My Scarf of Many Colors

Rainbow Bright

I've had this double basket weave scarf pattern by Anne Budd (adapted from another pattern by Barbara Walker, free download at knittingdaily.com) printed out for over a year and it kept falling down to the bottom of my "I'll get to that later" project pile. The below zero wind chill temps hitting me in the face last week was all the encouragement I needed to start rooting around in my yarn pile to find something new for this winter.

Knitting Nest

If you knew what my living room looks like when I knit, you'd know why I don't do it all that often. Messy! But also cozy and comfy so I prefer to think of it that way. I didn't change anything when I took this photo, so if you look closely you'll spy an oven mitt tossed on my throw pillows. I am that much of a multi-tasker!

I fiddled with the white balance on my camera but I can't quite get the teal color to translate--it's more richer and blue green than the color shows in the photo. I'm using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn on size 10-1/2 straight needles, which has helped a lot with all of the knitting and purling. The color line up is:
Tahitian Teal
Limeade
Creme
Lotus Pink
Blue Blood Red

Tahitian Teal, meet Limeade

I'm going to stitch one 6-1/2" square of each and then repeat it out the other end so it will read Teal-Lime-White-Pink-Double Red-Pink-Creme-Lime-Teal.

I love how it looks cable-y without the cables! Priceless!

Now if I can just remember what row I am on:

Keeping count

It's a bold scarf but I feel like 2011 is going to shape up to be a bold year, so let's kick it off in style. What are you working on?

XO Terez

How Brewster the Rooster came to roost - here

Brewster the Rooster

Today laundry and other basic necessities drove me out into what was surprisingly balmy 45 degree sunshine (yesterday my walk to work was 14, RealFeel -1 degree!). I plodded along to my favorite laundr-o-mat, too tired to rush but wanting to get home as soon as possible. While things bubbled and whirled in the wash I crossed the street to Thrifty Threads at United Parish in Brookline to see what was new.

I didn't even need to try too hard to find my treasure; he was looking at me from the front door:

What a flirt!

I scooped him up--he was quite a bit heavier than I anticipated. "How much for the chicken?" I asked the ladies behind the counter. "Oh, it's a rooster, and he's not really for sale, hon." Sigh.

"Oh, okay. It's just that I collect chickens and I just sewed a hen and he would be perfect for her...."

"Well, in that case, you can take him for one dollar."

One dollar.

I could not believe my good fortune. A Christmas Miracle!

I tucked him under my arm and finished up my errands in Coolidge Corner. I was stopped by four passersby:
"Lady, that's an awesome chicken."
"Where did you get that chicken?"
"Great chicken!" and my favorite:
"What a radical chicken!"

All the excitement tuckered me out. I took a few photos of my new friend and went to roost in my own down nest. Later I did some research online and it looks like he is from a pattern in the 80s by McCall's. Ebay to the rescue! I lurve my original little guy but I can't wait to make a friend in the Folksy Flannels I've been sewing with.

Brewster the Rooster settling in

I'll keep you posted on how it turns out!

XO Terez

Chez Terez & Friends in all their magnificence recap~*

Chez Terez & Friends Lauren, Cindy, Kim and Anna {in spirit!}
at the end of the night!

I think I've basked enough in the Post Chez Terez & Friends Holiday Bazaar and Open Studio glow that I'm finally ready to share it with you. Readers who were able to be with us in person--here's some visual memories. Readers who were there in spirit, here's some highlights of our once-in-a-lifetime experience.

2:00 p.m. No one is here yet! Panic starts to set in. Will no one come? Will our amazing back room be all for naught? My mind starts to whirl and spin and then....Bam! Lightening strikes my brain. I wonder aloud: "What if me make a doorprize for our first guest?" Immediately everyone is in. We came up with this:

KimKitch biscotti, Chez Terez earrings, O-Snap bracelet,
Lauren Cards card and "You're #1!" declaration

Now jumping out of my skin with excitement I dance around the house with the bag...who will it be?:

Terez and doorprize

2:30: Knock, knock, knock!
It's Lisa A.! Hoooray! We couldn't have picked a more deserving guest {although all of our guests were so deserving!} if we tried. Lisa has been supportive of this project since Day One. Every time we write about it, she would comment with well wishes. She had been anticipating this event as long as we had. Congratualations, Lisa!

Lisa, our #1 guest!

3:00 p.m.: The floodgates open and we realized we need not have worried. We enjoyed a steady stream of visitors and friends for the next 5 hours:

Guests!

One snafu: the Christmas Mixed IPod was lost before the party started. Darn thing still hasn't turned up. I misplaced it right before the bash, so Rosemary and Bing stood in as a soundtrack:

Rosemary: gorgeous, classy and very  Chez Terez

The shops were spectacular:

The Kim Kitch

Kim transformed my old utility closet into a bakery wonderland.

Charmed, I'm sure

Cindy's O-Snap bracelets and hair accessories were charming.

Red.House prints

 Anna's prints were precious.

Lauren's Cards

 Lauren had quite the catalogue of cards.

Chez Terez Resparkle

Chez Terez made a spectacular showing.

