BEACH BREAK COWL

Hey Everyone....hope all is well?  I have been busy designing a couple of things.  The one I am talking about today is a new Cowl Pattern.  I was really stuck on what to call her, so I called upon a dear friend to name her.  She came up with Beach Break Cowl.  The pattern reminded her of the lines that are left in the sand when the waves go in and out.  I thought that sounded pretty good soooooo....Beach Break it is.
Here she is:

I am really pleased with how it turned out.  This one may be my go to when making gifts....Hmmmmm....perhaps I shouldn't mention that here.......eyes will be watching!  Anyways.....I really love how the rib pattern is virtually reversible.  It is so nice that it is the type of cowl that when it lays it doesn't matter which side you see....they look almost identical.  Gotta love that.  I love how the ribs make it so textural as well.  And....it's really not that hard to make.  If you can Knit and Purl, you can do this quite easily.  It is a great project for lugging about, watching Tv or doing while at the rink.  The pattern is very easy to memorize too.  There is no seaming involved as it is knit in the round.
The yarn I used was Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool.  And it is really extra soft.  It is 65% Acrylic and 35% Wool.  I must say that I have used this yarn a few times and I really love it.  It isn't super cheap- $9.99/ball, however, a coupon from Michaels will help that out.  Not that $9.99 for a ball of yarn is crazy expensive either.  I think I may have to go to one of my LYS and pick up some Cascade 220 or Maybe a Berroco and make some more of these......that's how much I love this pattern.  If you do make it, it is super important to block this little gal. It isn't until after it is blocked that the ribs really open up.  You will need approx 400yds of yarn for this.  I had to buy 3 skeins of the Extra Soft and used about over 1/2 of the 3rd ball.  And as always if you have any questions or comments you can always contact me.
The pattern is available here at Ravelry.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

10,000 STITCHES AND NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!!

Hey Everyone.  Hope all is well in your Universe.  Soo......  Let me start by saying this, "If you are feeling lousy and take meds, do NOT start a project."  I should have taken my own advice on Fri!  So, last Fri. I was NOT feeling that hot.  Bit of a cold, foggy head, sore throat....... I started designing and working on a scarf...worked on it for 4 hoursish.  Late in the day realized that I wasn't loving it so I frogged it.  For those unfamiliar with the term "frogging"......Frogging is to basically rip out all that you have knit and start over again. It can also apply to ripping back a couple of rows.  But you get the idea.

Flickr

 A painful process by sure, however, it would be way more painful if I left a project I just didn't like or was just plain WRONG.  It's like ripping a band-aid off...sometimes you just have to do it quickly and get it over with.  So I ripped the scarf I was working on back to nothing.  Had some dinner and started thinking about my next idea for this yarn..... Martha Stewarts Extra Soft...and it really is.  I have knit with it a couple of times..... here and here
So there I was in bed, casted on for a cowl and away I went.  You know how it is when you are feeling lousy? Sometimes sleep just does not want to come.  So I decided to knit while watching A Knights Tale.  It is the kind of movie that if it is on TV I will watch it.  Love Heath Ledger in it.  Absolutely adore James Purefoy in it and I would be remiss if I didn't mention loving Paul Bettany as Jeffery Chaucer as well(one of my favourite roles of his).  So at the end of the movie...at Midnight as I put my knitting down for the night I noticed something odd about the cowl.  As it was laying on my floor next to me it didn't seem to look right. So I picked it up........and.... within moments I knew without a doubt what was the matter,  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and opened my eyes again hoping without hope that my lovely cowl had magically righted itself.  But alas, NO!!  What was the issue you ask???  Well....the cowl I am making is being knit horizontally...meaning that I have a boat load of stitches....288 of them to be exact to make this lovely cowl.  It is knit in the ROUND on a circular needle.  Any idea yet as to what I did??  Yep, you got it!  When I joined the two ends to knit in the round it was twisted!! TWISTED!  I suppose I could have thrown it across the room.  I suppose I could have railed at the Knitting Gods.....but alas I just groaned and asked myself, "HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID?" For those who knit, you know how madding this can be.  For those of you unfamiliar with knitting in the round......when you cast on your stitches you do so in a straight line, you then join the two ends by joining two stitches.  Now when you knit you do so in "the round" and you will be knitting a tube.  In all the years I have been knitting.... Oh about 38 of them now....I can honestly say that I have never done this-twisted my knitting that is.  Or at least I can't recall ever having done this.  When I join the two ends I check, re-check and triple check!!  I suppose I could blame the cold meds I was on....yes that's it......it was the Advil Cold and Flu!!  Well it does say to be careful and not operate any machinery....does knitting needles count??  Perhaps they should put that on the label...."do not attempt to design or knit as this may lead to uneccessary Frogging!!"  I suppose I could have left it twisted so that it acted like a Moebius.....you know....never ending with a twist....however this was not supposed to be in the original design.  So I Frogged that too! Frogged 2 projects in one day-record perhaps??  I tried to laugh it off.  And at that moment my lovely man asked me, "how many stitches do you think you ripped back today?"
I sat there and thought about it...between the scarf I didn't like and now the cowl.....probably 10,000stitches!  That does seem like a lot to "Frog".  But you see, when it isn't right, it just isn't right.  I HAD to start over.  And that is just what I did.  So over the weekend....with me being in bed most of Sat.  and "watching a movie"on  Sun I was able to do the following.......... 288 stitches per row.........48 Rows......=13,824 stitches!!  I had to recheck that number as it seems like so much.........I have completed 3 repeats of my pattern......there is 16 rows to a repeat...so 16x3=48rows.......yep.......13,824!!!  Wholly Moly!!  I won't have to go much further as I have only one more repeat to do.  I have to wait to get one more ball as I have run out and the store isn't open yet..  It won't take the whole ball but I want to do just one more repeat to finish it off......so....... only 2,304 stitches to go.  I should finish it today. I will be writing it up in the next day or two and put it up on Ravelry for everyone to see...as well as here of course!  Here's a sneak peek:

