Alexandra

Here is the finished sundress and saartje booties for my dear friend's babe! I hearted this yarn so much and want to buy 10 more.

Oaks Bottom

"Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"

Barbara Kingsolver has been one of my favorites, starting with "Poisonwood Bible." Her latest is about her family's decision to move to their farm in Virginia and eliminate their carbon food footprint. It's a wonderful account of their journey through the seasons and their discovery that eating seasonal and local is the way to go. If your a foody and a farm lover like me, you will adore this book. My dear friend Robin reccomended it to me and it has really captured the essence of farm to table. Each of her family members, husband and two daughters, contribute as well with essays and recipes. I am transplanted to the lush foothills of Virginia every time I pick it up....

Sock Summit Treats...

I wandered down to this years sock summit at the convention center.. even though I don't knit socks. I tried once and made only one, it was shortened as if the adult had a tiny foot. I might try them again some day! I had a great time anyhow checking out rows and rows of goodies. I giggled that the clog shop was there amongst other knitter's loves! I came with a budget in my pocket of which I didn't touch but instead used the credit card... trouble! haha! I purchased two garrrrgeous washable skeins for my upcoming baby projects.
The first one was a gloriouse 575 washable yards of deep plums, chocolates, and everything in between. It was from a company out of Mountain City, TN. They talked about all of the fiber festivals they had been to out there and I was ready to road trip :) I have started a sundress from it and plan on making some booties and a lacy top for a baby friend whos turning one!
The second skein was from a company out of the bay area called Tactile. The skein was called "Pomegranate" and encompasses how I feel about the fiber arts and knitting! It's incredible when one skein of yarn can do that.. and rare! haha! It is a palate of warm reds ranging from deep maroon to a tomato red. Its 375 yards of washable merino and cashmere! YUM!
I am going to make the February baby sweater with this one and some booties or a hat to match.

Jacque's Jelly

It has become tradition that I knit Jacque her favorite sea creatures for her birthday. Last year it was an octopus pattern by, my all time favorite, Hansigurumi. This year I chose another Hansi pattern... but this time a jelly fish. After checking out all the incredible colors and choices... I settled on an eggshell cotton and mohair which I held together throughout. I used Blue Sky Alpaca's suri for the loose strings. It only took me 3 days! (A fraction of the time the octo took) The end result is wonderful! I'm really excited to give Jacque her new little squiggly friend. Hansigurumi is amazing!!

Beach Days!

ahhhh and sigh.. it's a treasured moment when a perfectly relaxing and lovely trip falls in your lap. My dear friend Jacque's family invited the kids and I on their annual summer camp out. We were treated to incredibly collaborated family meals, long days lounging on the beach, and fireside glow stick stargazing nights. Jacque taught me how to cook whole crabs and oysters over the fire, the beauty of a truelly southern tea, the magic of fajhita night, and how divine a bourbon and peach is...
Chopped farm fresh peach in the bottom of a glass; shot of good buttery bourbon; lots of ice and some soda! Yummm

Aestlight Shawl

Summer treat is finished! I loved this pattern and adored the finished result. It was for a dear lovey friend's birthday and now that it's snuggley tucked into a mailer and on the way to her I want a matching one for me!! haha! I love it and it was the ultimate summer treat.. light cotton.. great solid... simple with a fun little ruffle. A totally satisfying pattern.