Kauni Yarn

I got this two balls of beautiful Kauni yarn for my birthday! I want to knit a "dragon scale" shawl with the green and try and pick up some more of the orange to knit a cardigan.

Has anyone knit with this yarn before? Its 100% wool, which is fine with me!

Knitted Boot cuffs!

 I made these lovely boot cuffs for my Mom for Christmas, they knit up super fast and I love, love, love this yarn!

For more inför, go to my revelry page here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CityMink/feather-lace-boot-topper

Little Putz Houses for you and meThis one has

I love these little houses! I will be making some of my own to sell next year on Etsy. Anyone else love these as much as I do?

This one has a tree?

Nice ombre!

This one has fuzzy snow on the roof!

Larger houses

I like the cardboard tiled roof!

Shawl Photos!

Here they are! Finally got around to taking some photos of my "shawl". This is the Confidence pattern from Lost City Knits, the pattern is free on their website. 

  This is more of a shawlette than full shawl. Its a good first pattern to get you into reading charts and easy lace work. I used sock yarn and think I may knit another one for a gift! 

There are some row changes so things don't get to boring. 

Here you can see some of the "lace"

Shawl Done!

I finally finished my Confidence shawl! All I need to do is block it and weave the ends in. I can't believe that I knit a "lacework" shawl!!!

New Items and a Sale

I have some new items up on the Easy store- some new Christmas ornaments and some fabulous new pin back "up cycled" vintage tie buttons.
  I also have sale going through the month- 30% store wide so you can get your holiday shopping done early! 

Safety Warnings

 I just bought a new glue gun and it came with an instruction booklet. This seems quite silly because....its a glue gun. Other than put glue stick in, plug in and don't touch the hot end, what instructions do you need???

Here are some of the warnings/ preventative maintenance tips..


in capital letters: Do not pull glue stick from back of glue gun

Not to be used to replace structural fasteners when heavy loads are involved

Wear long sleeves, long pants, hear resistant gloves and safety goggles

For indoor use only, do not use outdoors or in wet or damp locations. Never immerse glue gun in water or other liquid

Do not carry the tool by the cord



Obviously, someone did all of these things to warrant including these safety measures.....sheesh!

Secret Sale...Shhhhhh!

Dear Gentle Readers.....

You are the first to hear about my "Secret" sale I have up for the pre-holidays. From Nov 4 through Dec 2 everything in the store is 30% off!!!

That means Black Friday starts early and you can shop from the comfort of your home for goodies for the entire family.

No coupon is needed, heck, you can even request a custom item and I will give you the discount!

Mark you calendars! 

Worst Flu EVER

Seriously...this past week had to be my worst bout with the flu ever. Not only the flu, but strep throat on top of that. It started out fine and I got some meds from my doctor and then it went downhill fast.
  A week later and 5 pounds lighter I am finally getting over this thing. I will be getting a flu shot and encourage everyone to do the same!!!

New jewelry for fall

I just added two new bracelets to the Etsy store! 

Bright green wire with "candy" stones, perfect for the Fall!

Blood red coral pairs nicely with a stark black wire background

First attempt at knitting a shawl

Well, I finally decided to dive in and knit a shawl. I am starting with the most basic of ones, the Confidence Shawl from Lost City Knits.
  For something that is supposed to be easy, I'm already confused one row in. I don't really knit with charts and I am getting lost on the yarn overs. :(
  I am going to keep trying and get this thing going! I will not let the chart beat me up. I will post pictures as soon as it looks like something. 

Feature on the Etsy CIJ Blog

I was lucky enough to be featured this month on Etsy's Christmas In July Blog. You can read all about it here:

http://etsychristmasinjuly.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/member-feature-mink-couture/

New Halloween Items!

Just added to the Etsy store.....Halloween treat box ornaments. These are 6" tall and not only do they decorate your trey, but they also can hold some tasty candy or a tiny surprise inside!

Halloween Ghosts

Steampunk Ravens

Creepy, Crawly Spiders

Best summer drink ever!

