Wednesday, April 3, 2013

heartstoppers






















heartstoppers are gracing the ends of my knitting cables in the above photo, made to keep a work in progress from falling off when interchangeable needles are removed, very cute and handy! made by addi, find them here. they are holding the body of a cardigan, a cardigan waiting patiently for sleeves (pictured in the foreground), which are slow going. this is the first time i've knit colorwork inside out and backwards, well, reversed, i have to stop and think about what to do! it's such a pretty effect, almost like watercolor, i'll share more soon!

i made a dress, so inspired by lovely nicole's. it's blue chambray, soft, so comfortable, i've worn it already three times since making it last week! pattern by jenny gordy, it's good to be sewing again, after many years. i have material for another, this one was for much needed practice. jenny made it easier to come back to dress making though with her beautifully written directions and pattern (she is very beautiful and inspiring too). owen really wanted to be in the photo, he promised to behave and he even posed!
wiksten tova pattern found here

a parcel arrived, all the way from western isles, scotland . inside were, five classic books by lillian beckwith. stories of hebridean crofters (farmers) a treasure beyond words. oh such a treat. jacqui, the barefoot crofter that sent this package, also included a rosette pin, crafted from harris tweed, hand woven in the outer hebrides, and a length of harris tweed material, hand woven also by John Maclean in Garynahine, from the next township over from her. and a bar of organic hebridean seaweed soap. Tapadh leat, ( i looked up) gaelic for thank you very much, dear jacqui.

project bags! more embroidered 'yarn along' project bags have been stitched, i love making them, maybe one for you!  they'll be in my etsy shop soon. my embroidery threads are almost thirty years old, still as vibrant as when i wound them, having them out again is happy making.

it's time to put out woolly bits for nesting birds, i'm almost certain i saw one little house finch fly by with a scrap!


thirty three years ago last week i became a mother. happy birthday my girl. thank you and LOVE always. she went snow skiing in utah to celebrate, i can't stop looking at the photo of my grandchildren on the ski lift, by themselves! their second time to ski!
thank you thank you for coming by, for all the kindness you always show. xxx lori

joining with ginny and yarnalong


51 comments:

  1. so many beautiful things pictured here!!!!!
    love your simple dress!!!
    xxxx Ale

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  2. I love your dress, its perfect!
    Your embroidery cottons look amazing.

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  3. Dearest Lori, Happy birthing day to you and happy birthday to your beautiful girl. The time went by so fast didn't it?
    I love seeing your dress, very stylish :). Sewing is just something I can't get my head around, but the embroidery? Yes, I am enjoying that here too.
    I am excited to see you colorworks. Knitting has so many wonderful aspects and things I want to try.
    Have a most beautiful day!

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  4. Love those heartstoppers!
    And I love your projects bags even more :)
    Looking forward to see the finished cardigan.

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  5. I thought I recognized that pile of books from somewhere! How delightful :-) Crofting is a very important part of our West Highland heritage - it makes me so proud to see people like Jacqui working so hard to keep it a viable way of life. And I imagine spinning, weaving and knitting are a vital part of the crofting community.

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    1. Oh - what a lovely thing to say LM - I have a wee tear in my eye now xx

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  6. Great dress Lori, looks lovely on you. I hope one day to be able to master sewing, but it's not looking promising.
    What a fun idea to put bits of yarn out for the birds, I think I will suggest this to my boys when they come home from school.
    I looked very intensely at the picture of your grandchildren on the ski lift and can't see any security bars, are all lifts in the US like this? There has been lots of controversy about security bars this year in the alps.
    Have a nice wednesday and enjoy your books, they sound very interesting.

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    1. emma, i thought the same thing and will have to ask my daughter about the lifts. it has been many (many!) years since i have been snow skiing, but i seem to remember there not being security bars at many mountains. it was not scary then, but now looking at the children, EEPS!

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  7. So glad you liked your parcel, Lori. Gosh - so many beautiful things in this post - it is so full of happy. I love how we gave birth on the same day so many miles and lives apart. Happy birthday to you and your baby. xx

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  8. Yay for sewing! I love your dress. Your bags are wonderful. What you are knitting looks so intersting I can't wait to hear more about it. Thanks for your votes!!!

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  9. The dress turned out great and you look beautiful wearing it! The yarn along bags are wonderful, I just love coming to your blog and seeing what crafty adventures you're up to. Beautiful photos as always! :-)

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  10. happy birthday!! Love the dress and I too have lots of embroidery thread in a closet I should dust off and put to good use. Maybe soon. Congrats on winning the books :)

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  11. My goodness Lori, you've been making so many beautiful things!

    Your blue dress is so lovely on you. I'd say your sewing skills are top notch. That dress style looks so comfortable, and I could imagine it in many sorts of fabrics. What a great shade of blue you chose.

