Reclaiming The Home

Big News!

Here at Reclaiming the Home big things have been going on behind the scenes.  The needles have been knitting, the sewing machine has been sewing, and bits of craftiness are showing up everywhere around the house, here and there.  Because of my cold, the only cooking that has gone on was done by the infamous Mr. Rose with some buffalo cheese dip that he was quite proud of.  I'll have to ask him for the recipe so that I can share it soon!

The big news though, comes in the form of the new public Reclaiming The Home forum! 

My goal for the forum is to be a community of people who care about their homes and the gentle home arts.  There will be tutorials, resources, and information that will help us all to learn to be better Reclaimers, while providing incentive and motivational games in a fun atmosphere where we share our love of the home with one another. 

It is a place of friendship that welcomes people from all walks of life, where we all get to be ourselves, get to know one other better, support each other, and share our joys as well as our sorrows.  You don't have to be a mother, a wife, or stay at home to enjoy homemaking.

I know you will find real community here, grow friendships, build each other up, learn new things, and just enjoy hanging out at the forum.

If you have a moment, stop on by and take a look. There is so much to be found there and so much more to come, including a big surprise event for all of the forum members that will begin within the week! 

This idea has been in the works for some time, and I am so pleased to say, has finally come to fruition.  So many people were involved in its creation.  A big thank you to Caitlin, Pam, Diane, Audrey, Rachel, Robyn, Danna, and SO many more lovely women who helped to make this part of my dream a reality!

Knit (or Crochet!) Your Bit

After a long, incredibly difficult day today, I sat down at the computer tonight, wiping away the tears of sadness and frustration, fully intending to catch up on some work.  Thankfully my deadline isn't for a while yet, because I found myself lost somewhere in the depths of the World War II Museum website, reading stories of the heroes and heroines of the past.   

It made me think of my grandfather who served in WWII as a fighter pilot.  It wasn't something that he talked about often, but I do know that he believed in selfless service and cared about the men and women of the military in a very deep way.  Since Papa passed away last fall, my mind has drifted quite often to the things I wish I could be doing with and for him if he were here.  I see so many beautiful patterns that I would love to knit for him.  His feet and head used to get so cold in his final years, and a pair of hand-knit socks or a cozy nightcap would do wonders for him if he were still here to wear them.  I decided that since I couldn't knit something for Papa, I would knit for another WWII veteran in his honor. 

Having also just read Knitting for Peace, I was incredibly inspired.  If you haven't read this book yet, please do.  You won't be disappointed.

I was so pleased to see that the National World War II Museum has organized a Knit Your Bit Campaign that knitters (and crocheters) everywhere can donate handmade scarves to.  They will be donated to a Veteran's center by the Knit Your Bit Campaign and given to a WWII veteran.  If you wish, you can include your name and address and they will send you a certificate of participation to thank you for your donation and will let your recipient know that you are the one who sent the scarf.  You may also give anonymously if you would rather.

If you have a moment, go check out the specifics on the campaign.  There are also several free patterns available for both knitters and crocheters. 

I am going to be working on some scarves this month, as time allows, and will update with pictures accordingly. 

If only I could sit and knit all day, there would be a Veteran's center full of cozy hand-knit scarves this month... hopefully the couple I am able to finish will make a difference to that one man or woman who needs that bit of extra warmth right now. :)

Reclaiming Yarn, Electricity, and Family Time

This is what I have had my hands in the past week!  I spent a couple of days just listening to audio books and unraveling away at this beautiful angora sweater that I picked up at the thrift store for $3.95 over a month ago.  It is now a delicious pile of yarn waiting for me to put it to good use!  I love the idea of turning something that someone else cast off as unusable and turning it into something beautiful and full of possibility!

We have also been spending as much quality family time as possible since my husband will be out in the field at work this week (camping on site), so it will just be me and the girls starting tomorrow.  We wrapped presents today and put them under the tree, which just gives such a festive feel to the tree (it no longer looks naked LOL!).  I still have a few things to work on this week while hubby is away, to add to the Christmas goodness since I'm trying to do a lot of homemade things this year.  I'd post them here, but I dont want the recipients to find out what they're getting this year!!

I hope you all are enjoying the season, staying warm, and finding creative inspiration as well! 

