Sunday, January 31, 2010

Snow Dogs

Pretending like we had to


Pretending like we had to
Originally uploaded by elletrain
The other night when I wasn't sure if we were going to get snow or ice or whether either might make the power go out, I was thankful for the option we'd have of sleeping by our gas fireplace. So, we got inches and inches of snow (ok, not a foot or anything, but more than a dusting of snow means A LOT here in the South!). Fortunately, the power has not gone out, but I suggested we make a pallet and sleep in front of the fireplace last night anyways.

SO fun! We got the air mattress placed in front of the warminess of the fire and fell asleep watching SNL. So, not totally the same scenario as if the electricity were out, but still, a nice break from the norm. The dogs sure loved us sleeping "on the floor" and Mattie fell asleep on the air mattress with us for a while. It was so cozy and fun to be snowed in all weekend! I'm sure we'll be going stir-crazy by the end of the day, but for now, we're really enjoying it :)


Those are Pinky's toes up there. He doesn't like his picture taken, so he wasn't cooperating, but it's still cute...and see Mattie over in the corner? She's loving this. <3

Friday, January 29, 2010

* * * snow!!! * * *


Snow!!!
Originally uploaded by elletrain
So, it's actually snowing here in Nashville, a real snow that's coming down beautifully. The roads are still clear, but the ground is covering quite quickly. We are so excited around here when it snows because it seems we never quite get to enjoy that side of winter. It's quite hilarious to see everyone get so enthralled over something that happens daily in other parts of the country this time of year.

Our plans for the weekend: get Pinky home before the roads get bad (check! He just walked in!), fire in the fireplace (check! we are lucky to have an easy gas fireplace), indulge in a few adult beverages (we've been taking January off, so we're ready!), watch some movies (Pinky's never seen The Godfather and we just got it from Netflix!), and probably bake something (I'm craving peanut butter cookies!!!).


I will also be playing with my new iPhone app, Tiltshift Generator (simulates a DSLR camera). These photos were all adjusted with the app and I think they turned out quite lovely!


Bundle up out there and enjoy the snow if you have some where you are. I LOVE ♥ LOVE ♥ LOVE it!! ♥

Friday, January 22, 2010

A pocket, a locket...

Well I managed to check something great off of my to do list today...put pictures of me and the Pinkster in my locket! Let's see, how long have I had this locket and how long has it taken me to put our mugs in it...well, we won't get into that and make me feel like a slacker.

Here are some ideas for how to get your photo to fit in a locket. It's easy if you know Photoshop (oooooh, Photoshop?!).

-Measure your locket face as closely as you can and remember that measurement.

-Open your photo in Photoshop or another application that allows you to crop with a circle tool.

-Use the circle marquee tool on your favorite photo of you and your favorite of your honey (be sure to hold down the shift key while you draw the circle so it will stay an even circle).

-When you have the circle the size you want, crop the photo. Then, go to image size and size it to the approximate measurement of your locket face.

Here's the kicker for making sure you don't have to print a million times...
-Copy the cropped tiny circle onto a new document the size of your photo paper.

-Make a bunch of "copies" of your photo and scale them up and down slightly from the original. I wound up having to use a lot smaller photo than what I had measured. Making lots of options before you print your photo on the printer makes it much less annoying when you're trying to get one to fit! You'll have lots of sizes to choose from.

-Cut out the photo(s) that looks like it will fit best, try it in the locket, trim it a little, and voila!

I hope you'll finally get some lovelies in your locket now, too! Or go buy a locket if you don't have one. They are very special ad pretty. Gee, I kinda have a lot of freckles, huh??

Saturday, January 16, 2010

My latest sweater, finished!

I just finished putting together my latest knitting project. It's a bulky cardigan from Vogue Knitting Winter 2010 issue. It was a pretty quick knit and has a lovely cable and garter stitch checkered pattern on it.

I did the sleeves in stockinette so they wouldn't be quite so chunky and I'm happy with that change. The ribbing at the bottom of the sleeves is still kinda bulky, but looks ok with a slim fitting top underneath. I also only did one layer of the ribbed edge at the neck, as I thought the top layer would flop over. I really liked the Elsebeth Lavold Twice Tweed yarn I used. It's a recycled yarn made up of wool and cotton.

Now, on to my next projects...knee socks and a bulky, seed stitch coat/cardigan! ♥

Help for Haiti - buy a knitting pattern


Hi all...just a heads-up that many people are selling knitting patterns and part or all of the proceeds will go to help Haiti. I'm selling my Urban Hat Pattern and 100% of the funds raised will go to help Haiti. You can purchase it on Ravelry or Etsy. Thanks for your help. xoxo

Friday, January 15, 2010

French cooking and pincushions


Tonight I'm watching Julie & Julia and loving this movie so much. Poor Pinky who can't stand eating sounds is bearing through it with me :) It's such a lovely movie and though we had a nice Thai dinner tonight, it's making me hungry! Definitely check it out if you haven't seen it.

The main reason I wanted to post was to show you this adorable pattern for a pincushion, just like the tomatoes our mom's had, or at least mine did. Hers is lovely and faded and perfect. Isn't this so adorable! I can't wait to get the yarn and make one...and maybe some for gifts. Here is the link to the pattern: Tomato Pincushion

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Overcast - for sale now!


Overcast
Originally uploaded by elletrain
Just finished writing up my latest pattern. Somehow I've been better at that lately...This pattern is a poncho with detachable matching cowl. It's a cozy cozy knit in Rowan RYC Soft Tweed. I love wearing this blanket-like knit! I hope you enjoy it too.

Purchase the pattern on etsy or ravelry!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Etta


Etta
Originally uploaded by elletrain
My newest hat design! Just finished writing the pattern and posting it both on Ravelry and on elletrainknits.etsy.com. Only $2 and you can make this hat, too! It's a really quick knit out of bulky yarn and it creates a nice slouchy hat, great for covering up bad hair days! :) Enjoy!!

xoxo

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Homemade and handmade


socks finished!!!
Originally uploaded by elletrain
This has been a lovely weekend of making things! I finished my socks the other night. It's the first PAIR of actual sock-weight socks I've ever finished! Yay! I think they turned out quite lovely. They are using my favorite yarn, Koigu and I love doing the contrasting color on the cuffs, heels, and toes. I just ordered some beautiful Green Mountain Spinnery Cotton Comfort (wool & cotton blend) to make a pair of cabled knee socks. I'm so excited. I also started a cool cardigan project from the latest issue of Vogue Knitting.

In addition to finishing my socks, I also finished a chunky hat that has been in the works for a year. Ha. I made the original pattern and the thing turned out HUGE (read that last word in the voice of Tiny Elvis). I mean, even too big for my giant noggin. So, I restarted the hat making it up as I went and then after knitting only a couple of inches the lovely thing hibernated for a year. I love the finished project and good timing...this morning it's 15 degrees outside!!!


Enough of knitting talk, my latest addiction as of last night is homemade granola! Wow. I read about a recipe on one of the blogs I check out and decided to make my own. We're trying to get it in gear diet-wise after all the indulging during the holiday season, so this granola will be a nice healthy treat. It is NOT lacking in flavor and yumminess at all though. Super simple to make and yummy smelling as it bakes, the granola used stuff I already had in the kitchen. I didn't add any dried fruit this time, but I'm going to get dried blueberries for the next batch. I also substituted ground flax for the wheatgerm. Try it out...you'll be amazed!! Plus, it's a big savings from buying packaged granola. Cheaper AND better...you can't lose.