Tuesday

I is for...

... inspiring places.



...how I wish I had the energy and the budget to start my home decor from scratch. Maybe I'll just start small... paint some chairs.... refinish a table... make some pillows...




...when I visited in person--- during my March "escape"--- I was so inspired I started formulating ways where I could give up my day job and become a multi media maker of stuff. I'm still formulating...



Crafts Council of the United Kingdom

... included on my "life to do list" is a visit to Orgin, the London Craft Fair. The yearly show hosts around 300 contemporary and innovative makers of fine craft. Until I can get there in person, I spend my time perusing all the incredible creations on the Crafts Council website . The link above gets you to an area where you can flip through the most inspiring photographs... textiles, glass, metal, ceramics...

I'm still formulating...

Saturday

We have a tradition...

Once a year we load up the truck with "provisions", grab the dog and go "once around the lake".... the lake being Ontario.

I can't recall how or when it began. All I know is, over the years we have learned that with 60 hours and 2 tanks of gas---a bit of a "$ yikes", this time--- a great adventure is almost guaranteed.
Before setting off on our adventure, I always hunt down info on a yarn shop that can be visited en route. This time we were heading for Ithaca!

Ithaca, NY is situated at the base of the longest of the Finger Lakes-- Cayuga. Perched on the top of a very substantial hill that climbs up from the town is Cornell University. The ear popping experience to reach the main campus certainly gives a fresh take on the term "higher learning".

I reckon it is the proximity of Cornell that has turned this hamlet into a wonderful place to spend a day or a weekend. There are fabulous eateries-- including Moosewood, of vegetarian cookbook fame-- lovely boutiques and, best of all, Homespun!

Julie has a wonderful shop jam packed with only the most beautiful treats (basic to extravagant) for the needles-- both knitting and sewing. How she ever envisioned that such a small footprint could function so wonderfully as a place to be inspired shows her passion and eye for all things fibre-y.

I confess to a wee bit of shopping.
I bought this for inspiration...


and 3 of these to make a design idea I may submit to a zine...

and a tempting metre of this destined to be a big, sturdy sling bag for my summer travels.


When at Homespun, don't expect to find a place to sit or, even lean for that matter. The precious real estate allows place only for Julie's marvelous wares. But... you are in luck... you are in Ithaca! The place is brimming with places to enjoy a tipple, a nosh or a nibble while you stitch. You may wish to start at the taqueria just a few steps away...

Monday

Coming clean...

I feel it's finally time--- maybe some will say it's a bit too late--- that I share a dirty little secret with you. I have kept it close for a few years. Smiling with a wink. Deftly changing the subject to something less revealing... less shameful... I'm a lover of yarn, for gawd sake! I guess I could have continued putting on my casual and deceptive airs in public, but I have simply lost the energy to do so.



Kidsilk Haze! Kidsilk Crack! Ack! I love your wispy, weightless caress. I love your colours that draw me lemmingly over the edge. I love dreaming how after twisting around my needle again and again you will flutter into something I will cherish forever.

But pleeeeease...must you be such a beeatch to knit!!!
Talk about product over process!! Ack! Ack! Ack!
There! I've come clean!!! Now, back to "the haze"....

Saturday

15 days ago...

... it snowed!
Today we have this.....

Spring sometimes has to fight so hard... but she always wins.

Tuesday

H is for...

... Havana...

and Hanoi...

Two havens that have my heart!

Sunday

You've got yarn...

UPS visited on Friday and now I have these....


Three luscious shades of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.... Dewberry.... Jelly.... Blushes.... ahhh!

I've been very fortunate this year when it comes to the projects I've had the opportunity to work on. Each one has been a joy in the making and in the completing--- this can be rare. Often deadlines, unruly yarns, colour choices far beyond ones "personal aesthetic" and knitting overload snatch joy from the craft. This year I am on a inspiring knitting roll!! These three yummy little mounds-- in a new incarnation-- are destined to appear in a book edited by one of my favourite people... Ann Budd -- she was instrumental in my happiness with Folk Style. This new book will not hit store shelves until Fall 2009, so don't think I can give you even a hint on it's contents.... if I tell you... well, you know.... ;-}
Off to my knitting.....

Saturday

Girl with an url...

Well, actually, I've possessed the URL for awhile. Anyone curious enough to have punched in magskandis.com would have been greeted by a generic, "wrong green"place holder that led nowhere. Today, there still is no content, but the page that welcomes things to come makes my heart sing!


This fantastic collage-- and five others-- was created by a talented blogger, knitter, artist, lover of life. Her name is Marie and you can visit her blog here. Yes, she is French. Yes, the blog is in French. Quelle joie!!!
The fabulous life that she took time to create for Marisol-- a design that can be found in Spirit-- is one of the most heart touching compliments I have ever received.
As fate would have it, I'll be in Paris this summer!!!
I look forward to tracing Marisol's footsteps and meeting Marie.
Adieu.

Oh, one other thing. I'd love to have some suggestion on what type of content you would like to find at magskandis.com. Anyone? Anyone?

Sunday

G is for...

... great nieces...
and great nephews...
and grins and goofiness and giggles and glee!

Tuesday

D is for...

... dirty dog!

And, done with that daunting letter D!