Green Velvet lined Chanel inspired purse

Green Velvet lined Chanel inspired Purse

I made this the weekend after doing the Hermes Bag. They are both prototypes and my intent is to make them over again and implement the changes I feel they need to make them really functional and easy.  This bag needs more work with the strap and quilting and I would like to redo the interior as well, All in all its a very nice purse to carry, no too large and roomy enough. 

Two Ultra Crispy Thin Crust Pizza - Cooked on Heated Cast Iron Pans

Why order out for Pizza when you can make the most delicious thin crust crispy Pizza right at home for around $4.50. I use a super hot oven and preheat the pans first which is the secret to really awesome crust!

Dough
3/4 cup warm water
1 Lg Tbsp. Maple Syrup
Tbsp Yeast 1/4 cup wine or beer
1 tsp. salt

3 cups flour

1 Tbsp Olive Oil (optional)

Combine water, maple syrup, wine, and yeast in large bowl. Wait a few minutes and then add flour and salt and mix throughly and if your mixer has a dough hook let it knead the dough for a few minutes. If not, knead the dough by hand. Place in bowl and let rest with a cover on it for at least 10-15 minutes and up to a couple of hours.

Meanwhile have your oven preheated to 420 degrees with the cast iron pans or pizza stones heating up in the oven while you prepare the crusts and toppings. The pans must be heated completely for best results. Cold pans equal soggy crust which is what you definately don't want for your pizza. I spent 20 years making it the wrong way and I could never really get my homemade pizza to be as good as take out until I learned to get pizza stones or cast irons pans and preheat them. I have Mario Batali pans and they are incredible!! A fantastic investment for your kitchen. In a pinch you can use cast iron frying pans.

Pat your dough out with your palm and fingers on a floured board or counter. I use very little oil but you can use a little oil on your hands and the dough if its too sticky to calm it down. One of my secrets is to roll the dough out with a rolling pin to get it ultra thin. When you have the dough rolled out to the right size. Quickly take out your 1st pan from the oven (being careful not to burn yourself)

Place your rolled out Pizza Dough quickly onto the very hot pan! Work Quickly. Put on your toppings of choice. On this particular pizza I am putting tomato sauce, mozzella cheese, sauted onions and mushrooms, and topped finally with grated parmesan. I have used all sorts of toppings from Lobster to Fresh Herb Pesto. Be Creative.

Sauce it, Layer of Mozzerella, Layer of Onions & Mushrooms, last Layer of Parmesan Cheese. Place it in the 420 oven and do the second pizza.

If you are doing 2 Pizzas and one of them has toppings and one is a plain cheese pizza, do the topping pizza first and the plain cheese pizza second because the plain cheese pizza cooks quicker than the topping pizza so then they will both be finished at the same time. After I placed the plain cheese pizza (above) in the oven, I turn the oven down to 400 degrees. Cook Pizza for 10-15 minutes - you may want to switch the pans midway through the cooking time. Put the top pizza on the bottom shelf in the oven and the bottom pizza on the top shelf so the top of one of the two pizzas doesn't get too over cooked or browned.

Carefully take both pizzas out of the oven and cut with a pizza wheel. Serve right away! Delicious!

Great for a Cold Winter's Day - Whole Wheat & Cornmeal Almond Sesame Crackers with Chicken Noodle Soup

I was inspired by the blog "A Hungrey Bear Can't Dance" and made these crackers with my own twist,

Whole Wheat and Cornmeal Almond Sesame Crackers

1 1/2 c. cornmeal

1 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour

Lots of Black Pepper

1 Teasp. salt

1/2 cup chopped raw almonds

4 Teasp. white sesame seeds

1/3 c. oilive oil

1/2-3/4 c. cold water

Mix everything together except water until you get a nice meal. Then ad water by sprinkles until just before the dough starts to ball up. Pat palmfulls of dough on countertop and roll with rolling pin until desired size and thickness (about 1/8th inch). Pick up off counter with metal spatula and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or use a silpat mat.  Makes about 20 depending on size. Cook for about 20-30 min. in 350 degree oven until golden brown.

Quick Chicken Noodle Soup - Great for a Cold Winter's Day

3 sliced carrots

1 sliced onion

5 stalks sliced celery

oilive oil

1 leftover cooked chicken breast

1/2 cup beer

1 quart chicken broth

2 c. water

3 large handfuls of egg noodles

chopped parsley

peas or other fresh green vegtable of choice

plenty of salt and pepper to taste - you can add fresh ginger or garlic for variation of taste

Saute the onions, carrots, and celery in  large pot. Do not cook to fast, medium heat for about 10 minutes. Add the beer and salt ans pepper. Then add cubed chicken, stir. Add chicken broth, water and bring to slow boil. Add egg noodles and cook 5 min, then add green vegtable and chopped parsley and cook for 5 more minutes or until noodles are el dente. Salt and Pepper if needed. Serve immediately!

