HobbyWhore - Too Many Hobbies, Not Enough Time!

Wordless Wednesday - Mosaic

2011-10-27T18:42:00.000-04:00

1. rainbow geese quilt, 2. Rainbow quilt - WIP, 3. [3x6] Bee Beehive 15 Q3, 4. Color-work Quilt, 5. values quilt top, 6. Joseph's Coat Quilt Along , 7. Weekly check in on charm quilt, 8. What's Your Favourite Colour?, 9. Rainbow Quilt completed

Je crée, donc je suis.

2011-10-10T08:20:00.000-04:00

I have a long list of unfinished items in my stash and in my head. While I am definitely a thinker, it's my creativity that best defines me.

One is for a lovely little girl has been without a "blankie" from me since her birth over a year ago. Before she was born, I consulted her mother about the use of Ellie Fun - Karen Neuburger's Pink Dots purchased with Fabriholics Anonymous here on etsy.

This fun polka dot fabric uses rich pinks, purples and reds. Love it!!

I scanned in a photo of the fabric into EQ6 and started doodling. Both quilts are throw size and use a 12" finished version of the Autumn Star block from Quilter's Cache as a base. After heading Tonya's admonishments to use more contrasting colors and many adjustments, here are my two layout choices:

Option 1: Diamonds are Forever

Option 2: You Zig and I'll Zag

Baby S is now a walking, soon-to-be-talking toddler, so I am already woefully behind in getting her this quilt. Maybe I'll get it done before she starts college.

Which layout do you vote for? ~ksp

Writing Lines

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm..
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.

Several hours of my life I'll never get back.

Learn from my mistake...or this could be you. ~ksp

Better Late Than Never...

2011-10-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is my "design wall"...well actually, its a design floor. I haven't been able to get myself together enough to get my felt up on the wall...anyway, I digress.

In 2006, the now defunct Block Central hosted a block of the month titled "Nine Patch Nirvana". I previously blogged about it here. I loved the pattern and the idea of participating but, as has become usual with me, I wasn't able to participate in the sew-along until much later.

Fast forward several years, in December of 2010, I dug in the stash and found some batik and hand-dyed fabrics that I felt lent themselves to the pattern. I used Kona Cream as a unifying background.

After too long of a delay, two weeks ago, I got busy and started piecing...Here's how far I've gotten.

There are two blue batiks and Kona Cream from different dye lots...ya'll know I like to keep it scrappy. I've got some extra half-square triangles of various sizes that I will work into the border and back...I think.

So far, I like it a lot. Next up...the border and back. If I can get it together, this will be my brother's Christmas gift; after all, blue is his favorite color. ~ksp

Customer for Life

2011-09-19T08:15:00.000-04:00

When I bought my JukiTL98Q from Sewingmachinesplus.com in 2009, I received a complimentary gift certificate for $200..gotta love that. I used it to purchase a copy of Electric Quilter6. I was new to quilting software but as a visual person, I loved the idea of using the computer to sketch and, more importantly, to do the maths...hate the maths...

Long story short, in the fall of 2009, my trusted MacBook crashed and died on me. Unfortunately, I did not properly back-up my software and I could not find the software CD. In short, I was in a lurch.

Jump cut to 2011, as part of my Sew Bee Joyful Virtual Bee I wanted to use turquoise and red in a scrappy execution of a traditional-ish block. This presented a design challenge for me because I was going to have to translate my design ideas to others. Somehow, my sketches and (questionable math) on cocktail napkins were not gonna cut it.

I lamented at the loss of my EQ6 software. I researched buying EQ7 new at $190...it just wasn't in the budget right now. On a lark, I reached out to Electric Quilter. A few clicks on their computers and $12 later and there was a CD headed my way. Awesome!! I love any company that stands behind their product and supports their customers. I got a live person, who was informed about the product and could actually HELP me. They had me at (live person) hello.

I had already chosen the Lover's Lane block (from the Quilter's Cache site here). The block is simple, yet with color placement, can look very complex.

So with my new re-acquisition, I got to doodling and came up with this design.

Since it's going to be scrappy, the colors will vary but the color values will remain the same. For example, reds will be consistent - dark and bright

Using EQ6, I can print out the estimated yardage and the strip piecing instructions for my Bee-mates??hive members?? (What is the proper term?)

Whatd'ya think? ~ksp

For Vinay and Sabrina

2011-09-15T08:00:00.028-04:00

I miss my lovely friends Vinay and Sabrina so much. I've talked about them before here when I made their sons quilts. They now live across the outside of London too far to provide me with cooking lessons. When we were relative neighbors in Massachusetts, they taught me the finer points of Indian cuisine including condiment (chutney and raita) preparations. This is for them...

Using a Shan spice mix I made this chicken biryani. There is a recipe on the back of the box that I followed loosely.

Biryani is great for slightly past-their-prime veggies. I cut up some carrots and eggplant and other veggies that I had laying around in the kitchen, plus some tomatoes that I was stewing for later canning.

Before the chicken and the brown basmati.

After this photo, I added some yogurt, mined mint and cilantro plus the previously sauted chicken and then a layer of par-boiled brown basmati rice.

All done...very tasty.

Hey I've got leftovers. Any takers? ~ksp

Lest We Forget-2011

2011-09-11T08:46:00.000-04:00

8:46:26 AM

I remember where I was just like it was yesterday and I am still reminded of it on a regular basis. I grew up less than fifteen (15) miles from the Twin Towers and met up with many friends there on my jaunts into The City throughout my adolescents and early adulthood.

While I was in Seattle on business at the time, my family and friends were very much in the fray. I thank God that they were all (physically) well in the aftermath.

In unique ways, there was no one exempt from the impact of that day. May we continue to pray for those who aim to harm others as well as the targets of their nefarious plans.

9/11/11

The First 500: A Do-over!!

2011-09-10T10:10:00.002-04:00

Last summer I served as the primary support for my mentee while he underwent chemotherapy for an aggressive lymphoma. I started a hand-quilting project inspired by Texas Freckles, hosted via a Flickr group, chronicled here on my blog. It kept me busy while sitting in the hospital waiting room and on regular visits to this hospital's oncology wing.

Well in all of the impending hoopla...I've lost this bin. It contained over 500 hexies, arranged by color, awaiting being laid out and sewn together.

All was lost

Each hexagon is a 2.5" fabric square baste-stitched into a cardstock weight die cut paper.

I miss that ladybug.

I will rebuild!

I finally bit the bullet and bought more papers from this ebay vendor. I also bid on and won 100-2.5"square cuts of Liberty of London fabrics from Pen*Jane in the UK. Here we go...again. ~ksp

A Quick Project

2011-09-08T18:30:00.014-04:00

As a social worker, I work with awesome young people. With them, I celebrate their accomplishments including the birth of their children. As a lover of scraps, I pulled some scraps out to quickly make a diaper changing pad for a gift basket.

I started with a 12" Ohio Star pattern from the Quilter's Cache. I then got to work on my scraps and, after some simple quilting...voila!

Poo-catcher

I added it to sundry items from other colleagues designed to give the new mom a little assistance. ~ksp

Special delivery.

A Much Needed Rest

2011-09-05T12:15:00.003-04:00

Happy Labor Day!!

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.
~John Lennon

To all who labor, enjoy wasting some time today. ~ksp

I'm Buzzing

2011-09-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

I have been jones-ing to join a quilting bee. In the past, I have joined knitting swaps and a few quilting swaps, but never a 6 or 12 month bee. So I went through various websites and found this Flickr group that a a virtual meeting place for folks looking to join a bee or those looking for members.

After a few weeks of reading listings and waiting, I joined the Sew Bee Joyful 12-month bee. The membership is a mix of quilters of various skill levels with different technical interests (e.g. applique and embroidery).

I looked at the scraps that she sent me and pulled together some Kona Solids to (in my quilting-eye) pull the scraps all together.

lime, green tea, periwinkle, purple, turquoise, orange, and red

September is our kick-of month, and the first queen bee asked for two 12.5" wonky long cabin blocks using this tutorial.

The first block will be green/purple and turquoise/orange

Block One: Turquoise/Orange

Block Two: Purple and Green

So far, I'm loving this. ~ksp

Random Reflections - in Batik

2011-09-02T08:00:00.005-04:00

I wanted to make a quilt for a silent auction to benefit a local non-profit. I grabbed one of my old standbys - Bali Pops from Beverly's Fabric. This time in the Green Tea colorway. I matched it with 1 1/2 yards of Kona Solids in the Snow colorway.

I searched the Moda Bake Shop and found the Random Reflections pattern here.

I sized up the pattern to use all of the fabric. It resulted in a moderate queen size. To keep it interesting, I layed it out in an unexpected pattern.

Outdoor camera-phone shot.

An in-depth reflection - via cell phone camera.

I'll need to find a quilting pattern that contrasts the linear nature of the pattern in a nice neutral thread color. Once I get a decent cache of prepared tops and backs, I will go to Olde City Quilts and spend the day with Ms. Kitty the Gammill longarm.

Any suggestions on a panto pattern? Let me know. ~ksp

Lemon Pickle-Second Place

2011-08-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

Weather-Update

All is well post-Irene. Lots of water and spotty power outages. My tomato plants took quite a beating in the post-storm winds. I've spent the day cooking and sewing.

---
This recipe won a second place ribbon in the 2011 NJ State Fair. Enjoy! ~ksp

Indian Lemon Pickle

Ingredients

12-18 lemons scrubbed and patted dry

½ cup salt

¼ cup chili powder

½ cup sugar

3 tsp of turmeric powder

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 tsp black mustard seeds

¼ tsp asafoetida or hing powder

2 limes

1 gallon hermetic glass jar (bought mine at The Container Store)

Preparation

1. Slice off either end of the lemon and dice them into ½ inch squares.

2. Place the diced lemon in a large bowl.

3. Roast the chili powder, sugar, turmeric, fenugreek and black mustard on medium flame for about 4-5 minutes . Grind until fine with a spice grinder or a pestle and mortar.

4. Add kosher salt and hing to the spice mix and liberally sprinkle liberally over the lemon pieces. Toss the lemons with the spice mix to evenly coat the lemons.

5. Once the lemons are completely covered, transfer them to the glass jar. It may look like the jar will overflow but the contents will eventually settle.

6. Shake the jar about to help the powders get to as many lemons as possible.

7. Add the juice of 2 limes. The jar must be placed in the sun to cook slowly in its warmth.

8. Give it a good shake as you put it out and bring it in each day. Your pickle should be ready in about 2 months when the peel has softened and is no longer crisp.

9. Before serving note if the liquid is runny. If so, pulse ¼ of the pickles in a food processor or blender until coarsely ground. Add mash back to the larger batch.

10. Wipe rims of jars and seal immediately with still-hot lids. Process in hot water bath (½ inch headspace) for 15 minutes in sterilized jars; adjust for altitudes.

