Colorless Green Ideas

Spring Confection

2010-03-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Now that I've finally turned the calendar to March I'm getting a bit excited about the arrival of Spring. Here are two pairs of earrings that remind me of the cool, bright delight of this season.

Bright pink topaz and bright blue apatite are paired with pale green amethyst drops in a hand coiled pattern of swirling loop-d-loops.

Aquamarines ever so subtly colored in pale shades of pink, blue and green dangle playfully from oxidized chains of sterling silver.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Pop To It

2010-01-19T09:41:00.001-08:00

Happy National Popcorn Day!

While browsing Etsy I found this brand new shop and while I'm not a huge fan of popcorn (too many popcorn meals trying to stretch my meager college student dollars), this Chocolate Swirl Caramel Popcorn looks really yummy.

And if you, like me, enjoy learning fun new facts, take a look at this site. It has several tasty tidbits of trivia.

Life Saver

2010-01-18T14:22:00.001-08:00

There are many things that we cannot control. Talking on the cell phone is one thing we can control.

Please watch and take the pledge to make your car a 'No Phone Zone'.

Working as a critical care nurse I couldn't always save lives, but you can.

Resolution Solution

2010-01-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

Need a New Year's Resolution? How about something fun. NICO Designs blog features a number of tutorials and suggestions to get you started on creating fun and fabulous fashion items.

This Upcycled Sweater Hat tutorial caught my eye. Right on target for Winter 2010 fashion, it's 'green', warm and super cute.

Don't want to sew for yourself? Visit NICO Designs Etsy shop for handbags and accessories.

Silk Garden Mitts

2009-12-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

I knit these as a Christmas gift for my sister. She never reads my blog so no worries about spoiling the surprise.

Pattern: Fingerless Mitts

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden

Embellishments: Silk ribbon, Turquoise Jasper, Rose Quartz and Amethyst.

Fashion-spiration

2009-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

I discovered fashion blogs a while ago and what fun I've had. These gals are very clever and oh so inspirational, putting together combinations of color and pattern that I've never dreamed of. They have encouraged me to put a bit more thought behind what I wear on a daily basis.

A friend made this necklace for me using hand crafted beads she bought while on vacation in the Caribbean and some interesting seed pods. I hadn't worn it because I didn't think I could do her handiwork justice. Armed with my newly budded fashion sense, I put together this outfit. Nothing worthy of the fashion section, but I'm pretty proud of my effort.
Olive green shorts (in need of ironing) from JCrew a few years back.

Marine blue tank from JCrew also a few years back. This is their favorite tee and it's one of my favorites. I own quite a few.

Faded black cardi from Liz Claiborn many, many years back.

Not shown is the pair of matte gold ballet flats that I bought on sale from Garnet Hill last year.

Fall Dressing

2009-10-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

Halloween is fun. Dressing up as an alter ego or wanna-be dream can be quite a blast. But it is only one day so when I decorate my home I dress it for Fall. I love Fall and adding a bit of Fall inspired decor carries me from October through Thanksgiving.

OK, the jack-o-lantern is a bit of a stretch but it is surrounded by lots of Fall leaves :)

Variety Shop

2009-10-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Looking for sparkling jewelry, a toasty scarf or maybe a bit of vintage style?
Made by Melissa's shop offers a large variety of items at super prices.

Jewelry made with glass, crystal and charms.
Colorful blankets and scarves.
And even some Retro/Vintage.

Visit Melissa's Blog for more info about her and her shop.

Studio Peek

2009-09-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Etsy Bloggers are sharing photos of their studios this month.

With bits and pieces of my various projects migrating to almost every room, my whole house seems to be my studio. I mainly work at my kitchen table, not terribly glamorous but it has great light and a wonderful view of my backyard.

I have a variety of storage containers.

I'm particularly fond of these.

I like the orderly little compartments and the fact that I can see what's inside without opening the lid.

This case is very efficient at storing a number of larger items. The multi-level tiers give me a lot of storage in a small space which is really great when I go to workshops.

I'm pretty low tech too and have been 'green' well before it was the 'in' thing to be.
I re-use all sorts of containers from plastic bags to cardboard boxes.

This has been my long time favorite way to keep my supplies semi-organized. The emphasis on semi, because while I'd love to be super organized I never quite seem to get there.

How do do like to organize your supplies/workspace. I'd love to hear your tips and tricks.

Blue Bird

2009-09-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Damask blue and green cardstock mounted on acid free paper and made into a set of three all occasion cards, this is just one of the lovely handmade items you will find at DesignsbyVanessa.

She also makes sweet jewelry items at great affordable prices.

And she has a fun, colorful blog where she features many great Etsy artists. Stop by and take a look.

River of Gold

2009-09-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

AKA Vinyasa by Susan Pandorf.

I've been lusting after Susan's patterns for a while but being fairly new to lace knitting, and being prone to mistake making, I hesitated trying one of her patterns.

Vinyasa is a very easy pattern. Her directions are clear and the pattern is easily memorized. Of course that doesn't mean I haven't made any mistakes nor did I have to frog it and start all over, twice. But that's just me.

I would like it if she would include the pattern repeat in the specs. Otherwise, it's perfection.

BTW Vinyasa is my very favorite yoga style to practice and to teach.

Enchilada Casserole - Picky Eater Approved

2009-08-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

Love this casserole from the FatFreeVegan site. It was just the right amount of sweet and spicy and was so easy to make. The hardest part was opening all of the cans.

I tweaked the recipe just a bit.

1) Added some salsa to the refried beans to make them easier to spread.

2)Used a can of salt free diced tomatoes because I forgot to buy fresh ones.

3)Used 3 cloves of garlic.

4)Subbed green olives for the black

5)Added cocoa powder and cinnamon to the enchilada sauce recipe. I didn't measure but I think I added about 2 Tbsp of the cocoa and 1/2 tsp of the cinnamon.

I served it with honey ginger marinated chicken breasts. Because there be meat eaters among us.

Tiger Lily

2009-08-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

Artisan lampwork beads crafted onto sterling silver that has been hand coiled, formed and hammered into a one-of-a-kind bangle.

I love this latest piece so much I am tempted to keep it for myself.

Fall Into Color

2009-08-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Rich and luscious, soft and smokey I am so excited about the colors that are being shown for the fall and winter season. Normally I don't pay a lot of attention to the current trend but I really love the color combination and overall fashion feel that I'm seeing in the latest magazines and catalogs.

So with these colors in mind I've begun creating new pieces for the fall and holiday season.

