphoe made the pork filling and I made the tofu one. They were YUMMY! After that, we knitted and played some Wii. Well, let me just put this out there first – I’m not big about playing video games, because 1) I’m not very good, 2) I’m not a good sport about losing. But this Wii thing… It’s addicting! And so much fun! You can see pictures and video on Anphoe’s blog.

So besides playing video games and eat, I did make some progress on the MoonDance:

Chart B is almost done!!! Which means this stole is almost done! :) You can’t see the edging in the pictures, but I can assure you they are all there.

On the other news, I bought a scratch ticket and the result:

I won $25.00!!!!!!! The biggest one I’ve ever got!!! I think before that, the most money I won was ten bucks! Well, I’m one step towards winning big, right? ;) A lady I worked with won $200,000 on a scratch ticket not too long ago. Yeah, you read that right. Then shortly after, she won over $8,000 at Mohegan Sun… Only if I have her luck! But I think my risk taking level is too small to win that level. I guess that’s why I’m an engineer.

So I bought couple of Alice Starmore books from amazon not too long ago and they finally arrived, along with Beyond Wool with a trade from Ravelry.

Only if I can find a copy of Aran Knitting, there are so many patterns I want to knit but I just can’t afford the book! Too rare. ::sigh::

Speaking of books, I have a duplicate copy of this one:

I posted this on Destash book forum on Ravelry, but I figure I will offer this to my friends as well – I”m willing to part with it for $8.00 + actual shipping (if required).

Well, I’m off to go over the new books and complaint about no progress made on MoonDance to the dogs.

Jan 22

Catching Up

I’ve been busy. Busy with research. Research for what? You asked. Well, it’s not definite yet, but David and I are looking into opening a yarn shop. YES, a Yarn Shop! We already have a name for it, but we are still in the planning stage. We’ve been going around to see some retail spaces and I’ve contacted several people for whole sale info and consignment info. I will be meeting with my friend this Thursday to go over some other details regarding in yarn. So far everything is looking promising and I am super happy about it. The shop will open on week nights and weekends, so I won’t be quitting Schick any time soon – gotta make sure I survive first! Plus I always wanted to open the yarn shop during those hours anyways – because I don’t know any shops that opens on Sundays and late on every week night.

I will keep you all updated as the plan develops.

On the knitting front, I have done 3 repeats of the chart B on MoonDance and I also started the pig for my hot cocoa pal. It will be her “Beat the Winter Blahs Buddy!” I don’t have any pictures as my camera is dead and I can’t find the charger. Of course, I got Archiknist right at my disposal for questions so it is going smooth sailing. Speaking of Archiknist, click over to send her some love – She broke her arm and her chin while running (tripping is such a tricky thing!) so she will only have limited knitting time.

And one last thing, Cass is running her post #444 contest so click over and enter! Don’t forget to tell her I send you over!