And as a quick follow up, I am THRILLED to report that Christina finally got her power on today!  Its amazing how much we all take for granted with electric heaters, our ovens, microwave, lights, television, computers, washing machines and dryers.... my heart really goes out to all of the families and individuals without power as a result of this ice storm this season... sending up prayers, and an extra thank you for finally warming my dear friend and her family with the blessing of electricity! :)

Little Surprises....

Don't you just love it when things work out just perfectly... and maybe even a little better than you planned?  I know most of us live in the real world where the dishwasher breaks, you lose your keys when you're running late, and you inevitably trip in front of your old flame at the grocery store.  But some days..... some days are just better.

This week I haven't been posting as much as I would have liked to, because life has been so busy... and busy with good things I might add.

Hubby renewed his contract with his job for three more years, and got a great promotion that he's been waiting for, for a very long time.  The contract renewal we were expecting, but the promotion was a wonderful surprise that we weren't planning on.  We're thrilled!  Congratulations hubby :)  I'm proud of you!

In other news, I've been being homey. 

I've made it a point to bake something every day this week, and it has really just added so much to my day.  My family has literally scavenged every last crumb of the bread, cookies, and muffins that have been made this week, and I suspect we will be leftover-free this weekend as well.   Yum!

Fall has also made its way through Oklahoma finally.  November is usually when it sets in for me that the seasons are changing, and autumn is in the air.  We went outside tonight to play with the kids in the back yard and could smell wood burning in fireplaces throughout the neighborhood, keeping families cozy and warm, while we played and enjoyed the brisk air outdoors.  Leaves are finally falling, and our yard is littered with pecans just waiting for us to pick them up and sprinkle them into a cake or pie for a real taste of fall.  This is truly one of my favorite times of year.... *happy sigh*

With the changing of seasons comes holidays a plenty.  I am working feverishly on gifts, and have been turning to the stash for inspiration.  I had some of this fall-toned chenille yarn that had been in my stash for ages.  I knew my mother would like something made with it, but I was not sure what would work.  It doesn't have a lot of give, so I couldn't make a hat as I had originally wanted to.  She uses large purses and lots of leather, so I knew that she couldn't really use a handbag.  There wasn't enough to make a substantial scarf.  So what is a girl to do?  I saw some inspiration on Ravelry, where crafters had created drawstring bags.  I thought I might be able to do that, and it might turn out to be a cute stocking stuffer.

Well.... as it turns out, I love it. 

I think mom will love it too.  The chenille really made a difference in the elegance of the bag.  It has now turned into a very sweet, elegant gift that I think will make mom smile.

I love when things work out so unexpectedly well.  :)

A little culture

Hello All!  Happy Sunday to you.  Today is when daylight savings time ends, and we fall back an hour.  I suppose that would technically make today the longest day of the year.  With gorgeous fall weather like this, I am thrilled for the extra hour to enjoy it. 

I have been spending a lot of time with my yarn as of late.  As most of you know, I sew, cook, garden, read, scrapbook, do photography, and embroider as well.  Still, I appear to have been bitten by the yarn bug lately.   

(here's proof!)

This lovely lady is Daniella - my friend Christina's foreign exchange student from Venezuela.  She is one of the sweetest girls I've ever met, and so much fun to hang around with.  Being out of the country and away from her home has been a challenge and a joy for her, and I know she thinks of Christina, Don and their loving kids as a part of her family.  It was such a pleasure to get to spend some time with them all and get to know Daniella personally.   The hat and scarf she is sporting in this photo were ones I made for her the night before a big football game that she was to go to.  She was so concerned that she didn't have many warm clothes to wear this fall, so I was happy to offer this little gift.  I've already been asked for the pattern for the hat and scarf several times, so I am working on writing one up right now.  I'll be sure to let you all know as soon as it is finished!

In other homey news, I have been preparing for the beautiful fall season, clearing out the clutter and taking stock of our resources to find out what we will need to replace, repair, or restock before winter hits.  With the time change comes the change of the smoke alarm batteries, as well. 

