updatez

dang.

i never like going this long without updating this guy.

sorry to all my followers (read: mom & dad sadler).

things are coming along quite nicely here. temperatures are starting to drop, knitting is, as always, coming along. i am finishing up my custom order and should be completely done by this weekend, which is awesome. i met with the girl i’m making them for again today, and was just so relieved to find out how much we had in common. we’ve met up once before, but i felt we got to talk more this time. it really is so nice to meet like-minded people. and even more rewarding to create for them.

the job is coming along. it’s definitely been hard to adjust to a full time job again, but it’s been such a rewarding experience so far. i really like everyone i work with (minus a couple of people), which is a definite plus. and not like i just tolerate them, but i actually LIKE them. this is huge for me, considering that jake and i have both decided that about 80% of the world’s population gets on our nerves.

i’ve started working on another blog as well, a more craftier type. i’ll be strictly talking about knitting and crafting, and be featuring other knitters and crafters with the hopes of getting them (and myself) a little more exposure in the world. i’ve been doing it for 2 days, and i’ve got a few people interested in being featured, which is awesome. check it out, if you’d like:

http://jaykayknits.blogspot.com

but i promise i won’t forget about you, personal blog. i love you.

Wedding Photos!!

Our wedding photos are up!! They are absolutely wonderful, and we couldn’t be happier!

you can check them out here:

http://www.altmixphotography.com/blog/

and click on our slideshow at the bottom of the blog post – it’s worth it!

a little preview:

Waves of Grain Felted Clutch Pattern

I am currently working on a custom order for a girl who wants 6 of my waves of grain clutches for her bridesmaids for her wedding in october. This pattern has been running around in my head, so I thought I would write it down – for all to enjoy! I don’t have a chart, as this is my first pattern, but the instructions are fairly easy.

Yarn: KnitPicks Telemark

Yardage: about 150 yards

Needle size: US 8

This pattern can be modified in many different ways – you can make it longer or shorter, but just remember the number of stitches must be multiples of 12 plus 6.

CO 66 (or any multiple of 12 plus 6, depending on what size you like)

*The first & last 3 stitches on each row are knitted – I am not writing this on every line, so please remember!*

Row 1: (RS)K

Row 2: P

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 36 more rows, totaling 38 rows. Then the pattern begins:

Row 39: K

Row 40 (and every other WS row): K3, P, K3

Row 41: K3, [C6F, K6]* repeat until last 3 stitches, K3

Row 43: K

Row 45: K3, [K6, C6B]*repeat until last 3 stitches, K3

Row 47: K

Row 48: K3, P, K3

*Repeat rows 41 – 48 four more times, and losely BO*

*Block*

*With your leftover yarn, use a large sewing needle, and stitch up the sides so that the waves pattern is in the front*

*Throw it in the washing machine!*

*Pull it out of the machine as soon as possible and shape it to how you would like it to look. Stuff with paper towels or plastic bags to help give the body some shape*

*One of the best parts about felting is that you can just take a pair of scissors and cut off all the loose ends – no weaving in! You can also shape up the top flap, and cut a button hole or two – and the yarn doesn’t unravel!*

Enjoy! Please let me know if you have any questions, find any errors – anything like that! I do ask, however, that you use this pattern only for personal, non-commercial items only.

updates

well, blog, it’s been a few weeks. sorry.

i’ve been just doing some pretty normal, run of the mill things…..NOT!

Last Saturday, August 1, Jake and I got married! It was perfect. The rain held off until right after the ceremony, and then it only sprinkled for about 5 minutes, producing the most beautiful double rainbow. The clouds created the most romantic backdrop over the mountains, and best of all, I got to marry my best friend. We’re still waiting on the what are sure to be totally awesome professional pictures, so here are a few from family & friends.

A little preview of our family portraits:

And, on to the reception!! We had SO much fun – we had an amazing band, Fiddlewitch, who played awesome music for everyone to contra dance to. It couldn’t have been more fun. This picture is from our first dance.

