Time for a Mug up....
Here is a trio of green hats...hand knit just for you! this one is a wool/silk blend with mohair....and a rust colored crocheted flower with vintage button for a cute accent..... warm and thick with chunky yarn....this hat will keep your head warm in the coldest weather!
For my family Holiday gift this past December I created a calendar...for each month I lettered and illustrated a favorite quote...so I will be featuring some of my fave calendar illustrations from that calendar here throughout the year...
These are all painted with gouache paints, and each month used a different font for the hand lettering.
I have been rather absent here as I hunt for a job---which, ironically, is a full time job--but now I think it is time to move on from my life transforming trip to Ghana, Africa and return to the main blog topic: creating crafty objects and art !
I have a special baby shower to attend this weekend and created several presents for the baby girl due to enter the world in June...first, I created a baby "blankie" intended for laying on the floor for the tiny baby to lie on and have "tummy time." This blankie is made of wool sweaters I felted (washing with soap or detergent and hot water in the machine, then drying in a hot dryer--felts a wool sweater up nicely)--then I cut squares, sewed them together---and since I thought the little "quilt" looked a bit plain--I used some wool crewel yarn to embroider flowers on some squares. The blankie is backed with colorful cotton flannel.
And I knit a little baby girl hat out of cottons...in spring colors.
Even though I have been absent here I have been busy creating more crafty objects--so will be returning to more regular blogging --and I have quite a bit to share with you! so do check back...
need that perfect VALENTINE DAY gift??? give her a warm a cozy angora and alpaca hat! (now available in my Esty shop: Borealis Beads) one-of-a-kind hand knit from my own design.
One favorite present I received during the Holidays was this very colorful and fun (and practical) vintage pin cushion (thanks Ardie!)---isn't it cool? it came with the pins in it..
And her (soon to be 9 year old) son gave me this vintage stuffed squirrel (thanks Hayden!)--it has quite a bit of character for a stuffed toy....
and my son-in-law gave me this lovely soap he made....I really love the presentation with the fragrant cinnamon stick attached....(thanks Dustin!)
of course--- I currently have a few projects on the needles....seems it is about time to finish up some of them....this is the first of a pair of "half mittens"
this lace and cabled hat is knit with hemp/cotton yarn
and here are some itty bitty baby bootees---I am using fine lace weight wool to make these tiny sized for a newborn
I do manage to finish some projects---
In fact, I created these warm, fuzzy, soft slippers for a Holiday present for my daughter---I liked them so much I plan to make a pair for myself!
and a couple of hats.....
Quote for the Day: "If I knit fast enough--does it count as aerobic exercise?"---author unknown
I have discovered over the years that "family" recipes that have been cherished and handed down from generation to generation are the very best tasting foods--especially when it comes to cookies and cakes and other goodies. So, whenever I can, I collect those recipes--especially recipes for holiday cookies, breads, and cakes.
My friend Patrice---a wonderful harpist and singer (check out her website here)--- shared this old family recipe for her Grandmother's Christmas Cake with me. Patrice brought some of this "Christmas Cake" to my annual Solstice Gathering last year and it was so delicious I asked her for the recipe.
This recipe uses ample amounts of dried fruits and spices....for a moist and flavorful cake-like bread loaf.
MRS. CULLEN'S CHRISTMAS CAKE
2# raisins
1/2 # mixed dried fruit
4 oz. dried figs
1/4 # almonds
3 rings dried pineapple
1/2 # dried cherries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 # butter
7 eggs, well beaten
4 cups flour
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 tsp. soda added to the molasses
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp. each allspice, mace, cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk or water
1/2 cup lemon juice
flavouring (optional: almond or brandy)
Puff dried fruits in a small amount of boiling water (drain well). Dredge the fruits in 1/2 cup flour. Cream sugar and butter; beat in eggs. Add soda to molasses, lemon juice and remaining water or milk; mix spices with the flour. Add alternately to butter mixture, stir in fruits.
Cook in lined pans ( I lined the bottom of each pan with greased parchament paper) at 275F. A large bread pan will take about 3 hrs 15 mins. Divided in half the cakes will take about 2hrs. and 15 mins.