This bangle features delightful artisan lampwork beads in shades of plum with coral accents. I've added dangles of amethyst, chalcedony and a sweet little sterling silver flower to echo the pattern in the focal bead. I'm sorry you can't see the little flower in this photo. It's next to the chalcedony nugget.

I fell in love with these beads the moment I saw them. They have such subtle depth of color and pattern, so interesting to look at. I've combined them with sterling silver and ceramic beads to make this one-of-a-kind bangle.

I don't know what it is about Fall, maybe it's the whole 'back to school' phenomenon, but I'm feeling particularly fresh with new inspiration.

Memory Maker

2009-08-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

Memories for Life creates the most amazing albums and scrapbooks.

Here is an example of a custom design she offers to hold those special vacation/ destination memories. How clever is that! And so very personal.

And this cute 'Flip Flop' album is quite an attention grabber. It comes in several different designs so you can match the album to a number of different occasions.

She has a great blog too, where you can see more about her and her designs.

Handmade Goodness

2009-07-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Bags and bowls, hair and home accessories that's what you'll find at Miesmama's shop.

I was drawn to this sweet little pincushion. A pretty fabric and a cute flower button, this would be a lovely gift for those crafty sewing types.

And she has a great crafty blog. It's filled with photos and inspiration.

July Joy

2009-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Christmas in July. I loved the idea when I first heard it, all the fun of the Christmas season without all of the pressure.

I love shopping, especially on Etsy. Here are a few of my many favorites.

A pretty vintage dress from Estatesale.

An elegant silk lined bag from Redrubyrose.

I also enjoy baking up sweet little treats.

I've been eyeing this violet macaroon recipe for a while.

If you love to bake or just love to drool over luscious photos of yummy desserts, take a look at Tartelette's blog. Her photo taking skills are enviable and her recipes will make you weep.

She also sells her gorgeous photos in her Etsy shop.

Whisper Cardi

2009-06-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

Finished my 'Whisper Cardigan'. It was an easy, straightforward knit, with no seaming!!! I like it so much I may have to knit another.

I really love the DIC 'Starry' yarn. It was soft to knit with, didn't split and I love how the subtle color variation adds texture and interest.

I embellished it with a lovely turquoise and sterling pin made by me and a sweet little vintage enameled pin.

Cuteness Overload

2009-06-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you love kitties or animals in general you've got to visit this site.

Super cute photos and they do wonderful work too.

Possibilities Aplenty

2009-06-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

What am I doing with this yarn that I purchased from the Loopy Ewe a while ago?

I've got a good start on the 'Whisper Cardigan' from IK Spring '09.

Potentially perfect for the 'Pansy Golightly', the 'Lace Ribbon Scarf' from Knitty.

I'm a bit stumped on how to use 'Butter Peeps'. Maybe a pattern from one of the etsy shops I have in my favs.

I love this rose lariat from Timaryart's shop.

I've really been wanting to try one of Caffaknitted's patterns.
What do you think?

Hello Sunshine

2009-06-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the sweet hand crocheted items you will find in LazyTCrochet's shop. She also makes scarves, caplets and even jewelry. Colorful accessories all and sure to brighten your Summer wardrobe.

She also has a fun blog, which among other features has some great looking recipes.

Rolling in Dough

2009-06-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

Who knew?!
I don't know why I'm always surprised that various things have a National Day honoring them.
Any way you want to spell it, the first Friday of June is designated as National Donut Day. This happened way back in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Chicago Salvation Army.

Any-hoo. How to celebrate?

With these yummy looking delights from The Fat Vegan?

Or with this super adorable (calorie free) print from The Black Apple?

Thanks to TulipsTalking for alerting me to this special day. I may have missed it otherwise.

Roses and Moonstones and Pearls, Oh My!

2009-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

June means roses, lots of roses around here.

I have them blooming in my yard.

And we have a local rose festival.
It's a lovely, low key event that features 13 acres of bed after bed of gorgeous roses. I wish I had room to plant one of each.

Wonderful vendors of plant and nature related items, great food (Mozart's is my fav), educational offerings and entertainment round out the fun. Best of all, admission is FREE!
Can you tell I love going to this annual event?

Pearls and Moonstones are June's designated stones. I don't know who, when or why these particular stones were chosen, a Google search found nothing. I would love the answers, so please leave a comment if you know.

I made these earrings using a variety of pearls and moonstone. The large 'cornflake' pearls are so luscious I could eat them with a spoon.

A Little Loopy

2009-05-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a new on-line yarn shop, The Loopy Ewe. They have great customer service and amazingly gorgeous yarn. I could not believe how fast their shipping was.

The Dream in Color hand dyed yarns caught my eye, so I just had to buy a few skeins. I really wanted a whole bunch of skeins, such yummy colors, I had a hard time choosing.

The red is DIC Starry in 'Lipstick Lava'.
The yellow is Starry in 'Butter Peeps'.
The lavender/blue is Smooshy in 'Pansy GoLightly'.

The names alone make me want one of each.

The 'Loopy Elves' even included a little gift.

Lovely Yellow

2009-05-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

A mosaic created for the current Project Spectrum, Looking East. It features both FO's (finished objects) and objects of inspiration.

I've really had a lot of fun playing with the color yellow, using it in combination with a variety of different colors.

In the earrings the pale lemon color of the quartz dazzles when paired with either the rosey pink rubies and tourmalines or the blue/violet quartz.

I went for a bit more drama in the bangle, pairing the honey amber focal bead with shades of black and cream.

The pendant with it's soft golden hue is paired with sapphires in shades of silver gray, gold and pale peach; green garnets and honey colored citrine.

How lovely yellow is. It stands for the sun. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Words Worth

2009-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes. ~William Makepeace Thackeray

This is the inspiration behind Create a Thought's shop.

Super colorful journals, pins, rings and cards carry words of encouragement, inspiration and fun to the lucky recipient.

Her blog is just as fun and colorful as her shop.

Princesses All

2009-05-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

One of the May topics for the Etsy Blogger's Carnival is to post about a favorite fairy tale.
I liked a lot of fairy tales as a child, but the one I refer to often is 'The Princess and the Pea'.

When I teach my yoga classes, especially the beginners, I encourage the students to pay close attention to how they feel. I explain that most of us, moi included, don't pay attention to the little signals our bodies send us until they become big head-pounding, back-stabbing, can't-get-out-of-bed pains in the ....

So during savasana (relaxation pose) I tell them they are all princes and princesses and ask them to notice even the smallest little pea of discomfort or tension. Then, using various relaxation techniques and yoga props, we work to ease the tension.

