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August 28, 2006
Spiralen
The second doily interlude.
DMC Cebelia crochet cotton #30, size 0 needles.
7 inches in diameter.
(Pattern found here.)
Posted by missalicefaye at 08:07 PM | Comments (5)
August 25, 2006
Smells awfully pretty, too
The current tatting project is being transformed into a sachet, filled with lavender lovingly handpicked in Portland this summer. (I think the lavender from my own garden would make a doll house-sized item at best.)
I was planning to wake up early this morning to take some pictures of the finished (!) Legends of the Shetland Seas stole.
Those of you who know me in real life are laughing hysterically right now, I imagine.
So the photo shoot will take place this weekend. Why is it that my fabulous photographer friend Roni lives so far away? Sigh.
Posted by missalicefaye at 12:12 PM | Comments (10)
August 21, 2006
Lille Rund Serviet
Sometimes you need a project that you can finish in a matter of days, rather than months. This little guy took just two nights to knit and block. I used DMC Cebelia cotton, size 20, and 2mm needles. The finished size is 6.5 inches in diameter. Nice, wholesome doily goodness.
For the doily-curious among you, the pattern is available here
Posted by missalicefaye at 10:46 AM | Comments (6)
August 18, 2006
Still more projects
One of my treasures from Kinokuniya in Portland was this little book of tatting patterns.
I haven't made a whole lot of progress. Actually, there was more progress, but due to a missing picot or two it was cut off in a fit of rage. Tatting is not a forgiving craft.
"But, Alice," you might say, "tatting is all well and good, and by gosh we are full of doily love, but where are pictures of Legends of the Shetland Seas? Aren't you done with that thing yet? What's up with the procrastination and starting twenty-five new projects all at once?"
Patience! I sense that great progress will be made on the edging this weekend.
I did take two nights off to work on this:
Details in the next post. (I'm full of promises.)
Meanwhile, for those of you interested in where all of our money is going this summer:
The left is pre-stripping, the right two are mid-stripping. Hopefully soon I will be able to provide evidence of actual painting.
Posted by missalicefaye at 09:33 AM | Comments (4)
August 15, 2006
Monkey vices
Halfway through the Legends of the Shetland Seas edging. I'd probably be done by now if I didn't keep distracting myself with embroidery. Yes, I have a thing for French knots. And monkeys smoking cigarettes.
Current inexplicable obsession: lunch in a box
Posted by missalicefaye at 11:19 AM | Comments (6)
August 10, 2006
Endings, beginnings, birds
I guess I had some running stitch to get out of my system this weekend.
I love working lace edgings for several reasons: I find the process of picking up stitches strangely fascinating, they signify the end of the shawl, and they're so...well, lacy. The drawback: they take FOREVER. So I find myself distracted with tiny quilts and bird embroidery. And new tatting projects. And swatches of new and exquisite yarns.
(Shetland strawberry motif worked in Heirloom Knitting's CashSilk--so lovely, so tiny!)
Posted by missalicefaye at 08:32 AM | Comments (6)
August 04, 2006
More from the sea....
The first border of the Legends of the Shetland Seas is now complete. Now I just have to do it again at the other end....
This panel is supposed to represent the mythical Shetland silkies (read all about Shetland sea lore here.) Then see if you can determine what the hell this combination of motifs has to do with silkies. :)
Posted by missalicefaye at 09:05 AM | Comments (6)
August 01, 2006
State of the vegetable patch
The garden, circa yesterday. I think Jon is now sick of zucchini, although he could probably work up some enthusiasm for more zucchini bread. (Star ingredient: lemon zest.)
Early Girl, the giant green diva. We are looking forward to some serious tomato bounty.
While I was in Portland, my friend Sasha's father kindly gave me horseradish plants to grow. My initial plan for planting them near the edge of the lawn was rejected for aesthetic and mowing reasons, so I had to expand the garden. Behold the Garden Annex. I threw in more arugula, radishes, beets, and kohlrabi just for kicks, figuring I'd use the space while I can this season. I'm told the horseradish will eventually become Massive and Indestructable.
Doesn't look too big and scary yet, eh?
And, all of a sudden, one of the cucumber plants had a growth spurt. Go, little cucumber, go!
Now here's hoping that everything wil make it through the impending heat wave....
Posted by missalicefaye at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)
