Lofty Perches

Winter Solstice

2006-12-21T13:30:00.000-08:00

The return of the light begins today at 4 pm my time which is Pacific time. It is the shortest day of the year. If you are interested in the history of solstice, check here. If, on the other hand you are interested in the science of solstice, go here. It's really very interesting to even try and fathom this "pale blue dot" that Carl Sagan called the planet Earth, with it's tilt, seasons, equator, ice caps and vast geography. The fact that I exist on it is even harder to digest.

I love this photo of DS sitting on a rock overlooking a lovely winter lake. What I love the most is the fact that he is looking towards the light. I find myself looking towards any light when I am outside because it is so dark this time of year and the days so short. But here it is mid-December and though winter has a few more months before it wears itself out, the days will be getting longer. There will more than likely be a lot of gray days ahead but they will by gray longer rather than giving up early to the dark. For me, it is a contemplative time...a time to write journals, take walks and watch nature...it amazes me that each plant, each animal, knows exactly what to do. I rarely do...I am prone to guessing...and hoping it all works out. I am optomistic.

The solstice is an optomistic time for the Earth. I never feel closer to the Earth than I do at this time of the year. I am more likely to celebrate this "return of the light" than the celebrations of Christmas or New Year's which I grew up with. For me, it is personal...I will build a small bonfire and throw in wishes for the future; I will place a smooth stone near the fire...one for each person who is missed and not with me any longer. I will go out to the garden and pick some greens for dinner and light candles...and pray for peace.

me... Person of the Year?

2006-12-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hummm...radical thought, this. Now I don't get too political here, but if you read this cover article from the current issue of Time magazine you might consider being political as an art form.

I am a very political person...I read everything I can about what's going on in the world. I look at it as my responsibility. If I am to partake in what the world offers then I need to be informed as to what the correct choices are. I'm not asking that everyone be like me...you have to decide for yourself. But first you have to educate yourself. Then decide.

This article points out what a "force" we are as individuals if we gather ourselves, reveal ourselves...stand together to make changes. We don't have to be famous, discover unkown viruses, write important books. In fact, we don't even have to know that we are changing the course of history, we who are humble...

A radical thought and yes, political.

German Star and Apron Pattern

2006-12-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

The photo below is for Craftydabbler who asked what pattern I used for Heather's apron.

The star ornament at left is a version of the German Star folded ornament that I originally saw on Carol Duval's craft show on HGTV many years ago. I made lots of these stars for a couple of years; gave them as gifts and decorated just about everything with them in my house for the holidays.

As many crafters know, we get side tracked and go on to other ideas and I am no exception. When I was putting together Heather's package I pulled out my stars and put one in her box. Spread the joy of stars kinda thing. So when Heidi asked me for the instructions on how to make these, I found a great tutorial on the internet. To make sure the pattern was correct I made one from a piece of scrapbook paper that I had. Here is the result after a bit of time and some frustration. I do have some suggestions if you want to make some of these.

1. You can see what happens when you use one-sided paper. If you want them to look uniform, use double sided paper or plain like the instructions suggest. I think this is a bummer because I love all the beautifully patterned paper out there, but oh well.

2. The pattern calls for strips of paper 5/8" wide by 20" long. Actually, the tutorial has the measurements in cm but the above is very close. So, unless you want to paste paper together, you will have to find 20" paper. I pasted the above paper together with double sided tape. The 5/8" strip should be cut VERY precisely so do your measuring carefully or have a copy center do this for you. They may even have the 20" paper in at least white. The better the cut, the easier it will be to do one of these.

3. The directions can be a bit tricky but after a few mistakes, I caught on. After you have completed one you will want to do more...I think children maybe 8 and above could do these with supervision and maybe even younger if they are particularly agile with their fingers.

An Apron for Heather

2006-12-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the apron that I made for Heather for the holiday apron swap over on What's Cookin'. She mentioned that she liked Michael Miller fabrics and I was only too happy to find some MM coordinating prints for her. The tree on the left is a a pocket which might come in handy for an odd piece of chocolate to keep one going while cooking. I liked the feminine ruffle at the bottom of this apron.

I included in the package a few of my favorite recipes that I have used during the holidays including gingerbread, peppermint chocolate cookies, Italian meatballs and my favorite granola recipe that I have given for gifts more times than I can count. I may post the recipe over on Tie One On for the holiday apron entry. Go check it out!

My Beautiful Apron!

2006-11-30T18:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to the very talented Ann for my fabulous apron! I ADORE this apron...the colors are perfect and the workmanship is just exquisite...right down to the felt flower embellishment! There are even some sparkly rhinestones for a festive flair. Could a girl ask for anything more? Not me...

She also sent very yummy recipes on the cutest cards that match the apron! Plus the nicest soaps...one is wrapped like a chocolate bar and smells like yummy chocolate chip mint ice cream...2 bars that look EXACTLY like lemon bars (which I got a recipe for the real cookie bar)...and a magic bar of beautifully scented soap that I am using regularly...plus a coupon book and a handmade can of magic that also smells divine.

Was I lucky to get Ann for my swap partner? YOU BET. Thanks so much, Ann...you are truly the best.

Freedom from Want

2006-11-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

Nothing says Thanksgiving like this painting by Norman Rockwell, "Freedom from Want". I can't speak for everyone but I think most folks would like to be able to have a Thanksgiving here in America like the one portrayed here...lots of food, smiling faces and multi-generational.

Of course it is completely idealistic and unrealistic to think that this represents us as a nation, we are, after all, not all caucasian and certainly there are more of us than ever not able to afford this lavish a table.

So, I will give thanks for what I do have and be grateful for the family that I love, the friends who have stood by me and those that are new that I am just beginning to nourish. I am still amazed at the bounty of food that we have to choose from and how people can always find something to give no matter what abundance they do or do not come from.

I have only to look into the eyes of a person passing by to know that each and everyone of us has the capacity to choose love over hate.

I leave you with this..."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there WILL be world peace". Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Leg Warmers

2006-11-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

I was attracted to this yarn for a couple of reasons. One, I loved the color verigation and two, it is acrylic yarn. I am making two pairs of these leg warmers for Christmas gifts and they MUST be easy care.

These are easy to knit and go pretty quickly even for my slow fingers. I was able to get one leg warmer out of one skein of yarn with just a few inches to spare. Whew.

Pattern:

Size 4 US double points (mine are bamboo and the acrylic yarn likes them)

Gauge: 22 st in st. st. =4" (but this is not real critical)

Cast on 68 st. Put 17 stitches on 4 needles. Work in the round for 2 and 3/4" in 2 x 2 rib. Change to stockinette(knit all rows) for 9" then go back to the 2 x 2 rib for another 2 and 3/4". Bind off.

I got this yarn on the Elann site but I don't know if they still have the yarn.

K & K Friday

2006-11-17T16:54:00.000-08:00

Yummeee...Liam Neeson as Rob Roy MacGregor...what else can I say?

...and this, courtesy of Cute Overload .

Flowers!

2006-11-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

I was already to post some knitting when this basket of flowers arrived at my front door! Aren't they incredible? And if you could only smell them...fabulous. Nothing like the scent of fresh flowers in my opinion. I have a flower heart so these brought a huge smile to my face and reached inside to where the empty places live just waiting to be filled.

Now it was my anniversary yesterday and the DH and I had a wonderful dinner out so when these arrived, I thought maybe he had sent them. I was happily surprised to find out that my lovely and generous friend Deborah ...my ITE pal extraordinaire...sent them! Isn't she the BEST? I am convinced that I was first in line to be the honorary knitter of her tote!

Thank you, Deborah for your beautiful generous heart. I love them!

