Confissões de uma tricoteira

Mini-me Oscar

2012-02-26T13:27:00.018-08:00

Meryl Streep. She can convincingly play anything and become anyone.

Jennifer Aniston-Still one of the cutest and most popular TV actress of her era.

Ashton Kutcher-The hottest thing in Hollywood. I bet (with that face) he could make his (girls) classmates laugh a lot at school.

Julia Roberts.2000 Best Actress winner for Erin Brockovich

Little Tom Cruise's missing tooth!! Even then, how he could be so darn cute!!

George Clooney- Looking not so hot there. Probably never dreamed of being the biggest lady's men in Hollywood.

Angelina Jolie savoring a toast. She fills so many different roles in life. Mother of 6 kids, actress, humanitarian, director, producer.

Chubby Brad- Beyond famous, he is one of the biggest movie star of the century

Lindsay Lohan-No comments!!

Pictures that bring back good memories

2012-02-25T06:45:00.007-08:00

Billie Achilleos' sculptures made of Louis Vuitton accessories

2012-02-20T12:01:00.012-08:00

Red Scarf

2012-02-09T11:17:00.007-08:00

Surrealism in the Southeast

2012-01-08T07:38:00.001-08:00

Picasso

De Chirico

Joan Miró

Alexander Calder

Warhol

Picasso

Matisse

Brancusi

There is an ongoing exhibition at the High Museum and for the first time artists like Picasso, Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Brancusi, Joan Miró, De Chirico, Pollock ,Warhol, Alexander Calder and many others have been displayed in the southeast.
There were five sculptures from Brancusi; Bird in Space, New Born, Endless Column and Young Bird. In my view, Brancusi was the highlight of the display simply because his life was something that always intrigued me since I learned about him when I visited Paris.
Brancusi was born in Romania but he lived almost all his life in Paris. He lived a very simple, low-key lifestyle. He cooked his own food, dressed like a peasant and when he died he bequeathed his studio to the government of France demanding that they would renovate the studio and leave every masterpiece in the same place as the day he died.
I hope Brancusi harvested the fruit of recognition and distinction while he was alive but certainly he had never dreamed his work would be worth so much.
For instance, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, in the 70’s, bought Madame L.R (believed to be one of Brancusi's earliest work) for about €500.000 and it was sold for the second highest price marketed by Christie’s and Pierre Bergé and Associates auctioneers for €37 million in the 2009 Christie's auction in Paris.

Bracelet

2011-12-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

I saw this bracelet and I fell in love with it. For the talented gals who like crochet.

Lavish Jewelry bracelet (see more 14k jewelry)

Christmas decoration

2011-12-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving dinner

Inspiration for Christmas

2011-11-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

accent pillows wrapped in festive ribbons

Interesting!!!

a wreath with a touch of fresh flowers

the inspirational Charlie Brown tree.

Christmas is around the corner and I think most of people start to feel de pressure. This year I don’t have plans on what I am going to do yet. I am leaning towards a quite Christmas. Regardless, I do not know if you are like me, I always change or add a garland, a wreath, or even a trim to the tree so the space LOOKS like it gets a CHRISTMAS makeover every year!
That being said, I am doing something different from the previous years. A small tree will be set up at the end of the stairs, facing the front door. I got "tired" of putting up the tree in the very same spot year after year, so time for a change!
To get some inspiration, I started to look at websites and magazines and in one of these searches, I found these pictures (the little Charlie Brown tree is the source of my inspiration for my project!) and hummm…he accent pillows wrapped in ribbons are not a bad idea either.

Crochet wonderland

2011-11-14T08:48:00.001-08:00

I haven't been able to write too much lately. After I came back from Mexico my life has been in a hectic schedule and last week I just went under the knife. Nothing major but I'll be out of commission for 2 weeks.
That said and done, I am having a lot of time to browse the net and I bumped into the spring/summer 2011 Vanessa Montoro collection to die for. All her dresses are head to toe handmade, she does not produce in large scale and the pigments she dyes her pieces with are extracted from nature and are in essence: herbs,seeds,tree leaves and tree trunks, tea and coffee dyeing.
Her craftsmanship is stellar and her eye for details and sophistication is undeniable!!

I want this one for New Year party!!!

I would wear this one too...

So, girlsss... which one you loved the most???

The BIG 5

2011-09-19T11:47:00.001-07:00

Valentin Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico

French restaurant - inside the resort

Playa del Carmen

A day of scuba diving in Xel-Ha

A birthday gift I'll never forget

Furoshiki ideas

2011-08-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I posted an article here on this blog, about Furoshiki.

The Japanese people wrap their gifts and do their grocery shopping using Furoshiki wraps. It reduces the waste (less plastic and paper litter) and is totally Eco-friendly.
Just using your imagination and creativeness,you can wrap everything; from books, chocolate boxes, baskets, bottles... to bags, pirex, pans and glassware. Look at the video below and see how this lady is

taking Furoshiki to another level.

Indian Queue

2011-08-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

I added another project to the queue... and it's called Indian Queue!!

Fio Sublime
Agulhas 6,0

Montar 32 pontos nas agulhas

1a. carreira : 1m,* laç, 2m, 2pjm, 2m* terminar a carreira com 2pjm,3m.
2a. carreira e todas as pares : tricô
3a. carreira : 3m, 2pjm, 2m, laç, *2m, 2pjm, 2m, laç* terminar a carreira com laç, 1m.

