February 27, 2015

Noon Art Cup Weaving

Back in December I posted about a trip I made to Illinois to visit my oldest daughter. She took me to a museum and there I saw a great idea that I could bring to the students at my elementary school. I couldn’t wait to show it to the kids!

Set up.

Since noon art is during their lunch break, we really only have about half an hour to get the kids in and out. In that time, we usually serve between 75 and 150 students depending upon the project and the interest level. Set up is very important. Before this particular session, I prepared the cups and wound little balls of yarn (about 200 of them!).

Working

Each student that came in to the multi purpose room for noon art took a cup and started weaving. They didn’t have to finish up a ball of yarn, they just wove as much as they wanted, cut the working yarn, added new yarn and kept weaving.

Working.

Many great woven cups were created!

Finishing up.

For some reason, red, white and blue was a huge hit on this day. There were quite a few with this same color scheme.

Done!

The two above are just a sample of what was created – I did not have time to take pictures of all of them. But rest assured, they were all beautiful!!

February 25, 2015

Crispy Breaded Cod Filets

And again!

My Cod Filets.

These didn’t turn out as pretty as in the book, but they were quite tasty. Almost everyone in the family liked them except for the 9yo boy. He thought they were “just ok”. Pleasing six out of seven family members is still a win in my mind.

Another awesome recipe.

It was my husband’s idea to pick one of our lemons from the tree and squeeze the juice onto the Cod. Since it added so much to the flavor, I took notes in the book so that I remember to do the same next time. I always make notes on the recipes if I change them. I also write down who liked it and who didn’t. This helps me to plan meals later.

Picture in the book.

Aren’t these pretty? Too bad mine didn’t look like that!

February 24, 2015

Sohpie’s Universe

I decided to join the CAL over at “Look At What I Made” this year – I really love doing these CALs. I like the support of all the creative people who are also a part of this and I love seeing everyone else’s work – the colors that they choose really intrigues me.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 1.

I have been crocheting for many years now, but have never tackled anything as complicated as this pattern. At first, I thought that I would never be able to do this. It seemed very hard and there were many stitches I didn’t know how to do. But I powered through and before the week was out, I managed to complete part 1.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 2.

Part two was equally challenging, but the instructions and pictures that accompany the instructions are VERY good and I was able to again complete part 2 on time.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 3.

Ah…Part 3…how challenging you were! Count and recount, what is a treble crochet? Lots and lots of new things to learn here. Again the pattern and pictures saved me. Have I said how well this pattern is written? It is written REALLY, REALLY clearly. I believe that I WAS a novice crocheter, but I am able to keep working on this.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 4.

Part 4 – completed on time!

Sophie's Universe - Part 5 corner detail with the petals.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 4 corner detail with the petals.

I love these little details in the corner – especially the petals that are 3-D.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 5

I found this part to be some what easier than the first 4 parts. The tulips are so fun to make!! The only parts I thought were a little complicated were the corner parts, but again with those fabulous instructions, I couldn’t fail!.

Sophie’s Universe – Part 5 – close up.

I Am LOVING this CAL!!

February 23, 2015

Dishcloth Finish

Another dishcloth has been finished and added to the gifting pile.

Most recent dish cloth.

This was actually a fun little knit. I always use 100% cotton for my dishcloths.

Close up of stitch detail.

The stitch was actually a bit of cabling which made it an interesting knit.

February 21, 2015

Hot Pad

Lately I have been doing a fair amount of sewing. Alas, it is not for me but for samples for the classes that I teach to kids. My newest sample is for a Hot Pad. This pattern is pretty straight forward and easy to do.

Hot Pad Front.

Basically you decide how big you would like your hot pad to be, cut two squares of fabric, and one square of batting all the same size. Quilt in whatever pattern you like, I used a straight stitch and made lines about 1/2″ apart all the way across. Then bind it (I made my own binding) – let the binding be a little long so that it can also be used as a hanger.

Hot Pad Back.

Isn’t that the cutest thing?! The kids are loving it!

February 20, 2015

Family Time

Sometimes my husband and I feel over busy. It seems as if we are always going here and there, driving kids to activities, games, music lessons, etc. Carving out some time to be together as a family is very important to us. Last weekend was a big volleyball tournament weekend for one of our kids, soccer games for another, playdates for the other two…. You get the picture, everyone going their own way but no time spent together with just the family.

Starting our hike at the Baylands.

Since the volleyball tournament was multiple days long, we got home at a reasonable time and decided to get everyone out for a walk together.

Running with Kate the dog.

We even made Kate come with us!

I just love all the birds that we see when we visit here. It’s not very far from our home, but we don’t make it out here often enough.

The views are spectacular. Walking here is always so relaxing.

Such a happy dog – I love this picture showing the shadow of our youngest holding her leash and walking her!

Oops!! The leash got away from J and Kate is in the water!

The sun is going down.

We stayed out there quite awhile and took advantage of the lengthening days. We did make it back just before the sun totally disappeared, but the sunset was gorgeous. I’m so glad we decided to get out.

February 19, 2015

Finished Cowl!!

Finished Cowl.

This is me in my new cowl! I LOVE it! The yarn is Madeline Tosh and it is soooo soft and drapey!

Awesome stitch – great texture.

The pattern uses the linen stitch which is one of my favorite stitches.

WHEW!!!

I was really worried at the end while I was casting off for this project. The yarn ball kept getting smaller and smaller!! WHEW! That little bit you see up in that picture, that is all that is left of the yarn I had!

February 18, 2015

Turkey Burgers

Another recipe success!

Turkey Burger.

I made these turkey burgers the other night and they were a resounding success with everyone – all 5 kids, myself and my husband all loved them!!

Fantastic Recipe.

I’m telling you, I am very much enjoying trying new recipes from this cookbook.

February 17, 2015

Giraffe Graphghan

It has been awhile since I shared progress on this project. I love working on it and love how the pattern emerges in the crochet.

Coming right along.

Each time I set this out to work on it, I feel like there’s not that much left. It just takes time and I seem to not only be in short supply of that commodity, I also seem to be distracted VERY easily!

This is where I was the last time I shared it with you. Lots of progress, right?

EEEEEKK!!

But…it is very disheartening to see all those ends to weave in. When I started this graphghan, I had the best of intentions to weave in the ends as I went along and I did pretty well for a bit, then I just let it slide. Why, oh why, did I let it get this way??! We’ll see how I feel the next time I take it out to work on it – will I have the will power to just weave in ends? Or will I want to keep crocheting?

February 14, 2015

Perler Beads

Well….just when I thought the perler bead craze was over, and had put away all the beads and the boards, the kids brought them out again!

Special Perler Beads.

The kids received these special perler beads as gifts for the holidays.

Striped Perler Beads.

They didn’t do anything with them at first, hence my putting them away and out of sight. This morning they were out in the sunroom looking for something to do and “found” them.

Design of her own making.

This little elephant is soooo cute!

Minecraft weapons.

Of course the 9yo boy, has to make minecraft “stuff”!

Minecraft weapons.

These are the most current batch of Minecraft weapons. We are all about Minecraft around here right now.

Cute Elephant.

This elephant was totally created by the 13yo – don’t you just LOVE it?!

3-D birds and stand.

I still can’t get over that perler beads can be 3-D and stand independently!

Connie's Creations

My little place on the web to share my creative spirit.

Month: February 2015