One of my coworkers told me about this drink he used to make at the Farm he worked at. The would have weddings and he was the bartender. This drink is the easiest thing to make and it tastes refreshing. I have yet to come up with a snappy name in his honor-I think it deserves something classy.

Best Summer Drink Ever

Pour some bourbon in a cocktail shaker (I used 2 ounces of Jim Bean). Add some apricot jam or orange marmalade (to taste- I used 2 tablespoons). Add ice and shake. Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with Gingerale.

You can fiddle with the ingredients to your taste. You get a wonderful jammy, fizzy drink without the punch of bourbon. 

Yarn, Yarn, Everywhere...

    I always tell myself, "I have enough yarn"...as every knitter knows, this is just something we tell ourselves to try and stem the yarn hair. I have three boxes of yarn-quite a small amount in the yarn world. I know people that have entire rooms full of unused yarn.
   But, still I tell myself-"Do not buy any more yarn until you use what you have". Technically all my yarn is earmarked for projects. The sock yarn is going to become a shawl, the worsted a cowl, the other worsted will be a flapper hat (short rows-why the short rows), the mink will be a shawl after I knit the practice shawl, the sparkly mohair with be a lace knit scarf, the kid mohair is a hat for my Mom.
  So, why do I continue to buy wool whenever I see it? Whenever I go to non yarn stores (Jo-Anns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby-your "craft store") they have rows and rows of acrylic and about 1% yarn that is 100% wool. Now, you can do some fun stuff with acrylic and the colors-oh the colors and textures and glittery beads and weirdness of it is overwhelming. But its not real. It doesn't keep you warm and you can't felt and manipulate it like a wool. So, whoever I see wool, I buy it.
   When I was at the Fiber Fair I found Alchemy's silk straw yarn for 1/2 price, so I bought 2 skeins. Then I bought some mohair from Blue Moon that is shades of mossy green. Now I am stuck with what do I knit which them?
   On top of that, I am still in love with the wrap from Catching Fire that Katniss wears-add that to the list. And....watching Outlander last night I fell good and hard for Claire's knit cowl and gloves- pictures here (scroll down to #7). Oh, the chunky yarn!
   Maybe it's because it is currently 90 outside with 100% humidity- it's like the South here, my hair is curling! I want the cool air to come so I can pull out the sweaters and curl up with some tea.....and knitting!

Hanx Writer Type App

   Since I got my iPad last week, I've ben looking at what cool apps I can download and mess around with on it.
   I found one that is designed by Tom Hanks! Its a typewriter and its free. You can upgrade and add two other typewriters or you can "test drive" them. You get a realistic looking typewriter with keys an sound. Yes, this is an app that you probably don't need but sometimes the sound of a typewriter is calming to hear (at least to me). You could even just type nonsense on your page and hear the click of the keys.
  You can send your document in a message or Air Drop it to someone nearby. For $4.99 you can add pictures and change your ribbon. Having used a typewriter for school papers I can only imagine if I could have used this app to stick it yo my teacher (but I *did* use a computer!).
   This app is definitely worth downloading and trying out! 

Winner, Winner, IPad Winner

I always enter the Summer Reading Program at the library. I get to read like I always do and I enter little slips in and get the chance to win prizes!
  I used to go to this HUGE library when I was in Naperville and won all sorts of cool things in the "teen" program: pens, a hotel stay in the city, a handmade wooden box, my height in Turtle sundaes, free lessons....
  Now, I go to a much smaller library and they don't give out a lot of prizes, I've never won anything. I get a free book and a pen when I turn in my first slip, but that's about it. Until yesterday (Saturday). I though the winners were picked and prizes where given out, its been over a week since the program ended. I went in to get some books to read and I had to go to the reference desk.......where they told me I won the grand prize

an I-PAD!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

So exciting!!! I raced home and started playing with it and I tried to find some apps to download. I've got Paper53, Sketches, Moleskin, Rosetta Stone and the Makerbot app.

Any other cool apps for a design oriented person like myself???

I also spent a few hours looking for a cool, artsy case for it. I really likes the BookBook case, but all the negative reviews turned me off. Then I was looking and Paper and Quill and Dodo case. I finally went with Dodo case because I could design my own and it has the book maker feel to it. *fingers crossed* it works and gets here soon!

