Fiber Fool

It seems the Pemberley Slippers from Jane Austen Knits and the Masala Slippers from Nourishing Knits are proving quite popular if the e-mails and rav mail I’ve been receiving is anything to go by. Since the construction of both slippers is based on the same principles I thought it would be fun to have a knit-a-long.

The KAL will begin February 1st and run through the 14th. I’ll be posting a few blog posts each of those two weeks addressing some of the trickier steps of knitting the slippers as well as share some possible modifications and finishing touches. There will also be a special thread in the Designedly, Kristi Ravelry group and perhaps, if there is enough interest a “hang out” or two on Google+ for live chatting. That way everyone taking part can interact with each other and share experiences and ask questions etc. If you are inclined to help spread the word about the KAL, please feel free to use the image at the top of the post to do so.

Interweave is having a big sale through Tuesday, January 24th I believe so you can get Jane Austen Knits for only $8.99 right now ($14.99 regular price) if you are wishing to knit the Pemberley slippers. If you’ve your eye on the Masala slippers, you can save 20% on either the full e-book of Nourishing Knits or on the single pattern if you use the code MASALAKAL. The code is only valid until the end of the day, MST on January 31st.

Now, onto the linkity that eases the start of the work week!

Crafty:

• Make your own sheer shirred scarf!
• I love this striped knit skirt! Though it doesn’t call for repurposing old tees, I’m thinking some of my old 3X & 2X tees I hung onto could morph into one of these, perhaps closer to summer.
• You could win a copy of A Handknit Romance.
• If I enjoyed the process of cross stich or embroidery more I’d be really tempted to personalize a Fossil handbag like this!
• Even though you’ve probably all seen it by now, I couldn’t leave out the adorable pin cushion inspired by the movie, Up!
• I adore this chalkboard cheese platter! (Though is the chalkboard paint really food-safe?)

Yummy:

• OMG, I could actually eat these chocolate glazed donuts without blowing my nutrition guides! This is a blog I discovered via Pinterest this week and I’m smitten :-) She’s also giving away a donut pan, details are at the link.
• Even more healthful is this strawberry and cucumber smoothie. Sounds like an unusual combination, but I bet it is good. Too bad I’m running so cold that the mere thought of a smoothie sets of the shivers.
• Though I do not eat much bread products and try really hard to have any grain I eat serve a decent dose of fiber I enjoy sourdough. DH loves it and baking bread. DH, this link is for you! Author, Tara Austen Weaver is hosting a Sourdough challenge where for a month she’ll focus on the ins and outs of sourdough bread baking! Are you in?
• Almost harder than changing my eating habits over the past year has been to drink enough fluid. Being at altitude and a semi-arid climate the water requirements here are even higher. But Good Life Eats blog has some great tips for helping you drink more water and stay hydrated.
• It would certainly be an indulgence, but I’m very intrigued by the pairing of flavors in this roasted grape, goat cheese and honey stuffed sweet potatoes!

Pixely:

• Hand drawn frames would be a great way to put your personal stamp on your photos!
• Hmmm, can photography be a type of meditation? Here is one take on being zen when photographing.
• How to fix too dark photos in Photoshop!
• I don’t think I’ve seen any creepier vintage photos than these with “hidden” mothers!

Bookity:

• The Edgar Awards for mysteries were announced earlier this week.
• The Hammett prize nominees for mysteries were also announced this week.
• This is a photographer’s take on Apple’s new iAuthor software for creating interactive e-books available in the iBookstore, but I think it is a good overview and not all that specific to photographers.
• Beverly at PoMo Golightly shares the efficient way her book group chooses their reads and shares their reads for 2012. I’ve already read a couple that made their list, how about you?

Naturally:

• I stumbled upon Crunchy Betty this week, here’s a sizable list of her best posts on all sorts of natural DIY beauty, health and home recipes. That should keep you busy for a good long while if you are so inclined :-)
• This seaweed soap sounds easy to make and beneficial to the skin!
• This is a great collection of recipes for a DIY natural bath product gift - just in time for Valentine’s Day!

