Art project for the apartment…

I’ve taken inspiration from the wonderful folks at YoungHouseLove.com in my attempts to spruce up our apartment living room.  Yes, its a rental and anything I put into it, I want to be able to easily remove (and easily cover up with some spakel and paint to get our security deposit back.)  I’ve always been in the big-mirror-behind-the-sofa camp style of decorating.  Its easy, looks relatively elegant, and makes it easy for even interior decorationally challenged people like myself to make a room look just a bit schnazzier.  I’m not sure whether its the fact that I’ve just always resorted to the mirror behind the sofa look or the fact that the hubs has a ginormous (aka: ugly, absurd, etc) 50’’ TV that sits across from the sofa and would oddly reflect any image off the mirror… but I just needed a change.  So, two years of living in this apartment and that wall has remained blank.  white white white.

And I needed a change.

And the living room needed something — ANYTHING — to hang on that blank wall.  Because staring at a blank white wall for two years can kind of grate on you, ya know?

And in my web-perusing, I found this great post with ideas for the behind-the-sofa decorating ideas.

So, I carted my butt over to Ikea, bought six Ribba frames, and spent an equal number of hours struggling with placement, evenness, inevitable wall markings as I banged the frames against the wall while balancing on the sofa edge trying to hang them, and just general frustration with the challenge of hanging six frames evenly (and evenly spaced) all without the aid of a level.  Because, how hard could it be, right?  I mean, yes the hardware store is around the corner.  And we actually have a level at the house upstate.  But why make a trip to the store to buy yet another level or wait til next weekend to get that original level when you can struggle all morning with these friggin frames yourself?!

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Well, I got them up.  And then stared at them for about a week until I figured out what I was actually going to put in them.  All the while, ignoring the hubs as he tried to point out how the frames weren’t exactly even – but I convinced him to reserve judgement until once I actually got something in those frames, and “finalized” their placement.  Because its a minor miracle that I actually just got those frames up and sort-of even.  Right now, I’ll take sort-of even.

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I liked the idea of putting a fabric background inside the matting of the frames.   God knows I’ve got enough random fabric laying around to fill all the frames housed in Ikea.  So, I grabbed some light linen I had been saving for who-knows-what and waited an entire week for the rain to stop to get outside and start taking pictures.  I decided to take pictures of places in the neighborhood that are meaningful to me and the hubs:  The park where we would often go after work with a bottle of wine and a dinner of sandwiches to watch the boats pass.  Our old street corner.  The Great Lawn in Central Park where we used to lounge many a Saturday away reading, napping, tanning (well, the hubs was tanning, I was burning), and just relaxing.  All of the places that are special to us that I wanted to capture.  So, one quasi-nice afternoon of running around the Upper East Side, I had six photo-worthy prints for the frames.

I ended up deciding to forgo the bland linen backgrounds and opted for a purplish card stock to give the room a bit of color.  I think scotch taped those photos to the card stock, prayed that they actually stick and there you have it.  My art project for the apartment…. and decorating design that doesn’t involve a big mirror hanging over the sofa.  But don’t worry, I’ve saved that big mirror – its hanging over our dining room table now.  Because I can’t be broken of the mirror-decorating-style cold turkey.  Baby steps…

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by Spools&Skeins Posted on May 23, 2013
Posted in Home Project | Leave a comment

Sailboat Pants

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My obsession with Oliver + S patterns is not new news.  I’ve been wanting to try out the Sailboat Pants for awhile now.  And as the babe is now 6 months, I felt that it was about time to bust out this pattern and give it a go.

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Adore.  Adore the pants.  Adore the babe.  Its all good.

The Pattern:  Oliver + S Sailboat Pants

The Fabric:  Wrenly by Valorie Wells (Free Spirit Collection) – leftover from the Ta-Ta Top

The Modifications: I made the waist a bit smaller by moving the buttons over a tad.  I figure at least the pants will fit her now and as she gets bigger, I can simply move the buttons to their right position as she chunks up a bit.  Her legs are deliciously chunky.  Her waist, not so much.

The Verdict:  The pattern is all things Oliver + S patterns are hyped up to be: clear, concise, instructive, and just a whole lot of fun to put together.

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It took me a few naps and one late night session (and by late night, I mean until 10pm) to churn out this little gem.  While I love the fabric, its not the one I would have chosen for this pattern.  But given that I had enough laying around – which meant I wouldn’t have to actually leave my house and go to a fabric store – it was good enough for me.  Because while I adore fabric shopping, when you don’t live near one and the babe melts down in the car for any ride over 30 minutes, and you’re just really itching to get cracking on a new pattern, well, just about any fabric will do.  And I do dig this fabric, but I think for the next pair, I’m going to make them a more all-purpose type pant – one that can be worn with anything all summer long.  I’m thinking a little blue chambray.  Because I do dig all things chambray.

