Monthly Archives: August 2015

Weekly Challenge: From Every Angle …

This week the challenge is…. photograph  any object and experiment by photographing it from different angles.

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1930 Ford

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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/from-every-angle/


Vineyard Map …

mvobsession:

I was curious as to what I posted on this date in 2014 … tah dah

Originally posted on MV Obsession:

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My dad bought this beautiful 21×28 map of the Vineyard for me in 1959.

This hand colored print was done in 1926 by  painter, illustrator and cartoonist, Lloyd Coe.  I love the details and bits of historical information.

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I’ve never seen this map again in any stores on MV.  Wonder if anyone else reading this has one ?

View original


Grape Tomatoes …

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:)

 


Review: Custom Socks

Review: Custom Socks post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet. 15 Patterns to Make Your Own

Author: Kate Atherley

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 191

Type: Socks, How-To

Chapters:

1. On Sock Sizing
2. On Yarn, Needles, and Gauge
3. On the Basic Patterns
4. On Adding Stitch Patterns
5. On Adjustments for Non-Average Feet

KS: Custom Socks

The In-Depth Look:

Everybody loves to knit socks, right?

Or, maybe you don’t. Maybe you think they’re too fiddly or too small. Too complicated, perhaps. Or maybe the socks you make just never feel comfortable.

Maybe what you need is a blueprint that will show you exactly what you need to know to make socks that will fit your feet … yours … not just someone who wears the same shoe size. (Because, yes, that does make a difference.)

Kate Atherley has done a massive amount of homework, here, to give you step by step instructions about everything you need to know to make a good, perfectly fitted sock. She tells you how to measure your foot correctly–and what measurements to pay attention to. She talks about the right yarn, and how to make adjustments for everything from a shallow arch to adjusting the shape of the toe to fit most comfortably.

Details, you’ll see, are not in short supply. This book is chock full of them, along with instructions for both toe-up and top-down socks, ankle-length or knee-highs.

Interestingly, all the heels in this book–regardless of the direction of the sock–are the standard heel-flap type heel. No short row heels here. I’m guessing this is because it’s easier to adjust the fit of the heel-flap style to suit every person’s unique heel shapes, but confess this is the one real flaw I found in this book. I’ve never found an old-school flap-heel that fit me comfortably and rely on short-row heels for my socks … but then, I haven’t tried Kate’s heels yet. Maybe she’ll convert me, but in the meantime, I wish she had included it–even if it was a throw-away “These aren’t as flexible or easy to customize, but if you’re interested…” kind of thing. But then, there’s only so much room in a book, and she was busy doing so many other things!

In addition to the exhaustive instructions, there are fully realized patterns for you to make (along with notes on what makes them special and how to customize to your heart’s content).

All in all, this is a great sock book. The information is thorough, the patterns attractive, the instructions easy to follow, and the photos are appealing.

Really, what else does a knitter need? Other than yarn and needles, of course!

You can find this book at Amazon.com or at your local shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Great detail, thorough, even if my favorite style heel is left out.

Review: Custom Socks

Review: Custom Socks post image

customsocks_001

First, the facts:

Title: Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet. 15 Patterns to Make Your Own

Author: Kate Atherley

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 191

Type: Socks, How-To

Chapters:

1. On Sock Sizing
2. On Yarn, Needles, and Gauge
3. On the Basic Patterns
4. On Adding Stitch Patterns
5. On Adjustments for Non-Average Feet

KS: Custom Socks

The In-Depth Look:

Everybody loves to knit socks, right?

Or, maybe you don’t. Maybe you think they’re too fiddly or too small. Too complicated, perhaps. Or maybe the socks you make just never feel comfortable.

Maybe what you need is a blueprint that will show you exactly what you need to know to make socks that will fit your feet … yours … not just someone who wears the same shoe size. (Because, yes, that does make a difference.)

Kate Atherley has done a massive amount of homework, here, to give you step by step instructions about everything you need to know to make a good, perfectly fitted sock. She tells you how to measure your foot correctly–and what measurements to pay attention to. She talks about the right yarn, and how to make adjustments for everything from a shallow arch to adjusting the shape of the toe to fit most comfortably.

Details, you’ll see, are not in short supply. This book is chock full of them, along with instructions for both toe-up and top-down socks, ankle-length or knee-highs.

Interestingly, all the heels in this book–regardless of the direction of the sock–are the standard heel-flap type heel. No short row heels here. I’m guessing this is because it’s easier to adjust the fit of the heel-flap style to suit every person’s unique heel shapes, but confess this is the one real flaw I found in this book. I’ve never found an old-school flap-heel that fit me comfortably and rely on short-row heels for my socks … but then, I haven’t tried Kate’s heels yet. Maybe she’ll convert me, but in the meantime, I wish she had included it–even if it was a throw-away “These aren’t as flexible or easy to customize, but if you’re interested…” kind of thing. But then, there’s only so much room in a book, and she was busy doing so many other things!

In addition to the exhaustive instructions, there are fully realized patterns for you to make (along with notes on what makes them special and how to customize to your heart’s content).

All in all, this is a great sock book. The information is thorough, the patterns attractive, the instructions easy to follow, and the photos are appealing.

Really, what else does a knitter need? Other than yarn and needles, of course!

You can find this book at Amazon.com or at your local shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Great detail, thorough, even if my favorite style heel is left out.

Travel

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Do you like to read books about far-away places? Travel guides, memoirs, whatever? Places you’ve been? Or places you’ve never been?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!


Grape Nuts …

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Sunflowers By Flashlight …

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Sweet Stuff

Have you seen Magic Custard Cake????

Alicia Paulson blogged about it recently and I just had to try it. And now, you should, too!

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So creamy and delicious!

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I’ve made it twice now; my family keeps asking for more! It was super easy, and though I was sure it wasn’t going to turn out properly either time, it “magically” did.

Speaking of sweets, Oona turned 8 this past Friday.  As usual, she requested a Carvel ice cream cake. She decorated it herself, and where Neve usually writes “Treat Yo Self” or similar on her cakes, Oona wrote “This cake is MINE”.

Can’t say I blame her – those things are so terribly good (and bad for you!).

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You see the size of that thing? She has eaten almost all of it now – two days later – on her own. We all have some of it on Friday, but she has claimed it all for herself since. I told her to enjoy it, because at this rate I’m going to withhold all sugar from her until Halloween!

The news I am particularly happy to share, however, is that I finished the second sleeve of my Shepherd Sweater!

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I am now working steadily on the hood. In fact, I’ve done precious little else all weekend. My needles are on fire!


Tagged: food, kids, Knitting

Weekly Challenge: Today Was A Good Day …

The prompt: For this week’s photo challenge, select and share a series of photographs. You can piece together what you consider an ideal day, recount a memorable day, tell a (visual) story, or show us some of your favorite things.

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A lot of thoughts came to mind about what would constitute a good day… I just didn’t know what to post about… my favorite places, favorite people, foods, vacations… I was torn.   And then this morning a perfect opportunity arose.  My daughter Deb and I go out for coffee every Saturday morning and today we took a mini 3 hour vacation to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey.

Got our coffee and pastry at the Main Lake Market…

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and then sat outside and enjoyed our respite.

mosaiccf209c6bf171ac5070f5fe84dc1720aba60fd1a2A good day :)

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/today-was-a-good-day/