A few months ago, I started meeting a friend at a local coffee shop with a knitting group. It was nice to start routinely going out again, even if just for an afternoon once a week. Since I didn’t knit, and really had no interest in starting.. I mean, I’d tried several years ago, and though I love the look, I determined it was just too complicated for me to bother with.

Instead, I took other projects along. One day I cut out patterns for doll clothes, or tiny stuffed animals for doll toys – these were for my ball-joint dolls I’ve been collecting. I took some wool roving, felting needle and piece of foam to play with another day. Still another day, I took pieces of long fur material, the size of a note card and made little wigs for my dolls. I could have taken a crochet project, but really hadn’t been in the mood to crochet yet another scarf. Scarves and wash clothes seemed about all I had ever really made.

One day, another knitter brought a sweater she was knitting for her nephew (I think it was). It was a natural color, like a sandy, natural off-white, brownish color (yeah, I’m sure there is a name for it, but I’m totally drawing a blank on it. On the front, she’s knitted (or maybe it’s cabled) 3 owls. It was adorable, and I could so envision making something similar for my granddaughter. I was in awe… and told the ladies that was the project that was going to make me want to knit. I wasn’t kidding.

I went home and over the next week, I bought small circular knitting needles, went through all the patterns on ravelry, and settled on a dress for my dolls. Over the coming couple of weeks, I made two dresses, and a few others that were ok, but not my favorites.

I then found a pattern for a shawl. I thought that’d be wonderful. Many times the coffee shop we meet at is chilly in the evenings, other times, I run in the grocery in shorts and a tank top, only to come out shivering and numb because the grocery is just so cold. A shawl kept in my bag would be perfect.

I started with a pattern that was simple for me to understand, and was so easy it makes for a good group project – in that I can knit this pattern, while I chat and not worry too much about mistakes. It’s called the One-Skein Shawl – find it on ravelry.com, or knittersreview.com.

After knitting the body, I was ready to do the border. Here I got stumped. Today, I finally figured it out – not that I did on my own by any means, but the people on the ravelry forum were great at helping me out. It took them figuring out my thinking, rather than the pattern, though.

I wrote an email to a friend giving her an update. Rather than rewrite it here.. I’ll just share the email. I hope you get a good chuckle from my confusion.

I thought I’d update you on my issues with the shawl border.

In the pattern when I got to the amount of stitches I was suppose to have on the needle, it said that it was now time to add the border to the bottom. This didn’t make any sense to me, since I was working from the bottom up… to me, it meant adding border to the top, which I didn’t want.

I went to the pattern’s [forum] page on ravelry, and asked about it. I got two responses that told me yes, the pattern was correct and to just keep going and I’d be fine. Still not understanding the why’s of this, I decided I’d run over to FiberWorks [local yarn store, LYS] last night. Since they were open until 830 and I’d have the opportunity to go ~ Bob [hubby] would be home in plenty of time. And, I thought, I’d pick up yarn for a couple more shawls. If they go really fast, I’ll give them as gifts right away, if I run slower on them, they’ll be gifts for the holidays. I also figured I’d take my work, the pattern and ask for help there.

I showed them my LittleFee bjd doll – the one I’d named Darla – but changed to Agnes (a nostalgic name from childhood. I kept getting little whispers in my thoughts that this needed to be her name). They oohed and ahhed and told me I did a good job.. (btw, another customer came in at the end of my talk with “forgethername”, and she ooh’d and ahh’d over my doll and the dresses, lol).

I showed her the pattern, my work, etc. And she agreed with me that it didn’t make any sense. Now, in my favor, I don’t think she’d made shawls before, as I think if she had, she’d have caught my mistake right away. That said, I gave her misinformation and based on my misinformation, she wouldn’t have been able to figure it out. I was frustrated, disappointed, but at the same time, i still felt good. I wasn’t giving up the project. I wasn’t going to just “wrap it up” as it was.. I was determined to figure it out. Which really did feel good (but you can understand my frustration at what felt like deadends). I really needed someone to explain, exactly what was going on.. did I need to pick up stitches, bind off and then back on.. what?

Have you guessed my mistake? It’s so simple, and really, I knew it was. The whole pattern up til this point had been so simple. A quick pattern you could easily whip out in a weekend of dedicated knitting… so why was this last part causing me to hang up so much. And I knew once I knew the answer, it would be a “smack forehead” moment.

It truly was.

