What's on your Needles?

I have (as always) lots of new patterns I can't wait to try. 

Knitted tie http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10390.html



I want to knit up at least 2 or 3 to start and see how my son and the neighbor next door like them. 

Next... I want to knit up some beaded bracelets...you, you read that right - knitted bracelets!  That reminds me...I need to go find my bead needle, beads and other supplies.  Looks like a nice afternoon to site outside and string beads.  http://knitting.about.com/od/reviews/fr/beaded-bracelets-knit.htm  I picked up this book and it's looks like fun!

Then...my big big big project!  This amazing sweater.  I saw it in Vogue Knitting recently.  I put it down...and yet I can't stop thinking about it!  It's called "Inversion Theory" and there is no "right" way to wear it.  There is no real top or bottom as you can wear it either way!  It's quite an advanced pattern but I don't see anything in it that I can't do. 


Now, what are you working on?

Keeping the Kitchen Clean

Wow, we finally got some very warm weather yesterday.  You know the feeling...hot & humid.  It's that time of the year where anything that's damp starts to get that yucky smell in a matter of hours. 

Guess how I avoid that in my kitchen?  I change my dishcloth every day.  I do it in style now that I've started making my One-A-Day Set of 7 Hand Knit 100% Cotton Dishclothes.  These get me through to the next laundry day. 

I just started listing these in my shop. 

You get 7 unique dishclothes - none looks like the other.  This set was made using a hot green, hot blue and a white with blue, green and yellow flecks in it.  It comes with 3 round solid color clothes and 4 striped clothes. 





Have favorite colors?  I'll gladly make a set in your choice of 3 colors (if I can get them!).  Visit my Etsy store and convo me or you can leave a comment here.


Here's a set in yellow, purple & white.

Coming soon: a set in blue, yellow & white; and a set in pink, brown & cream.



Thanks for stopping by!

Harriet

Wisdom...things to remember and follow!

I don't know where this originated...but one of my wonderful sisters forwarded it to me in an email.  I simply have to share it.


1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

2] Why is a Car's WINDSHIELD so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today’s PEACE. If you really enjoy this, please pass to others. It may brighten someone's day...

Creamy Brussell Sprouts

 

My sister made these a few years ago at Christmas....we love 'em! 

 

Creamy Bussels Sprouts

 

For a green bean side dish, substitute 2 pounds of green beans for the brussels sprouts, and reduce baking time to 15-18 minutes.

 

Prep: 15 minutes

cook: 12 minutes

bake: 20-25 minutes (or less for green beans)

oven: 350^O

 

non-stick spray

1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons butter

2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (or green beans, trimmed)

1 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

¾ reduced sodium chicken broth

¾ cup whipping cream

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

 

1.Preheat oven to 350 ^O. Lightly coat a 1 1/2 quart oval gratin baking dish or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

 

2. In a 12-inch skillet, cook onion and garlic in butter over medium heat for 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in Brussels sprouts and thyme. Cook for 4 minutes, or until onions begin to brown. Add broth. Bring to boiling. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until broth is nearly evaporated. Add whipping cream and nutmeg. Cook for 4 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Stir in half of the cheese, all of the salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

 

3. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are tender. Makes 8-10 servings.

 

Resin...having loads of fun with resin!

Oh, I'm so happy with how these turned out!  I made a few new molds last week to use in resin casting.  I had a chance to do some resin casting for the first time in the new molds and I'm so happy with the results!

Leafy and Small

I made these for a friend's red scarf.  She originally had picked out 1 extra large chunky button until she saw this pattern.  She quickly changed to 2 smaller buttons in black.

Driftwood

This is one of my favorites!  I made this from a small piece of driftwood I found on the beach in Douglas this summer. 


Large Bamboo

This is an extra large chunky button.  I'm going to put these on the neckwarmers I knit with my very large needles.

So, what will I be doing with these?  Well, I have ideas...I'll be casting in several colors.

