Squam, Sweet Squam

Those first deep breaths -

pine needles, fresh mountain air and the lake. 

Despite the wild weather changes, 

Squam was as enchanting & luminous as ever.

                                                                

Let's get right to it: 
the WORKSHOPS that I took were phenomenal.

If you ever have an opportunity to attend 

workshops by any of these 3 women, you must.

 

Cal Patch

Rebecca Ringquist

Maya Donenfeld

 
Shirt & Dress Pattern Making

Cal Patch delivered excellent technical information 
without going over our heads. She certainly made me feel 
confident and excited to go forth and draft more patterns, 
to make modifications, and to even draft patterns for 
my daughter. My entire day with Cal Patch was delightful, 
informative and empowering. If you haven't seen her book
Design-It-Yourself Clothes, and sewing your own 
clothing interests you, it's a must-have in your sewing library.
I'm completely embarrassed to admit that I have 
no photos of Cal. She's beautiful inside and out, and is 
always wearing her own garments. Honestly, I was so busy 
in her class that I didn't even think to stop and take pictures.
To meet her fabulous self in person, take one of her classes....

Measurements, plotting, connecting dots, then "poof," a pattern!

Copy Cat Embroidery
Prepare for an adventure with Rebecca Ringquist 
and your needle & thread. With her years of fiber experience, 
pure talent, and knowledge of the history of needle arts, 
Rebecca proves there are no stitch & fiber limits 
in this day and age. To get our own creative 
wheels turning, Rebecca took us through some fun steps 
and before we knew it, we were all stitching our own 
designs on found fabric that we brought from home.
I'm still 4" off the ground from this innovative workshop, 
let alone a day in Rebecca's easy, relaxed company.
Have a peek at her current show in Chicago.

A few of the talented women in the class, with Rebecca center back.

My own embroidery under way.

Botanical Printmaking
Maya Donenfeld's cup of compassion & encouragement 
runneth over. Her creative process in the classroom 
is always fun & interesting, but to simply be in her 
presence is the best part of all.
She is a wealth of knowledge and has a simple, 
straightforward approach, using as much of 
what's on hand as possible. Maya celebrates nature, 
and infuses beauty into even the most humble materials.
Thank goodness she has a book coming out this summer -
Look for it! I know it will knock our socks off. 
In the mean time here are publications featuring 
some of Maya's fun-filled projects. 

My stencil work under way.

Ta-da! Inspired by Lupine leaves.

Maya, herself.

Four days in a woodsy embrace, 

among loving hearts and creative spirits.

What's not to love?

My first Lady Slipper, thanks to Madi & Mary.

Come back Friday for more Squam goodness.

Try as I might, I just couldn't fit it all in one post!

Open Studio Sunday

In the studio today I'm cutting & sewing bags,

as well as packing for Squam Art Workshops.

Please come back Wednesday June 8th to hear 

all about the magic that awaits Vickie & I at SAW 2011.

Until then, I'm off to freely create, to listen to loons 

and to star gaze.

Enjoy our Japanese Tree Peony, above.

By the time I return, these saucer-sized 

blooms will have become a pink carpet of petals.

A Day Late

But not a dollar short.... 

Bag lovers, look at what's for sale in my shop!

Pattern: See & Sew B5273

Fabric: isso ecco, printed by Lecien

I really like this magnetic 2-tab closure.

It's quicker than undoing a button, 

and for this deep bag, it nicely secures the contents. 

Pattern: The (Jumbo) Two-Hour Tulip Purse, by Janice D. Pope

Main Fabric: Kaffe Fassett's stripes

This jumbo Tulip Bag is among the best knitting bags 

I have. Seeing is believing when I tell you this unassuming bag 

holds so much! Plus, I made this one with three large pockets. 

 Having first received this same style bag as a gift from 

my very dear Friend Vickie, who I would describe without 

hesitation as a bag connoisseur, I can tell you that my 

February Lady Sweater, 2 skeins of yarn and the pattern 

easily fit in this bag with room to spare. 

Thanks for enabling my bag sewing addiction, Vickie!

Pattern: Vogue Accessories V8406

Fabrics: Larkspur and Bebe (organic), 

both printed for the Alexander Henry Fashion For Home Collection

 This is a detail of the third bag I've been working on. 

It's the bomb! - and it sold right out from under me 

before it was even finished. 

Only a most avid supporter & lovely Friend would 

make me feel so accomplished...thank you Vickie!

So far, of all the bags I've ever made, this is my favorite.

Expect to see more examples of this bag.

You can find the Sling bag & the Tulip (Perfect Project) bag 
over at my shop. If you'd like any of these bags in 
a different fabric & color combination, 
I will gladly try my best to accommodate.

