Putting my tea on a tray was a practical choice, the alternatives being multiple trips between kitchen and studio or a precarious balancing act likely to result in splashed toes. It also makes the everyday seem a little more special, especially when there’s room on the tray for a couple of birthday chocolates. Gudrun’s son taught me that it’s always worth getting out the milk jug, even just for yourself, smart kid! And now I have the perfect little milk jug thanks to my mum’s pottery experiment.
The chaos on my desk surrounding the tea tray is a good indicator of the many and varied things on my to do list, but this little break seemed the perfect time to reflect on a few happy things.
Happy thing the first - I’m going to Iceland and you can join me!
Writing a longer post about it is on the to do list, but I didn’t want to wait to mention it. Visiting mills, geysers, museums, geothermal baths and exploring a rich yarny heritage in a country I’ve wanted to visit for a very long time – this definitely seems worth getting excited about. We’ll visit a mill, select yarn and make our own traditional Lopi sweaters with workshops including lopi knitting, traditional Icelandic sweaters, Icelandic intarsia, drop spindle spinning. I’m coming along to teach fitting and shaping techniques and how you can apply those to your Lopi sweater so you can combine the traditional techniques with a more modern fit. Of course that knowledge can then be carried over into your other garment projects.
Happy thing the second – you can share the magic of Squam from home
Excited about one crafty trip and nostalgic for another I was delighted to find out that the wonderful people behind the Squam Art Workshops have produced what I’m sure will be a beautiful and inspiring journal. You can read more about it here. I’m looking forward to slowly leafing through my copy.
Happy thing the third – Miriam Felton is having a sale
My friend, fellow tea lover, and brilliant lace designer Miriam is having a sale, this is a great chance to purchase 2 of her patterns and get a 3rd free. If you’re already a big fan with an extensive collection you can purchase 2 patterns as gifts for friends and get a 3rd as a gift for yourself. The sale is to raise the money that will allow her to fund a larger initial print run of her new book Twist and Knit. Anyone who’s ever printed anything knows that a huge part of the cost is in the setup so the more copies you can have printed at once the cheaper the cost per copy will be.
I got a chance to see an advance copy at Tnna and it’s really special, so if you haven’t already had a look at what’s included in the book it’s definitely worth checking out. If you’re only interested in some of the patterns the individual pdfs are included in the sale, and they’re also gathered into 3 bundled collections – you could buy 2 collections and get the 3rd free! The designs and photography are stunning but my geeky side really loves all the extra technical details that are included – there’s a tutorial for a cast on method I’d never even seen before! I never really spin or knit from patterns, but Sarah does and I know she’s excited about the fact that the patterns are written to work at any gauge and to use all of your yarn. That seems so perfect for stash busting as well as spinners and I really like the idea of giving knitters the tools to make their own creative choices.
I’m afraid I distracted her with sample knitting, but Sarah’s working on Lune,the shawl pictured above, in this lovely cloudy alpaca silk laceweight from Old Maiden Aunt.
Happy thing the fourth – we’re getting ready for Knit Nation
At the end of this month we’ll be in London taking part in the Knit Nation marketplace, the booth will be a bit like the one we did at TNNA but since this is an actual market rather than a trade fair I wanted to have some fun things to sell alongside the samples to play with. I hadn’t really had a chance to even think about this until a few days ago, but thanks to some very special people I think we’ll have some pretty special things. I’ve got my talented little brother working on some silly but adorable illustrations.
Happy thing the fifth – I bought myself a birthday present
A very shiny, very fancy new sewing machine, a Bernina 830. The aforementioned to do list means I haven’t spent a lot of time exploring it, but I did make this dress. As soon as I cut the fabric several days of extremely gloomy weather began and I worried that I’d jinxed myself, but now that I’m wearing it it seems to have brought out the sunshine. This is a terrible webcam photo because I really ought to get back to work rather than setting up a tripod, but it definitely belongs on this list of happy things.
And now, my tea is done and the to do list is calling, but I’d love to know what’s making you happy today?