- buttons to put on my scarves for sale

- button  - to sell

- pendants

- magnets

So, what do you think of these?  Would you wear these? I'd love to hear your comments!


Harriet



Why you really shouldn't link your Facebook Fan Page and your Twitter Accounts

I know...it seems like a great idea.  Link your Fan Page & your Twitter feed...you only need to post once and it gets to both pages.  When you post something in your Facebook Fan Page and it shows up simultaneously in your Twitter feed there are several problems I can think of. I'm sure there are more. If you have another pet peeve about this, please let us know by leaving a comment.

What could be wrong with this idea?  Well, let me tell you...

TWITTER IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
It's not just pushing out information to your followers.  Relationships involve more than 1 person...that means what takes place on Twitter is a conversation between people.  OK, not every single tweet is going to be part of a conversation...but if you never have had a conversation on Twitter, you are really missing out.  I watch TV shows and tweet back and forth about what's happening with friends. 

Problem # 1
If people are both fans on Facebook and Followers on Twitter, they will see the exact same thing 2 times.  I know when I have to read duplicates often, I am going to either unlike you on Facebook or unfollow you on Twitter.  I don't need to see the same thing twice.  Please have some respect for my time. 

Problem # 2
You may think that by having your Facebook posts feed into your Twitter account you are making it easier on yourself to be active on Twitter.  Reality check - you aren't; you aren't being active on Twitter.  Why?  Because you aren't having a real conversation with anyone on Twitter. 

One of the great benefits to Tweeting are the replies & the interaction you get from others.  You can vent, joke, ask questions and you will often get a reply.  If you get a reply, and fail to acknowledge it, you have failed. Not only have you failed in simple common courtesy, but also in your purpose for tweeting in the first place.  Remember, you are using your Fan Page to promote your business.  By failing to have your Twitter-persona acknowledge those people who have taken the time to reply to you, what impression are you leaving with them?  Whether intended or not, I think the impression you are leaving is that you can't/won't/don't take the time to thank or respond.  Hmmm...if you got this impression from someone you were thinking of buying from, would your intentions change?

Problems # 3
Think about all those folks who are able to see your Twitter feed at work.  Think about all those Facebook links you post in Facebook...and therefore in Twitter because you are linking these accounts.  Then think about how many companies ban or outright block Facebook at work.  Yes, I work at one of these.  I see lots of links that look interesting so I click on them (yes, during my lunch hour!)  Oops, I've now been taking to a Facebook page!  Thanks for taking me where I'm not allowed.  If you do this too much, I will unfollow you on Twitter. 

Problem # 4
If you link the other way (Twitter feeding into Facebook) it doesn't make sense for those who don't Tweet.  What are these status updates that contain the #, @ or RT? 

Problem # 5
Facebook & Twitter are 2 different animals.  Why would you want to treat them the same?  When you post something on Facebook, you do not have the 140 character limitations that are on Twitter.  This means the first 140 characters you use on Facebook show up on Twitter...and will probably not make a whole lot of sense.  Are you trying to confuse potential customers or friends?

Problem # 6
Links.  When you post a link in Facebook, space is no issue and you have the whole website address...and you know how long these can be!  When you post a link on Twitter, if it's long, you really really should be shortening it with a tiny url. 

So, to sum up...remember this please.  Facebook is for telling your friends what you're doing.  Twitter is for telling the world what you're doing.  What you tell your friends is not the same as what you tell strangers.  So please refrain from the "set it and forget it" mentality of this convenient app.

Want to do some more reading and get more opinions?
Why You Shouldn’t Trust Feeds For Social Updates
Don’t Link your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter Statuses



 

Wonderful inspiring day

If you are ever near the Saugatuck area in west Michigan, you need to stop in at Good Goods! It's the most amazing inspiring and unusual store I've seen in a long long time.
I however don't recommend taking young children with you as you will be scared silly that they will break something. And then there goes that emergency fund. It's not cheap. Heck, for me it's not even affordable. Except... I've been looking for a new wallet for months & months. Think I found one. It's a half circle! How out of the ordinary is that? I'm hoping to go back next month...maybe I'll splurge and get it for my birthday.
Oh, you'd like to get me something for my birthday? How lovely...I'll take this table. LOL

My first resin button!

