THUNDER SHAWL

Hey Everyone....I hope all is well in your Universe!  I finally got the pattern for my new shawl all loaded up onto Ravelry here.
So without further ado.....here is the new shawl:

It took 4 skeins of:

Mirasol Hacho

And it took 3 skeins of

St. Denis Nordique

I wish I could properly articulate how much I loved these yarns.  The Mirasol Hacho was like BUTTA!!
The softness of the 100% Merino Wool is like no other.  It is so soft.  The colours are amazing.
The St. Denis Nordique was so lovely to use as well.  Although not as soft as the Hacho it certainly is a lovely 100% Wool yarn.  I can't say enough about both of these yarns.  Before I even designed this shawl I had ordered the St. Denis and made a shrug.  I had bought the Hacho  at my local yarn shop Spun. and made a Capelet.....both of those projects will be shown in the future (not my patterns by the way.....just needed some mindless knitting).  But as soon as I finished the Capelet I knew I wanted to make a shawl with it....so using what I had left over and scouring the planet (England actually).....I found enough to make my shawl.  I just knew that these two yarns would look lovely together.
I cannot stress enough that picking the right yarn for a project is so key.  I was lucky enough that the Nordique really complemented the Hacho not only in gauge, type of yarn but also colour.  And the last point I cannot stress enough.  When using two different yarns for a project like this....it is so important that you pick the right colour to complement your variegated yarn.  I really wanted the shawl to have a subtle stripe in it.  I also wanted the Garter Banding to compliment the varigated yarn...And I think I was successful.
I have to say that designing and knitting this project was pure JOY!!  Between the feel of the yarn and the colour combo...well...... PURE HAPPINESS!!
Now.....why "Thunder Shawl"??  Well...the colour name of the Hacho was Thunder Skies, so I kind of just went with it!
But wait!  I didn't even mention the picot edge!  I love the Picot Edge.  I have always wanted to add that little detail to a shawl.  There is just something about Picot Edging..... I have to say it is probably one of my favourite edge details you will find.  There is just something about it!

Anyways....I hope you like the new shawl and maybe even want to give it a go.
And as always if you have any questions or comments......you know you can always drop me a line.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

SNEAK PEEK THUNDER SHAWL

Hey Everyone...long time no talk.  So...... I am nearly done writing up the pattern for my new shawl.  Here is a little sneak peek at Thunder Shawl......

This Shawl was an utter joy to design and to knit up.  I highly recommend both the yarns that I used...Mirasol Hacho and St. Denis Nordique.  They are both a dk/sport weight yarn.  I loved every moment knitting with these two lovelies.  I especially loved using the Hacho.  The yarn itself was to die for...100% Merino and the colours....I loved knitting and watching the colours unfold.  LOVED IT!  And I really enjoyed adding the picot bind off to the edge.  I have always wanted to add that to the edge of a shawl.

I am hoping to have the pattern up and running real soon.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

NEW SHAWL PATTERN SOON

Hey Everyone...hope all is well in your Universe!  Sorry for the absence as of late.  Life has just been getting in the way....kids, summer, husbands job location, knitting......  However, I will be posting a new Shawl Pattern very soon.  I just finished it up in fact.  Have to block it then take pics, write up the pattern and then post.  I truly love this pattern.  It is similar in difficulty to my Easy Peazy 2.0.   What I really love about this pattern is the yarn and the Bind Off technique.
The Bind off I used this time is a Picot Edge Bind Off.  I have always wanted to do that to a shawl.  I just love the detail it gives to the edge.
The yarn that I used was:

Black Sheep Wools

Isn't it just gorgeous??  It is Mirasol's Hacho.  It is the most beautiful variegated 100% Merino Wool Yarn. When I say it is gorgeous I mean it is GORGEST!!  (in the ever loving words of Rudy Huxtable).  Between the colours and the feel of it...well it is beyond awesome.  It knit up really beautifully as well.  Before I designed this particular shawl I knitted up a capelet for myself in the same yarn...more to come on that later...... I had some left over and bought 1 more...from England no less, thank you Ebay.  I then added the following yarn to make up the shawl:

St. Denis Yarn

This lovely little yarn is Nordique by St. Denis.  Loved this yarn.  It is 100% wool.  Now....being 100% Wool it isn't as soft as the Hacho that is 100% Merino Wool.  But it is still pretty darn lovely.
When I was designing the shawl I pulled a colour out of the Hacho to be the accent.  The result was the use of the Hacho colour Thunder Skies and St. Denis colour Aurora.  And I am beyond happy with the results.
So give me a few days and you shall see the results.
I bought the St. Denis yarn at Webs.  In general I have to know and feel the yarn that I am going to use for a project.  So..... I took a leap of faith with the St. Denis and was NOT disappointed.  I had bought the Hacho at one of my favourite haunts....Spun.  I was lucky enough to get it on sale.  However, I was going to be one ball short so I tried Webs...but they were out...so I tried Ebay and low and behold there it was.  Only took 5 days to get here too!!!  And between the 2 yarns a lovely shawl emerged...........

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

PAINT PALETTE

So I was looking at the Pottery Barn Catalog and the front pic struck me.  The colour combo really resonated with me......

