simpletruths

Spring is upon us

Ok - not quite.  

But it's been so dreary and blah here that I've been working on light, springtime projects just to spite the gloom, while drinking hot spiced cider of course; hot cider is one of the redeeming things that come along with winter.

Some of these will be making their way to the shop this weekend.

Happy Friday!

  If you're thinking spring, then you've got to have flowers.

 This is my most recent custom order.  I love the contrast between the green and the coral.  The combination makes me think lime sorbet and vacation.

Ooooo and then there are the necklaces. Light as a feather, in pretty, go-with-anything colors. Fun to make, more fun to wear. Don't worry, more are coming.

  sea foam green on brown

  pink and brown

 earth tones with a touch of shine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "not quites"

Like most people (I think) with a relatively compact hobby, I have a projects sitting around in various stages of 'doneness.'  I have projects I've abandoned so long ago that even if I wanted to continue them, I have no idea what the stitch pattern is, or what book it came from.

Then I have the WIPs, or Works in Progress. Most of those are in active rotation and won't sit in the bottom of a drawer or shelf. 

Then there are the "ideas" and the "materials."   By ideas I mean the stack (both physical and virtual) of patterns I've deluded myself into think I'll one day have time to attempt.  Like the cape I'm going to knit for Isaiah for halloween...riiiiiight.  

By materials I'm referring mostly to the bin of unused or partially used yarn currently sitting in the garage; materials also includes the cute storage boxes of fabric, from those ideas I had about making cloth napkins, and curtains for the kitchen and a runner for the table....yeaaaaaa - It's all in a box in the garage. Materials also includes the too-slippery yarn that's a too orangey -red for me to be even remotely pleased with it. 

Then there are the 'not quite right' projects that are finished, but, well, not quite right.    

 it this the top?

 or is this the top? Is it an earring or a pendant or a...yea, I don't know either.

I love making flowers.  I'm not sure what I was attempting to accomplish with those beads though. That said, I haven't taken it apart yet because it might work with something - I just haven't figured out what yet.

 This was a flower I started to make with scraps. two problems - even the scraps were too scrappy and I didn't have enough to finish. Also, unless I plan on doing a special set of products for the 4th of July...hmmm, that's not going to happen.

 This bracelet is almost perfect.  It's just a tad too big.
  

   

Fun find

I've been doing a lot of itty bitty crochet recently, which means I need teeny tiny tools and pint-sized yarn.  The earrings, bracelets, flowers are all made with embroidery floss and a crochet hook from 2.65 mm or smaller.  

Now, embroidery floss is great; it comes in lots of colors and every craft store sells it, so I can pick up new colors for custom orders with out much hassle. My only complaint is that is comes in these mini-skeins, which is probably appropriate given the diminutive nature of everything else.  But I can go through 3 or four of them one seemingly small project which means a bunch of unwinding and winding and untangling. Not fun.

  (photo from DMC website)

 

Occasionally I can find a small spool or a black, or cream but no variety. 

But then, on a gloomy rainy day I happened upon these

 

(oooooo)

They had pinks and purples, blues and yellows; all sorts of fun. I was good and "only" bought 4. Two were colors I needed, so I only consider this a halfway unnecessary purchase.  These are more traditional 'crochet cottons' and much easier to use. I'm sure if I were into embroidery, I would prefer the mini parcels.  

I think I'm going to have to start ordering these online because these were from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco (Read: expensive) and even though they get cool points for having more than the black and tan, the selection  rather paltry considering ; but it is a fabric store so I was excited that they had anything at all.

Anyone care to take a guess as to how many synonyms for small I used?

 

Lending a hand

With everything that is going on in Haiti it can be tough to know when, where and how to lend a hand (or a dollar).  Most people, myself included, need to take action while it's still at the forefront of our minds.   

I have donated a few items to Craft Hope for Haiti. This group has opened an Etsy shop to benefit Doctors without Borders efforts in Haiti.  Crafters can donate items to be sold and anyone can shop at the etsy shop. None of the money is being kept my the sellers (as a seller I can confirm this).

All types of crafters are donating their wares for this shop.  From hand made soap and knit hats, to calendars and children's clothes.  There should be something for everyone.

 

Shop update

I'm getting ready for spring

 

But in the mean time, I'm offering 15% off one full order to all Facebook fans now through March 19 (the last day of winter). Just put your facebook name in the note-to-seller section.

If you haven't become a fan of Simpletruths on Facebook, just go to my Simpletruths Fan Page and select 'Become a Fan.' It's that easy. 

If you're not into the social networking scene, no worries. You're here and that's what really matters (but you will be missing out on some Facebook-only promotions; but, no pressure).

    
A few of my favorite things from the shop

 
 

Resolute, resolve, resolutions

I am no stranger to "the resolution."

 

I resolve to do things better, different, or never again on a semi-regular basis; depending on whether or not I am feeling particularly resolute about one facet of my life or another. That said, I rarely make New Year's resolutions - although I do make plans.

  

I don't take anything away from the devout New Year's resolution makers - January first signifies, among other things, a new beginning, a new stage, and when better to act upon a newly discovered (or long standing) area of improvement.

I, however, try to find a new beginning to fit whatever my need may be at the time.

i.e. each meal is a new opportunity to make a health choice.  Each month is another chance to rethink the budget. Each Saturday afternoon is a great opening to call grandma, mom, aunts, uncles, friends -  you know the ones who left a voice mail weeks ago. And with a toddler there are seemingly infinite number of opportunities to improve my patience.   

 

Also,  there can been a lot of pressure surrounding a New Year's resolution.  Is it enough to resolve to floss each night?  If it were March first, sure, but on January first "I will floss" seems so mundane.  New Year's resolutions must be lofty, there should be magazine articles, talk show episodes and newspaper columns devoted to discussing their merits. Budgets need to be balanced, entire new organizational systems must be undertaken, food journals need to be diligently logged....

Am I saying all of this just to explain my lack of a New Year's resolution? 

No. 

I'm trying to each less sugar and I'm working on not feeling like I need to get every single thing done everyday - sometimes it's OK to just sit :)

 

 

The holidays: a reflection in food.

fish marinating

fish sizzling

 

brussels rinsed and ready

 

brussels roasted with garlic and lemon pepper

 

oooh cranberries lemons and a zester - what could that become

 

like my smiley face spoon :)

 

mmmmmm fresh cranberry and lemon scones

 

out of focus (but still delicious) sweet potato gnocchi with sauteed sage, and wilted spinach

 

 

Although these marshmallows are hand made, those hands didn't include anyone in my house.  We did however take much pride and joy in roasting them over our gas burning stovetop. Sitting around a camp fire we were not, but that didn't dampen our enjoyment one bit. 

 

 

not pictured:

Christmas Turkey and Paella

Lavender Infused Honey 

 Anise Infused Vodka

Limoncello (with Ginger)

pecan praline candies

cranberry upside down cake

so much fun, so much food.

 

 

 

 

 

Knitting - round and round and up and down

 

 

Then there's the button dilemma 

not quite

 

...I just don't know

A new year

What's not to love about a new beginning? So full of possibilities. 

Where will 2010 take you?