The Glass Snowflake Star Ornament

 I've made my very first 3-D peyote stitched Star ornament.

The pattern is The Glass Snowflake Star from Crystalstargems on Etsy. The star is made by constructing 5 warped squares in peyote stitch, then sewing each square together to form a star. Here is a close up of one point so you can see the pattern better. The main color is clear. I used a very pale lilac with a darker shade lilac for the geometric patterns.

Inside there is a support tube made with peyote stitch that helps support the shape, but I admit I did stuff the whole thing. I used plastic wrap in hopes that light will go through it. There's a flat crystal in the center of each side. This helps to hold the inside support in place.

The pattern has just one crystal bicone and then a delica on each point. I used some very sparkly round crystals with a small 3mm bicone crystal and then the delica.

The star took a lot more time to do than I expected. I really love how it turned out though. I'm looking forward to hanging it on my tree this year.

I had a nice Thanksgiving. It was low key this year. A total of seven of us for dinner, not including Zoey. We still managed to have enough food for 20 people. I made Strawberry Jello salad, the stuffing, an apple pie which didn't get touched, and a Raspberry Victoria Cake. 

It turned out almost perfect. I'm getting better at the cake making thing. That whipped cream looks so white and it was so good! The filling included raspberry jam. Goodness, it was so delicious, we didn't eat any of the other desserts.

Tonight we had the annual Park family Leftovers dinner at Dan's house. So much delicious food. This time the pies were eaten. I didn't take the leftover cake because there wasn't enough left to bother hauling it over there.

Making progress on the socks. The first one turned out just a little bit big so I'm making the second one shorter. After it's done, I'll frog the first one back and shorten the foot. I'll be much happier if I do that.

In the meantime, I've decided not to make the first socks I started yet. I don't have time before I have to send this stuff to it's destination. I found a very nice hat pattern with Octopus on it. I've ordered the yarn and it should be here next week.  After Christmas I'll go back to the first socks and make them for Opal's birthday, which is in January.

That is all for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

My nephew Jonny and his family made the rest of the meal. 

A Knitting Bag For Phyllis

 I made it through Christmas! Hurray! It was actually quite pleasant. On Christmas Eve I cooked a dinner of boneless leg of Lamb with side dishes. It was delicious. We love lamb, but it's horribly expensive. When I splurge for it, I get it at Costco. Their lamb is excellent.

On Christmas morning I found a small flashlight in my stocking, and a few chocolate kisses I'd put there. Sweet Hubby and I failed each other in the stocking department. Our daughter, Ruth, had a properly filled stocking. I don't know. The last couple months have been so incredibly stressful, and sad, and depressing. It was very hard for me to get excited for Christmas. I didn't put the tree up until 2 weeks before. I did get some nice presents. Chocolates (Yum!) and some Television series DVD sets- The Closer and Major Crimes. Those should get me through the rest of winter knitting.

I got my sweet hubby a flannel shirt. Originally I was going to make him one, but I couldn't find a fabric I liked so I shopped at my favorite internet tall mens shop. Maybe I'll sew one next year, for our anniversary, or something. I also got him a folding level. Great for using in corners. It's kind of cool, and very well made. I'd never seen one before, so I got excited when I stumbled across it.

Later in the day we went to my best friends house for dinner and cards. I had such a wonderful time. I think it's the first time I've really relaxed since Sue got sick. The meal was excellent. I made dessert, which was a Raspberry Victoria cake. 

It's my favorite. I tried stabilizing the whipped cream this time, which worked beautifully. Recipe for the cake and whipped cream are here: Victoria Cake  Stabilized Whipped Cream

Enough about Christmas day. I have some completed projects I couldn't blog about because I didn't want the receivers to see then before Christmas.

I did some sewing for my friend Phyllis. I made her a knitting bag.

I've used this pattern before. It's called Charm Pack Tote Bag. It's fun to sew. It uses a charm pack, or fat quarters that you can cut into 5 inch squares. There's a bit of gathering (red polka dot line) and quilting. It's a good beginners project.

I found a fat quarter bundle on Etsy, or was it Ebay, that had all knitting themed fabric. If you look up close, you will see it. There are knitting chickens and sheep. and 4 of the squares are knitting stitches. 

The bottom fabric is pink sheep knitting on a black background. It's a Timeless Treasures quilting fabric. I love their fabrics.

I used a polka dotted fabric (from Joann's) for the button loop and the ruffled line. I found the button in my stash. It's an old antique one.

