Blinds

Finally they are up. The blinds I've made from the Laura Ashley fabric I found ages ago. It took quite a bit of work, mostly because I never made blinds before. Second because of bad luck. This happens sometimes in crafts. So I set the project aside midway through as I was becoming so irritated I was about to throw it out. So I took a break and then with fresh spirit finished it. They are now hanging in the hall way looking quite posh. See for yourself:


Blind bottom of stairs


Blind top of stairs

I might write a tutorial when I make a blind for the bathroom. I tried taking good pictures with each step this time, but they didn't work out. So next time I make one I'll try again and use them for the tutorial. Until then I must point you to these blinds on Martha Stewart.

Classic Roman Blind
Casual Sheer Blind
Formal Classic Blind

Ravelry

Every now and then a great idea turns into reality and the world gets to be a better place. Sanitation springs to mind, the discovery of the tea leaf (mmm tea). Email and Skype is especially valueble for us emmigrants that want to keep in touch with distant relatives and friends. And now there is Ravelry. *insert heavenly music here* Yes it’s send from above for all the knitters in the world. Finally a place to

• keep track of Wips (works in progress)
• keep track of stash (see in one view how much you’ve got..aaahhhh!!! run!)
• keep track of friends

Sigh.. i’m in love. But that is not all. Noooo! Because there is a pattern database and let me warn you: it will be your downfall. You can que projects that you want to make next. Well one look in the pattern database and your que will be so long you need to reincarnate just so you can finish it off.

So if your a knitter and you have not signed up yet for Raverly then, then your mad! And better sign up quick. The waiting list is looooooooong. This for the reasons mentioned above (it’s like Christmas and your birthdays in one). So get on the waiting list. Ravelry is still in beta and then add new peeps to the site every day. So sign up and be very very patient and then enjoy.

I didn’t realise it was this good until I got it. It rocks.

Must listen podcasts!!! Part 1

I'm a iPod-a-holic. I use my iPod every day on my way to work and back, but also at work. I plug it in and listen to music, audiobooks and podcast. And the last are fantastic!

Sometimes my work can be monotone. It happens that I copy & paste all day. Quite boring for the mind. Then a podcast comes in handy. Music is nice for moods but to activate the mind an ones interest a podcast is ideal. There are many different topics. Basicly if you think of a topic, chances are there is a podcast that covers it. I listen to a number of them and some are so good, I can't wait till the next one comes out.

Zencast & Audio Dharma
One of my all time favorites are the Zencast and Audio Dharma podcast. When I left everything behind to come to England my head was spinning and I felt a bit lost. I thought that a bit of meditation might help. And I couldn’t have been more right. Not only have they got great instructions, guided meditations, meditation timers and courses, like the Intro to Meditation Class, the usual teacher Gil Fronsdal holds talks which they podcast as well. It’s all quite good and I’ve listen to it a lot as it makes me think. And I also like the fact that the tone is light and joyful. No heavy, ‘this is serious stuff’ attitude.

BBC History Magazine
If you are interested in history this podcast is a real tip. Every month the BBC History magazine comes out. I don't buy it, but they talk to people about their specialized subjects. It is not indept, you only get a hint of the topic, but it is extremely interesting. Great for when you miss the bus and have to walk home. The walk becomes a great oportunity to listen and learn. (Yeah you guessed right: that happend to me last week, but I didn't mind because of the podcast).

Alternative Kitchen Garden
A great podcast if you are into gardening or if you are interested in doing some gardening but have no clue what to do or where to start. Emma has a great voice and cool accent. Very english, which I like. I usually listen to these podcast whilst traveling but then you want to get stuck into pruning or sowing, but can’t haha. Guess that’s a good thing.

Cast-on
The best ever. If you are a knitter and/or a lover of great stories this is a MUST LISTEN! (and trust me there is reason to shout). Brenda Dayne is the presenter and she is god’s gift to podcasting. Many have fallen at her feet in utter awe and I’m sure there is some sort of Saint Brenda of the Fiber Arts worship group out there. The reason for all this hysteria: a damn good podcast. Brenda is the calm voice of inspiration, contemplation and revelation. I think I knew when I heard episode 1.5: A Snow Day!. Please, knitter or not, you must listen to this one! I’ll wait.... .... did you do it? See? I rest my case!