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a happy bunny because the sun is out :) I’m on my own in a quiet house and I have lots of knitting, music and crafting to do. Glad that you’re happy and thanks for the sale last week!!
What is making me happy today is that this afternoon I get to teach a bunch of local middle school girls how to hand-sew. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be ridiculously impossible, but these sorts of things are always fun despite the impossibilities.
Your brother’s illustrations are totally awesome, by the way.
Wow lovely dress! I’ve got one brown like this too!
Here’s my list:
1- I finished a hat this morning in an hour
2- I went to the swimming pool it was great and relaxing!
3- I’ve spoke with my crush and could see his loveliest smile ever!
4- I think it was a good day too!
What’s making me happy today? I’m going to polish off a pair of very complex socks and pop them in the mail; the new Knitty will be out any day now (and I have a pattern in it;) and my husband just called me from downstairs — he just made pancakes for lunch.
All great news! I especially love the dress – great job and beautiful fabric!
You just did! You blog post today was so full of energy, so here I am, with a big smile on my face. Thank you!
I learned about you teaching in Iceland a while ago and drooled at the thought of going. Unfortunately, it isn’t in the (credit) cards. Bah humbug. One day I will get to Iceland. It sounds just beautiful…
What made me happy today was spinning for 20 minutes on my lunchbreak. And then taking advantage of the sale you mentioned and pre-ordering the book as well!
Just bought her book … this is very beautiful. Thank you for the link.
Happy knitting
:)
A lurker here, but what a cheerful post to read! and my day yesterday was a great one, driving through Montana mountains to a favorite (not so local to me) LYS then driving back through the mountains with the camera ready – then on to a large local farmers’ market – Heaven … The memories are making today (a knitting day) all the better. And I can’t wait to check out all the links on this post while I’m knitting. Talk about Happy Things!
Happy Birthday! : ) I too generally lurk, but I thought I’d comment on happy things over in my corner of the world.
1. Quince yarn is up and running (wee!)
2. The week is half over, which means more time to knit come the weekend
3. Bonfire and s’mores, two weekends in a row!!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
What makes me happy this week is…mastering pleats and finishing my very first sock! ~J
I’m happy because my husband, a recent nursing school graduate, was offered a job! I must also agree that the abundance of positivity in your post makes me happy as well. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely dress! I can see why you’re so happy :).
I’m happy because I have three weeks until my baby arrives and I’ve started knitting a Laminaria and it hasn’t been nearly as difficult as I had psyched it up to be.
I’m happy it’s the summer holidays in a fortnight. Hurrah.
What’s making me happy?
1. Your cheery post.
2. Iceland. See you Reykjavik!
3. Seeing someone actually wearing a SWEATER when it’s been 90+ F (32+C) for several days.
4. I guess that actaully makes another: these lovely summer days which are here at last along the Great Lakes in the US Midwest.
Konditor & Cook’s displays, and the delicious bakery in those displays! (And that I will be within walking distance of 2 Konditor & Cook’s for a month!)
Thanks for sharing.
My Birthday coming up in 3 weeks and I have a big list of things that I like to do before turn a year older, I am going to pick few of them and finish those, also I am going to work on a pttern waiting to be knitted.
I love your orange dress – what a lovely way to encourage the sun :)
My garden is making me happy today. I was out to water everything and can see tomatoes and berries and pumpkins and peas all going along nicely. Even better I was out watering in the sun. We’ve been having a grey couple of weeks here (didn’t have to water my garden in all that time thanks to our periodic showers) and the brightness is just fantastic.
I was thinking of making another pot of tea (I’m home with a sore throat – warm tea is divine) and I think I’ll get out my tea tray and creamer and settle myself somewhere other than the kitchen table to read my book (or maybe work on some socks).
Happiness to me today is figuring out how to knit the hat I want to make! Pattern writing is so rewarding! Also I am very happy that my 6 month old buy was super brave at the doctor today, and had minimal crying when he had to get his immunizations. Little toughie.
