a week of favorites: day 5

i've loved gnomes ever since i was a lil' boy.

i have them hidden all over the house.

i even have a big one that lights up.

____________________________________

chantal goya - david le gnome

<3

knitxcore.

a week of favorites: day 4

tiny marshmallows! i could eat a whole bag.

i did actually, one day for lunch.

______________________________

stephanie dosen - it's only getting better.

(she's quite a fantastic knitter!)

<3

knitxcore.

my favorite book. 

this collection of short stories is quirky, original, childish (in the best way possible, i mean), and uncomfortable at times.  

if you pick it up, read "the swim team", first.

__________________________

me, you and everyone we know - fish scene

<3

knitxcore.

a week of favorite things: day 2

i still feel gross.  i've been walking around in a dayquil haze for 2 days now.

another one of my favorite things is roller skating.

it seems like no matter how much time passes, it's always 1975 at the roller rink.

when i was a kid, our parents would drop us off on friday night with $6, and for 2 hours a week it was bliss, it was xanadu!

simpler times, i guess?

----------------------------------------

olivia newton john & elo - xanadu

<3

knitxcore.

a week of favorite things.

i saw this @ meetmeatmikes, and after my post yesterday i thought i would join in.

old records. i love the the tiny imperfections of a well loved LP.

i like when they sound a little scratchy, and even when they skip a little.

they're like friendly little ghosts.

there's a thrift store nearby where you can get 20 for $2.

it's like buying someones memories at a penny candy store.

______________________________

nina simone - feelings.

nina simone is one of my favorites, too :-)

watch it!  you won't be disappointed.

<3

knitxcore.

snow.

it snowed all night last night.

i didn't have to work today, so it wasn't a huge deal.

i feel kinda sick, anyway.

i waited all day for the black apple update on etsy.

recently, i've become sort of obsessed with her art.

apparently, i can't tell time.

i missed the whole thing, except for one $700 original.

i don't have a spare $700 laying around anywhere.

i checked the couch cushions and in between the mattress and boxspring.

we're having lentils and sausages for dinner (from apples for jam), so maybe it'll turn my day around.  it's one of my faves from tessa's lovely book.

what's your favorite comfort food?

_______________________________________

chantal goya - ce matin, un lapin...

this is definitely another one of my favorite things.

<3

knitxcore

felicity.

love this hat.
pretty sure i'm gonna wear it everyday.

Pattern Particulars

Pattern Source: free ravelry download : felicity 
Needles: addi turbos 16" circular US size 8 and 9.
Materials: malabrigo worsted merino in glazed carrot.
Time: 2 hours?
loved: the fit!!!!
hated: nothing.

mods: i casted on 90, instead of 70 and started with 8's and switched to 9's.

________________________

it's a musical - lazy artist

(cutest video ever!)

<3

knitxcore.

old folks need glue.

valentine for charity. 

hand embroidered on linen.  

handmade envelope.

this took wayyyyy longer than it should have, but don't all the good FOs?  i was originally going to just embroider right on the cardstock, but i punked out at the last second.  i'm super in love with the envelope, too!  i just made it up as i went, and i came out perfect.  i didn't write anything inside b/c i hate cards that are already written out.  they're usually kinda cheesy, or just kinda sad.  

i keep drawing this lil' guy on everything. i love him :-)

SnailMail Valentines will be online @ Fredflare.com and in the brooklyn shop around the end of the month.
proceeds go to elder craftsmen. a NYC based organization that brings craft workshops to local senior citizens.

___________________________________

Of Montreal - Id Engager

i just can't get enough of them recently.

this is from their new album "skeletal lamping"

<3

knitxcore.

another gift for a co-worker.

based on the pattern from last minute gifts. i used seed stitch instead of the thermal pattern b/c i had to finish this quickly. the mushroom is needle felted on with lambs pride. the teapot is a vintage arnel, found on etsy.

it was kinda hard to give this one up. i almost gave them something else. i've been searching ebay to find another of the same teapot for myself.

i have so much to do today, and all that i've done so far is read blogs and watch kate bush videos on youtube. i'm such a slacker.

my to do list is jam packed today:

-vacuum

-mop

-bake bread for dinner tonight

-go grocery shopping

-put away xmas gifts

-do load of laundry

-make bed

-put away decorations

-take down tree

-fill up the fish tank...

it just keeps going. i haven't even got a shower yet. all i want to do is darn some socks and read a book. i guess if i can chug enough coffee, i'll get moving. maybe.

what do you do to get motivated?

