Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Finished Socks and Socktoberfest
I'm really glad that he loves to wear handknit socks in the Fall and Winter, it's nice to knit for someone else sometimes :) I used two balls of Panda Cotton in the Blue and Gray colorway and US size 1.5 dpns (my standard sock needles).
Since I love things with fun and silly names, I'll be participating in Socktoberfest this year! I keep saying that to my husband and I think he thinks I made it up or something ;) If you haven't heard of Socktoberfest, it's a fun and casual celebration of sock knitting in the month of October. It was started by Lolly and there's even a Ravelry group for it. Basically, if you knit socks in October or wear the socks that you've knit, you're in! I cast on last night for my Socktoberfest project, a pair of socks that I'm calling my Mummy Socks:
The pattern is called Destin and it's available as a free download on Ravelry. I'm using Panda Cotton (yes, again!) in the Sahara Colorway which reminds me of mummy bandages so there you go, I always love to work in a bit of spooky knitting for October :) Oh, and thanks everyone who commented on my skull stitch marker in my last knitting post, I made one for myself just like the ones the Skeleton Crew set in my Etsy shop.
Anyone planning a project for Socktoberfest?
-Kala
Monday, September 27, 2010
Vegan Soap Kitchen Winner!
And the winner, by power of random number generator, is Sara! Thanks everyone for entering and extra thanks to the Vegan Soap Kitchen for providing such a great prize!
-kala
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Date Day
Here's Shane and I being cute :)
We didn't pick apples (can't say that appealed to me) so we did our shopping in the big store full of all sorts of apples, apple products, and other yummy delights. We left with Honeycrisps, Galas, and local made popcorn. On the way out we also got a bag of kettle corn and some apple cider to share. Perfect Fall fun!
For dinner, I put on a dress and we head out to one of our favorite restaurants, Everest on Grand. We shared momos (think delicious veggie dumplings) and had curry galore. He got the jackfruit curry and I got the chickpea curry, so yummy! If you're local and haven't been to Everest on Grand in Saint Paul, you REALLY need to go! Now! :)
So what did you guys do this weekend?
-kala
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Rainy Days
It's been raining almost constantly for two days here, usually I HATE rain but for some reason I'm almost (almost!) enjoying it. Maybe because in this apartment we don't have to be worried about flooding and water seepage at every bit of rain, or maybe because this summer was so brutal and humid that anything cooler is welcome. Whatever the reason, I'm ok with this bit of gloom. At least for now :)
I'd like to say that I've spent this rainy day curled up with some hot cocoa and knitting, but that hasn't quite happened yet. This morning I went on a very wet and short run with the husband, we're getting ready for a 5K so we really want to take any opportunity to run that we can. I have to say that the worse part of running in the rain is wet glasses, I couldn't see so I had to take them off so then everything was blurry...no fun. The rest of the day has been filled with work (sewing and such) and housework (dishes, laundry, vacuuming...) But I hope tonight I'll have some time to relax and work on the sock I have on the needles. Speaking of which, I have the first one done and a teeny bit of ribbing knit on the second sock:
So what do you guys like to do on rainy days?
-kala
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Vegan Soap Kitchen Giveaway!
Today's Etsy shop feature and giveaway comes to us from the Vegan Soap Kitchen! The Vegan Soap Kitchen offers an array of lovely handmade soaps, and the shop a fellow member of the Vegan Etsy Team so you know they're awesome! Deborah is generously offering a bar of soap to one lucky winner, read on to see how to enter. Let's get to know Deborah and her shop:
1. How long has your Etsy shop been open and what inspired you to start selling on Etsy?
I've been on Etsy since April 2009
I was a member of a soap making forum and saw that other members sold on etsy and I thought that was a great idea! It was easy to get started and up and running on etsy. very easy! And fun too.
2. How do you fit time to create into your day?
I still have my 'day' job, so I create on evenings, holidays and weekends!
3. Do you have any fun hobbies outside of your shop?
Classical piano, writing and reading poetry, cooking new and exciting vegan recipes.
Ready to enter for your chance to win a bar of handmade vegan soap? There are six possible entries and only the first entry is mandatory. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Giveaway is open to US residents and ends on Monday, September 27th. Entries:
1. Visit the Vegan Soap Kitchen and then leave a comment here letting me know which soap you would choose if you won.
2. Add the Vegan Soap Kitchen to your Etsy favorites.
3. "Like" the Vegan Soap Kitchen on Facebook.
4. Follow this blog.
5. Follow Vegancraftastic on Twitter.
6. "Like" Vegancraftastic on Facebook.
Good luck!
-kala
Monday, September 20, 2010
Plucking Pendants Giveaway Winner!
And the winner, by power of random number generator, is Samy! Thanks everyone for entering and extra thanks to Plucking Pendants for providing such a great prize :)
-kala
Friday, September 17, 2010
Knitting and Reading
This is more stash yarn, I honestly can't remember the last time I bought yarn, crazy! It's my beloved Panda Cotton in the Blue and Gray Colorway, I let my hubbie pick from a few choices and this is what he went with, which is good because I requested this yarn with him in mind :) I'm doing another very basic vanilla sock, it seems to be what I'm in the mood for lately so I'm not fighting it.
