Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Recipe

This is my standby recipe for Hummus, with options for flavors included. We'll start with the Roasted Red Pepper, and make variations as we go.
First, take 2 red bell peppers and char them under the broiler, turning often until all sides are blackened. Remove and place them in a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and stick in the freezer for about 15 minutes, to cool. *NOTE: The steaming process will facilitate easier removal of the skin when you are ready to prepare them for jarring for later use.

Remover the peppers from the freezer when they are cool enough to handle without burning the fingers. I start disassembling them by pulling the stem end out first, and remove the core.  You an then tear the pepper into long strips down the rib sections, and remove the skin and seeds by running your fingers along the insides of the strips. Some will have you run the peppers under running water to remove the skins, but I don't like to do that; I feel it washes the roast flavor right down the drain!

After you've cleaned the peppers and made them into strips, place them in a clean sterilized jar, then add a pinch of salt and fill the jars with olive oil to within an inch of the top. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

HUMMUS RECIPE

2 15 oz cans garbanzo beans (chick peas), rinsed and drained
6 Tbs. plain yogurt
1/4 c. olive oil
2 heaping Tbs. sesame seed, toasted (Tahini, in the ethnic section of your grocers)
2 green onions, chopped
Juice of one lemon
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
salt, pepper to taste
Puree all ingredients in food processor to blend.  At the end, add a couple strips of your prepared roasted red peppers, blending well.
This recipe makes a LOT, so you can cut the ingredients in half for one week's worth. It doesn't last that long at our house ~

Bon Apetite!

Houseplants Gone Wild!

Today it was warm enough to go TOPLESS!

Yeah, I thought I'd get your attention!

I re-potted our 11 year-old Norfolk Pine today.

It was just starting to send out new green tips, but the pot was so tiny, it was beginning to look top-heavy.

(gotta love those silly emos)
CALLING ALL GREEN-THUMBS!
Please send good karma- The Norfolk, she could use a little help from her Green-thumb Friends!

We went to Ben Franklin Crafts today, it was a nice ride to Delavan. I picked up four more skeins of the Red Heart Super Saver Camouflage, 3 of which had the same dye lot. The fourth won't make a big difference, and I'll save it for the very last of the construction.

I am thinking of adding a couple more things to my Shine-On Vest: along with a contrasting placket  front, I'm thinking of adding sleeves, and maybe a hood. Together, DH and I picked out a nice neutral buff color for the front placket and hood I'm going to work on after the vest is done.

I'll imagine the neckline will look similar to this:

Venus Neckline

I guess it won't be a vest after I'm finished reconstructing it, will it?

Tonight is a FULL MOON, so howl like there's no tomorrow and have a hauntingly beautiful evening!

Easy Sweater to Knit : The Turtleback Shrug with Sleeves

I'm posting this as a followup to an entry I posted exactly one year ago in one of my other blogs, which has had a great response.

The post is for the Turtleback Shrug:Easy Sweater to Knit. I got a reply today from a lady who was looking to make her DD a similar shrug, only she wanted to add sleeves. This was something I'd been toying with off and on, myself. Wouldn't you know it, someone has already come up with a pattern and I'm happy to share, thanks to Carol, who so graciously sent me the link:

I REALLY like that one with the sleeves, they have a pattern and I've already printed it off. I'm thinking Basic Black.

Thanks Carol, for sharing the pattern link with us!

Venus Sleeved Shrug 

Below is a schematic for folding the shrug, with a diagram:
Schematic

I was moving along on my Shine-on Vest, had about 10 inches done, when I decided to check my rows against the pattern. Much to my dismay, I learned I had over-knit by 10 rows and had to rippit back to the 32nd row, so I could begin the decrease for shaping. I've nearly knit back to where I discovered my foible and happy to say I'm now using my stitch markers for rows now. Lesson learned.

Tomorrow is Biscotti Baking Day. The cookie jar, she's almost empty!

Have a beautiful, relaxing Sunday, see you all on Monday!

Biscotti Recipe for all my Friends!

Some of my recipes are old, some are new, so without further ado, I’ll start with my FAVE Sunday tradition:

CITRUS BISCOTTI (Italian Biscuit cookies)

1 stick butter (not margarine) room temperature
2 eggs, 1 egg white
1 tsp. vanilla extract ( I use my homemade Grand Marnier I keep next to the mixer)
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
zest of 1 lemon or orange
2 T. poppyseeds (optional when making Almond Biscotti)

Beat together sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Mix together dry ingredients and add to butter cream by ladle-fulls until mixed together. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray, then divide the dough and form 2 logs along the length of the cookie sheet. You may flour your hands to keep them from sticking.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.