    I so recognize those skeins of shetland wool. Aren't the colors fun. I'm puzzling over the inside-out knitting method and definitely would like to know more about it.

    Those yarn along bags are rather wonderful. Your design is both clear and classic, and has a bit of whimsy about it, too. May I compliment you on all that neat stitching, too!

    I'm struggling to think of you as a grandmother, even though you've shown us wonderful evidence in photos on the ski slopes. Happy birthday to you daughter.

    And, now I am going to have to take a little virtual trip over to the Barefoot Crofter's site. I am totally intrigued. The package you received is rather wonderful in every way. I've not previously heard of those books and will have to investigate.

    Best wishes Lori...I've had a splendid time on this visit. xo

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  12. Dear Lori, what a beautiful piece of clothing, well done!!
    The house looks like it could be situated in Sweden, my home country!
    If I didn´t know you where american, living on the US, this picture of you, especially with the boots, looks very scandinavian;)
    And funny enough Wiksten is the swedish name of the designers Grandmother, the one who designed the dress, I looked in to her shop and I am very much thinking of getting the other pattern called Tank, for the summer;)
    The very much wanted warm weather ... we still have winter here, very rare that we have snow in Vienna in April, but it keeps on falling today too.
    Congratulations on the occasion of your daughters birthday! I am 9 years behind of you, my oldest will turn 21 in May! It is such a privilege to see your kids grow into such wonderful adults!
    Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pictures!
    Take care

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    1. dear karin, that makes me very happy, i am swedish and bought my house because it looked swedish too! even though i've not been there (yet!) i've seen photos and books and love the look! LOVE all things scandinavian, i really can't wait to go to that part of the world someday. i hope spring comes very soon for you!

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  13. So lovely! I've been eyeballing the Tova dress pattern for some time, but I don't know if my knees have held up well enough to be that much on display. Might be time to find out! (Your knees look fab, by the way)

    Looking forward to seeing that sweater all finished--it looks a beaut. :)

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    1. oh you are kind, i was thinking where were the tights and why did i not wear them!? i did add over two inches in lenght to the hem. i think you will love it kristen, it's a beautiful pattern, versatile and timeless.

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  14. you just amaze me! such beautiful work you have done. i love the dress, i have yet to make anything super big, just skirts for my wee baby girl. that dress looks so comfy. and the yarn along bags turned out great. what a wonderful idea.
    happy birthday to your daughter and happy birthing day to you. <3 i find it very hard to believe you have a daughter who is 33. :)

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  15. perfect dress! I just ordered the pdf pattern. I have yet to sew for myself, but this would be a good dress for me over the next few months. I love the project bags! Mine arrived yesterday and I owe you an email! It made me soooo happy!!!

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  16. Now, dear Lori, this is the first time I've said this on this wonderful inspiring place here but I felt a jolt of guilt on seeing your pictures! Those boxes of perfectly wound embroidery thread are crying out across the seas to me: 'look Stephanie! This is how your box of threads should look instead of that pitiful mess you've put us in!'

    SERIOUSLY, you look stunning in that dress. Isn't that blue amazing? You love blue, don't you? I do too, more and more so, especially for my youngest daughter with her blue eyes and pale skin.

    Those books look truly amazing. I bet you'll be spending many a happy hour in their company.

    Warmest wishes from France,

    Stephanie (and her miserable box of threads)!

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  17. I came by way of Ginny's yarn along and I am so glad I did. :) Beautiful projects and a beautiful family!

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  18. What a beautiful post! Your dress is lovely. We have been putting out scrapes for the birds too. Little man can't wait to see if it gets used :)

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  19. Heartstoppers is the perfect name for everything in your post! That dress is adorable, Lori! I love that color. It looks so great on you. And ooooooooh, how I love your yarn along bags! The embroidery is flippin' awesome and so so so so cute. Happy birthday to your gorgeous girl!

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  20. Oh Lori, your posts are always packed with so much goodness! Lovely hebridean treasures (I will have to look up Lilian Beckwith, sounds right up my alley).

    Lovelovelove your dress, and oh, it's so funny because I JUST finished an ombre cowl (gorgeous!!!), and cast-on last night for an Annabel cardi that I plan to "Lori-fy" by adding pockets. So you see, we have a mutual-admiration/inspiration society going on.

    Can't wait to see more of your sweater, snag a project bag from you (fingers crossed) and last but certainly NOT least, happy birthday to your beautiful daughter.

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  21. Hi Lori,
    Love the dress & colour! Your yarn along bags are fabulous too.
    After brushing our labs, I'd put out the fur for the birds/squirrels - our past 2 labs had lovely soft fur, but our Archer's is all bristly :-)must find some wooly scraps xo Happy Birthday Wishes to your daughter. Looks gorgeous and snowy in Utah!

