Thursday, May 31, 2012

Episode 7: Coastal Craziness


Thanks as always to both new and returning listeners! You all make this so much fun! :)

On The Needles

-using Quince and Co. Lark yarn

-using Sheep Shop Yarn Co yarn

-using Soft Creations by TMA yarn

Off the Needles

-using LionBrand Baby Soft



Knitting in Passing

I saw these Dansko clogs on sale at work! So cute, right?!


















Check out- MBTA Bingo
Check off a spot when you see a knitter on the train!
Feel free to play it on your local train/bus/subway system :)

Thanks to Alana Dakos for featuring my story on Episode 62 of the Never Not Knitting Podcast!

Life in Focus

Part I of Tips for Better Photographs of your Knitwear

  • Use Natural Light whenever possible: aim for early morning hours or an hour or two before sunset for more even, less harsh light
  • Try taking the photograph from various angles. Above, below, straight on. Try getting shots from close-up and photos of the entire object
  • Take a lot of photos. You've got nothing to lose with digital. If the photo comes out terrible- delete it.
  • Take photos both of the item flat, and worn by yourself or someone else. Seeing a garment or accessory being worn the way it was intended will likely show the object better than just lying on a flat surface.
Suggestions for Printing Services: professional quality prints at pretty affordable prices
5 Photos for my Final Portfolio for my NESOP Workshop





In My Travels

  • Looking forward to participating in World Wide Knit in Public Day 
    • Saturday June 9 from 10a-1p at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA
    • Feel free to join me if you're in the area!!

Crafty Adventures

Progress on the Studio is slow by steady. I purchased cabinets through Craigslist and will begin sanding them down soon. I'm looking into using eco-friendly milk paint instead of paint or stain once the original finish has been removed.

Cabinets before stripping {sorry for the lousy cell phone photo- snapped this before work and haven't had a chance to get a better once since then}:




My recent "sewing class" with Mom and Ryan was a lot of fun! We worked on these jewelry pouches.



A Contest!

One lucky member of the Ravelry Group (as of May 31) will receive hard copies of the 4 new Coastal Kids patterns by Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig. Thank you to those of you who joined early! I appreciate your support :)

If you haven't already, head over to the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Group on Ravelry and join. All members in the memberlist as of noon on June 14th will be automatically entered; one lucky person will win a copy of Coastal Knits signed by Alana Dakos.

Please also leave a comment on the post for this episode with feedback on the show and your favorite Coastal Knits/Kids pattern (or your favorite Never Not Knitting pattern). Two random commenters will be entered to win a pattern by Alana Dakos/Never Not Knitting.

And for yet another chance to win, head over to the "What would you like to hear about" thread on the Ravelry Group and leave a comment. Two random commenters will be entered to win a pattern by Alana Dakos/Never Not Knitting.

The 4 Never Not Knitting Patterns you have the chance to win are:

Note: You must be a member of the Ravelry Group to be eligible to win. One prize per person per episode.

On a Happy Note!

  • Comcast cable and internet are being installed at our house next Tuesday! Finally!

Thank you all for listening! The download numbers are going up after each episode and I hope that means you're enjoying the show. I look forward to your feedback!

As always, feel free to contact me at:

Twitter: @BostonJen1
Email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Ravelry: BostonJen


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Episode 6

Thanks for listening to Episode 6: New Adventures!


On the Needles



{photo to come}


{photos after I finish the second legwarmer. the munchkie came over today and wore it home even though there was only 1 legwarmer off the needles}

edited to add: found this one I had taken on the T last week! 

Off the Needles


{photos to come- hat is in Dan's car}



Brainstorming

Thinking of casting on the Little Oak cardigan by Alana Dakos.

I'm itching to cast on for some Christmas gifts. Contemplating the Flower Girl's Knitted Bolero-Snowdrops by Kyoko Nakayoshi

Might also cast on the Leafprints Shawlette by Anne Hanson after I've made more progress on my sweater. I think this will be a great fit for the yarn I won from Miss Elle Knits.

In My Travels

I had a great time meeting Brenda Dayne at Webs on May 8th.


NH Sheep & Wool: I went to my very first fiber festival in NH on Saturday May 12th! So many sights and sounds to enjoy!

Beautiful handmade spindles

Lots of yarn!

Handmade wooden buttons

The Lady Bertram Shawlette Pattern that I purchased along with the yarn shown.

Viewed my first sheep sheering.

Crafty Adventures

Going to look at a cabinet/corner desk set-up for my studio this weekend!
Any ideas for a good, sturdy countertop that's eco-friendly and won't break the bank?


From the Armchair

Loving the first two episodes of Season 7 of America's Got Talent! Howard Stern is really funny as is the rest of the cast. I can foresee us watching every episode this season!

A Contest!

Ok, this is a major teaser! Tune in to Episode 7 for details... but head over and join our Ravelry group in the meantime.... just saying... it might be a good idea!

On a Happy Note

Tresemme Flawless Curls Spray Gel; works great (even if this photo doesn't really do it justice.. best I could do on my own)! 


Quote of the Week


"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou


Friday, May 4, 2012

Episode 5- Enjoy Your Burrito

Thanks again to both new and returning listeners! 


This week's segments include:

  • On the Needles
  • Off the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • Life in Focus
  • In My Travels
  • Crafty Adventures
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you Jessica (from the Knitting Brooklyn Podcast) and Barb and Tracie from (2KnitLitChicks podcast) for recommending my show!


On the Needles


Also mentioned other hats I've made:



Off the Needles

Ebbtide Shawl
(thanks to my friend Waveney for being my model!)



Brainstorming

Heirloom Blanket by Madeline Tosh
Correction: This calls for 450-900 yards (not 450-90 yards as I said on the show)


Loving the Coastal Kids Patterns


Life in Focus

Online Software Training for a monthly fee- Lynda.com
Great resource for learning PhotoShop and other editing software programs.


Samples of photos that I submitted for critique in the past couple weeks. I'm enjoying capturing all of the different aspects of the kids personalities through photography.










In My Travels

I'm looking forward to:
NH Sheep and Wool Festival- May 12 & 13, 2012 in Deerfield, NH

Crossing my fingers I can make it to Brenda Dayne's A Memorable Yarn on May 8th at 6p at Webs. Please think good thoughts!!!

Looking forward to Ravelympics 2012! Check out the group here.
I'll be participating with Team Sasquatch

June 9, 2012- I'll be at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA

From the Armchair

Knitting in Passing

Mentioned my niece's Neighborly Vest

On a Happy Note

Loving me some Zumba!

Quote of the Week

Enjoy your burrito!

  • Here's a link to an article about the origin of the phase.
  • Check out the episode with Rainn Wilson (from The Office) and Bryan Cranston (from Breaking Bad) if you'd like to hear this hijinx for yourself. Two of my favorite episodes of this podcast.