Yields eight ½ pint jars.

Semper Paratis**

2011-08-27T19:00:00.000-04:00

As I have previously chronicled here on the blog, I was once a Girl Scout; a Brownie to be more specific. I learned many things including the need to stay prepared for any eventuality. As we in the US Northeast prepare for hurricane Irene, I'm doing a bit of preparing myself

Courtesy of weather.com

FEMA provides lot of information to prepare us for natural/unnatural disasters a three-step guideline. In addition to preparing myself and my home, I had to get my crafts ready. See how a hobbywhore prepares:

Step 1: Build A Kit

In addition to having bottled water and prepared foods, I prepared myself to craft in a loss-of-power situation. I pulled out this trusty plug-in rechargeable flash-light.

Get one!

Step 2: Make a Plan
I pulled out my wheel and some Polwarth fiber from Headley Grange's etsy shop. In addition, I prepared and got pulled out my hoop and my hand quilting tools. This red, white and blue log-cabin wall hanging is a wall hanging that I machine-pieced about 3 years ago for a class at City Quilter.

I will finish basting it, choose a design and get to quilting in Irene's wake.

Step 3: Be Informed

I have a battery-operated radio in case I lose electricity and/or internet.

I urge everyone to prepare yourself and your loved one's for emergency. To all my friends and loved one's in Irene's path, please be safe and be smart. ~ksp

** semper paratis - while this is a slogan of the US Coast Guard, I learned it from (my four year Latin teacher) Sr. Joan. She would be so proud of me.

Red Streak-NJ State Fair Re-cap

2011-08-26T11:59:00.001-04:00

I put several items in the NJ state fair this year; five in the canning competition and one in the quilt competition. All-in-all, I won a total of four ribbons - three second place (red) and one first place (blue).

I was most happy with the lemon pickle previously shown here and a blueberry chutney that I developed using a spice combination with Bengali origins. I will share both recipes here at a later date.

Thanks for my dedicated taste-testers (I don't taste when I cook) and kitchen helpers. I couldn't ribbon without you. ~ksp

I Love Hot Sauce!

2011-08-23T12:23:00.001-04:00

Hi all...long time. I know. Have I ever told you how much I love hot sauces?

Hot sauce holds a special place in my and my family's life. There are rights of passage and traditions revolving around hot peppers and spicy food. For example, as a child, you could use hot sauce on your meals/food after your 13th birthday (I used to sneak Goya hot sauce out of the pantry when no one was looking). As a teenager learned to make the best buffalo wings that you've ever tasted. My father's grandmother even developed a recipe for "hot barbecue sauce" that is a sworn family secret and is quite spicy with a nice burn.

Its a mix of peppers, spices, vinegars, mustard and catsup and it packs a huge punch...

Here it is in all its glory...

I served it with a rotisserie chicken as part of a larger spread of state fair wares and it was a huge hit. In the coming weeks I'm going to try to make an approximation of it from scratch, with actual roasted mustard seeds and slow-cooked (homegrown) peppers...I plan to put it in the NJ State Fair next year. Since it'll be a variation of my great-grandmother's recipe, I'll be able to publish it and she (hopefully) won't see fit to haunt me from the spirit realm.

I love commercial sauces too. Top of the list are Grace's Habanero sauce and Rooster (sriracha) Sauce and I think this loverly poster sums it up. ~ksp

Mission Possible: Fresh-Baked Bread

2011-06-22T18:00:00.002-04:00

I am considering challenging myself to not buy store bought bread for (at least) the month...maybe after the summer. But, before things really heated, I made some cinnamon rolls..Yummy. ~ksp

Playing with Vodka

2011-06-21T14:00:00.000-04:00

Late last year, I was scanning the blogosphere (as I am wont to do) and I came across Joy the Baker's blog post here about making your own vanilla extract. I was intrigued. I am a HUGE fan of vanilla and the vanilla bean and it never dawned on me that I could make my own extract.

So I began sourcing high quality extract grade beans. I found Vanilla Products USA on ebay here where I purchased a couple of small bundles of extract grade vanilla. I closely followed the tutorial here and found some lonely vodka on my bar.

It is not necessary to use high quality vodka like the Ketel One (above)...honest, I used what was on hand.

After several months of submission, I found amber glass jars and bottle wax to seal the deal.

I put personal message on the waterproof labels scored at onlinelabels.com. I also put a small vanilla bean in the jar so vodka can be added to it for lifetime use.

One of the possible bu-products is vanilla sugar. Never to waste a good product, I made some by covering the beans in sugar.

I've used some in peach cobbler and baking items...even on oatmeal and grits (an acquired taste). ~ksp

Mind Your Beeswax

2011-06-15T09:00:00.003-04:00

Earlier in the year I was surveying blog land and I came across this post from 3191 Miles Apart for a home-made wood conditioner. I have several beloved new and old wood kitchen products that are near and dear to me like my cutting board, my long-handled spoons and a few wood tools (e.g. the ice pick).

So, to protect them, I got out the double boiler and got to work. I followed the recipe which is simply one part beeswax to one part mineral oil....and easy peasy...

1lb brick of unrefined beeswax

I bought some unrefined beeswax in bricks from a vendor on ebay. I do not recommend bricks of this size. First, if you need anything less than a full pound, it's a #@@! to cut into smaller pieces. Also, it takes a while for it to melt completely due to its size. My future purchases were made at GloryBee Foods in the unrefined, cosmetic grade beeswax.used a quart mason jars to simultaneously mix the ingredients....in hindsight, not the best choice. They were very difficult to handle, once hot.

I went to the Container Store and got some hermetic jars to hold my newest wood alixir.


Finished product in these jars

Wood Butter...ready to be gifted and pressed into service in the kitchen. ~ksp

The Little Things

2011-06-13T13:00:00.001-04:00

I repotted my house plants that had long overgrown their pots...satisfaction. ~ksp

Snake plant on office window sill.

Test Your TV Knowledge-A Contest

2011-06-12T12:00:00.003-04:00

I am not a fan of party games...but as the Hostess with the Most-est...the baby shower called for games and I had to deliver. Of course, since I am so particular, I created my own games.

This game is to list the TV mother with their TV show. For example:

Samantha Stephens/Bewitched

Just for kicks...here it is for your participation. We'll do this using the honor system, you cannot use the internet (e.g. google) or a partner to complete the list. The entrant with the most correct answers win a prize from the fiber stash.

Rules:
Using a numbered list, report the character's name followed by the name of the TV show. The contest will close at midnight EST on June 18, 2011.

Have fun. ~ksp

Butter Me Up!

2011-06-10T12:05:00.000-04:00

I am a planner at heart...so when it comes to throwing a party, the planning comes naturally.

As I metioned earlier, my BFF and her husband are expecting as as part of my "Best Aunite in the World" duties, I hosted not one, but two baby showers.

The colors for the party were pink and yellow and the theme was "Walk in the Sunshine"**. We worked baby footprints (like the ones below)into some of the elements...although the ones we used are pink and carried the shower theme into favors.

I scoured several sources to get decent body butter/cream recipes. I had a few criteria. I wanted to use all natural ingredients. Natural to the point that you could eat it with no ill effects. I also wanted products with citrus scents and I wanted something practical that would be used.

I started with some unrefined cosmetic grade beeswax and added equal proportions of shea butter, mineral oil. I also added citrus essential oil.

Melting solids in a double boiler.

The ingredients in a liquid state

Wand-mixing while the ingredients cooled

I wanted more of a whipped texture and so I whipped out the handy wand mixer. It took forever, because it cooled very slowly.

Amber PET jars from here.

The finished result....

It was added to the bag (below) with other bath-related items including: a bath scrunchie, a duck-shaped pumice stone, some product samples and a made-by-me bath bomb.

Everyone loved the party and the food and the favors and most of all the honoree...can't wait to become an auntie. ~ksp

** We call her "Sunshine" because of her constant bright and sunshiny disposition...NOT!

Retail Therapy - A Story of Consollation

2011-05-16T16:00:00.016-04:00

I was not able to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool this year and I feel mixed about it. First, I was over-subscribed. I had just spent several days in Syracuse bowling in the USBC tournament discussed here. Second, while I am not yet comfortable with it, I am trying to do less. I detest starting a full work week tired. I can become the most unpleasant person by Wednesday of a week like that.

In the end, I'm glad I didn't go, but damn did I miss it. What's a whore to do when she's cut off from her fibre pursuits? Well, retail therapy, of course.

I strolled through the offerings on several websites including etsy and decided to choose a fiber that I don't currently have in my stash. (Those of you who are keeping tabs on the fibre stash...mind your own business here).

I decided on a polwarth top. According to the info on The Spinning Loft's website, polwarth is soft and fine. This breed was developed in the 1880s when Lincoln/Merino Cross ewes were bred to Merino Rams to produce a dual purpose breed with an emphasis on wool production. Second in softness to only Merino.

This offering from HeadlyGrange is called Green Eggs and Ham (favorite book) and I love it. It's subdued but not boring.I can't wait to get it to the wheel.

I also got this Spinsleydale; it is very exclusive developing breed. It’s amazingly soft almost transparent fleece with some of the feel of Wensleydale. According the seller, “the bold locks almost seem three dimensional........thus the name Spinsleydale.”

Lastly, in addition to the fibre purchases, I purchased a half share of Jacob fleece from Jacob's Reward Farm in Parker,Texas. According to wikipedia, the Jacob sheep is a rare breed of small, piebald (black and white spotted), polycerate (multi-horned) sheep.

They're rare, they're small, they're old and their fleece is mine all mine. I love being a shareholder to a small fiber producer. They blog here.

So in short, I missed my favorite fibre festival, but I was saved by internet shopping...that is...until NY Sheep and Wool this October. ~ksp

3's the Charm

2011-05-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

My mother has three children - a boy and two girls. While we have several similarities, we are very different. For Mother's Day this year, we got her a new charm for her bracelet.

gemvara.com

It contains each of our birthstones in birth order-left to right. I'll have it attached to her bracelet this week.

Attributes of the sapphire:

§ Truth, sincerity and constancy; and

§ Clairvoyance, insight and interpretation.

Attributes of aquamarine:

§ Faithfulness, courage and friendship; and

§ Awareness, quick response and easing communication problems; and

§ This gemstone is often used as a charm by sailors for protection while at sea.

Attributes of amethyst:

§ Sincerity and a calm disposition: and

§ Stability, peace, balance, courage, inner strength.

Its hopefully a small but meaningful gift to say thanks for all of the things she's done and continues to do for each of us.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Goal Tracker-Bowling Tournament

2011-05-05T09:00:00.002-04:00

In 2009, here, I set a personal goal of entering a bowling tournament. Well, the year came and went and it didn't come to fruition.

