yarns

Happy Thanksgiving.. And Let The Creativity Begin!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope you are spending time with friends and family. Michael and I are going to Joanne and Otto Strauch's home along with maybe a dozen others for our bash. Covered dish offerings from all. I am taking Pureed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots from The Silver Palate's original cookbook.. I looked for it on-line and found that it was published in 1981 and you can buy used copies, but here is the basic idea..

Bake about 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. While they are baking cook 1 pound of carrots, cleaned and cut into chunks, in 2.5 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of butter, a tablespoon of sugar and some salt and pepper. Cook until all the water is gone and the carrots are done. Put the sweet potatoes, carrots, 1 stick of butter,a little nutmeg, 1/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cream in a food processor and process until smooth-- Viola!!! you got the goods.. and very good goods it is!!

I am also taking a killer Gingerbread- recipe from one of the Cook's Illustrated Books.. I can't find the book, but the recipe has fresh and candied ginger and it is killer.. I made a lemon sauce for it.

And I am making rolls too...

Now for exciting news!! This is why I love the internet.. Good things can be shared at the click of the key board...

You know I am in love with Spoonflower, Well to day he has a little video from the North Carolina Arts Council, check it out.. These people are just too cool for words!!

And Noe Today-- I found Envelope.... You can print and sell your own stuff.. these people will do the work and send you the money. It looks be a bit like etsy with a twist,, I love it.....

By now- Don't eat too much

And Knit Happy,

Lawre

How Boxes Are Made!!

The field trip yesterday was so much fun. Who knew that a box factory could be so entertaining. The tour lasted about 1 1/2 hours and we saw the process from the very beginning- designing the actual size and shape and the graphics that go on the box- through to putting the boxes on the truck.

After the box is designed a prototype needs to be cut. This handy-dandy table does the trick---

 

Computerized, it cuts and scores the cardboard- In seconds.. Wow!!! I want one of these puppies.. cut leather with it?? how about fabric??  I love toys!!

After all is OK it goes into production. There are stacks of cardboard just waiting::

 

It can be printed- Like the Strauche Fiber Company's new boxes.

 

Here is Otto with the die used to print his new boxes.. Like a proud new pappa!!

And here is a box

 

Can you imagine... I would love for there to be Lawre's Laine boxes... I have an idea.... more on that another time...

The machines are so big.. It is hard to imagine, can you see the worker there behind the part sticking up?

 

The cardboard goes in and out, up and down, is subject to cutting, printing, maybe gluing and stapling.

 They are then bundled, put on pallets and into trucks, ready to go. Here Joanne is being very protective of their new boxes.. Look for them on a drum carder near you!!!!

 

After the tour we went to Annie Moore's for lunch. The food was wonderful. All-in-all, we had a wonderful time, and then we all headed back home.

I got home in time to think about what i am working on today. A few NeedleRolls and A BigBag for A Glassy Broad.. I have started the bag and I thinK she is going to be very happy..

Then knitting till I fell asleep and had to shuffle off to bed- about 8:30...I am turning into an granny!!! Oh, I am already a Granny?? Ok, I get to go to sleep early!!!

Michael's sweater is coming along..

 

About 1 an inch or 2 to go on the back and then I will do both fronts at the same time.. With a V-neck it should move right along...

Off to get breakfast and then to sew...

Knit happy,

Lawre

Field Trip In The Rain

I am playing hooky from sewing today and going on a field trip- with lunch. It is raining, but I have been looking forward to this.

The Strauches are getting new boxes for their drum carders and we are going on a tour of the box factory. I know that some of you may be say "What-The??", But I love seeing how things are made. I my other life as a Telephone lady I worked on the telephone systems in businesses. Some of those were manufacturing plants. I know how plastic bags are made and printed. I know how wire mesh and wire nails are made, I know how meat is portioned and tenderized for sale to institutions. I know how guns are made.  We used to make things in the USA!! In Virginia!! Who knew?? Maybe we will again..

So I plan to have pictures tomorrow.

Here is one of the things I did yesterday:

  An Anything Goes Bag in tapestry with leather sides and handle. This one is a laptop carrier, but it could carry anything-- Thus the name!!

It is getting late, so I must run..

Knit Happy,

Lawre

New Math!!!

This

 

Plus this

 

Equals this

 

The special bags for Yarn Explosion were finally finish and delivered yesterday afternoon!!!  Ten of those beauties take so long to make!! It's the coloring of the outside fabric.. I have decided that what I need to do is color one every day until a batch of ten is done, then sew them.. And see the matching zips behind owner, Marilee??  These are exclusive to Yarn Explosion. Each is different and I couldn't make a repeat if I wanted to -- if you want one I know they would be oh-so-happy to mail one.

And!!!!  And-- OMG they had the best snacks there yesterday.. Someone had made these little LOW-FAT pastry squares. They promised to pass along the recipe.. If I get it I will share!!

Now I can get back to the regular sewing and will have pictures more frequently. First up is an Anything Goes bag for a laptop..   Haven't talked much about these- I started them using smaller pieces of leather in patchwork and now I am making them of fabric as well..Stay tuned for photos the finished product.

That is all for now,

Knit Happy,

Lawre

I Am Excited!!!

What, you ask, could get me fired up on a blah, cold, rainy, Thursday with work ahead of me?? Well, just check Jezze out this morning.... I WON!!!!... A major prize... And it is not a sexy leg light...It's Chocolate!! Jesse has the smartest dog on the planet!!  

Hubby and I were discussing the tree issue just a few days ago, and we were both sort of-- I don't know---  Now I know!! The tree will go up and It will have chocolate! I really like them alot!!

I may even get in the Christmas spirit early this year.. I have even started the shopping.. Spunsters, beware!!!

AND-- I am entering another giveaway-- I would love to win this one too-- Am I being greedy,, Or just being bombarded with things I really like??

Check out Paper n Stitch for the Give Away of this

Those of you who know me  know I am a bird freak!! Give me a bird book and some binoculars and--oh, yea, some birds!--and I am set.

Dolan is one talented guy--- and he grew up in Virginia and went to JMU... So how cool is that??  What the heck is he doing in Chicago??  Making a living?? Well, I guess he can do that.. And he does it so well..

So, Think I might win this too??  Are the stars aligned and all???  We will see..

If you think I am spending too much time entering contest. Let it be known that I have colored and sewn all the Yarn Explosion bags... Working on the linings now.  They want a few NeedleBooks for the holiday shopping season and then I am off to Roanoke for a visit.. Was hoping to make it tomorrow,, but it looks like Saturday now..

MY KNITTING::::

 

Becky's lavender and black We Call Them Pirates is progressing. Everyone in the family wants one, so I will be knitting this pattern for a while.

Hubby's sweater is coming along.. It takes a long time to get to the armholes when the back and the fronts are knitted at the same time... But then the are all done!!!

It is almost 8:30, must go and sew!!!!

Knit happy,

Lawre

Update On What Is Going On Here

Way back in the spring Yarn Explosion in Roanoke placed an order for a bunch-- a whole bunch-- of special bags. I have been very neglectful for this order so am working on them this week..

First I color the white cotton fabric.... I have to block off the sections with masking tape..

 

Then I color lines and circles with permanent markers...

 

I make different patterns with the lines and circles... sometimes lines are on the side, sometimes lines are on the bottom, sometimes diagonal, sometimes horizontal... Have to mix it up!!

  I will sew market bags with nylon handles and colorful cotton lining.. Will show you later in the week..

Marley's Hat is done!!

 

Made twisted cord ties.. I think they look like rope-- just what pirates need!!! Lots of pink and black rope..

That's it for today-- back to coloring,

Knit Happy,

Lawre

A Big Clean-Up

Every now and then I have to just stop sewing and get things back in order.

Here is what I started with:

Fabric on the floor to the right!

 

Fabric on the floor to the left!

 

There was fabric under the cutting/ironing table and fabric in the bath roo. i failed to get photos of that!!

So, here are the after pictures:

 

 

Clean floors, all the fabric scraps neatly folded and sorted to size.

Some of you wanted to see my sewing area.. Here are more photos.

My industrial grade sewing machine with my regular machine beside it.

 

My cutting/ironing table.. My helper guarding the doorway. Bolts of fabric in every available space. The folded scraps under the table.

And just for the "AHHHHH" factor, a better picture on My Vanny- here protecting the bird feeder from the robber-squirrels, Good Luck!!!

Hubby's sweater is coming along. I am really liking the Vintage Wool yarn!!

Starting a new project..

My hubby has lost so much weight (maybe 70 pounds) that none of his winter sweaters fit. After the vest he needs a cardigan which I started last night.

Yesterday I spend a few hours on the afternoon with the Unraveled knitting group at Mosaic here in Blacksburg. I showed them my spin on two-handed fair isle knitting with no floats. We had a great time and they helped me choose the yarn for hubby's sweater.

Berroco Vintage Wool in a pretty green.. Hubby likes green and red, but I didn't care for the red yarn.. So he gets another green sweater... The price was right and it is washable- so there!

I am knitting Charcoal Ribbed Cardigan a free pattern from Knitting Daily. I tried for a photo of the sweater, but no luck... Click on the links to see the shawl collard cardigan I am knitting..

I am cleaning my sewing room and will have before and after pictures tomorrow.. See ya then

Knit Happy,

Lawre

The Look of the Future??

Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite local restaurants.

It seems that America is becoming homogenized. The same chain restaurants and retail stores on every corner of every city. I think it is very important to support local business when ever you can, and that is very easy when the business is as fine as Mikie's 7th.

 

Located in Newport, Virginia, just a few miles west on 460 from Blacksburg, they specialize in serving fresh, locally grown, organic meat and veggies. Really good food here!!

Mikie is the owner of the restaurant and her husband runs Shadowchase Farm.   The photo on the farm's web site shows Mom and Dad and 4 children. I was of the understanding that Mikie has 6 children and the restaurant is her 7th, thus the name..  But, who knows... You can order your own farm fresh beef from the farm or stop by Mikies. They have a varied menu and great deserts too.  Point being, the food is good, and good for you- check this:

 

The best sausage and egg biscuit around. The biscuit is whole wheat, the sausage made from locally raised, happy pigs. Processed locally, so you don't have to wonder what went on in the meat factory. And really good- local, fresh, free range eggs.... Now, I ask you... Why not???

And just look at the pictures of the farm and see for yourself what a beautiful part of Virginia I live in!!  I am so lucky..

I do hope this is a sign of things to come.. It is important to support local businesses. Keep your money in your community and help the local economy grow..

I wanted to show you Marley's We Call Them Pirates hat.

She loves pink

 

This will match her sweater

Marley has long hair so Becky asked for a pony-tail hole so the hat will stay on better. I did this

I made a steek and then cut it and sewed to the lining and came up with a pony-tail vent. Hope it works.

So, now I need some help. Becky also wanted me to add some ties to further secure the hat. My question is,, I-cord? twisted yarn to make a rope? braided?  What do you think??

That's all for now.. See ya on Ravelry.

Knit Happy,

Lawre

Bean Salad and a Sweater

Good Morning!

This morning I made my favorite Bean Salad and wanted to share..

The recipe is Mixed Bean Salad from here

 

If you don't have this book get one. There are lots of very good recipes in there.

Here are the beans I used

 

The recipe calls for 5 cups of assorted beans. You can use dried beans that you cook up, or canned. Making some of the beans green beans is a nice touch. Today I used waxed beans from the garden and frozen earlier in the year. Fresh beans are really the best, but frozen are a good second choice. Do Not use canned green beans..

You heat all the beans while making the dressing. I heat them just until the frozen beans are thawed.

I do change up the dressing a bit from the book- Here is my version:

1/2 cup cider vinegar

3/4 oil, mixed olive and vegetable

1/2 teaspoon salt

lots of fresh ground pepper

3 cloves crushed garlic. I put mine in the garlic press- garlic is from the garden so I choose 3 different varieties

some oregano and some basil.. fresh is best, I used dried today

2 good squirts of bottled lemon juice- I never have fresh lemons on hand

Drain the hot beans and add to the dressing while hot, they absorb more flavor this way.

Then add:

1 red onion chopped very fine

some parsley- again if you have fresh, use it

If I have green onions or chives I add some of them too.. Today I did not have any.

Stir, cool, and refrigerate..

You get this

 

It is SOOOOOO good. I like to keep it on hand. It can be eaten hot or cold. In a salad, as a side dish, on a sandwich-wrap, in soup,.... Add it to rice.. You name it, it's good!!!

I am going to a pot luck luncheon today and taking this. I really should have made it last night, but it will be just fine..

Hey- I finished a sweater.. For hubby--

 

He hasn't tried it on yet, I hope it fits. He has lost some weight and I not sure what size to make. If it is a bit too small I figure I can turn it into a cardigan vest and it will be good.. I will let you know..

Bye for now- Knit Happy,

Lawre