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  22. My sewing machine has been setting out for about a month......along with my stack of sewing books. sigh. I haven't done any more than a few (dozen!!!) sachets. Your dress is perfect!!! Wish I could do that. We've been on sort of the same wave length.....my embroidery thread is also out......I just joined a project of the month club for the next 6 months!! (of course, I need more projects!!!!)---waiting month one to arrive! Can't wait!

    Love the bags!!! can I preorder???

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  23. Just love the dress and think I just might make one myself. The blue looks simply gorgeous on you. I too have thread box envy. My threads don't look that good!

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  24. Hello there Lori,

    I love your beautiful fair isle knitting, and what a wonderful gift of books.

    Kim

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  25. What lovely, lovely photos Lori. I love that your much loved little doggy couldn't leave you alone and had to join you for the dress shots! Sweet!
    Glad to see the scraps of wool out!
    Much love to you beautiful lady.x

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  26. Heart stoppers are wonderful ! Your dress is lovely as are all your pictures ! I have a 31 yar child, hard to believe where the time has gone.....and how old I am getting ;)

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  27. Such lovely photos! Now that it is too warm to knit (mostly), I am wondering what handcraft to do now. Quilting or needlepoint? I'd love to learn needlepoint and love all your cards (bobbins?) of thread. ~Cori from Wonder in the Woods

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  28. You are so CUTE. And that dress! And Owen. :) Your daughter is gorgeous. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. :)) xox

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  29. Lovely dress, Lori!! It suits you so well!! Your sewing is as lovely as your knitting! Enjoy your reading....I read those Lilian Beckwith books a long time ago....time for a re-read.....and the Ladybird seashore book was one of my favourites as a child, always looking for interesting beach finds (still am)! So many lovely photos here to enjoy today!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
    Helen x

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  30. Another post full of lovely photos of lovely things ! I have to admit I'm being tempted to crack out the sewing machine too, it's been a long time since I've made anyhting for mayelf to wear --but I could wear a dress like that daily. How fun. What next?

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  31. Beautiful dress Lori- the color and pattern is "heart stopping" on you the embroidered bags....swoon. How cute is your dog - Oliver...glad he is in the photos ( cutie). Lovely little girl you have-

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  32. So many beautiful things being created and celebrated!

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  33. YOU are amazing and creative beyond the ken!

    Love, love,

    Sharon

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  34. Hi Lori,

    The Tova looks fabulous on you! Gorgeous colour. I, too, have been wanting to make the Tova with a duvet cover from the op shop sitting there waiting to practice on. I've been daunted by piecing the pdf together but I just need to get on and do it! Can't wait to see your fair isle cardi and your yarn along bags are great - I think I may just be doing enough knitting to join Ginny's group. Have a lovely weekend!

    Mel x

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  35. Lori, Happy Birthday to your lucky daughter. I love everything, the dress, the gifts, the project you are working on, but the thing I love the most is the bowl of scraps for the birds to make their nest with, kind and loving and beautiful. xoxo

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  36. Lovely dress Lori! It looks perfect on you xxx

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  37. Always lovely to see what you are up to over there, Lori. Such pretty pictures. I really like the comfy dress you made. Happy belated to your daughter. You certainly don't seem old enough to have a 33 year old daughter. Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  38. love your dress! and such a fabulous package - enjoy!

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  39. I always love stopping by. Not only to support you, but to get some love that is guaranteed to be here ♥

    Lots of wonderfulness and happy making indeed :)

    xo
    Lo♥

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  40. Hi Lori~
    What lovely photos. I can always count on getting a smile when I visit your Blog♥
    Sewing too? Girl, What can't you do? :)
    Love to you
    xoxo

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  41. Heartstoppers, in deed! Your photos tell it all. Happy Birthday to your lovely daughter; milestones we reflect on that make us smile, XOXO

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  42. Hi Lori Ann!

    I´m posting my answer to you, here as well as on my blog:

    Lovely to hear that you love my little things! (I´m sorry that you can´t participate in the "give away" this time! But there will be more give aways on this blog in the future:)

    Usually I only ship to Sweden and Scandinavia, but If you are interested in ordering from my shop, I´d be glad to arrange shipping to the U.S.!

    Please send me an e-mail (www.husmorsskolan@hotmail.se), and tell me what things you would like to buy, so that I can weigh them and let you know the shipping cost!

    Kind regards from Maja

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  43. thank you for such lovely comments! thank you!

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  44. Hope you're enjoying a great trip :D

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  45. So much loveliness to look at here Lori, your embroidered cloth with the threads sitting on it is absolutely gorgeous.

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  46. Such a nice dress!
    I was excited to see your beautiful embroidery threads, cause little things like that make me happy, and even more great to know that it is a 30 year old collection. Most of my embroidery threads are only about 20 years old :)
    Cute bags! Now I want to embroider, and sew myself a dress...

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xoxo lori