06.23.09
Posted in Cleo, Photos, crafty at 5:06 pm by delipics
I made two cards for the month of June - one for my sister’s birthday and one for Father’s Day.
This is my sister’s birthday card. This was geometrically fun to make - let’s see if I can describe the process. It was easy to measure and place the two L’s that went on the border of the card. Each successive L shape in the centers seemed to magically fall into place. I didn’t have to spend time measuring the paper to make the shapes fit. Looking at it now, it makes sense that the shapes were easy to fit together - repeating L shapes and all are one-inch in width - simple, right? I keep thinking there must be a mathematical equation that explains how this works or maybe a geometrical theorem. Hey sis, if you’re reading this, you know why all the L’s!
This is my dad’s Father’s Day Card. First I started with an idea of horizontal strips of varying widths. It felt masculine to me. I placed the strips on the outside edges, but as I came to the center of the card I realized I wanted to break up the middle. I thought changing the center would break up the evenness.
And one more photo just because I love my cat and she looks good in blue.
Still life of Cleo in Blue.
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06.17.09
Posted in NYC, Photos at 2:44 pm by delipics
Date night - dinner and a movie- and my honey had a great idea - going to The High Line at sunset.
It’s a gorgeous time of the day to go - you get the view of the sun setting on the Hudson while experiencing this new park. I’ve lived in the city for over twenty years and I haven’t been wowed by anything new in the city in a long time. Forgive the stream of conscious thoughts, here we go: Design-wise, I’ve never seen anything like this . . . it flows, it’s innovative, it’s smart, it’s people-centered . . . the landscape and horticultural design is inspiring, the plants are unusual and integrated into the whole of the park . . . connected to the history of the city . . . it’s broken up into wonderful mini-areas, the lounge seats, viewing spots, an art exhibition area, places to eat, a mini-stadium seating area . . . a new way to connect to the city/a new way to look at the city . . . a chance to see other architectural marvels . . . dare I say it, is this our generation’s Central Park, albeit on a much smaller scale yet accomplishing similar things?
Link to the entire set of photos here.
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Posted in Cardigan(s), Knitting, Knitting for Babies, Lace Knitting, Photos at 1:59 pm by delipics
Stick a fork in me!
Ribbed Jacket, unblocked in photo, from Debbie Bliss’ Special Knits book.
Ravelry link here.
Possible next project, baby blanket using the snowdrops pattern stitch.
Will I become a baby blanket?
And I’ve cast on for Ishbel, from Ysolda’s Whimsical Little Knits.
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06.03.09
Posted in Photos, crafty at 4:41 am by delipics
Earlier I posted that I made a craft resolution: I am going to make all my cards this year. To that end, I’ve been thinking about card design. I asked myself, “What is my design aesthetic? ” I started off with sketches of basic shapes, thinking I would limit myself to circle, square, or triangle. In the end, I stayed with squares and rectangles because I’ve always been drawn to a grid structure.
Here is my first card (mom’s birthday card), employing a simple grid structure and rectangular elements. The paper is the main focus. I bought a mix of oragami paper. I love the orgami paper patterns; they are so richly detailed. I also like using the background paper as a design element.
I had my “Aha!” moment for the next card (Mother’s Day) I created.
I have my design “musts”:
- Employ a grid structure
- Use variations of squares or rectangles
- Use the background paper as a design element in the overall design
- Use all the paper - in other words, no scraps! (This last bullet is the most important one to me.)
These are not design limitations but an opportunity to problem solve. It’s like a working on a puzzle - how do I make it all fit into a pleasing design? I like this new initiative of mine. I’m using parts of my brain I haven’t used in a while and it’s exciting to be creating in a new way.
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06.01.09
Posted in Knitting for Babies, NYC, Photos, Travel, Yarn at 6:22 pm by delipics
Out of all the months in the year, May is my favorite, and May 2009 was particularly memorable.
Wearing a feathered tiara should be mandatory daily wear, not just on birthdays! We’re at Gyu Kaku, one of my favorite restaurants, where the BBQ coals are hot and the peach/mango drinks just keep coming. I celebrated with close friends in the best way possible - eating!