Happy 36 Years

2006-11-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

On a cloudy damp November day in 1970, this man and I were married. We had been dating on and off for two years, had taken trips together and basically spent every waking hour with eachother. We decided to make it official and a kind Unitarian minister on Linclon Avenue in Philadelphia gave us a sweet little ceremony. Our best friends Mark and Holly were there along with the golden yellow and red leaves of the season. No fancy wedding dress, no tuxedos, no reception line or gourmet food...I wore my favorite jeans and velvet top, he wore his favorite corduroy sport jacket. There's not a lot to remember about that day, just that it happened and marked the beginning of these past 36 years of our journey. I can't imagine having lived my life any other way, with anyone but him.

Here's to the next 36...

Someone's in the kitchen...

2006-11-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

Election Day metaphor: who's gonna get cooked? If you haven't voted...don't complain about the "food".

In the kitchen today there is soup being made...roasted cauliflower and garlic soup from this wonderful man
who is not only a fabulous massage therapist and an accomplished musician but he COOKS! So, when he said he had made Roasted Cauilflower and Garlic soup this weekend, I jumped at the chance to make a pot.

And look what I found at the Co-op...a head of purple cauliflower. YumEEE. And see that garlic? Homegrown from the fabulous Jan E. I am putting in some garlic myself this year, along with red onions which my whole family cannot get enough of.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND GARLIC SOUP

One lovely cauliflower
One head of garlic
Chicken or vegetable stock
Assorted veggies (we like kale, carrots and potatoes)
Herbs of choice
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Cut the cauliflower into little "trees" or florettes. Chop just the top off the garlic bulb. Coat the florettes and the top of the garlic bulb with some nice olive oil. Put all of this on a sheet pan and set the oven to about 350 degrees. After the oven has warmed up, put the pan of goodies in for about a half hour and then check the veggies and garlic to see if they have started to brown up. You want them to roast and bring out their natural sugars. Don't let them burn, yegads. When they have roasted until just slightly brown (the garlic may need to come out first, but watch to see) bring them out of the oven while you heat up the stock (or broth). Remove the cloves of garlic and plop them into the broth along with the cauliflower. Let this simmer for about 15 minutes then you can do one of two things. You could blend all this up with an immersion blender or keep the veggies and garlic as they are. Your choice. Add your other vegetables cut up into soup size pieces along with your herbs at this point. If you are using fresh herbs, wait until the end to add these. Dried herbs can be added now. If you like the soup a bit thicker, slice the potatoes thinly and they will break down and thicken the soup.
Let the soup simmer for as long as it takes to soften the veggies.

Add salt and pepper to taste...enjoy with some great dark bread and cheese. I like cheddar but goat cheese on the dark bread would be almost orgasmic.

Thank you to that wonderful musician/massage therapist/cook for the inspiration for this post.

Post Script to this recipe: Don't use the immersion blender. The cauliflower is better left as whole roasted pieces. I also would add some chopped onions to the roasting tray.

Another K & K Friday...

2006-11-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

If you are offended by this first photo, please see next photo...

If not, how many of you would like to join me under that grate?

Have a nice weekend.
If you haven't visited Cute Overload, now would be a good time.

Black Cat Friday followed by Men in Kilts

2006-10-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

I realize that this is an odd post, but then, I am feeling odd today. The fall air is quite intoxicating and I am finding life's responsibilites getting in the way of my desire to play. Hence, kitties and kilts.

This is Chaco. He is neither a girl nor is he from New Jersey. He is polydactyl on both front paws which gives him an edge in escaping whatever he wishes to escape from. One time he went after a wild turkey that turned on him. He was able to get away and has never attempted to play with those birds since. He watches from afar. Smart kitty. He's a good mouser and rater which he proudly brings in to add to his family's food storage. Such a good kitty. He gets unending love for his efforts. My life would be much emptier without him.

Now these boys don't bring me food or curl up beside me. They just bring me pleasure. There is nothing on this earth quite so wonderful to watch than men in kilts. I try to go wherever there might be a man in a kilt as often as possible. I think the very best circumstance for seeing a man in a kilt is anywhere that you would not expect them to be. I remember seeing a handsome young fella about to disembark from a boat ramp onto a boat...in his kilt. It was a site to behold.

Thank you to all the brave men out there willing to bare their lovely calves and knees and....

So...this is kitties and kilts Friday from now on...I can sure use the break from "all things serious"...which we can return to the rest of the week.

Swap Tote

2006-10-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

I knitted this bag for the International Tote Swap. I bought some 100% lopi type wool that I have used before for felting so that I would be sure that it felted well. I used a Manos del Uruguay pattern. I came up with some fun embellishment for the front which included chain stitching some lengths of wool in different colors then sewing them to the bag. After it was felted, I added beads and buttons and a tiny jewelry piece that says "love".

It is difficult in these swaps when you will be making something for someone else, to not add a bit of your own taste. Much of the time spent is a direct result of something that you like yourself. I don't think I could knit something that I didn't like.

I will be receiving a tote bag made by someone else...I expect it to be more "them" than "me". I think that this is the most interesting and fun part of such an exchange. If someone isn't willing to accept this aspect of the game, they shouldn't play.

So, off this goes to Deborah in Ridgewood, New Jersey, which just happens to be not too far away from a town I spent my highschool years in, West Orange.

To Donna...

2006-10-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Yes...I jumped ahead to Solstice with little acknowledgement to the upcoming celebration known to us as Halloween...but around 2000 years ago, it was called SAMHAIM....

Samhaim was a pagan holiday to mark the end of the harvest and honor those who died during the year. Because the Celts believed the power of the sun was fading during the Samhaim, it was the perfect time to commune with the spirits.
According to legend, spirits wandered the world of the living on October 31. This was a good news, bad news situation: the dead souls could torment the living and be called upon to foretell the future. Celts also would leave out food for the visiting spirits, hoping that a “treat” would prevent a “trick.”
When Christianity swept through Europe, pagan temples were demolished, but pagans still honored the Samhain festival.
The church decided to counter the anti-Christian holiday in the sixth century with All Saints Day or All Hallows’ Evening. Halloween came to America when the Irish immigrated due to the Potato Famine.
The Reformation got tangled up in Halloween because Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg door on October 31, 1517.
To recap, Halloween started as anything but Christian, however, the Church countered the celebration with terms like Reformation Day and All Saints Day, although, needless to say, there are more witches trick-or-treating than Martin Luthers.
Jack-o-lanterns originated from an Irish legend about a stingy drunk named Jack. Apparently, Jack upset Satan because he tried to trick Satan into throwing him an apple. After Jack died, he was locked out of heaven and Satan didn’t want him in hell.
Satan threw a hot coal at Jack, which he put in a half eaten turnip. He used a torch to wander about for the rest of eternity. When the Irish came to the U.S., they replaced the turnip carving ritual with a pumpkin.

...and a good Samhaim to all of ye pumpkin carvers out there...

Solstice meme...

2006-10-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

In preparation for an upcoming swap we have been asked to answer some questions, aka meme. I love the holiday season, but what I most relate to is the Solstice celebration which I have heard refered to as "the return of the light". If you are a gardener, this means more than Santa or even the chosen birthday of Jesus. I am a gardener. I like when the days start getting longer and I like celebrating this aspect of the holiday season.

With due respect to all other forms of celebration, here are my answers...

