tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81298317335636701192024-03-12T21:52:52.715-07:00* elletrain knits *knitting, crochet, craftiness and other loveliesLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-39541422714715505972011-11-29T19:04:00.000-08:002011-11-29T19:04:51.525-08:00new patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I know I switched addresses on you and told you we are now at <a href="http://redribbonfox.blogspot.com/">redribbonfox.blogspot.com</a>, but I thought I'd update you here with a couple of new patterns and also remind you to follow me at the new address. I hope you'll join me there, but in the meantime, check out the new cowl and fingerless gloves patterns :) xoxox</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf0NZ6THHks/TtWbsZ411QI/AAAAAAAAAoA/4XzHrZBmslg/s1600/IMG_0891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf0NZ6THHks/TtWbsZ411QI/AAAAAAAAAoA/4XzHrZBmslg/s320/IMG_0891.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Northwest Red Matching Mitts pattern available now on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northwest-red-matching-mitts" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87470811/northwest-red-couples-fingerless-gloves" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. Yay! This is a very easy, quick pattern. You can make BOTH pairs in one day, easily! What a great way to knock out a couple of gifts on your list at once. They are so fun and fast...I hope you'll check them out :) Happy Knitting!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cH1UxTREquE/TtWbvRVeydI/AAAAAAAAAoI/aBL2-8T5ItI/s1600/IMG_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cH1UxTREquE/TtWbvRVeydI/AAAAAAAAAoI/aBL2-8T5ItI/s320/IMG_0884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQYXX9Xsrms/TtWbyBru5lI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Esnwchtkp_M/s1600/IMG_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQYXX9Xsrms/TtWbyBru5lI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Esnwchtkp_M/s320/IMG_0870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuTsdAMI_D4/TtWbz3kDagI/AAAAAAAAAoY/C-xB20lbqJM/s1600/IMG_0896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuTsdAMI_D4/TtWbz3kDagI/AAAAAAAAAoY/C-xB20lbqJM/s320/IMG_0896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JEhz1ey2SU/TtWb1cdyQxI/AAAAAAAAAog/SXCySst3tss/s1600/IMG_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JEhz1ey2SU/TtWb1cdyQxI/AAAAAAAAAog/SXCySst3tss/s320/IMG_0900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBg1I0rGcEQ/TsP6J1MZ8qI/AAAAAAAAAnc/t2U2ZICRQuM/s1600/IMG_0767+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBg1I0rGcEQ/TsP6J1MZ8qI/AAAAAAAAAnc/t2U2ZICRQuM/s320/IMG_0767+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Here's the newest Red Ribbon Fox Knits design: The Sienna Cowl. It is knit from less than 1 skein of Malabrigo Worsted yarn (color shown is Ronoake). </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry: </div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86298592/sienna-cowl-knitting-pattern-pdf" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/listing/86298592/sienna-cowl-knitting-pattern-pdf</a></div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sienna-cowl" target="_blank">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sienna-cowl</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>This pattern is a quick, interesting knit that results in a cute cowl that can be worn pinned, as shown above, unpinned, or as a cute head scarf to keep your ears warm, as seen below.</div><div><br />
</div><div>ALSO, if you are new to knitting charts and want to learn to read them, this is a great pattern for you! The chevron seed stitch border is presented in a simple, easy-to-follow chart. Trust me, you can do it! It will expand your knitting horizons to be able to knit from charts. Seriously!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I hope you'll try this pattern. Isn't Malabrigo just the best??!!</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVeUkJpV-ZI/TsP6OHrFo6I/AAAAAAAAAnk/JOpBf2hXbuM/s1600/IMG_0766+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVeUkJpV-ZI/TsP6OHrFo6I/AAAAAAAAAnk/JOpBf2hXbuM/s320/IMG_0766+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ43Dg4hYYA/TsP6OraXinI/AAAAAAAAAns/SwY6MhAJE5s/s1600/IMG_0782+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ43Dg4hYYA/TsP6OraXinI/AAAAAAAAAns/SwY6MhAJE5s/s320/IMG_0782+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYn1T08sLGw/TsP6PKAAiDI/AAAAAAAAAn0/21q0YQ389z4/s1600/IMG_0789+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYn1T08sLGw/TsP6PKAAiDI/AAAAAAAAAn0/21q0YQ389z4/s320/IMG_0789+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-73066476963179087012011-11-18T09:02:00.001-08:002011-11-18T09:02:34.748-08:00New blog location: redribbonfoxknits.blogspot.comDon't forget to join me over at our new location! New posts and knitting lovelies. Please check it out here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://redribbonfoxknits.blogspot.com/">http://redribbonfoxknits.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
xoxoxoLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-82503694257546497502011-10-24T17:10:00.001-07:002011-10-24T17:10:30.172-07:00We're all turning into foxes...SO...after much, well, some, ok ALOT of deliberation, I've decided to unite my design and knitting world under the same, sweet red fox. So the address of this blog is moving! Please visit:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://redribbonfoxknits.blogspot.com/">http://redribbonfoxknits.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Yay! It will look VERY similar :) I just thought it would be nice and clear and uniform to have things with a similar brand. I'm very excited about the change and so is Mr. Fox. Here is his new look for all things knitting!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FvqTB_j0Fs/TqX94XBB9GI/AAAAAAAAAmU/K3HMvTHXNtM/s1600/redribbonfoxknits_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FvqTB_j0Fs/TqX94XBB9GI/AAAAAAAAAmU/K3HMvTHXNtM/s320/redribbonfoxknits_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, pretty please update your blog subscriptions and I'm very sorry for any inconvenience, but now we will have even more fun with Mr. Fox as our guide!! xoxoxo</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-25349696639448444402011-10-12T22:05:00.000-07:002011-10-12T22:05:14.770-07:00New purling method for continental style knittingSo, I have wanted for a LONG time to start knitting continental style, 'picking,' rather than the English style, 'throwing,' that I learned a long time ago. Because I've done some stranded colorwork and have learned to hold one color in each hand, I have become comfortable knitting continental style. BUT, purling has always been a pain for me to do...too slow and cumbersome and not worth giving up the speed I have with English style.<br />
<br />
A friend at a knit shop tonight showed me how she purls. I also learned this evening that it is the Norwegian method of purling and that it is used because in Norway they do lots of colorwork knitting in the round. This method allows you to keep your yarn at the back the whole time, so you're not moving your yarn in between your stitches, from the front to the back. It seems like a lot of movement when you break it down slowly, but when you try it out a few times you will definitely pick up speed. If you've ever done a rib cast-on then you may feel that this method seems familiar.<br />
<br />
