Yay!!! TOOOMAAATOOOES!
I'm just a little excited about these. See, I grew them myself. Little ol' me, Queens Resident, City Gal, grew some freakin' tomatoes!

Aren't they so cute? Tasty, too! I put my two tomato plants in a very large planter that I keep in our little front yard area. It's surrounded by a fence and overwhelmed by a enormous rose bush. When my landlord saw the planter, he said, "You should put them in the ground. They'll grow a lot bigger."
Ah! Next year, Franklin. Next year.

And on to more pressing matters. This blankety-blank chalkboard that I saved up for forever and purchased a month ago. I am afraid that it's too small. I keep going over ways to make it appear more dramatic. Maybe a bigger frame. Paint a dark frame around it on the wall. Hmmm. I know! Buy a bigger chalkboard!
Yep. It's too small. I want to cry when I think about how much it's going to cost to ship it back. And how much the shipping on the bigger size is.
I. Just. Want. To. Cry.

I can hardly believe that today is September 1st! The last two weeks have just flown by!

This speeding up of time is partially due to how busy I've been. In the last two weekends, I've had 3 photo shoots! I'm exhausted, but happy to be doing something creative.

The photos are some of my favorite from my collaboration with photographer Kat Teutsch. They are exactly what I was hoping for when we started out. Isn't that amazing when that happens?!

I've been lusting after this tiffin set from DWR. But, oh lordy, $85!!!!!

I found mine at the "Dollar Store" on Hoyt Street for $8!!!!!!!

It's only 1/3 of the set they're selling, but c'mon, it's $8 I'm so excited! I took my lunch in it today and was just thrilled. Next, though, I have to sew a little bag for it so I can carry it on my shoulder. I just don't have enough hands to carry my tiffin and my coffee mug on the subway.

I went to NJ this weekend and came back with something from each of my grandmothers.

My dad's mom passed away last Christmas and I chose a carefully curated selection of her huge collection of milk glass. She did most of her collecting in the 50's and 60's and favored the hobnail design. I'm trying to learn a little more about collecting milk glass but a lot of her stuff is unmarked, so I'm not making much headway.

The main reason I wanted it, though, is because I associate it with her so strongly. I just think of her when I see it. She was a crazy collector. She didn't just have one of something, she had 10. It makes me smile to see this little bowl on my counter and know that I have something of hers.

The tomatoes are courtesy of my mom's mom. She's in her 80's now, but still keeps a pretty impressive garden. It used to be bigger, but she's older now and has less mouths to feed and so she's cut back on the vegetables. Still, whenever I'm home she sends me back to the city with a bag full of tomatoes or cucumbers or string beans. I used to roll my eyes and groan, "More beans?" But now I know better. I'll eat some, freeze some and maybe pickle some so I can have them all year and think of her.

I had the honor of attending the loveliest wedding this weekend in Greenwich, CT.
My friends, Michael and Rissa, (who were my gracious hosts in Tuscany this past April) were the adorable groom and bride. I wish I could have posted a picture of how handsome they both were, but I don't have their permission!

Every single detail was elegant and thoughtful, from the mojitos that matched the flowers to the parasols and fans provided for the guests.

And the dinner! It was a true reflection of the couple's tastes. Rustic and elegant, equally, and paired with the perfect wine. And the music! A Cuban band played into the wee hours of the night. You could definitely feel Michael and Rissa's hand in every detail of the evening.

I wish you both all the happiness in the world for your future together!!!!!

Oh, yeah. Hi. Remember 3 weeks ago when I was going to give you regular farmers' market updates? I guess that never happened. I really meant to, I've just been so darned busy.

I've been really working on getting the ol' etsy shop in tip top shape and also, trying to incorporate the other side of my life - styling and decorating. I may also be adding wedding planning to that list, but that's another story.

So I'm trying to become a brand. You know? I think I've got it all worked out, but I have this idea for a logo that involves the words "Needleworks, Inc." embroidered. I'm testing different fonts and doing the stitching then I figure I have to scan the fabric, right? Is anyone savvy enough with Photoshop to know what to do next? I have to somehow separate the writing from the background and I know there's some way to do that.

Also, I'm in the market for a very simple website. Eventually I'm going to have some styling images up there, but nothing fancy. Anyone willing to do it for cheap? Or some kind of barter?

