Hey Look We Made A Table!

We have been living without a kitchen table for a looooong time, and I really felt like we needed one. Duh! I must have looked for almost a year in local shops, online + craigslist, and just couldn't find the combination of things I was looking for. Finally I was committed to Do It Myself. I found these plans (having no clue how to choose) and with A LOT of help from the hubby, dove right in.

Basically everything about this project was new to me. From the tools, cutting the wood, to finally staining. I had small experiences with a lot of these things, but had never done anything at such a large scale.

I am so pleased with how everything turned out. The table is awesome and I love the stain. We decided to make the table 1 inch taller than the plan specifications, which I am so glad we did. It has been a great height for cooking, making dough, and as a work station. The only problem is finding chairs that are the right height! SO next is a bench to match.

The plans were so easy to follow, and the whole experience has been super rewarding. Now that I have the confidence of this project under my belt, I cannot wait to knock out about a million more (ideas that is, not tables lol).

Casting On

In the spirit of new things in a new year I have decided to make myself a sweater! This is very exciting for several reasons. Number one I have never followed a knitting pattern...aaaannnd to knit most anything other than a scarf or a pot holder, you kinda need to be able to read a pattern. So after much searching the interweb I found Stefani Japel's Boyfriend Sweater pattern.

So far everything is going smoothly. I have some circular bamboo knitting needles that are by far my favorite to use, they are much easier on my hands and wrists than straight ones. Although I am knitting a cardigan, and not a pull over, I am still using the circular needles making the weight much easier to control as it grows.

I have just taken off the stitches that will eventually make the sleeves, and am working on the back/body. I still am not quite sure how I am going to knit the sleeves...I understand the "magic loop" method in theory, but have never had cause to do it! After that I anticipate my next challenges being the knit ribbing and button holes, both skills also brand new to me.
I do love the purple color of the wool yarn that I chose, and no matter how this looks when I am done, I am gonna have me a warm cuddly sweater.

Today Feels Like: Rain

I think these photos pretty much capture the mood around here right now. We have settled into rainy days, hot coffees, warm soups, and fuzzy slippers. I find there is something very peaceful about this time of year. Right before all the holiday hustle, it is like the world takes a breath.

This season also brings a shift in focus to more "nesting" projects. My attentions have been on making big batches of food and freezing them for the days to come, planning holiday fun, and of course knitting. It seems that whenever fall turns over, I dash to my yarn stash and dreams of hand knits fill my thoughts.

As as post scrips I have made a funny discovery this week...apparently when I am doing a Knit stitch I use the English style (of holding the yarn in my right hand) and when I am doing a Purl stitch I use the Continental style (of holding the yarn in my left had).  For any non-knitters out there the Purl stitch is basically the back of the Knit stitch, so to get that cool knitted look-you have to do both stitches. I taught myself to knit many years ago, and I have just figured out my quirk this week. Ummmm Hello!?
In retrospect my teaching myself is probably what led to this inconsistency. So now the question is do I switch my Knit stitch to Continental style (because let's get real- it is just easier) or just roll with what I have been doing for so long?......It makes me wonder what else I am doing backwards. :)
Hoping everyone has a wonderful Autumn day.

Mehndi Mondays

Original Mehndi Henna design by Danielle.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday.

DIY Cork Board Display

This was a super fun and easy DIY project.

So here is how I did it:

 I took 3 pieces of cork board, taped off a geometric design, spray painted it purple (because almost everything is better with a bit of purple right?!) take off the tape, hang on the wall and Vola!

As a post script, I was so frustrated with the final picture! The perfect place to hang my wonderful new board display is in a hallway that gets NO natural light. Hence...the color is totally off. It is actually purple like you see in the other photos, but I wanted to show off the final look despite the funky color. All in all though I am very happy with the result.

Have a lovely day All.

Summer Days

Just a few moments that are nice to look back on.

 I love the way oil paint moves and blends into itself, and how my Willow looks so lovely decorated with her new summer ribbons. One of Mutties Quilts has my favorite paint color-phthalo blue and I got some roses that were a color I had never seen. All in all things are looking up.

Tiles in Parts

So this is basically how I add mehndi designs to tiles and (lots of) other surfaces. Here I used henna piped from a cone on to a reclaimed tile. Henna is one of my favorite materials, I love the way it flows out of the cone. It takes a bit of practice to get a consistent application, but totally worth the effort. Have a lovely day!

Round Here....Lately

Here are just a few photos from around here lately. There has been lots of fresh fruit, green leaves, homemade jam, and evening walks. I discovered how easy it is to make fresh pasta a few months ago, and each meal reminds me of living in Italy.

So cheers to long days,  homemade delights, and my backyard exploding with blackberry's. Have a great day All.

Picassoesque II

Here is a picture of one of my original oil paintings. This work sized 24"x36" went to a good home after being purchased at one of my shows. I am always so glad that I photograph (almost) all the artwork that is produced around here. It is really nice to look back on things that have been bought or given as gifts. 

When I first started painting I thought that if I really liked something I made, I should give it away. My thinking was that it would keep me making new work (because my walls would be perpetually bare) and by giving away good things, somehow good things would come my way. Looking back, I think the theory holds up...and it always makes me smile to look back and think of my work out there in the world.

Past Lives Pics

Lots of us have had several jobs, or even careers over the years. In this series I hope to document some of my past work.

Here I am with our best selling tee from Altered Equilibrium. I drew this image and we silk screened men and women's tees in several color combinations. I have been thinking about bringing this image back and doing something with it. I always thought it would look great on a card........sounds like a good ETSY Shoppe item to me! ! Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Picassoesque

Here is one of my favorites, it is oil on canvas sized 24"x24". I have saved this painting from sale several times and am happy whenever I see it. I painted this about 4 years ago, and it hangs in my living room to this day. 

Sneak Peek

Sneak peek look at some mehindi work on ceramic tiles-coming soon to our ETSY Shoppe!!!

Past Life Pics

Lots of us have had several jobs, or even careers over the years. In this series I hope to document some of my past work.

I love this picture. We had such a fun day at this photo shoot for our old tee shirt company. We got a group of friends and musicians together, and basically played around in the California sun for an afternoon  The tee says "Altered Equilibrium", which was the name of our silk screening business.

Candle Making

Candle making is lots of fun. These scented soy candles turned out beautifully. Although I love the color, getting a rich deep color is sometimes difficult. I have made many a pastel candle, because the wax always looks darker when it is melted-especially with soy wax.