Day 365-365: 3.6.5

As this brings me to the end of my 3 hundred and 65 photos, I can't express how much this has been both stressful, rewarding and insightful all at the same time.




Thank you all for the lovely comments and wonderful support. I will continue to take pictures... just not EVERY. DAY.

Because of this, the format will change slightly. I want to post regularly, but being a designer has it's limits. I'm hoping to figure out a weekly schedule that will keep this blog at least a little entertaining;)

I hope that everyone has a fantastic New Year!
Cheers and happy knitting.

Day 364-365: You Go!

Left this morning and snapped a shot of Little Miss Mac busting a move on my spinning wheel. Does this mean I need to get another wheel so we both can spin?

Day 363-365: A Rose

One wall in my office is red... it so happens that I also have a red poster on my wall of this rose graphic printed on a silver metallic paper.

Fabric Pocket Lining for a Knit Sweater

Do you see this awesome vest. It was really hard to let go, but I know my Mom will get plenty of usage out of it. Its new home will be in her office and knowing that she'd be wearing this in that environment I felt that the knit pockets should be lined. Lets just say for a pen, a cell phone or even a few coins for the vending machine. If I kept it a knit fabric any one of those items could have damaged the pocket. What's the point of a pocket that doesn't work. I've got this thing about fake pockets. ugg.

I guess I must also mention that before putting in the lining I had not finished tacking down the inner knitted pocket flap. This allows you access to the inside and that's kind of critical.

So this leads to me taking a trip to Hancock Fabrics. My son did a great job of picking a coordinating fat quarter in the quilting section. Took it home and hot washed and dried the fabric first. Let me also just tell you that I own a sewing machine but I am by no means a sewer. If your looking for sewing info please visit your nearest fabric store. They are loads helpful and if you're honored to have friends who sew, then please talk with them. That's where I've gotten most of my information.



I took the fabric and folded it in half on its bias. This is to allow for some stretch once it's installed. Roughly measure the size of the pocket and cut the fabric with an added 1/2 inch seam allowance. Put right sides facing each other and a quick trip under the iron will have it looking like this.



Sew the top edges down. After doing this I think I over did it by sewing two lines. Totally not necessary.



The next part starts to get a little tricky. With my sewing machine I sewed the top edge to one side of the knitted garment opening. Once that was done I could properly gauge how wide the pocket was. I trimmed the fabric so it wouldn't bunch and then sewed up the sides.



I then hand sewed the other top edge to the opposite side of the knitted pocket. After that all there was left to do was tack down the knitted pocket lining to encompass the fabric lining. Voila!

Day 362-365: MJ

I sketched this back in the '90's when MJ was in his prime. Its current home is in my office.

Day 361-365: Mornin'

Hubby's silhouette early in the morning.

Day 360-365: Festive Spirit

We painted our nails today. How can you not love a little bit of sparkle.

Day 359-365: Tree Topper

He falls every year...some years he's lasted for days without falling. It's kind of a running tally to see how long he stays up.

FO: Secret Santa Wine Cozy

Pattern: Wine Cozy by Jennifer Carter

Yarn: each cozy used 1 skein Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted

Needles: US 6 circular needle

Started: December 3, 2011

Finished: December 10, 2011

My dad is starting to get a nice collection of wines and I thought this would be a cute idea for a Christmas gift. Made huge modifications to the pattern. The gauge in the pattern is no where near what I would get in this yarn... and then add the effect of cables. Loved how it turned out. Must keep this in mind for futures house warming gifts...super quick.

FO: Evergreen Vest

Pattern: Evergreen Vest by Deb Newton

Yarn: 5.25 skeins Berroco Vintage

Needles: US 8 circular needle

Started: April 27, 2011

Finished: December 1, 2011

Today my mom will be opening this on Christmas morning and I'm hoping she loves it!



Only two modifications. changed the armhole measurement to 8.5 instead of 9 and I added fabric lining for the pockets. I'm hoping to put up a tutorial on how I did this over the next day or so.

Day 358-365: First Try

Watch out world Mac is at the wheel.