As life sometimes has it, two years later, I am able to fulfill this goal as an entrant in the the United States Bowling Conference (USBC) Women's Tournament in Syracuse, NY. The tournament has five woman teams over several weeks. Teams are ranked according to averages and there are prize.

Team Uniform

Team Logo Closeup


Name Embroidered on Back

In addition to team competitions there are also doubles and singles categories. For those events, there will be a costume change to this outfit.

I love my brown-skinned bowling girl. All of our uniforms were custom-embroidered and I lurves them.

We bowl Thursday and Friday. Wish us/me luck. ~ksp

ETA: I have a 147 average and it held throughout the team event. I bowled a 452 series and $25 (net) in the wagering which is very common in bowling tournament. ~ksp

Pucker Up! - Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T00:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter to all who believe.

Easter is my favorite Christian holiday, because it is a time of reflection, renewal and resurrection/rebirth. I love the hopefulness of Easter (it helps that it is slightly less commercialized than Christmas).

And while I will not be celebrating Easter in the usual fashion (bonnets, church and egg hunts), I'll be spending the day with my family, eating and laughing (hopefully). The dinner menu includes homemade mac and cheese and peach cobbler...I'll never lose any weight at this rate. Sunday evening, my sister and I are going to a comedy show. Unconventional, but so am I. ~ksp

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. All who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die".

The Incomparable Nina Simone

2011-04-23T20:00:00.004-04:00

The incomparable...

When my parents married, and before they ever had kids, they picked out two first names: Corey for a boy and Kelli for a girl. Middle names were up for grabs. For me, my father chose Simone.

Simone in French means (s)he who hears in Hebrew it means loud. Ironically for me, both are true. I am simultaneously capable of being loud and rambunctious and a good listener...go figure.

I was not given this name for any of these attributes; instead I was named after one of my father's favorite singers at the time, Nina Simone...and today was her birthday.

Who knew, that as my personality developed, she and I would have so much in common. I've always felt a strong kindred for her music and her political positions. Nina was a proud woman of African American descent who was not afraid to discuss unpopular topics. These attributes are also true of me.

Second, she had a STRONG personality. She is believed to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which, in part could explain her aggressive mood swings some of which were evident while performing. My father often recounts that if you went to one of her concerts, it was wise to expect her to walk off stage in the middle of a set. She was largely known as "moody"...

Yeah, I can be moody...so what?

She was sand loud and hard. Check out these tunes:

The Other Woman - the mistress anthem...so soulful.

Young Gifted and Black...this song is self-explanatory...skip to 2:40 to skip the intro
Feeling Good - Jennifer Hudson recently did a cover of this song for Weight Watchers...Nina's version is SO much better. It's hard to touch the original.

So, in honor of Nina and her vast repertoire of jazz infused melodies, I want to make a quilt that heavily uses the color black. I found this fabric on the sale rack at Olde City Quilts. It is from the Arabella line by Pat Sloan (manufactured by P&B Textiles).

On sale here.

Like Nina's music, this fabric spoke to me (and the price couldn't be beat). I plan to use it (with some blacks and reds from the stash) as the basis for a quilt. I envision this as a long-term project so I don't have a clue about the pattern or layout. ~ksp

Contestants, Start Your Engines...

2011-04-18T09:30:00.006-04:00

I have been composting kitchen and yard materials for a few years now. Some may remember that I had an outdoor open bin constructed at my parent's house to enable me to take my big kitchen scraps to a large container.

While I love to garden, I am afraid of earthworms and other wormlike creatures. This list includes:
redworms, grubs, tomato hornworms, caterpillars, milipedes...you get the idea. In preparing this post, I couldn't even look at the wikipedia photos without getting the willies.

So, I put on my big girl panties and got out into the bins to begin sorting materials. I didn't have time to cover the pile before the winter snow so there was less decomp over the winter than I would have liked.

Fall 2010 leaves still in the bin.

After the first sort, here is the accumulation of "black gold". It's hard to see with the photo, but this is more than 3' of compost. After a second shirt to remove the remaining large items, it will be ready to be spread into the garden and lawn...so exciting.

Black Gold

Now, I just need to put together the plating schematic, clean and scour the pots, prep the soil, I'm getting tired listing it all.

So far, we are looking at our usual heirloom tomatoes (Mortgage Lifters and Granny Smith among them), string beans and peppers. This year, mesclin mix, lettuce, and spinich will be added along with organic fingerling potatoes. Bring on the planting weather!! ~ksp

I love spring, like Cubs fans, I am eternally hopeful.

There's Something Sweet in Denmark

2011-04-15T10:00:00.003-04:00

My best friend (also known as my surrogate sister) and her husband (last name: Denmark) are expecting and I am so happy for them. As soon to be auntie, I find it necessary to pull out all of the craft stops to shower my new niece with gift. Afterall, I will be the Spinster* Aunt so I MUST be the favorite auntie.

While on a recent trip to the City Quilter to cash in a gift certificate that was burning a whole in my pocket, I picked up a small fat quarter bundle of Moda's Breakfast at Tiffany's line. The colors are somewhat muted and classic. Because I love all things scrappy, I added a few other fabrics to break up the similarities and beef up the yardage. I usually don't like as many florals as this colorway offers, but by combining the damasks and the polka dots, I love it.

After mulling over several patterns, I dusted off the Irish Chain Quilt pattern I used last winter and committed to the triple.

2.5" strips hanging on the rack awaiting their turn.

The triple lay out produces 14"finished blocks so twelve few blocks go a long way, especially since I am making a slightly larger crib size.

Six out of twelve blocks completed.

I'll need to figure out how I will frame the squares. I like the idea of using browns. The nursery is sage green so I thinking (hope) these colors will "pop" in the room and wear well through the abuse.

I love stripes and polka dots together.

I love this green tonal stripe that I picked up. I am not yet sure if I will use it for the borders or the binding. I tend to inadvertently twist binding which may make a horizontal stripe a bad idea....any suggestions?

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There are several other projects in the works for Baby Denmark including a Christening blanket and a series of bonnets/hats. I bought these books to further inspire me.

itty-bitty hats

Baby Bloom

I do not have ANY baby friendly and machine washable yarns* in the stash...so I must go shopping.
While I do not personally care for acrylic blends and superwash yarns, I refuse to saddle a new mom that also works outside of the home with a bunch on hand wash/soak only items. The baby hats in this book are so cute that the stylish spinster aunt will not settle for anything else/less. ~ksp

Where in the World?

2011-04-12T07:00:00.004-04:00

I am due for a vacation and I lack inspiration for where to go. Below are some photos of my previous trips around the world. Any recommendations for a place to go? ~ksp

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Asian Market in London

Cathedral in Habana, Cuba

Ghana, West Africa

New Amsterdam Market

2011-04-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

I love to buy and eat as local as is reasonably possible and I love shellfish. None more than oysters. So when I got an invitation to support the New Amsterdam Market, I jumped at the opportunity.

This market's mission is to promote economic development and build a new market district
in lower Manhattan.

For fifty bucks, the bill of fare will feature oysters from six regions of the Chesapeake and one from the Delaware Bay as follows:

Chesapeake

Easter Shore, Upper Bay
Easter Shore, Lower Bay
Western Shore, Upper Bay
Western Shore, Middle Bay
Western Shore, Lower Bay
Tidewater

Delaware Bay

Cape May Salts

If you are in the New York area and love shellfish, please come out tonight and check it out. I am getting together with a group of friends and I'm gonna get full. ~ksp

Host/Hostess Gift

2011-04-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a fun project that I completed as a gift to my cousins this past fall season. If you would like to make your own, choose other colors for a more neutral or seasonal palette.

I was inspired by a post on the Purl Bee. Ever smitten, I ordered one of their Spectrum Bundles.

I paired them with some handkerchief linen that I got at my local fabric store (Halsey Fabric) and followed the purl tutorial here. Handkerchief linen can be very wiley and slippery if you aren't paying close attention, which made this a bit tedious.

With the leftover scraps, I made a scrappy log cabin table centerpiece. I used Insul Bright batting and a cross-hatch quilting pattern. The batting makes it heat resistant and lessens the likelihood of a hardwood table being ruined by the evening's casserole.

Tedium aside, but I had a blast making them. ~ksp

Self-Taught

2011-04-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

Picture heavy post!

In earlier blog posts, I showed some silk cocoons I bought on etsy here. They sat in a vase on my desk at work for some time as decoration while I researched (via the internet) the proper way to process them.

Since that purchase, I've watched multiple videos and read lots of articles on how to process them. This is where the wonder world of the web-based learning and reality collide with disastrous results.

I got out my frame and added a peg to stretch the cocoons across.

****Disaster Alert***

It seems I cooked the cocoons on too high heat for too long....or something like that because the next thing I knew all of my bright vibrant colors were gone and everything was a muddled gray.

There were little specks of bug innards that I wasn't able to get out.

All was not lost. By the time I rised everything stretched on the frame and it dried the silk was nice enough. If I am going to use it for any purpose I have a lot more prep work to do including dyeing at some point...

Question:
So what's the lesson here boys and girls?

Answer....
just because you study something on the internet, you are NOT necessarily an expert. ~ksp

Either Really Early or Hella Late!!

2011-03-29T10:44:00.001-04:00

For some time now, I have been planning on coordinating a scarf and dress mittens to go with my charcoal gray winter dress coat.

Yeah, I know, winter is already officially over...but who cares...I'll be hella early for next winter. The offering on the left is Sundara fingering silky merino. It was an offering from a yarn club she offered several years ago...I love her tonal dyeing. I am thinking of making Evelyn Clark's Swallowtail Shawl it's a simple triangle.

I'm making a pair of color-coordinated, stash-busting Fiddlehead mittens using Trekking Pro Natura wool-bamboo blend and some Koigu KPM in the beautifully named 233 colorway.

Doughnut added for scale :)

Now I just have to find set of US 4 DPNs and get started...so much for being early. ~ksp

Murder Attempt

2011-03-26T10:00:00.001-04:00

I think my local bagel shop is trying to kill me. Check out the amount of butter they put on one bagel.

Good Gawd!!

Quarter for scale.

I have to ask for it on the side so as to slow their obvious murder attempt...~ksp

Back in the Saddle

2011-03-23T18:00:00.004-04:00

...meanwhile, back at the ranch....It's been a crazy and trying season round these parts and I am glad to be back to some semblance of new normal. Thanks to all that expressed concern. I am well....

....and in craft news....readers may remember in June 2010, I was in Florida visiting family and nearly lost my mind due to boredom. After all, there is but so much sitting around in the air conditining that I can take. I went to the local Super Jo-Ann's and bought some charm squares. Out of delirum, I ended up purchasing way more than what was needed.

Since one of my dearest friends had his first baby (Baby S), I wanted to honor the event (in my usual fashion) by gifting a quilt. I took the rest of the charm squares and converted them (with some other scraps) into a flying geese quilt.

