I've moved--->

to:

wordpress

Everything is half done.

I committed to intswemodo2010 on Ravelry, basically 12 sweaters/tops/vests in 12 months. My first sweater is a beautiful lace number which is taking a very long time. To take a break, I cast on this:

Pattern: Shirtwaist Pullover by Teva Durham

Yarn: Tahki Yarns Sky in Leaf

The yarn worked out perfectly weight wise, although the color is a little light for my skin. I get darker in the summer, so it'll look better then. I just have to figure what to wear with it. It's too short in the body for my jeans, so I'll need a skirt that sits at the waist. Time for a fabric diving expedition in my closet of shame. I can't visualise what colors (other than white or brown or purple) would go well with this. I probably have prints that would suit, but they're mostly floral and I think that'll look twee.

It's so relaxing to have a quick project that I've put a stop to stashing fingering yarns. I've got enough of that weight to last quite a few years worth of knitting.

On the sewing front, I meant to review a LBD. But the dress is so wrinkled looking in the photos, I'm too embarrassed to show it. Back to the ironing board.

Too make up for lack of sewing, I've resorted to classic make-up stashing:

These are from Lucy's Fabrics: one of the prints is for my son (guess which one!) and the others are just basic cotton lycra knits. The gold one is a brushed knit, slightly beefier and would make a great dress or spring time hoodie.

This set is from Fashion Fabrics Club: quilted outerwear from Patagonia and a super wide Japanese wool/lycra knit. The last one had some beautiful colors that sold out in a flash. I missed out on a gorgeous deep rust and the black. Boo.

I've got some pyjamas and workout pants that just need hemming and I can share more of my glamorous life.

Say Cheese!

Every year, I pick a new skill to try. Some work out better than other. Five years ago, I started crocheting, which led me back to knitting. Today, I have two stashes in which I can be buried. Six years ago, it was Italian. I can barely say howdeedo and can't even find some of my CD's to re-start.

This year, I wanted to improve my photographic skills. I replaced my dodgy old camera with the new Nikon Coolpix d360. I dithered between getting a digital SLR and a regular digital camera and opted for cheap(er) and portable. It's an awesome little camera, with a lot of options for customisation beyond its point and shoot capabilities.

Thing is, I've forgotten how to use a camera properly. I learnt with my Dad's fancy SLR about 20 years ago, but since getting a point and shoot in the mid-90's, haven't given it much thought. So I got "Digital Photography" by Jim Miotke. It's in simple enough language that I'm not getting bored and it has exercises to improve your skills. (It's for both point and shoots and digital SLR's).

Tonight, I made a mini light box. I've been sitting on this information for about a year and finally got motivated to make one. It's incredibly simple and fast.

The effects are amazing:

I made mine much smaller than suggested for the minimum sizes and I need some more side lights. If you do try to make it, leave a good 2" on the edges you cut. It leaves the box more stable and easier to tape the tissue paper.

I have a lot of new aspirations for this year, but this is the new skill set I'm building. One of my aspirations is to spend less empty time on the computer, so I'm planning to make my computer time more productive, ergo re-starting the blog.

Happy New Year!