novamade

happy birthday to me!! (2012)

I had every intention of posting earlier in the day, but you know how it is...you wake up the day of your birth "x" number of years later, and people want to celebrate you.  It's kind of awesome.  I woke up to gifts and an off-key rendition of the birthday song (we are pretty sure that Little Sir is tone deaf...which is unfortunate as he thinks he is a really great singer--it's really quite cute).

We went to a library book sale (I know!! It's like the universe conspired to help me have an awesome day, right?!).  Bought some books, as one does.

We went to the circus.  Okay, this was more for my kids than me, but watching them have fun was like a gift in and of itself.

We ate fancy cupcakes that K and the boys bought yesterday while I worked the first extended shift of finals week at work (9am - 10pm, you know you're jealous!).  I dyed a whole bunch of wool while K and the boys made me a birthday cake (from  box, but who cares?  I didn't have to make it). 

And now I am posting this with a little under two hours left of my birthday.  For today, I am gifting a skein of my absolute favorite yarn, some Madeline Tosh sock yarn (it's Golden Hickory).  This yarn is perfection, and I would like to share some of that awesome with one of you. 

And since it's my birthday, I will throw in a box bag.  I will make you one, all special like (this means, I will ask you what you like and you will tell me, and then you will wait patiently while I make you a boxbag that will meet with your expectation of awesomeness--I am a busy person, this could take some time).

Since there is only two hours left of the day, I will extend the deadline for this giveaway (and this one only) till tomorrow, May 13th, 6:00 pm /1800 EST.  What do you need to do?  Not much. Leave a comment, anything you want:  birthday wishes...platitudes about my awesomeness, or yours, whatever.  Just leave a comment on this post and you are in it to win it.

I will take comments for this post until tomorrow night, 6pm, EST. Comments for all other Novakkah postsn (for the last 7 days), taken until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Saturday, May 12th (that's tonight!). Please leave your responses on the appropriate post. One entry per post/person. I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it. Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly (disclaimer: "shortly" matching my definition of the word, it could vary greatly from yours) thereafter.

sixth day of novakkah (2012)

Today was a banner day for gift giving.  I have been getting a thing a day from my family but today it was variations on a theme.  Cakery.

This was completely unexpected.  It would have never occurred to me to ask for any of this; but, every time I bake a cake, I say something like, "a cake leveler would probably be a useful thing..."  Pretty awesome!  Kinda foodie, just like me!  So speaking of food... (well, it was better than yesterday...you know, the transition...) today's gift is...food.

More canned goods because it seemed to be a popular thing (you guys are driving what I put up each day, by the way).  I figured that if you did not know what a dilly bean was (what?!) you should know, and you should definitely get the chance to eat some (because one is not enough).  So today is the savory canning giveaway day (with some strawberry jam to temper the spice).  Dilly beans....

So, should you be interested in getting this canning package of joy, please to share: what is the best birthday gift that you have received that was totally unexpected; or rather, that you didn't even know you actually needed or wanted...but, you got it and, duh, of course it's the best gift ever....you know...just like that.

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Saturday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post. One entry per post/person. I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it. Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly (disclaimer: "shortly" matching my definition of the word, it could cary greatly from yours) thereafter.

xo(xo)

Okay, so the birthday quilt isn't done yet, but you know what is done?  This set of two baby quilts.

 

If you remember my string pillow from last year, then this should look familiar.  The funny thing here is, these quilts aren't even the main attraction, as it were.  These quilts were put together from leftover blocks that I didn't need for a twin-sized bed quilt (that one just needs binding--which is, honestly, becoming the story of my life).

 

I originally started these last year for a friend of mine with twins but her twins are too big for these now, they are toddlers.  These are "baby" baby-sized quilts (as in tiny!)--approximately 27 inches square.  Fortunately, another friend of mine has decided to accomodate my gift-giving needs and is having twins in two or three months.  So if she is reading this, when she opens these next month at the baby shower I am throwing her, she should just pretend to be surprised. Ahem.