Seriously, why have I never seen this before! Anyway, I'm working on a LARGE cowl neck for the sweater I'm making right now and it's all 2x2 ribbing. This new method may just safe my life and save my elbow! See what you think about it and let me know. Here is a link to knittinghelp.com's video:<br />
<a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/the-purl-stitch-norwegian-continental">Norwegian purling method</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-9386706478551112552011-10-04T08:45:00.000-07:002011-10-04T08:45:09.241-07:00oh, hi again :)I found a lovely for you this morning. Beautiful cast silver real knitting and crochet stitches. Isn't this lovely? I am in awe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/crochet_cast_in_silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://blog.craftzine.com/crochet_cast_in_silver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/10/cast_silver_knitting_and_croch.html">Cast Silver Knitting and Crochet article</a><br />
<br />
Today is my first day of a silversmithing class here in Portland. I am so excited! Multnomah Arts Center offers many cool classes and I have ALWAYS wanted to learn metal smithing. I will let you know how it goes. Super excited. Are you learning anything new this fall? So far I've learned Tunisian crochet and natural dyeing. I think I wish I was really going back to school :)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-36350662285599810622011-09-27T13:46:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:47:06.159-07:00Flock Together Mitts - new patternSo, I've gotten the designing bug. Here is my latest pattern, Flock Together Mitts, for sale on Ravelry and Etsy. They are super quick to make and would be a great gift :) Feathery goodness for your fall season...<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82679705/flock-together-fingerless-mitts-pattern">http://www.etsy.com/listing/82679705/flock-together-fingerless-mitts-pattern</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flock-together-mitts">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flock-together-mitts</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSxZJ04K70/ToI1p4tlb0I/AAAAAAAAAlM/K8JZu1-fQuI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSxZJ04K70/ToI1p4tlb0I/AAAAAAAAAlM/K8JZu1-fQuI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvaPsPmCt34/ToI1rGB445I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Gg9cRJtj7g4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvaPsPmCt34/ToI1rGB445I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Gg9cRJtj7g4/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp4avsmddmA/ToI1uSQXpEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/dOExNR0n5oU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp4avsmddmA/ToI1uSQXpEI/AAAAAAAAAlY/dOExNR0n5oU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-69018737127521403042011-09-18T15:39:00.000-07:002011-09-18T15:39:30.422-07:00Tea Latte Cowl pattern!Well it's about time I had a new pattern. Here is the Tea Latte Cowl...a cozy, chunky cowl knit in a herringbone stitch on large needles. This is lovely and warm in a wool roving yarn by Patons, but it could work with a variety of chunky yarns. I've always admired the herringbone stitch. The stitch has such a classic look, but the chunky yarn adds a modern feel. I hope you'll try it out! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tea-latte-cowl">Available for sale on Ravelry.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilQ9gZ6pbmM/TnZy1EcK11I/AAAAAAAAAkc/ow1VazFfixU/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilQ9gZ6pbmM/TnZy1EcK11I/AAAAAAAAAkc/ow1VazFfixU/s320/IMG_0536.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EmjO9QH4Io/TnZy3scD8lI/AAAAAAAAAkg/-3DrPDHAM_E/s1600/IMG_0538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EmjO9QH4Io/TnZy3scD8lI/AAAAAAAAAkg/-3DrPDHAM_E/s320/IMG_0538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybCXoA1unt0/TnZy6gnEtQI/AAAAAAAAAkk/rwHucfGlhbU/s1600/IMG_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybCXoA1unt0/TnZy6gnEtQI/AAAAAAAAAkk/rwHucfGlhbU/s320/IMG_0542.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-59169409538255827202011-09-17T13:29:00.000-07:002011-09-17T13:29:10.241-07:00inspiredMy last post inspired me to get started. Here is what I came up with today:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2SmjTccCBc/TnUCddDoN9I/AAAAAAAAAkY/YoUlbPjfEi4/s1600/illustration_fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2SmjTccCBc/TnUCddDoN9I/AAAAAAAAAkY/YoUlbPjfEi4/s400/illustration_fall.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-90225834682212922312011-09-17T10:46:00.000-07:002011-09-17T10:46:20.394-07:00to doI've been in the mood to do more painting lately. I want to start painting more patterns and small simple drawings, etc. I have been doing a tiny bit of it, for some of my wedding invitation designs:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266784245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266784245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80361385/aqua-diamonds-wedding-invitation-55x55">aqua diamonds invite</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266673834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266673834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80500771/yellow-and-mint-hand-painted-wedding">hand-painted flowers invite</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266796596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.266796596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80360017/yellow-chevron-stripes-wedding">chevron stripes invite</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to do more though. For some reason I have always been drawn (no pun intended!) to illustrations of food and recipes. Here is some inspiration I've gathered on Pinterest lately, mostly found in Etsy and Pinterest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.171489908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.171489908.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55435501/asian-recipe-poster-wok-cooking?ref=sc_1">Asian recipe poster</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://loveardently.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/il_fullxfull.117187923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://loveardently.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/il_fullxfull.117187923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://loveardently.com/blog/2010/01/27/food-illustration-by-claudia-pearson/">Claudia Pearson</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IySxvOpVmwI/TnOCmVVkNBI/AAAAAAAAeuY/6MhyB0tQNf0/s523/samantha-hahn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IySxvOpVmwI/TnOCmVVkNBI/AAAAAAAAeuY/6MhyB0tQNf0/s320/samantha-hahn.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And some <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/09/have-lovely-weekend.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FbboSV+%28A+CUP+OF+JO%29">fashion from Samantha Hahn</a> - adore it</div><br />
