The Crafty Southern Girl

Alive and Kicking!

2011-10-02T20:44:00.000-04:00

If anyone still needed it, here is further proof that I am horrible at blogging. I haven't been here in almost a year! A YEAR!!! I have huge periods of time where I don't post anything. I'd like to say that will change, but probably not. I will continue to blame real life (work and knitting deadlines mostly) for my absence.

It's been a good year for the most part, but some of it has been pretty hard. I had some health issues during the last quarter of 2010. My husband and I had to put my little boy, Prince to sleep at the end of April. Saying that it was like losing a part of me doesn't do his passing justice. I still expect him to come ambling out of the bedroom at any minute. Our house was too quiet, so we got a new puppy in July.

This is Flash the week we got him. He's twice that big now. He's another Cocker Spaniel.

If you have any doubt at all, please know that he is spoiled rotten. No surprises there. How could we not spoil such a cute littly boy?!

I've been knitting a lot. Mainly baby blankets. I also knit some bookmarks that I need to find the pictures for so I can put them on my computer and post them. I just finished what I decided to enter into the SC State Fair.

The pattern is Madli's Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia. Great pattern, easy to memorize! I did 9 more repeats of the body than the pattern called for. While I was doing those extra repeats I thought I was only doing 3 extra because I thought the pattern said 37 repeats. Nope! The pattern called for 31. Needless to say it's quite long. It's as long as a full-sized bed, a cedar chest and a little to spare.

I've also gotten involved in a Knitting Group! We're trying to have a knit night every month until the end of the year and then maybe it will be more often in 2012. We had our first one this past Tuesday and it was so much fun!!! So, if you're in the Columbia/Lexington, SC area and knit or want to learn to knit, please let me know and I'll get you the information for it.

Koolaid Firebird

2010-11-05T22:11:00.005-04:00

Hey look!! I've posted twice in just a smidge over 2 weeks! Aren't you proud? I'd like to thank sick leave for having enough time to finish this. It's been a long couple of weeks.

Here are the finished pictures of the scarf in my last post.

Thank you for being my model Della!

Knitting Competition!!

2010-10-24T21:07:00.003-04:00

About a day after I finished the Covert Knitting project I joined a knitting competition on a message board community I belong to. I found my pattern, but I had to find yarn. Thankfully, I had just the thing in my yard stash! I chose the yarn I dyed using Koolaid back in July of 2009. I still love it!

Here is a picture from last weekend. I'm about halfway finished with it now.

Covert Crafting, Part 3

2010-10-24T20:51:00.006-04:00

And now it's finished. A month and a half late. I'm so proud of this project. I learned a new cast on and I learned how to graft two pieces of yarn together. And even better I am no longer totally intimidated by charts!

Thanks to my guestroom bed and my lovely model Paula!

Covert Crafting, Part 2

2010-09-12T21:38:00.005-04:00

A little while ago, I posted about a project I'm making for someone on behalf of another person. I had given myself a deadline of August 30 to finish it and because of some other issues I failed miserably. I'm going to jump back on the knitting wagon and get it finished in the next week or so.

So far, I'm really happy with how it's turning out. I'm excited to see what it's going to look like once it's finished and blocked. I really think the person I'm knitting it for will be very pleased and surprised!

Dragon*Con 2010!!!

2010-09-12T20:54:00.043-04:00

We just came back from what appears to be our annual trip to Atlanta, GA for Dragon*Con 2010. We drove into town on 9-1 and left on 9-8. That first night a very old and dear friend of mine, Vanessa, took us out for dinner and to catch up. We had a great time. It's always fun seeing old friends when you have a lot of catching up to do!

I wanted to share the pictures we took while we were in Atlanta. None of them are great quality, but I hope you enjoy!

If you'd like to know who any of the people who aren't wearing costumes are, please let me know.

Covert Crafting

2010-07-25T21:32:00.005-04:00

For the past months I've been involved in a secret friends gift exchange with a message board community that I'm a member of. The last exchange I was in I made a pillow.

I editted the picture for the faint at heart. It's not every day you see profanity in pillow form.

This time I have some ideas for my person and I'm making something for someone else. And of course I've decided to do something far past my skill level because I like to make my life easier. I've spent a lot of time planning this week. I have a copy of Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. I looked through and found a beautiful shawl to try. Of course since I have no idea how to read from a chart, this pattern only has a chart and not written line by line instructions. So that I could make it make sense in my head I wrote out the instructions in the charts. TIme consuming, but I know how to read a chart now! Then I typed everyting out because I have the handwriting of a serial killer. Then I was ready to start my test knit so that I could try out the parts that I expect to cause my problems: new cast on method, patterned right and wrong side and the chart itself. The cast on and the first 8 rows were easy garter stitch. Then I started the ninth, and first patterned row and discovered that my painstakingly written instructions for the first 16 rows were wrong. I prevailed though.and managed to get through 4 rows after I figured out my mistake without dropping a single stitch or miscounting. Monica 1...knitting pattern 0.

And now for something a little different!

2010-06-26T20:53:00.001-04:00

So how is everyone enjoying Summer? I'd really like to be able to say I've been loving it, but I can't. I do not enjoy walking out of my house every morning at 6am to what feels like 86 degrees and being hit by a wall of humidity that's like being wrapped up in a warm, wet sheet of plastic wrap. We also were having some issues with our air conditioning that has since been straightened out. Who knew you were supposed to clean out the vent coils? Not my husband and I! Easy and cheap fix though.

Anyway, the heat is defiinitely getting in the way of some of my crafty pursuits. The room where I sew and cut fabric is a converted garage that wasn't insulated all that well and can get quite hot pretty early in the day. I'm currenty working on some embroidery for a pillow I'm going to make as part of an exchange for a message board I'm on. The fabric I'm embroidering on is white cotton, here is the rest of what I'm using.

I'll post pictures of the finished project too.

I have to wonder if stitching profanity on a pillow means I've hit a new high or a new low...you'll have to be the judge.

Another Baby Blanket

2010-06-05T14:24:00.007-04:00

In my last post I said that I was working on a project for a friend. I don't remember if I told what. Anyway I was working on a baby blanket for my lovely friend Johnette and her husband, James who are expecting their first baby in July, which I can attest is an awesome month for birthdays.

I decided against my usual feather and fan blanket this time considering the fact that I knit two of them before I started on this one. I looked high and low for the perfect pattern and I hope Johnette agrees that I found it. The pattern is called the Heirloom Baby Blanket. It can be found on Ravelry.

I chose to use Pima Petite cotton yarn by the Unique Sheep. I purchased it from Eat.Sleep.Knit. (you want to buy from this store. They are fantastic and have great customer service. And I'm not just saying that so you'll follow my link and help me earn free stuff by buying from them when you do.)

I started in April.

And finished just in time for her baby shower in May.

I call it the Sunfire Heirloom.

Johnette, I hope you get years and years of use and enjoyment out of it!

This was a fantastic pattern and I will definitely be using it again. It was not a difficult pattern at all. Once I did the first couple repeats, the pattern got into my fingers and I didn't really have to think about it too much.

Now I need to figure out what project I want to start next. I think maybe I'll sew something.

Hello Spring!

2010-04-04T19:01:00.002-04:00

As normal here lately, I am sorry for my lack of posting. This working thing really gets in the way of my fun time! I kind of enjoy the paycheck though, so I muddle through. Seriously, though, I have been a little busy. I am re-reading the Wheel of Time series, by the late Robert Jordan. The most recent book in the series came out either at the end of last year or the first of this year. In preparation for the new book and since it had been so long since I had finished reading them I decided I needed to read them over...I've been working on this since September. I have 2 books to finish until I get to enjoy the last one. I'm really looking forward to finishing. I need a few good trashy romance novels...err...umm...I mean NY Times Bestsellers. I work during the day, knit at lunch and when I get home and read in the car and if I have time before I get ready for work. Most of the time blogging and visiting blogs doesn't cross my radar and honestly, I miss it. Somehow I need to find the time to get back to it more often. I partially blame Mafia Wars on Facebook.

