Crochet Hook Roll - Finished!

It's been a few weeks - but it is done!

This ...

is now this:

Complete with scissors pocket...

...and a place to stash stitch markers.

These pictures hide nicely my inability to make the pockets straight - so perhaps I'll never sell these guys, or be a good seamstress :) But I have a cute place to store my crochet stuff, so I'm happy!

Crochet Hook Roll

My dad used to have a great cloth roll out in the garage for his wrench sets, denim blue and dirty. This, once I figure out how to assemble it, will be a crochet hook roll, far prettier, but equally functional! It will have two rows of slots for hooks and two wider pockets for scissors, needles, pens and the like, and a small ribbon for holding stitch marker rings. Hopefully it will materialize in the next week or so!

Making Old Things New

Mira is probably the biggest inspiration for this. I envy her knack for finding the cheapest way to do everything (lessons, please?!). I'm learning, bit by bit. But really, what is more fun than taking something old and at the end of life and giving it a new one? So here are bits of some recent projects of ALL different types.

Recycled Lamb I had an old wool sweater that had finally gotten moth holes in it, and didn't want to give up on it. I found (or rather, was shown) this set of patterns for felted wool animals. Shrink, cut, sew, stuff - cute new toy :)

Buttermilk The stuff is so stinking expensive, yet so darn easy to make - take 1/4 C cultured buttermilk, add regular milk, leave on counter overnight. Done! Use some, refill with milk, repeat. Never-ending supply of cheap buttermilk.

Gleaned Yarn Found a nifty, loosely knit (and basically unworn) scarf at Goodwill for $2. Pulled apart for three balls of yarn! I LOVE the orange (all the colors are a bit darker than the picture shows). Now to decide what to do with them.

This one's definitely Mira's idea - despite the fact I've no baby butts to cover! 

New & Improved Darrell's  My favorite cookie recipe is and has been Darrell's Forget-the-Cookies-Just-Give-Me-That-Batter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from the Klutz Kids' Cookbook. This is my "New & Improved" version:

Mix & melt in pan or microwave:

   2 T butter

   6 T applesauce

Add & stir:

   2/3 C brown sugar

   1/3 C white sugar

When cool, add & stir together:

   1 t vanilla extract

   1 egg OR 1 T ground flax seed plus 3 T water - let sit 3 minutes before mixing in

In a separate bowl, mix together:

   1 1/2 C whole wheat flour

   1/4 t salt

   1/2 t baking soda (or a bit less, if you live way up high like me!)

   1/4 C wheat germ

   2 T flax seed (I just sprinkle some on top)

Add sugar mixture, mix well, then fold in:

   ~1 C (or a handful) Chocolate Chips

   ~1 C (or a handful) Oatmeal

   1/2 C chopped nuts (optional)

Place bowl in refrigerator for about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 F. Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes - don't overbake! Eat & enjoy :)