I know that's a lot to throw out there but I figure I'd turn to my bogging friends for help first. Right?

I have been very busy, trying to bring to life all the ideas that have been swimming around in my brain.

These are the latest.

Some Moleskine notebooks (which I love on their own) that I have embellished with fabric that I love. I've had bits of fabric that just weren't big enough for any real patchwork project, so here they are. In notebook form.

I find it continuously difficult to take pictures in my new(ish) apartment. Though we get lots of light, it's never in the place that I want it to be! Someday I'll have professional photos. Or equipment!

All the items you see are now available in my shop.

The 80 acid-free pages inside (the last 16 are detachable) are ruled, soft white paper, and the back cover features the traditional Moleskine pocket to collect scraps and notes.

The perfect thing for jotting down lists, notes, ideas, poetry - anything your heart desires!!!

Inspired by this and this!

In the last year I've become more conscientious (obsessed) with buying local and unprocessed foods. I may have broken down and bought a frozen dinner one day last week (maybe) but in general I have been making more and more at home. I make hummus on a weekly basis. I still haven't perfected bread making, but I'm working on it. Luckily, I don't eat that much bread. I still buy my yogurt and pasta and oatmeal at the grocery store, but about 90% of my produce comes from my farmers' market near work (in Brooklyn Heights).

The decision to eat/shop this way is multi-faceted. It has to do with my health and the health of our nation and our planet. I do what I can, within reason. I am not perfect and I don't go overboard. I haven't bought a bottle of water in 3 months. I haven't bought chicken stock in about 6 months. But I did buy some Pepperidge Farm's Puff Pastry Dough on Sunday. But in general, the less that goes into bringing me the food I eat, the better.

Shopping at the Farmers' Market is the biggest change I've made. And I am trying to use every bit of everything I buy. I never ate radish or beet greens until last month and you know what? They're pretty good! I wish my market sold more so that I could buy more when I'm there. Maybe they will soon, because I think this way of living is catching on. Until they do, I'm going to keep doing what I do.

And every week, I'd like to share it with you as a way of spreading the word. Enjoy!

Happy 4th Everyone!!!!!!!!

Two things that caught my fancy as I was surfing the web at work.
(Shhhh. Don't tell my boss!)
Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections illustrations. They're so charming! I always imagined that someone would write one about me. Alas, I am not the girl who was afraid of birds in Williamsburg.

Built By Wendy is having a sale. I am on a strict, strict budget and so please buy something and tell me about it so I can live vicariously through you. OK?

*sigh*
Well, those of you who live in the NYC area know what that sigh is for. This ridiculous rainy weather we've been having. Just ridiculous. Though my tomato plant sure in enjoying it.

As it usually happens when the weather turns warm, I start knitting less and sewing more. I still have a knitting project on my needles. It's sitting in the little basket next to the couch and it comes out when "So You Think You Can Dance" comes on. Which is only once (well, twice) a week, so you can guess what Kind of progress is going on there.

I have been doing quite a bit of sewing, however. I finished this skirt, from a pattern I got a few years back. It seems I make one new wrap skirt every summer, which is just about the right number to make.

I also completed several new items for my shop, but the dang rain simply does NOT allow for me to take a decent picture of anything. Even this last skirt pic is all blurry and creepy because I used my super bright hallway bulb as a light source. Anyway......

I hear the sun may come out this weekend. On Sunday I plan on being at the LIC Water Taxi Beach to try and catch it. If you're in the 'hood, stop by and say ,"hello".

A little FYI for all your knitters: My two most popular designs (according to Ravelry favorites) are now available for download on Ravelry!

The Last Hurrah scarf is a free download that was previously on The Point's blog. Now that The Point is (sadly) no more, I've moved it over to Ravelry.

The Fiona Wrap Jacket is for sale for $5.00 - the same price The Point was selling it for, which seemed fair to me.

My Ravelry and Etsy shop are now pretty much complete with all of my patterns. It's kind of amazing for me to look at them all in one place like that. It made me realize what a productive knitter I was when I was working at the yarn shop. Hopefully I will continue to be inspired and add to my shop.

Thank you to all of you who put a little heart next to one of my designs!!! It makes me incredible happy!!! Thank you so much!

