thrifting weekend - part 2

My favorite book from the book sale on Sunday was this vintage knitting and crocheting book. When I have some time and the list of projects goes down a bit I'm definitely trying some of these out. The book is full of wonderful patterns, great photos and clear directions for various techniques. It cost me a $1.

Here are some highlights


Striped Slipover



Cable and Plaid Knee-Length Socks and Anklets



Baby Vest and Hood for Winter



Smocking on Knitwear

thrifting weekend - part 1

This weekend I did a bit of thrifting which I love.
Saturday, was a block long gate sale. Here we have gate sales rather than garage sales since hardly anyone has a garage. I didn't find anything I really wanted at these although I did find a wooden train puzzle for Little M so it wasn't a complete loss.
Sunday, I went to a book sale at a church and next to it was a big flea market and auction. I didn't bid on anything but I did find a few really great items.




Here is a photo of the dolls I found. I paid $6 total for all of them. They all look handmade to me and quite old. The double headed one I believe is called an awake-asleep doll but, I could just be making that up. They need to be cleaned and a little bit of sewing repair but, I think they are pretty interesting. Anyone have any tips for cleaning old cloth dolls? Or any knowledge of the history on the dolls shown here? I hope to get around to doing some research on these soon.

I'll save some of my other finds for posts throughout the week.

a business card

I've been meaning to put together a business card for a long time. I realize this is not a big deal for most people but, for me it was something I procrastinated on for a long time.
After deliberating on design for way too long, I finally decided enough was enough and got a stamp made about a month ago. I liked everything about it except for the flower botanical that was on the left. It looked messy and you couldn't make out what it was. I suppose I needed something more simple in the way of line art so that part of the stamp got cut out. What is left is just the simple basic information and I can stamp them myself whenever I need more. I got red, black and sepia toned ink pads and I used a typewriter font for the text.
Actually, my cell phone number is listed on it as well but, I don't feel comfortable posting that so I removed that from this photo.

small steps

A lot going on, small steps, all will get done in due time. I am working on many exciting things for Fall/Winter and all at once am trying to make them happen simultaneously. It's not 'me' to work on one project at a time. Perhaps I like the chaos, the feeling of spinning in circles, the wind blowing on my back urging me to go on.
But, sometimes I feel dizzy, need to sit down, relax (something I am not accustomed to) and sip tea, curl up and try to stop the noise in my head. I need to remind myself that this is okay too, breathe in and let it go.

mary mary, quite contrary

Mary Mary, Quite Contrary
How does your garden grow?
With vintage buttons and embroidery floss
All lined up in a row

Some history on the nursery rhyme here. A interesting read.

stitchette and garland

stitchette and garland
Originally uploaded by nancy cook

I'm still healing from the sickness and have been taking it easy or trying to. Most of my crafting has been of the kind that can be done in your lap....knitting, embroidery, hand-sewing. One of the items I completed this weekend was this stitchette from Wee Wonderfuls for my niece Lillian. I also made a tea garland for her room.

soup + some knitting

I'm still sick- WAH! It's tiring to be sick, get better only to get sick all over again. Last night we ordered Japanese and I had Udon Noodle Soup with Vegetable Tempura. Tonight, we made this delicious soup so I thought I'd share the recipe. It's from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison which is a wonderful cookbook.


Chard Soup with Sorrel or Lemon (we used lemon)

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion or 2 medium leeks, white parts only, chopped (we used onion but leek would be lovely too)
3 red potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 bunch chard, stems removed, about 10 cups leaves
2 cups sorrel leaves, stems removed, or juice of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly milled pepper
1/3 cup creme fraiche or sour cream (we used creme fraiche)
1/2 cup cooked rice or small toasted croutons (we used medium sized croutons)

Heat the butter in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to color, about 8 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and scrape the bottom of the pot to release the juices that have accumulated. Add the greens and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. As soon as they wilt down, after 5 minutes or so, add 6 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 12 to 15 minutes. Puree the soup, then return it to the pot. Taste for salt and season with pepper. If you didn't use sorrel, add the lemon juice. Mix the creme fraiche with some of the soup to smooth it out then swirl it into the soup. Serve with rice or croutons in each bowl.


I've also been knitting away here and there a little and have managed to complete 2 more kerchiefs over the past week. One in this color and the other in sort of an oatmeal color.