Anyway, back to crafting. I'm afraid I do not have any new knitting pictures to share. I'm working on my third baby blanket since February-ish. 2 of them have been the same feather and fan pattern you've seen me do before. But the one that I'm working on now is a new pattern for me. I'm not posting any of the details here because the person it's for may visit and although she knows she's getting a blanket that's all she knows. I'm so excited though!!!! It's already so pretty!!! If you want to see my progress and you're a member, check me out on Ravelry. I'm Bubbette.

Lacy Goodness

2010-02-06T22:42:00.007-05:00

My last couple projects have convinced me that maybe I'm not as much of a mediocre knitter as I thought. I made the lacy cowl in my last post for a christmas present and the lavender scarf also in my last post. Both of those patterns were comewhat challenging for me. But I managed to get through both and was happy with how they turned out so I decided I needed to challenge myself some more. I poured over patterns on Ravelry and finally decided on the Swallowtail, a shawl pattern by Evelyn Clark.

After finishing the shawl I have come to several conclusions:

1. People who write patterns for knitting lace are geniouses. Or magicians. Possibly both.

2. Lace isn't as hard as it looks, it's just intimidating.

3. Lace is addictive. It's almost like getting a tattoo. Once you forget the pain from your last one, you have to get another one.

Yarny Holidays

2009-12-19T16:00:00.005-05:00

If you have not read my first post, start at the post before this one, there are other pictures and even a recipe!

I've been knitting!

I've made some christmas dish cloths and I also made a cowl for my father's wife:

The cowl was difficult enough that it gave me the confidence to try something a little more advanced. So now I'm working on my first lace scarf.

I'm so excited about it! The pattern makes sense and it's actually turning out the way it's supposed to so far! I absolutely cannot wait to get it finished and blocked to really show the pattern.

Now, I really hope everyone has a happy holiday season or if nothing else a happier new year than 2009!

Happy Holidays!! (Knitting, Sewing and Baking! Oh My!)

2009-12-19T15:17:00.007-05:00

As you may have suspected, I've been keeping pretty busy.

In November I had plans to go to the Carolina Renaissance Fectival with my dear friend, Heather, and her sister, Amber. This year I finally got up the courage to dress up. It was so much fun! It really did make it more enjoyable. The only problem was making what I had to wear fit. My bodice was significantly too small, because, let's face it, I'm not a little person by any means. I had to add a panel on either side. It would have been really easy if there had been a seam where I needed it to be, but nope, had to completely cut it up the side. I freaked out about it a bit, because I have no experience sewing clothes or making alterations of that nature. I managed to get over it though after I made that first cut.

I completely forgot about taking progress pictures to show what I did, but here's the fonished product.

I'm the one in blue. Heather is in purple. I can't wait until next year!

Then weekend after Thanksgiving we started getting ready for christmas. I love the holidays!
Here's a picture of our tress. Why, yes, that is the usual area for my crafting.

Then came the christmas baking...This year I made baklava.

And if you're interested, here's the recipe:

This makes 2 pans.

1 lb phyllo dough, thawed according to package directions

4 cups finely ground pecans

4 cups finely ground walnuts

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground clove

1 1/2 lbs butter (no, that's not a type o)

Combine nuts, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Prepare work station. This is how I organize myself:

Layer 6-8 phyllo sheets one at a time, brushing each generously with butter. Sprinkle with nut mixture. Layer 4 more phyllo sheets, sprinkle with nuts, ad nauseum until you're left with 6-8 phyllo sheets to go on top.

Most phyllo packages come with 2 rolls of phyllo sheets. One pan is from one roll of phyllo sheets. You should have one roll of phyllo and half the nut mixture left.

Before it goes in the oven, cut it into your preferred size and shape. While you're cutting, preheat oven to 300.

Bake for 15 minutes, then cut oven down to 250 and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

15 minutes before baking time is over, start syrup.

You'll need:

3 cups sugar

1 cup honey

1 1/2 cups water

juice of 1 lemon

Boil all syrup ingredients together for 10-15 minutes (med high-med heat). Stir continuously.

This syrup recipe makes only one batch.

After baklava comes out of over, spoon hot syrup over hot baklava.

YUM!!!!

When Country Came to Town

2009-09-11T22:02:00.031-04:00

Last weekend I Michael and I went to the big city of Atlanta, GA for Dragon*Con. We'd only been planning this since May! Needless to say we were very excited, but I was also quite a bit nervous...I have never been to a city as big as Atlanta. (I'm not counting Las Vegas, where Michael and I got married because to me that was like a large network of tiny hotel/cities connected by side walks.) I grew up in a very rural area of a tiny town so this was completely different for me. Country truly had come to town.

We got into Atlanta around 4:30 Thursday afternoon. We checked into our hotel (the Westin at Peachtree Plaza. Don't stay there by the way, it's an overpriced shit hole, pardon my language) and then walked down to the Sheraton where we had to pick up our badges. After standing in a line to stand in another line for several rather interesting, hot, hours we got our badges. Then we had to walk somewhere to get supper. Of course the hill we had walked down to get to the Sheraton didn't seem even a quarter as steep as when we started walking back up it. Halfway there and halfway dead from being fat and terribly out of shape we found a great spot to rest our weary feet: The Metro Cafe, a 24 hour diner/karaoke bar. Great gyro, not the greatest Greek salad, good booze.

Friday morning we got up early for breakfast and to get the line for the first panel were wanted to see. Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner at 10 am. Loved them! We had great seats!

Later on Friday we went to see Charlaine Harris. I'm a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse books and now I'm a huge fan of her. Listening to her talk you could tell that she has that perfect mix of sugar, spice and sass that makes southern women so spectacular.

SOmetime on Friday or Saturday, not sure which, we went to see John Billingsley and Anthony Montgomery, who were on Star Trek Enterprise. John Billingsley has also been on this season of True Blood on HBO.

We took a few minutes on Saturday to go to the Walk of Fame the first time. We got to meet Craig Parker. Craig Parker played the slightly overweight elf who commanded the Elven Army that came to help the people in the stronghold fight off the Orcs. He now plays Darken Rahl in Legend of the Seeker (not sure what channel).

We got to see Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies.

We got the opportunity to meet Kevin Anderson who co-authors the newest Dune books with Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert. We were able to bring our hard back books of his to be signed.

Sunday we got to go to a panel where my favorite author, S.M. Stirling, talked about his books in the Emberverse series. It was absolutely amazing getting to talk to the people who were waiting for the event to start and to sit and listen to Stirling talk about his books. I was very impressed by the process he goes through with his books and how much care he puts into making them just so. We were also able to go to his autograph session.

Then we went back to the Walk of Fame since we had some spare moments.

We got to meet and talk to Tom Felton and Michael got his autograph.

We got to meet Anthony Montgomery and Michael got his autograph.

And John Billingsley...

And just for me, James Marsters. (he's so dreamy!)

And because this is supposed to be a blog about crafting and making things, here are some of the costumes we saw, of which I am sure at least some portion is somewhat handmade. These are the ones that turned out pretty good. No, I don't know what all the characters are.

And for my own viewing pleasure, here are a couple pictures of James Marsters that I wasn't supposed to take. Oops, my finger must have pressed that button without realizing it. Oh, darn.

Overall, Dragon*Con was fantastic. The people, the costumes, the topics...just fantastic. I'm very impressed with the people I got to meet. I know we tend to put celebrities and famous people on a pedestal, but now that I've met a few and talked with them I know better. They're real people just like we are.

More Crafty Fun!

2009-08-09T20:40:00.010-04:00

Look!!! 2 posts in one month! Well, just barely, but it still counts.

Since my last post I've been mostly working, but I have had some crafty opportunities. I just got finished painting 2 boxes for a friend.

