April recap, vacation photos

Well, let's be honest. I'm not doing so hot with my goal of one post a week. I'm going to try and get back on track with that, and today I'm going to share a quick recap of April finishes, fabric/yarn totals and a few photos from our anniversary trip to Yosemite and Monterey.

My April stash update:

Fabric: +5.75 yards
Yarn: -374 yards

Fabric total 2018: -39.125 yards
Yarn total 2018: -4,326 yards

This was my first month to net a gain in fabric, so I need to do better in May (which is made challenging since I've already got a few purchases under my belt!).

I only managed to try one new recipe in April, but it was a winner: Swirled Sesame Tea Cake. I've already tried one this month, so again, I'm hoping to do better. I finished a book, The Golden Compass, which I loved. I intend to read the second book of the trilogy soon.

So, Elliott and I just celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary, and we decided to go back to Yosemite and Monterey.

I know some people may not enjoy returning to a vacation spot. But when we visited Yosemite two years ago, it was a brief visit, and we left already wanting to return. I'm so glad we did, and we explored further into Yosemite Valley, as well as the Hetch Hetchy area. We hiked a ton, saw countless waterfalls and just enjoyed being together.

We finished with a couple of days on the Monterey peninsula. There are a few more photos on flickr, if you're interested.

I've got a few finished quilts to share, so I'll be back with some FO posts soon!

5/52

Well, there wasn't much crafting in the last week or so. Elliott and I went on a little vacation to Boston and New Haven.

Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

It was a wonderful break for both of us, and we got to spend a little time with great friends as well.

It snowed the morning we left, just enough for this lovely scene.

I worked on my sock during the flights, but I haven't taken a picture of it yet. I am way behind, but making slow progress.
Also, we made time to visit Gather Here, and I found a few new garment fabrics!

Speaking of fabric, here is my first stash update:
Fabric: -28.75 yards
: Yarn: -2,906 yards

I feel really good about this start! I have tried to be mindful of my stashing for a few years now but seeing these numbers is really motivating!

Yosemite

We spent three days in Yosemite last month, and I hope it won't be my last visit.

We saw waterfalls (which made me squeal), lots of elevation changes, a mountain lion! (no photographic evidence - we were all too shocked to take a photo, but we were in the car when it happened, so we were safe), huge trees, and amazing skies.

We hiked through Toulumne Grove and walked through this huge Sequoia.

It was incredible to be in such a place, and I don't think that feeling will fade.

FO: Poolside Tote (and some Grenada photos)

Isn't it strange to come home from vacation? I feel like our Grenada trip was a long time ago, even though it's only been a week. I guess it's easy to re-immerse yourself in everyday life. We stayed a week with Elliott's sister and family in their new home. We saw some beautiful sights and a different way of life. I was surprised by the variety of terrain on such a (relatively) small island. Grenada is about 130 square miles, but elevation reaches 2,700 feet at the highest point. Here's a handful of landscapes we experienced on our trip:

Morne Rouge Beach

Hiking to St. Margaret's waterfall

St. Margaret's

Atlantic, near Fort Jeudy

The garden

From the glass bottom boat, which was my favorite thing. Check out the underwater sculpture garden, which we were able to see from the boat!

I made Anna's Poolside Tote for the trip, and it was such a great choice. It served as my carry-on bag, and I toted it along each day, with my camera, a towel, and other essentials. I am planning to make a few more as gifts in the next few months. Honestly, I think it's my favorite of Anna's patterns. The size is nice, and I love the durability of those straps.

Next time, I have a few more pictures to share of the trip, including Oliver and Adelaide!

Delayed retreat post

better late than never, right?

My lateness in posting about my recent retreat should not be taken as a lack of enthusiasm.

I had a wonderful time in Wisconsin a few weeks ago. I'd never been to that part of the US, and I hope it's not the last time.

Photo by Faith/Fresh Lemons

I spent several days with Anna, Deedee, Faith, Holly, and Jeni. I love these girls!

Jeni picked me up from the airport, and we jumped right in, with a fabric shop and some thrifting.

And of course, a visit with George!

We stayed near Madison, at a gorgeous cabin. Seriously, this place was stunning.

There was plenty of space for our group to relax and sew.

The place had lots of windows, too, to give us lovely natural light.

On our last full day, we tried indigo dyeing!

Using wooden (from Deedee's sweet husband) and plastic resists (Jeni purchased them from Rossie), we prepared our fabrics. Above, you can see how I prepped my pieces.

And look! The fabrics we dyed look beautiful together in the sun (my fabrics are in the front, center). I want to do this again, soon.

I didn't sew as much as I hoped, but I managed to finish my staple tunic, and I knit a hat. There was also MUCH eating. Deedee kept us well-fed. But, my favorite new thing?

Fried cheese curds. OMG.

I hope I can visit you again someday, Wisconsin.

It's done!

Hello, hello!

I feel as if a lot has happened since I posted here, and it has! Let's see... I got married, for one thing, and I went on a honeymoon!

I don't have wedding pictures to share just yet, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures from Vancouver, BC.

Truly? I would move there. It's a gorgeous city, with good food, friendly people and their idea of rain is a tolerable mist.

We enjoyed our short stay in downtown Vancouver, and ate many delicious meals around the city.
Public transportation is easily accessible. I know that might not be very exciting to some of you, but Houston is so spread out that a car is pretty much required. I love visiting cities with trains, subways, taxis and buses that are maintained well.

Here are some Vancouver highlights.
We visited Stanley Park, the aquarium, Granville Island (and their brewery) and even the casino!

I am not cut out for gambling, I know that much! I have only been a few times, and I'm always so cautious.

We had a lot of fun, though.

Here's a favorite image from the park. You wouldn't believe the blooming flowers everywhere! Tulips, daffodils, and lots of other gorgeous flowers. The roses weren't in bloom yet, but we didn't miss them!

I feel sort of, all over the place, but I know the dust will settle soon!

I actually have some crafty finishes to show you, so I'll be back soon. I also have a few shots from Seattle to share. And of course, wedding pictures! I should have them in my hot little hands in the next week or so. Last, but definitely not least, I have an AMAZING gift to share with you. And a giveaway.

So much to say

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I knew the Sewing Summit would be fun, but I didn't know I would come back feeling this.
I feel refreshed (even though I barely slept).
I feel more confident.
I feel inspired.
I feel that there are others in this world that truly get me.
I feel connected.

I remember saying Saturday morning that this whole conference was like the internet had come to life. And I guess that's the best description.
We all read blogs, comment on flickr pictures, favorite projects, etc. But knowing the person behind the blog or account makes the project come to life.

Before Sewing Summit, I had only met a handful of friends in real life that knit or sew. I didn't know what I was missing, I guess.

I don't mean to be mushy, but seriously, it was the most incredible experience. [Also, I recently realized that I say seriously a lot. A lot.]

So, I could go on for hours about the cool friends I made. But I won't, in order to keep this short. I'll just say I wasn't disappointed in any of my interactions. Everyone I met was nice. Lots of fun, silly girls!

I met Claudia! I've been following her blog for quite some time, and she is amazingly kind.

A few months back, she offered to bring me some Wollmeise, as she lives very close to the shop.
I hesitated for, approximately two seconds, since I had committed to buying no yarn this year. But then I came to my senses and said yes. We worked out a spending limit, and she was able to get me four skeins (one of which is a gift)! Ah, love.

She delivered it, and an adorable pouch in person!

How cool. Thank you again, Claudia!

Meeting Rachel was another big moment, especially after our duffel bag swap. She's just as sweet in person as she seems to be.

I also had a serious fan girl moment when I met both Splityarn and Stitchy McYarnpants! Awesome chicks, both of them.

And of course, I also HAVE to thank Erin and Amy for the amazing collaboration that led to this weekend. You are both genuine, and as other bloggers have said, you are my heroes. Thank you.

Unfortunately, I took way less pictures than I intended (the light was kind of poor in the hotel). If you'd like to see more, check the Sewing Summit flickr group, and Claudia's photostream!

P.S. Is there anything you'd like to hear more about from the conference? The classes? The local shops? Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be happy to share more if you're interested!

P.P.S. Of the projects I brought, I only worked on one. But I helped teach several fun ladies to knit!!

The dark side

Hi there!

So, I have loads to tell you about the Sewing Summit, but I'm still getting back into regular life today, so for now, I'll say, it was amazing. Seriously. I have a few pictures to share, but the lighting in the hotel was not great, so I didn't take as many as I wanted to.

I haven't taken pictures of the goodies yet, but I'll do that tonight, and be able to share later this week.

For now, I wanted to share that I've joined twitter, in case any of you would like to hook up there.
Some of my new SS friends lured me in, and I think I might already be hooked!

I hope you all had a great weekend.

I'll be back soon. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about that giveaway I promised you!