More Linkity:

• Mrs. Pao once again has knitty, crafty, and food linkity!
• Chris’ eclectic linkity has some gems in it as usual!

As for the reading this week, I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest and am anxiously looking forward to watching the Swedish versions of the last two movies, but I suspect it will be likely I won’t get to do so until March at the earliest given the need to read subtitles and my inability to do that and knit at the same time. I tried a bit of a cozy that was a Kindle freebie just a bit ago, Assault of the Deadly Glue Gun, and had to stop at 20% in. I just couldn’t like the characters and while I’m not opposed to suspending disbelief now and again this one was requiring much too much - in just the first 20%! Now I’m a tiny bit into Hide by Lisa Gardner, more of a suspense novel and I know already at only 10% in that I’m going to like it. Though reading time will likely be more scarce until the end of February - possibly only when on the treadmill! I did indulge in some more period movie viewing to keep me company while swatching - BBC’s Sense & Sensibility and Cranford! And I’m of course looking forward to watching this week’s installment of Downton Abbey some evening.

Going “black” here on the blog to protest SOPA/PIPA is more work than I have time for. Frankly, I don’t have so much traffic here that I think it would make a difference. What will make a difference is taking that time instead to write my government officials about my feelings regarding SOPA/PIPA.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Google has some good info at https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/.

I hope those of you in the US will join me in contacting your representatives.

Having grown up in Minnesota and gone to college just an hour from Canadian boarder I’m no stranger to cold temperatures. That said, having lived in the more moderate climate of the Colorado Front Range for over a decade now I’ve lost some of my cold temperature tolerance. The cold can also trigger flares in my chronic muscle spasms so I do tend to choose to stay in if the temperatures are too cold.

1. Knit! Of course you could guess that would make my list of favorite cold weather indoor activities.

2. Bake something! We keep the house relatively cool much of the time so I love to bake when it is especially chilly out as then the kitchen and dining room at least are warm and cozy. Plus, you then have some goodies to enjoy :-)

3. Read! There is just something about snowy weather or cold temps that makes me reach for a good book. Perhaps because I can escape my current locale for any one of my choosing? At least in my head!

4. Enjoy hot beverages! As I’ve gotten better at keeping hydrated I’ve had to find some caffeine free options for hot drinks. My number one favorite is Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice which they describe as their herbal chai, I also enjoy Lady Hannah’s Whole Fruit sometimes and I recently learned about Teeccino (I’ve had the Maya French Roast) which is interesting as its own drink, but don’t expect it to taste like coffee!

5. If you have company stuck inside with you playing some games can be fun. Around here we enjoy word games like Bananagrams and Quiddler a lot, as well as Carcassone and Arkham Horror.

6. Watch a movie! Another way to escape to warmer climes :-) I’m trying to think of favorite warm weather movies and am drawing a blank, but in the summer is often when we take in icy movies like Men with Brooms and Mystery Alaska.

7. Spin some yarn! I find winter to be a time of lots of production. Perhaps it is because of the weather. I’ve been hankering to get some fiber on the wheel lately. I need my left arm in a bit better shape first, but I’m doing some planning :-)

8. Sew! I have a ton of stuff I could be altering right now. The skirts I made myself several years ago are all much too big, but I put such thought into their fabrics and time into making them that I think it is a good idea to take them in. Although I may only take in a couple that are appropriate to wear in cooler weather and wait to alter the warmer weather ones until we’re closer to spring so I’m not taking a complete guess at what my size will be at that time.

9. Organize something! I don’t know about you, but we have several things that could be organized right now. I think at the top of the list is the spice cupboard. We’ve added yet more spices over the last year and things are no longer in order and since we buy our spices in bulk from the co-op many don’t even have jars so there is a pile of little baggies that threaten an avalanche every time you open the cupboard. It is time to step in and take control!

10. Catch up on blog reading! It seems I’m perpetually behind in this realm. My GoogleReader page almost always says “1000+.”

