tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40536551380283650312024-03-14T07:28:55.829-07:00Weekdays from scratchAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.comBlogger664125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-9389790067342811462018-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:002018-05-25T06:00:00.204-07:00These Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't written a "These Days" post in so very long. First of all my kids- who I used to refer to as "Littles" are not so little any more and along with age comes a desire for privacy. Also I just felt a lot of what we were doing wasn't too interesting to most people- I mean do you want to hear about swimming lessons and gymnastics? So anyways I haven't written about the biggest part of my life in over two years and I really miss it!<br />
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These days you will find us doing the daily grind- after school sports- home reading- friends in one door and out the other- life is a constant whirl around here these days. My kids are turning into interesting people- ones that have interests in stuff like computer coding and baking- they know about things like the science behind why some people here Yanni and some people hear Lauren- like they had to explain the phenomenon to me! They are curious little creatures.<br />
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Needless to say with all the activities (and we are far less scheduled than most families with kids our age) we miss the slow quiet days of when they were young. Last weekend when we all piled into the car and headed to the ocean they started to talk and we all started to reconnect. The Boy made our very eclectic mixed CD- tunes ranged from Fleetwood Mac to Justin Timberlake. The Girl told funny and really weird stories. It was nice to all be in one place with no other distractions besides someone randomly yelling out "COW" as we drove past farms. </div>
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So these days we are parent's to big kids- the struggle is still as real and hard as when they were little but the demands are different. Less physical and more emotional. When I look back on the days when I first started writing this blog the hours seemed just so long and the days were so very hard. Now the days can still be hard but they fly by just so fast. From babies to complex young people in the blink of an eye!<br />
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P.s- they agreed to this post<br />
P.s.s- not their beer bottles (does this need to be said? Someone will surly comment!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-58931708767475402262018-05-23T10:58:00.001-07:002018-05-23T10:58:54.707-07:00Yarn Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you follow along with me over on Instagram then you likely have seen my flood of road trip posts- this past long weekend we hit the road and drove down to Long Beach in Washington for a mini getaway with friends. It was great- everything we needed as a family- unwinding time for all (except the Mr. who did all the driving- the man is a saint) plenty of beach hangs, camp fires and erm adult beverages.<br />
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On our way home it was decided that we would avoid Seattle and head through the interior- conveniently right by one of my favourite yarn shops- <a href="https://www.toltyarnandwool.com/" target="_blank">Tolt Yarn and Wool</a>! When we lived in Vancouver visits to Tolt happened on the reg- these days not so much. I haven't been in two years! So while I could have easily gone bananas and bought everything I laid my eyes on I intentionally just slowed it way down and took it all in. I touched everything and got an idea of what new to me yarns feel like- I may have walked around squishing a skein of the new <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/" target="_blank">Ranch 01 from Brooklyn Tweed</a>.<br />
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In the end though I contained myself and came away with some really special yarns- two skiens of <a href="https://www.toltyarnandwool.com/collections/vendors?q=Quince%20%26%20Co." target="_blank">Quince Owl</a> in Mesa- a gorgeous worsted weight. Destined to be crocheted (yes you read that right) into the Strossel hat by Karen Crittenden. I also brought home one skein of <a href="https://yothyarns.com/" target="_blank">Yoth Father-</a> another worsted weight yarn in a deep indigo colour called Caviar. I love Yoth yarns and never miss a chance to add to my stash!<br />
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Additionally I treated myself to some knitting art- a letter press print <i>A Sense of Place </i>by artist Anna Brones. As soon as I saw this print I feel in love- two of my favourite things combined knitting and printmaking! I don't purchase many souvenirs when I travel but yarn and art are two things I find difficult to pass up- both reminders of the roads I've traveled. When the time comes to work with this yarn I will forever remember the sticky hot day we stopped- my family hanging out at the van with the side door open- my Mr. peeling apples for a snack- the kids picking all the chocolate out of the trail mix- waiting patiently as I touched all the yarn!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-15238474469165722592018-05-10T15:12:00.002-07:002018-05-10T15:12:36.191-07:00Field Trip: Maiwa Supply<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now I really don't want to sound like a broken record when I say there are things about living in Vancouver that I really miss- loads that I don't - but a few things living in a big city provides that just don't exist in a smaller place! One such place is the Pandora's box called<a href="https://maiwa.com/" target="_blank"> Maiwa Supply</a>- a veritable treasure trove for a textile artist or even just someone looking for a little inspiration. Maiwa is what I consider to be ground zero to the slow fashion movement- with 30 years of experience in supplying natural dyes and organic fabrics.</div>
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<a href="https://maiwa.com/" target="_blank"> Maiwa </a>is a family run business and you can feel that the moment you walk through the doors- they aren't in the business of just selling cloth but in the business of creating memories and some of my strongest Vancouver memories are tied to the little shop across from the bakery. My first visit to Maiwa was in the early 2000s- fresh to the city Granville Island was my home base. I was working on the island and had heard the buzz- people told me "you just have to go" and I'm so happy I did! Walking into the store was like nothing I had experienced before- the store just resonated with me deep in my core- I didn't know how to use any of these lovely things but I wanted to learn!</div>
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Maiwa was the place I went when I became obsessed with crochet- back then they had a small selection of naturally dyed yarns- I heard words like Madder and Indigo for the first time outside of art supplies. Maiwa was the place I went when I was pregnant with my first child and wanted to sew baby clothes- choosing from the soft block printed fabrics I knew my baby was wrapped in something special. And Maiwa was the first place I ever heard the words Slow Fashion- learning the difference between industrial cotton and organic cotton. Where I really and truly began my own textile education.<br />
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I truly miss the days of realizing I need something for a project and having this resource just down the road. Their staff are amazing and always so helpful trouble shooting or filling in the gaps in my natural dye knowledge. While Maiwa does have a pretty great website there really is nothing quite like ducking through those blue doors to touch and feel everything on their shelves. This store really is a part of the fabric of my life!<br />
