I've wanted to redesign my blog for a long time now, using this photo that Chris took on our first bicycle ride after we moved to our new house last summer. And the blog really needed some pink to cheer up the winter grays! Is it just me, or do you want to sleep all the time too?
In need of an easy car/stress knitting project, I pulled out the plum Classic Bunny wool and Trellis Lace Scarf pattern that I found at the Oasis Farm booth at Rhinebeck.
Here is a closeup of the pattern. I don't believe it's available on Ravelry.
In the spirit of EZ and my "knit to the next level" goal, I'm struggling with modifying the sole of this slipper to fit due to wonky gauge. First, it was too narrow, so I went up two needle sizes. Now it's too long...
Taking a break from mysteries, I started this novel, found in an antique shop, around Christmastime.
I had not heard of Berta Ruck before, but apparently she was a prolific Welsh novelist in the early to mid 1900s. This volume was published in the U.S by Triangle Books. I love, love, love the vintage illustrations for these books, even if the stories are simplistic by today's standards (aka comfort reading). The main character in this story, Jill, is a quiet young woman who loves animals and wants to be a writer. Chris saw it and thought I might like it! Next up are more J.D. Robb mysteries from birthday girl-knitter MrsSDC, and the Barbara Pym I found months ago.
Speaking of books, another friend introduced me to Book Mooch. It's essentially a book trading website -- you send your unwanted books to those who have them on a wish list, and then you select wanted books from others, to send to you. You can limit to the U.S., or send internationally. I'm about to send out my first books, and will probably choose some Hamish MacBeth mysteries in exchange. It's not a site for books you want right away, and it doesn't offer very many art/design/knitting books, but if you are a prolific reader it could save you a lot of money and shelf space. You also get books in the mail!
Last but not least, a certain blog photographer, racer, and husband celebrated his 40th birthday last Friday. Happy Birthday honey!
P.S. I really didn't intend to coordinate my new projects with the new blog color scheme.
Happy birthday to Chris and congratulations on the blog redesign. It's a gorgeous shot!
Posted by: sprite | January 09, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Happy Birthday, Chris! I love that picture you used for your redesign. It is getting to be the time of year when you need cheery colors.
Posted by: Sydney | January 09, 2009 at 01:23 AM
I love the new look! And that photo is awesome!
Happy Belated Birthday to Chris!
Posted by: Valerie | January 09, 2009 at 08:01 AM
Happy birthday to Chris! I love your new look! I was scared when I first started reading. I was reading from Bloglines and misread "redesign my blog" as "resign my blog." I'm glad it's a new look and that you're not stopping! :)
Posted by: Beth | January 09, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Happy birthday to Chris! And I love your redesign. I find I'm having a hard time pulling myself out of bed in the morning...
Posted by: Chris | January 09, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Oh wow, I love your redesign! I wish I could figure out how to do something like that with mine ...
Happy [belated] Birthday to Chris! (And if you still have leftovers of what looks like an incredible cake, you can feel free to send them to me!)
Posted by: Bridget | January 09, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Happy Birthday to Chris!
Your new blog design looks great; that's an awesome photo.
Posted by: Julie | January 09, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Great new look!
That cake must have been yummy!
Posted by: sarah | January 09, 2009 at 12:58 PM
The new design is lovely, especially for a cold winter's day!
Posted by: melanie | January 09, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Love the updated look! The picture is beautiful!
Posted by: Lora | January 09, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Love the new look! That's a beautiful photo; I can just picture you knitting away on that bench (from this perspective it looks like you could dangle your toes in the water).
Posted by: Sarah | January 09, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Happy birthday to Chris!
And I like the blog redesign. Pink just brightens everything up. (Of course, if you look at my blog, it's obvious that I'm a fan of pink!)
Posted by: madalyn | January 09, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Love the new blog banner! Happy birthday to Chris!
Posted by: Robin | January 09, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday to the hubby - I hope he shared the cake and wine with everyone! :)
LOVE your new look - pink is such a great color... and your projects match... sometimes things have a way of working themselves out!
xo
Posted by: Kyle Kunnecke | January 09, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Like the new look for your blog - I have to say it looks like what I imagine you would pick (if that makes sense)
Happy Birthday to Chris!!! Have many, many more!!
Posted by: Sara | January 09, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I really like the new blog look and what a nice photo of the birthday celebration. I hope you and Chris are doing well, these days. Ah, so perhaps 2009 is the year that I get to meet the two of you in person?!
Posted by: MarthaH | January 09, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Nice new look!
Posted by: --Deb | January 09, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Your new design is very lively. And the photo at the top is wonderful. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Jane | January 09, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Happy Birthday Chris!
Posted by: Devorah | January 10, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Pretty new blog design! And Happy Birthday to Chris! 40 is a big one. I just got used to being 40 and now I'm about to be 41!
Posted by: Sonya | January 10, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Love the new look of your blog, and I, too, love those old illustrations in "comfort-read" books. Which Barbara Pym do you have? I've read three of hers, love her, and can't wait to hear what you think.
Posted by: Emily Barton | January 10, 2009 at 01:12 PM
That picture is beautiful! And yes, I too want to sleep all the time, and I frequently do, as a matter of fact. School will put an end to that soon, though. The book looks fun -- it's fascinating to read books from earlier time periods that are largely forgotten now -- you get a better sense of what the reading world was like at the time.
Posted by: Dorothy W. | January 10, 2009 at 03:24 PM
LOVE the new blog look (although I really liked the old one too). Yup, all I want to do is sleep too - especially today. Happy Birthday to Chris!!
Posted by: Karen | January 11, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Happy birthday to your husband!
The new blog design looks wonderful! So pretty and cheery!
Posted by: Karen | January 11, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Happy New Year to you! Happy birthday to Chris! The redesign is very lovely!!
Posted by: tiennie | January 11, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Happy 40th Birthday, albeit a bit late! :)
I love your Trellis scarf (and the new banner) - a nice comfort project.
(And yes, I want to sleep all the time too!)
Posted by: Brigitte | January 12, 2009 at 06:52 AM
Wonderful photo - I love the new look!
Posted by: Meredith | January 12, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Pretty new design! I've been meaning to change mine for some time.
Happy birthday, Chris. You wear it well!
Posted by: audioknits | January 13, 2009 at 06:32 PM
The redesign is pretty in pink. I've been meaning to change mine for some time.
Happy 40th, Chris. You wear it well!
Posted by: audioknits | January 13, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Thank you all very much for all the wonderful birthday wishes!! Such great friends make turning 40 not that bad at all!
Posted by: Mr. Seashore (a.k.a. Mr. Suitcase) | January 20, 2009 at 10:41 AM