So much to say. May 26, 2009

It’s been a hectic couple of months and I apologize for my absence. I’ve been doing more work with Sierra Nevada Journeys, dealing with computer and internet issues, and of course knitting like crazy. Because I don’t really want to make this a long-winded post, I will just include pictures of a few projects and use some of my spare time in the next week discussing them here more at length. So here they are:

Ishbel from Whimsical Little Knits, in Noro Kureyon Sock this one is for me...

...this one is for my mom.

Started my first EVER pair of socks...

Bottom's up!

Slouchy Vintage hat pattern coming soon...

Made my own yarn....adventures in spinning...

And general silliness all around...

Will post more details of my last couple of months later this week as I enjoy my days off. Lot’s of gardening planned for the next couple days as well as some sewing fun too. Stay tuned…

Now blogging at Jimmy Beans Wool! April 11, 2009

Just dropping in to let you all know that I will be blogging also on the Jimmy Beans Wool blog site. I will continue to post here as well, but until I find my camera charger, there won’t be much to show. (Yep, i’m a big lame-o.) I will have plenty of cool new projects to share soon though. I promise. I’ve been quite the busy bee lately. Until then, check me out at JBW!

Basic Neckie Recipe Now Available! March 22, 2009

Hey all, just dropping in really quickly to let you know that my Basic Neckie Recipe is up at Jimmy Beans Wool for FREE! Yep. That’s right. I’m published! You can use the direct link here. Happy knitting all. I’ll be back in a few days to show off some new projects!

Recipe goodness… March 17, 2009

So, although I have been knitting a lot lately, i’m not ready to show off any FO’s just yet. However, I have also been cooking up a storm and I thought I would share a few things with you. First off, folks have asked about my pie crust recipe that I use for quiche, which I LOVE to make on a regular basis. Here is my version of a quiche crust which is really a tweaked version of Angry Chicken’s Pie crust:

Makes 1 Quiche Crust:

1/2 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 Cup unbleached reg. flour
1/2 Cup Corn Masa
1 stick of butter
A small Dash of Salt
5 Tbsp of ice cold Water

Directions: Cut the butter into the flours and salt. Make a well in the center and add the cold water. Roll out between sheets of Wax paper to make the transfer from cutting board to pie pan as easy as possible. Shape edges of pie crust. Voila! Super simple.

I love the flavor the corn masa gives the crust and so does everyone in our household. When I use Pepper Jack Cheese, pasilla peppers, corn and green onions it’s a tex-mex delight!

Also, this afternoon I tried my hand at making butter. Yep, homemade butter! I got the idea over at, you guessed it, Angry Chicken and when I saw how easy it was, I had to try it. I used the food processor method as I am still in the honeymoon stage with the one Nick gave me for the holidays. It was so easy and it was over before I knew it! Amazing! I’m about to try it on some homemade bread that is currently in the oven made from this book. Here’s what the butter looked like after I finished:

Anyway, stay tuned for info on when my first pattern will be debuted for FREE on the Jimmy Beans Wool website. It should only be a few more days…

New Twist Collective!!! March 4, 2009

I finally had a chance to look at the new Twist Collective today! It came out a few days ago but i’ve been so busy I hadn’t really taken a good look. Anyway I am in love with several of the designs–namely Pisara and Pyoree (both by Mari Munionen who designed the Sylvi Coat I am about to start), the Aran Waistcoat, and the Blossom and Netherfield socks. Also the Sleepy Monkey blanket, Little Liza Jane and the Ladybug and Sunflowers dolls make me wish I had little ones of my own to knit for. Lastly, the articles were great but I especially liked the historical piece on Jane Gaugain by Kate Davies (the gal who designed the fabulous Owl Sweater I just finished.) Anyway, overall I was very pleased with this issue of the collective, now I just need to decide which ones to make…

FO Fair Isle Hat. February 26, 2009

So, here is the fair isle hat that I started last week and finished a couple of days later. I have just been lazy (and working on another invent-as-I-go knitted piece) and haven’t posted it yet. So here it is! I’m also still working on those patterns I am promising to debut this month at Jimmy Beans. They will probably be out mid-month in the e-newsletter along with video reviews. So stay tuned! Anyway, here is my lovely hat. I am pretty pleased with how it came out.

I had to rip it out and re-draw the grid 4 times! It was kind of a PIA (Pain in the Ass) but it came out pretty nice. I can still see ways to change it for the next go-round but I suppose if I didn’t I couldn’t really call myself a designer then could I? Anyway, I am really excited about the new piece I am working on right now. I’ll just leave you with a little clue, it’s the perfect little spring-colored sweater and will be great for layering. Also, it’s quite girl-ish. I’m loving it!