What inspires you right now? Do you have anything you're dying to get into this fall? A new hobby or something you've not done for a long time? It seems I have a need to learn a lot of new things right now. I'm taking a dyeing workshop next Sunday at the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival. I'm starting a 10 week metal-smithing class at Multnomah Arts Center in October and I'm taking a Tunisian Crochet class this Wednesday at Twisted yarn shop. Whew! Now that I've listed it all out I can really tell my need to learn! I guess that comes with this season :) Happy Weekend! I'm off to do some creating...Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-18586232618646549712011-09-15T13:32:00.000-07:002011-09-15T13:32:22.560-07:00another photoshop tutorialI just tried this and it is super fun. I also learned a few new things about Photoshop in general, which is always handy. Here is my original photo:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdhT3RyFvw/TnJeqeV0dNI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Pe1C5uiSXQ0/s1600/laura_echomusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdhT3RyFvw/TnJeqeV0dNI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Pe1C5uiSXQ0/s320/laura_echomusic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is one I created using a block of text, following the tutorial:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86ryAcudBSc/TnJe2gg-wnI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/8ChK-YD9Xa0/s1600/laura_echo_words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86ryAcudBSc/TnJe2gg-wnI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/8ChK-YD9Xa0/s320/laura_echo_words.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is one using painted text. This was fun! It takes a little practice for sure, to get it exactly like you want it. Also, next time I will use a larger image with more detail, but what a fun idea to do for someone's birthday card or as a gift or something. Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qJyX3ZKQMA/TnJgiyrAqsI/AAAAAAAAAkU/KYRazsGwsYE/s1600/laura_words2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qJyX3ZKQMA/TnJgiyrAqsI/AAAAAAAAAkU/KYRazsGwsYE/s320/laura_words2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Here is the link to the tutorial. I hope you'll try it out and share your creations!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://layersmagazine.com/photoshop-cs4-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words.html">http://layersmagazine.com/photoshop-cs4-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words.html</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-8610870331954654282011-09-14T16:04:00.000-07:002011-09-14T16:04:27.970-07:00weekly updateHello! Today I am busy cooking in the kitchen, so I thought I'd share what I'm making because it smells amazing, I have to say. First of all, in order to eat more veggies, I think I need to just keep some dishes prepared in the fridge, cooked or chopped up or however. So today I roasted some root vegetables, as pictured here: carrots, parsnips, and yellow beets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwO-KUe3sp0/TnExBMmWWSI/AAAAAAAAAkI/6nnHGTnAqOY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-14+at+3.52.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwO-KUe3sp0/TnExBMmWWSI/AAAAAAAAAkI/6nnHGTnAqOY/s320/Screen+Shot+2011-09-14+at+3.52.52+PM.png" width="319" /></a></div><br />
Just chop them into chunks that are all roughly the same size, toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook them for about 35 min. on 425 degrees. Check them to make sure they're not dried out, but that the veggies are tender and easy to cut. Mmm. They reheat well or you can just add them to a salad, with goat cheese. YUM! Dang, I forgot goat cheese at the store...<br />
<br />
Also today, since I have knitting group kinda early (6pm) and I'm always starving by the time I get home around 8:30 or 9, I decided to make dinner early and eat before I go. I found <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pulled_pork_sandwich/">this</a> on Pinterest and thought I'd try it out. It smells amazing. I believe the only difference in my ingredients is that I didn't have chipotle chili powder, so I used regular chili powder, but I DID have smoked paprika, so I used that instead of regular paprika. We'll see! <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pulled_pork_sandwich/">BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/photos/pulled-pork-sandwich-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://simplyrecipes.com/photos/pulled-pork-sandwich-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, no photos, but thanks to my friend Shayla I made some Pumpkin Spice Creamer today. Mmmm! It's only a slight pumpkiny flavor, but definitely adds some fall flair to your coffee. You could experiment with the amount of pumpkin and spice. I might add a bit more cinnamon or something. I'm not sure where the recipe came from, so if you know, feel free to post a link.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 - 3/4 cup canned pumpkin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 3/4 cup half and half</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp vanilla</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blend this all in the blender and store in the fridge in an air tight container. It's yummy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You probably want to add some sugar to your coffee to bring out the flavor. I usually just have coffee with cream, but this was better a little sweet. You could probably add it to your creamer if you wanted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enjoy these yummy fall-ish dishes. It's getting gloomier here and cooler now, but this time of year I kind of welcome that type of weather. Lots of knitting to be done!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xoxo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-71547326811612611182011-09-07T17:21:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:23:39.749-07:00today's goodwill findsSo, after seeing <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/09/diy-project-vintage-sheet-cocktail-napkins.html">this cute idea on Design*Sponge</a> this morning, I was inspired to stop by the closest Goodwill on my way home earlier today. Look at all of the great things I found! All for $20 :) Gotta love it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Vintage pillowcases for my cocktail napkin project (see above)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1bHeVPMqrU/TmgHft4i0XI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ReFOyZKGRLs/s1600/6125038646_88e77483f5_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1bHeVPMqrU/TmgHft4i0XI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ReFOyZKGRLs/s320/6125038646_88e77483f5_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A cool wall hanging handmade in Peru!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydk2B1LfFMk/TmgHePuYYbI/AAAAAAAAAj0/lX_NvLcIjq0/s1600/6125020604_867e70f846_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydk2B1LfFMk/TmgHePuYYbI/AAAAAAAAAj0/lX_NvLcIjq0/s320/6125020604_867e70f846_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome green glass dishes... set of 4 for $12 :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewxpeGrEcms/TmgHehjWGRI/AAAAAAAAAj4/AyDV7y00UHE/s1600/6125023786_1d3e7a0bf3_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewxpeGrEcms/TmgHehjWGRI/AAAAAAAAAj4/AyDV7y00UHE/s320/6125023786_1d3e7a0bf3_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A lovely painting of a giraffe. He is so handsome!