(Photo taken by me)
I promised you snow and knitting and here they are! The pattern I used is the Braided Hood Tunic from Interweave Knits Spring 2010, and the only change was that I crocheted the edging around the hood and arm holes. 
And I'm so happy with it! I've worn it three times already and I finished it less than a week ago. It's nice and warm, and the hood feels very elvin, like I belong in Middle Earth when it's on. My Ravelry page (for knitters and crocheters) on it can be found here.
Have a great week!
Love, Clara
The buttonhole was the first one I've ever done on my new (as of last year) machine, so that was a little nerve wracking. I'm not extremely confided when it comes to button holes, I usually feel like I'd rather do them by hand, which is completely crazy, I know, but true. You see, before I was allowed to learn to use the sewing machine, my mom made me learn to sew by hand. I'm really glad she decided to teach me that way, but I blame her for the fact that even though I've been using the machine for 12+ years, I'm more at home with just a good ol' needle and thread. 
And last, yet not completed, a blouse I'm working on. It's from a vintage pattern, that I'm finding I love. I'm making two of them at the moment, and they're both going to be sleeveless because I didn't have enough fabric for the sleeves. I don't mind though because it's perfect for layering that way, and also the summer. I've been planning to make them for around three years now, maybe even four. It's a good thing my tastes don't really change. 
Last week I was stir crazy to an extreme, I couldn't focus on anything and was frustrated, but I had no clue why. And then it hit me; all summer long I've been outside for at least four days a week, until work ended, and since I've hardly been outdoors or anywhere in almost three weeks. No wonder I'm loosing it! I needed to get outside. Now, I've gone blueberry picking with my family almost every summer for the past ten or eleven years, and every time we see the cranberries that aren't quite ripe yet among the blueberries, and I always want to come back later to pick them, but never have until now.
While the calender states that yesterday was the first day of fall I'd say it's been going on for over three weeks here in my part of Alaska. These photos were taken driving home from my last day of work, which was two weeks ago today. It's been beautiful, and I'm holding on to that it'll last a bit longer.
I've been doing a whole lot of knitting which I hope to show you soon, few projects have gotten finished (I keep running out of yarn right at the end!), but last night I managed to complete some sweet fingerless mitts which I'm quite excited about. It's been good to just stay home and exist. Sometimes I feel that I get too busy and forget to do that. This summer was wonderful though and I'm really looking forward to this next March when the whole greenhouse process will start again, but I'm also looking forward to the months ahead. God is so good and I am excited to see what he has in store. 
It's taken some time, but I'm actually getting attached to it. I still miss my old room a lot, but my little gypsy cave has become a nice little sanctuary over this time. I've hung stars above my bed, as I hope you can tell from the photo above. They're glittering for me quite beautifully right now, I think they like the dim light, it lets them shine better.
And I've got my snowflakes above my dresser as well. (sorry for the mess, I have cleaned it since these photos. mostly.) It's a basement bedroom (yes. I live in my parents basement... bring on the bad jokes. *eye roll*) which takes a lot of adjusting from the amazing south-facing window I had a year ago, but I think I'll do fine, having stocked up on my vitamin D as much as possible at the greenhouse. 
Also, the last couple of times I've been thrifting I've been able to stock up on fabric! The prices are so much better than anywhere else, one piece cost me two dollars and the rest were only a dollar each, that's the way to sew if you ask me. That's all for now, hope you are having a lovely September, I'll show you what mine is looking like outside here real soon.
Love to you all!
Clara
I've been feeling a little lonely of late... dreaming of waifs and their wild friends. Thinking how much I would like a pet, of almost any sort. So, I made a list.
I'll tell you a few of my wishes here though. A wolf for one, protector, friend, loyal and trusting.
A lamb might be nice, but I think I'd prefer a little rabbit (softest, you see) or a goose (I'd let her keep her eggs).
I've always wanted an elephant, trunk caresses sounds strangely wonderful, I think. And then an owl too, for lonely nights and those times when I need a bit of confusing wisdom.
(all photos can be found in my weheartit)
veronica
veronica, waterperry
foxglove, camelot mix
I just want clear a little something up. The photos I've been posting lately are NOT mine (aside from the altered journal), I have never meant for anyone to think they were mine, but I guess that's been confusing. I've certainly gotten lazy, not even mentioning where I got the photos, much less linking to them, and I apologize for that. for the most part (about 98% of the time) I use the photos I find on weheartit. There is a link to my heart on the side. Someday I hope to post only my own photos, like I have today, but for now I can't quite manage it. I hope you all understand, if you're confused by anything I have said please let me know.