Midwest Fiber Fair 2014

This weekend was the fiber fair and it was.....small.....Sadly, the fairgrounds pulled the Fiber Fair's normal date and made them take a later one, which lead to not a lot of vendors.
  I missed Nifty, Thrifty Dry Goods; Windy City Knits; the Spinners Guild and many more. I was going to by this a bag that says "I Knit so I don't kill people", but I guess I'll have to get it on Etsy.
  I did meet some lovely people from Lost City Knits and got many "purls" of wisdom from Denise and a "simple" lace pattern for a shawl. We'll see how simple, my brain is already cramping from looking at the chart. I also stopped by The Fold and picked up some silk yarn that was on sale (who knows what it will go to).
  I always promise myself that "I won't buy any new yarn"......umm...yeah, right.....You see, most of my stash yarn is going to a project, I just haven't started the 20 or so projects in my queue....Therefore I need new yarn for projects yet to be. And sock yarn just doesn't count. Cotton doesn't either-that's mindless dishcloth yarn for knitting at the doctor's, on the train or while watching TV......
  I did take a really cool welt felting class and learning the secret is......POWER TOOLS!!!!! Why spend hours with a PVC pipe when you can buzz your roving with a sander? Genius!

This is before the welt felting. Lots of texture and color. This became a felted flower fascinator, which is still drying! So, pictures to come....

   

I was also lucky enough to be a featured artist in the directory given out at the fiber fair. I did feel bad that I didn't enter the Handbag Exhibit this year (I was going to), but tests and doctors visits got in the way of everything! 

  

 It was a fun day up until the end when I started getting phone calls about my insurance company-hard to deal when you are up to your elbows in soapy water. 

I'l leave this on a high note with one of the poems exhibited at the fair!

Vintage Inspired Santa Snowflake Ornaments

These vintage inspired Victorian Santa ornaments will soon be up on the Etsy store. 

NF stage 1

I've decided to do a split off blog about my jaw and what is going on with that, so if you want to follow a more medical, foodie blog about me, please go here:

http://thegirlwiththedisappearingjaw.wordpress.com

Don't worry, this will still be crafty and foodie too! 

Great Vintage Pickle Graphic

Last weekend at the Fairgrounds I lucked out and bought a bundle of great vintage paper. Part of it was from an old cookbook, another from a book on barn building. If anyone wants to build a tobacco barn, I have some great plans.
  The cookbook papers also had some old housekeeping drawings. Things like how to make a broom and the fact that women who worked a spinning wheel moved their feet to the equivalent of 15 miles a day!!
  My favorite is this graphic....

Best Bloody Mary Mix

I've had many a Bloody Mary in my time and I have finally found the best mix from a jar.

You can purchase this on Mouth. Just add vodka (or not) and its like being back in the Big Easy.
 This stuff has bite! Most food items that advertise as "spicy" end of being mild. I like spicy! This mixer also has a big punch of dill. I served this with a celery stick as garnish and was more than satisfied! 

Christmas Items coming!

Right now I am running a "Christmas in July" sale with 20% off of everything in MinkCoutre on Etsy!
  I just sold some cure Easter Eggs that went to Switzerland!! I would like to reach even more countries, so if you are outside of North America, what would entice you to make a purchase???
  I am hard at work on some Christmas items for the coming months-don't worry, I'll wait until at least October to put them up!
  Let me know what you think.

This paper poinsettia flower is made with vintage crepe paper and hand stamped with Christmas carols. I've made a couple of them and this will become a wreath/ candle holder centerpiece. 

Vintage mercury glass meets vintage punched tin reflectors! I think these will be perfect for any Green Bay Packer or Oregon Duck fan! 

This vintage cookie cutter is going to be a picture box ornament/ wall hanger! I just can't decide which background is better-the whimsy forest or music notes?

Hope everyone is staying cool and dry! 

