Marvalous Marva

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR one and all

Hey guys its lazy me, takes forever to update my blog., I’ve been kind of lethargic and slow lately I don’t know where the time goes., then sh**t happens you know the deal. Saturday Dec. 15th I bought this gorgeous live beautiful Christmas tree got up Sunday morning the god dam tree was on the floor, thank god I did not put any of my priceless ornaments on shit fell what a $** mess, needless to say I was not a happy camper. After my temper tantrum I went to the Sit-N-Knit party, had a great time and met some nice people, no pictures left my camera at home.

My tree from "Little Shop of Horrors.

Next day I prop that sucker in the corner, put away my priceless ornaments and bought some cheap one from the 99c store, I refuse to put all my good ornaments on that tree, the only ones I used was my black angels, the one on the tree top I made years ago, this year she earned a place on the top.After all those trying events I did not want the year to end without giving my sistah’s a big shout-out .

So I am shouting HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here is hoping that all your dreams become realities and live each day as if it’s your last day. ! Have a happy, healthy, prosperous and successful
stash buster & yarn diet year!!!!!

I did not do the resolution thing, I have no intention of keeping them OK! just want to keep my options open (wink, wink). Lets see what else is new, got my invite from ravelry my moniker is of course MarvalousMarva.

Here is a few projects I’ve completed two hats, one for my daughter and one Ami (my granddaughter) and am still working on my bag, etc, etc,,,,,,

This hat is a pattern is the Super Slouchy Beret from the Point (www.thepointnyc.com).
This is Cutie pie is my model

Materials: Araucania Naure Wool 100% wool, 240 yards.
16" US 5 Circular Needles
16" US 8 Circular Needles
Very easy.

This is Ami's City Girl Cap Gifts

The Cap was made with a Country Cotton yarn I had in my stash, worked out nice.

My tree from hell!

This is a pair of slacks and my shoe dress I finished at the end of the summer.

I am doing this blog while cooking the regular Panamanian traditional New Year’s eve meal, blackeye peas/rice cooked in coconut milk, roast pork or fish, and many other side dishes. Cholesterol any one?? Who am I to fight tradition? Right? I am having lobster tails instead of the pig for a change.

Tonight I’ll sit and knit for a while and do a couple of gauges for future projects. Time to finish my eggnog, kick-up my heels and knit......maybe
Happy crafting
Marva

Pictures from Rhinebeck

2007-10-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is just some of my pictures I could not put on my last post. The computer was acting up.

Fall/Autumn

2007-10-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

If I was a painter I’ve painted a canvas and if I was a poet I would write a poem because I don’t think I would be able to describe in words the magnificent 3 day I spent in Rhinebeck and the beautiful splendor that is Mother Nature.

My trip up to Rhinebeck started on my B-Day Friday Oct. 19th, my granddaughter Ami and I stayed at Jennies Country cottage Inn, it was alright not what I expected however, I made the best of a bad situation, we had a great supper and key lime pie for desert it was delicious. Hey! When life throw you lemons you make lemon-aid and that just what I did; trust me the food was not cheap for a small town, they probably said here comes the city slickers lets fleece them, but what the hell it was my Day and I threw caution to the wind and let them fleece me.
Ami I got to the fair ground at 9:am and ran into Shamek and Shau n at the gate, first stop was
the Fold for “socks that rock“. It was so great to see some of my sistah’s out side Bldg A.

The gang were all there Sarah (http://sistahcraft.typepad.com) ,Kim {yarnhippie.blogspot.com},
Necia (neciaofalltrades), Chante {harlempurl}, Twanda (http://rooted_in_reality} ,
of http://shamekaknits.blogspot.com/, and saun, {http://saunshine.blogspot.com}

I bought some beautiful yarn although I did not purchase as much yarn as I thought I would.
Most of all I had a well-needed relaxing weekend in a wonderful village, met a lot of nice people.

Sunday was a very beautiful day, I would say it was more for the kids there was animal petting and a lots of other entertainment geared for kid or maybe I did not notice it before.

I love all the animals and the fiber producing animals, however, my favorites are the llamas and alpacas.

This is Cat Woman

I have a ton of pictures, but my computer is acting up and won't allow me to down load any more. Oh, well I guess that's all for now.

Knitter-Que

2007-08-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

I gotta say what a great time Ami and I had on Saturday. Sahara and Chante great job and thanks a million, for uniting a group of wonderful Sistah's, there was so much talent and creativity in atmosphere it was awesome. Here are some of my pictures....
Saunielle and Tawana chatting, Kim finishing her socks, and Chante spinning away.

