SpiderWomanKnits

FO: Crates!

A Little More Home Improvement

We had a blank wall in our dining room that looked something like this...

Then, I asked my dad and step mom to pick up some antique blueberry crates for me. Jersey is big on blueberries and they live in Jersey so I was able to find a farm that had a barn full of crates. Only, it was an hour away from their house. They got lost, there were some arguments and then when they arrived at the farm to find the six, old, worn crates they had just driven over an hour for they thought I was officially nuts.

My dad came up to help us with the photo shoot and along with him came my new (old) crates! We quickly nailed them together and then onto that blank wall. So now, it looks like this...

He doesn't think I am so crazy anymore. Now, I can't take credit for this idea. I saw a similar shelf in a Country Living magazine but I knew it was a project that would be perfect for my recent crate obsession and to show off some of my vintage collection. Blueberry crates are great for that because they are only a few inches deep so nothing gets 'lost' and little things display nicely. I anticipate changing the items often but the crates are there for good. 

**UPDATE** Greg just posted some new pictures of the baby chicks over on our Farm Blog! Head on over to check them out.

Our Super Fabulous Day The (Almost) Full Scoop

Oh my gosh?! Where do I start? First, I feel I must clarify the day. Most of the sweaters we modeled were designed by the super amazing and talented Cirilia Rose for an upcoming Berroco pattern book with a few of Norah's designs modeled by the wee ones for an upcoming Berroco baby book. It was such a gift to be able to watch both of these ladies at work. Oh my. The instinct, the talent, the organization and the stamina it takes to get all of this together is quite remarkable. Really.

The day began promptly at 8am when Norah and Cheyenne (the makeup artist/hair stylist) arrived at our house followed by Chris (the photographer) along with his assistants, Kris and John, and then Cirilia. I am the happiest when my house is full with guests so I have to say I was feeling really at ease. Although at one point I just touched Norah's shoulder and said "Norah Gaughan is in my house". This was probably not the most comfortable moment for her during the day but I just had to be sure she was real :) I felt like such a dork! My dad had come up the day before to help us with the kids and "shoot the shoot" for us. Karin also came by to hang out and she generously allowed us each to choose a skein of her yarn as well.

(Cirilia organizing the wardrobe and Simonne running off with a cute dress!)

'Wardrobe' and 'Makeup' were quickly unpacked and before we knew it there was a digital darkroom set up in our garage and the locations had been scouted! I wish I could start our mornings this efficiently! It seems harder to just get Jorn off to school :)  I was instructed to start the process of make up with Cheyenne since that would take a while. It's not an easy feat to get a mom of three not looking tired, you know. I must say it was really relaxing. I really don't use makeup and the extent of my hair care involves shampoo and conditioner so it felt like a real luxury. Cool Fact: Cheyenne does the makeup for Aaron Ruell who was Kip, Napoleon's brother, in Napoleon Dynamite who we love so much we actually happened to have a magnet of him on our fridge! (Which was then promptly gifted to Cheyenne)

(Look at all that makeup!)

I was in 'makeup' for a while while Simonne, Jorn and Greg started modeling the sweaters. Sorry folks. I can't show you and details until the book comes out sometime in January so these will have to do for now.

(Even our chickens got to model!)

I was so glad my dad was taking these pictures of the shoot because I had no idea what was going on outside. There was a lot of giggling, laughing and smiles. They were all having SO much fun. A friend of mine came by with her baby daughter to shoot a few pictures too and we also got to meet the adorable baby in these photos who also came to our house to model some more knits as well.

The morning flew by! Vaughn was sleeping the entire time so both he and I "worked" (can you call it that when you are having ridiculous amounts of fun?) mostly in the afternoon. Naps were taken by the other baby models and lunch was eaten. I had made a big pot of butternut squash and pumpkin soup for everyone the night before along with a cheesecake for afternoon 'pick me up' I anticipated us all needing. 

(We quickly learned sure fire ways of getting Vaughn to smile, which isn't too hard but he can be a serious fellow at times)

(Norah looks on as we shoot the last sweater of the day)

Cheyenne stayed nearby me whenever I was 'on set' for quick touch ups of makeup or for when I accidentally pulled out (like a million times) the bobby pins that were in my hair (sorry about that Cheyenne!)

