Tiny Forest's Debut

I finished five tiny trees in time to gift them to my mom yesterday. She liked them very much and laughed. She also thought the pink tree was a lightbulb so take her reaction as you may. Better photos will be taken in their forever home. Maybe.

Presented for your amusement

The last tree was knit while playing pub trivia and in the stark light of day it has a distinct yet inadvertent Seahawks/Sounders vibe.

MLS champs get their own tree?

I used the Pint Sized Pines pattern. The only change I made was to work the Double Cabled Tree's decs in Row 24 as *p1, k2tog, p1, ssk* around so they matched the direction of the cables they perch atop. Because yes, I do notice stuff like that ;p

Summer's Workshop

I've been getting in the holiday spirit today, crafting to music. I started with Christmas music but listening to it alone made me sad. And it didn't fit my mood, so classic rock it was!

A previously knit angel ornament

Last night I knit a cabled tree ornament. Some stitches were wonky so it got a bath before bed. It was still wet this morning and I stuck it on the baseboard to dry. I finished knitting a second angel today which received similar post-bath attentions.

Speed drying rack

My couch work zone

I also finished two decoupage notions tins.

(L) stitch markers, (R) needles and waste yarn

The cabled tree gets a cork trunk. Here I'm testing the stability of used corks. A meat cleaver came in handy to shorten them.

 The first tree (of 3+) and angel are now done:

I painted this cork trunk to obscure WASHINGTON printed around its base. Brown watercolor plus Mod Podge, then a thin coat of MP, worked very well.

Last week I knit a bird for Ella and stuffed its head with catnip. She seems to approve.

2012 Roundup

It was a very difficult year but I made a lot of neat stuff! lol  Not everything was well photographed so missed being posted about.  I started and finished 25 knitting projects this year, everything from baby booties to a cabled sweater.  Plus 5 more projects that were started in 2011 (or much further back) and completed.  A very successful year in that regard.

Healthwise, much harder.  I have more pain and less energy, and sewing is definitely on hold aside from some mending.  It was a difficult year to spend on my own.

I started off the year on a lace kick, finishing a few shawls.  I wore the large pink one for New Year's.

My first published pattern:

And Kate Davies' fabulous Peerie Flooers Mittens and Hat.  I'm excited to do more colorwork!

This cat bed, finished in Aug and finally felted in Dec.  It's already well-loved, and Ella's figured out how to sit inside rather than on top of it ;)

Goodbye 2012, welcome 2013, may this year bring all good things.

Happy Easter

Wishing a Happy Easter to everyone!  Spring has arrived here in Seattle as well :)  Today it was 60F and sunny, the best day this year.  People are thrilled to have long days again and sun!  Hibernation has ended.

I haven't made any sewing progress, sadly.  I'm at a stage with the jumper where it would be so much easier to have fitting help.  I just need to buckle down and finish.  I also have a flurry of new project ideas in mind and should settle on one--a quick successful project is just what I need.

Instead I've been knitting, a lot.  This short sleeve sweater is almost done, it's waiting for buttons then the other half of the button band.  It's knit with a combination of two cotton ribbon yarns, with stripes of reverse stockinette to add texture and show off the colors.  The ribbing pattern is one I made up.

I'm currently deadline test knitting a stocking, very hush hush ;)

I also made a ruffle silk/mohair scarf and am finishing a pair of socks, both for my mom.  The scarf is almost embarrassingly easy--made with Rowan Kidsilk Creation and crocheted following the instructions on the ball band.  Rowan has videos showing both knit and crochet versions.

An early Mother's Day gift

Christmas Baking

Fancy Christmas Trees

 My mom and I didn't get to do our usual pre-Christmas cookie baking this year, since I was sick.  Instead we made some cookies on Christmas afternoon :)  It was fun--she mixed the dough in advance so we just rolled, cut, baked and decorated.  Then it was time for dinner.

My next baking adventure will be a birthday cheesecake for a good friend.  Yum!  Don't forget the raspberry sauce :)

 

                                          Don't let anyone tell you the star tip isn't multipurpose ;)

Maximizing the dough!

Happy Thanksgiving

I had a lovely day yesterday, spent with my 2 favorite people.  My Handsome Man was here all day, just hanging out together--a rare treat.  My mom stopped by on the way to the big family dinner and brought food.  With what I made we had an amazing assortment of tasty things :)

Dinner was roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, spicy roast squash, fancy green salad, and pie for dessert.  I set the table with an heirloom crocheted tablecloth and ruby glass dishes, hemstitched napkins and of course candles.  It was beautiful.  Earlier we munched on ham, puff pastry and cheese bites and mashed potatoes as dinner cooked.  My guy did the dishes while I got to relax :)

I was very thankful to spend the day with people I love, in a warm and safe home.  I didn't get a whopping migraine (that was Wed night) so hooray!  It was a nice, relaxing day spent watching the snow melt, petting the lap cat and enjoying each others' company.

Our Very Own Thanksgiving

For various reasons my fella and I are celebrating Thanksgiving together.  Immediate family may stop by but mostly it's just us :)  I have a frozen chicken thawing.  With the roads so icy and one of my tires half flat I'm in no mood to drive to buy a turkey.  I have enough food for a full turkey-day dinner, stuffing included!

I may make a cheesecake, or lemon bars--yum!  Those are our two favorites.  If anyone has a Lemon Bar recipe they recommend please let me know.  I'll try the Joy of Cooking Lemon Curd Bars, but this will be my first attempt.  Puff pastry, angel food cake, buttercream, fudge, meringue, you name it and I've made it, but no lemon bars.

All this is energy dependent, so wishes for luck and stamina are gratefully appreciated.  Wishing everyone else a happy, healthy day filled with people you love.