I mixed strips from "vintage" linens (I have discussed this already, go clicky!) with some coordinating solids to make the string blocks.  I did an "x" and an "o" because I could; and, well, it seems like a good idea at the time. The quilting was done on my old trusty Kenmore, so it was basted properly and then quilted with straight lines...a little echo quilting action, but really, "a bunch of straight lines".

The baby quilts are infinitely cuter than the twin-sized quilt will be when it's done (it is a proven thing, small things or things in miniature are just cute); but, when I finish the bigger quilt, if you all could just ooh and ahh, a little, it will make me feel as though it was time well-spent.

"wouldn't you love to knit me a hat?"

 

Little Sir has a birthday coming up. He has been talking about it for months now (probably since a week after his birthday last year, if we are being honest). He pretty much has an expectation that he will get something mom-made for his birthday (pressure, what?). But now all gift-giving occasions seem to warrant handmade gifts as far as he is concerned (somewhere along the way, making someone a hand made gift became equated with love and care for the giftee, which, well, yes). So now I am crafting goodness for every occasion imaginable. A week before Valentine's day Sir and I had a conversation, it went like this:

Sir: I love you mommy, don't you love me? [honestly, I should have known.  Nothing good can come out of a conversation that begins this way.]

Me: Of course I do.

Sir: Since you love me, wouldn't you love to knit me a hat?

Me: Sure, I can do that. Would you like one for your birthday? [obviously, he has no idea about the sweater and quilt things...]

Sir: I think it would be better if you knit it sooner. Maybe for Valentine's Day. And since it's for Valentine's Day and red is my favorite color, you could knit my new hat with red yarn. Maybe with some of that merino yarn the you made with your spinning wheel.

Me: That's a very specific request.

Sir: Yes, you should probably get started on it soon.

Me: Well, if I make one for you for Valentine's Day, I will have to make one for your brother too.

Sir: Well, I guess so, but mine is the one that needs to be done on time. [oh, snap!]

Two red hats were not in the cards, which was all for the best since Little Mister had no desire for a red hat (as it is not his favorite color right now). He wanted a green hat, because that is his favorite color right now.

So that's what he got,  a green hat (or, sage, if we are being specific).

Special K did not want a hat, actually, he probably didn't want anything; but, he got some handmade handkerchiefs made with the most ridiculous fabric I felt he would tolerate.

And while this post is many days (weeks, whatever) after Valentine's Day, know this: I finished these hats and the handkerchiefs on the 13th. All of it. Okay, maybe I finished the handkerchiefs at 3 in the morning on the 14th, but everybody got their gifts on time.  So there's that.

the first of twelve :: cobblestone

Considering that my goal is to complete twelve sweaters this year, this hardly puts a dent in the list, really; but, hey, finished sweater.    It's not like I am covering new ground here, the pattern has been around for a while; and, according to Ravelry, it's the 2,436th Cobblestone sweater in existence (and the 1808th one to get finished).

This sweater fits and looks exactly the way I expected it to.  I took Jared Flood's (aka Brooklyn Tweed) pattern and cast-on for the medium size and modified as needed based on Special K's measurements and comments from the last sweater that I knit for him (shorter sleeves and torso lengths).

K really likes the sweater, which is a good thing since I knit it and I hate wasting my time (and, of course, every stitch was knit with love and all that).  The one problem we had with the sweater was the neck opening (tried the sweater on too, you know, in case it was an epic fail...someone was going to wear this sweater).  I followed the pattern for this because I wanted to ensure that I didn't have a gaping neck opening; but, it is; quite frankly, too small.  I was going to rip back a few rows, but K decided that it's not that big of a deal.  It's not uncomfortable to wear, just a tight squeeze putting the sweater on and taking it off.  So if you haven't knit this yet, and you think you want to, you should probably keep that in mind (or, if you don't have a huge head, just ignore this alltogether).