I used this tutorial but also sewed an additional seam 1/4" from the first. This way, after cutting I ended up with what Bonnie Hunter call bonus 1/2 triangle squares.

I have previously completed a flying geese pinwheel quilt and knew that I wanted to do a different layout this time. After a couple of hours of square placement I came up with a pattern that I liked. I wanted there to be a color gradation element to the design, as well as be linear.

All laid out on the couch and ready for the machine.

After laying it out, I strip pieced it into vertical strips and then into a larger center medallion. As part of my ongoing efforts to not buy fabric, I used an orange and white in the stash. for flavor, I added strips of some of the bonus squares that were left over from flying geese production.


Can you find the odd-ball square?

So far I love it. I still need to create a few more borders. I am trying to use up more of the bonus squares (of which there are too many), but I'd also like to give Baby S his quilt before his first birthday.

I will soon schedule time to rent the long-arm machine and finish this gift.

Any additional border ideas?~ksp

Rough Spot

2011-03-17T18:02:00.001-04:00

...hit a little rough spot...I'm okay though...~ksp

I Don’t Want to Belong to Any Club...

2011-01-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

...that will accept people like me as a member. ~Groucho Marx

I hope the new year is going well for everyone. I've been usually productive on the creative front. I've gone through my stashes and put together plans that will help me thin the herd, challenge myself creatively and of course be productive/creative.

As I contemplated my craft-related goals for this year, in conjunction with my larger personal goals, I wanted to participate in a yarn club. Here's the catch, I have more yarn, than any one person should own*, so signing up for a new club at a cost, was out of the question. Additionally, I didn't want this club to cost anything more beyond the initial outlay already committed. I even wanted to store the "club" materials in materials I already had (I can get obsessed pretty easily).

First a confession:

I do not enjoy knitting socks. I know. Heresy. Further heresy, I detest wearing hand knit socks. I find them horribly uncomfortable, bulky and unpleasant. Some of this may be because of my options in footwear and my large-ish feet/calves, nonetheless, not my favorites.

As my stash will attest, I do, however, love sock yarns. With help from Kristine, I recently culled through my sock-weight yarns bin and selected 7 yarns and corresponding patterns for my stash-busting self-imposed shawl club.

All in a re-purposed hat box.

January's randomly selected yarn was 2 skeins of Malabrigo sock in the Ochre colorway. This beaut has been marinating in stash since Malabrigo sock came out well over a year ago.

This yarn was paired with the EZ 100th Anniversary Camping Half-Circle (ravelry link) and size US 6 needles. I'm giving myself 2 months per shawl, I know that some selections will take longer or (pipe dream) shorter.

I'm so excited to have a plan and the energy to commit to it. ~ksp

*Now I know a lot of you out there in the blogosphere are formidable stashers, but let me say this, I produced not one, zero, sip, zilch knitted projects in 2010. I am less than a good steward when it comes to yarn.

P.S. Happy Birthday Mommy!

11:11 Make a Wish

2011-01-11T23:11:00.001-05:00

As part of my my efforts to cut down my quilting stash, I have been collecting free block of the month patterns from here for several years, but I never took the time to set-up and complete them. Block Central contains a wealth of resources, but I don't think it's maintained anymore.

The first pattern is Somewhere in Time; it's the BOM from 2008.

I chose a rather feminine pallet of pinks and lime-ish greens (I didn't read the selvage edges for manufacturers). I'm calling the collection pink-fresh...

Here it is in its binder, ready for the machine.

The second pattern is Nine Patch Nirvana and I wanted to go with all batiks. I saw this great browns/blues batik (far right) at Olde City Quilts that inspired the collection.

I'm getting it together...more to come. ~ksp

The Best-laid Plans of Mice and (Wo)men...

2011-01-09T19:00:00.004-05:00

Random and unrelated photo

Last year was a very instructive year for me, I had several plans and goals for the year, yet ended up spending it in much of a haze. Between my usual shenanigans, a rapid expansion project at work, and cancer caregiver responsibilities I was in a stupor. But I am a pack mule**.

I pride myself on getting ridiculously large amounts of production completed in small amounts of time (I know, I know. I'm working it out in therapy).

Somewhat related, I am a very organized professional but not so much so on the personal front. I end up discarding more groceries than I consume. I often eat unplanned meals on the run and have to pry myself away from work to handle personal matters (like my lapsed vehicle registration). I am endeavoring to bring that into better balance. This is a long-term life's challenge. I love this blog that gives lots of tips on how to face and address your disorganization.

I realized very late in 2010 that my tendency to work harder does not easily allow for taking vacations, doing less and/or reassessing commitments. It also leads to poor stewardship of my personal resources. I currently find myself in a position where I have more "stuff" than I can reasonably manage.

Anywho, how does all of this relate to 2011?

I now know that I have more stashes (fashion fabric, quilting fabric, yarn and notions) than I can responsibly use. At least not without a plan.

So my plan/goal for 2011? To be a better steward of my personal and community resources. I have plans to use up/donate stashes to create more time and space to fully enjoy myself....even if that means doing nothing at all. As I make plans, I'll share them. ~ksp

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**This is from a rudimentary personality rubric, a friend of mine shared with me several years ago. It goes something like this. There are two types of women in the world: cheerleaders and pack-mules.

Cheerleaders: Women who are generally more concerned with appearances than doing the heavy-lifting. Often intelligent, these women are not willing to commit to tasks that involve them leaving their comfort zones or getting too dirty.

Pack Mules: These women are the antithesis of cheerleaders. Pack mules are all about getting it done, no matter the human toll. Extra hours? Check. Heavy lifting? Check. Need me to use my personal resources? No problem.

2011

2011-01-01T20:00:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone is the blogosphere...I hope a safe and enjoyable holiday season was had by all.

I don't commit to resolutions, but I am an avid planner. I try to be reflective and set attainable goals for myself at all times, not just at the new year.

I took some time in the last couple of weeks leading to reorganize my stash and take an assessment of UFOs.

Both my stash and unfinished projects fit in these bins. They will be stored in a dark place so I am not the least bit worried about them being in clear bins.

I am almost embarrassed by the numbers of unfinished projects that I have committed to. I must confess, I threw one away (it was too far gone).

I am participating in a UFO completion challenge sponsored by Judy Laquidara on her blog here.

Here are my 12 projects, to be pulled monthly at random. For now, this is just the list, photos and full descriptions to follow...

Baby A's Argyle Throw
Pretty in Pink (jelly roll quilt)
Rainbow Song Quilt II
Jyoti's Chakra Around the World Batik Quilt
Playing with Jacks (jelly roll quilt)
Baby Watts Flying Geese quilt
Nundlal's Sister's Choice (jelly roll quilt)
Washed, Worn and Improv-ed Yellow Throw
Fungly/Burlap Picnic Blanket
Wonky Star Throw
Quilt of Valor (Patchwork Times Memorial Day Challenge)
Baby Clark II quilt (pinks and polka dots)

There are several other goals on the crafting front. More details to follow. ~ksp
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Kwanzaa Day Seven-Imani (Faith): I will strive to believe with all my heart in people, my parents, my teachers, leaders, and the righteousness and victory of struggle.

Hand Made Christmas - Let's Bake Cookies

2010-12-31T12:00:00.002-05:00

While I did bake cookies this holiday season, I also played with chocolate. Several of my favorite local chocolatiers offer a chocolate enrobed Oreo cookie...it's decadent to say the least.

I stopped by Hanna Krause and picked up their chocolate "cote" products in dark (personal fav) and milk chocolate. The process was rather simple, I dipped the cookies in the chocolate (heated on a double boiler).

I decorated them with some sprinkles I had left over from a batch of sugar cookies. I think I ate more than I gifted...It's the thought that counts...right?

Have a safe New Years eve everybody. ~ksp
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Kwanzaa Day Six: Kuumba (Creativity): In some respects, I think I exhibit this principle the most throughout the year...having said that, there is always more/different that I can do. In all endeavors I will do as much as I can, in the way that I can, in order to leave my communities more beautiful and beneficial than I inherited it.

Handmade Holidays - Merlot

2010-12-30T12:00:00.003-05:00

The gift queue included a stash busting Double Irish Chain quilt. When asked, the recipient reported their favorite color as "merlot". Ah...merlot is one of my absolute favorite libations so a Merlot Double Irish Chain Quilt.

Grabbed a long-languishing Moda jelly roll (ETA: The colorway is Portobello Market) and two different burgundy fabrics and I followed this link. Those who follow my blog know that I love the scrappy looking quilts so I go out of my way to incorporate variations in colors and fabrics.

Please pardon the crappy phone photos. I forgot to snap photos before wrapping and delivering it, so I had to grab a Blackberry photo.

Here's a close up of the center square.

I very much enjoyed this quilt and it went by rather quickly...or I become delirious... The week of Christmas, I quilted it on a long-arm machine at Olde City Quilts with a meandering stitch pattern.

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Day Four: Ujamaa (cooperative economics): During the coming year, I will work to support local and minority-owned business whenever possible. I will work to circulate the money I spend in my community of residence/interest.

Day Five: Nia (purpose): I will continue to build and develop my community and its members in order to restore and maintain values, traditions and customs.

Handmade Holidays - Quilted Sunshine

2010-12-28T14:00:00.007-05:00

A good friend of mine is going through a rough patch. She lives several states away so I cannot be a physically present help to her. But, I can do something for her, I can bend a rule.

My general rules for quiltmaking are as follows:

Quilts that I make are to be used. I have never made a wall hanging quilt, I usually make bed/lap sized quilts and I want them to be used. I don't care if they fray, I can make another one.
Most quilts are to commemorate a significant event. Now this rule is a bit tricky because I most often gift quilts on the occasion of a new birth, but I've given for other reasons.
I make the rules; which means they are subject to be altered at my whim.

With this quilt I exercise rule #3.

I followed the Oh, Fransson! tutorial here. I wanted it to be bright and cheery and possibly coordinate with her living room which is an asparagus green. I raided my stash and found a bright fat quarter bundle full of bright oranges and pinks and added to it as necessary.

I obviously cannot follow simple instructions and need a cheat.

I had the hardest time keeping track of the proper order of the fabrics...I was going for cheery, not perfect, so I pressed on. I used a lattice lay-out for the 8" blocks. The finished quilt was roughly 50" x 72".

The back.

Close up of meander machine quilting.

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Day Two: Kujichagulia - Self-Determination: I will actively work toward defining myself, creating for myself and my community and speaking for myself and my communities of membership.

Day Three: Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility: I will use my energy to build and maintain my communities, to assist my brothers and sisters solve their/our problems together.

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ETA: Delivered. She lurves it and it has already been installed. ~ksp

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas season, Happy Boxing Day (to my friends in Great Brittan and Canada) and lastly a warm first day of Kwanzaa* to all who observe. Here in the US Northeast we are girding ourselves for a winter blizzard which is forecast to drop about one foot of snow across the area...so glad I'm indoors until after the new year.