I went to the Renegade Craft Fair on Sunday with Jess/LittleBunny and Ana. I had a great time. I made a few purchases. I did not, however, take any pictures.

My favorite purchase (aside from a huge slice of organic watermelon!) was this tote from Survive Design. They have a wonderful message and their motto is"Style is Natural"! Hello!

I've been using the tote non-stop and the bright colors have livened up this dreary, rain-filled week. Turquoise is my new obsession for summer. It's a welcome break after Spring's navy blue bonanza. (I was just a tad obsessed)

I've also been visiting the Green Market at Cadmen Plaza every Tuesday on my lunch hour. Last week I saw the first strawberries of the season and nearly lost it. I was waiting and waiting to see some berry action! Now I can't get enough. I actually bought two pints this week. Shocking, I know.

The peas I lovingly shelled and put into a dinner of pasta with arugula pesto and fingerling potatoes. The pods are being saved for this. Can't wait!!!!

About a week ago, it looked like Spring was in full swing in NYC. The good weather was infectious and I responded by planting a little window garden. I have oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil. All seem to be doing very well, thank you. I hope that they'll continue to thrive all year long, seeing as they're inside and all.

And outside! Outside is glorious! Every single front yard on my block has an enormous rose bush in bloom. Simply walking down the street is a heady experience. Our rosebush, for which I've been waiting patiently to bloom since October, has finally let forth with an amazing number of blooms. More than enough for me to snip three or four a week and keep my dining room table looking cute.

On this dreary day it's nice to have a little reminder of the sunshine!

I'm letting you guys in on a little secret. This is my craft drawer at work.

Some people have secret snack drawers. I have this.

Sometimes my job is very, very slow. Instead of falling prey to online shopping, (OK, that's a bit of a stretch, 'cause I do plenty of online shopping.) I keep a supply of crafty stuff to keep me busy.

Currently: booties for a pregnant co-worker, scraps of fabric and button making kits, tissue paper, ribbon, tape measure, Altoid boxes that I'm keeping for god knows what reason, and embroidery needles.

Work has been picking up lately so there's not much crafting going on, but it's there. Just in case I need it.

Howdy, ya'll! I was in Austin, TX this weekend for my dear friend, Carrie's, wedding. I only had about 36 hours to spend and 1/2 of that was taken up by wedding stuff and the other 1/2 it poured crazy buckets of rain. The rainy moments were spent indoors drinking $2.50 Lone Stars. Woo HOO, Texas!

The wedding took place at two mind-blowing-ly beautiful locations. These guys were hanging out at Green Pastures.

I wish I had another 36 (or 72) hours to spend in Austin. It seemed (from the passenger window of our rental car) like a really cool place to visit. I think all those present this weekend are planning another trip back when we can do it up right.

Congratulations Carrie & David!!! I love you both!!!!

I can hardly believe that this post is actually happening! It's a finished Hemlock Ring Blanket, people!!!!

I started the HRB in November, when I took a workshop at The Point. It was just the sort of class that I needed to push me to try something new. Until now, I had never knit lace from a chart. Or really knit any kind of lace at all! I used a massive credit to purchase two (two!) bags of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran, which may be the most luxurious purchase I've ever made! It was so worth it, though. The blanket is so soft and just the loveliest shade of grey.

And now it's done. And I accomplished something I never thought I would. I am feeling pretty good about this one. Yep, I sure am.

In other news, there have been some changes in my esty shop and over on ravelry. All of the patterns that I designed for The Point over the years are now for sale by me. Check it out.

It's been difficult for me to sit down and write this post. I've been wanting to say something special and poignant, but I keep coming up short.

Four years ago, my good friend came to me with an idea about a knitting store with a coffee shop inside. Four years ago, I began knitting in earnest. Four years ago, I started this blog. Four years ago, my life in NYC really started. Four years ago, I helped to open The Point Knitting Cafe.

If I said that The Point changed my life I would not be exaggerating. It's where I met some of my dearest friends and some of the people dearest to me. It wasn't just the knitters, but all the people in the neighborhood that made The Point such a home for me. Bedford Street is a magical street, a city unto itself and all the people that live there made it one of my favorite places in the world. If I could name them all on this page I would. I could try.

