This colorway isn’t one I would have purchased, but I think I swapped with someone because I like Claudia Hand Painted Sock Yarn more than whatever I was trading away. Nevertheless, the socks are cozy and I am always happy to add to my collection.

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Sock Yarn, Boot Camp, 2 skeins
Pattern: My generic 52 stitch top-down sock with 30-row slip stitch heel
Needles: US #2 / 32 inch for ribbing; US #1 / 32 inch for all other parts

Thank you, Mari! I think Munchkin will love it.

The back has a slot for outgoing mail or coupons.

I am trying to decide what to make as Christmas gifts for my colleagues, and am debating between this organizer and a mini Moleskin journal with a reusable fabric cover (from this pattern, which I have already tried). Which would you prefer to receive as a gift?

I have come across this at two gatherings (made by two different people), and we have made it ourselves three times in the last couple of months. It is a total winner. Here is my version, modified slightly from the one at Allrecipes.

1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or more to taste)
1/3 cup chopped green onion (or more to taste)

1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Combine vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, and pepper in a bowl, jar with lid, or large ziplock bag. Stir or shake well.
3. Pour sesame dressing over pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Gently mix in chicken, cilantro, and green onions.
4. Cover and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for several hours. Adjust seasonings to taste.

For the front, I chose an Etsuko Furaya fabric that had been in my stash for several years. The back and strap were made with dark gray wool, also from my stash.

The pattern is excellent, with clear instructions and full-size pattern pieces. I thought the bags were simple yet elegant, and admittedly I had a hard time parting with them.

Fast forward to last week, and I finally made one for myself. I used the same gray wool for the back, while the front is a Scandinavian bird print purchased from Superbuzzy a couple of years ago.

I am quite happy with this bag. It was equally exciting to me that I had the time to make it!

Have you discovered Pinterest yet? I didn’t pay much attention when I first heard about it, but once I actually started browsing I was hooked. It is a great site to find ideas and inspiration for home decor, cooking/baking, crafting, and fashion. I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest, and it is simply divine. This cake is now among my all-time favorite baked goods.

At 6+ months now, she is loads of fun! She keeps rolling over again and again, is super curious about everything, loves interacting with us, and will put just about anything in her mouth. Her smiles and chuckles melt my heart. She is such a precious blessing and brings us so much joy.

It has been a process for me to learn how to intergrate parts of my “old life” into my post-baby life. I’ve been knitting a little bit here and there, and recently I found time to sew a couple of small things and try two new recipes. That was exciting for me.

How are you?

Hubby gifted me with a Kindle 3 for my birthday several months ago. It is my first e-reader and I’m really enjoying it! I wanted to protect it with a case and had found some lovely ones on Etsy, but I figured I could make a decent one myself. I thought I would post my instructions for making a padded sleeve for Kindle 3 in case they are helpful to anyone else. This is my first attempt at a tutorial, so please feel free to ask if anything is unclear.

Materials:

Main fabric
Cut two 6.5” x 9.25” (exterior panels)
Cut one 5” x 3.25” (tab closure)

Lining fabric
Cut two 6.5” x 8.75”
Cut one 5” x 3.25”

Cotton batting
Cut two 6.5” x 9.25”
Cut one 5” x 3.25”

Fusible interfacing: This is optional and may depend on the weight of your exterior fabric. I used medium-weight fabric, but I still interfaced it. My preferred fusible interfacing is Pellon SF-101 Stacy Shape Flex. I like to clip the corners to minimize the bulk a bit.
Cut two 6.5” x 9.25”
Cut one 5” x 3.25”

Velcro (3/4” wide): cut two strips 3.5” long

Seam Allowance:
The seam allowance is ½” throughout unless otherwise noted in specific steps.

Making the exterior:
1. If you are using fusible interfacing, fuse pieces to the wrong sides of exterior pieces.

2. Sew 1 piece of cotton batting to the wrong side of 1 exterior piece, stitching around sides and bottom using a ¼” seam.

3. Sew on the fuzzy Velcro piece 1.25” down from the top and 1.5” in from the sides on the right side of the same exterior piece as above. This will be the front of the padded sleeve.

4. Place the 2 exterior pieces right sides together. Lay the remaining main cotton batting piece on top. Sew around the sides and bottom. I like using the triple stitch (#18 on my machine) for an extra strong exterior seam. Trim excess fabric from the bottom corners and sides. Turn right side out and press.

Making the tab:
1. If you are using fusible interfacing, fuse piece to the wrong side of exterior tab piece.

2. Sew cotton batting to the wrong side of the lining tab piece, stitching around the sides and bottom using a ¼” seam.

3. Sew on the remaining Velcro piece 0.75” from the bottom and sides of the right side of the lining.

4. Place the lining and exterior tab pieces right sides together. Sew around the sides and bottom using the triple stitch. Trim excess fabric from the bottom corners and sides. Turn right side out and press.

Making the lining:
With right sides together, sew around the sides and bottom, leaving a 3” opening at the center of the bottom for turning.

Assembling the padded sleeve:
1. With right sides together, center the tab along the top middle of the back side of the exterior (which is the side without the Velcro piece). The tab will be about 0.75” in from the side seams. Sew on the tab very close to the edge or using a ¼” seam.

2. Slide the exterior of the sleeve (which is right side out) inside the lining (which is wrong side out), being careful to keep the tab tucked flat in between the exterior and the lining.

3. Line up both the side seams and the top edges. You will need to stuff the exterior into the lining a bit in order to line up the top edges.

4. Sew around the top edge. Again, I used the triple stitch here.

5. Pull the exterior through the hole in the lining and flip the lining right sides out. Press lining, and sew opening closed by hand or by stitching very close to the edge.

6. Stuff the lining all the way down inside the exterior and press.

7. Carefully topstitch around the top edge.

And you are done! This padded sleeve should be a very snug fit around your Kindle 3.

Terms of Use: For personal use only. Please do not sell these instructions or padded sleeves made from this tutorial.

I really enjoyed knitting this sweater for Sprout a few months ago. I finished it in a week, which is fast for me even for a small item like a baby knit. It was my first time using Mission Falls 1824 Wool and I loved it. It reminded me a bit of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, but sturdier. If you are looking for a quick, gender-neutral baby sweater pattern, I highly recommend this one!

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool, 3 skeins, #003 Oyster
Pattern: Baby Sophisticate (newborn size)
Needles: US # 9 / 26″ (Magic Loop for sleeves)