The Morning Latte

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Cookies

2012-03-03T15:14:00.000-06:00

Just popping in to pass along an incredible recipe:

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Cookies

My daughter made these today and they

are just unbelievable!

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Drawing will be Monday.

Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

2012-03-02T09:56:00.003-06:00

I love soup!

Here's a favorite. A little heavy, but sooo good.

I think it's a copy of Olive Garden's but I have no

idea where I got it so I cannot give proper credit.

I love making pasta but have never made gnocchi.
I have always wanted to, though--maybe soon?

Did you know they get their lines

from being rolled on a fork?
Btw, today, I'm making the last two blocks of my
scrappy stars! What are you up to?

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

1 to 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 T olive oil
1 c celery, finely diced
1 1/2 c onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 T butter
4 T flour
1 qt half n' half
1 can (or 2 c) chicken broth
1 1/2 c carrots, finely shredded (we like them chopped)
1 c fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 t thyme
1/2 t parsley
freshly grated Parmesean cheese (opt)
1 lb gnocchi

Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil, over medium heat. When the onion becomes translucent, add the flour, and make a roux. Let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Heat through; add in carrots and chicken. Cook gnocchi according to package directions (lightly salt water).
Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings, simmer until soup is heated through. You may want to add salt to taste. Makes 6 servings

As with all recipes, I think it makes a huge difference to use home-made chicken stock if you have it; fresh herbs when in season. GRILL the chicken! The smokey flavor really adds to the recipe. All of these take this recipe from "good" to "fantastic"! We also keep a pepper mill at the table for this one--most of us like it topped with that, and freshly toasted bread cubes/croutons.

Dear Yarn: What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

2012-03-01T07:00:00.005-06:00

On my little day-trip, I visited the local yarn shop.

Now, I've been determined not to built a yarn stash to

equal my fabric supply--but I found a 40% off bin

and started thinking about Christmas gifts.

"It is important to have goals,"

I said to that selection of yarn.

And thus began the interview process.

Look who made the cut:

Now, I will admit that this sock yarn wasn't

among the 40% off applicants:

But, oh, he was a bold one!

He overheard the interview and yelled out

his intentions boisterously across the aisle!

Such confidence could not be ignored.

He and a co-worker got the job as well.

I have high expectations for these two.

Give-Away Time!

2012-02-29T09:58:00.000-06:00

Some time ago I reached 100+ followers.

I'm so happy YOU are here!

And if I have inspired you even once to make

a creation of your own, then I am doubly happy

and this blog has been completely worth it!

I have a simple blog that is just for fun.

And so my give-away is simple and for fun.

I hope the winner will enjoy a little

notebook cover with a matching

cozy for her morning latte!

Just reply to this post if you would like to win.

If you want, mention your favorite

idea/post from The Morning Latte and/or

what you would like to see in the future.

Knitting, sewing, gardening, crafts...ANYthing.

Because this is a thankyou for my followers,

you must be one to win.

For an extra entry, post about (and link to)

this giveaway on your own blog.

Please and leave a seperate comment for this,

including a link your post.

Give-away closes Sunday night.

I'll announce the winner next Monday!

Also, I don't really understand the changes Blogger

is making but please be aware that I do use Blogger.

I'd hate to lose any of you so if you understand what

to do to stay in touch, please continue in that route!

Market Monday: More Notebook Covers

2012-02-27T10:32:00.009-06:00

Just a quick post today--busy day ahead.

Last week I posted my spiral notebook cover.
Since then, I've discovered that I like it

even more than I thought I would.

Sometimes it's just silly little things that

bring beauty into, and brighten, our day!

It really has made my Lenten journal a little more

special, not to mention the personal significance

of the roses which I didn't even realize

till I started using it.

So, I decided to make another one.

Actually, 2 more--the other one is made

with beautiful oriental fabric and dramatic colors,

but I didn't have time to get a pic. (I'll get to that...)

And, I made 2 coffee cozies to match these.

I added in a little ric-rac for a more vintage look.

Now, who do you suppose this second

notebook cover and cozy might be for?

Tune in tomorrow, faithful followers!

(actually, I'd better give myself some space here--I'm off on a day-trip

to my sister's tomorrow so I'm not sure I'll get to it till Wednesday.)

Click here to find out!

(pic from 2 years ago)

I'm now heading to the garden to see if any

of it is dry/warm enough to work for planting

onions and potatoes. I'm doubting it but I

have to try. Rain is predicted for tomorrow.

Just Winging It Blog Hop

The Artsy Girl Connection Pinsperational Party

Quilted Spiral Notebook Cover

2012-02-22T16:48:00.005-06:00

It does seem to me a little silly to spend so

much on that "perfect" journal when it's really
what you write in it that makes it special.

However, I am just as much a sucker for a
beautiful writing book as the next person.
Guilty!

Recently, I found myself looking at a large

selection of journals...yet, nothing looked special.

Nothing appeared inspiring.
(I know--as if a special book is all it will take to create/write great things!).

So, I did what any crafter does when
she can't find what she wants.
I made it.

The quilted cover protects and hides a simple

10-cent spiral notebook.
Ponytail holder/button combo keeps
everything tightly inside.

Pockets on each "sleeve" can hold pens,

extra papers, pictures, receipts, etc.
This first one is pretty simple...
but it has me thinking.

Next Up On the Queue

2012-02-15T08:48:00.000-06:00

Taking this:

And turning it into this:

36 X 36

I have the 2 charm packs required but I just

ordered one more plus binding fabric,

hoping to add several more rows for

a slightly bigger quilt.

Watching the mailbox...

Ah, Young Love

2012-02-14T13:33:00.004-06:00

Everyone seems to be sharing their story today.

(credit)

Ours is short and simple.

Once upon a time, at a back-to-school dance

(our junior year of high school)

a boy asked a girl to dance with him.

And that was it.

Love at first dance.

He was, and always will be, my best friend.

Five years of dating and 19 years of marriage.

Everyone knows that in marriage, some years

are great and some are not so great.

But I've always told him that

he's given me The Fairy Tale.

FYI, Latte-Lovers

2012-02-13T13:45:00.003-06:00

My sources tell me that Valentine's Day marks

the end of the holiday favorites at Starbucks.

Goodbye,

my Caramel Brulee and Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

*raising my cup*

I look forward to that crisp day next fall

when we meet again!

A Snowy Market Monday

2012-02-13T11:18:00.000-06:00

Yay! We finally got a measureable amount of

snow last night! I've been out in it, just breathing

it in, listening, feeling it hit my face. I needed that.

Not much of a Market Monday today but

I'm okay with that. I still got a lot of things

accomplished last week.

I finished those 2 quilts, and that's pretty big already.

I made myself a "Valentine's" cozy,

just for the heck of it.

I've started a new knitting class--flat gloves.

This my first time working with fingerweight yarn

and I'm enjoying it, especially the pattern as

it develops. See the little increase in the middle?

That's going to be the thumb.

I've also learned that it's really no fun un-doing

about 250 stitches with that darned yarn.

Go ahead. Ask me how I know...

And I've learnd a few new techniques.

