It's been pretty quiet around here on the blog the last few weeks. I've been busy trying to survive spring break the last 16+ days while still working with the kiddos home. It was fun to have them here but also very hard to juggle/balance all the mom duties with full time work as well. But we made it, I survived, and after I dropped them off this morning I sat and I listened to the quiet and actually missed the chaos......for about a minute...lol.
So I watched the series finale of Downton Abbey this week....finally. I've been holding off for ages because....well...I just didn't want it to be over. Yes, some of the past season or so have had some boring stages but darn did it pick back up this season. Regardless, I'm a huge fan of the show and it really was one of my favourites. I will miss the characters, yes even Daisy...lol. I thought it would be fun to reminisce a bit about how Downton has played it's own role in my creative journey.
I love knitting (& sewing books) that hold special stories and treasures inside. When I heard that the talented ladies behind Pom Pom Quarterly were publishing their very first book - Take Heart: A Transatlantic Knitting Journey by Fiona Alice, I knew it was a must have. Pom Pom Press has stayed true to their gorgeous and authentic keepsake aesthetic that they have so lovingly created with their popular magazines. Each one is a jewel to be treasured - and Take Heart fits right amongst them on my shelf.
Since I've started re-organizing my office and workspace (stash included) I also quickly realized my needles needed a much needed overhaul as well. I have two sets of interchangeable needles (Hiya Hiyas & Knit Picks Nickel Plated Interchangeables) and they were both in separate cases that weren't working and both overflowing. It was starting to get hard to find the right tips and cables and I knew I needed a new solution. Enter the brand new Knit Picks Interchangeable Case!
I recently got my hands on one of the fabulous kits from We Are Knitters and can I just a woot woot! So fun! I mean who can complain when a parcel arrives filled with this kind of goodness? All the yarn, notions & supplies you need to make one darn awesome project right on your doorstop! It was a happy day when my Udon Blanket Kitarrived and I'm so excited to give you guys a chance to win a kit of YOUR choice from We Are Knitters in today's giveaway!
I've been working away behind the scenes re-arranging and redoing my office. It feels great to start fresh, organize and purge my creative space. When we moved into our house a year or so ago I literally unpacked halfhazardly because I was so excited to have a room to work in! I didn't put much thought into the arrangement & flow and how it was going to be to really work in the space.
Ahhh....the joys of swatching. If you knit you know what I'm talking about. I used to be an avid hater of swatching....I'll admit it, I avoided it like the plague. But after a project that turned out wonky in my early twenties I learned my lesson the hard way. I've now since grown to enjoy the process and appreciate the time spent on making lovely swatches. Some become designs, some get unraveled to become a pretty project and some I just hold on to cause they are lovely to look at. It's taken me a few years to grow to respect, fully understand and embrace the enjoyment of this important process.
It's time for another fun fabric giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win some of the new line Wildland by Miriam Bos for Birch Fabrics! I'm smitten with the Netherlands designers quirky and colorful collection! You can view all the prints in this 100% organic collection on Fabricworm HERE!
It's February and that means it's time to share the latest sewing patterns we've been crushing on! I'm in the mood for flannel, knits, chambray, denim and wool!!! I'm all about the cozy this month!!!
Check out our "Fave 5" sewing patterns for February below!!! What patterns are you smitten with this month?
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you guys know what that means right? It's time for a Sweetheart Dress Sale!!!
Save 15% off the Sweetheart Dress Patternfrom today until 02/04/2016! Use code "sweetheart15" at checkout to save! Have some fun and pick out some fresh fabrics and whip up a pretty new dress for that special girl in your life! Sale is valid in our shop HEREand in our Etsy shopHERE.
I'm so excited that our first book review for 2016 is the stunningly gorgeous CAPSULE! The first book from Brooklyn Tweed, in collaboration with the talented designer Olga Buraya-Kefelian, is truly swoon worthy! In true Brooklyn Tweed style Capsule is definitely not short on quality and aesthetic. It's clean, modern and inspiring.
It's a new year and that means it's time for some new fabric! Who's in the mood for giveaway? Yay! One of our fave fabric shops - Fat Quarter Shop, is giving away a $75 Gift Certificate to one lucky winner! Enter below to win and also see what I'm crushing on this month at Fat Quarter Shop!!!
Each year I make my nephew a new "christmas hat" and it's become an annual knit I thoroughly enjoy knitting and look forward to. This year was even more fun since I also have a new niece to knit for! LuckilyTin Can Knits always has great patterns for the wee ones that are gender neutral! I love that about their patterns! I chose to make theBumble Hat from their newest book "Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe" for the kiddos.
I finally got to spend some quality time with my sewing machine over the holidays and it felt soooo good! It's been a while since I got to spend a few hours on the machine and it was so fun to whip up some xmas pressies using these fabulous free tutorials - The Fabric Berry Basketand the Wagon Wheel Pincsushion, from my friend Anna's blog - Noodlehead!
It's never too late to whip up a fabulous handmade gift for that special person in your life! I've put together our favourite Very Shannon quick gifts to sew or knit! Whether it's a great new bag, zippered pouch, or new hat we've got you covered! Happy making!
As a knitter I adore any way to store, use, carry and show off my pretty notions! So when Alana, of Never Not Knitting, recently asked me to review the Wool & Wire Stitch Marker Necklace & stitch markers I fell head over heels! Jewelry for knitters and needles - yes please! I love the fact that I can have my stitch markers right there at any time but also have them be a gorgeous accessory to add to any outfit! I've been wearing mine non-stop since I got it!
It's storming and raining buckets here again but the tree is up and decorated and I'm snuggled up inside knitting on my 3rd Landslide Hat & Mitt Set! Would you like to join me? Pour some coffee, cozy up and pop on by our Ravelry Group to join in with our Landslide Mini-Knit Along!
I recently cast on for the oh so sweet Baa-ble Hat pattern. Be warned - once you start you won't be able to stop until you see those darn adorable sheep! Ever since this pattern first popped up I knew I had to find the time to make it before the end of the year. Sort of a holiday hat to myself.
I've had a yearning for a new hat & fingerless mitts this season! I knew as soon as Brooklyn Tweed released their gorgeous new bulky yarn - Quarry the other month that it was time to get knitting! The LANDSLIDE HAT & MITTS SET are filled with yummy texture, are super cozy, and they are oh so fun to knit & wear! They make great quick gift knitting but are also perfect for treating yourself with!