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P.S. bucket list- one of the immersive Maiwa trips to India- who wants to come with?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-17126263512116290272018-05-02T09:53:00.001-07:002018-05-02T10:14:23.981-07:00Me Made May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday marked the first of May- and it's just so fitting that a movement such as Me Made May should be starting on May Day! The first of May traditionally marks the halfway point of Spring- also known as Beltane- an ancient celebration of longer days. In addition to being a celebration of Spring May first also marks a day when major shifts in the labour movementstarted to happen in the nineteenth century- for workers rights and freedoms- along with the eight hour work day! With Me Made May following on the heals of Fashion Revolution week this just feels all sorts of right- increasing workers rights and freedoms and striving to make the planet a healthier place.<br />
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So with this in mind I am really excited to share some of my recent makes- as well as more fun outfit posts through out the month. As mentioned in previous posts one of my main goals as a maker is to seek out materials that are sustainably produced- which works considering my long term love affair with linen! Being cognizant of my material use and wastage is also on my radar- I want to use my materials in the most effective way and produce as little waste as possible.<br />
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Now either I am an environmental warrior or just your run of the mill suburban fabric hoarder- either way I have a large collection of scrap fabric just chilling like a villain in my studio. While a part of me would love to have a clean minimalist studio free from all clutter and scrap this is just not the case so what is a girl to do? Enter in the <a href="https://www.bombazine.com.au/notebook/bombazine-oven-mitt/" target="_blank">Bombazine Mitt</a>- a quick I.G. search will show all sorts of clever people using up their scraps in the most artistic ways- I was soon swept away by the scrappy possibilities!<br />
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I am simply in love with this quick and easy little pattern- I may have made several of the oven mitts for myself all ready- who said Me Made May needs to be worn on your body. Oh and did I mention this is a free pattern? Oh yeah- no better way to my heart than something that is free and actually works! Check out <a href="https://www.bombazine.com.au/" target="_blank">Bombazine</a> for other fantastic sewing inspo- there are several pieces I am now convinced to try for myself- up next the In The Folds Jumpsuit! Why is everything from Austrailia just SO cool? I'm always interested to see what other's are sewing and making- are you taking place in Me Made May? If so lets connect!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-78261241051118185952018-04-13T09:30:00.002-07:002018-04-13T09:30:14.211-07:00Whats In The (Knitting) Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi-ho it's Friday- and I am packing for Girl Guide camp- Brownie camp to be specific- not a huge variance between the two only that our girls will be awake all night giggling in cabins rather than tents. Regardless it's pretty much guaranteed that I won't be getting much sleep tonight- it is after all Friday the 13th. So of course with the thought of a long sleepless night ahead of me I am packing up my knitting- because hello sanity! I thought I would share a few of my favourite things that I carry on the reg in my travel knitting bag- because really don't we all want to see what cool stuff our friend's carry around?<br />
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First off the bag- a few months ago I started turning some of my screen printed fabric into project bags- they are in fact great for a bunch of stuff but of course I use mine primarily for sorting my knitting projects out. I decided to re-open my Etsy shop and am now selling these bags online- you can click<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmockArtStudio" target="_blank"> here</a> to go take a gander should you feel so inclined! In my bag I have my Freja sweater which was slow going this week- I did not make much progress but that's the nature of knitting- a few stitches at a time was all I could manage to sneak in.<br />
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There are just so many interesting and useful tools on the market right now and of course everyone has a favourite- I am in love with my Lykke needles which I treated myself to last year- a splurge but worth the investment! I purchased both my needles and my gauge ruler from <a href="http://www.fringesupplyco.com/" target="_blank">Fringe </a>Supply- a favourite supplier of inspiration. My little snips I have had forever- like probably fifteen years- they are just that perfect tool that I would be lost with out. I bought the snips and my Merchant and Mills bulb pins at<a href="https://maiwa.com/" target="_blank"> Maiwa</a> on Granville Island- again primary purveyor of inspiration! The tube of tapestry needles for weaving in ends (I'm being optimistic here) was from Knit City last fall- I can't remember which booth I picked those up at- there was just SO much happening!<br />
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Add to my tools my trusty mini first aide kit from <a href="https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5003-378/UltraLight-5-First-Aid-Kit" target="_blank">MEC</a>- I usually carry this around with me daily because if a kid isn't getting hurt I usually am! Maybe this is a left over habit from my own Girl Guide days but I always have that handy first aide kit or at least bandages with me at all times! Of course rattling around the bottom of all my bags are treasures from our travels- these gorgeous smooth stones were picked up on a beach in the Kootney's last summer and are just a joy to hold.<br />
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Adventure is out there my friends and I truly hope you find some this weekend- weather it's taking a moment for yourself to stitch a few rows or climbing up the side of a mountain we all need to take time for ourselves! Myself- my dream for this weekend involves waking up before those giggling girls and sitting with my coffee beside the lake tomorrow morning- even if just for a few minutes before the fun begins! Happy Friday Friends!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-72604514754846080042018-04-04T09:23:00.000-07:002018-04-04T09:23:12.660-07:00Casting On: Freja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sitting here at my desk with our backdoor flung open and the cool Spring air streaming in- the sun has not yet shifted around to this part of the yard and I am happy knowing my garlic babies are getting warmed. As my thoughts are turning to longer days spent outside a part of me still knows that Mother Nature could pull a fast one and send flurries any day- today though I will leave the windows and doors open as long as I possibly can. </div>
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Warmer days surly are ahead and I know my time with wool is fast drawing to a close- in my mind I'm moving on to warm weather projects like t-shirts and shorts- cool linen is calling my name! With this in mind I cast on what is possibly my last warm winter knit- and even at that it is a lofty mid sleeve knit which will likely be in constant rotation these cool Spring evenings! The <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/freja/" target="_blank">Freja </a>sweater by Brooklyn Tweed has called my name ever since the launch of their latest collection- as soon as I saw <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/freja/" target="_blank">Freja</a> I knew I must knit it for myself- my precious! I'm so excited to once again expand my knitting skills- to think that just a few years ago I didn't consider myself a knitter at all!</div>
