Friday, June 29, 2012

TEACHERS GIFT 2.0

I know in a previous post I gave some of the teachers dishcloths/washcloths and Bath & Body Works soap. This time for my oldest son's teacher I made her a scarf.  I was in one of my favourite yarn stores last week and they had a sale on.  That yarn store being Spun of course.  They are having an awesome sale on.  So if you live in the area, go and check them out.  Or let that happy knitter in your life know- they will thank you!
Anyways, when I saw this yarn I just had to buy it and make a scarf out of it.  Somehow it just spoke to me and said, "I would be perfect for Aidan's teacher!"  No not crazy or anything but sometimes the yarn just speaks to me.  Lets me know who they want to go to!!  This is the yarn:

Noro Chirimen:




I really loved this yarn except for one thing:  the Kelly Green patch that was in it.  It did NOT suit the colour scheme at all.  So when I got to that area I just cut it out.  I started to make the scarf but then really did not like the green in it.  So I chose not to use it.

Anyways... here is the scarf.
















I wanted to do a pattern that would show off the lovely colouration in the yarn.  So I chose to do a simple Mesh lace pattern.  I made it up- wasn't really that hard-only 4 rows make up the pattern.

The pattern is based on a multiple of 2's. 
Using size 5mm needle cast on 30stitches.
Knit 8 rows of Garter Stitch (knit every row)
Begin Mesh Pattern:
Row 1:  K5, *(K2Tog, YO)*, rep from*to* to last 5 stitches, K5
Row 2 &4: K5, P20, K5
Row 3: K5, *(Y), K2Tog)*, rep from *to* to last 5 stitches, K5.
Rep. Rows 1-4 for how ever long you want the scarf.
Next: Knit 8 Rows Garter stitch (Knit every Row).
BO- bind off.
Weave in ends.
That's it.  Easy Peasy. 
I used 2 balls of the Noro but could just as easliy have used 3 to make it longer. 
This pattern as is would also be great for any worsted weight yarn.
The fiber content for this yarn is as follows: 60% Cotton, 24% Silk, 16% Wool.
It isn't scratchy or itchy and would be great for early spring, fall or winter.

I hope you have gotten a little inspiration and I hope Aidan's teacher likes it!
Have a great day everyone!!
Megan

Thursday, June 28, 2012

JOHN ROBSHAW LOVE!

I really love a great textile.  One of my fav's is John Robshaw.  He is kinda out of my snack bracket, but, I am hopeful of hitting a sale sometime in the future.  I just know that the following would look aewsome in my house:














This one is my favourite.  It has all the colours I am looking for.  Hmmm...........


There is also some fabric that John Robshaw has collaborated with Duralee that I adore as well:

















Morning Jog- Valspar


Look how awesome Morning Jog looks with these fabrics- LOVE IT!!
If you look around, watery blues with a green undertone are definately in.  And they definately go great with Navy and Red.   There is nothing more Nautical than watery blues with navy.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

TEACHER'S GIFT

Hey everyone.  When I was trying to figure out what to get the boys teacher's their gifts, I wanted to give them something a little different.  I also like to give hand made gifts as well.  I just can't help making gifts for people.
So for one of the gifts I made up a bunch of dishcloth/washcloths and are pairing it with a hand soap from Bath and Body works.






The dishcloth patterns I used were can be found here, here and my own pattern here.  All patterns can be found on Ravelry.

Here is what they look like:



Dishcloth's 2 & 3 are my favourites.  The are really easy to make and people love to get them as gifts.
Any crafters knitting cotton works really well.  I also find that most cottons work really well.  All were made with a worsted weight cotton.  I find that sometimes the Handicrafters Cotton by Bernat tends to bleed a little depending on the colour.  Sometimes if it is for a gift it is better to buy a slightly better quality cotton yarn so that it won't bleed.

Anyways...... have a good one everyone.
Megan

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

FAVOURITE PINK PAINT COLOURS

Hey everyone!  I got to thinking about Pink.  I think Pink is one of those very polarizing colours.  Either you like it or you don't.  I think the main reason that people have such a strong reaction to it is because we tend to make Pink very gender specific.
I am one of those people that really like pink.  Unfortunately I don't think I will be having much pink in my house for the next little while.  Living with 3 men kind of nixes the whole Pink thing.  But, wait!  I could do my office in pink.  Hmmmmm.....  now that's a thought!
I thought I would share some of my favourite Pink paints with you all.



If I had to pink my all time favourite Pink I would have to say it is Benjamin Moore's Whitewater Bay    OC-70.  It is the type of colour that is barely there.  It has a kiss of pink.


Benjamin Moore Whitewater Bay OC-70




I have searched high and low to find a room with this colour, but alas there isn't one to be found.  When I do I will share it with you all.




MIDDLETON PINK:

















Middleton pink is such a lovely pink.  To me it is one of those pinks that isn't too delicate without screaming Bubblegum.




ROMANTIC PINK;


Benjamin Moore- Romantic Pink 2004-70







This is one of those rooms that just gets stuck in your head!  I have always loved this room.  It is of course designed by the lovely Windsor Smith.  It think she is one of the best at doing eclectic.  It is the kind of eclectic that isn't to frenetic.  There seems to be a restrained sophistication to her rooms.  Can't say enough!

















PINK BEGONIA:


Benjamin Moore- Pink Begonia 2078-50



Another amazing room by Windsor Smith.  If you love Bubble gum pink then this pink is for you.




RAZZLE DAZZLE;

Benjamin Moore- Razzle Dazzle 1348

This is a full on deep Pink.  It is not for the faint of heart.  But if you have the courage the results could be stunning!!



When I first saw this hallway I gasped.  I thought, "how brave".  I thought, " how gorgeous!!"  It really is a showstopper.  If you want to make a statement then this is it!



Here is another shot but taken from above.



And here it is used in the "real world"





Another "real world" use of the colour Razzle Dazzle.  This time it was used in High Gloss paint.





How could you not be happy in this closet??  I think I would smile every time I walked in here!







I have always loved the combo of deep pink and navy blue.  It is one of my all time favorites!




PEONY:



Benjamin Moore- Peony 2079-30


This is my other favourite pink; Peony 2079-30 by Benjamin Moore.  To me it is the perfect fuchsia.  I have always wanted to use this colour.




















If I can ever find the other picture of this room I will show it  The ceiling in this bedroom is done is Peony.  I think that the wall tattoo is also in Peony.  The ceiling painted the deep pink of the Peony just lends a glow to the whole room.


I am also posting a link to Cityline. Sharon Grech (paint guru) did a plaid wall treatment that used Peony.  Go here to view it- it is really cute.

Well there you have it:  Some of my favourite pinks.  Will let you know if I let a little of this colour into my world.
Have a great day everyone.

Megan

Monday, June 25, 2012

THAT'S PINTRESTING!

I thought I would share some great kitchens that would be Pinterest worthy!  Enjoy:





















Just a little inspiration for today.  I don't know about you, but, I would take any of these lovely kitchens and just plunk them down in my house!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan