In The Details
Architectural detail on a building in Newark, NJ
Gerry's making me a turkey burger, the kids are engaged and I'm knitting. Fever is down, so even though I'm hot, I'm not HOT. Or maybe I am and that's why I'm getting the turkey burger...
I tell you, there's nothing like working on worsted weight merino wool in the sticky, humid heat. I feel so bad for the poor sheep now, and from this point will take personal delight in their haircuts.
The projects I'm finishing are going slower than I'd hoped - partly because I lost most of this past weekend to kneeling in unattractive positions, but also because I'm doing a lot of ripping out and re-designing as I knit. Oh, THAT'S productive...
I'm finishing up a beautiful body skimming Malabrigo merino sweater. I hadn't intended for it to be this close fitting - I meant for it to be an oversized sweater. But the yarn is so soft and incredibly yummy (it almost feels like alpaca), and every time I'd put it on the mannekin the drape kept trying to cling to the body - definitely a case of the knitted fabric telling me what it wanted. So I ripped, ripped, ripped and reworked the pattern as a more close fitting garment. Well, I will say that it's definitely more romantic!
And I finished one of the corsets for the book (there will be 2) and I'm pretty happy with it. I have to remove the sleeves and rework them so they fall more forward, but the fit (as seen in this VERY high contrast photo - sorry) is good and flattering. I used Berroco Touchˇ for this, and it was a real delight to work up!
Have I mentioned that Hannah and Max's pocket's are bulging with the quarters they've earned by rolling balls of yarn for me? At this rate I'll be asking them to pay for the move themselves!
Minneapolis
Speaking of move, we're trying to arrange a week long trip out to MN this summer so the family doesn't feel like I'm selling them a pig in a poke. I'm leaning toward flying out (I can use frequent flyer miles for at least one ticket) renting a car and landing someplace for a week. Gerry was wondering if there might be someplace we could rent for a week (either in or out of the Twin Cities area - we don't mind driving) and I told him I'd mention it on my blog. If anyone knows about a place for rent for a week in August, it would be folks who read my blog!
We've hired a painter to replaster and paint almost the entire interior of the house. Even with G and I painting 3 rooms (but not the trim or ceiling - that's for the painters) the estimate is $7,400. Yikes. A friend with a house twice our size paid $20,000 several years ago to do the inside of her house, but that was with a LOT of plaster work. Another friend paid $3,000 to paint the entire inside of her house, but she has a more modern house with no molding (and no plaster work to re-do, no wallpaper to be removed...) It was a stop and gulp moment, but that's why we took out a line of credit on the house a few years ago - so we could take care of maintenance and keep the house in good shape. We just keep telling each other, "$7K now will mean an additional $20K when someone falls in love with the house in 'move in condition'" Yeah, right...
And even having said that, we're still not 100% committed to moving. I think we're 70% there (I'm 100%) but the rest of the family will need to SEE MN to fall in love. There are, however, things about Jersey that we'll miss so much.
Gerry's making me a turkey burger, the kids are engaged and I'm knitting. Fever is down, so even though I'm hot, I'm not HOT. Or maybe I am and that's why I'm getting the turkey burger...
I tell you, there's nothing like working on worsted weight merino wool in the sticky, humid heat. I feel so bad for the poor sheep now, and from this point will take personal delight in their haircuts.
The projects I'm finishing are going slower than I'd hoped - partly because I lost most of this past weekend to kneeling in unattractive positions, but also because I'm doing a lot of ripping out and re-designing as I knit. Oh, THAT'S productive...
I'm finishing up a beautiful body skimming Malabrigo merino sweater. I hadn't intended for it to be this close fitting - I meant for it to be an oversized sweater. But the yarn is so soft and incredibly yummy (it almost feels like alpaca), and every time I'd put it on the mannekin the drape kept trying to cling to the body - definitely a case of the knitted fabric telling me what it wanted. So I ripped, ripped, ripped and reworked the pattern as a more close fitting garment. Well, I will say that it's definitely more romantic!
And I finished one of the corsets for the book (there will be 2) and I'm pretty happy with it. I have to remove the sleeves and rework them so they fall more forward, but the fit (as seen in this VERY high contrast photo - sorry) is good and flattering. I used Berroco Touchˇ for this, and it was a real delight to work up! Have I mentioned that Hannah and Max's pocket's are bulging with the quarters they've earned by rolling balls of yarn for me? At this rate I'll be asking them to pay for the move themselves!
Minneapolis
Speaking of move, we're trying to arrange a week long trip out to MN this summer so the family doesn't feel like I'm selling them a pig in a poke. I'm leaning toward flying out (I can use frequent flyer miles for at least one ticket) renting a car and landing someplace for a week. Gerry was wondering if there might be someplace we could rent for a week (either in or out of the Twin Cities area - we don't mind driving) and I told him I'd mention it on my blog. If anyone knows about a place for rent for a week in August, it would be folks who read my blog!
We've hired a painter to replaster and paint almost the entire interior of the house. Even with G and I painting 3 rooms (but not the trim or ceiling - that's for the painters) the estimate is $7,400. Yikes. A friend with a house twice our size paid $20,000 several years ago to do the inside of her house, but that was with a LOT of plaster work. Another friend paid $3,000 to paint the entire inside of her house, but she has a more modern house with no molding (and no plaster work to re-do, no wallpaper to be removed...) It was a stop and gulp moment, but that's why we took out a line of credit on the house a few years ago - so we could take care of maintenance and keep the house in good shape. We just keep telling each other, "$7K now will mean an additional $20K when someone falls in love with the house in 'move in condition'" Yeah, right...