I found the adorable print pictured above in fellow Etsy Blogger, Beckykazana's shop. Her shop is brimming with whimsical items inspired by fairy tales, Roald Dahl and just plain fun.

Monkey Two (See'n Giraffes)

2009-04-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

I finished my second Monkey Sock just in time to post in this month's Cookie A. KAL on Ravelry.

It really was a pretty easy pattern even for a sock novice like myself.

I used #2 DPN and Fortissima Colori Socka #15 from Skakel which I purchased at a LYS. I think the yarn is a little too busy for this pattern and I will probably use a semi-solid for my next pair.

I do like the reddish brown spots that formed.

They remind me of my favorite African animal, giraffes.

And if you like videos, take a look.

Soup's On

2009-04-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe for Curried Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup.

Curry and nutmeg! Very intriguing. I just had to try it and I'm so glad I did.

I really love what roasting does for the flavor of cauliflower and garlic. So instead of sauteing the veggies I drizzled the cauliflower florets and thinly sliced onion with olive oil and popped them into the oven at 375 degrees for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

I roasted the garlic, whole and unpeeled with the top end cut off, separately by wrapping it in a foil pouch.

Roasting makes the garlic very soft. I just squeezed the uncut ends to liberate the sweet morsels from their peels.

I added the roasted veggies to the pot with all of the vegetable broth and frozen broccoli florets. I brought the pot to a simmer and cooked it just until the broccoli was bright green and tender, about 5 minutes. I then followed the recipe as written, using an immersion blender to puree the soup.

Inspired by Alton Brown, I bought whole nutmeg and a small grater. He says he likes to carry his nutmeg around in his pocket, I keep mine in the jar in the kitchen cabinet.

It was super easy to grate and smelled heavenly. A wonderful addition atop a lovely soul-soothing soup.

Pretty Maids

2009-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Not quite 'all in a row'.

These earrings are destined for a walk down the aisle.

Part of a custom order, I am so honored that one of my designs will be a small part of this very special day.

A Sock is Born

2009-04-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've finished the first 'Monkey' sock.

It's a little big on me but fortunately it fits DD perfectly.

Cookie's patterns look like they are all sized for medium sized feet. I'll have to figure out how to make them smaller or sadly I won't have any socks knit with her patterns.

Monkey See

2009-04-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

I'm having a serious case of sock lust.

Triggered by a post by Susan and fueled by the super addictive site, Ravelry, I've been pouring over patterns and yarns.

After knitting my first and only pair of socks a couple of years ago I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to do again. But then I discovered Cookie A. patterns. Wow, these aren't socks they are little wearable works of art.

Following the recommendations of fellow Ravelers, I chose Cookie's 'Monkey' pattern.

I'm off to a good start and will keep you posted on my progress.

Almond, Joy!

2009-04-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

I adore Almond Butter, but it's quite expensive both in terms of $$ and calories.

To lighten the load I mix it at least 50/50 with fat free plain* yogurt. I like Stonyfields Organic.

A quarter cup of the yogurt, a quarter cup (or less) of almond butter, a few generous shakes of ground cinnamon, stir vigorously and serve. The addition of yogurt makes the almond butter a light and fluffy delight. I use it as a dip for apple slices, on top of sliced bananas and pineapple chunks and, of course, chocolate.

*I like the tang of the plain yogurt, but if you'd like a sweeter topping/dip, vanilla yogurt could be just the thing.

P.S. I found the MaraNatha Almond Butter at a Whole Foods store, but I see you can order it from directly their website and maybe save a bit of $$.

ACE, Oh!

2009-04-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

I made my first ACEO a few weeks ago as part of a team challenge.

I just received my first ACEO from Magdalene Jewels.

It's a watercolor of a tulip in the most luscious red color. Accented by teal blue crystals, it's a lovely gift and the perfect start to an ACEO collection.

It will be nice to have this ACEO to look at when my Red Riding Hood tulips are but a memory.

Thank You, Thank You

2009-04-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Susan has just given me my second Kreativ Blogger Award.

A fellow knitter, I love reading Susan's blog too. She inspires me to try new things.

After reading her post about a pair of beautiful red socks she had just finished, I dug around in my stash and started a pair too.

She also designed and posted a pattern for a lovely little garter.

I so appreciate that you all take the time to read and comment on my blog.

Before I can accept this award I have some assignments to complete. That will have to wait for another post.

Zowie!

2009-04-04T10:12:00.002-07:00

Need a gift for that special baby? Two Zany Zebras just might have what you are looking for.

Blankets, clothes, bibs and bags decorated with some of the cutest, most colorful motifs around can be found in this shop.

Want to know more about this shop and its owner? Check out her blog, which is just as cute and colorful as her items.

In a Blue Moon

2009-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Amy's having a giveaway on her blog. First prize - this lovely ceramic blue moon pendant.

Just click, comment and cross your fingers.

You can see more of her lovely beads in her etsy shop.

And her other lovely ceramic creations here. I purchased one of her bowls a few months ago and really like it.

Easin' Into Green

2009-04-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

'Going green', 'Recycle', 'Reuse', Reduce'.
There are a lot of buzz words aimed at encouraging environmental responsibility. Over several years we've gradually incorporated these ideas into our home.

One More Time
Recycling paper, glass and cans was our first step. Our city made it easy for us, providing the containers and curbside pick up.

Win Some Lose Some
In grade school my kids each got cute re-useable lunch bags. After three lost lunch bags, we reverted to paper bags for my son, but my daughter still uses her original bag.

Light My Life
In sixth grade my son joined SEE, Students for Energy Education. He loved being part of this group. We all learned a lot, including the idea of replacing regular light bulbs with CFL's , Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs, to help reduce our energy consumption.

Steppin' Out
My daughter just bought these shoes, made from vegan and recycled materials.

Earth Day is coming. Any plans? I'd love to hear them.

'Waist' Not

2009-04-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Normally I am super irritated when I reach for a box of cereal and find it contains only a handful of crumbs. But as I looked at what was approximately a cupful of Kashi Island Vanilla crumbs, I thought - chicken. These crumbs just might make a nice topping for some baked chicken breasts.

I've always been a pretty frugal girl, even before it was chic to be a 'recessionista'. I often try to think of ways of using whatever I have on hand. So with the addition of a tablespoon of curry powder, a generous handful of fresh chopped basil, and some chicken breasts; what started as a disappointment at breakfast turned into a delight at dinner.

Now the title for this post could be 'Waste Not' but I think this is a pretty waist-friendly recipe, not too high in calories or fat. And I just love puns :)

Block Head

2009-03-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

I finished another one of these berets.

