Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas Knitting Pt.2

I finished blocking the Hemlock Blanket. I think it's totally awesome. I can't believe that i was able to make something that looks so intricate and pretty. I might have to make a few more of these for next Christmas. Maybe I'll even take some time and make one for myself.


Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Knitting

A shawl and a scarf in Lion Brand Wool-Ease. The shawl is in charcoal and the scarf is in more of a slate gray. I'm super happy with these. I've only just begun trying out lace patterns and so far I really like them. They knit up pretty quickly and the lace patterns for both of these were easy to memorize after the first few repeats.






Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas Monkeys

I finished crocheting these adorable monkeys for my nephews. They are based on the Daddy Monkey pattern in Amigurumi World. I'm so into pirates right now and I think that these monkey's look absolutely adorable in pirate garb. I especially like how the little gold earrings look. That was Chris' suggestion.





Since I made a little pirate figure for my nephew Aiden earlier this year I wanted to give him something different. That's how I ended up with the Monkey Man superhero! So cute! Chris sketched out the plan for me to help me visualize what colors would be where and how the mask would look. I hope they like them!



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Photos of the Day


Pie Making!


I tried my hand for the first time at pie making. This was a pretty big challenge since I don't even own a pie pan. I think that if I tackle this again I might make the investment.

I made a butter crust. There is lots of butter in a butter crust. Kind of a disturbing amount of butter. I cut the butter in using my kitchenaid stand mixer which rocked. It only took a few minutes to cut in the butter then I added some cold water with a beaten egg and PRESTO! butter crust!

I used it to make pecan pie and apple pie. No photos of the pecan pie. It really wasn't very photogenic but it was very tasty. I made 6 mini pies and one large pecan pie. I think that the mini pies won out. The crust to filling ratio was much better for me.


The apple pie was thrown together in a cheesecake pan. I would totally advise against this but it was the only baking dish that I had that was deep enough for all of the apples and filling. The taste is perfect but the filling was a little runny. I think that I just need to let the filling simmer a little longer. Even having to spoon it out it is a mighty tasty pie. The crust is flaky and rich and I think that I will be giving pie making another go again soon.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Photos of the Day


Chris and I went for a lovely walk around the neighborhood today. The weather is super nice so it's nice to take advantage before it starts snowing and I don't want to leave the house again until Spring.


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Stop! Cupcakes!


I made some yummy yummy cupcakes today mostly because I got bored. As you can see, Chris was pretty reluctant to be photographed with cupcake in hand. They're traditional vanilla cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook with a cream cheese frosting.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Fingerless Gloves (In Progress)


I'm nearly finished with a pair of fingerless gloves that I'm knitting up as a Christmas present. The yarn is Lion Brand Wool-Ease and the pattern is called Susie's Reading Mitts and I'm really happy with it. They're very simple and chic which was what I was going for.

I'm debating whether or not to make a full set with a hat and scarf or just to make one or the other to go with it. I've still got a month to finish the Christmas knitting so I've got some time to work it out.

As far as Christmas knitting goes, I've finished the Hemlock Blanket and I just need to block it this weekend. After the gloves and hat and/or scarf I'm hoping to make three Monkeys from the pattern in Amigurumi World by Ana Paula Rimoli for my nephew. I think that it's all doable by Christmas but check in with me on 12/20 to see if I bit off more than I can chew.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Photo of the Day

Baby Hat and Scarf

I just finished knitting a hat and scarf for my nephew, Alex. The scarf is probably way too big for his little baby neck but I was so worried that it would be too small that I may have over-compensated a little. The hat is totally adorable and I can't wait until I have some free time to knit myself one. It's made from Bernat Satin with two strands of yarn held together. It came out very lush and thick and I'm sure it will keep his head nice and toasty all winter.

The scarf was knit in stockinette so it was curling like mad! I crocheted a border all around but it was still curling some so I'm hoping that a little blocking will straighten out some.