Halloweening

This Halloween was uncharacteristically low key.  Themes and ideas brainstormed over game night transformed into reality within a short 3 hour frenzy of sewing.

Concept....

to reality.  Can you guess the theme?  Sexy School Supplies!  Between the 4 of us we had a #2 pencil, a ruler and a couple sheets of loose leaf paper.  As our friend Matt said, ".....not quite 8.5"x11"."  

Off my loom

I have finally finished this warp.  High summer is an unappealing and sweaty time to weave and I quickly learned that a 10 yard warp can easily become a bit of a bore.  It started off as a turned twill project and as usual  I experimented with different color, tie up and treadling.  The last 5 towels I whipped up in a frenzy using natural as the warp and alternating stripes of plain weave and diamond twill blocks.  I was surprisingly pleased with the pattern, but eager to start my next project. I now see why so many weavers own multiple looms. 

Top to Bottom: Tabby stripes with diamond twill stripes, turned twill blocks, diamond twill, large twill checks. 

Riding through Autumn

The days are undeniably shorter, but surprisingly warm.  The brief moments after work and before darkness falls have become moments to cherish.  I often take the long road home.  Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy Cedar Lake trail.  The setting sun warms my face, blindingly, and casts a warm glow through the tall grasses, bending in the breeze. The trees are ablaze, fleetingly so, but that is what makes it so special.  Within the week the leaves will fall and we will start preparing for winter together. 

Liquored Up

Remember this?  Well, I have finally strained my Limoncello and Arancello into 8 bottles of deliciousness.  The sticky filtering process took more than 4 evenings to complete. .  Early tastes are strong, but I know things will mellow out with time.  Lately, I have been sipping my strawberry and raspberry vodka with lemonade, the last of what remains of summer.

From left to right: Limoncello, Arancello, Strawberry Vodka and Raspberry Vodka.

Apple Picking and Butter Making

The fall version of Strawberry season, but a lot easier to pick.  On a crisp Sunday afternoon, I found myself with 4 lovely friends and 2 dogs at Minnetonka Orchards.  I am usually not a fan of apples.  Thinking about them makes my teeth tingle and my tongue salivate. I am however, oddly enough,  a fan of apple picking.  Something about being outside, rows of trees laden with fruit, apple cider and cinnamon donuts make me happy. To my surprise, I actually  liked the Honeycrisp apples we picked, devouring 2 immediately.  Between the 5 of us we picked a bushel,  and devised plans for apple butter making at Eliz’s.  Again, many hands made light work as we cored, peeled and boiled.  The boiling  took longer than expected, so we didn’t quite get to the canning part, but Eliz and Emily finished up the batch the next day.  

Meanwhile, these tart, sweet, firm and juicy Honeycrisp apples have been the star of many a meals.  German apple cake, cooked into oatmeal.  Slivered atop a bed of roasted beets and sliced into an open faced sandwich with brie cheese and figs.  The possibilities are endless and scrumptious too.

At Mill City

I have been missing my Saturday routine.  Now that fall is officially here I am anxious to get to the Mill City farmers market, now,  more than ever  Like the leaves around us, the selection has turned autumnal.  Stalks of Brussel Sprouts, Beets, Romanesco and Pumpkin are just a few of my favorites.

 Each week I am stocking up on my local favorites.  Honey from Ames farm. Wild Rice and  Maple Syrup from Northern Lakes Wild Rice,  garlic from Swede Lake Farms and soaps from Olsen Naturals.  These supplies will get me through winter and keep me looking forward to next year.

On my loom

I am sampling a couple of ideas for my piece for the MN Weavers guild 75^th anniversary book.  You can read more about the project here.  

I selected fancy raised stripes as my inspiration.  The original swatch, below, was made to be kitchen towels.  Members are encouraged to modernize the project via different yarns, sett and color.  I decided to experiment with sett, creating soft and open curtains.  So far I am liking the results.