Cherry Blossom Hill Studio

Blog Break

Posted by: Kathy on: July 1, 2009

headband_largeIf you find something of use from my own little personal diary, documenting the books I’ve liked, the designers who inspire me, a journal of keepsakes, thoughts and photos, I hope you will find some pleasure in the pages you find. I’d like to hear from the many visitors who come to see my little blog; so many visits, and so little conversations! For those who commented, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. If you are a member of Ravelry, you can see the latest things I’m working on at my home page for NordyKnits. I’ve got my hands into all sorts of challenges from entrelac to lace and double knitting.

Kathy

A Culinary Tour of Sweden

Posted by: Kathy on: June 30, 2009

DALARNA 1

 

This photo is from a cook book I bought for my dad in Solvang for Father’s day but we still haven’t managed to get together yet.  The last I heard, he was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, how lovely!  Happy Pappa’s Day Poops!  This one is for you!  I don’t know who Tina Nordstrom  is but apparantly she is a famous television personality in Sweden.  Do you know how in each issue of Marie Claire you get treated to a photo vacation to some far off destination, full of incredible picture postcard perfect photos, well, this is it, all 219 pages of photos of the Swedish countryside (picture hot tubbing in the middle of the frozen winter), and dishes that range from mulled wine (Glogg in Swedish), cinnemon plums and apricots wit vanilla custard to comfort foods like goulash soup and white wine strawberries with whipped creme fraiche.  If those don’t get your mouth watering, how about berries with cloudberry zabaglione or seared scallops with blueberry vinaigrette!    Yes, there is even the humble Swedish meatball!  Each section of the book takes you to a different region of Sweden.  The photo shown here is from Dalarna :-)

Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts

Posted by: Kathy on: June 30, 2009

Kyuuto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love embroidery, I just haven’t tried it yet!  Every project in this book inspired me to give it a try.  All in English too!  Unfortunately, the look inside the book feature on Amazon doesn’t show the cutest projects in this book.  There is a very simple counted cross stitch Christmas stocking pattern on linen, some Jacobian crewel work in a picture frame, a really fun linen hobo back with Carribean blue embroidered flowers, some Scandinavian felted and embroidered slippers, and even a linen sewing kit case.

Fabricate by Susan Wasinger

Posted by: Kathy on: June 30, 2009

fabricate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case  knitting starts to feel monotonous and quilting just feels like too big a project to take on, or you just want to branch out and try some different craft techniques, this book is loaded with lots of fun projects for yourself or your home using techniques to manipulate fabric to provide texture and eye catching appeal.  I’ve seen silk scarves like the one in the book going for hundreds at Nordstrom’s, how cool to make one yourself!  Its not sooo much the fabric, but what you do with the fabric that makes these projects  really special, an idea that is really appealing to me because I’m not so crazy about fabrics in the quilt shops anymore.  I like the texture you see on the surface of quilts, but its really hard to find fabric that inspires me to quilt anymore.    But I have to say, if you are really good at creating a color pallette  from a stash of fabric that really comes alive, like Piece O’ Cake Designs, than I’m only too happy to spend my after work hours relaxing with one of their books, looking at the photos.  Or Kaffe Fasset, another really great quilter that can put together a great pallette, no matter what the fabric.  Its a skill I’ve never been able to aquire, I’ve always been a one collection girl, just picking out all the fabrics I like from a single collection.  And I haven’t found any collections I’ve liked in a long, long time.   I don’t know if its the economy or if other people feel like me but one of the largest quilt shops in Southern California closed its doors a few months ago.  They couldn’t make a go of it anymore.  I wonder how many years it will take for people to quilt through their stash before they ever need to visit another quilt store again?

Christmas in July Sale at Nordy Knits

Posted by: Kathy on: June 28, 2009

I’m having a Christmas in July sale at Nordy Knits.  Everything in the store is marked down 50% except items from MaggieKnits.  (If you are outside the US, I have to apologize in advance, I only ship from within the US, out of concern for buyers who might get charged an import duty.)

Just for fun, I thought I’d post a list of top posts visited at Cherry Blossom Hill.  Its very interesting to see what people are most interested in!

Top Posts

Bobbin Quilting a Pantograph from the Back of the Quilt 2,408 views

Two Colors: Three Needles 2,269 views

New and Wonderful Fair Isle Vest Patterns 2,040 views

Meida’s Mittens 1,694 views

Farm Girl Stitchin 1,546 views

Crochet Flowers 1,352 views

Norwegian Christmas from Marie Claire Idees 1,218 views

Finding Flea Market Fancy 928 views

Flip Flop Socks

Posted by: Kathy on: June 22, 2009

flippant_model_thumbnailI’ve been searching for that elusive unique hand painted lace weight yarn and had heard lots of wonderful things about Sundara Yarns.  Look how pretty it is in this fun flip flop sock pattern by Sivia Harding, made in Sundara fingering Silky Merino (the pattern is free).  Here is a description for this pattern from Sivia’s website:  “Ever get annoyed at how thong sandals hurt between your toes? Here are some cute lacy little thong socks in two lengths and three sizes, to pad your toes and keep your feet feeling great all summer. Wear them underneath thongs, flip flops and all your other sandals.”  Also, here is the errata for this pattern as well (also on Sivia’s website).

The pattern should read:
Finishing Rounds – Right Sock
Round 20: P18 (19, 20), k7, p12 (14, 16), k7, p16 (17, 18)
Round 21: Knit
Round 22: P18 (19, 20), k7, p12 (14, 16), k7, p16 (17, 18)
Round 23: Bind off 19 (20, 21) stitches, k6. Attach new strand of yarn, bind off 12 (14, 16) stitches, k7, bind off remaining stitches. Cut yarn and draw through final loop.

Pixies, Gnomes, and Trolls

Posted by: Kathy on: June 21, 2009

pixie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been busy and tired from work lately but have been meaning to post a photo from the book Pixie Felt by Birgitte Krag Hansen that I found in Solvang, California a few weeks ago…thought you might enjoy!

Kudos to Geogia Peachez

Posted by: Kathy on: June 10, 2009

Vintage Tablecloth Strawberries Tote Bag Purse

I happily discovered a link to Georgia Peachez through Rosehip and found a link to her fantastic Etsy shop.
I fell in love with this handbag with the vintage strawberry fabric.  What a fun way to carry around my
small knitting projects in!  It really cheers me up wherever I go and it never ceases to amaze me how I
never tire of the fabric.  It is softly faded from age and has stood up to the test of time.  What a fantastic
way to recyle and resuse.  This bag was sewn to perfection and I proudly take it with me whever I go
in case I get a few free moments to knit a few rows with my knitted scarf project inside.

Cheers for Cornflower Creations!

Posted by: Kathy on: June 10, 2009

Summer Roses and a Cup of Tea - Hand Embroidered Flour Sack Tea Towel

After starting a shop at Etsy, I have visited the site often and have discovered
some very talented crafters.  I purchased this flour sack cloth embroidered
kitchen towel from Cornflower Creations!  I am so amazed by how the
embroidery floss perfectly matches the colors in the fabric!

Matryoshka Dolls from Ravenhill

Posted by: Kathy on: June 7, 2009

I brought my cute little Matryoshka doll along with me on our trip, making a long treck from Emily in Norway to Solvang!  She kept me company while I was knitting and helped to make our little home away from home feel more authentic with our Scandinavian friend.  I found her at Ravenhill after a long, long search for just the perfect one!   
Raven Hill Doll

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