Wednesday 16 July 2014

nice things...


last image via

I started making a small felted bag ages ago. Just big enough for essentials. I knitted it in soft grey, wash-filz-it wool with two contrasting random fairisle stripes in bright bubble gum pink, orange, burgundy, red and olive green; with a little overlapping flap to keep it closed. Then I washed it in the machine and it felted up nicely. It's hard for you to see the pattern because the sun was shining so brightly when I photographed it. 

I ran out of yarn and it sat in my little work room for ages waiting for me to make the handle, until this week. I was having major knitting withdrawal symptoms and almost everything else is packed away so I ordered one more ball of yarn and hey presto it came today for a small shot of knitting therapy.

I've been comfort reading this and now this. It's not that I consider murder to be comforting, just the location, the sleepy village and the food. How everyone gathers in front of a roaring fire at the deli for hot chocolate and fresh croissants on chilly mornings, or lunch of hot baguettes, or ciabatta filled with melting cheese and and other scrumptious ingredients. Not to mention the deserts and suppers. They aren't novels that would be recommended for their literary expertise, just for the quirky characters that you find there. 

And I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of my first issue of Selvedge magazine. I subscribed yesterday using the special 17.90% discount code 'REVOLUTION' to celebrate bastille day in France on the 14th. I'm so pleased that it still worked yesterday. I have wanted to order it for ages but thought it a bit overpriced...now I have three copies coming for just over the price of two. 

what are you knitting and reading?  

I'm joining Ginny for yarn along...
coming?

14 comments:

  1. LOVE the little bag!!! DOn't you happy-dance when there is a lingering project finished (and one that took relatively little time to finish??!!) Selvedge? I think I may have stumbled on this title at one time---but I've never seen the publication. HMMM. ????? Do I need to check this out?!

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  2. Definitely check out Selvedge Magazine Steph. All my sisters get it and leave big piles by the bed when for me to read when I stay. I spend ages looking through them but always thought it a bit expensive. I treated myself using the discount code. See if you can use the discount code. I would highly recommend it.
    Thanks for your lovely comments about the bag. I think it will be really useful.
    debx

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  3. That is a cute little bag Debby. I feel guilty because I just "bought' a little felted bag instead of making one. You are so talented.
    I love books with quirky characters!

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    1. Thank you Tracey. I feel privileged that you say so. You are always making so many beautiful things for everyone you should never feel guilty at treating yourself to a bought one.
      I want to try to find your book recommendation this week.
      debx

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  4. Love the bag and gray is the go to color that I wear anymore. Looks like you're nearly finished :)

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    1. Thanks Karen. I'm on the home stretch so shouldn't take long now.
      debx

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  5. What a fun bag! They grey and pink look great together.

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    1. Thanks Donna,I love the colour combination the subtle grey but then the pop of warm colours.
      debx

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  6. Really love the colors you've chosen! So pretty!

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    1. Thanks Becky. I just wanted a really bright contrast to the grey.
      debx

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  7. Oh, I *love* the felted bag with the gorgeous bright fair aisle stripe (and look how it's echoed in the red and white ribbon trim on your pretty gray sheets). I hope you'll show us what it looks like with the handle attached. Knitting is such a soothing activity. Sometimes you just *need* it. I've never seen "Selvedge" before; it looks wonderful.
    You know, I've had Still Life, by Louise Penny (the first Inspector Armand Gamache book) on my shelf for a couple of years now. I've started it a few times and couldn't get into it. However, I've been comfort reading, too (M.C. Beaton's chic-lit, cozy mystery series), so maybe I should give Inspector Gamache another try. I've found that with books, timing is everything.

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    1. Oh thank you Susan. I must get Ahmad to take a photo of me using it when it's finished, and my Boneyard Shawl too. I've drooled over the pages of Selvedge for a long time now but thought it would be a bit extravagant to buy any. When I saw the discount offer I couldn't resist any longer.
      I can't help but finding myself criticising Louise Penny's writing. I feel that she often explains herself too much, uses two or three metaphors to make one point and then explains them to us, just in case we haven't got her point.I feel as though she doesn't have a good editor or they would make her pare back a lot of the words. But I got sucked into the setting in one of them, and as you mentioned it's exactly right for me now. Nice and easy and comforting to read. One of my sisters has read all the Agatha Raisin novels and keeps telling me they have a similar effect on her to your feelings. I must read one.
      Have a happy weekend.
      debx

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  8. Oh, your bag is so pretty...I love the gray with the beautiful brightly colored fair isle strip...such a perfect combination. I do hope you share photos with us when you finish the strap.
    I was turned onto a new author, Victoria Holt, by a friend of mine...I've decided to give her a try and just started reading the Secret Woman last night.

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    1. Thank you Emily. I will share photos when it's finished. Good luck with your new author...it's so good when you find another one that you enjoy reading.
      Have a lovely week,
      debx

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