Enchanted Mama

First of Many::

That's my friend Heidi.  Isn't she cute? She makes me cooler just by knowing her.  

I met Heidi awhile back when I owned a children's store called The Bee's Knees.  It was quite an adventure.  Maybe even a story for another day.  Anyway, this lovely lady came in and help transform, in many ways, the store as my manager.  Along with some other lovelies that I had working for me.  One of which now lives in New Zealand with her honey and triplet girls.  

We have been friends since then.  Almost thirteen years.  Maybe fourteen?  Let's just say its close to that.  She's the kind of friend that I know will be a part of my life always just because.  Plus, like I mentioned, I'm alittle bit cooler having her as my friend.  We laugh and talk and talk some more.  I don't even recall all the things we talk about.  We just never seem to run out of things to say.  Which, in and of itself, is cool.  

We recently spent time together camping at the beach over spring break.  She with her sweet boys and our little brood.  We had such a great time. 

And this lovely had her birthday recently and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out the Ribband bracelet by the festive Laura Nelkin.  She had gifted a kit for the bracelet to me when we hung out in New York last January.  I pulled it out again and got to work.  

I did chose some thicker yarn I had on hand and some beads left over from my other Ms. Laura project, which I love by the way, and started knitting.  

The best bit of fashion advice I received from Heidi... Where accessories are concerned the bigger the better.  

Okay, good.  

I like how the wrap bracelet turned out.  Funky, fun colors.  Not for everyone of course but she loved it.  Loved how it felt and loved that if she fell asleep cuddling one of her darling boys then she didn't have a hard bracelet poking her into her wrist at 2:00 a.m..  Kudos to Laura for that one.  I wonder if she even realized that cool factor of her bracelet.  

So there it is.  The first of many bracelets that I will knit.  And, they are fun.  Did I mention that?  I know Laura was up with her girlie stuffing bracelet kits a few days ago so you ought to go visit her shop and try one for yourself.  I know you will thank me later.  

 

Off to my day.  

Wish me luck because I think I might need to stretch time and use super human strength to clear my "to do" list.  I suppose, if I need a break, you will know what I'm knitting.  

Bye for now friends.  

 

 

A Gift::

We have a teacher that my son is convinced is an angel.  

I'm tempted to believe him, with her blond hair and blue-blue eyes she exudes that.  Of course, I know she would deny it and I know that none of us really want to be angels, at least all the time, as we are all here to work on things, but we like to pretend sometimes.  

And, when your sweet boy looks up at you and says "No mommy really, she's an angel".   Well, I'm tempted to just agree.  

So, her birthday happened recently.  She had been speaking with some of the moms about how to keep her legs warm in rain boots as they were always cold.  

Secretly I smiled a tricky smile and saw a perfect excuse to knit something.  The color, according to my son had to be "blue-blue like her eyes, mommy".  So, even though these legwarmers would not cooperate while being photographed, they are actually the most beautiful color of blue-blue if I've ever seen it.  

 

Fabulous thick yarn and big needles, these bad boys were done in no time.  

The woman who spins this yarn I met at a winter faire this past year.  Her yarn is solar dyed in vats of seawater.  Yes, even though I need no other yarn, some of this needed to come home with me.  You will be seeing more projects from this yarn soon.  It's so luxurious to knit with.  

My son watercolored a tag and gifted them to her with a, "Happy Birthday. They are the color of your eyes."

Um yeah.  Her heart melted.  My heart melted.  She started crying.  

It was good.  

 

Really it's the best kind of knitting.  Simple.  Straight-forward.  Bringing a smile to someones face.  

Yup, good stuff.  

 

Ravelry notes here.  

 

A bit of New York::

Well, it happened again.  I left out of town thinking and sincerely knowing "I would blog from the road".  Yes, that was the plan.  As we can all see that is not exactly what happened.  

