My new home!

In January I moved into a new house. A tiny little house that's basically just two rooms, stacked on top of each other. It's small, but amazingly, fits all the stuff I need. Plus, it's a short walk from the cafe, the dance studio, the food co-op, the hair salon, the dentist, the book store, the library, the grange hall (where the farmers market and community musical rehearsals are), the hardware store, the art supply store and the community garden. Phew. Main street could still use a few more stores, but for now it serves me well. I'm super close to the lake too! It's nice to get local eggs around the corner. And a latte. As far as small town Maine goes, I'm pretty lucky!

I sit in this chair to knit, rug hook and quilt. I often have to wrestle it away from my fur ball, Louis. Often, we can compromise and just share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The kitchen features a tiny gas stove (rare in Maine) and a moveable table. I love this. I can use it to help cook, eat or cut fabric. After getting to work in a huge studio for a while, the smaller space takes a bit of getting used to. I actually have to pick up when I'm done or else I'll have a side of thread with breakfast! I can't really work or store on anything too gigantic,  but I can move the table at least, to make a quilt sandwich.

Upstairs is my bedroom, a tiny office alcove(behind the orange partition) and my bathroom, which has the best shower ever! It also has open shelving, so I decided to get some tins at the flea market to hide away my 'less pretty' toiletries.

 

Where I sew...

plus a washer & dryer!!

 

Some experimental things I've been making for a show in May

Recognize this gal???

 

For Lion Brands January Yarnplay issue I created a cute embroidered hood. (I also did a little modeling) It's a very easy and quick project, that I think is better than a hat. One, it keeps your neck warm and two, it doesn't squish your hairdo. The FREE pattern also has helpful how-to photos to help you with the tricky parts.

 

 As alway, much thanks to my good friend and awesome photographer Emily. Have you seen her website?? GO now! It's so fun to work on these together. We love our lives!

 

Apron Endeavor

I'm now selling  aprons at Cafe Nomad, the awesome cafe in my town where I also work. This is my second batch thanks to the lovely "Main Street Supporters" out there! I'm also selling knitting needle cases at Artful Hands a little further up Main street, but I don't have photo's just yet. So fun to make each one be different.

Recent YarnPlay Projects for Lion Brand

Ok, so I'm WAY behind in posting these... but here they are nonetheless! Thanks again to Emily for such great photos!

Woven Place Mats:Click photo for how to instructions.

I love this yellow/pink pattern. I made a *mistake* but it turned out to be a pretty pattern, so I went with it.

 

Gift Wrapping Ideas:

Click photo for how to instructions

Click photo for how-to instructions

 

FALLing in love...

Isn't it amazing that when you set forth to cook all day, suddenly it's three and you realize you haven't eaten a 'real' meal yet? You nibble on this, test that, drink a glass of wine (just to make sure it'll add the right flavor to your pot roast of course) and just feel stuffed with aromas.

This is just that day. Waking to a quiet cup of coffee with a little knitting, followed by a walk around the garden harvesting herbs and then chop chop!  I roasted a chicken with rosemary, sage & thyme butter, am marinating even more chicken for my uncles favorite dish and put a pot roast in the slow cooker with tons of fresh herbs, veggies and secret ingredients to pop the flavor. Oh yeah, also, a cooks illustrated banana bread variation that is delicious! I'm eating it right now and it's the most of one thing I've eaten yet today.

Fall always pushes me toward the kitchen... to roast, stew, or bake things, which I meet with pleasure. I'm happy to be here. I'm just in love with the way things are right now. Except for tea-parties that don't involve stuffed animals and imaginary friends (or do they??) but that's a story for a different blog!

Adding to the FALLing in love... an adventure to the county fair. I've already decided that next year I want to submit items and try to win so many ribbons!

Busy Bee...

Over the past few months I've been extremely busy rehearsing and making the costumes for our show, Back to Brasil. Every spare moment has been dedicated to pressing, cutting, imagining, pinning, twirling, dancing, sewing, ripping & re-sewing. I'm so happy with the way the costumes turned out. The dancers look fabulous and virtually everything worn is handmade... no tags! No annoying black shorts! Ahhh. So nice. I wish I could watch!!

Some photos before all the fabric turned into outfits...  

Photos by Emily Delamater

Oil Spill response Market on Poppytalk Handmade

Have you heard about the oil spill? (Too early for sarcasam?)

It's devastating and heartbreaking to watch, hear about, think about, fathom... and all I keep thinking is, what's up with us? Remember how days after the Hati Earthquake there were concerts to raise $$ and numbers you could text a donation to? Well, who do you even know who to give money to? How do we help?!!

Since I barely make enough $ to buy groceries, I am excited to be a part of the Poppytalk Hand Made's Oil Spill Response Market and donate to the cause with my crafts. I will donate one item entirely(hopefully more if the first sells) and $2 of every other item sold. The money goes to Oxfam America.

I've loaded a bunch of aprons to be "cleaning themed" and other works that emphasize recycling and being thrifty. The market goes live in a couple of days... so please shop!!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Auntwilma.etsy.com

Knitting Green Blog Tour

Welcome to stop #6 on the Knitting Green blog tour! Like all of the other designers before me, I'm quite pleased to be a part of this book and tour. Knitting Green, by Ann Budd, is a great collection of practical and useful projects mixed with informative essays. Flipping through the pages, I found several projects I want to make, which to me is a good sign! Hmmmm, what should I make first??

The Caterina Wrap?

or the Eco Vest?

 

The bike basket, one of my patterns, is made of jute and lined with oilcloth. I'm jazzed that it made the cover!

Many people have asked me who makes the the purse handles, but I'm afraid I don't know. I got them at Brooklyn General, but there was no label or info on them at all, I swear! I'm not just a flake who forgets to write things down. I ordered the beautiful oil cloth from purlsoho.com.

 

The Save the Streams Slippers is also mine and I'm quite pleased with it. The shape is slick and easy to create. It makes use of scraps and tidbits and you can embellish with needle felting, embroidery or keep it simple. I want to make a whole pile!

The blog tour is almost over, but check out the rest of the stops here.

Then head out to your local book store to get your copy of Knitting Green! If they don't have it, check to see if they can order it for you. Most small book sellers are more than willing to special order at no additional cost.

Turning 30!

It sure is lovely to have a pal who's a photographer and is also willing to snap photos at your birthday party! Thanks Emily!! 

 

I didn't plan on having glow sticks at my 30th birthday party, we just found them in a cupboard, I swear!

Emily also set up a photo corner, which was pretty fun!

 

Please take a moment to check out Emily's beautiful work!!

She does it ALL and I really looking forward to future projects with her!

Yarnplay Newsletter

It's been a long time since I last posted. Guess I've been busy dancing, enjoying spring and turning 30! Woah baby. It's a whole new decade and I don't mind it one bit!

I've been working on designing new projects, mostly  simple and fresh ideas for a newsletter called Yarnplay, put out by Lion Brand.

You can sign up for the yarnplay newsletter here and be sure to get the new projects hot off the press!

View all the yarnplay patterns here. They're FREE!!

This month I designed knit & crochet jewelry frames, shown here, that would be a perfect Mother's Day gift. (Or gift to yourself!) Last month I did a cool blanket that folds into a pillow and a funky steering wheel cover...aka, projects for the car!

Very cute and springy ideas are coming up in the next issues, so stay tuned!!