I'm on a Busy Bee Crafting Spree

My latest projects have been gifts...

The weather is warming up here in MN and the trees are green!!! Hurray for summer!!! Now I just have to get my summer clothes out and put away the winter sweaters- hmmm... when was the last time I said that?

The Obsession Deepens

I went to Shepherd's Harvest this past weekend. It is a fair sized fiber/knitting /sheep show. It was totally wonderful and I was hugely tempted to spend LOTS of money on the beautiful hand spun and hand dyed yarns but I was good... I only got two skeins of sock yarn.

The problem came when I saw how fun spinning (actually taking wool and making yarn) could be... because, really, I don't do enough crafty things already- must add one more to the list..... So I bought myself a cheap drop spindle and some cheap Merino wool... I got home and thought I'd break out my new toys.... and here is the result:

Predrafting the roving:

Setting the twist:My first skein of yarn- single ply, heavy worsted weight, 50 yards:

I'm now obsessed. I LOVE IT. I will say that I was given fair warning... many blogs and websites say that it is easy to get caught up into spinning- well now I am. You can put me down in the "crazy lady who has a cat and spins yarn" category of nuts....

I've been busy!

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted but life has been busy! My weeks have been full at work and the weekends have been busy with outings, spring walks, crafting and cooking. I keep saying how much I love the spring but it is really true! I've been able to watch the tulips come up out of the ground and bloom and now the flowering trees are coming into bloom! Here are some of the tulips outside my door:
As for crafting I'm working on lots of baby things. This is the latest baby sweater for my cousin's baby Mallory:

I also managed a pair of slippers for Mom for Mother's Day:

As for cooking, I've been in an ethnic mood. I tried my hand at making pho ga (Korean chicken soup) for the first time and thought it turned out very well.

I used the leftover chicken to make carrot, chicken chow mein:

Changing continents, I made pupusas for the first time (think tamale without the corn husk)

Hope everyone is doing well- enjoy May!

The First Flowers of Spring and a Summer Haircut

The weather has been absolutely beautiful (and the allergies are remaining drug controlled so I can enjoy it!) and the first flowers of spring have blossomed. I have been watching the sprouts and leaves come up from the mud all week during my walks to the bus and here they are- these are in my apartment's front yard!

I've also continued the trend of shortening my hair- I chopped it all off over the weekend and I LOVE it!

Hope everyone is enjoying their spring and getting ready for summer!!!

Fondant Finale

Here's the final fondant cake! It was a fun class but I'm glad that it's over- time to sleep in Saturday morning.

Spring Fever

While I do love the spring (I have even left the house without a coat- gasp!!!), apparently it does not love me. Hay fever has hit in a BIG way. Friday was a slightly sore throat and yesterday was full blown, can't breathe, can't swallow, no contacts, head exploding allergy attacks. Not cool... I've now dug out the allergy drugs- all sorts along with lots of tissues... Let's hope that whatever is blooming dies quickly.

I've continued to be crafty during the nice weather, though soon I may move my knitting sessions to a blanket outside- it's not that warm yet! Here are some "in progress" pics of the burp cloths that I'm knitting- there will be bibs also!

On the cake decorating front, we made gumpaste flowers in class on Sat- I love the daisy's and the "fantasy flower" though I'm calling it a poppy! There will be another cake next week!

My First Foray with Fondant

I've finished my first fondant cake!!! I now realize why fondant cakes cost so much... The time, effort and expense are considerable... My arms and shoulders ache to prove it! Here are some pics- I went with a St. Patrick's Day theme for obvious reasons.

I've also finished the first sock of my first PERSONAL pair of socks. The other pairs I've knitted have all gone out as gifts but these I'm keeping!