-----------------------------------------

Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (i'm currently reading it, actually...)

i know this video is for accquired tastes,and 90% of people will hate it. i just can't get enough. she's soooo magical...

<3

knitxcore.

happy new year.

i resolve to:

1. excersize everyday; it's a good habit.

2. buy handmade or vintage in every situation possible.

3. stick to my schedule and to-do lists.

did you make resolutions this year?  what are they?

_______________________________________

ABBA - Happy New Year

<3

knitxcore.

i didn't feel like making cookies for all of my co-workers this year.

other people in the store already told me that they would be baking, and i didn't want to steal their thunder or overwhelm everyone with piles of baked goods.

i opted, instead, for mini-terrariums in canning jars.

i used pebbles and potting soil i had on hand and picked up jars from the grocery store.

the vintage deer and tree picks are from HeyYoYo's etsy shop.

i picked up a bag of moss (for frog terrariums) on ebay and VOILA!!!!  easy, unique gifts!

my only regret is not taking better pictures, but it was dark and rainy so those were the best i could do...

what handmade gifts did you give this year????

____________________________________________

Mama Cass Elliot　-　Make Your Own Kind Of Music

i just can't get enough 60's-70's music.

<3

knitxcore.

happychristmas.

pointy kitty.

another gift FINISHED. YAY!!!!

free wee wonderfuls download. 

vintage tweed from etsy seller MsLegacySews.  

the tweed kept pulling apart, but i just couldn't imagine it in any other fabric. it was worth the extra work. 

i'm almost finished all the handmade x-mas gifts.

----------------------------------

holiday entertaining special!!!!!

Charles Phoenix's Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree

<3

knitxcore.

MixTapE MonDAY: christmas edition

I. Sufjan Stevens - The Friendly Beasts

II. Saddle Creek Records - Little Drummer Boy

III. Sufjan Stevens - Get Behind Me, Santa!

IV. Bright Eyes - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

V. Bright Eyes - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

VI. Rilo Kiley - Christmas Cake

VII. Sufjan Stevens - Come On!  Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!

<3

knitxcore.

the owls are not what they seem.

gift number 2 = finished!

the owl transfer i used is from sublime stitching.  

the awesome faux bois hoop is from michaels.

it took about a week, but i didn't really a big block of time to just stitch away.

i'm pretty sure the recipient doesn't read my blog but he's really into twin peaks and "the owls are not what they seem" is a clue THE GIANT gives to Agent Cooper.  researching twin peaks got me sort of intrested in the show, i've only watched a handful of episodes though.  so don't give anything away in the comments :-)

so that leaves like 5 more gifts to make, at least.  

what are YOU working on??????

_______________________________________________

Hair (1979)- Good Morning, Starshine

i love to watch this clip as soon i get up, it makes me smile.

<3

knitxcore.

WIP Wednesday.

too many to even count.

hopefully everyone will recieve some sort of gift.

i may have overwhelmed myself just a little.

__________________________________

cat stevens - peace train.

(i watch this almost everyday.)

<3

knitxcore.

it's my birthday!!!!!! YAY!!!!

_______________________________________

The Sugarcubes - Birthday (English)

late to the party.

MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS.

it seems like everyone in blogland has already watched this movie or read the book.

i finally got a chance to watch it tonight.  it's was adorable and soooooo very nice to look at.  the whole movie could be a spread in french vogue.  i swear.  don't take my word for it, go watch it.

My family and other animals

<3

knitxcore.

if you want to sing out...

harold and maude is one of my favorite movies.

films just aren't as special anymore.

when was the last time a movie actually meant something to you?

any suggestions?

<3

knitxcore.

blank.

i'm trying to post everyday this month.

i wear this one hat everyday, and people always compliment it.  i made it out of cheap-o homespun years ago.  i always direct people to my shop if they say they like it.  but, i don't have any for sale.  i guess i should whip some up.

I'm waiting for the water to boil.  I'm making baked macaroni and cheese.

it rained all day, but i kinda like when it rains.  maybe b/c i'm a scorpio?

-----------------------------------

The Rifle by Alela Diane (official music video)

<3

knitxcore.

  

change that we can believe in.

mixtape monday.

whimsy

  (hwĭm'zē, wĭm'-) 

also whim·sey n., pl. -sies also -seys.

1. An odd or fanciful idea; a whim.
2. A quaint or fanciful quality: stories full of whimsy.

[Probably from whim-wham, fanciful object.]

playlist.

