Pretty Flowers

Uvularia

Happy Things

Sharon tagged me for the Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy meme. Sometimes I worry that all I think about are the dumb little things that annoy me, so it is very nice to think about the sorts of little things that make me happy. And really, it is the little things that make or break most days.

1. Lilacs.

2. Coffee. Not just any coffee, the cup in which the mix of brewing, sugar and milk all combine into something perfect. Why can't I get that more often?

3. At the end of an episode of Scrubs, the air band consisting of Ted, the janitor, the pill-popping delivery man and Turk perform "More Than a Feeling" by Boston. It isn't just that the scene is funny (it is), it's that the performance is pure joy.



4. Islands in the Stream -- Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (extra points in this video because she giggles, and there are few things better than Dolly Parton giggling)



5. The 1961 Chevrolet Impala. That is as elegant a car as you will find. Yeah, yeah, gas guzzler, blah blah blah. Whatever. This is Detroit doing it's greatest design work, the likes of which we will not see again, no matter how the current crisis shakes down.

6. Fluevogs! Was there any doubt?

So, I'm supposed to tag 6 more people, but I can't help but think most of the folks I would tag would either kick me or ignore me. So, if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged. I recommend the experience.

Baby brother

My baby brother got tenure! Everyone send him an online high five! Can you tell, I'm so proud?

Photo Shoot on the Back Porch

After taking pictures of flowers I was struck with the crazy notion that I could bring other thing outside to take pictures. Wacky.

The quilt top is a bit on the wrinkly side, but I am very happy with how it turned out. I got the back done, too, but not until after these pictures.

I particularly love this fabric combination.

And on the knitting front:

This is the beginning of the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig Knitbot. I really like her Whisper Cardigan in the Spring 2009 Interweave and was on the verge of casting it on when I came across this more structured version, which I think I will be happier with. It is a top down design, so I can control the size. This was a natural white silk-merino from Blackberry Ridge, it is now Dark Cherry and Grape Kool-Aid flavored. I love how the colors came out. My other dye experiment this weekend came out less well. I don't want to talk about it.

And this is the beginning of Soleil. Not very exciting yet, but if I don't screw it up, it should be a nice summer top. The yarn is DK weight cotton, of some variety I've never heard of (and of course I didn't manage to bring a ball band with me so I could tell you).

I have several other projects I'm poking at or desperate to start, which is great timing, since it's garden season. Only twenty some years to retirement, can't wait!

Backyard Fieldtrip

Yeah, I don't get far.

Dame's Rocket

I am surprised at how much I like this picture. It is terrible in the small version, but lots of detail in the medium to larger versions.

I don't know what kind of tree this is. I've been trying to capture it's minimalist qualities for awhile and this is as close as I've gotten.

While wandering around the back yard I found a morel, then a nest and robin's egg on the ground (the bigger version of this picture doesn't work as the egg is a bit out of focus).

Poor Lizzy

Why, mommy, why are you torturing me?

It's tick season and Lizzy, poor thing, is a magnet. Especially those cute ears and she does not appreciate us yanking the nasty things out, when we call to her now, she goes and hides in her kennel. Pretty pathetic. We hadn't gotten the Frontline in time to prevent the infestation 'cos we are bad parents. Len finally got the stuff on her yesterday so we should not have to pull bugs out of her any more. Life in the country, it can be kind of gross.

Dress

I hoped that Mabel would help with pictures, but not so much in this case (but at least I managed to crop out the litter box before posting). This is Butterick 5315, made with Sanae Twiggy Flower.

I wouldn't mind if the waist sat a little lower on me (it's fine on Mabel, which means I need to lengthen her torso), it looks ok, but an inch lower would feel better.

The pleat in the back is a nice touch.

Pretty Pictures

It's been awhile.

Pretty Mushroom




Spent daffodils can be pretty, too.

Meet Mabel

I used a Singer 151G dress form and am working on padding and stuffing so she will be fairly similar to me. She's still a little lumpy but she's getting there. And, to be honest, I am a bit lumpy myself. Or a lot lumpy. I whipped the skirt up (pattern and all) while on a sewing date with Stef (many weeks ago, before Scotland and her husband's death rattle). The fabric is a seersucker from a thrift store. The skirt definitely gives my hips a bit of extra pouf.

I made the daisy skirt late last fall. I had intended that it be an elastic waist skirt, but I kind forgot about my hips. Since I had already cut it out, I ended up throwing in a zipper. I need to add some darts for the skirt to fit my waist. Instead of a hem, I used yellow bias tape. I'm quite proud of that touch.

This wrap skirt is from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing. There was a mistake in the directions and yardage requirements and ince I didn't have enough fabric to cut the two additional panels, I cut about 3 inches off of the waist. It made the skirt shorter (a couple of inches longer than knee length) and I am overall pretty happy with how it turned out.

Tomorrow: dress.