This is the back.

I put a pocket inside too, and I used light beige fabric for the lining. I hate black lining in purses and bags. You can't see anything when it's black inside.

Phyllis was very surprised, and pleased. She made me a Christmas present too. She knit me a purple tam. It goes with my purple fur coat perfectly, and fits good. It's so wonderful when someone knits something for me.

Last week the weather was abysmal. We had dangerously cold temperatures for about 3 days. One day the high was 9F, and the low was -13F. Our poor furnace could not keep up so it was cold in the house. Sweaters were worn, and blankets wrapped around us, and a lot more coffee brewed than usual. This week started with a huge change. It's been in the upper 30's and low 40's, and lots of rain. It's a crazy winter!

That's all for today. More later. I've been beading!

Live long and prosper. \\//

Newsy Stuff

I'm gonna blog about cooking. For Christmas, my daughter and son-in-law sent me a Kitchenaide Stand Mixer. I am very greatful for it. I've wanted on for a long time but could not justify the expense. I had a hand mixer that worked perfectly fine. So when a huge heavy box with my name on it was delivered by UPS, I was mystified and completely surprised when I opened it. It's not just a Kitchenaide, it's PURPLE!

I wanted to try it out right then, however, we had a large quantity of Christmas baked goods to eat up first. It would be silly to start baking cakes with all that still needing to be eaten, so I waited. We finally finished it all off.

Last Saturday there were 2 very brown bananas in the fruit bowl, so I decided to try out the mixer. I made a banana cake. Wow! Is it ever nice. The mixer, that is. Well, the cake was nice too. It was delicious. But I'm talkin' mixer here. It was so nice to not have to hold on to the mixer and the bowl and it was so quiet. I was able to gather ingredients while it was going. It mixes beautifully too. I love it. Wow, why didn't I get one sooner?

On Sunday I decided to try making my very first souffle. Dan and Sue were here helping sweet hubby build an office in the loft of the garage/shop. I asked them to stay for dinner. I filled the crock pot up with beef stew makings. I needed something to go with it though. I had a loaf of raising bread dough (from the freezer-no bread kneeding for me that day). I wanted something more. I'd never made a souffle before. Don't know why. Just never thought of it I guess. I had all the ingredients on hand, so I didn't even have to go to the store. Hurray!

I used the mixer to whip the eggs "until stiff, but not dry". I made the white sauce, then put all the ingredients together-- egg yolks, a bit of cheese, and then I folded those beautifully whipped egg whites in. I baked the souffle and it came out perfect!

It was so tasty too. Everything was so good. There were no leftovers from that meal.

By the way, souffles are pretty easy to make. I used the recipe in my Joy of Cooking book. Easy, and so very delicious.

I have finished characters 5 and 6 in my Star Trek cross stitch project.

This is Amanda and Sarek, Spocks parents. Aren't they cute? The next character is a Romulan.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Newsy Stuff

I had a wonderful Christmas. Everything went so well. I got the gifts bought/made and wrapped early, got all the Christmas baking done a couple days early, and got to have a very relaxing time on the actual day. Yay me!

We had Christmas Eve dinner at my brother-in-laws house with family. My nephew cooked the Prime Rib and it was unbelievably good. Best I've ever had in my life. The young man has a good talent for cooking. It was a very relaxing evening. I enjoyed it so much.

On Christmas day we went to my best friends house for dinner and played cards until the wee hours of the morning. Lots and lots of delicious food and fun was had by all.

I have been a busy bee though.

This year I made 8 loaves of Italian Christmas Bread for gifts. They turned out beautiful!

My arms and shoulders ached the next day from so much dough kneeding. Fun times!

I also baked several dozen dog cookies for all the dogs in the family.

Zoey was my official tester. I did 2 different recipes, both of which she loved. I made Peanut Butter, which had all of 4 ingredients and were super easy to make, and Pumpkin, which is a rolled cookie dough and there's a bacon glaze to put on top. My friend, Barb, gave me a cookie cutter for Christmas, so I made good use of it. I did not put the glaze on, though. It was going to make things too messy for my taste.

I've been working on my Mini Star Trek cross stitch. Got the 4th character done.

I blocked the dog sweater.

It's all sewn together too. Just have to do the leg ribbing. I tried it on Zoey and it's going to fit perfectly.

