On Friday, I decided to take the afternoon off as a vacation day, as I had Monday off for President’s Day and wanted to make an even longer weekend of it. I haven’t been online too much for the past few days, so now it feels like forever since I last blogged. I’ll just go through it day by day to give the update.
Friday – hung out at home in the afternoon knitting, and finished the 2nd sleeve on Tang. Then Jim and I went to Sakura to see our friend Soon for sushi. As always, it was fun and tasty.
Saturday (Valentine’s Day) – Jim got me one of his usual heart-shaped boxes of Godiva chocolates and a very nice card.
Do you know that they consider FOUR of those candies to be a 220-calorie serving? I don’t feel so bad about eating one a day anymore. For a few years there, I had told Jim not to get me the Godiva hearts as I didn’t want to eat the candy, but knowing that they’re really not that crazy bad for you, I don’t care anymore. I only do eat one a day, if that, so I’m OK.
Later that morning, we picked up the coffee table from Dania, and then hung out at home as we were waiting for the furniture from Pottery Barn to arrive. The couch got here at about 12:45 (a little earlier than the window of 1:30-3:30 they had provided us with) so it was a good thing we had stayed home. I still need to take an "after" picture straight on (duh) but I do have some before and after shots.
Before
(and there really was nothing in there, more than that - lots of artwork and candleholders, but nothing else. Kind of a "gallery" look, as it is a weird "pass through room" with a lot of doorways.)
After
I'll take the head-on view, but it will change after I add the chair (see below.)
We put the slipcovers on all the cushions (I didn’t know it came un-slipcovered) and promptly proceeded to sit on it and knit for the rest of the afternoon and finish the neck on Tang and then wash it.
I’m not sure I’m feeling the crew neck on it, and I may rip it out and do some sort of cowl neck. I didn’t want the original turtleneck shown on the pattern as I’m not a big turtleneck person, so I took the easy way out of doing a crew neck instead of trying to figure out how to create a cowly type neck. I'll model it as is and you can tell me what you think.
Also Saturday afternoon, after setting up the new couch and coffee table, I decided that we needed another matching armchair for this narrow (60” wide) wall that I have across from the couch.
Ordered that and also saw that the quilt I wanted that was only available in twin previously was now 1.) available in queen and 2.) on sale. So I ordered it.
I also have my eye on this chaise lounge for the summer. Is this thing not the Cadillac of chaise lounges??? I would get the cushion in another fabric - the same green, but the "palmetto" (green palm tree) print.
Next, we went out to a 50th birthday party for one of Jim's co-workers. We ended up having a really great time. It was at a restaurant that had a second floor just for parties, so for our party we had an entire bar, dance floor, and even a DJ booth to ourselves. It was a fun place, and they had good food there too, so we would book this place for a party if we were throwing one. I really liked the private setup of it. We didn’t get home til about 12:30 (really late for us!)
Sunday – went out for breakfast and then I debated going out to buy fabric at Vogue. Decided I had enough already in my stash (especially seeing as I haven’t been sewing lately – next time I get the itch to stay up a few extra hours to finish a dress, I’m just going to DO IT as I didn’t last time with my most recent project, and now it has been languishing for the past three weeks.) Saw email from Bonne Marie re: her latest (gorgeous) pattern – Sandrine. Bought said pattern.
What else did I do? I started my first blanket square – one of Panel C – with the skein I had in stash that I used to swatch.
I’m about halfway done with it – it’s fun and going quickly. I haven’t gotten the crazy “box-o-wool” yet from Elann but I figured it didn’t matter too much about the dyelot for a blankie, especially one with different squares.
Monday – Had an early dentist's appt (7 am) and got my two lower implant crowns done - they look and feel great. Can't WAIT until June to get the final one done on the top right as it's driving me nuts. Again, debated going out to Vogue for more fabric or to a LYS to buy yarn. Decided instead to sew and knit from stash. Swatched some Classic Elite Premiere from my stash for Sandrine, and swatched some purple Tess Cultivated Silk & Wool for Vienne. Cast on Vienne, and got almost all of the left upper body done yesterday!
I'm really having fun knitting this. This will be my first top-down set-in sleeve project in which the sleeve is knit simultaneously with the rest of the upper body and is only partly picked up.
