Thank you, EZ!

How can it be that I've never knitted Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket until now? Her original design debuted in the 1960's, and has totally stood the test of time. It's genius! So I have no excuse.

I recently purchased a Subtle Stripes Spinning Kit from cosymakes. Cosette's colors are fabulous. Check 'em out!

I handspun the wonderfully soft BFL wool into approximate 200 yards in sport/DK weight. It worked into this sweater beautifully. I was, however, a bit short on the yardage, so I pulled it together with some of my other hand-dyed handspun yarns that coordinated nicely.

Add a few vintage buttons, and ta-dah! A beautiful little jacket for a sweet baby!!

I was there...were you?!

The official word isn't in yet, but just look at how many knitters turned out to try and break the Guinness World Record for the most knitters knitting simultaneously! On Friday, August 7th, knitters from around the world gathered during the Sock Summit in Portland, Oregon to attempt to break the record. To date, the record was set in Australia at a whopping 256. I think we did it!

Here's a cropped view...see! There I am...knitting away! Being surrounded by knitters from all over the world was amazing. And of course, with the Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) as our delightful leader, it was great fun!

Take a look at the local TV news coverage here. Pretty cool!

Down to Earth Socks

This has been a great project. Often I have design ideas that look wonderful in my mind's eye, then in reality just don't match up. This is one those rare times when it actually comes out as planned!

I started with sock blanks, hand painted them (more about that another time) and then knit theminto these great socks. They're called "Down to Earth" for the color transitions from sky, clouds, water, grass, soil and rocks. Take a look.

And here are a few close-ups of the detail.


Legs : Grass - - - -> Water - - - - > Cloudy Sky - - - ->


Ankles: Soil - - - -> Grass - - - ->


Toes: Rocks - - - -> Soil - - - -> Grass - - - ->

Eat yer veggies!

It's not hard when they are as fresh as these!!! Check out your local Farmer's Market and veg out!!

Here is a super-easy refreshing summer salad to try...we love it! Take chunks of ripe tomatoes, slices of crunchy cucumber, chopped green onions and toss them with Balsamic vinegar, a bit of sea salt, and a generous sprinkle of dill weed (or fresh chopped baby dill, if you have it.).

Grilled summer squash is another tasty treat. Trim the ends of your squash and slice lengthwise approximately 1/2-inch thick. Brush lightly with olive oil. Grill about 5 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with a touch of sea salt and serve. Yum!

Summer Lovin'

Aren't summer fruits the best?! I think if I was only allowed one kind of food the rest of my life, this would be it! Our local Farmer's Market is in full bloom and is full of wonderful summer treats.

With record-high temperatures this month, baking was one of the last things I wanted to do. But how could I let the month go by without at least one really good Blueberry Crisp? I rediscovered my bread machine. What a great summer baking tool. Yes, you can bake in 107-degree weather!

Blueberry Crisp for the Bread Machine
- remove kneading paddle from pan
- add ingredients to bread pan in order listed.

• 3-4 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
• 2-3 Tbsp sugar, honey or agave nectar (according to taste)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon, or 1/2 tsp lemon rind (according to taste)
• (optional) if berries are Very juice, sprinkle 1 Tbsp whole wheat flour over berries

In medium bowl, mix together:

• 1/4 cup melted butter, coconut oil, or use canola oil
• 1/2 cup sugar, honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Sprinkle oat mixture over berries. Place pan in machine and set to bake only following manufacturer's directions. (Mine baked about 90 minutes.) Let cool in pan. Serve warm or room-temperature. Really good with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream!

• Variation: Use any other summer fruits (alone or in combination). Blueberries and Nectarines are delicious together! Enjoy!
  

Mitts!!

I've been tutoring three wonderful kids - two of them for three years! Today was graduation (from elementary school) day!! Woo-hooooo!! I'm so very proud of all them. They are very bright, talented kids and will do great things with their lives. I'm thankful to have a little part in that!!

For "Congratulations" gifts, I made them fingerless mitts. They were a big hit with all three, AND were the envy of all the other kids on the playground!!

Fetching

Plain ol' Mitts

Fetching

Welcome, Baby Brody

Pinwheel Baby Blanket
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby in Aqua
Finished with a crocheted picot lace edging