Garden Pics

I love this time of year when my garden is in bloom. The peonies were done a while ago, here is a shot of them:

My irises did not do well this year, I think it is time to divide them. My hydrangeas (my FAVORITE flower) are doing well.

My first Swap!

I'm really excited about it. I've been lurking around in blogger-dom and came across a great blog from Kelly http://according-to-kelly.blogspot.com/ . She is hosting a Favorite Things swap and I signed up. If you'd like to join, hurry - sign ups end June 8th.

Easiest. Cookies. Ever.

Mmmmm. Peanut butter cookies! My mother-in-law gave me the best recipe for peanut butter cookies. I'm serious, it couldn't be simpler:


1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

Mix ingredients until thoroughly combined. Scoop onto cookie sheet (love the scoop thingy!), use fork dipped in sugar to do criss-cross shape, bake at 325 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

Catch up time!!

I know, it has been a while since I've posted. About 2 months to be exact. But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy working. Here are a few pictures of some finished projects:


This bag is the "Chelsea" from Amy Butler. I made it up in some of Amy's new fabrics from her Lotus line. http://amybutlerdesign.com I love her fabrics and patterns. This bag is supposed to be reversible, but I liked the blue fabric so much, I decided I probably wouldn't ever turn it inside out so I added some pockets and a fabric loop to clip my key ring on to.

I also worked on some projects from Amy's book, In Stitches. I actually got to meet Amy last summer, she was here for an event at my local fabric store. She was very nice, autographing copies of her book and posing for pictures. Here is a picture of Amy and I. Now, I'm tall (about 5'10) and you can see Amy is several inches taller than I am!!

Here are some projects from her book:

This is the CD Holder, but it is really the perfect size to hold patterns!!

Here is the Short Pleated Apron
I gave this as a gift to my sister. She had us over for Easter dinner, her first dinner party so I made her an apron for the occassion.

I also used up some more Amy Butler fabric on this tote bag pattern from Burda 8112.

The tote is actually much bigger than I expected. Guess I should have looked at the finished measurements! It will be nice to take to the farmer's market this summer. My kitty, Samantha, sure does like it! I also finished the knitting needle holder from McCalls 4728.

Of course, I have several more projects in the works....stay tuned!!

It's COLD outside

I wish this cold weather would let up. I'm tired of it!! Here's a picture from a snow we had about 2 weeks ago. It hasn't been warm enough to melt it all away yet. The plus side to staying in is I've finished some projects. The knitting needle holder, apron and pajama pants are done. I even finished knitting a scarf I started 2 years ago! I'll post picures soon, when my photographer's assistant is available to help me :)!

Project Inventory

I think I am becoming an "accumulator". I have many more projects/fabric than I have time. A quick tour of my list of to-do's include:

Valentine's Day cards to be made. Yes, I learned my lesson from Christmas cards. I am (A) starting early and (B) making fewer - only immediate family members will get cards.














My local fabric store just got in the new Heather Bailey line of fabrics for Free Spirit named "Freshcut". I got a gift certificate for Christmas and promptly used most of it up buying fabric for:


This great stripe/pattern combination to be made into pajama/lounge type pants. I'll use the stripe for the main part, and the pattern for the cuffs and possibly some detail around the waistband.









Apron - love the retro colors and bubble paisley. I plan on using the pattern for an apron in Amy Butler's In Stitches book.










I really liked this patterned fabric, so I picked it up with no particular project in mind. When I got home I remembered I had a pattern to make a knitting needle holder I wanted to try so I could get my knitting stash organized (a whole other project list there!!






Those are just some of my recent acquisitions. Older projects languishing include:

A dress for an event I have in February. I picked up Vogue 8313, thought it would be a perfect "little black dress". We'll see... So far most of my sewing has been simple bags, home dec projects, etc. This will be my first garment I'll wear in public. I picked out a black crepe for the body, and black georgette for the contrast top. I've never sewn with a sheer before, but I've been reading up on sewing the seams/hem so we'll see.

I also have a stack of beautiful wool fabrics I'd like to try making a Chanel-style jacket out of. The January issue of Threads magazine has inspired me to try it out.

Christmas Dinner

I had meant to post this earlier, but things got crazy at work last week and I had to cut my vacation short to go in and deal with some issues. But, I'm off (hopefully) for the weekend and have some catching up to do.

Christmas Day my mom, stepdad, sister and her fiancee came over for dinner with my husband and I. We had a great time and everyone loved the food. The table settings were pretty simple, it looks plain in the photograps, but the placemats were a real pretty ruby red sheer fabric over a shiny satin. I got them on clearance at Pier 1 last year.

I tried to keep the cooking simple. Got a ham from the Honeybaked Ham company, so all I had to do was make sides.

Menu

Honeybaked Ham
Twice-Baked Potato Boats
Green Beans with caramelized shallots
Rolls
Chocolate Ganache Tart



Dessert was by far the best part. I got the recipe out of Every Day Food by Martha Stewart, November 2005 issue. Here's a shot of the finished product:

All in all, a good day was had!

The best thing a girl can find under the tree...

Is a blue Tiffany box... My sweetie gave me a beautiful heart necklace for Christmas, what a surprise!!

Christmas Kitty

Had to share this too-cute picture of my cat Katie. She loves sitting under the Christmas tree.

Christmas Cards

This year I had the bright idea of making my own holiday cards. Last summer I was down at Paper Source http://www.paper-source.com and picked up a card making kit. I sent a few out and everyone loved them. I decided to keep up the creativity and made a few cards here and there and thought "Hey - why not do this for Christmas". Well, making one or two of a card is fine, but 30? Whew, I'm glad I'm done. They were pretty simple, just time consuming, I cut out large circles, used my sewing machine and some silver thread to sew a design on, then used an eyelet to make it look like an ornament. On the inside I stamped a sentiment in silver, and I tried to emboss it, but I could not get the embossing powder to raise. It just kept brushing off. So, I cancelled the embossing and went with it. It's a little faint on the inside, but still readable. Got them mailed off on Saturday. If I make cards again next year, perhaps I should get an earlier start.

First attempt at posting a picture...
And I have links!!

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

I decided to start a blog because I was so inspired by all the other crafty folks out there and their creative projects. When I figure out how to edit links, I'll add some of my favorites.

I haven't decided what the focus of my blog will be. For now, it will be my random thoughts, ideas, projects, etc. I've dabbled in all sorts of crafty endeavors, you could say I'm a mile wide and an inch deep. I'd like to expand past my scarf knitting and tote bag sewing into knitting and sewing garments. I've got a ton of photos I'd like to do something with as well as some bead projects I've picked up. I seem to have a short attention span and don't stay with one theme for very long.

For now, until I get some of the technical things figured out (how to post pictures) this blog will probably be pretty boring. As with anything, it will take me some time to get a plan and rhythm going.

First Post

Trying out this blogger stuff....