Though, I'm not entirely sure it's all my fault.  I mean, if New York wasn't so captivating and full and delicious and inspiring, and, and...  I'm not sure there are many out there who could resist her charms.  She's powerful.  She's electric.  She has amazing lattes that keep you up all hours of the night so that by the time you do arrive home you are wiped out and ready to sleep for a week.  

 

So it was that I walked miles and miles there.  Which came in very handy when passing one of the many cupcake shops.  Oh, you better believe it!  

By day and night she had me from the start--From the museums to the french onion soup in out of the way french restaurants to the stark winter beauty of central park to the lights oh, the lights.

There is everything in the city.  I didn't think it could get any better until... 

`

Vogue Knitting Live came to town along with my delightful, dear friends and knitting group.  The three Amiga's in the Big city armed with knitting needles, yarn and the desire to learn new things.  

We took classes and ate in the aforementioned french restaurant, a few times in fact.  Knitting while we waited.  Incredible.  We shared a room and it was like summer camp for adults.  Only we wrapped up in all types of knitted items and carried knitting projects around in our purses.  

To say I had a delightful time would not even begin to describe it.  We were going the whole time we were there.  Knitting classes, lunch, museums, knitting classes again, the marketplace with some INCREDIBLE yarn, delicious dinners and even a show or two.  

All I know is...it was out of the ordinary to take this time as a mama.  Time to be together with friends doing something we all love.  Taking time away from our families.  Out of the ordinary, but so amazing.  Doing something that recharged us creatively, after we caught up on all the missed sleep of course.  It was a luxury that I know all three of us enjoyed to the last moment.  

 

There was more...   

One of my dear Nirvana friends the lovely Laura stayed with us as well.  She brought smiles and beading gifts and delicious restaurants to go to with other lovely designers and she delivers a mean latte when the morning before class just isn't long enough.  So grateful to meet up with her again and have some time to knit, laugh and snuggle while sleeping.  I've written about her impeccable designs many times.  

There was a talk given at the Gala Fashion Show Night by Alice Starmore.  Inspired by her talk about knitting, designing, yarn, and life style.  Incredible.  I'm a new fan.  Plus, she works closely with her daughter who is also a designer.  Wouldn't that be  fabulous?!!??

The lovely woman sitting to my left at the dinner that night and new Philly friend made the evening even better.  The friendly face in a sea of strangers.  Who I'm now corrupting, I mean teaching, some new knitting stuff.  How lucky I feel to have sat down next to her. 

 

So it was that we arrived home last week and I have put in some serious hours sleeping.  On the flight home I'm pretty sure we made up the only knitting row on the plane click-clacking away on our needles. 

I have new projects in the works.  Yarn to share with you and inspiration abounds.  

My hope is to share that here with you all soon.  

Hope your week is starting out well, 

Kellen

 

 

A Fall Bag::

I love to send care packages.  Love it.  

There's something about anticipating the smile of the one you love, tearing open a box and discovering treasure, that warms my heart.

My mom used to send them to me in college or when I traveled to camp.  I clearly remember the excitement just before I opened the box wondering what lay inside.  The hand written notes tucked inside with some little lovelies she thought I would need.      

I have a friend who LOVES Fall.  A friend who lives in a place where Fall doesn't really happen.  

A few years back she and her daughter visited our home in October, the height of Fall.  Orange and Red leaves burst from all the trees as if to put on a show just for them.  The mornings were misty and the afternoons cool.  We ate soup, talked, and she learned how to knit.  

A Lovely time for all. 

 

So back in October, when I put together the ever so fast and fabulous bag that I spoke of before it seemed so "Fall-ish" that I knew it needed to be sent to this dear friend.  

I filled it with "all things orange" and sent it on its way.  I smiled thinking of her smile upon opening it.  

Don't we all cherish receiving a bit of love in the mail?  I know I do.

Sometimes in our high-tech world I really love to buck the system and send it "old school".  You know?  

 

Anyway, I'm off to work on some long standing projects today.  Hoping to get clarity in some and just plain "something done" in the others.  

What are you up to today?