Here's how I block them. I don't know that my technique is 'correct', but it seems to work pretty well.

I fill a spray bottle with water and grab one or two hand towels.

I fold the hand towels so that they approximate the desired shape of the hat. Then I place one or two towels inside the hat so that the hat is filled up, without any gaps.
I spray the hat generously with water and leave it to dry.

I like to block my hats this way so that they have a nice shape when they sit on the head.

If you have favorite technique for blocking hats, please share!! I would love to hear about it.

Instead of making the hat all one color I used a contrasting color for the brim and the top of the hat. Partly planned and partly out of necessity, one skein of Manos is not enough to make the entire hat.

The dark blue yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. I used seed stitch instead of the rib stitch.

The variegated yarn is Manos Del Uruguay Heavy Worsted Wool in 'Autumn'.

I didn't want this hat to be as big and floppy as the first one, so I knit only 4"( instead of 5") of the stitch pattern.

P.S. The title of this post does not refer to my lovely model.

Sweetness and Light

2009-03-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

I am very excited.
I received a custom order through my shop from a bride-to-be. I feel so honored that she asked me to make the earrings for her bridal party.

And these are the luscious lovelies that I am going to use.

AA Lemon Quartz briolettes that are so yummy looking I can almost taste them.

Lovely Mystic Quartz cubes in one of my favorite colors. The deep blue/violet of these babies reminds me of tanzanite.

So sparkling. The faceting on these stones makes the light that touches them dance.

Spring to Mind

2009-03-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Ever since I discovered Project Spectrum my brain has been on overdrive. Plotting and planning. Seeing possibilities everywhere. Ideas springing up like daffodil leaves and crocus buds.

While cruising the internet drooling over some new patterns and yarns, a truly wondrous thing happened. A long forgotten UFO (unfinished object) sprang to mind.
Hmmmm, A hibernating project + Springtime = a novel idea. Finish the unfinished object.

The back has long been done. I am now knitting the the front.

I absolutely fell in love with this Noro yarn, Sakura. I have so much fun watching the color changes flow from my fingertips, trying to guess what color is coming next.

Dinner, Done!

2009-03-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

I don't usually like frozen dinners, certainly not enough to write about them.
But these new dinners from Kashi are very good. The Mayan Harvest is my fav so far. A wonderful balance of sweet and spicy, creamy and crunchy! I've been eating quite a few lately and haven't gotten tired of them!

I find these are just perfect for me as a main or side dish when the rest of the troops are off on adventures and it's just me and the 'party animals'.

Want to try one for FREE? Kashi has a coupon. Just follow the link :)

P.S. I also like the Tuscan Veggie Bake. Now off to try the Lime Cilantro Shrimp.

Out of the Box

2009-03-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

I find a lot of comfort in the status quo, but I also appreciate the learning that comes from challenges.

Challenge #1: Create an ACEO
I can't draw or paint, not even stick figures, so when I saw that my BBEST etsy team's monthly challenge was to create an ACEO I turned to what I know - 2 sticks and a ball (of yarn).

Coincidentally, I stumbled upon SupaCindy's blog which led me to my next challenge.

Challenge #2: Project Spectrum

Started by a knitter*, but not limited to knitting, Project Spectrum participants create art according to themes that change every few months. For March/April the color is green and the materials are stones, gems, rocks.

Challenge #3: Stash Only!!!
I don't know why but every time I start a new project I almost always seem to need to buy something new/more. Not this time :)

Sooooooo

I hand-knit a 2.5" x 3.5" 'card' using two shades of green yarn and a metallic for a bit of glitz and glam.

I wanted my ACEO to be more than just a pretty face so, I made a pin. Hand-formed of brass wire and embellished with a green turquoise stone and copper wire decoration.

But wait! There's more.

I love dangles and charms and wanted to add some to the pin. I thought it would be even better if the charms were removable so they could be worn as a necklace. And so they are. A lavender chalcedony and a coin pearl are strung on a handcrafted cord and attached to the back of the ACEO.

This is my very first ACEO. I hope it meets the recipient's expectations.

*Thanks Lollyknitting!

Pinned

2009-03-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Shawl, scarf, sweater, bag, hat! Whatever your little knit/crocheted heart desires.

I just added these new pins to my etsy shop.

Hand-formed brass pin adorned with artisan lampwork beads in a gorgeous blush pink color. I love the soft glow of these babies. Capped off with two gold vermeil 'petal' discs.

Handformed sterling silver pin adorned with a large blue/green Turquoise bead.

Hand-formed Sterling silver pin adorned with Hilltribe silver beads.

It's a Wrap

2009-03-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

My latest lunchtime love.
A turkey wrap.

1 Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Wrap
1 1/2 TBSP Baba Gannouj (Roasted Eggplant dip)*
1 1/2 TBSP Hummus (Chickpea dip)*
2 oz Roasted turkey breast
1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried

Spread baba and hummus dip along one edge of the wrap covering about a quarter of the wrap surface. Place turkey on top of the dips and spinach on top of the turkey. Starting at this edge begin to roll the wrap tightly into a long tube shape.

I like tomato soup as a side. This is Amy's Low SodiumTomato Soup, spiced up with a sprinkling of dried oregano and turmeric. I don't need to eat low sodium and I'd like to keep it that way. With the added spices I don't miss the extra salt.

P.S. - Avocado slices and/or sundried tomatoes also make tasty additions to the wrap.

*I used Sahara Cuisine brand.

In the Bag

2009-03-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

Croc and fur (faux of course), flowers of silk, bamboo: these are just a few of the favorite materials that go into making Designs by Nora's unique bags.

Add one of her pairs of sweet earrings and you'll have a fresh chic look.

Want to know more? Visit her blog. I especially like her 'Question of the Day' feature.

Sprung

2009-03-01T05:56:00.000-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with Spring.

Day after day of damp, muddy grayness bores down like an endless tunnel of gloom.

But then there are are the hints of hope. Little glimpses of life that promise color and brightness. I have planted hundreds of Spring bulbs over the years and the eager anticipation of seeing their lovely little faces makes Spring a surprise package that is worth the wait.

So maybe I should describe Spring as a love/love/hate relationship. The delight seems to outweigh the gloom.

Like surprises? The photos are links :)

P.S I like to make recipes using Spring fruits.
I'm thinking this Spring Fruit Pudding sounds super yummy. I'll write a post when I get around to making it.
If you try it, please let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you.

