Hawaii, the Fauna and people

I actually brought my camera to the beach.P1100203The water is really this blue. The Hawaiian archipelago was created by volcanos in the middle of  the pacific ocean. There is nothing else around but deep blue sea.P1100209Not sure how much of the sand is natural and how much is brought in. Either way, a budding sandcastle designer was busy at work.IMG_3426The resort has a number of interesting pools, biggest is the swim with dolphins.  They were very active and busy.IMG_0708P1100191Yup, the tail is similar to the fluke of a whale, probably because they are closely related.

There were turtles, manta rays and rainbow fish, but I never took a picture of them.  We went on a snorkel and sail, didn’t bring my camera. Some things are best seen and hopefully remembered. The nice thing is that 20 years ago there weren’t many sea turtles – today there are an abundance of them on all the islands.P1100349Many resorts have the lobby wide open to the breezes, which means that avian visitors have no problem hoping on the tables.P1100231Hawaii is a destination for wedding from Japan, there were probably 25 brides on the resort, I only captured a few.  Walking in all those layers of tule and petticoats isn’t easy! This little girl was fascinated of course.P1100239P1100342Unfortunately this bride got caught in the rain, I would have loved to see the whole dress, looks like some interesting beading.P1100236Sunset with fisherman, look closely under the palm tree, he’s there.

Leah

Crazy like Fox 1

Of course I’m making things to send to all the people who sent me gifts for my birthday.  Today I received a belated gift – which fun – who doesn’t want a birthday present long after the birthday.P1100351Bag, yarn and a book.Great little bag, great colors.P1100361 Perfect for throwing in my wallet and phone and going off for a walk.P1100362Wonky picture I know, I was trying to capture the lining and inner pocket, once I looked at the photo I realized that Danielle top stitched the whole bag with magenta thread!  Very cool.
P1100352I ‘happen’ to have some silver linen that would go very nicely with this purple.

Speaking of linen:P1100359I knit a lot on the flights as well as in Hawaii. The sweater has grown. Still looking good on the mannequin. Now I need to figure out how long I want it to be.P1100360There is a simple lace pattern, it will be visible when I wash and block the heck out of this thing.P1100357Finally, a peek into the book, yes, I need to make some of these. There are instructions for how to design your own, I think I’m going with the hard work that Abby already did and I’ll follow her patterns.

And now I have some projects to make for other people in the exchange.

 

Leah

Hawaii, the flora

P1100213Palm trees swaying in the wind, iconic image of Hawaii.

I was lucky to spend five days in a lovely resort on the Island of Oahu. I have been lucky to have visited most of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu, with the big city of Honolulu has never been a big draw, but when you are offered a trip – you go.  The trade winds that sway the branches of the coconut palms are what makes these tropical islands so comfortable.P1100197It is always fun to be greeted with a lei, this is some orchid that has no scent but last a long time. I know because although I only wore this for maybe an hour, it was still holding its own when we left.IMG_0707The resort has an incredible wall of orchids, I didn’t enhance the colors, these are well cared for orchids.  I will often buy orchids at TJs’ but I have yet to succeed in getting them to re-bloom even with all the fancy orchid food.P1100184P1100183

Back to the subject of leis,  the fragrant ones are made from the Plumeria flowers.P1100229The trees grow everywhere and the flowers often fall to the ground. The white flower is the most common.P1100333Delicate pink is another variety.P1100206Of course I sat out on the beach and relaxed, I prefer shade to the hot bright sun of the tropics. Looking up at the tree I was under I noticed that every so often there was a bright red leaf. It is a leaf or a bract. The flower itself is very small and insignificant, but the bract draws the insects to the flowers. P1100334Another very common bract is the bougainvillea. The flower is the tiny white center. When we moved into our house I spent 10 days hacking away at very old growth bougainvillea on the side of the garage, it is a very messy thorny plant. I do love it on other peoples property. The values of red and pin are so bright and vivid.P1100335Except when they’re not.

Leah

Giraffe

By the time I post this, months will have gone by since I made it. A friend who loves giraffes  is having a baby. Of course I immediately pulled out Itty Bitty Toys. I have been eyeing the pattern for years and bought yarn for this purpose when the friend got married two years ago.  Of course this giraffe is anything but itty bitty.P1060376I made a fabric pouch and filled it with plastic pellets and then used regular fiberfill. Without the pellets, the giraffe will simply fall over. Snug in the pouch the pellets shouldn’t come out and be a hazard.P1060398The knitting and stuffing is done.P1060435Giraffe from Itty BittyThis isn’t a present for the baby, really this is for the mom.P1060437P1060444I started this post back in January, the baby has finally arrived so I get to share my creations.  P1080857The giraffe is more for mom, I’ve noticed that at about six months Westley got the hand coordination and really loves his Amish puzzle ball, using giraffe fabric of course I set out to make another. I even remembered to sew in a label, although no one will see it.P1080861Ball complete, since it has giraffes from Africa it’s only fair it should be photographed in front of a Kangaroo paw flower from Australia.P1080865The two look very cute together.P1080867Of course the gift was well received.