Also, the shaping of the back of the sweater by the addition of short rows to the knitting in the round is rather a nice touch too.  Very clever.   If I were a person who liked to knit patterns more than once, I would knit this sweater again in a heartbeat (albeit with a slightly wider neck opening).  Actually, I might size it down for a little boy..or two; but, maybe not...we'll see.  So yes, first sweater down, eleven to go.

birthday deadlines

While I like the idea of deadlines in theory, practically speaking, they are a problem for me.  For a crafter, the worst kind of deadline is a birthday (or, really, any gift-giving occasion), but birthday deadlines imply that your gift was supposed to be a birthday gift...and if you are making something, presumably, you know when that person's birthday is...particularly if you have been married to said birthday celebrator for almost twelve years.  That being said, getting a handknit sweater a few days after one's birthday, isn't such a bad thing either (it's like the celebration that never ends...which I am a fan of, obviously).

 

K celebrated his birthday.  We dragged it out for three days this year (he normally likes as little fuss and celebration as possible).  He got a bunch of presents.  The Littles sang off key, it was all quite fabulous.

 

He usually asks for a cake made from mix from a box, which is a travesty of the first order for someone like me.  I mean, seriously, I like to bake!  I want to bake!  And most would say that I am good at said baking!  So this year, K decided to let me bake him a cake.  After looking at all of my baking books, of course he selects the most time-consuming cake possible.

 

I made the Miette Tomboy Cake with Raspberry European Buttercream frosting.  This cake took the better part of a day to make.  And when all is said and done, you have two 6-inch cakes to feast upon; but, it's a lot of work for a cake (or two, rather).  There was choclate melting, whisking, cooling, ordered additions to batter before straining it (yes, straining the batter--that is commitment, people); and, don't even get me started on the frosting; what, with the raspberry juice extracting, sugar syrup making, egg-white whipping...(honestly, it makes me exhausted just thinking about it).  But you know what?  It was worth it.  This little dainty bit is probably the best cake I have ever made.  It was delicious.  I don't generally care for chocolate cake, to be honest.  I usually find  cake too rich or too dry, or too....something.  But this cake?  It was perfect.  And the European buttercream, it was out of this world.  And now I can say, "why yes, I have made European buttercream frosting, and there were no tears."  Because apparently, sometimes there are tears.

 

I finished K's birthday sweater last night, and will block it tonight, or maybe tomorrow. There's no real hurry to finish it at this point since my model is on the other side of the country at a conference; but, I just wanted it noted that my 12 in 12 thing is totally on track.

hey, it's a new year!

I think I unintentionally started a new tradition last year. Instead of my first post of the year being about goals, hopes, dreams and what-have-you, it was all about the things that I did the year before that I forgot (or was too lazy) to blog about. So without further ado, this is the cool stuff that I did in 2011 that I never talked about.

knitting

Log cabin baby blanket. I had a ton of Mission Falls Cotton so I just started knitting with it. And I produced this really tiny baby blanket…but now I don’t have anymore MF Cotton taking up space on my shelves, so win.

February Baby Sweater. I originally started this in pink yarn, which was a knitted nightmare, and then realized that is was confining the creativity of my soul (or something akin to that). I had some Dream in Color Smooshy, I think it’s Candy Apple Red (I could be making that up, is that even a colorway?). I think it’s fabulous. It’s going to give it to a friend of mine scheduled to have a baby in three days. She asked for something knitted; and you know, I like to make wishes come true.

I also made some baby socks. I had a hank of Koigu yarn that I bought when I was pregnant with Little Mister…thinking I was going to have a girl. Yeah, not so much. The fact that I bought pink yarn should have been the first clue, really. Why would I want to look at pink baby feet? I wouldn't.

Stockinette Socks of awesome. So they are just plain and simple stockinette socks; but, they are awesome. I started knitting them last May when I hung out with some knitterly friends of mine, and they make me smile whenever I wear them. Yarn is from the Barefoot Spinner. There is no colorway on it, so let’s just call it “purple” shall we?

quilting & sewing

I sewed my kids some pillowcases. It wasn't rocket science, but easily, probably the highest impact gift I've made in a long time. Every time we pull one of them out of the linen cabinet, it's like Christmas! It's a fact, kids love ridiculous pillowcases.

