I researched a lot of pattern storage and organization options on the internet and found this solution.  These are basically half size bankers boxes called [IN]PLACE Hanging File Desktop Storage Boxes from Office Max.  I have not seen this size any where else.  I popped down to my local Office Max with a McCall’s pattern (because their envelopes are the largest of the Big 4, excluding the large Vogues) and they had them, and it fit nicely.  I paid about $12 for a pack of 6 boxes and went back the next day for more!

Here’s the insides of one, filled with patterns for knits.  There’s enough room for the slightly taller and wider KwikSew envelopes with the regular patterns and for a few of the larger Vogues on the side.

They fit Burda Magazines on their side…

and Ottobre, Burda Plus, and Burda Easy Fashion.

Sadly, they are not long enough for Jalie patterns.  I have a magazine holder they just barely fit in (tracings kept in plastic behind pattern) with my Threads and other miscellaneous sewing magazines..

But they’re done!  My extra boxes will hold my cutout/used patterns and envelopes in gallon ziploc bags.

These should fit nicely on some 12 inch shelving when ever I get around to it and the boxes aren’t full so I can buy more, right?!

Bonus picture for mom: red hair!

I’m in Vancouver, BC a with a few days free before a business conference.  I stopped for a coffee break in Yaletown and when I left I looked down the street and saw this sign…

I ran over to see if my eyes were decieving me…

They weren’t!

And my head exploded when I saw they had bolts of fabric…

And the SALE table, 50% off fabric!   (All the fabric retailed for $48 Canadian/metre)

Le sigh!

Lovely clothes and bags…

A wonderful, brightly lit shop with helpful staff.  I ended up with 2 metres of this blue poppy for my stash… (I had not  budgeted for fabric on this trip but it was on sale!)

I want this wool coat!

A pink poppy vinyl bag (for knitting projects) and some socks may have also have been purchased!

There were lots of housewares like duvet covers and placemats and even kids tights.  There were also some pattern books you could order wallpaper or fabric.  Oh to be rich!

If you’re ever visiting, or need to order something, check them out at Marimekko Vancouver!

Had a lovely trip to the Japanese Garden Saturday. Even though it was crawling with people I got some decent pics. Probably the last decent weekend day there before the leaves get battered off by the rain.

I love japanese maples!

Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, OR
Wide angle …

And reasons #12,023 and 12,024 why I love the Lensbaby Composer…

I bought some of these

and a DVD.  Classes start a week from Wednesday!

Took this picture for a contest (with a little help)…  Knit ‘n Slide!

And the rejected pictures…

Please don’t knit and skate!!

(that was totally staged)

I have since sold the skates and gear to subsidize the tap shoes

Still winding down from a supersupersuper busy week.

Tuesday night I met some gals I met on ravelry.com:  nellum (who was visiting from Vancouver, BC), Aristaia, and thecaitycat.  We had dinner at the Virgo and Pisces in NW Portland.  They have wonderful breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I had the Perfect Pesto Crepes. YUM.  Topped off with Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato from Mio Gelato on NW 23rd.

nellum shows off her knitting style:

Thursday I took the day off for the first day of Sock Summit.  I had a 6 hour class with the famous Cookie A about sock design.  It was very educational and a blast.  I don’t know if I’ll ever design a sock… but I have the tools to do so!  I met another new ravelry friend, microbiogrl,
for lunch. After class the huge marketplace opened (over 150 vendors, I think) and I wandered around and picked up a few things. I didn’t get one picture taken Thursday, not even of microbiogrl!

Friday I had to work and missed the Guinness World Record setting for simultaneous knitting!

Saturday night was the ravelry.com party at the Forestry center.  I refashioned a ravelry.com shirt I bought in size 3XL (for that purpose!)  I have been planning it for a month, but had never gotten around to making it.  Nothing like slapdash last minute!

The front and back are from an Ottobre tshirt (2007-05 I think) that had pleats at the neckline.  It turned out pleats would hide the love so I raised the neckline about an inch and tried (really poor) gathers.  The sleeves are just basically half circles bound with bias I made and attached after the neckline (also bias bound) and front and back were sewn together.

It turned out pretty cute for probably a one time wear. I’d really like to fix the wonky neck gathers.  I also want to try this pattern with the tucks and a Full Bust Adjustment, which I suspect would solve some of the bust pulling issues!

Before and after and new short hair!