Btw, a follow-up:

The instructor said my ribbing is fine but I'm doing something with my

tension in going back and forth from knit to purl that's causing one side

of the stitch to be more loose than the other. It will block out but I want to

get that corrected so when I start the other glove, I think I'll go sit in

at the shop so they can watch what I'm doing.

I've also cast on some socks--real ones this time.

This is the yarn but I'll get a pic of how

it's looking when I have more completed.

Here is the pattern:

("Vanilla Socks" -- Ravelry)

I like the idea of a little ribbing on the side

as it says this will keep it from "slouching".

Thought this would be a simple one to just

practice what I've learned and get comfortable.

I haven't gotten to my fabric bowls but I will soon.

For now, I'm just happy with all this

"accomplishing" going on around here.

I'm off to cut up a few pumpkins that I've

kept "fresh" in the garage, make some pumpkin

bread & to start on some wonderful Wild Rice

Soup for dinner--all while doing laundry.

After that it's knitting or sewing. I love Mondays!

Talking Over Coffee

2012-02-10T11:57:00.003-06:00

Grab a cup. Let's talk. Just random stuff.

Imagine some old music playing.

(I've got Frank Sinatra Radio playing on Pandora--cuz sometimes I'm

cheesy like that. Louis Armstrong, Frank, Dean, Bing, Bobby Darrin...)

How would you like your latte?

A nice, easy weekend ahead.

Basketball is now over.

(my son's team--my DH coaches--took 2nd out of the 10 teams in their league.

Kind of hard to settle for 2nd, but trying to focus on how incredibly well the played.)

My other son is having a friend over.

We get to enjoy some new furniture in our basement,

which is a really big deal because we've not had

enough seating for ALL of us to watch a movie

together. The kids end up having to take the floor.

It's so cozy down there now that I'm almost

looking forward to tornado season.

(you might have to live in KS to understand that one...)

I only WISH that the above pic was recent.

Took it through our front door last year during

an especially fun blizzard.
Snow days = pajama days at our house, btw.

However, it's finally starting to feel a little like winter

here. Cold winds, clouds, a little snow here and there

with more in the forecast. Not enough to suit me

but it'll have to do. Makes me feel like knitting!

Speaking of...Knitters, help a sister out here.

Tomorrow is my first of two classes on making

gloves with the flat method. My "homework"

is to cast on 30 rows of K1, P1.

Sorry for the lousy picture but:

don't the stitches look kinda...messy?

Is it because I'm flipping back and forth

so much with the K1, P1? (I would've prefered

K2, P2 but oh, well...) If I pull it downward, it

looks fine so will blocking fix it then? I just

don't want to show up with something wrong.

And that little pink "Forget Me Not" thing--

I've had it forever and just started using it.

Should've done that sooner. I love it. Wonder

how old it is? At least 30, if not 40...or more.

Wait a minute...[looking in mirror]...40 isn't old

AT ALL! Nope! That's young, right?

What's going on this weekend for everyone?

Fun stuff? Sports? Sewing? Crafting?

I've spent entirely waaay too much of my

Friday ~~on the computer~~ in this coffee shop so

I'd better run! Hope you're weekend is great!

Finally, A Very Merry Finish

2012-02-09T14:11:00.004-06:00

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

More projects being marked off of my

Winter Stitching List!

Christmas gifts took precedence over it this year

but pulling it out next fall/winter will be great.

The more contemporary colors don't match

a single room in my house...but oh well.

Christmas is supposed to be bright and merry!

Now, do I want to stick with "A Very Merry" as

the pattern is named? I'm giving it some thought.

Above, my cat didn't wait for it to be completed.

Even as I write this, she's laying on the finished

product--only 20 minutes off of the sewing machine!

She may look like a kitten here but she's an

11-lb 8 year-old who loves quilts, fabric,

yarn...Smart cat.

She thinks it's hers or something. Nope--mine.

And this is where you'll find me next winter:

in our sunroom, by the Christmas tree,

curled up under my merry quilt with a book.

Merry finishes to all!

Finished: Pocket Change

2012-02-07T13:00:00.001-06:00

Finished!
Because the coins are all scrap fabrics,
I'm calling this one Pocket Change.
50" X 65" (approx)

I got a lot of practice making those vines. I've

used vining leaves on other quilts but only in a

straight line on sashing and borders. This was my

first time using it as a filler so it took a little

"thinking ahead". I also had to practice

making them upside down and sideways.

The Warm Up!

Some are not so hot...but that's ok. This project

is just for practice and scrap-busting. And,

"loosening" up can bring out the artist, right?

(We'll keep an eye on that progress...)

I think it turned out okay. Some are great, some are

not-so great, but it's done and I feel a little more

like finishing a couple UFO's. Looking forward
to a productive week!

Random stuff:
Oh--yes. It's been snowing lightly for a good
hour now...not sticking as it's too warm. Bummer.

Guess what I'm actually quilting now!?
YES! I want it done by the end of the day!

Question: How do you machine quilt?
Go at it while you've got the rhythm? Or take
constant breaks to re-set yourself (and stretch!)?

The Great Wall of Yarn

2012-02-07T09:32:00.000-06:00

My jaw seriously dropped when I saw this:

The Purl Bee

Can someone just lock me in this room?

Have you ever seen so much fun crammed

into one single space?

Well, duh! Of course I pinned it!

Market Monday--Fabric Coasters

2012-02-06T13:45:00.000-06:00

I found this idea in a library book years ago.

(I have no idea which one or I'd give proper credit)

I made a few coasters and bowls--a lot of fun,

especially when I added my own embellishments

This is all I had time for last week but I think

I'll focus a little more on them this week, too.

I have a few fun ideas I'd like to try out.

I've always loved 30's fabrics;

lately I'm a little more drawn to them.

Is it that feeling of spring on the way?

Spring may be on the way but I think

my little tea pot says it all!

Oh, Why Not?

2012-02-06T10:25:00.000-06:00

(Still working on Market Monday--might be late)
Another block of the month popped up

on my reader this morning.

I hope I don't have a good case of that "startitis" that seems to hit so many people at the beginning of a new year, but I think I'm going to join inon this one. Anyone else? My ~~Fat Quarter~~ Scrappy Stars will be completed by then, and I just finished the coins (posting soon).I also vow to have A Very Merry quilted and boundbefore I start. I will stick to using stash fabrics.So, yeah. Here I go! And I'm thinking it wouldbe a great time to finally haul out my 30's fabrics! (The Fabric Shop)

Block 10

2012-02-01T10:20:00.000-06:00

No sooner did I send out my post on Block 9

(which I accidentally called Block 8)

then out came block 10 on the

Moose on the Porch Quilts blog.

These fabrics are from scraps of a set of 8
coordinating fat quarters--part of a prize basket

won in the local quilt shop hop several years ago.

(hope they aren't too "coordinated" for my scrappy quilt)

Bring on Block 11!

A New Knitter's Goals

2012-01-31T21:48:00.002-06:00

As I've mentioned, socks have been a

knitting goal of mine for a long time.

I ended last year by learning to knit in the round;

then I started 2012 off right by taking a sock class.

I think that means things are progressing quite

nicely in the knitting department!

They may look like something Grandma knitted

but, here they are: my very first socks.