1. what kind of holiday party food do you like best? finger food buffet or sit down multi-course style?
I love sitting down to a homemade meal and being waited on. If I am the hostess, I like finger foods and buffets.
2. do you make/use those little name cards for your table seating or is that just another little something that magazines are trying to add to our already long holiday to-do list?
Yes, I do!
3. do you miss sitting at the "kid's table"?No way...
4. any particular holiday party traditions that you like to do every year?
We all make Christmas cookies
5. Which is your favorite winter holiday?
I like to celebrate the solstice
6. do you make or have you tasted any good egg nog recipes...whether using it in a dish or as a drink?
I buy some really good organic egg nog
7. fruit cake .... do you love it or think it should be used as a door stop?
Fruit cake is sadly maligned. I love it and make some really good ones in November so that they can marinate. I have tasted some that SHOULD be used as a doorstop, however.
8. What do you like to do to get yourself in the holiday spirit (ie. certain music, visiting certain seasonal sites, enjoying winter weather, etc.
I love Christmas music but mainly I start making holiday gifts in the summer and that stretches out the season. I also pick greens from the evergreens and berry bushes and fill containers with bouquets that I use inside and out. I try to bake early and freeze so I have more time to myself when the holiday rush is on. I also love the holiday craft fairs.
9. What is your favorite holiday song and who sings it best?
I love "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by John Gorka, the Ronettes version of "Sleighride", the Roches version of "We Three Kings" and John McCutcheon's song/tale of WW 1 soldiers on Christmas eve brings me to tears. I play all the Windham Hill holiday recordings throughout the day...they are wonderful recordings.
10. Any ideas for interesting holiday themed parties? (Even if it's really out there -- like renting a snow machine and having everyone build snowmen if you live in a no-snow areas!)
"return of the light"...building a bonfire and throwing into the fire written wishes for the next year. "winter sky"...celebrate the winter sky by finding the winter planets and
signs of the zodiac; use star motif in decorating. " garden party"...trade seeds with friends and send everyone home with a seedling plant that you started a few weeks before; celebrate the winter garden by making greens and roots soup.

I will be posting more about the upcoming swap and solstice in the weeks to come. No harm in getting the party started a little early. eh?

A Friend in the Garden

2006-09-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

I was out watering this morning; picking tomatoes and checking to see if there is any chance for a pumpkin this fall. My DSIL is refinishing the deck so I took the potted plants from the deck and put them in the vegetable garden. This lantana had a visitor and I took a picture. Now this has not been a great year for my garden. The weather was very uncooperative and what wasn't affected by our strange weather was attacked by various creatures...gophers just about got everything but some other creature did manage to get into the garden despite the fencing. Arrrggghhh.

But the plants themselves have been pretty darned bug free and I think it is due in part to these fascinating friends that I have seen many of this summer. I use no chemicals and only good organic fertilizers, but a good balance of life and growing means you have to attract the "good guys".

Thanks to these and other "helpers" who oversee the health of the garden I am once again reminded of the delicate balance nature so beautifully expresses to us. We have only to look...and listen.

Friends...

2006-09-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

There is always room for a friend...

... and always room for love.

...Rest in Peace

2006-09-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

The world has lost Steve Irwin, better known as "The Crocodile Hunter". I have lost one of my favorite all time people. It is a sad day. He was a hero to so many of us, especially to those who love animals.

It is a truly emptier, sadder world without his loving, adventurous spirit.

You will be missed.

Summer Knitting Project

2006-09-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this shawl in between other projects. It's knitted in a moss stitch which I love but it tends to get rather repititious(boring). That's why there are other projects. I found this linen/cotton yarn on Elann. It's a joy to knit and I like the way it looks knitted up. Plus it's so so soft.

Now all I have to do is finish it. I may add a nice long fringe just to get some more easy length.

Burning Woman Coat

2006-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

I created this coat for my DD who is now enjoying the Burning Man event in Nevada. This is her second year so she knows what to wear. She found this fabric On Haight Street in San Francisco and with a bit of engineering, we turned it into a coat. Yes, it gets pretty cold in the high desert at night. Fake fur is all the rage...the wilder the better. This fabric is a very low pile with a fascinating "wiggle" pattern where the nap changes direction to form this pattern. You can just about see it in the photo. I couldn't use a straight easy coat pattern...my DD is a curvy girl so I found a Vogue pattern for a jacket and refashioned it into a coat...with a hood, mind you...no easy feat. We were stuck on what to line it with until DD found some wild tropical rayon I had in the stash. I had to really be careful so that it stretched to fit all the pattern pieces. It is an engineering miracle, when I think about it.

The front just fit at the chest line so I found some ribbon to close it up with. This should keep her warm and show off the artist that she is. It really tested my limits as a seamstress and I will be glad to get back to my small quilts and easy sewing projects. Oh, there are some knitting projects in the works as well. Stay tuned.

Look! It's a Fairy Sitting on a Pincushion!

2006-08-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

I had the idea for this pincushion one night before I went to sleep. I woke up thinking it would not be too difficult to make from felt. I have made some other pincushions but never anything with a three dimensional figure. She didn't turn out too bad for my first attempt, so I entered her in our local county fair and she won first prize! The pincushion itself is also felt, her dress is a piece of ribbon and her hair a piece of yarn. My inspiration for pincushions in general comes from the talented Bella Dia who makes the most charming pincushions and sells them too! But there are many examples of pincushions all over blogland. I have a few pincushions that I use all the time. I don't think one can ever have too many. So, I welcome the "Pin Fairy" to my collection. If anyone is interested, I will do a tutorial.

Quilting

2006-08-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

I am working on this baby quilt for a friend's daughter who had a baby boy in May. I chose some soft blue quilter's quarters and with the white, a yard of a print called "Animal Alphabet" which I loved. this will be the binding as well. A close up photo is just below.

I planned on machine quilting this for time's sake but I don't have any experience machine quilting. Even with all the basting that I did, the fabric shifted while I was trying to quilt the inside of the patterned squares. I had to rip out a lot of work. I went to a local store where I was convinced to buy a "walking foot". Best $20 I've ever spent. The quilting progressed with no problems. I was then stuck not knowing how to quilt the rest of the project. I was rescued by my sister who was here for a visit all the way from New Jersey. She has made some beautiful quilts and has a great sense of design. She suggested doing the quilting on the diagonal. Banner idea! She's the best.
So, now I have only the binding to do and a little bit of embroidery on the back with his name and birth date.

I like these little quilts. I have two more lined up to do...one is a nifty pattern and the other will be one of my own designs. They both will be machine quilted now that I have the right tool!

By the way, the inspiration for this quilt, using a lot of white is from Small Hands. Her quilts are beautiful and I would recommend a visit to her blog. Plus she has some really cute kids. Thanks Soul Sister!

Saving the Best for Last...

2006-08-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Here are my lovely Cinnamon Rolls...as good tasting as they are to look at. You really can't go wrong with sugar, butter, flour, cinnamon and yeast...did I mention sugar? There is so much of it that it should be mentioned twice. The recipe actually calls for frosting...I left it off. Just looking at the end result would have put me in diabetic shock. If I ever make these again I will put in some walnuts...almost everything is better with nuts.

These went to the neighbors, my daughter and her husband and a few in the freezer for Jon and Gwyn.

Goodies

2006-08-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

Here they are, the fair entries that I didn't enter. I sampled each one and fell asleep on the couch. My body is just not used to eating so much sugar. I have packaged them up in seperate boxes to give to neighbors who have helped me with the garden this year. If I keep them in the house, one of us will be tempted.

The top photo is chocolate chip macaroons. These were quite easy, very few ingredients and if you like coconut, they're divine.

The next photo is a plate of Amaretto Crisps.
Great with tea or coffee, these are soft with a crisp edge. They are "refrigerator style" cookies which means that you chill the dough first, roll it out and cut into shape. Also quite easy.

This is a Bourbon Pecan Chew. Chewy and delicious. Made with lots of butter, molasses and bourbon...and pecans. They are a drop cookie and spread in the oven.