 Using a sharp bread knife, slice logs into 1″ slices and place back on cookie sheet on their sides. Bake each side another 10 minutes, remove from oven and cool completely.
Will be hard when done, store in your FAVE cookie jar~great for dunking in coffee or tea.

Bon Apetite!

Road Trip to Janesville Harley Davidson

What a beautiful day! We went to the Harley Dealership in Janesville. DH wanted to show me all the bikes he saw last time he was  out there with the neighbor.

I picked out a gorgeous 2009 Harley-Davidson  XL 1200L Sportster® 1200 Low in Dark Blue Pearl.

I can see me on ton of those. Maybe if I win the Lottery...I can always dream, yes?

We gandered at all the merchandise, there were walls and walls of Harly-this and Harley-that, all very expensive.
DH found a tall shot glass for his collection. He never uses them, they are all on wooden display shelves he has built for ther countless dozens. Friends always bring him a couple sets back from vacations, he loves getting them.
I got Warren a new freezer mug to replace the one Igor knocked from his hand yesterday. He sent me an email tonight saying how happy he was to get the Harley one. His originally had a Michigan State logo on it, but heck, who wouldn't like Harley Davidson?!?

The ride home was absolutely wonderful-it was great to get out and not see snow everywhere you turned.  The ride along Hwy A is laced with rambling rolling hills, interspersed with stretches of flat country farmland and well-worn farms every other acre. I couldn't help imagining myself on the back of a Merlot FLHTCUTG TRI-GLIDE 3-wheel, the wind in my hair, and my knitting in my lap ~heck, I'd leave my knitting at home, for a ride like that!

The weather was a bit nippy, but we weren't out in it long enough to notice. Unfortunately, Igor and I had to forgo our usual walk, but maybe we'll resume again tomorrow-it's suppose to be nicer by degrees.

The neighbors are finalizing their 3-day sale tomorrow. I’m going to see if they still have one of those overstuffed boudoir chairs left. I could use something like that in the Guest Bedroom, or in the office for when I want to take a break, sit back and knit, while Mike is working on book covers or whatever…


Catch me if you can-zoooooooooooooooooooom!

2009 Harley-Davidson  XL 1200L Sportster® 1200 Low in Dark Blue Pear

Back to Antarctica

I enjoyed a long walk yesterday. The temps were in the upper 50's with just a hint of rain in the forecast, no biggie.
Today, back to Reality, and 40's for a high. We're back down to 24 F. as I write my entry for the evening.

My day started out on a sour note-I had to do something about the opossum carcass laying by the side of the shed. So, I pulled up my boot straps, trudged out to do the right thing and took Mr. Possum back into the woods and deposited him under a rotten log, out of the elements. RIP, Mr. Possum.

After we got back from dropping off the day's orders, I got a call from the neighbor asking if I had time to squeeze in a walk, this time taking a detour that would add a half-mile to our route. You  betchya, I was ready, and 10 minutes later we headed out.

I had no problems with getting into a rhythm and kept pace the entire 45-minute walk. We did a full 3.5 mile trek, adding another circle to our route.

Later today, I discovered quite by accident, a really cool site where I can keep a daily activity log, record the mileage, even chart my caloric intake, if I want to keep a record of my diet.

It's called MyStart! Online Tracker, by the American Heart Association and I've already logged more than 9.5 miles in 9 days, and180 minutes walking.  Granted, 6 of those days began the start of our daily 15-minute walk Igor and I do around the neighborhood. He looks forward to it as much as I do, and we start our walks as soon as the temps are in the low 50's.
I'm not big on keeping tabs of my calories, so I'll probably forgo that one for now.  What's more important is that I keep up with my cardio workouts on a daily basis, and I'll see those pesky winter pounds drop off in a few weeks. I'm not in bad shape for my age, and don't want to get lazy~

 I worked about 4 inches on my newest project, a long vest pattern. I'm really liking the Camouflage colorway, but still haven't decided what color to do the rib border in front when it's completed. I have plenty of time to think about it and when I go back for  more yarn, I'll enlist DH's expert eye in choosing a coordinating color-he thinks black will be just too dark...

TGIF!

Totally Whacked out Wednesday, a Day Early

DH got inspired and created some new shawl pins, so I was busy putting them up on the website. It's always fun to add new items, but it's work, just the same~

Tigerwood Hair Stick Shawl Pin Set

I started a new project this morning, a vest that will be worked in Red Heart Camouflage. I have to think about what color I will chose for the border around the front panels.I'll post the details in my projects page on Ravelry, along with the worked swatch.