 

Soup Night::

If there's one thing I love about Fall it's the pots of soup set to simmer on the stove.  Smells that waft throughout the house.  Meals that can be prepared and set to warm all afternoon.  

The next best thing is friends over to huddle together around the fire with bowls of soup in our hands.

A few weeks back we decided to do just that.  Three basic soups were whipped up by the big daddy and this mama.  Different types of condiments and add ins made for some serious decisions to be made.  Custom soups abounded.  Laughs and fake elbow jabs were seen as the most precious items were bartered over.  Fun, I tell you.     

Delicious as well, if I can say so myself.  The real treat for us, to see so many head back for seconds.

note to self...Do this again, soon!   

 

Then, peach galettes for dessert.  I've spoken of them before...but really do we get tired of seeing them?  Ummm, I don't.  

Anything delectable cooking up in your kitchen?  

 

 

Warm Cocoa::

Don't these remind you of a steaming cup of warm cocoa?  In all it's chocolaty goodness? 

yum. 

I started the first mitt back in September 2010.  A practice mitt, if you will, so that I could make these.  Then, the one lonely mitt sat and sat in a basket waiting for me to knit again.  I finally did.

The great part was that after knitting the first pair and then these and yet again this last mitt went fairly quickly.  Almost as though I remembered the pattern which was quite lovely I tell you.    

I have one more pair to make.  One more for the gal who happens to be my hand model.  Hopefully, for her birthday in May if not sooner.   

 

These will be a gift for a dear teacher in our midst.  A teacher whom I'm so grateful to for helping one of my little ones.  A teacher who deserves a pair of mitts for all her loveliness.  

The bonus part of all this was that I was able to photograph the mitts and my daughter practiced her cello at the same time.  A win win situation.

 

So...

Yesterday, I spent some time with a friend exploring the knitting/weaving/felting/spinning genius from the women of the local Weavers Guild.  

Today, I hope to apply that inspiration into my day somehow.  

What are you doing on this Fantastic Friday?  

 

 

 

Another one::

A few days ago I had the privilege to teach a friend how to knit.  Yes, my love for knitting and waxing rhapsodic about it forever finally wore on her and she decided to pick up a pair of needles.  You can imagine my excitement.  right?

Another knitter in the world...well, I'm all for that.

 

We started simple.  A scarf.  Knit. Knit. Knit.  She learned to cast-on and she was off and running.  With only a few dropped stitches she already appears to be a pro in the making.  

Yesterday with my guidance/bad influence, she found some LOVELY yarn and is now knitting in the round.  Yes, taking to it like a duck to water I tell you.  

Plus I badgered her, I mean, helped her see the need for real ingredients in your yarn.  You know wool, cotton, anything that actually comes from nature and not a plastic bottle.  Yes, I may have pushed my will onto her but hey, isn't that the prerogative of the person teaching?  

 Insane amounts of influence?!??

 

Another great result was that it inspired my other two knitters in the house to pick up some needles and start to knit.  

A small knitting crew we were, clicking away on the couch enjoying the company and using our hands for something creative.  

 

We did have this little one helping as well.

Anytime someone left their knitting unattended she was sure to take care of it for them.  Oh yes, did she take care of it.  

All in all we had a beautiful time.  

The best part is that somewhere in the world there's another knitter clicking away on her new needles and feeling the pull of her new yarn.  Starting, what I hope to be, a life-long love or at least something for now.  

She's heading on a long plane trip soon and she said she would "definitely have to take her knitting with her".

Music to my ears.

 

  

Beaded Bliss::

This scarf is one of those projects where I have so much to say I don't even know where to begin.  

This project, beaded bliss, stretched me as a knitter.  I learned all sorts of new things.  

I learned about beads and knitting, as well as the patience required to do so.  I learned that it becomes easier and easier the more you do.   So now I know that I would be willing to try another project that requires me to put beads into my knitting.

I learned that I'm willing to rip out knitting, even intricate knitting, over and over and over until I decide to just keep knitting no matter what.  