I'm sorry I have to share one more Chez Terez--but this is my blog, afterall:

Chez Terez

And the Bless You Cozies! They flew out like hotcakes!

Bless You Tissue Cozies by Chez Terez

It was amazing. I'm still breathless by what a wonderful experience we had nearly a week later. It was so sad that night as the gals were breaking down their shops--it really did feel like elves (or at least fairygodsisters) had descended on the place. It would not have been possible without Anna, Cindy, Kim and Lauren. Nor would it have been possible without all of YOU. Your support and encouragement and excitement powered us through and has kept us uplifted and inspired in the days following.

We can't wait to see you at the next one.

With love,
Terez

PS Photos in this post brought to you by me, Kim and Cal.

Sunshine on a cold, cold day

Carnelian and vermeil Sunshine on a Rainy Day necklace

The whole enchilada

 

Arrives in a gold gift box, just for your sweetie (or you!)

Sunshine on a cold winter day has arrived--in the form of this gold vermeil (gold over sterling) and carnelian necklace. It's up in the shop with some other goodies. Go on, you deserve it!

PS More Blackberry Wine earrings posting this weekend--keep an eye out the first batch sold out and these are limited--from a single vintage necklace, so when they are gone, they are gone!

XOXO Terez

Walk to the couch Wednesday

Dancing Heart

Arching Hearts

 

 

 

Aunt Winnie's Handiwork

Tree Top

A Couch With A View

I've been home sick, going stir crazy, but my belly needs a rest, so resting on the couch I am. A least my Wednesday walk was still pretty and the view isn't bad!

XO TEREZ

Mamacat's-Not-So-Secret-Anymore-Hot-Cider Recipe

Mamacat's Not-So-Secret-Anymore Cider

One of the biggest hits of the Chez Terez & Friends Holiday Bazaar (which I have yet to properly tell you about!) was Mamacat's Secret Recipe Hot Apple Cider.

"What's that smell?" just about every person who walked in the door asked.
"Mamacat's hot apple cider, want some?"
"Yes, yes, YES!"

Everyone wanted to know what's in it. And so my lovelies, I'll tell you:
2 quarts apple juice
1 quart orange juice
Squeeze of one lemon
2 cups of water
1 cup of sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 allspice berrys
8 cloves

"Orange juice? Really?" "Really."
"Allspice? Really?" "Really."

Pour the juices in a pot bring to a boil. Meanwhile take two cups of water and add to it the cinnamon, allspice and cloves in a separate pot. Bring spices and water to a boil and then add sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved (important! or you will burn your pan!). Simmer the spices for 10 minutes--a little longer won't hurt and your home will smell great. Combine the spice liquid with the fruit juices and continue to simmer. As long as your party goes. If it cookes down too much, add some water. If you are ready for a kick, add some bourbon. (Although it is important to note Mamacat would never ever add bourbon, in one million years).

Pour, inhale, let it cool, sip, and ahhhh.

For our non-cider friends we had a hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, whipped cream and candy canes. I had plenty of both drinks.

Peppy Mint Cocoa

Sigh. Heaven in a mug.

And speaking of heaven, you know you have an angel of a friend when she makes an extra long commute home in the cold (20 degrees RealFeel!) to bring you this because you are sick:

Zaftig's Famous Matzo Ball Soup

KRR is truly an angel among us!

To good health, and hot liquids on a cold night--

TEREZ

Shop's back up!

Bold gold blocks from KRR

There is soooo much to tell you about the Chez Terez & Friends Holiday Bazaar--but I'm going to need a little time to bask in the glow left by all of our guests and the splendiferous time we had. More to come in a day or two on that--I can't wait to share it with you properly.

Please, take one!

In the mean time, feel free to get your Chez Terez fix at the shop here . I restocked it tonight and we're back online!

Vintage resparkling--nearly sold out!

 XOXO TEREZ

Sneak peak: the night before Christmas...Bazaar!

Cozy cozies

{Sung to the tune of the Annie theme song} Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya! Tomorrow! The Chez Terez Open Studio Bazaar is only a day away! XOXO Terez

Lauren's Cards, Anna's Prints

Chez Terez!

Lofthouse delights

Tinsel, tinsel everywhere

Candy Love

The house is nearly ready {a few things left to shove in drawers, under the bed and under the couch!} the jewelry is done {well, there are at least 50 more things I'd like to make and I'm not quite done writing on tiny pricetags...takes much longer than I thought!} the 96 cozies are sewn {but need to be trimmed and plumped with tissue packs} the decorations are all here {but not hung!} the food list is written {but still need to get to costco!}

But

We're getting there.

Had myself a mini candy-cane break and thought of the lovely gals who are participating--KimKitch Kim, O-Snap! Cindy, LaurenCards Lauren, RedHouse Anna~*~*~without them this wouldn't be possible.  <3 to them as we work like elves the next 48 hours to pull this off.

See you Sunday! Chez Terez! Call for directions or check your email!

XOXOXO TEREZ

Walk to work Wednesday

Aries

Last of the Fall Color

Lion's Den

Wooden Twist

Beacon Street Rows