I've also been having a rotten bout of insomnia this past week. I had high hopes of sleeping Friday night when I went to bed but was sorely disappointed when I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 2:15am. I surfed on the net for a while and then I got the idea that if I wasn't sleeping, I could at least be productive, so I started organizing my little craft area. When I first set up my craft area I had intended to keep it neat and orderly. If you know me at all, neat and orderly usually doesn't fit in the same sentence with me. The little table quickly became a catch-all. Last weekend I went out and bought some rubbermaid storage drawers just for that purpose. I started working on putting everything away and organizing Saturday morning. It says a lot about the sad state of affairs that I'm still working on it.

I also found out that yarn was a sales tax free item this weekend...

I went by In the Loop at their new shop and I couldn't let these 4 skeins stay there. They begged me to bring them home. Who am I to ignore pretty yarn? And believe me, that's some beautiful stuff!

Still Alive and Crafting

2009-07-10T21:18:00.014-04:00

Rumors of my departure have been greatly exagerated! I'm still here, just busier than ever. I haven't had a lot of free time to post here so now you get a big crafty update.

Since the last time I posted, I did finish the hat, but I don't really like it, so I think I'm going to rip out some of it and redo it. Haven't done it yet though. Maybe someday.

This was the spring and early summer of babies. I made 3 baby blankets. The first was for my dear friend Heather and her precious little one, Reese. The pattern is a simple fan and feather that I got from a magazine. So simple and it looks so hard!

This is the second blanket I made for a coworker. Same pattern as above, just a different color.

The third blanket was for a new little cousin. Same pattern, dark blue. Sorry, I didn't even think about taking a picture of it.

I also painted and decoupaged a wooden box for another friend from a web community I belong to. It's simple, but I think it turned out pretty nice.

But this is quite possibly the coolest thing I've done in the past little while.

Who would have ever thought that this wool yarn

plus a pot full of water mixed with Iced Blue Raspberry Lemonaid Koolaid

would make this beautiful shade when all mixed together?

I love it and can't wait to find something to do with it.

My only recommendation would be to wear gloves when dying yarn. I've sported a lovely blue hand all week. Michael thinks I might be turning into a Smurf.

I also am starting to work on a project for Christmas painting plates. Keep your fingers crossed that it works out.

Knit up the Old, Make Room for the New

2009-02-09T19:56:00.002-05:00

I'm broke. I make more money at my job that I ever expected to as a state employee, but I bring home less than I ever have. Damn adulthood and bills! I'm not doing so badly though. I'm very appreciative for what I have. Anyway, since I'm trying to do my best at controlling and curbing my spending habits, I'm knitting from my yarn stash instead of just looking at it dreaming.

This is a hat that I'm making from Jaspe Wool by Ella Rae. I got it from In the Loop on Divine Street in Columbia, SC. It's some beautiful stuff. The picture just doesn't do it justice. The colors are just so rich. The richness of it kind of remind me of oil crayons.

Giveaway!

2009-02-05T07:04:00.001-05:00

The lovely ladies at The Secret Is In The Sauce are hosting another fabulous giveaway!

Click here for a chance to win! (And meet some awesome new people)

http://www.thesitsgirls.com/2009/02/february-giveaway-bedroom-bliss.html

Left Handed Crafting in a Right Handed World

2009-02-03T15:59:00.002-05:00

So I'm gathering from the comments on my last post that there are other left handers out there who craft who have problems with learning some crafts.

What kind of lefty are you? Do you do everything with your left hand? Are you somewhat ambidexterous and do things with both hands? Are there some things you can only do left handed and some things you can only do right handed? Let me reassure you that no matter what kind of lefty you are, you are not alone!

It's hard to learn things when you're left handed. I was a kid right before they stopped all that switching a kid from a lefty into a righty nonsense. When my first grade teacher asked my parents if they wanted her to teach me how to be a right hander, my mother told them right where they could stick that idea. Granted, learning to write was a torture, learning to use a pair of scissors was so awful I ended up learning right handed...I can go on and on. I'm sure you have stories of your own though. The end result is me; someone who can write and eat and do most crafty projects with her left hand, use scissors and knit right handed and is ambidextrous putting on make up. I have to set things up differently than right handers, but I get the job done. I have to go through a different learning process, but I usually figure it out (with a few more curse words).

I thin everyone, regardless of whether you are left or right handed can do any craft. We just have to find the way that works best for us. As long as you get the result you want who cares if you need to stand on your head or hop on one leg to do it (as long as you're ok with that). So left handers, if learning left handed isn't working, try right handed. And if that doesn't work, figure out a mixture of both. Craft without fear!!!!!!!!

Not quite what I planned

2009-01-31T21:33:00.002-05:00

I had planned tonight, while my husband is watching Naruto on Cartoon Network, to post the finished pictures of my cable knit project. I finished the knitting Thursday night and the blocking was done by Friday night. I wove the ends in and sewed the bottom up.

And I forgot to take a before picture.

I tossed it in the wash to felt it and before I went to bed I shaped it and stuffed it with filling so it would dry in shape. This morning I sewed the snaps in, took some pictures and sent it on it's way to a yet undisclosed location. I'd love to show you those pictures, but alas, I am no photogapher. Foiled by a point and shoot! They were all blurry and unfocused. Hopefully I'll have better luck the next time I take pictures.

I've got lots of projects on the brain lately. I already have some big plans in motion for making things for the next holiday season and for birthday gifts for the girls on my list. The guys on the list, I'm still looking for ideas for. For the christmas season I'm thinking of making bath sets for the girls with a homemade shower cap, bath fizzies, sugar scrub and a wash cloth in the package. I also found great tutorial about making a ruffled shrug from a t-shirt. Now I have to follow through with the plans and not procrastinate.

Comment for a Chance to Win!

2009-01-31T07:40:00.003-05:00

It's a bright, shining Saturday morning in the WC, so what better way to spend it than working on my grocery/coupon lists and entering giveaways? I haven't found any so here are some links for y'all. Enter away!

http://prayforroy.blogspot.com/2009/01/valentines-giveaway.html Great Valentine's giveaway!

http://cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-fab-organization-giveaway.html Awesome organizational giveaway!

It Looks Like a Big Fish Hook!

2009-01-27T21:30:00.005-05:00

I've got two main projects on the needles right now. One is a baby blanket. This is one of several that I need to get working on. I know a lot of pregnant women right now!

And I learned something new this week! My co-worker, knitting buddy, Elizabeth was working on a simple beginner level cable knit scarf. She conviced me it was pretty simple, showed me how to do it and here's my first result! This is going to be a simple pouch with a flap. This opens up so many other opportunites! When my husband saw the cable needle he made the comment that it looked like a huge fish hook. It kind of does!

And yes, in case you're wondering, that is my desk. I've been trying to keep my knitting as cat fur-less as possible so I've been knitting at work only and keeping it separate from any knitting I do at home.

Holiday Craftiness

2009-01-13T19:31:00.007-05:00

I hope that everyone had as fabulous a holiday season as I did!! Apparently, I was a very good girl this year, because Santa brought me everything I wanted. Michael got me a purple iPod Nano, the entire series of Star Trek Deep Space Nine on DVD, and a set of Harmony Interchangeable circular needles. I was all kinds of nerded out over the holidays!

Aren't these needles beautiful? They're already my favorites by far!

I haven't really been working on a lot. My new position is keeping me very busy. There's a lot to learn and get used to. I had to find something quick and easy to knit with my new needles though so I chose to make some cotton dishcloths. They turned out ok. I really like the green striped ones.

here are some pictures of a bag I made as a gift. Here it is after I sewed the seams together and put the straps on, before I felted it.

Here it is after washing and drying it. See how much smaller it got?

And here it is after I embroidered a few simple little daisy stitch flowers on it. Overall, I think it turned out pretty well. I see lots of stuff I would have done differently, but it was still well received by the person I gave it to and that's what matters.