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I chose to use <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/quarry/" target="_blank">Brooklyn Tweed Quarry</a>- which is what the pattern was designed for- I chose the colour Sandstone which is a nice neutral oatmeal colour with flecks of darker browns spun through. I love working with Brooklyn Tweed yarns- not only are they totally sourced, cleaned, dyed and spun in the U.S. but Quarry has such a magical feel when working with it. To quote directly from the label "Quarry is an airy, chunky-weight wool that mimics the appearance of roving-style "unspun" yarns." To say the least this chunky yarn is a fast and fun knit! I also love that every once in a while I come across a little piece of natural material- reminding me that this wool I'm using is from the earth. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-28655235669449792872018-04-03T10:30:00.001-07:002018-04-03T10:30:23.220-07:00Looking At The Label<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the reasons I wanted to participate in the 10 x10 Style Challenge- that I posted about last week- is that I really want to examine my own consumerism once again- take a closer look at the materials I am using and ensure I am making choices that align with my heart. Taking a part in this style challenge has opened up a variety of conversations with friends on both sides of the line. On one hand I have so many like minded peers who are interested in slow fashion and on the other hand I live in a small city where $2.00 t-shirts are still considered a bargain. Regardless, one of the topics that seems to come up time and time again is that of both food and fibre security.<br />
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Not often do we as a society think of fibre the same way we think about food although fast food and fast fashion are akin to one another- and both are equally big health issues. In our valley and indeed in much of our province locality is so popular when it comes to food- slow- local and as organic as possible. The farmer's market scene is bumpin' and we like to support good local food. It's good for the economy and it's good for the earth- it's so easy to achieve a 100 mile diet here in the Okanagan- slow food- grown close to home. Local options for all tastes are to be found in abundance at our farmer's markets or just outside our door in the garden- eating locally grown and seasonal has surpassed fad or trend.<br />
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Just behind slow, seasonal and local food comes slow, seasonal and local fibre. Now of course this is a niche market at the moment but I know a lot of people are hoping that will change! At one point in time it was not uncommon to look at a clothing label and see "made in the U.S.A"- today there are very few textile mills left in America and we rely on overseas providers for our textiles. As an artist with an interest in textiles where my materials are coming from is just as important to me as where my food is coming from. I want to use fibres from the land I live in.<br />
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What I look for when choosing my fibres is very similar to how I shop for groceries. I look at the label. I want to know where this fabric or wool is from. Did it travel across the ocean? Or was the wool sourced, cleaned, dyed and spun in North America (like this Brooklyn Tweed pictured above) I want to know what additives have been added to the wool. Is it superwash yarn? This is an important question to me as superwash is often coated with a wash of polymer- yes that is plastic. A label tells you right up front everything you want to know about the providence of the yarn you are considering or dress you want to buy!<br />
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Obviously cost is a factor- acrylic yarn is so much less expensive because it's easy to make- but it's also plastic. Using wool yarn can be quite pricey- lets face it -knitting is no longer an economy hobby- it has moved into the realm of luxury which can feel limiting for some people. So much like eating organic or local food it's all about balance and budget. Spend a little more and buy a little less for a better quality. I dare say after trying this approach your feelings towards your garments will change- they will become a little more precious- will be cared for differently and there fore last longer.<br />
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I think just starting to change our collective mindset is an important first step in consuming textiles grown closer to home. Look at that label and support local growers and makers with your dollars. There are so many amazing small scale- local makers everywhere you look these days. Folks who are also interested in where their materials are coming from. By living thoughtfully and taking our time we can make small decisions that have great impact. Moving as slowly and seasonally with what we put on our body as we do with what we put in our body is so important.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-83276355596249929882018-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:002018-03-30T06:00:12.748-07:0010x 10 Style Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We all know how much I love clothes- if there was an alternative name to this blog it might be "I Love Clothes"! Not just any clothes but clothing made to last with intention and integrity- items that stand the test of time, fads and trends- so no fast fashion here friends. Much of my closet consists of handmade items or things that I have saved up for and then proceeded to wear for many many years- I would rather spend my time in the garden that in the mall.<br />
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Since moving back to the Okanagan however my closet has felt a little flat- I just do not wear half of what I did in the city. Much of my city wardrobe looks like I stole it from Tia Russel ala the petulant niece in Uncle Buck- if you are under 20 and reading this reference *might* be retro enough to make sense. At any rate I have been feeling a lack of direction in my day to day accoutrement and so when the seasonal 10 x 10 Style Challenge popped up I thought this might be just the ticket!<br />
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What is the 10 x 10 challenge you may ask- consider your entire closet- including shoes and outer wear- now pick 10 things and wear them for 10 days. First of all you will literally be the only one who even notices- no one else cares what you are wearing. Second of all you will carefully consider your level of entitlement- that a capsule wardrobe is even in your wheelhouse. You just used the word wheelhouse. <br />
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Creating a capsule wardrobe is an incredibly entitled exercise in living- the fact that you (and I mean me) even have time to worry about your clothes means you have less pressing things to worry about- like feeding your kids. Clearly capsule wardrobes are for bored housewives- but they aren't- not really. So after carefully examining my status in society and use of second person prefix I now explain.<br />
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Right now when I look in my closet it is filled with a few favourite pieces of clothing and guilt- a lot of guilt. That guilt looks a lot like clothes I own and never wear- and when I imagine future Sharilyn she isn't wearing any of those clothes. My idea is that after going for 10 days wearing my favourite most comfortable items of clothing I will be able to let some things go. This might be the same thing I do to my kid's school projects- hide them in the closet for a week and if no one notices throw them out.<br />
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While I won't be throwing away perfectly good clothing I will most likely pass a few things on to friends I know will love them- I will likely cut some things down into Spring outfits for my daughter- and I might dip my toe into consigning at a local store. I will not send these textiles out into the great void of second hand clothing- I will recyle responsibly.<br />
