Holiday Rush

I actually am not in a rush, but it is getting closer to Christmas, 5 days to be exact, and I am pretty busy. It is nice however to be on top of a lot of Holiday stuff that I sometimes leave till last minuet. All the Christmas shopping is done, the Christmas package to Oz has been sent, Christmas Fudge is made, and presents are wrapped so now Simon and I must pack up the car and head on up to the parents place in Upstate NY.

In the next three days I am working more than usual, staying late and coming in early. I need to pack and try to see some friends that are in town for the holidays. Busy Busy.

On top of that I need to start knitting. I have a deadline that isn't self imposed, which is nice, but a bit stressful, but in a good way. I also have another design floating around in my head. I think The colored pencils are coming with me to Upstate NY maybe the snow will help inspire me to design away!


I must be off to get ready for work today.

Chocolate Truffles

So the caramel came out awesome. Now like the fudge I just need to cut it up and package it. Today though is Chocolate Truffle day. I made chocolate truffles back in middle school for french class. They are pretty easy to make if i remember correctly. Mostly cream and Dark chocolate I found a great Instructable Called Anatomy of a Chocolate Truffle that goes through the basics and even teaches you how to make flavored truffles. I am trying my hand at Cab Sav truffles today and have port truffles and honey whiskey truffles in the works for the rest of the week. I also saw a recipe for rosemary and sea salt ones that I really want to try.

What other interesting truffle flavors should I try?

In the process of designing some boot toppers so I can wear my tights and dresses and keep my legs warm.

The Weather Outside is...Cold

Yep, cold...really cold, so cold that the apartment is cold, even with the heater on.

To battle the cold temp I need:
1. Wool Socks
2. Hot coffee
3. wooly knitting project (maybe wool socks)
4. fleece blanket
5. A&E's Pride and Prejudice

Instead I think I'll just make caramels for Christmas.

South St Set

Completed and Listed! There it is the South St Set, Tam and Mittens knitting pattern. I had such a fun time designing and knitting these. The yarn I think is what really made it enjoyable. You can check out this patterns stats in my esty shop. There are three new listings the South St Set with is both the tam and the mittens or you can just get your favorite. The South St Tam is easy to knit with a simple textured stitch pattern that keeps this pattern interesting, and the South St. Mittens are knit with out a gusset. All the stitches you need for the mitt you cast on at the beginning. Great for that advanced beginner who wants to start knitting in the round.

If you are in the Philly area you should stop in to Nangellini and see them in person and check out all of the "Nancy's Hair" Sock Yarn.

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of the latest design. Should be up in the shop tomorrow just putting the finishing touches on it now.

Monday Monday

The giveaway with Pink Dandy Chatter has come to an end and I thank everyone who participated and I congratulate the two winners who will soon receive their prizes!

What's going on here in Philly with Us this time of year?

I am finishing up the design for Nangellini (actually I've finished the knitting and now its time to write up the design and take some photos, but that is for tomorrow). I also need to start on a design I have completed, but want to test my pattern and adjust it for a different yarn. I am going to submit it to somewhere, but I haven't decided yet where to.

On top of all this knitting and designing Simon and I are rushing around finishing up our holiday shopping and I will start making fudge, and caramels and maybe even some chocolate truffles, but we'll see how I manage my time.

Today I decided to be a bit lazy and watch the netflix dvd that I've had for almost a week. Simon will be glad that we will be getting something new because he had no interest in watching "CoCo before Channel" with me. First off it was in French (subtitles!) and second it was about Coco Channel two things Simon isn't able to get excited about. If you love Channel or sewing or just a good movie I highly suggest it. I've been wanting to see it since Gertie blogged about it.

I must be off my to do list is calling my name.

Finished!

The mittens and hat are completed! Now I just need to weave in the ends and type up the pattern. I think a photo shoot with Simon is in order on Sunday.

I plan on having the pattern done on Sunday and the mitts and hat to Nancy no later that Tuesday. The only reason I would need to keep the hat and mitts till then would be to block the hat. I will have both patterns posted in my etsy shop as separate patterns as well as a set. The set will also be free from Nangellini with purchase of a hank of Nancy's Hair hand dyed yarn.