Next on the list is a baby blanket. I think.

Gobble, Gobble

2008-11-27T22:39:00.002-05:00

This year I have had a ton of things to be thankful for. As always, I have an awesome husband. For example, he had Wednesday off. I came home from working late and what did I see when I pulled into the driveway? Michael had put up all of our outside Christmas decorations. He also organized our guestroom and pulled out all of our other Christmas decorations. That's just one small example of his awesomeness. There are a million others.

In addition to Michael I am also thankful for the work opportunities that have come my way in the past year. Last December, after being at my current job for 6 1/2 years I figured that any promotions I got would have to come from finding a new job, but a new career pathing program was established. Last January I received a promotion and a 10% raise and the guarantee of eventually being able to move up more.

In the past week and a half I've gotten even more good news. Last week, I was called into my big boss's office. That, no matter how great my work is, always puts fear in my heart. He quickly put me at ease, though, when he asked me to take my current supervisor's place after she retires. Her last day is December 19. I was very surprised and shocked...and over the moon happy, not to mention scared and nervous. I've never been a supervisor before. Given the current economic situation right now I am very surprised that I will also be getting a raise to go along with my new promotion.

Then, last weekend, my father told me that once I get my last student loan paid down to under $5000, he would pay the rest of it! I never expected to hear those words out of my father's mouth. That cuts my remaining amount of time paying F*ing Sallie Mae off in half.

And then this morning I realized exactly how many friends I have. I was on Facebook trying to send Thanksgiving wishes to everyone, but with over 130 people, it was just too daunting. Granted, some of those people on my friend list are aquaintances, but many of them I grew up with or I've learned so many things from and would do anything for.

There's more that I'm thankful for, but it's late and I need to go to bed soon to gather my strength for shopping tomorrow.

In other news, I cooked my first Thanksgiving feast today. I made way too much, but it all turned out so good. I'm quite pleased with my turkey in particilar. Last night when I got home from work, I made a brine with 16 cups water, 1 cup bourbon, 1 cup salt, 2 bay leaves, handful of peppercorns in a big bagand let the turket soak in that until I got up this morning. Then I took it out of it's brine, dried it off, stuffed it with onion, celery, garlic and carrotts, trussed it up, seasoned it with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, slathered it with some softened butter and baked it at 375 degrees for 4 hours. It was so juicy and flavorful!! YUM!!!!

Craft wise I haven't been doing so hot. I just haen't been able to find the time. I get up in the morning knit a few rows, go to work, come home and I usually so tired that I fall asleep before I can get started. It's pretty frustrating. I still haven't gotten that darn bag finished that I making as a Christmas gift. I'm going to make it though, even if I have to pull a few late nights on the weekends. Sleep is overrated, right?

Vote People!

2008-11-04T07:18:00.002-05:00

I'm interrupting my slack ass crafting for an important service announcement.

Go Vote!!!!

Even if you don't vote for the candidate I want to win (Go Obama!!), it's important to exercise your right to do so.

Halloween Night Knitting

2008-11-01T23:09:00.002-04:00

I have been a bit under the weather the past few days. First with what I believe is/was a sinus infection which is settling into my chest. Since I have asthma I try to be very careful anytime I have congestion in my chest. Anyway, the moral is that I haven't really felt a whole lot like knitting or really much of anything.

Last night was Halloween, though. I love Halloween. I love seeing the kids, handing out treats...everything. I love hearing the comments from the kids when they see that we don't give out candy (except this year I gave out a little). This year's offerings included little plastic bugs and snakes, stickers, play-doh, spider rings, vampire teeth, noise makers and fun size snickers and twix. Given how I felt though, my heart just wasn't in it this year.

Michael and I got our pumpkins set up and our cauldron of goodies and we made ourselves comfortable in our rocking chairs in the front yard as soon as it started getting dark. We waited. And waited. And waited some more. We usually have kids coming by as soon as it gets a little dark. This year it we didn't get our first visitor until almost an hour later than normal. I was bored with the waiting, so I went inside and got my knitting. I had plenty of light from our front door light and it helped keep me warm. I got a fair amout ot of work done sitting there seeing all the little kiddies come by.

My favorite: The kid who was calling out "Trick or Treat, Smell my underpants!"

Old Stuff, New Stuff and Future Stuff

2008-10-25T11:39:00.010-04:00

OK, here are the last pictures of my Bad Ass Knittin Bag and the felted bag that I entered in the fair. I promise I'll stop whoring them out now.

I made Michael a hat. It cost me a whole $2. You've got to love a good sale!

Here's a picture of what I'm working on now. It's going to be another felted bag. The body and straps are going to be brown, with a band of the off-white around the top. I'm also thinking about doing some embroidery on it too. That's going to be a christmas present for someone.

And this is going to be my next embroidery/sewing project. It's going to be a late christmas present for my friend Heather, who works for the SC Dept. of Archives and History. She does a lot of disaster recovery and planning for agencies throughout the state.

Just like my knitting bag, Michael is designing the pattern. The design isn't finished, but this is a good idea what it's going to look like. I think the finished design will have fire, a flood and some bugs (and a different font for the Disaster Queen).

Good Things CAN Happen on a Monday. And Hats.

2008-10-06T19:16:00.008-04:00

Today I got some good news. I found out around 11:30am from my blog-friend Carrie Penny that the results had been posted for the judging on the SC State Fair website. Screw work I was checking that website to see how I did!

My felted handbag won second place in Any other knitting not listed category.

My Bad Ass Knittin Bag won first in Handbag, Embroidered category. However, I think it was the only entry in that category. I'll still take it and I'm proud! They didn't have to give me anything for either one!

In other news I'm learning how to make hats on double pointed needles. At first I was intimidated and even a little scared/nervous. I mean, those needles are really pointy! What if I poked myself in the eye or made a shish-ka-hubby? It all worked out though.

I'm happy to report that no husbands, cats or dogs wer harmed during the knitting of these hats. Michael says he feels like I'm trying to give Hermione a run for her money knitting hats for the house elves.

New Endeavors

2008-10-02T19:25:00.002-04:00

This afternoon Michael picked me up and we went to drop off my fair entries (yay!!) and then he took me out for lunch. I'm glad to have it done with and delivered. Now I want the fair to be over so I can pick the bags up and use them!

I'm currently trying to learn something new. Yesterday, my knitting buddy at work showed me a new method for casting on and how to knit on double pointed needles in the round. I was scared and intimidated to get started last night, but no eyeballs were poked out during the making of my useless practice cylinder. I'm going to practice some more and then I'm going to try a hat. Then once I conquer that, I'm going to figure out socks.

How cool is Martha?

2008-09-30T07:42:00.000-04:00

Martha is having a blog contest: http://www.themarthablog.com/2008/09/how-to-create-your-own-blog-let-us-show-you.html#comment-22319

Bad Ass Knittin Bag: DONE!

2008-09-29T21:07:00.003-04:00

I got up bright and early Saturday morning to get started on my list of things I wanted to get done. Michael went in to work for a little while so I had a nice quiet house all to myself with no distractions. I watched a few of the tv shows I taped last week while I worked on the baby blanket. After a while I switched to working on my bag. I measured and cut the fabric, put the pockets together, pinned the shoulder straps, ironed everything, sewed the pockets into the lining, started sewing the straps. About halfway through the last strap, my sewing machine did something very strange. Then it stopped. It stopped everything. I'm not really sure what it was doing, but I didn't have the time to figure it out. After fussing a lot, crying a little (or vice versa) I made a trip out to Joanne's and Hobby Lobby, if nothing else but to see If I had any options. I was in no mind to think rationally, so I called Michael almost in tears from Hobby Lobby. My husband has the heart of an angel. He offered to buy a new machine so that I wouldn't stress out anymore than I already was. I got the exact some kind I had before. Now I need to figure out what was going on with the first one so that I can fix it and sell it or something.

