First Finished Motif!

Ok, so once I got going this was really fun to make.  It is very time consuming and uses a ton of yarn - hence "wool-eater".  But the finished product really is pretty.  I'm honestly still not sure if I will be making a whole blanket or just making a couple of these for pillow covers.  I have to see what Sarah London posts tomorrow about joining them...

Done right, this is what 115 calories looks like...

So, I came across this recipe and thought I would try it.  I'm all about pre-preparing food for the week cause with twin teens there's not much spare time.  As long as you put these right on a cooling rack straight out of the oven, once they're cool, you can package them up in snack baggies and have them ready to pop into your lunch bag.  This is my second week making them and they kept nice and fresh all last week.  I reheat them in a toaster oven but I'm sure a microwave would be fine as well.

Here's my version of the recipe:

1 carton of egg whites (I used Crystal Farms "All Whites")
Whatever veggies you like (I browned some mushrooms and chopped up spinach)
PAM cooking spray
Reduced fat cheese
Mrs. Dash

Pre-heat the oven to 350
Spray muffin tins with PAM
Add veggies
Add egg whites (I filled mine all the way to the tippy top)

Bake for 30 minutes

Remove from muffin tin onto cooling rack (remember, this is the key to keeping them fresh for the week)

Top off with cheese and Mrs. Dash

Once the muffins are cooled off, pack them up into snack size baggies.  2 will fit into a bag and is considered one serving for 115 calories (obviously less if you leave off the cheese), 12 grams of protein, 2 carbs, and about 2.5 grams of fat depending on your cheese.

Wool Eater - Larger Motif Decoded

Ok, so I've gotten the third color finished.  I had to unravel a bunch last night around 2 am because I ended up with 16 wheels and a wonky motif.  So, if you follow the Sarah London pattern but want to do more than 2 colors, in the valleys or flat edges you will need to do a total of 10 treble crochets together instead of 8 need to read, re-read, then follow the instructions as they are written the corners get the regular cluster of 4 together.  Corners get 12 tr, and valleys get 8 tr to form the wheels.  Also note that the Sarah London pattern is not in US terms - dtr in her pattern is tr in US.

I am really liking the colors that I chose, but this is not a pattern for instant gratification.  The third color took a really long time and I really don't think I will be able to finish one motif consisting of all 6 colors and a white border each week.  However, I do think this is going to make an amazing blanket and I am enjoying participating in my first CAL!

Sarah London CAL Yarn Selection

I know it's called "wool eater" but since I live in Florida I think wool is a bit much for a blankey.  I'm going with cheap acrylic on this one simply because I didn't really have time to shop for quality and I love, love, love the colors.

As soon as I get back from my run and am done with making dinner I plan on starting my first motif.  I haven't even looked at the pattern so I hope I can finish off at least a couple of rows tonight!  

Been Busy!

Ok, so...I certainly did not intend to let so much time pass, but life gets in the way when you have so many responsibilities.  I've had the best intentions though.  I took pictures that never made it to my laptop.  I thought about the posts that I would make while I drove to work.  I contemplated all of the projects that would be fun to document in my diary, and so here I am again.

I finally finished the bobble blankey for my son.  He sleeps with it every night and it warms my heart that he loves it so.  Especially since it took me 9 months to make!

I also got around to redoing the backsplash in my kitchen.  This project was inexpensive - under $200.00 - and I was able to complete it all by myself from start to finish.  It was a quick update that makes a huge difference that'll hold me over until I get around to the re-model.

Spring is here and the rabbit brought loads of candy that one boy would not even touch.  Who knew that peeps and jelly beans are not vegetarian?  Well I am enlightened now and still learning from this young man every day.

A couple of other fun projects that are also finally completed are:

Mod Podge purses:

I bought these plain black purses from Faith Farm - a local thrift store.  They cost me maybe $3 and were in very good condition and very clean.  I painted them with regular acrylic paint then cut out some really cute matryoshka dolls and mod podged them right on the front!

Crochet bracelet:

I can't even begin to say how easy this was to make!  I was finished before my Sunday morning coffee!

My next posts will be all about Sarah London's Crochet Along 2013.  We will be working on a wool eater motif and I am all ready to go!  

Work in Progress

It feels like I'll never finish my bobble blankey, this thing is a monster!  I had to make it extra long for my son who is at least 6' 2".  He says that his feet stick out of every blanket he has...  I started it last June with a frenzy, then slowed down for smaller crochet and non-crochet projects.  It takes me at least 25 minutes per row and I have at least 5 more to go.  It'll probably take me several more hours to weave in the ends then put an edging on.  I so hope he will have it with him forever and ever.