I'm almost done with the cardigan for another layette set too. This cardigan (no pics yet) will also serve as the model for a baby cardigan knitting pattern I've written. The pattern has been test knitted. I just need this sweater to be done so I can take pics for the pattern.

Christmas morning I got up and this was standing next to the tree.

Sweet Hubby made me an end table for the living room. It's made of cedar and this picture does not do it justice. It's absolutely gorgeous! It was a wonderful surprise.

I also got an eyeshadow kit (ooo-so many colors!),

and a box of 12 various pink nail polishes (they glitter!)

I wanted them, so I'm very happy. I got a couple books on French beaded flowers too.

The weather has been frigid the last few days. Super cold temps at night, and not much warmer in the day. Today it's also snowing, though at this rate, it won't amount to much by the end of the day. Rumor has it in a couple days the temps will raise into the 30's. It will be shorts and t-shirt wearing weather.

I got Zoey's picture taken with Santa this year. It was a fund raiser for the local Humane Society. I got Zoey from them and they do a wonderful job of finding homes for hundreds of animals every year. I love the picture.

I wish you, my readers, a very Happy New Year. Here's to it being better than 2017, which, all in all, despite hubby losing his job, was pretty good.

Live long and prosper. \\//

The Week Before Christmas

I have had an interesting week. I've been sick most of it. As soon as I'd get rid of one bug and start feeling good again, I'd catch another bug. I see pictures in my mind of us walking off the plane upon returning from Hawaii and a whole crowd of nasty germs yelling "Hurray!!!" and leaping on us. I say us because all 3 of us have been sick since we got home.

Wednesday was the worst one. It was a stomach virus of some sort. I did quite a bit of throwing up and I ached all over so bad. I spent the day in bed.

Being sick made it extra hard to get ready for Christmas. I was behind as it was. This made it worse! But somehow, I managed to catch up. Partly with help, partly with chucking the things that were lowest on the priority list.

So, what did I manage to do? Well, first of all, last weekend, on Saturday, we drove all the way into north Spokane to the Spokane Humane Society to check out a dog. Yes, we are looking for a new fur kid. I can't stand being dogless any more. I really miss that wagging tail and bouncing body of joy greeting me when I get home from somewhere. And I have no one to eat the left over crust of my pizza, or share my lunch with, or take walks with on the Parkaosa.

I'm looking for a German Shepherd mix, less than 2 years old, female, puppy okay. There was one in Spokane that sounded perfect. However, someone adopted her and left literally seconds before we walked in the door, so I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Later that evening, at home, we had a visitor and I managed to get photos of her, though not very good ones. It was getting dark. A moose! She munched in the back yard for close on to half an hour.

It was odd, because it was so quiet out, except for the sound of her munching. There was, every so often, the sound of twigs and branches cracking somewhere in the brush to her right. I couldn't see anything, but I knew it was there.

As she started to leave, a little one came bounding out to follow her.

Awww, so cute! I wish it had come out sooner, but it was more interested in minding it's mother.

Monday I took care of Ruth. She was very sick, doing the throw up thing (she was the first of us to succumb to that particularly vile virus.). I was feeling so so. Not much energy, but I spent some time wrapping the gifts and getting it all under the Christmas tree and doing some much needed house work.

Tuesday was Rathdrum Knitalong day. I was feeling very tired, but not sick. (Daughter Ruth was human again, but not up to much.) I went anyway cuz I hadn't seen the gals in 3 weeks. I'm glad I did because I had a very nice time. After the meeting I went shopping for the Christmas food items I needed.

Wednesday, as I said above, I didn't do anything but moan and spend a great deal of time in the bathroom. Ugh! Since Ruth was feeling better, I sent her out with a list and my debit card. She finished my Christmas shopping for me and did a fantastic job of it. I will always be forever thankful to her for that.

Thursday I awoke feeling half human again. So we started cooking. I decided this year I was going to bake Panettone for the family. Panettone is an Italian Christmas bread with dried fruit in it. Kind of like a fruit cake, but much lighter, fluffier, and eatable. I'd never tried making it before, but I am very good at baking bread (when I do it) so I leapt in with full confidence.

I found a simple recipe on the internet. I also found out it requires a special pan. A coffee can will work, but I don't have any. So I did a bit of googling and found instructions for making your own paper panettone pans with brown paper, scissors, and a few staples. The idea is a good one. It works pretty well. Here are some of the pans I made:

The instructions say to use large paper grocery bags as your paper source, but I used parchment baking paper instead. Didn't have to grease the pans that way. Here are five of the nine Panettone's Ruth and I made over Thursday and Friday.

