2010 Project Collage

I'm starting a new tradition.  At the end of each year, I'm going to put all my project pictures into a collage and post it here.  It's a nice walk down memory lane. 

January started out with a HUGE order of hand-dyed yarn for a LYS in my hometown in Michigan.  Who-da-thunk?!?! 

Spring was filled with learning how to make soap ... so much fun and it is the most lovely stuff in the world!

During Summer Break I did a modicum of knitting but crocheted a plethora of dishcloths for Christmas.

I survived Abigail returning to school (without feeling like my world fell apart) and discovered crocheting with bright, happy, funky colors in lovely wool yarn.  Oh.My. ... sighhhhh.  This was a great surprise to me but I embraced it wholeheartedly as I do all my fiber hobbies.

This blog was another Great Surprise.  All of a sudden LOTS of people (at least I think so) are reading it.  Did I do something different?  I'm  not sure ... I try not to over-analyze it.  =)  But it sure does make me feel great!!  I promise to keep doing what I'm doing because I love having you ALL as a part of my life.

Good-bye, sweet Twenty-Ten.  You've been a good year and it feels so good to be able to say that.

Lots of Love,

Erin

Lots of Busyness, an Update, and a Thank You

Thank you for understanding the quietness around here lately.  =)

We've been busy with appraisals, inspections, and paperwork since we got back from our Pittsburgh Trip on Wednesday afternoon.  Mr. K leaves for Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon so he can start his new job on Monday. 

I don't know how it happened but Abigail has just one more week of school before Christmas Break.  We'll probably spend a couple days in DE doing girly-artsy-crafty things together, drive to Pittsburgh to spend some time with Mr. K, and then continue on to Michigan to spend Christmas with family. 

Every morning I get on the computer to check email, read blogs, and see what's going on at Dutch Girl Diary.  Without fail there is one or two new followers every day ... that just blows me away!

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Love,

Erin

PS - I finished another Log Cabin Blanket ... it's cute as a button but needs to be blocked. =)

Bittersweet

I'm sitting in our hotel in Pittsburgh typing this. 

We flew in Saturday for our official "House Hunting-Church Checking Out-School Visiting Trip."  There was a bit of a rocky start on Saturday afternoon but everything smoothed out beautifully.

Sunday I met a mom at the church we visited that, get this ... READS.MY.BLOG.  Is that cool or what?!?! 

Monday I visited a yarn shop just a hop,skip and jump away from where we will live.  It is BEAUTIFUL and will become my new hang-out. 

Today Abigail visited her potential school and she loves it.  =) 

I'm REALLY happy with the progress we've made on this trip.  There was a bit of a rocky start on Saturday afternoon, but everything smoothed out beautifully.  I'm excited about our new life in Pittsburgh!

BUT ...

We will be leaving behind some really, really wonderful friends.  That makes me very, very sad.  =(  So go tell your closest friends how much you love them RIGHT now, ok!?!? 

Love,

Erin

Big News ... BIG NEWS!!!

You've all probably noticed that I disappeared for a bit.

I've been a little preoccupied with a big change in our life to be blogging.  

We are moving to Pittsburgh, PA!!!!

Mr. K starts his new job the middle of December and
Abigail and I will join him just as soon as we sell our house. 

Pittsburgh Skyline

We will be just a 6 hour drive from our family in Michigan!

We will be downsizing into a home that is more suitable for three people.  Less yard work and housekeeping is a good thing!

Please think and pray for us as the next few weeks are going to be a whir-wind of activity.  

Love,

Erin

Simple Abundance

I drew this in my Gratitude Journal a couple days ago.  It's a quote from Simple Abundance that really spoke to my heart.  

The Holiday Season is sneaking up on us along with all those TV ads and glossy circulars telling us we need ABC or XYZ at this Fabulous Price.

I'm going to work hard at having Contentedness this Christmas.

Will you join me too?

Love,

Erin

Hamburger Helper ... Home-style

One of my favorite recipe sources is the More with Less Cookbook.  

This is one of the first recipes I tried when I purchased it several years ago.  It's easy to make, tastes mighty good, and hits the frugal factor.  =)

Boil pasta in salted water.  Drain and set aside until later.

Chop up one small onion and two stalks of celery.   If you have children who don't like "chunks" of vegetables, you can substitute onion powder and omit the celery.

In a shallow stock pot (5 quart is just the right size), cook the onions, celery and ground beef with a bit of salt and pepper.  

When the vegetables are tender and the meat is no longer pink, add diced tomatoes, corn, and cooked pasta.