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAsAnWl0wQ8/TmgHeyp6iKI/AAAAAAAAAj8/_trEzAlRgho/s1600/6124484599_10c261615f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAsAnWl0wQ8/TmgHeyp6iKI/AAAAAAAAAj8/_trEzAlRgho/s320/6124484599_10c261615f_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A great Ball mason jar with a glass lid</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NoGlAOx9k9k/TmgHfdXR0jI/AAAAAAAAAkA/PwhgiqKf6fs/s1600/6124489217_6ebed1f370_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NoGlAOx9k9k/TmgHfdXR0jI/AAAAAAAAAkA/PwhgiqKf6fs/s320/6124489217_6ebed1f370_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank goodness for thrifting. It's so inspiring. I didn't find what I was looking for, an enamel pot for my yarn dyeing, but I sure found really cool stuff for 20 bucks. Amazing. Now I need to go search out the other places. I think there are some good ones down the street...and one really interesting place that's only open on Saturdays. I need to be sure to TAKE some loads to the thrift stores, too :) I found <a href="http://elletrainknits.blogspot.com/2009/11/goodwill-strikes-again-my-awesome-find.html">this great coat</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/5011928526/">this awesome skirt</a> a couple of years ago at a thrift store in Nashville. What are your favorite thrifting finds?</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-15141440675560327362011-09-05T18:15:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:26:55.675-07:00on the needles and off of the needlesHappy Labor Day! I hope everyone has had a fun weekend with friends and family. We just returned from a 3 day camping trip/family reunion with my husband's mother's family. This Labor Day tradition has been going on for 58 years! What a great thing to have in your family. We had a great time doing a little fishing, a little pot-lucking and a lot of hanging out. I LOVE camping in the Pac. NW. Hot during the day, but still in the 50's at night :)<br />
<br />
So, I realized I hadn't posted about knitting in a while. I wanted to share some photos of finished projects as well as what is now (or about to be) on my needles. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-752kqAmJeCE/TmVvnrVJoWI/AAAAAAAAAjo/GezWZPOMcxU/s1600/P8250053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-752kqAmJeCE/TmVvnrVJoWI/AAAAAAAAAjo/GezWZPOMcxU/s320/P8250053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/elletrain/westknits-mystery-shawl-kal-2011-earth--sky">Westknits Earth & Sky Mystery Shawl:</a> This was my first mystery project and it was fun! I am happy with how my colors worked together. It was fun to work on a small project that you didn't know what the finished piece would look like. I used Malabrigo Sock (gold), Koigu KPM (pale pink), and Shibui Sock (gray).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30wf-bipvBc/TmVvkRA34UI/AAAAAAAAAjg/cdp5pjltKco/s1600/P8230034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30wf-bipvBc/TmVvkRA34UI/AAAAAAAAAjg/cdp5pjltKco/s320/P8230034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/elletrain/stripe-study-shawl">Stripe Study Shawl</a> from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Veera Välimäki. This was a GREAT knitting group project. I used 2 colors of Sanguine Gryphon Sock on this project.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cD3H1opNuPQ/TmVvl0bovVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/f_t-t5TiqQY/s1600/P8250044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cD3H1opNuPQ/TmVvl0bovVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/f_t-t5TiqQY/s320/P8250044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkBKryMUOYY/TmVx0XjDcFI/AAAAAAAAAjs/b7oV4TgASvg/s1600/6080660292_348d3a9382_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkBKryMUOYY/TmVx0XjDcFI/AAAAAAAAAjs/b7oV4TgASvg/s320/6080660292_348d3a9382_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/elletrain/bias-wrap-scarf">Bias Wrap Scarf</a>. This was a pattern I picked up free with purchase at my new LYS, <a href="http://www.closeknitportland.com/">Close Knit.</a> It is called the Firefly Scarf on their pattern, using Classic Elite's Firefly yarn. I used Baby Llama Glow from Plymouth Yarn Co. I modified the end of the scarf to have 3 button holes and a garter ridge so I could button it instead of just ending it in a point like the other end. I LOVE this yarn. It has a tiny bit of sparkle and is SO soft.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5YtnbppJyo/TmVvgbPZEnI/AAAAAAAAAjc/NLXTPb32oZw/s1600/babydress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5YtnbppJyo/TmVvgbPZEnI/AAAAAAAAAjc/NLXTPb32oZw/s320/babydress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/elletrain/mina-dress">Chili Bean's Dress. </a>The final finished project of late is a little crocheted dress I made for my sister-in-law and her baby girl that is due anytime now. It's the Mina Dress from Alicia Paulson and what an adorable pattern it is. It took me only part of a day to make and I can't wait to see it on our new niece. My sister-in-law has 3 boys already, so having a little girl will be so fun!<br />
<br />
I'm working on these 3 projects right now:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.berroco.com/images/310.315/314/314_ristretto_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.berroco.com/images/310.315/314/314_ristretto_lg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ristretto">Berrocco Ristretto. </a>This one in a soft grey green color of the same yarn the pattern calls for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://berroco.com/images/304.309/306/306_farrah_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://berroco.com/images/304.309/306/306_farrah_lg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/farrah-3">Berroco Farrah</a>. I'm doing this in the mustard yellow color of the yarn, Glint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/picklespatterns/17153603/hjertelig_hele_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/picklespatterns/17153603/hjertelig_hele_medium2.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/from-norway-with-love---hat">From Norway with Love. </a>I LOVE this hat. I'm doing it out of a pale gray with the hearts in the Baby Llama Glow of my previously mentioned scarf. It's turning out fun so far!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whew. So glad I posted some knitting stuff on my knitting blog ;) I've been back in the swing of things lately in the knitting world, so I had a fair amount to catch up on with you all! Fall is slowly approaching here in Portland. It's still nice in the evenings, but we finally have a summer during the day now. I'm still excited about these fall evenings that are inevitable soon. Preparing the closet with freshly knitted jumpers is always a knitter's favorite thing about fall! xoxo</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-42674248846088111342011-08-30T13:21:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:28:04.592-07:00Tuesday Tutorial ♥Here it is, again! I am loving this week's tutorial. So I know this is kind of a knitting blog, but being overall crafty and designery myself, I thought I'd share something, again, that's not about knitting. I've been designing a LOT this week as I got my Etsy store up and running (yay!), so I'm quite in design-mode these days. Here is a really great tutorial for creating your own repeating patterns in Photoshop. Will be using this one a TON. Enjoy! I promise to post some knitting related items soon. Maybe even later today I'll show you the things I've finished recently and what's on my needles now. Yes, I think it's time for another of those posts. In the meantime, have fun creating some great patterns.