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What made the cut you might be asking? Well obviously my new Veronika Cardigan that I just finished knitting and wear all the time- this is SO me! My old standby Eileen Fisher jeans- I love this company- did you know E.F. has a sister site that sells gently used E.F. goods? Love it! I have a self drafted peplum top I sewed last fall and lived in all winter and my trusty Elizabeth Suzann- Harper tunic- I wear this probably twice a week already. Plus of coarse my Rains rain jacket- Hunter boots and white Converse sneakers- yeah I'm a bit basic!<br />
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If you made it this far and are still reading yipppeee! You can follow along with the fun over on good old Instagram. If you want all the deets and to possibly consider your own 10 x 10 Style Challenge you can check out the brains behind the movement over on<a href="http://www.stylebee.ca/10-x-10-challenge/" target="_blank"> Style Bee</a>. So ultimately as much fun as I am poking at the idea of a capsule or minimalist wardrobe I really admire people who live with less- I aspire to live with less- and to do so stylishly. What I hope to get out of the next ten days is some freedom from that guilt hanging in my closet- I think it's time to let go- I'm ready!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-38501673681431975972018-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:002018-03-17T08:16:57.449-07:00Well Loved: Making Magazine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think these days there are just so many amazing publications and opportunities for makers and shakers that there is a very real fear of missing out (F.O.M.O.). It's a thing- it's symptoms are very similar to anxiety and often leave the maker in question with a nagging sensation in the pit of the stomach that there are simply not enough hours in the day!<br />
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Over the past few years I have come to acknowledge this feeling- I hold onto it for a day or so- say hello- how do you do- and then let it move on down the road. I simply cannot knit or sew all of the things I would love to. Playing a huge role in this craft anxiety is the fact that there really are just so many amazing things happening in the world of making. The pressure to create whats trending on social media or other platforms can be massive- especially for someone with a short attention span such as myself.<br />
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I mentioned I have slowed it down- like way down. So much so that I am still working my way through publications from last Summer. Case in point is my much loved Issue No.3 of <a href="https://makingzine.com/" target="_blank">Making Magazine.</a> I love this issue so much that I have knit 2 sweaters from it- baked the blue berry cake recipe many times over (once with cherries- amaze) and started a number of French knot projects. Up next is a little Spring skirt for my girlie. I love this issue just so darn much!<br />
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What Making does just so well is produce each issue as a stand alone book- I don't feel like I am missing out by continuing to use this issue as a resource. Each project is just so thoughtfully laid out and works so well together as a collection of beautiful handmade items and stories. And good news those beautiful words can be listened to regularly as my favourite magazine has collaborated with my favourite Podcasters to create the perfect holistic making experience!<br />
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So this season I highly recommend saying a hard NO to fear of missing out also known as crafters anxiety and dig deeper into what you really love. Find the thing that inspires you and really experience it in it's entirety! Friends it is Friday- it's been awhile since I have written those words- and I am looking forward to far too much fun with friends- some good yarn and even better coffee! Happy Friday!<br />
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P.S. I am in no way wishing to make light of anxiety- I know it's not a laughing matter. However there is a grain of truth here and that is we all need to know our limits. We need to start saying no so we can shed some of that fear of missing out and be present with what we love!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-12328221647274257212018-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:002018-03-14T06:00:14.245-07:00The Veronika Cardigan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so happy the sun is out- the snow is receding and longer days spent outdoors are surely just around the corner. Of course I have now jinxed everything! I recently cast off this fun knit after working on it intermittently all winter- Christmas and Birthday knitting took precedent and this lovely was put on the back burner. But just in time for Spring I have the perfect cardigan- the Veronika!<br />
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Knit from <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/shelter/" target="_blank">Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Haystack</a> is the <a href="http://www.veryshannon.com/blog/2017/7/new-pattern-veronika-cardigan" target="_blank">Veronika Cardigan</a>- pattern by Very Shannon. I simply love this pattern so much- a fun and easy knit- worked in a single piece and seamed at the end this is a pattern for all abilities! Described as cozy, rustic and effortless this cardi could actually be put in the shawl category but for the simple slit arm openings. This is seriously the most comfortable cardigan I have worn in a long time!<br />
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The pattern was designed with Veronika Jobe of <a href="https://yothyarns.com/" target="_blank">YOTH Yarns</a> in mind- originally the yarn suggested was Daughter. However after seeing this knit up in Brooklyn Tweed I took the plunge and bought myself a sweater's worth of yarn on sunny fall afternoon. What I love about Shelter is it's so light and lofty while still retaining it's shape- it wears nicely under my rain jacket (which is roomy) and still looks good after. While I still need to block my Veronika I think I will be hard pressed to actually take it off long enough to do so!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-68689657810648008752018-03-12T15:49:00.002-07:002018-03-12T17:25:13.833-07:00Next Knit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic via Petite Knit</td></tr>
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I am a monogamous knitter for the most part however as I near the end of one project my mind often wanders onto the next. Currently I am coveting two basic knits- with only the resources and time to knit one of them! Both sweaters would make excellent wardrobe staples and fill some holes- I am really trying to be present and intentional with my making- knitting or sewing only what I actually need or really really want!</div>
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Above is the <a href="https://www.petiteknit.com/collections/adult/products/copy-of-ingen-dikkedarer-sweater?variant=27831340296" target="_blank">No Frills Sweater</a> from the Petite Knit. This gorgeous wardrobe basic has been missing from my closet ever since I literally wore my Banana Republic crew neck to bits. Considering I no longer shop at Banana Republic or even have one in my town I think this would be the perfect sweater to knit with an eye towards next fall- so maybe a good summer knit?</div>
