KnitXcorE

first rose.

2009-07-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

i've had this same rose bush for about six years now.

it never makes many flowers.

i'm not a very good gardener.

but, i still look forward to the first rose of the summer.

it's later than usual this year, but it's perfect :-)

i hate the fleeting the beauty of a flower.

it's a perfect reminder to live in the present.

i guess we'll always have this moment.

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devendra banhart - how's about tellin a story

robbie.

explore.

2009-06-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

the other day i had this urge to play outside.

dave and i always pass this park when we go to our parents houses.

my bff and i decided to go check it out.

they used to make canonballs there. (karen, it's called the weymouth furnace in the book i sent you).

besides the furnace, there isn't really much there.

we took lots of pictures anyway.

i even took a few holga shots :-)

i finished my mothers day gift (haha). it took forever because i couldn't find inkjet fabric. i'd like take some pictures of it tomarrow. we'll see.

in other news, i finally pledged to wardrobe refashion.

I, knitxcore, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed knitxcore.

i'm so glad etsy purchases don't count. i'd be in trouble.

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fleet foxes - he doesn't know why

knitxcore.

cookies.

2009-06-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

i made some sugar cookies today with a pal.

it was fun, even though half of the dough ended up on the floor.

old fashioned sugar cookies

Makes about 20 (3 1/2-inch) cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks), softened

2 large eggs

Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl; set aside.

Put sugars and lemon zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. (go back to the store because you forgot eggs.) Mix in eggs, 1 at a time, and then the lemon juice. (drop half on the floor, use measuring cup to figure out how much was lost. and determine how much flour you need to cut.) Reduce speed; gradually add flour mixture, and mix until just combined.

Scoop dough using a 2-inch ice cream scoop (or just man up and use your hands); space cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten cookies slightly with a spatula. Sprinkle tops with sanding sugar, then lightly brush with a wet pastry brush; sprinkle with more sanding sugar.(or just skip all that extra stuff)

Bake cookies until golden, about 15 minutes (more like 10-12 minutes). Let cool on sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks using a spatula; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in (a snowman tupperware container) an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

srsly, even though we made quite a mess, these cookies were tasty.

will it ever stop raining???

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little - je veux des violons

knitxcore.

holgaxcore.

2009-06-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

my first two rolls came back. i have mixed emotions about the results.

i was just hoping for more of that holga magic. i'm sure i'll figure it out eventually.

you can see the rest of them on my flickr photostream.

i swear i'm knitting. i'm chugging away on the ol' log cabin blanket. i've come to point where it takes 15 minutes to finish a row :-( i never should have used cotton. oh well. it's too late now. lesson learned.

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simone white - why is your raincoat always crying?

knitxcore.

friday faves.

2009-05-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

music:

tinyfolk - mary poppins (hello shark cover)

etsy:

this print from NEW! seller formeforyou

food:

Funnel cake!!!! dave and i made some the other night from an old amish cookbook. if anyone would like the recipe, lemme know! even though we didn't have a funnel, they were lovely. we ate them so quickly i didn't have a chance to take a proper photo. apparently, someone on flickr was able to excersize enough restraint...

untitled by rachel a.k. on flickr!

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my film still hasn't come back, i'm getting far too excited to check the mail. i hope there are a few good shots.

it seems like everyday i have off it is extremely gloomy. today is the grey-est day. i don't know how i'm going to get anything done. i just want to drink coffee and read books.

knitxcore.

friday faves.

2009-05-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

music:

Happiest lion - Boys like me (paul baribeau cover)

reading:

my family and other animals by gerald durrell

an incredible summer read! travel without leaving your block.

coveting:

this hat by etsy seller onnesti

i love it more than anything, it's just kinda out of my price range.

harmonica necklace by nycbird

a tiny, working harmonica. nuff said.

i have to start getting ready for work, so i'm cutting this short.

i should have my first 2 rolls of holga film back in less than a week.

keep yours eyes peeled!

knitxcore.

bubbles.

2009-05-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

so, it's my day off.

i like to get bubble baths (lush's karma bubble bar is my fave but mr. bubble runs a close second) and listen to this american life.

i chose episode #238 and by the end of act 1, i was in tears.

it was about a mother dying of lung cancer who made a video for her developmentally disabled daughter to remember her.

it was soooooo incredibly sweet.

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first aid kit- tiger mountain peasant song (fleet foxes cover)

this is so raw and beautiful. i need to order their album.

knitxcore.

friday faves.

