L'Orangerie

Yesterday I taught beeswax collage...

Beeswax collage
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

...informally. To one person. Taught? demonstrated? assisted in the creating of?

There I go, de-valuing my skills again.

I've got a friend from my SnB group who's very interested in collage and painting and such. I haven't done it seriously in a very long time, but I obviously still have a fully stocked studio. Though the yarn is probably winning its takeover bid.

Anyway, she says she put it out to the cosmos about a month back, the stars aligned and we've now had two artsy sessions. After each I think Hmm, I really enjoyed this. Maybe I'll make something for myself then back it all goes. I had put away the crock of beeswax and the iron, but decided to bring it all out again today.

Pretty sure I was inspired color-wise by recent yarn purchases. Mmm...Malabrigo... I'm not sure what the wee collage means or if it means anything, if it needs more or less, and it's probably nothing to write home about, but I am pleased to have created it. --That was a run on mess, apologies--

Back to knitting perhaps.  It feels safer.  Yeah, I know, red flag.  

But Tudora is my new favorite pattern ever and I want to knit one in every color.

Did I mention the iPod Touch?

Yeah, we have one of those too.  All hail the Apple Educational Discount!  I wasn't sure we "needed" another iPod, but Grant kept saying But it's free!  Not only free, Precious, but freaking fantastic.  I'm able to use the WiFi at home & work, have set up my email, and decorated with GelaSkins wallpaper.  Shut up!  Makes me feel pretty clever, I must admit.

In other news, is it wrong that "Freedom" by George Michael is one of my favorite songs?  One of Stephanie Miller's bumpers reminded me.  Or maybe it's the wine talking.  He's hot right now...what with the tour and all...?

All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow

Or I could blame Kristin for showing me all those 80s photos ;)

Anyhoo, I unburdoned my camera today.  I have a bad habit of not deleting, but since I can make lots of "events" in iPhoto I thought it was time for some organization.  This is lovely image is from San Francisco.  Those have been hanging out in the camera for a long while.  Sheesh.  I mostly remember that it was really hot that day and my feet hurt--big surprise--but I got a few interesting shots.

Hello.  Apparently I can make books and cards with iPhoto?  I continue to be impressed.  And won't shut up about it.  Heh.

All we have to see
Is that I don't belong to you
And you don't belong to me

Have I mentioned how much I adore Mac?

Seriously.  (As an aside, why doesn't my usual font show up in Typepad when I'm blogging directly from here?  I despise Arial so have to pick something else.  The "improvements" are annoying.  Probably because I haven't taken the time to read up on it.  Pfft.)

Anyway, adore the new MacBook in so many ways.  My sister was over on Friday and I think I have her convinced she needs one.  You so need one, Sister.  I've worked out the two fingered scrolling even...though that sounds a bit rude.  A major convenience, nonetheless.  And backspace.  I can backspace now.  What a help the little manual is.  (See! I can look things up!)

Does everyone take their pic with their new Mac?  Yeah, probably.  I'm mostly horrified by the camera's existence, but this one is kinda cute:

And the effects!  B&w is my favorite, but then I can create the lovely vignette edges...!  Shut up!  Antique and sepia modes are pretty good too.

I missed my little MacBook yesterday when I was hanging with actual humans.  Traffic was slow for Kristin's show--damn the sunny summer weather!--but we put on a good display:

Between us we had some kick ass props and draperies.  There were snacks,  good conversation, and paraffin hand dips.  Wow.  I'd never had one before and it was amazing.  I can highly recommend Cassandra at The Bathery.  She'll treat you right.

In foodie news, we just had the best lunch.  Fresh baguette, artisan cheese, ripe & juicy melon and a spot of wine.  Summer can go hang for the most part, but I do enjoy sun-warmed fresh melon.  After the sale yesterday, we went to the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar with Genie.  LOVE their decor and everything, but I'm definitely craving more Caprese salad with grilled baguette.  Well, what do you know?  I have all the ingredients now.  Is it dinner time yet?

Happy birthday, Kristin!

