Grow green onions in water

I saw this idea in Pinterest.  There are several fruits/veggies you can grow this way by putting a slice, pit, root end, etc in water rather than throw them away.  I think we all did this with potatoes, avocados, or beans when we were kids, right?  I bought these green onions at a local farmer's market three weeks ago and have already cut them down three times!   

Tote bag and zippered pouches

The first pouch is a gift for my sister, Gina, for her birthday.  I enclosed a pair of silver earrings and gave them to her while she was visiting last weekend.  She requested a matching velcro closure cash envelope/wallet, which went into the mail to her on Thursday.  I got the idea for all three pouches from this video on YouTube:

I was gifted this denim fabric (below) from my neighbor and wasn't sure what to do with it until the other day when my friend, Pat, came over for a playdate.  I love our playdates!  We usually have so much fun visiting that we don't get very much done.  I showed her how to make the velcro closure cash envelope/wallet (not shown) and we made one of these pouches.  I made her a tote bag to take home and made mine and the two matching pouches after she went home.  I just wanted to show her how much I can do on my serger and how much I'm enjoying it so far.  I've had it for 3 years and only used it once right after I got it.  My poor husband kept asking why I wasn't using it.  It scared me!  So, knowing this, when Pat bought a new embroidery machine and started taking classes on it, she asked her sewing teacher to show me how to use my serger.  One class and I've been hooked since!  I have my second class in two days.  She's going to show me how to do a narrow rolled hem.   I'm so excited!  I see a lot of cloth napkins and scarves in my future!

Anyway, the pouches are lined, unlike the ones in the video and all raw edges are serged.  I prefer to sew the zippers on by machine rather than serger because I don't like the idea of my serger knife cutting the zippers since I've been making a bunch of these pouches. 

Car trash bag

I've been trying to rework this concept over and over in my head.  This is just a prototype and as we speak I have ideas to make it better.  It fits a one gallon zip lock bag, which when turned inside out, creates a stiff rim at the top.  What I really wanted was for the hem that turns inside the bag to be longer and have some stabilizer attached so that when a zip lock bag is inserted inside the holder, the hem will keep it in place.  As it happened, the hem is too short and I didn't have any stiff Pellon stabilizer when I sewed this.  I even considered using boning around the rim but it doesn't seem to need it.   The inside out zip lock provided enough stability to keep the bag open but I actually machine basted the bag inside the holder.  I can remove the plastic bag with just a few snips if needed.  It's not what I wanted, but for now it will do the job.  It is tied to the underside of the lid of the center console of my truck to keep it in place.  Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Crochet Baby Barefoot Sandals

My neighbor came over tonight and asked if I could make some of these as her son and daughter in law are expecting a baby soon.  I saw some really cute ones on Etsy but decided to just wing it.  I sure hope they will fit.  It's been awhile since I've been around a little baby.

The following are just my notes & not a pattern:
Using sz 3 crochet thread & sz D (3.25 mm) hook, Ch 8.  Join.
Ch 3, 2dc in loop, turn
Ch3,  dc in same st. Dc in next st.  2dc in top of ch3 from previous row.  Turn.
Continue inc in this manner until last row is made of 9 dc.  Ch 36 and cut thread.  Join @ top of other side & ch 36.  Cut thread.  Weave in ends.  Make 2 flowers and attach to top of feet.
Flowers:  ch 8 and sl st in 1st ch.  Ch 8 and sl st in same ch.  Repeat until you have 8 loops.  Cut thread and pull end through center of flower.  Pull tail until center closes almost closed.  Make another flower this way but only ch 6 instead of 8.  Pull tail tightly closed, stack atop larger flower and feed tails through larger flower then pull larger center tightly shut.  Attach to top of sandal.  Repeat for other sandal.

New phone

Just got a new Motorola Droid 4 today.  Just playing around on it.  Things I hate about getting a new phone are that I have to reinstall my apps and ringtones.  I passed my phone down to my eldest son because he broke his and isn't due for an upgrade for awhile.  At least I can see what apps I had before he totally wipes my old phone clean!

How to make a cafe latte with your existing Keurig without buying the new Vue!

We love our Keurig and I know many people love theirs, too.  I, however, do not love my Keurig enough to spend $250 on the new Keurig Vue coffee maker.  Yeah, I watched the infomercial last night and when I saw that the new Keurig can make lattes, it got me thinking.  I'm going to show you how to make a latte in your existing Keurig and save $250!  This one will be better because you use real milk, not nonfat dry milk and powdered cream that are in the Vue's latte frother pack.  The Vue takes two steps to make a latte and costs $1.50 each.  My way takes three steps, costs just pennies (since I refill my K Cups), but is very easy to make, you'll see.

