Bird Charm Bracelet Re-shoot

Well, I'll try again in the morning.

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2. bird_charm_teal_05,

3. bird_charm_teal_06,

4. bird_charm_teal_07,

5. bird_charm_teal_03,

6. bird_charm_teal_02,

7. bird_charm_teal_01,

8. bird_charm_aqua_02

Jewelry Repair

This poor necklace was in pieces. I don't know how Granny broke it. I had to figure out where to put the charms. I tried to use symmetry. Now that I see it in photo form, I'm thinking that it's too much symmetry. Besides one of the anchor's looks lopsided. Granny's repaired Nautical Enameled necklace. It's now ready for the next nautical season.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Baby Bamboo Sweater

My newest creation for Baby Mahdi. I'm very proud of this sweater, if you can't tell already. Also, playing around with my camera and Photoshop again. I used Baby Boo by Knit One Crochet Too, Bamboo and Nylon in Olive. This isn't my favorite stuff to knit which is too bad because I have loads of it. This little sweater only consumed two balls. I don't like the feel of it, nor do I like the loose ply. I think the nylon is there to give it shine. You can see how the camera picks up the reflective properties of the nylon. I'm not going to rag on it too much because it works well with this particular pattern. It gives it good weight and the gauge works with size five needles. The neck has an opening over the left shoulder for the baby's head. I crocheted the button loops. Yes, I used a hook and didn't muck it up! The closure doesn't overlap completely but it's fine. I constructed this using The Complete Fabrication's (Jack) Seamless Baby Kimono as a size reference. I don't need to tell you how much I adore her patterns. I also used concepts and formula's from Barbara G. Walker's Knitting From The Top down. Sometimes I'm a slow learner. It's taken me four patterns and ten projects later to finally fully understand this book. Did I ever say how much I love Schoolhouse Press? I think the lovely wooden buttons are German and therefore not cheap. I'm trying to decide on which material to use next just in case the success of this sweater was a fluke. I'll tweak the neck opening along the way. Wish me luck!

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2. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_04,

3. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_05,

4. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_06,

5. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_03,

6. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_02,

7. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_08,

8. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_07,

9. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_01

No Superwash?

Why doesn't Elann.com keep superwash wool in stock? I can never get enough of the stuff and they're my main mail order supplier. It's difficult to get the yarn I need living in the U.A.E. Not very many yarn companies ship here. My next trip to the U.S. isn't going to happen for a few months. Elann.com let me down.

Dress Forms

This is my collection of dress forms bought at various stores here in Dubai. I was amazed when I saw my first one. I'd never seen anything like them in the States. Of course I had to have them all. I was experimenting again with photoshop and with my camera. I don't know what I was thinking by arranging the plant like that. Maybe I'm just proud to have a healthy plant. As if no one would believe me if I didn't take a picture of it.

I decided to change the look of the mosaic. I think the black border makes them look professional. Big Huge Labs is my favorite new website.

1. dressform_0467, 2. dressform_0470, 3. dressform_0466, 4. dressform_0465, 5. dressform_02, 6. dressform_01

Mosaics

After looking at Steph's Flickr page, I decided to try a mosaic. It works better if you have the correct ratio of images. I'll be more careful the next time I edit a set.

I'm still learning to use my new camera. A new light bulb comes on every time I use it. I've started using a UV filter and little different colored flash diffusers. I also love the portrait setting and adep setting.

1. IMG_0517, 2. IMG_0480, 3. IMG_0493, 4. IMG_0516, 5. IMG_0494

I knit these booties for Baby Oliver using Lorna's Laces, superwash worsted in Camo. I can't correctly remember the circa 2005? Pattern by Uniform Studio, but I think I found the pattern first on Ravelry.

1. camo_booties_03, 2. camo_booties_02, 3. camo_booties_01

Johanna and Hassan's Wedding

It was an experience that I'll never forget. Everything was perfect. I was a little tired after working a twelve hour shift. The picture with the bride shows my tired eyes.

Gemma, Theresa and I

The Beautiful Bride and I



Later that night at the bar next door. Dodging creeps and hookers.

Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies. I haven't made these in years!

My Craftland in Dubai

New purchases from CraftLand. Bear shaped buttons, Louet Gems in Baby Aqua, Baby Willow, and Aqua.

Cari's Bracelet

This is Cari's wedding bracelet. It took three different tries to finally setttle on this design. I added the chain as a size extention. I ran out of crystals and one more pattern repeat would've been too long anyway. I used swarovski crystals and silver plated TOHO beads. I'll make matching hair combs next.

Baby Kimono

The pattern Seamless Baby Kimono is by Jacki Kelly. I found it fun and easy to knit. It's also pretty fast for those last minute surprises. This was supposed to be Baby Author’s sweater but he’s growing too fast. Too bad this is more like a dress :( I think Derrick will forgive me. I knitted the hat randomly. I used Hand Jive Knits Nature's Palette Fingering Spring Grass colorway. The dye rubbed off on my needles and my fingers, otherwise it's good stuff. I added little metal snaps on the inside closure.

I have no idea why this loaded sideways. I'll fix it later.

Vintage Lampwork and Peridot Bracelet

I made this bracelet for a coworker who decided not to buy it. It was based off an earlier design. It's made with brown vintage lampwork beads, faceted Peridot roundels, and Bali Silver. I put it up for sell at Letoyagoff.Etsy.com.

