Episode 7: Coastal Craziness

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

On The Needles

Rocky Coast Cardigan

-using Quince and Co. Lark yarn

Abyssal Shawl

-using Sheep Shop Yarn Co yarn

Heirloom Baby Blanket

-using Soft Creations by TMA yarn

Off the Needles

Cinderella Legwarmers

-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

• mpix
• adorama

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:

• Cosette Wrap
• Cloudy Day Hat
• Spring Garden Tee
• Cedar Leaf Shawlette

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

Episode 6

Thanks for listening to Episode 6: New Adventures!

On the Needles

Rocky Coast Cardigan

{photo to come}

Cinderella Legwarmers

{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

Strib Hat

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

Yummy Mummy Mitts

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

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

Strib Hat

Also mentioned other hats I've made:

Dan's Dark and Stormy Hat

A Winter Fornight

Yummy Mummy Knits

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. 

Worldwide Knit in Public Day

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

From the Armchair

A few of my favorite "new" podcasts

• Jane and Jen Knit Funny
• Knitting Brooklyn
• Wool Junkies
• Commuter Knitter
• Creative Accounting
• Fiber and Fabric
• TV Knitting Podcast

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.

Episode 04- Just Under the Wire

Thanks again to all of my listeners! Hope you enjoyed Episode 4. This episode's segments included:

On the Needles

Ebbtide

Off the Needles

Cabled Baby Blanket

Milo

Brainstorming

Looking forward to finding projects to knit up with these 2 new (free) additions to my stash that I won in contests from other podcasters! 


I won this skein from the Miss Elle Knits Podcast

Looking forward to receiving the skein I won from the Just One More Row Podcast contest. Its a custom dyed skein of sock yarn from Unwind Yarn Company.

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.

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

Life in Focus

A recap and some tips from my first two photography classes at NESOP.

Love how much this workshop is inspiring me to take more photos. Here are a few recent favorites.

From the Armchair

I highly recommend these two (non-knitting podcasts) that I've been listening to lately.

The Nerdist Podcast

5 Decisions Away

Crafty Adventures

I'm still on the hunt for cabinets... anyone know a place in MA that resells used cabinets? Here are the two new additions to the studio- a print from my Mom and my new television!

On a Happy Note

A healthy, fun recipe:

Mix quinoa, corn, black beans, chopped tomato, chopped onion, chopped cilantro and avocado. Stir it up. Serve it cold or room temperature. Delicious and healthy too!

Quote of the Week

The grass is greener where you water. -Neil Barringham

Episode 3: Have You Any Wool?

This episode was recorded in sunny, warm Clearwater, Florida!

Thank you to Kelly from the Shorty’s Sutures Podcast for the kind review. I really enjoy Kelly's podcast! If you haven't already checked her out, please do!

On the Needles

Yummy Mummy Mitts- only slight progress. Looking forward to longer spring days and the extra daylight to get these finished.

Cabled Baby Blanket- I’ve spent most of the past couple weeks working on the Baby Cable Blanket. Looking forward to finishing this up so I can gift it!

Rocky Coast Cardigan

-I hit a snag in the Rocky Coast Cardigan only because I didn't realize there was an update to the modification that was published. Back on track now and proud to say I've done my first spit splice!

Ebbtide Shawl

I started this along with the rest of the Knit Knit Cafe listeners. Abby & Ben announced this Knit-a-Long at Madrona, and I fell in love with the pattern. Then I found yarn on Etsy from Unwind Yarn Company care of Dana from the Just One More Row Podcast [with a code for free shipping no less] and knew this would be the perfect warmer weather knit.

In My Travels

I had a wonderful time on my trip to Illinois to visit my brother and his wife and kids! My parents and I joined in for an Easter Egg Hunt, a breakfast with the Easter Bunny, the older two's birthday party and lots of play and silly time!

Then from Monday through Saturday I visited my grandmother in Clearwater, FL. During the week my cousin Meagan came to visit (love this shot of us in the pool- really cool angle, don't you think?), and we visited with some other friends and family! Fun, sun and relaxation. Exactly what I needed!

Brainstorming

Looking forward to finding just the right pattern to make a blanket for my youngest niece as a commission from her grandmother with this yarn from her great-grandmother who recently passed away.
A second bounty of yarn that's actually a WIP. I'm hoping to be able to salvage some of these actual stitches and create something that's both useable and special!
Any advice or tips on doing commissioned work? I’d love to hear from you- come join the discussion in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Group and join our little group if you haven’t already.