I had posted on the forum for the shawl, but since the replies there hadn’t helped me, I went to Fibers of Dayton (is that right?) and asked there too. One lady took the time to reply back and forth with me a few times, trying to figure out where this pattern was situated in my brain, and why I was seeing it so different than everyone else. While we went back and forth a few times throughout the day, I remembered I’d posted on the other forum – I must not have it set up to notify me via email, so it’s easy to forget, and I had to figure out my way back to my posts… anyway, I must have told them there what I was doing and that I didn’t want the border across the top, but along the bottom… and it clicked with them just what I was doing wrong.

Actually, nothing wrong. I was just thinking upside down. I thought since I was increasing with each row, that I was knitting bottom to top – like an upside down triangle, point to width. In actuality, it is worked top down. So the point or tip that I thought was so flat, was really the center of the top. And the border I needed to add really was to the bottom of the shawl, the part on my needles.

So flippin’ simple.

In my defense, this is only the second real project I’ve done.. and I only really started knitting a couple months ago. And the only real instruction I’ve had the whole way, was watching YouTube videos. So, I’m pretty proud of myself.

I will share pictures soon, of the shawl, almost ready to come off the needles, before and after blocking, and of Agnes too.

Cayla Kluver is my newest favorite author. I had downloaded Legacy: AmazonEncore Edition, but only just got around to reading it. Ms. Kluver is another young author, having written the rough draft for Legacy when during her sophomore year in high school. She then combined her junior and senior years to graduate early.

Legacy is set in the times of Kings, Queens and castles, in the Kingdom of Hytanica; it’s a love story, a story of growing up and mystery. Alera is the eldest daughter and will become queen on her 18th birthday. But she must find a husband suitable to be king – and that is the hard part. Only one man fits the crown as far as Alera’s father, the current king, is concerned. And this man, Steldor, while in love with Alera, seems egotistical and rude in Alera’s opinion. It doesn’t help matters that Alera finds her heart falling for Cokyri raised Narian; a year younger, and questionable allegiance, he is an unsuitable match for Alera, so says the King.

A war, sixteen years earlier, between their kingdom and neighboring kingdom of Cokyri resulting in 49 infant sons being stolen from Hytanica… and 48 bodies being returned. The return of the bodies was the abrupt ending of the battle from Cokyri.

A new battle begins.

I am already anxiously awaiting Allegiance. Since I finished Legacy and wondered when Allegiance would be out, I looked Cayla Kluver up on google. Found her website Cayla Kluver Official – and from there followed the link to her blog. Check her out before the end of July – as she’s got a $40 gift certificate to give away from CSN stores. She’s got links her her blog, so check it out.

FOR SALE OR TRADE:
Bobobie / ResinSoul Mei

I’m just going to laugh over this experience.  But I am just not “into” this size of a doll.  She’s lovely, so slender and dainty.  And I knew going in that posing would be limited.. I’m going to rehome her because I just want smaller dolls.  I had this vision, when first starting the journey into bjds, that I’d take a doll or a few with me when I went out to eat, or to the book store. I love taking pics of food and drinks when we go out to eat, or we’re just sitting around the table waiting, so I envisioned taking dolls with me and making them a part of things this way.  My boys enjoy the dolls too (very gentle though).

I thought before I ordered her that size might be an issue. I just didn’t realize I’d be so disappointed so quickly.

I’d like to sell her, or, even better, I’d be will to trade for a puki-puki or puki-fee – willing to discuss and price differences if interested in trades.

Anyway, pictures are at my flickr. I have the box and padded bag she arrived in.  She has been body blushed – only what you see in the pics and slightly enhanced face-up.  Eyelashes have been trimmed since the pics were taken.  I do have some 3.0 mm elastic on order and would be happy to include some for re-stringing her if you’d like. I also have glib acrylic eyes (in transit to me now) in aurora green sz 16mm and will include those.  She has been hot glue sueded and pipe cleaners are in each of her arms and legs (easy to remove though)

I’m asking $165 SOLD (US) which is just what she cost me, not including shipping (and my price is not including shipping).

I have made a few articles of clothing for her using patterns from gracefaerie – 2 dresses, a petticoat, and bloomers, which I’d consider selling with the doll and in addition to her cost (otherwise, I will keep).  She’s wearing a Leekeworld wig (Kosha $28.00 sz 6/7, Goldenrod) will sell for $25 with the doll (otherwise, I will keep).