This fall season, I began to come back into my normal self. Those who follow my dealings know that I am over-busy most of the time. In fact, it is my "normal". But this summer, between implementing a huge expansion project at work, being a caregiver to my mentee and the usual foolishness I have going on, it was a stressful time. More than that, it temporarily robbed me of my creativity.

SLOWLY, I have come back to myself.

So this season, I was able to complete several very fun handmade projects, many of which I was able to incorporate many Christmas gifts into the queue. I'll be showing you some of them.

Stash Sachets

I had a little a little clothes moth scare in a segregated wool stash. Out of fear of harm to the mother load, I did some investigating of natural moth repellents. I detest the smell of moth balls, I have too many childhood memories of old smelly church ladies...did I ever tell you that I have an exceptionally keen nose?

Anyways, I did some research on natural materials that protect fabrics and developed these mixes. All recipes are approximate, but feel free to replicate and adjust as desired. I gave several cotton/wool gifts where I included a sachet.

Mint Medley

1 part dried mint (any variety is fine)
2 parts dried lavender
1.25 ounces whole cloves

In a small plastic zip bag, crush the whole cloves with a rolling pin (or whatever you've got). Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place mix in mini sachets. I used some organza pouches from a craft store chain to bundle them up.

Cedar Lavender

4 parts cedar shavings

1 part dried lavender

Mix ingredients and sachet as you see fit.

Any of these sachets can be enhanced or rejuvenated with essential oils. I spruced up my cedar shavings with them. Enjoy. ~ksp

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*Umoja - Unity - is the principle of the first day of Kwanzaa. On this and every day I will strive to create and maintain unity in my family, community, nation and race.

A Good Deed...

2010-11-22T18:00:00.013-05:00

December 1st is World AIDS Day. I was asked by my sister, to prepare a quilt square for as her job's contribution to a quilt comprised of squares from service agencies county-wide . She works for the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. If I can get a photo of the final quilt, I'll be sure to post it here.

This square, and poor planning on my part, lead to me getting very little sleep last week. I hope it represents their organization well. Thanks to My Spicy Yarn's contribution with her patience and embroidery.

World AIDS Day is an international health day. This year, and every year, world citizens are asked take action to tackle HIV prejudice and to protect yourself and others from HIV transmission.

Check out the website for information regarding activities, to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Do something. ~ksp

Sunday Dinner

2010-11-08T10:00:00.003-05:00

I went to visit my local butcher here while he was preparing some beef braciole (pronounced bra jole). While I don't eat beef, it totally piqued my curiosity. I asked him to prepare a chicken version for my Sunday dinner. I was looking for something that I could prep and it could cook all day while I tended to my art.

Chicken Braciole

Into the frying pan.

I pan fried the bundle in my small dutch oven and added some "gravy" (marinara sauce) and let it simmer...for hours...

Nice and browned.

I did some clean up on my garden plots and got lazy and really hungry in the end, so I served it over whole wheat spaghetti and called it a meal. If I had planned it better, I would have served it over orzo or a risotto...maybe next time. Also, I'll ask Neil to make if with chicken thighs instead of the breast.

God, I just love trying new things. ~ksp

A yummy experiment.

A Much Needed Rest

2010-11-07T10:00:00.002-05:00

I needed a break...I plotted when daylight's savings time was going to give me my hour back and I planned to hole myself up in the house this weekend and treated myself to no cell phones and death-by-indulgence and some craft time.

When I was in DC, I took a side-wind trip to FibreSpace in Alexandria, VA because I needed an excuse to buy some of Jarred Flood's venture into retail yarn - SHELTER.

I picked up 2 skeins in the Hayloft colorway to coordinate with my favorite Land's End winter jacket. It's my go-to jacket through most of the winter. The color was tonal and nubby but a little too dark for the look I was going for, so I decided to carry ember-colored Kidsilk Haze from Fabric.com to provide a halo and soften the color a bit.

Yarn and riesling...perfect together.

Chocolate-covered strawberries for Hanna Krause.

I may never come up for air. ~ksp

Tomato Row!

2010-10-19T18:00:00.000-04:00

I find myself lamenting over the ending of summer and putting up a large amount of tomatoes.

On tap for this weekend:

Tomato-based Steak Sauce
Cocktail Sauce
Tomato-based BBQ sauce.

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

2010-10-17T13:00:00.001-04:00

In an attempt at being neighborly, I left some tomatoes out for the other tenants.

Much to my surprise, no one took ANY...not one tomato. I took them back and put them in my new steak sauce recipe...more on that later.

Later for my neighbors! ~ksp

North African Cuisine

2010-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

I introduced a colleague of mine to my travel agent with whom he later booked a trip to Morocco. Being the thoughtful professional that he is, in exchange, he brought me bags of spices. Much to my excitement, I got both spices I use regularly and some less-used items.

laurier = bay leaf

I've traveled to Africa and love the cuisine, mostly stewed meat and grain combos that rely heavily on tomatoes and palm oil. Despite this orientation, I knew little of the flavors of the northern part of the continent.

As a learning experience for myself and a thank you to his thank you, I prepared for him a Moroccan-inspired chicken dish. It relies heavily on lovely combined spices and an old legume stand-by.

After figuring out a spice mix, I browned the chicken and then simmered it over the stewed lentils. I have an issue cooking in small portions. Please note that you will have spice mix leftover and the recipe below will feed 4-5 adults.

Chicken Du'moroc avec Lentils

(Moroccan Chicken with Lentils)

Ingredients:

1 tsp paprika

¾ tsp habanero powder
½ tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cumin

¼ tsp allspice

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cloves

1½ tsp cracked pepper

2 Tbsp kosher salt

1 whole chicken (cut up)

1/3 cup canola oil (any cooking vegetable oil will work)

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 large onion, diced
3 carrot, peeled and cubed
1 pint diced tomatoes
2 tbsp cider vinegar
4 cups water (or chicken/vegetable stock)
1 can tomato paste

2 bay leaves
1 bag lentils (rinsed)
salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions:
Clean chicken using your usual method and pat dry. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken. Cover completely.

In frying pan heat oil and brown chicken pieces on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

Switch the remaining oil to a Dutch oven and fry the vegetables in the remaining oil. Add the vinegar and scrape the renderings from the bottom of the pan. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf and water/stock. Bring to a boil and add the lentils. Place the chicken pieces on the top of the mixture. Simmer until the lentils are tender and the chicken is fully done.

Finished dish!

Coming in from the Cold

2010-10-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

I have abstained from adding to the craft swag for some time now. Of course there are financial benefits to cutting back, but the truth is, I was not producing crafted items. I was just collecting yarn, fabrics, etc. and it started to feel both wasteful and gluttoness. I've taken this time (over a year) to focus on first, using what I have and encouraging myself to strive for greater creativity.
Last week, while away on a business trip I took a night and caught up on my blog reading. Lately, my work has been all-consuming and I threw my back out, combining to rob me of the time to read like I'd like. Hell, its robbed me of my ability to do much of anything...but I digress...

It was then that I read that blog crush Brooklyn Tweed had brought to market a domestically-sourced and processed woolen yarn - SHELTER. During a conference break, I ~~skipped a workshop~~ ran to Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA.

I am a huge fan of rationalizing (any of my therapists can attest to this) so in order for me to make a purchase I needed to tie it to something practical and immediate. Enter rationalization here:

As fall settles in and winter quickly approaches, I need to line-up my winter woolen accessories. Anyone who has met me in person can attest to my having a big head and a lot of hair, thus making purchasing commercial hats IMPOSSIBLE.

I chose two skeins in the brighter of the 2 yellow offerings of SHELTER with the plan to make a tam (w/ requisite pom pom) to coordiate with my "dressy" winter boots.

I searched Ravelry and will start a extra slouchy version of Moss Stitch beret (rav link). I hope to have a few yards remaining to coordinate into a scarf and/or mitten. So, as winter fast approaches, I plan to use SHELTER to keep out the cold*.

You got to coordinate.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

*Pun intended

Wordless Sunday

2010-10-10T10:10:00.004-04:00

First Day of Fall

2010-09-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

It has finally arrived, the first day of Fall. While I love this season, it also marks the coming of darkness soon it will be dark both when I go to work and when I depart (most depressing). As I say "farewell" to summer, here are some updates on some of the projects I worked on this summer. ~ksp

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Ishbel Shawl - Frogged
As I mentioned earlier here, I either dropped a stitch or created an other yo while plowing through this small scarf in June. Soon thereafter, summer settled in and it was almost the most hot/humid one on record. I couldn't stand to be near wool, in any form...it was that unbearable. So, I put Ishbel down. Now as fall is settling in (officially arriving later this week) and I picked it back up, I have no idea what ~~in the hell~~ I was doing. So to the frog pond she goes. Alas, I will cast on again on especially since I need to start stockpiling Christmas gifts.

Heirloom Tomato Salsa - Repurposed
I used a water-bath approved recipe for this salsa that called for vinegar found here. The proportions of tomato to vinegar was over powering as a salsa. I opened all the cans and threw them into the crackpot for a day and a haf. I pulsed them down with the immersion blender to a chunky consistency and added sugar and salt. Not sure of the acid level (I've lost my food grade ph slips) I pressure canned the Heirloom catsup in small jars. I'll give updates once it's cooled and refrigerated.

Sunshine Pickles - Failure
I searched high and low for sunshine pickle recipes. I not-so-secretly love pickles of all kinds. Once I found the hermetic jars here it was game-on.

After researching recipes I settled on what what I thought would do the trick. I marked off the requisite days on the calendar and waited. When I finally opened the jar the pickles had a great aroma and color but a horrid consistency. They had become a mushy shell of their former selves. It broke my heart to throw these away, Especially since my homegrown cucumber were not abundant enough to create another bushel. Next year.

Wordless Sunday.

2010-09-19T06:00:00.002-04:00

While We're Waiting...

2010-09-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

It's thick in the fall canning season and so there's a lot of hurry up and wait, especially as it relates to fall crop (apple, grape, peach, etc) jelly-making.

Jelly making requires draining the juice from a pulpy mixture...depending on batch size, this process can take a looooong time.

So while this jelly bag (a retro-fitted pillowcase) drains yummy concord grape pulp, lets have a contest!

In the comments, list your favorite type of jelly and on September 24, 2010, the random number generator will choose a winner. ~ksp

Tomato Pickles

2010-09-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

I've recently developed a new blog crush here. I love her juxtaposition of urban living and homesteading. Feels both traditional and hip.

My local farmer's market often has unripe green zebra tomatoes. It's not a variety I have any interest in growing, but they do make an awesome pickle. I made minor variations to Tigresses recipe here mostly because I had no fenugreek in the spice cabinet and I used sugar in the raw) and I was not going back to the market.


All sliced up and ready for salting.

