A Whole Lotta Late Night Cutting Going On

I am wrapping up the place card creation for an upcoming wedding...I don't typically do this, but it is for a long time friend of my sister's, we have all been there...

Since these pictures were taken in the wee hours, the lack of nice light is a little too obvious for my liking, but a behind the scenes peek is always fun.

3 spreadsheets, 11 piles and a zillion paper clippings on the floor later, this little hand cut labor of love is almost done...the white cards that were cut and glued to the backs are almost on....A word to the engaged, save yourselves from the stress and have a buffet at your wedding, please!

Knit #7 for 2009-Ava's Cozy Warmie

Remember this 100 % Cashmere, 100% splurge yarn, that I was disappointed with when it came in the mail? Well, it found a purpose. Those 2 tiny little precious portions of cashmere whispered out to me from the yarn box...They were too small, even together, to make a large item, but too special and soft to be left in the stash much longer... At first I thought they were telling me to knit my sister a "hunter orange" scarf for her autumn time in the woods. If I want to get cashmere on that girl, I know it will have to be functional! But I had to tell those little bundles of yarn, that they just weren't big enough to be a big girl scarf... After accepting their limitations, they decided to become a little button on scarflette for Ava's 2nd birthday. But how will I wait another 5 months to give it to her?!? Umm, wait, how can it only be 5 months until she is TWO!?! I haven't sewn on the button yet, I am not sure I love the melon green color with the orange... I just made up this pattern, as it was a small item, but should anyone want to make one, or a bigger one for a "big girl", here is the pattern: With US size 3 needles, CO 20 sts Work 5 rows of K1P1 ribbing making sure to knit on the knit stitches and purl on the purl stitches from the previous row. (I know those veteran knitters out there won't need this tip, but those of us new and still learning may be able to better understand how ribbing works this way!) Next row: (Row 1)K2 P1 K6 P2 K6 P1 K2 Next Row: P to end Repeat the last 2 rows until piece measures 17 1/2 inches or desired length Next Row: Button Hole Row- K7 sts, yo, K3tog, continue in pattern from Row 1 above, to end of row Next Row: P to end Next Row: P1K1 ribbing Next row: repeat row above 4 more times for a total of 5 ribbing rows BO, attach button on opposite end of scarflette from button hole Let me know if you have questions!

Knit # 6 for 2009-Debbie Bliss Baby Vest

This little vest pattern comes from Debbie Bliss Essential Baby. I have really wanted to make a little something from this book, and am working on the pinny for Ava, but row after row of seed stitch on size 3 needles was wearing on my patience, so I left that on a holder for a bit and started in on this little vest for a friend's soon to be born son. I used a pale blue Peruvian wool from a local yarn shop-it is much softer when knit. I do not so much enjoy the picking up of stitches once a garment is knit, but this attempt went much better than the attempt on Knit #4, which I still can't bring myself to show publicly! I need to finish weaving in the ends and sew on a button, and it will be wrapped up with the matching hat in a 3-6 month size (hopefully!) for this fall.

Maine Seasons Wedding Photo Shoot

I had the great experience and fortune to collaborate with two very smart, witty, kind and oh so talented women business owners this week. We produced a wedding table design photo shoot inspired by Maine seasons, incorporating flowers and fruit locally available. This shoot captured 2 ideas I have had for a while for a summer and spring wedding table. We will be doing another similar shoot soon. We worked all day, trudging around the yard and the neighbors' yards with chairs, tables, linens and props-it was heaven. After the shoot, we ate lunch outside and had a strategy meeting, discussing our businesses, challenges and successes. This might have been the most important part of the day for me. Being with other young entrepreneurs and artists, supporting each other, listening to frustrations and offering knowledge, experience and advice, without ego, competition or pretense is a vital part of business ownership that I just haven't had enough of. Boy, did I need that positive energy! We will be submitting some of these excellent photos to industry magazines-I really want them to get published, having work published has been on my life list since I first read a magazine as a toddler. Anyone who knows me will attest to my lifelong love of magazines, the glossy pages, the pictures, the information... (all photos in this post by Brea McDonald Photography) Working with Brea McDonald taking incredible photographs that captured the light, mood and ambiance of each of my table designs and Sara Fitzgerald O'Brien, who created custom masterpieces of illustrated watercolor stationery to complete each design was an energizing and uplifting experience. Being with these two power houses of creativity and passion all day reminded me of how grateful I am to be in a web of great, creative professionals. Here is a sneak peek of 2 of the many photographs Brea took-I really haven't seen more than these-I cannot wait to go through each one, once they are ready! Enjoy and do visit these ladies' web sites to learn more about the excellent work they do, spread the word and keep your fingers crossed that the pictures get picked up for publication!