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Below is the sweater I can hear angels singing over- when <a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/" target="_blank">Brooklyn Tweed</a> launched its Winter 2018 collection I almost died- which I generally do when B.T. comes out with a new collection- I love everything they do! So when the<a href="https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/freja/" target="_blank"> Freja cardigan</a> popped up I just knew this one was meant for me- clean simple lines with a cool waffle knit detail. I love everything about it. I see it in Indigo blue.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic via Brooklyn Tweed</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-12745098998399726922018-03-07T13:55:00.002-08:002018-03-07T13:55:50.720-08:00Hello Dear Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Dear Friends- it's been awhile- a long long 2 year while! I really have no excuse other than to say life just carried me away. Having gone from writing here almost daily for so many years to not writing at all felt so strange- in my head I often catch myself writing content- it's a funny habit to shake. To say I have missed it is an understatement- I have truly missed expressing myself here in words and images.<br />
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I feel like I am just in a different space now than when I was writing Weekdays From Scratch- is it still me? It is most definitely not about my kid's any more- those sweet days of having Littles is gone- these days they are rather big and guard their privacy fiercely. Will I still be current if I am no longer a cute Mommy blogger? Does this space still match who I am?<br />
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These are all things I have been throwing around lately. To be honest I was trying to come up with another blog name- something more about knitting and sewing. More about my current interests- less about making crafts and taking adventures with my kids and something more just for me. That is where I am right now in my life- thinking about myself and what excites me!<br />
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My weekdays are still mostly from scratch- in fact now more so than ever. With my Kiddos in school full time my days are most filled with making and doing. I still cook so much from scratch as it's something I'm passionate about- slow food- my actual garden! I still sew- again slow fashion is one of my biggest passions! And I am knitting more now than ever before. So maybe just maybe Weekdays From Scratch is still totally relevant?<br />
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Maybe I don't need to change too much at all my friends- just maybe if it isn't broken I shouldn't try to fix it! So we will give it a try- I am going to start writing here again- maybe not so regularly but often enough. Talking about our new life- about everything I am loving about being home in the Okanagan. Showing up here is a bit like coming home too!<br />
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A big shout out to both my friend Tannis who still reads what I have to say- you never stop encouraging me! And thank you to Francesca who suggested the best blog name Not Without My Knitting- unfortunately it is taken but I loved your suggestion- so in tribute to that here is the header I would have used!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-91678755346537956992016-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:002016-06-22T06:00:05.569-07:00Year of Knitting: Farmhouse Shawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I seem to really be into knitting shawls this year with this - the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/farmhouse-2" target="_blank">Farmhouse Shawl</a> from Cabin Four- being my fourth (and most favorite) shawl of the year! This is the most snugly shawl- practically a blanket- perfect for curling up on early mornings with. While I saw knitting this pattern I kept imagining myself grabbing this off the hook at my - imagined- back door and heading out into my - imaged- back yard. Curling up in my- very real and favorite- outdoor chair and sipping on a mug of coffee. The vision was so real I could practically feel the cool Autumn air on my cheeks.<br />
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Before we found a place to live this shawl kept my vision firm- we would find a house- it would happen. Knitting this shawl kept me focused and grounded through the weeks where we didn't know what our future would look like. Knit with gorgeous <a href="http://www.hinterlandfarm.ca/about/" target="_blank">Hinterland</a> Range yarn from Vancouver Island in Snow this yarn is as local as it gets for us. Working with Hinterland yarns is a dream- as soon as I started I could feel the love that had gone into making such a beautiful product.<br />
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The pattern it's self was so quick and easy- one to surely make again. I truly enjoyed the process. I will admit to feeling a bit like Stevie Nicks with the fringe and I will likely wear my<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/farmhouse-2" target="_blank"> Farmhouse</a> to the Vancouver Folk Festival- yes even in July it can get chilly on the water!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-64230740907108771812016-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:002016-06-17T06:00:27.189-07:00It's Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Friends it is Friday again- time to kick back .... and pack more boxes! Yes that seems to be the theme of our days! Often when I glance at the calendar I get a gross sinking feeling- so many tasks to be checked off that giant to do list that comes with moving. For the most part our family has been pulling together to take care of the more mundane tasks such as laundry and packing during the week so we can still have our weekends a bit free. There are still so many things we wish to do here on the Coast before moving at the end of July- we have created a bucket list of sorts.<br />
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I am hoping to post here all of our favorite spots in and around Vancouver to visit- you can also follow our summer adventures over on Instagram. I may or may not have started a hash tag #thingsiwillmissaboutvancouver which is pretty much everything friend and food related! So stay tuned for weekly updates on our Summer 2016 bucket list- maybe it will spur you on to create your own family bucket list for the coming months!<br />
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As mentioned it is Friday- aside from packing boxes I hope to have a few quiet moments with my coffee while I start a new knitting project- it's a secret for now- details will be forthcoming! So here's to two entire days of coffee, knitting and adventuring! Happy Friday Friends! xoxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-37097174805957741932016-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:002016-06-15T06:00:23.914-07:00Year of Knitting: The Vera Tee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With all the travelling between the Okanagan that we have been doing these past few months I have traded in my sewing machine for the knitting needles- knitting being the more portable of projects to pack for the weekend. Not only am I still making and creating in a very tangible way but the very act of knitting keeps me sane- I am by far a patient person- possibly the worst traveller ever and so the knitting keeps me busy.<br />
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When I came across the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vera-tee" target="_blank">Vera Tee</a> from Mackenzie Sasser I knew that my girl needed one- or possibly more- of these sweet little tees- the very perfect layering layer! Initially I thought the Vera Tee would be great in the fall under her jean jacket or layered up when it gets frosty- to be honest I am afraid my children are going to freeze in the Okanagan! After this weekend though my girl wore her Vera tee almost everywhere- it turns out this knit is great for warm weather as well as layering!<br />
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I knit this little sweater up in a week- yes the time spent in the car stuck in traffic helped but this pattern was so simple and a pleasure to knit up. I used two skeins of Malabrigo yarn in #035 Frank Ochre- this mustard shade is a favourite of both my Girl and I! The Vera Tee is knit inside out- once the shoulders are seemed up you flip the whole thing about before picking up the collar and tacking down the roll sleeves.<br />
