knitting dreams

The clicking and sliding of knitting needles have been dancing through my head... I've been sorting through all the business cards I collected at Sock Summit on which I took notes.  I have a collection of patterns I would love to make, including this shapely top from White Lies Designs:

Lots of booths showed samples of free patterns you can download via ravelry.com.  I've downloaded this Poppy Beanie by Louisa Harding for all its feminine detailing:

While searching for the beanie, I cam across this striped arm warmers pattern, also by Louisa Harding.(these were stitched up by akfactor, and I love her yarn choice):

Of course, these are the wild knitting dreams of a girl who only knows how to knit scarves.  But I swear, I will learn how to knit socks some day!

In the meantime, today I want to felt the nuno scarf project that I got at SS, from Dancing Leaf Farm.  I've laid it out - now I need my felting gear, so I'll be off to Rob's soon.  Soapy water, rolling and squooshing, et voila!  A frilly scarf.  I hope.

Beautiful blog discovery of the day: spillyjane knits.  She's a fabulous creative living in Ontario, Canada, where by the looks of her gorgeous garden photos, they've been having more sunshine this summer than we have.  I especially enjoyed this post about roofers who took tender loving care of her flowers while tending to her roof.

Enjoy your beautiful day!

Sock Summit 2011

My dear friend Andrea and I went to Sock Summit today! 

 We entered through Sockgate to arrive at the mythical land of Soxanits.

I call this photo "Andrea and the Giant Sock."

Here, Andrea is examining the Giant Sock. It is currently about 7 feet long, 

and nearing to the point where the sock will be turned to make the heel.

 Here I am adding stitches to the Giant Sock.  By this act I was qualified

to add my name to the list of the makers of the Giant Sock.

This photo also gives you a feel for how enormous Sock Summit is.  

Yarns and roving abound,  made of wool, cashmere, angora, alpaca, and even yak!

 Detail of the Giant Sock.  Look at the rows of

baubles that people added!

 The stash I came home with from Sock Summit. 

I can wait to get started on the nuno felt project!

 

Little detail of the row of maidens.  These are buttons!

So much fun sharing a day of yarn infatuation with a friend!

gray sky daydreaming

While the midwest simmers away at high temperatures beneath a conversion layer, we here in NW Oregon are experiencing coastal weather: overcast skies, temps in the 70s if we're lucky.  It has rained more often than usual for the summer.  I won't complain, because I certainly prefer 72 degrees to 102 degrees, and it does make you appreciate every little bit of sunshine that comes along.  This morning, it also makes it a good time to look at blogs, which I haven't done much of in a long while.  And blog cruising leads to daydreaming...

Visiting one friend's blog led me to see some new places.  I won't copy and paste photos from these artists, but I do encourage you to look at the art of Antonio Alvarez Gordillo, a Spanish artist who does wonderfully detailed whimsical landscapes.  It really makes me want to get out my paints and PRACTICE!  Also look at the wild illustrations of Dani Torrent here.  I love how this artist portrays light and the variety of perspectives in his work.

Some blogroll cruising led me to sewing sites.  I love the way this person combined fabrics to make this blouse (I wish I could show you her photo here, but you'll have to click on the link).  After much searching I did find the pattern on eBay, so I bought it up, because I think with long sleeves it would make a really cute folkloric blouse a la lulu.  What do you think?

While I was searching for that pattern I came across these newer ones, which would also be cute. 

Are they too much alike?  Maybe I'll just make the one I bought already. I'm also very antsy to stitch up a pattern from a Japanese sewing magazine, and another one from a Norwegian magazine..

but I am at the condo today and there is nothing here but this computer, not even paper to draw on.  So I will just have to daydream for now.

p.s. Please visit my friend Janne's blog and send blessings to the people of Norway.  Thank you.

Sunny morning

Saturday's dog walk: the Sandy River.  An opportunity to feel the sunshine and have a good walk were too good to pass up.  Along the way I saw these wildflowers.  (Question:  When does a wildflower stop being a flower and start being a weed?)  Take a close look at the lovely blue blooms. 

 Who is that walking up ahead in the distance?  A man pushing a cart of some kind...

Oh!  It's a baby basset buggy!  Arv and Bo get a lift to speed things up a bit, because we want to actually get to the river.

 Destination: the Sandy River, looking quite low despite all the rainfall and snow melt-off.

River reflections

Roz takes a dip

 Playing fetch with Rob

More wildflower blooms

 Basset parade, tails wagging - it's time to head back.

The remainder of the day was spent at the Berry Festival in downtown Portland and Camas Days in Camas.  Berry Festival was definitely the highlight.  We cam away with a full flat of strawberries and four jars of sugarless marion berry jam.  Mmmm... marion berries!  Now that's what I call summer!

Just a good day

 Yesterday

painting flowers

eating what comes after the flowers

in the evening,

planting flowers.

Woke up early and headed straight down to the studio.  Debussy and Satie playing on Pandora, cats sleeping on all the chairs, and my hands covered in paint, aqua and apple green.  I wanted to make this flower painting with a figure in it.  She's looking like one of my dolls with long, stripey legs.

At lunch time I reached for truly nourishing food: almonds, cranberries, fresh strawberries, yogurt.  Felt good to eat healthy - I should do it more often!

Rob went to town on building the retaining wall where the old spruce tree used to stand.  I was sad when the tree came down, but it was one of those trees you don't really want in the front yard, dripping pitch onto your car.  He planted a Japanese maple in its place, and now has built this attractive wall with planting space.  Off to the plant nursery we went, and grabbed whatever sun loving perennials we liked, not thinking too much about design, but didn't it turn out pretty?

I'm longing to put in flower beds in the back yard next...

Bush Barn Gallery and Salem Art Fair & Festival

Last week was a flurry of around the clock doll making.  Neither rain nor sleet nor stomach flu could hold me back.  The Bush Barn Art Center had asked me for 22 more dolls to adorn the tables of the Salem Art Fair and Festival kickoff dinner.  The dinner would be attended by donors and patrons of the art center, so although it seemed an impossible task, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  Thanks to my sweetie pie Rob, who offered to help stuff the little arms and legs, mission accomplished!

The dinner was delightful.  Gallery staff were dressed as Renaissance ladies and gents and faeries, in keeping with the theme A Midsummer Night's Dream.  I was introduced as the featured artist, and even got my photo taken for Salem's newspaper, the Statesman Journal.  Woo hoo - two minutes of fame! 

Photos from the dinner event:

 A windswept doll as a table centerpiece.

 The fearsome Viking Queen.

 Wonderful band Tricky Pixie provided funky renaissance music.

 Gallery coordinator Tatyana, the art professional who picked me out at the I Heart Art mixer match and gave me the opportunity to show my work in the gallery!

 A flaming-haired doll graces another table.

The next day was the opening of the Salem Art Fair & Festival - one of the best art fairs in the country!  Rob and I attended on Saturday.  It gave me a chance to see how the dolls all looked on display in the gallery.  I have to say, I feel honored to have my dolls here.  It's just a beautiful art center with three exhibit galleries and the gift gallery.  I plan to submit proposals for the exhibit space in the not very distant future.  The staff is incredibly encouraging.  Following are photos of some of the dolls on display.

I count my lucky stars for this opportunity to show my work in public, and look forward to the next challenge!