Pocketfulla Posy

Winter Schedule for Knitting Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:09:00 +0000

If you're local to the Naperville, Illinois area come on over and learn to get your knit on (cast on, that is. Har har.)

Classes will be held as follows:

Starting the week of January 10, 2012 (each class lasts 5 weeks).

Beginning Children's classes (ages 7 through 13), Tuesday OR Thursday from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm
Intermediate Children's classes (ages 7 through 13), Tuesday OR Thursday from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm

Just to clarify, you don't have to come both days for the above classes, just pick one day per week to attend.

Beginning Adults classes (ages 14 and up), Tuesday from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm

Beginning Adults and Children combined classes, Saturday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am (Adults and children can attend together or separately.)

Intermediate Children's classes, Saturday from 11:00 am until Noon

Here's some information about individual classes:

For all classes being offered, just pick one day per week you'd like to attend, each week all classes within a level will be covering the same thing.

Beginning Children's 5-week class will be completing a cool, skinny, ribbed scarf, and costs $50.

You have the option to try out One Beginning Children's Class for $12, the cost of which can be applied to the full $50 price if you choose to continue.

Intermediate Children's 5-week class will be completing AH-mazing leg warmers, and costs $60. Please note that any kids taking Intermediate must be comfortable with: Cast-on, Knit Stitch, Purl Stitch and Binding-off, NO EXCEPTIONS PLEASE. :)

Again, feel free to try out One Intermediate Knitting Class for $15.

Beginning Adults 5-week class will be completing a lovely ribbed scarf with fringe, and costs $80.

A try-out for Adults is available for $20.
Adults who are beyond the basics are welcome at any of the above intermediate class times, but there is no adults-only intermediate class being offered at this time. The price would be the same.

When signing up for classes simply click on the links and add to your cart, then check out. That's all it takes to register. In the notes to seller, please include the day of the week you want to attend and an email address where I can send your pattern, supply list, and directions to my home/studio.

Thanks for your interest in taking classes with Posy Moe!

Choose a link from below:

Beginning Children's 5 Week Class $50
Beginning Children's Try-out Class $12
Intermediate Children's 5 Week Class $60
Intermediate Children's Try-out Class $15
Beginning Adult 5 Week Class $80
Beginning Adult Try-out Class $20

The next session begins: February 14, 2012

the passage of time.

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:59:00 +0000

February: I made gumbo for Mardi Gras with my friend Emily.

Can you imagine how yummy the house smelled as the gumbo pot simmered all the live long day?

So luscious, so spicy.

Made from a rich homemade stock that had simmered the whole day before.

The shrimp shells added to the stock at the last minute for extra richness. Mmmm.


I really wish the pics from the finished stew had turned out well. They didn't. But it looked very much like this pic from the website wizardrecipes.com . My recipe didn't come from that website, though. We use a family recipe. And we skip the okra.


March: Chloe had her first slumber party. A house full of girls hopped up on cake and lemonade. What a party!

Here they are, wiped out after mani-pedis, a movie, and a Zumba dance party.

April: It's Spring Handmade Open House time again, and I've been sewing like the busiest little bee. Easy Peasy skirts for girls and ladies.

All these super-cute, spring-y fabrics.

And some grosgrain ribbon bracelets for good measure. Next month? Me tending the garden and, I'm sure, more handmade stuff.

Yokoo's Portrait

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:37:00 +0000

I watched this Etsy Handmade Portrait about Yokoo again today and remembered how much I love it. Thought I'd share it here. It makes me feel her peace. Such profound peace.

Covering a Cool Capelet

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:25:00 +0000

This is Capelet with Buttons by Teva Durham. Doesn't it just look so stylish, cozy and chunky-luscious? I decided to cast on my own version of it today, so I'm very excited. The yarn I'm using is Bernat Roving in Lichen and size 19 needles. I'm thinking this will be a quick knit, so expect finished pics soon!

A lovely basketweave

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:31:00 +0000

I finished my hat! Here's the original photo I found on the Quince and Co. site. It caught my eye because of the unusual basketweave pattern and the demure slouch. Here's my version of it:

It was fun to make and knitted up quickly. I used Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn in the color Ice Cream. Mine is a little shorter than the original, so it's less slouchy. Hooray, warm ears for me! Thanks to Najah for modeling.

New Years, resolved.

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:15:00 +0000

My, my. It's been a while since I've been here on the blog and I really missed it. But so much has happened in the past month that I'm excited to share with you all.

School's in!

First off, Mike and I have made the decision to homeschool Chloe and Mae using a classical Christian curriculum. We're going to let Chloe finish first grade at the public school and start full time homeschool in the fall; so in the mean time I've been doing some remedial homeschool supplementation to make sure she's ready to jump in when the time comes. Here's what I've learned: I love to teach. For the past several weeks I've been giving knitting lessons as well, and I enjoy that also, but there is something very deeply satisfying about working with the girls and seeing them improve steadily. In regular school, Chloe was selected to be student of the week. Last night she worked on her written autobiography. My eyes actually filled with tears as I watched her sound out words and spell them almost perfectly as she wrote about her favorite foods, colors and books -- a skill that she did not possess a few short weeks ago. And I know I had a part in that. A big part.

