nesting part I

If there's any room in our house I'd love to get "just right", it's definitely the kitchen.  Not only is it the sunniest room, but there's no denying I have to spend a lot of time in there.  Thankfully it has already come a long way since we moved in - gone is the black peel-and-stick plastic flooring and the back door has been removed so we can use the back cubby as a pantry.  Originally the cupboards were various shades of white that sported terrible brass hardware, but a coat of oil paint and new hardware made a dramatic difference.  The layout works great, so at this point it's only about appliances and finishing details.  Unfortunately for me, the finishing details can take me forever to figure out.

Here's main issue number 1: the cupboards, like all the woodwork in the house, are a nice off-white (Cameo White by Para).  However the stove, range hood and fridge are all bright white.  This may not bother other people, but it drives me bananas, especially during the day when the sun is shining in.  It makes the cupboards look dirty, and truthfully I find regular white appliances boring.  I'm not keen on stainless appliances either (the black sides are problematic for those of us who have to have the sides exposed) and I think black would feel too dominant in the small room.  So right now, we're considering a retro-inspired fridge in bisque by Northstar.  In our layout, the fridge stands on its own, so we'd rather have a piece that feels more like sculpture and makes for a nice view from the living room.  This leaves the stove.  Not too many manufacturers make bisque stoves anymore, except maybe Kenmore.  So I probably could get a regular bisque stove and (a nicer) range hood, keep the black dishwasher and go with the fancy fridge.  Not inexpensive, but way less money than starting fresh overall.

Issue number 2 is harder: the finishing details.  The kitchen has only been painted this dark grey for a year now, but it's not right.  I think painting the walls off-white, but a with a hit of colour somewhere would be nice.  Maybe a section of the fridge wall?  Aqua, like the chair?  Wallpaper?  I love the window blind fabric, and the wooden floors will stay as they are.  I've painted the backsplash tiles 6 times now (seriously) and I think this is a reno project we could take on ourselves.  But what would we put there?  Subway tiles in a simple ivory?  Glass?  Marble?  Marble would be my first pick, but that's probably WAY out of any budget.  It's the grid pattern of what we have that bothers me most, but painting was a big improvement over the pink and grey cloud pattern that lies underneath.  And the counter is a black laminate - practical, but showing its age.  Again, I don't know what we'd go for otherwise. I'm completely open to suggestions, for everything!

At least there is inspiration aplenty out there.  I love Flickr for this, especially the Domino group.  Today I'm inspired by this simple table setting (and the blog that it came from), the ivory goodness here, the colour palette and fabrics in this living room, this great vintage stove, the compactness of this kitchen space, and even though this isn't a kitchen at all, I just love this space.

Two things are for sure: I should never take photos when groceries are all over the kitchen and there's clutter everywhere, and I'm officially nesting now.  Clearly.

hearts all over

Valentine's Day was almost a bust.  Sadie has been sick since Wednesday and missed not just one, but two Valentine parties.  I promised we'd have our own little party today, but it ended up being super low key because Sadie is still under the weather.  We didn't even have the energy to bake (it's been a long week at work, plus sleepless nights, so we're all running on empty).  At least a little bit of colouring and crafting went down - enough for Daddy and Gramma to get pretty nice Valentines.  Also I made sure to pick up lots of chocolate for me and Jay, and a little treat for Sadie, but when your little girl isn't herself, Valentine's Day just isn't either.

The first photo is my latest knitting project, and in a colour palette that makes me thinks of hearts and candy.  I picked up this Sheep Shop yarn at Purl in New York, confident that Sadie would dig it.  And dig it she did, first she asked that I knit a doll sweater with it and then reconsidered and asked for a cardigan for herself.  So I'm using Knit and Tonic's Drive-Thru pattern, but adjusting a bit for the lighter weight wool.  I haven't done a yoke-style sweater before so it should be a good challenge.  If only I could actually knit today - this low energy vibe is strong.  Even Glen Miller, a usually active cat, was perched on the radiator all day.  But I do love that he seems to be dreaming of hearts.

February, Schmebruary.

for the love of reading

Traveling to other blogs is always rewarding.  The other day I stumbled upon this inspiring post, and I immediately started thinking about which books have changed my life.  The idea is that you would devote one shelf to your own life-changing books.  Wonderful idea, don't you think?

