Rhea Lace Stole

I've been spending alot of time with other crafty goodies lately and still managed to finish the Rhea Lace Stole from the book, One-Skein Wonders from the hand-dyed silk yarn I found in Silver City, NM. As for the book, I highly recommend it for small projects and lace pattern ideas.

DIY: Travel Pillow

If you're wondering what to make for Christmas gifts this year (and you like to sew) I've got the perfect idea for you. I purchased a kit to make this 12x16" Tidy Travel Pillow Case as a gift for a coworker who sews and then used the pattern to make a pillow of my own to match my cowgirl luggage. It's just the perfect size, affordable and so easy to make up. The lining is attached to the outer cover so you won't have to worry about the pillow slipping out of the case. Wonderful for kids and grown-ups!

Branson Craft Ideas

Travel inspires me to do all kinds of things - mostly crafts. My kind of souvenirs are the things I can bring back home and make myself. While in Branson last weekend, I found the inspiration to make a total of seven things to remind me of my trip. So many hobbies - too little time!

1) Needlepunch Kit
2) Embroidery Dish Towels
3) Sweatshirt Jacket
4) Jalepeno Lime Cornbread
5) Lined Burlap Sack/Tote Bag
6) Stone Necklaces
7) Ceramic Vase Pin Cushion

Destination: Branson, MO

Mom and I have been going at full speed for three days now trying to get in everything that we can with the short time we have here in Branson. We started the day with a tour of the Titanic Musuem and shopping along the Branson Hwy 76 strip. Before we knew it, it was time for our dinner show at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. The show was incredible with an aerial act, lights, music, horses, longhorns, pigs, and doves. I can now say I've ate a whole four-course meal with my hands since they purposely don't provide silverware just to add to the experience.




We've had a wonderful trip and I'm so lucky to have a fun mom like you. I love you very much.

Destination: War Eagle, AR

Mom and I woke early to make our way from Branson, MO to the 55th annual War Eagle Craft Fair. There were hundreds of vendors set up in the meadows along the War Eagle River selling their own creations of pottery, wood carving, weaving, quilts and other arts and crafts. I treated myself to a custom leather belt, a handknit wool jacket, apricot carved wood coffee scoop and wood carved wine stopper.











It was a walk back in time to tour the water-powered War Eagle Mill. Many different flours and meals to name a few are for sale in nostalgic cloth and burlap sacks. I settled for a bag of cornmeal and a great recipe for muffins as follows:

JALAPENO-LIME CORN MUFFINS

2 cups (War Eagle) cornbread mix
2 Tbs sugar
1-2 jalapenos, seeded, finely chopped
2 tsp grated lime rind
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tbs butter, melted
2 Tbs lime juice

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Stir together dry ingredients except cheese. In small bowl, mix together liquid ingredients; stir into dry. Fold in 1 cup cheese. Spoon into muffin tins coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of batter. Bake 15-20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Compliments from the War Eagle Mill

Destination: Springfield, MO

Mom and I took off for a long weekend trip to Branson. It's an easy 4 hour trip but we made it longer by driving some scenic back roads to Springfield. About 16 miles east of Springfield in Rogersville, we pulled up to the most exciting yarn shop I've been to in quite a while - One City Market. It's a small farmhouse with a very inviting front porch and when you enter you'll be greeted by the uber friendly owner, Lisa, and her huge clothesline of Tit-Bits (knitted breast prosthesis). From there I was literally overwhelmed with the many unique items I found in each room from homemade sock blockers to hemp yarn from Nepal to a punchneedle embroidery kit (like I need to start a new hobby-but I just couldn't resist). This is one yarn destination worth a return trip - road trip anyone??

Mexican Coffee

While in Taos for the festival, we stayed a couple nights in the historic, Taos Inn. It was a happening place with a restaurant, bar and cozy places to sit, knit and listen to live music. A cold rain passed through and a hot drink sounded appropriate so I ordered a Mexican Coffee. (Just a little splash of Don Julio goes a long way). Now I can enjoy a taste of Taos right here at home.

2008 Taos Wool Festival

We spent all day Saturday taking in the fibers, animals and knitted garments (made by vendors and spectators) at the Taos Wool Festival. I purchased yarn from one of the best vendors there, Brooks Farm, to make an Ewe Vest. It is a simple garter stitch pattern knit in one piece that was sampled in their exhibit. When in Taos, you must go to Lalana Wools and visit with the lovely, Lynne. She will make you want to knit up everything in the shop. In fact, this is where I purchased the pattern and yarn for my sought after felted cowboy hat. People, it is priceless and I wouldn't part with it for the world -- so go make your own!