Craftypod
This is, without a doubt, the best all round Craft podcast out there. Sister Dianne brings you projects, inspiration and information on all things crafty. You name it, she knows a nice project. The shows are entertaining and sound soooo proffessional. I love Sister Dianne. She's a crafty guru.

Fitpod
Great music for exercising, but I only have one permanently on my iPod: Whispers of the Dharma. A yoga, relaxation track that I play as background music when I don't feel like listening to songs, noises on the train, etc. It's really relaxing and I listen to it a lot whilst working or reading a book. 10 out of 10!!

Craftsanity
What would we be without crafts? Yes insane! To keep your sanity a regular portion of Craftsanity is best. Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood interviews the best crafters from around the world. She has an inspiring new guest every episode. Her interviews are excellent because she keeps asking what I want to know and more. I loved the interview with Amy Karol as I recently bought her book and loved to hear her tips and tricks.

Creative Mom
This is a very good and proffessional podcast that should appeal to parents. I like to listen to it every now and then, but the content is very parent orientated. Also Amy the presenter shares her thoughts and feelings with us listeners. I like her openess and the thoughtfull way in which she lives her life and raises her children. However sometimes I feel its a bit too serious and gloomy.

As I listen to so many I had to divide them up so: more in a future post!!!!!

To get any of these Podcast, go to iTunes Music store (in the iTunes program :P) add the titel of the podcast to the search field and hit the enter key. Click on the picture of the podcast to get a list of all episodes. You can now download the ones that interst you or just hit the subscribe button and get the latest episode.

Apron, hairbands and cushion covers

Remember those nice fabrics I bought in the sale a while back. Well I had to go and make stuff this weekend.

First I made the apron from the book In Stitches by Amy Butler. It's my first project form this book and I like it a lot. The instructions are good and I found it easy enough. Although next time I'm sure it will be easier. I did make one
adjustment to the pattern. I like the apron to look nice on both the outside and the inside. So I doubled the with of the bottom trim then folded that over and stitched it 'double' so you don't see raw edges or seems on the inside.


Short Pleated Apron from In Stitches by Amy Butler

Then I made two hairbands. One for Louisa who had bought the fabric for a different project and one for me. They are reversible. So should we both happen to wear the hairband to work, we can at least wear different patters/colours.


Side one


Side two


And then I made two new covers for the pillows on the sofa. They where lime green which matched my previous sofa very well, but it looked horrible on this one. So for almost a year I meant to change them, but I didn't have a place to sew in the old house. Now that I've moved however I do and so I bought this nice fabric especially for the horrible lime green pillows. And look at them now.


New pillow

In short it was a very crafty weekend indeed. Quite pleased.

Baja Knitting Bag

Oh my god, oh my god I got it! I got it! Yes people I am now the proud owner of a Lexie Barnes Baja Flo Knitting bag. It’s my first and I’m in love. I saw it first in a different shape in Knit 1. magazine. Then Lime and Violet mentioned it on their podcast and I knew I just had to buy it. Look! Go on look at the pic! See the pretty flowers? Now look closer: hahahaha (evil laugh) skulls!! It’s so sweet and bad at the same time. It’s punk and yet practical and elegant.



It has this water resistent outer coating. Always good for clumsy people.. like, oh, say ME! And it has pockets inside for my knitting stuff and a needle pocket. It closes with magnetics and stays open when I want it too so I can knit out of the bag. Isn’t that cool! I’m thinking of using it as a normal bag, but that would not do. Where would I put my knitting?

I ordered it straight from Lexie Barnes and to my surpise they added a gift: a needle pouch. Ain’t that nice?! So ten out of ten for Lexie Barnes!! I think they are sold out now, but you might still find it at another store if you are interested.

New fabrics, books and patterns

At the beginning of this month I received two books I ordered from Amazon.co.uk. Bend-The-Rules-Sewing from Amy Karol and In Stitches from Amy Butler. After I made something from these books I shall write a review.