Bouncey Beret

2009-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

This beret pattern was a quick knit. My gauge swatch was a little tight, 3.75 to 4 stitches per inch rather than the specified 3.5, which was ok with me. The pattern photo made the hat look like it was a generous size. Even with this slightly tighter gauge mine turned out fairly big. I like the hat, but I think I'd like it better just a bit smaller. I'm planning on knitting another and will use either smaller needles or cast on fewer stitches.

Pattern Error
I found one error in the pattern.

For the final row 9 sts remain, you are told to cut the yarn, leaving an 18" tail and then to seam the hat. It doesn't tell you what to do with those live 9 stitches that are still on the knitting needle.
Leave the stitches on the knitting needle, cut your yarn (I cut it 24" and had just enough length).
Thread the end of the cut yarn through a tapestry needle. Draw the threaded needle through the 9 live stitches, dropping them off the knitting needle and gently tighten, closing the hole.
Now sew down the seam to the ribbed brim.

The yarn is absolutely yummy. I used 'Rustic' by Cascade Yarns. It was new at my LYS.
It's wonderfully soft and I love the subtle variegation.

New Technique: Knit One Below
Used in the above pattern.

Insert R needle into the K stitch below the live stitch on the L needle.

Wrap yarn knitwise around R needle.

Draw yarn through the K stitch and pull newly formed stitch plus the live stitch off the L needle.

Viola, new stitch formed.

I was a little hesitant to pull the live stitch off with the stitch knitted below, but it really works. Almost like magic :)
This technique creates a raised, somewhat elongated stitch and resembles ribbing in its look. The resulting fabric however is not as tight and elastic as ribbing. It just has an interesting texture.

Warm and Spicy

2009-02-23T05:54:00.000-08:00

Ethiopian Spicy Tomato Lentil Stew Recipe.
I made this stew and served it over orzo pasta. It was really yummy, a flavorful spicy not hot and easy to make.

As usual I made a few substitutions.
- red lentils instead of brown
I don't like using more than one pan so I wanted to cook the ingredients all together. I had heard (maybe on Food Network) that it's not good to boil spices for a long time. Red lentils cook more quickly than the brown, plus I like how they look.

- canned, no salt added diced tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes.
It is winter and canned have a much better taste and they are easier - open the can and dump.

- little slivers of ginger instead of grated
I like the little burst of ginger flavor as I'm eating the stew. It's such a lovely surprise for the taste buds.

- freshly grated black pepper for the cayenne.

- no fenugreek
I don't have any and didn't want to buy it. This stew has a long list of spices and I figured it wouldn't be missed.

Charting a Course

2009-02-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

Love charts?
I read on Kkhymn's blog, who read on Orangellous' blog, who got the idea from Astroknits for a Knitting Chart Generator. It's a program that allows you to type in a written knitting pattern, row by row, and receive the pattern in chart form.

I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a great idea. If you give it a test drive, please let me know what you think!

P.S. Currently on the needles.

I really love the red yarn. It's soooo soft. Stay tuned for the finished objects :)

Award Season

2009-02-15T09:13:00.001-08:00

KKhymn has just honored me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. I always appreciate that people visit and comment on my blog.
I'm passing on the honor. Please visit the following wonderful blogs.
Sassa's Click, Click
TiLTCreations
Niminyfingers
BeadedTail
SloganMurugan
KnittingAlone
YankeeGirlsWatercolors
BlytheHopesVintage
AlteredEvents

If you've been nominated and would like to pass the award on, here are the guidelines.

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate up to 8 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Smelling Like a Rose

2009-02-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

OOOOO, aren't these lovely. Rose shaped soaps by Layla, what a fun Valentine's Day gift this would be to get. Too bad V Day is tomorrow.

Hmmm, maybe Mother's Day. I'll have to drop a not-so-subtle hint ;)

Buttons, Photos, Vintage Fun

2009-02-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

That's the tag line for Donnapool's shop. I couldn't resist featuring this adorable shot of her kitty, Sebastian. Hmmm, I wonder what fascinating scene is unfolding outside that window.

She has many more wonderful photos, buttons of all kinds, ACEO's and even a few plush toys.
.

Learn more about her and her shop by visiting her blog.

One Sweet Date

2009-02-06T05:50:00.000-08:00

One of the Etsy Blogger topics for this month is to describe a favorite valentine date.

I love to cook. I love cooking with my sweetie. I'm thinking a lovely lasagna. This Eggplant Lasagna with Parsley Pesto looks like a great new recipe to try. A wonderful red wine and a crisp salad of baby greens would be perfect accompaniments.

For dessert, cupcakes! One for me and one for him. Maybe something from Cupcakesinjars.

Seeing Red

2009-02-05T06:56:00.001-08:00

February is the month we think of hearts and flowers. The month where the color red covers displays of cards, candy and flowers.

How clever of the American Heart Association (AHA) to use this month to bring the issue of women and heart disease to our attention.

So while you thinking of the valentine card and gift you are giving to your special someone, think of yourself, think of the women you know, visit AHA's, Go Red for Women. This site is full of helpful information on keeping our hearts healthy and happy.

And the photo. It's of a shawl I made using a bright red, super light yarn. Not terribly warm but oh so glam, it's perfect to wear tomorrow, Wear Red Day February 6th.

Heart You

2009-02-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

I found this sweet valentine card in BBesigns shop.

I really like sending valentines. Some years I've sent them instead of Christmas cards. I like the idea of letting my friends and family know I'm thinking of them at times other than the traditional ones. And I think it brings a bit of brightness to what can sometimes be a dreary time of year.

A Contest with Heart

2009-01-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy reading Kkhymn's blog. She's having her first contest; a wonderful idea encouraging her readers to knit or crochet items for charity and then leave a comment as to what they've done.

I love her idea but didn't know how to act on it until today. While browsing the bookstore shelves I found some inspiration.

A whole book full of ideas, Knitting for Peace names specific charities that welcome donations and offers easy patterns to complete the mission. From helping people to shelter animals, close to home and abroad, this book gives specific information on a variety of organizations and their needs.

Also listed in the book are several online resources.

www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp
Last updated September 2008, this site has an extensive list of organizations.

www.lionbrand.com/charityconnection.html
Provides a search option to help you select a charity, and a list of most frequently requested item patterns.

www.woolworks.org/charity.html
This site looks like it hasn't been updated in a while, but it does list specific organizations by state.

Now the dilemma. With so many wonderful organizations and super patterns, which one to choose?!

Double Delight

2009-01-30T09:17:00.000-08:00

Two luminous white pearls, separated by silver discs, ending in a darling dangle. These earrings are one of my new designs for spring.

No Shrinking Violet

2009-01-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

The 'Big Ivy Scarf' pattern knits up into one hefty scarf. It was the cover pattern for the Fall 2008 issue of Knitscene and I loved it the moment I saw it.