Love the dress – and your brother is SO talented! :)
I received a huge box filled with fantasy novels today…
Consequently had to walk my bike back home in the lovely weather we had today because I couldn’t possibly drive with that huge box on the back…
And some Amazon packages filled with birthday goodies arrived…
And I immediately read two of those goodies (both graphic novels) and they were brilliant…
…so much goodness today! :)
The news about the Squam book is making me happy – but also a lovely evening spent pond dipping and bug hunting with my 3 wonderful boys! Perfect…
Watermelon themed sock yarn. ^.^
Love your newly made dress! Did you make the sweater? I love it!
I’m just going to miss the Icelandic trip. Won’t actually get to Europe till 11 September… and first stop of my trip is Copenhagen so I could have come – if only it was a week earlier!!
Love this post! Miriam’s sale was definitely a happy thing for me … I got all three Twist and Knit collections and they are BEAUTIFUL. I have a clean kitchen tonight, my garden is starting to really flourish, and I got assigned to a good work project today … lots of happiness in my house!
It’s freezing cold today but at least there’s a lot of sunshine about. I got back from a 3-week trip around the UK on Monday, and today the parcel of yarn that wouldn’t fit in my suitcase arrived! Cold jetlaggy days are made infinitely better by parcels of special yarn :)
your blog posts always make me happy! and placing my order for the S.A.W. Journal brought a big smiley grin to my face, too (thank you for sharing – as I’m very much hoping to attend the retreat in 2011 for the first time… and am already filled beyond my yarn stash with anticipation!)… my kat Harry makes me happy… and strawberry licorice… and winding down a long day at the office by curling up with harrykat, strawberry licorice and my knitting to close out the nite. ☺ thank you, ysolda, for all that you share – you are a constant inspiration and bright light! and your new dress is da’bomb! luv it!
lovely! i really need to get sewing again sometime soon, if only i could put down my yarn.
what’s making me happy is that i’m giving knitting a sweater a go–from your liesl pattern- and i’m really digging it. it’s taken me 4 years of dabbling to realize i really do like to knit, i just need something more involved than stockinette. your pattern is the perfect blend of pay attention/autopilot knitting. thank you!
lovely drawing by your brother! creativity & talent runs in the family, then. such a pretty sunshine of a dress. what makes me happy is that my wee little garden is doing well (note to self: next season be prepared for cucumbers with 5 ft. stakes & a ball of twine).
Unpacking my knitting box today made me happy. Your dress is kind of rubbing off on me too! I want one!
Well the things that make me happy today are that it’s the end of Thursday which is nearly Friday, which is nearly the end of the week, the spinning on my wheel and the fairisle blanket which is nearly off my needles!
I also may perhaps have pre-ordered ‘Squam comes to me’ which should arrive nicely at the start of my maternity leave – yippee
I’m happy because I found a box of vintage buttons yesterday in a friend’s yarn shop with one set of copper covered concha buttons inside. I cleaned the buttons off for her and got them ready to sell and she told me to keep the copper buttons!
Had a lovely day with my little boy in Victoria Park in Glasgow – we were supposed to be looking for baby ducks, but my son shouting ‘BABY DUCKS! COME HERE!’ probably didn’t help. That made me laugh today. I was also delighted to see you’re at Knit Nation, which I am reeeeally looking forwards to, now I’m really looking forwards to seeing your stall there too!
reading your blog posts makes me happy because your “voice” shines through and beams out happiness! being on summer vacation fills me with a wonderous joy at my good fortune. (summer in Canada is short and therefore even sweeter while it lasts!) watching my kids grow, play, and just “be” makes me deeply happy. making, sewing, knitting, quilting, writing, drawing and all pursuits of the creative persuasion sustain me and multiply my happiness! and my sweet, faithful yellow lab Rosie never fails to make me happy! thanks for asking! :)
Travelling to Iceland, one of my dreams… This sound really exciting : geyser and kniting ! So sad, I can’t join, but I wish I could, oh yeah !
Meeting you in Iceland makes me happy !