As a part of our fall preparation, we often find ourselves looking through our freezer and pantry to make an inventory of the various foods we have on hand that need to be used.  You know what I'm talking about.  We all have them.  The odd can of green beans or half bag of rice sitting sadly in the cupboard, neglected for months of meals.  For me, making a pantry inventory then allows me to be more creative with our meal preparation, by using the ingredients that I know we have on hand.  We still do plenty of grocery shopping, but I dont double up on items we already have this way, and I can plan ahead to gather items that would compliment the foods we have and need to use.  Many of our favorite dishes were formed through this manner, and its a tradition with the changing of the seasons that we have kept up with for several years.  I hope it will be for many more years to come as well, though in future years, I envision looking through my pantry full of home-canned goodies waiting to find a tasty use.  Yum!

Special Delivery

Look what a sweet little witch dropped off last night, fresh off her crochet hook.  She even left a pattern!  How sweet :)

Lion Jiffy Thick and Quick and a Size N Hook...

*dsc* (because this silly little witch rarely if ever uses patterns, she wasnt sure what to call her stitch.  So she called it a double, single crochet.  it is her way of decreasing stitches.  To make a double single crochet, put your hook through the first sc from the hook, yo, pull through, with two loops on hook.  Then put your hook through the second sc from the hook, yo, pull through.  You now have 3 loops on the hook.  yo, pull through all 3 loops).

~ch 2. 
~sc 5 in 2nd ch from hook
~sc 2 in each st. around (10 sc)
~sc 2 in each st. around (20 sc)
~*sc. 2 in first stitch, sc 1 in next stitch* (repeat 10 times for a total of 30 sc)
~sc in each stitch (30 sc)
~repeat sc in each stitch until you achieve the height you desire (no right or wrong - this one is kind-of short and fat)
~once you reach your desired height, begin to dsc* around until you have an opening about 2 fingers-wide. 
~stuff your pumpkin (this clever little witch reused a plastic bag as her stuffing, but you may use polyfill, cotton balls, or old socks even).
~continue dsc until you have only 4 stitches remaining. 
~sc in each stitch to create the stem.  repeat for about 5 or 6 rows (or longer - this is your discretion). 
~trim yarn one yard out. pull through loop on hook to tie off.
~using a yarn needle, poke down through the top of the stem through to the bottom of the pumpkin.  Pull the yarn back up to the top, and poke through the base of the stem to the bottom of the pumpkin  to create a "crease".  Pull snugly.  Repeat to create sections on your pumpkin. 
~when you are finished, your yarn should be out at the bottom of the pumpkin.  Tie off.

When you're done, be sure to share your lovely creations with us, by including a link to your flickr page, your ravelry page, or your blog!!!

Happy Halloween :)

Happy Halloween Ladies and Gents... I hope its a spooky one for you!  We are going to forgo the trick-or-treating tonight, since the stomach flu has made its way around our entire household (fortunately both kitty and puppy remain unscathed). 

Even still, I have acquired our yearly package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (minis) for the dressed up little youngin's who darken our doorstep this All Hallows Eve.  Since I am feeling much better, I plan to help them devour it over the next few weeks, beginning of course with a snack or two this evening.  Yum!

Since the family is so sick and all snuggled tight in their beds, I plan to use this lovely evening to get a little crafting done.  I feel the need to do something slightly harvesty (yet frugal *wink wink*)... hmm... what could it be?

Unwinding at Ravelry

If you havent yet, you should sign up on the waiting list over at Ravelry.   The wait list is HUGE, but trust me my friends, it is for good reason.  Besides, the lovely owners and mods are moving the list along  so quickly that you'll be invited in no time at all.  Truly!  They have been going at a rate of over 800 invites per day, so jump on the Ravelry train - you will not be disappointed!

Once you are in, do go check out the group that I set up just especially for this little blog.  Its called (fittingly) "Reclaiming The Home" and you can get to it by CLICKING HERE.  Join on in and spread the word.  It will definitely be worth while to see all of the wonderful creations, discussion, and techniques our lovely ladies (and gents if there be any) come up with!  I promise I will leave a comment on each and every submission to the group!

Here is a sneak peek of a few of the items I have posted up there.  More soon to come as i bind off and tuck in ends of a project or two I have had in the works. 

Come unwind with me over at Ravelry!  I am certain you will find just as much amazing inspiration and joy there as I do.