Windchill Cozy Dinner - Turkey Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce, Baked Potato, Asparagus, Warm Italian Bread with Beautiful Avocado Carrot Salad - Cost: $3.00 for 2 people

Avocado .25, Chopped Almond .20, Cranberry .10, Grated Carrot .05, Red Leafed Lettuce .25, and Chopped Parsley .05 Salad = .90 for 2 people

Asparagus .50, Ground Turkey 1.25, Potato .25, Bread .75, 1 egg .10, 1 onion .15, breadcrumbs .05 = $2.05 for 2 people

My husband shops on Fridays at Haymarket in Boston on his way home from work. It is an outdoor market and today was a cold day so there were plenty of deals. It is about 20 degrees with the windchill factor outside here and the ocean wind is howling a bit around the house. We managed to have a beautiful dinner for two for around $3.00 tonight. Our live tree we bought for $12 is decorated with our treasured vintage ornaments and we have candles in every window in the house. So we are snuggling up for the Christmas Season in high style!

Windchill Turkey Meatloaf Dinner
1 lb ground turkey
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 chopped onion
1 stalk chopped celery
salt and pepper
tomatoe sauce for topping
mix all ingredients except tomato sauce in a bowl and then pat into a loaf ship in a baking pan. Top with tomato sauce and bake for 1 hour with scrubbed, poked Idaho Potatoes at 350 degrees (preheat your oven first).
While Meatloaf is cooking have a beer or glass of wine while you chop and grate lettuce, avocado, almonds, carrots, and sprinkle with dried cranberries.
Ten Minutes before Meatloaf is ready cook asparagus by steaming in a basket steamer or similar.
Put Italian Bread in oven to heat up.
When Asparagus is done - plate up your turkey meatloaf, baked potato, steamed asparagus, and Italian Bread. You can serve the Meatloaf with additional tomato sauce or even catsup.

Hermes Inspired Purse

This a knock off Herme Bag I made in Nov 09 with shoulder straps. I used a vintage vogue pattern I bought on Ebay V7982 I was inspired by the Hermes.com website which had a papercut out of thier famous Kelly Bag, I saw a photo online of a John Paul Gaultier re-designed Kelly Bag with long shoulder straps and was inspired to try my hand at a similar design as I felt it would be extremely practical for me. It will hold my shawl/hat/gloves/,camera, files, wallet, notepad, makeup, comb, and phone easily! It is a dream to carry and very comfortable. I put feet on the bottom and reinforced the bag with a stiff plastic lining so it sits up straight when you place it on a table. I used a magnetic clasp and a buckle bought at buckleguy.com.  Since this is a prototype, I have more ideas on how to improve the design when I make it a second time around. The straps are reinforced with inner cording and the purse is lined in black satin.

Maroon Knit Long Sleeve Winter Yoga Tee/Tunic

This is a Maroon Knit Long Sleeve Winter Yoga Tee / Tunic made with the same Christine Jonson Travel One Pattern http://www.cjpatterns.com/ as the Green Tee below. It is made extra large and comfy and to wear with the Raspberry Beret and Scarf. I bought the material on ebay last year and made the Tunic in Oct 09 after I finished the Raspberry Beret and Scarf. Great for weekends and Yoga.

Photo of the set together

"Woods by the Sea" Long Sleeve Tee & Black Yoga/Travel Pant

This long sleeve t-shirt was made in Viscose Lycra so it is super light and dries superfast on the cloths line. It is perfect for travel and packs like a dream. I made it this summer from a Christine Jonson Pattern called Travel Trio One and this was the "Banded Neck Tee". I also bought the fabric for both the Tee and the Yoga Pant.from Christine Jonson on her website cjpatterns.com. The pant was a thicker and softer polyester type fabric but heavy and light all at the same time. Quick drying but durable for stretching and moving. I have made several of her patterns and they are easy, versatile, and intuitive to put together. The patterns are written for a serger but I just use a zigzag on an old Viking Sewing Machine and it works fine. The Travel Trio One Pattern also has a comfortable pant which is possible the most comfortable yoga type pant I have ever worn and with Christine's sizing system chart, you plug in your measurements, gauge the fabric stretch and voila you have the perfect fit. The pant also have a center leg seam which is very good looking. I have posted the picture of the outside of the pattern below. I have yet to make the jacket but it is on my list of to do's someday!