Fazer essas 3 carreiras até o tamanho desejado.
Rematar e blocar ( ou passar a ferro)

watching Buddy grow

2011-08-22T14:00:00.001-07:00

a vintage flair

2011-08-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Inspired by this video. Added a nice finishing touch to the garment.

Buddy's graduation

2011-08-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Buddy graduated yesterday 08-06-11. He passed with straight A's and he got a certificate and couple of nice treats.

miss Tracy (in a nice cuddling...)

Cobweb of faith

2011-08-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Generically speaking I feel drained and overwhelmed by the work involved in having a puppy. Buddy is a very focused and he tries to please but at same time he is a handful and he needs a lot of attention. Way much more than I had anticipated.
I never thought having a puppy would be so consuming and my house looks like a hurricane hit it. Toys are all over the place and if there is one thing I can’t train him to do is to pick up them. (can I?).
I am exhausted and there hasn’t been too much time left for my knitting although I managed to finish off the cardigan. The cropped cardigan is a bought pattern and it is pretty simple but as I always believe starting any knitting project involves a great deal of faith. Faith in the designer who created the piece did the right calculations and adjustments. Faith in her directions and that she ultimately tried the piece on and the piece fits like a glove. It is when the cobweb of stitches start to take shape and everything starts to make sense.
The cropped cardigan needed some adjustments and thank God I had the presence of mind to try it on as I knitted and make the due adjustments along the way. I knew it needed some tuck in the waist line. I decreased only 12 stitches and boy… what a difference that made.
I think it came out pretty good and I would knit another one in a different color and yarn weight.
I used two techniques on this project:
The tubular cast off- bodice
The stretch cast off - sleeves(Fantastic^.^)

Freebies

2011-07-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

I have a thing for digital scrapbook. I am addicted to scrapbook as much as I am addicted to knitting.
Today I was surfing the net and I bumped into this site Jinjerup and they have all sort of freebies and the nicest thing about it I don't have to sign up to download them... I hardly could believe in it. I haven't downloaded anything but apparently they just ask to read and agree to their terms of use and Voilá! Free freebies for everyone!
There you can find super cute freebies: from cute scrapbook paper to boxes templates for candy or trickets, just amazing what people can come up with! They sell on Etsy.
Happy scrapbooking!

Smithsonian

2011-07-10T14:54:00.001-07:00

Cropped cardigan is in the works

2011-07-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

I've divided for the body and I'll start the ribbing bottom decreasing stitches on both side to shape a little bit the waist.
The technique for bidding off is the tubular bind-off throughout the neckline and bodice.
Happy knitting and enjoy the weekend!
technique for tubular bind-off:

Washington-DC

2011-07-03T09:57:00.001-07:00

Outer Banks

2011-06-30T12:46:00.001-07:00

Wilmington-NC
Nags Head-NC

Ocracoke Island-NC

Hotel View
USS North Carolina Battleship
Cape Hatteras Park-NC

The newest addition to our household: Buddy.

2011-06-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

We came back from our trip to the Outer banks and DC. Buddy came with us and he behaved like a real trooper. He traveled quietly in his crate. We made a few rest stops along the way for food, water and potty time and he was well behaved and didn’t seem to be annoyed . Buddy is only 3-month old, very well behaved and he is doing a great job in terms of potting outside, fetching, walking on the leash and sleeping in the crate.

I have to give credit to my sister-in-law, Joyce. She put so much effort training Buddy. He was the only puppy left (out of the 4 puppies litter). We live 11 hours away from her and we had to plan this trip around our and her schedule. In the end everything worked out pretty good! She did a wonderful job training him which helped us to make our experience with him less stressful and much more fun.
Still he wants our full attention but he is a clever and a focused puppy. I can tell he learns fast and he can be easily conditioned with stimulus and response (Pavlov is a good friend)!
There are a lot of other issues I have to address right way but nibbling is the one that I want to correct immediately. He is teething but nibbling is also a sign he wants to dominate me and this huummm… ain’t gonna happen Buddy !!
Tomorrow I’ll post some pics from our trip.

vacation

2011-06-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, traveling is the chance given to us to record our best and memorable moments.
It is our deserving hours of freedom of not having deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, phone and e-mails to answer. A moment we entitle ourselves to not worry, to not rush, to not hurry.
These are the times where we can lie back and enjoy the breeze, the sun, the chirping of the birds and the soothing noise of the moving water in the ocean.
These are the moments we plan with anticipation and excitement. The days of vacation and… Mmmmm…summer. These are the times we can stitch little pieces of happiness, a quilt of remembrances. These are the loving and relaxing days of leisure sewn together one by one in the rare moments of our existence.

Julia Petit

2011-06-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

I believe that God has given us natural talents, gifts we are born with. This is the case of a makeup artist named Julia Petit whose extraordinary ability with hands is undeniable.
I learned about her through Ana Paula from Salinha do Croche.
Here you can check Julia out in a makeup tutorial inspired by Lady Gaga's campaign for Mac. Julia not only can do make up but she also has an ability to choose right shades that turn out to their full potential in a photo.
Caetano Veloso once said and he was right: "People were born to shine."