My honey took me to see Guys and Dolls and Times Square for my actual birthday day.
“>
We sat fourth row orchestra, close enough to see the dancers sweat! D knew I wanted to see Guys and Dolls, not just because it’s a classic, but because I wanted to see the actress Lauren Graham, from my favorite tv show, Gilmore Girls. Lauren was Miss Adelaide - she was hysterical as the blonde showgirl and girlfriend of Nathan Detroit. Afterwards, we wandered around and we saw Angela Lansbury signing autographs outside of Blithe Spirit. The evening ended with shared slice of raspberry swirl cheesecake at Junior’s.
Elsewhere in the city - Knitta decorated Montague Street, Brooklyn.
Love these!
Hibernating on the knitting needles -
D’s socks decided to go on vacation. You know, it’s tough being superwash wool during summertime. They’ll be back soon, after a little R&R.
I went on a little R&R too, to visit this cutie! She is the happiest, smilingest baby in the granite state!
She’s wearing her handknit cardi from Auntie Delica - and the backview -
And another one of her posing on an exquisite, hand crocheted baby blanket made by grandma’s friend.
I went to the Mariposa Museum on my visit. The yarn paintings on view caught my eye.
And this is an embroidery from Vietnam. I wonder what the woman in green is doing?
Munchable is going to get a new hand knit sweater soon. (Can I add here that I have a new found respect for baby photographers? Babies move so fast, and all the time! Munchie’s mom took about fifteen photos, on the action mode of my camera, in order to get one good shot. The baby blanket poses were even more photos taken to get non-blurry pics.)
Which buttons do you like? The casual wooden or the metal with incised design? It’s a tough call.
Munchie’s going to look styling in her red ribbed jacket come fall.
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05.19.09
Posted in fashion at 12:05 pm by delipics
I discovered a new blog for me, Mrs. O , where I found Mrs. O wearing this gorgeous necklace with crocheted accents by St. Erasmus.
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05.18.09
Posted in fashion at 11:28 am by delipics
The Museum at FIT is showcasing BFA graduates’ fashion designs in its lobby. If you can’t check it out in person, there is a slideshow here (under “Features”, click on “BFA fashion show”). My favorites are the knitwear, of course, especially Sung Hee Bang’s black leather knitted coat. The details on it - cables on the back, ribbing to shape the shoulder area - are fabulous. I can see the time and care the designer the put into the piece - true artists!
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Posted in Uncategorized at 8:26 am by delipics
One of my favorite things is A Word A Day. It’s a daily email subscription and each week has a theme for the daily words. This week’s theme is “fabric words used metaphorically.” Today’s word is tweedy. I’ve been trying to guess what else might come up this week; all I can think of is wooly.
Check it out here.
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04.27.09
Posted in NYC at 11:14 am by delipics
I got the email last night about The Point closing, and I am in shock. I was just there two weekends ago knitting with friends. I can’t believe it. This is truly a sad event.
The members of The Point group on Ravelry have been busy on the discussion board. We all share similar feelings about The Point’s closing. It wasn’t just a regular yarn store. It combined very important qualities that a community of knitters and crocheters were looking for in the city - yarn and it’s accoutrements were a given - but there was also warmth, friendly assistance, no yarn-snob attitude, laughter, genuine people, fun and sugary sweets. People have been asking where else are we going to go now? There is no where to go.
Thank you to the owner and staff of The Point - it was a unique and special place.
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04.23.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:40 am by delipics
I unsubscribed to two newsletters! And I feel great!
I think it’s time to admit to the burden of the internet and shed some of the weight. I do embrace the internet community - online knit or crochet magazines, the numerous blogs, the ability to find the information I need or people who can help, the endless array of resources and references out there for every one to access - but it was time to make some choices for myself. I admitted to a friend/KB@W there were one or two knit-related newsletters that I never read or delete right away and guess what, she was doing the same thing. It made me realize what do I want to get from an online newsletter, what I do not need, and then I was able to edit them out of my email.
If I could only shed body weight so easily!
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