Friday, May 08, 2009

Springy Bits and Pieces

Hi Knitters,
Wow, it is a beautiful spring day. It couldn't be any closer to perfect outside. I just spent an hour or two on the phone going over some little things for Itty-Bitty Toys. We are scouring it thoroughly and completely. I am in love with this book and I can't wait for it to come out next November, 2009. I have the cover shot and I'll ask the publisher if I can share it soon. It is very sweet.

I pulled out some excellent colors of Tahki Cotton Classic this morning to wind up. Do you recognize the color grouping? It is the good old rainbow, ROY G BIV, for the Rainbow Marley hat in Itty-Bitty Hats. I have joined my first knitting swap on the Itty-Bitty Knits group on ravelry. I am so excited. We are a small group all knitting Rainbow Marley hats in any way you see fit, different colors and a couple different sizes, and then we are swapping them! It is just a fun little springy thing to do. You can still join the Hat Swap if you are interested up until May 16th. Come on along, I hope some of you join in. It is always fun to knit something and give it away and then you'll get something right back in return. I can't wait to see the different takes on the Marley, too.
I was thinking that I might make my Marley in a different colorway like greens and blues. Then I started thinking that I love the rainbow version and I can't really top it. I am doing the rainbow colors and I am excited to start later today. I actually have to look up the pattern because I haven't knitted this hat in about 5 years or so. My memory isn't that good! It'll come back to me, right?
My neighbors have the most beautiful yard. They have tulips  popping up everywhere. I used to have tulips until the rabbits ate them all and now they don't come up anymore. I miss them in my yard but I get to enjoy the tulips next door. Rabbits must not like daffodils because I still have those every year.
Every tree is busting out around here. We love watching and waiting for our flowering trees to bloom. 

This is a change of subject but I have been thinking a lot about knitted sachets lately. I love them and think they make the sweetest gifts. A new free pattern for a lacy sachet just came in my email this morning. You may have gotten this pattern already but I thought I'd share the link just in case. I think I may make a few of these for teachers gifts this year or something like it anyway. They are quick and little and smelly, in a good way. Remember this one, too. I've made some of these tiny pine trees and given them away.
The Collector wanted French braids this morning, not regular braids. We had a few extra minutes so I obliged. She looked so neat and tidy that I thought I'd snap a quick photo of her. Her crafting has reached all new levels lately. I'll have to photograph some of her latest creations and share them soon. The girl really needs her own blog. The fairy obsession is already coming back strong for the warmer weather. There is some serious fairy house planning going on. Can't wait.

Okay, one last silly thing to ask you about. I have been collecting the fortunes out of fortune cookies for several years. I save them every time we eat Chinese for dinner, which is only once every few months. I want to do something creative with my collection but I don't have nearly enough. You know my table I decoupaged luggage labels on? Yeah, something like that only with the fortunes. 

Well, I guess what I am asking is if any of you eat fortune cookies a lot and if you would save your fortunes for me. I would love it if you would! There is no rush in getting them to me at all but if you are interested in starting a little stash for me instead of throwing them out I would appreciate it. It is sort of a little "green" project, recycling a bit. Let me know if you are up for this. I know, silly, right?

Happy Mother's Day to all of you this weekend. Give your moms a hug from me: )
best, susie
p.s. I am hosting two more Girl Scout knitting gatherings today and next week. I'll keep you posted on their progress.
p.p.s. Guess what? My sister is coming over next Thursday (and hopefully more) to help me learn how to use my sewing machine better. We scheduled it right in, Sewing Thursdays! I am so excited about this. I do so much hand sewing and I have this beautiful machine sitting in my studio that I don't know how to use very well. We are going to start a project together. I am getting all of the materials this weekend. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I l.o.v.e. your idea to recycle the fortunes from their namesake cookies. I think it would be fun to somehow attach the fortune to the return address/label from which they arrived along with the date and incorporate the whole "swatch" into your project. Good luck and keep us posted! --Ramona :)

Dianne MacDonald said...

Good for you on Sewing Thursdays! There must be something in the air because I have been fabric shopping for the first time in many,many years and collecting patterns I want to make. Now to actually get down to it!

Chris said...

I happened to have a couple skeins of the Tahki Cotton on hand when I bought your butterfly washcloth pattern. So even though it's a lighter weight, I decided to try it. It's making a beautiful, silky soft yellow and orange butterfly so far!

Love your idea about the fortune cookie tags!

audrey said...

Sewing and knitting, both addicting. You will have to schedule time for sewing and for knitting now.

Katie said...

Oh good luck with Sewing Thursdays! Sounds like fun. I wish I had read this earlier-we had chinese for dinner. Next time we go (which will probably be soon) I will be sure and save the fortunes for you

Arlene said...

Love the colors you chose for the Marley hat. I've gotta try those and have been eyeing the Marley hat for my granddaughter. Thanks for the encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Neat idea on the fortunes! I'll start downing some cookies just for you! I wonder if you could "age" a few, like with a tea stain...or color a few with KoolAid concentrated...just a thought!

Judi A. said...

The Collector is such a neat gal. I love the pictures of her everytime. The one today showed the "colorway" of her beautiful hair. Her smile can't be beat. Do let us know what fun creative things she's been doing. Like mother, like daughter. Sewing is my first passion so I cannot imagine anyone having a great sewing machine and not know how to use it. Ahhh...sisters are good for so many things. I'm glad to hear she's going to teach you. Keep us posted on the endeavor.
Happy Mother's Day, Susan. I can tell you are a wonderful mother!
:-)

Jimberlys said...

Wow....it only took you 3 hours to knit a Marley Hat!!!!!!!!

Nataly said...

Great idea for the fortunes!!...I think decoupaging a bathtub reading tray would be really cool since you're in the natural "zen" reflecting kind of mood already. The fortunes would give you even more pondering material while you're soaking in the bath!

Nataly said...

The fortune idea is fab! Maybe you could decoupage a bathtub reading tray. It's perfect since it's small and you're in the mood to reflect and meditate.

Anonymous said...

Sewing with your sister will be so much fun! My sister and I spend hours each weekend sewing and knitting together - we both really look forward to our "sister time".

Have fun and post pictures!