It also made me wonder about reading in general, and the eager student in me started researching the tangible benefits of sitting down with a book.  Recently a friend had mentioned a study (or psychologist) that suggested people who read a lot of fiction are generally better equipped in relationships, due mainly to the fact that they develop empathy for all sorts of character types - not to mention their situations, challenges and experiences.  A Canadian study written about here confirms this basic thought, as the U of T professor stated that "[his researchers] found that fiction readers had substantially greater empathy".  And Maryanne Wolf, the Director at the Center for Reading and Language Research has wonderfully suggested, "we bring our life experiences to the text, and the text changes our experience of life" (with thanks to this review of Wolf's book).  All to say that reading is important, rewarding and simply put - time well spent.  So on to the list of life-changing books!

Here are mine, but not in any order:

The Homemaker, by Dorothy Canfield: read just last month on a tip from Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Domesticity.  This book made me cry, made me want to reach in and embrace a 4 yr old as his emotions explode when he discovers the depth and sincerity of his father's love.  And it made me want to jump for joy for the progressive thinking about imposed gender roles even though the novel was written in 1924.

Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez: when I needed to pay off my student loans, this book put money into perspective for me and helped me develop values and strategies for dealing with money issues that have served Jay and me well.  I am forever changed because of this book - philosophically and financially.

The Powerbook, by Jeanette Winterson: I love almost anything Jeanette Winterson writes, but this book had sat on my shelf unread for years.  I picked it up at a pretty low point, and it couldn't have been better timed.  It reminded me that no one is perfect, that love is as beautiful as it is destructive, and that Winterson will always inspire me.

Ana Historic, by Daphne Marlatt: early in University a boyfriend had to read this for his English course, and although he disliked it, I devoured the novel.  It was the first time I read a novel written in experimental and poetic prose, and I was blown away.  That the main character made up the life story of a women offhandedly mentioned in an old newspaper article was an intriguing storyline too, and perfectly suited to the style of writing.  I could never look at words the same again.

Whylah Falls, by George Elliot Clarke: another novel written in a series of poems, but flavoured by the Acadian world of Nova Scotia.  I read this later in University, but it still binds me to my dear friend Kristen as we both loved Clarke's language and the visuals his words inspired.

Away, by Jane Urquhart: Urquhart is one of my favourite authors, and I read Away while Jay and I were adjusting to domestic life at the same time as trying to maintain an artistic practice.  The idea of a woman being "away" struck a chord with me and really influenced the art I was working then (and now).  It had never occurred to me that a woman might abandon her life, her family, and especially her children, for any reason.  But the human mind is fragile, and this novel was full of insight.

It's a small list, but these are the novels that immediately came to mind for me.  Do you know what would be lovingly placed on your shelf?

vest addiction

This house makes photographing dark knits nearly impossible.  Also, I'm impatient and couldn't wait until the weekend when I may have been able to count on some natural light.

I found this pattern by Susanne Pietrzak on Ravelry (for free!) and it was exactly what I was looking for - squared edges, a high collar and a simple closure.  Easy to wear as I grow bigger, and should still work next winter when I'm possibly back to normal.  I improvised for size, but the pattern was so easy to follow that it never became difficult to figure out.  As for the other modifications, I did a seed stitch border and collar instead of garter, and I ignored the buttonhole since this could be a great opportunity for a shawl pin, brooch or kilt pin like I've used already.  And the wool was a dream to work with - Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed that Ragdoll and I first spied in Paris.  It's very soft to the touch and the palette is great.  I'm not really a purple person, but this deep eggplant works for me.

Next up, a cardigan for Sadie.  I'm starting to feel a little selfish with all this knitting for myself. Time to share the crafting energy around.

(Note to self: next time, smile a little.  Who knew a glimpse of a mouth could look so sour?)

halfway

20 weeks and counting.  I am 100% sure that my belly was not this big at 20 weeks the first time around, and the simple fact that I have to wear layers of clothing right now is making me crazy uncomfortable.  With Sadie, my bulging belly was covered with lightweight sundresses and single layer t-shirts.  But even with an elevated body temperature, I need layers in this chilly winter weather which has caused me to enter the I-can't-get-comfortable-sitting-on-the-couch phase about, oh, 3 months early.

The perk of the halfway mark is feeling the baby move and kick and punch with all of its 10 ounce might.  And the 19 week ultrasound was pretty fascinating too, although we didn't give in and ask the he/she question.  Sadie is completely on the side of it being a girl baby, while I have these boy feelings...but I had boy feelings last time and was certainly proven wrong.  It's nice to have a surprise waiting for you in 5 months, right?  Right?  This is what I tell myself anyway, over and over again, while I try not to think about passing up the one chance we had to find out.

In the meantime, I am trying to stay productive - as long as it means I can sit on the couch to do so.  Our trusty new laptop is helping this cause, and knitting is truly the best hobby (fingers crossed I don't get carpal tunnel syndrome this time as it ended my handcraft diversions until after Sadie was born).  Ravelry serves both interests, and Sadie and I have been known to lie back and indulge in videos at cuteoverload.com.  Now that I think of it, 20 more weeks of this sounds pretty good.