We were taught these simple bootie-type socks

(that, quite frankly, I'll probably never wear! I'm not a fan of short socks, nor am I

a fan the big stitches/yarn in socks...but I'm still proud of them!)

but with this knowlege, I can now progress onto

the real thing.

I'm so excited to work my way

up to something like this:

(Twist Yarn Shop)

Block 9 and Other Projects

2012-01-31T08:39:00.002-06:00

I'm caught up on the Fat Quarter Stars!

(Or, as I call it, the Scrappy Stars.)

Nothing too special here today.

If I were to do it again, I would make the

background fabric more interesting, applique

something in the middle square or maybe

fussy-cut some sort of fun print for that middle.

I still like it and it will certainly work for my scrappy

little quilt...which, btw, I'm getting

pretty anxious to complete.

Now I actually have to wait for block 9.

And, while I wait, I'm working on my coins.

(top & backing completed)

And getting ready to start that beret.

And having knitting friends over for coffee while

attempting to teach one to knit in the round.

(There is a good reason I did not pursue a career in teaching...!)

I still seem to be avoiding that Very Merry

Christmas quilt. It's just laying around

in my sewing room, getting in the way.

I'd love for this will be the week.
I've got to stay on top of my Winter Stitching List

before gardening season hits.

"Winter." Bah. The TREES are budding!

This is NOT a good sign!

Where's my snow???

Market Monday -- Child's Crayon Apron

2012-01-30T10:07:00.012-06:00

When I was young, a good friend gave me a
"crayon apron" for my birthday. If only that friend's

grandmother, who made the apron, had only
known that I would end up keeping it long

enough for my own girls to use it!

I've since passed that one on but I wanted
to make another for my new Etsy shop,
especially with Easter on the way.

This apron holds 24 crayons and is perfect
for any little girl who loves to color.
(I have no pattern or directions but I'm sure a regular apron pattern
could easily be altered for this if you wanted a little "help".)

I've made several of these in the past for gifts--
gifts that got a lot of use!
Wouldn't it look cute in an Easter basket?

One More Star -- Block 8

2012-01-24T09:11:00.000-06:00

Adding one more star to the pile:

One more to go and I'm all caught up.

Today has to be a take-it-easy day

(not by choice!)

so I don't think that "catching up" will be today.

Market Monday

2012-01-23T21:23:00.000-06:00

Just two items to show this Market Monday.

(yes, I'm a little late but it is still Monday!)

When I made two lunch bags for Christmas
gifts, I kept thinking they would work well
for toting a knitting project like socks.

I put a pocket inside for needles, crochet hook, etc.

Hold yarn inside while knitting.

Outside loop for holding scissors,

mini-cutter or other tool.

Had to go with this fabric for knitting.

(What a wonderful change from those scraps!)

One for the Etsy shop.

One for me.

If I could just tear myself away from the knitting

and quilting, I could get more things made!

The Scraps Are Always Greener (Rated R: For Violence)

2012-01-20T21:54:00.001-06:00

I'm sorry but today's post will be R-Rated.

Lots of violence going on in my sewing room.

You may not want to see what I'm about to show.

It's not for the faint of heart.

If you are a quilter, this could really hurt.

"I...I'd just had enough, you know?"

(Insert the dramatic reality show interview here. Tears, the works.)

"The scraps--they're always "greener" on everyone

else's blogs! They all look so fun and cheery!

Mine are from when I was just starting out.

They depress me!

I'd never even been to a quilt shop back then!"

Years of scraps.

All gone in one swoop.

The evidence thrust--no! Crammed mercilessly

into this over-sized shopping bag.

(Well, almost. I pulled out some newer ones and a few for the

the star blocks, etc. And they'll all be gone, soon, too!

I promise! I could fit this in a lunch sack!)

But you know what? It felt REALLY great.

"The occasion for the struggle is the

occasion for the victory!"

--Fr. Jean d'Elbee

And now maybe my scraps can make someone

else happy.

And I still have my coins.

Actually, I sewed those 3" ones on the left into strips.

Okay, it's going to get hard to watch again, here...

Here is a portion of the Ugly Coin strips from the

Ugly Scraps That Made It laying on this sage

green thrift-shop find. Decent quilt fabric but it's

old and faded, especially at the creases--I think I

can cut around most of that. So tell me, how

horrible would it be to put this all together?

As far as a "sagey green" goes, it's pretty neutral.

Not so hot...but this is for practice and will either

be donated or used as a picnic blanket.

You understand, now, why it was after looking

at this possibility that I lay in bed last night and

made the decision to kill the scraps. For good.

Life is too short. I'm starting over. With new ones.

Pretty ones. That are fun to work with!

It will be a joy to make quilts again!

And I will be proud to display them on

my posts again!

Hail, the conquering hero!

--from lots of things

Ding, dong, the scraps are dead!

--The Munchkins

FREEEEEEDOM!!!

--Mel Gibson aka William Wallace

Knitting & Sewing, Sewing and Knitting

2012-01-19T10:57:00.000-06:00

Can't seem to make up my mind these days.

Which do I want to do more? So, I've been doing both.

Third basic hat. Try #3...because I seem to have to go

at things 3 times before I get it right, I guess.

I bought this yarn several years ago on mark-down.

It didn't even have a label so I don't even know

what it is! Need to do a burn-test.

Curses on these metal dpns. My bamboo ones are on the sock!

Fyi, if you're learning, buy wood ones!

I have 2 more blocks to show and another almost finished.

I'm curious: is there a such thing as "too scrappy"?

What was I thinking with these fabrics? I thought about

re-doing it but when I put it with the rest, it was kind of a

nice little variation with the rest of the colors. This is my first "cathedral"

and I wasn't real sure what was going on. The points aren't great,

that's for sure (that bottom one looks worse in the pic, tho).

Here's another one that I didn't really know where I was at till I was

done, and it went together in kind of an odd way. I'm not real experienced

with triangles and their placement so I was kind of guessing--you'll

see the bottom of the middle square doesn't quite meet at the points.

But, I'm leaving it. In some ways, it was a fun block and now that

I know what I'm doing, I think a whole quilt of them would be pretty but...

I just don't like having to cut out pattern pieces. I'm more of a

rotary cutter/strip-piecing kinda girl but it was nice to try something

different, I guess.

Side note: If you are a follower with a blog and have noticed I am not

a follower of yours, please let me know. I'm starting to realize that I've missed

some--I would love make sure you are all on my reading list!

Seeing Stars: Inspirational Pics!

2012-01-17T10:38:00.000-06:00

Is it me or are the stars really out this year?

A Little Bit Biased (psst--giveaway going on!)

A Little Bit Biased
(These are sooooo pretty and fun!)

Maybe I'm just being drawn to them right now?
But, don't you think we should "run" with our
inspirations before they fade?

Fluffy Sheep Quilting
(Cutest puppy fabric ever! And I'm a cat-chick!)

I just realized that it was always the star quilts that I was

drawn to from little on so I guess so.
Though, I do remember a butterfly quilt that my great aunt made that I loooved.

Thirties fabrics, black embroidery antennae. I've watched for that particular pattern

my whole life and not seen it. I think she just made it up. Of course, I was very young

so I couldn't even draw it out exactly--I just know I haven't found it yet.

