Knitting Season

Like most things in life, my knitting projects ebb and flow through out the year. In September, when one is longing for a break in hot weather, when there are subtle signs autumn might be on it's way; the knitting craze comes back full force and I find myself with a long list of projects I am anxious to start! September also coincides with our local yarn shop's annual sale and the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. How can I not be ready to furiously start knitting after all that woolly loveliness?!

(Socks on the right side and a navy cardigan in progress on the left!)

I have to admit, I have been keeping busy through the summer knitting several pairs of socks for myself. Sock weather will be back before we know it! The darker pink pair is made from Sun Valley Fiber's Fingering yarn in a simple rib pattern. The blue pair are my Wear to Work Socks. And the pink striped pair on the needles is a basic sock in Sweet Georgia sock yarn.

I am also extremely excited to announce I have a new pattern on Ravelry! Wear to Work Socks. A basic sock, with a bit of embellishment on the foot, perfect for flats or just wearing around the house!

I thought it a shame all the fanciness on most socks are on the leg where it gets covered by pants or boots. These solve that problem! Now, even if you are just wearing them around the house, there is something interesting to gaze at! With a simple 4 row repeat and plenty of plain knitting between, the pattern is easily memorized. (Which is my favorite kind! Who wants to keep referring to a pattern while watching a movie or zooming down the freeway?)

All the info is on the Ravelry page where you can also purchase the pattern. I can't wait to wear them!

Do you knit? If so what is on your needles now?

Weekend Holiday

Did everyone have a good holiday? I did the un-heard of, I actually took a holiday on a holiday! That's right, no projects planned this Labor Day. No big scheme to cross something else off the to-do list. Just a bit of relaxing and visiting!

 We went to visit my sister and celebrate a birthday. It was such a lovely time! Lots of talking and laughing, good things to make and eat, a book shared aloud (one of our favorite things to do when we visit!), and a bit of sewing sneaked in. Also, another favorite thing to do while visiting! Somehow it works so well. I don't worry about carving time out from my regular schedule and can just relax and get the project done.

My favorite on-the-go project? The Sorbetto shirt! I have been working on a few new ones for fall. Once the sewing machine is out, we get all excited! Out comes fabric and patterns and a few more projects get added to the list. So not only did I get a shirt made for me but one and part of another for my sister.

(I have been so bad about taking pictures...... these are the last of the zinnias.)

Working on Windows

I have been slowly working away at restoring my windows this summer(and last). For being 92 years old, they really are in good shape! I know you all know it, but I love my original wood windows! The wavy glass, the generous size, the sense of history, the bit of squeaking and thumping they make when going up and down.

Freshly painted inside and out. All that white is almost blinding!

There are 3 steps to getting each window back into working condition. I will be posting about each of the steps in more detail. I find old windows fascinating! 

Step 1: Restringing
One of the main problems with old windows is the ropes break and then the windows don't stay open.

Step 2: Paint and Paint
Even though I primed most of the windows before moving in, they stilled a fresh coat on the inside. On the outside, it has been at lest thirty years since their last coat.

Step 3: New Storms
Old windows don't have an airtight seal. But with the addition of new (functional!) storm windows and a bit of caulking they are now ready for winter.

A Little End Table for the Porch

Saturday was gorgeous, the perfect day for getting things done around the house! Besides working on the dining room windows, I also tidied up the porch. The floor needed a good wash and the spiders have been so busy making webs everywhere! (Anyone else notice a plethora of spider webs?)

Since everything was clean, it was the perfect time to rearrange things a bit. And then everything was looking so nice, it was a great time to take a few photos! So today, I am sharing the little end table that I have been working on all summer. It was a fit-in-when-I can and when-I-needed-a-little-break from bigger projects kind of thing. 

 The bottom part is a plant stand from Ikea we have had for several years, the tray from the Hobby Lobby clearance section for five dollars. And once both piece were painted they look like they have always a set!

 Once everything was painted, I added a few small stencils to the tray for detail. By adding white to the aqua paint the stenciled florets contrast softly without being too stark.

I love how this project turned out! And it goes so well with my pinwheels!

 Don't you love that bit of unexpected aqua? I hadn't realized until I bought the paint (for a different project) how many touches of aqua there was in my pillows. It adds a nice pop of color!

Summer + Books

 What can you say about August? We have been experiencing our usual weather, 90+ degrees and 98% humidity. It certainly doesn't make me want to go outside and work on any projects! 

I just want to lay in bed and read. Is anything nicer then a cool room and a good book on a hot day? (maybe a warm room and a good book on a cold day!?!)

 Several weeks ago my sister discovered Summer at Tiffany. It has been our summer favorite! The author, Marjorie Hart writes about the adventures she and her best friend have working at Tiffany's in the summer of 1945. It is a lovely story of friendship, life adventures and an exciting place at an exciting time. Woven through it is not only the awe and excitement two small town collage girls have for New York City, but the excitement of witnessing historical moments like VJ Day in Times Square.

After Summer at Tiffany, I was ready for more memoirs and found Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cordelia Otis Skinner, which I am about half way through. It is a romping tale of a European tour the summer of 1923. 

Next on the list is Here Come the Brides by Geraldine Napier. Though listed under fiction, it is told in memoir style and I am sure must be based on a true story. It is the hilarious accounts of the bridal salon in a large department store. 

More Favorite Memoirs; 

Living In State ~ Beatrice Russell

When We Went First Class ~ Ellen Williamson

Dearest Ones ~ Rosemary Norwalk

Cheaper By the Dozen ~ Frank Gilbreth

Bells on Their Toes ~ Frank Gilbreth

So what have you been reading lately?

Fashion Service Women's Institute magazine 1931

 I was absolutely thrilled to find this Women's Institute magazine at an antique shop recently. The Women's Institute of Domestic Art and Science was founded by Mary Brooks Picken in 1915. She wrote and published a variety fashion, sewing and millinery books including a magazine. (In this post I shared a sewing course written by Mary.) My sister also reminded me of Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman, which is a compilation of excerpts from her collection of Women's Institute magazines.

The lasted mode in millinery. Love the sketches!

Frocks and Fashion....

Sewing tips and hints.

 Cooking, one of my favorite pages! 

And of course, the ads are just as fascinating as the articles! Could I have two please of the charming afternoon frock?

Asters (and the Jungle Garden)

I don't know about you, but this summer has gone by too fast! It has been full of family visiting, projects (garage painting and windows), and  few lazy days. Something about August makes one lazy, ready to flake out on the sofa with a good book. 

Already we have noticed little signs summer is drawing to a close; acorns beginning to fall, asters in bloom, spider webs (anyone else notice how many there are this year?), the angle of the sun, cicadas singing.....

 Aren't gardens amazing? I love to look back and see how much they have grown. This was taken just after planting, May 29th.

 Such tiny little sprigs!

 Now it is starting to go places, June 27th.

 And here is was almost a month ago, July 15th.

 Just a few days later the cucumbers were over the top of the supports (which are about 3' high) July 21st.

And here is the jungle now! Taken yesterday  Aug. 11th.

The beans have gone a bit wild and the cucumbers are doing great!

Another sign summer is almost over, gladioli are blooming!

Enjoy the last bits of summer Friends!