Crafty Bird: May 2011

May 27, 2011

Always on the Sunnyside!

Ok, so how cute is this little cardigan from Knitbot?

Isn't it just the kind of cardigan you could wear almost every day?

Or is it just me?

I'm not kidding, I love cardis like this one. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am happy to knit up just about any kind of sweater—fancy, slouchy, skimpy, you name it... But this is the kind I would wear all the time.

Especially these days when it's (still!) so rainy. I could take off the late spring chill and brighten up the room. Two birds, as they say.

Happy knitting!

May 25, 2011

Feeling Inspired!

I've been itching to sew something for myself lately. Maybe it's the change of seasons, or Rae's Spring Top Challenge, or all the new patterns coming out right now. Whatever it is, I've been looking at all those lovely things in the spring catalogs with that "I could probably make that" mindset.

Here are just a few of the things that have caught my eye recently:

Pleat Blouse from Plumo

Cloudless Skies Skirt from Anthropologie

Positano Dress from Sundance

Backswept Dress from Anthropologie

What about you? What are you planning to make for yourself this summer? Something easy going and relaxed? Something perfect for a day at the beach or a stylish night out? Do tell!

Happy sewing!

May 24, 2011

Vintage Crochet Baby Blanket

Do you think it's too late to work up one of these beauties for my one-year-old?

Vintage Crochet Baby Blanket by Churchmouse Classics

{Isn't it gorgeous?}

Technically she's still a baby, right, so she'd qualify to receive a baby blanket...

Oh wait! Actually, according to the pattern description, it's easy to "size up" which means I can make it a "toddler blanket" if I'm so inspired.

Well, if you happen to have a baby, toddler, kid, or grown-up loved one who could really use a simply gorgeous crochet blanket, I highly recommend this pattern. Not only are there several versions to choose from (I love that) but also (as the designers point out) the motif is sophisticated enough to work as a throw in any blanket-needing situation.

A perfect summertime project, don't you think?

Happy crocheting!

May 23, 2011

Well Hello There...

Long time no post! Sorry about that!

We were in Ohio for that wedding I had mentioned earlier, which was a lot of fun and kept everyone busy, busy, busy! On top of that, baby Norah caught a stomach flu and then very generously shared it with the family. Bah.

But we're all better now. Phew.

So, I am very lucky to know (cyber-wise, that is) Jenny and Angel, the two incredibly generous and caring women who write the blog Stumbles and Stitches. They are holding a raffle to raise money for the victims of the tornadoes a few weeks ago in the American Southeast. As many of you now know, the storms ravaged a number of southern states, destroying buildings, neighborhoods, and towns.

{Photos from JamiesRabbits, through Creative Commons}

The raffle is for FIVE very cool prize packages and all you have to do to enter is follow three simple steps listed in this post. They are trying to reach a goal of $2000 by Wednesday and they're almost done it, so don't waste any time! Get over there and enter!

Just in case you're still on the fence, here are some of the awesome prizes included in the packages:

$100 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
$50 gift certificate from Spoonflower.com
Custom bundle of 20 fat quarters, from Alewives Fabrics
Summer Spark pack of Holland Wool Felt, from A Child's Dream Come True
1-2-3 Sew! by Ellen Luckett Baker, from Ellen Luckett Baker of The Long Thread
Ginger skirt sewing pattern by Colette Patterns, from Magpie Patterns
Sewing pattern for Round Burlap Bucket, from Maya Donnenfeld of Maya*Made
Sewing patterns for Semi-Fantastic Mr. Fox and Mostly Marvelous Ms. Rabbit, from Bird and Little Bird
Burlap Art by Jenny Bartoy, from Stumbles & Stitches
1 sewing pattern by Anna Maria Horner, donated by Anna Maria Horner(specific pattern to be determined when winners are announced)
8 fat quarters from I Heart fabric collection by Rashida Coleman-Hale, from Rashida Coleman-Hale of I Heart Linen
Alabama Studio Style by Natalie Chanin, from Alabama Chanin
2 Oliver + S sewing patterns of your choice, from Oliver + S
Handmade wet wipe pouch, from Masko of Siam Square
1 sewing pattern by Anna Maria Horner, donated by Anna Maria Horner(specific pattern to be determined when winners are announced)

And actually there's a LOT more, so go check it out!

Good luck!

**The tornado that killed 89 people in Missouri today makes it even more pressing that we help where we can. In addition to donating to the Stumbles and Stitches cause, please consider sending hope and loving thoughts to everyone affected by this tragedy.**

May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you're greeted with kisses and flowers and handmade cards today!
Happy Mother's Day!

May 5, 2011

First Let's Talk About Hand-Painted Yarn

...And how much I love it.

Oh yes, I am a sucker for hand-painted yarn. What you see here is Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (or KPPM for short). Which is dyed—by hand, mind you—in small batches for a gorgeous watercolor-y look when knit up.

But honestly, I even love it still in the skein. And what's more, it's finely spun merino, so it's as much a pleasure to knit as it is to look at.

And today I have the perfect pattern to go with this luscious yarn (ok, true, there are probably dozens of perfect patterns for a yarn like this, but here's one at any rate):

Peasant Raglan by Heirloom Stitches

Isn't that cute? It looks so summery to me. Something a lucky kid would wear on the beach or at the lake. I could even see making it with short or cap sleeves—perfect for early summer, late evenings, and back to school. And I haven't made one (yet) but I'd bet it's really easy, which is always nice! Hmm, maybe it would be something to knit from the comfort of your shaded beach chair...

Happy knitting!