Kate Creates

While I was gone...

2011-07-07T20:41:00.001-04:00

I celebrated my 28th birthday! We had homemade waffles, balsamic roasted strawberries and homemade juice made of apple, lime, ginger, carrot and beets!

I've started canning- making pickles and jams and butters and marmalades- oh my! My favorites so far have been a strawberry rhubarb butter and a key lime and ginger syrup!

My best friends mom rescued a baby squirrel from the side of the road. If you knew her, you wouldn't be surprised. She's a wonderful mother hen. I really, really love her.

There have been a ton of deer around our house. They aren't afraid of anything. I can go outside and have conversations with a group of them standing twenty feet away, and they just look at me like I'm crazy and go back to grazing.

I went to the Fiber Frolic- what do you think of my attempt to "frolic"? I really suck....

The landscape here on the coast of Maine is beautiful right now! The skies are blue, the leaves are green and the water still cold, but really lovely and clear!

Green. And Yellow.

2011-05-06T15:11:00.000-04:00

Traveled to New Hampshire (1 1/2 hour drive) last weekend, and was jealous of all the green the trees had on their branches. Five days later, and Maine has tiny leaves of its own. Hurray, spring!

The previous caretakers of the property were avid gardeners, and I have a feeling they loved daffodils as much as I do. I've had multiple vases of my favorite flower- they just keep blooming! Daffodils make me so happy!

Wordless Wednesday.

2011-05-04T15:42:00.000-04:00

Brace yourself...

2011-05-02T22:14:00.001-04:00

For photos of the cutest puppies ever. My dad took me to meet his future dog, Daisy, and her three sisters. They're four week old labrador retrievers, and I had one in my arms for the hour and a half that we spent with the pups. I couldn't get enough. I'm still thinking of that puppy smell, those round bodies and their loose puppy skin- those tiny sweet little ears!!

Weekending.

2011-05-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

weekending, my favorite part of the week. a time to relax, live, love, just to be. if you'd like to share your weekend either with words, photographs, or both, leave a link to a weekend post in the comments.
This weekend was...

Bright and sunshiny and the sky was blue with perfect white clouds.
Drank coffee until noon and ate a nice sandwich for breakfast.
Snuggled with Harold in a sun spot and realized
just how nice it must be to be a cat.

I freaked out on the house-
Bathrooms and washed dishes
Swept, vacuumed.
Laundry with ironing folding putting away.
I weeded the garden and cleaned the screened in porch.
All of it was much needed and felt great.

Roasted strawberries and enjoyed them over ice-cream.
It feels like spring is finally here.

How was your weekend?
Joining with Amanda.

Stop to smell the flowers.

2011-04-29T10:29:00.000-04:00

Harold is feeling much better and would like to thank you for your well wishes.

Happy Friday! Hope you're doing something lovely this weekend.

More gray. Missed opportunities.

2011-04-28T14:57:00.003-04:00

More gray and foggy weather. Lots of wind. I was outside taking pictures last night after work, when two dogs came running down our little dirt road. I ran home and left my camera on the trunk of my car, and set off with the dogs to find their home. I would have brought the camera with me, but I had taken the strap off and worried that one of the dogs would knock it out of my hands. Looking back, I so regret not taking the camera with me. There were so many great moments of happy wet dogs playing, and I failed to capture that. I came home and tore the house apart, looking for that damn camera strap.

"Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent."

2011-04-27T12:33:00.000-04:00

- Jim Jarmusch

My new mantra. I happened upon this blog post, and the post title struck a chord within me. I've had this inner struggle. About originality. And making something "new". And presenting something. And not being contrived. Or boring.

The truth is that I'm never going to say something new. Something that hasn't been said before. Or even presenting an idea in a better way. But that's not the point, is it?

It's easy to get caught up in statistics, and comments and traffic. Who hasn't blogged for other people, trying to get reader response? I know I'm thrilled when I get positive response for a post. And try post along those lines again.

But that's not necessarily the most genuine way to put yourself out there. I need to remember that.

Gray.

2011-04-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

It's been gray and damp today. I went for a walk. Everything was monochromatic. And beautiful. It's lovely to see things coming alive again.

I came upon a couple of Canada Geese, who weren't very happy to see me. They honked and honked and watched me very closely. I left them alone. I could hear them honking long after I walked away. I hope I get to see their babies.

A very Smitten weekend.

2011-04-25T21:48:00.001-04:00

We had a lovely little time. I go through these phases of reallly wanting to cook, to be creative in the kitchen. I think this is closely related to my "lady time", but I try not to think about it too much. Mostly, I think it has to do with my general love of food outweighing my laziness.

On Saturday morning I woke up bright and early and made a Breakfast Apple Granola Crisp, from my all time favorite food blog Smitten Kitchen. I think this recipe is the perfect combination of healthy oats and nuts to sweet and tart apples. Mister is always giving me shit, trying to get me to add more sugar. I like the contrast of a sweeter topping paired with a tart fruit.

On Sunday we had a small gathering of family and friends. We're not a religious bunch, but wanted to celebrate Springtime with the ones we love. I made the Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake from, you guessed it, Smitten Kitchen. I've made the cake a few times before, but this time I subbed the pineapple for apple. It was seriously amazing. And pretty! And easy! And most importantly, delicious.

The things we do.

2011-04-23T05:14:00.000-04:00

I'm so sorry for the recent silence! Things here have been pretty overwhelming, but are looking brighter. My sweet little cat Harold became really sick- when you picked him up he felt like a floppy noodle and he was sleeping all the time. He underwent a series of tests (it felt like all of the tests under the sun) that concluded that he is at the beginning stages of kidney failure. It sounds terrible, but with proper treatment he could live another two years with a good quality of life. Thank god.

He's now on blood pressure medication and we have to give him an IV of fluids every day. That's right, I'm giving my cat an IV. Every. Day. Let it be known that I am a really squeamish person. Every time the needle goes in or out of him, I shudder. Yuck. Every day it's getting easier, and I can see a difference in his coat and his general temperament since the treatment started. I was so worried that I was going to lose him! It just feels really good to know that he's not going anywhere for a while.

FO: Sweet Lil' Pot Holder.

2011-04-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

Pattern: Pot Holder from Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Lacy Crochet

Yarn: Size 10 cotton

Hook Size: 1.75mm

This potholder is the reason I bought my first crochet book. I had seen different versions of it on Ravelry for a potholder swap, and always thought it was the cutest little thing. The edge, how the gatherings go from fat to skinny, fat to skinny. It just pulls at my heartstrings! And the center bit! Oh, the center bit! I love the feel of the whole thing.

Sorry to say, although I still think this is ridiculously cute and I love love love the edging, this project was so boring. Terribly, terrible boring. The tan center is worked up twice, for a front and a back, and then hooked together with the edging. I felt like it would never end. Seriously. Never. I really had to focus on wanting a finished product- otherwise I would have dropped this like a hot-po-tater!

Usually I just put a project away if I'm not feeling it- I'm really happy that I stuck with it! Have you ever had a project that was dull as a doornail- but you just wanted the FO so bad that you slogged through it?

FO: Pineapple Lace Doily.

2011-04-09T17:18:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Size 10 Cotton Thread

Hook: Teeny 1.75 mm.

Pattern: Pineapple Lace Doily from Let's Knit Series Start Series

Proud. I am just so so proud. I never thought I would be able to make anything that looks like this doily! It's just so delicate and intricate and pretty pretty pretty! I just couldn't stop working on this project- from start to finish it was about four days. I'm not really a doily using kind of person, so I think I may frame the doilies separately and hang them all together in a group.