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs34/f/2008/296/8/2/Repeat_patterns_in_Photoshop_by_melemel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs34/f/2008/296/8/2/Repeat_patterns_in_Photoshop_by_melemel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-38610548385047965232011-08-30T10:08:00.001-07:002011-08-30T10:08:49.103-07:00Foxy shoes<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6096769721/" title="Foxy shoes"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6096769721_203901a991.jpg" alt="Foxy shoes by elletrain" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6096769721/">Foxy shoes</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/">elletrain</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>So, Tuesday Tutorial to come later, but I had to share my new foxy shoes :) Yay!!<br /><br />(from urban outfitters)</p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-12789592438935403282011-08-24T16:17:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:28:52.005-07:00aMAZing site "Closet Visit" - so inspiring!SO, here's my new favorite fashion site. I don't look at a ton of fashion sites, but lately I've gotten into Polyvore.com and THIS ONE: <a href="http://cargocollective.com/closetvisit">http://cargocollective.com/closetvisit</a>. Oh my it's beautiful and such a great idea. I may do a little closet visit of my own and photograph some of my favorite items :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1829514/IMG_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1829514/IMG_0332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1290642/5606794223_bf845993c7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1290642/5606794223_bf845993c7_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1829514/IMG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1829514/IMG_0146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/5749153843_fa0fd7e7ec_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/5749153843_fa0fd7e7ec_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/5749580236_9ec0492cfe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/72818/1448849/5749580236_9ec0492cfe_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-14363801442898999862011-08-23T12:16:00.000-07:002011-08-23T12:16:47.089-07:00Tuesday Tutorial ♥Hello!! Happy Tuesday. I am sitting here with a bum ankle...I must have strained it while doing my run yesterday :( ... But being less mobile makes A) more time for knitting! B) less of a guilty feeling for not finishing up the laundry and C) for a great time to catch up on all of my many unread blog posts in my Bloglovin account. So now that I'm caught up on those and had a little time to peruse my Pinterest pins, I'm here to share a fun tutorial that I'm about to go round up the supplies to make for myself, after this post! Of course I'll have to wait until night time to test it out, but I have plenty of fairy lights/Christmas lights around at home to practice on :)<br />
<br />
Check out these lovely images first:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7751/95368765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7751/95368765.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/1310/30232569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/1310/30232569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I found these and a link to a tutorial for making a 'bokeh' <a href="http://lefrufrublog.blogspot.com/2011/07/bokeh-ovvero-come-vedere-la-vita.html">here</a>, on one of my favorite blogs, Le Fru Fru. It's in Italian (which I'm learning, but not good at ALL yet because I keep knitting instead of doing the Rosetta Stone lessons), but your browser will most likely translate it if needed. The <a href="http://greenlaundry.net/blog/2009/11/24/how-to-make-a-heart-shaped-bokeh-lens-hood/">tutorial</a> on Green Laundry is in English though, so that will be helpful :)<br />
<br />
A 'bokeh' is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> "the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light.(from Wikipedia)</span> In this particular instance, we can create the heart-shaped 'bokeh' through making a lens cover, like this (image from <a href="http://greenlaundry.net/blog/2009/11/24/how-to-make-a-heart-shaped-bokeh-lens-hood/">Green Laundry's blog</a>):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greenlaundry.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.greenlaundry.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/photo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you'll go try this out! Again, the link to the tutorial is <a href="http://greenlaundry.net/blog/2009/11/24/how-to-make-a-heart-shaped-bokeh-lens-hood/">here</a>. I'm excited to try this and experiment with more night time photography. Have fun and share pictures if you try this out!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-21888067722190802662011-08-19T11:11:00.001-07:002011-09-07T17:29:48.556-07:00work it out<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6053425041/" title="Lovely"><img alt="Lovely by elletrain" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6053425041_f46e80459a.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6053425041/">Lovely</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/">elletrain</a> on Flickr.</span></div>So, I just realized I missed the Tuesday Tutorial this week. I'll admit I was enjoying myself out in Oregon wine country with my husband and parents. What an amazingly beautiful area. WOW! And so close to our new home. I have a feeling we will be taking many trips out there. Here is a shot from the Willamette Valley.<br />
<br />
My reason for posting today though is to let you know what I've been up to for 3 weeks now, workout-wise. I'm doing the Couch to 5K training program that I found online. The running club where we used to live offers this training 2x a year and I had heard about it before. I have to say I wasn't excited about starting to run again. It's been a long time since I chose that as my main form of exercise. I fell in love with Zumba and hula hooping over the past few years because they were much more interesting and held my attention. BUT...I am loving this training so far! I'm not necessarily training to run IN a 5k, but knowing I will be able to run 3 miles, 3x a week at the end of this is pretty cool.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to check it out, I've created a better document of the training program here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bwj2Mfcgvhw5ZWY1MWI4YjAtODc4NC00OTQwLWE3NmQtYWNiNDYzMzg1NmVj&hl=en_US">Couch to 5K</a><br />
I, of course, did not come up with this. I'm not sure who did, but when I found it online it was hard to follow, so I did a nicer layout that I think will be easier to read for you :) I posted mine above my desk! Be sure to workout only every other day to give time for your body to rest and heal in between runs.<br />
<br />
As for a workout playlist, I thought I'd share a few fun songs I'm running to right now. If you have additional suggestions though I'm always looking for new music with a good beat. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
-"Born this Way" - Lady Gaga<br />
- pretty much anything from Foster the People - Houdini, Pumped Up Kicks, Call It What You Want<br />
- Michael Jackson songs, FOR SURE - If You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' is my favorite<br />
- "She Wolf" - Shakira<br />
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" - Notorious B.I.G. - a classic :)<br />
- "Canned Heat" - Jamiroquai<br />
- "Boom Boom Pow" - Black Eyed Peas<br />