Now for reading. I'm actually reading a few things at once which is unusual for me, I'm usually a pretty monogamous reader - but two of the books are short story anthologies so I guess it's ok. I'm a big fan of the Sookie Stackhouse books (they're such fun, quick reads!) so I was excited when I finally got my paws on a library copy of Death's Excellent Vacation. It's an anthology of supernatural road trip/vacation stories, I just wanted to read the Sookie story so I thought it would be smarter to borrow rather than buy a book for just one story. It was a great story though, a road trip with Pam (love her!) and Sookie! I'm also reading a book that someone on Twitter (I'm Vegancraftastic over there if you're on Twitter) recommended since I liked The Strain so much. The book is called Summer of Night and it's great so far! Anyone reading anything fantastic?
-kala
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Plucking Pendants Giveaway!
This week's Etsy shop feature and giveaway comes to us from Plucking Pendants! Plucking Pendants is a really cool shop that specializes in upcycled jewelry made from musical instruments, awesome, right? Be sure to read on to see how you can enter for a chance to win a gorgeous resin pendant! Ok, let's get to know Ashley and her shop:
1. How long has your shop been open and what inspired you to start selling on Etsy?
My shop has been open almost a year and a half now. I am living in a small town where there are not a lot of craft show opportunities so I looked to Etsy to be the outlet for my passion! I felt like I had a high quality, original product that would stand out in the massive Etsy jewelry world, and after a lot of prodding and encouragement from my mother I jumped in!
2. How do you fit time to create into your day?
I spend my nights waiting tables and tending bar in a town that shuts down fairly early, so after a good nights sleep I have my whole day to devote to creating jewelry in my out of house studio space! Sometimes in the winter it's hard to motivate to go the studio since it's in a warehouse with no heat until I turn it on when I get there but I suck it up, cover myself with sweaters and make jewelry with a heater at my feet and hands! :)
3. Do you have any fun hobbies outside of your shop?
One of my favorite things to do with my spare time is to play disc golf! We have a permanent 9 hole course in town and a private tournament league in town as well where I am the reigning womans champion!
Ok, ready for your chance to win a resin pendant like the ones at the top of the post? There are eight possible entries, only the first one is mandatory and please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Giveaway ends Monday, September 20 and is open to both US and international folks. Ok, here are the entries:
1. Visit Plucking Pendants then leave a comment here letting me know your favorite item.
2. Add Plucking Pendants to your Etsy favorites.
3. "Like" Plucking Pendants on Facebook.
4. Follow Plucking Pendants on Twitter.
5. Follow Ashley's blog.
6. Follow this blog.
7. Follow Vegancraftastic on Twitter.
8. Blog, tweet, or post on Facebook about this giveaway.
Good luck!
-kala
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, THANKS EVERYONE FOR ENTERING!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Finished Socks and a Tattoo
These simple vanilla socks were knit using 2 skeins of Panda Cotton in the Bastille colorway. This colorway was a nice surprise, I thought it was actually pretty ugly in the skein but it knits up beautifully, isn't it nice when that happens? It's a lot better than the opposite, the evil enchanting yarn that looks so snazzy and tempting in the skein and then pools in a hideous pattern when it's knit up. The pattern is the basic 7 stitches per inch sock from the book Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, I know I've talked about this book before but I have to say it again, if you're looking to get into sock knitting, this book is a great resource!
Also, check out my tattoo:
Yup, it's a butterfly,what do you think? Ok, ok, it's fake! Did I fool you for even a second? I got this little guy out of a 50 cent machine outside of a store and though it would be fun :) I used to love temporary tattoos when I was a kid so I couldn't resist!
-kala
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Hurry Up, My Feet Are Cold!
The weather here in Minnesota has made a nice turn toward Fall, and just in time because those hot and humid days were absolutely killing my knitting mojo! But with crisp weather comes the need for handknit socks, so I've been knitting away whenever I get the chance (which unfortunately isn't often enough). Hopefully they'll be done soon though, it's usually pretty quick once I get past the gusset. So what are you guys working on, getting ready for Fall and Winter yet?
p.s. You have to check out this really funny back to school post from my friend's blog In.The.Round, it's hilarious!
-kala
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
The Sweet Button
How cool, my Etsy shop was featured on a blog! Check out this post at The Sweet Button for the feature and a little interview, just don't laugh at my answers! Ok, you can laugh a little :) Any comments left over there would be mucho appreciated, thanks!
-kala
Monday, September 06, 2010
Pendant Winner!
And the winner of the pendant from Pieces of Me Pendants, by power of random number generator is.....Blanc et Caramel! Thanks so much to everyone who entered and extra thanks to Pieces of Me Pendants for providing such a great prize!
-kala
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Minnesota State Fair - Part 2!
Have any of you guys entered stuff at your county or state fairs before?
-kala
Thursday, September 02, 2010
New Halloween Goodies!
Large Halloween Bag - great for treats or crafty projects:
Black and Blue Skull Pin:
Pumpkin Cat Pin:
I Heart Zombies Stitch Markers:
There's more in the shop so if Halloween and Autum is your thing, check it out!
-kala
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