So what's the lesson in all this?  Don't operate knitting needles while under the influence of cold meds!!
Have a great day everyone!

Megan

SHERWIN WILLIAMS 2014

Hey Everyone....Remember on Fri my post about "Happy Colour".  Well I came across Sherwin  Williams Forecast for 2014 their Intrinsic line...well...... Look:

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Sherwin Williams

These colours can be seen throughout the house.  They aren't exactly what is in the house..However I do know  they definitely evoke the same feeling....don't you just love it when things like this come together??
The blues may be slightly more green that was used pillows and rug....but it is definitely a similar palette.  I just love colour!

There you have it...short and sweet.  Have an awesome day everyone.
Megan

HAPPY COLOURS

Hey Everyone.....I came across a house that I just had to share with you all.  For me it is the kind of house that just screams happiness.  Really I should put a capital H on that happiness because it is full of colour and I mean FULL!  I know that some people may think that one would tire of all that colour. But wait! It is the type of space that could just as easily have been neutral.  But....it is sooo full with colour.  The main elements are neutral and all the colour has been added afterwards.  Enjoy this riot of colour....I know I did:

JBMDesigns LLC

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I can't even put into words how much I love this room.  That couch and that chair.....the pillows...all that velvet....the suzani's ....THAT RUG!!!!  Honestly...just pick it all up and plop it right down in my home.

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The combination of the colours here is amazing.  The use of the neutral mocha walls with that yellow is awesome.  It allow the yellow velvet couch to shine without everything  being so overwhelming...and that hit of bright orangey yellow on the walls....awesome!!!

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I LOVE THAT WALLPAPER.......GOTS TO GET ME SOME OF THAT!!!

JBMDesigns LLC

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This incredible space was designed by Cinnie May of JBM Designs LLC.  If I could meet her I would shake her hand...heck I think I would hug her.  And thank her for having the guts to do something like this.  It takes a very strong person to not only have this in their home but also to have a great designer to pull it all together....it could have gone SO wrong.... So Cinnie I tip my hat to you.  Truly amazing.

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did.  Now if you will excuse me I have to sit down after this one.
Have an awesome weekend everyone.
Megan

WALLPAPER VS. WALLPAPER

Hey Everyone....hope all is well......  It is a rare occasion when I buy a Shelter Mag these days.  I did however buy the Oct. issue of Canadian House and Home.  I came across a Kelly Wearstler Wallpaper.  It was interesting in a very graphic, out there kind of way.....kind of like her.  In general I am NOT a fan of her work.  To me it "try's way too hard" and is completely unattainable for the majority of folks.  I know there are rabid fans of her work.....I just don't happen to be one of them....different strokes for different folks.  Anyways......When I saw this wallpaper I thought.....well that's kinda cool:

Kravet

It is Channels by Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa.  Now before you run out and place your order I have to warn you it is kinda pricey.....no actually is it outrageously pricey.....like RIDICULOUSLY pricey!!  In the magazine it lists as $1100 per double roll!!  When in reality I have seen it for around $795.00!!  How crazy is that?  You would only be able to do 2 stripes on your wall per roll.  I hope you all save up your pennies everyone.  Is is cool...yes.  Is it different....yes!  Is it worth the price?  Not in my books!!!
So......I came across another wallpaper that hits the same graphic note as this one....but at a reasonable price.

Feather-Serena and Lily

Feather-Serena and Lily

This lovely graphic wallpaper is Feather by Serena and Lily.  It retails for $88.00US per roll.  To be quite honest I like this one better.  For me it is less frenetic than the Kelly Wearstler one. But that's just me.  It is the kind of wallpaper that would look great in many decorating styles....Modern, Beachy, Minimalist.........It is different without being too crazy.  I really like it!!  Plus it's blue.....you know how much I loves me some Navy!

While at the Serena and Lily site I came across another wallpaper that I love;

Peridot in Crimson

It is the pattern Peridot in the colourway Crimson.  It also comes in other colourways as well.  But you know me......I am a sucker for Red, White and Blue!!  I really love this pattern.  Again it has so many uses in many different decorating styles.  It would look fabulous lining a bookshelf.....  Or as an inset on a ceiling... or as insets in panel moulding below a chair rail.....  or even in a powder room....the possibilities are endless with this one, I could go on and on...........