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As I mentioned I am slightly worried my West Coast kids are going to freeze this fall and winter- a real winter in Kelowna is slightly different than what we are used to! I will definitely be knitting a few more Vera Tees up to have on hand for when things get chilly!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-86781242083552945282016-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:002016-06-13T06:00:39.587-07:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life lately has been a bit of a whirl wind- to say the least. As many people who read this blog have possibly already heard- either via word of mouth or social media our little family has made some major life changes of late. We are moving home to the Okanagan- a brand new adventure for all of us. While my Mr. and I both grew up in the Okanagan it's a place that we haven't lived together as a couple- ever! We both moved to Vancouver when we were kids- fourteen years later we are ready to head East again and start a new chapter in our life.</div>
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This move comes at a time when housing prices are skyrocketing in Vancouver- there is literally no way we could ever afford the type of house or lifestyle we desire. However housing is not the main reason we are moving. When we came home from our trip to California at the beginning of March both the Mr. and I felt off- we felt something was missing from our life here in Vancouver. We felt stuck in a cycle of business that neither of us were interested in- the rat race if you will. At what could be considered the height of our careers we were both feeling flat and rather unfulfilled. As a family we felt disconnected and out of control. We needed a change.<br />
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Its so funny how the Universe opens the right doors just when you need it. Things just started lining up and happening- slowly at first- new jobs and then a place to live- our own home right by the beach- a garden and a clothes line. Slowly we are starting to dismantle our life in Vancouver- one by one doing all the things we love to do and wish to do just one last time- we can't bear to start saying good bye to people yet- those tears will come in a few months. Vancouver will always be such a special place to our family- it's where we fell in love, became a couple, became parents, watched our babies walk, the run, then bike.<br />
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This change is exciting- and at the same time so scary. We have done this whole life thing on our own for so many years we will have to relearn how to be a part of a larger family once again. We are such a part of an amazing community here in Vancouver- walking down the school hall to do drop off we feel like we belong- we will have to find a new community again. This relearning of how to adult in a city that is so familiar and yet so changed from the one we knew before. Exciting but scary stuff! They say you can't go home but we can't wait to get started!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-1086949200370294412016-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:002016-04-27T06:00:26.056-07:00Summer of Skirts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There really is nothing better than the feel of the hot Okanagan sunshine on bare legs for the first time each year- take it from me I- this is a field of which I am expert in! Recently we have had a whisper of promise from the sly summer breeze- it promised long evenings spent giggling with cousins, sticky feet from walking through popsicle drips and most of all it whispered promises of quick dips in the lake! It's with these whispered promises of the season yet to come in mind that my girl and I have declared this the Summer of Skirts!<br />
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Two weekends back- time does certainly fly- we had a free day with Grandma and Grandpa- this meant outside playtime for the Littles and two entire hours of uninterrupted<br />
sewing time for myself! I'm not going to lie- it was nice- real nice -to be able to sit down to the machine and know my kids were well distracted- thanks to my Mom and Dad. I have had this great Japanese Linen stashed away for a few months now- just waiting for the perfect pattern and coincidentally a Japanese pattern book arrived in the mail just the day we were leaving! Talk about timing!<br />
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I am absolutely in love with all the darling patterns and gorgeous styling in the <i>Linen, Wool, Cotton Kids</i> book from Akiko Mano. So good- I would live inside this book if I could! This wee skirt was just the start of things to come- my girl and I have picked out a few pieces to make her easy summer wardrobe complete- obviously another skirt!<br />
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After a really busy fall, winter and spring we are all looking forward to summer break- longer days and an easier (read no) schedule. Being a full time working mom has been a huge experience for me this past year- learning how to balance my time between family and work has been a constant juggling act and somewhere in there one of my favourite things has gotten passed over. I miss sewing- I miss watching a garment come to life. I am so looking forward to doing more making this summer- both for my Littles and myself as well- I have a pile of patterns to work my way through!<br />
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Meanwhile back to the real heart of the matter- there really is nothing better than the first bare leg day of the season- especially when you are a six year old- with a new skirt- that has bunnies and foxes!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-9132765916236160102016-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:002016-04-20T06:00:04.965-07:00On Our Bookshelf: Wildwood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was a kid in probably about grade two I can vividly remember sitting on the carpet during story time and listening to my teacher- Mrs Steinhouwer- read to us James and the Giant Peach. With it's macabre details of the little orphaned James and his big bug friends I was enraptured- hooked into reading even though I could not yet read such a book myself. This book was followed by <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Jacob-Two-Two-Meets-Hooded-Fang/dp/088776925X" target="_blank">Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang</a> and my beloved Anne of Green Gables as read to me by my Aunt that summer. These are the books that made me fall in love with reading.<br />
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It was with this in mind that I went searching for something new that would capture their imaginations the same way James' epic journey inside a rotting peach.When I came across this hefty tomb- aptly titled Wildwood by Colin Meloy I will admit that my attention was caught by the illustrations on the cover- never underestimate the power of a good book cover or wine label!<br />
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We are only a couple of chapters in and rest assured we are all appropriately spell bound. <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Wildwood-The-Chronicles-Book/dp/0062024701" target="_blank">Wildwood </a>is clearly written by a master story teller- which Colin Meloy is- weather it be a book or a song with his band <a href="http://www.decemberists.com/" target="_blank">The Decemberists</a>. I really don't want to give anything away as the story is just so magical- dark and brooding just the way children of a certain age (surprisingly) like it. I will say one thing- leave one last cryptic remark on the matter- we all have a whole new suspicion of crows- looking askance whenever more than one starts to accumulate!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-33204280223879165122016-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:002016-04-19T09:22:09.292-07:00Year of Knitting: Moonstone Pullover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So kids grow- and fast at that! At the beginning of the year I cast on the Moonstone Pullover- in a beautiful neutral grey wool that I was so in love with. I knit it up quick as can be- popped it off the needles and attempted to put it onto my boy's body. To no avail- he had grown- and so little sister got a brand new sweater she never even knew she wanted!<br />
