normaloqwendy

[normaloqwendy]

Finally blocked a couple of gift knits 🧶. The scarf is the Leaves & Mock Cables scarf by #christyhills in Red Heart Chic Sheep merino in the Mai Tai colourway (autumnal orange rather than spring green). I adored this design and would knit it again and again. The blue shawl is my modification of the Water’s Edge shawl by #autumnandindigo, knit in Caron x Pantone Bamboo in the Ocean Breeze colourway. Shown here on the recipient, my friend Dana. These were my first two completed knits that weren’t dishcloths, this year. I’m happy with how they came out. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vqbstgwEM/?igshid=vhzur8taa7us

[normaloqwendy]

My first #crochet baskets! I'd never crocheted in the round before. Turns out, it's not hard. Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Stripes in Beach Ball Blue, Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids in Mod Blue, Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Scents in Lavender. Pattern: Basket Tutorial by Sandra Paul. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basket-tutorial. (Alt = for views of three crocheted baskets: small in lavender, medium in turquoisey blue, and large in a self-striping yarn in lavender, turquoise, green, and white. The large holds many bottles of hair products; the medium holds makeup; the small holds cosmetic tools lite an eyelash curler.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1sITCqA_gG/?igshid=1gqljqykk2u61

[normaloqwendy]

My awesome @nancywudesign typography calendar has a brief, hopeful message for Monday, January 21. It may be the bluest day of the year, but #love is all around. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs6M0LllPJg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cqd4tpvgncip

[normaloqwendy]

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A post shared by Wendy Barron (@normaloqwendy)

Some folks ride their bikes to and from work. I ride mine at work. Thanks for the rec, @poole.laura! (I predict a wave of curious visitors in the days to come. #deskcycle (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsq1TjzlNmr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pbyizy8yke3k

[normaloqwendy]

Errant hyphen creates new, possibly French, word. (Alt = end of line hyphenation creates “publi-chouse” rather than public-house.) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br8ipBUlZOQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hl6ved1kcpd5

[normaloqwendy]

Holiday #beerventures @tofinobrewco! Alt = small stuffed moose wearing a red Canada sweater poses with a flight of sample beers and a jar of salty bar snacks. (at Tofino Brewing Company) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br6B-MYFrr9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17rwh7dg274i0

[normaloqwendy]

Small stuffed moose wearing red maple leaf sweater sits between two pints and in front of the chalkboard menu at @riotbrewingco. #beerventures with Moosie! https://www.instagram.com/p/BryTv-7Ffgw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14kwwfxchh1my

[normaloqwendy]

As a reward for making the house look like a tornado hit it—I mean, ready for the plumbers—weekend #beerventures brought us to Squamish and @howesoundbrewing. (Alt=interior of the brewery’s timber-roofed pub) (at Howe Sound Brewing) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVsNaJFhV8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1awizuieva73j

[normaloqwendy]

My @nancywudesign typographic calendar has an arty exhortation for November first. (Alt = two views of a flip calendar. One side says “Thurs, 1 Nov.” The reverse says “Teach art always”) (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpp48KDFAMv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9rk0c26ells6

[normaloqwendy]

Fashion designers: WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS? What do you hate women so much that you give us a jeans pocket that’s two knuckles deep? WHY? Is it because the jeans were $25, not $60? Wrong way to cut costs! (Alt=closeup of Wendy’s hand, two knuckles deep in the front pocket of a pair of dark wash jeans.) (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpa14mrhmHF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t1cxjaqogh6k

[normaloqwendy]

I bought new winter coats on the weekend, because the ones I have are too small for me. In the interest of being warm on my commute and dressing the body I have, I bought two coats. I had them both picked out in black at first. Because black is practical, easy to accessorize, and that most hated adjective of my youth, “slimming”. 

But I have so much black, I’m a bit bored with it. It’s practical, yes. Easy, yes. But the message black still sends—to me if to no one else—is that black is “slimming”. And I am tired of being told—by the fashion industry, by well-meaning loved ones, by the looks of strangers—that I should take up less space, that I should diminish my appearance—or appear diminished—for the benefit of others. Screw that. I deserve to take up space on the planet, on the street, on the train. 

So I got the waterproof one in navy (or Total Eclipse, as the manufacturer calls it), and the packable down in shiny Deco Rose. Or, as I like to call it, Occupying Space Pink. Not much chance of diminishing myself or being diminished in that coat. 

[normaloqwendy]

I really love this calendar. Wednesday, September 12’s wisdom is “Develop tactile ideas now”. We’ll be developing different kinds of ideas until the 20th, I think. (Alt = two images of a flip-card calendar. Top says “Wednesday 12 Sep”, and the bottom is quoted above) (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnpEKzHho7e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hwiun307bh1e

[normaloqwendy]

This flip-card calendar at work has a different inspirational suggestions on the reverse for every day of the year. Today the front four cards show Thursday, 06 Sep, and the back four read “develop daring ideas always”. Both the typography and the four words remind me of @floragordon and her design maxim: Be Bold. (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZKfIEh6-c/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fubl3r9erq1s

[normaloqwendy]

Weekend #beerventures, stop #3! (Alt=a taster rack of four beers in snifter-shaped taster glasses branded TP, and a card identifying the beers in the glasses) (at Trading Post Brewing) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnSPxoKByfT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ck1k2sxoermh

[normaloqwendy]

Weekend #beerventures continue with a beachy surfer vibe. (Alt=bistro table laden with a surfboard-shaped taster rack of 4 beers, a pint of beer, and a large pretzel) (at White Rock Beach Beer Company) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnSDtxShayU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ihi44kwnb9xj

[normaloqwendy]

Weekend #beerventures, Labour Day edition. Close-ish to home, and a comfort after this morning’s washing machine breakdown. (Alt= two red Solo cups on a red patio table, next to a red-and-white flag of St. George. The cups have foamy h ads in them.) (at White Rock Brewing) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnR-zZyB5n3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11rjyr1mnkzny

[normaloqwendy]

That time you go to one of your haunts and the server hears you cough and asks if you would like some hot lemon water with honey. #yesplease #janellerocks (Alt=a white mug of water on a white saucer. A wedge of lemon floats near the brim. A metal cup that once held honey sits beside the mug.) (at Hog Shack)