Also, i’ve been obsessing over this home collection by Orla Kiely for Target. I read about it on the Kitty Genius blog which I have been reading for sometime. I just love Ashley’s artwork! Anyway, I love the pear tablecloths and the chair cushions. I am probably going to invest in some. The best part is that the tablecloths are huge and far too big for my little vintage formica kitchen table. I’ll probably cut them down and use the remaining fabric to make matching dishcloths or potholders or napkins! Oh the beauty of sewing machines! I love it.

Feeding an Obsession February 19, 2009

So, I have been sheepishly shy about admitting my obsession until now. I have decided I can’t hide it anymore. I HAVE A STRANGE FASCINATION WITH NEEDLEPOINT ART! There, I said it. Now some of you might not quite understand what I mean by this and if so, I am going to give you a walking tour of some of my best pieces. I must have 10 or so of these in my house now and every single one of them has come from the local Goodwill. I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to give these treasures away! What spurred this sudden admission of my fixation you may ask? Well, yesterday, my lovely housemate Carolyn brought home this little gem to add to my collection since she knows how much I love Owls, and I just had to share it with you all:

Here are some of my other favorites:

So yeah, now you all know my secret. Feel free to laugh. I don’t mind. I’ll just stay in my house all day and knit while enjoying my needlepoint art, drinking coffee and listening to NPR. Call me crazy if you want, but boy would I be happy!

Things I am excited about… February 16, 2009

This hat I started last night. I have no idea what the rest is going to look like yet, it’s all experimental…

Also, it’s been snowing here a bit. Even though we need more than this, it still means the mountains were getting pounded so that is really good… When you live in a desert, every little bit of water counts.

Thanks to everyone who has given positive feedback on my Owls here and on Ravelry. I’m still loving them, especially because it’s been cold.

Be mine. February 14, 2009

Yeah, so it’s Valentines day. I don’t care for the holiday too much so I never really get into it in the weeks before-hand. However on the day of, I always feel a little bit more lovey-dovey than usual. What gives? I want to be anti- but somehow, I never really can. Maybe it’s because I always loved the holiday as a kid. I always looked forward to signing all of those little cartoon valentines to each of my classmates and then taking them to school and putting them in the little construction paper mail folders we would hang from our desks. I loved eating those awful candy hearts with the sayings on them and reading each of my valentines as if all of the givers really meant the sentiments that were written on them. Nothing says valentines day like Bugs Bunny playing basketball. “You’re a slam-dunk, Valentine!”

My Valentine and I

I have no idea why, but this feeling has carried into my adulthood. It even survived my years of singledom. I can’t explain it exactly. But anyway, even though I definitely want to barf at the cheesy diamond commercials that pop up around this time of year, and the hearts flowers and candy cliche, I still like to subtly celebrate the holiday in my own way.

With that, Nick and I are doing what we usually do: staying in, cooking dinner together, maybe watch a movie. None too exciting, but for us, it’s the best possible evening. We don’t feel that we need a holiday to be affectionate to each other, we do that all year round. Okay, you can stop the fake barfing noises now.

So, all that silliness aside, I wanted to share some fun things that have been inspiring me lately. First, this made me laugh hysterically. It kind of expresses my sentiment about the whole over-the-top nature of valentines day. This cozy and cute blanket by Ysolda reminded me that I hadn’t yet bought her new knitting pattern collection “Whimsical Little Knits.” I need to get on that. There are so many projects from it that I love! These mittens from Flint Knits. Love. Love, love, love. This Beret from the Shetland Trader. And finally, I was intensely envious of this. How awesome is a bouquet of yarn in lieu of flowers for the holiday? Pretty freakin’ amazing if you ask me! Happy Valentines to everyone out there!

The Owls have landed. February 13, 2009

I present to you my version of the Owls! I finished two nights ago but then needed to buy buttons and block it. I am so excited to wear these little guys! My housemate Carolyn and I took Wallace to the dog park today and frolicked out of the pasture and into the nature walk area. We were able to get a few good pictures of me modeling the sweater. I didn’t need to modify it that much, only added a couple of inches to make it more tunic length on me. I could have made it a bit shorter actually but i’m pretty happy with it. Here they are:

I’m taking the Owls roller skating tonight. My friend Dan is having a roller skating birthday (silly, I know) but I have a feeling that for him its going to include some amount of alcohol and lots of silliness. For me, it should be interesting. I haven’t roller skated since that one night in my freshman year of college when we got bored and decided to go. It’s been about 8 or 9 years since that night and i’m not sure if i’ll remember how to do it. Anyway, should be interesting!