I'm excited & happy with how my very first resin button turned out.

It's a smidge over two inches...do you know haw difficult it is to find buttons that size in the store?

Please comment and let me know what you think.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Future Buttons

This is something I've been dreaming of doing for a long long time - designing my own buttons!

Last year I designed some simple neckwarmer scarves. Went shopping for some extra large colored buttons and just didn't like the limited choices. I ended up making some fabric buttons for a show.

This year I have designed another new pattern with a neckwarmer and a hood. And this year I'm going to make my own extra large buttons out of resin.

I did the first try today. I made some buttons out of clay...and the next step will be to make a mold out of these...and then I get to cast the resin

Take a look and please let me know what you think!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

5 Minute Mug Cake

Ok, so this is a good, simple and quick recipe. I. Recently tweaked it just a bit after reading a few reviews. The new recipe received a thumbs up from the 6 year old boy.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
Dash of salt
1/2 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mini chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a coffee mug. Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

I usually remove the cake from the mug onto a saucer and top with chocolate syrup.

Enjoy!!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

How Do You Keep Your Wine Chilled?

Brown Cozy w/ Orange Trim3,
originally uploaded by that is so cute.

Who doesn't enjoy a nice glass of wine? This hand knit cozy will keep your wine chilled while you enjoy a glass or two with a special someone. No need to make sure you have an ice bucket & ice!

This is knit with 100% wool yarn and then felted. Felted wool is a great insulator. This is how it keeps that Rose chilled for you without ice.

Coming soon to a store near you...actually, coming soon to my Etsy store!

a bunch of Wine Cozies

a bunch of Wine Cozies,
originally uploaded by that is so cute.

So, this is only part of the new batch of Wine Bottle Cozies I've finished. I think I will do some needlefelting on a few of them. Look for more pics after that is finished.

Just entered a give-away!

And since I would really really love to win this one, please don't enter it yourself!  LOL

Seriously, if you've had a hankering to learn to spin yarn..this is the giveaway for you!  Check it out here: http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2010/01/silver-sun-alpacas-dropn-spindle-kit.html

Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

It's time to say good by to 2009...and I for one am happy to do so.  I sincerely hope that 2010 is a better year for my family and all of yours!

My family has had some tough times this year.  This spring my husband was diagnosed with cancer...had sucessful surgery and all is well.  My dad went in for what was supposed to be a simple sugery before Thanksgiving and as a result now has severe Alziemers and may never go home.  My brother was diagnosed with cancer and lost his battle a few short days before Christmas.  A sister's cancer is worsening.  In spite of all of this, we are so thankful to our Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed on us.  We are still firm believers in the amazing & wondrous power of prayer.  We find comfort in the fact that our brother is in a better place and is reunited with those that have passed over before him.  We find comfort in the fact that we will see him again and he will no longer be in pain. 

Thanks be to our Lord! 

Merry Christmas to All!

I wish to take this time to wish all of you a very merry Christmas! 

My Poor Forgotten Bloggie

Wow... I sure have neglected you, my little bloggie
I feel like a parent who abanded their child
Or one who has selected a favorite child
...and it wasn't you.

I've jumped on the bandwagon
a bandwagon called Facebook
I've been bedazzled by BeJeweled
...I'm just not that into you.

I've moved past this blog
to a place where I Twitter
and see lots of Tweets
oh wait...my Tweets are here too!

Please forgive my inattentiveness
I promise I'll change
Isn't the first step
Admitting my problem?

Look what I found on the side of the road for free yesterday!

While driving out in the country yesterday to pick up something from Craig's List, I saw a sign "free" and this behind it. I was running late so I thought I'd stop on the way home.