Here's another reminder that I still want to make
a quilt with those wonky stars:

Blueberry Patch

I'd kill to have Cathy's "background" for displaying
quilts, btw! Wonder if I could get the dh to build
me one...

Oh Fransson: Sparkle Punch Quilt-Along

I thought I'd throw my 5 on Picnik and get
an idea of how they look together so far.

I should've waited till I got a sixth made
but I've never had any patience.
I think I need to start thinking of sashing.
What color???

Fettishes: Blocks and Socks!

2012-01-16T20:39:00.007-06:00

Two more scrappy blocks completed.

This first one was rather time-consuming

but it turned out pretty well. I actually wish I'd

chosen some prettier fabrics because it turned

out so well! But it's all about scraps here.

After that first one, this one flew together! And

now, I'm caught up through November for the
~~Fat Quarter~~ Scrappy Stars Quilt Along.

The sock class was great--easier than I expected.

I'm already done with my homework and

may even jump ahead. Socks! I'm knitting socks!
Of course, these are very basic but I've already
picked up some sock yarn and have been thumbing
through patterns.

Maybe I get overly-excited about knitting?
I just love it, though, and I've signed up for the next
class which is for gloves--finger or fingerless.

I'm hooked. Completely.

The beret got put on hold while I "warmed up"

for my class on another basic hat.

I had no idea the yarn would look

so cool when knitted up--but, I'll have to get a pic
tomorrow...

Market Monday & A Thread Giveaway

2012-01-15T22:00:00.003-06:00

Welcome to Market Monday.

My weekly motivation to get lots done!

Firstly, I now have my very own Etsy store,

The Morning Latte Market,

up and running though I still need to list more

of my items. And, though I have plenty of ideas

already, I'm always on the hunt for more.

This was a big move for me but it's

been so fun, I don't know why I waited!

I completed 8 more phone cozies and will

be listing them in my etsy shop as soon as I
can take some better pictures in the daylight.

Two (not pictured) should arrive in Texas by Tuesday.

Heads-up!

From the beautiful Dublin comes a thread

giveaway over at Patchwork Delights.

And who couldn't use more thread!?

Please let her know I sent you. :o)

Side-note: I just may be heading back to Dublin this fall.

Of course this time I'll be going back as a knitter so I'll have to

bring an extra suitcase JUST for yarn!

I've been pretty remiss in noting my blog hitting

the "100 Followers" mark but I've been very excited

about it. I'm so jumping-up-and-down happy about

every single one of you that are here!!!

I'm thinking you all deserve a "giveaway"!

Stay tuned...

Stay tuned also for the scrappy blocks I

completed this past week, too.

She Hits the Nail On the Head Again!

2012-01-13T18:48:00.002-06:00

Ravelry: Beret from One-Skein Wonders

Well, since my first sock class is tomorrow, I've

characteristically waited till the last minute to brush up

on some things. SO, I'm off for a hot bubble bath

and then I'll be found in my bed, casting this beret on.

Yes, it's a Christmas gift! Go me!

One of these days I'm gonna get in trouble for this but...

Stephanie's mittens

Exerpt from the Yarn Harlot's blog, written after spending

her day spinning and knitting:

I think I'm starting to understand why what I think of as a relaxing afternoon doing nothing might be confusing to some. While it has taken me a long time to puzzle it out, I think now that for a lot of people "relax" means "do nothing" and for me, it means "do what you like." The end result is that people are forever telling me to relax, and I'm forever saying that I already am, and then they're forever sighing and shaking their heads a little sadly, because I just "don't know how to relax" and am clearly destined to a lifetime of relentless, exhausting activity.

Seriously--the woman just gets IT.

There are some beautiful pictures accompanying her blog--

beautiful dreams/goals for this novice knitter.

I think anyone who knits such yummy stuff should be

allowed to relax for the rest of her life!

Today's accomplishments

6 phone cozies

2 quilt blocks

Random Stuff...And, Oh Yeah. I Opened An Etsy Store.

2012-01-11T23:49:00.002-06:00

Didn't get much sewn today as things took a bit of a turn.
Just a quick update:

1) Through the encouragement of others, including some wonderful blog

followers, I spent my day very quickly opening an Etsy account. So, not

real sure where to go with my personal Market that I was working on...?
I'm so very excited about it. I still have a lot to learn and items to post but

I've already made a sale! And from the sweetest artist in Canada. [wink]

Feel free to hop on over to her blog & Etsy store--she does beautiful work!

I have a couple artist-sisters (who hold art degrees) so I can

really appreciate the time, talent and effort there!

Btw, would love any advice from other Etsy Store Owners out there!
(that's a "Scooters" coffee shop gift card, btw. Not a certain restaurant
that rhymes with it, that I don't like and won't go to.)

2) I really should keep my whining to myself but I just have the wierdest

dizzying head-cold? ear infection? deathly mutating virus? thing going on.

Other than feeling just a little odd and very dizzy, I feel fine. Just hate

not quite having my "bearings" about me. I'm afraid I haven't made

much sense all day and I even fell off of a chair--on which I shouldn't have been

standing on anyway, but I had a good laugh at myself so I guess it was worth it!

3) It finally got cooler here and we even got a dusting of snow. The way

our Kansas wind is blowing, it actually looked like a blizzard for a few seconds

here and there, which got me pretty excited.

(hint: If you're dizzy, remaining calm is of the utmost importance. Just file that one away...)

Now if we'd really get a blizzard. We had an awesome one last year.

I'd take that again...you know...if Anyone up there is listening?

Well, my apologies--I promise to have a better-quality post next time!

If you stuck it out and made it down to here, you are a blogger's true friend!

When Life Gives You Scraps...

2012-01-10T23:12:00.002-06:00

I'm so happy to have made a dent in my scrap basket!

(I don't know if you can tell but it's a huge basket.)

Before

(packed in very tightly)

After

(very loosely packed--I've been digging in it!)

Now I can almost dig thru it without scraps falling
out everywhere! It's certainly not empty BUT
I'm still working hard at it!

In between my other projects, I've been working at
getting caught up on the Fat Quarter Stars quilt

or, in my case, just Scrappy Stars.

I decided I wouldn't be uber-picky about my points

meeting but it hasn't been too much of an issue.

Of course my hubby comes in and checks it over.

"I like that one...and the points [he starts studying it]
are...almost perfect. Yep." Maybe I shouldn't
have taught him so much about quilting...

Just kidding. I always value his opinion.

Anyway, for this, "almost" will be good enough.

(not that big on this one but oh well...)

Well, three down, four more to go to get caught up.
And they are completely from scraps...so far.

This quilt-along started back in late September

and finishes in late March.

I've also cut up quite a few "coins" so I hope to get

started on that quilt soon, too.

All of these quilts are for the
Free Motion Quilting Challenge .
I'll have some catching up to do, there, too.

My sock class begins this Saturday so I need

to find some time to practice my knitting-in-the-round

again. I have a beret in mind, which is also

a Christmas gift. Yes, I really am starting early!

How to Make a Cell Phone Holder--Quick and Easy

2012-01-10T00:02:00.020-06:00

First of all, I apologize if parts of yesterday's post were out of order and it didn't make sense.

