Our Yellow House

Making

Sorry I haven't been around here much this week. I am not quite sure where the week has gone. We have been making (and finishing) a lot of things though. Here are a few.

Three pairs of striped woolies. The two pairs of black ones were custom. They were dreamy to knit. Lots of alpaca. And the other pair equally dreamy with yarn by Karin (Note: Her incredible yarn also has incredible yardage. These new pants were knit with the same skeins as these.) are in the shop.

Brownies from Rae's book Cooking Fun. This recipe is posted here and is sooo good and quick. I am planning to make them again this afternoon. 

A doll quilt for the swap. One present down seven more to go. If you haven't checked the sidebar, I posted all of the swappers over there.

And this little girl. No she wasn't made this week. But check her out in all of her big kid cuteness.

What are you making?

The Story of Our Applesauce

Frances and I got right to work this morning with the apples that we picked last week. Still in pajamas we cranked away until the 1/2 bushel bag was practically empty.

When the big brew pot was full of apple spirals, I dumped a bunch of cider in, turned on the stove, and we went upstairs to get dressed. You know these things always take a while. One gets distracted.

What's that smell? Oh no! And that would be the entire batch of applesauce ruined. It tastes awful. I am considering trying to add a bunch of brown sugar and cinnamon in attempt to make it into apple butter but I have low expectations. Total bummer. The quart jars were all ready too.

I guess I know what we are doing next week. Back to the orchard!

I did do a couple of things right today though. I finished and posted a few things in my shop and I baked a beautiful loaf of crusty bread.

My Dearest Octopus

This is not a blog about complaining. I apologize right now for the bit of complaining that I am about to do.

While browsing through etsy last night I came across a shop who is selling knock-offs of not one but two of my designs. I am not flattered. In fact I am hurt and fuming. I understand seeing a great design on etsy (or elsewhere) and getting excited about trying to make something similar for yourself or your family.  It is another thing to then start producing these items for sale. I realize putting my stuff online exposes me to imitation but this angers me nonetheless. I am not linking to this shop and I haven't decided if I should contact her or not. Perhaps she has been making roll brim snake and octopus hats for four years too! Who knows? Not me.

So I guess I am saying....ummm what am I saying? Now I truly understand the "for personal use only" on patterns. This is pushing my butt into gear on getting these patterns fixed up and printed so that I have some ground to stand on. I am proud of these designs and want the children of the world to be sporting them but not by (what seems to me as)  blatant stealing.

I don't get angry very often. Sorry again.

*This photo is one of my hats. Just to clarify.

One Yarn -- Two Finished Projects

First: A commissioned pair of striped pants for a friend's four year old daughter. These are the biggest knit pants I have ever made. I really wanted to photograph Eleanor wearing them before they went to their new home but it didn't happen. So here they are just hanging.

 
Second: A vest that was intended for Frances but in the end I think it is too small. It fits her today but it won't fit her tomorrow. Perhaps that's what I get for winging it. But...I think I will post it in the shop. It will be perfect for a 6-12 month baby.

 

There is a pouch pocket on the front

And stripes on the back.

The yarn is Karin's beautiful hand dyed merino. If you are interested in getting your hands on some of this then contact her through her blog or, if you are local, she has some sock yarn for sale at Trumpet Hill.

Actually, is anyone interested in a trade? Just an idea. I know there are couple of newbies and babes-to-come out there.

UPDATE: Hurray! I will be doing a trade with Ruralmamma.

Etsy Gift Guide

My monster spats made it to the Children's Gift Guide on Etsy. Pretty cool. UPDATE: The spats have been sold!

A Trade and a Craft Show

Here is my new gray kitty. She was an etsy trade from littleloveblue. She now lives on a shelf in our bedroom. Cary was one of our neighbors at the Renegade Craft Fair this June. Her work is so sweet and so is her blog.

And...I will be participating in a local craft fair in just a few short weeks. It's called the giveHANDMADE! CRAFTSTRAVAGANZA. It is put on by  Grand Street Community Arts which is an art space in my neighborhood. They are doing amazing things in this city which is in much need of interesting art events and cool stuff for teens. I will keep you posted as items get made and as I hear more about the event.

So Much Excitement

I just can't seem to wipe this smile off of my face. There was a bounce in my step this morning on the way to the post office and everyone I saw seemed happy too. Something is in the air. A new day. I am hopeful and feel proud.

Here is my election knitting.

Also yesterday my knitted striped overalls made it to the front page of etsy! 

Ten Things.

One: We broke down this week and turned on our heat. We didn't make it to Thanksgiving. 55 degrees was just too cold for us. We couldn't hack it. Wusses!

Two: Mystery solved. The vine invading our raspberries was hops. Not pungent-give-to-your-beer-brewing-neighbors hops, just pull-out-of-the-ground-wow-this-is-a-long-vine hops.

Three: Frannie is a walker!

Four: Two of my knit items made it into the Etsy Gift Guides (Baby and Children).

Five: We planted two Mock Orange trees in our back yard.

Six: We have gotten some great recent music acquisitions from friends. Smog. Little Wings. Michael Hurley. Ray Lamontagne. These have all been on constant rotation 'round here.

Seven: I found a new yarn that I like. Louet Gems . It's merino, washable, soft, comes in lots of colors, and has good yardage. I think it is going to replace Rowan Wool Cotton in my book (that is what I use for octopus hats).

Eight: I did five loads of laundry today.

Nine: We found a new Eleanor-friendly YouTube series. MioMao. They are very short and very cute claymation episodes about two cats (one who shares a name with our cat) who make friends with other animals. Since getting rid of cable (after a four month experiment) we find ourselves some nights resorting to Little Bear on YouTube. We are glad to find another option that we all can enjoy.

Ten: And...this week I was asked to make a hat for Condom Man! Sex education meets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in "The Adventure's of Condom Man." This show is being being performed later this month at Steamer No. 10 Theatre by TooDeepEntertainment. Here is Matt, my model.

Wow. That was a lot of links!

Cornmeal Cake with Rosemary Syrup

This recipe has been intriguing me. Today I had an excuse and I gave it a try. Perhaps it doesn't look like much but the flavor is really something special. It's a sweet dense cornmeal cake made with a lots of eggs and butter. Rosemary sugar syrup is poured on the cake while hot and it seeps into the cake. This recipe is from a friend and I am not sure where she got it. I also don't know what the "rules" are on posting recipes. If there is any interest I could find out.

P.S. Silk shirt is in the shop.

Shop News

I posted a few items in my shop.

I hope to have few more within the next few days.