Cropped cardigan

2011-06-11T10:02:00.001-07:00

I just started a cardigan before going on vacation so I have a project to take with me on my trip to the Outer Banks.
I bought this pattern and it is a design by Amy O’Neill. It is a basic top down raglan and I am using the M1 increase on the purl side but it is not coming out with that nice lifted look, it is sort of …Hmmmmm… holey… Let’s see! I always take out my mistakes when the project is not going the way is supposed to. My problem I can’t visualize right in the beginning whether I like it or not.
Most of the time, I have to go way far back to fix it but I think it’s worth it.
Overall, I am not on a spiritual quest for perfection but when it comes down to the cosmetic of the piece, I am left with no choice but to unravel and start off fresh.
Talking about vacation, the final leg of our trip is DC where we are going to meet with my sister-in-law and get the newest addition to the family: Buddy. He is a 2- month-old cockapoo and I can’t wait to bring him home.
I really debated about adopting a puppy but now I can hardly wait and I am counting the days. He is going to bring a lot of fun to our lives.

Happy knitting!

Berroco- Spring/Summer sweaters

2011-06-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

1-Lippitt,2-Ria, 3-Chloe,4-Stella,5-Poitou,6-Lauren
Happy Knitting!

purses

2011-05-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

pictures here

Snake in the willow tree

2011-05-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

When my neighbor, Julie, saw this scarf, in the very beginning of the knitting process, she immediately commented it looked like a weeping willow tree changing its colors in the fall. I had to agree and since the pattern is curvy, resembling a snake, I pictured the snake and willow together and I came up with snake in the willow. It seems weird, I have never heard of snakes climbing trees but it translates the idea fairly.
Talking a little bit about the yarn, I liked knitting with the swiss-mohair BUT… It’s not as soft as I thought would be. Surprisingly a little bit on the scratchy side when I wrapped around my neck. I would never tell while knitting with it. It feels so soft on the touch.
To finish his post I have to drop a final note on the last segment of the scarf:
When you get halfway point on the row, turn the work (like on the other segments) working in ribbing stitch until the end.
SSK and work until the short row, do another SSK, turn the work and keep decreasing until you have only 3 stitches on the needle. Cast off.
Happy knitting!
more kureopatora scarves: Sharing the moment, Feather and Fan, Curly Whirlies,Fresh Isle Fibers,Amimono

Love me, love me not

2011-05-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Save the earth

2011-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

Be you

2011-05-14T14:40:00.001-07:00

Japan

2011-05-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

picture:here

Wish list - 2011

2011-05-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

Reaching the summit- Part 2

2011-05-03T14:39:00.001-07:00

My blue shawl is almost off the needles and I tell you, I’ll never knit one of those ever in my life. I got excited learning the technique in the beginning but then, excitement became boredom, boredom became irritation and irritation progressed to something very wrong(#@*&$@!!)and yes, very susceptible to censorship.
Making those holes and the repetitious pattern somehow did not appeal to me as I initially thought it would. What I need after this is finding a very small lace pattern and experiment with it. I want to put to the test if it is really true lace knitting is magic and a knowledgeable knitter (I am afraid it is not my case yet) will eventually step it up a notch and adventure into the isles of lace land.
Huummm let’s see about that…
In the meantime I made this crochet layout and the pictures I took from this book here, it is in Japanese and I am planning to buy some day.

Free Form Knitting

2011-04-26T15:30:00.001-07:00

Last week I went to visit a friend who is a new mother and she told me how chaotic her life became after her first child was born.
Yeap, her house is up-side-down, nothing in its place anymore like it used to be Toys, pacifiers and bottles and strollers all over the place and that made me think how structured and orderly I like my life to be and most of this approach to life extends to my knitting Actually I believe I like knitting so much in part because I follow the pattern and everything is pretty much under control.
Free form knitting… How in the world I am going to be able to understand a pattern without the pattern itself. I admire every single knitter designer and their creativity but after looking up on the net for blankets, I started to think about expanding and upgrading my knitting to Free Form Knitting. I wish to learn how to knit abstract pieces, I want to be able to see one piece and know how to knit it without a pattern.
In the meantime I just dream of one day being able to knit This… Isn’t it fabulous?

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T14:30:00.001-07:00

Stormy nights

2011-04-21T15:51:00.001-07:00

Alpharetta high School - 4th place

2011-04-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

Lil Nicholas

2011-03-28T12:06:00.001-07:00

kureopatora scarf- Part 2

2011-03-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Kureopatora - Part 2
Row 1: Knit in the front, then purl in the back of the first stitch, SSK. Turn work over so the next row heads back in the other direction. Note that this first row is only 3 stitches long.
Row 2 and all subsequent even numbered rows: Work P1, K1 ribbing as established.
Row 3: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, P1, SSK. Note that from now on this row-ending SSK will be composed of one stitch worked on the previous row, plus one stitch from the dormant stitches on the left hand needle. Turn work over so the next row heads back in the other direction. You now have 4 stitches in the row.
Row 5: Knit in the front, then purl in the back of the first stitch, K1, P1, SSK. Turn work. You now have 5 stitches in the row.
Row 7: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, P1, K1, P1, SSK. Turn work. You will now have 6 stitches in the row.

