Weekend links

Here are some links I liked this week:


How to make a triangle quilt on Elise Blahas's blog

Simple Tomato Salsa from Meet me at Mike's

Cute stationery store Present&Correct found via this post on panniken

How to take professional photos found via CRAFT

Spring Nails

These nails make me bright and cheery!



I've had a hard week, but painting my nails relaxes me, and then whenever I look at them, I smile!

Spring Inspiration

I'm feeling all inspired as the weather starts to warm up.

I've been thinking about starting an etsy shop.

I've been working on knitting a sweater.

I organised my embriodery threads.

 We walked to the library today and I got out some inspirational books, then stopped for a green tea.

Mr Postman

I've been getting lots of postcards in the mail!

Take a look!

 

  

 

You got Mail!

I joined iHanna's 2012 Postcard Swap again. I did it last year when I was off work, and really enjoyed creating postcards, then finding more in the letterbox! I received some amazing postcards, in fact, three are still on my noticeboard at work, and I'm looking forward to adding to it.

This year I tried a few different techniques to make my cards. I used a combination of:

• watercolours
• mt washi tape
• fabric tape
• rub on transfers
• Black Sharpie pens

I had ready made cards that I bought in Japan years ago that have lots of space on the front. I really enjoyed creating my designs, I liked using a variety of techniques to create different looking cards. They are now flying around the world - to the USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway and South Africa!

I can't wait to get my cards and see what everyone has made!

If you want to check out more postcards, have a look at this blog post by iHanna, or this Flickr group!

FO Friday - Baudelaire knit socks

Finished my Baudelaire socks!

I started them just under a year ago, but finally got the motivation to finish them.

Pattern: Baudelaire by Cookie A from Knitty

Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid

Needles: 2.5mm Addi Turbos circular needles

Method: Magic Loop, toe up

I do love this yarn, the colour is so beautiful, with tiny, natural looking variegation throughout, the subtle changes add real depth to the colour. It was lovely to knit with, no splitting or knots.

The pattern was fun and easy to memorise, it was fun doing lace and cable patterns together in the leg. This was my first toe-up sock, and I don't really like the shape of the toe, it is a bit pointy and rectangular, so it doesn't fit my toes very well. I prefer the rounded toe shape of cuff-down socks. But it was fun to use a different construction method, and I may try it again, but maybe starting with more cast-on stitches, which would decrease the point. 

They are also slightly big, but I wouldn't wear them under shoes anyway, they'll be house socks. Overall I'm happy with them, and I'm inspired to keep knitting socks!

Check out other FO (Finished Object!) Friday's on Tami Amis

Unwell and knitting

I'm having a sick day which is VERY unusual for me. I left work early yesterday, and was up all night feeling crap, so I stayed home today. I've spent the morning catching up with  blogs, and will now use the afternoon to knit and listen to podcasts.

I have two projects on the needles that I am actively working on.

I've picked up my Baudelaire socks again, and am now on the home stretch - they're toe-up and I've passed the heel and am now on the leg.



I am also knitting a simple drop stitch scarf using Debbie Bliss Kidsilk Haze. A friend got me a skein for my birthday, there was a sample of the scarf in the shop and the yarn came with the pattern. Such a sweet gift as she doesn't knit! This is lovely meditative knitting, except the yarn does start to irritate me after a while and makes my nose and eyes itchy!