The Blogger program keeps doing funny things to it even when I correct it.

It drives me nuts! I really need to use a different program for posts!

I got this idea from Fairy Face Designs. Sarah's is

definitely more creative but this particular one is

for my mom. I think she would love just this

fabric so I chose to make it simpler.

Not all steps have pictures. Please see Sarah's

tutorial for more complete directions if these

aren't quite clear.

What you'll need:

2 - 4X6 inches (at least) scrap batting

2 - 4X6 inches outer fabric

2- 4X6 inches lining

1 - 2X9 inches for strap

1 thin "ouchless" ponytail holder

NOTE: This one was for my mom's smaller phone so I cut

the pieces 4 X 5 3/4 as noted in the picture;

My iPhone does fit in this but it's snug.

Place 1 outer piece on top of batting & quilt as desired.

Repeat with second outer piece.

Trim any excess batting.

Baste ponytail holder at the top center of one piece.

(You'll want about half of ponytail holder to be sticking up for buttoning)

(Sorry, during mid-afternoon, the sun is shining directly into my sewing room

and it's very hard to see correctly or take clear pics with the glare.)

Iron strap piece in half lengthwise, wrong sides

together; open.

Iron each side in half meeting at the center.

Iron entire piece in half again.

(See above pic or Fairy Face Design's tutorial)

Top-stitch up and down each side.

Sew strap onto one side of quilted piece,

about 3/4" down from the top.

With right sides together, sew tops of inside lining

and quilted outside together. Press open.

Trim corners and turn right side out.

turning right-side out

Press the opening's seams to inside and stitch up.

Push lining down into phone; top-stitch along

top of the phone holder.

Sew button on opposite

side of ponytail holder, placing it where the elastic

will just be pulled taut over the button.

Place both pieces right sides together, pin and sew

along outside, leaving one bottom open to turn.

(I like to go in a little at each corner, rather than leave the

whole edge open, so that the corners are formed more perfectly.)

Voila, your super handy phone holder.
Never lose your phone in your purse again!

Market Monday

2012-01-08T22:00:00.012-06:00

Time for a little show-and-tell!

Here are the items I completed last week for Market.

1 -- Cell Phone Holder

4 -- Business/Gift Card Holders

6 -- Coffee Sleeves/Cozies

4 -- Draft Dodgers/Snakes

Gee, what colors was I in the mood to play with?

Actually, I was just trying to use up more scraps.

All of these items are completely scrappy.

Buttons, batting, fabric, everything.

This cell phone holder can be looped

onto your purse strap.

It's lined and quilted so it keeps your phone

protected while it keeps it super handy!

I got the idea from Fairy Face Designs but

I'll be posting my version on it tomorrow.

I think these business/gift card holders

turned out really well.

What I love is how they make the cutest way

to give a gift card but then it also becomes

a business card (or other important cards) holder.

Another gift after the gift has been spent!

I got the idea for these from The Crafty Cupboard.

They whip up super-fast and they're so small that

you're sure to find all you need in your scrap basket!

I think I could make about 50 more--they're so fun!

Next up are the coffee sleeves.

These are just one fabric each but if I make any more,

I think I'll do some scrappy patchwork.

I just made a variety here to cover some different

tastes but I keep thinking it would be fun to have

them for each holiday/season

(except that hot coffee in the summer doesn't seem so...hot!)

You can't see him very well, but that's a cute little

pengin button on the black and white one.

Aren't these a great "thankyou" for any coffee-lover?

Give it on a disposible travel cup with a gift card

(in a matching card holder?) for Starbucks inside!

Apple fabric for a teacher.

Scrub fabric for a nurse.

Music for a music teacher/artist.

Snow for the snow-lover...

Okay, you get the idea.

Next up: draft-dodgers or, "snakes," as we

called them when we were little.

Ours really were snakes with little felt

tongues and all.

I'm not sure these will hit my Market but I helped a

friend make 10 and so popped out a few extras for me.

Flannel seems to work well for these--simply fill with rice.

Now if we'd just get some winter weather and

SNOW I could put them to use! Grrrrr!!!

I'm pretty excited that I got so much done

in those three days. Even better, I made a dent in

the scrap basket but more on that later...

Have a wonderfully productive week!

Linking to:

Liebster Blog Award Winners!

2012-01-07T18:28:00.001-06:00

Yay, me!

Thank you, Heidi, from My Simple Country Living!

Heidi has some good old-fashioned homemaker skillz that I really admire so I feel pretty special she's chosen my blog as one of her five recipients.

Now, the rules:

1- Choose FIVE up and coming blogs to award the Liebster to. Blogs must have less than 200 followers.

2- Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

3- Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites.

There are so many blogs that I enjoy but here are just

five of my own favorites that I am nominating:

At the End of a Productive Day

2012-01-05T23:16:00.001-06:00

I successfully holed myself up in my sewing room for about 5 hours straight today, and I'm pretty happy with my results--can't wait to post them on Monday! Of course, now I, and our whole bedroom, smell like sports cream ( I hold a LOT of tension in my shoulders & neck, esp while sewing.) Tomorrow, I'll do it all over again. Really want to have lots to show for my first Market Monday! Who's with me? What are your plans for Friday?

Follow-up on creative passion series: Tonight, I was brought to tears by a chapter discussing whether knitting can be a true addiction and another chapter on Mother's Day (which is always no-fail comedy fodder). It does indeed seem that this book is going to be as funny as Stephanie's others have been.

Lastly, I just have to vent: though most people think it's been perfect (upper 60's), I think the weather in the Midwest has been perfectly miserable. It stinks. And I'm leaving out what I've really said. One thing I didn't discuss in my "creative passions" is weather. Cloudy is a start, cold and rainy is good but if a snowstorm is predicted, you can also predict a doozey of a storm in my sewing room. If you know of my extreme love of snow, you'd have observed the impressive restraint I've practiced with my attitude lately...but I have my limits! And now that this lame winter weather is curbing what could be a full-blown creative frenzy in the sewing room, things are going to get ugly. I just checked the forecast. Not a flurry in sight for the next 5 days at least. Not even a good old-fashioned arctic blast! I hate flip-flops. I love sweaters! 'Nuff said.

Fed Up With Scraps

2012-01-05T09:54:00.000-06:00

This basket of scraps has to go!

So many times I just want to throw it all in the trash (or at least the compost pile)

but I just can't do it--way too wasteful.

Last night I pulled out what few scraps were good quality and modern.

(had to be both) and, with Stitchin' Therapy's idea in mind, I started cutting.

I don't know if this is a good idea or not but

I've decided to cut it all up into 2 different sizes of "coins".

ALL of it. Kind of scary.

2.5X6 and 3X6

If it's smaller than that, it's out the door.

With these I'm going to make at least 2 scrappy coin quilts.

I can use up scraps, practice my free motion quilting and have quilts

to donate by the end of...well, hopefully sooner rather than later.

We're avoiding UFOs around here.

Really looking forward to having a much smaller scrap basket!

Market update

I cut out some very random cozies last night & picked out buttons.

(I think the buttons are what makes them fun.)

Way too many interesting fabrics to pick from but I wanted to cover

a variety of tastes to start with.