Anyway...Here's a picture of the finished embroidery.

Here's the finished outside:

And here's the inside. It has a big pocket with a smaller pocket over it on both sides.

I'm so stinking glad to be done with it! It's not perfect by any means, but it fits my needs and it's washable.

Quick Progress Update...

2008-09-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

Just so that no one will think I’m a slacker, I thought I’d do a little update. Sorry, no pictures this time.

Felted bag: I’m still looking for the perfect something to embellish it with. I don’t really want to do any embroidery on it, but I can’t find the perfect button or pin for it. Maybe I’m too picky.

Bad Ass Knittin Bag: It’s all done, but the sewing. I’ve been procrastinating more than I need to on this one. My deadline for delivering it for the fair is next week and I’m still not really sure how I want to put it together. I usually have things planned out to the slightest variance. This whole flying by the seat of my pants thing is exciting and nerve-wracking.

Baby blankets: The blanket that I was knitting back in July (#1) has finally been completely completed. I finished weaving the ends in on Sunday. The blanket I’m currently working on (#2) is halfway there. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it will be completed before the baby is here. I’m just missing by a couple of days though.

Other that that, I’m trying to figure out what I’ll do next. I have several baby projects I’d like to do. Maybe try my hand at some little hats. I’d love to find a simple sweater pattern to knit for myself. First I’ll have to save some money to pay the small fortune it will cost to buy that much good yarn. I also want to do another embroidery project similar to my knitting bag. Only time will tell what I actually end up doing.

Bad Ass Knittin Bag Part 4 and Other Crafty Endeavors

2008-09-07T20:22:00.007-04:00

First of all, I've done some crafty shopping. The floss is for my knitting bag, then there are 3 skeins of recycled silk yarn and a skein of lavender alpaca. I got the silk from In the Loop in Columbia and the alpaca from The Needler in Lexington. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my one lonely skein of alpaca, but I have grand plans for the silk. This picture doesn't do it justice. It's gorgeous in real life.

Since having to cut out the lettering on my knitting bag, I've been working on my knitting again. This is a picture of it before I cast off the body of the bag and sewed it all up. You can still see how big it is before felting.

And this is what it looked like after felting. I still need to add a little button or something to it and it will be done. One project crossed off my list.

Since the knitting is done and I was no longer disgusted with my having to rip out the work on my embroidery I started working on the Bad Ass Knittin Bag again. I chose 3 different shades of green fading from dark to light. So far so good.

I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Bad Ass Knittin Bag Part 3

2008-08-24T07:02:00.007-04:00

When I started working on my bag Friday, this is what it looked like:

When I got finished working on it Friday, this is what it looked like:

So this is what I've been workng on:

If you're wondering, no I didn't mistakenly put those first 2 pictures out of order. I wish that was the case. Very frustrated, very disappointed that I had to rip all of that work out. When I went to move my hoops and looked back at my work I realized that the metallic thread I was using just wasn't working the way I wanted and I wasn't happy with how it was looking. I think I could lave probably fixed part of the problem, but I didn't want to chance it and not have the time to do something else.

Note to self: I don't think metallic thread was meant for that kind of satin stitch.

So, as you can see, I've been knitting this weekend. I've been kind of sick over having to rip out all that work and just couldn't face looking at my embroidery again without a short break. I've gotten some good work done on my knitting. And, even better, I've discovered that knitting and purling the "right" way have now become habit for me.

Tommow, back to the embroidery.

Mmmmm...Pie!

2008-08-22T07:43:00.004-04:00

I tried something new for supper last night. A recipe I got from a friend at work for tomato pie. Of all the things you can make into pies, who would ever think that tomatoes would be one of the yummiest? Not all that healthy, but yummy still. I'm sure it can be made more healthy though. Maybe next time.

The recipe:

1 pie crust, baked according to package instructions (I used Mrs. Smith's Deep Dish)
4 medium-large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1 package bacon
fresh basil
1 cup mayonaise
1 cup shredded mozarella
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Seed and slice tomatoes. Lay slices on a paper towel lined pan and sprinkle lightly with salt.
Cut bacon into pieces and brown.
In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonaise and cheeses.
After the pie crust and the bacon has cooled, assemble the pie.
Layer half the tomatoes on bottom of pie crust. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Add a few basil leaves. Sprinkle with half the bacon. After all the tomatoes and bacon have been used, spread the mayonaise and cheese mixture over the top.
Bake for 30 minutes or uintil the top of the pie is golden brown.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Slice and enjoy! Serves about 6.

I wish I had thought to take a picture before we demolished it.

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair...

2008-08-13T09:28:00.004-04:00

I love the SC State Fair. I always have. Most likely I always will. The fair always brings back good memories of my childhood and a story about my brother as a child that never fails to make me laugh and embarrass him. I love the exhibits, the animals, the crowds, the food…Everything! But now that I’m older I can appreciate parts of it more. The exhibits especially. I know exactly how much work and artistry go into so much more of it now.

A few years ago, actually, more like 6 or 7 years ago, I entered a pair of embroidered pillowcases in the fair. I did better than I expected: Second place in my category. I’m still proud of that. I even have a tattoo that was inspired by that design.

And then I stopped embroidering.

Now that I’m back into my craftiness I’m thinking about entering again. If I did, I’d enter my Badass Knittin Bag and the felted bag that I’m also working on. I have to make up my mind by August 29. Any item I entered would have to be completed by October 1. I worry that if I did enter an item I’m still working on that it would take the fun out of it for me. Not only that, but when I’m faced with a deadline I have to meet I tend to procrastinate.

I hate making decisions.

Bad Ass Knittin Bag Part 2

2008-08-04T19:59:00.005-04:00

I love my bag and its not even close to being done. I'm making good progress. I've got the skull done and half of the knitting needles. Once I get the embroidery done I'm going to take a break from it and work on my knitting some more.

I just love it! The colors, the shapes. I almost wish I could snap my fingers and it be embroidered and sewn together. But then again, I don't want to miss out on doing any of it. I'd like to say I try not to talk too much abut it, but I'd be wrong. Hopefully my coworkers aren't too terribly tired of seeing me show off my work. I'm just so darn excited about it!!!!!

Bad Ass Knittin Bag Part 1

2008-07-30T05:25:00.004-04:00

I started the work on my bad ass knittin bag this weekend!! Friday I pre-washed the fabric, Saturday I ironed it and cut out the outside of the bag, and then I put my husband to work.

Here he is making his blog debut. He's transferring the pattern onto my fabric.

This is what the pattern looks like before I started work.

And here it is after a little longer than a day of work.

Damn this thing called work that interrupts my embroidering and knitting!

Frustration

2008-07-24T08:30:00.001-04:00

I’m frustrated with my knitting. It’s making me feel stupid. You see, I just discovered a couple days ago that I’m making the knit stitch and the purl stitch wrong. Oddly enough I did them both so wrong that they look right. Now, after over 6 months I’m having to go back and learn how to do it the right way, which means unlearning it the wrong way. Which sucks great big, huge, hairy donkey balls. I’ve discovered that the wrong way has much more economical motions than the right way. The right way just seems so wrong to me now even though it’s not. I’ve been making myself do it properly though. I want to make nice stuff so I have to do it the right way. Before I discovered my issue my knitting had become a thoughtless escape. It was easy, I didn’t have to think about it. But now I do. So I’ve been procrastinating. My procrastination has given me the opportunity to catch up on my trashy romance novel reading, though.

Projects, Project Everywhere

2008-07-20T20:33:00.004-04:00

For once in my life I got money for my birthday earlier this month. Usually I spend any money I get for gifts for groceries or something else I need. This year I decided that I needed more yarn and supplies for projects.

I got this Friday night at Michaels. The blue yarn is going to be a felted bag. I'm not sure about the other yet. It was on sale and I couldn't resist it. I also got another size of circular needles for knitting the bag and transfer paper to transfer an embroidery design onto another project.