Chloe and I have been studying ancient civilizations, doing grammar lessons, learning art appreciation, memorizing poems (Mae joins in on this), and working on reading and spelling skill enhancement, and we read, read, read. Mae is still preschool age, so we're basically just practicing letter sounds and early writing and counting skills. Chloe comes home from school, has a snack and relaxes a while, then we homeschool for about an hour, incorporating any homework she may have from regular school (which is infrequent). I'm so excited about the whole endeavor. We're using the classical curriculum designed by mother-daughter team Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, which I find to be very complete and easy to follow. There is also built in

flexibility which was important to us. I wanted to be able to pick the books we read and the extra-curricular supplementation materials. However, there are many good, complete classical curricula (Christian and non-Christian) out there ready to be pre-ordered for those who would like the majority of the footwork done for them. There are also many other kinds of curricula, besides classical, that families have great success in using. That being said, I highly recommend Susan Wise Bauer's book, The Well-Trained Mind to any parents considering homeschooling in the classical tradition. One website I found helpful in explaining the purpose and parts of the classical method is here.

Meanwhile, in the crafting world, my knitting classes are picking up momentum while at the same time, my shop is in a sort of stasis while I decide if there is room in my life for this sort of business. My full-time job is mothering and teaching, so this might not be the right time for a business that needs me full-time as well. I haven't the heart to shut down Posy Moe, it was such a labor of love and is, in effect, one of my babies as well. So its open for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes into vacation mode for a long while come spring.

Make no mistake, I am still knitting up a storm. I've completed a few sweaters and cowls for myself in the past few weeks. Unheard of! I had almost completely stopped knitting for myself and my own family. Sounds silly now, but it took so much of my time to meet the demands of my customers that my own poor husband couldn't get a new winter scarf from me to save his life. Well I've rectified that. My whole family is winter ready with lovingly made knits from their own mama, and I have some cute new woolens myself. Happiness. Here's my latest cast-on (as of this morning):

Ooooooooh!

It's by Quince and Co., a much loved by me website. So far 2011 has been a-okay. Though, winter could just go ahead and be over. I'm ready to start spring planting. And next fall, I will have preserves and pickles put up in my pantry. You heard it here first, folks. I'm expecting big things this year. Big Things!

Note: Loose Leaf tee shirt is by Artware Editions.

Dreary Winter Activity: Let's Just Think About Color, Shall We?

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:00:00 +0000

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Now, don't you feel better?

Jeeves, Draw Me a Bawth

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:04:00 +0000

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It's a snowy day here, and a hot bath just sounds soooooo good. The steam rising, the fragrant foam, the warmth just enveloping you and driving that chill out of your bones. Wonder how long I could soak before the younguns start banging on the door? Sigh. Well, a girl can dream can't she?

Shop Update

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:05:00 +0000

here

Here are some new items in my shop. A couple cozy and oh-my-so-very-cute stocking caps (modeled to perfection in the above pics), and some bet-your-granny-made-you-one-of-these-every-winter classic Pilgrim scarflettes. Hope you likey!

An Almost Wordless Wednesday: Swan Bones Theater

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:27:00 +0000

Fascinating and romantic art and jewelry with a Victorian vibe.

find them all here.

Shop Update. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:27:00 +0000

Uh, you're updating your shop, Angela? Well, well, well.

I know, I know. I have been remiss, dear readers, in keeping my shop stocked, but hope to make up for lost time with this new collection of hats and other goodies I have cooking up. Needle-felted coin purses, checkbook covers, maybe a mitten or two?

Thanks for staying with me during my hiatus from knitting. I promise to make it worth your while.

Also, special thanks to my friend Emily who is equally beautiful inside and out. She looks good in hats, doesn't she?

Kim E-M

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:00:00 +0000


Skyscape Quilt

Both my grandmother and great-aunt were quilters, a skill that went back to my great-grandmother and maybe even before that. I still have some of their quilts; tattered, worn and snuggle-y old dears. I, unfortunately, never mastered the skill. It's definitely something I intend to learn before my hands are too gnarled and arthritic, but for now I will have to satisfy myself with admiring the wonderful work of others. Like Kim Eicher Messmer, for instance. Kim is a Master in textiles and currently teaches at
Kansas City Art Institute. Her shop, kim e-m, contains a collection of beautifully designed quilts that I am currently coveting like crazy. Here's more of her work. Don't you want to learn how to quilt now? Come on, we'll take a class together.


Shibori Quilt with Hexagons

Shibori Quilt with Diamonds

Paint Chip Quilt in Blue

All images, via

You can find Kim's blog at: eichlermessmer.blogspot.com

Seaweed and Intoxication

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Dulaman is one of my favorite Celtic Woman songs. It's traditional Irish folk music (Dulaman means seaweed I'm told) and this version is performed by the lovely Méav Ní Mhaolchatha. I might be partial to her rendition because she shares a name with my daughter, Maeve, but even so I could shoulder-shimmy to this over and over. It's too bad that Méav's not with the group any more, her voice is enchanting. Both names, Méav and the anglicized version Maeve, mean "she who intoxicates", which figures because I'm completely smitten with this lady and my daughter as well.

