Sunday Stash #26

Fat quarter, purchase at Joann's

FO: Amy Butler pillow

I made this back in March for my see-ster. Jill and I say it like that sometimes, see-ster. I think she started it. It's cute. So, anyhow, her birthday was back in March, and I wanted to make her something cute for her semi-new pad (she's almost been there a year, but I still haven't been up to visit her). I immediately knew she would adore these Amy Butler prints.
Two prints on each side

I think the honeycomb pattern is my favorite; I purchased some in a different color.

My stitching still needs straightening, as can be seen here:

Considering I've never used so many fabrics in one project, I'm not doing that bad.

I posted a few weeks ago about having the itch to sew, but I haven't had much spare weekend time lately. I've still got the itch.

Food Friday

Last week, I went to have sushi by myself. I was craving it, and the craving wouldn't be ignored. I went to Nikko Sushi, got this Sapporo Roll, as well as some salmon and escolar.

This yummy roll has yellowtail, avocado and crab. It was great, although a little on the sweet side.

Happy food Friday! Rhonda and I will be throwing some stuff on the grill tomorrow, so next week's post may feature some of that goodness.

Sunday Stash #25

Can I just say that I love Lecien?

I have so much of the My Folklore fabric, and I love it all.

Food Friday

I'm not a vegetarian. I've never been one or tried to be one, because I really love meat. I eat a ton of vegetables, though, and this Food Friday, I've got a veggie sandwich to show off. I've been to the Spaghetti Western here in Houston a couple of times. Their portions are very generous, and this sandwich was pretty tasty.
There are layers of fresh mozzarella, fried eggplant, portabello mushroom, zucchini, squash, tomato and pesto on fresh, soft bread. Mmm. It was awesome.

Happy Food Friday! Eat some veggies this Memorial Day.

Sunday stash #24

I used some of this stash to make this bag, which I gifted to Rhonda.

The fabric is by Timeless Treasures.

Food Friday

I really need to take more pictures of food. I forget until what I'm eating is half gone. So, until I get my act together, here's a salad I made sometime last year (and actually snapped a photo of before devouring).
It's full of sauteed bell peppers, chicken and some apples, as well as the usual salad stuff. I love using olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a dressing. Just typing the words "balsamic vinegar" makes my mouth water something terrible.

Monday

It really feels like a Monday today. Hopefully, the afternoon is better than the morning has been. Above, you see Olias. I couldn't believe the timing, but I was able to capture the perfect yawn. Here he is, in perfect hunter mode. Rhonda and I were commenting on how muscular he is; he really looks like a boy cat. He's getting big, too. When I first found him, he was such a little cat, and I still refer to him as such. Little cat can be super snuggly, when he's not knocking over the trash can, trying to eat your food, or ripping up paper towels.
See?

And just so Miss Bella doesn't feel left out, here are a couple from yesterday. She's still my favorite (but don't tell Olias).

I love my gray kitties.

Sunday stash #23

Fat quarters

Itching to sew

I've been neglecting my sewing machine lately. I have all these beautiful fabrics staring at me, all these patterns and books screaming my name, and nothing. I've just been doing other things. One, of course, is knitting. I feel more confident in my knitting than sewing skills. Sewing, although I have more years of exposure and experience with it, is still rather unnerving. I think it's because I feel as if my skills should such that I can proceed without much direction, or without completely following a pattern to a T. With knitting, I find improvisation less intimidating, and so I feel more in control of the process.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and I want to try and focus more on sewing. I don't want to sacrifice knitting, though! I just want to dedicate a little time regularly to sewing, so that I can gain confidence and improve my skills. There are so many sewing projects I'd like to make, and so many fabrics I've acquired that I want to use! So, I hope to focus on sewing a bit this weekend. Maybe I'll come up with a fun Project Spectrum related concept. I have one to share that I made during the first phase of PS, but my photos of it aren't all that impressive. I'm still hoping that the recipient will oblige me with some better photos before I post it (nudges in Jill's direction).

Food Friday: not food but drink

Here's a delicious beer for you on this summery Friday.
This is Dogfish 120. It's a very hoppy and very alcoholic beer. More info here. Yum. I love it.

New found love: Ishbel

I've jumped on the Ishbel bandwagon. I've admired Ysolda's patterns and style for months, and after completing Liesl last month, and loving it, I decided to try another of her designs. Ishbel has been in my queue practically since it was published, back in January. Last night, I debated which stash yarn to use, and it came to me: I could use a yarn that would also fit into the second phase of Project Spectrum. I cast on last night and I'm almost through the first ball of yarn. This yarn is something special.
I purchased it from Woolgirl sometime last year. It's Unique Sheep Gradient sock yarn in Lemon-Lime Spritz. There are four skeins, each one hundred yards, and the color ranges from orange to green. I love the way it's knitting up so far, and after a few hours of work last night, I'm only 8 rows from finishing the stockinette portion. However, since the pattern only calls for 330 yards, and I have 400, I may increase the stockinette portion by a few rows. Hopefully, the lace goes as smoothly for me. I'm visiting my grandparents this weekend, so I should be able to devote some time to this. It provided me with just the satisfaction I needed last night.

Sunday Stash #22

Half yard, purchased from Cia's Palette

Tula's Pink Flutterby

Food Friday

Sorry for my absence last Friday. I was busy enjoying the day, and forgot all about my new weekly post. So here I am, with a picture from last March. Here's some Chile Verde Stew, from the Ore House in Santa Fe. It was delicious, and it proves you can never have too much cheese.