Chante spinning and Tawana knitting baby sock! you go girl

Sahara sharing her wisdom with Trina, very lovely young lady.

A good time was had by everyone, the food was good and needless to say delicious those Sistahs can burn, let me tell you, Miss Piggy had noting over me.
This is my granddaughter Ami, who enjoyed herself and is already planning for next year. and
she made a friend .

+
Chante and Shamika & Kim

I met some new people Sharon from Toronto , Canada, and her girlfriend Vivian , and Shamika, Njoya, Iris and so many others it was a joy interacting with so many talented Sistha's. The pleasure was all mines.

I must say hats off to Knitta-Que great chefs, Will and Mr. K, masters at their craft

Well folks thats all she wrote..........

"I am not afraid to trust my sisters--not I."
Angelina Grmke

.......

Happy Belated Mothers Day

2007-05-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow Crafters

It’s been a while since I posted anything, but between Jan. & April thing get very busy on my job, and when I get home the last thing I want to see is a computer. I just wanted to say hello and updated you on what I’ve been doing since my last blog.

Although, I have a lot of projects on the burner, I’m making a dent in my WIP’S especially my sewing, knitting is going kind of slow, but now that I have a saner schedule I’ll be able to accomplish more.

I made a pair of socks with Jitterbug yarn for my granddaughter Isis for her 23rd B-day, on April 19th.

Jitterbug yarn, 100% Marino wool (1 skein)
Madi Gras (colourway)
Pattern "Dublin Bay Socks" (mossycottagesocks)

I also started another one for my other granddaughter Ami who is 9 yrs old, she’ll be 10 yrs old on June 25th, so I am making her something else I am not sure what as yet so I’ll post hers when I am done.

Sew News:
Necia (janeofalltrades), Chante {harlempurl} and I went to Manny, Necia’s fabric outlet, (Thank you Necia & Chante) .
Manny has a wide array of fabrics it was had to choose, bought these beautiful pieces.

So far I’ve cut all of the fabric white & I with the exception of the red my favorite and I’m still looking for the perfect pattern. I’ll posting as soon as I finished them

I made this a 2 pair of Capri’s and a pair of black pin stripe slacks. I used this Butterick Pattern. The fabric is a piece of remnant from suiting, usually used to make men suits very wide. I stole it from my mother the last time I went to Panama.

This pair of Pea green slack was another Butterick pattern (sorry not pic,). The fabric is rayon with something.

Manny Fabric

This Vogue pattern is one of my oldies but goody it is 24 yrs old, love this pattern and think its still stylish real feminine.

Dress layout.

This is the finished product. very easy, the waist has elastic and I need a belt so it bags over.

Marva

2007- Finished Projects

2007-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Prospous New Year and post a few items I finshed on the 6th day of Jan. 2007, I wanted to really get a jump on my Wip's, espeacially on my sewing.

This year I am going to be very busy, I made a few project bags with my left over scraps, and I have few more to complete. Next I'll be working on my what I call my green things, don't ask me how I ended up with so may green and black garments to sew, never mind all that I'll just bore my self to death sewing the same colors thank god they are diffrent styles.

The lesson here is complete one project before you go out and buy more fabric, then you can keep track of what colors you have on hand. I'll be making some spring and summer pieces and post them as I go along.

Sew News.

I finally finished my black two piece suit that been sitting on my sewing machine for the longest.

Lined Jacket Skirt Split in Back

The jacket is lined, I was too lazy to line the skirt, I'll be wearing it to work tomorrow.
I made this beanie as a Christmas gift of this kid I know, his nick name is Jr.

I named it Jr's beanie hat.
Jr's Beanie Cap
It's made with Bernat worsted camouflage yarn trimmed with worsted orange. I made it in two days.
My woodland socks
This just a plain old sock done in Cervinia sock yarn, done on 5 dpn needles, started in early Dec. and finished on Dec. 20th. I am starting another pair asap.

That's all she wrote...........
ta-ta marva

Merry Christmas-Deck the Halls

2006-12-24T23:09:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here listing to Christmas carols and chilling rushing to finish this blog before I hit the sack. I've been trying to do t his post for days, I don't know why the computer gods are messing with me. However, despite all these minor obstacles and challenges in my way , I've been keeping very
busy. I made this crochet boloro for Purls of Hope, a Charity I contribute to on my job, this was my last project for the year. This pattern is from Bebbie Stroller 'Happy Hooker" Stich N Bitch learn to crochet book (p168) . I should have made it in a solid color to really show the beautiful pattern, next time maybe. It's the holiday's so I made my self a Kwanzaa project tote & bag set. The fabric is from leftovers African print in purple & gold.
This is the inside of the bag, I made pockets and it;s fully line d.