Darn it, how can I be happy when I can’t go on the Icelandic trip? I adored Iceland when I visited (and had quite a yarn/credit card accident in Álafoss), but I don’t have any more leave days from work until January! Boo hoo! Boo hoo! (In all fairness, I am having a seven-week trip to Australia and New Zealand over Christmas…countries with plenty of sheep…) Still, I think I should have a cocktail now to cheer myself up. Enjoy Iceland, it is a wonderful, awe-inspiring place.
Lovely dress. I bought my Bernina 830 in 1975 and it is still going strong. Have a good trip to Iceland.
Just reading this list of happinesses…makes the sunshine sweeter.
Lovely dress,
My list for today,
Email from a dear friend
Sunshine, in the kitchen, party to anticipate.
Too many things to list…divine.
Have a great day All!!
My happy thing is that I finished and blocked Ishbel in the Ysolda Red colorway. I love it! I’m wearing it to church tomorrow! :)
lots of happy. My happiness today is a kitten napping in my windowsill while I consider which project to work on next. We’re both dreaming of the sun..
1. A wee purring kitten in my lap
2. My first pattern up for sale.
3. The little box of lace stitches and edgings a friend gave me yesterday.
4. My knitting.
5. Pirate stitch markers.
6. A sweet, loving husband who supports my fiber addiction.
7. The silk/bfl yarn I’m spinning.
Hi,
Just popped in to say I am a Teague aswell and love making things! You trip to Iceland looks fab.
I just love the Hooded Cape-Sweater you are wearing in the video! Thanks for the preview of the new book, I can’t wait until it comes out! Happy belated birthday!
Reading your blog is one of the things that’s making me happy today. Also massively looking forward to seeing my best friend this afternoon when she brings her newborn daughter home from hospital – just 3 days old! Can’t wait to start auntie duty :-)
… I’ve wanted to visit Iceland since I first read Independent People by Halldor Laxness… look forward to seeing some pics :)
Saw this and thought of you – especially after this blogpost and the beautiful tea things (I really wish I liked tea because I love all the things associated with tea…) http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/OLD+Apartment/Decor/The+Better+To+Brew+You+With+Teacup
I love your dress! My happy thing today is a date with my husband at the library :D
So many happy things!
I got a Bernina 820 about a month ago. I love it. I am still learning about it.
Hi Ysolda,
I have just finished Elijah, it was a fantastic pattern and I’m quite proud of the result :-)
Good for you you’re going to Iceland, I’ve been there 2 years ago on holidays and I’m looking forward to go back, it’s amazing of beauty, sure you’ll find great inspiration there !
Cheers,
1. Getting a delicious nights sleepy.
2. Peeking at all the blogs I view daily and seeing the most amazing creations.
3. Finally getting the bugger of a mess of my desk.
4. Feeling inspired to do a bit more creating tonight.
I’m happy because I have nearly finished my Ishbel shawl, in a lovely Royal blue, ready for winter.
Happy # 1 – your Birthday (belatedly) so wonderful to see all that you have achieved in so short a time.
Happy # 2 – that BeeHouse pot (my favorite model) in green crackle (mine is a coppery brown/bronze) and I love to brew Teavana in it.
Happy # 3 – Miriam Felton is getting ready to print a book – I love her stuff!
Happy # 4 – thinking about TNNA & KnitNation & Ysolda all together makes me smile because I think of you photo-booth. What fun memories!
I have the 830! And have not used it enough. I’m pleased to find a knitter who is excited about shiny sewing machines as well ;) can’t wait to see more of what you do on the 830. It will spur me on to try more on mine :)
hello, think this is the first time ive commented but you made me smile hugely!!
we just got back from dingwall and my parents from summer hols now home in south carolina and my 3yr old came back with his own wee jug given to him by his granny that belonged to my granny from lewis which he insists on using every time he has a cuppa hot tea or cereal – which is often
poor southern boy daddy just doesnt get it!!
keep up the good work girl
I am sad that you’re going to Iceland :(. Did you know that they’re one of the countries that openly hunts whales? I could never visit a country (and thereby support its economy with tourism) that has such a bad environmental policy. It might be a beautiful place to see but it’s ugly at heart.