I got this Saturday morning at a little store called Fabric 101 on the other side of creation from me in Pontiac near Sand Hills. If anyone in SC reads this they have a really nice selection of great quality fabrics. This is going to be for my "Bad Ass Knitting Bag" that I'm making as well as embroidering.

So yeah, if you're keeping track that's 3 projects I've got started/planned: Baby Blanket #2, felted bag and the knitting bag. At least I won't be bored anytime in the near future.

Holy Crap, It's Hot!

2008-07-15T07:59:00.002-04:00

In case you didn't know, knitting a blanket in July is not particularly a great idea. That's just my observation for the day, so take it as you will.

I have three (three!) more rows and I'm done.

Baby Blankets for Everyone!

2008-07-08T17:18:00.007-04:00

Last weekend I started my biggest knitting project to date: a baby blanket.

I went to Michaels and got the yarn. Lots of pinks and purples and even some green for another splash of color.

I had chosen a pattern earlier. I'm using the pattern for the Big Bad Baby Blanket in the Stitch n Bitch book.

I have done nothing but knit this past week. While the notion is with me I need to get it done, otherwise I'll procrastinate like nobody's business! The good news is that I'm 3/4 of the way through with it. It's been so exciting! (yep, I'm a nerd) It's been my first pattern that I've had to pay attention to rather than making it up as I went. It's also been my first time using circular needles.

Here's a picture of the whole thing so far. I'm sorry to say that this picture does not do it justice at all. I should have found a better place to lay it out other than my kitchen table I guess.

This is a picture of the middle of it which shows the actual pattern. It looks like four blocks with a border around the whole thing.

I've had off of work since Wednesday afternoon and it's pretty much been all knitting all the time around here. Now that I've had the idea that this blanket might become my standard baby gift and I feel ambitious, pregnant women are coming out of the woodworks! I know 4 people due between October-December. I think I have the gumption to finish this one and one more before I need a big break so I can finally get to work on my Bad Ass Knittin Bag.

Antique Store Finds

2008-07-08T17:07:00.005-04:00

I love antique stores/malls! Unfortunately, my favorite one closed recently and now I have to find a new favorite.

In the past, I haven't had much luck finding any embroidered items that were in good condition. I am now happy to report that I have found an antique store that has shelves of embroidered pillowcases, towels, table cloths, etc. Beautiful stuff! Of course I had to come home with a pair of pillow cases and a table topper... They may or may not be gifted to others, but I had to bring them home with me!

This is a pair of pillowcases, They're white with the palest blue embroidery.

And here's the table topper. I couldn't get a better picture.

Apologies

2008-06-15T08:51:00.002-04:00

Someone posted a comment on my last post and when I tried to publish it, I'm guessing I hit delete instead because now it's not showing up. My greatest apologies and thank you. I remember the comment, but not who sent it.

Finished objects

2008-06-13T21:37:00.005-04:00

Really, I haven't been that productive this week, I just finally got some pictures off of my camera.

Here's the finished 3D picture/shadow box for my father for Father's Day. Now that I'm finished with it and I look at it, I see so much I could have done to make it look better and more finished.

Here's a dish cloth I've been working on. It's almost finished. I knit it on sixe 6 needles in a seed stitch.

I had a wedding las weekend and I had this sweater to wear over a black halter dress. It was a little blah as is, so I decided to embroider some pink flowers on it. The bonus? I have at least one other outfit I can wear it with!

I think I've made some nice progress on my list in my last post.

Future Projects

2008-05-28T19:24:00.003-04:00

I need to make a list of things I want to try or learn so I won't forget anything:

In no particular order...

1. Baby bibs and burps cloths

2. Finish 3D shadow box

3. Knit dish cloths and scrubbies

4. Embroidered Roller Derby Shirt for Misty

5. Embroidered knitting bag

6. Learn to knit in the round/on circular needles

7. Embroidered sweater

8. Learn to sew clothing items

That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure I'll have more swimming around in my head soon.

Pillowcases finished!

2008-05-17T20:17:00.001-04:00

Finally! A picture of my pillowcases. They've been finished for a couple weeks, I just hadn't taken the opportunity to get them washed and ironed.

Decorated /Painted Picture Frames

2008-05-11T08:43:00.017-04:00

I tried something new recently.

A good friend of mine and former co-worker invited me to her wedding shower last weekend. I knew I'd but her something from her registry, but I also wanted to get her something a little more personal. When I got married in 2002, at the shower that she and my other co-workers threw for me, she gave me a picture frame that said "Wedding of the Year" around the frame. Talicia (the co-worker now getting married) said that if she ever got married she was going to need a frame that said "Wedding of the Century." So I made one for her.

I bought 3 unfinished shadow boxes/picture frames, some acryllic paint, foam brushes, cheap small paint brushes, clear glass flat bottom marbles, decoupage medium and some craft glue.

I painted the frame.

While I let the frame dry, I cut out the letters I wanted and decoupaged them to the bottoms of the marbles.

Then I glued the marbles to the frame.

It turned out much cuter in person.

The second one I did turned out perfectly!

I painted the frame in dark purple and then a lighter purple around the edges.

After the base coat dried, I taped the sides and I taped a border stripe.

After the stripes dried, I sealed it and glued on some paper flowers that I got from the scrapbook section of Michael's.

That one is going to make a fantastic birthday present for a friend. I almost wish I could keep it!

For the Love of the Craft

2008-05-02T11:34:00.000-04:00

I came back a couple weeks ago from the most wonderful vacation that my husband and I have ever taken. We went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and stayed at the Inn at the Estate on Monday and Tuesday. (I highly recommend this, BTW). Wednesday night we went to another (cheap) hotel in Asheville so we could look around town a little. We specifically stayed in Asheville for another night so that we would have time to go to the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center with the Allanstand Craft store inside. I anticipated this being one of the highlights of the trip.

As much as I hate to admit it, I was disappointed. The exhibits were fantastic. I really enjoyed seeing the various crafts they had displayed and the history about how they developed in the area. Everything displayed had the name of the person who had done it, the name of the piece and how much it cost. Holy. Crap. Thousands of dollars for some of this stuff. I didn’t sweat it too much. After all, that’s why they have gift shops, right? So that people who aren’t made of money can shop a little too. Evidently I was wrong. That particular shop, as well as many others I’ve noticed recently, doesn’t think that way.

We walked into the shop and immediately started browsing. We picked up a pair of ceramic candle holders: $50 (each!). A ceramic coffee mug: $50. A medium sized glass vase: $42. A wooden box not big enough to hold a deck of cards: $112. A hand woven scarf: $66. An unframed print: $100. 5 inch carved figurine: $40. 10 inch cornhusk doll: $40. That’s not even a drop in the bucket. Without a doubt, some of the most beautiful work I’ve ever seen. Would I pay those prices for any of it? No. Not just no. Hell no. And I don’t know many middle class people who could afford to fork over that much money for something that wasn’t necessary either.

I don’t know everything involved in making every craft, not even a little, but I do know enough about the raw materials involved in some crafts to recognize that some crafters are making much more than a 100% profit from their work. Trust me when I say that the person who made those corn husk dolls didn’t spend even $10 in money or time, no matter how beautiful they were.

I realize that there is a fine line between what is considered art and a craft and that’s why such exorbitant prices are sometimes charged, but at what point are we doing whatever our craft of choice is for the love of the craft or the money it can potentially bring? I don’t understand it and probably never will. If I ever charge such outrageous prices for the crafts that I do and the few that I sell, I’d like for someone to kick me. Hard.

Pictures

2008-04-07T14:08:00.006-04:00

As promised a long time ago, here is a picture of my very first pillowcase.

Here are pictures of the pillowcases I'm working on now.

Before I started:

I have added two different shades of green to the top and bottom borders.