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Needless to say the Boy was disappointed and so off to our favourite local yarns shop we went- I let him pick out the colour this time. The bright blue we came home with wasn't what I would have picked out but he felt strongly this was the colour for him and so I trusted in that. As you can see it was absolutely the right choice!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-91314307462090777502016-04-15T06:00:00.000-07:002016-04-15T06:00:20.475-07:00In The Field: Orca's Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time last week we were pawing through our camping gear and preparing for an island weekend- we were headed to Orca's Island in Washington State. This place has been on our Summer bucket list for the past two years- one of those places we keep meaning to visit and have yet to make time for. With some truly unseasonably warm and dry April weather we made a rather last minute decision to head out on an overnight adventure to the island.</div>
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April on the West Coast is traditionally very wet, rainy and grey- this is not at all the case this year- I will admit I have been lulled into a false sense of Summertime! We all have faint tans starting to show- the sandals have been out for the past month or so and I can't remember the last time I dragged out the umbrella! That said I did manage to remember extra wool blankets- we are tenters after all!<br />
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Orca's Island is situated just South of the 49th Parellel- making the boarder crossing our only real distance to cover. Hopping onto the Anacortes ferry which is only about a half hour from the actual boarder and setting sail towards the gorgeous San Juan Islands. As someone who is not Island bound the novelty of taking a ferry anywhere is still high on my list of favourite things to do- I love the disconnect a person gets as soon as the mainland fades away.<br />
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While there are quite a few beautiful looking resorts and B& Bs to stay on we made our way to <a href="http://www.visitsanjuans.com/members/moran-state-park-camping" target="_blank">Moran State Park</a>- which was quite unlike any state park we have camped in. Situated a little inland around two lakes the park is massive- I feel like we only experienced a very tiny slice of the beauty to be had. If you go be sure to reserve a spot- on this particular sunny weekend the park was packed and we were lucky to have found a spot close to the washrooms!<br />
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These short little camping trips are really the best way to hit the reset button- we all unplugged completely- which for me these days is a pretty big deal. We took our books, our paints, the knitting, the coffee and of course there was the lake. The boy practiced his wood chopping skills and both Littles learned to light a campfire on their own.<br />
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By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around the biggest complaint was that we had to head home. With weather like this it was hard to remember it's still April- we still have school and work! So we packed up and headed to the ferry- only to discover it was full. So we parked in the standby area and went in search of ice cream- obviously! If you go be sure to make ferry reservations!<br />
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Friends it is Friday! Yahooo! It's crazy that I am saying this but as you read this we are headed East this weekend back to the Okanagan. I'm hoping for some time to sew, drink coffee with my Momma and visit with my sister- oh and I am sure there will be wine! Happy Friday Friends!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-10153647246614673802016-04-14T10:38:00.000-07:002016-04-14T10:38:00.959-07:00Thrifted Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's Thrifted Thursday comes to you via the Vernon Value Village. Now heres the thing- first of all the Vernon Value Village is usually the most disappointing of the bunch- there is never really anything good. And two Value Village has become way too expensive these days for my thrifting tastes! Pricing has gotten out of hand and more often than not one can turn up items that are priced the same as new items at the mall. I am however a creature of habit and often go into VV just to browse- hoping to stumble upon a gem. Thats the thing about thrifting- you never know what might turn up and so no stone should be left un-turned which proved true on this particular day when we hit gold- figuratively speaking in the thrifting department!<br />
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Just as I was turning away from the racks and towards the check out a little scrap of blue and polka dot fabric caught my eye- quickly followed by a quick flip of the seam to check for finishing. A quick quality check goes a long way and I always check to make sure something is well made. This day the thrifting goddess was smiling down on me and revealed that this scrap of blue fabric was in fact a hand made (by someone) dress- we quickly slip it over my girl's head and it was like the dress was made just for her.<br />
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My Girlie was thrilled of course- she is going through a phase of all dresses and skirts all the time. And so when paired with her fancy new space boots and a favourite green cardi she was all set to head out for some serious playing!<br />
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Shopping for a six year old can be tricky- on a recent foray into conventional shopping at the mall( which is rare for either of us) I discovered that once a girl reaches size 6 apparently the clothes are designed to fit a size 6- 14. Trappings such as spaghetti straps and low or no back lines abound and don't even get me started on the crappy fabric. Not to say that this is an ideal situation for a 14 year old either and one day when I have a 14 year old daughter I'm sure I will once again be railing at the state of fashion. But come on- what happened to sweet little Easter dresses with a side of modesty?<br />
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So needless to say when my Girlie slid that little blue dress with the most perfect of twirling skirts over her head and it settled onto her shoulders and we zipped up the zip I let out a whisper of Thanks! By the way did I mention the most best dress ever was only $3.99?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-33917509813486109712016-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:002016-03-30T06:00:02.687-07:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life lately has been full of all sorts of adventures. Hence the radio silence in this space. The good and the bad- everything from a trip to California to head lice and pink eye- we have seen it all this month. Watching these kids of ours move through the world lately has brought into clarity the importance of our time together as a family- how neither myself nor the Mr. want to waste a second of this golden time of childhood.<br />
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I have spent quite a bit of time ruminating on parenting children of this age- they are stretching their comfort zones and spreading their wings- one day they will surely fly. This is the age when I as a parent am pretty superfluous- I am there in the role of supervisor only. Less and less am I brought into their worlds of imagination and exploration. It is a little bitter sweet. This is the natural order of life and one I am happy to support- for while they are spreading their wings they still need Momma around- if only to carry the snacks.<br />