This is Raw Apple Bread. I've been making this for years. The recipe is from James Beard's Bread book. I gave my first copy away when I thought I had exhausted its use but later found a used copy because I missed it so much. It remains one of my favorite cook books.

I thought that I would put a list of my favorite cookbooks in this post just in case anyone may be interested. I know that I have found books that other bloggers have listed to add to my collection, whether it's cookbooks, fiction, health, knitting, sewing...a couple of quilting books too. So, here goes.

1. The Self-Healing Cookbook by Kristina Turner (I've learned more about food in this book...my all-time favorite)

2. The Natural Gourmet by Annemarie Colbin (Each delicious recipe is an education...I always turn to this book first when I want to prepare something special)

3. A Taste of Heaven and Earth by Bettina Vitell (Many of the recipes in this book have become staples in my house. Fabulous)

4. Beard on Bread by James Beard (I learned everything I know about making bread from this little book. Great, delicious recipes for all kinds of breads)

5. Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen (I started with this cookbook and go back to it often. I never get tired of it)

6. Crazy Plates by Janet and Greta Podleski (This is such a fun book that I coudn't help putting it on the list. The recipes are lo-fat and I've liked everyone that I have made)

As I look at this list, I am noticing that except for the last book, the others are mainly vegetarian and ALL written by women. A coincidence? Who knows. I have lots of other cookbooks, including a Joy of Cooking, a couple of Andrew Weil cookbooks, a fancy book or two and some others that I occassionally use. I also own both of the Vegetarian Epicure books. But the 6 above I would take with me if the house was burning down. Nuff said.

Fair Entries

2006-08-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

This jumpsuit is one of a few sewing projects that I have entered in the local fair this year. I purchased the fabric and the pattern on this site. WHO KNEW THIS WOULD BE SUCH A PAIN IN THE BUTT TO MAKE! And to top it off, it doesn't fit. Yes, I followed the pattern sizing and added on where it said to after measuring myself. I need an alteration class BIGTIME. I won't be making another one of these...too bad...I was really looking forward to a nice cool outfit. Hopefully, the judges will like it. I finished EVERY seam and added a bow at the top center ruffle (added right before I took them to the fairgrounds).

I also entered my summerwear blouse posted just below, the black formal I made for my niece's wedding last year, a vest, a skirt, my cowgirl apron, a crocheted scarf, a knitted hat, a felted bag, a felted oven mitt, my knitted tank and a pincushion. Also. DH and I entered some photographs. I was going to enter baked goods as well, but this weekend I've been sick and wasn't able to complete my entries. Next year.

Summerwear

2006-07-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am doing quite a bit of sewing this summer and this blouse is one of my favorites. The fabric is from Westminster by Victoria Wells and the pattern is McCall's. I did some hand sewing on this that I really like. Although the pattern itself had some confusing parts that I had to do over, it was mostly because I misinterpreted the directions. I love the fabric and it is so easy to sew with quilting material.

I'm really into this kimono look that is widely available in patterns right now. I was at JoAnn's over the weekend and bought another kimono look pattern that I hope to make up in neutrals. The sewing "todo" stack is getting quite high.

I made brisket and potato salad last night for my son-in-law's birthday but the Apple Crumble Pie was my favorite. Since I have stopped eating sugar, I only treat myself every few months to a really GOOD desert. This qualified. So, to be honest, I have almost given up sugar. Hey, to be truly human is to be truly imperfect, okay?

Flowers in the Garden

2006-07-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Japanese Eggplant
Delicata Squash "Diva"
Sugar Baby Watermelon
Opal Basil

Flowers in the Garden

2006-07-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

A Martha Washington geranium.
A butterfly on the Buddleia
Japanese Cucumber

Sockonzeefoot...

2006-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

I have finished a sock! Here it is on my foot. I took a short trek around the neighborhood but in 95 degree weather I did not put it on until I took a break. It is such a landscape sock that it fits right in with any outdoor scene. How appropriate! This was a fun fun project; of course it is not completed yet as I have two feet. Another sock must be made...

Specs:

Pattern from a winter 2004 issue of Knit It! magazine.
Yarn is Trekking XXL in colorway 100.
I used size 2 needles, birch DP's.

I have a skein of Schafer sock yarn in my stash and I will make another pair from it. How will I change the pattern? I will cast on another 10 or so stitches to make the top a bit looser and make the ribbed top longer. I will also make the body of the sock a bit longer. I made this sock longer than required but I have size 11 feet. I need more room. I also need some sun on my white legs.

Sock it to Me!

2006-06-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

Behold...my first sock ever. I cannot believe that I am knitting socks. Why? Because these are such thin needles and such thin yarn. Who knew I could actually handle this? I was inspired by the knit/hike along called Trek Along with Me sponsered by Margene and Norma. What a cool idea, getting us knitters outside to hike. I don't need an excuse to hike, though, I needed an excuse to knit socks! I am surprised that I am enjoying knitting socks as much as I am!

This is Trekking XXL sock yarn in Colorway 100. I love it because it reminds me of the canyons in the southwest that I have hiked and loved. And is this a cool yarn holder or what! The skein of yarn fit in perfectly! They come in different sizes, this being the smallest. It really keeps the yarn contained and clean and when I do go out on the trail, this is very important. The trails here are dry and dusty this time of the year. I'm planning on a hike pretty soon but thought I'd share this inside photo to get the colors as close as possible to the real deal. I can't wait to post a finished sock!

Happy Father's Day

2006-06-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am honoring this man today.

He is a great father and a wonderful husband. He loves basketball and can answer almost every sports trivia question complete with a story, if you have the time. He loves the sea, has written poems about it, most especially bathing in its waters. He is a water sign and evokes all the traits of a true Aquarian although he doesn't really believe in Astrology as a science. I am amazed at his knowledge of computers...he has taught me all that I know of them, though I am as right-brained as they come and resistent as hell...he has a gift with teaching, being patient and clear. I wish all my teachers had been as capable as he is. He is a huge jazz music fan and has had his own radio show on the local community radio station for almost 23 years. I am still amazed at his knowledge of this genre of music. Though jazz is his main music love, he loves all music, as we both do and it would not be strange for anyone to hear tracks by Miles Davis followed by Brian Wilson or Quicksilver Messenger Service in our house.

This man and I have been together almost 38 years. We went to Woodstock together. We birthed 2 children together. We have been on may road trips, bought and sold many houses and a number of cars. He self started two businesses, both successful and during very difficult times. At one point we sold a house and a business, took a year off with two young children, lived by the sea and taught ourselves to carve signs. We did a lot of biking back then; up and down the boardwalk, many miles along the sea.

He always gave in to my wishes, gypsy that I am and I found his groundedness the first real stability I have ever known. We now live on a piece of land that we both love, though it is more work than we can manage, but he has never complained. His heart is grateful and bears no judgements. We are eachothers safe place to land.

So today I honor this man. I will make him a pineapple upside down cake and a roast chicken with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. I am so lucky to share my life with him.

Happy Father's Day, sweetheart.

The Garden, the Jasmine and the Rose

2006-06-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

After much work by tractors, dump trucks, hands and heart, I have a garden. The tractor pulled out the spearmint which had taken over (nasty stuff...watch where you put mint...it will jump over containers and plant itself everywhere) and broke up the winter ground. The dump truck delivered some compost and the hands and heart did everything else. I am not an organized gardener. No real thought as to where things SHOULD go, they just go where I put them. My cousin Maudia and I inherited tomato bingeing from our mothers. We always plant way too many tomatoes. But we don't care. We grew up with the philosophy that you can NEVER have too many tomatoes. A good philosophy. But I did manage to sneak in some peppers, eggplant (a Japanese variety this year), squash (I only like the winter squash varieties), some sugar baby watermelons, herbs and flowers. Oh...I just planted some cinderella pumpkin seeds and wax beans. I still have some room for more but haven't been inspired by anything. Got any suggestions?
This jasmine really took off this year. It's gorgeous! And oh the smell...luxurious. I had it caged so that the deer wouldn't disturb it while it was still young. They don't touch it now and you can't see the cage. They don't like the smell I guess.