My plan is to make at least one Market item a day (weekdays)

for a while to get caught up.

Let's see what we can get done today.

I've got my latte so here I go...

What Fuels Our Creative Passion Part 4: A Question of Time

2012-01-04T08:19:00.001-06:00

warning: buried anger issues may be found at random points in this post!

I recently read the some of the best 9 pages of writing ever--and I've done quite a bit of reading. It probably won't become classic literature but it made me want to jump up and down and yell, "YES!" So, I forced my husband to listen to it as I re-read it. (He was greatly amused and nodded agree-ingly quite often) Then I wanted to run out and grab people off the street to tell them about it. (Probably a good thing I didn't...) I also wanted to make a list of people that I thought really needed to hear it. (Probably not a positive/healthy move at the dawn of a new year...)

I know. You're on the edge of your seat, aren't you? Well, if you're a knitter you've probably already read it. If you quilt, sew or have some other hobby involving a fascination with fabric, go buy it--or get it at the library--and just insert "fabric" where it says "yarn". It's just as funny. I promise you. I'm talking about Stephanie Pearl- McPhee's latest book, All Wound Up.

(image: Amazon)

If there is one comment that sets me off it's the one about my time. The one that insinuates I must have nothing better to do. The one that says to me "I'm sooo much busier [aka, more important] than you that I could never waste my time doing that." So, you can imagine my immense excitement when I read the first chapter of Stephanie's book. Hopefully this doesn't get me into some sort of trouble but I have to tell you about it. She starts it out explaining how she passed time in a waiting room, knitting happily away while the woman next to her, mindlessly thumbing through waiting-room-quality magazines, worked herself into a lovely, and completely unproductive, frazzled fit...which ultimately led to a conversation that ended in that comment.

Stephanie poses a great question: "How did doing something productive become a symbol of having idle time, while being idle is seen as having no time?" Oh, bravo! "In no time at all, we've managed to become such a consumeristic, product-driven society that people have stopped thinking that it's a waste to buy something you could make yourself and started thinking that it's wasteful to make something that you could be buying." She sums this crazy attitude up in a mind-boggling (at least to us crafters) sentence: "I don't want to waste time making mittens; I want to spend time buying them."

bhg

Do you know the average person spends four hours a day in front of the tv? (Yet one more reason I love not being "average"!) What could be done in four hours a day--oy, it hurts my head!!! I'd venture to say that most truly creative people spend less than half that time watching television. I don't usually spend 4 hours a week in front of it but when I am there, I have something--knitting, quilting, etc--in my hands.   The watching of television--while sitting as "inert as dirt"--has become a completely normalized activity while knitting--which, by the way, uses both sides of your brain and is obviously productive--is an indicator of having time or even wasting time. Stephanie, you have put into words the confusion and frustration that's been going on in my brain for many years!

Us creative types, we create. And if we aren't finding enough time to create, then, by golly, we create time.   It's all about how passionate and determined you are in your craft. We are just as busy as the next person. We just happen to be very good at fitting more into our day--and at taking out those occupations that are worthless and unproductive. Us creative types are also sneaky little multitaskers. Just yesterday, we took the kids bowling. Between turns, my hands were making a scarf.    What am I doing while waiting on the kids at after school pick-up? When in a waiting room? Yup. See? It's like that.

In the last portion of her first chapter, Stephanie finally just muses that maybe "I don't have time" is a defense--some are just trying to "justify their own slacker ways."   I have to admit, in finding such a kindred spirit who has such kindred thoughts, I completey indulged myself in a resounding, "A HA! I THOUGHT SO! HA HA!" No, probably not that "new-year positive and healthy attitude" that I mentioned earlier but please, oh, please. PLEASE let us creative people have our moment! After all, we've had to put up with others looking down their too-busy noses at us for years. Meanwhile, look at all we've accomplished right under their noses and they are just missing out on it all.

I don't mean to sound bitter at all--I'm not really. But, Stephanie, thank you soooo much for starting my year out this way! For letting me know I'm actually pretty sane. That I'm not alone. And for giving me the boost that I needed to go at it even stronger than before!

Happy 2012 to all of my wonderful new blogger friends!

May you create to your heart's content!!

Part I
Part II
Part III

Market Mondays?

2012-01-03T15:19:00.002-06:00

Mix It Up Mondays just isn't working for me. Even when I do make a new recipe, remembering/having time to snap pictures seems to be an issue. Furthermore, in light of some resolutions, I'd rather not focus so much on food this year--at least for now.

Making the move to Market Mondays

I've mentioned that my biggest goal this year is to create a private "market" for family and friends. I searched like crazy, btw, for creative names but I kept coming back to the word "market", like our local farmer's market and it seems to have stuck.

Really, I think a favorite part of my vocation is being able to make gifts for others. First of all, I'm practical and it's one of the ways that's allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom. But I do love it. Lucky, lucky me!

I wish you could see this hat as the pic doesn't do it justice.

Doesn't making gifts for others make you really appreciate the time and love put into any hand-made item?

[ooh, there's a reminder to finish part 4 of my series. It's about time!

I mean, yes, it's time I finish it but, no, the subject is time!]

I have a real passion for hand-made, and I wish we all had more access to buying that way. The way I see it: we all need to make purchases for us and for our home. We also all buy gifts. Why not encourage buying hand-made by offering some of my own items--that I love to make anyway--to family & friends?

And, maybe eventually on etsy but for now, for ease & convenience, I'm sticking to local.

To help me stay on track, I'm hoping to post new items/projects every Market Monday. At the very least, I'll show my progress. I've created a blog for family & friends to browse but now I need to fill it with items! "Open" date? By the end of January. Earlier, if possible.

Below is a random list I've "sketched out" as a start but we'll see where creativity takes me once I head back to my sewing room after the holidays--that's probably tomorrow! As always, I'll be constantly watching for new ideas from other bloggers and maybe even come up with a few on my own.

1) Quiet Art Packet (U-Create)

2) Coffee Cozy

3) Lunch Tote or Knitting bag (Pink Penguin; also In Color Order)

4) Table Runners

5) Corded fabric bowls

6) Business Card Holder (Crafty Cupboard)

7) Scarves, hats, mittens, socks

8) Dish Scrubbers

9) Knitted Dish Cloths

10) Cel Phone Cozy/Holder (Fairy Face Designs)

11) Pumpkin 2X4’s / Fall Decor (Pocket Full of Pink)

12) Hot Pads (pumpkin, etc) (Stitched in Color)

13) Home Made Vanilla & labels (Whipperberry)

14) Menu or Calendar—magnetic on galvanized backing (Heartland Paper)

15) A Rooster to Crow About (sewing.org)

16) Trays & Tray Mats (Missy Mac Creations)

Looking Ahead

2012-01-01T00:01:00.173-06:00

The Craft Forecast for 2012

(part 4 of What Fuels Our Creative Passions coming soon)

Aside from the list below is perhaps my biggest goal: to start a private blog of my hand-made items to sell to family and friends. It's not so much about making money--prices will be pretty minimal--but more about doing something that I love and offering it to others. I love to shop local and/or hand-made and want to encourage others to do the same. These will be items that will work for gifts, to wear and/or for just around the house. To do a little multi-tasking, I plan on having a person in mind for each item as I make them--that way if they do not sell, I'll know exactly who to give them to at Christmas. Now, to figure out a name for this adventure...