Step 1: Pour about an inch of milk in the bottom of your coffee cup and microwave for 40 seconds.

Step 2: Froth the milk.  I bought my frother on eBay for less than $2.00.  Mr. Coffee also makes a frother that you can buy at WalMart for about $8.00.

Check out this froth!  Amazing!

Step 3: Brew your coffee

There you have it!  A REAL latte made using your Keurig!  Sweeten, stir, and enjoy!

A new DIY Kick Spindle (Mother Marion's Spindle) for me!

It's official...I'm now a spinner and happy yarn-maker. (The yarn pictured above is a 2-ply I spun and plied on a Turkish style spindle my husband made)  I just woke up one day and wanted to learn to spin.  I watched practically every video on YouTube and requested many books from my local library on the subject of handspinning and spindling as I knew a spinning wheel was out of the question.  I received the bottom whorl drop spindle and fiber I ordered from Etsy.com then visited my LYS to sign up for a spindling class.  By the time I showed up for my first class I pretty much knew what I was doing but had fun anyway.  I showed my husband several more drop spindles and expressed my interest in a kick spindle, practically begged him to make them for me, especially the kick spindle.  Well, he did it!  I've been happily spinning on my kick spindle since 4 am Sunday morning and love, love, love it!  I expected my leg to get tired of using the kick spindle but it doesn't.  I think it has to do with the height of the chair I'm using.  I tried it while sitting in my recliner and, sure enough, my quadriceps screamed at me to stop after just a couple of minutes.  I now use my husband's computer chair at it's highest height setting and it's perfect.  My leg naturally swings at the right height to kick the wheel, almost effortlessly.  My favorite thing about the kick spindle is the ease at which I can wind on the spun singles then back around the cup hook to begin spinning again.  I can't wait to ply on the kick spindle.  I have an idea it will be a dream!
I think he'd be upset if he knew I was blogging this picture.  He is not happy with the way it looks as I was urging him to just "slap it together" so I could use it already!  But now that he knows how it works and the proper angles, he wants to make me another one, but prettier.  Okay, I can live with that!  LOL  First of all, the base need not be so long but it is nice and sturdy without any wobbling or moving at all.  That was my only complaint about the kick spindles I've seen for sale.  The bases look too clunky and unstable.  He also wants to find another ball bearing to go into the upright support so that it might spin longer and faster.  He wants to make it more decorative by carving designs into the kick wheel and perhaps make it more portable.  Right now you can remove the spindle, whorl and kick wheel but the upright support is fixed.  It was a learning experience for him and I am the happy recipient of his experiment.

Learning to spin and new spindles

I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I can't get the idea of spinning wool, or more specifically, spindling (using a spindle rather than a wheel).  I ordered a drop spindle and some wool roving from Etsy and couldn't wait to get it before asking my husband, an avid woodworker, to make me a supported spindle like the Russian and French spindles we saw on YouTube.  I made him watch videos with me and then look on websites for examples of these types of spindles.  This afternoon he went to his workshop and fired up the lathe and made these three spindles for me.  Each is a little different, all are very lightweight, and each beautiful because he made them just for me!  I raided his workshop for the two bowls, which he made years ago and was storing tools in.  Yes, that green mess is my first attempt at spinning singles.  Right now, I'm actually knitting up a swatch of this yarn, which is way too overspun and kinked up like crazy until I figured out how to let it unspin some. 

I have lunch planned for tomorrow with some friends in the vicinity of a local fiber shop that sells roving and gives spinning lessons.  I can't wait to check it all out!  Hopefully my drop spindle and more roving will arrive next week so I have more to practice on.  I have also joined multiple spinning groups on Ravelry so I can drool over everyone else's spindles, yarn, etc.

Hon, I love you very much!  Thank you for the wonderful new tools (notice I didn't say toys?)!

Nook Tablet Cover, not a pattern, just my measurement notes

I wanted to make myself another cover for my Nook Tablet, just like I saw on Etsy.com.  I didn't want to buy one, nor did I want to pay for a pattern.  The challenge is in figuring it out by myself!  Here are the measurements of the fabric pieces I need to make the covers.  Not a pattern, just my notes so I can make more. 
Nook Tablet Cover

Inside:
2 pcs - 6.5" x 9.5"
4 pcs - 3.5" square, pressed in half diagonally for corners
1 pc - 11" x 9.5", pressed in half with 9.5" ends together for pocket
1 pc - 2" x 9.5" for closure loop

Outside
1 pc - 12.5" x 9.5"
If using a pieced front cover, make 2 pieced pieces 6.5" x 9.5" and sew along the 9.5" side
Batting of choice 14" x 11.5".  I use fusible fleece.