Continue to work in the manner of rows 5-8, adding one stitch at the edge of each right-side row in the established rib pattern until you have incorporated all of the dormant stitches on the left hand needle. You will again have 30 stitches on the needle. At this point your segment is done. To do the next one, flip the work over (the and begin again from Row 1 of the Entrelac section). Continue adding entire trumpet shaped sections until your scarf is of sufficient length.
It looks like this after the two segments are established:

kureopatora scarf- Part 1

2011-03-26T08:18:00.001-07:00

Materials
*project: kureopatora snake scarf
designer: Kim Brody Salazar
* US #6 needles
* 1 skein - Swiss Mohair (universal yarn)- color 2503 - Ram
* I cone - Ramie Cork yarn (A-166-Habu) color 13

As for working method, this scarf is done in a pretty standard Entrelac edge column technique - think Entrelac project reduced to just the right and left most columns, without the basket weave effect sections between.

Row 1: Cast on 1 stitch, knit in the front, then purl in the back of this stitch [2 stitches on needle]
Row 2: Knit in the front, then purl in the back of the first stitch, K1 [3 st on needle]
Row 3: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, P1, K1 [4 stitches on needle]
Row 4: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, P1, K1, P1 [5 stitches on needle]
Row 5: Knit in the front, then purl in the back of the first stitch, finish row in established K1, P1 ribbing [6 st on needle]
Row 6: Knit in the front, then purl in the back of the first stitch, finish row in established K1, P1 ribbing [7 st on needle]
Row 7: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, finish row in established P1, K1 ribbing [8 st on needle]
Row 8: Purl in the front, then knit in the back of the first stitch, finish row in established P1, K1 ribbing [9 st on needle]

Continue rows 5-8, adding one stitch in each row but doing it to maintain the K1, P1 rib pattern. Keep doing this until you have 30 stitches on your needle.

This is how it looks like after 30 rows:
Video copied from http://www.youtube.com/user/lunaknits

Folding fitted sheet

2011-03-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

how to fold fitted sheet like a pro

23

2011-03-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

Today is my brother's birthday!! He's turning 63 and he's better take a deep breath to blow up 63 candles. have fun!!! your sis, Gi

In a hurry

2011-03-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

Sweet baby toes

2011-03-13T09:09:00.001-07:00

Happy weekend

2011-03-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

Sleep tight

2011-03-07T15:51:00.001-08:00

Nicholas (2 month-old)

Reaching the summit

2011-02-27T15:49:00.000-08:00

The summit shawl has been in the works for a couple of months now. I have decided to make it really long. Like I said before, I stop from time to time to make something else. This pattern is really tedious! Besides I am adding 15 more columns; 25 wave-sets total. I prefer it to be the size of my wingspan or longer).
I learned how to twist the stitch and it really helps to anchor the yarn so the gap looks more defined. .
In the meantime, I finished up the fussy white scarf. As I had a lot of yarn leftover, I knitted a hat and pair of mittens. The entire set came out really nice.
Picture of my next project

Tawashi

2011-02-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

For the longest time I’ve been contemplating the idea of learning crochet. I find it to be very intricate, specially reading the patterns and charts. They are kinda of undecipherable for me.( I have a plan B though, just in case.)
Then, surfing the net, I found Ana Paula and she posted a couple of step-by-step tutorials that has motivated me to get started on a beginner small project (making a granny square)
A couple days ago, I was searching some Japanese sites and I bumped into a scrubbie named Tawashi. They really caught my eyes and I even found a tutorial video here.
I loved these ones and there’s even an anti-bacterial yarn for sale at Etsy. They are supposed to be really scritchy-scratchy and they might be perfect for scrubbing my dishes before going into the dishwasher!
Look these ones .

Valentine's

2011-02-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
Unknown author

Ah, it is so good to knit!

2011-01-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Summit in progress

The summit is still in progress and I got to admit is a little bit boring all the “turning the work” on every column. So, I am knitting up a scarf to go along with de brown headband.
I am adapting the panta pattern, meaning I double the number of stitches +1. I think it will look a little more like a stole than a scarf.
I got inspiration here

I don't like being so focused on “the one” project and my short attention span is getting shorter by the minute every time I cast on long term projects.
I have some other projects in mind. I finished the white scarf with the eyelash borders and I found these cute fatty chickens (I’ve ordered the pattern and it has been mailed) and the pinwheel jacket.

Kids

2011-01-24T15:42:00.000-08:00

Summit (row 2) Part 4

2011-01-22T11:02:00.001-08:00

Final Repeat of Right Curve Section:
Row 1 [WS]: P11, yo, p6.
Row 2 [RS]: K12, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 3-9: Work in stockinette st over 12 sts.
Row 10 [RS]: K6, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 11-27: Work in stockinette st over 6 sts.

LEFT CURVE SECTION
Row 1 [RS]: K6, yo, k5. Turn work.
Rows 2-8: Work in stockinette st over 12 sts.
Row 9 [RS]: K12, yo, k5.
Row 10 [WS]: P11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 11-16: Work in stockinette st over 11 sts.
Row 17 [RS]: K11, yo, k5.
Row 18 [WS]: P11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 19-24: Work in stockinette st over 11 sts.

Repeat Rows 17-24 ten times more, or until only one column of waves remains unworked.

Final Repeat of Left Curve Section:
Row 1 [RS]: K11, yo, k6.
Row 2 [WS]: P12, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 3-9: Work in stockinette st over 12 sts.
Row 10 [WS]: P6, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.

Rows 11-27: Work in stockinette st over 6 sts.

