Above is the obligatory summer vacation snap. Ian and I jetted off to lovely, cool and breezy Victoria as an escape from the relentless heat around these parts. It's hard to believe it was only three weeks ago, feels like forever. We stayed at the Surf Motel again. I can't say enough wonderful things about this place, more than retro, it's downright vintage (as in "slightly dilapidated"), close to downtown, and it's right smack across the street from the Juan de Fuca Strait. I'm sure one day soon someone is going to buy this place and update everything and ruin it all - or tear it down to build some hideous condo.
Ah well, until then I'll have to plan as many stays as I can...
Victoria was full of fun - there were friends, family and hilarity.
My favourite moment of the trip was when Ian and I and my brother (also Ian) were browsing through a vintage/consignment shop that specialises in housewares, when young Ian touched an item and sent sparks flying, exclaiming "What, is that!". Well, it was a vintage table lighter. He'd never seen such a thing - making me feel a little on the aged side. They were such iconic objects from film and television back in my day (and before), I'd never considered how useless they would be for anything other than lighting a cigarette. Imagine dragging one around to light candles, or the fireplace, or the gas stove. Give me a book of matches any day!
Recently off the needles is a horse, of course!
Knit from the pattern book, Dream Toys by Claire Garland, she's knit up in Kiss by Filtes King, an Aran weight merino/acrylic blend in pale pink. The book includes the pattern for the eyes and nostrils, made from wool felt. I love the very knobbly knees on this toy, it's very hard to walk past it without picking it up and making it run along like marionette.
Ian caught sight of her while under construction, with no legs, tail or mane, and was thrilled to see I'd made a "jellybean". I'm not sure why he thinks jellybeans have eyes and nostrils.
Also off the needles over the summer is Octavian the Octopuss, by Jill Watt. He's knit up in worsted weight leftovers, the main colour only uses about 100 meters, or so, and half of that for the contrasting colour. The pattern suggests using plastic safety eyes, but having none, I made mine from more scraps of wool felt.
a note: I use the good wool felt from Holland, it costs a *$#^%&* fortune, but it's worth every penny.
This little creature also enjoys the "marionette dance".
On seeing this piece finished and sitting on the mantle, Ian asked if it was a catfish. Clearly, 15 is an interesting age.
An octopuss is a catfish, of course, of course.
I'd just like to add here, that I don't ever recall watching Mr. Ed growing up, but yet I remember this show (same era) very well:
