Book Review : How to Knit a Love Story

I just read recently a really good book and thought I would share it with everyone. It's called "How to Knit a love story" by Rachael Herron. There are two main characters. Abigail, a woman who made the healthy decision to get out of a very dangerous relationship and Cade, a ranch who inherited his now deceased aunts ranch. The aunt, Eliza Carpenter, was the wife of a sheep rancher and a famous knitwear designer and teacher in her own right. The twist is Abigail inherits Eliza's guest house and Cade is none to happy about it. The book deals with the conflict and relationship between the two main characters as well as their dreams and aspirations. I really liked the book and hope that Rachael turns this into a series. This is definitely worth a read.

Here's a recipe for anyone who wants it

I'm working this weekend and having to be into work by 7 am is made possible only by coffee and multiple alarms set. Needles to say I am not a morning person.

Growing up in the Seattle, Starbucks and their overpriced coffee became a staple for me. Since I no longer live in Seattle (moved to northern Michigan) I have since developed a recipe I love even more than my beloved Starbucks Mocha. So here it is:


Faux Mocha

1 Tbl (Tablespoon) hot cocoa mix
2 Tbl flavored creamer (use your favorite or plain)
3-6 Tbl milk
coffee (whatever you want to use at any strength you like)*

(* or you can use 2 shots espresso and just add more milk)

Mix all together in your favorite mug of your choice.
Enjoy!

Like New Craft Room

Last weekend I decided to clean out my craft room I had dubbed my "crap room". As you can see from the pictures above it was a success. (Holy crap there's carpet in there! Who knew?) The only thing left to sort and organize is the top of my sewing table. But hey aren't we all a work in progress?

Much to the family's delight both little man, huub and the dog are able to walk in the room without fear of being buried alive. Little man's new favorite thing to do is "hide" under the sewing table and play with his toys. The dogs favorite thing to do is nap in the middle of the florr and hubby's favorite thing to do is stay out of there. So really it's a win-win situation and no longer a stress point for anyone. YEAH!

Congrats!

Congratulations to my favorite LQS (local quilt shop) Hearts
To Holly here in Charlevoix, Michigan. They are one of the ten quilt shops across America and Canada to be featured in the Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler 2011 issue. It will be available on news stands in late April or early May.






Using the new Charlevoix fabric line by Moda the shop came up with an original quilt design. For those who don't know, Hearts to Holly is a family owned quilt shop. Mike and Sue Miller own the shope and their daughters work there as well. Besides wonderful fabrics and notions they even offer a long arm service done by one of their daughters. The shop is offering kits through the shop and also through their online store. I absolutely love the fabric line.

Happy New Year

I hope this entry finds everybody in good spirits and hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. I would like to start out this blog entry in typical new year style. I, like many other people, have some resolutions that I would like to make in 2011. They are as follows:

* Blog at least once a week
* Include pictures more frequently on ongoing projects
* Have a more formated style type of blog

So here it goes for my resolutions. Hope you like the changes and any input would be very helpful.

On Pins and Needles
I had planned on making a quilt for my husband to go on our bed. The design is done and planned but I wasn't able to finish the quilt top let alone the quilt in time to give it to him. The main fabric line I am using is Montana Modern and Mayfair by Benartex fabric. I plan for it to go on our queen size bed.

I am also finishing a civil war quilt for my uncle, who has no idea he's getting one. It's the Civil War Tribute Quilt done by Marcus Fabrics. I still have a long way to go.


In the Loop

I still have some knitting projects left over from Christmas. I'm knitting my mom a pair of basic socks along with a pair for my son. I'm also knitting the Speckled Shrug by Lion Brand. Still on the needles is my sons cardigan called Steggie, a dino inspired cardigan.

Book Worm


I'm reading Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, it's a novel based on the rumor of a woman being pope in the 9th century. It's a very good read and is written mostly from Joan's point of view. I'm am about half way through and would recommend this as a good book to read.

Music to My Ears

I have been listening to several podcasts lately, mostly Spin Control by Shilo aka A Joyful Girl and the Quilted Cupcake by G. Spin Control tells a lot about not only spinning but knitting, crochet, some sewing as well. Quilted Cupcake is mostly about quilting but also a tad of knitting, crocheting and cooking. I recommend both as a good listen

That's all for now and pictures are coming as soon as there's decent progress made.

A Productive Week

I'm happy to say that I have a FO (finished object) with pictures and a couple more projects that almost done.

While at Jo Anns I had a little falling down, yarn was on sale and they had just restocked their free projects sheets. So I picked up a couple skeins of Bernat Satin to make a Satin Prayer Shawl it's a beautiful pink color and supports breast cancer. It will be given away as a Christmas present but I don't know to whom. That is done and completed. I also bought a couple of skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman's wool to do a Speckled Shrug.

While shopping the yarn section the Red Heart Holiday yarn was discounted too. I'm usually a Red Heart snob but this yarn was very pretty (white with a metallic yarn plied together) and soft. I'm making their Mobius Shawl and am about half way through. Also while at Jo Anns I picked up some black fleece (the fabric kind) to back my mother-in-laws frog quilt. That has yet to be sandwiched and quilted, I plan on just stitching in the ditch.


I have one of my fathers socks finished and just turned the heel of the other one. Once I finish that one I plan on knitting my moms other sock (I'm using the same neeldles to do both).

A Sad Goodbye

To the owners and employees at the Quilt Cottage in East Jordan, Michigan:

You will be sorely missed and I wish you guys all the best. I'm sorry to see the doors to your beautiful quilt shop close but look forward to seeing you all at quilt guild. I wish that all your future endeavors are fruitful and bring you joy. In next years shop hop there will definitely be a void without your shop participating.

I thank you for all the friendship, great advice, superb support and wonderful inspiration.

Your Sincerely,
Shannon