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So part of my process in being moved to a supporting role in my children's lives is to hold space for that small amount of grief I feel as a mother. To honour it and then let it go. It's hard to explain until you are really in the thick of the elementary school years- a process that starts in kindergarten and I suppose continues the rest of our lives- the letting go- the growing. Don't get me wrong I'm not sitting about moping- I am so proud of who these little people are becoming!<br />
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Stopping to notice the ever evolving changes in my children has been whats brought actually important to me into sharp relief. Being present- like really present all the while presenting opportunities for exploration and growth has taken prescient over all things this Spring. Tuning in- truly trying to listen and hearing what they say- not just offering up pearls of wisdom or solutions to problems. Just being there as a receptacle for their words- worries- joys.<br />
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Life lately has been full of real life moments- the hilarity found in being so dead tiered but still combing lice out of each other's hair at midnight. The shear childish joy in hugging Mickey Mouse AND Minnie! The mundane pizza dinners when we are just so tiered to cook anything else but still have to feed everyone. Life is messy- life is fun- life lately is just life!</div>
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P.S. these pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago at Uplands Park in Victoria- it is the most wonderful place to take a wander no matter the weather!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-37567697962361019832016-03-29T19:00:00.000-07:002016-03-29T19:09:30.748-07:00Year of Knitting: Bradway Shawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Way back in the fall while parsing Knit City I purchased some gorgeous Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and the <a href="http://veryshannon.com/patterns/bradway" target="_blank">Bradway Shawl</a> pattern from Very Shannon. I had good intentions of this being a quick knit over the fall- and then two sweaters for my children happened and my shawl dreams were put on hold. It wasn't until I was packing for our vacation to California that I pulled both the yarn and the pattern up and just a couple of hours before boarding the plane I could be found winding up balls of yumminess and packing my knitting bag!<br />
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The Bradway Shawl was cast on at the Seattle airport- the first few rows knit out over the Pacific ocean- and subsequent knitting happened up and down the South Coast of California- all to be finished off this past weekend in Victoria. This project is well travelled to say the least! My finished shawl is perfect for this time of year when you need just a little something over your shoulders- the loftiness of the Brooklyn Tweed Shelter makes it warm but not too hot.<br />
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As always I learned a tonne while knitting this project- mainly how to tell the difference between a knit stitch and a purl stitch by sight- after a few years of knitting I can now truly understand how to knit by sight. With lots of different textures and shapes this was a challenging knit but I feel the <a href="http://veryshannon.com/patterns/bradway" target="_blank">Bradway </a>is a great gateway to knitting cables- which I hope to do this fall!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-35644777457231839802016-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:002016-01-22T06:00:11.236-08:00Year of Knitting: Moonstone Pullover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I read the description for this knitting pattern I knew this was just the pattern for us -<i>"</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "futuralight" , "helvetica" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><i style="line-height: 19px;">Named for the magical beach full of towering sea stack rocks and tide pools, this unisex child’s pullover can be worked in stripes or in a solid colour" . </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">Hello a more perfect image has never been written! So it was with out hesitation that I dove into knitting my first <a href="http://quinceandco.com/products/moonstone" target="_blank">Moonstone Pullover </a>in some grey worsted wool from my Mom. When I say dove in I mean dove in- I didn't read the instructions properly and a sweater that was supposed to be for my size 10 boy has now landed on the size 8 frame of my girl! I misread the pattern- oops!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "futuralight" , "helvetica" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "futuralight" , "helvetica" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> That was just fine with her- she happily slipped this cozy little bit of knitting on right away and claimed it for her own- picking out the hand worked silver buttons which I think are just perfect! The Moonstone is a quick and easy knit- the first top down sweater I have attempted and with the exception of knitting the wrong size it was really so simple. From cast on to cast off I was done in two weeks. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: "futuralight" , "helvetica" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> It's so funny that a short time ago I didn't consider myself a knitter and now my hands get antsy if they </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">aren't busy! I love how portable knitting is- I can have my basket with me wherever I go ready to continue with just a few rows if needed. I think what appeals to me most of all is the fact that I am making garments for my family- from my own hands- that might otherwise not be so ethically sourced. I am a part of the solution- it's easy with a gorgeous pattern such as the Moonstone.</span></span><br />
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Friends it is Friday again! We are likely on the road headed over the hills to the Okanagan as you read this- my knitting basket at my feet- my kids squabbling in the back seat behind me. I am looking forward to a large glass of wine once we hit Peachland! Happy Friday Friends- much love and creativity!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4053655138028365031.post-55207451941716306322016-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:002016-01-21T06:00:00.167-08:00Button Button<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A great part about living in Gastown is that this neighbourhood is a neighbourhood in transition where a few gems can still be found. The Hipsters and Yuppies haven't ruined everything quite yet! There are still a few shops that specialize in a quirkiness that isn't curated or Kinfolk worthy- shops that are still interesting for their individuality.<br />
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One such shop is <a href="http://www.buttonbutton.ca/" target="_blank">Button Button</a> on the corner of Homer and Cordova street- up a flight of stairs- through a wooden and glass door lies jewel box of buttons. Button Button has been a neighbourhood fixture for over twenty years. This is my go to place when I need to finish off a sewing or knitting project. Unique and different than what you would find attached to a card these buttons are truly tiny works of art.<br />
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I think part of the magic of a big city is the constant change- but it is equally comforting in this world of constant change that such a shop still exists! I wonder how many buttons one has to sell to pay rent in Gastown these days? At any rate I am so happy that <a href="http://www.buttonbutton.ca/" target="_blank">Button Button </a>is just around the corner from me- just another quirky layer of our neighbourhood!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15890035972133689124noreply@blogger.com2