This pattern was written in Japanese- I just interpreted the chart. I was fine crocheting in circles- but then I had to work the points individually back and forth. I didn't understand what the chart was trying to tell me! I poured over that page and just couldn't figure it out! I put it away and slept on it. Luckily, when I woke up the next day I figured it out.

I'm really loving Japanese crochet pattern books. I have a couple on the way that specialize on more crochet lace- so excited! I just can't get enough of the hooky, holey goodness!

FO: Round Doily!

2011-04-05T16:01:00.001-04:00

I am so so so so so excited! This is my first crocheted FO that isn't Granny related, and I couldn't be more pleased! It's the Round Doily (creative name, huh?) from the Lacy Crochet book. I had such a wonderful time figuring out what the hell was going on. I get so into learning new things. Really, I'm just a huge nerd.

I think the most helpful thing about this books is the charts. Being able to see exactly where I was in the pattern helped me to progress through the rounds and to understand where the stitches went in relation to each other.To be honest I probably wouldn't have been able to make this without a physical representation written out in symbols. Learning is very visual for me. When someone tries to explain something to me with words, I kinda blank out and start thinking about something else. My little brain just shuts down for a bit.

The only thing I would change about this is the weight of the yarn. I bought my very first cotton while rushed, and I looked at the itty-bitty thread and thought "there's no way I'm working with something that small". I went home with a size 3 yarn (fingering), when I should have bought a thread. I didn't take into account that crochet works up differently than knit fabric. A fingering weight yarn that is crocheted is going to look a lot more bulky than when knit. I've already started my second doily, and it's using tiny thread. I'm already in love with doily number two.

Something Different.

2011-04-01T13:49:00.000-04:00

I know that day five of the Knit and Crochet Blog week is supposed to be in a different format, or an experimental something, but I've decided to throw that to the wind and show you a different kind of project I've been working on. I recently confessed to having and increasing interest in Crochet. Well, yesterday I received this book:

I haven't been able to put it down. Once I stopped drooling over the adorable pictures and dreaming about making every one of the projects right! this! second!, I settled on one and started hooking. Also, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to remove the term "Hooking" from an image of me in fishnet stockings on a street corner. NOT pretty.

This is my WIP of the Round Doily (rav Link). I'm so in love with what I'm making. I've discovered a few mistakes in the rounds below, and just ripped the work out to the mistake and started again. From my experiences with knitting lace, I know that one mistake can throw off the look of the whole piece. I really want my first piece of crochet lace to be beautiful.

I need to make another confession. This is my first time working with cotton. As a knitter, I had a passionate love affair with anything sheepy, but now I can understand that cotton has its merits, too. I'm just amazed at the lovely stitch definition and strength. The doily is looking quite sharp and I can't wait to block it!

It's in the bag...

2011-03-29T21:20:00.001-04:00

Something that I've always tried to maintain is a level of organization in my knitting toolbox. I hate it when I'm snuggled down in my knitting chair, and I need a pair of scissors, or a darning needle or a piece of waste yarn to hold thumb stitches of a mitten in progress. Here's my list of must have items.

1. The bag is tiny enough to fit in any project bag I have, so it can go with me wherever I'm knitting. I made it, which makes me feel super crafty.
2. Gauge tool, needle sizer and mini ruler.
3. Tape measure ( the cutest little peppermint that you ever did see!)
4. Scissors.
5. Chibi darning needles. I really love that they came with a little case. I would have lost these needles years ago if I didn't have it.
6. Stitch markers.
7. More stitch markers. I lose a lot of stitch markers.
8. Another pair of scissors. Just in case I lose the first pair.
9. Crochet hook for dropped stitches, or just for hooky goodness.
10. Waste yarn for holding stitches.
11. Mini cable needle, just in case my fingers get tired of cabling without a needle.
12. Row counter.
13. Two kinds of split stitch markers.

I hope you enjoyed a peek in my toolbox! What's in yours?

Skills, and an FO.

2011-03-29T10:21:00.001-04:00

Today I will come clean about my creative block. It's been going on for a while now. Take a deep breath, because you're about to hear a doozy-

Knitting doesn't do it for me anymore.