At this point it looks like this, now repeat Right Curve Section and Left Curve Section twelve times more, or until shawl is desired lenght

My Panta

2011-01-22T07:44:00.001-08:00

Pattern here
Pattern Portuguese

For those who are having problem deciphering this pattern, someone posted his/her interpretation of it. I don't know whether it works or not.
I fixed the pattern. Now it makes more sense.
CO 19s
Section 1:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p1] x 5, k2 k1
Row 2: k1, [p2, k1] x 5, p2 k1 = 19stitches
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you reach 2"

Section 2:
Row 1: k1 [k2, p2, inc1] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [p3, k1] x 5, p2, k1 = 24s
Row 3: k1 [k2, p2] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [p3, k1] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 3:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p3, inc1] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [p4, k1] x 5, p2, k1 = 29s
Row 3: k1, [k2, p3] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [p4, k1] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 4:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p4, inc1] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [p5, k1] x 5, p2, k1 = 34s
Row 3: k1, [k2, p4] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [p5, k1] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 5:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p5, inc1] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [p6, k1] x 5, p2, k1 = 39s
Row 3: k1, [k2, p5] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [p6, k1] x 5, p2, k1

Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"inch
Decreases
Section 6:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p2tog] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [k2, p5] x 5, p2, k1 = 34s
Row 3: k1, [k2, p5] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [k2, p5] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 7:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p2tog] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [k2, p4] x 5, p2, k1 = 29s
Row 3: k1, [k2 ,p4] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4: k1, [k2, p4] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 8:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p2tog] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [k2, p3] x 5, p2, k1 = 24s
Row 3: k1 [k2, p3] x 5, k2, k1
Row 4:kp1, [k2, p3] x 5, p2, k1
Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach 2"

Section 9:
Row 1: k1, [k2, p2tog] x 5, k2, k1
Row 2: k1, [k2, p2] x 5, p2, k1 = 19s
Row 3: k1, [k2, p2] x 5
Row 4: k1, [k2, p2] x 5
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you reach 2"

Bind off, sew ends together.

Summit (row 1) -Part 3

2011-01-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

RIGHT CURVE SECTION
Row 1 [WS]: P6, yo, p5. Turn work.
Rows 2-8: Work in stockinette st over 12 sts.
Row 9 [WS]: P12, yo, p5.
Row 10 [RS]: K11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 11-16: Work in stockinette st over 11 sts.
Row 17 [WS]: P11, yo, p5.
Row 18 [RS]: K11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to yo. Turn work.
Rows 19-24: Work in stockinette st over 11 sts.
Repeat Rows 17-24 ten times more, or until only one column of waves remains unworked.

It looks like this after row 24

Summit -Part 2

2011-01-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

Establish Last Column:
Row 24 [RS]: K11, CO 7 sts.
Row 25 [WS]: P18.
Row 26 [RS]: K12, m1, k1, S2KP, k1, kfb.
Row 27 [WS]: P12, drop next st and allow to unravel back to CO. Turn work.
Rows 28-32: Work in stockinette st over 12 sts.
Row 33 [WS]: P6, drop next st and allow to unravel back to CO. Turn work.
Rows 34-50: Work in stockinette st over 6 sts.
Remember:Basic stockinette
purling the rows on the right side
knitting the rows on the wrong side

If you have worked 15 columns of waves (same width as shawl shown), you will have 77 sts on the needle at this point. If you have worked a different number of columns, you will have 6 sts on the needle for the first and last columns, and 5 sts for every other column.
It looks like this:

Summit-Part 1

2011-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

I started the summit shawl and I am knitting along with Sandra. Her yarn is thicker than mine. I am using heavy lace, a very pretty midnight blue and needle #04. Here are some pictures:

cast on 6 stitches

Row 1 [WS]: P6.
Row 2 [RS]: Yo, k2, S2KP, kfb.
Rows 3-5: Work in stockinette st.
Row 6 [RS]: K6, CO 6 sts. 12 sts.
Row 7 [WS]: P12.
Row 8 [RS]: K7, m1, k1, S2KP, kfb.
Rows 9-11: Work in stockinette st.
Row 12 [RS]: K12, CO 6 sts. 18 sts.
Row 13 [WS]: P18.
Row 14 [RS]: K13, m1, k1, S2KP, kfb.
Row 15 [WS]: P11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to CO. Turn work. 17 sts on needle.
Row 16 [RS]: K11.
Row 17 [WS]: P11.
This is how looks like after the 17th row

Row 18 [RS]: K11, CO 6 sts.
Row 19 [WS]: P17.
Row 20 [RS]: K12, m1, k1, S2KP, kfb.
Row 21 [WS]: P11, drop next st and allow to unravel back to CO. Turn work.
Row 22 [RS]: K11.
Row 23 [WS]: P11.
Repeat Rows 18-23 ten times more, or until you have one less column than desired total.

This is how it looks like after the 23rd row.

It looks like this after your desired number of columns

Patchwork Pumpkin

2011-01-18T14:42:00.001-08:00

This project is actually an UFO. I bought this yarn, a beautiful merino and I started knitting a poncho. Right off the back I realized the color was a little bit bold for a poncho, then, the yarn started breaking up. Yeap... breaking up.
The piece became this big UFO and I had no idea what to make of it.
Since my sister-in-law makes beautiful patchwork items, I bought a piece of fabric (lining) and she stuffed the pumpkin for me. I added up some leaves and the stem is knitted with the I-Cord technique.
I think it would look really cute in a basket, as a table centerpiece or pincushion.
Happy knitting!!