Crafty Adventures

Project #1 for the Down Cellar Studio Collage Wall- Yarn Wrapped Letter

Took far more yarn than I thought it would- nearly all of a 223 yard skein of Patton's Classic Wool and maybe 40 minutes with of time. I burnt my thumb on the glue gun and my fingers were raw from the roughness of the wool- but it came out great. And I love that its the very first yarn I bought for knitting. So now it will always have prominent place in my crafting environment.

Now I just have to find a real home for it in the studio! For now its doing a bit of wandering to see where it feels at home...

On a Happy Note

You Can’t Stop the Beat- from HairSpray the Musical. The version I enjoy (from my Zumba class is the one from Glee)

I Like How Feels- Enrique featuring Pitbull

From the Armchair

I highly recommend the TapRoot Magazine. Listen to the podcast to hear a review of this first edition and my connection to it.

Episode 2: Mainely Knitting

Thanks again for all of the support and feedback about my podcast so far! Its been great hearing from my listeners! I especially want to thank Paula from Knitting Pipeline and Rachel from The KnitCents Podcast for the shout outs on their podcasts. Much appreciated, ladies.

Thank you also to the listeners who reached out to me to tell me about knitted sets by Anne Hanson and Caryl Pierre.

On the Needles

Yummy Mummy Mitts- no real progress this time around

Cabled Baby Blanket- Really focusing on this project to get it off the needles as soon as I can.

Rocky Coast Cardigan

My first sweater! I can hardly contain myself. I love Quince and Co's Lark (this is the Storm colorway). I haven't knit on this as much as I've wanted to lately but with another upcoming trip I'll get in some quality time with this special project.

Ebbtide Shawl

I started this along with the rest of the Knit Knit Cafe listeners. Abby & Ben announced this Knit-a-Long at Madrona, and I fell in love with the pattern. Then I found yarn on Etsy from Unwind Yarn Company care of Dana from the Just One More Row Podcast [with a code for free shipping no less] and knew this would be the perfect warmer weather knit.
I did get off to a rocky start with this shawl though, having never done a Garter Stitch Tab, but after watching this video from Paula, I was ready to go! Check it out if you need help with this technique.

Off the Needles

... so did anyone notice that I completely forgot to do this segment?! Oops. The only thing I finished were the legwarmers that I mentioned in the last episode (see previous post for the photo). They ended up being a bit larger than I thought they were going to be, and my best friend was happy to have them as a part of the basket for the silent auction. All's well that ends well.

Brainstorming

More baby knits? Hmm we'll see.

A cabled wrap for work based on the cabled baby pattern? Could be. But not yet.

What's more likely? The Deephaven Cowl. LOVE. THIS. Enough said.

In My Travels

Ryan and I journeyed to Maine for the day last Sunday! We started at the Marginal Way to take a walk, take in the fresh air, and then for a little unplanned rock climbing! We had a ridiculous amount of fun.

{Ryan}

{the colors and textures of the rocks were fascinating me.

i could have photographed these all day long!}

It was so peaceful and enjoyable there.... but we had other plans, and so we headed to Portland, Maine for lunch at Duckfat and then to Longfellow Books for the TapRoot launch event [more about the actual magazine in Episode 3 once I've had time to digest it].

Ryan and I knit before and during the reading. It was highly enjoyable! But what was better? Getting to meet Amanda Blake Soule from the SouleMama blog (and the now editor of TapRoot). She was so incredibly sweet and gracious. It was great meeting her!From there, Ryan and I were free to roam around downtown Portland. We shopped, we took silly photos, we ate frozen yogurt, we smiled, we laughed. It was a fantastic day.

{Ryan}

{Jen}

We made one last stop on the way out- to KnitWit Yarn Shop for some Quince and Co yarn, and then it was time to podcast on the ride home. Thanks for coming along on our adventure with us!

Crafty Adventures

The Down Cellar Studio is coming along slowly but surely! This new hutch is making friends and fitting in nicely. I can't wait to fill her up with crafty goodness.

On a Happy Note

My new Fila Skort is making me the most happy right now! Skirts for all occasions. Perfection.

....and no, this isn't me. Image from Kohls website. If these were my legs, that would have been my Happy Note for the year! :)

Other happy notes- beautiful, unseasonable warm weather and Cadbury eggs.

Quote of the Week

"Progress always involves risk: you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base." Fredrick Wilcox