Sommer Designs

Fabric Inspiration

Last Friday was one of Scott's [every other] Friday's off. We usually try to go out to breakfast or lunch, and this time, when I suggested my favorite little French bistro in Manhattan Beach, he trumped me with a downtown suggestion. He had found an old copy of Los Angeles Magazine and they had a review for a little hole-in-the-wall downtown, near skid row, and he had to try it. And he had to drag me there. Near skid row.

You know what? It was really good! It's called the Nickel Diner, and it looks like a throwback to the 50's, but I think it's newer.

The menu seemed to very diner, but the food we ordered had a definite modern spin. It was really delicious, and even more delicious to have time alone with this guy.

Since we were downtown, and it turned out to be only a stones throw from the fashion district, I decided to drag Scott with me to pick up more organza. It's fun taking someone who doesn't usually go down there, because the first time you walk the fabric streets, your head spins.

It's a completely different world.

So much of it is apparel oriented, but it's so fun to people watch. I wonder where those guys are going with all those bolts? Are they manufacturers, or fabric purveyors?

These shops are short on display inspiration, but big on selection and color. We got what I needed, walked around a little more and then headed out. I can take only so much of downtown. Really, it's very overwhelming for me.

Yesterday, I stayed a little closer to home and went to the nice, expensive fabric store. I'm in pouch-production-mode, and needed inspiration beyond what I had at hand; plus, I ran out of some lining fabrics. I tried to be prudent and thrifty, but still came home with this selection:

Owls. Do you see them?  I really needed the owls.

Agenda for a lazy Sunday

Waiting to be packaged...

Waiting to be stuffed...

Waiting to be dyed & refashioned...

 
 

Weekend at a glance

 
Snapshot: Friday afternoon.

I had been dealing with horrible lower back pain for a few weeks, and finally went to see the chiropractor, who informed me that I had a pulled muscle in my lower back. He told me which one, and it promptly went in one ear and out the other. After a painful adjustment (which, surprisingly felt better after) I went home to spend most of the afternoon on the couch with the heating pad, reading. Luckily, I was blessed with gray skies and for some reason, Miss Molly decided to stretch out on my lap. If I could have coerced one of the dogs into making me a cup of tea, it would have been a perfect afternoon. 

I tried to take it easy on Saturday, heat on for 20, off for 2 hours, but it stills hurts. I know I have messed it up badly, and possibly permantely, with all the moving, lugging and physical work involved in my everyday business activities. That blows. I had an event yesterday, and my sweet Scott did most of the manual labor for me.

The Lunada Bay Harvest Festival - a lovely community event, very small, but big on charm. Local kids (and I mean, KIDS!) took to the stage performing - singers, a pint size band (seriously, picture a 12 year old singing 'Hotel California'), a local dance troupe, and my favorite, the little cheer team, how cute are they?

I didn't get a lot of other pictures, but I did make a new friend.

Her name is Sandy, and she's 9 weeks old. I died.  

I have about 2 weeks off before the next event - hoping my back heals.

We're expecting rain this week, guess what I'll be doing? Oh, Miss Mollllllly....

Heatwave knitting

I grabbed that screen shot at 6:50 am today. It's going to be another scorcher. Didn't I tell you?  Our summer doesn't really start until Autumn. Just when everyone else is cooling down and getting out their sweaters and scarves. And man, I'm ready (for sweaters & scarves, not another heatwave).

It's put a little damper on my production. I can chug along really nicely until about early afternoon, when I am driven from the workshop, which heats up like nobody's business. I wish I could say I'm sewing all morning, but there are other things to take care of when you are solo. I'm not exactly complaining, but I was in a groove. A good one.

The heatwave has given me the opportunity to gain inches on my plain sock. I'm glad I decided to make a plain sock. I thought it might be boring, but it's been a good reminder of just sock knitting and construction. And as boring as they are, I KNOW I will wear them. I'm almost at the toe decreases; in fact, I think they will happen this evening.

I love this yarn also. It's Fiberphile by my friend Georgia. It's super squishy and like butter going through my fingers. And very forgiving. And it doesn't split. And the color is beautiful. It reminds me of Autumn. If we had one.

This is my favorite part: the heel. I was so intimidated of the heel before I started knitting my first pair of socks. It just seemed so complicated. But I love it now. I love the rhythm of the slip, knit back and forth. And then the turning - oh my gosh! Who invented turning the heel? I actually sit next to Scott, and say, "watch this." He doesn't. But then I show him after it's turned, that little pocket that gets created, magically. And he raises his eyebrows like he's really impressed. I'm sure he just wants to get back to Anthony Bourdain or Guy Fieri, but he pretends to be impressed, and that's all it takes for me.

I have a confession. Two. I had to rip back twice. Once, about 7 rows into my heel flap and then again after I turned the heel. The first time, I mistakenly slipped, purled instead of purling across and the second time, I'm not sure what I did, but my turned heel was more like a turned column.

I took a deep breath each time, sort of psyching myself into taking the yarn off the needles. Just in case I totally screwed up, I entered the mindset that I would frog the entire sock. That far into it. But you know what? I got it back on the needles with no problem! I had a couple of missed stitches, but I got those back on the needle with the crochet hook and a little voodoo yarn magic! I'm feeling good about these socks. They're going to be my lucky socks. I just know it!