FO: Cable Car Hat

One last FO for the year:

I cast on for this hat at the airport in Dallas on a Saturday, and finished the following Wednesday in San Francisco. I've dubbed it the Cable Car Hat. The pattern is Relm by Brooklyn Tweed, from the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of Knit1. I used less than a skein of Malabrigo in the lovely Sealing Wax colorway. I made some modifications, mostly to conserve yarn and to make the hat less slouchy.

I used a size 7 circular throughout, instead of switching needles after the brim.

Then, at the decrease section, I did the following:
Worked Row 1
Skipped rows 2 and 3
Worked rows 4-7
Skipped rows 8 and 9
Worked rows 10-11
Then:
(p2, ssk) repeat to end
(p2tog, k1) repeat to end
k2tog repeat to end
k next row
k2tog, k1 repeat to end
k next row
k2tog repeat to end
Seam 10 remaining stitches

Although it's pretty cute on me (modest, I know!), I gifted it to Beth, Elliott's sister (and mother of the adorable Oliver) this weekend. She'll get better wear out of it in DC this winter. And besides, I can always make another hat. That's the beauty of being a knitter, right?

Raveled here

By the way, it's my birthday today! I'm 29, for the first time.

San Francisco: Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is definitely a national landmark. There's a good reason for that.

From Muir Beach

It's breathtaking. Considering there were no computers when bridges like this were built, it's an astounding feat of human logic.

We had drinks at the Top of the Mark, on the top floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel while enjoying this view. We also ate a cheese plate. Super delicious and so fancy!

San Francisco: Muir Woods

Have you ever been to San Francisco?
Jill and I visited six years ago to celebrate her 21st birthday. For this trip with Elliott, there were some new-to-me sites, and some revisited favorites. Muir Woods was a new attraction, and I'm so glad we went.

Muir Woods is incredible, and we were lucky enough to have good weather for our early morning visit. Instead of renting a car and dealing with parking, we chose to go with a small tour group (there were only five people in our van), care of Extranomical Tours. We had about two hours to spend in the woods, and I made good use of my time and camera.

What struck me the most about the woods is that certain trees were positively glowing. I'm guessing it was a combination of the moss and sunlight.

Postively beautiful. Elliott and I walked along the trail for almost two hours, pausing to take pictures (pretty frequently) and enjoying existence.

It's a very magical place. I definitely want to go back someday, just to make sure the magic of these giant trees still exists.

I'm pretty sure I won't be disappointed.

DC Sojourn

How can you not love baby feet? They're so wrinkly; an old man's feet, really.

His name is Oliver, and he has a full head of hair. It was great to meet him, and we had a great trip.

I'm not done going through my pictures (I took more than four hundred in three and a half days!), but here are a few of my favorites so far:

The Willows are so beautiful, but I was hoping to see some Cherry Blossoms. It's a little too early for them.

The National Museum of the American Indian

This was such a beautiful building. We enjoyed wandering through the exhibits.

I'll have more pictures of the monuments next time.

FO: Muddy Maroon Cardigan

The cardigan is done. I have pictures to prove it. Pictures of me wearing it. Wanna see?

Now with 100% more smirky face!

We went to D.C. this week to meet the new baby (the squirrel sweater was well received!), and I convinced my guy to snap some photos of me while we were seeing the sights. Speaking of, I've got some vacation photos to share with you as well.

I'm really not digging the hair in this picture, but that's what new haircuts are for, and I've got one coming up soon.

The handspun yarn yoke is Mud Creek, which I received as a gift from my good friend Sarah. It's been in the stash for two years, and I just wanted to find a pattern that would really showcase it's beauty. I think this sweater accomplishes that. Elliott helped me choose the body yarn, and I think the maroon Northampton, also from the stash, is a great choice. I started this sweater in December, over my Christmas break.

I found the wood buttons at Joann's a couple of weeks ago, and finished sewing them on last week, in preparation for the trip.

The pattern is Melissa LaBarre's very famous Garter Yoke Cardigan, which can be found in the 2008 Fall/Winter Knit1 magazine. The pattern is very straightforward. I really didn't make any modifications, except that I knit the sleeves differently. The first sleeve is a little too loose around my upper arm, as I prefer more fitted sleeves. When I knit the second one, I started decreasing more rapidly to achieve that look. They don't match exactly because of this, but it's not really that noticeable. I cast on with the Northampton and knit three rows with it before switching to the Mud Creek. I'm really please with the way it turned out. I can actually see myself wearing this, and that's not the case with some of the items I've made in the past.

I've decided not to cast on for anything new right away. I've decided to follow in yarndude's footsteps, and tackle a looming UFO.
My Central Park Hoodie, started in June 2008 is going to get finished. Just in time for summer.

Raveled