 

Locked Squares. So I made this baby quilt. And then thought, it might be a nice quilt to try pattern writing. So... still doing the pattern writing bit, but the blanket was a huge hit. It was really fun to make (and quite easy), actually.

 Lilly’s Quilt. A friend of mine from library school asked if I could make a full sized quilt from her daughter’s baby bedding. Her daughter was moving up to a full-sized bed and she wanted to save the baby bedding. Because I don’t really think things through sometimes, I said “sure!”. Um, I have never made a bed-sized quilt before this quilt. In case you were under the impression that a full-sized quilt is “no big deal” let me dissuade you from this notion. Cramming a full-sized quilt into the throat of a domestic home sewing machine pretty much made me want to gouge my own eyes out with a dull pencil. But, it came out really nice and I was unspeakably proud of myself after I shipped the quilt off last month. I really was. I should probably get out more.

embroidery & x-stitch

Every summer I get interested in embroidery, because, well, it doesn't involve wool and it doesn’t make my hands sweaty. I was involved in various quilting bees last year (more on that later, this post is getting long) and when Chawne’s month rolled around for one of the bees (I honestly can’t remember which one since she and I were in three bees together, no, I am not kidding), she asked for redwork, we could do anything we wanted. Since I am bookish.... Well, yeah.

 

I did a little drawing, traced it onto some Kona cottong and then stitched it up.  I ended up doing a multi-color version and framed it because I liked it so much, so now I can look at my handi-work (ha…did you see what I did there, oh, nevermind) everyday at work.

I also did some cross stitch last fall.  I needed something for my dining room wall, so I stitched an appropriate eating area command.  I am a fan.

So that’s it. That was the hidden craftiness of 2011. I also went to the International Quilt Festival, but apparently, I was so overwhelmed by it, I never blogged about it (but here is a photo set in flickr). But, I am getting my blogging house in order now, because, well, I pay for this space, so I might as well get my money’s worth. I am all about getting my money’s worth.

In my next post, I will tell you all about my hopes, dreams, and goals (or whatever) for 2012. I just need to think of something to share with you first. While I think of an unfeasible list worthy of my frustrations and energies, check out my studio shot of the Littles that I foisted upon friends and family for Christmas last month.

Next year, the Christmas shot will feature knitted sweaters, I mean, the Littles in knitted sweaters (or course that’s what I meant). Oh, that’s a goal, right there!

seriously, martha?

 

I don't really consider myself to be a "complainer." Sure, I make observations of the "woe is me variety" sometimes. Life can be hard; but, honestly, I tend to try to find the silver lining in most situations. But here's the the thing: my time is valuable, if I, as a consumer, purchase something that I have an expectation will, in some way, make my life easier (or help me portray myself as fabulous, whatever), then that something should live up to expectation, no? Especially when said something is a paper product.

Okay, here's the deal. We are all busy at this time of the year. If you are a parent, or if you are crafty, or if you are just a nutter who goes insane with the baking this time of the year, you are probably making consumable treats. This is the activity I found myself doing at 8 last night after working at the library all day, going to the grocery store, cooking dinner, and saying goodnight to my kids (see what I did there, I illustrated why my time is valuable--it's a fun game, you should do it too). For me it was shortbread cookies to go with some mango and lime jam I canned during the summer (I would like to think Martha would approve). For whatever reason, I thought this would be a suitable teacher's gift this year (with the addition of flash or cash as appropriate, obviously...because teachers are awesome (say it with me: teachers are awesome!).

So you make your holiday treats, bag it, people they are Christmas cookies. I am calling them Christmas cookies, call them what you want, I am calling them Christmas cookies... Anyway, you have your cookies which you have slaved over to produce as Christmas gifts and you need something to put them in... If you are like me, you want simple, elegant, refined...small. And again, if you are like me, something like Martha Stewart's new line of treat boxes are probably going to be right up your alley. It's not really a secret: I am a huge fan of Martha Stewart. I love that domestic craftiness is her business and her "thing."  She has made a fortune doing something she loves; and, that is cool. But also, she sets a ridiculously high standard for domestic perfection which I find hilarious, but that in no way stops me from trying to attain the unrealistic perfection that Martha (and her minions, staffers, whatever) try to convince me that I can achieve with their beautiful styling and artistic product photography.