I learned that it's possible to Kitchener stitch two pieces of intricate knitting together and not be able to tell where I did it, mostly.  Even if I had to do it twice. 

I learned that I'm willing to keep trying new things.  

 

I've realized that I love knitting so much.  

For its meditative qualities, as I feel calmer just picking up my needles.  For the ability to attend to my children and knit without them thinking I'm ignoring them as opposed to when I pick up the telephone.  For the love of yarn, my knitting friends, casting on new projects, casting off finished projects.  For the ability to keep my family and myself warm....

What I love the very most though is that there seems to always be something else to learn.  Some new cast-on or cast-off.  A new technique for wrapping yarn.  Chart reading.  Mitre squares and beading....

The list goes on and on....   
 

To Laura the lovely designer and the woman in charge of this KAL I had a fabulous time.  

There were times when I was excited.  

Times when I thought I'd quit.  

Times I persevered unsure whether the result would look good.

Times when I thought I would never finish this fingering weight looooong scarf.  

Times when I knew I would.  

Times when I had to re-do the Kitchener stitch because somewhere along the way I lost a stitch and it was all askew.  

Then the time when I finished, threw it in a bath, then stretched it on my blocking mats and waited for it to dry.  

Then yesterday as I took these pictures I got to see the true beauty of the design.  To feel the lovely weight of the beads.  The light yarn laying around my neck.  To see my daughter and her impish smile while wearing it.   

Laura Daaarrrling, you're brilliant.  Thank you for such a fun adventure.  

Now, I'm just waiting for some cool weather to wear this bit of lovely!  

 

To those of you out there who knit I strongly urge you to try something out of your comfort zone.  Something that stretches you as a knitter, something that will simultaneously make you excited, want to quit, and in the end show you that perseverance pays off.  

It's fun, uncomfortable and makes us who we are as knitters.  Those willing to take a pile of wool and transform it into something.  Those who can see the potential in small stitches.  Those who love the feel of the yarn enough to be willing to try new things.  

So what are you going to try?  

 

 

Artist friends::

Isn't it great to have artistic friends who are kind and generous as well?  

This skateboard was a gift from our very talented friends by the beach.  The same friends that we camped with.  The friends that have their own self made skateboard called "the magic carpet ride" that seats three maybe four.  A skateboard that my children rode over and over again when we were with them in April.  

Upon arriving they presented us with our very own board that they made!  And, designed.  And, painted.  Yeah, I know.  Creative genius at work.  

 

A few weeks ago we finally had the wheels put on and I'll tell you that board has already had more rides than I can keep track of.  The road near our house slants down, slightly-thank goodness, so it provides a lovely long cruise down the road and then three children running up again to ride it over and over and over... 

This post is to send a VERY BIG thank you out to our dear friends who have provided all this fun and entertainment.  We had such a lovely time camping, even in the rain, with your family.  We can't wait to do it again.  

It may be that the big daddy has been seen cruising down the street on this ride a few times as well.  Conveniently, for him, I never seem to have my camera at the ready.  Oh well.  

 

Here is to creative friends in our lives, they are the best!  

 

Spring Whimsy::

These wristers were a delight to knit.  Simple.  Fun.  Whimsical.  

They happened to be a birthday gift for a dear friend that I hadn't seen in way too long.  The same friend who camped with us near the beach half way through our road trip adventure and provided nourishing time for our family.  A friend who is a witty conversationalist, so we never run out of things to talk about.  

 

This friend of mine has a great sense of style.  She used to own her own vintage clothing store and then was my partner in crime when I owned my children's shop.  We have many great stories together.  

Her birthday was a few weeks before we were due to arrive so I decided to make something.  Something unique.  

 

They were perfect for her.  She didn't take them off all weekend.  That's pretty amazing when you consider we were camping the whole time.  

It actually made me think that I might need a pair.  

Don't you need a bit of this fun too? 

 

 

To my friend and her sweet family we miss you all already.  

We hope for more "glamping" with you again soon!