 Turn the heat down to Low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.  Top each serving with a sprinkle of shredded cheese for an extra bit of flavor.  Yum!

Here's the best part ... Mr. K's lunches are done for the week!

HAMBURGER HELPER HOME-STYLE

Boil 2 cups crinkly pasta or noodles in salted water - drain and set aside.

Brown in a skillet & drain off extra fat if needed:

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Add to skillet when beef is browned:
1 can corn or peas
1 can diced tomatoes (I like to use the basil-oregano ones for extra flavor)
Cooked and drained pasta

Simmer uncovered 15 minutes to blend flavors.
Sprinkle each serving with shredded cheese or Parmesan cheese.

Happy Cooking!

Erin

Simple Circle Potholders

Seven rounds, each a different color ... the PERFECT size.

I absolutely ADORE this clamshell border.  =)

Solid color seven round circle for the back.

  

Such HAPPY colors!!!

XoXoXo

Tutorial coming soon.  =)

Love,

Erin

PSA - HQ16 Quilting Machine for Sale

It's on Ebay and the auction ends tomorrow.  =)  

Pass the word around to all your friends!

HQ16 Quilting Machine

Granny Log Cabin Blanket ... Finished!

I think it's neat how the sunlight dances across the logs.  The colors are so yummy and vibrant!

Pretty Package all Neatly Folded

Clam Shell Rick Rack Border ... my own invention.  =)

In all it's Colorful, Happy Glory!  

I am pleased as punch with the results.

Abigail is home sick with a stomach bug and fever ... she dubs it the Get Well Blanket.

Love always (and stay healthy),

Erin

Gratitude + Art Journal

Artist Sketchbook

Sharpie Markers Galore

I love to Doodle.

I love to Journal.

This seems like a perfect combination ... I'll share a page or two with you every week.

Love,

Erin

Wonderful Weekending

Abigail had a playdate with a friend from school.  It was all about American Girl Dolls and Webkinz.

Mr. K and I picked up lots of leaves with the lawn tractor.  I drove -- he emptied.  I think I got the better end of the deal.  =)

Trip to the Library for books and videos.  

Trip to the YMCA for swimming. 

Trip to the Pizza Place for supper ... yummy!

The Girls snuggled up on the couch (aka. Crochet Central) Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Working on this:

Abigail can KNIT.  =)

She's already learned, "Please Mommy, just one more row?!"

It was a wonderful weekend.

Love,

Erin

My Creative Space

My day needs an infusion of Color ... it is rainy, cold and cloudy.  This project does the trick!  It is a large version of my Log Cabin Granny.  The center is much bigger and the logs are thicker.  

The yarn is Tonic by Jojoland, a DK weight blend of acrylic and wool.  The colors sucked me in ... they are so bright, happy, and cheerful.  =)  

Just a few more logs, a border, and I'll be done!  It is going in the Gift Closet for the next time I need a Baby Gift ... unless Abigail claims it.  =)

Love,

Erin

Mid-Week Musings

Abigail received this lovely, old-fashioned baby doll carriage this weekend from some wonderful friends.  

She adores it ... Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. D!

I crocheted another potholder and am very pleased with the results.  It's a little bigger then usual ... just the right size for those bigger pots and dutch ovens.  I'll work up a tutorial in the next week or so to share with you.  =)

Today was the Fall Brunch for my Coffee Break Group.  There is always some sort of "activity" after we eat.  I diverted from the usual "ice breaker game" and did a book review.  They are books that I've read that I found to be very encouraging and helped me grow to be a better wife, mother, and woman.  I'd love to share the titles with you:

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Simple Abundance - a Daybook of Comfort and Joy

For Women Only - What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men

More with Less Cookbook

Make-A-Mix Cookbook

I talked about starting a Gratitude Journal ... write down five things every day for which you are grateful and thankful.  I sent them each home with a Journal so they can start this practice TODAY.  =)

I know I sound like a broken record but ... THANK YOU for reading my blog!!!!  There are almost 100 followers so I must be doing something right.  =)  Keep the comments and emails coming ... they always make me smile!

Love,

Erin

Chex Mix ... a Favorite Fall Snack

 

  Mr. K has eaten this all his life and it is his FAVORITE snack.  =)  

His Grandma made it for him as a child.  

His sister, Amy, made it for him when he was in college.  

Now I make it for him and maybe one day I'll pass the torch on to Abigail.  =)

Melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave.  Add season salt and Worcestershire sauce.  Mix well with a fork.

In a large mixing bowl, combine Chex/Crispix, Cheerios, Goldfish, and Honey Roasted Peanuts.

Pour butter mixture over dry cereal mixture and gently stir together.  