2009-05-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

listening:

tinyfolk

drinking:

mellow mood tea from good4you - i have trouble falling asleep, i think too much when i'm laying down. this magical elixir has me out cold in about an hour.

waiting:

i bought a holga on ebay. it's being shipped from hong kong, but it was really cheap so i guess it's worth the wait.

have a great weekend and stay dry in the great northeast.

knitxcore.

prism.

2009-04-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

i've been thinking about light a lot recently.

so i bought lil' prism to hang in my doorway.

according to feng shui, a crystal should be placed where steps lead to a door to create a greater and smoother energy flow.

at first i was sad and thought i put it in the wrong space, or it didn't work right or something.

but later in the day, i went to get the mail and found these lil' light fairies on the wall:

i found this reasonably priced one on etsy from jerseyjewel and right now everything is 15% off, if you buy 2 or more items. she's quite a lovely shopkeep <3

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elvis perkins in dearland - shampoo

knitxcore.

easter parade.

2009-04-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

free pattern @ wee wonderfuls.

i spent most of the day yesterday watching chitty chitty bang bang and sewing the wonderful little creatures to give as gifts.

the pattern was pretty simple, i just drew on the fabric to make the face and embroidered over it. instead of weighted stuffing, i tossed some navy beans in the bottom of each one.

i really do have a billion things to do today, and i haven't even had any coffee yet.

have a great easter :-)

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fred astaire and judy garland - easter parade

knitxcore.

1957.

2009-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

i bought a really old camera on ebay.

i love it more than anything.

i hope it's good for ghost hunting in the forest.

it didn't say in the description.

i'm knitting a sock, but the yarn keeps splitting.

i really like the way it looks so i'm determined to finish it.

i really should be cleaning today, it's gotten quite dusty.

______________________

billie the vision & the dancers - i miss you

<3
knitxcore.

the 59 sound.

2009-03-28T09:02:00.001-07:00

i'm going to see these guys tonight. YAY!

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the gaslight anthem - the 59 sound

knitxcore.

learning to love you more: assignment #11

2009-03-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

take a photograph of a scar and write about it.

(1995) i stayed with my grandparents all summer that year. they gave me a camera, a stack of national geographics, some acrylic yarn and a crochet hook to keep me busy. We went on tons of day trips. Antique malls, farms, fishing... one of those day trips was to skyline drive. it's 105 mile trail along the crest of the blue ridge mountains. we had quite a long day, punctuated with nature walks and tiny waterfalls. at the top there was a small gift shop where i bought a book about drawing flowers. there was also a lil lookout point where you could sit down or take pictures. you know what it's like when you're a moody tween and you can do everything? well, i wanted my family @ home to see just how great the view was. i walked a little to close to edge, and took quite a spill down the side of the ol' blue ridge mountains. that polaroid was the result of my clumsiness. i haven't seen my paternal grandparents since that summer. all i have left is this scar, the polaroids and half of a crocheted tote bag.

___________________________

this frontier needs heroes - marxists and marigolds

knitxcore.

a week of favorites: day 7

2009-03-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

i love shoofly pie more than almost any food.it's so rich and gooey.
it was a surprise from dave, along with a huge jar of local blueberry honey.the man knows what i like :-)

"Shoofly pie (or shoo-fly pie) is a pie considered traditional among the Pennsylvania Dutch and also known in Southern cooking. The term "shoo-fly pie" first appeared in print in 1926.[1] The pie gets its name because the molasses attracts flies that must be "shooed" away."

-wikipedia.com

_________________________

lykke li and bon iver- dancdancedance

(she's so cute!)

knitxcore.

a week of favorites: day 6

2009-03-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

these owls are hanging up in my bathroom.

they make me smile. the one on the right is from dave's aunt.

she was going to sell it at a yard sale, but i had to have it. i found his mate on etsy.

________________________________________

soko - i'll kill her

knitxcore.

a week of favorites: day 5

2009-03-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

i've loved gnomes ever since i was a lil' boy.

i have them hidden all over the house.

i even have a big one that lights up.

____________________________________

chantal goya - david le gnome

knitxcore.

a week of favorites: day 4

2009-03-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

tiny marshmallows! i could eat a whole bag.

i did actually, one day for lunch.

______________________________

stephanie dosen - it's only getting better.

(she's quite a fantastic knitter!)

knitxcore.

2009-03-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

my favorite book.

this collection of short stories is quirky, original, childish (in the best way possible, i mean), and uncomfortable at times.

if you pick it up, read "the swim team", first.

