Etsy ::shiny-thing of the day::

This holiday season, won't you skip the mall and buy handmade indie gifts instead?
For one-stop shopping check out Etsy.com. You'll find jewelry, clothing, toys, household items, candles, and even stuff for your pet.



Oh, you can also sell YOUR handmade stuff there too!

Ideal Bite ::shiny-thing of the day::

Ideal Bite is a weekday e-newsletter that sends you a simple eco-tip for earth friendly living. The writing is down to earth and decidedly un-preachy. I've been a "Biter" for a few months and look forward to the tip in my inbox at the beginning of each work day. There's even a "Tip Library" of past issues that's searchable or browsable by category. Each tips includes additional links for more information or related shopping. My favorites are the tips that feature food or health & beauty!

More crochet adventures: Owly

This time I chose a pattern that had EASY written all over it. The simple stitches needed were listed and described. And it looks darned cute and exactly as expected! Maybe I am getting the hang of this!

Incase you'd like to try, I bought the pattern at Etsy:
A- Amigurumi Owl Pattern

Orchid update

It's been a while since I've mentioned my orchids. I have 5 small plants on my windowsill that haven't gotten much attention since I moved three months ago. It doesn't seem to have bothered them much though as this week my Masd. Snow Cone has bloomed again! This is my third flower from this plant. I am justifiably impressed with myself!

Craft: White Chocolate Sugar Skulls

I originally heard about the White Chocolate Sugar Skulls in BUST Magazine and later saw it posted again on the Craft: Blog. I'd already purchased my skull mold from MexicanSugarSkull.com, and picked up my supplies at the local Wegmans.

See the references above for instructions. I've a few notes to add to them: Whatever you do, don't heat the chocolate for too long. As soon as it gets creamy it's a good time to stop. My second batch somehow appeared to become hardened again after the creamy stage. This may be due in part because I couldn't find the melting chips and used regular chips instead. After pressing into the molds I threw the whole mold into the freezer for about 20 minutes to cool.

The icing I picked up was pretty hard to work with. I can't imagine doing the intricate designs featured in the articles. Maybe I just need better icing. Definitely more colors.

Craft: Robot Doll

I received my first fabulous issue of Craft: magazine on Friday. So many fun things and projects! This zine is exactly what I've been looking for! Although I generally prefer to knit, there was a pattern for a crochet Robot Doll and here I go! I'm a little hung up on the feet instructions. I'll get it eventually. Arms and embellishments to follow!

Cross-trainer extraordinaire!

I'm officially cross-training. I've started swimming 3 days a week. Not that I'm running, currently. A little over a week ago I tried with instant shin pain. I really love swimming, I've always loved swimming. I was a lucky girl growing up, with an in-ground pool.

Somehow, during the past three months of almost no running whatsoever, I've decided that I want to run the local half-marathon in September. You can go from 2mi long runs to 13.1 in that time, right? Especially if you're doing a ton of swimming and manage to lose 15-20lbs? I just don't want to wait until next year.

I can't wait to get back to running. I've decided I'm through with the treadmill this year though. Hopefully when April arrives 40° weather will, too.

Paphiopedilum primulinum v. flavum

i've been reading the orchid thief and decided to try my hand at them again. the ones i've gotten in the past have always been from the plant section of hardware stores and have always died. huge surprise there. this time i did some research to find one that might be easy to start with and bought it from a mail order grower, bloomfield orchids. the man there was very sweet and pointed me right to the one i knew i'd already chosen, Paph primulinum v. flavum. she's quite beautiful. maybe i'll chronicle my care of her here.



i also joined the american orchid society last week and as part of my membership they'll send me a flowering size plant as well. so i've started myself a little collection.

i might have a small problem...

toilet paper cover knitting pattern

I searched briefly on the web for toilet paper covers to knit, and was dissatisfied with the results. Hence my first voyage into the realm of creating my own knitting patterns! Here goes!

Materials:
Double pointed needles size 10 1/2
1 skein Lion Brand Chenille Thick & Quick
tapestry needle

Instructions:
CO 45 stitches, spread them over 3 needles (15 stitches per needle),
knit in the round until you reach a length of 5 inches,

1st decr row: on each needle: k1, k2tog, knit to end of needle.
2nd decr row: on each needle: k1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts left, k2tog, k1.
repeat 2nd decr row until there are 4 stitches left on each needle.
last two rows: k2tog around entire row twice until you have 3 sts left.
BO.
weave in ends using the tapestry needle.

and lastly, here's my TPC::