Pottery Barn

I just love the colour combo of those plates.  I love every single one of those colours....if I was to pick colours that gave the same feeling I would pick:

Mountain Peak White 2148-70 BM

Desert Tan 2153-50 BM

Jalepano Pepper 2147-30

Rhubarb 2007-30 BM

Buckland Blue HC-151 BM

Buxton Blue HC-149

Covered Bridge CC-126

Remember....I am going by my computer.... I just wanted to convey the overall feeling of the colours.  I can't even put into words how much I love all those plates together.  I WANT them all!!!  Whom ever styled them did a fantastic job.  There is such a balance between the colours.  I just love it!!

Just wanted to spread a little colour love.....

Have a great day everyone.

Megan

RED AND WHITE PART DEUX!!

In honour of Canada Day (July 1) I wanted to share some great images of Red and White with you all.  I love the Colour Red...I truly do.  And I am also so proud to live in a country where I feel safe, I feel proud and one that is recognized world wide for just being so damn nice!!  As my Dad always said to me growing up..."it's nice to be nice".  And I have NEVER forgotten that sentiment.  It has done me well throughout my life.  Don't get me wrong, I like to have a little rant like the next gal....but overall....it takes way more energy to be negative and nasty than it does to be nice.  I don't know.....maybe in a world of Star Trek it should be OUR Prime Directive...(sorry for the geek reference).  If only more people chose to be nicer....what a nicer world this would be....Anyways, getting way off topic.....I just wanted to share some great images with you all. HAPPY CANADA DAY everyone!!

Houzz

This amazing room is Benjamin Moore Poppy!  I have always loved this red.  It has such a lovely vibrancy to it without completely overwhelming the senses.  Highly recommend this one for just about anywhere you want to make a statement- of course you have to take it's undertone into account.........

Poppy 1315 BM

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Again we see the use of Poppy 1315 BM.  Such a great pop of colour!

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I think I am seeing a pattern here......perhaps the same house??  I love how Terrat Elms Interior Design has successfully incorporated the use of Poppy throughout the space.  It adds so much.

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Looking back into the kitchen you can see just how vibrant and awesome this red is....last pic of this house....for now.

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This retro "bachelorette"  space is small but mighty.  I love the pops of red.  They really do help to enhance that kitschy, retro vibe that is evident in this space.  Yes, yes there should be a vent hood.....you know how I harp on that one.  However....perhaps it is a rental.....still should have a vent though....I totally agree.  But I do love the Red here.

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Gotta love a great barn restoration....Oh to dream!

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Let me hang out here....please!! There is just something about a porch that just welcomes you in.......

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I love Red Cabinets.  I don't quite have the nerve to do it myself but totally love it when someone has the nerve to just run with it.  If you were ever wondering..... a Galley kitchen is the most efficient when it comes to planning a kitchen.  Especially when it is configured like the one above.  Just a tip for you all......  Remember that the distance between your stove, fridge and sink when measured out should be less than 26 feet.  This makes for the best use of resources and time.

Houzz

How adorable is this space.  I really do love a retro vibe!

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This space is so fun and funky!! That is great wallpaper.

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I would love to have a collection of Vintage Feedsack just like this.........

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Amazing....simply amazing!!

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I couldn't help but smile when I saw this pic.  I so wish that we had buildings like this where I live.  Just look at all of the detail.

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Now I ask you......Where is my glass of vino to go with this???

AnetteWillimine

I can't even put into words how this image takes me to my Red and White Happy Place!!

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I would be totally remiss if I didn't put at least one knitting image in!

I of course had to put in a couple of images of my own patterns that were appropriate!!  Both patterns are available here and here.

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I had to share one last image with you all.  In case you didn't know this about me....I love Tea Towels.  Can't get enough of them.  Must be the "English" in me.  I could only wish that that above pic was my own....again a girl can dream.

For those of you fellow Canadians out there....I wish you a happy and safe holiday.  And for those of you non Canadians out there......I hope you enjoyed a little Red and White.

Have an awesome day everyone.

Megan

NAUTICAL DREAM

Hey everyone...I wanted to share with you an amazing nautical inspired interior.  I have been a huge fan of Cottage Company Interiors for years now.  And I do mean years.  Ever since I saw a little cottage that they built with an amazing dutch door I was hooked:

Cottage Company Interiors

Cottage Company Interiors

What I loved most about this little cottage was how perfectly compact and functional this kitchen is.  Even though it is tiny it is stylish and functional.  This very kitchen got me hooked on Apron Front Sinks.

Over the years I have kept my eye on Cottage Country Interiors.  They are the "quintessential" cottage style.For those of us that love cottage style they tick all the boxes.

I came across an interior I hadn't seen of theirs before.  It is full of nautical style.  And it is full of White and Navy.  I LOVE IT!!

Houzz

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Oh that bathroom!!  If I were to duplicate it I would use the following paint colours:

Hale Navy HC-154 BM

And either of the following whites-depending on the lighting and so forth.......

Decorators White CC-20 BM

Or

Chantilly Lace 2121-70/OC-65 BM

I can't even begin to tell you how the Navy and White in this lovely home sends me to my happy place.  I don't think I will EVER tire of Navy and White.  How about you??

Have a great day everyone.

Megan