Last Modeling Session

Tomorrow we take my "in house model" to college - she's off to NYU.  I admit I have mixed feelings as I am so very excited for her but I will miss her company, her inspiration to my designing, and of course her modeling skills!

So, we had our last modeling session for two new cowls that are for Cobblestone Designs.  The first one is called Elm Bank and was designed by my business partner, Debbie Smith.  It uses Malabrigo Rasta and is squishy, warm and lovely.  Perfect gift knitting project!

The other cowl, Watchtower Cowl,  was designed by me for the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl which is September 17-20.  I used Plymouth Galway Worsted in two colors and an interesting garter slip stitch pattern.  This pattern is for sale on Ravelry but if you do the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl it will be free during the crawl at Iron Horse in Natick, MA.

So that's it for now - I don't know who will model my next design.  I'm tempted to mail them to her and have a friend who is into photography get some great NYC shots.  Then I might not get the item back so easily.  I also might recruit one of her friends who is still in high school.  Time will tell.  I can tell you this though - I'm going to miss my model!

I Just Love Baby Knits

Shortly after we got back from our trip to Italy, I got an invitation to a baby shower for my husband's niece.  She is due with her second - a boy.  I went into panic mode thinking I only had 3 weeks before the shower and since I couldn't make it (college move in day for our daughter), I knew I had to build in mailing time too.

I have no idea why I panicked - baby knits are fast, fun and totally satisfying!  I just love them!

I chose Baby Sophisticate which I have made before.  I had some Berroco Weekend in my stash and since the shower and the baby's room are nautical themes - I made it with stripes and put on little sailboat buttons.

Adorable!  Don't you just love baby knits?

Empty Nest = Taking On More

In a week and a half, my in house model and youngest child, heads off to NYU.  Her brother is home for a few days more and then he heads off to his new school (transfer student), Bentley University.  All that means I will be having an empty nest.

So, in trying to keep myself busy, and after talking at length with my god sister, I have signed on as in independent consultant for Rodan + Fields.  These uniquely effective skincare products are designed by two of the most respected dermatologists in the country with a legacy of delivering on what they promise. I believe that using Rodan + Fields is as close as you can get to visiting a dermatologist … without an appointment.

I just started using the Redefine regimen and have my husband using the Soothe regimen and in a few days we both are amazed at the way our skin looks and feels.  So, here's your chance to discover this wonderful product line - check out my website, email me, leave a comment.  I'd love to share it with you.

My Intentions Were Good

My daughter and I have just returned from a magical trip to Florence with my parents.  We spent 9 days there (2 in Chianti in Greve at my cousin's - Villa Rignana) and words can't begin to tell you how perfect it all was (except for maybe the heat and the crowds).

I had all sorts of good intentions as it relates to knitting.  I packed 3 projects.  I worked on one for my LYS yarn club on the flight over.  I took it to my cousin's villa (she loved the placemats) and worked on it poolside only to find I had done it wrong so I ripped it out.

Don't you love the look of shock on non-knitter's faces when you rip out a project?  They gasp and exclaim "what are you doing?!"  My cousin kept saying she felt so bad for me - heck it wasn't a whole sweater or anything - just a little cowl.  I was only halfway through.

The other two projects went untouched - in fact, aside from the poolside knitting I didn't touch my needles again until the flight home.

My other good intention was to visit a yarn store in Florence.  I had done my homework and found the one I wanted to go to.  When we returned to Florence from the villa, it was August 1st.  I went online to look up the address and wouldn't you know the store closes for the entire month of August.  Well, there went that plan.

Instead I saw some amazing sites, had wonderful family time, enjoyed my daughter with her last few weeks before going to college - all good stuff.  So, here are a few photo collages I put together so you could see what kept me from my knitting.

I have a thing for ceilings - always looking up.

Various sites around Florence - the right hand one is the view from my Aunt's house in Galluzo.

These are frescos by Fra Angelico from The Museo San Mateo.

La Famiglia

My cousin's villa where we spent two nights - glorious!