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This was one of those patterns that was a lot fun to make, but even more fun having the babe wear them.  The fit is perfect.  The flat front is oh so charming, and the back elasticized waist makes for a snug fit in the back.

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But what I love the most is how easy it is getting them on her.  I find other elastic pants difficult to get over the babe’s ample diapered tush these days.  There’s a lot of pushing and pulling involved.  Its a bit like a wrestling matching on the changing table lately.  And I can’t imagine the babe enjoys it either.  But with the buttons in front, it makes it a whole heck of a lot easier to get the babe into these wee pants.

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And here they are in action… mid kung-fu kick.

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by Spools&Skeins Posted on May 20, 2013
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6 Months… albeit a bit belated

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“The days are long, but the years are short.”

Its only been six months, and some days (and nights) have certainly seemed VERY long indeed, but as I look back on the past few months since Q’s arrival, I really do think, “where has the time gone?”  I can only imagine how many times I’ll be saying this in the years to come.

Here’s what’s been going on in Quincy’s little world:

Likes:

  • Having her hair brushed
  • When daddy does the “Monkey Shake” or the “Smoochie Train” – uncontrollable giggles ensue
  • Bouncing in her jumperoo
  • Waking up at 4:30am (which Mama most definitely does not like)
  • Being in her carrier – we moved her to the front facing position for a bit now and she absolutely loves it!
  • Favorite book:  Is Your Mama A Llama
  • Favorite song:  Hey There Pretty Baby
  • Favorite toy: A hand-me-down little crinkle book
  • Favorite foods:  Sweet potatoes, avocado, and oatmeal
  • Kisses on her tummy
  • Leg massages (like mama, like daughter)
  • Watching running water
  • Riding on Daddy’s shoulders (and drooling all over his head)
  • Dance party:  I put her in the carrier, start up the music and we sing and dance around the living room – our own little mama-bebe dance party.

Dislikes:

  • While she’s warming up to it, she’s still not a huge fan of tummy time
  • Long car rides
  • Dirty diapers!

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(my favorite new expression)

Milestones:

  • First solids:  Mama-made sweet potatoes.  After about three days, she started getting the hang of it.  Some of the potatoes actually made it into her tummy.  By day four, she was screaming if I didn’t get the potatoes into her mouth fast enough.
  • She can push up on her arms now while on her stomach.  Instead of doing the superman pose (arms back, balancing on tummy).  She’s up on her arms and looking all around.
  • Playing on her activity gym unattended for spells throughout the day.
  • She’s rolling!  She rolled over for the first time the other day!
  • Waking up only once a night.  I repeat, ONLY ONE WAKING PER NIGHT!  This is a massive accomplishment.  One which has left me just a bit less sleep deprived and a whole lot more sane.
  • Reaching and grasping for just about anything in front of her.  My glasses are covered in little baby fingerprints these days.  Love the baby fingerprints…
  • Climbing her way out of the newborn bouncy seat.  Guess she’s outgrown that one.
  • Making little raspberry kisses of her own.  When she gets excited, she purses her lips, sticks out her tongue and starts spitting.
  • First fever and a resulting trip to the ER :(
  • We no longer nurse to sleep – she can put herself to sleep all on your her now (sometimes with a few tears, but mostly she just nods off peacefully.)
  • Getting in the water for her baby swim class

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And I’m loving…

  • Our afternoon nursing session – after her noon nap, I often bring her into bed with me and we nurse.  Without distraction, she seems to feed the best this way.  And I just love this quiet, calm part of our day – where I can lay down with her, drink in her deliciousness as much as I want while she’s relaxed and content.  We both get a bit of a rest before the business of the afternoon ahead.
  • Kissing the back of her neck.
  • Carrying the sweet babe around in her carrier.  Loving the closeness, loving how alert she now is, loving watching her drinking in everything around her, loving being able to go about my day with my favorite little babe so close.
  • The new facial expressions that emerge every single day.
  • Holding her close after her nap – she’s still groggy with sleep and so super relaxed.  Just snuggling her close before she fully wakes up.
  • Her big, brown eyes, ever so attentive, drinking in the newness of everything all around her.

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I’ll admit, the first few months were a bit hairy there for awhile.  The sleep deprivation, constant nursing, and evening witching hour screaming sessions weren’t easy to work thru.  But at 6 months, its just a whole lotta fun:  watching her sweet (and oftentimes stubborn) personality emerge, feeling those chubby little arms reach out and grab us when she awakens, seeing the wide toothy grin that erupts over her entire wee face at the first sign of some mama or papa silliness, and yes, even feeling her tiny “death grip” on your chest when she’s in an uncertain surrounding.  Its like holding a chubby bundle of love these days and while I’m sure every stage will be my favorite, I sure am loving the deliciousness of this 6 month old sweet babe.

by Spools&Skeins Posted on May 16, 2013
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Three Little Piggies

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I saw this fabric at Pins & Needles the other week and just had to buy a yard.  Its Heather Ross’ Three Little Pigs from Kokka.  I’m trying cut back on the impulse-buy-with-no-project-in-mind kind of shopping these days, but what’s a crafter to do when she sees a fabric this adorable?  So, while I mulled over the purchase in the shop (really, just trying to think of any project I could possibly think of to justify slapping down $20 for one yard of fabric), I thought of the high chair.  The $25 high chair we got off of Craigslist for the house upstate.  I’ve had visions of covering it in some adorable fabric, but since the babe’s been no where near the need for a high chair, this project has taken a back burner.

