Either way you put it they are done. Well, they’ve been done for a week now but I’m too late to post them on Ravelry in time for the contest. It’s my fault. I’ve procrastinated the ‘photo shoot’ for too long.

Socktoberfest '09

That’s ok. I’m left with a warm pair of socks in the end and that’s not so bad. Only next time, no variegated yarn.

I said to my hub the other day that I may have gotten the short end of the stick when we got  married. And not in the general sense but in the “no dishwasher” sense. We’ve wedded 8 years ago and only for a year and a half of those we’ve owned a dishwasher. And it was bliss.

Seriously, I’m looking forward to the day when we remodel the kitchen and bring a dirty dishes helper in our house again. In the mean time the drying rack on the counter top is usually crowded so I made one of these.

towel for your drying dishes

There are other versions of it here and here. I made two to match out of fat quarters I had around and an old towel that was past its glory days.

They are so practical and easy to make I could see giving some as gifts.If you have questions about this project let me know. I will tell you my version of making them.

They look ready for your holiday clean up.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

I love a good sewing project that ends up getting a lot of use and I especially love a project that solves an issues and makes my life easier. Case in point, this baby carrier cover I whipped up.

This is how it all started. The babe will be coming beginning of next year  and I remember I used to lug around my other kids with a blanket over their carrier. It was ok except it was hard to hold with the blanket covering the handle or the baby would end up with a blanket in the face if it was draped underneath it. And if it was a windy day, forgetaboutit!! See the issue?

So I found this tutorial if you want to make one (I just used the measurements and winged the rest of it) and add velcro, snaps, buttons or whatever to keep the cover in place. Best part, it solves my issues so I’m pleased with the results and it takes no time (if you’re uninterrupted).

double sided

I have a whole list of these projects. I’ll share a great easy one next time.

Enjoy the weekend!

We’re adjusting to changes around here. From seasons, clocks, wardrobes, even our snacks are a little different.

The kids have been asking for popcorn almost every day…

and homemade granola bars have replaced popsicle sticks and lemonade.

And we managed to get the last of the leaves on our walk the other day. And guess what? They have changed too…

Enjoy your week.

Not long ago I had the chance to savor this book.

It reminded me a lot of the way I grew up, my Mom’s cooking and the slower pace of life from Europe. Molly talks about her parents cooking and daily gatherings in the kitchen preparing meals from scratch and enjoying each other’s company sifting through the day’s events. I liked that a lot.

It also reminded me of simple breakfasts like toast with plum butter and tea, cold cuts with cheese and vegetables for a more elaborate spread and my Dad’s omelettes on Sunday mornings. I had to laugh at Molly’s confession of secretly longing for a bowl of cereal as her “parents kept a tight lid of processed foods” because I didn’t even know what cereal was at the time since our grocery stores had basic things like bread, milk, sugar, butter, rice, etc and maybe some preserves. For produce and cheese we went to the (open) market and there you have it.

On a slightly different note I tried some of the recipes. The Roasted Eggplant Ratatouille was fantastic, the Fennel Salad With Asian Pears and Parmesan was surprisingly tasty and the Tomato Soup With Two Fennels was so fresh and bright that the rest of the fam enjoyed too (which says a lot).

I think I will slowly work my way through more dishes as they are easy, quick and quite healthy for the most part. And they’re perfect if you’re stuck in a rut as far as meals go.

That’s exactly what they are…those hand knitted socks. Our church secretary told me that. And you thought church ladies are prude!

I needed some help with this year’s Socktober Fest project and went to the church secretary because she’s a fantastic knitter. She remembered the first time she knitted a pair of socks and the hurdles of the experience but in the end it was all worth it because “they’re like lingerie for your feet” she said.

One thing I will tell you is that I probably won’t be able to knit socks and give them as a gift. The process is quite involved and I will want to keep them for myself in the end. And I think I will use a simpler yarn because the different colors take away from the beauty of the pattern.

Before I go I wanted to say a big thanks to Kirsten of Through The Loops for her awesome job of coming up with a new pattern every year that keeps us in suspense until a new pair of socks warms up our hearts as well as our toes.

Is Jeff. Because he entered. I’ll e-mail you.

This may be your lucky day. I’m entering a giveaway myself. Thought you might like it too. Between the one I’m having and the Block Party I hope you’ll end up with one win.

Cheers!

Yes, indeed. Maybe it’s the sugar from Trick or Treating or the crisp autumn air but whatever the case may be I found this little lovely and I thought ‘How appropriate!’.

It’s an Italian made purse with handmade embellishments, very coquette and it may come in handy (pun intended) for the holiday parties which are just around the corner.

If you’d like to enter, please leave me comment telling me one thing you like about fall. I’ll keep comments open until Thursday November 5th and announce a winner on Friday morning.

Happy November to you!

On the quilting front things have definitely slowed down. Sitting for long at the sewing machine doesn’t do me good but short spurts are wonderful.

The Cottage Quilting Bee is still on and I’m playing catchup so I’ve got lots of blocks to share really quickly. This one’s for our great hostess Tina who loves Gee’s Bend Quilts.

Then I have one for Laura who is making a quilt with lots of houses. They are so cute…

And this last one if for Rachel. This block didn’t turn our perfect and I think it’s because one of the white diagonal strips was not at a perfect 45 degree angle hence they didn’t all meet right on the dot. It was fun to make though. My hub hub loves this block.

Well, these are all the tricks I have for now. Hope your week goes great!