Slow Going

Pouch production is going much slower than anticipated. It might have something to do with the fact that I've been waking up at 3:30 a.m. almost everyday this week and have been unable to fall back to sleep. This is not planned! Don't you hate that?

I'm usually okay through the morning, but have had a bunch of other things I've had to do, so I haven't been able to sit down to sew until at least noon. And that's when it catches up with me. It might be a seasonal thing. I think I wake up thinking of upcoming events and what I need to do.

But the thing is, for once, I'm ready. For once I have a pretty good amount of inventory. Of course, I'm still making, because who wants to run out of something? And surprisingly, I'm still adding events.

So, hopefully the pouch update that I said would happen last week will happen next week. I'm striving for weekend completion!

On another note, I might actually finish my second pair of socks very soon. Because when you're an insomniac at night, but can't nap for the life of you during the day, you knit. I'm just saying...

Progress

Was this the never-ending weekend, or what? Not in a bad way, but it was looooong! Scott had Friday off and by Saturday, I was wondering what day it was. I know, weird. But in a good way. Because I worked, a lot.

And in between stuffing and rolling lavender liners, I sat on the couch knitting my Hedgerow Sock(which, by the way, I officially hate at this point, but just want to finish so I don't have to look at it) and watching the US Open. Did you see it? Tennis is really the only game I vaguely understand. How about that little girl? Oh my. I was sitting there, enthralled. And as much as I love Maria Sharapova, and love watching her move, so gracefully, so fluidly, so full of style in that hot summer sun, I wanted that little 17 year old to whup her pants. Just for the upset. Just to put someone new in the limelight and have the chance to soar. Go Melanie! You rock.

It was my own little game this weekend - in the workshop, out of the workshop. Assembly-line totes, then driven out when the garage heated up.

But it was all good. I got so much done! Today I'm starting another tote production and then will move on to pouches, which I am so behind on completing. I'm shooting for a website update on Wednesday or Thursday, I'll let you know, but we're in good shape! That means, yes, it will happen! My own little coup.

On the worktable

I have successfully survived the first week of September. It wasn't easy.

I think the first week of school is almost more stressful for me than it is for my boys.

Because all of a sudden, I switch into work mode, and it's all I can do to not get overwhelmed.

Glad I kept it going, somewhat, over the summer. But still, a full worktable makes me nervous, and I find myself jumping around, with 5 different productions going at the same time. Which is nuts.

Because who can work under those [self-imposed] conditions?

It's a good thing I have an understanding supervisor.

We're both hoping for a website update next week! XO

Final Summer Fling

We are back from our final summer trip! It was a doosy! Pismo Beach, a trip to Hearst Castle, wine tasting (of course), and the wedding of the year. I am going through 465 photos and hope to have something to show for it all soon!

In the meantime, school has started. Yesterday I discovered that I *lost* my knitting. Yes. My Deep Breath Sweater that I've been toiling over for the last 5 months was left in our hotel in Northern California. Luckily (for everyone in my family), it was found, together with my Juicy sunglasses & a bunch of cosmetics - which I found amusing, because I realized I could care less about the sunglasses, but was devastated over the knitting.

That speaks volumes.

Now, I have to get back in the groove...

lazy out of office reply.

See you next week ♥

Hobnobbing

On Saturday night we all went into the city to see Kelley's husband Andy's art opening in Echo Park. We were so far out of our element, it wasn't funny, but we were so glad we did something out of the ordinary like this. It was such an awesome exhibit!

It was at the Sublimal Projects Gallery in Studio Number One, which you must check out. I was beside myself. Amazing work by 5 uber-talented artists, dare I even say alternative artists; I hesitate, because who am I to distinguish between genres of art? Andy is the Creative Director at Girl Skateboards, so obviously, skateboard art is the main thrust here - it's graphic & colorful, almost pop-like, with a cartoon quality and the work is just genius.

The Mr. & Mrs. in front of what was my favorite piece, but you can't really see because they are standing in front of it!

Andy does work in mixed media collage, and brings in elements from his life, things he's saved or compiled, which add such a personal touch like a window into the soul. He recently started adding pieces of raised & etched cut lucite to some work, which also give it a third dimension. Love.

But you have to look closely here - as on all his work to see something really special and really touching.

Old pieces of Kelley's patterns are incorporated into his work! Is that love, or what? I was dying. Almost every piece of artwork had a pattern piece incorporated into it. (Andy, you're the man!)

The gallery space isn't very big, but I loved how each artist had their own area. Being the opening night reception, it was full of people and in the entry Shepard Fairey was playing DJ and spinning real vinyl! (How immensely cool is that?)

I am extremely proud to say that I am (we are) the owners of a piece of Andy Jenkins artwork. Last April I asked Andy if he was open to creating a piece as my gift to Scott for our 20th anniversary. We talked about colors and elements, and I tried my best to not dictate too much in the way of  my style, because it was his style I was after. I think we were both scared, but when I saw the finished piece I was ecstatic.

It's about 20 x 20 on plywood, and sits on a console between our living & dining room.

I wanted the initial 'S' and love how he used a gothic style, which I would have never suggested, but love how it looks. On the right side, in the red area, he collaged the number 20 (for the 20 year thing, you know?) and if you look in the bottom of 'S' you'll notice another collage.

It's two pieces of mine & Scott's birth certificates, superimposed, collaged, bound. Scott & I love this piece so much, it was such a perfect anniversary gift.

That Jenks...what a talent.

(click on any of the images here for larger versions - it's worth it!)