I made a most disturbing discovery this afternoon.

I was pulling up some dried up flattened perennials from the Shed Garden and was taking them to the side of the property where I usually toss out yard waste, behind the shed. It decomposes over there and is out of sight and gone in no time.
I was walking around the corner and noticed something laying in the leaves by a tree...upon closer inspection, I was horrified to find an opossum laying in the leaves, dead. It appears to have fallen out of the tree, and literally impaled itself on a branch lying on the ground!!! Totally freaked me out. I called to DH to come take care of it. I could not believe my eyes, it was just too horrible. And the worst part was, it didn't die right away. Apparently it got stuck (no pun intended) and tried to chew it's tail while in it's final struggle before it died. I was sick at heart to see this, as I was aware we had one of these guys that would come and eat the bird seen laying on the ground under the bird feeders...
I'm sure there are many more where this one came from, but we sorta get used to our "Regulars" here and never like to see something befall them, no matter what the circumstances.

And I wonder about last night, when Igor just HAD to go outside at 2am...he was horrible, panting, pawing me, so we went out. I walked out a ways down the drive with him, as he's somewhat of a scaredy-cat in the dark. He was acting aweful peculiar last night and I wonder if this is when the 'possum met his fate. It hadn't been dead very long at all, from the looks of things.

Owell. Such is Life in the woods. I'm sure a coyote will have a feast tonight, or we'll be cleaning it up tomorrow....

I took Igor for a walk before the sun went down. It was so nice out, we went up the road a bit, even after he made his "deposit" in the field up by the pond. (all of us clean up after our pets) so I had a small package  to carry around until we headed back LOL!

Igor, the Mooch says iz ok to haz what we are having...

Kettles in the Mist

The snow is all but gone, not much left anywhere, except in low spots we call "Kettles". These spots are left-over remnants of the Ice Age, and are both awe-inspiring and mysterious.  You get the feeling that you've just stepped back in  time, the feeling is almost pre-historic, and your senses are brought to a different plane.

As Spring approaches and the temperatures begin to rise, these kettles breathe a life of their own. At times, you can actually see them undulate, or "exhale" as the mists rise from their depths. It's a beautiful, magical and fearful place, full of secrets.

The Kettle Moraine State Park is located in Southern Wisconsin, and is a must-see if you're ever in our neck'o the woods. At a glance, you'd never know they were there. You're driving down one of the many country roads, the terrain is pretty much farmland, then you turn a bend, and you're in a forest. The hills undulate in a gentle roller-coaster ride that goes on for miles.

If you listen closely, you can hear the Wood People; they whisper as they move about in the shadows. What secrets lie in those deep, dark woods? The trees know, but they do not tell. They stand in mute silence, a testament to how wonderful, yet fragile our world is.

Love is in the Air

We have a pair of red-tail hawks that have been hanging around our neck'o the woods again. We think they are planning to nest again, this will be the second time in 3 yrs.DH has been watching them do the mating ritual: circle over the house, then fly into one another and tumble headlong toward earth before pulling apart to fly in opposite directions before resuming the courtship dance all over again.

Last year, we don't have a clue where they ended up, but it was kinda nice to have a break from chicklettes for one summer. Those nestlings can get aweful mouthy as they get older, constantly harassing the parents for food-the poor mom and dad work non-stop to feed two fledglings until they boot them out. BUT it doesn't stop there-once the fledglings are out of the nest, they hop from one tree to the next, all the while screeching at the mom, dad or anyone who will listen~

We got a good shot of one 2 summers ago-a Gal Pal of mine named him Rio. He was sitting on top of our T.V. tower, and wasn't one bit concerned that he had just knocked off one of the tines on the antennae with his bulk.
He remained there a good 10 minutes before heading off to find a parent to harass.

Seeing him up there, staring down at us, was a bit unnerving, to say the least. Notice the missing tine extension from the right bar, third from top. He had managed to knock that off into a nearby tree.

We hope to see a nest started very soon.

Let Your Love Light Shine on St. Paddy's Day!

(R)Honda's new lamp for her bedroom arrived today~Mommy loves it and I think Baby Girl does too :D

Today was a GLORIOUS St. Paddy's day~ the sun shined down on us, warming the temps to the lower 60's. It was a perfect day for a walk with Igor, so leash and plastic pooh-bag in hand, we headed out.

