| Wednesday, October 25, 2006 |
| A thrifting we will go.... |
Why is it that the most mundane things can become absolutely irresistable if they're old? I always used to think that table linens were just the dullest thing going. After all, the darn things have to be ironed, who wants to do that? Spruce up the table? That's what placemats are for. Of course, even being an avid thrifter, I almost never came across such things in their vintage form in Canada - with lovely folkloric patterns, lace edging or delicate embroidery - I came to Germany where it's the most often found item, having been horded in some cupboard by every woman over 60 for the last 30 years or more. Bed linens are also often likewise enshrined if no longer in use. Particularly among the older generations, things are only thrown out when absolutely necessary. I'm not sure if this is solely for the sake of hanging on to things if needed again, or also because Germans pay for their garbage (Yeah, ask yourself if you'd be dragging those 6 hefty bags to the curb if you were paying per cubic foot).
Anyway, back to my table bits. I decided to pop into the Diakonieladen ('Deaconry store' - basically a church run charity shop) a few days ago to see if they had anything. It's only been open a month or two. I'd gone in a few times before, but only ever bought one thing - a traditional German 'Tracht' dress, which I keep forgetting to take a picture of. It's hilarious. But this time I got really lucky and found some totally cute things for next to nothing.
Like this tablecloth, table runner and doilies. Are they still doilies if they're not lace? I don't like the crocheted kind, but I love these. And it seems like a great use for small bits of fabric. I just might make some more. Would you want doilies for christmas?
Even though crochet doilies do nothing for me, I do actually like crocheted things, even lace, like this pillow case. This is something else I may try making myself. I think in colour it would probably start meandering over to the tacky side, but in white, in the right setting, lovely. The other white pillowcase is for a rectangle pillow, which is odd, because almost all pillows are square here, even the ones you sleep on.
These cans were sitting inside the biggest can when I found them. I was happy enough to find the one, because I've been a bit purple happy lately, but three! Tin, with plastic lids. There's a wee bit of rust here and there, but it's not too noticeable, and anyway they were only 60 cents for all 3.
Here's another adorable tablecloth (and I usually don't even like yellow!) that I had to bring home, and my favourite find of the lot, these totally grandma, covered wooden hangers. Aren't they just the kitschiest ever? Just love 'em. Does anyone know what the point of covered them is? I understand those that are padded, so you don't get those wierd little nubbins in the shoulders, but these covers I think are too thin to help much with that.
Well, they're in my closet now, holding up a few tops and my brand new sweater dress! I know, I know, it's terrible of me to buy a dress when I still have 2 half made Sew Retro projects sitting around and I could probably knit the dress myself, but knitting over a metre of stockinette just ain't my idea of a good time, you know? And before I scare you all off because you think I bought one of those horrendous 80s flashbacks, I swear it's really cute. Just to prove it I will put it on and make Bunny take a picture. Which reminds me, I still have to take a picture of the pendant I made, because it turns out I don't have the right size of bead (Hell and damnation!!). If you're wondering what the heck I need the bead for, I had this vision of silver loops in which I would fit lovely red beads. But none of my beads fit and there's no way of changes it without beating the crap out of this poor little silver thing which frankly got enough abuse while I was making it ;) So, as before, owing more pics, I really will do my best to take them soon :)
  Labels: Germany, Life, Thrifting |
posted by tatjana @ 3:01 p.m.   |
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| Monday, September 18, 2006 |
| Deutsche fests and more autumn nostalgia |
 We spent a lovely, laid back weekend tidying up around the house in between taking little trips to check out events in nearby towns. Stuttgart is by far the biggest city in all of southern Germany, except for Munich, but it's hard to see it that way. It doesn't have much of a 'downtown' and for the most part is a whole bunch of smaller towns all squished together. Because of this, there are always little events happening in all the little town squares, things like farmers' or craft markets, fairs, sometimes parades. Often they will focus on some kind of regional point of interest, like the Filderkrautfest which is coming up and celebrated a really fun looking regionally grown cabbage. I'm not sure why, but it makes me think of that Peanuts special about the Great Pumpkin....I wonder if there's a little German kid who sits in the cabbage patch with his blankie and waits for the Great Pointed Cabbage?
On Saturday we went to a medieval market in a small nearby town. It was a small market, only about 15 or 20 stalls at most including food. But I found it really lovely because it was mainly children oriented, and we got to watch groups of children learn a medieval dance, which they immediately performed again when we and the other lunch eaters cheered for them :) There was also archery, fencing and this, which I can't find a name for but looks like fun! I think there were other things too, I saw the remains of pottery. And what was really cute was that most of them were in garb! I think I need me some garb too :)
And since I've been so swept up with thoughts of fall I decided to make use of my poor neglected wheel and spin up some fall yarn:
The colours aren't super clear, but I spun sections of red, orange and a warm brown, plus blends of those in between and then Navajo plied it. 
