Feather and Fan Scarf

I have been on a mission to finish all of my knitting and craft projects, before starting anything new.



Tracy bought me this Adrienne Vittadini Fiora yarn 3 years ago. It became a hat...which I ripped out, and then I started this scarf. It sat in a bin for almost 2 years, and now it is finally completed.



Most of my knitting friends have huge stashes, and I love viewing theirs. (Especially since I've finally been invited to Ravelry!)

Personally though, I don't like to have too much yarn or fabric around waiting to be used. It makes me feel anxious. Thus, the exhilaration I feel to have this last project completed.

I think that deserves another cupcake from Grocery. In my opinion, they have the best cupcakes in Philadelphia. They're on 13th and Sansom.

Clapotis: Completed!

The Clapotis is done. Completed. Finished. Wrapped up. Done.

Elisa's Nest Tote

Ah, progress! I finished the second of two market bags I started in July.

This is my variation of Elisa's Nest Tote, a free pattern from the Purl Bee. I knit the bag the same, but crocheted the top and handles instead of doing a knitted i-cord. I attempted to do the i-cord, but gave up in favor of crochet. Perhaps the next one will adhere exactly to the pattern.

Here is my finished bag.

These bags stretch tremendously. I recommend making the length of the bag on the shorter side.

I also recommend putting some honeycrisp apples into your bag, and then taking them home and eating them!

Cookbook for Vic

Disclaimer: last bridal shower craft related post!

Olivia's idea was to create a cookbook for the bride, since she loves to bake. This was also a great way to include her friends and family who were not able to make it to the shower.



Everyone drew or painted pictures, and the results were gorgeous. Vic's dad even over-nighted his page to be included. Olivia did all the bookbinding. Amazing, right?! I've made books in the past, but do not have her patience...



The front of the book. Martha Stewa--er, Olivia, drilled holes into a wooden spoon after creating the cover. (Yes, she knows she needs a blog.) The book has a screw post binding, so pages can be added in easily.

This is my favorite recipe, my Grandma's recipe for Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake. It is the best cake ever, and I've never met anyone who didn't love it and want the recipe. Lucky for you, I've posted it here for you!



Carrot cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting from Martha Stewart, were found here.

Banana layer cake with either fudgy frosting or tangy vanilla frosting came from a book, The Weekend Baker, by Abby Dodge.

I made a collage in Picasa with other pages from guests. Who knew how useful that program was? I just realized I could email and send pictures to my blog. Sweet.

Did you notice that all of my recipes were dessert? Sweet tooth, anyone?

Bridal Shower Invites

As promised, here are the invitations I designed for my friend, Vic's bridal shower. I created the design, set up the gocco, and let Olivia print them up. (Hey, she wanted to learn!)

Here are conceptual sketches and practice, that did not make the final cut:

The final original design, and the finished invitation:

And a whole bunch of invites waiting to be mailed:

The whited out areas are to protect the innocent! We only made so many party favors. (wink!)

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

This is one of those recipes that everyone loves. It's super moist, the topping is crunchy, and it tastes better the next day room temperature. Or heated up in the microwave. Or in the morning as a little snack...

I credit my grandma with this recipe, but I'm not certain where it came from originally. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb. softened butter
• 3/4 cup sugar (and an additional 1/3 cup sugar for topping)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (reserve 4 oz. for topping)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9" x 13" pan.

2. In large bowl, cream butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream until fluffy.

3. In medium bowl, sift together (or mix thoroughly) flour, baking powder and baking soda.

4. On low speed, mix in flour mixture, and milk until ingredients are blended. Alternate between adding flour mixture and milk.

5. Fold in 8 oz. of chocolate chips to the batter. Pour batter into greased and floured pan.

6. In a separate bowl, mix 1 tsp. cinnamon with the remaining 4 oz. of chocolate chips. Add 1/3 cup of sugar to the mixture. (Add it after the cinnamon is dusted on the chips, because it tastes better that way...trust me!) Sprinkle the topping onto the batter evenly.

7. Bake the cake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out cleanly.

8. Eat, enjoy and share with your friends!

Well, what are you waiting for? Print this out and go make it already!

Baby Shower Thank You Cards

I've finally finished baby shower cards I designed for my friend, Nicole. She doesn't know what she's having, so I tried to make the colors unisex.

These were a lot of fun to make, and I think they're pretty adorable. I have about 15 extra cards, which I'm selling in my etsy shop here.



I learned to make a granny square finally, thanks to my friend, Clara. I always had a block against granny squares and crochet stitches, (besides the single crochet my grandma taught me at age six). Thanks to a lunch date and quick tutorial, I'm over the wall.



I must say, I'm usually not a granny square person, but have you seen the gorgeous hexagonal squares around? You should click this link, you'll be so inspired... I also checked out Simple Crochet by Erika Knight from the library. Her projects are very contemporary, simple and gorgeous.

For those who asked, I had a great time at my high school reunion. There were some people who I genuinely wanted to catch up with, and was pleased to hear about their lives. Here's one shot of Heather and myself, obviously not having any fun at all...



Enjoy the remaining hours of this beautiful weekend!

Eight Random Things

I didn't mean to have such a long blogging absence. I've been busy and decided to enjoy the last bit of summer. I also had to let Mike use the computer at night to work on teaching assignments, which is a worthy cause if you ask me!



In the meantime, I'm co-hosting a bridal shower for a friend this weekend. (More excuses for my absence!). Below are a preview of the invites. Let me tell you, they are tres cute.



I've also been knitting and crocheting a bit, but will show you that later too. I'll do the infamous Eight Random Things instead...

1. My Lolo Basa (Grandfather) was the first registered architect in Davao City, Philippines. He also raised 9 children by himself, after my Lola and Tita (Aunt) Alice died in a tragic plane crash. I didn't get to see him very often, but I always loved him so much. I've heard I get my artistic talents and love of reading from him. (sweet)

2. I was a springboard and platform diver from the age of 8 until 18. I can even do handstands on the platform!

3. I went skydiving once, but only because my mom wasn't home when I called to ask. It was very spur of the moment, and was unbelievably fun. Once is enough though, don't want to tempt the fates. Until I'm 78 -- when all bets are off!

4. I am glad I was dorky in middle school. If I didn't go through that rite of passage, I wouldn't be who I am now. Which is that person who talks to people in line at the grocery store. It makes life more fun, and the stories more interesting.

5. I used to pull up my dress as a little girl to play with my bellybutton. I did this at a school play, when I was the innkeeper's wife, and at my aunt's wedding when I was the flower girl. I was 3 though, and got over that stage!

6. I scar very easily. I get keloids, where your body doesn't know when to stop making scar tissue. It's more common in people who have more melanin in their skin. But I'm lucky, and don't have a scar from my old eyebrow ring (ha ha) or earrings. In a way, it's like I'm genetically superior, like Wolverine...

7. In 5th grade, a flasher was following around my friends and me at a public library. It was really creepy, but we reported it to the police and the guy was eventually arrested due to our report. We were really proud, after getting over having to say the word penis to the officer.

8. I am very fussy about socks. I used to change pairs of socks up to 3 times when I was a kid until they felt okay, and my Velcro shoes were comfortable. I also used to roll down my knee high socks when we went to the ballet. I still can't wear uncomfortable socks now. (Keep in mind, I wore only flip flops until I was about 18!)

Sorry about all of the run-on sentences and sentence fragments...and nobody is tagged, as I'm the only person in the world who has not done this one!