Day 357-365: Green or Blue

I think her eyes change colors...

Day 356-365: Whaaa?

Oh, yes the look.

Day 355-365: Cozy

Staying warm.

Day 354-365: Just One...

of many! I love frogs.

Day 353-365: My Old Love

Ever since watching episodes of Work Of Art, I've had this need to pull out the pens again. I'm glad I did.

Day 352-365: Snowflakes

We had a blast cutting up paper and decorating the house with snowflakes.

Day 351-365: Thomas

A little play time with Miss Mac. She received this electronic train set a few years ago, and she still enjoys it.

Day 350-365: Kringle Market

Love the stars... If you haven't been to the market, grab your wallet because it will be hard to avoid not spending money here.

Day 349-365: Fireside

Got a spot by the fireplace... first time enjoying the New Panera. Creamy tomato soup just in case your curious;)

Day 348-365: 2 North Michigan

Opening Day! Can't tell you how much this makes me happy. Just steps away from my office.

Day 347-365: Garage

To beat the cold/rain or anything not worth walking around in... I walk underground through the garages.

Day 346-365: Blue

Not sure why, but this tree has blue lights where as all the others are white. Love the change!

Day 345-365: Visit with Santa

The ONLY trip to the mall during this crazy season is to see the Big Guy.

Day 344-365: Nom

I can't even guess how many pictures I had to take to get a "good" shot for the xmas card. sigh. gotta love them.

Day 343-365: Decorate

I love that my kids love decorating the tree. Me, not so much...but they bring out my good cheer;)

Day 342: Swirls

I love how the city decorates with lights to make the trees swirl. I wonder if this inspires skaters to twirl?

Day 341-365: Wreath

You know it's that time of year when the Lions at the Art Institute get their wreaths.

Day 340-365: Left Mitt

Chug-a-chug along on these...soon I'll be sporting new knit wear! Whoo-hoo!!

Day 339-365: Tree of Life

Yvonne Domenge’s Tree of Life sculpture, measures approximately 16 feet tall and symbolizes life’s energy.

Day 338-365: Right Mitt

Finished my right Tourbillon mitten about a week ago... these need to get done quicker, the temps are dropping faster then I can knit!

Day 337-365: Secret

This project is a secret...have ripped and re-knit, but I think I'm on the right track now.

Day 336-365: Moss

I love seeing these small patches of moss between the stones. I start to imagine whole new worlds on a small scale.

Day 335-365: Orange Seed

This is part of Yvonne Domenge’s sculptures at Millennium Park... seeds that represent the beauty and fragility of new life.

Day 334-365: Skate Time

The ice rink is now open and I loved how the lights reflected on the Bean.

Day 333-365: Door

Love the texture and color this door has... what you can't tell from the photo is that the door is only 4 1/2 feet tall. Why? I may never know.

Woobie Zebra Pattern

The Woobie Zebra is ready to Rock!



This rockin Zebra is number 6 in the series of Woobies... be on the lookout for more to come.

I can't express how much I love working with the Cascade Superwash Sport. It knits up beautifully and with the yarn being a superwash, it gives me peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about spills and messes.

Size: 14 in / 35.5 cm square blanket

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (136 yd/124 m, 1.75oz/50g ball), Off White #817: 2 balls and Brown #818: 1 ball

Materials: 32 in / 81 cm - US #3 / 3.25mm circular needle, Set of 5 - US #3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles, 8 stitch markers, waste yarn, size B / 2.25mm crochet hook, poly-fill, embroidery floss and yarn needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows = 4 inch [10 cm] in stockinette stitch. Every knitter’s gauge is unique, so be sure to check.

Day 332-365: Lights

At least when it gets dark so early I've got pretty lights to look at.

Day 331-365: The Mess

Tackled her room today. This is the good side. It took from noon to 6pm to purge and organize, but it was so worth it.

Day 330-365: Tone

Just a lamp on a wall, but I love the angle and glow.

Day 329-365: My Kids

Both objects represent my kids... the Monster is my son and the Butterfly is dearest daughter.