Have you ever wondered how easy it would be to make your own homemade liquid laundry soap? This recipe is not only easy, the cost is less than a few dollars per batch and each batch makes enough for 110 loads of laundry.

This liquid laundry soap works Great for High Efficiency washers as it’s not a super sudsy soap.

The ingredients you’ll need should be available at your local grocery stores or maybe big box stores.

Box of 20 Mule Team Borax – You need 1 cup – in laundry soap isle
Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda – You need 1/2 cup – in laundry soap isle
1 bar of ivory soap (I used my own handmade soap and part of a bar of castile)
Large clean bucket enough to hold 3 gallons of water easily – I used a 5 gallon bucket we acquired from a fast food joint – it used to be filled with bags of pickles.. we got it free.
Water


The ingredients are simple enough. Should only cost maybe $10, at most, likely less (I’ve had my boxes of powders for a year or so, and have no idea what I paid for them). The two boxes of powders will last you through several batches (or use to make powdered laundry soap, or even liquid hand soap).

First, shave your bar of soap using a peeler. I used 1/3 bar of castile and a 1/2 bar of handmade soap

Once your soap is in small pieces, place a pot on the stove big enough to hold 5 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil. When it begins to boil, lower heat to simmer and put the soap in the water. I covered with a lid and let it sit.

While your soap is melting, add 3 gallons of hot water to your bucket. For ease, I used a 2 qt pitcher to fill it.

To the hot water, add 1 cup of Borax and 1/2 cup of Washing Soda. Stir with long handled spoon until dissolved.

Add the melted soap water to the bucket and stir well. If you want to add any fragrance, add it now. Since I make soap, I have tons of fragrances around. I used one called Eucalyptus Thymes – I got from a place called Sweet Cakes (their eucalyptus is the best clean smell – not like medicinal eucalyptus). Or add essential oils. If you plan to make your soaps regularly and want it fragrances, I’d suggest finding a good soap/candle supply company (maybe one local to you?) and order it – it’s Much cheaper to order your essential oils and fragrances rather than purchase from the health food store or craft store.

Cover the bucket and set aside for 24 hours. Your soap may be watery or gel up in areas, may be slightly lumpy in areas. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Make sure to smoosh up the clumps when you add it to the washer. If you have smaller containers to put your in, it may be easier to handle – I have old detergent bottles and filled mine with my “new” soap. My soap is very watery – but very soapy.

This makes over 110 loads of liquid laundry soap – and you only need to use about a 1/2 cup.

It’s been forever and a day that I enjoyed homemade rice pudding. It’s a memory from when I was about 7 years old, my grandmother and I would make both rice pudding and egg custard.

This evening, one of my daughters made dinner. It included rice – of which she made a lot. Way more rice than we needed for dinner. Spur of the minute I decided to make rice pudding with some of the leftover rice.

I search several different recipes and sort of combined what I thought I wanted. I ate mine while it was still hot, so it was still a bit soupy (like in the photo) but ooh was it yummmy! Here’s how I made mine.. remember some recipes are just a guide – and apparently this is one of them. Don’t be afraid to change it up a bit if your ingredients don’t quite fit.

I used:
3 1/2 cups of milk
2 cups of rice plus a spoonful more
1/2 cup of white sugar
1/4 cup of brown sugar
pinch of salt
1 TBS butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

I know others like raisins in their rice pudding so if you have some handy, throw some in. I didn’t have any and prefer mine without anyway.

I poured the milk into the pan my daughter had used for the rice along with my semi-measured amount of rice. I turned it on about medium (that’s about 4 on my stove top).

While it was heating I cracked and egg and whisked it up with a fork, added my vanilla.

As the milk and rice was warming up, I measured both sugars and tossed those into the pan along with the pinch of salt. When it came to a slight boil, I turned it down to low/simmer. Stirring often.

I thought I was going to heat everything and then put into the oven on 350 to bake for half and hour, but I was too impatient so I just put in the rest of the ingredients – the egg, vanilla, cinnamon, butter and let cook on the stove about 15-20 minutes. Stirring very often to prevent scalding.

It thickened up a lot as it cooked, but after it cooled was when it really got thicker. I ate a bowl hot and put the rest in the fridge.

There were so many different rice pudding recipes, I’m just adding to the masses. I thought I share anyway since I really didn’t have a specific recipe and just muddled this one together. It is sweet, but I like it sweet.