things

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I can't resist picking up pretty things...pretty much anywhere and everywhere I go. Since I've been here in England I've seen more pretty things that I've known what to do with. I thought I'd share just a few little bits that have been making me smile...

...a leather bag I bought at i gigi in Brighton (the designer is Anna Pugh, for those who are interested). I gigi is a shop that did not expect to love walking in (the windows were very misleading). Once inside I realized that it would take a lot of thorough shelf combing and puzzling before I could choose the perfect purchase...I loved everything! I was also very happy to discover a new Swedish brand that I must pay attention to. I dare not type the name because I can't make my keyboard do that lovely circle thing above a letter. Look here if you are interested! The spring collection is full of long, shapeless linen and denim skirts and dresses. All very plain and old world-y, in a very Swedish way. Exciting!

 

some Chinese indigo tie dyed fat quarters that I picked up a Woolfest last month. I'm back at the patchwork again and having so much fun dreaming of projects...and shopping for fabric (guilty face). These are by far my favourites, but I've accumulated quite a stack of fabrics since I've been here. Good thing I'm also working away on the project I brought with me!

 another Woolfest purchase, these are vintage buttons that I love so much I hope I'll be able to sew them onto something without crying. I haven't been able to think of the perfect sweater just yet, but I'll get there! 

Last week a big package arrived from home. Inside was one of my favourite things...I've been missing a lot...maple syrup! I cooked up a pancake breakfast, a long standing tradition in my family - we've always made oatmeal pancakes and they must be served with smoked bacon and lots of maple syrup. It was so yummy and made me miss home a little bit less

Seeing as I had pancakes and bacon on the brain, I had to but this jam when I was shopping in Barnstaple the next day. It sounds like it should be gross and weird, but it's not. Everyone at home, you are getting a jar of this for Christmas...put in on your pancakes!

There is lots more going on - so much that it prevents me from posting as much as I would like. I'll be back soon with more news and updates!

brighton

 

Last weekend I had so much fun visiting Ce -the amazing dyer behind the Uncommon Thread. It was my first time in Brighton (ahem, Hove actually) but certainly not my last! Brighton is such a vibrant city with loads to do and explore. It was lovely to get a little dose of some city things I've been missing too - vintage clothes, restaurants, coffee shops, cheese stores. I didn't realize just how much I missed them until I saw them again. Funny how that works.

I loved these little sewing machines! They were part of a big street market that we happened upon.

I am nowhere near an authority on the subject, but I will say that I loved the architecture of Brighton as well. The regency homes (that are now mostly flats, I believe) were my favourite. I love their weather beaten exteriors and grand old features.

The pier was lovely, if not incredibly windy! I grew up next to Lake Ontario - it's very large and beautiful, but I am falling in love with the sea since I've been in England.

I finished knitting this Terra shawl while I was in Brighton, and the pier proved to be the perfect backdrop for some quick pics - the wind came in handy too!

 

I was very lucky to have an expert hand wielding the camera for me. Ce snapped some fantastic pictures of yours truly. 

 I used 3 skeins of Coldharbour aran wool. Interestingly, it was not spun at Coldharbour, in fact I have no idea where it was spun. I bought it when I first arrived and was itching to cast on something satisfying and mindless. Of course, this shawl was anything but mindless. I wasn't expecting that my move to another continent, starting a new job and meeting all new people would throw off my knitting, but it did! I had to rip out the lace so many times I lost count in the end.

I also had the chance to meet Ce's knitting group. Dani, the incredibly talented dyer behind Lioness Arts, Emma and Amy were all lovely and so much fun to spend the evening with. I love properly meeting "internet friends" and was not surprised to find that they are loads of fun! Having such a nice time at knitting did make me miss my Toronto knitting group quite a bit (hopefully you are reading this ladies!)

On that wistful note, I am off to enjoy a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Probably have a cup of tea.