A flock of Sand Hill Cranes circled overhead, a cacophony of happy birds looking for new nesting spots, and returning couples ready to setup housekeeping at familiar nesting sites. The pond still has a thin glaze of ice left over from long winter months, a family of Canadian geese lounged on the edges waiting for a break. Soon, the pond will be alive with the sounds of bullfrogs, peepers, cranes and geese. We'll enjoy an occasional Painted turtle as it crosses the road to find a nesting site down in the reeds.

Life begins anew in our little corner of the world, as we celebrate Spring with a jig in our step and a song in our hearts. ♥

We topped off our day with a Corned beef on pumpernickel rye, sauerkraut, aged Swiss and a healthy dollop of 1000 island dressing, griddle pan-fried, with a side of boiled buttered potatoes.

Knitting Among the Ranks in Baghdad

Hats (and socks) off to a skillful soldier

Staff Sgt. John  Sorich of Eden Prairie is back from Iraq, but his was a close-knit group of a different kind while serving. Read the complete article by clicking the link in the sub-title.

Men have been tying knots (by hand) for centuries-look at all the knot work involved in making fishing nets. Ladies, lets keep these guys in stitches!!!

Here's a link to more vintage knitting adventures at Handmade by Mother:  http://handmadebymother.blogspot.com/

I'm heading out to hunt down  Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers, color #9459Yakima Heather

Happy Knitting!

The Woods Are Alive with the Sound of Birdies

Last night was just a taste of what we saw today. As we took the recycle and trash pins to the street, I mentioned to DH how the woods smelled so good and almost sweet with the perfume of the black locusts, even though they are nowhere near to budding, yet. It was a clean smell, not the nasty rot of late Fall. It felt good to be outside without a coat on.

This morning, as I was letting Igor out to potty, I stood on the front porch with DD19, and we both listened to the cacaphone of sounds from the trees-birds of every species seemed to have arrived, virtually overnight. A robin buzzed overhead, while the flickers cackled hilariously in the trees above us.

On the way back from town, we saw two beautiful, yet frightening sights;  we barely missed a Mourning Cloak Butterfly as we neared our house.

*Used with permission of  www.northrup.org/


Before we left, DH spotted a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly in our Shed Garden, and I mentioned how early it was for them to return, almost too soon I thought. If it snows later this week, it may not amount to anything, but I have this incredible urge to go out and hang the Hummer Feeders; I have a feeling they aren't far from returning.
A friend in GA says she just saw a pair pf Baltimore Orioles on their way out. They will migrate north to the Eastern states, and some will end up in our area, but not for another 4-6 weeks, according to past notes I've jotted in my Field guide.

 Zebra Swallowtail 2008 Copyright © Sandra Schwab

I've finished Hunter's Camo Hat. I really like the Red Heart Super Saver colorway, "Camouflage" and glad I bought extra-I'm thinking about what to cast on next-perhaps a vest for myself?

Hunter's Camo Hat
From Little Turtle Knits, the Mary Jane's Pithy Hats : Elizabethtown Hat Pattern

Happy Knitting!

Frogs, Dragonflies and All Things Girly...?

I just ordered a Tiffany-style table lamp for Rhonda's new bedroom- the theme is "Frogs" but I think the Dragonfly would fit in nicely too~

I got such a great deal on it, plus FREE SHIPPING and I had a $5.00 voucher to use on my next purchase which Amazon generously donated as a result of a previous shipping snafoo-the lamp ended up costing less than list price when I checked out! I ♥ Amazon.com! It's not exactly a baby-room type lamp, but one that a little girl can grow up with, not out-grow, later.

Dragonfly is Grandma Sandra's Totem, so that makes it extra-special.

I am happiest when I can do something nice for someone else ♥♥♥

Mists of Briarwood

Last night was the first night I actually got a full nights' sleep~ we went to bed around 1:00am, turned on Route 66 and then settled in for the night. The Naked City comes on at 2:30am and I don't remember hearing the start, I was already gone.

I woke up at 9am, totally refreshed. I got up to make a cup of green tea, my ritual every morning. I glanced out the front window to see how much snow had melted in our little corner of the world. We're nestled in an area that is both woods and wetlands, so we get to see a wide diversity of wildlife and fowl, especially across the road by The Pond. The pond is a remnant of a day when Lake Lauderdale and Wandawega were connected. Now they are divided by wetlands and a few houses that were plotted when the water receded several years ago as a result of local development issues, draughts and other natural causes. In recent years, the pond has risen, causing some neighbors to have to literally raise their back yards, in order to stave off the rising water levels. It has leveled off now, but the damage was done, a few sheds were lost and property values suffered as a result. The Pond is a thing to respect, never underestimate, as things can change literally overnight.