Next, we went to Holy Mackerel for dinner and I had something lovely – Coquilles St. Jacques. It was like a scallop and mushroom casserole and was delicious with a nice glass of viognier. Love!
Anyway, that was my weekend! I have been slacking on all things internet and sewing but doing quite a lot of knitting!
That chaise is awesome! I made that coquilles St. Jacques one night on a whim just because I happened to have all the ingredients on hand & WOW, it was so good. I've never seen it on a menu before though. The new couch looks so nice! I bet it's a lot less echo-ey in there.
Posted by: Jenny | February 17, 2009 at 10:23 AM
OH MY STARS!! I love that Chaise lounger!!! You are making me so jealous b/c I only live in a 1 bedroom apartment! ha ha ha. I love hearing about your decorating.
You are so disciplined re: your chocolates. I usually take the holiday as an opportunity to eat the whole box. :)
Posted by: Mary Heather | February 17, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Wow! You're a busy lady! Love all of your projects :-) The couch looks awesome - and I think adding the chair will be fantastic!
Posted by: Annie | February 17, 2009 at 10:43 AM
The furniture looks great! I love the quilt and the lounger chair! I want it too!!!!
I think Tang would probably look great with a cow neck. Can't wait to see it modeled. Vienne is a gorgeous pattern!
Posted by: Lara | February 17, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Just yesterday I noticed Sandrine. Little cutey. But my favourite (talking about Bonne Marie's patterns) is Ariann! Must knit it one day!
Posted by: sandra | February 17, 2009 at 02:05 PM
You were busy! The furniture looks wonderful!
Posted by: adrienne | February 17, 2009 at 05:10 PM
You had a great weekend!! And chaise lounges are the BEST knitting zone! :)
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | February 17, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Great update! love the new look of the room.
I must order that chaise! is that PB or somewhere else?
Posted by: Phyl | February 17, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Ok, I'm tired now LOL! I just love your new couch and about to be new chair, quilt and I would love that chaise lounge too! I want to knit Sandrine, just need to find a yarn to use. Good for you knitting from the stash :)
Posted by: Zonda | February 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Your house is lovely, your floors are clutter free, and your walls are spanking clean! You're not coming over my house, Robin... ;) .
Posted by: Kat | February 18, 2009 at 06:08 AM
What a wonderful new spot to knit, on a cozy couch with all that sunlight pouring through the windows! You *know* the cats are going to claim it shortly.
Love that chaise lounge -- if I had that I would never get off of it. It looks perfect for summer knitting and reading.
It looks like you made great knitting progress -- Vienne is knitting so quickly! My motivation is slowly coming back too, and I'm almost done with the bottom of Fantine.
Posted by: Debby | February 18, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Wow, sounds like a fun & productive weekend! Glad you got some knitting in and took a break from the intrawebs :) We all need that now and then!
P.S. How much do I love that chaise?
Posted by: knittymuggins | February 18, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Your new stuff looks great! And again, I LOVE your house :)
ps: glad someone is doing her part to stimulate the economy; I'm trying my darndest but my huband is holding me back :) On my list is new living/family room sofa, chair and coffeetable + new master bedroom bed. mattress set and dresser.
Really, isn't it our patriotic duty?
Posted by: wmk | February 18, 2009 at 10:09 AM
If I had a place to put that chaise, I would be all over that! Very nice!
Posted by: Carol | February 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM
OHH nice stuff!
I ordered Sandrine too! I have some of the new Berocco Mica I got for Valentine's day from Ken for it I think!
Posted by: Michelle | February 18, 2009 at 04:13 PM
The furniture looks great.
The gray yarn is looking perfect for the throw. And (of course) the cultivated Silk & Wool is radiant.
Enjoy the Valentine chocolate--chocolate really isn't a diet buster if you don't eat the box in one sitting (I'd have trouble restraining myself with Godiva, however).
Posted by: marjorie | February 18, 2009 at 07:42 PM
I bought the pattern for Sandrine. Had to have it. Maybe Wool Cotton?
Posted by: Phyl | February 18, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Your home is so lovey! I really enjoy seeing people show us a glimpse of their homes!
Posted by: tiennie | February 19, 2009 at 02:36 AM