Pillows...

It has been awhile, but life has gotten busy. Just a quick post to let you know what I have been up to in my crafting world. I have become obsessed with making appliqued pillows. They are fun to make and create. They go pretty quick and look super cute (in my opinion anyway). It all started with Owls and went from there. Hope everyone is enjoying their summers! Off to our home inspection....

Still Knitting...

Why yes I am still knitting. I just have not had anything to report until now. I am currently only knitting one project although I should probably start something else - perhaps some socks. I am knitting another Shetland shawl. This time I am knitting in lace weight and let me just say that I feel like I am knitting with floss. I really love the emerald color. I had only 1 ball and although I thought that would be enough being that it is 470 yards....I don't think it will work out. So I went on Ravelry and found someone who was selling a skein. Tomorrow I will pop the money and the mail and hopefully my yarn will arrive soon there after. Let's hope I can get this done as it is a gift. I love how this is looking although I think I prefer a heavier weight yarn like I used for mine.

I did some sewing a few weeks ago to for my MIL and SIL's birthdays. I had some dried lavender that I used as a filling. I did 3 each and made each one different. Cupcakes, Chocolate bars, houses, presents, truffles, and M & M's. I appliqued them. It didn't take too long, although there were lots of little pieces. I am happy how they came out - the house and chocolate truffle stand are my favorite.

Not much else going on around here. Oh wait....we are looking to buy a house! That is exciting news!!! Wish us luck. Hope Spring has sprung where you are. We are having a very wet April.

Oops I forgot to post a picture of some baby booties on an actual baby...Aren't they sweet?

Eats....

Yesterday was the last day of my German class that I was taking at OSU continuing education, so I made dessert. I chose to make individual Dobos Torte. Although this is technically not a German dessert it is know through out Germany and Austria. It was created by a man named József C. Dobos from Hungary in 1884. I am very pleased with hot they turned out. Although I did over bake one tray so I made cupcakes so Jason could also have a treat. Since I had to use up the buttercream!


These cupcakes are called, 'Better than Sex' Chocolate cupcakes. Although they are quite tasty..... I decided to do some artsy photos getting my inspiration from HERE and HERE. Jason seemed to like them so that is all that matters.

Here is more Ciabatta. It makes the best French Toast. As usual I am using the best bread book...Baking Artisan Bread by Ciril Hitz. I am super happy with how they came out although I think I will be investing in a bakers peel as soon as I can.

Off to do some knitting and sewing...

Actual Knitting

I started and finished baby booties for a girl at work who is expecting a girl. I had finished the hat (top down baby bonnet)ravelry link ages ago and was just waiting for the right recipient. The yarn is Regia Silk in very fun baby colors. I had lots of yarn left so I did matching booties. Out of this yarn I have done 2 hats and not a pair of slippers - I might just have enough for another pair of booties. I have done these slippers twice before and after each time I tell myself I am going to do the bottoms at the same time so that they can be the same length (you might think I would just get better at measuring, but alas that is not the case).

I recently made Jason some mittens as we have been riding our bikes even in the cold and the mittens doubled with our leather gloves certainly add in keeping out the cold. So I made myself some as well. For both mittens I used Encore which is a acrylic/wool blend. It is great for those projects that will need to be washed and dried. Only I had to be difficult and choose one with a cable. I do love the cable - put not the thumb. It is an after thought thumb and although my friend helped me figure out how to do the gusset increases for a thumb - I had already finished one and wasn't going to rip the other one. I do like how they turned out, although I don't really think I am a mitten girl. I like being able to use my fingers. ;-D





Hope everyone has a great week.

Action Shots and Eats - Interested?

It has been awhile since my last post and although I have no new knitting to show I do have a Shetalnd triangle action shot as well as some tasty treats.


At my old job I used to make Souffles every night for the restaurant, but now it is only on special occasions. Here are my Chocolate Lovelies...





And lastly I was asked by my chef to recreate the new Dine Originals Logo on a cake for the employee appreciation party. I am really pleased with how it turned out - although of course there are things I would have liked to perfect if I had had more time. It takes a steady hand that is for sure. ;-D The original logo is shown above the cake - pretty close right?

Hope everyone is well and that Spring is beginning wherever you are.....

Shawl We?

My first "official" lace project is complete and drying as I type. I knit my very own Shetland Triangle (ravelry link). I am really pleased with how it turned out.



The yarn is super soft and cushy. Love the aqua marine color too. The camera doesn't do it justice in doors - but I promise to take lots more photos. Since I will probably be wearing this to death. It is a bamboo/silk blend by Ella Rae. Close up for the detail... Will post an action shot after it dries.




Beyond knitting my heart out on this I also whipped together a cake for a coworkers girlfriend's birthday.


Obama takes office tomorrow - NO MORE BUSH!!!!! Finally after 8 years we can be proud of who is in office again.

Actual Finished Knitting Projects

I have finished three project over the last few weeks. And although I have been doing lots of knitting nothing has been coming off the needles until now. You know me I had to keep ripping the items looked right.
Details: Magic Slippers by Sockpoxie (ravelry link). Pattern is for newborns - but I modified them to work for a 3 year old. The rose is from HERE. The leaf from HERE. Apparently she loves them, but hopefully I will get to see them on her soon. The rose is out of left over Lornas Lace (Red Rover), The slippers are made out of Claudia's Hand Painted (Ink), and the leaf is Dale of Norway.



Details: Magice Slippers. Made out of

Patons Kroy Socks Stripes. Added the button as these are for a little boy. My first baby shower in years and all the guests were very excited about the hand knit item. I'm sure they will look very sweet on the little one.

Details: A combination of sock patterns. Originally I was using a pattern but the heel directions were so awful I had to keep ripping because they did not work. So I used Azure's heel after modifing my stitch count. The ribbing is all me (very origina - I know). This is my husband's fourth pair of socks - he wants to be the cool professor with hand knit socks. Now if I could just get a pair for myself....

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season (thank GOD it is over) and that 2009 is proving to be a wonderful new adventire.