For the second day,  a thick fog blanketed the area, no, the entire region, and was so thick as we drive into town, we could barely see 50 feet in front of us in places.There were the usual wreckless drivers about- you know the kind: they don't comprehend the idea of safe driving under adverse conditions, instead driving like they are in an Indy Car race. We gave them plenty of space.

The mist rising in the kettle out back was so hauntingly beautiful. That is a very special spot of our property. It's serenely beautiful and eerie. Deer pass by here on a daily basis, and the occasional spirit can sometimes be glimpsed, a Watcher from days past. We live in what once was one of the most populated regions of  local tribes, and I sometimes contemplate how life must have been, back in the day. It was wildly beautiful, bountiful and you had to be tough to survive the winters. I'm positive a few of them stayed behind, even in spirit. Who could leave such a beautiful place?

The neighbor came over for "Beer Wednesday", the boys' regular weekly event. He asked me if I was ready for another 3-mile walk tomorrow- I said "YES!". It took me 2 days to get past the stiffness from the last 3-mile walk, but as time goes, I'll be back in shape. It felt good and I'm ready to do it again. It's suppose to get to the upper-50's tomorrow, with a chance of rain.

I'm enjoying a Marie Callender's Chicken Parmesan Pot Pie for dinner, in anticipation of Calorie Burn Thursday. noms!

I'm onto the toe of the LumberJill sock #3, it's going fast. I'm going to cast on Hunter's Camo Hat tonight as soon as I post this entry, and will update with pictures as soon as I get far enough into the Camouflage yarn to see a pattern~

LUMBERJILL SOCKS, OR PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

My first 2-circ toe-up socks, YIPPY SKIPPY! Not hard to figure out, glad I watched those YouTube videos!

I used Knit Picks Options Nickel Plated Fixed Circular Knitting Needles by Knit Picks $4.99 a set. LOVE THEM!

NOTE: I started the pattern in a 2x2 rib, then switched to the hourglass pattern (very similar to the 2 needle mock-cable stitch, when my stitches were a little looser on the 2’s. I messed up the second twist, but not concerned- it’s a learning curve :)

 

NOTE: The first sock, she’sa too tight! Gonna rippit and redo, after finishing Sock #2 in just 2x2 rib, no hour-glass twist….will that make it Sock #3 then? hmmm…..

I used the W & T (Wrap & Turn) heel technique, I like the no-hole gusset a LOT!

NOTE: YES, Virginia, I has to make a 3rd sock, (expletive)...back to the needles I go...

I went to Ben Franklin Crafts, Delavan, and picked up two skeins of  Red Heart Super Saver, Camouflage for Hunter's Hat (and one for myself). I'm toying with an idea for a vest in this color. Let's see how this works up first!

I'm looking forward to working this one up- a break from tiny sock stitches.

Our First Artfire Sale!

Today we had our first sale since we began listing in Artfire exactly one month ago, TO THE DAY! It was well worth the wait!

Good Hair Days^® Grip-Tuth^® Side Combs

A unique combination of Grip-Tuth^® combs and Magic-Grip Hairpins gives you the best hold ever.  Our detailed instructions and illustrations make this classic hairstyle so easy for everyone.  They even work on medium length and layered hair.  Short ends won't slip out because Grip-Tuth®^® combs have touching teeth that grip and hold.
Kits come with detailed instructions in Spanish, French and English

 

You can view a wide selection of Good Hair Days^® side combs, chigon forks and pins, and many more items by clicking on our Store link:
 
We  hope our first Artfire Customer enjoys her new hair combs and we hope to see you all real soon!
 

Spring and Love is in the Air!

Today I went for a walk with the next-door neighbor, and as we turned a bend of the road, I heard a most welcome sound:  the Sandhill Cranes returned to Elkhorn, WI, announcing, "I'm back, baby I'm back!" It was a welcome sound and a sure sign spring is officially here! Let the celebration begin!!

Sandhill Crane parents and chick, Aug. 2009

I began the day early, as usual.  I didn't have to worry about a shower, so I putzed a little, then sat down to work on my Mary Jane's Pithy hat and got it finished and off the needles~#5 is completed.

 Mary Jane's Pithy Hat

I'll be going to Ben Franklin Crafts next week to get some Red Heart 971 - Camouflage worsted for a hat for my Grandson, Hunter. DH saw it last time we were there for their Grand Opening, and he liked it enough to tell me about it on the way home. A good reason to go back! 