1. Vashti Bunyan - Glow Worms

2. Chantal Goya - Un Lapin (A Rabbit)

3. Butterfly Ball - Love is All

4. Joanna Newsom - Monkey & Bear

5. Theme from Amelie

[photo via Shorpy]

early x-mas.

i finished my first xmas gift!!!!  these are for dave's niece.

i embroidered a free pattern from wee wonderfuls on a piece of linen i had sitting in the fabric stash and used vintage tweed i found on etsy for the back.  i really need to take a picture of it, it's fantastic!

one down, ten to go...

who else is trying to stick to handmade gifts this year???

___________________________________________________

Little Self Centred Queen - Clare Bowditch

i wanna play musical chairs.

You, too, can own a piece of land.

i've been saving this jar for no reason.
the other day i saw this really green patch of moss on the side of the road
and knew i wanted to plant it somehow and keep it for myself.
I googled directions to make a terrarium and boom.done.
i have a portable piece of earth.




How I did it (which may not be the correct way):



1. Put glass marbles in the bottom for drainage. I used the kind you would put in a candlescape thingy.

2. (this is where you put the layer of spanish moss) I skipped that step.
3. Dump in a lil' potting soil.
4. Take a spade with you and dig up some moss on the way to work and put it in a ziplock bag.
5. Tamp down the moss onto the potting soil.
6. Find pretty things to decorate it. I used mushroom cupcake picks i bought on etsy quite a while ago.


i kinda love it.
----------------

Gin Wigmore - SOS
she added meh on myspace today. i love her.



<3
knitxcore.

cookies!

so, despite it being like 85 degrees outside today, i opted to bake some decidedly autumnal cookies.

i bought maple extract to make these maple walnut cookies months ago, and then completely forgot about it.  i was thumbing through "how to be a domestic goddess" and came across the recipe this afternoon and finally remembered it was in the back of the spice cabinet.

we're already in love with these cake-y lil' gems!

i don't want to post the recipe, and get sued or something.  you should probably just pick up the book anyway (even if it's only for the super tasty snickerdoodle recipe).

________________________________________

Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon

<3

knitxcore.

shop update.

knitxcore.etsy.com

this is really all i added.

i went to this irish festival thing today.  we saw a lot of folks selling rings.  later we saw irish dancers.  they keep their hands in lil' fists.  maybe it's so all the rings they bought earlier in the day don't fall off?

_____________________________________________

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy "Cursed Sleep"

<3

knitxcore.

yum.

Ummm... I haven't blogged in awhile, but I had to share this!

I came across it on theKitchn blog today, and just couldn't resist.  It seriously took less then 10 minutes and I got to use my awesome air popper.  Even though it looks delicious while warm, really let it cool!  My tongue is still a little burned. 

Peanut Butter Popcorn
makes about 8 cups

1/4 cup popcorn kernels
Vegetable oil 
Fine salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup sugar 
1/2 cup peanut butter (should be free of added sugar) 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Prepare a clean paper shopping bag or oversized mixing bowl. Heat a large heavy pan over medium heat and film the bottom with vegetable oil. Add the popcorn, shake to distribute, then put a lid on the pan. Leave a small crack for steam to escape. When the popcorn starts popping, shake vigorously to make sure the kernels pop evenly. When the popping slows, take the pan off the heat.

Pour the popcorn into the paper bag or bowl to cool, being careful to leave any unpopped kernels in the pan. Coated with peanut butter caramel, the unpopped kernels are a serious tooth hazard. Lightly salt the popcorn to taste.

Mix the honey and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for a couple minutes, then remove from the heat and add the peanut butter. Stir vigorously until all the peanut butter is melted, then mix in the vanilla.

Immediately pour the peanut butter caramel over the popcorn and stir with a long-handled wooden spoon until it's all coated. Once it's mixed you can put it in a serving bowl. Cover tightly after it's cooled.

---AustraliaCore---

JOSH PYKE: Lines On Palms

<3

knitxcore.

Mixtape Monday.

1.	Cat Stevens - Moonshadow 2. Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi 3. Gordon Lightfoot - Carefree Highway 4. Leonard Cohen - Famous Blue Raincoat 5. Bob Dylan - I'll Be Your Baby Tonight 6. Ani DiFranco - What If No One's Watching 7. Travelling Wiburys - Handle With Care <3 knitxcore.

MixTape MoNdAY!

1.Letters To Cleo - Here and Now
2.The Muffs - Kids In America    3.Jill Sobule - Supermodel   4.Save Ferris - Come On Eileen
5.Blues Traveler - Run-Around
6.Alana Davis - 32 Flavors

<3
knitxcore.