- "My Chick Bad" - LudacrisLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-41797730336609170152011-08-13T16:41:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:30:34.568-07:00Tips for Photographing Your KnitsOn this gray Saturday afternoon, while waiting to go to dinner with my parents who just arrived to town, I was perusing Ravelry, spying on various lovely hand knits (& crochets!) There is one thing that saddens me as I look through many lovely projects on Ravelry...so many talented knitters do not know how to photograph their projects! Trust me, I understand the desire to just get a photo up on Ravelry so you don't have the awful blank white square staring at you from your projects list. I am guilty of having some not so great photos of my knits up there and will show you some examples of my wrong-doing, but I'd also like to offer a few tips and examples of how to make your hard work really shine through on your project pages. I am a graphic designer, but I am NOT a photographer. You don't have to be to take better quality photos if you consider a few things. Here are some things to consider and you DON'T have to have a fancy camera. My husband has one that I occasionally use, but I mostly use my regular digital camera or my iPhone.<br />
<br />
1. NATURAL LIGHT<br />
Regardless of what else you consider when photographing your knits, natural light will always show off the colors and stitch definition best. It's REALLY tough to wait until daylight when you finish that great sweater you've been working on feverishly, but if you'll look at photos that you love and that are really spectacular, you'll notice they are generally photographed outside or by a window. (Sometimes you can't tell they are by a window, but if you start looking, you'll see the difference between a photo taken with a camera flash vs. one that wasn't).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIjE-lhD7Lo/TkcKCE1W0nI/AAAAAAAAAjI/GNJInipfIRE/s1600/4599914355_b8e15f2bec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIjE-lhD7Lo/TkcKCE1W0nI/AAAAAAAAAjI/GNJInipfIRE/s320/4599914355_b8e15f2bec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
2. BACKGROUND<br />
When I photograph my knits I try to consider an interesting background that won't compete with the knitting. Sometimes I like to have a pattern or piece of artwork that is near me, sometimes I like to have a very simple background, like a solid wall in my home. It just depends on the piece, how much detail it has, and what I think will compliment it. Please just consider something that you would want people to see versus some dirty dish lying on your coffee table or a cat hair/dog hair ridden chair. You have worked hard on this piece! Show it some respect and hide the messiness of your house from the photo. I'm not telling you to become a neat freak, just pretend for this one photo that you are one :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pclveZHqj_w/TkcKWtbPxCI/AAAAAAAAAjM/4aZlo83ibx8/s1600/4279362381_5471b9c495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pclveZHqj_w/TkcKWtbPxCI/AAAAAAAAAjM/4aZlo83ibx8/s320/4279362381_5471b9c495.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
3. DISPLAY<br />
Remember that most knits are 3D shapes and look droopy or floppy when not filled with a similar shape as the body part it's made for. A dress form is of course nicest when photographing shawls, sweaters, etc. I don't have one either, so don't worry. Consider using some tissue paper or small towels, etc. to stuff your knit (ie. for a hat or baby items) before your photograph it. Or, lay it out nicely, fold it nicely and again, consider what will be in the background of your knit. Sometimes I make my dog wear things. While fun, this is probably not the most professional look you can get, but hey, if they'll sit still long enough to give the item some shape, at least you're 'considering' the shot.<br />
<br />
If you do have a sweater or other clothing item to photograph and you want to put it on in which to do so (makes sense, especially if it's for you!), think about your outfit and the styling of it as you go to put on your new product. Will anything else show in the photos? Would it compliment the sweater or cardigan to wear a leather belt to show off the shape? Would wearing shoes really accentuate the style of the knee socks? You can always take some photos with your other clothing props and some without, so people can see details that might be hidden by the accessories. But we all know what a toe of a sock looks like, right? Mix it up a little and have fun with styling yourself and your new item of clothing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTBuiM2USAs/TkcKvFZGyII/AAAAAAAAAjQ/pUDfdIZLs0o/s1600/5513668347_38ba214b45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTBuiM2USAs/TkcKvFZGyII/AAAAAAAAAjQ/pUDfdIZLs0o/s320/5513668347_38ba214b45.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
4. COMPOSITION<br />
This is a basic design fundamental and it has some to do with the background tip stated earlier, but it mostly has to do with how you position the item being photographed within the frame of the picture. Think about interesting angles and filling up the photo as much as possible with your knit. Don't be too far away from it so people have to search for what you want them to focus on. The great thing about digital cameras is that you can take as many photos as you want, choose the best, and delete the rest. So don't be afraid to try a bunch of angles, getting closer in and farther away, etc. You can't go wrong, but you can have fun finding your favorite angle for that piece. You can also easily crop your photos once you get them onto the computer if you need to. Again, consider these tips for composition as you crop. You will be amazed at the difference it makes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhWz2J5RiA0/TkcLdbx0VBI/AAAAAAAAAjU/0_I4JuCSb14/s1600/5249174754_cd31ea998f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhWz2J5RiA0/TkcLdbx0VBI/AAAAAAAAAjU/0_I4JuCSb14/s320/5249174754_cd31ea998f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
**Please let's have a minute to focus on socks here. If at all possible, find someone to photograph them for you if you want to wear them in the shot. A shot of your feet from your perspective A) is not flattering and B) doesn't usually show off the loveliness of the design or pattern you've worked so hard to create. Let's have well-shot socks!!<br />
<br />
In conclusion, I will be the first to tell you that not all of my photos on Ravelry are great, professional looking shots. Those early ones are somewhat <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/elletrain/little-silk-shrug">atrocious</a>! I have been learning as I go over the last 8 years of knitting and 4 years of being on Ravelry. What I am saying is that you might as well consider some good practices when taking pictures of your hard work. You want to really make it shine and stand out among the rest, right? You're proud of the time and effort you put into making your piece and that should show through your photograph. Again, you don't need spectacular equipment, just some forethought to get really great pictures. I hope you'll consider these and have fun with it!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-81140874404712714492011-08-11T14:41:00.001-07:002011-09-07T17:31:05.248-07:00Today's project inspired by Ikea<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6033608292/" title="Today's project inspired by Ikea"><img alt="Today's project inspired by Ikea by elletrain" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6033608292_c5d2b46fbd.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/6033608292/">Today's project inspired by Ikea</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elletrain/">elletrain</a> on Flickr.</span></div>As we're getting settled into the house, we've made MANY trips to Ikea to get various small furniture items. I have become somewhat of a master at putting these things together. It's actually been pretty fun. Yesterday I bought a small comfy chair for the craft room that turns into a twin size futon bed. Amazing.<br />
