Knit This!

Fall, my favorite time of year. The changing leaves, the cool air, being able to wrap up in a cozy sweater, pumpkins and all things pumpkin spice. It's also the time of year that I pick up one of my favorite pastimes...knitting. As soon as the air begins to cool and the days shorten I get out the knitting needles.

Newest project I've started

Knitting is a craft that's been passed down through my family for generations. Both of my grandmothers were amazing knitters (in fact I still have some of the things they made me). Many of my aunts, and even one of my cousins are also avid knitters. So it was only natural for me to learn. It can be time consuming and frustrating at times but in the end it's a great feeling to physically make something with your own two hands. You watch a simple heap of wool become a scarf, or hat, or something more. For me there's also the sentimental side. I feel as though I'm connected not only to my grandmothers and other women in my family, but also to all the women throughout history that have held knitting needles in their hands.

My Grandmothers, both master knitters. 

Newest finished project...a hat!

\

"Adulting"

I came to the realization over the weekend that I have officially become an adult. I always acquainted being an adult to having a job, a car, and having bills to pay. To be honest I had those things when I was 16 and I certainly was no adult at that age! As usual with life, it's the small things the equal something big. It's also something that happens gradually over time. There's no certain age or certain point when you are an adult (yes the law would disagree with that but come on, who was really that responsible at 18 or 21?). So for today my top 8 ways that I have now become an adult...

1) I have developed an unexplained obsession with glassware. I use to avoid the glassware section at HomeGoods like the plague. Clumsy person + glass = disaster. But now it's the first place I visit and get excited by charming patterns such as these (perhaps part of that stems from the graphic designer in me). 

2) I know how to care for wool and prevent pilling (and I also know what "pilling" is). I have also had discussions with other "adults" about the care of wool. Gasp! Could it get any worse then that!?

3) I do "crafty" type things. I use to HATE crafting. But now I find myself making things like jewelry, and garlands, and.....knitting.....

4) I cook. Gasp! I know! Yes I cook. I actually own things like a Crock Pot and cast iron skillet, and one of those bottles you put olive oil in. I guess Hot Pockets have officially become a thing of my past.

5) I like cheese!

 6) I drink tea and I do so out of a cup fit for a stuffy old lady (though I do admit wine still continues to elude me). 

7) I decorate for seasons/major holidays. 

8) I buy plants and can actually keep them alive for more then a week. I bought these mums over the weekend with my mom. I joked that when I was a teen I use to drag her to Hot Topic (you know that store where everyone has tattoos and facial piercings and they play Slip Knot and Marilyn Manson music) but now I drag her to places like the garden store and HomeGoods. My how things have changed....(that's not to say I still don't enjoy a look around Hot Topic every now and then). 

The Charming Cottage

Sadly summer has come and gone and during it I have neglected my blog. Though my excuse is a good one as every free moment I've had has been dedicated to my portfolio for PPA.

But now that fall is fast approaching I'm going to once again try to find time every week to blog and "work on my craft" as they say.

This past weekend I visited the Lyman art museum to view an exhibition on Impressionism. Besides the museum was a charming garden and house. Those who know me know I'm a bit of a Downton Abbey fan and I couldn't help but be intrigued by this house. It looked like something the Dowager Countess would live in. A "charming country cottage" as they may have said (while in fact it looks more like a mini mansion) . I'm always scouting new and interesting places to photograph and I feel this would be a great place to work on my current idea (which is to create historical looking photographs and then either paint them digitally or traditionally). I picture a woman in a white dress walking the grounds with a parasol.

The last image I'm including was taken at the Connecticut Arbirary. There's something about the stretching lawn and lamps that always catch my eye while I'm here.