I met some gals at the Rogue Pub in the Pearl before the party. We had Kobe Beef burgers with Rogue Creamery cheese. I also had two pints of hard cider because it was really really good  I met so many wonderful gals at the party. We definitely had the rowdiest and most winning table!

Ravelry.com party… the tame pictures…  (My big flash works great even if it doubles the weight of the camera!)

And the crazy pictures…

Sunday I went back the the marketplace and got seduced by more yarn and some Pirate and Ninja stitch markers from peanutgallery. LOVE.

The day ended with the Luminary panel and the knitting goddesses that are
Cat Bordhi, Nancy Bush, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Judith MacKenzie-McCuin, Lucy Neatby, Deborah Robson, Meg Swansen, Barbara Walker, and Anna Zilboorg all in one room!

Sadly I had a super-bad migraine that the prescriptions meds couldn’t kill but I was determined to stay!  I think I was delusional that it was going to get better.  I’m amazed I made it home on the lightrail

Time to chill and get my act together.  Hopefully no more heatwaves!

I’m too wiped by all this 100+ degree F heat to write…

I do have some pictures of my nieces from my trip to Texas in May…

Let’s try this new plugin…

[imagebrowser id=texas-may-2009]

Judging by my goodies, I should now be called Aqua-Girl.

Fabric Depot (left to right): Press clothes, Merino wool jersey, thread, cotton(?) interlock black and white border print, Tailor’s Wax, charcoal interlock, Alexander Henry black and white print with sewing notions, Micheal Miller small black and white cotton print, broadcloth, white ambiance lining.

Mill End Store (left to right): Mystery sweater knit from Annex, Bamboo knit, jersey knit from the Annex, Supplex knit for activewear, charcoal cotton/lycra “leotard” knit

Here’s half the width of the interlock border print.  The print is mirrored on the other side.  I got 3 yards to do something with. What that is I don’t know   I figured that would be more than enough to work with the big pattern.

The Alexander Henry sewing notion print called “Sew Now! Sew Wow!”.  My machines needs some covers!  Would also be neat as an ironing board cover!

Micheal Miller print called “Petite Fleur”.  The woven cotton is of a really nice quality.  I’m foreseeing a summer blouse.

I didn’t pick any fabric up a Josephine’s as I’d been there the week before.  What I really wanted from there was a Liberty print but I really couldn’t bring myself to buy it at $39/yard (then 20% off).  I did get the Flounce about Jacket pattern on the left.  Josephine’s had one made up and it looked really nice.  The two Simplicity patterns were freebies from a pile some ladies brought for giveaway Friday night and the book was my prize for participating in the ugly fabric contest.

After two 12+ hour days, I’m glad it’s over but boy did I have fun.  I may have to save up for the next one, wherever that ends up being!  Now I need to start planning what to make out of all my new knits!

I met so many people and everyone was so nice and talkative.  I’m always scared to go to places where I don’t know anyone, but I’m glad I did!  Thursday night I finished hemming my Jalie knit top (review to come once I get a decent picture!) then Friday morning I picked up Leslie downtown on my way out to Clackamas.  The event was held at the Monarch Hotel right at I-205 and Sunnyside.  Friday consisted of lecture from Pati Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch who talked about fitting patterns.  Pati went through her jackets, pants, and fit books.  I own Fit for Real People and it’s a great resource for all body types.  I’ll get the Jackets or Pants book should I ever have the desire to make either- at the moment I just don’t wear jackets and I really have no impluse to make pants.

Pati also brought along a lot of samples of her McCall’s patterns clothes. Some were the same ones photographed for the pattern and pattern book and some were her from her own personal wardrobe.  These were so fun to pick through and see in person.

Friday night we had a group dinner at Ye Old Spaghetti Factory and then a contest where we all brought a yard of ugly fabric and trim then split up in groups.  We had half an hour to make an ‘ensemble’ with whatever tools we brought (short of a sewing machine).  There was duct tape, staplers, pins and all sorts.  The winner was the outfit with the head wrap, but we all ended up with prizes.

Here some pictures from Friday, click on the mosiac to head to the Flickr set.

I’ve had been playing with my new Lensbaby Composer before I got sick (love!). It’s a selective focus lens that you can move around and create interesting effects with.  I also picked up some macro lenses and a wide-angle lens.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (too bright for awesome pictures)

Tillamook Creamery…

and of course, the BF’s cat.