<br />
So, you get all of your instructions and hardware for each project and there's ALWAYS one of those little allen wrenches. I knew I had collected a few of these in the last few weeks and wanted to find a way to use them all (besides in the obvious manner, to screw in bolts). I got some lovely suggestions on Facebook from my friends for mobiles, Christmas ornaments, etc. I thought about making a cool necklace, but then I remembered our wind chime we had in Nashville broke and I knew exactly what I'd make with these lovely metal pieces. I held them on some wire and they sounded beautiful when they clinked together!<br />
<br />
So, I gathered up some jewelry making supplies and part of a mason jar lid and got to work. I'm so happy with how it turned out! It took a bit of working to get everything right, but now I have a use for these allen wrenches that we will enjoy on the patio. Hooray for not throwing something away! :)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-60581297795965191272011-08-09T20:56:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:56:33.080-07:00my new addictionWell, it seems tonight I'm full of ideas I want to share with you. I'd like to let you in on my newest favorite treat. I have rediscovered my love for hot tea and recently got two amazingly scrumptious black teas. The first one I got was from a local tea shop I found called <a href="http://www.townshendstea.com/">Townshend's Tea Company</a>. Luckily, they are just up the street from me! AND they are super close to a lovely yarn shop and a cute fabric store. I am a lucky girl. From them I purchased <a href="http://www.townshendstea.com/featured-products/creme-de-la-earl-grey.html">Creme de la Earl Gray</a>. OMG it is delightful. In fact my brewing timer just went off and a cup of it is ready! I add a tiny bit of sugar and some milk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4pwyEl_pTg/TkIBHNrcojI/AAAAAAAAAjA/-Eb4bePzurk/s1600/6027539613_c077e90fbd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4pwyEl_pTg/TkIBHNrcojI/AAAAAAAAAjA/-Eb4bePzurk/s320/6027539613_c077e90fbd_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The second kind I'm loving is called <a href="http://teasource.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3002&Category_Code=Blend&Product_Count=22">Moon Over Madagascar</a> that I ordered from <a href="http://www.teasource.com/">Tea Source</a>. It has Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar in the blend! Mmmmm. I drink it the same way, a bit of sugar and some milk. Both of these smell amazing in addition to their taste. If you love a cup of tea at a time, I would highly recommend getting one of these amazing <a href="http://tavalon.com/p-210-gravity-teapot.aspx">Gravity Teapots</a>. I have loved mine so much! No more fumbling with a fussy tea strainer or tea ball. This is so nice and easy and fits right over most cups. (It won't fit over giant coffee mugs though, I have found out. But it easily fits over the cute teacups I've gotten from places like Anthropologie :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVbW-x5mx3g/TkIBI6ZRgfI/AAAAAAAAAjE/L46gDqq0NNo/s1600/6027540357_785f9efaf2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVbW-x5mx3g/TkIBI6ZRgfI/AAAAAAAAAjE/L46gDqq0NNo/s320/6027540357_785f9efaf2_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
If you like rich, black teas you'll love these two. I should probably not drink it before bedtime, but I can't get enough! Morning and night for me right now. It's kind of a nice dessert or accompaniment to one. And just like chocolate, tea always makes everything better, right? <br />
<br />
Keep Calm & Carry On...<br />
xo<br />
LauraLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-18929747447043347322011-08-09T20:13:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:32:00.735-07:00Tuesday tutorial. hey, look, I remembered!Sooooo, I just happened to remember I promised a Tuesday Tutorial each week. Whew. It's still Tuesday :) I have been finding many wonderful tutorials on crafty, home, knitting, and sewing projects on Pinterest. Let me share a lovely one with you tonight! I haven't done this yet, but I'm dying to, once I get the craft room a little more in order.<br />
<br />
Feather stamping. Isn't it beautiful?! So clever and simple. And you only need a few supplies you probably have already. Gorgeous. I can't wait to try it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MiIBjnU0ovc/TCpc5UVafCI/AAAAAAAABy8/NBGa_sAlmkA/s400/feather+reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MiIBjnU0ovc/TCpc5UVafCI/AAAAAAAABy8/NBGa_sAlmkA/s320/feather+reveal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Click <a href="http://lemmemakeit.blogspot.com/2010/07/feather-printing-with-pico.html">here</a> for the full tutorial. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out as I would love to hear and see pictures of what you make!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-80254736206694340742011-08-06T18:21:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:32:38.113-07:00first foray into reupholsteringSo, instead of unpacking the remaining boxes in our house, I decided to give myself a new project. :) My grandmother gave me this beautiful chair years ago, along with a tapestry type fabric and a staple gun to someday recover it. Well, I never got around to it and the tapestry fabric is not quite my style anymore. I'm trying to setup our living room in the new place and am transitioning away from a few of the colors we used in the previous house and am adding new patterns and natural elements to the decor. To give you an idea, here is my inspiration board for the room:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agDu2ZZF5MQ/Tj3jeMasDzI/AAAAAAAAAio/g6p7oBGpbsE/s1600/livingroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agDu2ZZF5MQ/Tj3jeMasDzI/AAAAAAAAAio/g6p7oBGpbsE/s320/livingroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Most of the items are things we already had...the couch, the artwork, etc. We bought the rug at Ikea and then I made this in order to pick out some fabric for the chair and pillows. I originally thought I'd use a yellow and white chevron print fabric to cover the chair. But once I ordered that and put it in the room it seemed too summery. I might still do something with it in there, but I'm not sure. The yellow is brighter than that on the pillow with rosettes. I think that's why it didn't work.<br />
<br />