Gasp!

I know. It really sucks, and I hate it. But there's part of me that is just not into it anymore, the old passion isn't there. In the past year I don't think I've really learned anything more about knitting. I still love yarn, and woolly goodness and the act of making things, but the pointy sticks are less irresistible to me now.

I know that one can never learn everything in a particular field. But where I am right now, I feel as though I've learned what I want about knitting. Every new technique was attacked! Lace, mosaic, felting, colorwork, intarsia, entrelac, socks, mittens, sweaters, hats and scarves. There are tons of things that I haven't done, like knit a sweater in pieces and sew it up (eeek!) that I don't want to do.

I've been trying to work through what this means to me as a person. For years I've thought of myself as a Knitter with a capital K. It's been a large part of my identity. I take pride in the creative process and being part of a long line of knitters.

I don't really want you to call me the "C" word, but it has become more tempting to me lately. Crochet. About a year ago I took a crochet class, and although it was a two hour balls to the wall "Learn to Crochet NOW!" experience, I've had a really great time casually playing around with the stitches and experimenting with the craft.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trading in the needles for a hook. All I'm saying is that I have a wandering eye right now, and it feels good to look.

Pattern: Granny Bunting (Rav Link)

Yarn: Cascade 220 (the purple is from my stash)

Hook: 3.5 mm

I had so much fun making this silly little bunting. I really love the act of learning, of figuring out how to make a stitch, or turn at the end of a row. I love feeling a challenge, even though this is an entry level project.

I'm really happy where I am with my creative journey. It's been a long time since I've felt that spark, that adventurous "I need to make that now feeling". Hopefully, all I need is a short break from the needles, and it will give me the motivation that I need to be inspired by Knitting once again.

Tales.

2011-03-28T19:30:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in the Knit and Crochet Blog Week. Check it out!

I have a confession to make. I posted about my favorite yarn here when I first started blogging in August of 2009.

Dyer: Hello Yarn

Yarn: Fat Sock

Colorway: Vegetation

In the linked post I was saying something along the lines of "Yes oh yes! I'm definitely going to knit that up pronto! Right away! Soon!" I'm such a liar. Both 50 g skeins are still unwound, patiently waiting to be knit. I still feel like I might mess up the yarn if I knit with it. Maybe next year I'll get around to it.

But it's not just Hello Yarn yarn that I'm hoarding, I'm also holding onto bags and bags of spinning fiber. Yes, it's true. I was part of the Hello Yarn Fiber Club for a little under a year, and I still have not spun a single skein. I finally had to drop out- I couldn't justify spending the money if I wasn't working with the materials. Take a look at a sample of the colorways in my possession:

Fiber: Targhee

Colorway: Garland

Fiber: 85% Kid Mohair, 15% Nylon and 2% Fine Merino
Colorway: Loch

Fiber: 60% Superwas Merino, 30% Bamboo and 10% Nylon

Colorway: Grim

Isn't the fiber beautiful unspun? I know I should spin the fiber, and then knit with it, but it looks amazing just the way that it is! I think the last fiber, Grim, is my favorite. I really love how the bamboo picks up the dye differently, so that there are pale wisps throughout the fiber.

Pickled Radishes.

2011-03-22T13:31:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to keep busy the last few days. I've been cleaning the house, reading like a fiend, cooking and pickling. Radishes. And Good God are they good!

My Mister gave me Momofuku for my birthday last year, and I've been pouring over it and drooling all over the pages. Chang outlines a basic formula for making pickles, and basically says to go ahead a pickle what you want. Pears? Sure! Watermelon rind? Absolutely! I had a couple of bunches of radishes on hand and pickle them I did. And it was so simple, so shockingly easy.

These are refrigerator pickles, so they only keep for about three weeks, but I don't think that really matters. I know that you're supposed to wait for the full pickling effect to take place- but we just couldn't wait. The jar is empty.