After letting it drain overnight, I commenced to cooking bright and early the next morning.
After some quick mixing and a hot water bath...pints of yummy pickles to accompany meals throughout the winter. ~ksp

Headshot

2010-09-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

My job required new head shots for all executive staff for our website. Here's mine! ~ksp

I detest pictures of myself, but since this is going on a website, I am acclimating myself to it. ~ksp

Saturday Night Live!

2010-09-11T22:54:00.000-04:00

Today was a great, albeit busy day. I had a pick-up of my organic vegetable co-op which included a case of tomatoes for putting up. It was the first meeting of the season for my quilt guild...and the first day of the New Jersey Sheep and Wool Festival.

Unlike its regional relatives Rhinebeck and MDSW, the NJ festival is quaint with all of the requisite food, animals and local/regional vendors. I actually loved it. In recent years, I've gone to the bigger festivals late on Saturday or Sunday to avoid the throng of the crowd. I find all of the people distracting from the funtivities.

The drive down to the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds was lovely, the weather hovered around 80 degrees with almost no humidity. I was able to meet blog crush Mistress Rows Red in the flesh and confess my love...I bought some kettle-dyed Romney roving in lovely tone-on-tone aquas.

Glendmere Farm in Cokesbury, NJ

I ended the night with a nice "simple" meal...


Ingredients: Shrimp, broccoli, onions, garlic lemon juice and spices. Served over rice.

...and a great Saturday, I'm tired. ~ksp

Cranberries...Not Just For Thanksgiving Anymore

2010-09-10T12:00:00.001-04:00

Here is the last recipe and second place ribbon-winner from this year's fair. It was a spin on cranberries, and while I am not a fan of cranberry jelly, but this sweet/savory chutney variation hits the spot. The judges seemed to agree. ~ksp

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Cracked Pepper Cranberry Chutney

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion or shallot
• 4 gloves finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 8 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (not thawed; 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation

Cook shallot and garlic in butter in a heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden.
Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally,
Berries will burst and chutney will thicken in about 20 minutes.
Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top.
Process in a hot-water bath of simmering water for 10 minutes. Adjust time for your elevation.
Remove from heat and skim off foam from the top. Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top.
Process in a hot-water bath of simmering water for 10 minutes. Adjust time for your elevation.

Golden Mint Jelly

2010-09-08T10:00:00.005-04:00

Montclair Mint growing wild in my garden box before summer planting...ignore the keys on the table.

---

I didn't bother to add food coloring to this recipe, but it easily could be added. I didn't see the point, it's such a rich golden color by itself. It won an Honorable Mention ribbon at this year's state fair. Enjoy. ~ksp

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Golden Mint Jelly

Ingredients

4 lbs of tart apples (e.g. Granny Smith), unpeeled, chopped into 1” cubes (including the cores)
2 1/2 cups of fresh mint, chopped, lightly packed (set1/3 cup aside)
2 -3 medium jalapeno peppers (set 2 tbsp aside)
2 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
3 1/2 cups sugar

Method

1. Combine apple pieces with water and mint in a large pan. Bring water to a boil then reduce heat and cook 20 minutes, until apples are soft.

2. Add vinegar, return to boil. Simmer covered, 5 more minutes.

3. Use a potato masher to mash up the apple pieces to the consistency of thin apple sauce.

4. Spoon the apple pulp into a muslin cloth (or a couple layers of cheesecloth) or a large, fine mesh sieve, suspended over a large bowl. Leave to strain for several hours. (4 to 5 cups juice).

5. Measure the juice then pour into a large pot. Add the sugar (7/8 a cup for each cup of juice). Heat gently, stirring to make sure the sugar gets dissolved and doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.

6. Add set aside mint and peppers.

7. Bring to a boil. Cook for 10-15 minutes, using a metal spoon to skim off the surface scum.

8. Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top.

9. Process in a hot-water bath of simmering water for 10 minutes. Adjust time for your elevation.

Laboring in the Kitchen

2010-09-06T10:00:00.002-04:00

It's Labor Day* here in the US and since I chilled for a lot of the weekend, I didn't feel bad about working today. I planted a number of heirloom tomato plants and could not eat them fast enough. I offered some to my neighbors but still had too many than I knew what to do with.

So as part of my canning spree, I made salsa. I'm still trying to get better control of my food/portions/sugars etc. so these yummy pints will stock my snack pantry.

Varieties include: cherokee purple, mortgage lifter and aunt ruby's german green.

As usual, there is a lot going on here. September marks many beginnings: my quilting guild meetings, winter-league bowling and the enrollment time at work.

On the guild front I am charged with creating and maintaining the website...I have no expereince with html code so this is yet another learning curve for me...

Heirloom salsa

So now, in anticipation of it all, I will catch up on laundry and get ready for another work week.

Yay for the un-official end of summer!

*Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Simple Local Foods

2010-09-05T18:00:00.003-04:00

I've previously talked here about my quest to cut back the amount of sugar I consume. It is not going well at all. Fighting an addiction, I don't care what your addicted to, is very difficult. While I do consume less soda and processed drinks, I still can't take mildly sweetened coffee and love pastries....uugghhh...

Alas, I shall soldier on...

In other food related news. This is the sign that hangs at the urban farm/produce stand that I buy my garden plants and occasionally fruits and vegetables.

So as I lick my wounds from my epic fail to eat less sugar, I am also focusing on eating simple mostly local foods.

---

My Definitions

Local - Grown or raised within the state of NJ or within a 30 mile radius. Given I live within 19 miles of NYC and 30 of Sussex County, NJ's farm land, that provides a lot of options.

Simple - Less than 5 ingredients (not including spices).
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This is a mostly-local meal. Local eggs thanks to the Montclair Farmer's Market, tomatoes I grew and stewed and store bought brislings.

Tasty, healthy simple and local. ~ksp

I Like my Currants Spicy!

2010-08-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

In my household growing up red currants were not a commonly used fruit. I pulled out my great-Nana's cookbook and did some tinkering in the kitchen. The end result was not a ribbon winner at the fair, but a tasty jelly nonetheless...enjoy! ~ksp

Spiced Currant Jelly

Ingredients
• 4 pounds fresh red currants
• 1 cup water
• 7 cups white sugar
• 4 fluid ounces liquid fruit pectin
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground allspice

Directions

Place the currants into a large pot, and crush.
Pour in 1 cup of water, and bring to a boil.
After boiling, simmer for 10 minutes.
Add spice mix and stir.
Process juice through jelly cloth or cheese cloth, and measure out 5 cups of the juice.
Bring juice to boil in large pot, and slowly stir in the sugar. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, and stir in the liquid pectin. Return to a full rolling boil, and allow to boil for 1 minute.
Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top.
Process in a hot-water bath of simmering water for 10 minutes. Adjust time for your elevation.

Baby Selven

2010-08-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

As a college student at TU I made lots of life-long friends including Selven. In the mid-nineties he was a business major and was number 27 on the football team. He and I are fierce friends and in the 10 plus years since we've graduated, we still speak several times a week. I call him my "brother from another mother"...he calls me "grasshopper*".

He and his girlfriend have a baby due in a couple of weeks and I am SO excited. He's wanted to be a daddy for some time and his baby boy is almost here. To celebrate this momentous birth I, grasshopper, am preparing a mostly green flying geese crib quilt for him.

Strips salvaged from layer cakes purchased in Fl, June 2010

Squares all lined up.

Squares sewn together.

I am a Quiltville fan and follow Bonnie's instructions on creating bonus 1/2 square triangles on what would otherwise be discarded fabric.

Highly irregular 1/2 triangle squares.

I'll probably use these to make a lavender filled pillow for use in the baby's nursery.

I"ll keep you posted on progress. Baby Selven is due September 10, 2010...must hurry. ~ksp

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* That's a longer story.

Doing Much With Little

2010-08-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

Picture Heavy Post

I won a first place ribbon in the NJ State Fair for my watermelon rind jam. I have been fascinated for some time by coming up with gourmet/tasty fixins' with ingredients that would otherwise be discarded.

After some experimenting, I now love watermelon rind as much as I love the red pulpy pieces. ~ksp

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Watermelon Rind Jam

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pound of fresh skinless watermelon rind (1 medium-sized fruit)

• Juice from 1 lemon or lime

• 2 cups sugar

• 1tbsp fresh ginger – grated

• 1tsp powdered ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Water

Directions:

Cut watermelon rind into 1 inch cubes.
Add the watermelon rind and grated ginger to a pot, cover with water and boil until fork tender and translucent; stirring regularly.
Drain out the water but keep 2 cups of this liquid for use to blend; let cool.
Pulse in a blender or food processor adding little liquid only if necessary. Process until smooth (the consistency of thick applesauce.)
Pour in a heavy pot.
Add sugar, salt and lime juice. Bring juice to boil in large pot, and slowly stir in the sugar.
Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, and stir in the liquid pectin. Return to a full rolling boil, and allow to boil for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and skim off foam from the top. Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top.
Process in a hot-water bath of simmering water for 10 minutes. Adjust time for your elevation.~ksp

Being Neighborly

2010-08-28T12:00:00.017-04:00

I live in a rather quirky little neighborhood in a quasi-suburban college town. Nothing demonstrated this more than my neighbor "Paul". He's a bit high-strung and frankly can be annoying...but hes my neighbor nonetheless.

My boxed "garden plot" is just outside of his bedroom windows, and although I've never actually heard him complain, I am often at the garden early in the morning and sometimes with a chatty assistant. Thus, I thought it would be a good idea to throw some fresh produce his way.

Organic Cornucopia O'Goodness

He loved it and later in the week complemented me on the "tastiness" if the peppers.

Winning neighbors, one cornucopia at a time. ~ksp

2010 Ribbon Count

2010-08-23T02:00:00.001-04:00

ETA: Left to right: watermelon rind jam, cracked pepper cranberry chutney and golden mint jalapeno jelly.

I won three ribbons in this year's fair. I'll be sharing the recipe in future posts. ~ksp

Random Sunday

2010-08-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

I've got a lot to share with you but there is no central theme:

1. I finished a quilt top for one of my guys. He's had his first child and is very excited about it. Here is an "in progress" shot of the top. I used a Moda jelly roll purchased here in a colorway tag that is long lost. It is crib sized and has a simple mitered border in cream. All I have to do is schedule time here to get it all quilted. I am waiting for several tops to be done and then I'll make a day of it.

A very pink simple jelly roll pattern

2. The NJ State Fair is over and I entered 4 delectables for judging. I'll be sharing recipes shortly.

Left to right: golden mint jelly, spice currant jelly, watermelon rind jam and cracked pepper cranberry chutney.

3. I got some of the last fiber that the Sanguine Gryffon was selling before discontinuing dyed roving. Fiber Content: 65% merino 35% silk. Colorway: Tea Estate. These 8oz are marinating in the stash until this humidity goes away..it's been a way sticky summer.

