Repairs

My Misti Alpaca scarf popped a wee hole in the edge. It looks like it may have gotten caught on something and two strands of yarn broke. To pull on the strands so I could tie them off, I used my Lantern Moon repair tool. Yes, one could use a crochet hook but why would you when you can use this pretty little dark-wood hook that comes in its own adorable cloth sleeve? Priced under 10 dollars, this is one of those delightful fibre tools that makes knitting even more of a pleasure.

Wool

Don't you just love wool? With the cooler weather, a knitter's fancy turns to woolen cardigans. Well, this knitter anyway. 

No, I haven't abandoned my promise to stay true to the Jameson pullover. However, I picked up this traditionally Canadian Briggs and Little Regal a few weeks back at Romni Wools. It is to be my future Mary Mead. Anyway, on Sunday we were browsing the local antique market when I came across these vintage buttons. The gold painted glass is going to be a perfect compliment to the off-white wool. This happy find gives me even more inspiration to get through the Baby Cocktails KAL and onto my next project. It's all sweaters here these days.

Yard Sale!

It's hard to believe I don't own most of this stuff anymore. Even harder is that I owned it all in the first place.

Last weekend, on a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday, I hauled my belongings onto the front lawn to be viewed and pawed and (hopefully) bought by passers by. This isn't even all of it! I sold a bunch before I thought to take a photograph.

Notice the large amount of what I call "pretty but useless". So much china, shiny glass, cute collectible and antique pieces. Some of these were my parent's and grandparents'. Much more of it I gathered myself along the way. I thought long and hard about letting it go. When my marriage ended seven years ago and I got my first single place, it was very important to me to create a pleasing, comfortable space. I filled my apartment, somewhat unconsciously, with pretty girly things. Being surrounded by so much that is visually pleasing and entirely my own, has made me feel safe and comfortable for many years. Now that I've grown and am moving on, I've decided that I don't need to be defined by my stuff anymore. Time to downsize.

Of course I still have my favourite pieces - a lamp, a plate, a clock. I'll never fully renounce my love of all things rose-covered. And though I sold the bulk of my doll collection, most of which is not pictured, making many little girls happy in the process, I did take the four Beautiful Crissy series dolls seen below, back into the house. I decided no one can love them as much as I do. I intend to knit them all new dresses.

Textile Art

Photo from TMC exhibition website.

Yesterday, a very rainy Saturday, we went to the Textile Museum of Canada to see their latest show. Entitled Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol, it is a large and beautiful exhibit of some the 20th century's greatest known artists' work in commercial fashion and furnishing textile design. I highly recommend catching this before it closes in October. I was stunned at the depth. Besides the very famous title artists there is Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Dali, Matisse, Jean Miro and many more. Who knew they all designed for the fabric industry? 

I was particularly delighted to see one piece each by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell as I am currently reading a history of the Bloomsbury group. Isn't it funny how life offers up little coincidences like that? 

A point made in my current reading that is not mentioned anywhere in the TMC supporting text, is that these artists often undertook this type of work for the money. Ah yes, dirty lucre. It's easy to sneer at such "commercialism" but if not for it, we wouldn't have today viewing access to work of such wide ranging styles and periods in a boutique museum in a Canadian city. Of that I am sure.

Against the rules, I snuck a few photos. 

Upper left: Duncan Grant, Lower right: Vanessa Bell

I would look great in these. Just saying.

My fella's favourite: Pablo Picasso, Toros y Toreros, (1963) for Bloomcraft Fabrics. ©
Courtesy Target Gallery / Fashion and Textile Museum London www.ftmlondon.org

Window-spiration

Colour. Texture. Cool found objects. 

Another way I tackle the inspiration blahs is by strolling and looking at window displays. A beautifully presented window is something to be paused over and savoured. My sister was a visual merchandiser so I guess I appreciate even more the skill and creativity required. After dark, when the store is closed and only the window lights are bright, is the best time to do this.  Sometimes I walk the Mink Mile (that Bloor block between Yonge and Bay with all the high-end shops) but I am also very lucky that my own neighbourhood has some lovely boutiques with charming windows.

The cool thing is, you don't necessarily want to buy what you see. When I look at the above display, I get the urge to clean out my closet, to put together new outfits, to sort my stash. I am reminded that I want to knit a loose fitting pullover sweater. I get the urge to make paper crafts.