Star Wars poster

2011-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

Perhaps is because Christmas is over, my brother and sis went back home and I am back to the old routine but today is one of those days... I've got the blues and the weather does not help. It is cloudy and cold and I don't feel like doing anything but staying under the covers. I am also coming down with something.
I am going to knit a scarf. Yeah, there is is nothing better to put on a congested chest than a hand-made scarf.
I heard this song today on the radio on my way to work. It is about a boy in turmoil because his parents are going through a lot of fights and disagreements. It is really sad when he says: "I want the things that I had before. Like a Star Wars poster on my bedroom door."

Snow on Snow

2011-01-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

In the bleak mid-winter. words by Christina Rossetti

Cookies x Cold

2011-01-14T13:46:00.001-08:00

Family is our compass

2011-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

My brother and sister-in-law just left for Brasil today and I have gotten the blues. After 3 weeks of fun I find myself alone again. Family is really what put us back in perspective and I am really glad they had had the time to come down to spend the holidays with us. I feel like I have recharged my batteries for the new-year ahead.
The weather seems to have improved a little bit and tomorrow I am planning to go back to work. Everything is back to the same old, same old.
I started the panta headband. I got inspired to knit one after doing some searching on the net. My sister-in-law has knitted a brown one and came out pretty good. I will wear it wearing my hair in a pony tail.
Happy knitting everybody!

Winter Storm

2011-01-11T14:52:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas

2011-01-10T12:01:00.001-08:00

Restoring memories

2011-01-04T16:18:00.001-08:00

I just finished knitting the baby-uggs booties and they’ve turned out so darn cute. I actually did this project with my sister in law, she knitted the large one and I knitted the other one.(a little small- it would fit a 6-month-old baby. The large one would fit a 1-year-old. When I knit another pair, I will YO after top shaping (row 5) for I-Cord, so they don’t fall off. They have plenty of room for those wriggly feet.
I really lucked out when it comes to sisters-in-law. Selmi knows how to quilt, sew, crochet and knit (a little bit). She showed me how to do some patchwork and taught me a few quilting stitches. She also put together a cute patchwork pumpkin. (I still need to knit its leaves and the stem). I’ll be posting the pictures later on.
I spent a very lovely holidays with my brother, Irineu and sister-in-law, Selmi. I caught up with tons of family stories and those brought old good memories. I loved their company and I hope they enjoyed coming for the holidays and the white Christmas just added more fun to the day!!

Happy 2011

2011-01-03T14:32:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T09:56:00.001-08:00

They are here

2010-12-25T09:41:00.001-08:00

Parati

2010-12-17T11:41:00.001-08:00

Musée du Louvre

2010-12-16T05:52:00.001-08:00

Hilton Head

2010-12-15T11:53:00.001-08:00

46 years young

2010-12-12T09:10:00.001-08:00

Routine

2010-12-11T10:33:00.001-08:00

Fat Jeans

2010-12-10T13:30:00.001-08:00

25 days of Christmas

2010-12-09T13:07:00.001-08:00

Everything from Christmas Joy by Mary Pop designs

Party time

2010-12-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Telemark pullover

2010-12-07T10:35:00.001-08:00

I don’t wish my ordeal on anybody, not even on my worst enemy. Suddenly I grew abundantly in wisdom and serenity.
I realized this is not about me. There are neither invisible nor visible forces working to knock me out. I always lived my life within a good sense of fulfilled duty towards life. My mother didn’t live a long life, but during the time she spent here, in this world, she always taught me a very deep sense of work ethics, honesty, integrity and principles. She believed no matter how dark the circumstances are, you retain peace of mind if you do the right thing. Despite the fact she came from a family of alcoholics, she fought strongly against the generics, although at one point of her life, it got to her. She never lost her soul and her core to addiction. She pulled her inner power and never took anybody down with her in her struggles.
My point is: and I have one; everybody falls into hard times but I never believed in this world of doggy-doggy, where people got to throw people under the bus to get ahead. I always paid my people on time, never skipped a week of payment, even when business was not doing well. Unfortunately ripping people off is an easy road. Right-doing is a hard path but peace of mind cannot be bought. I sleep soundly, thank you very much!
I love my life, I love my life, I love my life, I love my life, love my life……………….

Here are the pictures from the telemark and the stripe knit baby cap.
I am planning to knit the baby “Uggs” booties to complete the set.

I fixed color change jog using this technique
More Telemark pics: Mademoiselle,Trico e mais Trico, Little Gray Dog, Stricken & Spinnen,
Siempre Tejiendo,Lia e suas Artes, KnitSpringsEternal

Turning 1

2010-12-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

I was not totally happy how the second from the top layout turned out, I had to create another
one. The telemark and the hat are almost off the needle and I found cute babies Uggs to go with
the set right here. There are adorable!

Waiting....

2010-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Love my UGGs...