I've been wanting to knit something with stranded colorwork and this pattern was perfect, small sections of colorwork interspersed with an open meshwork pattern. I had so much fun knitting this I was actually a little sorry when I finished it.

I couldn't find the Asian Trends yarn specified in the pattern. So, I substituted Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. The main color is actually a brighter gold shade. I just couldn't get the colors to photograph well.

Hearts of Fire

2009-01-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

I love, love top quality gemstones.
I also adore top quality hand made 'gems'. Chris makes one-of-a-kind fused and dichroic glass items including gorgeous heart pendants. I bought this one and I'm pondering what to do with it. I'm thinking something simple and fun. Any thoughts?

I also bought one of these. Beautiful and practical, this bottle stopper would be a great hostess gift. Note to self for the next holiday season.

Just for Fun

2009-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

Lollipop Mitts

I knit these fingerless gloves without a pattern. Just for fun. Just to see if I could do it.
I have never knit anything without a pattern.

Those of you who routinely knit your own designs know knitting mitts without a pattern is no big deal. For me, this was a big step. I have wanted to be more fearless in my knitting. To loosen the white-knuckle grip I've had on published patterns. To free-fall into knitting from my my own creative thoughts.
Yikes, I hope I have some - creative thoughts!

Too Much

2009-01-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing, as in too many beads.
In designing brangles and bangles, I initially thread the beads onto a relatively straight piece of wire. I love using lots of beads in different sizes, shapes and colors. For me, this is the fun part of designing, but in order to get the right shape the wire must be curved.

And now the dilemma, the beads that looked so perfect and fit so nicely are too crowded, impeding the final shaping of the brangle.

Some beads need to be removed. This will create the space I need in order to curve the bracelet properly.

This is what I faced with this brangle. I don't know if you can see from the photos, but in the first photo the brangle has two more blue beads than the final photo.
I removed those two little blue ceramic beads so I could get a smooth oval shape; just perfect for gliding easily along the wrist.

Not- So-Sloppy Goodness

2009-01-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

While watching part of Oprah's webcast last Monday, I heard Bob Greene mention he had a recipe for Sloppy Joes. I love Sloppy Joes and haven't had one in ages, so I looked up the recipe and here's the result.

Of course, not one to leave a good recipe alone, I made a few changes.

I don't like to use beef so I subbed Lightlife 'Gimme Lean' for the ground beef. I thought cooked lentils would give a better look and texture to the recipe; so I substituted canned lentils for the kidney beans and mashed them ever so lightly. I left out the red pepper but used all of the spices.
I don't measure spices when I cook, I guess-timate. This may be why I'm not sure I liked the flavor of the cloves. I love cloves in cookies but the flavor seemed a little out of place in the Sloppy Joes. It could be that I just used too much.

I love to use cocoa powder in my chili and thought it would be good in this recipe. I added about 2 to 3 tablespoons.

The bread is from Panera. It's their Whole Grain loaf. Lightly toasted, it worked great and the whole sandwich stayed together well. Thus, the 'Not-So-Sloppy' title.

In Pieces

2009-01-16T16:39:00.000-08:00

Is it a bangle? Is it a bracelet? No, it's a brangle,! This unique type of wrist adornment combines the smooth look of a bangle and the fluidity of a bracelet.

In this particular piece I used lampwork beads that remind me of the bright blue skies and golden sun-kissed lands of the Mediterranean (well, the photos I've seen of the bright blue skies and golden sun-kissed lands of the Mediterranean). I've combined the lampwork with silver beads, colorful ceramic spacers and hand-coiled sterling silver.

I can see this brangle being a playful addition to the workday wardrobe. I'll be adding it soon to my etsy shop.

Want to make your own brangle? Connie Fox has a great tutorial.

That White Stuff

2009-01-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

What's all that white stuff - Bambi

While I've watched Bambi more times than I care to admit, I almost never get tired of snow.
This is our first real snow the season, several inches worth.

We get many gray, snow-sparse winters here. I grew up where we got feet and feet and feet of snow. So for me, it's not real winter without some tall mountains of the frosty delight
.

Unchained

2009-01-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Actually 'Unglued' would have been a more appropriate title. That's what I became trying to teach myself this chain maille design. It's the '4-in-1' design. Sounds easy. It wasn't. Sounds like a beginning design. It isn't. Not according to the Urban Maille website, which is where I should have gone before attempting to make this design.

I did eventually figure it out on my own, but I highly recommend visiting the Urban Maille site. I've purchase a few of their kits and they've been well worth the price.

I do like how this pair of earrings turned out. I like how the sparkle of the jet black Swarovski crystal and luminosity of the white pearl contrast with the stark elegance of the chain maille.

Chaos to Calm

2009-01-06T11:13:00.001-08:00

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions. When I want to make a change, I do it. No matter what the date.
But this year I've been on a mission. Since the first days of '09 I've been clearing the clutter. I'm not sure why I'm suddenly so motivated, but I'm not questioning it. It's something I've been thinking about doing for a long time.
The trouble is when I start cleaning I make a big mess, as you can see in the first photo.
But I have made some progress.

If only my whole house would look this neat and tidy! I'm still working on it.

Firey Glam

2009-01-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

This stunning necklace and earring set is just one of the gorgeous creations you will find at Roseworksjewelry. Created as part of a theme challenge based on the Firefly/Serenity TV show/movie, it sparkles with color and imagination.

Not just beautiful, her pieces are also very affordable.

Her blog is just as colorful as her jewelry with stunning photos and fun posts. Take a look!

One Down

2009-01-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

My first effort at stranded colorwork. It wasn't nearly as hard as I anticipated. Fortunately, several months ago I decided, just for fun, to teach myself to knit holding the yarn in my left hand. Turns out it works great for colorwork; hold one working color in the right hand and the other in the left.
I just have to repeat this pattern seven more times and I'll have a finished object!

I hope you've had a great January 1st.
One down and 364 more days to go. I wish you the very best for 2009!
~Mary

Teal Me No Lies

2008-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

Pure, honest, luxury. These were the words that came to mind when I designed these earrings.
I paired peacock/teal green mystic quartz cubes with lustrous white pearls.
I loved them so much, I made myself a pair too :)

Choco-licious Chewies

2008-12-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

That's what I would name these yummy little bites.