More texture here. The painted blue chair and rose tin I especially love.
And bath salts! I own bath salts. What a simple luxury.

These two outfits would not look good on me but that doesn't mean I don't love them. I have many pendants & should wear them more often to dress up blouses. The print on that skirt is delightful.
Those wool scarves are gorgeous.
Don't I have something similar. I wonder where it is? 

Shoes! What's not to love? And cute socks. Sometimes, when new clothes are financially out of reach, a little accessory like fun socks or tights can be a real pick-me-up. 

Tree is Up

We raised the tree this past Saturday - a few days earlier than usual but The Daughter was returning to her Dad's the next day so it was either Saturday or just two days before Christmas.  We chose to buy from one of the local fruit markets that sells trees from their side patio where they sell plants and veggies in the summer. Standing between two rows trying to choose, we suddenly heard a soft "Hello, Hello."  It felt briefly like a Christmas miracle with talking trees until we noticed the proprietor emerging from the shadows.  He's a small, pleasant, Asian man. Soft spoken and shorter than me, he hoisted our chosen evergreen onto our cart as if was no heavier than a feather.


Arriving home we discovered that the lower trunk of our pretty Christmas tree was misshapen and had a lumpy bit sticking out of one side.  No way would it fit into our stand!  I made a quick trip down to the Landlord's garage and came back with a saw and a big pair of tree branch pruners.  We would not be defeated! I sawed and The Daughter clipped and soon we had a sawdust strewn carpet and a gorgeous upright Christmas tree. Boy did we feel robust and accomplished!
Our tree is beautiful indeed.  Every year I say it's better than last year's and every year that's true.  However, I'm getting an extra little kick this year from our dining table centre piece.  Recently, a neighbour was throwing out some  slightly faded vintage ornaments. We pocketed the nicest ones and brought them home.  They don't really match our other tree ornaments, being too large and the wrong colours.  So, I arranged them in a salad bowl and placed them on the table.  Ooo Shiny.

Coloured Water

The other strange purchase of this year's CNE (Canadian National Exhibition for you non-Ontarians) was a packet of these strange water beads.  They come in a tiny envelope, each ball no larger than a seed bead.  After being soaked in water they turn into these soft translucent spheres.  Completely useless yet oh so lovely. I've no idea how they work and hope they don't give me cancer. 

Hello Dolly

OK, it's no secret that I like dolls but I may have gone too far this time.  Even the normally tolerant Daughter asked,
"Why did you buy those?", when she spotted them on the credenza.
Well I just couldn't help it!  They crack me up. I was at the CNE and there was a whole booth wall of these key chain sized girls on display, all with various dress and hair styles. This was my favourite version so I got one in each colour she came in.  They make me laugh every time I look at them and, at $2.00 each, I'd say that's a pretty good deal.

There is also some knitting related doll news.  I  used up a scrap of Tanis Blue Label the other evening to knit this tube dress from the Sticka Till Barbie website.  It took the length of a DVD to make from start to finish.  Very cute.

On The Bright Side

At least I still live in a world where I can go down the street to Goodwill and get a hit of Pretty for fifty nine cents.  It's going to be a long and difficult four years. I am however, very happy for Elizabeth May.  She would approve of my contribution to the Re-use portion of the Three R's.

My Bike Tires Have No Politics

Winter has arrived.  Alas, that means I'll be putting the bike away for now.  I don't mind a bit of cold but I don't have an all-weather bike and am sure to slip and break something once there's snow and ice.  So for now, I'll have to be a non-riding Left Wing, Bike Riding, Pinko.

A Day In The Country

My sister and I spent the afternoon yesterday at the Freelton Antique Mall.  It's a barn size building with row upon row of individually rented booths hawking seemingly endless amounts of china, glassware, collectibles, toys and books.  We spent three hours wondering the aisles.  At times it felt more like visiting a museum than shopping.  At the end of the visit, we emerged parched and stunned from sensory overload and proceeded directly to the nearest cafe for a sit-down.

The view from the second floor.

My sister is surrounded and loving it.

Obviously, all the cool guys hang here.

Sadly, there was very little in the way of knitting this visit, just a few magazines of no interest and a broken swift.  My only purchase was these beautiful buttons acquired for under ten dollars total.