2010-11-30T10:51:00.001-08:00

Asymmetric one-button scarf

2010-11-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

My brother and sister-in-law are coming for the holidays. They’re going to stay 3 weeks and since money is a little tight this year, I am knitting small pieces to give to them. God knows how I can make use of economy-minded-gift this year. This project is a one-skein project and it’s very easy and fast. I bought a pretty button that talked to my heart and here I have one more scarf… I have some yarn leftover and I might knit a hat to go with it. There is no schematic for the button placement but it’s not hard to figure it out.
Pattern: Here
Yarn used: Twisted Fiber: Terrain
Time of completion: 2 evenings
Other knitters who knitted this scarf

Thankful

2010-11-25T08:37:00.001-08:00

Sasha and Meggie

2010-11-21T11:39:00.001-08:00

Autumn Leaves

picture taken from here
Jr. holding Sasha & Meggy

Hachiko

2010-11-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just finished subtitling Hachiko, a sweet story of this amazing dog that waits 10 years for his master. I was brought to serious tears, actually, I had to stop bawling like a baby couple of times.
It might have been hormonal... drama, drama but very touching story and it is based on a true story! In reality ,only dogs can be this loyal!
I am knitting this scarf with a button, a good Xmas gift for my sister-in-law. My brother is arriving on the 20th. I am very excited and looking forward to it.

More layouts

2010-11-17T11:38:00.001-08:00

Telemark pullover

2010-11-16T08:59:00.001-08:00

Finally I feel better and out of pain. I am back to my knitting and everything else that keeps me sane, except going back to work. I am going broke by the minute now. Only God knows!
Digital Scrapbook has helped me a lot through my ordeal, but my real passion is knitting.
The Telemark pullover is knitted from neck to bottom, first you knit the collar, then place markers at the four points (these will be increased at each row).I did moss stitch at collar, lower edge and sleeves instead of garter stitch. Next step is to separate for the sleeves on some scrap yarn, they are going to be on hold. Join to work in the round and keep on knitting until the whole body has measured about 12”from center back (without including collar in this measurement). Go back to the sleeves and finish them up, follow the pattern and decrease 10 stitches on the sleeves. Voilá!
The telemark is ready and going to wrap little Nicholas who is going to be here pretty soon!
pattern: here

Autumn symphony

2010-11-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

kits from: Shades of Autumn gg rainy days

I decided to do this scrap on Autumn. I just can't believe the fall is upon us. The leaves have finally changed after the later rain. The shades of browns, yellows and rustic reds change the landscape of our streets and subdivisions. The temperature is also getting cooler, reminding us the winter is just around the corner.

Kits from: Dennin and Daisis Alpha:SBG -Impressions of Adventure

Love Birds

2010-11-11T11:29:00.001-08:00

Kits from: BGD My happy home paper: Shanmonto4_Happy Day Papers

Kits from: Dennin and Daisis - paper: Natali_design, Shades Of Autumn, Alpha: sbg Impressions of
Adventure

Black Eye Pea

2010-11-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Memories Depot

2010-11-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

Baby shower

2010-10-28T07:16:00.001-07:00

Last week it was Janine's baby shower. It was fun to see friends I haven't seen lately. We had a good time and talked ourselves to death.
Here there are more two layouts:

Dreams

2010-10-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

Everything from scrapbookgraphics: shades of autumn

Thankful

2010-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

This week I’ve been blessed with positive thoughts, good friends, working out, some walking, fun reading and two bags of tinsel.
That tinsel made me feel energized and ready for my next week, relaxed and stress free. It seems that Christmas has just arrived in our house. A calm and peaceful one!
Here are two more layouts:

A boy

2010-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Everything from: Impressions of Adventures
Newsworthy Alpha

Everything from: Mother Goose by EM-KA designs

melancholy

2010-09-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Credits: MissVivi-Love generation- Scrapbookgraphycs

Credits: everything from scrapbookgraphycs Juicy Morning
Impressions of adventure
Newsworthy Alpha

A cute boy

2010-09-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

Past Sunday I finally went to visit Fernanda and gave her the Baby Surprise Jacket. Khalil almost outgrew one more outfit I knitted. First was the owl vest and matching hat, now the jacket, I tell ya, that baby is nine-month-old but he probably wears 2 or 3 (toddlers size). Silly me, I thought knitting a 9-month outfit would fit him.
The garment fit but the hat ran a little on a small side.
I got kinda of disappointed, the yarn I used was not cheap and I thought this time I would have caught up with his growing. Not at my knitting pace though!
Khalil is an adorable baby. He smiles all the time, he sleeps all night long and is almost too perfect to be true.
I really wanted to give him something made by me but at same time, something he would get the most wear out of it. Maybe he might be able to wear it tightly in the winter, babies seem to grow upwards faster than outwards.

50 days of pain

2010-09-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Credits: everything from denin & daisies
I’ve been in bed for about a month and 20 days. My knitting has slowed down because in part, I am not 100% back into my physical shape and not out of pain yet. Sitting down has been challenging and I cannot knit lying down in bed.
Besides, the pain gets on my nerve and irritates me to a point I want to throw my knitting needles and all my 500 skeins out of the window.
I have never been incarcerated, but people like Marta Stewart got in-home incarcerated, she had to wear those GPS bracelets. You got green you’re in safe zone, if you accidentally
go beyond the perimeter, red light flashes and you have to get your butt back inside the safe zone.
Well, in my case, I try to move around, to do the resistance band, do my abs, my walking, but when it starts hurting, I’ve got to get my butt back in bed and take it easy.
So, the only thing that distracts me and takes my mind away from all this misery is my computer. I am glued to him 25/7 and it keeps me so busy I don’t see where time goes to.
I have learned a lot about Photoshop and I embedded the subtitles to my first translated movie. It is not perfect yet, I’ll get better by practicing. The process is long and sometimes I get tired and go back to my Photoshop tutorials. I love doing both.
I am posting 2 new layouts today.