Here is the Fourth of July rose this year. I am amazed at this rose. Every year it puts on a fabulous show and continues to do so all summer. I do cut off spent blooms but I have never fussed over it. It's a climbing rose and I have had to extend the fencing so that the deer won't eat it. It has grown up into the Chinese Pear tree you see just behind it. I may do some trimming this fall just to keep it under control. Thank you 4th of July rose, for the inspiration of giving.

Behold! A Finished Sweater!

2006-06-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

I actually can't believe that I have finished a sweater. Mind you, a very easy one and sleeveless. And the yarn was very forgiving. And it cost less than 10 bucks. And the yarn was very forgiving. Though easy to knit (1 x1 rib for lots of stretch) it was difficult to photograph the color. It's really fuschia.

It also fits...now how did that happen? And quite comfortable.

Specifics:

Tutu yarn from ModaDea. I got mine at Michael's on sale for a little over 2 bucks a skein. It only took a little over 4 and I'm a big girl. They might still have some if you have a Michael's in your neighborhood.

Pattern...I was given the pattern by a woman on the cruise ship back in February. It was one of the little "tear offs" that you find hanging up near the yarns...free.

It would take a normal knitter a very short time to knit this. I knitted this off and on and in between a couple of other projects, so it took me a while. Knitting ADD.

Now on to the other projects...coming soon to my neighborhood.

Time for a Hike

2006-05-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken on the Bridgeport Trail above the Yuba River near my home. The Yuba is our local recreation in the hot dry summer months. There are trails that one can take to access the river and its lovely pools of cool water. When my kids were little we went often but as I have gotten older I don't go as much. It gets crowded on the weekends and during the week it is hard to get up the energy after work.

So, I joined Trek With Me a sock hike knitalong. We're using a specific sock yarn called Trekking XXL and knitting a pair of socks while hiking. This to me sounds like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time! But I'm willing to give it a go, if only to get out on this beautiful trail! I will stop often and knit cause I don't want to fall off a cliff while knitting.

Wish me luck.

Top Story

2006-05-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

This pink knit top is the La Fred Thia Tee. I have finished all but the sleeve hems. I have been sewing knits for many years now and have never really learned the right way to sew with them. First of all, I don't own a serger so I have to make due with the stitches that my machine has available. That means a small narrow zigzag for the seams and top stitching. I did get the darts sewn pretty well and this pattern has 6 darts. I like the shaping that they give to it.

But the next one that I make will be with a nicer fabric (this was cheap interlock I purchased at JoAnn's for 50% off) and it will be the smaller size AND I may borrow a serger. I also learned that my machine will not do twin needle stitching...that really bummed me out. So my top stitching is a bit, well, zoinky. The next one I will have to add some interfacing to the hem to make it lay correctly.

I lust learned that the next project for the sew i knit group is TOPS! I'm a bit ahead with this top almost done, but I have others lined up...including the McCalls pattern and fabric below. I fell in love with this fabric the moment I saw it. Since I am not a real honest to goodness quilter (I have attempted a couple...yet to be finished) I look for reasons to buy an occasional yard or two of one of the fabulous quilting fabrics available out there. This one is from Westminster. I thought it had a modern kimono look to it and found this pattern. I love the colors and the fabric has a nice weight to it.

I bought enough for the cap sleeve version but I may go back and get more to make the kimono style in the upper left.

Of course, this means a straight skirt in a complementary knit to go with it!

Ahhh summer...I just got compost delivered so it looks like sewing will have to be put aside for a while so that the gardens can be started. Thank goodness for longer days...

For Amy

2006-05-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Amy just had a birthday. We like to celebrate our birthdays by doing something just the two of us. We sometimes only have time for a breakfast at Paulette's but every now and then we go bargain shopping or take a yoga class or a hike. We have been friends for 22 years. I like to make things for her and this year I picked out a nice little pattern for potholders. She loves chickens and use to own a few. I would laugh at the names that she gave her chickens.

So here are her chicken potholders. I am honored to have her as my friend. She has been through quite a bit of upheavel in her life, especially lately but her courage and strength have seen her through these rough patches. She has become her own woman and I am proud of her. These fabrics celebrate her new self... going out on a limb just far enough to see what the chickens are up to...then diving into life to raise a few feathers. You go girl!

Open Yours Too!

2006-05-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Look what came to me in the mail today! And from Western Australia! These wonderful fabrics, tags, pom pom kit, buttons and postcards were my gift from my exchange partner, Helena Tay, as part of the Open Yours Too hobby exchange. Helena is a wonderful artist and created the artwork for the postcards. She also works with paper and does collage. She made the tags you see in the photo. I am honored to have such a remarkable artist choose fabrics for me which I really love! I am going to have WAY too much fun with all of these goodies!

Mom and Me...

2006-05-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Christmas 1946.

My Mom has been gone for over 4 years now. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I was her first child. Life was very difficult for her after my birth; she left a bad marriage, went to live with her parents who did not accept her divorce then promptly told her she and I could not live with them. We were taken in by her deceased brother's widow who lived in Pensacola Florida with her two children. I learned to walk in Pensacola.

She met a man and remarried. He was the father that I knew and loved but life was never easy for Mom. We moved so often that none of us, including my Mother, ever made a true friend. We just were not around long enough. I never saw her angry or upset that we were packing again and we would all have our own "jobs" to keep us busy and she always made an adventure out of the difficult job of moving. She and my stepfather had three children who are my two sisters and one brother. I love them dearly and we talk and see eachother as often as possible.

On this Mother's Day, I honor all the mothers out there. I will walk around the garden that I created for my Mother and pull a few weeds. She loved flowers and I remember going out to the gardens of the many places that we lived to make a bouquet to take inside. Through her I learned to love gardening and laughing in the face of difficulty. She is a constant inspiration.

Time for a Change

2006-04-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

It is almost a year that I have been with this blog. I have learned so much. It was challanging and rewarding. I have been inspired by so many people and my life has become so much fuller with their blogging "presence". In short, it's been a hell of a trip.

But I felt the need for a change...a different direction. I felt rather unattached posting on this blog...as if I was writing it for someone else. One cannot help but be inspired by other blogs but I think I lost myself in reading so many other blogs. I tried to knit like others, blog like others, read like others, do the projects that everyone else was doing, join up and create a themed piece like everyone else. I got "blogged down" with what everyone else was doing. I found myself not being able to keep up.

Weeks have come and gone and I became uninterested in posting. Why should I? Someone else will do it better. What was the point? Time out...

I don't have to do what everyone else is doing...I'll do what I want to do.

I am happy with the new direction, although I'm open to this changing as well...it is my journey.

Come visit here .

Summer is for Skirts

2006-03-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

This is the skirt I have sewn for the sew? i knit! project. It's Kwik Sew pattern #3286 in my favorite Amy Butler fabric. I didn't have enough of the Amy Butler fabric for the underskirt so I chose a lightweight rayon gauze in my fabric stash. I like the skirt and I think I will wear it a lot in the summer but, if I were to do it over again I would find a fabric and buy enough for both layers. I'm not real fond of how it cuts off...it almost looks like your "slip" is showing...a real "no no" back in the day and I'm old fashioned in a lot of respects.

So, I would say find a fabric that has a nice drape to it and go for it! I have some rayon laying around somewhere that I may use to make another one of these...in a tropical print...yeah baby.

