MARTHA MY DEAR

I can hardly contain my excitement! I just found out that two of my Valentine ideas are listed on Martha Stewart's website under Your Best Valentines - Yes, that's right - I said TWO - Woohoo! And the best part is that there are only 13 (actually 12) picked as the best ones - so that makes it even better - I've got 2 out of 12 listed! Wait, wait - there's even a link to my blog in the bead-knitted purse description!

Here are the two links to her site where my Valentine ideas are - Valentine Heart Lollipop Flower Basket and Have A Heart Bead-Knitted Purse.

Thanks for listening - I just had to tell someone!

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - I'm going to be having a Valentine giveaway - so check back soon and I'll let you know what it is going to be.

P.P.S. - Last year Frannie presented this bead-knitted purse to Martha when she visited Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, CT for a book signing.

GIRLFRIEND

Cupcakes and play date. What more could two girls ask for? You do know they planned those outfits. What you can't see are the identical pink corduroy jeans and pink jackets. Remember how much fun it was to dress just like your best friend? The shirts read: "Everything's Better With Sprinkles". How true!

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - Hello Kitty - Never leave home without her.

MASHED POTATO TIME

Last evening was the Science Fair at Frannie's school. Third grade is the first year that you actually make your own experiment. Frannie's was an experiment using potatoes. It had to do with OSMOSIS. If it's been a long time since you've been in third grade, click on the photo and you can refresh your memory regarding that topic. Anyway, here she is at her desk explaining the experiment. Mommy helped her glue on the letters, but the rest of the poster is all hers - too bad you can't see the drawings on the bottom. Those third graders are so smart!

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - Notice the doily? Frannie and I believe that even a science experiment should be presented tastefully. :)

I'VE GOT MY LOVE (AND MY SCARF) TO KEEP ME WARM

Just finished knitting this scrumptious yellow scarf for myself (I love yellow) and it's ready for blocking. It's a pattern called "Susan's Simply Sensational Lace Shawl & Scarf in Multiple Gauges" by Lynn Wilson Designs and it was a pleasure to knit. I purchased mine at Knitting Central. I knit this scarf with Plymouth Yarn, Encore, Knitting Worsted Weight, Gauge 5 sts = 1" on a US #8/Yardage 200 yds, 75% Acrylic and 25% Wool, Yellow #215, machine wash gentle cycle tumble dry. My scarf is 60" long and I used about 1-1/2 skeins. Very soft and cozy.

Here's a close-up of the pattern:

Basically, it's worked over a multiple of four stitches - knit 2, yo, k2tog - but it has a nice border on each end (which didn't make it into the photo). Her instructions include a multi-gauge chart for a scarf or a shawl. This would be lovely in almost any yarn you choose.

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - It's funny, but when I find a song, no matter how many versions there are of it, I almost always go with Frankie.

BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS

And yet, another bead-knitted change purse - this time in aqua with a silver-tone frame and butterfly charm.

Speaking of beads...

Look what I found today - these gorgeous pink silver-lined seed beads! I was at Braswell Galleries today (it's a gigantic warehouse and they have all kinds of vintage - you name it, they've got it) and there they were, just waiting for me. There is just enough to make another change purse. I'm thinking Valentine.

S.W.A.K.

CHEZ PARIS

Almost forgot to show you this one...

A Party Prevails
Bon Soir

S.W.A.K.

SUGAR TOWN

This cupcake assortment was the gift for teachers this Christmas. Frannie presented each one with their very own box so there was no need to share. There was gingerbread with cream cheese frosting topped with a gingerbread man, yellow with chocolate butter cream topped with a candy Santa, deep dark chocolate with vanilla butter cream topped with a red sour candy and a spearmint jelly leaf, deep dark chocolate topped with peppermint butter cream topped with chocolate sprinkles and a mini candy cane, and finally, the ever popular red velvet with cream cheese frosting topped with red/pink/white nonpareils. Of course, the plain old white bakery box was jazzed up a bit as well with a 2" wide, white ribbon with glittered aqua snowflakes and a red and white candy cane tucked inside the bow.

S.W.A.K.

NEEDLES AND PINS

Here's a teacup pincushion I made as one of my Christmas gifts. The cushion part is covered in bits of an old lace curtain. It is surrounded in a bed of ruffled crepe paper and nestled in a teacup. After gluing the cup and saucer together, I embellished the dish with a crepe paper rose, button heart, and beaded strawberry. I also adorned the top of the cushion with some decorated pins. One is a vintage pink button with rhinestones, the second one is a vintage mother-of-pearl button with an initial attached, and the third is simply a pearl-headed pin with an alphabet bead sandwiched between two pink beads and inserted into the handle of a silver-tone teacup charm. There are also a few pearl-headed pins randomly inserted into the lace.

Tea Anyone?

S.W.A.K.

WALKIN' THE DOG

Someone is learning to knit.

You'd learn to knit too if you had needles like these.

WOOF!

BTW - I couldn't decide which version of "Walkin' The Dog" I liked best, so I uploaded all my favorites.