 

Leah

Knit and crochet

Months ago I bought this linen on sale at Webs.P1070754Euroflax is probably the best linen yarn on the market and it isn’t cheep, even when on sale.P1070758I spun it into balls, this color is a little more accurate.IMG_3152I started knitting.

I knit most of the body of a sweater, up to a point where I could sort of try it on. I hated it. Linen has no give whatsoever – really none. It was a big shapeless mess.  So bad that I didn’t even take a picture, I just frogged the whole thing.  A couple of very large balls of linen are hanging around the house. I have to use them, I don’t want to knit a shawl out of this yarn (I bought more linen for that purpose).P1070023Remember this sweater?  This could work well in linen. Heres’ the thing, I don’t like knitting the exact same thing twice. I also am not crazy about the length of the sleeves.

So my next thought is – combine patterns, make a standard neck down raglan with a V-neck till a few inches about the waist, then use this pattern to create the peplum.

So I started, I thought I had the correct number of stitches, but I wasn’t sure. Then I had a lightbulb moment, I don’t use my dress form much for sewing, but here is the perfect use for it.P1100074So far so good, looks like I’m ok.P1100075This is just one of the two large balls I got when frogging.  I think it will be fair to say I will have knit this sweater twice.P1100179Still looking good.P1100178Now I need to figure out when I stop increasing, put the sleeves on scrap yarn and continue just with the body. I would like to get this right and not have to rip anything out again!

As for crochet, a friend has cancer, a bunch of us are making her a blanket, here is my contribution.P1090966The front flower only has 7 petals, I couldn’t turn it into a square, so it will be used for something else. It’s the African flower made into a square.  I love the internet, was very easy to find instructions for how to do this.

Leah

Old buildings in the Valley

People think of the Valley as the big wasteland of suburbia that somehow became part of Los Angeles, but really isn’t. Of course that view is held by people who are too hip to ‘come over the hill’ to see what’s really going on.

Like many other places, agriculture was the king (which is why close to 700 people voted to become part of Los Angeles in the mid 1910s when the Los Angeles Aqueduct was completed).  It was only after WWII that tracts, subdivisions and suburbia really gained momentum.

So documenting older buildings has become a priority of mine, some will survive, many won’t.P1090894I drove by this building (yes I need to go in and try their sandwiches) and took a double take. Old? New? Why haven’t I seen this before? The Cahuenga General store has an interesting history.  The building isn’t that old, but it didn’t look like this. Since the present owners used it initially as a prop store for the industry, it’s nice to see that they transformed the exterior as well.P1100149Paint can really change the feel of standard architectural elements.P1100150From the photos on their site, I can see that the upstairs windows are original, and the tree is relatively new.
P1090902Moving on along Burbank Blvd, we come across some real old. I have driven by they grey building many times and have thought to myself:P1090937Art Deco in the Valley!  P1090942The  overhand is pure Art Deco, the font for the address isn’t, but it also looks like this paint job isn’t so old. Today the neighborhood is gentrifying some, but I doubt they will take the iron gate off any time soon.P1090944As I walk around camera is hand, I find that people are very nice. Someone yelled out from his car – Smile!  Another man on his bike stopped to talk to me, he told me there is a plaque on the building stating it was built in the teens – hmm that is way before Deco.P1090941I went to investigate, no sign, so yay for Google. The building was built for small industry in 1947,  so although Art Deco was officially over, many builders were still using many of the design elements.P1090935The facade is attractive, looking from the side, it simply becomes a large warehouse, I do like the old Chimney or Vent on the roof.P1090946Walking around the back, non-descript. Although the current tenant Panther parts (an electronic parts and equipment dealer) has spruced up the back door.P1100145Meanwhile, on the other side of the small red building, two brand new structures are  being built. Very interesting roofline.  I also appreciate how the glass balcony railing unifies what looks like two separate buildings. Not sure why it’s not just one structure.P1100147If it weren’t for the stamps on the plywood, I’d consider the roof line done. One doesn’t do that kind of detailed work and leave it like that, but what do I know, I’ll report back in a few months.

More on this area in another post.

Leah

Sharing a bag, now that I’ve gifted it.

P1090791I told you I’ve been making things, now that this bag has been gifted, I can share.

I love this printed canvas and I had the perfect green in my stash, then to make matters even better I found the perfect green leather handles, they are the exact color of the apple.P1090790Sorry the picture is blurry but I just have to prove that yes, I sewed the handles on by hand, with the help of a plier. Waxed linen thread and book binding needles – I did manage to break one of them.P1090772I used a zipper pull from my treasure trove of buttons.P1090793Made a small pouch for extra goodies.P1090792Voila purse and pouch finished, gifted and very well received.

