Test Kit - working the Pattern part 1

Finished the cuff on the test pattern (see previous post) and it went easily. The instructions were straight forward and working with the bamboo needles was so much easier on the hands.

Just started step 3 Divide for Heel and was a little perplexed on what to do. It reads K 14 (16,18) onto one needle. Place remaining 14 (16, 18 sts on a stitch holder. {got that fine} With right side facing {here's where I was perplexed because after the K 14 (16, 18) you have the wrong side facing you. So I decided to purl across so that I have the right side facing me.}

Stay tuned for another update when I reach stage 4.

Creative Home Arts Club - Craft Kit - Comfy Knit Slippers **TEST KIT**

I was chosen to receive a test product for the Creative Home Arts Club (being a life member has it's privilages.) It arrived in the mail today and it is a Craft Kit for Comfy Knit Slippers and comes with everything needed (including yarn) to make them. (See pic below of everything that came in the big ziplock style baggie.)

I will start with the positives of my initial looking over if the kit and then move to the negatives. First positive, the kit comes with a large skein of yarn in a color I will actually wear.
Second positive is it came with bamboo needles. I've not tried the bamboo needles yet but I use wood crochet hooks because they feel better than metal in my hands so it will be nice to try the bamboo needles.
Third positive is the kit came with absolutely everything (minus scissors) one would need for the project including a measuring tape and instructions for the stitches to be used.
First complaint about the kit is the yarn was unmarked and there was no note as to type of yarn or care. It appears to be similar to Red Heart Super Saver but I am not certain. {NOTE The label on the yarn was turned inside out and thus I do actually have yarn information but I didn't find this out until I took the paper off the skien to use it.}
Second complaint is the instructions did not explain the sizes, just stated S, M, L. Based on the gauge and number of stitches I am assuming I will be a medium but will not know for certain until I complete them.
Stay tuned for updates on the project as I document the progress of this test kit.

Pixie Belt and Arm Cuffs

I finished up the arm cuffs and belt I cut out last week after a trip to AC Moore to get the dangly pretties for them. 1 Yard was exactly enough of the beaded trim to do all three pieces! Bells added for jingly fun.

1.5 hour Quilt Purse

This is a purse I made completely off the cuff just because. It's my first attempt at a quilt pattern, wow I botched it but all well. Anyway, the purse is felt lined and has a little inner pocket.

Front of purse with my attempt at quilting.

Showing the inner pocket, it's fully felt lined.

Back of purse.

Showing it off. The perfect fit!

Playing with Fondant

So the family and I have been watching Cake Boss and it got me curious as to how easy working with fondant would be. I had a coupon so I went and got some, played with adding flavoring and color. Here's what I came up with.

My first attempt ever at fondant on a "cake"

Finally dry and shaped... Fondant leaves on a vine with spearamint flavoring. I hand cut and lined these myself. :)

The cakes were made in my mini pie and cake maker.

Frost Elf Princess

My latest painting

Acrylics on Streched Canvas
Size: 11"x14"
Shipping weight: 1.3 pounds
Price: $40.00
shipping fee includes insurance

Baby Doll from Sucker Punch costume

I have finally completed the sewing of my costume. This thing took a lot of work, especially since I did not have a pattern to use. The one image shows the costume on its own and the other shows it with some of the accessories.

Baking Bread

So last night my son comes to me and asks me to bake him some pumpkin bread with the leftover pumpkin from the pie I baked for him the other day. I've never baked pumpkin bread before so I went online and looked at many recipes and finally decided to make one of my own. Here's the recipe:

Fresh out of the oven

Kye's Pumpkin Bread
(yield 1 loaf)
Preheat oven to 350*
1/c cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
8oz pumpkin mush (or Libby's pumpkin)
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp clove
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs and pumpkin. In seperate bowl combine dry ingredients and slowly add to wet mixture. Pour mixture into lightly greased and floured bread pan. Bake 50-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Place pan on cooling rack when done.

Pies

My son brought home a baking pumpkin from a school trip and requested I make a pie out of it, so since I planned to make a sweet potato pie I made them both up. Here's the recipe and a pic. The pumpkin is the bottom one.

Pumpkin Pie
(yields 1- 8" pie)
Preheat oven to 425
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups pie mush*
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
9 oz evaporated milk
8" pie pan with unbaked pie crust
*Pie Mush: 1 small pie pumpkin, cut into quarters and put in steamer for 20-25 minutes until soft. Allow to cool to handling temp and peel skin off. Place pulp in a mesh strainer to remove extra moisture. (extra mush can be frozen in a freezer baggie.)
Place all ingredients into blender, blend until everything is mixed and pour into an unbaked pie crust. Place in center of oven for 50-60 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Removes and place on cooling rack.


Sweet Potato Pie
(yields 1- 8" pie)
Preheat oven to 425
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked sweet potato (either microwave, bake or steam, remove skin)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1- 8" pie tin with unbaked crust
Place all ingredients into blender, blend until everything is mixed and pour into an unbaked pie crust. Place in center of oven for 50-60 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Removes and place on cooling rack.

Inspiration

Last night as I laid in bed waiting for sleep to come I was overwhelmed by an image. It's been a long time since inspiration hit me so hard. So, I got out of bed and drew up a quick preliminary sketch in crayon (it's all I could find right away) and I know the drawing needs to be done in pen and ink and will be fairly detailed.

I had planned to run out today and buy the trim I need to finish my costume and shoes for it as well, but I keep getting pulled toward the drawing. I wonder if I should do that instead, since she is calling so strongly.

Finished Georgie Troll

So it has been several days and several pokes to both the wool and myself, but Georgie Troll is now complete. I have accessorized him with a walking stick and a "GET OFF MY BRIDGE" stick, leather shoes and a leather hat. Standing at 12" tall, he is one of the largest needle felted items I have made. So, here he is:

Georgie Troll grows

I have finished his torso and added the rest of his hair. Now to finish his lower half and make his props.

Birth of a Troll

I would like to introduce Georgie Troll. I started needle felting him around 1ish and at a little before 4 his head is complete. Tomorrow I will start working on his body.

Front View. I love his flyaway hair!

Profile. Eek he needs a chin!

Back view. Cute little cap.

Moonlight Serenade Set - Necklace and Bracelet - $20

Pendant is made of glass beads, 2 medal beads and a single 12mm Czech trans. crystal on wire. It is strung on an 18" ribbon with a heart bar and ring toggle clasp.


Bracelet is made of glass beads and a single 12mm Czech trans. crystal strung on wire with a heart bar and ring toggle clasp and is 7.5" long.

Knit Socks

I finally finished my knit toe up socks I started back in March. Mostly because I forgot about them. LOL Here's the pic:

My products are now available on Facebook

Friendship Afghan

Friendship Afghan with squares from 6 friends

My daughters contribution

Mobius Shawl is Finished!

Finally finished off the Mobius Shawl. Here's some pics of it.

Mobius Shawl as a hood




Back of Mobius Shawl




Mobius Shawl



Pixie Pendants

More pendants made for my shop.


Cradled Pendant




Crowned Pendant



Ma Patite Pendant

Nature Based Pendants

I've created 2 more pendants for sale in my shop.