Garden Green Bamboo and Wool Socks

These Bamboo and Wool Socks were inspired by my early summer herb garden. The color of thyme, oregano, mint, and the earthiness of the soil combine to remind me of the comming of summer and the greening of the garden. They are 1/2 bamboo and 1/2 wool and it was the first time I have worked in bamboo which is a beautiful fiber and it is said that they have antifungus properties so are especially good for socks. I plan to wear these socks with my clogs this winter as I putter about the house and yard. I washed them and they do well in cold water only. Warm water may shrink them. They were knit on size 7 double pointed needles with Bamboo Zania purchsed on ebay. I used the Boot Socks Free Pattern from Lionsbrand.com . They have a nice feeling like a soft cotten and although the fingerling weight is a trial if you knit one strand alone, I opted for the double strand on larger needles and it was quite successful. I still have 7 skeins of this and I am thinking to knit a summer weight shawl or sweater with it next.

Layers of Shale Socks

These socks were knit last summer 2009 on size 7 double pointed needles holding together 2 separate yarns. #1 yarn was SRK On Your Toes 4ply sock yarn with aloe vera 75% superwash wool and 25% Nylon  AND Supersocke 100 which is also 75% wool and 25% nylon and also had aloe vera in it. This wool is machine washable and dryable so very practical.  I used a Free Knitting Pattern I got on Lionsbrand.com called "Boot Socks". They were very quick and easy to make and very cozy and comfy to wear. I plan on using them for skating and walking the dogs this winter or keeping my feet warm when I do early morning meditation.  They remind me of layers of shale sedimentary rock which formed rivers amongst the granite here on Cape Ann. They were part of an ancient volcano coming from deep within the earth crust. You see these rock formations along rocks outcroppings at beaches near my home and I am inspired by the energies of the shale. Multi-layered with various colorings to the different layers and then weathered by thousands and thousands of years of ocean water crashing on it and wearing it down. Sort of a metaphor for what life does to us sometimes! Anyway my hope is that when wearing them, I will feel the strength from deep within the earth and its grounding and settling vibrations.

Granite Boulder Meditation Shawl

This was a recent project made with some incredible recycled sari yarn I bought on ebay last summer. I knit it in a simple garter stitch on size 35 wooden needles I bought at Coveted yarn. It was quick, fun, and easy. I love the warmth of using it for meditation. It reminds me of the strength of granite boulders and rocks that litter the ocean shore near where I live. When I am wrapped in it, I feel I have the strength of a granite mountain or boulder.

28 Bead Rudraksha Wrist Bracelet - Prayer Bead Mala

Rudraksha Wrist Mala
Prayer Bead Bracelet with Heart Clasp
This is an example of the most popular Rudraksha prayer beads I make and sell. I have been making these for about 20 years. They can be worn around the wrist but then taken off and they make a circle in which to say your mantras or prayers. The bead that hangs down is where you stop the prayers and remember your teacher. The bracelet become imbued with Auspicious Energy from your prayers and many yogis and other worldwide believe that the energy is protective and healing. I have sold these via Amazon.com to people in every country on every continent. I make them on silver or gold but I believe that silver is currently the most popular but in the 1990's I think gold was the 1st choice . I use a method called  "Indian Wrapped" and I match them with meticulous precision. I use the finest quality rudraksha beads available and highest attention to detail. Pearl accent and sterling silver heart toggle clasp. Repeating your prayer or mantra on the Rudraksha carries the vibrations of the devine. It calms the busy mind and by repeating your prayers in this way, you replace unncessary thoughts with the power of your prayer. This creats a strong inner prana that is beyond your body, your four senses, your psychic instruments, ego, and thoughts. The Rudraksha Bead is from a tree growing in Nepal, Tibet, India, Indonesia, Malasia, and Australia. The outside of the fruit is an iridescent blue. Spiritual Seekers, Richis, Yogis, and Everyday people have honored and worn the Rudraksha since time immemorial because of the special energies of this subtly vibrational bead. It is said that it strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, protects the wearer, attracts positive spiritual vibrations, and holds the energy of a mantra that is repeated upon this bead. The Matrika of spiritual energy of the prayer or mantra is infused into the subtle spiritual layers of a person who uses it. The Sterling Silver wraps around each sacred bead increase the vibrational energy and align the wearer on all levels, spiritual, mental, and physical.

