Life LackaDaisiCal

It's Spring here....cool in the mornings, warm, sometimes hot in the afternoon. We have already had some of those hot humid days I really don't like....but it's all part of the 4 seasons here in Southern Ontario. While I take a short blog break....getting the garden in order, catching up on reading my favourite authors, early morning walks with L and D, I'll be sharing on Instagram...here and on Facebook too. You can click on any photo for more details. My  +RowanYarns  Pure Linen sweater is done...it is gorgeous...and I'll be posting photos of it soon...along with a bit of a travel diary. Stop by and catch up every once in a while.....I'll be back full throttle in July with the new Rowan Fall/Winter releases...until then....stay safe and don't forget to enjoy every minute! Anne x With Lackie and Daisy, sitting by the back door, waiting for someone to open it!

It's Victoria Day weekend here...that means a 3 day weekend, which is not as big a deal as when we were working and a stat holiday was a bonus. But, it still means that we take it easy, avoid the holiday crowds, put up our feet and relax, in the belief that Summer is truly just around the corner! So, what is a knitter to do, on a long stay-at-home holiday weekend? Well, let's look at the coffee table this morning! I really should finish my Trinity sweater.... Rowan Pure Linen ...look at that lustre! All of the pieces have been knit, the shoulder seams done,  the neckline is finished. With a little focus, I could have a luscious new summer sweater  to wear THIS WEEKEND! I bought a selection of Swarovski crystals to bead the neckline, but I've decided NOT to, ONLY because I think this might be my 'go to' sweater this summer, and without beads, it is more versatile for my daily life. It is so lovely, you have to feel it to believe it. Don't worry, I ha...

Wash and iron your Romper before altering... while this line dried rather well, it looked much better with a touch of the iron. For $14, this top has details that I really LOVE! Sleeve tabs....they seem to annoy me for some reason... until I turned the tab around on itself...it gives a more classic finish to the sleeve. the back piece comes around and under the arm...to meet the princess line seams on the front I love the deep pockets that are set at this same position...not right on the side, just pushed forward a bit! First step - cut out the seam that joins the back to the front in the crotch area! You don't need that bulk when you sew the new front and back seams! This is the front....there is just enough here to extend the front seam down to the hem edge. This is the back....when I extended the centre back seam down to the hem edge...there is much more to cut off! Just sew straight down to eliminate the curved part of the back seam! ...

Gosh, when I was young, being tall was a bit of a problem. Women wearing pants in the business world was new....and they were rarely long enough for me at 5'10" I developed my sewing skills, and wore mostly my own creations. So, I do know how to sew! Technically :) I LOVE DENIM. I think I might have told you that before. In all styles, in all shades....even chambray which is the lighter version of denim. This year DENIM IS HOT! Vogue reported that Denim was a major trend in the Spring 2015 runway shows! Best Spring 2015 Denim Trends! While browsing in the Anthropologie store in Oakville... I saw THIS ! (photo from the Anthropologie web site) Oh my, I was in love...but look...it's a romper. I have to tell you that while in my youth I may have run around in a romper so similar to this...but it was YELLOW (OMG did I just say that, I even have a photo to prove it) , there is no way I am going to wear a romper now, even if it is the perfect chambray. My frien...

Rainshadow Hanging Garden Stole sample beaded bracelets for the workshop! examples of how colour and beads work together! Rolling Thunder Gauntlets Fluency Gloves Dryad, by Sivia Harding for Twist Collective, Winter 2009 a personal favourite right now :) Lumen, by Sivia Harding for Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People 4! Bead Whimsey with Sivia Harding That was the name of the class that I took at the Toronto Knitters Frolic.  I have attended many workshops in my time, so it takes a special workshop to catch my attention. Do you know her? I have to admit, I wasn't aware of Sivia's work until it was announced that she was the special guest for the Frolic. When I did some research on line, I was intrigued by her beaded knits and signed up right away! "Bead Whimsey" did not disappoint! Sivia brought so many examples of her beaded knits. We talked about the different beads available out in the bead wor...