Credits: I learned and created the tape technique from an online tutorial.

Estou de cama em torno de um mês e 20 dias. Meu tricô está devagar porque em parte, não estou fisicamente 100% e sem dor. Sentar é ainda um desafio e eu não posso tricotar deitada na cama.
Além disso, a dor começa a dar nos nervos e me irrita a ponto de querer jogar meu tricô e todos os meus 500 e tantos novelos pela janela afora.
Eu nunca fui presa, mas pessoas como Marta Stewart ja passaram por isso, e sabem como usar aquelas tornozeleiras eletrônicas. Se está verde você está em zona segura, se você acidentalmente vai além do perímetro, a luz vermelha pisca e você tem que trazer o rabinho pra trás de volta para a zona segura.
Bem, no meu caso, eu tento dar caminhadas, fazer a faixa de resistência, fazer meus abdominais, mas quando começa a doer, eu tenho que deitar meu rabinho na cama e sossegar.
Assim, a única coisa que me distrai e faz minha mente voar para longe de toda esta merda é o meu computador. Vivo colada nele o tempo todo. Ele me mantém ocupada e não vejo nem o tempo passar.
Eu tenho aprendido Photoshop aos montes e já traduzi e incorpororei legendas em inglês pela primeira vez num filme. Não está perfeito ainda, eu vou melhorar com a prática. O processo é longo e às vezes eu me canso e volto para as minhas aulas de Photoshop. Eu amo fazer as duas coisas.
Hoje estou postando dois novos layouts.

Finished projects

2010-09-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

hat and scarf: Handmade by Gi
jacket: Pamela McCoy
pants: Shape FX
shoes: Marc Jacobs
bracelet: Bcbg
handbag:YSL
top:JCrew

“the imagination is ceaselessly imagining and enriching itself with new images”.
Gaston Bachelard

Labor Day

2010-09-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

Everything from:Denin and Daisies – from sunshine designers

I’ve been feeling much better for the past few days. For one, August is past gone and I feel relieved and prepared to breath the fresh air of September. Superstitious or not, August has never been a lucky month for me.
Secondly, I’ve been taking some scrapbook classes online and just over the last few days, I’ve learned new skills such as: clipping mask, how to make and save styles, cut out brushes, stitching, torn paper effects, add path to text. Now I am feeling more confident with my abilities. My next challenge is going deeper into extracting pictures and doing collage.
There are tons of beautiful layouts I get inspiration from.
I don’t mind there is no money coming in for this. I feel productive and learning more photoshop really does no hurt. Past week alone I finished off three layouts and I am posting one of them today.

Serendipity

2010-08-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for." Lawrence Block

Sometimes life throws us a curve pushing us out of our comfort zone. I was used to my life and its natural routine. Now, it seems that I need to redefine myself and overcome obstacles and cross new bridges. It is scary and right now nothing shows up in the horizon; neither a light nor a path that leads me to a new beginning.
Perhaps its still not the right time, maybe what I am looking for is not my answer. Yes, I need that moment of serendipity. That moment when everything comes together and we find the answer to our prayers.
In the meantime, there is nothing else I can do but finish my UFOs. My baktus project is finished and I also knitted a more summery version of another baktus pattern. It can be worn in those sizzling days of summer and it is a nice compliment to a tank top or a tee-shirt. I think the batktus is way too big and boring, so I added some studs to give it that extra punch.
Finally I am feeling better and out of pain. The process is slow and doctors say I’ll feel much better after the 2nd epidural.
Everyday I train with a resistance band to help me to strengthen and build back muscle.
The Telemark pullover is almost off the needles and I don’t have any recipient in mind for this one.

"Escrito nas estrelas. Procurando por algo, encontra-se algo diferente, assim você percebe que o que você encontrou é mais adequado às suas necessidades do que você pensou que estava procurando." Lawrence Block

Às vezes a vida nos pega de surpresa e nos empurra para fora do comodismo . Eu estava acostumada com minha vidinha de rotina. Parece que agora eu preciso repaginar minha vida. Aprender a superar os obstáculos e cruzar novos horizontes. É muito assustador e não há nada à vista: nenhuma luz, nenhuma resposta, nenhum caminho que me leve à um novo começo.
Talvez ainda não esteja na hora, talvez o que estou procurando não é a minha resposta. Sim, eu preciso desse entendimento, de validação de que tudo está escrito na estrelas. Daquele momento quando tudo se encaixa e encontramos a resposta para nossas orações.
Como nada acontece, nada me resta fazer a não ser terminar meus trabalhos inacabados de tricô. Meu projeto de lencinho baktus está terminado e eu também fiz uma versão mais verão de uma outra receita baktus. Ele pode ser usado naqueles dias escaldantes de verão e é um bonito acessório para incrementar uma camiseta ou uma blusinha básica. Eu acho o batktus é demasiado grande e sem muito sal, então eu adicionei algumas tachinhas para dar aquele tchan.
Finalmente estou me sentindo melhor e sem dor. O processo é lento, e os médicos dizem que vou me sentir muito melhor depois da segunda anestesia na coluna.
Todos os dias eu treino com uma faixa de resistência para ajudar à fortalecer e reconstruir os músculos.
A Telemark Pullover está quase pronto e não tenho ninguém em mente para presentear.