5mm Rudraksha Prayer Beads

I have been making these prayer beads since the mid-1980's. The are made out of Rudraksha Seeds which grown in India, Nepal, and Indonesia. These particular beads are from Nepal. They are considered sacred by the Yogis in India and other places and are greatly revered. many wear them to help align the subtle meditative energies of the body as they hold the "shakti" or energy of meditation and are therefore very purifying and healing. There is a pearl accent on these beads which is a little piece of the ocean so any prayers or mantras that are said on this mala or necklace are repeated by the oceanic vibration of the pearl. These are done in what is known as Indian Wrap on Sterling Silver. It is a method whereby each seed or bead is individually wrapped and chain linked in silver. In very old Scriptures called the Shiva Puranas which are thousands of years old and written in sanscrit mention the positive and constructive qualities of Rudraksha and it is said that one prayer or mantra said on a Rudraksha Bead is worth 10 million prayers said without it. I learned to make these beads in a meditation ashram I used to go to for many years and it was my selfless service. I still make them and sell them on Amazon.com. I also repair most types of malas, prayer beads, and rosaries. I also make the Catholic Rosary, Buddhist Rosaries, Vedic Astrological 9 planet necklaces and bracelets. This is a picture of a Neck Mala worn around the neck but I also make wrist mala bracelets which are also very popular  and I sell the most of them on Amazon.com. I have taught a few people to do this work and most notably my daughter Avery who has become a jeweler and jewelry artist. Sometimes she helps me with my prayer bead work now if I get a lot of orders.

Red Feather and Fan Scarf to match Raspberry Beret

Red Feather and Fan Scarf
to match Raspberry Beret
I made this scarf with the Feather & Fan lace pattern to match the Raspberry Beret I made in another project. I actually improvised the stitches using Lionsbrand Cranberry Wool-Ease (acryilic & wool so it is washable and dryerable) worsted weight available on www.lionsbrand.com using 2 skeins.



Cast on to # 6 needles 52 stitches

Border is 8 rows Garter Stitch


Feather & Fan

Row1: (RS) K2, K20, P1, K2, YO, K2tog, K2, P1, K20

Row2: K2, P18, K1, P6, K1, P18, K2

Row3: K2, K2 tog 3X, YO K1 6X, K2tog 3X, P1, K2, K2tog, YO, K2, P1, K2tog 3X, YO K1 6X, K2 tog 3X, K2

Row 4: K21, P6, K21

Garter Stitch 8 rows and then repeat Feather and Fan Pattern (alternating Garter and Feather & Fan)

until desired length. End with 8 rows of Garter Stitch.

Raspberry Beret

Raspberry Beret
A Kathleen Valentine Pattern available for Free
from "Knit Your Tail Off" and library.ravelry.com

This was a fun project and the finished hat is extremely comfortable, cozy, and flattering.

I used 1 skein of Lionbrand's Cranberry WOOL-EASE worsted weight available at www.lionsbrand.com It is a soft blend of acrilic and wool so it is machine washable. For needles, I used a 16" size 2 circular needle, a #6 16" circular and #6 double pointed needles

Wave Scarf Shawl

Wave Scarf Shawl




Lacey Scarfy Shawl Piece done in Louise Harding Yarn. The Yarn is called "Grace" and it is 50% silk and 50% wool. It is very soft. I am trying to learn a few more lace stitches and this was pulled together using an improvised pattern. Inspired by ocean waves coming ashore.

 cast on 66 stiches with size 10 needles

Lace Rib:

Row 1 (RS) K1, *YO, K2tog, P1, K1; rep from *

Row 2 P1, *YO, P2 tog, K1, P1; rep from *
Repeat this pattern 5 times

Feather and Fan Wave Pattern:

Row 1 (RS) K28, P1, K2, YO, K2tog, K2, P1, K28

Row 2 K10, P18, K1, P6, K1, P18, K10

Row 3 K10, K2tog 3X, YO,K1 6X, K2tog 3X, P1,K2, K2tog, YO, K1, K2tog 3X, YO, K1 6X, K2tog 3X, K10

Row 4 K28,P1, K6, P1, K28

Knit 10 rows Garter Stitch
Each row a straight row of knitting

Repeat the Lace Rib, Feather and Fan Wave Pattern, and Garter Stitch Patter until reaching desired length of scarf. This creates a beautiful lacey ripple effect like wearing a scarf of ocean currents.