I got caught up in a movie later this morning,  Chance of a Lifetime, with Betty White (LOVE HER) and Leslie Neilson, Ed Begley, Jr. If you are in the mood for a Romantic Comedy, then definitely check it out. I am so glad I watched it-it was a Hallmark moment, I cried a couple times. I'm sentimental that way :D

I'm needing to start a new project, must go contemplate while I post project updates in Ravelry~

Ciao!

Me

An Early Birthday Present, 32 Years Later...

An amazing thing happened a couple nights ago.

I logged into Facebook to post an add in the Many Horses Jewelry Supply Fan Page. While I was putzing around, I noticed a new notification said there was a new message in my Inbox. I went to check it out and noticed the name-I didn't recognize the last name; it was the FIRST NAME that caught my attention immediately. There was a pause, not more than a millisecond, then I clicked to open it.


The message began with:

Hi Sandra,
I don't even know if you remember me, but I have thought about you more than once over the years and glad to run across you on facebook.

The rest I will leave out, because in that moment, I realized a dream I had for so many years, was just about to become reality. In a matter of a few minutes, 35+ years were melted away, then I hit the Reply button and we reconnected again.

My 10th birthday Party Entourage.

I've given her my email address and we're writing now, although it is a bit awkward, and I don't want to rush in and pour out my soul in one fell swoop. Too much at once just might scare off someone you haven't see or spoken to since grade school...

I am just happy to finally hear from her, after all these years. It's not  important to know why we fell apart, as kids often do during their growing up years. We all move in different directions, and we never know where we'll end up.  Some things are worth hanging on to, and one more of my wishes has been realized. I'm a very patient person that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I've got another hat on the needles- this time, it's the Mary Jane's Pithy Hat, with the cable stitch, for variety. It is going to fit more snuggly, as the stitches are tighter, not so knotty and loose.

I like the look, and the pattern is very easy~the yarn, Red Heart Super Saver. Needles, 7 and 10.5 US.

Baby Mommy called last night to say she thinks we have a TOOTH!  

Another milestone to add to her list of accomplishments: Baby Girl is just a step away from taking off on her own, is pushing about with help of mobile upright toys.

I got a new picture of Baby Girl with her Baby Turtleback on~ SO cute! She is such a good baby~ ♥♥♥

Time to place an order at Kohl's for DD19. They are changing the work cloths and she has to get a specific color polo for winter now, "Hypnotic Blue", and some new khaki pants. Thank goodness for the 20% code we got in the mail~offset the shipping, every little bit helps!

G'night~

Babeh Sports her Baby Turtleback

Heavenly Fireworks Hat

This hat is for the oldest of the April Girls, hope she likes it, it's named for her. I've learned not to expect to hear one way or the other.

So I will model the hat....not that I like taking my own pix, just saying....

I got to speak with my older daughter on Skype today! We have pictures of Baby Turtleback!

Skype + dark room + not-so-great shot, but I'll take what I can get~

The Baby Turtleback fits with room to spare! Not bad for long-distance guesswork!

We had a riot playing Patty Cakes together via web-cam. Rhonda's attention held longer than the last time we attempted this, and we had a riot! Igor even got in the picture when he heard us playing, and you should have seen her eyes light up when she saw the Doggy! I do believe she remembers him and gets the biggest grin on her face when he comes into the room, just like when they were here back in November.

I've got a renewed confidence now, from seeing how this actually fit her. It looked so small when I packed it up to send off in the mail.

Back to work, I am making yet another hat, this one for.....to be announced.

Elliott Hundley - Culture Monster on the Head of a Pin

We are proud to announce a collaboration of efforts with artist B. Elliott Hundley.

We have been working on gathering supplies for Elliot, for an upcoming show next week, and are happy to say, we met the deadline, by a nose hair.

You can view some of his artwork on the Andrea Rosen Gallery website here: Andrea Rosen Gallery - Elliott Hundley - Biography

Elliott Hundley is best known for his work, " Hekabe". A blood-drenched tragedy from 2,000 years ago is brought up to the minute, its heartless vengeance and searing anguish making a month of the nightly news look like a walk in the park.

More of his works can be seen at this exhibit: Review: Elliott Hundley at Regen Projects II

Although we don't work in the studio with Elliott, we have had the pleasure of coordinating with him and his team in order to expedite his most immediate needs on his upcoming show next week.

Bravo, Elliott!!