Kindly leave me a message on this blog. 

A Pleasure To Read

I imagine I'm not alone when I wish for more time to read. 

These days, if I'm going to make it through a book, 

I've got to be sucked in from page one or I'm moving on. 

Having the perceptive & fun-loving friend that I do in Tracy, 

she knew exactly what book to put in my hands:  

"The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. 

This is a funny, insightful and fast read. 

So Tracy, this quote is for you:  

  

"Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany....'The days are long, 

but the years are short,' she realized. 

'Time is passing and I'm not focusing on the things 

that really matter.' In that moment she decided to 

dedicate a year to her happiness project."

What a great addition to the summer reading list.

If you have young readers in your life 

(especially fashionistas), 

meet the just published "Chamelia" by Ethan Long.

My copy arrived today and I can attest to the 

charming illustrations, all of which were 

done in digital collage. For each of Chamelia's outfits, 

and she has many, Ethan Long used fabric prints 

from Alexander Henry Fabrics, Inc.. 

The sweet, short story sends a positive 

message about learning how to let your light shine 

without outshining everyone around you. 

I chose this book for someone special in my life. 

She's 2.5 months old, and has 

the most edible face you've ever seen.  

I want to let her know 

she should always let her light shine! 

Ginger Tea For Two

You're in luck!

Due to a little on-line technical difficulty, 

you're getting a fabulous recipe & taste of a legendary 

vegetarian restaurant instead of a look around the studio.

Recently, my Mother-In-Law and I had lunch at 

one of our favorite spots, the Moosewood Restaurant 

in Ithaca, NY. (Never a bad meal - click on their link 

for some spectacular, free, easy vegetarian recipes.) 

I was wowed by their Ginger Iced Tea, 

and while I don't have their recipe, I experimented and

 this is pretty darn close. I don't even have a photo to share 

because I drank all of the tea and am now out of ginger. 

Sorry! That's how good it is.  

If you like ginger, and if you like a little kick 

to your beverage, this is for you:  

Iced Ginger Tea

2 cups water

2 Tbsp. peeled, grated Ginger

1 Tbsp. Honey & 1 tsp.Cinnamon, both optional

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.

Stir in the ginger, honey and cinnamon.

Let steep for 10-25 minutes, 

depending on how hard a kick you want.

Strain, or pour directly into 2 large, ice-filled glasses.

The tea will lighten in color and turn a bit opaque.

I think I found my new summer drink...

Let me know what you think!

Finally Friday!

The Squam Art Workshops countdown continues!

  

Meet the Founder: Elizabeth MacCrellish.

  

To be warmly greeted by name, 

and welcomed with an open heart.

To be given permission to let go, 

and accepted just as you are.

To connect with a hundred other creative souls,

and allow the magic to take hold.

 All of this is to experience Elizabeth.

  

While in this woodsy haven, attending amazing 
daytime workshops is only one aspect of SAW.

Elizabeth lines up three nights of All-Star entertainment. 

What a great feeling to walk back to my cabin thinking, 
"I'm so glad I came to this tonight."

Jonatha Brooke attends SAW each year, and also 

performs one of the three nights.

Lucky us.

If you don't have Jonatha's CD "The WORKS", go get it.

Lucky you.

That's a Wrap!

Silky, nubby, shimmery, downy soft.
Textural & colorful pleasures abound when embarking 
on a Jane Thornley inspired piece.

 

Lovingly hand knit, this wrap is my first 

completed Jane Thornley free-range pattern:

Green Before the Gold

I have a few other pieces under way, and I have to say, 
I love Jane's patterns as much as I love her spirit.

On her newly redesigned site you'll find out first hand 
what a power house she is. From her creative depths 
she easily designs free-range knitting patterns, 
crafts stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry, 
maintains a beautiful, thoughtful, inspiring blog, 
leads Inspirational Fiber Excursions throughout the year, 
and runs her Inspired Knitters Club like a well-oiled machine. 
I honestly don't know when she sleeps. 

Like many of you, I collect and organize patterns into binders 
(for that magical day when I'll have time to knit them all.) 
In my studio, however, Jane has a binder all her own.  
 When I open it I hear my long-distance friend whispering 
"any thing is possible" and "you can do it." 
Read "About Jane" for her truly inspiring story.

Jane's approach is as much about celebrating yarns 
as it is about exploring stitches, color, form and function. 
If you're looking for a freeing & adventurous knitting 
experience, look no further. Jane delivers. 

If you're on Ravelry, check out the Jane Thornley Group. 

 

Apparently inspired by Jane, you-know-who enjoys the company 
of knitters (or perhaps just the end product,) and agrees that
 "there are no rules."