I found a great fabric site online called Hawaiian Fabric that has the most amazing selection of tropical prints that I have ever seen! Plus they have patterns for Hawaiian style "mumus" and other cute patterns. I ordered some fabulous pink tropical fabric and a pattern for summery coveralls with a matching purse that I can't wait to sew up. So, why all the tropical fabric fuss? When we were in San Diego recently, I stopped into a Hilo Hatties store and was inspired by all the beautiful tropical prints in their garments. I decided I had to have me some new summer clothes in these wonderful patterns!

Knitting on Board

2006-03-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

Here I am just beginning AGAIN the back of my sweater. I have ripped it twice now. By the end of the cruise I was up the back about 6 inches. YES I AM A SLOW KNITTER. But these are tiny needles, for me. There were not that many other knitters on board which was disappointing. I did meet one knitter who shared her pattern for the extremely cute tank top that she was knitting. It was knitted from Moda Dea yarn in a 1 x 1 rib and that is going to be my next project. In fact, if I can get the yarn at my local Michael's (where she got hers) I may have it going concurrently. I like to have more than one project going because it eases the boredom.

I did not like cruising...too boring. And way too confining. And there was too much food. And yoga classes were extra and too expensive. And it was boring. I wanted to get off the boat after about 3 days. I realized that I am a doer and like to be my own director of acitivites. No more cruising for me.

Das Boat

2006-02-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

I will be on this boat this coming Saturday. I will bring my knitting, a sketchbook, my Mim journal, some clothes, my DH and dramamine. I'm hoping to see whales as we will be leaving from San Francisco and doing the Mexican coastline towns. I want to get some sun on my pasty winter face. I want to dance and play and not have to cook or clean for 10 whole days.

Oh no, I am NOT forgetting to take Jamie and Claire with me; that is the 4th book in the Outlander series that I am enjoying WAY too much. Such great stories Diana Gabaldon writes.

I have made one dress, one pair of pants and one skirt for this trip. I have made alterations to a few garments. I need to pack. The weather will change from a cool 48 degrees to a steamy 90 degrees so the packing will have to cover all these extremes.

I'm a landlubber so this will take some courage on my part. Wish me luck.

My Two Guys

2006-01-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here are my "guys" circa 1976. Yesterday my older guy was 67 years old. Today my younger guy is 32. I am so proud to be a part of their lives; each has given me enduring "gifts" that have no monetary value. Their gifts to me have been the gift of watching them unfold; participating in theirs and other people's lives. Here's the thing...they have made the world a better place by being in it...they have made me a better person. Happy Birthday, guys.

First Sweater

2006-01-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

I'm taking the plunge and starting my first knitted sweater. I decided to knit Sally Melville's Sally's Favorite Sweater from her The Knit Stitch book. I found some great yarn in a cotton/rayon blend which is a perfect weight and I love the color...lapis blue. My first wedding ring had lapis in it. It is a soft stone, so the cabachon cracked and I am afraid to wear it so I keep it tucked away. This lapis sweater I hope to have done by summer so that I can wear it often.

I started by knitting a swatch to get gauge and to see how the yarn knits up. All's good so far...I'll bind off the swatch and maybe use it as a pocket on the sweater.

I found another knitter who is working on her first sweater. Po is knitting a zippered cardigan from the Fall Interweave Knits in a lovely verigated yarn. Take a look at how far she has gotten! She has inspired me to keep going and I will be checking on her progress as the weeks go by.

Ruffle Scarf

2006-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is a crocheted ruffle scarf out of Noro Blossom. The pattern can be found if you Google "Crocheted Ruffle Scarf Pattern". There is also a similar scarf on the cover of Interweave Knits Crochet magazine.

I had to order more yarn on the internet (thank you, Knitting Garden). One skein of this yarn doesn't get you very far, but I love the colors and it is a lot softer than most of the other Noro yarns which I find quite scratchy. And it is easy to crochet!

I will post photos when it is done.

My Hat

2006-01-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

I love to make hats. I've made hats for quite a few people and I would guess that I will make a lot more for other folks. But this one is mine. This is a simple rolled brim hat, knit in the round on big size 13 addi's. I combined a glittery thread like yarn (unknown since the label came off) with a lovely mushroom colored Cascade 200. The glittery stuff was verigated so that's why the colors change. Fun, huh? I love combining yarns and I've had some real goofs which looked terrible in the end, but this one I like. I'll keep it.

Heath

2006-01-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

I am drawn to the tormented soul. Heath Ledger plays the perfect tormented soul in Brokeback Mountain . Therefore I am drawn to Heath Ledger. Swoon swoon...

I loved this film. It's not the sort of film that you get out of the theater and immediately start talking about it. This is not the sort of film that you end up forgetting about as soon as you leave the theater. This film needs to be digested...then you can't stop talking about it. The performances are near perfect. And oh the scenery. During much of the film there is a lonely guitar in the background...oh so nice, a perfect soundtrack for this serious film.

This is a love story that cannot be; at least in the 1960's during which it takes place. I've heard it descibed as a Romeo/Juliet story but it goes way beyond simple unrequieted teenage angst love. This one pushes your comfort zone; makes tolerance a passionate word...redefines love.

I did not knit during this film.

Happy New Year!

2005-12-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

With the new year coming up, I have a new project on the needles. Behold...the Lofty Perches version of fingerless mitts. Now, I have knitted with a LOT of yarns but this yarn tops even my favorites of the past...I give you...Malabrigo yarn. I found this particular verigated at the yarn shop called Imagiknits in San Francisco. What a fabulous shop and I was in there for quite a while fondling yarns and deciding what to buy for which projects. When this skein of Malabrigo found me, I didn't need a project, I just had to have it.

This is my first attempt with "mittens" and I found it easy to do. It's a little tricky managing the dpns but once you get into the swing of it, all goes well. I decided to do a seed stitch border at the arm and a rib border up at the fingertips. I just wanted to try different edges and I didn't want a rolled edge. I sort of followed the instructions in the Winter 2003 issue of Interweave Knits where they write about gloves. The next pair that I make will be a bit tighter. But you can bet I will be doing a lot more with the Malabrigo yarn!

A look back...2005 reflections

2005-12-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

Reflections in Yarn 05

Knit Once, Purl Forever has offered up a meme for 2005...take a look!

1. List your finished objects, or just list your favorite FO. I surprised myself with the amount of knitting that I accomplished but I stick to smaller projects for the almost instant gratification. My favorite project is a diagonal shawl that I knit from 6 different colors of Manos Stria cotton. I wore it all summer.
2. List your works in progress: A pair of fingerless mitts in Malabrigio wool...an 8' eyelash yarn scarf...the Ruffle Scarf...a shrug in Rowan Cashcotton...a Sally Melville top.
3. What skeletons are in your knitting basket? That Sally Melville top from her knit stitch book...just can't seem to finish it!
4. What's your favorite project? The Manos Stria shawl and The Bucket Hat from Chicknits.
5. What project(s) will you never knit again? Anything in eyelash yarn.
6. What was your major knitting accomplishment for the last year? Teaching myself short rows (the short row technique)
7. What's your favorite yarn from the last year? The Malabrigio wool that I am knitting with currently. The Plymouth Yarn Sinsation (80/20 rayon/wool) is a close second.
8. What's your favorite yarn overall? Soooo many...I love Classic Elite yarns in general but their Maya yarn (50/50 llama/wool) is fabulous.
9. What new knitting techniques have you learned? The short row technique...make one...slip, slip, knit one decrease...i-cord...Fisherman's Rib... diagonal knitting...thumb gussets...
10. What are your knitting goals? To learn to knit EVEN stockinette stitches! Knitting the Fiery Bolero really showed me where my weaknesses are! I'm not finishing it until I get it right! I knit Continental, so it has to do with a weakness in the purl stitches...I'm determined to get it right!

