lilibeth's garden

My New “Favourite Cardigan”

Heidi — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:22:03 +0000

Although this design is called “Favourite Cardigan”, and it’s not technically my fav, I’m quite pleased with how this little number turned out.

I adore top down raglan sleeve knits!

I didn’t end up with the intended 3/4 length sleeves, even though I followed the pattern. I had a brain freeze and forgot to even check and see if I liked the length before I did the ribbing and bind off. Even so, I wasn’t displeased enough to change that!

I found some very cheap but very appropriate buttons at the local fabric store, and reinforced the buttonhole band with ribbon.

Pattern: Favourite Cardigan, out of “Custom Knits” by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, colour #2429
Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm
Modifications: Made it full length as opposed to being cropped
Were I to make it again: The design is supposed to end up off the shoulders, but in no way does this happen if the pattern is followed as written. Next time I would cast on more stitches and start the body sooner.

Atlantic Fiber Festival Knit East ~ What fun!

Heidi — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:12:12 +0000

This past weekend I had the pleasure of accompanying my favourite local knitter and good friend Kelly to Knit East here in New Brunswick. It was the first of many fiber festivals to come, organized by Cricket Cove. The location was the very lovely historical Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews-By-The-Sea.

The Algonquin

I had the honour of photographing a shawl swap organized by Kelly and her friend. Next time, I want in!

Shawl Swap

I didn’t get to participate in any of the classes since I registered a little too close to the festival weekend and didn’t have the funds. I did however get to enjoy the Yarn Harlot speaking on Saturday night. What a hoot she is! She had us laughing over and over again. She spoke about the benefits of knitting to the brain and your overall emotional well-being. Non-knitters have got to get in on this, they have no idea what benefits they’re missing out on.

I met some very talented, warm, funny, friendly fellow knitters and was thoroughly impressed with many of their personally designed garments.

Kelly, Jerrica, Me

Here are the goodies I came away with and their intended projects:

Bess by Handmaiden Fine Yarn ~ for my first shawl

100% Pima Cotton Flame by Americo Original ~ to make "Amiga" (Knitty Spring/Summer 2011 - click photo for pattern)

Eco + by Cascade Yarns ~ for Aidez cardigan (click photo for pattern)

Briggs & Little Heritage ~ for Shoulder Shrug by Patons (click photo for pattern)

My first Addis!!!! Actually bought these on our way home at Cricket Cove, Blacks Harbour.

I missed out on getting a copy of Cat's book at the festival, but thankfully the LYS on our route home had a copy

Can’t wait for the next Knit East, set to take place in 2013!

Laundry Room Makeover

Heidi — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:03:22 +0000

Part A: Cindy’s Inspirational Laundry Room Redo

A couple weeks ago I was surfing around for photos of board and batten and came across this laundry room transformation:

Wowsers!

I just love how bloggers can inadvertently change a room in your house just because they shared what they did in theirs!

Part B: My Own Laundry Room Makeover

The Before

My own sad little laundry room had a very similar layout and I had an ah-ha moment. I too could put board and batten on my boring wall opposite the washer and dryer. Next thing you know I found myself at Home Depot buying mdf, and at various other places to collect up everything I needed to transform my messy neglected laundry cave:

Not a very inspiring room to keep clean (or finish painting for that matter!)

Right off the bat I was interested in seeing what the little room would look like if I took the doors off the cupboard. As you can see below, it was really nothing more than a big junk collector. I cut out some paper trim and taped them up into the corners to see what that would look like. If I did this, I’d want it to look finished and I figured some trim would help.

Paper "trim" taped up to see what it would look like

The After

Less than two weeks later, I now have a laundry room that is a pleasure to walk into! I don’t even mind my old washer and dryer.

The paint colour is "Delicate Moss" by Debbie Bliss

I removed the door which helped make the little room feel more spacious

Taking the doors off definitely added to a feeling of openness and space

Handy hooks from Walmart for hangers of clothes I need to air dry

Cafe style curtains replaced the mini-blind to bring in more light and yet give privacy from the neighbour's driveway (and unsightly green fence!)