Woe is me (and a little about embroidery)

2008-03-20T08:02:00.003-04:00

My body is trying to get sick I think. I don't want to get sick, I hate being sick, I don't have time to be sick. Dammit.

I currently have 2 projects in progress. The first is a pair of embroidered pillowcases and I'm working on a knitted afghan. I'm mainly working on the pillowcases, since I know I'm giving those away as a gift. Not sure who's going to be getting them though. I'll try to get some progress pictures up tomorrow.

I'm glad that I started a new embroidery project. Since it was really the first craft that I learned, it kind of feels like home to me. Every time I put needle and thread to cloth I can picture my grandmother teaching me to make each stitch that summer I was nine years old. She always had scrap material on hand. The summer she taught me to embroider, she took a square of fabric and drew straight lines, curved lines, flowers, dots, etc. on it. Then she taught me the stem stitch, which I practiced until she deemed it perfect. Then she showed me how to do a lazy daisy chain stitch and then french knots and then how to put everything together. Then I got to work on my very own pillowcase. I remember it was three kittens. I think I still have that pillowcase somewhere.

Instructions for Food Carrier

2008-03-12T13:20:00.003-04:00

2 wooden rods 8 1/2 -9 1/2 inches long
4 pieces fabric cut to 4x3 inches
2 pieces fabric 32x11 inches
1 towel, cut into 2 pieces 32x11 inches each
velcro (male and female) 5 inches
wooden board 1/2 inch thick, about 8x8 inches

Iron all fabric pieces.
Pin 1/2 inch hem on both long sides of each 4x3 inch piece. Iron the fold and sew.

Fold each piece in half and iron.

Pin 2 pieces together, right sides together. Pin the folded pieces between the 2 larger pieces with the unsewn edges at both ends about 1 ans 1/2 inches from the sides.

(You can see my dumb-assedness described in my post from yesterday. This shows wrong side up. Do not try this at home!)

Sew up all sides, leaving a gap on one of the long sides to turn it right side out.

Turn fabric right side out and sew along both sides about 1/4 of an inch in. This closes the gap that was left and it can be decorative.

Sew both long sides and one short end of towel pieces. Trim edges and corners and turn inside out. Sew up open end.

To attach velcor (I used an iron-on velcro) fold towel in thirds with one third folded up. Attach velcro to the outside of this piece and to the inside of top piece.

Place towel on top of fabric in the middle like a plus sign. Sew to the fabric on three sides, leaving an opening to insert the board.

The black lines show where you should sew.

Well, Dammit!

2008-03-11T08:25:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, no matter how careful you think you're being, you end up doing something backwards.

I've been figuring out a project for a coworker for the past few weeks now. It's a carrier for hot bowls/pans. It's simple enough. 2 big pieces of fabric, wooden handle... Last night I deemed myself ready to work, so I got my husband to help measure and cut the fabric. He cut the fabric, then I ironed and pinned. As I was pinning, I had in my mind the last time I made anything. That time, I ended up pinning it together backwards and had to rip out the seams so I could correct it. I knew I was being much more careful and paying a lot more attention to what I was doing this time. There was no way I could have made any mistake with putting it together. Except that I wasn't and I did.

I placed everything just so and pinned it. Then I changed the thread in my sewing machine and got started. I sewed the bottom. I sewed over it again so it would be super secure. I sewed the side. And then I took a closer look at it. Instead of putting it together right sides together, I put it together right side down. I ended up wasting a good 15-20 minutes ripping out seams! So frustrating! Pay attention, Monica!!!!!

I must have been daydreaming about all the other projects I want to start.

I just hit the motherload!

2008-03-04T12:18:00.001-05:00

I've been avoiding work today (shhhh!....don't tell anyone!) and stumbled upon a great, really great little website for embroidery patterns and tools: Sublime Stitching. It's definitely worth checking out. Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy anything right now. Well, not only that, but I don't have time.

Ready for the Weekend!

2008-02-22T13:16:00.003-05:00

Aaahhh! Friday.
Nothing makes a bad week better like Friday at 5pm. And this has been a particularly bad week! But what makes it so great is that I don't think I'll have to work any this week to keep up with my work load. Can you imagine my happy dance?

This means that I have a whole weekend, 2 blissful days to do all the things I want to do. I don't have to cram everything into one day! Saturday we're going to the SC Book Festival. We went last year and it was great! We met several authors, got some books autographed and got lots of reasonably priced books. After that we're planning on renting all of the Godfather movies, ordering pizza for supper and just generally relaxing. I'll probably take a nap too so that I can stay awake through Saturday Night Live. Of course, while we're parked in front of the TV, I'm going to be working on my knitting.

I have several projects that I want to work on. One is a hot dish carrier that a co-worker wants me to see if I can make. So it looks like I'm going to have to pick my engineering minded husband's brain on making a pattern. I also found some patterns for a bib and burp cloths, but I don't know any women who are pregnant right now. Until I have a specific reason to make them those are going on the back burner for now. Last weekend I bought 2 embroidery projects. I'm thinking about one of them for a friend's wedding. I also have a simple knitting pattern for an afghan that I want to try.

So many projects, so little time!!

Adaptability and Adjustability

2008-02-20T13:25:00.000-05:00

Overall, I am not a “roll with the punches” kind of person. I like predictability. I need predictability. I do make an effort to deal with change, however. I’ll bitch and complain about it ad nauseum, but I’ll deal with it.

I feel like I have to be even more adaptable when I’m dealing with anything that has a pattern. My brain just does not comprehend parts of some patterns. I’ll be sewing something and when I can’t figure out how the instructions say to put the pieces together, I get so frustrated! I’ll sit (and cry, bitch and complain) and read the pattern and try to fit the pieces together until something finally clicks or someone finally takes mercy on me and tells me what I’m missing. I end up feeling like the dumbest person on earth when this happens. This is what intimidates me about a lot of things. I am so scared to move on to something new knitting-wise. I don’t have an experienced person that I trust that I can turn to. I have to muddle through or go to a craft store and throw myself on someone’s mercies. And the thought of doing something like that and asking someone else *gasp* for help scares me to death, because then they might really validate my fear that I really am dumber than a box of rocks.

Anyway…not the topic…

Sometimes crafting (and I’m counting cooking as a craft) doesn’t work out like expected and you have to be creative coming up with a solution. I found myself in just this position last week when I was making a cheesecake to take to work for an office lunch we were having.
Here’s the recipe:

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Crust:
11 oreo cookies
3 Tbsp chopped pecans
3 Tbsp Butter, melted

Combine all ingredients in food processor and then press into bottom of springform pan.

Filling:
24 oz. cream cheese
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup dark corn syrup
2 Tbsp cornstarch
3 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup sour cream
1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups milk chocolate chips, melted
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Cream cream cheese, brown sugar, corn syrup, corn starch until smooth.
Add eggs one at a time beating well after each.
Stir in vanilla and sour cream.
Stir in melted chocolate and pecans.
Pour over crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and 200 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until cake no longer looks shiny in the center.
Turn over off and leave cake in oven for 1 hour.

Chocolate Caramel topping:
¾ cuo milk chocolate chips
¼ cup sour cream
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
3 Tbsp chopped pecans
10 individually wrapped craft caramels
2 Tbsp sour cream

Melt chocolate over low heat, add sour cream and brown sugar.
Spread warm mixture over cheesecake.
Melt caramel over low heat. Stir in sour cream and pecans.
Drizzle over cheesecake.

I checked my cabinets to see what ingredients I needed, bought what I was missing and went to work. My first creative solution was for getting the most servings out of the recipe and the easiest way to get it out of the pan. Most cheesecakes call for a springform pan. When made in a springform pan, the bigger the slice, the easier it is to get out, but I needed it to feed a relatively large number. I doubled the crust and made it in a 9x13 inch pan.