...and to all, a good night.

2005-12-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

Knitting Away December Days

2005-12-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Some knitting, some felting. The Booga Bag is knit in Noro Kureyon and took quite a few turns in the old WM to get it to this point. I must say...I've heard good and bad about this yarn and I quite agree with the latter. So scratchy who would want to wear anything knit with it! Maybe some die hard wool wearers which I am not. Give me some gorgeous hand dyed merino any day!

The stocking I knit with my favorite yarn, Classic Elite MAYA. I think they stopped making this which is too bad, cause it's a pleasure to knit and it felts beautifully.

Chaco is cleaning himself while gazing at my 2 x 2 rib scarf which is in the process of being knit from Plymouth Yarn's Sinsation, an 80% rayon, 20% wool chenille which is gorgeous AND expensive. I'm knitting this for me, however, and I'm worth it. The needles are 10.5's...my favorites...Lantern Moon. I fell in love with this deep red.

Chaco and a WIP

2005-12-12T15:47:00.001-08:00

Felted Booga Bag

2005-12-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

Felted Stocking

2005-12-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is the Chicknits Bucket Hat done in Red Heart Tweed. I made this for my niece who wanted a yarn that would not itch and also be easy care.

The colors she suggested to me needed to be in the green range and when I saw this yarn it filled the bill. Not too bad to knit with and the pattern was fun and easy. The only thing you can't do with acrylic is block it into shape. I may have to put a bit of elastic in the brim so that it will stay on but I think she will like it.

Shakespeare Scarf

2005-12-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

This scarf was done in the Fisherman's Rib stitch and the yarn was 100% wool from Artful Yarns called Shakespeare. I love the verigated colors and if I could afford it, I would make a sweater from this yarn. The knitted rose is from JJill.

And another...

2005-12-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

This is a rolled brim beanie made from Jo Sharp heavyweight Silkraod Aran. another fun and easy knit. this one takes about 2 hours with a good pair of large circs like Addi Turbo...

I think I have made a dozen or so of these hats and they fit almost everyone. If made with smaller needles and finer yarn, I'm sure it would fit the 5 and under crowd.

Finished Knitted Objects

2005-12-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Free Range Scarf in all its novelty yarn glory...fun to knit and even more fun to wear. This was knit from lots of leftovers and with a few different easy stitches.

Holiday Scarf Pattern

2005-11-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is for anyone who happens on my blog and would like to make an easy, fun and pretty little gift. It is my own design using Rowan Kidsilk Night, a version of their popular Kidsilk Haze with a little lurex spun in with the other fibers. It makes for a festive little accessory and you can make a few of them from one ball; definately a moneysaver if you are in budget mode.

Crocheted Holiday Scarf...The Flower Bed

With a letter K crochet hook, chain about 175 stitches. This will make about a 6' scarf, long enough to wrap about your neck loosely a couple of times. Make a treble crochet stitch in the 5th loop from the end. Make 4 more treble crochet stitches in the same loop. There should be 5 tc's plus the beginning 5-loop chain. Slip stitch into the 5th loop from the last tc. Make 6 tc's in this same loop. Slip stitch into the 5th loop from the last tc and continue in this pattern until the end loop has the 6 tc's complete. You are now going to work on the other side, so just turn the work so that the other side of the original chain is workable. Using the same loops that you used to make the 6 tc's on the other side, begin the pattern. At the end of the chain and the last 6 tc's are complete, cut the yarn and hook it through the last stitch to tie off. Weave in ends.

"Flower Bed" Crocheted Scarf

2005-11-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

"Mixed Media" apron for Tie One On

2005-10-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

For this month's "Tie One On" entry, I made a simple apron out of a nice weight of muslin. I went with stenciling for the mixed media theme and came up with my own hand cut and designed stencils. I like the authoritative pose I gave my apron wearing gal; as if she is saying, "Don't mess with me!". I used acrylic paint with textile medium and after 24 hours of drying time, I gave it a good ironing. That should keep the prints from washing away.

2005-10-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Stenciled Apron

Marzipan Babies?

2005-10-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't leave a photo of my feet at the top of the blog page. Here's what I chose to replace the feet. I was sent photos this weekend of babies molded out of polymer clay with mohair used as hair. They were sent to me as supposed "marzipan"...the almond paste used by confectioners to sculpt fruits and vegetables. I thought using marzipan was brilliant until I thought of eating one of these tiny babies and my heart took a dive into "guilt by cannabalism" hell. So, I looked further and found this. Not marzipan, but polymer clay! This artist is amazing. Enjoy.

2005-10-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

Marzipan Baby?

For Mim

2005-10-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

Mim has requested a photo of our feet. Glad to oblige...back to reading.

2005-10-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

My feet

...and the winner is...

2005-10-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

Me! I won a gift certificate and a notch up in the confidence battle. They sold pieces of the pies after the judging and the money went to the building fund. Glad to give a pie to the cause.

2005-10-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

I won!

Reading

2005-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

This series of books has been on my list for quite some time now. It's a perfect read for me...part historical, part science fiction and ALL romance. So, I'm putting down the knitting needles, the fabric, the mending...and blogging for a while. I'm reading.

2005-10-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

My Drug of Choice

Mom's Apple Pie

2005-10-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

My Mom was not a great cook. But boy, could she make pies. Pies were an important part of my childhood. I am the oldest of four children so it was a busy household. When it was time to bake a pie, Mom would get us all involved. We had huge blackberry bushes out back and she would send us out to pick blackberries with the promise of a pie. Now I may be exaggerating, but those blackberries were as big as my thumb! We would come back to the house with full buckets and our faces covered with blackberry stain from eating so many berries. But oh, those pies. My personal favorite was Apple Pie. She taught me the secrets of making pastry...her way. She had 6 sisters and supposedly their recipe for pie crust came from the eldest sister whose name was Dwinn. Back in those days, Crisco was the "fat" of choice for pies. Who knew about hydrogenated fats and how bad they were for us back then? Also, I only knew about bleached white flour. But these nasty ingredients made the best pie crusts. My favorite part was rolling out the pie crust...not too thick, not too thin and just enough flour so that it wouldn't stick to the surface you were rolling it on. It became a challange and a form of art in my life.

Mom showed me how to cut the apples after peeling them; a very slow process which over the years I have learned to truly appreciate. She would put lots of sugar on top of the apples in the pie crust, then flour. On top of this mountain of apples she would put 4 pretty good size pieces of butter which she said was unforgivable to forget. Then the pie crust top would go on and she would seal the edges with a fork. I became very good at decorating the edges in my own way; using all sorts of folds, fancy pieces of cutout shapes, pinching the dough between my fingers. Any extra dough we kids would use to make any sort of oddball items, quite often filled with jam or extra fruit, sometimes just sugar...which would all get baked alongside the pie. These were our own personal "pies".

I don't bake pies very often...dear husband and I do try and watch what we eat and a whole pie between two folks is just a bit over the top where weight control is an issue. But I have an excuse. Our local Co-op is having their annual Harvest Festival tomorrow and they are having an Apple Pie contest. This is what I'm entering on Mom's behalf. She would be proud.

2005-10-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Apple Pie

Green Tomatoes

2005-10-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

I went out to the garden yesterday and picked all the remaining tomatoes...who knew there were so many tomatoes out there! The nights are getting quite cool and these babies were NOT going to turn red. So, they are decorating every sunny windowsill that I have. In this windowsill they are sharing space with a few other things...tiny pumpkins, candles...some appear to be turning red...or they are at least trying. There must have been close to a hundred so if they all turn red at once, I will have a tomato fest day, where I blanch, peel, chop and freeze for winter fresh tomato sauce...well, as fresh as you can find in the middle of winter.