Anatomy of a Bug Bite

I made it through the 4th with no mosquito bites, so I was very ticked to find out that I had 13-yes 13!!!!! bites on my legs the following Tuesday.
  I thought they were spider bites and payed no attention to them other than the usual Benadryl, anti itch cream....until they blew up and my ankle looked bruised.
  I moved onto Baking Soda and water-make a paste and put it on the bites to draw out poison. When my ankle was still bruised on Friday, I sucked it up and went to the doctor. I am now on amoxicyllin and the bites seem to be getting better-still itched, but oh well......

Getting red and puffy

I've NEVER had a bite that looks like this

After two days of medicine, its starting to look better. 

Moral of the story.....if something bites you and you don't know what it is....go to the doctor if it doesn't get better!

July 4th fireworks and marshmallows

 While it was kind of nice to be able to go on Facebook and see fireworks displays in Illinois, Texas, California, New England, etc. It made me wonder-did people watch the fireworks display or simply record them to show that they were at the show?
  It seems a little sad to be viewing the spectacle of fireworks through a tiny screen when they are bursting in front of you.
 Me- I sat in the backyard with a nice fire and watched several displays. Did anybody notice that Jet-Puffed Marshmallows have changed their recipe? I had to put them on a stick horizontally instead of vertically (they fell in the fire this way) and they didn't seem to get as melty as they normally do. The outside burned while the inside stayed hard. I think they cut down on the gelatin. Any other thought why?

And now for something completely serious

Its been a bit quiet lately, sorry for that. Normally I would be posting some summer crafts, or talking about my Christmas in July sale (it starts on July 1st-20 % off of the entire shop)!, but I've been running around trying to solve some medical mysteries and take care of a my car which is in the Saturn recall.
  To top off all of that, I had an eye exam at Target and they screwed up my prescription so I had to go back yesterday to go through everything again.
   What is the point of paying through the nose for medical and dental when they don't cover a damn thing?!

Garden Inspiration for a New Scarf

The garden is blooming and so is my inspiration. I love, love, LOVE Foxglove. Bell shaped flowers and vivid colors that last only a little while. So, its a little toxic....its damn pretty and I don't go and eat the flowers in my garden (vegetables and fruit yes....flowers, not so much..).

    I have some hand dyed scarves on my Etsy store that are inspired by various butterflies. I even had a scarf that I dyed using real acorn caps! Why not do a series of scarves inspired by flowers then?

    I already know what I am going to do. Dip dye the scarf so it is white in the center and purple radiating out. I will hand knot and use beads to make the dot pattern in the center and dip dye again. I am really excited about this and hope that it will turn out just like I am imagining. If all goes well, you can all look forward to some really cool flower, not flowery scarves! And its radiant orchid too! 

Paper Flower Bouquet Done!

Finally finished all my paper flowers for the teal and yellow bouquet! Thank goodness for fringing scissors!
  I did 3 flowers that are green/yellow then 3 that are a reverse of that. Two flowers are all white and one each of yellow/white and green/white.

St. Lucia (the island) Cake

  Last weekend I had grand plans of making a lemon curd cake with a pistachio brittle. I figured 3 days would give me plenty of time to make homemade curd, the cake, brittle and a white chocolate buttercream frosting.
   Then the air conditioner broke. This weekend I thought, two days is still enough time. Then the sink leaked......Thank you household appliances....
   So, something simple and quick was in order. I bought some Rare Bird preserves passionfruit curd and thought why not build a cake around that? I can never find passionfruit and their curd is the BEST-super tart and creamy. A simple white cake would do and how about a coconut buttercream frosting? I had just enough coconut milk from last weekend's Pineapple Wowie Zowies (frosty drinks are a must with no air).
  Dubbed "St. Lucia Cake"-since it calls to mind the petons and tropical fruits.

Tender White Cake

makes two 9" round cakes

2 3/4 Cake Flour (I like King Arthur)
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temp)
4 large egg whites plus 1 whole egg (room temp)
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons really good vanilla extract
1 teaspoon really good almond extract

Mix all of the dry ingredients for 2 minutes on slow speed-this blends and aerates, just like your lawn. Add the soft butter a couple tablespoons at a time and blend until it looks crumbly or like sand. Add the egg white and then the whole egg-beating after each addition. Scrape down the sides and the bottom to make sure everything is mixed evenly.