Then I started working on the filling. I was going along great until I discovered that the box that I had only glanced at when I was making my grocery list was not dark brown sugar, but corn starch. After trying to come up with a solution that would work with the ingredients I had, I batted my eyes at my husband and convinced him to go to the store for me. He came back with a box of dark brown and a box of light brown sugar. My hero had saved the day again! The crisis was averted and I watched tv while the cheesecake was in the oven.

I made it through waiting and it was finally time to take it out of the oven. I looked at the cookbook and realized that I had made a booboo. I had used all of my milk chocolate in the cheesecake. I didn’t have any to make the glaze. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to be able to coerce my husband into going back to the store so I decided to forego the chocolate glaze and just make more caramel for the top. I used the whole bag of caramels and 6 Tbsps. of sour cream, melted it together and added about ½-1 cup of chopped pecans.

It was still a great cheesecake even though I messed it up.

Knitting Needle Case Instructions

2008-02-19T08:11:00.000-05:00

In my last post I told about the knitting needle case I made. Here are pictures and instructions in case anyone is interested.

You will need:

2 pieces 26x22 inch fabric in coordinating colors/fabric. One is for the outside, the other is the lining.
1 piece 22x7 1/2 inch fabric (small pocket)
1 piece 22x11 inch fabric (large pocket)
2 pieces medium weight fusible interface cut to same dimensions as pockets
ribbon (2 pieces, approximately 20 inches each).

Before starting, iron all pieces of fabric.
Fuse interface onto correct fabric.
Pin a 1 inch fold in both pockets, iron, hem and iron again.

Put pieces together, right sides together in the following order:
Outside fabric, right side up.
Fold ribbon pieces in half and pin one piece about 11 inches from bottom, and the other 5 inches from bottom.

Small pocket, wrong side up.
Larger pocket, wrong side up.

Lining, wrong side up

Sew bottom and sides, leaving edges at top unsewn.
Trim edges and corners.

Turn rightside out and iron.

Turn down unfinished top edge so that unfinished edge is not showing. Sew across.

Measure out how big you want the individual pockets to be, mark and sew.

Once finished stock with your needles, scissors and other paraphenalia.

Fold the top flap down and roll together, starting with the ribbonless edge.

Securely tie with the ribbon.

Voila! A cute and handy place to keep your knitting tools!

Project Completed!

2008-02-14T08:10:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo!!

Since starting to knit I've already collected several sets of knitting needles and other paraphenalia. At some point I realized that I couldn't continue to toss them in the bottom of my knitting bag and not have them get broken or whatever so I knew I needed to come up with an alternative. I hunted on the net for some type of case, but I couldn't find one for my price range that looked well constructed. So I decided to make my own. I already had the fabric, why not? I went to JoAnn's Craft store and looked at some patterns, looked some more online and decided to try to just eyeball it instead of doing it by a pattern.

I enlisted the help of my husband to help measure and cut since he's much more prescise than I tend to be. We got everything cut out Monday night and I started sewing at my newly set up crafting table. I pinned the pieces together, sewed the bottom and one side and realized that I missed some crucial steps in the middle. I forgot to put in the fusible interfacing and to hem the pockets. I was so disgusted with myself for forgetting all that I just left it until the next morning.

On Tuesday I got up and ripped out all of my handywork from the night before, went to work and then came home that evening ready to get some crafting done. I finally got everything put together properly and the main part sewed up and turned rightside out. I had to call it a night because the tv does rule my crafting life for the most part.

I didn't work on it last night because I had to bake a cheesecake and I didn't wnat to be back and forth with food in one room and fabric in the other. This morning though I was able to finish it. It's perfect!

Tales of a Serial Crafter...

2008-02-13T10:33:00.000-05:00

I love crafting. Always have. I can’t compare the sense of satisfaction with having created something beautiful with anything else in the world. I started really crafting the summer I was 9 years old. My grandmother spent that summer teaching me to embroider. She would draw a pattern on an old sheet and then show me the stitches I needed to use to complete the pattern. I can remember her painstakingly drawing those patterns in her scratchy hand with her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. She kept that embroidered sheet until the day she died. I wish I knew what happened to it.

I’m 32 now and I still embroider. Not as much as I used to, but it’s still a way to pass my time. Unfortunately, it’s not a very “useful” craft. Not many people want embroidered pillowcases, table cloths or wall hangings these days. Plus there’s the added problem of finding good patterns that aren’t for machines. (While I know that no one can see me while I’m saying this, please imagine the derision in my voice and the sneer on my face as I say machine. It’s a special tone reserved for things that are not handmade or homemade, but touted as such. That tone is usually reserved for cooking/baking from a box. *Please, please, please don’t think that I look down on anyone for any of these, it’s just not something that I do). Up until I got engaged I was fairly monogamous with my crafting. I embroidered and that was it except for a weak moment every once in a while. Here are a few pictures of a wall hanging I did a few years ago and a pair of pillowcases. The pillowcases won 2 place in the SC State Fair.

I tried crocheting briefly. My other grandmother crocheted. I figured I should have been a natural. I figured wrong. The only thing more painful for me, as a lefthander learning to crochet, was the removal of my wisdom teeth when I was 18. At the time I was the only lefthander who crafts that I knew of so I had to check out books at the library about learning how to crochet lefthanded. I knew it was a mistake when the first instruction said to hold the illustrations up to a mirror for a diagram of how to hold the crochet hook. I don’t know about you, but we lefthanders always craft in front of mirrors. I never progressed past the chain stitch. Crochet was my one night stand. I needed something that was a bit more satisfying.

Then I discovered jewelry making. I liked jewelry. Liked the colors, the shapes, the materials, the beauty. But I did not like the price. What else is a girl to do, but try to do it better but less expensive? That lasted about a year and, of course, cost me more than it would have had I went out and bought it. Although I do have some nice earrings from it. That craft got boring, too expensive and it didn’t put out enough, so I dumped it.

Then came sewing. Sewing, if I had more time, very well could be the be all end all of crafting for me. “The One” so to speak. I could learn how to make functional items like clothes, purses and other wonderful things for myself, but I could also sell! It’s crafty, functional and it has the potential for being profitable, which in my books is the trifecta. I love sewing, but have problems making sense of patterns. I just don’t have time to sit down and devote the time necessary. It’s not sewing, it’s me. I’m just not ready for the commitment.
Here’s a picture of some of the bags I’ve made in the past. One day I’m going to make it past making bags and maybe venture into clothing.

Right now I’m in the middle of a new craft. I’m learning how to knit. So far it’s been good to me, although I had my doubts when I realized there was a right versus lefthanded set of instructions. I didn’t let that stop me. I decided to walk on the wild side a little and knit right handed. I finished my first project this weekend and when it came out the way it was intended, I almost felt weak in the knees. I’m sure that once I finish something of any substance like a sweater or socks I will be so excited that my husband may think he’s no longer necessary. As long as it gives me that wonderful warm and fuzzy feeling, I think I’ll keep knitting around for a while.
Here are some pictures. The first is made from a Merino wool blend yarn. The pattern is the “Ribbed for Her Pleasure Scarf" in the Stitch n Bitch book.
I made this for my friend, Heather who is currently living it up on vacation in London.

Here’s my second scarf. It’s in a checkerboard pattern made from Lions Brand Thick and Quick yarn. I haven’t earmarked this one for anyone yet. It may end up as a future Christmas present to an undisclosed recipient.

Please Stay Tuned

2008-02-12T23:53:00.000-05:00

Hi, I'm Monica.

Please be patient. I'll actually post more and update as I catch a few minutes here and there. I won't make any promises as to how often this will be updated though.

I'm a serial crafter. My main crafting choices are embroidery (none of this machine stuff), sewing (I'm still a beginner) and I'm learning how to knit. Crafts that have been tried and discarded are jewelry making and crocheting. I know there are others, but I can't think of them.

Like I said, I'm learning to knit right now. I've done a couple scarves and I'm working on another one. Once it's done I'm going to try my hand at dish cloths and then maybe hat or something.