Keep Calm Carry Yarn

I am so buying this poster as soon as it's restocked on Etsy!! Here's the shop its from! http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenniegee

While I do have at least two projects on the knitting needles at the moment (a two year old scarf that needs finishing and a cowl that I just told you about here recently) - my craft of choice here in the beginning of 2010 is crochet.

Have just taught myself crochet here last year - I never quite knew what I was missing. I do love knitting, but it has it's limits. You have to have so many different needles to accomplish projects that have any shape other than flat and straight. For socks you need double pointed needles of various sizes, for hats and sweaters you need various widths and lengths of round needles. It gets to be quite an investment!

But with crochet - you just need the one type of needle in different sizes. And I find it is much faster - I can whip out a hat in an hour instead of 4 hours and I can make good sized baby blanket in about a week instead of a month.

Right now I am working on a fun, beginner friendly cap for a friend at church. Might just have to make one or two for myself when I'm finished! :)

Here's the link to the instructions for the cap and flower! http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Magazines/CTAUG06+Beginner+Friendly+Cap.htm

Anyone know of any other good free crochet patterns out there? If so post the link in the comments - I am itching for more ideas! :)

Web Finds Wednesday!

Pasta Carbonara

Grapefruit Mousse

Candied Grapefruit Peel

Grapefruit Bitters

Broccoli Calzone













Shop Ride & Eat! Free Sewing Pattern

What's On the Needles: January 2010

Well, long time no post - sorry about that everyone! 2010 is proving to be quite busy - good, but busy!

Anyway, I thought I'd share what crafty thing I am working on here lately - a lovely cowl from French Press Knits. Something different than the scarf after scarf I've been chugging out over the last two years but easy enough for beginner knitters so I don't have to put too much thought into counting stitches or increasing or decreasing - just nice soothing thoughtless knitting! :)

(image from French Press Knits - isn't it lovely?!)

Web Finds Wednesday!

Cafe Volcano Cookies - from Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy

Chicken & Pork Potstickers - from Foodie with the Family

How-To: Wash a Down Comforter

DIY Foxy Valentine Favors from Paper Crave

Canterbury Potato Leek Soup

Spicy Hummus Recipe from Rachel Ray

Crafting Cupcakes for Christmas

Yes, I realize this post is a little late, but wanted to share with you one of the things I made for Christmas! Plus, some of these little cuties hadn't quite gotten handed out yet even days after Christmas! :)

These were super easy to make thanks to the tutorial over at Bake It Pretty! - will definitely be making them again next year! One bummer though, I wasn't able to find the sparkly kind of flaky buffalo snow - just the plain kind. Though I really didn't start looking until about 3 days before Christmas - but still! So hopefully next year's will be sparkly!

For anyone looking to find the supplies for these: I found a better price on Styrofoam balls at Walmart AFTER I had already bought them from Hobby Lobby, the "cherries" were found at Hobby Lobby in their floral section as branches of berries, and the buffalo snow was found at JoAnn Fabric (had no luck whatsoever at finding any flaky snow at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or Walmart).

Check Out My Homemakers Who Work Post Today!

I know you've all had the inside scoop on what I got for Christmas - but with the holidays, my freelance work and all the traveling we've been doing lately I am a little pinched on time to write up great blog fodder!

I did manage to write a fun post called Kitchen Things for Christmas over on the joint blog I am writing for along with 13 other fabulous blogger gals - Homemakers Who Work!

Go check it out here!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a lovely New Year in 2010!