Tara Miller Designs

2011 Loose Ends

So I have a tendancy to say I am going to do things on the blog and then do them but forget to write about the turn out later. This post (a a few to follow) is an effort to tie up these loose ends from projects in 2011.

Tea dying (also coffee dying) This did not turn out well. I even left it to sit overnight and the color is only slightly different. I don't recommend it since it is messy with minimal results. I am going to work on bleaching in 2012 so stay tuned. 

Christmas projects round up:

From Mom!

For my SIL

For my mom, Devon's Lovey!

For my Brother

Camera Strap Covers for my Brother

For my Devon!

 

New Pattern! Cambridge Hiver Toboggan

Brrr, its cold outside better grab a hat…wait do I need ear flaps or not?

Ever wish your hat could style a ribbon to match your new coat?

One stylish winter cabled hat can provide endless choices and you only have to knit one hat. With removable ear flaps for extra chilly days and eyelets for a suave ribbon of any color, or both, only you can decide.

This design was created for my sister while she was living in Cambridge, MA working at a local university. She wanted a cabled hat that was warm but she wasn’t really an ear flap person, more of a ribbon girl. Unfortunately in Boston, you can’t rule out ear flaps, no matter what look you are going for; blue ears rarely match anything.

The idea of detachable ear flaps popped into my head one day but I wasn’t sure of the placement. I decided to just poke holes all around and let her decide the best place for her flaps. When I saw the finished product, I realized it begged for a ribbon, perfect for my sister, who never leaves the house without carefully rolled curls. The most important part, for me, was the top. I wanted the hat to be beautiful from every angle and knew the top was critical. Reading on the subway, bending over to pick up a penny, or tying your shoe lace, if you knit it, you want it to put on a show no matter what!

With removable ribbon and ear flaps, this hat is perfect for days in the park, hot dates or hurrying to your knitting group, no matter how chilly it is outside.

Photo credit [Tara Miller(model)/Shaun Krisher(photographer)]

   

Download for $5.00

Happy Birthday Shaun!

Or as I sometime call him Shwayne. It is my brother's birthday! Not only is he a gifted photographer, brother, pun-wrangler but also a fan of Calvin & Hobbs. In honor of his big day, I have selected a strip he is sure to fall off the chair laughing at.

Miller!

I do believe I have mentioned my brillant photographer brother before (Joie de Vie Photography), well for christmas he and his lovely wife gifted us our name in pictures. I was so stunned and instantly fell in love with it. There was just one problem-finding a frame. Shaun had it beautifully matted but since he is freelance and gave one of these to everyone in the family, frames weren't in the budget. I was fine with that, since I am a very picky framer. Being 10'' by 38'' made this one particulary tricky. The closest ready made frame to be found was 10'' by 34'' so i bought it. Getting home I realized that I could simple throw out his matting (sorry Shaun) and add fabric as my matte and re-align the picture and Voila! and Voila it was. Super fast and now it perfectly matches the style that I want for my house, one day when I can afford it all. Baby steps and my name is in pictures and I am so happy.

Clique

If you like me but find yourself saying "Wow, she is great but too feminine. I could use the sarcasm and inane chatter with more machismo. I wonder if Tara comes in a guy version?" Well, look no further: My Brother, Shaun (The photographer. We have spoken of him before, remember this, this and this?) has started a photography blog. Though I cannot promise that he is just like me; I think you will find he has all of my endearing qualities while manning it up to the max! His new blog is called Clique and it features tips, tales and the tribulations from the world of photography. I am working on writing up his bio right now. I was toying with the idea of something like this: "I was born the only brother of Tara on a cold November night. My sister was a hard act to follow, but with my camera by my side, I knew I would make it." (Little side note on our family, we pride ourselves on our ability to over inflate our egos at the expense of other family members, look to his blog for a rather less witty comeback). Back to the point, I love my brother and his photography. I wish upon a star every night for monthly birthdays, because I know he will gift me with another print, framed and everything. I could not be happier with my wedding photos and all I said to him before hand was "No posing". He took it and ran. He shows that kind of dedication with every project and I hope that you enjoy reading about it and taking from him hard earned knowledge on the inner workings of a seasoned photographer. So give him a click and share with your friends!

Brother! Hoorah!

There is almost nothing like a good picture. The only thing better is making something yourself, but seeing that item in a pretty setting is unbelievable. Having the opportunity to show off your work that makes it as appealing to others as it is to you, is not exciting but almost, yes, this calls for Jazz Hands.
My brother is a photographer and I love his pictures. He makes my stuff look so good. We have recently come up with an arrangement to make our working relationship more equal. He has come up with an idea for a series of  photos which need costume. Enter most directly older sister (me!). Plus he really likes my doorstops, so I will need to whip up some for him; right after I finish the roman shades from hell (DO NOT use Vogue patterns for your shades, please- more later).
Back to the brother, he came over last Saturday to take some pictures of some recent projects. Some are just in development and some are no longer because they just didn't pan out. He makes me laugh and it was the most fun I have ever had standing around pretending to smile. In the picture above, I am working on my Halloween costume and he is probably making fun of my dogs. These are an idea I had for some pattern weights but they just aren't quite right. I hope to offer something kick ass soon. They are effective but not enough for me. This is my favorite picture so far because I am laughing. So much better than concentrating. Back to the assembly line that is christmas present making. Cheers!

P.s. The material is Mendhi by Freespirit and Heather Ross' West Hill by Freespirit