things lately

I have been making a lot of things lately and my husband asked me if I'd been taking pictures of them, "...No, I guess I should be, huh?"
A few things I've made have been for my sister-in-law who is expecting. Her shower was this past weekend. I crocheted the "Soft Shells Jacket" from Crochet! Magazine's May 2011 issue. Intimidated by the "Experienced Level" disclaimer, I gave it a try anyway. There were a few bumps at the beginning, but it all came together in the end.

The second thing I made for her was thank you cards. I tried to go with their nursery colors. I really like how they came out. Have I told you lately that I love wood type?

...And then here are some random guys mixed in. I found a bookmark pattern and a doily pattern that I can't get out of my head. Whenever I am sitting, I want to start making one of them.

Left- right: I used a C hook,

the other two I used the correct hook, a number 7. 

I hope you made some cute and creative cards for the people in your life.
Show some love today
(and wearing pink & red is always fun, too)
<3

d.i.y. valentines get together

Last year, I had a Valentine's Day Card Making Party. It was really fun and a lot of people came over. I was thinking about having another one, but I hadn't made any plans until my friend Wendy asked me if I was having one this year. It was a bit last minute, but we found a day that worked. First it was just two friends, then another friend, then my sister came and she brought a friend. It was great!

For a favor each guest picked out a crochet heart to wear.

I made a heart doily for the table. 

I hung up some banners and garland.

Getting to work.

Concentrating. 

Trying to look candid. 

Of course, there were fun fetti cupcakes!

...and some Garden Fresh salsa, mmm...

<<<Paper explosion!>>>

And here are some of the results:

I hope you get some inspiration and make cards this year! It doesn't take much; you don't need all the fancy punches. Just use your imagination and get creative with some fun colored paper and scissors. Looking in Martha Stewart Living's February issue doesn't hurt either. <3 

eggs & flour

Last Saturday, I wasn't sure what to make for dinner. We didn't have a lot to work with. My husband had mentioned maybe we could make some pasta sometime. (We had registered for a pasta machine.) What do you need to make pasta? Eggs and flour. That's easy. What else do we have to go with the pasta? Hmm... a jar of roasted red peppers, garlic and feta. Sounds good to me!
To make the pasta dough it takes a little bit of time. You knead the dough until it is consistent in color and texture. Let the dough rest for a few minutes and then get to rolling!

 Our pasta "machine" attaches to the counter.

...and then you start cranking it through. 

That piece was a bit long!

After each pass through the machine, 

you fold it in half and then send it through again and again and again...! 

The pasta rests on the counter for a few minutes to dry,

so it won't get stuck in the machine when you try to cut it.  

The pot is ready. 

Toppings are ready. 

Time to cut the fettuccine! 

Our pasta is nice and yellow thanks to our friend Mary

 who we get fresh chicken eggs from.

And we dig in. Mmm....

Stay tuned:

Tonight some of my friends are coming over to make Valentines!! There will be lots to share, so get ready for some inspiration! <3

wonderful surprise

A few months ago, I started looking for the perfect winter hat pattern. It had to be cute, of course, and crochet because I wanted to make it. After a week of looking, I found it! It was called the Charleston Cloche. Super cute, right? Well, I got my hooks out, some yarn and I couldn't for the life of me understand the pattern! It turns out according to ravelry.com I wasn't the only one. This pattern was very confusing, but for most of the people, they eventually figured it out.
Early November, we had a baby shower for my sister and my relatives from Pennsylvania came, including my crochet savvy cousin. I told her about the hat and how cute it was, but that I couldn't figure it out. I gave her the printed pattern and didn't think more about it.
A few weeks ago, my cousin asked me what color my winter coat was. Hmm... why would she want to know that? 
...Because she wanted to surprise me with these; the winter hat of my dreams and a matching scarf!!

After she figured out that the pattern had some errors, she hooked up the hat and then made up a matching scarf pattern! She gave me the pattern with corrections along with the package. 

What a warm, cozy and thoughtful surprise! I am so excited to wear these out! Thank you so much, Jessica, for this wonderful surprise <3