Finish quilting A Very Merry

(sadly, it got put on hold but soon to be complete!)

Learn to knit socks

Class starts Jan 14!

(next year I hope to be able to join the Sock-of-the-Month Club)

Make at least one scrappy coin quilt for use with

the Free-Motion Quilting Challenge

(this is going to have to be very soon if I'm going to participate!)

Layer & quilt my two UFO's

Make at least one scrap star quilt

(just found this so have some catching up to do!)

Knit, quilt or sew everyone's Christmas gifts

How's that for an agressive goal?

(I already make one homemade gift for my kids but this is for everyone else)

Make a "Summer Day" with one of these collections.

I have 2 charm packs of Ruby.

And 2 of Flora. Leaning toward this one. Very different colors for me!

Make Starry Eyed quilt

(More info on my Winter Stitching List)

Using this though I like what's in the picture below better.

Some of these are on my other lists

(yup, I have a list-problem!)

but these are up front in my 2012 forecast.

Would love to hear what you all have planned and

am really looking forward to everyone's ideas this year!

What Fuels Our Creative Passions Part III: Our Space

2011-12-31T06:45:00.002-06:00

(Part 3 of 4 of a series of "end of the year" musings)

Isn't our creative space almost sacred--to be untouched by those not trained in the arts? And haven't we all figured out the type of space that works for us? (Whether we have it or not is another story for another day...) Some work best in orderly spaces, others with their tools and supplies strewn about in artistic abandon. Some like pictures, finished works, books and other items all around for inspiration while others prefer things blank so the mind can be free to think.

My creative space is always changing. and I bet yours is, too. Just as tastes change, new hobbies come in and old ones move out. And that's good--it means I'm not standing still. Am I creating with what I have? WHERE are the things I have? In my mind, if I don't know, then I have too much. I used to have finished quilt projects proudly displayed on the walls of my room...till one day I felt stifled by them. My tastes had changed. So out they went and in came clean, bright walls with just a touch of art and lots of functionality. I wanted to be able to see and reach everything but I wanted it neat and organized. Now it's my supplies that inspire me, not projects. Evolution. Right there in my sewing room. And I still have one whole blank "wall of potential". I just don't think it should happen all at once. Patience. It'll evolve with me.

A Few Must-Haves For My "Studio"

Organization

Music

Visible Supplies: ie, fabric, yarn, needles, thread

Home-y scented reed diffuser (or soy candle)

Books & Patterns

Laptop

Cat

Part I: My "story"--just a small part of what led me to be the creative person I am today.

Part II: Several major sources of inspiration--color, patterns and texture.

What Fuels Our Creative Passions, Part II

2011-12-30T16:07:00.002-06:00

I've coveted these Pier 1 beauties for a long time. Today, I caved. I mean, when you think something is just as beautiful today in the store as you did standing there a year ago and all the visits inbetween, doesn't that say something? Tastes can certainly come and go, just like 2011. But I've always been a sucker for a good pattern and great color. And lately, textures as well. I think these dishes have them all. Which means I now have them all. Oh, lucky, lucky me.

I love to create but I never think of myself as an artist. A few have even called me talented, which I emphatically deny. All I've ever done is follow others' directions. There are only one or two completely original works of my "art" in my home as we ~~speak write~~ read. Well, sort of "completely original". I didn't design the fabric, and that's what got me going in the first place.

Do you ever walk through a fabric/quilt store and, sure it's all great but some print just grabs you? I mean physically stops you in your tracks? Or, if you're a knitter, it's yarn. Sometimes I'm almost glad the really good fabrics and yarns are expensive. It keeps me in check....sort of. I really do NOT know how you scrappers control yourselves. I can't walk by the scrapbook section in Michael's without fondling the paper. I know, it's just paper but what can I say?

Patterns and colors. Maybe aside from a good latte or mocha, nothing can get my creativity flowing like patterns and colors. I don't know that I could ever create them but I sure like to have them. So, what I want to know is, what in our nature causes us to choose the ones we do? I know it's built in our DNA but what makes us feel we must have a specific pattern/color/textured...thing? Did the first human creatures on the earth NEED this ability for survival? It can't be that the prettiest plants are the yummiest--some are poisonous. Is the prettiest and softest pelt the warmest? Kind of doubting it. If there's a psychologist or historian, or other appropriate -ist or -ian out there, I await your insight.

You don't want to be around me if things have gotten too busy to allow for any creating. It's almost as bad as when I go without coffee. The first man probably didn't have the luxury of choosing the color of his food or pelt but he still had to be creative in making the best use of these items. Creativity satiated. But now, goodness knows, we've long since passed that scary time. I suppose it's actually pathetic but because we no longer have to create, sometimes we require inspiration to create? Insert colors and patterns (and plates!). Ba-bing. We've creatively figured out a way to inspire our creativity. It's like the Circle of Life. In paper. In fabric. In yarn. And in dishes.

What inspires you to create?

How do you surround yourself with it/them to keep the inspiration going?

What Fuels Our Creative Passions, Part I

2011-12-27T23:11:00.002-06:00

I've ogled quilts and knitting needles for as long as I can remember. At a young age, I learned just a few basics of sewing but it was enough for me to "damn the torpedoes" and run full speed ahead on my own. This may not be the most efficient or even the most enjoyable way to learn but there is an awful lot to be said for learning from one's mistakes. I regret nothing. Except that I didn't try quilting sooner.

Obviously, the appeal of sewing one's own clothes is pretty strong to a young teen so I went off in that direction. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my third child that something clicked and I decided "now is as good a time as any," and off I went. As with sewing, I pretty much taught myself but, unlike sewing, I think I have many gaps that only others' knowledge and experiences can fill. Twelve years later, I feel I'm just at an "average" level. I think if I really challenged myself, I could go farther but I don't exactly have all the free-time that I once had as a teenager. I do enjoy quilting very much and still tear through--and up--my fabric stash with more fervor than one of our Kansas tornadoes when the fever of a new project infects me. As far as fabric stashes go, I keep myself fairly "in check" compared to most, but still, it is a stash of which I need not be ashamed. Each fall, I venture out, slightly less "in check", on my favorite quilt shop hop. Fabric is, and always will be, one of my true loves.

Before I learned to sew, I picked up a tiny crochet hook that came from I know not where. No one of my acquaintance knew--or at the very least remembered--how to use it so I tried the library. I can be the most determined person I know when I get a notion to learn a new craft but this one had me stumped. I had to stop at the chain. I could go no farther, no matter how much I tried. And I tried a lot. Especially for a seven year-old. I wondered if knitting was easier but "I know not where" hadn't provided me with any of those so I tried to push that thought away.

About 7 years later, I came into possession of a huge box of yarn and knitting needles. Well, that was like Christmas. In retrospect, I see that the yarn was all very simple in quality and most knitters wouldn't bother to put a needle to it but at the time, all I saw there in that box were scarves, sweaters, blankets--my mind ran wild every time I looked at it! But, like crochet, I couldn't seem to get it. And, besides, I had all those clothes to sew. Still, I dragged that box with me to several different homes and, though I eventually weeded out most of the yarn, I kept the needles--some very odd-looking-- and other sorts of little important-looking bits and bobs that came with it.