I did get to finish the latest dishcloth that I've been working on here and there.  I guess there's a new pattern with all the turquoise and red going on here!  I love these colors together, they match my kitschy retro kitchen, and his comic book themed bedroom...

Pelicans are Friendly! Well, kind of...

Took my son to Anglins fishing pier in Lauderdale by the Sea today.  That kid would do nothing but eat, sleep, and fish if he could!  I had a nice day of yarn shopping at a new store that I found, then more fun perusing the souvenir shops and pretending to be a tourist.  When I finally joined my son on the pier, this guy was there looking to steal some of the catches.

We stayed until almost 6:00 so I was able to catch the sunset over the city and watch the cruise ships leaving Port Everglades.  It actually started to get a bit chilly!!!  I'm looking forward to taking him again.  Next time I think I will stay on the pier and play with my yarn or read a book.  

Welcome to 2013

This has been my view for the past month.  I'm taking all the pretties down this weekend and will surely miss it.

I've never been big on resolutions.  I was brought up being taught to "do what you say you're going to do" so I struggle commitments of that sort.  This mentality has helped me be a good parent, a good worker, and, for the most part, good to myself.  If I did have a resolution, it would be the same one that I've had for the past three years - use less paper towels.  Sounds weird right?  I guess overall, I would like to be less wasteful.  So conjuring up an awareness of something so commonplace seems like a good start.

Have I actually kept to my resolution?  I dunno really.  I mean, I certainly don't keep count, but I am aware that I can just as easily pick up a washable towel instead of paper for wet hands, spills, and wiping off the counter.

Other awarenesses that I want to create in 2013 are:
Play the edge
Practice Presence
Stop being a "doer"
Find my "I am-ness"
Delay decisions
Know my limits
Be perfectly imperfect

Holiday Crafting

So, growing up we had these little glitter houses that came out every year at Christmas.  I remember my sisters always telling me to lay under the tree and look up at all the lights.  I always wanted to be on the side where those little houses were.

I've come to know now that those little houses are called "Putz Houses".  These houses are heavily rooted in the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, which makes sense that we had them, since my mom's side of the family is PA Dutch.

Since the houses from my childhood are probably lost in Dad's attic, I figured that I'd take a shot at making my own.

I started with the trees.  Got a big pack of green flocked bottle brush trees from Michaels and followed Ms. Polly Roger's tutorial on how to bleach and dye them different colors so that they look vintage.  You'll find lots of different trees out there.  The kind with the little round wooden bottoms work the best.

Then I made the houses.  I will caution you, this is a time consuming project.  All in all it took me like 2 weeks off and on (maybe a total of 8 hours for the whole project).  I got templates from the Inspired Ideas Christmas Issue and also from retrorenovation.com.  The cutting is both time consuming and boring.  When you first assemble the houses don't be discouraged.  Glitter solves everything and makes them look absolutely fabulous.  I promise!

Here's some shots of mine in the various stages

Holiday Yarning

So last year everyone pretty much got scarves.  This year I wanted to make something to match the scarves from last year but knew I wouldn't have enough time to make hats.  I decided on wristers which were really quick and easy.  I used a pattern from "The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet" and I have to say it was super quick, easy, and fun!

Here's what I made for my nieces

I used Sensations Angel Hair yarn from Joann Fabrics, and a 5mm hook instead of the 4mm hook that the pattern calls for cause I tend to be a tight stitcher.  Each one took me only about a half hour to make and these are great practice for working front loop only stitches as well as learning how to keep your work even.

More Asheville!!!

Ok so, obviously this post should've happened a few weeks ago.  Better late than never huh.  Catching up now that presents have been wrapped and opened; cookies baked and eaten; crafts done, and well partially done at least.

I wanted to post the rest of my photo picks from Asheville.  It was such a great time of year to visit.  I've really missed seeing the leaves change and feeling the crisp Autumn air.  I think I've realized just how much I miss the fog and the misty mornings.

Since we visited during what was pretty much the last weekend of the peak fall color, there was lots of activity downtown.  These buskers "Thirteen Strings and a Two Dollar Bill" were awesome!

another shot of downtown

We were lucky enough to be there right when an early cold front came through.  While we were out sightseeing in the Pisgah National Forest it actually started snowing!  The further we climbed the more snow we encountered.  The boys LOVED it!

Going up the mountain just when it started snowing

At the top of Cold Mountain

Snow clouds

Snow!!!

The way back down was just as beautiful

We even got some snow at the cabin the next morning

On the last night we walked downtown and did some window shopping.  It was cold and crisp and I loved every minute of it!