8oz of fibre goodness

4. My much neglected garden is beginning to give up her gifts. It seems this summer I could not adequately keep up with the watering between the extreme heat and the near drought-like conditions. On a recent maintenance visit, I lost a tomato (I plan to fry it up green). Also there are some thai hot peppers and habaneros and more rouge mint. More stuff to get mixed into the daily cooking.

Small bounty

Sugar...The Final Frontier

2010-08-02T21:00:00.001-04:00

These are the voyages of a sugar addict. My mission...to boldly explore ways to cut my sugar intake down (trek anyone?).

I consume way too much sugar.

Not surprisingly, it comes in so many forms.

I drink a lot of fruit juice - there's a special place in my heart for cranberry juice, but I am not particular.
I drink soda (damn that Pepsi) less often, but when it suits me.
I have a sweet tooth that won't be stopped - oh, how I love all types of cookies, cakes, tarts etc. I doesn't help that I am a decent baker too.
Pasta anyone?
Hidden sugars - condiments, coffees, fruit leathers...

So, I'm not going to make a pledge or anything, but I am going to more closely monitor my eating and cutting sugar down. I'll be reporting back my progress...wish me luck

This week's challenge: Begin to ween myself off of sugar in my coffee.

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In canning news, I searched high and low for hermetic jars and lucked up when I found some here and here. I've been using them to develop a Sunshine Pickle recipe.

What are sunshine pickles you ask? They are cucumbers that have been allowed to ferment in a brine in full sunlight for a period of days.

Here are my first 2 jars, a kirby cucumber in one and a mix (very) hot pepper in the other. Can't wait to try them.

For Tim...Eat Your Heart Out!

2010-07-23T18:00:00.000-04:00

I Need a Vacation!

2010-07-21T12:00:00.002-04:00

Any ideas of where to go?

Me in Puerto Rico in 2007. ~ksp

Garden 2010 Update

2010-07-12T09:00:00.003-04:00

This year's garden got off to a late start,

My early garden photo (June 20, 2010).

So imagine my complete glee when on a recent trip to the garden for regular chores that same box looked like this.

The list of chores included pruning, weeding and re-securing of these supports. While I was toiling away, I heard a distinct buzzing sound. I got up and stepped back and witnessed two bumblebees also "working" in the garden on their glorious Flight of the Bumblebee....not this one...this one

Bumblebee in the tomatillo plants.

I assume this is what it looked like from their perspective.

Blossoms, glorious tomato blossoms.

I stepped aside and watched the pair of bees travel from plant to plant. I was do excited especially because I thought I was going to have to pollinate them myself.

I then moved on to pruning. Given the recent heat wave, I have been careful to water the garden regularly but did not had not have time to prune. I've been reading up on pruning and like this article very much. Because I plant in boxes in rather close quarters, it's important to commit to judicious pruning I got to breaking suckers and thinning the plants.

Who says gardeners have a hard time pruning?

It looks like the heat is coming back just in time for this week's business trip. My garden helpers will be pressed into service and hopefully when I return, the plants will continue their happy journey to veggie production.
--
It's nice when your friends know you. I collect refrigerator magnets, and a truck-driver friend of mine, sent these to add to my collection.

How divine!

Clockwise from upper left: California, Graceland, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia,

Grand Canyon, Nebraska, Utah and Kentucky.

Irresponsible Me!

2010-07-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

I am sick and tired of being responsible. For the rest of this weekend...

I will play!

Enjoy as much of your weekend as you can. ~ksp

To become a quilt for Baby S. (born late June 2010).

To be a quilt for Baby Jr. (due in September 2010).

Lot's o' Time

2010-07-09T18:00:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned in an early post, one of my dearest friends is battling an aggressive form of lymphoma. This situation brings with it many challenges including food prep, appointment scheduling and medication management.

It also provides some great opportunities to examine one's life, to sit quietly with the people you love and to commit time to those people/things that are important. For me, it has also provided a lot of sitting around time, whether at the doctor's office, the oncology floor (or recently ER). Usually I would knit during these intervals, but my knitting mojo and I are working through a very strained patch in our relationship (a bit of a seven-year itch).

I carry my Ishbel (ravelry link) shawl around with me and it is coming along nicely. I think I missed a yarn-over a few rows back and I'm trying to decide if I care. The vine pattern seems to be a bit forgiving and damnit, this is supposed to be fun. Getting it "right" sucks all of the fun out. Take a look-see, it's hard to tell anything and in order to spread it out I've gotta take 100+ stitches off the needles...that ain't happening...any thoughts?

Semi-solid dark sock weight yarn on size 6 needles...very hard to photograph.

Also, I have been plugging away on my hexies quilt. Through the flickr group I have already agreed to swap 2.5" squares with several quilters even one in the UK. I have purchased several bundles. I'm especially excited about this one.

Nevertheless, I have finished all of the squares in my possession. I'll take some time to cut up my stash and continue. It's my plan not to repeat any fabrics. I never thought that I would be into hand-piecing, but I love it. And all of the people who say that a hexie quilt is addictive, believe it. I plowed through these in no time flat.

Behold hexies in progress.

I'm looking forward to continuing on the crafty path. It's a welcome respite from my crazy work and personal lives.

How Does YOUR Garden Grow?

2010-07-06T18:00:00.004-04:00

Got a late start to gardening this year (there's always something). Despite all the delays and the scorching heat, my plants are doing well.

Top to bottom: tomatillos, cucumbers on a teepee, thai hot peppers and heirloom tomatoes.

How is your garden growing? ~ksp

Cutting Up!

2010-06-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go!, But before I can leave, I need to get my crafts flight-ready.

This meant, a lot of cutting....

...and fabric...

Me and the hexies are ready for the airport...goodbye Florida! ~ksp

Saved by Jo-Ann's Fabric

2010-06-26T09:00:00.005-04:00

I would not consider myself a fabric/craft snob by any stretch. While I have yet to incorporate thrift shopping into my crafts, I frequently check out what my local thrift stores have to offer. I am, however, not partial to large chains. I like my fabric stores, moderately-sized like here and here, where the staff use the products and know the craft. I tend to not find that at the larger stores.

So imagine my surprise when I, desperate for a project but unable to travel the 45 minutes one way for the nearest to me quilt shop (that meets my criteria), begrudgingly went to the local Jo-Ann's Fabric. I don't think I've ever been in a Jo-Ann's this big. I mean huge-so huge, there is an independent sewing machine dealer inside of it.

I was desperate and I was satisfied. I bought several items to get me started on what will be my next long-term quilting project. It's a 1" hand-pieced hexagon quilt top...or at least it will be. I have been following Texas Freckles blog with the very helpful videos and tips.

I might not go insane on this family vacation/visit after all.

I don't know how big the finished quilt will be, but I like the idea of piecing and then laying them out in a gradual color spectrum. The only problem with that strategy is that you have to piece a whole heap-a-hexes in order to get the color layout right. Let me get piecing and see how this goes. ~ksp

It's That Time Again - the NJ State Fair

2010-06-25T10:00:00.002-04:00

Faithful readers will know that I am a big proponent of state fairs. In New Jersey there is a carnival in the Meadowlands Complex that calls itself the state fair. I am NOT referring to that.

Instead, I am talking about a fair where residents (in this case statewide) compete in activities ranging from turkey calling to canned jams and jellies. There's livestock and NJ 4-H...and on opening day, there's a decent fireworks display.

In short...its a blast!

I lurve the NJ state fair.

Every year about this time, I stalk the local farmer's market to find items that I can prepare and enter the fair. I have had moderate success and have ribboned every year that I've entered items (knock on wood, don't wanna jinx it). This year will be no different. I have been busy in the test kitchen with my most recent batch of ingredients, including the mint previously discussed on this post.

If you don't live in NJ look for the county/state fair in your area. But, if you live in NJ, please check out the competition categories here and for the adventuresome and competitive among you, find the entry form here.

And prepared to get your a@# kicked by me at this year's fair. ~ksp

F#ck Cancer! - Team DM

2010-06-24T12:00:00.001-04:00

My dearest friend DM has a Burkitt-like lymphoma and will spend the summer in treatment at St. Barnabus Medical Center.

I am very pleased and honored that he is allowing me to help him through these tough summer months. Not to do it alone, I enlisted the help of ChopChop and MadameFoo to help ease the imaging issues that cancer treatment can sometimes bring by knitting caps for him to wear.

This group of classy ladies put together a bunch of caps for him to wear. The drab colors are his request to accompany both his wardrobe and default mood.

I lovingly refer to the large and ever-growing list of people who offer his support, food, encouragement "Team DM". Lord knows this is a rough spot and its great to have folks there to help lighten the burden. We also decided that the team's slogan is "F#ck Cancer!". Its our attempt to put the lymphoma on notice that its days are numbered.

I eventually made him try all of the hats (to ensure good fit and to make him laugh). While it will be hard to wear in the summer months, he is often cold in the hospital so they'll come in handy.

A face anyone could love.

Making a Mess

2010-06-23T14:00:00.002-04:00

Life has a way of shifting your priorities for you, or in my case forcing my hand. I have been meaning for some time to cook at home more often. I am a damn good cook, but between, work, my hobbies and sleep, I manage to not have enough time to do the necessary prep let alone execute. As fate would have it, lately, I've been spending a lot of time-more than usual-cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook, but I haven't cooked this often (read: daily) in years, if ever.

I've noticed that I don't really have "cooking clothes" nor any aprons. My kitchen counters/sink are at a perfect height for tasks which also means its the perfect height to stain the fronts of my clothes.

So what's hobbywhore to do? Well, make aprons of course.

My web handle would suggest that I am indiscriminate but, I assure you, I am particular about aprons. For example I do not like the halter style, as it irritates my neck and is otherwise uncomfortable. I like this style, but for the most part a 1/2 apron will suit me just fine.

I went to a great fabric shop and grabbed some great fabrics from the clearance rack!

Now I just have to dig my aunt's old sewing machine out of the study and get it humming...and I figure while I'm at it I might as well give one away (in one of these color combinations or another of your choosing.)

GIVEAWAY: So, leave a message about something you've been meaning to start or get back in to and be entered into a drawing for an apron. Comments will close on Sunday, June 27, 2010. ~ksp

Visting Family - Reinforcements

2010-06-22T22:21:00.000-04:00

Need I say more!

Back on the Wagon

2010-06-22T18:00:00.003-04:00

As I was heading to Tampa, I was desperate to take a knitting project. Knitting and I have been estranged for some time now. I have not cast on a knitting project in such a long time, I actually had to think about how to cast on...for like 2 whole minutes.

While in-flight (JFK to TPA), I cast on the ever-popular Ishbel by Ysolda. I was looking for a pattern that had the ability to hold my interest, but not so complicated so as to get put into the UFO column. (I'm easing back into knitting regularly.)

