Help...please

May 22, 2009

Ministry of Knitting Mojo
Department of Fiber Arts
Knitting Division

To Whom it May Concern:

I'm writing this letter to inform of a deep concern I have regarding my knitting mojo. As you know, I am a one (maybe two) project at a time knitter. I knit almost everyday to reduce hormone levels stress. Quite recently, the last three weeks to be exact, I have noticed a decrease in my knitting mojo. Well, a decrease would be an inaccurate description. I lost it totally. I did not even work one kyok in 1 stitch on Cherry Fizz which is very disturbing considering this is a spring scarf and it is almost summer. Then last night, to my surprise, I found myself surrounded by five projects with yarn for a sixth. I don't have to tell you that this is completely unacceptable and quite embarrassing, if I'm to be totally honest. Especially since one of the projects is crochet and I don't know how to crochet. Whatever were you thinking when you put this in my head? Clearly, I'm due for some kind of focus adjustment. I can only hope that this adjustment is of the minor tweaking and not a major overhaul as I have a blog with readers that enjoy knitting content. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Lucky Knitter

P.S. Have a nice weekend! ; D

Two t-shirts and an apron...

It sounds like the title of a movie! Doesn't it?

This week I went to the Vintage Fashion and Textile Show. If you are ever in the area the three times a year that they have this show, you should treat yourself. I bought some vintage fabric, kitchen towels, buttons and lace. All the linens were in wonderful shape and the vendors had them all cleaned beautifully. There were even gorgeous French fabrics from the 1800's, and lots of vintage clothing. Need I say anymore? It was fantastic.

I made a couple of quick projects using some of my finds. First up a t-shirt that I added some crochet flowers to. Total cost $1.00.



Next, a t-shirt that I cut a 1 inch strip off the bottom and used the strip to make spider web roses. I zig-zag hemmed the bottom of the shirt for that ruffle effect. I used one of those Hot Pattern videos as a guide. Total cost zero dollars.



Last, an apron made with a vintage kitchen towel and some left over pieces of fabric and lace from other projects. I love how it came together. Total cost $3.00



Here I am playing house in my new outfit!



Have a great weekend!

Wardrobe Refashion

I took the Wardrobe Refashion Pledge for the months of May and June. I have been following the WR blog for a while and I am inspired by the members creativity. I've been wanting to learn how to sew my own clothes (that I would actually wear), so by signing up I'll be doing just that. It will be trial and error I'm sure, but I think it will be fun and challenging, and not to mention good for the earth and my wallet. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The inspiration for this t-shirt is based on American designer Phillip Lim's clothing line. The idea came from a Hot Patterns video. Did you know Hot Patterns has a whole bunch of great video tutorials on YouTube? I used a plain t-shirt that I wasn't comfortable wearing, because it was so long. It was perfect for this project. I cut 2 inches off the bottom, and zig-zag hemmed the raw edge. This gave it a lettuce edge look. I like that look. Then I took strips of the cut off hem and gathered them slightly. I sewed them around the neckline about an inch apart. I used some of the leftover fabric to cover some small buttons and added them in between the two ruffles. I really like how it came out.

I have to send a big thank you to Melynda at Country Girl Couture (she has a lot of great ideas), because I never would have found out about these Hot Pattern videos, if it wasn't for her.

Watermelon Popsicles

I know, I know, I don't post for three weeks and then I have two posts in three days, but I wanted to share a recipe for watermelon popsicles that I made the other day. It was record breaking temperatures for April here - over 90 degrees! I wanted to make something cold and refreshing with ingredients I had on hand. I remembered seeing a recipe for watermelon popsicles in a magazine last summer that looked really good, but of course I couldn't remember what magazine. They looked like pieces of watermelon. They had green rinds made from cantaloupe and chocolate chips for seeds. I tried to find a similar recipe that was quick and easy. I ended up combining several different recipes to make these and they are tasty.

1 c. watermelon chunks
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. sugar
6 ice cubes
1 tsp. lemon juice
chocolate chips (optional)



whirl together in a food processor or blender.



Spoon into popsicle mold or paper cups. Stir in a few chocolate chips for seeds. Add a popsicle stick and freeze.



Enjoy!