Christmas Knits

Have you seen the new free pattern section at Knitty? Go check them out! I really like this one.

Here's a little preview of what's to come this holiday season. I adore the norwegian star pattern and it was pretty easy to incorporate into this sweater. It was all the math that plagued me.
If you use the chart mentioned above, you will have to adjust your printer settings so it doesn't cut off some of the lines.

Be on the lookout for my hand knit Christmas ornaments coming soon. I am excited to be working on them at this time of year. Have to start early as I will be getting a very special "gift" this year right around Christmas Day. If you haven't noticed the little ditty on the left hand menu, we are expecting our 4th child. We feel so blessed to be experiencing this again, and my older children are very excited as well.

Happy knitting!

Country Living Magazines

This weekend we went to an antique mall in search of some bedside tables and walked out with a great find! Country Living magazines from 1989. I've scoured over these mag's all morning, reading beautifully written articles, drooling over the recipes and getting awesome decorating ideas.

I got issues Sept-Dec. What a find! I can see that I'll be spending more time searching for old treasures.

I came across many old mason jars, blue ones which are my favorite. There was pyrex as far as the eye could see, and many other treasures. I even found some old aluminum ice trays like the ones my Great Grandmother still used when I was a kid.

♥xoxo♥

Summer Cooking

We were just chatting about how summer changes what we eat during this time of year. Some grill more, some eat lighter... I tend to eat more seasonal foods like watermelon and strawberries, fresh salads and homegrown tomatoes. This is one of the things I love about summer - fried green tomatoes.

You will see these on many Southern tables this time of year, but did you know they actually originated in the North? I read here that Northern farmers found themselves in a predicament with too many green tomatoes on the vine when the first frost hits. They couldn't eat them raw so they fried them. I'm so glad they did!

I will type up my recipe and post it tomorrow.

♥Marissa

A birthday coming up

Patches playing in my dolly "stuffin"

Patches, our family kitty (shh don't tell him I called him a kitty, he pretends he is a tiger!) will be 3 very soon. I remember the day my dh brought him home. He was so little and scrawny. Pumpkin, our older female cat wouldn't have anything to do with him. Patches slept on my pillow for a few weeks, I suspect Pumpkin was bothering him during the night. Anyway, he fell in line real quick and now he is just like one of the kids. Pumpkin is no longer with us though, as she had an obsession of the outdoors and snuck out one day.

Lounging on the deck

Determined

That is what I am this morning. I am determined to learn to crochet. I learned to chain and do a single stitch (it might be called something else) 2 yrs ago and that is as far as I got. I ordered this

I have Debbie's Stitch n' Bitch The Knitter's Handbook so I thought her crochet book would be just as good! I'm so excited, I can't wait for it to arrive.

~~~~~~~~~

I am busy this week knitting more bunnies. It's hard to have a crafting business when you make so many different things. I'm always torn on which to do this week/what to work on today. Now when I get custom orders, I drop everything to get those done, but I really like to work on my own stuff as well. Last week, I made rag dolls so maybe this week I can get a few bunnies done. It is getting closer to Easter afterall. I'm actually working on a boy and girl set. I've already made their clothes-lime green and aqua. So cute!

I also have an April fool's project I'm working on . When I saw this knitted toilet paper , I just knew I had to make it. The night before, I will be putting this in my husbands bathroom (we both have our own) oh I wish I could see his face when he sees this.

♥Marissa

Lots of Curls

This cutie has a load of hair on her head! Did I mention how much I love sewing rag dolls?

She just screams summer!

These 4 dolls will be on ebay tonight.

♥ Marissa

P. S. There will be a dolly giveaway on my blog soon, be on the lookout for it!

Not only do I knit, I also sew

Ok, so I had to take a teeny break from knitting and revisit how I began this journey at making rag dolls. I am hooked on this pattern from Anniescupboards. It's quick, easy and I like bigger dollies. *Ü*
They all are 20 inches tall and will be listed on my ebay tomorrow- March 26th. I have another that I didn't photograph today that will be listed as well. I hope you will take a peek at them. I've really enjoyed spending time at my sewing machine this week.

♥ Marissa ♥

Fluffy goodness

How are you this sunday afternoon? Lately it seems I get most done on sundays, so here I am another sunday, blogging. I wanted to share a few blogs I happened upon recently that I have learned so much from. If you are a bit "crunchy" check these out. Trust me, you will love them!

Crunchy Chicken

Down---to---Earth
Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op

I started taking photos for my shop update and (remind self to make sure batteries are charged before i try to take photos) had to stop because my cam died. I got these listed though. Will finish later today.

Meet my boys, Ethan

and, Logan

♥ Marissa

Sunday afternoon in the kitchen

Other than knitting, I had a very productive weekend... we looked at a few potential homes with land. It is our goal to become more self sufficient. I want to grow more of our own food and have my girls back- aka hens. These are the ones Jay got me for mothers day 4 yrs ago. I had 9 in all, but hope to have at least 2 dozen next time 'round.

So anyway, I made butter-from scratch (I know, can you believe it?) this weekend. I was totally inspired by this. All it took was heavy cream, salt and a little elbow grease.... and look at what I got. We had it on homemade bread last night and it is so very yummy.

I forgot to mention you get raw buttermilk out of this too. I intend to use it for the whoopie pies I make later this week.
I'll talk more about the bread later, I have to get my youngest pumpkin ready for school. We are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday today and I'm bringing cupcakes. ♥ Marissa

Friday Shoppe Update

Miss Madelyn

and Miss Kate

They are both in my sweet little shoppe.

I've already started knitting for next weeks update. Hope to see you then!

I am helping with my daughter's Valentine party today then going clothes shopping! I just love Valentines Day, I wonder if I will get my favorite flower - pink roses.

xoxo, Marissa

Cloudy Days and Blackberry Tea

As much as I love warm, bright days, I also love the cloudy grey ones. Today is one of those rainy, relaxing - stay in your jammies kind of days. I've been surfing the net in search of some cutesy girls clothing patterns for big girls. I love the peasant style shirts like this one and pillowcase dresses too. Now I just need to figure out the measurements I will need for my 8 yr old pumpkin.

I will be busy seaming up knitted lovies this afternoon for my Friday shop update.

This is what I enjoy on cloudy kinds of days like this...

(cup and blackberry tea are both from adagio teas. I *adore* this site... and their tea!)

xoxo, 'Rissa

Warm n' Cozy

When I saw these yummy wrist warmers HERE, I just knew I had to try the double moss stitch and who can't use a pair of wrist warmers in the weather we've been having.

These were knit with Sublime baby cashmere merino DK in "vanilla."

xoxo, Marissa (who's awaiting Spring)

We're Here

Today makes one week since we moved to Indiana. I'm so ready to get things back to normal! I've been knitting just as I promised and hope to add more knitted lovies to my etsy shop. I've taken photos of our beautiful home and as soon as my camera cable gets unpacked, I'll show.

The kids started school yesterday and had a wonderful first day back. My oldest son is in middle school now. He was given placement tests and did fantastic, only missing one question on the entire thing. He was placed in GT classes, I'm such a PROUD Mama! My daughter made plenty of new friends and my little one is enjoying the half day Kindergarten. (I have to admit, I really like it too!) I'm so happy they had a great day, it makes things so much easier when they love school.
xoxo, Marissa