project update

It's hard to believe that tomorrow it will be August already.  This summer is certainly zooming by.  It must be all of the sunny days.... ;-)

The first table mat got its test run at the Campsite on the weekend.  It makes a great surface for card playing, and survived the weekend intact.  Now I am inspired to get busy finishing off the other one, if only I can tear myself away from the knitting...

Alga is all but finished.  I decided to add 5" onto each of the sleeves (they were just 3/4ish), and have just 2?" left on one sleeve and the cuff to finish.  If only I hadn't forgotten my ball of wool up at the campsite....   Not to worry, it will be a quick finish when I am back up again on the weekend.

So last night I started knitting on the new Noro Cropped Jacket.  Here is the left front, at the end of day one....

As expected, it's hard to put down.  All of the colour changes and combinations makes it exciting to watch it come together right before my eyes.  With the Olympics on TV, it should be easy to park in front of the couch and knit in the evenings, so I'm hoping it will be a fast knit despite the 3.5mm needles.  I will keep you posted...

Christmas in July*

Good things usually come in threes, so they say.  And They were right yesterday!  A couple of things I had ordered seemingly ages ago finally arrived - a big box of wool from Heaven's to Betsy and some yummy Noro sock yarn.  The surprise arrival was the newest issue of Selvedge.  Although the joy was pretty instantaneous with the first glance at each of these items, I think the real pleasure will be savoured over time. 

The wool yardage will have to be measured, cut and ripped into pieces.  Some will be washed to use 'as is' and the rest will be fodder for my dye pots (once the weather cools off, of course!)   The yarn will be knit into a new sweater pour moi.  Since first spotting pictures of the Cropped Jacket on Julie's blog a couple of months ago, I cannot seem stop thinking about this cardi from the new Noro Magazine.....

image borrowed from here

It's simply perfect - in every way.   The colours, the neat shaping.....it's just delicious!  The only downside was trying to track down the colourways used in the sample (I really love it, just as it is and I have no interest in changing a single thing - which is quite rare for me).  Since the yarn (Silk Garden Sock) was apparently discontinued and then brought back, many yarn shops cut it from their lineups....and with the launch of the magazine, most everywhere that still carries it is back-ordered on one or both of the two colourways used.   Persistence did pay off, though....and I was finally able to order it from Knitting Sisters – and even better, there was no customs or taxes due upon arrival!  :-)  Now I just need to finish off my Alga (2" from the bottom edging....and a few inches to add to each sleeve with my extra yarn), and I will be good to go.   There is nothing like an exciting project waiting in the wings to motivate me to finish the current one.  Hopefully I will be underway on the Noro early next week.

*It was only this morning that I noticed yesterday was also the 25th – a happy coincidence!  ;-)

3 hours later

Abandoned projects.  We all have them - myself included.  Having unfinished business lying around (or hiding out of sight, but not out of mind) drives me nuts and pinches my conscience....so I try force myself to finish off most things before I start another one.  Every once in a while, though, one will slip though my fingers.  Sometimes I get stuck and don't know how to proceed.  Other times it gets side-lined, usually in the name of tidying up (and once it goes away, it tends to stay away....because often the reason the mess is all out and about is because I'm stuck...).  So I guess it usually all comes back to being 'stuck'.

The good news is that I've learned that last year's (month's, week's, decade's) version of being stuck usually vanishes shortly after I haul the project out to see the light of day.  Whatever I might have thought of as insurmountable at one time, is often easily overcome with the benefit of time.  Sometimes this is because I've just worked it up into a much bigger problem than it really was....sometimes I learn to just accept whatever was bothering me....sometimes I've learned something new in the interim....and sometimes I simply decide that to try something and fail is better than having things hanging around gathering dust.  At least if it really doesn't work, I can toss the lot and assuage my guilt.

Remember the Table Mats I started making last summer?  They've been hibernating for a whole year now....and after talking about it for weeks, I finally got around to pulling them out tonight.  I think they were abandoned because I didn't know how I was going to sew on the binding - or if I even had enough fabric to make it.  But after three hours of ironing, cutting, making mitred seams (this tool is awesome - and works every time!), pinning, sewing, and pinning some more.....the first table pad is ready for action!

We are having a family gathering at the campsite this weekend, so it will get it's debut....and I will try to take some snaps of it in situ.  Once I try it out on the table and make sure it fit and works okay, I plan to resume working on pad #2.  In the meantime, it's looking like this....

Something tells me it's going to take more than 3 hours to finish off the next one....LOL!  But at least I know that I am going to have enough fabric to finish off the binding (I didn't quite use half on the first one...yippee!)

I heart stamps

Yes, it's true.  And although I was a 'stamp collector' when I was a kid (soaking, tweezers, and special books - the whole bit!), there were several years in between when I didn't really pay too much attention to what was going onto my packages and envelopes.  Not quite sure what happened there, but for the last few years, I have returned to asking at the post office "do you have any fun stamps?"

