(used) stuff + finished (knits)

two knitted things i've recently completed:

i'm mad about cowls...as anyone who's lingered around me for any decent length of time knows. they are great because they brainless knitting projects for me...just a tube of knitting, essentially. also, they are a great way to use up small bits of yarn (which i have boatloads of), while making a "scarf" that's not really a "scarf". and of course, they are a fun way to play with color, or texture (from the yarn itself or through the use of pattern stitches).
this particular cowl is made from some tomato red silk and rayon ribbon yarns i found at one of my favorite local yarn shops, imagiknit, which is located in the castro, and happens to be within dangerously close walking distance of my house. the fuchsia ribbon yarn also has some red sequin carry-along thread yarn knitted together with it, hence the bit of spangliness you might see flashes of.
i love adding sequin yarns or metallic yarns with other yarns into my cowls...it makes it feel like a piece of sparkly fiber jewelry rather than a scarf.
i paired with a strapless lace 80s cocktail dress i thrifted at goodwill, haight street, SF, yesterday.
and here's yet another feather and fan scarf. also sort of a mindless, fun knitting project. i've made three of these so far.

made from cascade 220. such an easy, smooth yarn to knit with, that comes in a myriad of colors and is extremely affordable...i love it for those reasons and more.

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some recently acquired things i'm completely grooving on:
the most perfect cloth napkins ever, ever, EVER. a birthday gift from my new pal lisa. she is *awesome*.

this flower facinator from the ebay shop i mentioned in my recent cocktail hat post:

and this crazy-fish emblazoned vest, from goodwill, on haight street. i'm still pondering whether to restyle it or turn it into a cool pillow. either reincarnation would please me equally:

people and their shoes

it's an old adage that an individual's shoes speak volumes about their personality and station in life. being a shoe lover and fascinated with the idiosyncratic expression of personal style, i must admit i sneak a look at the shoes of almost everyone i encounter.
norwegian photographer ellen ugelstad seems to have taken the aforementioned adage to heart with this collection of photos of people's faces, paired with their shoes, taken in san francisco:

(photo credit to ellen ugelstad, seen via swissmiss)

paula sanz caballero

the work of spanish fiber artist paula sanz caballero, while utilizing materials typically associated with "craft," transcends those outdated stereotypes to truly become art. her spacial sense is amazing...she uses the form and texture of fabric and thread to create an image with an amazing amount of depth.
i strongly suggest that you peruse her work on her site to get a better look at the details...her work and craftswomanship is absolutely stunning.

(detail of a larger work of hers)

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in the interest of diversity and the desire to veer away from fashion a bit, i'll probably be including posts of this type occasionally (on art, craft and design, particularly when they are fiber-related)...i had been doing it on rare occasions up to now, but i'd like to feature some of that a little more going forward. what inspires me and moves me goes beyond garments and accouterments! it's all art to me, and my background is in both.