Divide between two cookie sheets and bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees.  

Stir and rotate cookie sheets 3 times during that hour.

It is SO good and SO easy to make.  

I might even call it healthy ... at least you know EXACTLY what is in it!

CHEX MIX

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)

1 1/4 teaspoons season salt

4 1/2 teaspoons Worchestershire Sauce

4 cups Chex or Crispix cereal

2 cups Cheerios

1 cup Goldfish (original recipe calls for pretzels but Mr. K doesn't like them)

1 cup honey roasted peanuts (original recipe called for dry roasted peanuts)

Mix wet ingredients.

Mix dry ingredients.

Combine together and spread on cookie sheets.

Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour - stir every 20 minutes.

Store in gallon Ziploc bag (if it lasts that long LoL).

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Love,

Erin

Walmart ... Walmart!

I went into Walmart to buy milk, egg and bread.  

As I swing past Electronics, this laptop caught my eye.

It's so PRETTY!

It reminds me of Monet ... I love Monet.  =)

Mr. K, if you are reading this, could you play Santa and put one under the Christmas tree for me?

 

Love,

Erin 

Granny Log Cabin

Thanks for waiting so patiently as I put this tutorial together!

I did it Sunday night after Abigail went to bed and it took me about an hour to crochet and assemble the whole potholder.

Scraps and leftovers are perfect for this project!

I used Cotton Ease and a size H hook for the sample but I think a heavy weight worsted wool yarn like Stitch Nation Full O Sheep would work great.  =)  

If you use a normal worsted weight like Peaches N Cream or Patons Classic Wool, I'd go down to a size G hook.

Let's get started.  =)

Step 1:

Crochet a 2 round granny square.

 Fasten off and weave in ends.

 Note - Traditional Log Cabins have a red or yellow center.

Step 2:

Starting at a corner, fasten on new color with a slip stitch.   

Chain 2 - this is equal to 1 DC.

 2 more DC in this corner to form a 3 DC cluster.

 3 DC cluster in next space (middle).   

3 DC cluster in corner.

 Chain 2 and turn work over.

Step 3:

Chain 2 from previous step equals first DC.

 3 DC clusters in next two spaces.

 1 DC to finish row.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

 Turn clockwise to start new color.

Step 4:

Starting at a corner, fasten on new color with a slip stitch.  

 Chain 2 - this is equal to 1 DC.

2 more DC in this corner to form a 3 DC cluster.

3 DC cluster in next two spaces.

 3 DC cluster in corner. 

Chain 2 and turn work over.

Step 5:

Chain 2 from previous step equals first DC.

3 DC clusters in next three spaces.

1 DC to finish row.   

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Flip work over so that the “right” side of the center granny is showing.

Step 6:

Turn clockwise and fasten on new color.

Continue crocheting each “log” as explained in Step 2 and Step 3.

In this Yellow Log there are 4 DC clusters in the first row and 3 DC clusters sandwiched between a 2 chain “DC” and a regular DC.

Step 7: 

Turn clockwise and fasten on new color.

Continue crocheting each “log” as explained in Step 2 and Step 3.

In this Orange Log there are 5 DC clusters in the first row and 4 DC clusters sandwiched between a 2 chain “DC” and a regular DC.

Step 8:

Continue adding “logs” until the block is as large as you would like it to be. 

Two rounds of “logs” is the perfect size for a hot pad!

Weave in any loose ends if you haven’t done so already and snip.

Naughty me ... my tails aren't snipped yet!

Step 8:

Crochet a 6 round granny square for the back.

 Hold Log Cabin granny and solid granny wrong sides together and join with a single crochet.

Add one more row if you’d like.  A clam shell border is very charming!

Wasn’t that SOOOOO fun and amazingly easy???? 

Wouldn’t these make lovely holiday & house-warming gifts????

I can’t wait to see what lovely creations you crochet with this pattern.  

 Promise you will email me pictures!

Love,

Erin

XOXO

Why I get Up Everyday

My Abigail ... bright eyes & big smile!

I took this on Saturday when she was helping Mr. K clean out the refrigerator.  Yeah ... I am spoiled.  =)

Photo Scape - Fun, Free Photo Editor

Mosaic with Rounded Corners

Stamp Border

Film Filter and Rough Edge Border

PHOTO SCAPE

Color Inspiration

Nesting Tins from Ikea

I keep Band-Aids, Q-Tips, and Hair Bands in them.

Project A.D.D.

Confession time ... I started another Blanket on Friday.

    I want to tell you who this blanket is for but she reads my blog!

Then it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now would it?

Love,

Erin