Want more ideas? Pop over to Carole’s!

Well, the arm is still causing trouble so I’m mostly reading and starring posts of interest on my phone and staying off the computer except for what *has* to be done for various proposals and such. It is really causing a kink in my healthy living plans. Exercise has been nearly non-existent except a little bit of yoga here and there trying to open that shoulder back up. It gets difficult to continue to make the healthy eating decisions because that usually requires a lot more physical effort, though DH has taken pity and done all dishes the past ten days or so! Thank goodness, as that is the worst - holding any weight away from my body with that arm is killer. So, here are some the items that kept my mind occupied this past week…

Crafty:

• Loving the idea of making an infinity scarf from old PJ pants as I have several that are even too big for that purpose anymore, too bad I buy cutesy prints with sock monkeys or penquins….
• While they don’t target the area I’m having issues with right now, I know these 5 stretches to relieve knitting pain will come in handy!
• Just pure eye candy - Resurection Fern’s Recycled Blankets (BTW, I love that blog it is always eye candy worthy)
• Last week it was a napkin and utensil pocket made from paint samples, this week you haven’t to check out these awesome little boxes!
• I love this origami cat bookmark! Especially since I’m reading my first print fiction book in a long time right now. It took a bit to find a bookmark, LOL!

Yummy:

• I love a tried and tested recipe that is naturally made with whole grains - I definitely want to give this Whole Wheat Banana Bread Snack Cake a try!
• Chili Cheese Cornbread Scones? When I’m feeling decadent I’m going to have to give these a try!
• There is definitely magic in the salt/sweet combo, especially if the sweet is chocolate like in these salted chocolate cookies!
• This is genius if you’re entertaining with hot cocoa - “mixie sticks” looks like pixie sticks, but contains flavorings for cocoa! This could be good for coffee too I suspect.
• Amuse-Bouche has 4 healthy snack recipes that might help some of us stick with our goals for 2012!

Pixely:

• I don’t recall if I posted about the Lytro Light Field Camera when I was first told about it several months ago, but Scott Bourne gives his view on using it and it sounds interesting!
• For those of us on tight budgets wanting professional photos, check out this dPs article on shooting products and video with lighting from Home Depot!
• MCP Actions has another good tutorial this week, this time on getting that creamy newborn skin (note, they’ve been having problems recently with their host so the link may not work right now, but should in a few days)
• This happens to me more often than I’d like because I’m so focused on trying to capture the yarn colors right - how to fix blown out skin!

Bookity:

• Imajin Books is celebrating their first anniversary and are having a huge sale - all titles are 99 cents January 15-18! For a new press, their catalog spans a wide variety of genres so it is definitely worth checking out. Their titles are available through Amazon (for Kindle) and Smashwords.
• If you enjoy mysteries as I do, Poisoned Pen Press has ten of their titles on sale for 99 cents via Amazon, B&N and iTunes
• On the topic of books, I’m going to be on YarnThing on January 24th at 10am MST talking about Nourishing Knits. If you can’t tune in live, it does go up as a podcast later. I’ll keep you posted.

Naturally & Economically

• The name of these bath bombs - Ocean Breeze, sound like my preferred scents. I’ll have to give the scent blend a try at the very least
• I don’t about you, but winter has gotten to my skin, this olive oil and egg white mask has me intrigued
• Another skin brightening option - DIY Citrus Mask

If this wasn’t enough linkity, be sure to check out Mrs. Pao’s from Thursday and Chris’ from Friday for more online diversions!

With little knitting being accomplished and trying to stay off the computer as much as possible there has been a fair bit of reading and TV watching going on. I finished reading The Girl Who Played with Fire, read Murder on the Rocks (the first in a cozy series set on Cranberry Island, ME) and as of Saturday evening started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. I’m not big on reading series books quite so close together, but seeing as how the second book pretty much didn’t have an ending I was convinced to throw my usual rules out the window. Plus, I really want to watch the 2nd and 3rd Swedish movies :-D On Netflix we were hooked by Downton Abby, having watched season 1 and then the premiere for season 2 off of the DVR this past week. This weekend we got sucked into the first season of Murdoch Mysteries. I’m gonna wish they were streaming the following seasons I’ll bet! Thankfully the public library has seasons 2 and 3 so I need to get our names on the hold list for those I think!

