Hello, friends!
So, nearly two months back, life as I knew it changed. All because a lovely, darling man, whom we shall call S., asked me to marry him.
My first thought (after saying 'YES!!!!!' of course), was "Oh my goodness gracious, I need to buy Martha Stewart's wedding magazine."
Not. even. kidding.
Because you see, like many fellow crafters out there, I am envious of Martha's job. Why can't I spend my day crafting, interviewing celebrities and having my own talk show?
Okay, so maybe the Hollywood part is a little tricky, but I have always wanted that one opportunity to spend my days crafting...and planning a wedding seemed like the perfect place to start, right? (Right...?!?)
So, I decided....I want to SEW everything.
Except, I don't know how to sew.
Then I decided...I want to MAKE placecards, thank you notes, and other paper goods.
And the real kicker....maybe I should EMBROIDER the numbers for the tables.
(And if you read a few posts back, I have still yet learned how to embroider.)
Needless to say, I am ambitious. Even when it comes to things I have no experience with.
I am not down and out, though. I am thinking of ways to make my Retro Homespun Wedding (Yes, I have given it a name) my own. Without going (too) crazy.
Stay posted, my friends. I plan on sharing how I asked my bridesmaids to spend this special day with me.
I don't think Bridezilla is the problem. More like Craftzilla.
xo,
J.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
What I Wore Wednesday
Another Wednesday, another fashion post! Join in on the fun - and check out The Pleated Poppy!
This temperatures have been playing with me once again. I can't wait for skirt and dress weather!
xo,
J.
This temperatures have been playing with me once again. I can't wait for skirt and dress weather!
xo,
J.
Monday, May 23, 2011
On My Needles Monday
Hmphf.
This week, my knitting went in reverse.
Just for the record, that's not a desired outcome.
When will I learn that I can't knit and watch The Real Housewives of So-and-So at the same time? Because when I do, I forget that I need to count my decreased stitches. I can get so caught up in it all because can you believe she just did/said/contemplated that?
I'm hoping to log in more knitting time this week...away from the TV. This sweater needs to get done!
Until next time...
xo,
J.
This week, my knitting went in reverse.
Just for the record, that's not a desired outcome.
When will I learn that I can't knit and watch The Real Housewives of So-and-So at the same time? Because when I do, I forget that I need to count my decreased stitches. I can get so caught up in it all because can you believe she just did/said/contemplated that?
I'm hoping to log in more knitting time this week...away from the TV. This sweater needs to get done!
Until next time...
xo,
J.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A new adventure
There is a new adventure on the horizon, people.
The wonderful world of embroidery!
I have been inspired by beautiful embroidery pieces for quite some time, but have yet to jump in and try it for myself.
And then I visited Posie Gets Cozy. This blog had the most beautiful sampler...and I couldn't resist...and I ordered it...and now I can't wait to get my hands on it.
Image courtesy of Posie Gets Cozy
What are YOU embroidering?
xo,
J.
The wonderful world of embroidery!
I have been inspired by beautiful embroidery pieces for quite some time, but have yet to jump in and try it for myself.
And then I visited Posie Gets Cozy. This blog had the most beautiful sampler...and I couldn't resist...and I ordered it...and now I can't wait to get my hands on it.
Image courtesy of Posie Gets Cozy
I mean, really. Is it not the most wonderful sampler you have ever seen?
And! I ordered it a day before it was sold out. Fate? I think we were meant to be, sampler. Meant. to. be.
Can't WAIT to figure this one out. Nothing like an ambitious introduction to embroidery, right?
And! I ordered it a day before it was sold out. Fate? I think we were meant to be, sampler. Meant. to. be.
Can't WAIT to figure this one out. Nothing like an ambitious introduction to embroidery, right?
What are YOU embroidering?
xo,
J.
What I Wore Wednesday
Hey lovelies! It's that time again...check out The Pleated Poppy for some What I Wore Wednesday fun!
This weather is still not cooperating and I am SO looking forward to summer clothes. What is your favorite summer staple? (A girl can dream...right?) :)
xo,
J.
This weather is still not cooperating and I am SO looking forward to summer clothes. What is your favorite summer staple? (A girl can dream...right?) :)
xo,
J.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
What I Wore Wednesday
Hey, you!
It's another Wednesday...and you know what that means! Go to The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!
Say it ain't so! I am actually wearing....wait for it...sandals! My tootsies are soOoOoOOo happy!
Enjoy your week!
xo,
J.
It's another Wednesday...and you know what that means! Go to The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!
Say it ain't so! I am actually wearing....wait for it...sandals! My tootsies are soOoOoOOo happy!
Enjoy your week!
xo,
J.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
What I Wore Wednesday
Hello, friends!
Have the last 2 weeks been crazy, or what? I am finally getting back into the swing of things and am overjoyed that I can dress up with all of you at The Pleated Poppy. Join in on the fun!
Hopefully I'll see you next week!
xo,
J.
Have the last 2 weeks been crazy, or what? I am finally getting back into the swing of things and am overjoyed that I can dress up with all of you at The Pleated Poppy. Join in on the fun!
Hopefully I'll see you next week!
xo,
J.
The Owl - Part 2
When I introduced you to my owl sweater yesterday, I mentioned that the owl met an unfortunate fate. What. a. cliffhanger.
After I had knitted the owl, the measurements just weren't adding up (hardy har har). So, I began searching for pattern errors and lo and behold - I found one. A Major Error.
*Sidenote: please take something away from my experience. It is probably a good idea to check for pattern errors before you begin the pattern. Not when you are towards then end, like me. I will never learn.