When they do, I buy – and buy, if I really like them (because I've slowly learned that there can be droughts in the 'fun stamp' supply).  Sometimes I have to resort to buying whatever is available, but still, all is not lost.  It's the eclectic collection of stamps on an envelope that really makes me smile (not to mention watching the clerks trying to count up the value when they question whether or not I've put enough postage on...LOL!)  And with the dwindling amounts of personal mail arriving in mailboxes everywhere, I like to do what I can to pretty-up the packages. 

Aside from mailing out some orders (thank you, thank you! bisou, bisou! merci beaucoup!), I've been knitting away on my sweater.  I will post a picture soon (my attempts earlier in the week were just that: weak).   In the meantime, I'm heading off to the MAC show in Bracebridge this afternoon for some eye candy and inspiration....and maybe even a bit of shopping? ;-)  Happy weekending!

more "Ewe-Fuse"

Thanks so much for your orders last week.  I will include ordering information over on the sidebar --> soon...but in the meantime, just send me an email if you are interested).

Today I want to share snaps of some of the other items I've made employing the same basic technique.  These are all table runners.....

Hauling a couple of pieces out for some quick snaps this morning has my fingers itchy to get making.  Too bad I have to leave home in 10 minutes to go to work... ;-(

introducing "Ewe-Fuse"

I know that I've hinted at and alluded to a new project many times over the last few months....and honestly, I really didn't plan on it being so long before I shared it here.  I guess the flurry of activity before (and during!) the Annual took a lot more out of me than I thought it would.  All the same, the excitement for this technique hasn't diminished one iota for me.  I am thrilled to be able to share my newest creative discovery with you – I've never heard of anyone employing a similar method before. I think the most wonderful thing about it is that I feel the possibilities are endless.  There are so many different things I want to make using my Ewe-Fuse fabric.  So without further ado, here it is.....

The idea of sewing strips of wool together without the bulk of traditional quilting seams has been running around in my head for a few years now. But it really evolved beyond just an idea this past December, when I needed to make a few 11th hour Christmas gifts. Over the course of an evening – and several misfires – I quickly developed the basics for this technique. I knew right away that it was something that I wanted to explore and experiment more with, but I just didn’t have a block of time available to do so until this Spring. When I finally got back to it, it was almost as though someone had suddenly changed the light bulb to a brighter one….and with the space that time provides, ideas quickly morphed beyond my original thoughts.

I know that I still have a lot of my own experimenting to do with this technique and patterns I would still like to develop, but I was just too excited not to share this first simple project: Hot Pads.

Let me assure you that despite all of the steps involved, it really is very basic. You really just need to be able to cut straight – and that’s pretty easy with the help of a rotary cutter, ruler and mat. As always, there are comprehensive full-colour instructions and illustrations to help guide you through each of the steps. I've included some tips and hints to make things easier along the way, as well.

The instruction booklet sells for $12, and it is divided into 3 parts…

1. Making your 1st piece of ‘ewe-fuse’ fabric
2. Creating your 1st hot pad
3. Master Class (pointers about future project possibilities, and some suggestions for making more complex ‘ewe-fuse’ fabrics).

Here are a few snaps of some of the hot pads I've made.  I think they are a great way to experiment with different colour palettes and play with gorgeous hand-dyed wools, without the time that hand-hooking requires.  And they would make a pretty nice gift! :-D

 

 

 

on the needles

Last August I knit my first Alga pullover....and while it was bliss at first, the combination of losing a little weight and it stretching soon rendered it a little too big for me.  Rather than unravelling the whole thing and essentially throwing away all of those knitting hours, I decided to give it away.  Which was a great deal for my mum, but a little sad for me because I really liked it.

Fast forward to this spring, when I paid a visit to the Needle Emporium and picked out some more Tosh Merino Light to knit another one.  Manor is a lovely greyish colour with little hints of turquoise - it should compliment my new Mother Nature hair nicely.....LOL.

The above photo shows the colour with the Ott light, and the following picture is a more natural light.  I think the actual colour lies somewhere in between. 

I'm by no means an expert or even a very quick knitter....but I do really enjoy it.  I am also very familiar with how frustrating it can be to make a wrong move and have to unravel backwards.  So I've learned a few tricks along the way that can help reduce the number of silly mistakes I make.

First, I knit a swatch.  I never used to do this - I was always too eager to just cast on and get started - but over time I've realized that it really can make or break your project.  More times than not, it saves heaps of heartbreak.  I am not so good about washing the swatch yet, though – I am going to have to work on that. 