Thank you Helane, Berhan, Sandy, Barbara, Hannah, John, Kiana, Leia, Ana, Beverly, Jill, Jill, Jennifer, Ruth, Jewel, Jessamyn, Katy, Claudine, Joelle, Carol, Carol, Carol, Frannie, Karen, Vere, Elisa, Kia, Suzie, Heidi, Enid, Linda, Peggy, Doug, Carol, Susan, Lisa, Sara, Stephanie, Robert, Michael, Jose, Alex, Terence, Jenny, Liza, Tony.
If I missed anyone, I didn't intend to. There are just so many of you!

I just don't have the words to explain how special The Point was to me. It helped me grow as a person and it introduced me to a world that I didn't really know existed. A world full of beautiful, loving, creative, inspiring people.

I'm going to miss you. Thank you.

So I've been slogging along with my knitting and not really sharing it with you all, because, let's face it, Tuscany is a whole lot cooler.

I haven't bought any new yarn this year and I've been devoted to working through my (modest) stash and finishing projects that I've had on the back burner for far too long. It's been a (somewhat) successful experiment.

Until now. This is Brights 1, from Rowan Studio 9. It's been hibernating for almost a year and when I picked it up, I had no idea where I left off. Not even what size I was making because nothing was adding up. I had even put it on a stitch holder because I obviously needed the needle for something else and I didn't know what size needle I was using!!

I ended up having to do a new gauge swatch and ripping it (this s the left front, the back is finished) to a point where I could recognize where I was in the pattern and count the stitches. It's been smooth (if not slow) sailing since then.

I also finished the Christie Bolero, but am a bit stuck, if anyone can offer me advice. The bolero meets (just barely) in front under the bust. When I hold it in place, it's really flattering and the fit that I desired, but when I added my button it pulled horribly. Does anyone have a tried and true method for sewing a button onto knitwear? One that is super sturdy? I'd appreciate the help!!!

Hi, darlings! I'm back from Italy and not quite the 10lbs. heavier that I thought I was (despite my best efforts)!

This trip was, in every sense, about food. I packed some knitting, but didn't even touch it once. All I did was eat food, cook food and shop for food. It was the best vacation ever.

Click on the pics above for bigger versions. I'm working on adding descriptions and details.

Springtime has come to Sunnyside and I couldn't be happier! This is what I've been waiting for all winter long. Slowly, I've been watching little sprouts fight their way through the frozen earth and suddenly- daffodils! Tulips! Cherry blossoms!

I'm leaving you, dear readers, for 10 glorious days in Tuscany. Be well, without me. I've armed myself with a Berlitz phrase book, some travel essays and a book on Tuscan cuisine. Hopefully, I'll be a changed woman when I return.

Arrivederci!!

A week ago, my good friend, Libby (who lived in Paris, lucky girl) was in NYC for her 30th birthday. I had the honor of attending her birthday dinner at Lupa.

Lupa is a Roman style Italian trattoria, which I found utterly charming and completely inspirational. Since Libby is a long time vegetarian, veggies were the highlight of what we ate. For starters we shared butternut squash, beets and brussels sprouts, all prepared in a new (to me) and really, really delicious way.
Libby also had a dish made of farro pasta with (more!) brussels sprouts. It was kind of a revelation to me. I had never combined a vegetable like that with pasta before and suddenly I had a use for the sad head of savoy cabbage that had been sitting in my fridge!

I put water on to boil and caramelized some onions in olive oil with red pepper flakes. Once the pasta (I used whole wheat because I couldn't find farro pasta) was in, I put the finely sliced cabbage in the pan with the onions and let it cook. Pasta comes out, goes into that pan along with a really, really healthy bunch of grated Parmesan cheese and a little of the pasta water itself. Prego! A late winter pasta dish to get you through that last push. Spring awaits!

Ah, but there's more to all this Italian talk than last night's dinner. I, my dears, and going to Tuscany!!!!!! I leave on April 11th for ten (count them, ten) days!!!!!! I have never been to Italy before and am blessed enough to be staying in a friend's digs in the countryside for free.

I have NO IDEA what I need to do or see while I'm there. I'll have access to a car, so if anyone can recommend sights to see or a good guide book or can't miss experiences, please leave a comment!!! Grazie!!

