August 2007 Archives

A classic comfort snack.
This couldn't be truer in our home growing up. I can't count how many times my sister and I would pull out the always-on-hand staples for this to whip up a batch. These are so ridiculously easy to make and even more satisfying to eat. On the last trip home I has thoroughly bemused to see the ingredients still stocked in warehouse-sized quantity for my notoriously finicky-eater sister (hey- its protein right?).

Peanut Butter Balls
I've given this recipe not in exact measurements but in relative quantities for I think it ruins the spontaneity of whipping up a batch when having to mess with measures. Besides, slopping peanut butter and honey into measuring cups, then attempting to scoop it out and then clean them? Far more trouble than it's worth. So my low-tech method is eye-balling it in the bowl and this works just as tasty.

• 1 part creamy peanut butter
• 1 part non-fat dry milk
• 1/2 part honey
• sugar for rolling

Pour sugar into a small bowl for rolling the pb balls in. Pinch off about 1 teaspoon's worth of mixture and roll into ball in the palms of your hands. Drop into sugar and roll to coat. Place on a plate or waxed paper and put finished pieces in the fridge to chill for approx. 20 minutes.

Other options I've seen for rolling are crushed cornflakes, chopped walnuts, peanuts or pecans, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, or cocoa powder. I've never tried these though as I can't imagine using anything other than the classic granulated sugar. :) I have however, tried adding some Nutella (did you really need to ask?) but this makes the texture too soft and sticky to roll successfully. Of course, that doesn't mean it doesn't taste damn fine with a spoon.

I just had to give a little mention to the local knitting guild, The Dallas Hand Knitters Guild that I'm currently serving as VP of Education/Programs. I'm pretty excited about the programs I've got lined up and they've just been put up on the website here - www.dallashandknittersguild.com. So if you're a local check it out! We're focusing on "Cool and Unique techniques" this year covering things like steeking, beaded knitting, alterations, knitting backwards, crochet and a program on double knit by yours truly.

We'll also be doing an informal Knit-a-long for the Circumnavigated Cardigan that we focused on last year for those wanting to start or still working on it. You can see my version here. Oh, did I mention you get a discount at many local yarn shops- need I say more?

The transformation is finally complete. I have been anticipating it for so long- at last our new bedroom!

I love it so much, it's amazing what having a space that's yours does for your mood. It makes me happy every time I walk into the room.
It is an astonishing difference, especially if you could have seen the true "before". Dull default beige walls with some smatterings of unmatched dorm-like furniture, an uninspiring room for sure. Of course as usual I was too distracted by starting a new project to get a good before shot, but thought of it in time to snap this just before the first brush stroke went on.

Booooring

The wall color has been finished for a little while now, but the hold-up? My own artwork!

I think it's terribly funny that with all the art classes and design school I have never painted canvas before. In fact, I've barely painted at all as I'm more a drawer. But when I was hit with this idea I figured I could keep it simple enough to take a stab at it. I'm so surprisingly pleased they came out!
I had to do a bit of hunting to find some ready-made canvas that were square and large enough but these fit the bill perfectly (literally too- as they were on sale and really inexpensive). A few tubes of acrylic, a white paint pen (see what I said about keeping it simple) and I was ready to go. I didn't want a flat color and so I happily mixed my paints without too much precision so as to have visible paint strokes. I simply went for a general color in-between the accent shades I already had to tie them together for I dislike everything too matchy-matchy.

The room can be dark and cozy or if we open up the plantation shutters on the wall of windows it becomes bright and airy.

Right, onto the gratuitous photos...

Can I go back to bed now?

Check out what Stacy from Seattle sent me- photos of her finished double knit button band she did using the tutorial! She has graciously allowed me to share these photos of her cute baby sweater (convenient too, to distract from the lack of knitting photos myself *cough*).

This talented lady has only been knitting for 4 months and this was her first button band. I get all overly excited about people who just dive in and try stuff.

Thanks Stacey! I'm glad the tutorial worked for you!

Interesting little meme going around. It's amusing to me to note that spinning would've been in the last category previously, but worked it's way up the ranks with surprising speed.

4. Love it! This is my thing.
Knitting, baking, designing/pattern writing, graphic design (blogging, web design/development/multimedia), music, spinning (wheel and spindle- but very new!).

3. I do or have dabbled in it.
Calligraphy, cooking, crochet, cross-stitch, decorating, entertaining, felting, origami, painting or drawing, paper making (did it in college), pattern editing, photography (wish I knew more), sewing, writing.

2. I'll give it a try.
Appliqué, beading, book binding, dyeing, embroidery, flower arranging, gardening (I have high aspirations, but I really suck at it so far), macramé (the kitsch factor amuses me), millinery, mosaics, other crafts, shibori, soap making.

1. I've got absolutely no interest.
Basket weaving, candle making, card making, cartooning (can't do it), collage, balloon animal making, doll house making, etching, glass bead making, glass blowing, jewelry making, lace making (needle lace, cutwork), lucet, paper-mâché, pottery, quilting, rug hooking, scrapbooking, stamping, story telling/acting/stage work, straw marquetry, string art, stuffed toy making, tatting, weaving, wood carving.

So where do your interests lie?

I finally got a minute to simply wind the yarn I finished spinning some time back. That is rather pathetic isn't it? The only attention the wheel has been getting of late is longing looks as it sits idly in the corner. Pretty colors though, this is hand-dyed festival mystery wool. And because I apparently have a compulsion to have a plan for every skein in the house- I thought I'd try it out with "Molly's Headband" from Interweave Knits. Whenever I get a few spare knitting moments that is, heh.

I'm very excited about my most recent fiber acquisition however. Look what my sweet MIL brought me all the way from India- fresh cotton!

Mr. PieKnit's family grows it in India. Now I really need to get back on my by the wayside charkha project. (Damn where does the time go, seriously?) Ooh and try out my fast flyer for the Lendrum.

Where's squish-o-vision when you need it?

The design for Interweave Knits was sent off- a little peak shall we?

I can't wait to see it in the magazine. I really loved this project. It was physically difficult sending it out. It's off to a better place though *sniff*. But no time to mope- I get to start another design for Interweave Knits that was accepted for the Spring issue!