Illustration for Knit-Knac

My friend Andrea at Knit-Knac wanted an illustration for her knitting blog, to reflect her love of sewing and knitting. She's also a very talented budding designer, in my biased opinion! The one we came up with is influenced by another bust I did awhile back.

We have her works in progress on her lovely headless model.



We wanted to showcase a chaotic medley of sewing and knitting supplies, as this is a multi-talented lady.



And lastly, the final result.



I really enjoyed creating this for my friend. She's a wonderful lady who makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt sometimes. I can't wait to see what she does with my drawing.

Alright, I'm expected in Brooklyn and better get going! Have a great weekend everyone.

What's in Your Knitting Bag?

Knitters and crocheters love to talk about what is in their knitting bags. Notions, random tools that they use, favorite stitch markers, you name it. I have always loved looking at the contents of others' bags, be it in photos on Flickr, or at my friends' bags in person. I think it's a combination of seeing what fun tools they have mixed with looking at the inside of someone's purse.



I asked my friend Regina (fellow Degenerate Knitter) to be my guinea pig. Happily, she didn't mind. She spilled the contents of her bag, sent me some photos, and I made her this drawing. Isn't it cute? She always has this great tin filled with rainbow colored stitch markers, nifty little odds and ends and buttons with witty phrases. This is the girl who gets stopped each year at Maryland Sheep and Wool because people love her t-shirts reading "Likes to Knit While Slightly Lit".

If you or anyone you know needs a custom illustration to document a special crafty project, or the contents of their knitting or crocheting bag, feel free to email me for pricing and a time frame. During my annual summer knitting hiatus, I still love to draw the related items (wink ).

Email: marissandrew (at) gmail (dot) com

xoxo, Mariss

Tortoise Shell Sunglasses Needed

Why does this pair of sunglasses from 1996 outlast any other pair I've purchased in the past thirteen years? They're my new favorites again, since my cheap ones keep killing themselves.



Philadelphia has been gorgeous. After the two sunless weeks, we've been treated to bright, cloudless days, and weather that is not too hot. I have yet to hit the beach this year, but I hope to remedy that next weekend.

I've been doing some reading, drawing, biking, walking around town and seeing friends. I'll show you some new drawings soon!

I was so sad to not enjoy a Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet for the storming of The Bastille with the Degenerate Knitters, as Hostess Twinkies sponsored the event this year. That was nice of Hostess and all, but as Lisa pointed out, Twinkies just do not have the impact resistance that Krimpets have. The Twinkies exploded and smashed on impact, and were not one bit appetizing. I went home and made a microwave S'mores instead.

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

07.08.09.

Today is a special day to me, because it's the day my mom and her twin sister were born! She is an amazing person, and I'm so lucky that the stars aligned so that her and my dad could meet at a picnic in Ohio and my brother and I could be born. She's the greatest.



Happy Birthday Mom! I really wish I could be there to celebrate with you.



But alas, your card will have to suffice!

Why I think we'll make it.

Because we're crazy, Mike and I found ourselves baking lasagna. Giada's delicious recipe. But yes, lasagna, on July 3rd. Mike has been jonesing to make it. Me? Not so much. It's summer time. Time for fresh foods, light fare and cereal when we're lazy.

"Do you really want to make lasagna?"

"Yeah. We can eat it for days on end. It's very economical."

"Do you think we're the only people in the history of the world who baked lasagna on July 4th weekend?"

"It is pretty funny. Let's make a tradition to do it every year! But you know we'll probably forget."

"Yeah! But yes, we probably will forget." (recording it via the blog for next year)



And this is reason #341 why I should marry this guy.

We do make a pretty good team. I agreed to make the bechemel sauce while Mike did the prep work. This is how I know we'll make it as a couple. Cooking as a couple requires compromise and cooperation. For example, I smile nicely and don't voice my opinion about the sheer volume of small dishes that he's using for prepwork that will have to be washed. He pretends that I'm the saddest act in the planet for having a slight cold this weekend and does all the dishes. (wink)

Okay, after all that sweetness, here's something tart for you. It looked pretty enough for a picture, until it fell upside down (wrapped in plastic, thank God!) at Olivia's house. It still won the taste contest against the reigning supermarket in New Jersey, the famous Wegmans.



Afterwards, we watched fireworks with thousands of people and I treated myself to a $1 glow in the dark necklace. All in all, a pretty great weekend.

Okay, I must go and choose between cereal or sixth serving of lasagna before Quizzo.

Manos del Uruguay Illustrations

I had the opportunity to do illustrations for Fairmount Fibers last fall. They included some of the drawings in their new Manos del Uruguay pattern book. The new book includes patterns for seven blankets that highlight their Cotton Stria yarn. You can pick up a copy at Rosie's Yarn Cellar.

There is a lovely blanket that features Concentric Squares. It would be an adorable baby blanket.



My favorite one to draw would have to be this colorful Log Cabin type blanket. It must be the rainbow colors!



There is a cozy double blanket in a sophisticated color palette of dark brown and a subtle blue.



If people want to challenge themselves with new patterns, there are three color variations of a blanket that features twelve different stitch patterns.



There is a lovely Hexagon blanet, that I've heard are completely addicting to knit.



The last two blankets include one that features a Quilted Lattice stitch with a unique edging, and a sweet blanket with a hood that will swaddle a wee one. Pom poms or tassels may be added, and you know that I sure hope they are!



This was such a wonderful commission, and I loved drawing and painting one of my favorite hobbies. Thank you for the opportunity, ladies!