Pere Lachaise
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

If it's any consolation, my artistic friend, 41 is easier ;) Hope you and Bella are having a great day.

Can't this be my driver's license picture?

Orange Cashmere Cowl --view 2
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

Please. Instead of the horrifying, multi-chinned one that was taken today. I went in with the highest hopes (ridiculous, of course) but was made to wait over an hour. Why did I think I could just breeze in? Here's the kicker: I had no knitting nor iPod nor book with me. My phone provided some amusement, but come on. What was I thinking?

Must've been some karmic realignment happening because we had a lovely birthday yesterday. The "national holiday" as my mom so cleverly called it was spent in Portland buying a MacBook. Why, oh why, did I wait so long to upgrade? This baby is SO FAST. And clever. And cute. And...and...and... The list just goes on. And so EASY. I can't believe how easy it is to set up and use. I keep looking for the hoops to jump through, but they're not there. I suspected I would be easily converted and I was right. Kisses, little MacBook!

I'd better watch out or Ginger will get jealous.

Small projects rule...

Argyle iPod Jumper
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

Knit this wee argyle jumper last night. It's a bit roomy and and the alpaca makes it a bit squashy, but I love the look.

Love the instant gratification of a small project. Probably because I'm contemplating more lace in the near future. I'm not really a shawl kind of girl, but scarves? The more the better.

I've got the next 5 days off which is fabulous. On Saturday July 12 I'm helping Kristin with her trunk show. Her jewelry is even more amazing in person. Stop by if you're in Kirkland! Say hi! Enjoy The Bathery!

Trophy cupcakes...mmm...

Trophy cupcakes
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

Finally had a Trophy cupcake today. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture before diving in. Seriously, who could resist such perfect marshmallow topping? It was not humanly possible. Grant had some coconut blah blah something or other. I was entirely focused on the Chocolate Graham Cracker. That chocolate...

Sorry, went a little faint there. Valrhona!

It was good to get out. My hermit-like tendencies have a way of taking over. We had a mission though--two missions, actually. First was to fondle the MacBooks at the Apple store. We're shopping around for a more modern computer and it's gonna be a Mac. SO excited. How's that for a near birthday present? Or a good use for that short sighted economic stimulus nonsense.

Second mission was to arrange for a new dishwasher. Much less excited and it is in no way counting toward the aforementioned birthday.

In other news, it's been a year and Grant still hasn't had his post-graduation European tour. He's still not getting the whole of Europe, but we are talking about a trip to Dublin this fall. Any and all suggestions welcome. We've never been so it should be even more excitement for us.

Can it top the dishwasher though?

Blocking makes a difference.

Forest Canopy Shawl_detail
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

The least original thought ever re: lace but it's so true. Just look at this pretty. The Forest Canopy shawl that has been languishing on the needles for over a year is finished. It's a delightful pattern so I'm not sure why I left it for so long.

It would've been finished this weekend except I got cocky and neglected the lifelines. Also, it was late-ish and I was tired. You see where this is going. I had to rip back quite a way, but eventually made it to the end.

I *heart* silk & wool

Wavy scarf --finished!
Originally uploaded by jillthereckless

Two great tastes that...well, you know the rest. Lovely pattern, even lovelier yarn. The shine, the drape, mmm.

Continuing my merry journey down the road of super yarn snobbery, I am seriously into cashmere now. Recycled cashmere, that is. Makes me feel all 'green'. Green is so hot right now.

p.s. I'm trying out this blogging from Flickr thing. Fingers crossed.

Hello, stranger...

That's right.  The sun is back.  Ginger and I could not be more delighted since we spent our week off huddled together for warmth.  Perhaps an exaggeration, but we did whine a lot.  Did we accomplish anything else?  Why yes, yes we did.

The weather was so foul I was forced to finish my sweater:  That baby is warm when the sun is beating down upon it. 

I also got a new tattoo.  Yay!

It's very itchy and flaky just now, but will be fab when it's finished healing.  I was going to get my ankle tattoo "freshened" at the same time, but this one was painful.  I admit it.  I decided I was done for the day. 

Sleepy today.  Probably not used to getting up so "early".  heh.