Getting back to Me

4 03 2009

Well for those who have read there has been a lot of change that was supposed to happen.  I was supposed to move and start a new chapter; well that didnt work.  There were also a lot of personal issues and choices that I have taken to ensure my happiness.  I have decided to get back to the basics and do things that make me happy.  I am getting back into CRAFTMODE…

First order of craftyness is *drumroll*

Seeking Direction with 2009 Project Spectrum!

I have decided that this would be a good project since I get to do it over the next few months and I am going to learn some stuff along the way.  Thank you Lolly for setting this up again!

I am also wanting to learn french… I taught myself how to knit and crochet. I can learn french.  So if there is a random posting in french or about it that is why.  Plus I am going to explore France (via the net and library) as a Country and in their food.  I am really branching out.  Enjoy

Knitting Update:  Still working on my scarf – Picture updates soon.  The rest of my knitting is in a storage container.





Blizzard!

28 01 2009

So today there is a crazy blizzard outside.  I must say it is very pretty all the snow covering the trees!  Yet this is all kind of unwanted since I am moivng in 3 days!  *sigh* I totally hate packing and moving.

On the Knitting front I have made some more head way with my green scarf.  Yet all my other projects are packed away to be safely taken to there new home.  I am super excited to move, and I will have my own little craft nook set up.  An area where I am going to have all my knitting, crochet, sewing and more.  I may actually get to sew some stuff now (since i have more space).

This is the idea that I have for my closet… There is a long 12′ section that  I can set up all this closet stuff in.

I should get the keys today or tomorrow *fingers crossed* and I will post some pictures.  If you have any suggestions I am all ears!





Creativ Festival

26 04 2008

I went to the Creativ Festival today. I know I could have gone to the Knitters Frolic but I didn’t really want to just go to a show about knitting (as much as I love it). So I went to the Creativ Festival and the Food Networks Good Food Festival.

I got to the International Center at 1045ish and stood in line and chit chatted with some lovely crafters. A mother and daugther who sew and another woman who is a budding Entprenure with her scrapbook company. I had a great time in line for the 10minutes with the ladies. Did I mention that I did go to this by myself? I ran to one of the free workshops. It was all about Creative Spinning. I have to say I learned ALOT in the 40 minute session. I now understand 2 plys (which are the yarns I find the most attractive). Who knows maybe I will become a spinner. I would love to make my own Yarns!

I stopped and purchased some lovely sock yarn, Jitterbug. I am going to make my little sister a pair of socks (or two if I have enough).

I stopped at the MacFab booth and bought an Amy Butler pattern The Frenchy Bag. One of the employees was very helpful and aided me in choosing some Fabric. Amy Butler fabric of course! So that will be something I will dust off the sewing machine for.

I headed over to the Good Food festival and INDULGED in some great food! I have to say I had a really good day! Plus it ended excellently with a Salmon, Lobster and Shrimp dinner I made for my hubbie and my girlfriend.





Regular Crafting will Resume Shortly

17 04 2008

Well I must let you all know I will be returning to my ever craftyness in less than 6 hours. At 2pm today I write my last FINAL! I have a whole slue of books I need to talk about and a sewing machine in the kitchen I must start using…

Here is a little shot of all the books I will post about in the next few days!





Where did the Easter Bunny leave a egg?

23 03 2008

HERE!!!

 HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT & SAFE EASTER…

ENJOY THE EGGIES THE EASTER BUNNY LEFT FOR YOU!





Ouch!

20 03 2008
I injured my left hand today playing with my pup! I had an altercation with the door jam in the bedroom and the door jam won. I sat in the emerge for 4 hours to be told i have a hair line fracture in one of my little hand bones. So I dont think much easter craftiness will be going on for me.

Happy Easter to you all!





FO Chair Shoes

19 03 2008
CHAIR SHOES
Made with: Scrap Yarn (Possibly Pattons Canadiana Red)
Crochet – 5.5 Hook
Made these so the chair would move easier on the hardwood floors… I made 4 in red and 4 in black (for another chair).




The luck of the Hunt

19 03 2008

The beauty of Thrift!! I went to Value Village tonight with my Hunnie. I saw many knit and crocheted items on the blanket racks. There was a cute ripple blanket (crochet). The wise Hunnie remarked – Why don’t you make one of those… Way to long to make even though I am a speedy Crocheter. Oh back to my point – I bought two clear bags with Knitting Needles in them each 1.99$. I got 5 4 ½ mm DPN, 4 2 ¼ DPN, a set of 2 ¾ mm needles, a pair of 5 mm and finally a circular (24″) 6mm needle. All of those were purchased for 4.50(tax included). I thought that was quite the purchase! I will have to go back to Value Village and other Thrift stores.





Two Halves Make A Whole

18 03 2008

Well I have made the back of my Bobble Clutch. I have both the front and back pieces, now I have to line it and insert a zipper… (Ooooo) I am somewhat nervous about the zipper! Oh yes I forgot to mention the wonders of the Family Phone Tree. I had mentioned to my mother I was looking for a sewing machine and she worked her magic phone tree and found me one. Thank you to my wonderful Aunt – she is donating her sewing machine to me for the time while I embark on another path of crafts!

I think I will make a few more clutches, which will be gifts for the masses! I will pick different stitches and different yarn and pump some out! I am becoming an industrious crafter.

I moved some of our pot lights around so the lighting is better and a lot easier to show off the great green.





Happy Saint Patty’s Day

17 03 2008

All about the Shamrock

In fact the first written mention of this story did not appear until nearly a thousand years after Patrick’s death. The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.

Knitting Patterns:

Crochet Patterns:

IRISH CREAM CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

This rich chocolate mousse cake was created by Geri Gilliland, the Belfast-born chef-owner of Gilliland’s, a cafe with an Irish accent in Santa Monica, California. On the inside of the dessert, chocolate mousse spiked with Irish cream liqueur is layered with espresso sponge cake that has been soaked in an Irish whiskey syrup. On the outside, the chocolate bands and a mound of chocolate curls give this treat a straight-from-the-bakery look, which we show you how to achieve at home. If it sounds too perfect, there is one drawback: This grand finale is certain to overshadow any corned beef and cabbage main course.

Mousse
4 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
Whisk eggs and sugar in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) and whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 60°F, about 5 minutes.
Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until cool and very thick, about 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in top of another bowl over simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Cool to lukewarm.
Combine cream and Irish cream liqueur in medium bowl; beat to stiff peaks. Pour lukewarm melted chocolate over egg mixture and fold together. Fold in cream mixture. Cover and chill until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Cake
6 large eggs
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder or coffee powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup all purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Line bottom with parchment paper. Using electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar, espresso powder and salt in large bowl until mixture thickens and slowly dissolving ribbon forms when beaters are lifted, about 8 minutes. Sift 1/3 of flour over and gently fold into egg mixture. Repeat 2 more times (do not overmix or batter may deflate).
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack.
Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Turn out cake. Remove pan bottom. Peel off parchment. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap cake in plastic and chill.)

For the rest of the recipe go to: St Patty’s Day Recipes