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But then these three little piggies just screamed out as a high chair cushion.  Admittedly, it took me WAY too long to get this project done.  They are just two simple cushion covers, after all.  Envelope-type closers (making them easy to remove for the inevitable million times they will be thrown in the wash) with simple ties on each.  It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Yet, there the high chair has stood and there the fabric has collected dust for the past few weeks.  Because sewing with a babe around has proven a tad challenging for this crafter mama.  But the other morning, after Quincy got up at 5:15am and insisted it was time to play until she dropped from exhaustion for a nap at 7am, I had a blessed two hour window to get sewing.  And get my sew on, I did!

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I used 2” foam cushion I had laying around and cut it to the size of the chair (a little nifty tidbit: when cutting foam, a serrated bread knife does the trick.)  Then I simply took the measurements of the cushion and added 1” for a seam allowance and 2” to accommodate for the girthy foam.  I added 6” to the length of the rectangle to create the envelope enclosure.  Then I cut strips 2”x6” and created ties for the bottom and back.  Easy peasy.

She’s not quite upright yet, but I think she digs it.

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by Spools&Skeins Posted on May 14, 2013
Posted in Sewing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Another Plain Vest (but with some penguins this time…)

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Living in an area that never seems to want to warm up, I felt the need to knit the babe yet another little vest.  Because these chilly wanna-be-spring days just scream out for snuggly vests.  And when you snag a skein of Madelinetosh Chunky on sale, you feel justified in knitting yet another vest for the kiddo.  And since I’m sort of obsessed with the Pickles Plain Vest, I cast on for it immediately, dug out a few fabu buttons (thanks Melissa!) and threw it on the babe before the temperature threatens to rise.

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Pattern:  Pickles Plain Vest

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Chunky

Modifications:  Same as for the last one.  Full details on my Ravelry notes.

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Verdict:  Love the (modified) pattern, love the yarn, but I think its the sweet little penguin buttons that really make this vest. I’m really hoping the weather doesn’t suddenly spike to seasonal norms as the babe has got to get some wear out of this vest.  But heck, who says a kid can’t sport a woolen vest in 80 degrees?  She’s a slave to fashion in training.  But I don’t think she minds…

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by Spools&Skeins Posted on May 2, 2013
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Honey Cowl

I finally jumped on the bandwagon last week and cast on for the honey cowl.  The project that apparently every other knitter in the universe has already knit, worn, and cast on for a second version.  Ravelry has 10,000 honey cowls listed.  10,000.  This is number 10,001.

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A few reasons for indulging in my latent desire to finally knit up one of these suckers:

  • Scoring two skeins of Madelinetosh on sale.  Two skeins of DK Tosh just scream Honey Cowl to me.
  • I’m a habitual baby-wearer these days.  And its still chilly out.  And while the hub’s coat zipped up around both me and the babe keeps her toasty warm on our walks, my exposed neck has been just that… exposed.  And freezing.  And shoving a burp cloth on my neck isn’t exactly the fashion statement I’m going for.  And a scarf would just get in the way and inevitably end up with baby drool/spit-up/slobber all over it.  A cowl, on the other hand… genius.
  • I was in need of a simple, mindless project.  Because my lack of sleep these days is causing me to be both simple and mindless.  A project requiring any more thought would inevitably end up in the permanent work-in-process basket.
  • And finally, a really unfortunate hair cut is in the process of growing out and the prospect of knitting a garment that could potentially hide the scraggly mess that is the back of my head right now is worth its weight in gold, in my book.

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(see how the cowl hides the back of my hair – yay.  see how the sweet babe is sporting that scowl – love)

The Pattern:  Madelinetosh’s Honey Cowl

The Yarn:  Two skeins of Madelinetosh DK in Clematis

The Needles:  Size 8

The Modifications:  none

The Verdict:  This cowl is a gem.  I’m loving the yarn, the pattern, and the joy of wearing two skeins of madtosh around my neck for about 18 hours every day makes me realize why there are 10,001 honey cowls floating around ravelry.  Its just that awesome.

And here it is in action :)

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by Spools&Skeins Posted on April 22, 2013
Posted in Knitting | Tagged , | 4 Comments