So I see these treat boxes and I think, "oh, how perfect!" No, really. I really thought that.

This treat box is a paper product...PAPER. It basically pops out and is folded down to resemble a milk carton, of sorts (a really beautiful and fancypants milk carton, but there you are). There are "creases" in the box that are supposed to fold, presumably, easily to help form the box so you can tie it closed with a provided white bow (thank you, Martha) and then pat yourself on the back.

Okay, let's talk logistics here. First off, the holes that the ribbons go through...um, is it that hard to just go that extra mile and punch out the holes at the factory before you pack them? Because having to do it myself required a chopstick, which, I have one, because, hi, I am part Asian and eat Asian food with chopsticks...but it was still a pain...and messy. Some of the little circles ended up in the box with the goodies and I had to empty the boxes and start all over. This took a great deal of TIME.

Those creases. Which, let's be honest, they are really useless indentations, because I had to force the folds in, which required a great deal of finessing; and, the extra care I utilized in folding the boxes still gave me some weird buckles and bulges in the finished box. This was the point where I considered trying to figure out Martha's Connecticut address, it can't be that far away from me. I have information skills that allow me to do that sort of thing, but I don't want to be a stalker; and, it was getting late. But, seriously? RAGE. As the Dyson guy says, "the thing should just work." Especially when it is a PAPER PRODUCT.

The size. This is more an observation than a complaint. If you have large hands, forget it. Do yourself a favor and just buy something else. It is next to impossible to get the treats into the box, and you are supposed to do so in an orderly fashion...with layers of paper (provided, again thank you, Martha)...but no more than 48. I don't have man hands or anything (not that there is a problem if you do, particularly if you are a man, obviously), but I had a considerable amount of difficulty getting my cookies into the boxes. If you don't have tiny hands, or are older than 10, you are probably going to have some problems too.

And that ribbon. This is another observation. I can not blame Martha, or anyone else, for my lack of skills in the bow-tie-ing department. The ribbons is, really, a nice touch. I am glad it's provided, but here is the thing, there should be some kind of disclaimer that the consumer's ribbon may, in no way, resemble the ribbon as tied and photographed in the product sheet. Seriously, how long did the stylist work to get that ribbon just so? I am betting the stylist and photographer used glue to position the ribbon. I have had a few classes in product photography and what I know now makes me feel so much better about myself, it really does. But again, a disclaimer would have saved me some time last night. I was trying to reach the ludicrous standard of perfection, and then at 1 in the morning, I just figured it was good enough. And really, it was.

With all that being said, those little treat boxes are a good idea...just know what you are getting into (a frustrating time suck, I am not going to lie to you). They are elegant, but also cute (it's because of the size...most small things are usually called cute as well); and, instead of giving someone a dozen cookies, you can get by with giving them half a dozen...or eight cookies. Which can slash your baking. And here is the thing: your kid's teacher, probably doesn't want a dozen cookies from you (or me) anyways...unless you are Martha Stewart or are, in some way, related to Martha Stewart and she is making them for you. Or, if you were a world-renowned pastry chef, that would probably warrant a dozen cookies too, right? Sure.

big love

 
Are you amazed?  I am not going to go all falsely humble on you, this quilt is fantastic; but, feel free to drop comments of praise, should you feel so inclined (I always appreciate a heartfelt "attagirl").

Every year I make one thing that climbs the scale of "best thing ever?" and stays there refusing to be toppled, this might be the thing for this year.  Babette was 2009, Ruby was 2010 (though Starry Night, did give it a run for its money).  This year, it's probably going to be Big Love. 
This quilt was made for Little Sir's former Pre-School teacher.  She was a fabulous teacher and we consider her a friend, and well, my children love her.  So when Little Sir asked if "we" could make a quilt for her to give her as a wedding present, of course it was the best idea ever, and I said of course "we" could.  