They turned out so beautiful. I started out planning to make seven. Burnt one of the first ones on the bottom, so we ate it. I needed to make sure it was gonna taste good anyway. Don't want to give a gift that tastes awful. Believe me, it's good. It's VERY good! If the good ones taste even half as good as the burnt one did, they are fantastic.

Well, then I had to make another one for myself that wasn't burnt. So we made nine.

If you make this, and you decide to do the do-it-yourself paper pans, do not use a black cookie sheet underneath when you bake them. It causes the bottoms to burn. I have one black cookie sheet and 2 shiny aluminum ones. Using aluminum worked much better.

We made four Panettone's on Thursday, and five on Friday. I had no energy, and was coughing, but the nose stopped running-Yay!

Around about Tuesday I got the low down on the family Christmas Eve party plans. Mostly, who is gonna be there. My sister-in-law is gonna be in town and at the party. I had not made plans for a gift for her. I didn't think she'd want a Panettone all for herself (I could be wrong about that though) but I know she likes my beading so I decided to make her a necklace. I spent a good part of Thursday-between bread risings and long into the night, and most of Friday morning, working on it until it was finished. As it turns out, I love it! I hope she does too.

It's fairly simple. I made an Octahedral Cluster beaded bead for the focal point. I used some 6mm Hematite beads for the core, and glass seed beads for the lace overlay.

I strung some matching glass, Hematite, and Silver beads on either side for a total of 5 inches, and finished off the rest with spiral rope stitch.

I did something a little different with the rope. I did an alternating pattern of one matte black and one silver metallic for the core beads. The outside beads are shiny black. It's made for a very interesting look. I used a sterling silver Lobster Claw clasp.
.

I decided to go with black and silver cuz it goes with a lot of things my sister-in-law wears. I ended up with a necklace with a total length of 20 inches.

Now, last, but not least. I did manage to knit a couple rows this week. I think, considering how sick I felt and how busy I was, I did darned good at getting that much done. I finished the first of the fingerless mitts I'm making to go with the lace cowl and started the second one.

Now, obviously, I didn't get this done to send out in time for Christmas, so it will be a Happy New Years present for the recipient instead. I know she'll understand.

By the way, all the other Christmas gifts I knit did get in the mail on time and have arrived at their destinations.

Today I will be wrapping the Panettone's and getting them all ready to go. Tonight is the family Christmas Eve party. I am looking forward to it, though I really wish I had more energy and the cough would give up already. I take comfort in knowing that everyone else there will be coughing too.

Hey! It's snowing! Looks like we're gonna have a white Christmas after all.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Bacony Goodness

Finally got those cookies baked last night. Oh, are they tasty! Much better than I expected, and I expected good. These are Chocolate Chip Bacon Pecan cookies.





The only thing I would change in the recipe is the amount a batch makes. I wanted 4 dozen cookies minimum. The recipe says it makes 18 cookies, so I tripled it. I ended up with 9.5 dozen. So, either the inventor of this recipe made really big cookies, or there's an error in there somewhere. I'm not complaining. There will be leftovers after tonights dinner. I like that idea.

Last night I finished another knitting project-one I didn't start. A friend of mine was given an unfinished sweater. It's very pretty-a purple wool cardigan in seed stitch and cables. It needed button/neck bands. She asked if I would finish it for her. I like a challenge so I said yes. There wasn't enough of the purple yarn left to make the bands. So I used black, adding a purple stripe in it so it all goes together. It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I just need to find some buttons to match and sew them on.

Now I will work on finishing that lace shrug I started last month. For now, I need to get busy. I've got 23 people coming for dinner tonight!

Have a great day!

Delicious FO

Happy First Day of Spring!

I have FO's for you. Daughter Ruth is home this week for spring break. We've been having fun. This is what we did together today.


Making donuts. Yum!!! These are plain sweet milk donuts deep fried and covered in sugar and cinnamon.


Mmmmmmmmmmmm.....................!

I was going to take a progress pic of my Honeybee Stole, but I discovered I'd screwed up royally so I had to tink everything I'd accomplished the last 2 days. I mean everything! I'm back to where I was before I started working on it again.

I find it amazing that even though I've been knitting for 40 years and am a professional knitter I still manage to screw up just about everything I knit. You'd think I'd be over that by now. I'm going to blame it on perimenopause just because I want to.

Have a good day.