New Pretties

Last weekend, I had a little birthday celebration here and while I appreciate all the gifts my dear friends brought that day, the most special is probably this painting.  The artist is Lily, a friend of The Daughter whom I have known since she was four years old.  She's now an art student in highschool - a very talented student I think.  It gives me such pleasure every time I pass this small water colour hanging on my wall.  Can you see the little faces peeking out from the trees?

Another recent acquisition is this cute cereal bowl we picked up in Kensington yesterday. The Daughter insisted she must have it, and who could argue?

Got A Rare One

This is Zozo, The Universe. 
"Roll us and you will hear,
the secrets of the universe soon become clear."
Apparently, when I spin him, he will make my WISH COME TRUE. Yay!
The Daughter knows me so well.  What a treat to open up a blind assortment toy on Christmas morning and pull out a rare mystery figurine.  He is a friend for my Buddy Chub and Popa.  Now, if only I can get Malfi.

Red Day

Cast on Damson in Ancient Threads Yarn logwood reds.

Bought a red-orange coat in a vintage shop. The buttons sealed the deal.

Artistic Patronage

I rode along Queen Street today to the Queen West Art Crawl. What a splendiferous, sunny day for a bike ride and an art show. Trinity Bellwoods park was alive with colour.

I actually bought a piece. My favourite tent was that of a lovely young woman named Amanda White. She does remarkably complex and fanciful ink drawings. She somehow manages to capture wildness and tenderness at the same time. The image at left is from her business card.
Alas, being an underemployed arts worker myself, I couldn't afford any of the large pieces with which I fell in love. The great irony of The State of The Arts in Canada. I purchased instead, a tiny perfect sketch that is now hanging beside my favourite window where I sit every morning.

Button, Button

I don't sew but can't resist buttons. So pretty, all piled up. At a rummage sale or, like these, in a 99 cent bag at the Goodwill, I'm a gone sucker.

Those Clever Norwegians

My latest "thing": I've been buying odd saucers and bowls from The Goodwill. My OC, uber-analytical brain has even created rules about these purchases. There can be only one of the pattern for sale (I won't break a set) and it cannot be stamped "Made in China". Somehow, I always end up with the ones covered in roses 'n stuff. I worry that my aesthetic is becoming too girlie...or too Granny...because I worry about that kind of thing. I'm also concerned that my favourite item of clothing is my black leather jacket with all the buckles while, at the same time, I deeply adore the frou frou English saucer covered in red roses and gold paint trim. I believe this behaviour to be symptomatic of mental illness.

Anyway, check out the fantastic cereal bowl with the fisherman. It's made in Norway. Who knew the Norwegians made awesome crockery?

Shall I Fill It With Yarn?

Here's the chest in it's new home. Dragging it up the stairs nearly herniated all my middle aged, herniable places but I did it!

Pleased I am.

How I Spent My Sunday

BEFORE

AFTER

I bought this 1970's record player stand yesterday at a second hand store. I'd been back to look at it several times. First it was eighty dollars. Then fifty. Then it was dragged out front with a big tag saying $40. Every time I thought I'd buy it but something about it just made me go...Eww.
Then I had a nice chat with the store owner, who incidentally, felt the same way, that the orange wood tone and fake French Provincial styling gives one horror flashbacks. She suggested that a nice cream colour would soften it up and make it more palatable. I'd never painted wood furniture before but what the heck?
I think she was right. Some sanding, priming, two coats of paint and voila! I like it!

Blocking Meret

Here we have The Daughter's requested slouchy beret, aka Meret, blocking in the recommended manner; on a large dinner plate. I've surrounded it with some other favourite round things. Above is my Kromex brushed aluminum. The canisters were my grandma's and the salt/pepper were purchased for me by my sister at a flea market.

What I love particularly about the hat in this picture, is how the stitches mimic the pattern in my favourite Depression glass piece. That's the Jeanette Company, Windsor Diamond pattern footed dish. At one time, I displayed it with my other pink glass on a shelf. After my move to the apartment I decided to start using my collected pieces rather than just displaying them. Thus, the sugar bowl sits in the bathroom dispensing cotton swabs, the candy dish holds actual candy and this bowl sits on the counter and holds the garlic cloves. I find I'm enjoying my collection so much more this way.

I didn't actually notice the hat's similarity to the dish until I put the knitting up to be blocked on the kitchen counter. Remarkable.