Noni patterns and Paint Opinon Poll

Noni has just released her Fall 2009 patterns. Looking through them has re-kindled my interest in her bags. The only project I've knit of hers so far is the baguette bag, but being a purse (rather than shoes) sort of girl, I have patterns for two others I've always wanted to knit, the Night Garden Felted Evening Bag, and the Retro Bag. You know how it goes; you buy the patterns, and then you get involved with other projects, and time goes by. You forget about them. Then more patterns are released. Somehow, I missed the Vintage Bag, and the Petit Four Bag, with the Sweetheart Roses, but I am adding them to my "must-have" list. 

 The Vintage Bag (from Dreamweaver Yarns)

  Petit Four bag (photo also Dreamweaver)

 The Sweetheart Roses on the Petit Four bags (Dreamweaver). I love both of these!!!

I have mixed feelings about felted bags. For one thing, I got very stressed out about the felting process, worrying if the baguette bag or the chrysanthemum flower was going to come out as crisp and shapely as the one in the pattern photos. They look terrible to me when limp. There is a ton of finishing work once the bag is knitted and felted, made more complicated for me because I don't sew. I also worry if I'm going to use the bags once I knit them -- I haven't really used my baguette bag since I finished it. I think it may be because it's knitted in summer colors, but is a big heavy wool bag that doesn't seem right with summer clothing. Maybe it's me? Maybe if I knit future bags in bright wintery colors, they'll go with my black winter coat? I'm feeling brave even thinking and discussing the concept of winter at this moment. (shudder). That is how much I would like to have one of these purses. What do you think of felted purses (as opposed to tote bags, which are easier to carry)? Winter only?

In any case, if you have a baby or small child to knit for, and are a cat person like me, Noni's new Kitty Hoodie Towel/Blanket would make a great present!

I'm in a mood to make some changes to our house -- it seems kind of tired. Since paint is the least expensive, most dramatic change, I'm hoping to do more of that soon. The kitchen is at the top of the list. But here is where I would like your advice:

This is our front door. The main house color is a dark slate gray. All of the trim, including the door, is white. I'm thinking that painting the door in a third color would really brighten things up. The question is: what color? I've noticed some similar gray houses in nearby towns have a red front door, so that is one option. But the right shade of a lighter blue or a yellow gold might also work, or some other color I haven't considered yet. Some of the home design magazines are using an eggplant color with gray, but I'm not sure we could pull that off. I think it would be too dark for spring/summer. We have four seasons to contend with, so I'd like a color that would be both cheery in the winter and relaxed in the summer. What color do you think we should paint our door?

Comments

[Karen]

I bought the pattern for the baguette bag a long time ago, and still haven't knit it!! So I know what you mean about that. :)

I love the idea of a contrasting door. I'm thinking the red or yellow gold . . . but I don't have a strong color sense.

[Valerie]

I love the gold option for the door. The red would be nice too of course.

[2paw]

I can never give bipartisan colour advice: I will always say green!! But I do like the gold idea, but then I really like the blue colour of the mat, that might be nice too.
The bags are fabulous. I remember your felted bag and your zip and lining journey!!!

[Barbara-Kay]

I think the blue would be a color that "smiles" at people. Go for it!

[Chris]

Oh, that kitty towel pattern is cute - thanks for the link!

I haven't much enjoyed felted wool bags in the summer...

Hmm. I think a blue door would be lovely!

[Kara]

I love purses too! And those are some great options too. But I agree felting is a little nerve-wracking.

Normally, I love the idea of a red or blue door. (I think you could not go wrong with either of those colors.) But the idea of the right yellow, sounds really fun. Maybe you should go to those paint web sites. They let you upload a photo and then you can start playing with colors. So you can see for yourself. Good luck!

[Sarah]

I love the thought of a yellow-gold door! How could you not feel cheerful entering your home through it? Plus I love yellow and gray together.

[Pam]

I have a Noni bobble bag, which I find I can only carry in the winter. And only when I'm feeling unusually extroverted. But I think the little special occasion purses might be easier and more seasonless.

As for your door - pink of course, but such a dark pink that you could call it burgundy if you needed to. This http://decorati.com/product/55279/crushed-velvet
might be a possibility.

[sprite]

I, too, like the blue of the mat and think that would be a lovely door color. FWIW, my folks had a blue house when I was growing up and they painted the front door pink when I was in high school.

[Sara]

I am really going to throw in a kicker here for the color of your door...

Turquoise (a light shade that would remind you of the ocean)

whatcha' think???

[Donna S.]

Or there are a lot of oranges now-muted pumpkin

[Dotty]

I think a red door would be really nice. It's only paint so if you decide that you don't like it, you can paint it something else.

[Kristen]

Gray and red looks classic and fresh. But a shade of purple might be cool. I love my bathroom which is painted deep purple, with gray and silver accents. Have fun playing around with paint chips!

[bettyc]

I say a red door, using a nice muted red. Red looks great with a green wreath during the holidays.

[Lora]

I agree with the RED voters :)

[Kim]

I vote red, or a lighter shade of blue. We went from 2 shades of blue to 3 colors: blue, light blue, and white, and we are very happy with the results.

[Robin]

The Vintage bag is adorable, I might have to learn to knit now.

And I say paint your door either of my favorite colors: turquoise or orange. Very cheerful on a winter' day -- or even worse, late winter/early mud season (formerly known as spring).

[Bubblesknits]

I've only done one felted bag and felt like it was too much work (having to knit twice the actual size you want, etc.). However, a lot of my friends love to do them, so it's probably just me being lazy. ;-)

As for the door, I'd go with something that would pop, like red.

[Sydney]

Oh that Kitty Hoodie/Towel would make a good gift.

I've actually never made a felted purse, but if I had I don't think I would use it in the summer. I have a flannel purse that's light weight but it's just too fuzzy for summer.

I like the idea of a blue door. Like some others said, that blue mat looks nice with your house. I think a nice red or even purple if you're feeling up to it would look good too.

[Sarah]

I'm so bad with paint colors!! I'm ridiculously indecisive when it comes to advising others on paint colors. I dread when my friends redecorate and ask for opinions. But if it's any consolation, i think your front door is very nice!

I love knit bags :) I've never felted before, but I've done a cable-knit purse. It was fun making a bag and something I want to try more of. Your choices look great!

And I agree' the kitty hoodie/towels would make GREAT gifts!

[Kyle Kunnecke]

looks like you have lots of opinions, but my first thought was terra cotta or rust (some sort of deep orange) - orange and blue are compliments, as you know, and it's a little deviation from the standard and expected red... whatever you do I know it'll be gorgeous.... and whatever you decide, it's just paint - so it can always be re-done :)

let us know what you do!!

[Brigitte]

I love the dark grey, and I think a red door would suit your area too. My sister is in Nova Scotia by the ocean, and plans on a red door with their (although a bit lighter) grey trim.

The bags are wonderful - but, are often much more work than they appear to be! And the "finishing" usually tends to be as much work as the knitting itself.

[Meredith]

I like the eggplant color for the door - I think it would work for summer as well! But I'm partial to purple for everything. :)