Second, I try to read over the whole pattern before starting.  I circle all of the numbers in the instructions for the size that I am knitting, to make them quick and easy to find later on.  I also make notes in potential stumbling sections - especially areas where the pattern says to do something and then do it X more times.  I cross out the X and write in the total number of times (too often I've referred back to the pattern and missed including the first time in my count).

Third, I  make little cue cards.  When I have to repeat two rows (each with different actions) multiple times, it can be hard to remember where I am at.  I usually just take a little Post-it note folded in half or heavy piece of card and write the instructions for each of the rows on its own side.  At the conclusion of each round, I just flip over the cue card.  When there are a couple of hundred stitches in a round, there are bound to be interruptions before you get to the end....and this is a quick way to keep on track.  All it takes is a quick glance down.   If I need to work the same row a certain number of times, I can just keep track on the cue card. 

When I knit with hand-painted yarns, I try to work from two balls at once - switching every two rows.   My little note on the cue card reminds me when to switch.  I don't even need to think about it - just glance down and see if it's time....

Hopefully these little tricks are useful.   Do you have any tried and true tricks of your own to promote knitting success?

recovered

After a relaxing 48 hours mostly spent sitting lakeside, reading and sleeping in my tent, I am feeling a bit of excitement about the week ahead.  I've started knitting again (more on that tomorrow) and even started the internal debate about 'what to hook next'.  Thankfully the weather has cooled a bit, but it's still a little hard to contemplate starting a new rug project, given the forecast for later in the week.  I will also be posting more details about a series of projects I made in the Spring (the photo is a little tease).

I also received good news last night about another recovery - the rugs I posted about here have been found!

Good News,

The rugs have been found.  A young man walking his dog found them in a plastic garbage bag along a bike trail.  His dog was sniffing the bag and he opened it up and discovered the rugs.  He attends the church where the rugs were taken from and had seen the flyers about the rugs.  The rugs are in good condition with the exception of a few leaves and a musty odor.

I want to thank everyone who helped to spread the word by sending my note out to groups, adding it to blogs and websites.  Please resend to those same groups so everyone knows that the rugs have been found.
I heard from so many of you expressing your concern and that confirmed to me the unique friendships that we have within the rug hooking community.

Again thanks to all and have a wonderful summer,

Norma

not alone

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then this next snap goes a long way in explaining that my blog is not the only thing that's been neglected lately.  This poor Basil plant made it clear to me that it's not just my imagination – things are slowly spiraling out of control.  Many things.  The last few weeks have just seemed so busy.  And the crazy heat of the last few days has done little to help the situation.  Did I mention that I've probably read more books in the last month than I have in the last 5 years?  But enough whining and more than enough reading for a little while.  The reality is that I just need to start somewhere.  Anywhere.

So I decided that tonight was the night.  The time for simply ignoring it (and hoping it would go away) was over – and a solid job of tidying up needed to take its place.  Of course in the middle of my little cleaning blitz, I discovered the limp and crispy basil and decided to resume procrastinating take a little break and write this quickie post.....but at least I can cross one more thing of my list! :-)

I have a growing list of things to blog about.  Really, I do.  And so I'm pledging to resume regular, almost-daily, weekday posts starting on Monday.  [I know that if I write it down - and commit to it here - I will be more likely to follow through.  After 39 years together, I know myself.  I need deadlines.  Even self-imposed ones.]  Have a great weekend!

P.S.  If you want some neat eye candy, check out this neat design website my niece introduced to me.  They will even do custom printed duvet covers, shower curtains, etc.  Pretty cool, eh....

jarup or syram?

Well whatever it's called (this not quite jam, yet not exactly syrup I made), one thing is for certain: it's delicious!  :-D  Especially on fresh bread with a little smidge of butter.  Yum!  I'm sure it will also be tasty on ice cream, angel food cake, pancakes, waffles, crepes, yogurt, toast, croissants, and scones....oh my!   I took my part jar into work today – and heard not a single complaint! 

Thanks for all of your ideas and suggestions.  I was really flying by the seat of my pants last night...but I've come to the conclusion that I just didn't boil it hard enough.  It definitely boiled long enough, but I think I shouldn't have turned down the heat at all.  The Certo would have been a good fix, but I was too chicken to add it (I had some) because it wasn't in the recipe....and by the time I called my Mum, it was already in the jars - and I was pooped!

Pretty good for my first, un-tutored attempt - plus all of my jars sealed!  I'm looking forward to more jam-making this summer, and I'm determined to pick enough wild blueberries for a batch, and crossing my fingers raspberries are a bumper crop, too. 

Hope you have a great weekend - and Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!  It's not a long weekend for me, but I'm looking forward to relaxing at the lake tomorrow and trying out my new deluxe cot and fancy mattress that my family got for my birthday this Spring.  It's as big as a twin bed - and perfect for Glamping!

I think I just made 7 jars of strawberry syrup....

...when I was trying to make jam!

