WIP’s: What’s in Progress?

The Inspiration for my new project bags!

<whew!> Honestly, I feel like I’ve been running a day behind all week! And thanks to half a day yesterday at Service Ontario (read: DMV – ugh…don’t even ask) now I truly am. No matter! I’m reveling in all the great work I’ve been doing this week and all the pleasant little things that have inspired me 🙂

Cool Inspiring Stuff

 1. Look what I found yesterday in the dollar store! I’ve long been searching for the perfect little ‘sketch book’ – not a proper black, hardbound sketchbook like in design school (they reek of discipline and are too hard to carry), but a small, light, fun, sweet little book that fits easily into my bag and will be a pleasure for dashing down ideas. Imagine my happiness when I found these delightful two-to-a-pack, slender, stapled notebooks made of good, thick stock all wrapped up in the whimsical drawings of Eloise Renouf and all for the princely sum of $2 the pack! Now, see…if it hadn’t been for a delay at the dreaded DMV, I wouldn’t have been killing time in the dollar store.

2. I really like to read Julie Crawford’s Knitted Bliss. It’s a Knitting/Lifestyle blog with tons of great content. On Wednesday, Julie announced a new Crafty Challenge, this time involving Instagram. Now, I’m way too busy to get involved in challenges that do not fit what Carl likes to call “my vertical”, but this one does: “10 Days of Instagram Awesomeness”.  I’ve been meaning to get more involved in Instagram; I lurk there often and really enjoy the photography of the people I follow. Quite honestly, I’d post more often if I could do so through my laptop (Instagram is thus far just a mobile app) but that’s another story. I think 10 days of daily Instagram posts with interesting and inspiring themes might just do the trick for me. You can participate too…just follow the links to view each day’s theme.

3.  I got an email the other day from my pal Deb announcing that the Montreal Knitting Guild would be visiting the County and did I know of a good winery they could visit. (Do I know of a good winery?? <silly Deb!> :D) Sooooo… guess what?? We’re going Winery Knitting on Saturday afternoon! Yup! Just about my favorite thing to do!

4.  For quite some time, I’ve been chomping at the bit to sew some project bags and needle cases. I love to sew, especially in the spring, and finally got to fabric shopping last week. Yesterday, a visit from Dave, the UPS guy brought this:

containing things like this:

…which I shall transform into spectacular things for knitters 🙂 (More on that later!)

Awfully Good Work!

My nose has truly been to the grindstone, despite my feeling behind.

1. I’ve graded the Martha Cardigan pattern and later today (or perhaps tomorrow) will email it off to Berlin where it will be test-knit by the clever Marianne. (Thank you so much Marianne!)
2. I have designed, written, knitted, blocked and photographed the Poppa Socks that I’ll use to teach my upcoming class at KnitTraders in Kingston. I love their wooly, sheepiness and I know that my new-found lust for Sandnesgarn will not be easily quenched!

3. I have designed, written and begun to knit an as-yet-unnamed pair of socks using the DIVINE Kenzie. Elizabeth turned me on to this one and I’ve never forgotten it. I think you’ll love it too. Watch for the pattern!

4. I have planned, designed, pulled yarn and generally worked my butt off on the next several offerings for the Free Pattern Friday Series. I am just loving Free Pattern Friday! It’s having a profoundly positive effect on my work as a designer and, despite the huge time commitment, have enjoyed every minute of the work. Here’s a sneak peak:

I could go on and on…please stay tuned as I fall further and further behind!