Buffalo Thunder Resort - Santa Fe, NM

Laurie and I hit the road to celebrate our birthdays together with a quick weekend of golf and yarn in Santa Fe. After a full day of driving, we were treated to some very nice accomodations at the new Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort and woke for an early tee time at the adjoining Towa Golf Course. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and we hit some amazing shots.

We could have easily golfed all day but after 9 holes we were off to some shopping in downtown Santa Fe and we weren't disappointed. I added a pendant to my Rocki Gorman collection and we had some great BBQ at my favorite stop, Cowgirl Cafe. After this long day, we headed to Taos for the next half of our trip.

Good Coworkers

I got to play in a golf tournament today at Sand Creek Station in Newton, KS with a couple of my favorite coworkers, Alisha and Mike. It would appear that we follow each other from job to job since we are now once again together with a third employer. But like life, our work is all about relationships and spending time with people you enjoy being around so today was a real treat. People like this make it easy for me to go to work everyday and enjoy how I spend the other half of my life.

Cowl By Shelly

There were about 10 of us who participated in the 1st annual Knit in Public Cowl Swap at The Perk this morning. Really, I think it should be a monthly thing. We had so much fun and the anticipation was killer as each one of us opened a package only to "ooo" and "ahh" at the different patterns and yarn choices. We drew numbers and ironically, I received the cowl Shelly designed from my most favorite yarn - NORO - and she received the one I made from black Classic Elite One Fifty. I will wear mine everywhere!

Alef's Open House

Sharon and I decided to ride our bikes out to the Alef's HD Open House party this afternoon and took in all the festivities of shopping, pizza and posing like any good biker would do. The best part of the event had to be the performance the Indianapolis Police Motorcycle Drill Team put on. We were in awe of their riding skills and it was good to see police lights and hear the sirens in a positive setting! I just couldn't resist taking a pic with the letter "L".

I Have Company

My knitting friend, Angelique, moved to New Mexico a couple months ago and we've missed her happy laugh. But she's back for the weekend and I was thrilled she took me up on my offer to stay at my place since I really enjoy having house guests. It's kind of like a grown up version of having a slumber party (which I must admit I have never outgrown!). Today I took some time off of work and we spent the afternoon knitting at Twist and then ended our evening with cocktails at the Anchor. It was a very good day with a comfortable friendship.

A Very Productive Weekend

I wrapped up several projects this weekend starting with Twist's July Sock-of-the-Month Club, Bamboo Lace Socks, designed by fellow KIPer, Lara Teter. (Once again, I'm a couple of months behind on my sock projects). I substituted a 1" cuff to accomodate my golf shoes.

I've been trying to keep my cowl pattern a secret for the upcoming KIP Cowl Swap, but I'm just not good with secrets and have to confess I love this one too much to give away. I'll just have to make another in a different color of yarn so at least that will be a surprise. One good thing leads to another so I made up another pair of Very Cabley Mittens to match. I'm ready for fall!

Baby, It's (Kinda) Cold Outside

The chill in the air over the weekend made knitting these Very Cabley Mittens appealing to me. I followed Jenleigh and selected the very soft Cascade Cloud 9 that blocks out with a soft halo - and boy are they warm. Almost makes me long for a cold, snowy day....kinda.

Happy 40th Melanie

It's such a good thing when your closest friend joins the ranks of 40 somethings. Now YOU can stop counting the years too, girlfriend!

Love you and have a great day!

Does It Work?

Q: The Aqua Globe-does it work?

A: Yes, it does!

I'm a sucker for infomercials and don't you know I called right away to get my own set of Aqua Globes and they're working great. You'll get a set of four in different colors and they'll offer you an opportunity to purchase additional sets at a discount or larger sizes. I now wish I had opted for both.

Purpose?? Not only are they decorative but you fill them with water and the globe shape holds the water in and the soil slowly absorbs it as needed. You can't have too many of these!

Tried and True

Call 'em what you want - warshrags or dishcloths. They're always a good project and so easy to whip up. I find myself going back to the tried and true ballband pattern from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I'm going to ship these off as a special thanks to my friends in New Mexico.

A Quilt for Gabrielle

Our friends' baby girl, Gabrielle, turned 1 last week and I got the hand quilted blanket finished just in time. She is surrounded by the most beautiful flower gardens so I followed that theme using shabby chic floral print fabrics to go with the appliqued hankerchief butterflies.

Cowgirl up, Aunt Sharon!

Living in the Moment

I really love working downtown and taking walks on my lunch hour. I've worked downtown before and at that time did not take many lunch breaks let alone take the time to walk around outside. I think it's a good sign my life is in balance and I'm consciously living in the moment and taking the time to enjoy what's around me. I have many special places by the river or fountains that I like to read or knit. Today, I ventured out to one of those places and was pleasantly surprised to find Becca sitting there eating her lunch and knitting.

Guess I'm not the only one living in the moment--that's what knitting will do for ya!