I saved these roses from what was going to be a long, sad, lonely death in our flower refrigerator at work and stashed them in what is my new favorite Winter-Spring transitional handbag.

It's actually a tool bag from Klein Tools, but I loved the unbleached, heavy-weight canvas and metal and leather buckles, so I ordered one. They also have some all leather bags with which I am only mildly obsessed. They're pretty reasonable and oh, so sturdy! And I only feel a little silly carrying it when I run into one of the many construction workers buying their morning coffee at the corner bodega.

(I was so smitten with the roses/bag combo that I didn't even notice the tacky ad for laser hair removal on the newspaper that I used to wrap them up. Nice.)

These are two pillows that I finished well over a year ago. They were meant to go in my old apartment, which was all 70's fabulous orange, brown and avocado green.

Now they just don't fit in my new place so off to the Etsy shop they go!
(These photos were taken on my new ivory velvet love seat! I absolutely am in love with it! It fits perfectly under the window in the front of the living room. Some people {ahem} think it was a crazy choice, but I don't care).

I still owe you pictures of the Minnow Cardi, but in the meantime, I started a new project. It's the Christie Bolero that I designed for The Point, ages ago.
I always wanted one of my own, so in an attempt to plow through some of my stash, I cast on with some Harmony from Naturally Hand Knit that I've been holding onto forever.
It's a smaller gauge than the original pattern and I'm also planning on making it slightly larger so that it can crossover in the front with a button closure.
I'll keep you updated!

I updated my shop with some vintage finds. Go and visit!

Oh, and I finished my Minnow Merino Cardigan and it's a winner! I'll be sharing that with you soon!

I wanted to share with everyone a new discovery that is currently making me very, very happy.

This is a bath product line that I found through one of the many, many blogs that I read. I'm ashamed to say that I forget which one, or I would give them credit where credit is due.

The Bubble Roome bath products meet two very important requirements for me. (Well, many more than two, but you get the idea.) They're handmade and paraben and sulfate free AND they're locally made. In addition to that they work like a dream and have really, really cute packaging that I love to look at in my bathroom. (Makes me feel so *fancy*).
Though I have to warn you, the brown sugar scrub is addictive.

So, it's crappy self portrait time.

I've been too busy to beg my roommate to take my picture and all I have is a sad little point and shoot camera without a tripod, so I'm reduced to this. Taking a picture in our entryway with my downstairs neighbor's bike in the back ground. All I can say is that crazy bright new overhead lamp my super installed makes for good nighttime picture takin'.

I'm really not sure how I feel about Patsy. I want to love her, I really do. She looks so cute on the back of my office chair, or folded on my sewing table. Everyone loves her. But when I try her on (which I do bi-weekly) all I feel is, "Meh."

She's ever so slightly small. I could do with the fit across the bust since she is a Swing Cardigan and only fastens with one button (missing from this picture). But the sleeves! The sleeves, people!!!

I feel as though they hit at the most unflattering point possible. I wish that they were about two inches longer, ending at mid-forearm, rather that just below the elbow. I'd undo the binding and knit them longer, but I have zero yarn left over and also seem to be unable to locate a ball band to identify a Lot #. Yep, it's pathetic.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do just yet. I forgot to have my future sister-in-law try it on when she was visiting this past weekend. She's smaller than me and Patsy might make for her a better fit. Now, wouldn't that be a great pre-wedding gift?

P.S. I totally look preggers in that last picture! Terrible!

P.P.S. I also appear to have a triple chin! Even more terrible!

Look! Look! A Finished Object! I know, I can hardly believe it myself. I started this in November and just finished it last week.

It's the Patsy Swing Cardigan from The Point and I highly recommend this pattern to anyone who wants to knit a first time cable sweater. It was their pattern of the month for November and I bought the recommended yarn, as well. The pattern is a dream and super easy to knit. It's knit from the top down, though, and being a cardigan, the stockinette gets a little tedious towards the end.

I think this may be one of the first sweaters that I've made that I'll really wear. I usually end up so unhappy with the way I look in the finished product that I stuff it in a drawer.

I've been a really impatient knitter up until now, but I think I'm entering a new phase where I can knit from challenging patterns and take my time to undo mistakes and check for fit. I'm less concerned with having a finished item than having an item finished well.

Words to live by.