They're actually called Almond and Chocolate Clusters (I substituted cashews). They were super easy to make but may be hazardous to fragile dental work. The caramel portion was really chewy. I don't know if it was the caramels I used or the fact that I let the caramels bubble a bit when they were melting. The recipe warns not to let the caramels bubble as they will become too hard. They weren't hard but they were chewier in the finished clusters than they were by themselves. I of course tested a few of the caramels prior to using them in the recipe ;)

I also had a problem with the cream causing the melting chocolate to ball up (did I say these were super easy?). I added a bit of skim milk and the chocolate became smooth and velvety. I think the cream may have been too cold when I added it, but the milk came right out of the fridge, into the double boiler and tamed that chocolate mess lickity-split. So, I'm not sure what the problem was. Next time I may just use the milk and skip the cream. Less guilt too.

The photo shows the clusters before I put them in the oven. I did let them cool completely in the fridge and I did dip them in chocolate. What I didn't do was photograph the finished product. Oops! I thought of this as I was munching down the last delectable delight. Oh well, maybe next year :)

Rib-sticking Goodness

2008-12-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

Quick Pierogie Bake

This yummy tummy filling casserole was easy to make, but not exactly quick. Not for me. I think the problem may have been that I put all of the ravioli in the pan to brown at one time. I've since learned from watching the Food Network (sorry I can't remember which show) that one should not over-crowd the pan when browning.

I couldn't find pierogies so, as the recipe suggests, I substituted cheese ravioli for the pierogies.
I used two varieties of mushrooms, brown button and shitake. And, so I wouldn't set off the smoke detector, baked instead of broiled at a temperature of 375 for about 15 minutes.

I love casseroles, especially this time of year, if you have a favorite you'd like to share I'd love to hear it.

*Eagle-eyed readers who regularly visit my blog may notice the date on this post is the 11th. It's the 21st and, yes, I've been a bit delinquent in keeping up with my blog. Thanks for sticking with me!

Ruby Treasure

2008-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

I adore pomegranate seeds; their gorgeous crimson color, their sweet tart taste.
It took me a while to figure out the best way to get to these little gems.

First, cut about an inch off the top or crown.

Next cut the pomegranate into quarters.

Now scoop out the seeds removing pieces of the white pith as needed. I use my fingers and the tip of a knife for the really stubborn seeds.
There are other methods for getting at these juicy little treats. If my suggestion doesn't work well for you try, try another :)

My favorite way to eat the seeds is by the bowl full with a spoon.
I've also sprinkled them on salads and on top of vanilla ice cream. YUM!

Here is a link to a large variety of recipes. If you try one or if you have a favorite way of using pomegranate seeds I'd love to read about it.

Good Hair Day (and warm ears too)

2008-12-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

I love this headband. It keeps my head and ears warm without that 'compressed' feeling I sometimes get from a hat. A little kinder on the hairdo too :)

This is the Cable and Bobble Headband from Winter '06 Interweave Knits. It's knit in a bulky weight yarn, which makes it a super fast project.
Very beginner friendly for those who've never made a cable pattern, this is a great first project.

Sweet and Squeaky

2008-12-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Spottedcowsoaps are so yummy looking one might be tempted to attack them with a spoon.
Whipped soap with sugar added promises to make your skin feel squeaky clean and moisturized. And add in the tart sweet fragrance of cranberry, I'm sold. What a treat after a long day of shopping, work or whatever.

Want to know more about this wonderful seller, please visit her blog!

Winter Blooms

2008-12-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

I rescued these three Christmas cacti from the local grocery store several years ago. They were terribly water-logged and headed for certain doom. I just couldn't leave them in that state. I took them home and sopped all of the excess water out of their pots. They've rewarded me with lovely blooms every November/December since.

Also called Zygocactus or Schlumbergera, these plants require minimal care. Which is great for me! I don't exactly have a green thumb.

Holiday Temptations

2008-11-30T15:38:00.001-08:00

Here are some goodies from the Etsy shops of the Etsy Bloggers Team. Many of the shops have special deals through December 1st.

'Blue Serenity' necklace from TulipsTreasureBox will put you on Santa's nice list.

This gorgeous pink bag from TiLTcreations will make you the envy of the holiday party.

100% sweet goodness and 0% calories, Agoodwitchtoo's Sweet Pumpkin soap is a special treat. Great as a gift for yourself or that sweet (or even not so sweet) someone on your holiday list.

On the Needles

2008-11-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

Another hand-knit gift.
I thought I had all of my hand-knit holiday gifts covered, but I just got another request.
There is no way I can refuse so here's a new project; well on it's way to becoming a hat.
(I actually feel very honored when someone wants something I make as a gift.)

Shop Stress Free, Shop Etsy.
Here are a few ideas for the knitter or knit lover on your gift list.

Sassalynne has the most beautiful hand-dyed yarns. My biggest dilemma is which one to choose.
This beauty even comes with a free scarf pattern!

Betani has these sweet stitch markers that knitters and crocheters could use to keep them stitching smoothly along.

Want a hand-knit scarf but don't want the work? Scarfitup has this blue beauty to add warmth and unique style.

Stress Free Shopping

2008-11-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Shop Stress-free, Shop Etsy
That's my motto for this season.

I've always loved buying hand-crafted items from art fairs so when I discovered Etsy I was ecstatic.

I'll be featuring as many of my favorite artists and their shops as possible in the next few weeks.
I hope you find these posts helpful in making your holiday more fun and a lot less effort.

This unique necklace is by Roseworkjewelry. It contains real coffee beans. Very cool!

Coffee and unique appear to go together. Here's a cute card featuring 'Betty Jean, the coffee pot person'. And she can be found (where else) at CoffeePotPeople's Shop.

This gorgeous fine art triptych by Jenaardell is called 'Shooting Stars'. What a special way to decorate a wall.

A Toast to Beauty

2008-11-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

The turkey-stuffing, cookie-baking, gift-wrapping season has arrived. What better way to celebrate than with a beautiful toast.

These Whimsical Bella hand painted wine glasses are aptly named.
Beautiful? Absolutely.
Practical? Lead free and dishwasher safe.
Who wouldn't be totally wowed to receive this as a gift. (hint hint, Santa)

A sparking, colorful feast for the eyes, Vsilcoxdesigns has many beautiful hand painted glass pieces.

Twelve Days Promo

2008-11-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

Kick off your holiday season with a bit of fun and a free gift.
EJDSS is having a great holiday promo. Click on the link for details.

Pictured is a sampling of some of their lovely work.

Picture Perfect

2008-11-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

I've been admiring this print for months.

I love hydrangeas and now that Jack Frost has claimed mine for the season I finally bought this beauty. I'm planning on framing it with a wide white mat and a simple black frame.

