Monday 6 December 2010

Knitting on the move - Paris

The Hemlock is on the move... I am in Paris for a couple of nights staying at les Jardins de la villa which is really nice.

The Hemlock is quite impressive. I have now passed the 400 stitches. Yes, 400 in the round, me who tends to do two needles, quick projects... To be honest I am hoping to finish it off soon. Ahahah the famous last words! Anyway check out the bed, the flowers are cut out of leather. I like the combination leather and wool...


Friday 3 December 2010

Skiing gear and Fimo

As I am sure you are all aware the UK is snowed under, and it is bloody cold around here. Cannot believe I am going to work still - then again, some of my colleagues cannot get here at all!

Was knitting happily a headband for the coming skiing season but it looks like I will be using it before. It was a very easy knit, based on the fact that I could knit a few rows in the morning before catching my train (and we are rushed in the morning usually). And you know what, I am using it now! My ears would be suffering otherwise.



I used the Blue Leaf headband pattern available on ravelry for free, my beloved mirasol sulka yarn ( I nearly have none left, argghhh) and 5mm needles.


As you can see, our current house is very tidy (or not) and we are clearly very minimalist...

Whilst in France, I came across a really good book about FIMO paste. I always looked at it, but just did not know what to do with it... But the book came up with a brilliant idea, to make your own buttons with FIMO. You can choose your colour, form and print on the buttons.

I tried different forms. the biggest one has been made with a stamp, then a square (gone round) and then the round button I used for the headband. This is really quick, 5 mns to do it (should have spent a bit more time to be fair), half an hour in the oven, wait for it to cool down and varnish. I am really impressed with the result, and will definitely used it again. I may need a bit of practice before doing all the fancy thing you can see on youtube, but it is really worth a try.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Home inspiration 13

I have recently been looking at upcycling, as in using every day objects but not in their intended purpose (well that is how I define it...). I came across a lot of glass work (glass bottles becoming drinking glasses), but the light from this designer is quite different and vey affordable.

Thomas Stanley is a young designer with a lot of potential, well I think he does. He has made this desk light out of... beer cans. I don't drink beer, but I can easily have someone else a home to drink them for me... below is the black/Guiness version, but he can do a white version (Stella Artois). Very funky and very green! And I am sure someone will enjoy drinking them - especially if it is for the sake of design.