 

Leah

The big clown in the Valley

One of the icons of North Hollywood is Circus liquor, or to be more exact, this:Circus LiquorThe 32 foot tall neon clown.

The liquor store has been at the corner of Burbank Blvd and Vineland Ave. for 50 years.P1090928The scary clown is both on the sides of the building as well as front and center in the parking lot.P1090921If it weren’t for the massive programatic ‘billboard’, this would simply be another corner liquor store.P1090900This being part of Los Angeles, you have to go big and outrageous.P1090926As in, double sided 32 foot neon clown – perfect to turn anyone into a coulropohbic – someone who has fear of clowns.  I need to drive by at night to get an image of him all lit up. This used to be a very sketchy neighborhood, but things are changing, nearby on a side street there are a number of small businesses, most of them related to the film industry. But I did notice Brite-Lite Neon Corp is right around the corner, a neon company that has been in business since the mid 1950s.  They have some pretty impressive clients now, they also have a picture of this clown, but no where can I find any information about who actually built this.P1090918Just for size comparison, notice the keg.P1090920The back side of the store, that faces an alley has a very interesting mural. I was a few months  late, any earlier I would have seen the artist  Kiptoe  painting this.  At least he has video showing him at work – fascinating.

Explore your neighborhoods!  Some people feel that have to travel far and wide to see interesting things, not so, so much is happening right in your own backyard. It may be very different from what is happening in mine, but is worth paying attention to.

 

Leah

Refashioning jewelry

IMG_0702I wasted no time with this bracelet.P1100047Wire wrapping and a combination of other beads I had on hand, and the bracelet is now a necklace.P1100031I first tried it on with this little shirt I whipped up the other day. A lovely soft jersey become a drop cowl shirt.  These are clearly my colors, nice to have options for both the shirt and the necklace.P1100073With the intended dress. Sure it’s busier and the necklace doesn’t stand out as much.P1100069I think the necklace and the earring work very well with this dress.. Success!

Leah

Topanga Vintage Market

Lately my posts are more about what I am seeing and doing about town. I haven’t stopped making things, not by a long shot. Some of the items have to wait to be shown – because they are gifts.

I haven’t been sitting around moping, I’ve been out and about, exploring the city and my own little corner, The Valley.P1100001Although the Topanga Vintage Market has been around for a few years, I just discovered it this weekend. It takes place on the  4th Sunday of the month in a large parking lot at Pierce college.  So parking is free, entrance fee is only $3 and yes, one has to deal with the heat in the summer. Most of the vendor sell ‘antiques’, one persons’ junk is another person treasure.

This quilt may for for sale, it has very good workmanship, it also has the ubiquitous small floral fabric that was ‘quilting cotton’ in the 70s and 80s. What is unusual is the solids, heck that almost makes it modern!P1100008More quilts and unfinished tops. Once again, that floral.  The color combination here is giving me a headache. The yellow is fine, I can see why it was combined with the floral, problem with those florals is that from a foot away all you see is muddy dots, nothing reads clearly. Anyway, I am very impressed with the design, each six cited star is cut from the solid fabric, and the triangles are inserted with a y-seam, something many quilters avoid. The resulting Hexagons are fun.  The quilter gave up though and never finished the project. I wonder if I every met her years ago when I still went to the San Fernando Valley Quilt Guild?P1100017This doll is made from Cheater cloth, she was among many toys being sold.P1100003A very scary rocking horse. Must have been in someone’s garage for years. P1090997These fellows are garden ornaments, there was a whole menagerie of upcylced animals, I had to capture the goat.P1100005Not all items are old, instead of just taking a picture, I could have use one of these parasols. Did I mention it was hot?P1100013So much to see! So many pictures to take, I found myself drawn to glass.P1100012This orange is for my friend Becky.P1100002Once upon a time, people smoked in their homes and had things called ashtrays for their cigarettes, they also used something called matches that came either in a small box or a fold-over case.  Watch some old film noir, you’ll see what I’m talking about.P1100016Blown glass lamps and  a very strange chandelier, I checked it out, I think someone took the time to paint it pink, I’d love to see it lit at night.
P1100006Also for my friend Becky, a teardrop trailer. Clearly people want to buy the trailer since that is the one item that isn’t for sale.P1100024Once upon a time these faucet handles were everywhere. though the purple has to be rare. There were two tables full, not sure what someone would use them for. Oh wait, Simon Rodia, the man who built the Watts towers used them for two purposes, as a stamp in the concrete and then as part of the mosaic itself.P1100025This sign stole my heart, Gilmore Gasoline is what built the Farmers Market, where I meet with my knitting friends every Thursday night.IMG_0702The dress and earrings are new, the bracelet is old fimo beads, I’m taking it apart and combining with other beads to make a necklace that will go perfectly with this outfit.

 

Leah