It was frightening how easily I felt I could get used to having someone there to help me with my hair and makeup all day. I don't consider myself a glamor girl but it was really so much fun! Cheyenne made it so easy though. She was so laid back and fun to be around. I was nervous about how I'd feel with heavy makeup on. It doesn't look heavy in the photos but it felt heavy since I am not used to wearing any at all. I was afraid of feeling unnatural and then looking unnatural in the photos but it wasn't that way at all.

It was amazing watching the kids work. They are so natural and don't have any of the insecurities or inhibition we have as adults so they just go into it with authenticity and joy which seems almost impossible not to capture with a camera, that is as long as you can get them to stand still.  But Chris, the photographer was a joy to work with and such a huge help for me and Greg. His direction was clear but the best part is that he is so playful! He knew just what to say to help us relax our faces and loosen up. Some of the outtakes are priceless, only, you'll have to wait until January to see them...

Great fun was had and I hope we gave Norah and Cirilia , Chris and the crew what they needed to make great pattern books for Berroco. What they gave us was priceless. This experience was unbelievable, fun, educational and just so special for our entire family.  To be able to do this all together was a wonderful gift that I could never thank them enough for.

The Amazing Crew

(From left to right John, Kris, Norah, Cirilia, Cheyenne and Chris (laying down) )

Let me just say too that they sweaters were all a delight to wear and Cirilia put together the most amazing outfits for us. Oh, I wish I could tell you more about the sweaters. Knitters, get ready to knit this January! There was one that I thought they were going to have to pry off of me but then the lure of the next sweater and outfit combo was enough to make me comply on my own ;)

I know I will have a lot more to share come January, pictures, thoughts etc. and the whole experience is still sinking in honestly. You can check out a few more photos on Flickr in the meantime. Really, it was a knitter's Dream Day.

Our Super Fabulous Day (Sneak Peek)

Oh my wow! We had so much fun today! SO MUCH! I am super-uber tired so this one photo will have to do until I can put together a post worthy of the awesomeness that was our day.

(That is Norah in the background, btw) I have so much to say and share! Tomorrow, ok? I've got to let this all soak in a little and I still need someone to pinch me!

ooxx Spidey

NORAH GAUGHAN IS COMING TO MY HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY!

Oh my goodness, I finally said it "out loud"! Can I say it again? NORAH GAUGHAN IS COMING TO MY HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY! I have been holding that in for almost a year now. That is a hard secret to keep here in the knit blog world but I did it!

Why, you ask? Why is Norah Gaughan coming to our house on Wednesday? Well, I am almost embarrassed to say but apparently pictures of my family inspired her to design an entire line of sweaters and knitwear with her Vintage yarn! AHHHH! (Every time I even think that I just hear Wayne and Garth repeating "We're not worthy.We're not worthy.") Seriously. I still can't believe this.

So on Wednesday Norah along with her crew, including the amazing Cirilia, are coming to Vermont to shoot the pattern book at our home! Needless to say we are busy bees getting ready to welcome these wonderful people. I am nervous and so incredibly ready at the same time. 

So it's been and will be a little quiet here as we anticipate all this excitement but look forward to some fun outtakes from the shoot later in the week! Okay? And please send us happy baby Vaughn (who will be the star of the baby book!), Simonne and Jorn wishes. I am sure they will be great, they all love and are used to having their pictures taken by me of course, but you never know with kids right? 

Oh my goodness! I am so freakin excited! Aren't you?!

FO: Baby Cobblestone!

I guess it's safe to say I am in love with the Cobblestone sweater. You may remember the one I knit for Greg for our 7th wedding/Wool Anniversary or how about the one I knit for Jorn last winter (which I think will still fit him this year). Anyhow, it seemed only right that I should knit one for my Sweet Baby Vaughn since mornings are chilly now in Vermont and are requiring an extra layer. I give you...Baby Cobblestone!

 

This sweater was knit with Karin's amazing yarn which I have to say is an absolute joy to work with! Oh my gosh. It's the kind of yarn that you know you will use again and again but that you also just want to hoard in the worst way. There are links on her blog to on-line and physical shops where you can find it and honestly, you'd be crazy not to go and scoop some up. I knit this sweater with one hank and have enough left over for at least a hat and probably baby socks too. 

This is just another heavily modified version of Jared Flood's super outstanding Cobblestone Pullover. You can find my project details here on Ravelry plus a few more pictures too. 

I have a lot more I'd like to say about this project but my contact just fell out of my eye and Vaughn woke up from his nap! So, it will have to wait I guess...