I had so may sock patterns I printed off the webb, and then Necia (Thank you necia) sent me about an 90 pages so I decided to cover a portofolio and made a album to put them in. All you need is a little imagination you don't really need a pattern , I used the portfolio a guide to make the pattern , 1 yrd of your favorite print some batting, fabric glue, lace, ribbons etc. and your imagination.

At the moment there is very little on my needles due to the holidays, I just finished a pair of socks it will be on my next post, I am finally knitting my self a scarf I needed it too.

That's it folks
Here is wishing you guys a very

Merry Christmas from our "Village to your Village"

The KENNEDY'S
Marva

Someting old and Something new

2006-11-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

Something old, something new

I have taken an hiatus and did not updated my blog for what seems like eons. It's not as if I've been posting every week, LOL.
Now I'll be playing catch-up. Lets see where to start.......

I went to Knit Festival in Union Square Park for the first time and I had a ball. When I got home I joined Sit & Knit meet-up group. I forgot to reboot my camera when it died on me, so no pic.

I finally finished my 2 knitting project I was working on my first sock, I made these two diffrent booties, I'm hooked. The pic's are a wee bit dark! sorry.

I am a newbie at knitting, I started this summer with the help of (harlempurl) Chante and
(theyarndragon) Kim these two sweeties are my tutors.

My forte is Crocheting and Sewing.

Since my last post I've been sewing, crocheting, reading and knitting etc, etc.
I went to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck and I am still high.
After I stored my haul I realized I did not take pictures of my stash oops, I live in an old apt. Bldg., with high ceilings and the shelf spaces, in the closets are up to the ceiling, and I'm 5.2" tall need I say more. So when I find a tall man, I 'm so happy I grab him, and take advantage of the moment to store everything that needs to be stored. After storing everything I realized that my haul became the victim of my closet and there went their Kodak moment, guess that was not going to get a ladder.

I did take pictures of these two sexy guys they got all my attention so blame them. One of my favorite mement os at Rhinebeck I love Alpacas, meet Lamborghini (white) and JJ (black).

Sewing has always been one of my favorite hobbies.

I made this fully lined jacket, last spring, the fabric is embroidery cotton broadcloth and the pattern is Butterick (5696) pattern. Vogue and Butterick are my favorite patterns. When I find a pattern for pants or jacket that fits well I use it until it's in tatters.

I made for this African outfit to celebrate the 28 days in February they
gave me to celebrate my heritage.

This skirt is worn by Panamanian peasant women it is part of their cultural/ethnic attire. I made it to compliment my African attire, now I can celebrate both cultures.
I can't seems tp do anything iwith moderation (it's the Libra in me, when my scale goes off balance, it is not a good thing.) I went ethnic crazy last summer so I decided why not do campesina (p easant) skirts?
So what the hell, I made myself a National peasant skirt to compliment my African heritage.

Last month I made these projects for some leftover African prints mostly scraps, I underlined 2 of them, and these are the ones I finished.

Spindle bag Molita bag (www.rainforestat.com)

I made this dress about 20-25 yrs ago, the yarn is unknown, all I remember is that is was a nylon type stretchable thread, its a one size fits all, fit you have a nice tan you could wear it with the bear essentials, very sexy dress with the right "bod"

My first pair of real knitted slipper socks for a child, I used Caron Simply Soft yarn.

Here is one o f my many Wip’s, I do have a good excuse for this one so maybe some laziness too. However, I need 'Time" to finish and hem this dress. I need extra time to spare it's about 2 yards wide and I have to measure every inch to make sure that the hem is even all around and its fully lined to boot. That means pinning and basting every inch. Add to those 15 buttonholes to make and sew on, OK! See what I mean by "a good excuse". That's why it's in the Wip category.

This is the pattern for the dress, it's a Butterick (6025) is a little raggedy but it still visible.

Another 'SUMMER PROJECT" is these sleeves. I am making a two piece pants/top and using two 'Mola" sleeves, (www.rainforestart.com) "Molas are made on the San Blas Islands in Panama.The needlework done on this sleeve' is done by hand, by the
Kuna Indian women, check the site out. I have the fabric and I know what style I want to make just need to find the perfect pattern.

I am currently knitting a pair of socks and a bag I just started both so I'll be posting them as they progress...

Adios
Happy Crafting, knitting or what ever blow's your skirt,
Marvalous