My summer has been going well, I'm working at a greenhouse now which means I'm out in the sunshine and rain! I must say it's my favorite job I've ever had and I'm learning so much. It's been a very interesting summer so far, I've been writing mostly, but managing to fit some knitting and sewing in as well, which reminds me, I should take pictures to show you (I finally found my camera). This is a rather pathetic update I know... but I hope you are all enjoying your summers and aren't too mad at me for failing to say where I found the photos.
So, I'd like to share with you one of my most favorite bands, Sea Wolf. Maybe you've heard of them already, I don't really know how popular they are. I feel awkward saying "them" because I read it was a one man band, but then on one of the music videos there were definitely multiple people playing instruments, so I'm not really sure what to think. And I don't have the patience to do research. I just know that I like the music and I hope you do too. Here's a link to the best music video I found of his(theirs) it's called Winter Windows (warning, I only watched two) it's super cute and slightly creepy. It reminds me of something my friend Lauren and I would put together if we had more musical talent, oh and time too. If you don't feel like clicking on the link though, please, just do a little search on itunes (that's what I always do) and listen to some previews. The album I've got is Leaves in the River and it's absolutely lovely, I listen to it over and over. I hope you give it a shot!
Well I've been gone a while, but I am happy to say I've been busy and productive the whole time! I don't have any photos yet, but I can't wait until I do because I'm so excited. And I'll show you too once I find my camera, and the time for it as well. So, the thing I'm probably the most proud of: I made bread! (no, NOT the bread in the photo, I wish) AND IT WORKED! I was very worried that it wouldn't rise right, or it would rise too much, or I wouldn't kneed it enough, or something, but it turned out beautifully. Which I am still in a bit of a shock about and that was a few weeks ago. Also, I have made lotion, redecorated a pillow, knitted lace, made jam, and planted herbs. Granted all of this has not happened in one day or anything, several weeks is more like it. Summer sure has taken a running start here. I got a new job (YAY!) at a greenhouse, which I must tell you has been a Godsend. My previous job was draining and exhausting, so being outside, in the sun, the warmth, and fresh air has got me much more perky and motivated. Wow, this has been a very enthusiastic post, I hope no one minds how scattered and strange this has been, just wanted to give you an update.
This is my favorite, the photo's not very good (apologies) but it's lyrics from Romeo and Juliet by The Killers. It says:
I can't do the talk, like the talk on the TV, and I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be. I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you. I can't do anything except be in love with you. All I do is miss you, and the way we used to be. And all I do is keep the beat and the band company. And all I do is kiss you, through the bars of a rhyme, Juliet I'll do the stars with you anytime. Juliet, when we made love you used to cry, I said I'll love you like the stars above, I'll love you till I die.
If you've never heard that song you should certainly look it up, it's beautiful. Hope you're all well, thank you for the wonderful comments. Oh, and happy Mother's Day, enjoy all the strawberries and planting! :)
Love, Clara
Of course there are the deadlines and obligations, but those things can't keep me from a good time, even while in the middle of them I can still choose to focus on something I like. Inspiration can come from anywhere, it doesn't have to be the internet or books or even nature(though nature is one of the best...). So if inspiration can come from anywhere, I guess that means we should always be looking for it, right? Another assumption I've come to (but haven't been good about trying yet)is that if you can make the small things habit, then you're set. I'm really hoping that this is true, because I certainly don't ever want to turn this kind of life style into something stressful. Effortless in living, yet deliberate in attitude and thought.
I thought I'd share some fashion inspiration with you, it's not your typical street style or editorial, but rather some photos of real girls in what ever they were wearing the day these photos were captured. (at least that's what I like to believe) These sorts of photos are my favorites for styling inspiration because they are so simple and livable. Plus they help me to remember that it's the small things that make life beautiful. 
a fabric scrap pulling back hair, a pendant on the end of a long chain, a large cozy sweater, braids, 
floral prints, cardigans, a pair of oxfords, and a leather satchel or a canvas tote. 
Now on a different note, I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Monday. My cheeks are huge, I definitely look like a chipmunk, sadly I can't eat nuts right now, it's just apple sauce and split pea soup for me. Anyway, might be back later, who knows. 
I figured out a way to get pictures off my camera, so here's something I've been wanting to show you for ages. It's the baby sweater I made for a friend! She loved it, which is wonderful, I like it a lot too. :) there's just something so endearing about baby knits, I've been wanting to do more of them recently, and I probably will because it seems like so many friends are preggers right now, one of them is even having twins! Also just to show something a bit more I want to re-introduce you to my darling friend Lauren. 
This is her and her puppy Remi, they are two of the most adorable creatures I know, I love them so much. 
These were all taken while she was doing homework, a time line of the great depression. I helped her find the photos, but that's about it. She sure looks good while doing school though! 
I hope this week is treating you well, and if not, be sure to treat yourself well in spite of it, even if it's just taking time to slowly enjoy a cup of tea. You are beautiful and you are worth it.
Love, Clara