In a small bowl, whisk the milk with the vanilla and almond extract. Add that mixture in 1/3 increments and bland 1 to 2 minutes after each addition until the batter is fluffy.

Pour the batter into 2 round 9" cake pans. I put mine on my food scale to make sure each pan had an even amount-yeah, I'm like that...Make sure that you greased and floured or parchment paper lined your pans.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until your cake tester comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then turn over on rack and let completely cool.

When the cake is cooled, place one layer on a cake stand or plate, flat side up. Spread the entire jar of passionfruit curd on the top of the cake and spread out an even layer.

Place the second layer on top, flat side down to meet the curd.

Time to make the frosting!

Coconut Buttercream Frosting

1 stick of unsalted butter (room temp)

3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 tspn almond extract

On medium speed beat the butter with half of the confectioner sugar, until crumbly. Add the remaining confectioners sugar and beat about a minute. In a small cup whisk the coconut milk and the almond extract together; then slowly add that to the mixer and beat until blended. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until light and fluffy.

Frost the cake quickly-your frosting will melt and slide off! Put in in the fridge until the frosting sets, then slice and enjoy!!!

In Progress Paper Flower Boquet

  I am really enjoying making paper flowers. They're a fun, creative way to add some color around the house. They won't die or wilt and they don't bother my allergies at all. Seriously, this year the pollen count is 5 times the norm-what gives? Ugh!
   I decided that I should really focus on making a set of blooms rather than one bloom by itself. I though some antique or vintage containers or vases would be a good start. Have the vessel dictate the size, shape, color and feel of my flowers. I (mistakenly) thought that Goodwill would be a great place to start-thru should have cheap vases-right? The ended up have shelves upon shelves of those Teleflora/1-800 Flowers vases that you get free with an order. Supremely depressing to see all those vases stacked row upon row. That and they were all the same boring, clear shape. Luckily it was the antique show up in Elkhorn this past weekend and I was able to get a sweet vintage cottage cheese container-the colors did me in-bright teal and yellow.
  I decided to go with some small powder-puff like blooms. These guys are simple and fun to make. I normally make these babies an inch or two bigger, but I really wanted to use my teal crepe paper and I only have it in a roll, so that limited my size. I went with dark colors in the center and light on the outside. I might place some plain white ones in, I'll see as I go along. I have one down right now and need about a dozen or so to really fill the container out.
  Here's a progress shot...

I'll post more as I get closer to it being complete!

Creepy Antique Sunday

Time for another round of "Antiques that Creep Me Out"....though this one is more, "if you want to be Norman Bates"...hopefully the person who buys this is more of a "Lars and the Real Girl" type!

"I just listen" and stare with my cold dead eyes........

Paper Flowers

Since the weather is so downright dreary, I've been on a paper flower kick. No allergies, no dirt or bugs, not watering required!

My first flower, not the best since I didn't have the proper coffee filters and floral wire. Still, not bad.

After purchasing way to many floral pips, I got down to making my first proper flower-and it looks like it could past muster. 

Painting the crepe paper added a touch of realism that I quite love-no I just have to decide-wristlet, corsage or hair accessory?

Not quite what I envisioned, but I think it came out nice overall. 

Super Halloween-y with the vintage paper patterns and the bright orange gemstone.

Retro Easter Crafts from Cheeseland

 A quick trip across the border (Wisconsin-not that other border...) lead to some great craft finds at Benjamin Franklin's and some lovely Easter decorations from the past. All of these can be found at Fox Antique Mall.
 

Freshly hatched chicks guard a pom pom ballerina bunny.

Swans? Ducks? Styrofoam and those weird pipe cleaner beaks just make for something on the
uncanny plane. 

Love, Love, Love these! Just take some plastic bunnies, affix to jar tops and spray paint
in bright Spring colors. Maybe fill with jelly beans....mmmmm

The peep massacre at the Bunny den......

Sad bunny? The carnage is just terrifying......

I always love antique/vintage holiday items, maybe that's why I fill my Etsy store with items inspired by them. 