Big belly notwithstanding.

sleeping beauty

Holiday sewing always happens last minute for me.  It isn't a big deal - I'm pretty used to my procrastinating ways - but it does mean that I cannot photograph what I've made until after the gift giving happens. And Sadie is rarely interested in modeling (hence the late January posting).

Last year I sewed Sadie a nightgown to give to her on Christmas Eve, and my plan is to keep up the tradition.  This year I chose to use a pattern, Simplicity 5695, to cut down on potential frustration, and it definitely helped speed up the project.  The material is a purple gingham flannel and I sewed 3 MOP heart-shaped buttons near the bottom, just for decoration.  Sadie looks pretty cute in it, but she's way more fond of the "Nutcracker Mice" pj's she got from Old Navy.  Such is the unalterable taste of a 4yr old .

Better luck next year.

reading challenge #8

I took a chance on Marilyn Bowering's What It Takes to Be Human. Jay needed to increase his Indigo order to qualify for free shipping, and I never turn down an opportunity to pick a new book, so I did a quick Wikipedia search for female Canadian authors (which has been a very handy list for this challenge) and landed on Bowering.  I started reading the novel the day it arrived, and I spent two weeks happily turning pages before bed.

That being said, I'm at a loss when I consider reviewing it.  I enjoyed it, yes, but I haven't a clue what to say about it.  Definitely I appreciated the quick turn of events - just as I was being introduced to a young university student attempting to tell his family he wanted to enlist in WWII, suddenly the entire story switched to life inside a Vancouver Island asylum.  For much of the novel you wonder how the main character (the aforementioned university student), landed himself in such dire circumstances, but the sheer reality of asylum life is enough to fill in for this central mystery.  I found the hospital to be frightening, full of injustice and a blight on a civilized society.  I suppose it was this peek into a world so foreign and so irrational that kept me turning pages night after night.

As for the main character's backstory, when it finally emerges, it is quite heartbreaking and I was pleased that it wasn't sensational or predictable. Essentially a small series of events as a youth affects him as an adult and I found I could empathize with his actions, even though they were criminal. The leap was logical and connected all the pieces together. 

Hmm, I guess I could find a couple of things to say after all.  Bowering is a compelling storyteller, and I would certainly look into her other work.  Usually I dog-ear numerous pages that have phrases I like, but interestingly, this time there was just one.  In a sea of asylum life, perhaps this short thought was a romantic break from the story.  When I read it I simply stopped.  Looking now, maybe it's a bit obvious, but it was a lovely moment at the time.  

"Her eyes are steady headlamps.  I blink in their brightness."

And the knitting comparison: The setting of Canada during WWII, and the war efforts that the asylum participated in, brings to mind a particular pattern book, Knitting For Peace.  Knitting for a cause can be wonderfully rewarding, and I hope I can manage to do this someday (I'm especially inspired by Beryl Tsang's Tit-Bits and wish I had known about them when Margie, my dearly missed Mother-in-Law, was dealing with her breast cancer).  I did knit Jay a pair of socks for Christmas from the Knitting for Peace book, using the Peace Fleece Classic Wool Socks pattern.  I imagine socks for soldiers was part of the effort in the novel's time, and so it feels like a perfectly fitting comparison.

lessons in unravelling

Another reworked, much unravelled project.  I must have started this in the summer, but I have lost count of how many times I picked it up just to hide it away again.  I started with Knit and Tonic's "Something Red" pattern (I was happy with it after finishing a "Something Black") and the body came together quickly.  The bottom band, collar band and sleeves were another story entirely.  

I worked the bottom band in a 2 x 2 rib, then picked up the entire collar band and knit to the button hole, doing the short row shaping and all. Then I tried it on.  Yuck.  Although the Misti Cotton I had used in my first sweater lay flat, this Patons merino wool (yes, I was using Patons) had too much bounce and the ribbing puckered...everywhere. So, without a curse word, I unravelled the collar and the bottom band, and worked a seed stitch border instead.  

Then it was time to pick up the collar band again. Because seed stitch would sit differently I basically guessed how many stitches I needed. First up, something like 250.  Worked 4 rows, knew it was too much. Ripped again, went down to 170 stitches.  Worked 4 rows, knew it was too little. Determined to get it right, I split the difference and picked up stitches - for the FOURTH time - to total 220.  Thank goodness that worked.  Then all I had left were the sleeves.  