But thankfully I also ordered the lovely ivory and brown Ikat fabric pictured. I have yet to order the more damask Ikat print in gray. We'll see if I find a use for that, but I will need to tie in the gray rug in some way. I put the brown and ivory fabric on the barrel chair and it looked great! So I began my first try at recovering a chair. Her is the chair before:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxNr8d16pXM/Tj3jskedbtI/AAAAAAAAAi8/zGR53wAi7Q8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxNr8d16pXM/Tj3jskedbtI/AAAAAAAAAi8/zGR53wAi7Q8/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here is the chair after I (slowly and painstakingly) removed the staples and carefully removed the old fabric and padding:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM8cPBuuF8Y/Tj3jredWzzI/AAAAAAAAAi4/pawxbKAMZXY/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM8cPBuuF8Y/Tj3jredWzzI/AAAAAAAAAi4/pawxbKAMZXY/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This chair was kind of tough for a first foray into reupholstering, but after using the old fabric as sort of a template, pulling, prodding and stapling, here is the new, improved chair!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQum3zBqMiU/Tj3jqXvw8HI/AAAAAAAAAi0/NN9miDxNN5E/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQum3zBqMiU/Tj3jqXvw8HI/AAAAAAAAAi0/NN9miDxNN5E/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I really like how it turned out. I am going to add some trim around the front and back legs (they were super tough!). I really love this fabric. I think it will last a long time and through many colors and styles. Here is a closeup of the fabric:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5L63cfDqSrw/Tj3jpMsYztI/AAAAAAAAAiw/EdscPYf4ll0/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5L63cfDqSrw/Tj3jpMsYztI/AAAAAAAAAiw/EdscPYf4ll0/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And here is a shot of our little setup in the living room by the window. It always takes a lot of time and effort to get your old stuff situated in a new place. The setup of every room is this house is already very different from our old place. I'm enjoying it, but it does take a lot of time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHlwbpKlIFU/Tj3jnwe0FjI/AAAAAAAAAis/mlvAJwg68Kg/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHlwbpKlIFU/Tj3jnwe0FjI/AAAAAAAAAis/mlvAJwg68Kg/s320/photo-4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have started discovering more of my style through this process though. I really love to focus on cool artwork, many natural colors with just a few accessories & the artwork bringing in brighter colors. I love mixing new artwork with older furniture and vintage finds. The only thing I'm still working on is how to bring in some Aztec/southwest patterns into our current style. That may take a bit of reworking at some point, but I'm loving where the decor is going. Even though our sofa is sort of newish I now wish I had gotten more of a neutral linen fabric instead of the olive-y green chenille. Oh well! That always happens and you can't just go around buying a new sofa all the time!<br />
<br />
I hope you'll try recovering a piece of furniture. My thinking throughout the process was, well this is for myself and I'm not selling it or doing this for a client. That got me over the frustration and fear a little bit of taking on this task. You'll be happy updating a piece to fit your current decor and you can generally find pieces with great structure for really cheap at garage sales. Just search online for tips and instructions and enjoy a 'new' piece of furniture for less!! Tomorrow it's repainting the living room for me. I just can't live with the lavender walls that are in there anymore!! Happy Weekend!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-46240105009761358262011-08-02T21:50:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:33:07.546-07:00amazing Asian dressing recipeOh my goodness. I just made some dressing for our salad tonight based on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/chinese-chicken-salad-with-red-chile-peanut-dressing-recipe/index.html">this Bobby Flay recipe</a>. I WILL be making the full recipe sometime because this dressing is to DIE for. I die. It's seriously taking lots of will power not to go eat it all before our grilled pork chops are done. Here is how I slightly changed it to be a salad dressing instead of the chicken salad sauce.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="kv-ingred" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></b></h2><ul class="kv-ingred-list1"><li class="ingredient">1/4 cup <a class="crosslink" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/rice-vinegar/index.html">rice wine vinegar</a> </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter </li>
<li class="ingredient">1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger </li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: red;">1 teaspoon Sriracha - <span style="color: black;">I subbed Sriracha b/c we didn't have the chipotle puree and put only 1 tsp.</span></li>
<li class="ingredient">1 tablespoon soy sauce </li>
<li class="ingredient">1 tablespoon honey </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 teaspoons toasted <a class="crosslink" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/sesame-oil/index.html">sesame oil</a> </li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: red;">1/8 cup safflower oil - <span style="color: black;">I used a lot less oil because we didn't need much dressing & to cut on fat</span></li>
<li class="ingredient">Salt and freshly ground pepper </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqf-G2BVLiQ/TjjTDizQJ8I/AAAAAAAAAik/jOdWmiDIF8c/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqf-G2BVLiQ/TjjTDizQJ8I/AAAAAAAAAik/jOdWmiDIF8c/s400/photo-5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This is literally one of the best dressings I've had. I'm serving it over a salad of lettuce, raw broccoli and some chopped peanuts. Mmmmmm!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129831733563670119.post-29196389232431455662011-08-02T14:20:00.000-07:002011-09-07T17:34:09.664-07:00Tuesday tutorial!Well, I am going to do my best at presenting a lovely tutorial every Tuesday. I find so many great craft and design project tutorials online that I might as well share them with you! I'll do my best to actually create the items in the tutorial, but mostly it's going to be used to share all of these projects that are built up in my <a href="http://pinterest.com/elletrain/pins/">Pinterest</a> account. <br />
<br />
So, while I try to claim to be a great graphic designer, I don't claim to be a great photo retoucher. It takes a different set of skills and while I use Photoshop a lot I focus mainly on design and less on editing photos besides general cutting out, a bit of light and skin softening, etc. So I'm always on the lookout for great tutorials on giving nice soft touches to photos. I'm sometimes a step-by-step girl when it comes to things I don't know how to do and I love this tutorial I found today on adding a lovely yellow softness and contrast to a photo. I thought I would share!<br />
<br />
Before photo: (you might recognize this from my previous <a href="http://elletrainknits.blogspot.com/2011/04/dress-revitalized.html">dress revitalized post!</a>)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTjQF8WrL4Q/Tjhn3gFpXyI/AAAAAAAAAic/XNX276bRJ_o/s1600/P4130019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTjQF8WrL4Q/Tjhn3gFpXyI/AAAAAAAAAic/XNX276bRJ_o/s400/P4130019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
And the after photo. Much more interesting, don't you think? I am definitely addicted to the Instagram app for iPhone. I LOVE it and you can add pretty filters at the touch of a button, but being designery I sure like knowing how to recreate them myself since I have the right tools.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXnC0dF0TmE/Tjhn6i-GkAI/AAAAAAAAAig/sFUeoav0Kck/s1600/photoshoptutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXnC0dF0TmE/Tjhn6i-GkAI/AAAAAAAAAig/sFUeoav0Kck/s400/photoshoptutorial.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://win.downloadatoz.com/tutorial/4630,create-soft-sunny-yellow-effects-in-photoshop-20100425-74.html">For the Photo tutorial click here</a><br />
<br />
Enjoy!! Happy Tuesday tutorial :)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393955872068107671noreply@blogger.com1