A couple of things.

Aloha!  I will be digging my toes into the sand and (hopefully) learning how to stand up paddle board this week, but wanted to mention a couple of things before I unplug.

First, I am so thrilled to be guest posting over at the lovely Luvinthemommyhood! 

My post covers how, after realizing my knitting addiction, I went from newbie to sweater knitter in a matter of weeks.  I know not everyone is as quick to obsess as I am, but hopefully it resonates with some knitters out there.  (And if you happen to be checking in from Shannon's blog, why hello there!  And thanks so much for stopping by).

Next, guess who finished her first KAL sweater just in time to pack for vacation?  Yup--and I absolutely love it.  It is destined to become my go-to layering piece, especially for sundresses.  Notes are here.  I fully intend to take proper shots (on the beach perhaps?) but until then, here's the self-portrait bathroom shot.  I match our shower curtain, how nice.

Well, I guess that's it.  Mahalo everyone...I am off to join Charlie in Hawaii.  Be back soon.

Sandra

Summer weddings.

I had the good fortune to do two floral design gigs recently (I wear many hats you see).  I love summer weddings--especially when a bride embraces color.  Here are some favorites from the two events.  They were on the same day but so different—one was soft and romantic.  The other, bright and fun.  I loved both palettes and the resulting designs.  But most importantly, so did the brides.

 

The key to pretty flower arrangements?  Er…start with pretty flowers.  And don’t stress about the colors.  They all “go”…

Caryn and I have slowed down a bit taking on events—life and kids and real jobs and all that.  But every time I get to work with flowers, I must say, I fall in love all over again.

Sandra

Red velvet rice krispie treats.

It was just before Valentine's Day, I think, when I first saw red velvet rice krispie treats popping up all over blogland.

Five months later, I finally whipped some up.  I really should not have waited.  Here's how I made mine.

Red Velvet Rice Krispies

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 11 ounces of marshmallows
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup red velvet cake mix
• 6 cups Cocoa Rice Krispies cereal

Directions

Line the bottom of a 9 x13 inch pan with parchment paper and spray generously with cooking spray (lining the bottom is not absolutely necessary but I like the insurance).  Set the pan aside.

Place the cereal in a large bowl— my wide stainless steel bowl worked perfectly for this.  Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.  After the marshmallows are melted, add the cake mix and vanilla and continue to stir until fully incorporated

Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal (working quickly) and stir and mix until the cereal is coated.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, gently pressing into shape, filling the pan and evening out the top. 

Allow to cool.  Cut, eat, repeat.

Enjoy!  

Sandra

Thinking about installing a gallery wall. (after adequate obsessing)

We have a nice staircase that leads to our upper floor.  And more than a few times, our contractor has commented on the width of the staircase--it's evidently a smidge bigger than typical? Makes for a nice feature, he says.  And who am I to argue?

It's got me thinking I should appreciate it more.  Enter the idea of a gallery wall.  We had one in our first house--down the hallway of our one-level ranch--and I loved it.  Plus, I can't ignore the call any longer.  Every design blog I visit seems to showcase one these days.  

But it was actually a couple of years ago, when I first spied Ashley Putnam's home featured in Lonny, that I started obsessing over gallery walls.  Her take was probably the first time I saw an eclectic mix work beautifully in a gallery wall .  Before that, everything seemed to trend towards the Pottery Barn matchy-matchy (which I also like, but I like this more). 

I think a not too fussy arrangement, jam-packed with color and texture, will work really well, considering my current residents.  I want a mix of photos, prints, and artwork.  I've started collecting simple pieces from Etsy and have found some great frames at thrift stores (painting a few orange!), and am checking out several online shops for affordable art.  I also fully intend to incorporate some of the boys' drawings. 

On the upper level, if all goes well, I might do a ton of family prints.

A picture I took last week at the beach will surely make the cut.  

 Oh--and this print--how I love this print (available here).  

It probably won't go on the gallery wall but I think it's a must for the basement play space.  Or maybe the top of the stairs?  Plenty of ruckus happens there, too (Stair Wars, get it?).  Yep. It's perfect.

Sandra

Planters Punch.

Still working on my beach recap post.  I am hopeful I might find time to make another slideshow.  I was thinking of using the song Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.  I came across that song again and have been humming it nonstop.  I think it's so quirky and catchy.  Plus, I like the hook as I truly--and cheesily--feel home is when I'm with "you"--not you you, although I'm sure you're quite nice.  My "you" is Charlie and the boys.

But first, so, so many things left to do--I wish I didn't feel overwhelmed so easily.  Maybe that's why I love knitting so much.  Because I finish things. Recently, it was this sweater.

Test knit for Thea.  My knitterly crush on her and her designs continues. The pattern has a new-to-me construction technique for the neckline.  It's top-down, which I prefer, but she shows you how to get a nice scooped neck.  I dislike many top-down patterns that suppose our fronts are the same as our backs (and mind you, my front is almost shaped like my back and those patterns still don't work well on me).

The pattern is called Planters Punch and includes directions for a summer and winter version.  The recommended yarn for the summer pattern is Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton.  But I felt obliged to stash bust and knit mine out of Elsbeth Lavold Hempathy in a pretty sea foam green.  

The Hempathy turned out a nice, drapey fabric, which was my goal so I knew I'd sacrifice crisp cables.  It's a perfect summer top to throw over white capris or a skirt--I really adore it.  I hope to do a winter version later this year, too.

Info on Thea's pattern is here and my notes are here.

Other WIP updates:  I am still plugging away on my KAL sweater; I started and am almost done with a Stripe Study shawl; I couldn't resist casting on a Rayures (though it will be a long-term knit); and I am finishing up another test knit.  (Most of those are Ravelry links, but I imagine if you've read this much of a knitting post, you have a Ravelry account).

Sandra 

Beach break cont'd.

More pics to follow but this one makes me smile--especially when I ran it through some vintage-y photo actions--so thought I'd post.  A steady diet of ice cream + Italian ice + unlimited tickets to Wonderland rides = plenty of hug tackles.  This momma knows the tricks.  

On a more serious note, we learned of the passing of a family friend this week.  Someone very dear to Charlie, and by extension, to all of us.  We are reluctant to accept the sad news, but find much comfort knowing she joins her daughter after being apart for so very long.

As you might imagine, this has me feeling reflective and sentimental.  

Life is so precious.  

Hug who you love.  And do it often.

Sandra

Beach break.

Be back from the beach soon (having a ball).  Until then, happy 4th of July!

Sandra