These cakes will store for months--in fact Patrice wrote : " I usually make the cakes at Hallow'en and set them aside in a cool place to age until Christmas."
Todays Quote:
"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."
~ Bing Crosby (1904-1977), American singer and film actor.
Have they been naughty or nice? Some ideas for gifts for the Crafty Person in your life! (these are on my wish list;-)
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes by Edie Eckman
and the colorways are beautiful--this is just one example---they have many to choose from--so do visit their website.
Every winter my studio and kitchen are visited by the HOLIDAY ELVES, who take over and make gifts and bake yummy cookies....this week the resident elf is knitting scarfs and mitts.
I love watching how the 2 lovely colorways blend as the knitting progresses......
The Holidaze are soon upon us, and so I offer this short list of precious gifts to give--which will not cost money, and mean so much more than any purchased gift.
1. The gift of LAUGHTER
the saying, "laughter is the best medicine" is true, you know ;-)
2. The gift of LISTENING
but you must really listen---no interrupting, no planning your answer--just attentiveness
3. The gift of a COMPLIMENT
a simple kind and sincere remark can change how someone is feeling
and do not forget to give one gift anonymously---good for karma, the kind energy may come back to you tenfold. Real generosity is what I strive for during this season---and I expect nothing in return--since the point is to make someone else happy. (Plus, I just love making fun crafty items to give away!)
Todays quote:
"No one has ever become poor by giving." --Ann Frank
Only 28 days (yikes!) until that BIG HOLIDAY. Here are some books I think would make great gifts for most Crafters/Artists (most of these are on my wish list):
Kristin Knits by Kristin Nicholas.
Ah! Color for knitters! Noted knitwear designer and color connoisseur Kristin Nicholas encourages knitters to conquer their color inhibitions, learn a little basic color theory, and create personally satisfying fiber palettes. Kristin has created 25 designs for hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and sweaters in sumptious Nashua Handknits Julia Yarn. This book is eye candy I can't wait to own!
Heirloom Buttons to Make: A gallery of decorative fabric, needle-lace, crochet, and ribbon and braid closures you can create by Nancy Nehring. The subtitle says it all here. To quote one Amazon customer review : "If you knit, crochet, or sew and like to give your garments a little extra, this book will give you lots of new ideas."
Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave by Ann Budd (Editor), Anne Merrow (Editor). These 25 sock patterns are taken from various issues of Interweave Press magazines such as "Interweave Knits" and "Piecework" and "Spin-Off." Many of the original issues of Interweave Knits have gone out of print and Favorite Socks ensures these patterns are accessible for a new generation of knitters. Besides providing many classic patterns, this collection also includes a helpful tutorial on knitting socks on two circular needles, and instructions for both toe-up and top-down knitted socks.. However, I think this sock knitting book is not for the novice sock knitter---but aimed at more veteran sock knitters--if you have never knit socks, or never used 4 double pointed knitting needles you may want to watch a video or take a class to learn to knit a basic sock.
Crochet Jewelry: 40 Beautiful and Unique Designs by Waejong Kim and Anna Pulvermakher. The 40 crochet projects range from easy to complicated. The instructions at the beginning of the book are quite thorough and cover some unusual techniques not usually found in a crochet book such as hairpin crochet and cable techniques. "Featured projects include multicolored bead and crochet necklaces, lacy spider web chokers, delicate yarn and wire bracelets, lively cherry earrings, mohair flower pins, and pretty cocktail rings embellished with beads and stones." I am an avid bead crocheter, so I am quite intrigued by this book of unusual crochet jewelry.
I have just started working in a bookstore again! so I will be blogging about the store and more crafty books soon--now back to knitting those holiday gifts.....
It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange.
This exchange---which is going around the net craft blogs right now--- is based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return,---just passing the kindness on---with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness pass on their own act of kindness. Thus starts a "PIF"... which continues on...and on..and on...
You all know I’m already a PIF type of person. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU--the recipient--- have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
I loved the movie "Pay it Forward" when I first saw it, and so when I saw this PIF exchange idea on the blog Cotton Spice---I decided to begin this exchange.
I think this is perfect for the holidaze--since the holiday elves have invaded our home once again (they arrive every year about now) and I am commencing to make gifts (with the elves help).
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