New Style

Here's a little preview of my new single snap turned & topstitched pad....I've agonized over this single snap style for a while.  I love my double snap style so much, but then I realized this could be just something else I offer, for the foreseeable future I'll still continue to make and stock my double snap pads as well as serged pad and now these too!  The pads pictured are 9", 10" and 11" long, I have to admit I'm reluctant to draft a 12" single snap size, my 12.5" size is my favourite.  I'm sure I'll give it a try, I just need to think through a bit more.

Here's a peek at the wetbags I'll be stocking today too.  I'm hoping to get them all listed today.  I'll also be listing some serged pads too, these pads are wonderful...several serged pads have made there way into my personal stash too!  I found some pink and blue minky scraps and used them to make these pads, I won't be making this style often but I do like that I can squeeze some extra fabric out of my scrap basket and make something a little different too :)  

Knitting a Rainbow

A few days ago I was having trouble thinking of something that needed to be knit, so I cast on a Honey Cowl with some hand spun I had received in a trade.  It didn't feel right from the beginning, the pattern and yarn are both beautiful but they weren't working well together.  I kept knitting it then I tried it on the other day and it wasn't quite right, not long enough to wrap twice but too long with just the single loop. I decided (finally) the yarn will be more suited to another project, and that I need some new yarn for a honey cowl ;-)

Instead, I cast on a cardigan for my daughters birthday.  As I wound the rainbow yarn I realized it was the perfect project to start at the end of January, a rainbow sweater seems just right.  I've had the yarn for a long time, wanting to save it for just the right project.  The yarn is from The The Color Wheel, I think it's called Adam's Rainbow.   I'll also be casting on some some warm socks to line her rain boots for the spring, this will give me something to knit during the day to keep this rainbow sweater a surprise.

I'm reading The Mammoth Hunters, I've been working through this series.  It's light reading and although they're enjoyable I'll be glad to take a break from the series, I'm finding it's all becoming kind of redundant.

Joining Ginny for a Yarn Along

Crafty, Camping Monday

The youngest started her morning with some serious crafting and now she's camping in the living room, it's all very messy but she's playing which means I could take my pictures and start on listings.

Here's a peek at her work and mine....

County Cloth Creations Shop

she didn't want to use the doily part of the doily, just the inner circle

Yarn Along - Sunday Sweater

I'm working on a Sunday Sweater in the 4/5 size for my three year old.  I finished the neck band last night and divided my yarn for the sleeves.  I weighed the remaining yarn so I can use every last bit of it for the sleeves.  It is a lovely little pattern, I'm not accustomed to lace knitting so this was a clearly written pattern to learn from.  I'm currently reading bits from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitters Almanac, my Mom gave it to me for Christmas and I will be watching for more EZ books.

Joining Ginny today for a Yarn Along

PMS Truffles

mmmm, these are delicious (and healthy).  I don't know the science behind our monthly cycles, I do know that personally there are times during the month when I feel extra hungry, sometimes down and in need of chocolate....or anything sweet ......or anything I can cram into my mouth.  So when I saw this recipe for PMS bites I knew I would try it this month.  I changed the original recipe by adding a bit of peanut butter and honey.  And they really are delicious.  Even my three year snagged one of these after I took the picture and her review was  "they taste like chocolate chips!"  They have a rich flavour and pretty simple to make.

Here's how to make them,

Ingredients
1 1/2 c. dates
1tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/4 c. unsweetened coconut
2tbsp. ground flax seed
1/2 c. pecans
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. peanut butter

Method
Add the dates to a food processor and blend them until they're quite broken up.  Add the pecans and pulse to break them up, then add the remaining ingredients and blend until the mixture looks well combined.  Dump the mixture onto a piece of wax paper, take about a tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into a ball in your hands, continue doing this until you've used up all the mixture, allow them to chill in the fridge for a bit.  You can eat them just like this or roll them in some more cocoa powder, this makes them a bit more decadent.

I like to keep things pretty simple so after mixing my ingredients I just shaped the mixture into a log and wrapped it in wax paper, when the cravings hit I just slice off a piece to enjoy and put it back into the fridge.

Overcast & Snowy

It's overcast and snowy here today which surprisingly gave be perfect lighting for my stock pictures (stock pictures are easily my most dreaded shop task) these ones turned out nicely though.  I've got a mix of turned and topstitched pads and serged pads to list.  And here's some previews...

I'll be listing them tomorrow morning after the two oldest are off to school.  I've had a busy week of organizing and tidying and trying to get back to stocking up the freezer.  Our deep freezer was so packed leading up to Christmas that I couldn't put anything new in, so now that there's some space again I'm getting my stock of bone broths, bread, soups, and quick re-heat meals like stews, chili, and spaghetti sauce packed back in.  I realized today that I'll be back to making school lunches tonight,  I better get them done early so I can watch the season premier of Downton  Abbey....hopefully the kids co-operate!

2012 Christmas

I made many gifts this year for my family, our families enjoy handmade gifts and I enjoy making them. Rowan is young enough that I'm able to make many of her gifts...it's much harder to make homemade gifts for our boys who are now 9 and 12.

'Newfie mitts' for my mom

Quilted bags for my sisters

Pixie hat for my youngest niece

                                     

felt playfood also for my youngest niece

preparing squash for Christmas dinner

working on Lego

sporting as many gifts as possible

I enjoy the Christmas season, but I'm ready to start anew.  Time to move past the excess of December and onto the new year.  I'm looking forward to getting back to our normal rhythm.  My son is going off to Florida with his Dad for a week, while he's gone I'll sleep in his room while we (specifically Bill) does the drywall in our master bedroom.  I despise drywall work, but I just can't wait to have proper curtains hung on the bedroom windows and making the room at least a bit more pretty.

Watch for a shop stocking on Monday!