Maeve: dancer, singer, blog banner model, intoxicant

Thinking More Autumnal Thoughts feat. Alice B. Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000


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It's as if autumn were candy. Alice B. Gardens on Etsy.

Time Passages

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

What a great place for collectors and makers. I just like to look at groupings of interesting little vintage doodads. All items and images via Time Passages.

Goat Cheese Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:52:00 +0000

photo by Marcus Nilsson

This goat cheese pizza is super yummy and, when done, looks very much like this photo I found on the internets. Secret: I add feta to help stretch the cheese (goat cheese ain't cheap, folks), but poor feta doesn't get title credit. Sorry, feta.

This serves 6-8 people.

2 1/2 c. sliced red seedless grapes
1 T. dried rosemary, chopped coarsely (you can use fresh, of course, but I only had dried)
3 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 package frozen thin-crust pizza dough (I use Pillsbury in the tube, and it's delicious. It's like an 11 oz. pkg)
4 oz pkg goat cheese
4 oz pkg crumbled feta

Preheat oven to 425 d F (or follow pizza dough suggestion).

1. In a bowl mix together the grapes, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and the rosemary.
2. On a cookie sheet, gently stretch out the pizza dough into a good sized rectangle.
3. Bake the pizza dough, by itself, for about 5 or 6 minutes, then take out.
4. While the dough is baking, mix together the two cheeses with a fork, trying to keep the mixture as crumbly as possible.
5. Scatter the grape mixture and the cheese all over the pizza crust. Drizzle the last tablespoon of olive oil all over the crust, feel free to use a little extra if the crust seems dry in spots, but don't over do it.
6. Place back in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes longer, until cheese begins to melt and the crust looks golden.

Bonjour Darlings, Five Dollars Goes A Long Way

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

There are many covetable things in the Five Dollar French Market. I'm seeing french lace, linen, and plenty of ooh la la, all for five dollars. Here's a preview for all you francophiles out there. C'est très romantique, no?

all images via

Wordless Wednesday: If Money Were No Object

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

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Get Your Spook On

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Well, Halloween is almost here. Scary, creepy, spooky and all that. If you have kids like I do and you want to wear something trick or treating that doesn't make you look like a complete imbecile, never fear, you ghoulish baby mamas, the talented and cool Joey and Dora of Akumu Ink have the handmade goods to hook us all up, and that includes our creepy little kids.

Horrifying and super-cool fact: Akumu is the Japanese word for nightmare.

Some of the images on their tee shirts, hoodies, and accessories for men and women are downright nightmarish. But not so much this one:

Alright now, this is just too stinkin' cute.

I'm pretty excited to have found these sickos and their awesome shop, which you can find here. You too can be a hip, holiday-appropriate mom NOT dressed as a sexy bar wench at your kid's 1st grade class party. Yay you! Here's more, be terrified.

All images via

Emerson Merrick's "The Mill"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

I fell in love with a set of photos on Flickr by Emerson Merrick. The set is called "The Mill" and consists of photos of a 1747 mill that was converted to a home in the 70's by Amy's grandfather. Here's a few of my favorites, enjoy.

All photos are courtesy of Emerson Merrick via here

Penny, The Little Brown Sparrow

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Here's some hauntingly beautiful photos taken by my pal, Penny of Sparrow Salvage, who was featured on Pocketfulla Posy here. What a sweetie, and what an artistic eye. Visit her shop here.

In Those Days

Three Wives


Bluebeard's Lament

all three via

Etsy: It's Better Than Willy Wonka's

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Have you see these "keeping it real" photos of the Etsy headquarters via Apartment Therapy? I love these.

all images via Apartment Therapy

Keep on keepin' on, Etsy.

Emily's Pumpkin Spice Muffins

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:23:00 +0000

Om nom nom.

I got this wonderful recipe for Pumpkin Spice Muffins from my dear pal, Emily. They are so moist and lovely and not too sweet. A great breakfast or snack.

This makes about 36 muffins

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I used muffin cups to line the tins, but you could just grease your tins if you like.

4 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 1/4 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 c. raisins (I leave these out, but go ahead if you like 'em)

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together until well blended. Then, in a separate bowl:

3 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
29 oz. can of pumpkin
3/4 c. vegetable oil

Blend the wet ingredients and then add them to the dry ingredients. Mix well. Spoon into muffin tins (fill each one about 3/4). Sprinkle with topping:

2 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes. We had them for breakfast with maple sausage links and orange slices. So. Good.

Showing Our Faces To the World: Blog Headers

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

I read a lot of blogs as, I suspect, most of you do. Having recently changed my own header, I've been keeping an extra keen eye on how other blog writers face the world. Just thought I'd share a sprinkling of my favorite headers in no particular order (honestly there are so many that I like, but these tickle me in a particularly nice way).

visit


visit


visit


visit

visit

If you have a blog, how did you come up with your header? Feel free to share a link so we all can have a look-see.

A Homey Wordless Wednesday and a Note to Self: Put Church Pew in Entryway

noreply@blogger.com (Angela) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:02:00 +0000

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