Yankeegirl's Watercolors has a variety of beautiful paintings, prints, cards and more. Perfect for adding that special touch to your home or as a unique holiday gift for someone special.

Thanks Yankeegirl!

Not Red and Green

2008-11-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

Wow, did these luscious lemon quartz briolettes catch my eye! They are super sparkly thanks to gorgeous faceting. They are so beautiful that I decided to keep the design simple; pairing them with deep blue/violet quartz cubes.
Simple elegance that dazzles.

Jewelry on Display

2008-11-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

I needed to do a photo display of some of my pieces for a gallery feature. I'm not much of a photographer. Perhaps practice will make me better, but probably not perfect. Some of these pieces will be available in my shop and some will be off to the gallery in the next week or so.

Tell Me A Story

2008-11-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

Poetry in jewelry, that's Storybeader's unique craft. Each one of her handcrafted items comes with a haiku written especially for that piece. The Christmas Memory Wire Bracelet pictured above would truly make a special gift.
Read more about her incredible work on her blog.

"Project Runway"

2008-11-04T13:03:00.001-08:00

Etsy Bloggers want to know - what am I working on?

I'm the featured artist at a local gallery for the month of December. So, I'm working on lots of new jewelry pieces for both the gallery and my etsy shop.

And I'm knitting:

Fingerless gloves in baby llama yarn. Soooo soft.

A scarf in alpaca yarn. My first colorwork project.

And a caplet in a kid mohair/silk blend that is a gorgeous shade of teal green.

Seven Secrets

2008-11-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Oh my! Barbara Beads has tagged me to reveal seven secrets. I'm just not that interesting.
This is going to take some thought.

In the meantime, take a look at Wyatts Magic Wagon. Now here's a secret worth spilling. Primitives, natural pet toys, Waldorf inspired balls and gorgeous ACEO's like the one pictured above; this shop is a treasure trove of unique items.

Decision '08

2008-11-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

After much debate, hemming and hawing and general procrastination, I made up my mind. Amy of Amy Esther Ceramics doesn't make the decision easy. She has so many lovely items in her shop.

This bowl is not my usual color choice, but I really love the sunburst pattern.
I can hardly wait to see it in person :)

Scared Silly

2008-10-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ghosts and goblins and princesses, Oh My!

An excuse to dress up, Halloween gives you one date. Emandsprout gives you a shop full of excuses. Like these adorable pink monster shoes. Ready to smile up at you and all you meet.

Happy Halloween!

Bewitching

2008-10-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Cupid's Darts, Venus Hair Stone, Fleches d'Amour by any name Rutilated Quartz is intriguing.
When I saw this strand of rutilated quartz I just had to buy it. Stunning! But what to do with it? I considered splitting the strand up; sprinking a bit of it's magic over several pieces. But I truely loved how all these little gems looked together.

And so, that's how the Bewitching Bracelet came to be.

Over 240 cts of top quality rutilated quartz crystal, poised on hand made sterling silver headpins, were carefully linked together to form this one of a kind beauty. Vibrant with the colors of warm russet red, gold, celery, peach and deep chocolate brown, this bracelet flows elegantly over the wrist.

Two stunning step-cut smokey quartz nuggets and a hand-hammered clasp are the finishing touch.

Saturday night sparkle. Bold weekday elegance. Yummy!

Kitty Hat Finished or A Happy Ending to a Sad Tail

2008-10-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

This is the third time I've made this pattern; the second time using this yarn combination.
My daughter left the first one in a classroom and when she went back to retrieve it, it was gone.
So it's twin is out there, somewhere.

Want to know all the 'furry' details? Check out this earlier post. It lists the yarn used and where to find the pattern.

Happy Knitting :)

Eenie Meenie

2008-10-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

What project should I choose next?
I'm finishing several knitted projects and contemplating my next.

Something small?

The 'Enchanting Fur Hat' in Exquisite Little Knits.

The 'Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf' or 'Dayflower Lace Scarf' I found on Ravelry.

Or, the gorgeous but I-may-pull-my-hair-out-over-it, 'Nantucket Jacket' in the Winter 2006 Interweave Knits.

So much stashed yarn, so many queued patterns. Which one to choose? Maybe I'll just make a run to my LYS (local yarn shop) and buy something new ;)

Spirit of the Season

2008-10-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Send someone you know a real treat. sMacshop makes these fun cards using a variety of techniques. Bold color on the outside and blank on the inside. This card is spook-tacular.

Birthday Gift

2008-10-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

One of my 'Simply Charming' necklaces made for a very special birthday gift. This one is made with a sterling silver Hilltribe flower, a Swarovski crystal heart and a Fluorite nugget. I make the charms removable so the happy recipient can wear the necklace with one, two or all three of the charms, changing the look of the necklace as desired.

Hooray for freedom of choice :)

Pumpkin Sunshine

2008-10-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

The cool snap of the morning air tempered by the warm fragrance of freshly baked pumpkin muffins. These little gems enticed me out of my warm bed today.
Despite the name, I decided to leave the walnuts and the dates out of this batch of Pumpkin Walnut Muffins. They were yummy just the same.

Rescue Me

2008-10-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

A surprise, mystery gift for you.
I'm doing my part to boost the economy and your spirits. $6.00 plus shipping at my etsy shop will buy you a surprise pair of earrings, retail value of at least $20.

The earrings will be sterling silver and will feature either gemstones, artisan lampwork beads, pearls, semi-precious stones or crystals.

I get to choose; that's the mystery. You get the surprise.

Looking Good

2008-10-16T06:07:00.001-07:00

Hot off the press and out of the oven, Amy of Amy Esther Ceramics, has just introduced her latest ceramic creations. She thoughtfully test-baked one of her new casserole dishes and the results are,well, picture perfect.

I just checked out her site and these new pieces aren't up yet. Oh, Amy, we're watching and waiting :)

I love the look of this wheel-thrown set of bowls. That guacamole's looking darn good too!

Scarlet, My Dear

2008-10-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Cool, fluid elegance gliding playfully on the wrist. I do love bangles.
I made this one with yards of sterling silver wire; twisted, coiled and hammered to perfection. And the highlight is limited edition artisan lampwork beads strung with silver like stars strung across the sky.

Isn't She Lovely

2008-10-13T08:44:00.001-07:00

All eyes on you, effervescing with elegance and charm!
This vintage 50's tea length lace and tulle dress is sooooo gorgeous. I wish I had an occasion to wear it. Hmmm, a stroll down the aisle or maybe just a fun evening out.

Blythehopesvintage shop has a lovely selection of vintage items, so fun to visit and dream of the possibilities or imagine the past.