I hope your week was good last week and that you enjoyed your weekend. Perhaps in more active ways than I? What things grabbed your attention this past week?

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I kept my nose to the grindstone for the most part due to a personal request for that arrived late on Thursday that I promised a delivery of today :-/ I did take in a few fav movies while working and snuck in some novel reading whenever possible. As my left arm is really bothering me right now I’m having to take very frequent breaks from both the computer and knitting so I managed to nearly finish the novel I started last week.

Crafty:

• I love the paint chip silverware kit on this post at Sew Many Ways, though there are several more options
• If most of my studio walls were not taken up with shelves, I’d love to use this wall-mounted storage system for colored pencils - practical and decorative all at once!
• Turning an old T-shirt into yoga pants? - I may have to give this a try as all my yoga pants are falling down once again. BTW, I have an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to T-shirt refashions if that is of interest to you!
• This free Eva Dress pattern is going on my sewing bucket list! That neckline is flattering to everyone and the seam lines and such are wonderful!
• Did you see Yarn Harlot’s Netherfield socks she knit? I’m so excited that they are not yellow!

Yummy:

• I adrore root vegetables and recipes that easily adapt to what you have on hand so I’m intrigued to give this Rooted Stew from MayaMade a try soon!
• Dairy and Wheat Free Pumpkin Muffins from Alisa Burke - yes, it is after Christmas and even New Year’s but my love of pumpkin doesn’t fade…
• Make your own decorative chocolate cups to hold candies and treats - this would be great for a Valentine tea or Mad Hatter Unbirthday party! I think I’d try using our silicone lines though.
• If your new year’s resolution includes being more organized or healthy, you may find this post on beginning meal planning to be helpful - I only dabble in doing so every now and again, but it is great for the budget and to avoid falling prey to bad foods

Naturally:

• Make your own solid perfume stored in an old pocket watch case, locket or pillbox - I have a sensitivity to sprayed perfumes and am really best off with solids or roll-ons so making my own sounds like fun!
• Winter Salt Soak for Sore Muscles - a few of the ingredients likely need special ordered for most (I know I can’t get black pepper essential oil locally, but it is on my list to order soon)
• Homemade Coffee Body Lotion - caffeine is purported to reduce cellulite or at least the appearance of it temporarily

Pixely:

• dPS’a 15 Minute Exercise to Improve Your Photography - I think this may be a good one to do on a regular basis, perhaps monthly in the same location to really learn how your natural light changes throughout the year perhaps?
• Scott Bourne has a FREE e-book on taking sharp photos - I have a few of his ebooks and they are great, I’m sure this freebie is no different, though I haven’t had a chance to sit down with it yet.
• They say the best camera is the one you have on you, since that is my photo, these 10 iPhone Photo Tips will surely come in handy!
• Nicoleesy.com shares a video tip for adding texture to photos in Photoshop - it is amazing what that can do to a ho hum photo!
• MCP shares the methods she finds best to install Lightroom Presets and Photoshop Actions - I use some of their actions and find them wonderful time savers in my workflow

NK Blog Tour

From most recent posting in reverse chronological order.
• Tina at Peacefully Knitting gives an overview
• Knitting Scholar reviewed it
• Anne at How the West Was Spun gives a spinner’s perspective
• Mrs. Pao did a gifting-centric interview
• PoMo Golightly interviewed me
• Deb Robson at The Independent Stitch talks about the role my Monday knitting group had in Nourishing Knits
• Twisted Knitter interviewed me
• Kathryn of Alpacamundo talks about watching the book take shape and cast-on a project from the book!

Well, I hope you found a few things to ease your way through the first day of the work week!