And even having said that, we're still not 100% committed to moving. I think we're 70% there (I'm 100%) but the rest of the family will need to SEE MN to fall in love. There are, however, things about Jersey that we'll miss so much.
posted by Annie at
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
20 Comments:
Welcome to MN! It's an amazing state - I've lived here since I was 9 (*gulp* 22 yrs ago). Try this website for information on where to stay: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/Lodging.html (*hint* Stillwater is lovely, and not too far from the Twin Cities - many people live there and commute in)
I can't help you regarding a rental for a week, but if you come to Minnesota this summer, you should make some time to go to the North Shore area (Duluth, Two Harbors, Grand Marais, etc.). Absolutely the best place to be in the summer in Minnesota.
Another stunning design. I can't wait for the opportunity to purchase that pattern, it's beautiful.
I live in Duluth and you absolutely need to come and visit the Northshore! You need to see some of the places that other Minnesotans are referring to when they say "We're going to the cabin this weekend"...
You might want to reserve your spots to stay now as you won't be able to find places to stay on the spur of the moment during the summer...
don't go, annie! :-)
I love reading your blog and hearing your voice in my mind!
I didn't know you where thinking about moving. Donna told me about an online site for vacation rentals that she uses all the time. It might help you out on your quest for a place to stay in August. It's www.vrbo.com. Good luck! Love ya!
Hi Annie,
I tried knitting Malabrigo after you visited Yarnzilla and mentioned how terrific it is. I love it! I can't wait to see your new sweater design!!
Lisa
Hi Annie,
I took your advice after reading about your visit to Yarnzilla and started knitting with Malabrigo. I love it!!! The colors are wonderful and it is soo soft.
I hope you're feeling better soon!
Hi, Annie-
Glad to hear the family is taking a trip our way. Stillwater might put you just a bit further than you'd like. I don't know if you're looking for someone's home, or a hotel type rental. There are several ones around town (both towns) that are set up to rent by the week or month. Slightly cheaper than a regular hotel room, and have kitchen facilities to make some of your own food (which, as you know, would be substantially cheaper than 4 folks eating out for every meal).
One place is Residence Inn (I think it's a Marriott offshoot) and there's also In-Town Suites. My sister stayed at the Residence Inn after a house fire, and it was OK. I've never been in the In-Town Suites.
Hi, there...first time commenting.
You might want to try
Minneapolis's craigslist for finding a rental. I believe it's free to place an ad.
I also second (third?) the trip up to Duluth and the North Shore. My family lives in nearby northern Wisconsin, and we frequently visit both.
Since moving to the Midwest 12(!) years ago, I've found that long distances don't hamper even weekly visits to far flung places because there are just so many cool things to do around here.
Goodluck, have fun, and btw, love your site and designs. :)
Have fun here in MN... August is the hot, sticky month out here :-)
Stillwater is lovely. Heading for the North Shore for a couple days is a great idea also. (I'm heading up in 2 weeks)
My suggestion has been taken- the Inn and Suites. If you have problems, I can find out how work does this.
Minnesota is lovely. I work in Maplewood, NJ (next door to SO), and have a daughter in Minneapolis. Very pretty area, although those winters are hairy. And summers can be hot and humid. Maybe more stickly than good old NJ.
Ruth
The corset is lovely and so feminine.
You should look up www.vrbo.com for a place to rent for a week... that's vacation rentals by owner. Or just do a search online for weekly rentals by owner. I'm sure you'll turn up something cheaper than a hotel. Otherwise one of the long-term hotels might be out there .... Or maybe you can do a house swap for a week with someone from the area who wants to move to the NY/NJ metro area. Just a thought. Great corset design, by the way. Designers brains are wired in a way I can't comprehend, it's all I can do to follow a simple lace pattern.
The corset is an outstanding design!
That corset is beautiful!
:)
Yet another amazing design from you! I wouldn't have expected less. I love the corset, and will definitely be buying whatever book it is going to be in!
Annie, Since you are a "MN to be newbie" and aren't familiar with outstate areas, I looked at the website mentioned by one of the folks - www.VRBO.com The links on the site that you can check out are: Big Lake,Clear Lake, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Pepin, Mora, Princeton, Scandia, Stillwater. These are all within about 1 - 1.5 hours away. Going a little farther you could add Rochester and Wabasha (80-90 miles out) I guess it depends on how much time you want to spend in the metro area. Good Luck. I'll be watching for your travel dates!
Malabrigo, made me love wool. (I'd previously hated it)
Love the new corset pattern- I know NOTHING... but am wondering- could it also have a version with plain (like 1 1/2-2 in bra covering;) straps, instead of the cute sleeves? It would be GREAT under jackets that way;)
Hey Annie,
another Minneapolitan poking my head in here. My hubby & I stayed at the Marriott TownePlace Suites when we first came up here (see http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MSPTS).
They were super nice -- even comped us one night on our room when our car died and we'd been stranded in Wisconsin -- obviously, no fault of theirs. It made me a big fan.
You'd be right by the great Sapor (food's to die for), and just a few blocks from downtown's cool attractions -- the new library, the new Guthrie theatre, Mill City Museum, the StoneArch Bridge (which takes you to the *most* beautiful park), the Mississippi, the Mary Tyler Moore statue...and not far from a great yarn shop/futon store (no, I'm not making that up! It's called Depth of Field).
Lots of good stuff!
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