2005-10-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Green Tomatoes

Knitting ADD?

2005-10-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am very bored knitting stockinette stitch for the Fiery Bolero. So, what does one do? One goes out and buys some funky, fluffy yarn (green, of course)that I can whip into a lovely little wrap around scarf on BIG needles. This yarn was hard to resist. First, it is MY perfect green. Second, it feels like velvet. Third, who could resist a yarn called "ravish"? NOT ME. Now all I have to do is decide whether to use 10.5 lovely Lantern Moon needles, or size 13's in birchwood Brittanys. Decisions, decisions. If I'm working on a big project, and that means anything bigger than a hat or scarf for me...I need to take breaks. Now is that time. I may make a knitting bag for this ravish project...it keeps the work in progress together and it's an excuse to sit at the sewing machine for a bit and think about all the mending I have to do.

2005-10-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

"ravish" yarn with lovely needles

2005-09-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sandy has a contest where we post a photo of our part of the world sky and have two chances to win some neat yarn. It's a random thing but I WOULD REALLY LIKE THAT YARN. So, here's my sky...lovely as it is this beautiful day in September. I know it's not beautiful for our folks in Texas and Louisiana. I have thought about what I would take if I had to leave my home. We have the threat of fire here with our dry summers so I'm going to make a list of what to take if and when.

2005-09-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

My Sky

2005-09-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

Poncho on the quilt that your Mom gave us when we got married almost 35 years ago.

For Julie

2005-09-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

I am posting these knitting photos for my niece Julie who I just found out is a knitter! She was married this summer to a wonderful handsome man at the most beautiful of weddings. There were lots of people there and we didn't have much time to talk and to learn that we both knit.

I hope that she enjoys looking at the many projects I get myself involved in. I currently have about 6 knitting projects on the needles and at least 6 waiting in the wings. Most of the time they are gifts, so it's difficult to post a finished project that I actually keep, but I do have a few. Look in the Archives also for my other projects, especially the multi-colored shawl that I am particularly proud of.

Tell me what you are currently knitting, your favorite yarns and patterns and maybe we can keep in touch that way.

Love, Aunt Nickie

2005-09-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

One Skein Wonder

2005-09-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

Tie One On #3

Contributions

2005-09-13T18:42:00.001-07:00

Above is a version of the case that I contributed to the "Give a Little" fundraiser. It is not enough. In disasters such as this one, no amount of funds or contributions is ever enough. What these folks need is something I can't give...The capability to rebuild their homes, return them to their work and restore their neighborhoods. I hope one day that this becomes a reality.

2005-09-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Silk Needle Case

Projects

2005-09-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am working on my donation to the Katrina aid group that has been set up by Margene and Susan. It is a silk needle holder and I will post a picture when I finish it. If you donate some bucks, they will give a prize to one of the donaters every week and the money goes to our folks down south who are suffering in Katrina's wake. So, give what you can and maybe like some of us, donate a goodie. They will be setting up an auction as well for some of the beautiful handmade knitted items from some of our wonderful knitters and they are gorgeous. Google "Give a Little" and you will get all the donated items and a total of our monetary donations. I am proud to be a part of such a group.

On the home front, I am working on the Fiery Bolero from the Spring issue of Interweave Knits in Cashcotton. I am such a slow knitter, but I love the yarn; turquoise in all of its hues is truly my fave color. And because I have been looking forward to fall since June, I got this wonderful angora from Elann to make the Annie Modesitt scarf from Scarf Style pictured below. I've been reading the difficulties that folks have been experiencing making this scarf but I am determined to make it. There are folks on Knitter's Review that I'm sure would be happy to help if I run into any problems and there is another group, a knit-along for the Scarf Style book where I could possibly get some help. The point is, we are not alone. In cyber-space that is.

2005-09-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Elsebeth Lavold Angora

2005-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Autumn Challange

2005-09-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Cashcotton

2005-09-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Fiery Bolero

2005-09-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Summer tomato bounty

Dress Progress

2005-08-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have a wedding to go to in mid-August and it is black tie. After having no luck finding something in ready-to-wear, I grabbed the opportunity to sew something. Now, I am not a perfect size nor am I a young person who can get away with wearing almost anything. I needed something elegant, a bit conservative and something that would hide figure flaws (too many to mention). I think I found what I was looking for in a McCalls pattern. It also came with a selection of "toppers" which gave me the opportunity to go a little crazy. I found both fabrics at JoAnn's. The black has a bit of stretch in it, which is good...At my age stretch is ALWAYS a good thing. The pink has an antique look to it and I think it will make a nice little shrug...Plus it covers upper arm issues. I have been sewing for many, many years and I have tackled some pretty heavy duty projects like fancy dresses, custom pants for my husband who was in a rock band in the late 60's (violet bell bottoms), clothing for my children, slipcovers, curtains, coats, you name it. But this project has offered some new challenges. Working on black means you need Ott Lights, baby...Especially if you have older eyes. Cutting out 60" fabric and lining on the bias means you are ON YOUR KNEES and leaning over to pin ON THE FLOOR. My cutting table is 4' wide by 6' long and handles almost anything. Not this. It was a KILLER and that is NO exaggeration. Sewing on the bias means everything must be pinned first and possibly even basted first. Be prepared. And use a stretch needle.

Other than that, it's going well. I have put in the zipper and now the lining in the back is next. I'll post when it is completed and try to get a decent photo of me in it. I know you will be on pins and needles waiting for that.

I hope this helps with any of you who may be thinking of attempting such a project. Use the comment bar or e-mail me with any questions.

2005-08-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Dress Progress

2005-08-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Detail of Pink Shrug Fabric

2005-08-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Detail of gathered edge

Pink Lemonade...redux

2005-07-29T18:56:00.001-07:00

I decided to change my Pink Lemonade entry a bit. It was just too plain. How about jumbo rickrack? Any excuse to use rickrack...by the way, where did that name come from? That's my little Zoka espresso cup...complete with a real lemon. I am especially proud of the pocket design...using the segments of a lemon. Ahhh...sometimes there is someone home.

2005-07-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

Pink Lemonade...redux

What Was I Thinking?

2005-07-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Susan over at I'm Knitting as Fast as I Can has posed an interesting question. It's all about bad knitting choices or knitting regrets. We all have 'em! In fact, a few of us have quite a few...ahem.

I knitted as a teenager but stopped until about 3 years ago when I picked up the needles again. Wandering around a lovely little yarn shop in Mendocino, I came upon this lovely pattern and was "caught" by its beauty...heh...heh...like a spider to the web. I had NO idea what this would take in time, expertise or YARN. Needless to say, I didn't get very far...can you say overwhelmed? I gave the yarn to someone who would use it wisely after many starts and stops. The pattern I keep to humble me.

2005-07-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

The coat that was never to be

Trip to Tahoe

2005-07-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

We needed to get out of the seering heat here and decided a trip to Tahoe was in order. We are at 1800' and the thermometer was near a hundred for a week...the cooler temperatures up in the mountains were calling us and we responded. The photo below was taken at one of my favorite places on Earth. It is so quiet at the edge of the forest here and the birds and insects orchestrate the view. We saw Red-Winged Blackbirds and an Osprey. Bald Eagles nest here in the winter time and the Salmon runs in the Spring and Fall are spectacular. Here is where nature dominates and it is awesome to feel so small in its presence. I don't feel insignificant, more a part of the whole. It is a meditative feeling...inclusive but not smothering. It is the essence of Peace.