Optional
1 pc - 11" x 9.5" for chipboard sleeve
1 pc chipboard slightly smaller than 11" x 9.5"

Knitting & reading

I've never read Charlaine Harris until now.  I thought all her books were about vampires.  Dopey me.  Her Aurora Teagarden mysteries are of the cozy genre and revolve around a part-time librarian, mystery buff.  I read her third book first on my new Nook, borrowed free from my local library via .pdf download.  I couldn't get any others this way but found the 2nd, 4th, & 5th in paperback @ my library.  I'm enjoying them so far.  I love being able to download free books from our library system!  This is why I wanted a Nook or Kindle in the first place.  I've had both the Nook & Kindle apps on my phone & computer for awhile now and like that I can read on them but my eyesight isn't so good anymore and the small print on my phone was killing me.

New Nook Tablet, New Quilted Nook Case...yippee

What do you do when you get a Nook Tablet for Christmas but you don't have a case to put it in?  If you're like me, you order one then turn around and make one until that one arrives!  Please excuse the crappy cell phone pictures but I couldn't wait to post about this!


Front of cover

 I made this cover from two mug rugs that I made and hadn't yet given away.  So glad I put them to great use!  I just love the Japanese prints!

The mug rugs were already quilted and bound before being sewn together.  That means that each side has three layers of batting to protect the Nook.  I am so very pleased with how this project came out!   My neighbor saw it and wants me to make one for her daughter's new Kindle.  I hope I can recreate it!

Inside of cover with two extra layers of quilt batting under the micro fleece liner



So glad I added a zipper to keep my Nook safe!

 

Back of cover with elastic to hold the Nook in place while I read.



Another knit slouch hat - not so slouchy version

Not a pattern, just my personal notes so I can make another one just like it.

Lion Brand Tweed Stripes - Caribbean 3 oz., 144 yds
US sz 7 16" circular needles for ribbing
US sz 10 16" circular needles for body
Stitch markers
Row marker or safety pin
Yarn or tapestry needle

CO 96 sts with smaller needles
Work K2 P2 ribbing for 2"

Increase 16 sts evenly by *K5, M1, K1* 16 times = 112 sts
Change to larger needles and knit in stockinette until entire piece, including ribbing, measures 7 inches.
Place stitch marker every 14 stitches
Decrease row: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog tbl, K1
Knit 1 row even
Continue decreasing until there are 2 sts between markers
On last row, remove markers as you K2tog between markers.
Cut yarn leaving enough for sewing up top.  Thread needle and run through all remaining stitches twice, run through all stitches in the opposite direction and cut yarn.  Weave in starting tail.  This hat uses almost all of the whole skein.

Basic knitted slouchy hat notes...non-pattern

Good basic (very) slouchy hat knit with Lion Brand Tweed Stripes yarn

1 Skein, 3 oz., 144 yds

Size US7 and US10 16" circular needles

CO 96, PM before 1st stitch to mark beginning of round

Work K2 P2 ribbing for 2 inches

Increase 16 sts all around by: *K5, M1, K1* 16 times = 112 sts

Change to larger needles and knit every row until piece measures 8" including ribbing

PM every 14 sts to mark decreases

Dec round: *K to last 2 sts before marker, k2tog* around
Knit one round even between decrease rounds

Decrease in this manner until 1 stitch remains between markers

Knit remaining stitches while removing markers.  8 sts remaining

With tapestry needle, cinch up remaining stitches, draw yarn through opposite direction and cut.  Weave in ends.

Mistake Rib Cowl In The Round

Lion Brand Hometown USA - Super Bulky Yarn
US Size 11 circular needle - Magic Loop Method

CO 56 sts

Round 1: *K2, P2* around
Round 2: P1, *K2, P2* around

Continue  rounds 1 & 2 until desired height, then BO

Top Down Knit Slouch Hat - just my notes, not a pattern

I just finished knitting a slouch hat for myself and wanted to post my notes so that I can make more of them just like it.

Top Down Knit Slouch Hat

Hat body US size 10 circular
Hat ribbing US size 7 circular

KFB=Knit in front and back of same stitch
YO=Increase one by doing a YO.  **On next round, knit all YOs through the back loop to avoid making a hole.

Knit using either magic loop or two circular method

With larger needle CO 8 sts:  CO 2, PM, CO 4, PM, CO 2.  Put half of total number of sts on each needle and proceed with magic loop or 2 circular method.