Kept my eyes peeled on the way back because I couldn't remember if where I saw it... and finally saw it ...

Pretty cool. It just fits inside my van - practically reaches from slider to slider. It has 12 of those little things the fit in the slots. They go in in alternate directions so you end up with 6 things on each of the 4 sides. I think this could work well to display some of my things.

What's on my needles tonight

Starting a cotton wash cloth...

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fortunately

Fortunately my daughter successfully completed her university class in Barcelona, Spain and is coming home!

Unfortunately she missed her pre-arranged & prepaid ride to the airport.

Fortunately she was able to call a cab.

Unfortunately she had to pay for the cab.

Fortunately she had some money.

Unfortunately she went to the wrong airline counter to check in.

Fortunately she found the right airline counter.

Unfortunately she was too late to catch her flight.

Fortunately the airline was able to book her on another flight.

Unfortunately she has to wait a whole day to fly out.

Fortunately she is able to stay 1 more night with the same lady she boarded with.

Unfortunately she needs a lot more money to pay for the additional charges to chang her ticket.

Fortunately she can call mom & dad.

Unfortunately this means mom needs to get to the bank this morning.

Fortunately mom & dad have an emergency fund and can get her the money.

Unfortunately our son has his final T-ball game at noon so we have to be ready to head over there after doing the banking…and we can’t find his glove.

Fortunately we called dad who found it in his truck.

Unfortunately we now have to drive across town to pick it up.

Fortunately we have time (barely) to do this.

Unfortunately my van won’t start!

Fortunately we have an extra vehicle.

Unfortunately I don’t have a key to that vehicle.

Fortunately my oldest daughter is living at home and has a vehicle that I can borrow.

Unfortunately this leaves her without a vehicle.

Fortunately we were able to quickly get our banking done and head over to pick up the t-ball glove. Dad said he’d leave the truck unlocked.

Unfortunately he left the keys in the door of the truck!

Fortunately the truck, keys and the glove are all still there.

Unfortunately I have to interrupt dad’s meeting to return his keys to him.

Fortunately we make it to the game in time.

Unfortunately I still have to change my daughter’s ticket home from Sunday to Monday.

Fortunately I can find my ticket information with the phone number to call to make changes.

Unfortunately it sounds like my call ended up in a foreign country.

Fortunately I’m pretty used to listening to accents.

Unfortunately it’s going to cost quite a bit to change this flight.

Fortunately the person at the other end suggests I simply cancel the flight and received a credit to be used later…and then book a completely new flight.

Unfortunately I can’t find a cheap ticket into our town. I end up buying one an hour’s drive away. Half the price.

Fortunately I think all the flight rescheduling is finished. I forward the flight confirmation to my daughter.

Unfortunately my daughter did not forward her new flight information to me so I have no idea when she’s supposed to be back in the States.

Fortunately she calls home Sunday night to let us know she’s at her cousin’s house. Yippie!

Unfortunately she can’t read the email with her next flight information.

Fortunately I can just email the information to her.

Unfortunately she doesn’t call me to let me know she’s made her flight. But, we figure no news is good news.

Fortunately I have time to get home from work and put together the Lasagna she requested for dinner.

Unfortunately it’s not finished before we have to head out of town to pick her up. Hope her dad remembers to turn the oven off!

Fortunately the trip to pick her up goes well. She arrives. All of her luggage arrives. We have a safe trip home. The lasagna is perfect and still warm.

Welcome home!

How do You Store Your Fabric Stash?

Wow...so I'm catching up on some of my favorite blogs today. One of my very favorites is "Just Something I Made" by Cathe Holden. She comes up with some of the most amazing ideas! Anyway, I'm browsing today...and this post catches my attention. And I'm not even a sewer...nor do I collect fabric like so many of my Etsy teammates. Guys - you have GOT to check this out!!


http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2009/07/organizing-fabric-remnants.html

I'll be waiting for your own pics!