You guys. I am having, like the BEST summer ever. No, seriously. I’ve just been floating from happiness the last few days. Here’s what’s going on:
Designer Veronik Avery was road tripping to TNNA in DC last week. Through quick Instagram begging I asked if she could stop in Baltimore on her way down and we met for crabs. Veronik is like the *realest*. She knows what she’s talking about when it comes to knitting and sewing and design. I just want to sit in her halo and get all the knowledge I can.
Then, she asked if I’d like to come by TNNA Trade Show (The National NeedleArts Association) on Sunday and of course I said YES! TNNA was a new-to-me organization. It’s for the trade only. Vendors show their new lines for knitting, crochet and needlepoint. So, like two of the three things I’m currently obsessed with.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGkUYmUj-DT/
I didn’t feel comfortable taking photos on the floor so not many pictures from there. Talk about a great guide though! Veronik was like a walking Rolodex and yarn encyclopedia and HI-larius. It was AWESOME. I did find a crapload of stuff I want to try:
- This Sights and Scenes of London needlepoint canvas from Kirk and Bradley. Yes, I’m still working on my first needlepoint. One year in. Another two to go.
- This crab / maryland pillow to needlepoint
- These Country Bird inspired yarns from WYS
- This Caramel blanket cardigan (I saw it knit up vs just admiring on Ravelry)
Thank you Veronik (link to her IG) for introducing me to a whole new world and letting me crash your party!
Monday I took the bus to New York to do two things I’ve been DYING to do.
First, meet Jasika Nicole from TryCuriousblog.com and hang out with she and Marcy of Oonaballona fame. You’ll see I also made the right decision to keep my hair pinned back as it CANNOT COMPETE in volume.
I’ve never laughed so hard and had such intense yet lighthearted conversations in my life. I’d been looking forward to this for a whole month and it was EVERYTHING I WANTED IT TO BE.
Second, I saw Manus x Machina at the Met. If you can go, run. Don’t walk.
Last year I skipped China Throught the Looking Glass because I wasn’t interested in Asian inspired design. But, the Costume Institute is more thoughtful than my literal interpretation. Originally, I thought Manus x Machina would be like tech clothes or something. But, it wasn’t. Because, the curators are smarter than me. Lesson learned: Don’t Skip the Exhibit.
The show looks at different methods of creating garments using machine vs man and it’s stunning. Think lace work, pleating, manipulation and construction of haute couture. I want to take a twin size cot to the Met and sleep there so I can wake up every day to the incredible talents of designers.
And, I found the star fabric I needed to sew my Wonder Woman inspired swimsuit. Yeah. That’s right. Wonder. Woman.
So, a really really incredibly fun few days with friends.
I also managed to finish knitting a summer sweater drafted in Garment Designer and overall I’m happy with it. I have a lot of mistakes and my seaming isn’t great. But, I KNIT something for ME. I also only have cell phone snaps. And, I don’t know when I’ll get to do a proper photo shoot. Maybe when I sew the coordinating skirt?
It’s totally a ’round’ look on me. But, I’m happy with it! I wish it had a little less ease and slightly shorter. But, I’m still learning my style with knitting and using the software. Ravelry notes here.
Oh, and after two years I changed my Instagram and Twitter to misscelisepants instead of fussbudgit. I think I had Twitter before I had a blog so I picked an old nickname. Then when I had IG I thought it wouldn’t last (HA!) and just used the same twitter name to be consistent. It seems like Instagram is sticking despite my initial predictions. So, now I have the same name on my blog, twitter and IG. Real big and exciting news, huh?
Miss Celie's Pants 
I love how you get out and meet new people and experience new things all the time! It’s one of the reasons you’re so smart and interesting. And one thing you can be sure of: Your life will never be boring!
What a fabulous summer you’re having! I absolutely love living vicariously through your machine knitting adventures, as well. Thank you for posting them! That sweater is a work of art–perfect shape, perfect sleeves, great color. I’m having garment lust over here. 😉
I am BEAMING. Thank you Mary!!
On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 11:09 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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I’m so jealous that you got to hang out with Veronik Avery! She’s an amazing designer & I adore her patterns.
And so fun. And, smart! I was running around trying to find my Roslyn pattern for her to sign. But, of course I found it *today*.
On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 11:09 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Wonderful! So glad you are expanding all your skills and having a blast while doing it! Thanks for taking the time to get us educated. Love!
FYI – if you’re thinking about needlepoint, check out my neighbor’s page. she has nice designs and kits, including for a needlepoint necklace i’ve been meaning to do… http://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/
I remember seeing Jenny’s designs before! Thank you for the reference. She has some great pillows. How did I not know she was local?!
On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 11:56 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Life is good! The sweater looks fab on you! I think machine knitting is one of the endeavors where you can make great looking stuff while you are still learning—and we never stop learning.
Wow – this is utterly fantastic from start to finish! I want to have done ALL of those things. And your sweater is a great accomplishment. Congrats!
Your sweater looks great! I really like the sleeve shape and neckline on you… Maybe if it didn’t have the bottom ribbing the ease you don’t care for wouldn’t be as pronounced? Still… great first sweater (for yourself)!
Oh…. true! I could just do more of a hung hem so it was more like a shirt! Thank you the suggestion!
On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 2:23 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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You’re just doing all the things!! Now I am just patiently waiting to come and see the knitting machine in action!
I am officially free! I will message you offline and we’ll figure out a weekend. And, I feel like I know enough to really show you guys now 😀
On Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 2:29 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Your joy jumps off the page – it’s lovely to read 🙂
That sounds all very exciting. It’s fun to meet people in person who you know well from the internet!
Love the jumper – shape & colour suit you really well.
Miss Celie, I finally persevered and placed an order with Sewy in Germany for some bra patterns. I remember you having fabulous results with them. Do you know/or remember if we have to add seam allowances or is it included? I know the Europeans are funny about their seam allowances. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Love your stuff!!
LOVE your blog! Your photos are gorgeous, and your joy jumps OFF the page. Adding you to my blogroll 🙂
In awe.
Looks like you have been having a great time lately. I love the orange sweater.
I saw China Through the Looking Glass and it was exquisite. I’m going next week for the Manus exhibit next week as part of my museum crawl during my stayaction and looking forward to it. I’m glad you had a chance to see the current exhibit.
I’m glad you got to see the Met exhibit. I’ve gone twice now (I’m local) and it is – as you said – stunning. I feel like my jaw was dropped the entire time. Such beauty!
I’m a Maryland transplant living in Montana and I.LOVE.THAT.NEEDLEPOINT.PILLOW.
RIGHT!?!?! And, I’m not even a Maryland native. But, I have one needlepoint I’m not even 25 percent done with and an Old Bay needlepoint waiting in the wings. But, I *need* it.
On Wed, Jul 6, 2016 at 4:21 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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