The wedding night, we stayed at the historic Monte Vista Inn in Black Mountain. The next morning, we headed out pretty early for the Charlotte airport. From there we flew to Seattle, where we wandered around for the evening, re-living our west coast days. The next day, we headed out on the ferry towards our final destination spot – Victoria, BC! The next week was filled with total awesome-ness, including whale watching (saw a couple), scooter riding, sea kayaking (it was windy & the coolest thing i’ve EVER done), eating souvlakis, walking around downtown and just enjoying life.

 

Now we’re back in Seattle for the night, relaxing before traveling back to Georgia tomorrow. Then it’s back to the routine of things – pretty quickly.  We’ll get back to Georgia really late tomorrow night, probably around 3am, then my first day at my new job is Wednesday! Starting bright and early at 8am! If only honeymoons were a way of life…..

Thank you

to everyone who attended our wedding yesterday.  It couldn’t have been a more perfect day, and we couldn’t have had better people to celebrate with. We love you all!!

 

We’ll say hi to all the killer whales in Victoria!

Rambles

Geez. So we’re getting married in less than 3 weeks. How crazy is that?

My dress is finally done being altered. Going to pick it up in just a little bit, and pretty excited.

Wednesday I go fill out paperwork to start my new job after we get back from our honeymoon.

It’s been totally awesome not having to work for the past 2 weeks. Totally. Awesome.

I still have a bunch of little details to finish up for the ceremony & reception.  It’s slowly coming together though. Not working is great because I have a lot of free time 🙂

I still don’t have any shoes. I found some that I thought were pretty awesome the other day – that is, until I pulled them out of the box and saw that they had rhinestones all around them. Other than that – they were just what I’m looking for.

I’m halfway through with my bridesmaids gifts. They’re turning out nicely.

I don’t really have much to write about, so this is very random.

Jake has been reading Harry Potter – he’s almost done with the last book. Can’t wait to see the new movie next week. 

The 4th!

For the 4th, Jake and I decided kinda last minute to drive up to Charlottesville and spend a long weekend with his family & get to see some friends (yay Wilson, Chrissy & Travis!).

We started the weekend off right with some jeeping (usually pronounced “jeepen'”) with Jake’s brother & parents. When I wasn’t terrified of dying, it was fun!

 

Then, on Saturday, we met up with Wilson & Chrissy, enjoyed a lovely meal at Whole Foods (vegan chicken salad = incredible), and met up with Jake’s parents for a fun fireworks show. 

How did you spend your 4th? Any traditions?

Felting

So the other night as I was trying to fall asleep, knitting projects were running through my head (who says that?!). Anyway, I had the idea of a felted clutch, and this wonderful picture popped into my head.  Rarely when a picture pops in my head am I able to bring it to life.  This time, however, was different…. I present to you: the felted clutch.

Yay!

New Knit & Recycled Yarn

I know in my last two posts I’ve been blabbing about the cashmere yarn I recently purchased…and now I finally have some pictures to post of what I have created with it!

Although I’m not really into the whole fingerless mitten get-up, these are actually very nice.  The yarn is incredibly soft and warm, and I think these will be great once Fall rolls around.  They’re for sale in my Etsy shop… perfect!

As this is my first time buying and using recycled yarn, I would like to say just how amazing it is.  I have some yarn that I’ve aquired from taking apart some of my old sweaters, but haven’t gotten around to using anything with it yet.  The idea of recycled yarn is something that is so awesome to me.  I know everyone has old sweaters that don’t ever get worn sitting in their closet. And I know there are sweaters that exist in this world that are so ugly that no one should ever wear them (see evidence on Jake below).

But these ugly and old sweaters can turn into beautiful things! So I’m urging everyone who knits or does things with yarn to buy recycled yarn, or unravel old sweaters (it’s pretty fun, actually).  Not only is it good for the wallet, it’s also great for the environment. Yay recycling!!!

Cashmere Yarn

I’m knitting with my cashmere yarn right now, and it is heavenly.  This is my first time knitting with cashmere, and I’m in love.  It’s soooo soft and feels so good in my hands.  I’m hoping to be done with my project by the weekend, so pictures will be up by then. I’m happy at how quickly this project is working up, and glad that I’ve got a day off work this week to get a lot of work done on it.

On another note, I recently discovered that cashmere comes from a goat. That’s right – a goat called the Cashmere Goat (creative, right?)