It's Just Like the Oscars!!

I've been nominated, twice!, for a KreativeBlogger Award!!!



I'm so flattered!! Thanks Harriet & Nicole!!

As a new nominee, you are encouraged to:

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 5 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Here are my nominations, in no particular order:

1. Adrienne -- quite possibly the craftiness lady I have the privilege of knowing.
2. Becky -- who will one day figure out how to knit and run at the same time. :)
3. Ann-Marie -- who is so creative she hosts craft nights!
3. Guinifer -- sock-knitter extraordinaire!
4. Alyson -- whose creativity has spilled over onto her husband!



Um, and that right there, is 85 squares of fabulosity!

I've Been Cheating

I don't know if you've noticed, but there have been quite a few projects making their way through my progress bar badge. Some have only been up for a day, others a few days -- shhh, don't tell, but I've been cheating on my blanket.

It started innocently enough with a gift for a friend. She'd had some things happen to her and she was far away and I wanted to hug her. So I knit her a hug. More specifically a Cashmere Neckwarmer Kim K. But that little baby was on and off the needles and posted so quickly I don't have any photos. Should some turn up, I'll post them. I will say this, the pattern is quick and makes a lovely warmer. :)

Next up was a Slouchy Star-Crossed Beret by Natalie Larson for another far away friend. I did manage to grab a few photos of this one, but all self-portraits so forgive their somewhat crumminess.





Knit out of some buttery soft, wonderful, amazing Malabrigo. Swoon.

Next up, I remembered that my favorite Star Wars fan is having a baby. And we're attending the baby shower this weekend. So what better gifts than a Baby Yoda Sweater by Cari Luna and matching Yoda Hat by Sunshyne Leland?



The hat is finished and needs only the glue application to the ears. It felted beautifully and to just the right size. I used the recommended Patons Merino in Leaf Green.



The sweater is finished being knitted, but the seaming is taking some time. I've never had to seam a sweater and want very much for this to be perfect, so I'm trying to be meticulous. I used Cotton-Ease so it'll be super washable for the mom- and dad-to-be.

Last night I picked up my Scraps Blanket for the first time in almost two weeks and fell immediately back in love with it. I pulled out my yarns that have yet to be knitted and dreamed about how each square will look. I think our "break" might be coming to an end.

Happy Valentine's Day, here's some Soap!

In an effort to not burden any of her classmates with another pencil or piece of candy, last weekend Alison and I made Valentine's Soaps. Very easy and kindergarten-helper-friendly -- you use the microwave.

Let me be clear, you're not actually making soap per se, more like reforming soap. :) Here's the deets:

What you need:



Bar of clear glycerin melt & pour soap
Food coloring
Mold (we used a Wilton lollipop cookie sheet)
Soap glitter
Soap fragrance

What you do:

Melt the soap in the microwave per packaging instructions.
Mix in glitter, fragrance and food color.
Pour in mold, let cool for 20-30 minutes.



Bingo-bango!

RECIPE: Amazing, Easy, Crock-Pot Chili

Perfect for a frosty day, which it isn't today, but it was when I went grocery shopping.

INGREDIENTS:



2lbs ground beef
2 packets McCormick's Original Chili seasoning (I usually do one regular, one low sodium -- they also have a hot and a mild)
2-15oz cans beans (I use one light red and one dark red kidney beans, we've also tried black beans)
1-15oz can petite diced tomatoes
1-12oz can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilis

Brown beef. Drain.
Empty all cans and seasoning packets into Crock Pot.
Add beef to Crock Pot.
Stir.
Cook on low as long as you want -- sometime I'll cook it all day, but you can go as short as one hour.
Serve with cornbread, sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, etc.

Yum!

The Emperor of Ice-Cream by Wallace Stevens

Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.