What is Making Me Happy-Right Now

Lately I have had the urge to knit socks. I have not knit a pair of socks before, not because I thought I couldn't do it, I just felt that I would not have the patience to work with such light weight yarn. I grabbed some yarn from my stash and got to work on a basic sock pattern I found on Ravelry. I knit up one sock in two days and started the second. I still have that second sock on the needles 'cause I have been pretty busy with work knitting, so it'll be on hold. For now I am really enjoying checking out the array of hand dyed sock yarns on Etsy.

Have a look with me at some of my favorites:

Black Sheep Dyeworks Superwash Merino Wool in Aegean Multi 

Yarnbreath's Merino Silk sockweight yarn

Colorful Yarn Creation's Aztec fingering weight yarn

Fibre Optic's Radio No. 61 Traditional Hand Paint Foot Notes Sock Yarn

Grant Creek Yarn's Persimmon Hand Dyed Fingering (Sock) Yarn, Superwash Merino Wool and Nylon

Lampyridae's Alpaca/Cashmere/Silk sock yarn

Knitting Like Crazy's Witchy Superwash Merino Sock Yarn

Hope you enjoyed!

-LadeeBee

Creatography- Creativity and Photography: What Can I Do With All Those Pictures?

A while back I posted "Photography 101" on my blog discussing my excitement over the class I was enrolled in on photography through the Toronto Board of Education. I tried to stick it out for the full 10 weeks, but unfortunately after only 3 or 4 classes I stopped going. I was not happy with the instruction I was getting (or lack thereof) and decided I'd be much happier discovering photography through practice and informal learning-like checking out cool blogs and looking at the photos of others. 

Since then I have opened a Flickr account. You can see my widget in the right hand side of this page. Mostly my photos are shots of my buttons and crafts and from time to time I try to take some interesting shots around my city (like the one above taken near a local high school). 

I thought I would share with my readers what I have discovered so far since taking up more of an interest in photography and craft.

Taken near Dundas West Subway Station, Toronto, Ontario

1. Photojojo-kick ass tips on what you can do with all those photos you've accumulated and of course how to take more interesting ones in the future. I have subscribed to their newsletter and about every week or so they give you a free idea on a project, craft, product, or tip to keep you interested in the fun that is photography. Oh yes, and I highly recommend their new book!
2. Flickr-okay, so  most people on "discovered" this site before me, but for those of you who still don't know what they are missing, please head on over and visit. I grabbed a free account and once I am full up I am seriously considering getting a pro account for a mere $25/year. I enjoy looking at pics of things I am interested in. There are groups you can join and submit your own photos to for sharing. It is fun to comment and to favorite and to have others comment and favorite your photos too. Best of all I find the site inspiring. You'll discover what is the most weird as well as the most wonderful elements of our planet. 
3. MOO-a site that uses your own photos to create show stopping business cards or cards to save and trade...I just purchased a set of 50 cards (I only paid shipping on this offer) and I am so looking forward to receiving them. I suggest poking around the site to see it for yourself. 
4. Cre8tive Gang-an amazing blog for down to earth tips and inspiration for your photo craft endeavours. There is so much to discover on this site and it is clear that for the Cre8tive gang, photography is truly a passion. They stress that anyone can take great shots!

Photo taken at a shop in my community called Smash.

Share your creatography with me by posting comments below.

Downtown Knit Collective November Bus Trip 2009

"SHOW US YOUR KNITS"

proposed slogan of our DKC bus trip

Our first stop was the Needle Emporium in Ancaster, Ontario. This is a gorgeous yarn shop in a heritage house just on the outskirts of Hamilton, Ontario.

The Masonic Lodge just across the street from the Needle Emporium. We could not have asked for a better day. Clear blue sky, fresh breeze, beautifully fall.

A basket of sock yarn. I had to buy just one! This is Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns, 80% merino wool and 20%nylon.

Sock yarn, cottons, anything you can imagine. It's all here.

This is a photo of the sweater kit that I purchased. The owner graciously gave us DKCers 20% off all yarn. The kit I purchased was for XL, in the same colours in the photo and pattern by Spud and Chloe. The yarn is comprised of superwash 55% wool and 45% organic cotton. It is simply delicious to the touch.

Foxy ladies in a line-up. I tried asking them not to smile, but I think it was impossible for them while clutching a bag of newly purchased spoils.

Mug Shot

Belfountain Inn. This is the quaint venue of our lunch. We had quiche and salad, bread with oil and vinegar, and pie for dessert.

Rhubarb Pie!!! with fresh cream (not enough of it!)

My new friend Annie. She and I were accused of skewing the average age of the DKC membership. Yep, I'm the baby. Feels good to be the babe sometimes.

Our next stop after lunch was Camilla Valley Farm. Lots of stuff for the weaver and knitter and what a beautiful property. Worth the drive!

Fresh skeins of Manos silk. I desperately wanted to buy some of this lime green, but thought better after leaving the Needle Emporium with my sweater kit. I managed to score some amazing linen, cotton, and wool at $1 per cone or skein in the bargain bin because they were supposedly "mill ends".

A good look at the merchandise.

The woman in the purple top is the prez of the Toronto Downtown Knit Collective. She is spunky and way cool. Her name is Carol!

Taking a break outside of the Camilla Valley Farm Weaver's Supply Shop

A view from their property.

That's the end of our trip. We head home, our bellies full, our bags full, and our wallets empty, smiles on our faces all the while. Until next year, I hope.