I really love faceted roundels. I found these on Ebay. The lampwork beads are from a thrift store necklace.

Collared Sleeveless Sweater Vest

collared_sleeveless_top
Originally uploaded by blacklovelythang

I should really try and make this again. It would look good with my new Gap skinny jeans. I could even accessorize it with a handmade silver stick pin or with long necklaces, that fit under the collar. I just have to remember which magazine had this pattern.

Flirt Charm Necklace

flirt_charm_necklace_02
Originally uploaded by blacklovelythang

I had an open ring blank in my metal stash and wanted to make a charm necklace. I wanted to include a stamped word charm. The word, "FLIRT" is always a good choice of words to stamp. I also wanted to be tough so I stamped the next charm with the word, "MAFIA." I've been playing around with recycled gold for a while and I wanted to add some of it here. It was easy to incorporate. I gave it a little texture and used a little blackener for contrast. The chain isn't long at sixteen inches. I'm not sure I like the gauge. I may swap it out for a thinner link. I used Paua Shell Fetish carved birds and Tourmaline rough cut.

The Relations Ring

I made the ring as a request from a new coworker. He and his girl are new to Etihad and Abu Dhabi. He needed a birthday gift for her and he was already late in coming up with anything. I told him he should be ashamed of himself. The fact that I was admonishing a future customer didn't bother me one bit. Charlotte just looked up at him with fond admiration like it was cute. I gave up picking on him and got down to business. I had an idea of what she would like and so he trusted me with the design details. I brought my ring sizer to work and asked Charlotte to find her size. She was excited to do it but was a little confused with the tool. So (as a joke) I told her to place her hand on a piece of paper and draw around her fingers, notating each ring size. She did it with enthusiasm and even drew the left hand on the back of the paper. It was so funny that I kept the paper. I think I'll give it to her boyfriend as a gift and future reference. The rings are called Relations as in, "I didn't have relations with that woman." Just kidding! Really, these five rings are seriously hammered. I used masking tape to keep them together as I turned the mandrel. The tape gave it a pitted texture that I liked immediately. Relationships can sometimes be smooth and rough. **SHRUGS**

Please forgive unimaginative pictures. I was in a hurry.

Knitters, Photography and Flowers

This entry is for my knitting sisters and brothers who love plants and flowers. You know who you are and if you can help me identify some of this stuff I'd be grateful. I also have one question that may or may not have been asked before. Why do knitters love flowers and photography? It seems to go beyond the useful blog pic or simply liking pretty things. I don't think I really appreciated flowers until I became a knitter. I've always been interested in photography but I found it to be an intimidating and expensive hobby. Now I can't stop taking photos and I'm even more conscious of what people think. Help me out.

Some of you have already viewed Flickr but here's a few new pics. I wish I could've taken more but I was constanlty being told to come on and hurry up. It was also winter in Capetown. The next time I visit Capetown, I'll go with knitters during Spring.

Capetown Fiber

I was delighted to buy fiber in South Africa. It was much less expensive than I expected. We were on our way back from Boulders Park and The Cape of Good Hope when we passed The Wool Boutique . They stocked some pretty good stuff, even though I didn't recognize most of the manufacturers. There wasn't any superwash but the shop stocked lots of handmade wool crafted by local artist.

Handspun

Elle Brand

Rowan

I also found fiber the Waterfront Craft Market and Wellness Center and bought a few squares of handmade felt and wool roving. I believe they were crafted by an artist named Karen?

Baby Surprise Jacket

The BSJ by Elizabeth Zimmerman is finished. The baby doesn't have it yet but it's ok because he may not be big enough. The mother thought I was making booties. Um well maybe I can crank out a cute pair real quick. Although I used the BSJ DVD, the help pages on other blogs were invaluable. I can't wait to start another one.

Blocking:

After adding the buttons:

The buttons were a little too small, but I didn't have much to chose from at the time. I have to sew the holes smaller so the buttons won't slip out.

bird

It's all about orange and buttons

I published most of my Paris photos on Flickr. But I forgot this one. Some how I was smart enough to visit La_Droguerie before going to the Louvre. I was searching for a knitting shop, but it's actually an embellishment boutique. Knitting is a very small part of La Droguerie, but they have all the trim, feathers and buttons you'll ever need. The yarn, patterns, and needles only exist so you can embellish the end product. The patterns are simple and suitable for beginners. Unfortunately I won't be going back unless I need something specific because they're really expensive. My total was about 127 Euro for everything pictured. Yep, I needed buttons really bad.



Kiki made this for me as a gift. It's perfect for my new Moo.com cards. Can you guess what yarn she used?



It's all about orange. Below is Ikea's 2007 Orange Fabric by Sissi Edholm and Lisa Ullenius. I fell in love with the birds first then the orange background. It's heavy upholstery weight. I have no idea what to do with it. I'm happy to hold on to it for awhile.
My recent Gap purchases include orange suede shoes and an orange and cream woven scarf. These two purchases brightened my wardrobe. I like to wear them with my green colored stuff. Now I can't help but add more orange by visiting How About Orange I subscribe and enjoy it.




Orange Accessories GAP