A sweet vintage cut out from a children's book from Abundant Curiosities at Etsy.com (click image to be taken to her shop)

I used plain old white semi-gloss paint right off the shelf

A little applique design of mine to add some cheer

My daughter found this vintage recipe box in a thrift shop last summer and I couldn't help but display it here

Maybe it’s obvious to some, but the beadboard is actually paintable beadboard wallpaper. I chose to use the Wall Doctor brand by Graham and Brown, made in England, and found it at my local Canadian Tire. I compared it to the Martha Stewart one sold at Home Depot (which is NOT prepasted – NO thank you!) and found the Wall Doctor one to be of a superior quality. It was super easy to work with and well worth the money.

In case you’re wondering where the heck the laundry detergent is etc., I keep a jug of detergent on the floor, and bleach and fabric softener up in the closet in the next room (the back entry). I don’t use those much, so they don’t need to be super handy.

A poochie approved place to store the laundry detergent

A few baskets hold dish towels, dish cloths, and single socks.

Easy to grab dishcloths in a basket (my kitchen is close to the laundry room)

It’s a pretty room to do laundry in, and I find I’m keeping up on the clothes washing much better than I used to!

A little sneaky peek

Heidi — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:50:02 +0000

Sneak peek of a recently finished makeover project!

Sneak peek of my made over laundry room

Pretty flowers

Heidi — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 10:00:07 +0000

Picnic Bouquet Pillow Cover 16x16

I love this fabric. It’s delightful, nostalgic, and graceful.

This is what Heather Bailey writes about her own Nicey Jane fabric collection:

The collection tells the story of small-town girl, Nicey Jane. Nicey heads to the city on Friday nights to swing dance with her beau — but not before hanging the laundry to dry & enjoying an afternoon picnic on the farm.

So sweet!

This pillow cover can be purchased online in my Etsy shop here:

Lilibeth’s Garden

FYI: Three bags left at 50% off!

Heidi — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:16:26 +0000

Yes, these babies are all that’s remaining in the Sale section of Lilibeth’s Garden.

Was $64, now on sale for $32
*SOLD*
In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger. - Issa
Simple. Sweet. Uncluttered. Perfect for those who aren't inclined to carry the world on their shoulders.

Was $108, now on sale for $54
The long strap on this bag makes this a perfect tote for carrying over your shoulder and across your chest, keeping your hangs free. I've embellished the front of the bag with 3 hand-embroidered allium flowers in hand-dyed Japanese wool in rich varying tones of blues and greens.

Was $86, now on sale for $43
Looking for a small purse? This petite little number is the perfect size for toting around a wallet, cellphone, lipstick, glasses, a small book, and a few other small necessities. It would make a sweet accessory for any little girl, or a not so little girl.

Heather Bailey’s Church Flowers Pillow Covers

Heidi — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:15:04 +0000

For my latest pillow covers I used Heather Bailey’s “Church Flowers” fabric from her Nicey Jane line. Oh how sweet her designs are! So fresh and cheerful. I imagine these pillows on a pair of wicker chairs on a white painted covered porch somewhere!

Green with Blue Flowers Pillow Cover 16x16

White with Blue Flowers Pillow Cover 16x16

These can be found in my shop here:

Lilibeth’s Garden

Amy Butler “Love” Pillow Covers!

Heidi — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:14:23 +0000

A few of my latest pillow covers using Amy Butler’s “Love” Collection, listed at Lilibeth’s Garden

Amy Butler Love Patchwork Pillow 1

Amy Butler Love Patchwork Pillow 2

Handmade pillow covers

Heidi — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:40:48 +0000

I’ve enthusiastically entered into the world of pillow covers, not for me mind you, but for my Etsy shop, Lilibeth’s Garden. I especially adore patchwork and collecting vintage bed linens. I’m having way too much fun making them to restrict them to personal decor. I love my home business and am grateful beyond words to be able to do what I do.

Here are a few of my latest pillows, the first one being my most favourite!:

Cheerful Quilted Pillow Cover

Scrumptious Vintage Pillow Cover

Vintage Patchwork Pillow Cover

You can find these and more pillow covers at my shop found here:

Lilibeth’s Garden

40% off all bags sale!

Heidi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:16:19 +0000

Lilibeth’s Garden at Etsy.com

Yup, I’ve reduced the price on all the bags in my Etsy shop. They are now 40% off and anxiously awaiting the chance to be adopted out.