Reading for Pure Pleasure

Happy May, everyone!

Recently I found myself sucked into the world of literature.  I rediscovered my passion for young adult novels with thanks to the Hunger Games blockbuster that has taken over in the last month or two.  While the Hunger Games had been recommended to me a number of times since in was first published in 2009, I was shy to take it on.  A book about teens in a fight to the death?  Didn't sound like my kind of thing.  But finally I decided to read it just before the movie came out and I'm really glad I did.

Book image from: http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com

This post isn't about those particular books (though, really, read them instead of simply relying on the movies).  It's about the excitement that the books caused.  They reminded me, not only about my love of a really, really engrossing reading experience, but also my love of writing.  That's how good they are.  And I've been reading voraciously in the weeks since.  Which leaves less time for some of the other projects on this blog, but that's sometimes how these things go.  It's been a while since I dove head first into reading as much as I have, for which I'll go ahead and blame grad school and the require reading that comes with it.

Of the books I devoured over these last weeks, I just finished a truly phenomenal one - Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver.  It's a real stand out and I needed to share. 

Today At The Shop

I've just introduced a small line of baby hats.  I swear, this baby kick is nearing it's end, but these projects are immensely enjoyable.  The small nature of babies lend themselves great to quick and very satisfying projects.

     

The knitted pom pom baby hats are an adorable gift idea for any moms-to-be in your life.  They are intended to be used by newborns and small infants.  I recently created some for our good friends in order to keep their future daughter's head warm on the way home from the hospital.

These hats come in fresh spring colors and are available now at my Etsy Shop.

Enjoy!

Duckies In A Row

 Continuing on my recent theme of knitting for babies. For my husband's best man's daughter (due in less than 2 weeks!), I made this duckie sweater.  I have to admit, I was looking for something that could, ahem, show off my talents on this one. 

Rough & Tumble Baby Blankets Tutorial

Last year our cousins started having babies.  The first of which (shown above) just reach his first birthday a couple weeks ago.  I originally was going to tackle the challenge of the first baby shower I was ever invited to by making a sweater - possibly something like the Baby Sophisticate that I later made for my husband's cousin.

When I suggested this, I was overruled.  Babies grow out of sweaters, I was told, but blankies are forever.  One of the boy's aunts still has her baby blanket even now as a graduate student.  She insisted that every child needs one.  And I'm sure Linus agrees.

After the jump, I'll do a quick walk through of the Rough & Tumble Baby Blanket pattern I created for this first blanket.  It includes some information on how to customize it for your own preferences  like I did with the other blankets that followed in the next year.  This way you can continue to make unique baby blankets for all the new little ones in your life.

Custom Orders Now Available

Quick Post Today -

Just wanted to let everyone know that custom iPad, Kindle, and Nook sleeve orders are now available at my Etsy Shop: JustSplendid!

You know have the control over motif, color scheme, and size of your case order.  If you are interested in further customizations - pockets, cables, initials, etc. - don't hesitate to ask.  

Sample Options Available for a Custom Order

Follow these links for more information on a custom iPad, Kindle or Nook cover through my Etsy Shop:

• Fair Isle iPad Sleeve
• Striped iPad Sleeve
• Fair Isle Kindle / Nook Sleeve
• Striped Kindle / Nook Sleeve

Thanks!

Bring Out the Sun

Lemons!

Today is a gorgeous day in New England.  One of the first real days of spring, even if the official event is still a couples days off.  A couple weeks ago, however, it was the middle of the dullest part of February winter.  The doldrums when winter seems endless.  It's about this time of year that I like to play with lemons.  

Lemons are a great winter fruit that somehow banish the grey gloom of the season in every citrusy bite.  Today I will do a quick review of two truly fantastic lemon recipes for those of you who may still have a few more grey days ahead before spring and summer come back in force.

We'll start with a King Arthur Flour recipe that I made a couple weeks ago to make Braided Lemon Bread and then I'll discuss Eating Well's Lemon Pavlova.

Beyonce Coundown Cupcakes

First thing first, if you haven't seen Beyonce's Countdown video, you should watch.  Seperate from the following post, it's just a great video.

This video was the inspiration for my friend's cupcakes that I made yesterday.  Using a basic chocolate cake recipe and store bought frosting, I focused my energy on the design more than the cake itself.

Here's the finished product with a step-by-step after the jump:

Interesting Cupcakes

One of my favorite things to do when it snows - like it is today - is to bake.  This blog has so far focused on knitting quite a bit, but among the topics I intend to showcase here is baking.  To me there is something wonderful about taking ingredients and creating something that is both beautiful and delicious.

The last time it snowed I didn't have any convenient excuses to bake, but today is a good friend's birthday.  I spent some time this morning trying to decide if I would make her cupcakes that are interesting (i.e. unusual flavors of the key lime, Guinness chocolate, or fig-filled varities) or that look interesting (i.e. like a lion, Wonder Woman, or a spaceship).  I'm falling into the latter for this project given the person in question.

I have yet to gather my ingredients, but I figured I would show off some previous cupcakes of the kind I intend to make and tomorrow do a post on what I actually made and how.  For now, enjoy these photos.


First, for my cousin's birthday.  Since she works at the Bronx Zoo and majored in Fish (well, close, but not exactly), my sister and I made lion, elephant, fish, and giraffe cupcakes for her:

I made these for my own birthday a couple years ago.  My favorite animals, from the left, ladybugs, elephants (again), koalas, and turtles:

Etsy Shop Is Open!

Quick Announcement - As of Wednesday evening, my Etsy shop is officially open for business! 

I'm working on adding more items over the coming week, but I'm quite proud of what I have for the site so far.  I made some replicas of the earrings that I've made for myself for years now.  More will be coming soon and I am working on new ideas as well as expanding my color palate.

Also, I created Kindle, iPad, and iPod covers.  These beauties were inspired by the following very manly Kindle case I made for my husband after he received a Kindle from his father for Christmas.  I've made other versions with stripes, owls, and fair isle patterns in the shop. 

   

While most things that I've posted here aren't on the site, the objects here and there share a similar design aesthetic.  So, if you enjoy this site, you'll likely enjoy what's to come over at Etsy.

Owl Scarf

My cousin loves owls.  So when I drew her name in our Christmas swap, I came up with this quick scarf project for her.  I created this chunky scarf with Tahki Yarns Montana.  It has two owls with button eyes on each end with k1, p1 ribbing for the middle. 

Below are instructions to make your own.