Anyways....just wanted to share some wallpaper love with you all.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

ROWAN FINE LACE LOVE

Hey Everyone.....well life is starting to return to normal with the boys back at school.  I use the word "normal" as is anyone's life ever "normal"?  I came across some yarn I wanted to share with you all.  I saw some colours together that I wanted to show you.  When put together as I have they so want me to create something with them.  Listen to me imparting a lifeforce on the yarn.  Well I suppose they almost have. When I see a yarn that I love it compels me to do something with it.  Yarn can be very bossy when it wants to be!!

Rowan Fine Lace: Cobweb

Rowan Fine Lace;:Retro

Rowan Fine Lace: Quaint

Rowan Fine Lace: Vintage

If you haven't had the privilege of touching this lovely yarn....let me say it is heavenly.  It usually sells for around $12-$13,  depending on where you buy it.  I think I have a ball of the Cobweb upstairs in my stash.....Hmmmm.....I feel an idea brewing.
It is 80% Baby Suri Alpaca and 20% Merino Wool.  It is a Lace Weight yarn.  The yardage on this lovely is 437yds.  So you get a decent amount for what you get and pay for.  I have knit a couple of stitches with it in the past and it is a delight to hold and knit with.  There is nothing like having a supersoft yarn run through your fingers as you knit.
Anyways....just wanted to share some yarn love with you all.  It truly is a lovely yarn.  I saw a bunch of colours and put these 4 together...somehow they spoke to me......See I told you yarn can be bossy!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

HEMS- A "SLIGHT" OBSESSION

Hey Everyone....as you know by now I don't draw attention to someone for the sake of calling people out or just making noise for the sake of it.  I feel that on certain issues I have a very strong opinion.  But I don't think the topics I choose to passionately talk about is done in a malicious way.  Nor do I feel I am alone in my feelings....I may be just willing to take it on more than someone else would....sometimes I just can't help myself!!  I just feel that sometimes certain things have to be said.
Case in point-Hems!  I would have to say that I am "slightly" obsessed about Hems.  Whether you are talking about Hems on a dress, on drapes or even pants.  In a previous posting I talked about how I can't stand it when drapes are too short-really one of my pet peeves.  Is it life or death?  No, but it kinda really bugs me...you can see that posting here.
What got me thinking about clothing hems is when I saw this pic of Rachel Zoe:

People

For the love of all things good....haven't these people heard of having pants hemmed?  Can't operate a sewing machine or thread a needle....can I suggest Hem Tape.  You can buy it at WalMart for goodness sake.  What bugs me more than anything about the above pic is that SHE is supposed to be a stylist.  I will never understand the fascination of these people and having their pant hems dragging on the ground.

Stylelist

I love Debra Messing.....adore her!  But for the love of all....why are her pants dragging on the ground??  I have no issue with her outfit except it would have looked way better if the pants fit better. Not only does it shorten the body but it is also a hazard.  Have you ever tried to walk in heels and pants that are too long?  I hope you have Health Insurance my friend!  Who is her Stylist?  Seriously??  Sometimes these people who are supposed to know what they are doing get on my last nerve.  You are dressing beautiful people....can you at least make sure that their pants fit correctly!!!
What is my point in all this?  A hem does not cost a fortune.....in fact it will cost you between $6.00-$10.00 dollars depending on where you go.  Better yet.....you can do it yourself if you have a little skill with a needle and thread....if you don't.....get it done professionally.....it will be the best 6 Bucks you spend.   When a pair of pants are tailored correctly......you look and feel fabulous.
Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a longer hem....especially if one is wearing a killer pair of heels.  But as soon as that pant hem puddles on the floor- I AM DONE!!!
Like I said earlier....if you are in a bind turn up that hem with Hem Tape.  It really is a life saver.  It is quick and will hold for more than one wear.  As long as you know how to operate an iron that is.  Never press directly onto the fabric as this will cause the fabric to acquire a "shine".  Use a press cloth or if you don't have one use a light piece of Cotton Fabric or even a light Pillowcase.  Place the fabric on top of what you are pressing and press the two.  T/he top fabric will take the abuse from the iron thus leaving your lovely item underneath damage free.
Perhaps Hem Tape should be put into some of these "Swag bags" these stars seem to snag.  Maybe, just maybe they would think twice then.
Or....better yet.......check this out.......Melissa George came up with a way to Hem pants that isn't permanent.

StyleNews

Now that is how your pants should look my friends.  Just a peek at the shoe, no tripping no puddling-just right!!
 Sometimes you like your pants longer or shorter depending on the shoes you wear.  The product is called "Hemming My Way".  It looks really cool.  I will have to see if I can get it here.  Has anyone tried it??  Perhaps she should let Stylists know!  Goodness knows there is a lot of stars out there that could use this product.

Have a great day everyone.....
Megan