Though I had an idea what I wanted to do back in April, I didn't start making the quilt until a week before the wedding in July.  What?  That's how I work--if you only have a minute (week) it only takes a minute (week).  I know, the philosophy is flawed, but it has worked well for me for at least two decades.  In any case, I wanted to do something modern, but yet harkening back to tradition, because, well, love...it's an old concept....and, well, it's a big deal, right?  

 
I was thinking of making a traditional Double Wedding Ring (DWR) quilt, but since I am not sure I love even myself enough to go through the pain and torture of all that curved piecing, I nixed that right away (or, I dragged my feet until I had to do something else, you pick).  Also, the traditional DWR quilt is just so....traditional.  And well, modernity, I am all about it for the most part.  So I began playing around with the idea of wedding rings.  And then I made them big, terribly modern, right?

 
At somepoint in the design process, I thought it would be a great idea to hand draft the arcs for the rings.  I am pretty sure that stroke of brilliance occured on a night where I slept very little because any quilter who has embraced technology will tell you that that is probably the stupidest thing ever thought.  But it seemed like a good idea at the time, so that's what I did.  

The handdrafting makes the arcs not so perfect, which, to be honest, I kind of like.  The piecing in the arcs was entirely improvisational, which is so modern, it kind of hurts.  This is the largest quilt I have ever free-motion quilted on my machine (it measures 63 inches square--I intended to make a throw, and I like 63"-65" for a throw).  

The quilting was meander stitched (some people call it stippling, my sources lead me to believe these people are wrong, but there you are) pretty tightly and then I pieced the continuous binding with bits and pieces of fabric used for the rings.  

Backing was remnants with blues and purples prominent (the giftees favorite colors) and after attaching the top of the binding by machine, I hand sewed the binding to the back.  No, you read right, I sewed it by hand--who am I?

 
I hope that the quilt is well used and well loved.  And while this quilt design drove the development of other designs, I think I can safely say that I will likely not be making this one ever again.  

 
Notice I did not say "never."  

 
Now I think I am going to go and knit something.  Cooler weather, it is around the corner, after all.

on reading and projects from the past

 
While I had all sorts of goals for summertime craftiness, I rang the death knell on all creative productivity without assistance from anyone else.  I was well-intentioned, to be sure; but, the next time I decide to register for two classes (during a truncated session, no less), I will endeavor to ensure that neither of them is text heavy.  I spent a lot of time reading over the past few months (there was also all that other stuff that I do, you know: the wife-ing, the mothering, the librarining/archiving...yes, all of that).  I was photographing as well, but there was a lot of reading.  Which is fine, considering the day job, I guess.

 
When I wasn't reading about photography and its history, I was reading about canning.  I have moved past the obsession stage to sickness, it's true.

 
I have been working on things too (crafty things, not the sugary or salty canned things), lots of things actually.  It recently occurred to me that I have a tendency to start things (many things) when I have no time to do anything at all.  Funny how that works out.  Let me pull together my notes (read: organize myself), and then I can start telling you about the crafty doings around these parts.

 
In lieu of anything recent, how about something forgotten? 

 
 As I was going through some old photos, I realized that I made something last year that never made it to the blog.  It was a re-knit for me (this doesn't happen often), but it was a fun experience all the same.

Swallowtail Shawl knit in Zephyr wool/silk.   Its the first shawl I ever knit.  When I knit it the first time, there were a few flaws.  So I knew I would knit it again one day.  So last fall I knit the pattern again after my friend, Lorelei, asked me to make her a shawl after she saw the Percy shawl I knit for myself.  Not like I was going to knit that again.

 
So, yes.  A forgotten knit, posted.  It occurs to me that I never put a gallery up for 2010 or 2011 on this blog either--which, I have to tell you, has made re-visiting my past endeavors sort of difficult, I will get around to fixing that eventually (really, I will).  Okay, back to organizing...