First Annual Tea Party with Gran

My step mother surprised us with a sweet treat recently. She made lemon scones, lady and baby sized, and brought over a tea party, complete with real tea pots, teacups and saucers.

The weather was delightful that morning, so we sat outside like proper ladies and took our tea under the umbrella with the apple blossoms and lilacs scenting the air.

Ava took to her little porcelain tea cup instantly, even delicately placing it back on the saucer in between sips of milk and bites of lemon scone. What a sweet tradition that Ava's "Gran" shares with her own daughter, and is now sharing with us.

Sedum, Glorious Sedum!

We have a very hot and sunny garden along our house, since our beloved Silver Maple trees had to be removed in 2007. The moral of this botanical story is that when you get lemons (we LOVED those trees, until one fell on our house when Ava was 7 weeks old), you make lemonade. (I found some new, yet smaller lovies to take the sadness away)

And unto my heart, a love of sedum was born. These little babies can enjoy sandy, dry and hot conditions-perfect for the now exposed garden that once lazed in the shade of the 60+ year old trees. Sedum are a bit succulent, they squeeze a little, you know?!? Ava enjoys a daily gentle squeeze of their leaves as much as I do. One of her first "gardening words" was "sedum". If you ask her to show you the sedum, she will walk you along this long garden and point out each beloved one.

This one feels like a Muppet-it is fun to barely run your hands over it!

I have to do a little research because I have become smitten with some "Stone crop" varieties, and I think they may all be in the sedum family, or is it the other way around?

This is one of my absolute faves, it has tiny little juicy pink rosettes that open to variegated green and white, larger leaves.

And this gray-blue-purple sweetie? It reminds me of a giant blue hosta, only smaller and juicier.

This one is called "Voo Doo"-a fun name for this blood purple color!

Somewhere I have a "Dragon's Blood" sedum, I will have to go out and find it tomorrow-it may have been lost under something that has grown too tall...

This one has a wild tendency to turn upward at the tip of each spire and reach straight for the sky, though the rest of the spire is lying parallel and close to the ground.

I also have a few "Autumn Joy" varieties, that grow tall and silvery green. True to their name, in the fall, the entire top of them bloom in burnt red flowers-so pretty...

To anyone in Zone 5 in need of a sun loving, easy and delightful plant, I give 5 stars to Sedum!

And if anyone out there knows the relationship between "Stone crop" and Sedum, please fill me in!

Puppet Show Tunic

I got this pattern a while back at Alewives Fabric, while on a fabric outing with a friend. We make a special trip to this shop, though it is out of the way-there aren't many places in Maine to get certain fabrics. Sometimes you just have to touch the fabric and go home with it in your bag, you know? Online shopping is great, but real life, in person is better. Perhaps I have an instant gratification issue-what? Me?!?

These patterns come with a little paper doll on the cover- a real one! It has been a long time since I played with a paper doll. I don't know who likes them more, me or my one and half year old daughter.

I started this little tunic for Ava and quickly remembered why I don't love making garments. It is all so precise and measured and technical-it takes too much concentration and patience for me. But I kept at it, until I had to enlist my visiting mother to work on it-in hopes it might be finished before Ava grows out of it.

Alas, she only had time to assist with the collar & placket areas-and now I must face this mountain alone. I have made brides maid's dresses, skirts, and even a coat before, and I always have the same experience. Just because you can do something, doesn't always mean that you should.

I love the chocolate brown polka dot and auqa prints so much that I think I will find the time to complete this-somehow. Wish me luck and patience, I will keep you posted!