I'm not sure why, but I picked up 10 stitches under the arm.  This made for a very wide sleeve, but I started decreases every 2 inches.  I tried the sweater on about three times, each time saying to Jay, "huh, I think I like the unfinished sleeve better".  He thought the look would be too "funky" (his code word for not good) so I figured I would need to finish the sleeve to know for myself for sure.  I finished it...and knew for sure.  So, I unravelled the whole sleeve and started again with less stitches picked up.  I also shaped the sleeve quickly to make the sleeve band fitted.  The decreases are all under the arm and although it's probably not what a professional would do, it works for me.

Now I have 2 balls left over, but even if it was bargain wool, I really like how it worked for this sweater.  I'm fond of heathered colours, and this will be easy to wear with most of my clothes. It does nothing to hide my bulging belly - as seen above! - but I like the slightly higher neck and short sleeves, even if it's "funky".  And really, what do men know anyway?

(P.S. I'm undecided about the spelling of "unravelling" - I can find both, and it would seem my natural pull to the two l's is very Canadian of me.  So if I'm going to stick with "our" in colour, I should support the two l's.  There's my english research for the day.)

mushroom bag

Ahh, some sewing.  I love having a week away from work.  When I get over the guilt of sending Sadie to Mira's everyday (because shouldn't a mother taking time off work want to spend it with her little girl?) I get down to something wonderful: making things (urgent note here - spending time with Sadie would be wonderful too.  Not over the guilt yet, am I?).  I have finished two knitting projects, will be starting another this afternoon while I finish up Mad Men, planned a quilt for our sofa and made the bag above.  I try very hard not to think about what life would be like if I had more time like this.  Sigh.

But the bag.  I found the wooden handles at Le Comptoir in Paris (one of the trip highlights!) and the fabric is more from Shinzi Katoh.  When I ordered the blind fabric last January I had to order it right from Japan, so I chose this other pattern of his to make the whole shipment seem worthwhile.  I was never sure what to do with it, but now that I have a red over-the-shoulder bag (secret: it's a diaper bag, but I like it as a regular bag) I thought this fabric would make a great smaller bag, and they would be fun carried together.  I had no pattern and first planned to gather the fabric around the handles, but that proved difficult with the canvas weight material, so I improvised.  Truth be told, I think I like this shape better anyhow.  I just feel like the pocket needs a little something - maybe a button or brooch, just something to give a spot of colour.  But overall I'm quite happy with it and I'm sure it will help me carry around a knitting project or two.

It's Friday, 2:15pm.  Only a few more hours to go before this vacation is over.  Koigu cowl, a can of Coke and Donald Draper here I come.

teeny tiny cardigan

One knit baby garment officially out of my system.  I'm actually quite superstitious, so I'll hold off on any more baby knitting until we get much closer to the due date (or beyond), but I've been wanting to use this great wool for a while now.  It's a fingering weight merino wool by Nature's Palette in a perfectly gender unspecific rust shade, and I picked it up at Lettuce Knit two years ago.  I only had enough for a small item, and I've learned that I'm horrid at estimating yardage because I thought I would have just enough for this sweater, but I've still got more than half of my second skein left (baby hat perhaps?)  I will need to handwash it though as the linked review mentions that some dye will release the first time.

I was going to follow a Debbie Bliss pattern but I couldn't imagine piecing this together when it is so easily knit in the round.  I started with her stitch count and then realized 5 inches in that the neck was too tiny, so I stopped under the armholes and went back and unravelled 1.5 inches from the beginning (not an easy task, but worth it).  So in the end, this cardigan resembles nothing from the Bliss pattern and seems to be the way I knit nowadays - I consult a pattern, and then make up everything as I go, which generally involves lots of unravelling and reworking.  At least this one worked out without any real frustration and I think it's super cute (as does Sadie, who has earmarked it for her teddy bears).  Also, I finally got to use buttons I found in Paris, but if we end up with a little boy they may have to be changed.  Or not.  As a funny aside, my belly is already big enough that I could balance the buttons and thread spool on it while I sewed.  And I'm only at 17 weeks! 

With all this making-up-as-I-go knitting, I think I'll start to actually document what I do.  That way, if something turns out well, I'd be able to share the pattern here.  I'm helping a friend with a toddler vest right now, so perhaps that will work out (and her two year old Asher would make an adorable model in photographs!).  And speaking of this friend, she sent me a link to a fantastic and easy pattern for extended wristwarmers - "Those Mitts" at the blog A Friend To Knit With.  It's one of those blogs that I hadn't come across before and will now visit often.  Plus, the blog has inspired me to give Classic Elite Portland Tweed a try - it looks great.  But I think my New Year's Resolution is to avoid going to Romni, so I'm looking for a Canadian online retailer that would send it to my door (my other resolution sounds like I'm okay with being lazy).  Any suggestions?