casapinka

Designers Guild sale

Designers Guild is having a big sale right now. The pink and cream blanket above has been on my wish list for a while now. In fact I only realized that I'd posted about it here when Casapinka came up in a Google search for its image! It's now sixty percent off which I'm finding very hard to resist. Alas, I shall put the $80 into our Down Payment for Dream House Fund and maybe I can knit something like it someday.

Today we're enjoying a sun in Rhode Island which apparently is the calm before a "storm event." It's going to be a week of knitting, baking, and yoga- at least that's what I'm hoping for. Husband sent me on a yoga retreat to Kripalu for my birthday last week where - get this - you aren't allowed to speak at breakfast. That is the most perfect philosophy to me...give me my coffee and don't utter a word. I also discovered that I just love yoga. The granny kind, not the contortionist kind. Lots of breathing and stretching. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Knitted Hat

I designed this hat for Juniorette last week, and it seems much appreciated. She's such a little individual, my girlie. While all of the other kids have backpacks, she wanted a "book bag" that she can wear across her chest and her gym shoes are pink glow in the dark Converse hi-tops. She calls herself "half a tomboy" because she likes electric guitar and skateboards as well as hats like this. She requested a purple flower for her hat and I have to say that I like the purple on top of the bright red. I think this new design is a keeper. The kid: she's definitely a keeper!

Heart Pancakes

 I love Valentine's Day for some reason. It's so full of gaudy pink heart products and I want them all. I grabbed this pancake mold last week to the delight of my children. This, of course, was before I became totally "mommed out" this week but at least I can look at this and remember that sometimes I have energy and creativity for my kids. Poor Husband has been working constantly which means I don't really get a break. Parenting breaks are so important to me, that  I sometimes want to drive to Hawaii. I'm certain that there's a bathroom there where you can pee without anyone banging on the door. I'm pretty sure it's true - why else would people fly 13 hours straight from Rhode Island?

Today, was going to be ok, though. I was going to try and recharge.  Meditate. Knit. I had a doctor's appointment, followed by a quick plan to test drive a car with Husband and a request for my new hat patterns by a local yarn shop. I'm really happy about that. Then I learned that there will be a blizzard on Friday. Seriously?! (my birthday and I'm supposed to be going away. Insert loud, monosyllabic expletive  here.) And Junior, please oh please will you puke as soon as you hit the classroom today? You will? AWESOME.  Payback for sitting on the Anthropologie couch so nicely on Monday. So, here's my photo of a heart shaped pancake, reminding myself that when I'm not an irritable mother who is pathologically craving a sensory deprivation chamber, I sometimes am nice to these little people of mine. Mindfulness, mindfulness, mindfulness, and Benadryl for all small people...

My Vogue Knitting Entry

This was the sixties coat that I designed for the Vogue Knitting Magic of Mohair contest. Alas, I heard nothing back from them. The great news is that I get to keep the garment rather than giving it to Vogue so the consolation prize is huge. It's such an easy knit, seamless, top down. I did it in the round and steeked it but it can be done back and forth for you purling lovers out there.  Here's the catch for me - I'm TERRIBLE at writing up my patterns. It's just drudgery and even though I keep detailed notes it's akin to doing a budget or cleaning out a junk drawer. Definitely something to work on in the new year. If you have motivational suggestions I sure would like to hear them (get off your butt is pretty appropriate so don't worry.)

Since I knitted it in the round, I got all of these funky tiger stripes which I find quite interesting. This contest really turned me on to knitting in mohair blends since it didn't shed at all and isn't even itchy! Shibui is such a great yarn producer. They sort of fly under the radar but I'm a big fan of theirs.

Pink Sofas!

I was absolutely smitten today when I picked up the latest copy of Livingetc. Pink Ligne Roset Togo sofas?!?! I could barely tear my eyes away. I've always wanted a Togo and the brilliant owner of the home,  Meg Matthews, had them reupholstered in this most luscious raspberry hue. All I can say is a good ol' inarticulate WOW. I don't care for the Sex Pistols prints on the wall but I can think of plenty of things in storage that I have to hang over the pink sofas. You know, when I find them in army green on Craigslist for $99. I know, right?

I doubt I could get away with a pink stairwell - that might be pushing my luck a bit. But the house that is supposed to be ours (hear that, Universe? Ours!) has a perfect room for pink Togo couches! Granted, it's been slated as the Man Cave but let's just take this one step at a time.

I've recently noticed angel wings hanging up here and there and I  kind of like them. It would be nice to see physical evidence of an angel watching over our home, even if it's purchased at Target. 

And don't you love Meg's fun seventies bead curtain and Boston Terrier? Gosh, I'd like to visit her house, sit on one of those Togos with a cuppa and watch some SATC reruns. And if you have any inclination to buy an issue of Livingetc, this one is the best I've ever seen. It's page after page of inspiration and gorgeous color - worth every penny of the ten bucks we have to shell out for it here in the USA.

Yoritsuki

When the kiddles went back to school this week I celebrated with a tea party for one. I'm trying to drink more tea this year (as I set my coffee down to type this) which isn't too difficult since Husband drinks tea all the time. My in-laws gave me the Cath Kidston teapot last year. The little cream pitcher is Junior's special bunny milk pourer for cereal and if he knew I'd used it I'd be the recipient of that pinched up face followed by that 4000 decibel bellow that breaks windows and and makes cat whiskers fall out. Loosely related because you can have a little Japanese tea ceremony, have you seen the Yoritsuki app? Very zen and fun if you like to decorate just a bit and listen to crickets or watch snow fall outside shoji screens. 

Palmieri wallpaper

A while back, Husband and I found a house that we loved. We actually agreed on a house and just can't get it out of our minds. We're not quite ready, we need some more time, but I really hope that it's meant to be ours. I'm dreaming of some lemony Palmieri wallpaper in the living room, with its lovely high ceilings and large windows. Maybe just a wall of it or some panels, but I think it would be stunning and so uplifting to have  in a New England home.