Round 1: *KFB* around. 16 sts
Round 2:  Knit
Round 3: *K1, YO, K2, YO, K1* around. 24 sts
Round 4: *K1, YO, K4, YO, K1* around. 32 sts
Round 5: Knit
Continue in this manner: *K1, YO, K X number of sts to last st before marker, YO, K1* until you have 120 sts total. 
Make color changes as desired.
Knit until you have 8 1/2" from crown to needles. 
Decrease round:  *K3, K2tog* around. 96 sts
Change to smaller needles for ribbing.  Knit K2, P2 or K1, P1 ribbing for 1 1/2 inches.
BO loosely.  Use starting tail to sew up hole at the crown.  Weave in ends. 

*Edit:  Not quite sure I like the 4 increase sections.  Might try 8 so that it looks less square from the top.

Our Friends' 25th Anniversary in Phoenix

This weekend my husband and I drove down to Phoenix to attend our friends' 25th anniversary with the renewal of their wedding vows.  My husband was to be their best man 25 years ago but because of his overseas deployment with the Army, he was unable to attend.  It meant so much to them that he was able to be their best man this time, and I was their matron-of-honor.  While things didn't go precisely as planned, it was very touching, beautiful, and emotional.  One of the highlights for me was to see the slide show, in which they included pictures of my husband from 25 years ago.  I asked for copies of those pictures and was assured I'd get them.  My husband and I have been married for only 21 years so seeing these pictures was a treat for me.  It was also particularly poignant because they included pictures of their parents, all of whom are now deceased.  In fact, the last time we were both in Phoenix together was for the wife's father's funeral 3 years ago. 

Babycakes Cake Pop Maker

Just got this gizmo yesterday from Kohl's.  It's the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker.  I will admit that I paid more than I wanted to.  I got it for $27.00 when I should have waited and bought it from Bed, Bath & Beyond, which has it for $19.99 and I could have used a coupon for either 20% or $5.00 off.  I just couldn't wait!  First, I made a batch of Funfetti pops with white chocolate coating. Sorry, no pictures of those. Then today I made a batch of strawberry pops with dark chocolate coating. They're nothing at all like traditional cake pops that are made with cake mixed with frosting then rolled into balls. I find those to be sickeningly sweet. These, however, are just little balls of cake, light and fluffy, dipped into chocolate.  I was able to get about 6 dozen balls from one cake mix.  These balls are smaller than the ones I usually make, which are about 2 Tbsp.  I believe these are closer to 1 Tbsp.  The wells of the cake pop maker are easily filled by loading a zip lock bag with batter, snipping off one edge, and squeezing the batter into the wells.  After a little practice, you will be able to see how much batter is required to get perfectly round little balls.  The machine also comes with a little rack on which to cool and then decorate the balls.  It only took about 3 minutes per batch to cook.  I sprayed the nonstick machine with cooking spray before the first batch just to be safe and didn't have to do it again.  I'm hooked!  Not as sweet and very quick to make.  I still have a couple of dozen balls in the freezer that weren't dipped because I ran out of chocolate coating and didn't want to open another bag just yet.  Recommendation?  Definitely give the machine a try.  Do your homework and read other reviews on Amazon.com.  See if you can get it cheaper, though.

This is just a small sampling of the cake pops I made today.  I gave a bunch away to a friend and also to a neighbor.  Everyone loves them!

Halloween Cake Pops

Halloween cake pops

Going to a party tonite and I offered to make these cake pops.  My friend, Laura V hadn't heard of them before so I asked her to come over and help.  What fun!  The best part is having to "dispose" of the deformed ones!  Also, dipping orange wedges into the leftover chocolate wasn't half bad.
These are made from a triple fudge cake mix, vanilla frosting, and chocolate candy melts with Halloween candy sprinkles.  Yum!

More mug rugs today

These things are addicting.  They are great for trying new patterns and techniques in an immediately gratifying way.  So small, so quick and very cute.  I've wanted to try the braid pattern for a long time.  Went into my scrap bag and pulled these fabrics out.  They don't go together at all but I didn't want to waste good fabric if it didn't turn out.  I'll use thinner strips next time.  These were 2.5" wide.  I especially like the hexie one.  I started making some English paper pieced hexagons a couple of years ago, not having a grand plan for them.  Glad I could use some here.  The Dresden plate one was to practice my echo quilting more.  The floral with the green & black borders was made to see what one looked like without binding and the others were to reacquaint myself with sewing bindings.    What will tomorrow bring?  If I don't join a mug rug swap, at least I've gotten a start on some Christmas presents :)