Pickled Radishes
Adapted from Momofuku

2 bunches radishes
3/4 cup rice vinegar
4 T sugar
1 t salt

Wash radishes and remove the ends, and slice them into quarters. Place radishes in jar. In a small sauce pan heat the vinegar, sugar and salt. Swirl the sugar and salt until they dissolve. Pour vinegar mixture over the radishes and wait for the magic to happen. I waited overnight and they were quite picklicious.

Tidepooling.

2011-03-19T16:36:00.002-04:00

It was a balmy 43 degrees F today. Mister and I went to the ocean and walked the shoreline and talked about life and death and aging and immortality. It's talks like that that make me realize how lovely our relationship is, and how much I value his ideas and support. We explored tide pools and admired the colors and the life within.

When we first stepped on the beach I told my mister "I want to find a tiny sand dollar today".

I just finished reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, so the periwinkles were especially interesting. I never really thought I would call snails "interesting". But I just did.

2011-03-19T01:05:00.000-04:00

My Nanie died today. She had a stroke in her sleep and passed away early in the morning.

She had been sick for a while- Parkinson's disease robbed her of her memory and left her a sweet shell of the person she once was.

I am who I am because of her. She taught me to knit, cook and bake. She showed me that domestic things weren't to be disparaged, but done with pride a positive attitude. She was an avid reader her whole life and "didn't have much use for television".

When I was little I would spend the night and we would play games (she wouldn't let me win, which I loved) and she would make me popcorn in the air popper and she would drizzle LOTS of butter on the top and salt it really well and we would sit together and eat popcorn and play skip-bo.

I love and miss her.

Little things...

2011-03-13T13:19:00.000-04:00

...Making me happy.

~~My little potted Daffodil. The flowers haven't sprung from the earth here yet, but there's a little bit of spring in my $3.99 purchase.

~~Tea with a good friend. We went to Jacqueline's Tea Room and had the best time relaxing and eating and drinking amazing tea.

~~It was my bosses birthday this week. He got "Cock flavored soup". I have the best bosses in the world.

~~Loving The sound of a Wild Snail Eating so much I don't want it to end. I never knew snails could be so interesting! And she's a fellow Mainer!

~~I've been giving myself manicures and pedicures. I always thought that was a lame way to give yourself a boost of morale, but I totally get it now. Pretty nails make me feel like a lady.

~~I've been hooking again. I'm loving it this time. My goal is to make this.

~~Daylight savings time. Hallelujah.

Fantasies.

2011-03-05T16:44:00.000-05:00

I've been having the most amazingly vivid fantasies lately. I'm walking down the beach, the sun is shining and the breeze is cool and gentle and rustling in my ears. The light is reflecting on the ocean and playing with the waves. There are people enjoying the day, kids are building sandcastles and playing chicken on the edge of water and sand.

And here's where it gets very specific- I'm wearing summer clothes. I've found a lovely little bathing suit in case I feel like braving the cold ocean. There's a pretty small sundress with a tiny floral print. It skims my thighs and threatens to blow up, but I don't care because in my fantasy I'm not self conscious in the least. I'm wearing cute new sandals an have a satchel slung casually over my shoulder. I have my camera in hand, just waiting for the perfect shot to present itself.

I'm just filled with such longing for warmer weather. I've been online shopping, something I really never do. I'm looking a dresses and sandals and cute sun hats and sunglasses. I can't wait to just soak in the sun and feel the warmth and relax and enjoy all the summer has to offer.

What parts of summer are you fantasizing about?

There's hope!

2011-03-01T22:27:00.001-05:00

The trees are budding. The snow is melting. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds.

Slowly but surely, spring is on its way.

Are you seeing any signs of spring?

Chocolate Cupcake with Coconut.

2011-02-28T18:10:00.000-05:00

Some days, I feel guilty for eating my feelings.

Today, I just really, really needed a cupcake.