  Currently I am into paper flowers-and I must say I found some awesome superhero tissue paper that I will be using to make some. I will be doing a blog post in May (May flowers-get it?!) so please let me know if you want any specific kind of flower made!

Happy Spring to all. 

Ramen

    Oh, ramen, that staple of the collegiate or poor 20 something. I spent many a day slurping my way to a MSG overdose on chicken, beef and oriental "flavored" soup. I can still be transported back to those days whenever I pul out a packet and bash it with the back of a spoon. Serve with a Coke and some Chicken in a Biscut crackers and the meal is complete. Remember there used to be a "shrimp flavored" packet? Quick, easy and 25 cents a go you could buy an entire case of the stuff and have plenty left over for beer.
   Now, my grown up self still wants Ramen-real ramen-Food Network fine dining homemade noodles with miso, ponzu, mushrooms and uni ramen.
   So...I thought I was getting "Ivan Ramen" through inter library loan and instead I got "200 Ramen Noodle Dishes"....here's just some of the horror....

Tomato Noodle Soup

Combine I packet and ramen noodles and one can Campbells tomato soup, simmer 5 minutes.



Swedish Ramen

4 cups water
2 packets noodles
1 can of 7 ounce smoked Baltic herring

In a small sauce pan bring water to a boil. Add noodles and cook for 3 minutes. Drain, add herring and toss to coat.



Ramen Clam Chowder Pie

2 cups water
1 packet noodles
1 can of 10.75 ounce can of New England Clam Chowder
1 pre cooked pie crust (9 inch)
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
10 Ritz Cracker, crushed

Pre heat oven to 350. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil and cook noodles for 3 minutes. Drain. Add clam chowder to noodles and toss to combine. Pour into pie crust, top with cheese and crackers. bake for 15 minutes or until visibly toasted.

Other recipes to haunt you include: Ramen Pizza (no crust!), Cheesy Ranch Ramen (ramen and a cup of ranch dressing with 2 cups of cheese), and Jiggly Ramen (the 60's are back with ramen suspended in Jello!).


Here's to checking out the right book and hopefully having some good Ramen by this time next week!

Book Review of Disappointment

   I was really excited when I finally got my copy of "A Curious Invitation: The Forty Greatest Parties in Fiction" by Suzette Field from the library. It takes forever to get anything through inter library loan-I should be happy that I can still access books through inter library loan. Funding was tight and it was almost cut, but some wonderful person donated money and yay!- I can still get books from other libraries. This saves my wallet. I still buy books, of course, this just lets me decided which ones are higher up on the list.
  The idea of the book is brilliant- parties in works of fiction. Who was invited, why, the food, the clothes, the literary significance. However, the book disappointed me on several levels.
   First-There is no rhyme of reason for the books that are picked or the order they are placed in the book. We go from Gatsby's party to Queen Alice's feast, a little order would have been nice. Maybe the year the book came out or by the year the book was set? Something that gives a sense of order and progression of a party. Maybe even the tamest party to the wildest?
   Second- The book is just a recap of the books it is describing. Text is taken ver batim from books. Thanks, but I've already read "The Great Gatsby", I don't need to reread exactly what everyone was wearing as listed in the book. Yes, Gatsby's shirts are a big deal-we all know that.
  Third-No recipes. I repeat, NO RECIPES. How can you have a party book and not have recipes?! I was expecting at leaf one literary recipe per party. Blinis and caviar from "Brothers Karamazov", Bootleg Gin Cocktail from "Great Gatsby", maybe even a Pangalatic Gargleblaster from "Life, the Universe and Everything"?
  And does the prom in "Carrie" really count as a party? Was it just chosen because Carrie killed everyone? Why "Mansfield Park"? It is Jane Austen's most boring book?! No parties from Ayn Rand?
  I guess my expectations were just a tad high on what to expect from the reviews. 

New Easter Items

Go check out my Etsy store for some cool new things: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MinkCouture?section_id=15032150&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3
   I have some easter eggs and some "Zero calorie" chocolate bunny pins-they'll never, ever melt!

Re purposed stamps-"World traveler" egg sculpture

Put a bird on it-'nough said!

Button stash put to good use