I haven't bought a new crochet book in a couple of years, but when I saw Doris Chan's new book I just had to get it! I was particularly attracted to this pattern.
It's really an amazing book. I never knew how to join motifs as I crochet them. It's actually easier than I thought once I got the hang of it.
I wore it with my new skirt to an art show that I spent the past two months coordinating :D Was too busy at the art show to take a phone, so Mike took a couple for me in front of a bush on our way home.
I actually used a cheap and cheerful large ball of worsted weight acrylic yarn. I ironed it on low heat under a wet towel afterwards and it made it a lot softer and drape a lot better.
Since my courses ended I've been crocheting a lot! I guess making up for the time when I wasn't crocheting while being busy with papers.
It was Doors Open last month in Toronto, and it was particularly special because the Lower Bay subway station is open for viewing this year. It hasn't been open for the past few years.
The Lower Bay is an abandoned subway platform underneath the Bay station, but it's actually still used for training, rerouting trains and film shoots.
With hauntings and such stories floating around, I pictured the Lower Bay being much older‐looking, Victorian, even. Although subways didn't exist in the Victorian era, did it? My imagination often makes things more exciting than they actually are.
And here it is! The Lower Bay station is actually a lot like the other stations.
It has interesting floor tiles though.
This kind subway staff let us see the end of the platform and watched to make sure that people are safe.
Lining up to see the conductor's booth, and realizing that I usually don't get to stand on the gap.
Meanwhile, film clips that were shot in the Lower Bay were played.
That concludes was our journey to the Lower Bay.
After Lower Bay we spontaneously decided to take advantage of Doors Open and visited Todmorden Mills.
It has a historic paper mill that was turned into a theater. It still has some of the original brick walls and beams.
Then we went on a tour of the wild flower preserve nearby, saw these amazing mushrooms! :D They were giant!
We toured a house that had a basement. Very dungeon‐like. The friendly tour guide told us that the ground is made of river rocks.
And before heading to our next stop (Dairy Queen :D), I found these precious multicolour flowers.
As I'm writing this photo‐heavy post I realize that summer travel time is here! :D I love travelling around my own city like a tourist, finding interesting things that I had previously overlooked. And I hope that these Toronto travel posts would be helpful for you if you ever decide to visit the city :D I'm hoping to do more traveling before September (and the new school year) rolls around, so stay tuned for more travel posts!
pocketed, lined, with waistband, whoa!
I love to sew. But I don't really use patterns, and I barely measure.
Most of what I sew are simple square tops and shapeless dresses (actually, they do have shapes, they are rectangles and, if I'm feeling adventurous, trapezoids).
Then one day, I suddenly thought that it would be a good idea to have a gathered skirt. It would be useful for semi‐formal events and such. I took a trip to the local thrift store but couldn't find anything that I liked. Then I went home, and saw this tutorial.
I bought this sweet lavender fabric a long time ago and never knew what to do with it. It's now put to good use!
I used less fabric than what is used in the tutorial. Instead of 45″ across for each of the front and back pieces, I used 37″ and it's quite pouffy. I also sewed on a skirt lining that has the same circumference as the waistband.
Lots of wonderful things for the middle of spring!
Rain painting! Perfect for today, actually, a rainy day here in Toronto. I love the pattern it makes when paint reacts to water. By Views From My Window.
A knit octopus plush from the ever wonderful Purl Bee. Love the texture on the underside of the tentacles.
I don't know where to buy the spray dye kit but love the way that awesome twist pattern is made! From I Love to Create.
Isn't this so pretty? Pattern generously shared by Handy Kitty on Ravelry.
Fuzzy animals, by wrapping yarn around plastic animals. Isn't that brilliant? And very cute! Look at the grey dog with the party confetti on him! From Homework.
Lovely leaf print pendant by Happy Hour Projects.
Simple and sweet! Watermelon coaster pattern by Make and Takes.
This has a Life After People kind of feel to it. Toy truck planter spotted on Junk Market Style.
And finally, have a look at Fiddle Oak's photostream. Has many of my favourite things — flying, origami, acorns… It's wonderfully imaginative and simply magical.
May your weekend be filled with wonders and crafty goodness!