I went to the stash (have I mentioned I'm on a yarn fast?) and found some Sundara yarn from her 2008/9 club. It's Sundara Sock a small-batch and kettle dyed fingering weight yarn in the colorway night blossom. Picture's don't do it justice as its a deep maroon almost black semi-solid yarn. It was 350 yards which should be more than enough on US 6 needles.

Crappy in-flight photo. Had to wind the ball by hand due to poor planning.

Gotta love Jet Blue Airlines DirectTV. Watched Wimbledon the whole way.

So far it has been a great project to get me back in stride.
I'll keep you posted on progress...or not. ~ksp

Urban Gardening - Chapter 1

2010-06-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

I live in a rental community in Montclair, NJ. The neighborhood buts up against a regional university and has lots of great amenities, except community gardens.

Last winter, when looking for a new place, community gardening space was one of my criteria. I was both surprised and disappointed at how scare they are here in the "Garden State" I was able to secure several planting boxes on the property for use in gardening.

When I started the boxes had been well neglected and were covered in weeds.

Step 1: Remove weeds.

Upon closer examination, I noticed that the "weeds" were in fact mint plants. An overabundance of mint plants.

Mint is a weed with invasive roots...trust me when I tell you...more info on the mint on a later post.

Step 2: Condition soil.

A combination of new potting soil, hummus and nutrients were added to the dirt and mixed well. Did I mention it was approaching 90 degrees outside with crazy humidity?

Step 3: Plant vegetables and set-up tee-pees

I planted a great crop of heirloom tomatoes, hybrid tomatoes, hot peppers, cucumbers and beans.

Heirloom tomatoes include: Mortgage Lifter, Aunt Ruby's German Green and Cherokee Purple.
Hybrids include: Rutgers (I felt obligated as an alumnus).
Peppers: Thai hot and habanero
Cucumbers: various vining

I am also trying a new-to-me support system this year the garden teepee. I built mine with lengths of bamboo from the local hardware store. I will train the plants to climb up them. I've set-up a (several times a week) watering system...so now it's time for mother nature (and some organic fertilizer) to do her thing.

Here's to the "Home Garden 2010"! May the good earth (dirt) produce nature's bounty. ~ksp

Caveat Piscator-Fisherman Beware!

2010-06-19T18:00:00.002-04:00

A 4' sand shark caught on the beach at Sandy Hook, NJ. It was returned to the water. ~ksp

Tuner

2010-06-08T18:00:00.002-04:00

My good friend is an old-skool tinkerbot. He loves to do tech things like rebuild computers and for a project to do together, we're taking this on for a challenge.

~ksp

Quilt of Valor

2010-06-04T18:00:00.005-04:00

Several years ago, when I was perusing blogs I came across Patchwork Times. Occasionally, Judy publishes patterns and does quilt-a-longs. In advance of Memorial Day she published the fabric requirements for a Quilts of Valor (QOV) pattern.

The mission of the QOV Foundation is to cover ALL those service members and veterans touched by war with quilts called Quilts of Valor (QOVs).

To this end Judy published this pattern (scroll down), and while I did not make her deadline I am pluggin' away at the pattern.

Since I am on a stash fast, I challenged myself to pull fabrics only from the stash closet. This is my sample sheet. Given the various lengths of fabric at my disposal, I ended up with scrappy options of tonal calicos and tone-on-tones.

These sheets from Electric Quilter are hella handy when choosing fabrics.

Here are the actual fabrics....

Now's time for the pattern. My summer is chuck full of stuff so it'll take some time.

More to come. ~ksp

Have We Met?

2010-06-01T18:00:00.001-04:00

This warning sits at my office desk near the door...a gentle warning for those with whom I am not already acquainted. ~ksp

Zed

2010-05-27T18:00:00.002-04:00

The loverly Kristine gave me this plant as a housewarming gift this past winter. His name is Zed. I am not sure about the species of plant, but it grows like a weed and is in desperate need of replanting.

Sitting next to Zed is approximately 152 yards of 4.5 wpi yarn. It came home with me as 4 ounces of pencil roving from this year's MDSW.

This was my first time spinning a superwash nylon blend.

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Specifications
Fiber Optic Yarns - Foot Notes Unspun Pencil Roving
80% merino - 20% nylon
Colorway: Rockwood, one of a kind

Night Out!

2010-05-19T18:00:00.002-04:00

I took AJ, a young man that I work with, out to the The Aljira Fine Art Auction 2010.

My mother, AJ and me. Photography by Karen Sinocchi.

The auction is one of the gallery's fund-raisers and showcases the work of local and regional artists. AJ is not what you would call a fan of the arts, so we spent a lot of the night discussing the pieces on display. By the end of the night, while I wouldn't call him an aficionado, there were some pieces that he would have purchased. Although contemporary art prices are a bit out of collective reach. ~ksp

Happy Birthday, Day!

2010-02-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

It's my baby sister's 30th birthday.

We threw her a party at Aljira Contemporary Art Gallery. We all had a blast! ~ksp

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

I spent the night holed-up in a bed and slept through the ball drop and damn it felt good!

Happy New Year! ~ksp

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:00:00.001-05:00

It's been an unusually warm fall here in the garden state. I usually wait until the first frost to harvest my cabbage and collards (usually in early November). There's no frost in sight so I processed all of the greens in time for Thanksgiving.

Total yield: 12 quart bags of bags of collards, cabbage and kale. More than enough to make it through the winter.

I'm bringing oyster and cornbread stuffing to my best friend's family in South Jersey. It's great to be able to relax and spin all day on a four-day weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving! ~ksp

A Tough Night of Work

2009-10-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

Life's been so busy, that my pain and stress is best relieved by a little nip during my evening work sessions.

This evening's delight was Hitachino Nest Beer from Amanti Vino in Montclair, NJ. I've gotta find another crutch before this becomes a habit. ~ksp

Labor Day Indeed!

2009-09-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

It's been busy days over here....

As is customary at the end of the harvest season, I commit a lot of time to putting up the summer bounty.

This weekend's haul:

2 cases of tomatoes
1 case of peaches
1 case of figs
1 case of mushrooms

Figs...

Peaches...

Tomatoes...

Labor Day Indeed! ~ksp

Quilts for Vyo and KiKi

2009-08-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

When I lived in Boston...I became friends with a lovely family. The Nundlall's. The patriarch was also a grad student at Brandeis in the Economics Department. Despite being a dyed in-the-wool capitalist, we became fast friends. On occasions I would sit their two children: Vyo and Kiki.

These two are precocious boys that love dinosaurs. I mean LOVE dinosaurs. They can tell you the difference between a triceratops and an iguanodon including the age in which they lived. Additionally, they are from a tiny island nation east of Madagascar name Mauritius. Since I hadnt seen them in years and was not able to see them off to England when they left the states, I felt compelled to make them quilts.

I started by trying to pick fabrics. Since their roots are in a tropical nation and they loved dinosaurs I started my design with 2 packs of Hoffman Bali Pops in the Mint Chip colorway. Bali Pops are basically jelly rolls of batik fabric. The colors were rich and reminded me of them.

Now don't be confused, just because their interests are similar, these are two very different boys. Vyo is very orderly and logical while his brother Kiki is 100% pure energy. So I decided to use similar fabrics to create 2 differently unique quilts.

For oldest brother Vyo, I made a nine-patch quilt with no sashing. I surrounded the patches with mitered cornered batik borders (creme and navy) and backed in a blue batik.

For Kiki, I challenged myself to produce a quilt without a pattern. This proved to be most challenging. I did not realize how attached to patterns that I had become. There was more ripping and re-sewing on this one than I'd care to admit. The finished product was a medallion quilt with a creme border and a green batik back.

I quilted both of these myself at Olde City Quilts in Burlington, NJ over a series of days in a meandering pattern. I unveiled the quilts before leaving England.

I think they like them! ~ksp

Europe 2009: A Great Trip!

2009-07-25T18:00:00.000-04:00

We rounded out the trip by visiting friends and going to Stonehenge. While we were there near the solstice, it's closed to visitors during that time.

It was a long bus ride out to Wiltshire, but it was great to walk the grounds of a place I've read and studied so much about. Its a great piece of history, ad to actually be there was such a treat!

France:

l'arc du triomphe

England:

Had to find fibre, I couldn't resist!

Palace of Westminster in London aka Big Ben

Friends old and new.

A Blankie for (Another) Baby

2009-07-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

For several years I lived just outside Boston as I worked on my doctorate in social policy (no, I don't talk about it). During part of that time, I lived with Lea. While we began simply as roommates, we quickly became friends. Our mutual dislike of most things Boston strengthened the bond between us. I don't get to see her often so we keep up through email and occasional phone calls.

I was pleased to pieces to find out that she was expecting her first child at the end of summer 2009. As is often the case when my friend's become preggers, I searched my knitting books to find the "perfect" pattern. Lea's full name is often mispronounced as "uh-zeyl-yuh" (like the flower) so when I saw this pattern I knew it would be perfect. Lea also likes bright (often mis-matched) colors so I had to pick something bold.

Lastly, most of Lea's work is international, splitting her time between, Haiti, Rwanda and South Africa so I wanted something durable and something that could withstand multiple laundering applications.

I recently met up with her whilst in Boston on a business trip to give it to her...she loved it!

At the Boston Sheraton

Stitch definition close up.

Crochet bound off edging.

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Project Specs

Pattern: Azalea by Marianne Kinzel in the First Book of Modern Lace Knitting

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Golden Experience purchased here.

Time on the Needles: March 5th - May 25th.

Comments: There were several fits and starts because I had a hard time understanding the vague pattern instructions of yesteryear. While I loved knitting this doily on worsted weight yarn and I love semi-solid yarns, I wish I had played closer attention to the variation in the veiled dyed yarn. In some parts it makes what looks like rings that I think are distractions to the pattern.

Europe 2009: Amsterdam

2009-07-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

As part of the circuit, we made a trip through Amsterdam. This is not my first time to this glorious city. In 1996 en route from Ghana I had the occasion to spend some time here. I was most pleased to be able to visit again. Unlike some Americans, what I appreciate most about the city is not the legalized canibus. I love the culture of the Netherlands, the laid-back attitude, great (often local) food and great beer...hello Heineken.

I just had to indulge.

As is to be expected, we took the canal tour of the city. What a beautiful place. And we were blessed with great weather.

Successive canals view.

Requisite nekkid local-in-the-window,

Boat house.

Lunch was at a local restaurant where we dined al fresco and took in the sights.

Grilled veggies with local cheese...divine.

On the list of places to visit included Knopenwinkel, a local button shop. The storefront is just too cute and inviting.

Shoppers are greeted by a giant button.

And the offerings inside were too numerous to count. I added greatly to the great button stash (photos at some other time).

We later took the Stena Ferry from the Hook of Holland to Harwich. It was a lovely ride.

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