I haven't been spinning that long, so I still need to work on spinning uniformly, especially with lighter weights. Maybe I shouldn't let myself get distracted all the time with new projects.
  Labels: Germany, Life |
| posted by tatjana @ 9:25 a.m. |
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| Monday, September 11, 2006 |
| Monks are just the coolest ever, dontcha think? |
As promised, here are some pictures of our trip last weekend to the monastery in Maulbronn! Founded in 1147, it is said to be the best preserved medieval monastery north of the Alps. There are many fascinating architextural details to be seen, from the Romanic main church building (see a panorama of the carved choir stalls here) to the early Gothic architecture of the dining hall. I was expecially found of the arches, like the ones here near the entrance. 
These have only a four part vault, but there were also many six part vaults, often with intricate headstones, like the one here:
I couldn't stop looking at these, and the detailing on the columns. Each headstone and column has a different motif. It was the intention of the monks to imitate the variety of God's creation. Another highlight was the net ceiling of the Parlatorium, which is decorated with a multitude of botanical designs which can still be vividly seen in the original paint from 1493.
It's a bit awesome to think that this hall was reserved for the hour in which the monks were permitted to speak each day. Before its being built, however, they had been granted no such reprieve from their vow of silence. Luckily, they were in no danger of losing their voices, as there was prayer during mass which was held eight times a day, according to Psalm 119 (which I ahve discovered is slightly different in German) which says Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. to which the German adds and I wake in the night to thank you. Singing was also an important component of the mass, and I can't remember the number of hymns our guide said they went through in a week, but you can be darn-tootin sure, them there monks did a whole lotta singing.
Ok, that's all fer now, stay tuned tomorrow to hear about what a big fat crafting cheater I am ;)
 Labels: Germany |
| posted by tatjana @ 7:42 p.m. |
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| Tuesday, August 01, 2006 |
| Distractions, distractions |
Wow! Has it really been almost a week since I posted last? For shame! Things have been kinda hectic lately with work and other stuff, and I hardly noticed last week go by. And my brain has just been all over the place. On the one side, I've been trying to get focused on the proposal for my PhD, and on the other I'm having all sorts of fantasies of becoming a world famous knit designer. haha! I've still got quite a ways to go on both scores. Then starting next week I will be taking driving lessons!! Um, confused? Well me, being the enormous space cadet I am, did a monstrously stupid thing in letting my Canadian diver's license expire. I've been in Germany for over 3 years now, and I haven't had money for a car, or needed one with the excellent transit system, but now it would be really handy to have one. BUT (and this is a big but) that now means having to apply for a German license. This is not just taking a test. In Germany you are required to take driving lessons. A specific number of them. Of four different specific types. Yes, they are out of their minds. But man do they know how to drive! I swear, traffic here is nothing like Canada. It's now been a while since I've done much driving, so I'm hoping I do ok with all the crazy signs, different rules, narrow, curving roads, and the unpredictable, speedy drivers.
And since I'm discussing distractions, this morning I was distracted for a full 15 minutes contemplating variations of these (*Warning! Do not click if you find Mel Gibson's treatment of women offensive!*) I found this especially funny because it reminded me of an old friend with whom I used to trade similar lovely pet names or better yet, call them out to attractive passers by! (Admittedly usually only after several shots of tequila lol)
Ok. Enough distractions.
In spite of all this I have been knitting, and I'm almost finished a baby Aran cardigan for a friend of mine who just had the sweetest little boy! I will take a pic as soon as I'm done. I'm using, as always, random stash yarn. It's a bulky navy blue cotton, very soft, and as a patterns I'm building on Daisy which I've knit before, and found to be a quick and simple knit. Even though it's small, I didn't feel like committing to a simple stockinette, so I put in some cables. There is a 3 strand cable on the back with 2x2 cables on either side, on the front and on the sleeves. The under sleeve and underarm section is a panel of seed stitch. It's turning out pretty well. I just have to knit the collar, so I'll post a pic soon.
And of course, I'm working on a knit for me (because I'm selfish, selfish, selfish! haha!). The Seaberry Shell from Interweave Knits, which you can see in a gorgeous raspberry colour here. Unfortunately, it's been frogged. But you can see the really pretty boobholder she used the frogged yarn for here. And it was merged with the Soleil pattern from Knitty to make an awesome tank here. Poor Seaberry. Noone wants to make you as you are! Oh well, I can't blame them, I'm making mods too. This baby needs shaping like nobody's bidness and that neckline is just frump frump frump. Mine will be a bit more body hugging, and have a nice wide boat verging on scoop neck. I think this will give it some fine retro appeal.
  Labels: Germany, Knitting, Life |
| posted by tatjana @ 10:52 a.m. |
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