June 2006 Archives

What do you mean it's the last day of June? This month swept by so fast I'm still spinning in it's wake. Mostly due to the vacation, so I can't complain but I'm squeaking in Project Spectrum at the very end again. So here is this month's Sari Style in Blue - one of my favorites.

Blue June

This first sari is probably my favorite, or very close to it. The hand embroidery and embellishment is just amazing. Most of it is done with zari thread, which is actually spun gold or silver. This adds a surprising amount of weight and makes the georgette fabric drape beautifully.

I've had this shot on here before but it's one of my favorites of the wedding. This was taken during the large day-before ceremonies called Nalugu, which is a blessing for each the bride and groom. Usually this is done at the respective homes of each family but in our case we had one big one, first Mr. PieKnits then me. :)

And the modeling shot

This sari was also worn for more pre-wedding ceremonies in the home. In addition to the embroidery, it uses a really neat technique of resist dying called Bandhni. Tiny knots are made on the cloth in various designs creating a resist for the dye.

This last photo isn't a sari obviously but I love the blues so much I included it. It's another traditional type of outfit called a Salwar Kameez. I got this shopping in India with my MIL and SIL. Just the top (Kameez) part is shown, a long tunic like shirt that goes to the knees and has side slits. It is worn with loose pants underneath (Salwar) and a coordinating scarf (dupatta or chuni in Telugu).

Knitting Content

There is actual knitting going on too. I had been playing with several mini scarf ideas to use up the rest of the blue Blue Sky Alpaca Hand Dye leftover from the Newsboy cap. Alas, nothing was meant to be and have nothing blue to show after much ripping.
I have however, started a new hat from this lovely Beaufort pattern by Knititude. I'm using Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton in green. Yes I know, another green- I can't help it. Progress shots to be up soon along with an Amazing Lace entry.

The Caribbean was as utterly fantastic as one imagines and a very welcome break from reality. I even got a tan (well freckled really). Not so much knitting while I was away - did a bit on the drive but we kept busy! Coming home was very nice though as was plopping down in the knitting spot and relaxing after the travel. I banged out another Zombies Need Not Apply from my pattern in MagKnits for the Boy to cure the fiber withdrawal.

I will be incommunicado until the 25th- see you then!

Next Saturday, the 24th, will be our 1st anniversary. A year! I can hardly believe it. We've done and experienced so many things yet it's gone by so fast. I could too easily gush on and on, but no one really needs to hear that. :)

As I've mentioned we're going on a cruise next week to celebrate so I'm posting a little early. Looking over our photos, I came across some of the "crafty" elements I did for the ceremony.

These were our "favors" I made for our wedding in Hawaii. The woven Lauhala boxes are a traditional craft in Hawaii (and I later found out in India too). To carry our "international" theme I filled them half with Jordan Almonds (traditional American wedding sweet - my side) and the other half with a ladoo (traditional Indian wedding sweet - his side). Then I tied them with ribbon in our colors and the little tags I designed.

The menus I did in the matching fonts and colors. These were also carried through into the ceremony programs.

Like all brides, because I love my dress so much- a shot of one of my favorite parts. Those are all real buttons with loooots of tiny button loops. Thankfully I had my crochet hook with me!

A little weekend breakfast baking

I picked up the 1968 cookbook this recipe is from at a used book sale. Titled The Uncommon Cook Book, I was sufficiently intrigued to shell out the whole 80¢ for it. The few drops of almond extract I added to this give a subtle fragrant sweetness but this is completely optional.

No Scuffle Scones (with my mods)

• 1 cup flour


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• 2 tablespoons sugar


• 1/4 cup butter (scant)


• 1 egg (reserve a little of the egg white for the topping)


• 3 tablespoons milk


• 1 teaspoon vanilla


• few drops almond extract (optional)


• granulated sugar

Sift dry ingredients together and place in a bowl. Cut in the butter, then add egg, milk, vanilla, and almond extract and stir just until combined. I did this in my food processor. I <3 my food processor. Turn out on a floured surface and knead gently for a few seconds, then pat out 1/2 inch thick into a circle. Cut in 8 wedges, brush with a little egg white and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 425° F (after placing them on greased baking sheet) for about 12 to 15 minutes. Serve hot with butter and jam. I also like mine with some honey.

To prepare a head of time: These can be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated until time to bake. Remove from refrigerator, and then proceed as above.

Bleached shoes
Thanks for all the great advice and nice comments on the shoes! I'm going to pick up some RIT dye and fabric paint and do a little experimenting to see what works best. Also planning to buy another pair to do in gold/silver accents too. :)

Along with the scones and other assorted baking I whipped up a little doggie B-day cake. Yep, Aejaz turned 1 today so he got a special treat. I'll leave you with the puppy version of "1st birthday photo with icing on face."

So I had this idea awhile back. I picked up some black canvas shoes and a Bleach pen and thought I'd draw some designs on the shoes. For the most part I like them, there's just a little quirk.

It should be fairly obvious by the photo that they turned out different colors. I'm assuming this is because the shoes are actually from different dye lots? The one had a more reddish base. After I applied the bleach to the first one I even timed it so I could match it to the second one but they still turned out like this.
So I'd love to pick your brains for solutions. I had a thought of maybe overdying them with some kind of diluted red dye (like RIT)? For application was considering just brushing they dye solution on the uppers with a paint brush. Does anyone think that would work? I'm wide open to suggestions as I'd really like to wear these!

As a side note for anyone wanting to try this, it was really quick and easy. The bleach pen is rather gel like so you can have a lot of control but the fabric on these caused the bleach to bleed. You can see the second one's design is a slightly simplified version of the first to account for this. (Yeah, them not matching perfectly in that respect doesn't bother me.)

Introducing the Amazing Lace pieKnits team.
Working through the yarn overs we have Jennifer and her teammate, Fiddlesticks Peacock Feathers Shawl in Zephyr wool-silk.

This has been a partnership long in the making as they were introduced back in December. The teamwork did not officially start until now however. Until recently, most work had consisted of planning strategy and locations. Future destinations include Jamaica, Mexico and the Cayman Islands and have figured in lots of quality time together on the balcony of their cruise ship. The plan is also for 10 hours worth of knitable driving time during traveling to help keep them up with the pace of the other teams.
This team has already suffered a setback however after a seemingly flawless start. Progress will need to be ripped back to about the half-way point. We hope some reconciling time in the Caribbean will help improve their rapport.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments on Emelia and to those who have already purchased it! Now onto what everyone loves, a quick and easy Free pattern!

The Earthy Mouse Pad Wrist Pillow

Pattern blurb, for I am feeling out of any more words at the moment - hey it's Friday.

I love the feel of this clean, soft organic cotton and thought it'd make a really nice pillow, and so a pillow was made. This little wrist rest helps supports your wrist when using the computer mouse while surfing blogs, er, working and therefore helps ward off the bane of all knitters- carpal tunnel. (You remember your typing teacher scolding you for not holding your wrists up right? Same idea.) So work up a little pillow rest that's both ergo and eco friendly, and with less than one skein of very reasonably priced yarn, it's awfully economically friendly too!

Pattern Linky