wise craft

granny stripe fail

Remember this blanket I started? Well, I bought all of the Cascade Heritage sock yarn in color #HER5681 (the main tan color in the blanket) that The Fiber Gallery had in stock back when I began this project, and had asked them to call me when they got more in from Cascade. Long story short, they never got any in. Cascade was telling them they were backed up on that type of yarn. Every time I went in I would ask. No yarn. Shipments from Cascade yes, but none of what I was waiting for.

I think that was in October of last year.

Finally, I started checking other places, online, etc. without any luck. As a last resort, I reached out to Cascade saying "what the heck?".

They don't make this color anymore.

What?

Um, right. They don't make this color anymore!

They explained to me that they do not sell directly to the public, but gave me a list of retailers online that should have some of it left.

No luck.

#*^%(!!!!!

I'm so bummed! This blanket is one of those projects I can sit at night and literally crochet without looking at (meaning there's even a possiblity of watching something subtitled) and I'm completely distraught and on the fence about what to do. In the photo above it is actually folded in half, so I've completed twice what you see. Rip it all out? Change color to something similar but passable? Put it away because looking at it gives me pain and makes me want to yell at Cascade?

Ah!

good fortune hex

Good Fortune Hex, 6" x 6" wooden board, combination of gouache and acrylic.

Even though the painting class is now over (see the 5 paintings I completed during this class on this page), I have found myself missing the act of sitting down and starting a painting. I wanted to create a new one and keep the ideas and inspirations I have in my head fresh, so I started this one on Saturday night and finished it Tuesday afternoon (I am not even sure the paint is dry when I snapped this photo). Paintings take a lot of time, I had no idea! I found a paperback book on the subject of Pennsylvania Dutch hex symbols at the thrift store several months ago and I've been pulling it off the shelf at least once a week to flip through it since then. That is where the inspiration started for this piece. First the book, then further reading and researching, and here you go. Originally painted onto barns to ward off evil spirits, these hex symbols also have a long and symbolic history. Each of the symbols within a hex have meanings that can be interpretive. I found several different meanings of each of the symbols I used in my piece, but roughly- 

eight pointed star- good fortune

wheat- abundance and goodwill

tulips- trust in mankind

race number quilt

I have been commissioned to design and sew a commemorative quilt for someone who is a long-time, dedicated cyclist.

Hmmmm..... I wonder who that could be?

There are more than enough tyvek race numbers to make a sizeable quilt, but I have been told that this will be purely a display quilt, not to be used. Maybe a decoration for the Story Trading offices. Regardless, I'm actually quite touched that he's asked me to do this. Someone who's usually not quite as excited about my quilts as I am.

There is a history here that I want to somehow preserve, I'm just not quite sure how yet. I'm drawing out ideas, but haven't found the magic combination yet.

And what he doesn't agree with is that some of the best parts of these race numbers are the what's written on the backs-

("Dropped my chain 6 x's, ended up 11th, 9/5/05")

 

granny square sampler afghan- week 2

How did everyone do on last week's squares? If you haven't finished those, or are still trying to get them down, no worries. This week we'll be doing the same traditional granny square, but we're all about quantity this time around. These repetitive ones will have you mastering this square in no time!

just a peek

at what's headed to the shop soon. Stay tuned.

recent instagrams

20 minutes of quiet time, before the crazy afternoon school pick up shuffle...

1st pedicure of the season (the season finally warmed up enough to wear open-toe shoes)

 

Emma and I stopped in Fusion Beads over the weekend to, um, "kill time" and dropped more money than I'll admit to. Love that place.

 

We got a new sofa in our family room!!! But that's for another post. Here I am, the one day I could enjoy it (I don't think I've sat on it since because 3 others in the house are hogging it).

 

Emma and I treated ourselves to Bubble Tea at the Jewel Box.

 

Coming soon! T-shirts!

 

There was also some granny square instagramming over the weekend, which turns out is actually a great way to "see" what the questions are. You post your photo to illustrate your question, caption it, and add @blairs so it will show up in my feed, and I will answer as best I can. (Also, add the hashtag #grannysquaresampler so we can all see what everyone is doing. Its so fun to see all the different color combos used by everyone.

Did you notice that the Granny Square Sampler project now has its own page, you can find it by clicking on the crochet sampler image over there <--- on the left sidebar. All the posts on this project will be linked to on that page.

For those of you who are on Ravelry often, I have set up our summer granny sampler project up over there as well.

week five of get your paint on

 

Vintage Floral Sheet, acrylic and gouache, 6" x 12" wood panel

This was the final week of Lisa and Mati's online painting class, Get Your Paint On, and our assignment was to choose between starting a new painting, or revisiting one we'd done during the other weeks of the class. I was anxious to start a new painting, and had already begun rolling around ideas in my head.

That is, until Emma recommended I not paint a quilt this week.

granny square sampler afghan- week 1

Are you guys ready to get started with the first week's granny square(s)? Keep reading...

To refresh your memory, here's a finished original afghan that inspired this project, taken from 1982's Better Homes and Gardens Treasury of Needlecrafts. **To be very clear, we are not copying this project, we are making our own version, with different squares and construction. The only reason I show you this 1982 version is because I have not finished mine and you need something to go by as you decide color palette, I'll be putting an image of mine once its done. If you want to make this version, you will have to buy the book cited above.

new things coming and new website

Just a quick post to let you know that I now have an official website, one besides my dear old blog here.It all links back to the blog, which will continue to be updated regularly.

And the niftiest trick is that if you refresh the page, the photo changes. I love that part!

You can sign up for news and updates on the bottom right. Thank you to our amazing graphic designer Rebekah, for designing the logo and giving wise craft a coherent "face".

Happy Thursday!

Blair

granny square sampler project update

Have you gathered your yarn yet?

Ok, here's an update on the granny square project.

* I'm finalizing what will be our own version of the granny square sampler afghan this week. I am trying some new squares, to figure out sizing. Its granny square central here, as you can see.

* I will post the next granny square section, instructions, how to's, etc every Fridays, starting this Friday. Hope that works for everyone.