Coudre

Hi Knitters,

Coudre, French for, to sew or put stitches into. I feel a new obsession coming on.
The daisy covered tape measure is my second stitched creation of this sort. I used wool felt and embroidery floss. I traced around the actual tape measure to make a pattern for the center. Then I traced around the tape measure again and used the end of a large-scale paper clip to trace petals around the circle for the flower pattern. It's all very scientific. I free-handed the leaves.
The two wool felt covered tape measures are a particularly big hit with my kids. What is it with tape measures and kids? They love them. I think instead of a new toy every child should get a couple of tape measures of their own. Mine disappear from my studio on a regular basis. 

Anyway, I have a lot more of these in my head and I'll share along the way as they come to fruition.
Now onto two Alans and two excellent books. The Collector and I read this book this morning before school. It is truly adorable and the illustrations are exquisite. The version we have is from the school library, thus the plastic cover and the red tape. The title is, Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly, in case the glare prevented you from reading it. The author's name is Alan Madison and the illustrator is, Kevin Hawkes. I highly recommend this story of the sisters Gratch. It is a way sweet tale. Way.

The other Alan is Alan Dart. I love Alan Dart and his toy designs. He is the creator of the yuletide gnome dolls that are so hugely popular. The pattern for the gnome and many other fantastic toys are in this book, Irresistible Gifts to Knit by Alan Dart. It is an irresistible book. The reason I am writing about this is that yesterday I saw a big stack of Irresistible Gifts at Joann's on the magazine rack. I know awhile ago I brought up Alan's toy book and people had a hard time finding copies. It has been reprinted! So there you go if you are still on the look out. You can order it online, too.

Okay, now I am off to knit, knit and more knit. I am working on knitting some way cool projects for something new that I am way psyched about. I love to start something new, all of the excitement and unknown ahead of you...

Have a way cool Thursday, Knitters.

best, susie