So anyway, the pattern originally read that I was to knit 5 inches before I began the owl pattern. The correction stated that I was only to knit 4 inches. In the scheme of knitting, one inch makes a big difference.
Cue the dramatic music.
So, I had to...rip...out...the...owl.
Ripping your work is never fun. Trust me, I've had lots of practice. But this one stung just a bit more. All of that work! All of those balls of yarn! Only to do it again!
I resolved to make the second owl even better, and I think I succeeded. It just added about 2 weeks on to the project.
Once I finally got the owl done, the back looked like this. More tears (sobs) because I really don't like weaving in the ends of my thread. That took an afternoon, and I was itching to move on to the next step.
before
after
Now, I haven't had much experience when it comes to knitting sweaters, but I thought that the assembly of this sweater was interesting. First, I sewed the front and back together, then I added the rolled collar.
After that, instead of knitting the sleeves separately and attaching them to the body of the sweater, I had to pick up and knit the sleeves onto the sweater. I didn't mind this, as it saved me the step of having to sew the sleeves on!
Unfortunately, I was really good about taking pictures of this process and really bad at taking a picture of the final product. I didn't realize it until the gift had been wrapped. Now that the birthday boy has opened it, I'll have to snap a picture so that you can see how it looks!
So glad I was able to share this with you - if this project taught me anything (and it taught me a lot!), it's to not get too frustrated. And to always check for errors before I start knitting. :)
xo,
J
After I had knitted the owl, the measurements just weren't adding up (hardy har har). So, I began searching for pattern errors and lo and behold - I found one. A Major Error.
*Sidenote: please take something away from my experience. It is probably a good idea to check for pattern errors before you begin the pattern. Not when you are towards then end, like me. I will never learn.
So anyway, the pattern originally read that I was to knit 5 inches before I began the owl pattern. The correction stated that I was only to knit 4 inches. In the scheme of knitting, one inch makes a big difference.
Cue the dramatic music.
So, I had to...rip...out...the...owl.
Ripping your work is never fun. Trust me, I've had lots of practice. But this one stung just a bit more. All of that work! All of those balls of yarn! Only to do it again!
I resolved to make the second owl even better, and I think I succeeded. It just added about 2 weeks on to the project.
Once I finally got the owl done, the back looked like this. More tears (sobs) because I really don't like weaving in the ends of my thread. That took an afternoon, and I was itching to move on to the next step.
before
after
Now, I haven't had much experience when it comes to knitting sweaters, but I thought that the assembly of this sweater was interesting. First, I sewed the front and back together, then I added the rolled collar.
After that, instead of knitting the sleeves separately and attaching them to the body of the sweater, I had to pick up and knit the sleeves onto the sweater. I didn't mind this, as it saved me the step of having to sew the sleeves on!
Unfortunately, I was really good about taking pictures of this process and really bad at taking a picture of the final product. I didn't realize it until the gift had been wrapped. Now that the birthday boy has opened it, I'll have to snap a picture so that you can see how it looks!
So glad I was able to share this with you - if this project taught me anything (and it taught me a lot!), it's to not get too frustrated. And to always check for errors before I start knitting. :)
xo,
J
On My Needles Monday
I fully realize that I'm doing On My Needles Monday on a Tuesday. Apparently, my brain was still in a foggy weekend haze yesterday and I am running one day behind - my apologies!
I thought this week I would take a bit of a spin on the "On My Needles" concept because, well, I'm not going to show you something that is currently on my needles. It was at one point, but I was never able to reveal it because it was a surprise. Surprise knitted gifts are my very favorite kind - but it's kind of hard keeping up with a knitting blog when all of the things you knit are surprises. So! L-o-n-g story short, I decided that I'm going to devote a few posts to a special project for a very special little boy.
Blog readers, meet Henry. You've met him in the past. He is the cutest nephew a girl could ever ask for, and he recently turned the ripe old age of one.
I saw this as a perfect opportunity to knit the perfect little sweater, and as soon as I saw this pattern, I knew I had found the jackpot.
So, during the Blizzard of 2011, I began this special project. And right off the bat I realized how much I love knitting little wonderfuls because they don't take nearly as much time as knitting things for myself.
I was excited to take this project on because I learned how to use the intarsia method when knitting the owl. Of course, my owl was intricate and required MANY balls of yarn, which I don't think I was prepared for. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The good news is, you don't even notice the chaos of intarsia when you look at it from this angle!
Tune in tomorrow to see how this owl met a disastrous fate.
xo,
J.
I thought this week I would take a bit of a spin on the "On My Needles" concept because, well, I'm not going to show you something that is currently on my needles. It was at one point, but I was never able to reveal it because it was a surprise. Surprise knitted gifts are my very favorite kind - but it's kind of hard keeping up with a knitting blog when all of the things you knit are surprises. So! L-o-n-g story short, I decided that I'm going to devote a few posts to a special project for a very special little boy.
Blog readers, meet Henry. You've met him in the past. He is the cutest nephew a girl could ever ask for, and he recently turned the ripe old age of one.
I saw this as a perfect opportunity to knit the perfect little sweater, and as soon as I saw this pattern, I knew I had found the jackpot.
So, during the Blizzard of 2011, I began this special project. And right off the bat I realized how much I love knitting little wonderfuls because they don't take nearly as much time as knitting things for myself.
I was excited to take this project on because I learned how to use the intarsia method when knitting the owl. Of course, my owl was intricate and required MANY balls of yarn, which I don't think I was prepared for. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The good news is, you don't even notice the chaos of intarsia when you look at it from this angle!
Tune in tomorrow to see how this owl met a disastrous fate.
xo,
J.
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