My two new books :)


Ofcourse to make something I needed material. And it’s sale at John Lewis and Liberty so I went down town for a nose. At Liberty the usual weird staff was on hand. I don’t much like Liberty’s staff I must say. Some are hard to get a hold of. Standing chatting to eachother seems more important than helping customers. There is one very knowledgeble and nice woman on the yarn/fabric department, but she was not in Saturday. I was helped by a very odd woman that took forever. Everything with numbers seemed difficult. Wanting a meter of this and half of that was a problem. Paying cash too. Giving change wasn’t much easier. I found it quite funny. She was alright, but just strange. Anyway enough about all that, back to the good stuff my purchases. I bought this lovely Amy Butler fabric of which I want to make an apron out of her book. I also bought a solid colour for the hem and ties. And a bit of stripe I might use for blinds, but I wanted to see if it matches the bathroom.


Fabric from Amy Butler for the Apron


Another bit of fabric from Amy

Then off I went to John Lewis where I didn’t come out for several hours I dare say. I didn’t find any nice yarns on sale. All the good stuff was gone.  So I splurged on fabric. I bought a nice green fabric with a cute little leaf pattern in white. Might make a top from that. Then I bought this cotton flannel I need for strings for a bib I’m making. Can’t tell more as my friend who will receive the item reads this too. Will post pics after she’s received it. Got some heavy interfacing for some projects and a bit of plain white cotton for a bag like that on the cover of Amy Karol’s book. Hope that will work. Need some fabric paints for that.


Fabric for the pillows

I also got some standard supplies like elastic to make hairbands and stuff like that. And when I went to pay for it all I saw this big book on the counter. I asked about it and it appeared to be a pattern book. She directed me to a counter on the same floor where I could look into these books and then order any pattern out of it for 5 – 10 pounds. I did this and found a great dress I’d like to make. On my way out I passed the yarn section again and noticed a few Jaeger pattern books that where on sale. So I bought two: The extra fine merino collection and the matchmaker collection. I’d like to make a few jumpers and a beret.


And the pattern for the dress

In short the shopping was good, can’t wait to start making stuff.

Tour de France

For the first time ever the Tour de France will start in England. Why? I have no idea. You would think it would start in France, not the UK, but I’m not complaining. They came here this weekend and me and Kevin went out to see them in action. We got up bright and early and walked down to the town center. It wasn’t at all busy then and there where no event from the council. I was a bit dissapointed by that I must admit. But the Caravan was funny enough. This is the big commercial spectacal that proceeds the actual cyclist. One car after the other drove by. Some all converted as if for a carnaval parade. They also handed out goodies like caps, sweets and Huge Giant hands:



I managed to snatch one and waved with the hand to everyone that passed. One of the cars was tiny but they had made this big tire on top of it. I swear if it toppeled over it would just roll back down the hill we were standing on. The best was a series of vehicles for a brand of mineral water. They had cars shaped like bottles of water on wheels and they also had trucks that looked like a six pack of water bottles. On top of one was a guy with a water spout spraying the crowds. On the front it said: L’eau Fraicheur or something similar. The cloud of water that came down on the crowds looked impressive, but then he came to spray us it was just a big cloud of very fine water drops and indeed it was very refreshing and nice. We wanted him to come back!



Anyway in the end the cyclist came by. A large group that zoomed up the hill as if it was as flat as any road in the Netherlands (so very flat indeed). They passed very quickly, but it was great to see them go by. I’m sure that if you support one or a team it would be a lot of fun. It’s also fun because of the colours. So many teams mix so it’s like seeing a rainbow move. In short it was great fun and I’d do it again if they pass through my home town. So strange to have the tour pass one street from where you live. Especially as I live in England and it’s the Tour de FRANCE. Oh I mentioned that already. Ah yes I forgot. Well it’s still odd, but fun. So if you ever have the chance go and see!!!

Sunscreen

A few years ago there was this great song called "wear sunscreen". It was based on a text that was published as a column in The Chicago Tribune. It reads like and graduation speech and it is one of the best texts ever for someone young. Now that I'm approaching the big 3 0 I do a lot of thinking about growing up and childhood and how stupid young people are (read: I was) without realising it (a blessing indeed).



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Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young

Published June 1, 1997

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who'd rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there's no reason we can't entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

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The song was a great succes and ofcourse there is a wiki entry about it. But also this great Star Wars version.