__________________________

me, you and everyone we know - fish scene

knitxcore.

a week of favorite things: day 2

2009-03-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

i still feel gross. i've been walking around in a dayquil haze for 2 days now.

another one of my favorite things is roller skating.

it seems like no matter how much time passes, it's always 1975 at the roller rink.

when i was a kid, our parents would drop us off on friday night with $6, and for 2 hours a week it was bliss, it was xanadu!

simpler times, i guess?

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olivia newton john & elo - xanadu

knitxcore.

a week of favorite things.

2009-03-03T08:55:00.000-08:00

i saw this @ meetmeatmikes, and after my post yesterday i thought i would join in.

old records. i love the the tiny imperfections of a well loved LP.

i like when they sound a little scratchy, and even when they skip a little.

they're like friendly little ghosts.

there's a thrift store nearby where you can get 20 for $2.

it's like buying someones memories at a penny candy store.

______________________________

nina simone - feelings.

nina simone is one of my favorites, too :-)

watch it! you won't be disappointed.

knitxcore.

snow.

2009-03-02T16:36:00.000-08:00

it snowed all night last night.

i didn't have to work today, so it wasn't a huge deal.

i feel kinda sick, anyway.

i waited all day for the black apple update on etsy.

recently, i've become sort of obsessed with her art.

apparently, i can't tell time.

i missed the whole thing, except for one $700 original.

i don't have a spare $700 laying around anywhere.

i checked the couch cushions and in between the mattress and boxspring.

we're having lentils and sausages for dinner (from apples for jam), so maybe it'll turn my day around. it's one of my faves from tessa's lovely book.

what's your favorite comfort food?

_______________________________________

chantal goya - ce matin, un lapin...

this is definitely another one of my favorite things.

knitxcore

felicity.

2009-02-07T10:37:00.001-08:00

love this hat.
pretty sure i'm gonna wear it everyday.

Pattern Particulars

Pattern Source: free ravelry download : felicity
Needles: addi turbos 16" circular US size 8 and 9.
Materials: malabrigo worsted merino in glazed carrot.
Time: 2 hours?
loved: the fit!!!!
hated: nothing.

mods: i casted on 90, instead of 70 and started with 8's and switched to 9's.

________________________

it's a musical - lazy artist

(cutest video ever!)

knitxcore.

old folks need glue.

2009-01-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

valentine for charity.

hand embroidered on linen.

handmade envelope.

this took wayyyyy longer than it should have, but don't all the good FOs? i was originally going to just embroider right on the cardstock, but i punked out at the last second. i'm super in love with the envelope, too! i just made it up as i went, and i came out perfect. i didn't write anything inside b/c i hate cards that are already written out. they're usually kinda cheesy, or just kinda sad.

i keep drawing this lil' guy on everything. i love him :-)

SnailMail Valentines will be online @ Fredflare.com and in the brooklyn shop around the end of the month.
proceeds go to elder craftsmen. a NYC based organization that brings craft workshops to local senior citizens.

___________________________________

Of Montreal - Id Engager

i just can't get enough of them recently.

this is from their new album "skeletal lamping"

knitxcore.

2009-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

another gift for a co-worker.

based on the pattern from last minute gifts. i used seed stitch instead of the thermal pattern b/c i had to finish this quickly. the mushroom is needle felted on with lambs pride. the teapot is a vintage arnel, found on etsy.

it was kinda hard to give this one up. i almost gave them something else. i've been searching ebay to find another of the same teapot for myself.

i have so much to do today, and all that i've done so far is read blogs and watch kate bush videos on youtube. i'm such a slacker.

my to do list is jam packed today:

-vacuum

-mop

-bake bread for dinner tonight

-go grocery shopping

-put away xmas gifts

-do load of laundry

-make bed

-put away decorations

-take down tree

-fill up the fish tank...

it just keeps going. i haven't even got a shower yet. all i want to do is darn some socks and read a book. i guess if i can chug enough coffee, i'll get moving. maybe.

what do you do to get motivated?

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Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (i'm currently reading it, actually...)

i know this video is for accquired tastes,and 90% of people will hate it. i just can't get enough. she's soooo magical...

knitxcore.

happy new year.

2009-01-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

i resolve to:

1. excersize everyday; it's a good habit.

2. buy handmade or vintage in every situation possible.

3. stick to my schedule and to-do lists.

did you make resolutions this year? what are they?

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ABBA - Happy New Year

knitxcore.