Several years ago I was hit with another "now or never" moment. This time I sought an authority. Goodness, all I had needed was to be shown how to knit! Sometimes all the books and videos of the world can NOT do what another physically present human can do! (All of you frustrated wannabe knitters out there, please pay heed to that!) And if you've had any time this holiday season to keep up on my posts, you'll see that I've recently graduated past the scarf and moved on to the hat. And DPN's. That's right. I can say it with pride now because not only do I know what it stands for, I know how to use them. Laugh away, you seasoned knitters. I can't hear through my computer anyway. Only my hands know exactly what it took to get those two measly little hats completed. And I don't care if there is a very visible mistake on the first one--neither does my son who got it for Christmas.

Both of my boys are so amazed, excited and proud when I make something that it floors me. Firstly, that boys could even be interested, and second, that in today's world these boys, at such young ages, can actually appreciate a hand made gift. Ya gotta love 'em. Aside from the Faith, if there is anything I've taught my 4 children, I hope it's that appreciation of that kind of time and effort put into a gift that sticks with them. The best part of hand-crafting something is giving it away but seeing it received with equal love is what truly touches our hearts, gives us peace and inspires us to do more. Couldn't the world use a little more of that?

Linked to:
Hodgepodge Friday

Little Gifts: Cell Phone Cozy

2011-12-25T22:25:00.001-06:00

I love this cell phone cozy that Sarah from

Fairy Face Designs came up with.

Perfect for my girls, I used the idea

for their Hand-made Christmas Eve Gifts.

I just had the picture to go off of but this is my

version. Because time was an issue,

I used a ponytail holder for the button fastener.

(I got that idea from the coffee cozies out there.)

(yes, if you zoom in you'll see that I was rushing so much that I didn't even change

out my black bobbin thread when I did the applique. Not my best work, either

but, you know how it is when Christmas is inching closer and closer!)

I do prefer the covered-button look that Sarah

chose so if I ever get around to making one for

me, I'll probably take the time for that option.

And, guess what?

She recently posted a tutorial for

these if you are interested in making your own.

I'm hoping to get one sewn up for myself.

I love how it loops onto the strap/handle of your

purse for easy access--I need that!

Thanks, Sarah! I think my girls really like them!

Not A Creature Is Stirring--Not Even Me!

2011-12-24T00:30:00.004-06:00

Everything is done. Everything.

So, how about a few more pics?

These ceramic mini-loaf dishes from Michael's

are perfect for handing out some of the richest

stuff ever--cappucino fudge.

I like to use bits of floral picks in place of ribbons.

I found this Cherry Oat Scone Mix with printables.

Just for fun and to keep in the holiday spirit,

(because I actually completed everything two whole days early!)

I fixed up two of these mixes for a friend today,

making the second one "cranberry" for a little variety.

I'm already thinking of doing more of this

type of gift next year.

I know jar mixes have been around a while

but who wouldn't like a little help with

the baking during the holidays? Especially

when one is busy making gifts like these:

I'm uber-proud of these hats I made for the boys.

I just learned to knit in the round and have these

to show for it.

I won't go into any details about the

tears, frustration, un-doing, starts and re-starts.

I will just bring up again that I have knitter's ADD.

Just give me complete peace and quiet

and it'll turn out like this.

(You serious knitters out there--please just humor me!

Try to remember when you were learning and simple things

like this were a major accomplishment!)

That's all I can share for now.

May the peace and joy He brings come to you

and yours this Christmas and in the coming year!

Blessings to all and to all

~~a good night!~~

crafters a good night's sleep!

Creative Gift "Basket"

2011-12-18T20:36:00.006-06:00

To simplify, we try to give more family gifts

rather than individual ones. We also prefer

giving "experiences" rather than material things--

of which, let's face it, most of us have too much.

Coming up with a creative way to give them is

probably my favorite part.

I've known for months that we'd be giving

family memberships to a nearby aquarium.

Goldfish crackers and Swedish Fish came to mind

and the DH came up with Lifesavers but I wanted

something to pull this one together.

And I needed it within 18 hours.

I've noticed that Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous

has been posting Christmas &/or craft questions

from followers on Facebook. How cool is that?

Help from 1,000's of other crafters.

So, to save time, I asked!

Fishbowls! Of course! And I had my answer

in minutes! So grateful to those creative ladies!

I also picked up blue tinsel garland for the "water"

at the bottom of the bowl.

I wrapped them up in celophane and slipped

red glittery leaves in the tie for a little bling.

I think they turned out great, and they seemed to

be received very well today at one family Christmas.

How fun! Now to start thinking on next year's!

One other gift that I can actually post...

I knitted up this wool scarf for--op! Can't say.

I already have another one of these started,

and a scarf for a friend's daughter.

My knitting in the round class is over and I've now

finished one hat but have another to go.

But for now, a nice cup of hot chocolate....

with just a tiny bit of Bailey's!

And, speaking of Bailey....How 'bout

George Bailey?

Yep. Watching it.

Isn't it truly a wonderful life?

Linking to:

A Special Christmas Soiree

Fabric & Yarn--Materialistic Loves & A Scarf Embellishment

2011-12-09T11:02:00.001-06:00

I discovered a new fabric today.

(50% off with code FARMYARD, today only)

Home To Roost

I had my own lamb ("L'Ami") when I was young,

grew up on a farm, have chickens now, love owls...

This fat quarter bundle is perfect for me.

(yes, you may yell at me for not sticking to the "make it with what I have" rule)

I also snatched up some yarn this morning

while out on a coffee run.

(I have a secret dream to run a coffee shop that opens to a knitting &

crafting room on one side for everyone to just hang, or maybe even

take classes. C'mon, how fun would THAT be?

As Howard Schulz puts it, we all need a "third place"!)

I have two, hopefully three, scarves to make.
Oh, and my first "knitting in the round" class

is tomorrow. I'm a little crazy doing this at such

a busy time but I'm making a gift (hat) in the class

so I see it as some smart multi-tasking.

One other random thing...

Excuse the poor lighting in this pic but here

is how I made that very simple scarf a little more

special. I don't know what else to do with bucle

other than just make a plain K-stitch scarf?

This was my first try at rolled flowers

but by the third one, I think I got it figured out.

What do you think?

My mom and DH gave it two thumbs up, and they

are both what I consider to be good, honest critics.

I'm off to see what knitting I can accomplish with

the rest of this day. Lucky me!

I get to stay home ALL DAY!

Happy holiday creating!

Linking up to:

18 Days Till Christmas

Tree At Night & Temporary Word Verification

2011-12-07T23:10:00.000-06:00

I've completed a few more Christmas gifts!

(sorry, can't post pictures!)

Could there possibly be a relaxing

Christmas Eve in my future?

I hope you're seeing one as well!

I didn't take the time to get the tripod out but

I did snap a couple pics of the tree tonight.

Side Note

Please excuse the comment word verification.

I've received quite a few spams in the last week so
I'll have the verification enabled for maybe another

week to see if this will help.