I've never made jam before (and probably still haven't yet, either! LOL!), but I've been wanting to make some since last Fall.  So today I trotted off to the farmer's market to buy a couple of 2L baskets of strawberries, quickly followed by a stop at Canadian Tire for jars.  A last-minute reminder to pick up sugar, and I was all set to get started.

The recipe I used came from here and though I added a few extra strawberries (I didn't pack them in when I measured and was a bit afraid it was too syrupy early on, so I added a generous extra cup)....I still find it's incredibly sweet. I tried to crush half of the berries and left the other half sliced for some chunks in the jam....so this might explain some of the extra syrup. 

I am keen to see if it sets overnight and if all of my jars seal properly.   In the meantime, I am already on the hunt for a new recipe to try out next Thursday (market day!).  Any suggestions for idiot-proof strawberry jam?  So far I'm liking the sounds of this one...but I would love to get some other ideas...

! ! STOLEN HOOKED RUG ALERT ! !

EDITED July 9th - These rugs have now been recovered - more details here.....

Receiving this message today, about two rugs recently stolen from a classroom, made me feel sick.   The story and pictures are making the rounds on line today, but just in case you haven't yet heard, here is the background in Norma's own words.....

Dear Rug Hookers,
Last week I was teaching a workshop in Ohio for a small group in a local church.  Two rugs were stolen from the church sometime after class on Tuesday and before class began Wednesday morning.  The room was filled with wool, hooking equipment including frames and cutters, other rugs and a digital projector.  None of those items were touched.  Please forward this email on to your rug hooking guilds and groups.  If you are a frequent follower of Ebay, Craigslist or any other internet site that sells things I would appreciate it if you would be on the look out for the rugs.  I am offering a reward for information leading to the return of the rugs.

Rug #1 is my Crocodile Mola design.  It was featured in the November/December 2011 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.  It was exhibited at the ATHA Biennial exhibit in Lancaster, PA in October 2011 and at the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild exhibit at the Shelburne Museum in November 2011.  The rug is 36 x 48.

Rug #2 is my Pumpkins and Leaves design.  It was hooked by Linda Woodbury and has been exhibited at many local shows in New Jersey.  The rug is 28 x 40.

I have attached photos below.
If you have any info please contact me or Linda.

Thank you,
Norma Batastini

Please keep your eyes out for these rugs.....if you have anything to share and need contact information for Norma, just send me a quick e-mail (fisheyerugs AT hotmail DOT com).

saturday

My favourite artist, R.W. Haviland, had an open house on Saturday, at her studio.  I've mentioned Bobbi on the blog a couple of times before.  She lives about 30 minutes north of Huntsville, just outside Burk's Falls, and less than 2 minutes off of the highway (directions and some more photos here).

Sandra and the kids and I went up for a little visit.  We've know Bobbi for years (and years!) and it's always so wonderful to see her newest works, and follow along as her work progresses and changes.  Sandra said "it's a good thing I don't have to pick one....because there are too many that I like...."  And I definitely echo that thought.  I'd also like to have some open wall space....LOL!

In my mind, her work over the last 4-5 years is so transferable to rug hooking.  It will definitely be influencing and inspiring me this Fall, when I hope to embark on a series of landscapes. 

The big canvases will form an exhibit called "Songlines" at the Algonquin Theatre - Partner's Hall (in downtown Huntsville) from July 2nd to 30th.  We were able to preview these new works....and I snapped some quick photos with my iPhone....

It's always fun to get a few behind the scenes glimpses of the process.  Here are the little sketches that began the bigger works....

...and the pastels - so many little pellets of colour....

alive

I am still here....just been super crazy busy.  And my internet has been out at home all weekend, so I couldn't even get caught up on posting, reading, emails, etc.  Fingers crossed all is back to normal when I get home from work tonight.....and I will get back to everyone waiting for a response.  Thank you for your patience!  xxoo

In the meantime, here is a little snap that I received last weekend from my niece Hannah.  Just a few days after her little lesson with me, this is what she'd accomplished....

I'm so proud!  ;-)  And just looking at it again now puts a (much needed) smile on my face.

this and that

yes!  I am still breathing.  I've just been in a bit of a reading daze.  About 10 books in as many days.  Some good, some trashy, some really good, some bad.  A real mix, but a great escape none-the-less.  In between, I've been away for an extra-long weekend of training for work. 

I've squeezed in a quick lesson for the fifth generation (....and silently wished that I'd been clever enough to start rug hooking in the weeks before my 20th birthday).

I've been amazed that little 'Miracle' is still on the right side of of the grass.  He was under 30lbs at birth a couple of weeks ago.  

I've also been thinking about the long list of projects I want to start....but it hasn't really progressed beyond the list stage.  Yet.

It's a new week.  A fresh start.  Happy Monday!