Mashed Potatoes

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

I thought this was a fun, little Thanksgiving quiz to share. It really does describe me even if I'm not crazy about the "more than a little predictable" part. I do love mashed potatoes, though! Yum!

Close to two months ago I agreed to knit a Lucy Bag for a friend. I have made three before, and they all took me about two weeks NOT two months. Well, life happens, especially with a toddler and the ups and downs of first trimester pregnancy. I am happy that it's now complete and I can move on to Christmas knitting without any feelings of guilt. :)

A Few Little Pick-Me-Ups

Not that I have been necessarily "down" in spirit, but I did need something to change the pace a bit in my knitting world. I had picked up Knitting for Baby and couldn't wait to start on these adorable little booties. I just didn't have any yarn in my stash that I wanted to use for the project. On Saturday one of my friends and I had a "girls only" day in Santa Fe, and I discovered a new yarn shop right off the plaza. It's called Tutto, and I found the employees helpful and friendly. I highly recommend the shop if you're ever in Santa Fe (it's by the Blue Corn Cafe). The pattern for these booties is in the book, but a very similar pattern can also be found here for free. I used Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (one skein will make two pairs), and I can't wait to use it again for a Baby Surprise Jacket. :)
The past week I've started reading the Little House series again. I haven't read these books since probably middle school, and I just love them! I enjoy the simplicity, adventure, and love of family as depicted through Laura's eyes. It's also interesting reading them from an adult perspective. There are definitely terms and that are not politically correct, as well as prejudices and stereotypes. I wonder if the most current editions have been edited? From a teaching perspective, I hope not, as I believe it could be a powerful conversational tool between parents/teachers and children. Anyway, I'm enjoying reading these books again, and they take me back to my own childhood (I've always wanted to try pouring hot molasses or maple syrup into a pan of snow to make candy. I wonder if it really works?)

So, what's on your reading lists?

Another Way to Use Wool

This Sunday has been particularly relaxing, especially in comparison with this past week. My husband's side of the family has been going through some difficult transitions, Halloween was hectic as usual, and Matthew's sleep habits have been less than ideal. But right now I have a pot roast cooking, Matthew's sleeping, and I have some time to write about what I've been up to in the crafting world--a subject that always makes me smile. :)

Lately I've been really interested in needle-felting, a craft that I had never tried before. After looking at all the beautiful and adorable examples on Etsy, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a kit. I ended up purchasing the Waldorf Wool Maiden Kit from Sage Dream Design (Amy was delightful to do business with, had VERY fast shipping, and was quite generous with the amount of roving included in the kit). I received the kit last Saturday and spent every spare minute I had over the weekend working on the doll. I had SO much fun, and it took me back to my corn-husk doll making days in early elementary school. I learned a lot from the instructions, but my favorite part was embellishing the dress and making her my own. I also made a little pumpkin from the leftovers.

During my search for needle-felting ideas, I came across the magazine, Living Crafts. I highly recommend this magazine to any craft-lover, but it especially seemed to be focused on making crafts for and with children. I found it at Borders, but the magazine's website has a list of retailers. The fall issue that I picked up had a number of needle-felting projects including a family of hedgehogs (complete with a story to tell your children) and a pumpkin house. I didn't have enough orange roving for a pumpkin house, but did manage to make a little hedgehog.

I am excited to purchase more roving and experiment with new projects!

Halloween was basically a bust with Pat coaching a game, me working, and Matthew only making it to one house before throwing himself on the sidewalk in tears. I have not been able to snap a pic of him in his bear costume yet, but in keeping with the political climate I thought I'd share with you this picture I took at the local pumpkin glow.

By the way, we made it a famiy event and voted yesterday. I am happy to say that I exercised one of my rights and duties to this country (plus I don't have to deal with the crowds on Tuesday!). Have a terrific rest of your weekends!