Pesto Loaf: Version 1

Pesto Loaf

Version 1:

½ cup pesto (see below)

½ cup feta

¼ cup goat cheese

¼ cup olive oil

1 clove garlic

1 6-oz can tomato paste

salt and pepper

1 lb stir fry beef, browned and diced

2 tubes Pillsbury crescent rolls

Pesto:

1 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

½ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

salt and pepper

1.     Make pesto: Blend ingredients until smooth. Season to taste.

2.     Blend cheeses, oil, and garlic.

3.     Heat oven to 375* F.

4.     Lay dough in rectangle on baking sheet.

5.     Add filling: beef, cheese, paste, pesto. Wrap in dough.

6.     Bake 20 minutes, or until dough is golden brown.

Changes I would make:

Instead of layering sauces/cheeses separately, I would rather mix them all together; maybe even cook them with the beef (if using ground beef) like Lasagna Loaf. Next time, I would even use ground beef rather than stir fry beef. Also, less oil might be best, as some of the pesto leaked a bit as it was folded and first cooking. Again, nothing horribly wrong, but I think there might be a better texture and overall balance of flavors. In sum: a success for first time experimentation with these ingredients.

Changes

I have finished a few projects and abandoned others since I last wrote here. For now, I'm trying to keep my domestic life clean and frugal, which means facing the fact that some projects are not meant to be, and that others will require a lot more effort than I have been putting into them. One big part of the latter half is my writing. I used to flex those muscles frequently and fervently, but now they have atrophied to the point where even my academic writing has suffered. I wanted to change that last semester, but some part of my adult psychology shifted, and I ended up failing at much of what I was trying to accomplish. I did not even begin many of those changes in earnest.

Today, I'm trying to get a lot done. I've already cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed. I also want to finish a few crafty projects, order my textbooks, and other such beginning of the semester activities - last minute revels in freedom from anything but a diurnal lifestyle and limited budget, organizing and mind clearing to start this new year and semester as clean and smooth as possible.

I've always been a words person, but I will do my best to sit back and take a few pictures as well. I live with far more potential project models than I used to, so that is no longer an excuse, especially since several of these projects are for those folks.

2013, let's dance.

Slow Going

I have made many bentos this semester. Did I mention that before? I'm doing that now for my lunches. It is very exciting and tasty.

Also, I made things!

Namely, I made my first shawl. The other things I finished were commissions:

Not pictured: my first ever Dr. Who Scarf. Why is it not pictured? I failed to photograph it. However, there is enough yarn leftover that I sense I will be making another one, or at least something in that color theme.

Speaking of commissions, does anyone remember those Aeneid socks? No? That doesn't surprise me. I started them last year. I just finished the first sock this year. Are they that hard to make? Not really, no. But the charting was finicky. I am now on the third line of text of the second sock. Let's see if I can make my commissions timelier in the future, shall we?

Warning: Food Post

Cooking happened. Knitting happened. I have evidence of both!

Ecce, gyoza!

So, I didn't really cook this, aside from toasting the bagel, but it was a very tasty breakfast.

Crepes! Not shown here, the lunch crepes with freshly grated swiss cheese and Boar's Head ham.

Blueberry, Sausage, and French Toast breakfast casserole:
Blueberry Buckle:
Honey Ginger Buttons:

Earl Grey Chocolate Tart:

Somewhere, I also have images of welsh cookies, and I've made dinner rolls, and other things. As I find the pictures, I'll post them.

Next time, the knitting pictures. I can't go six months without posting and just photodump everything, now, can I?

Week 1: Knot the Stash!

Projects finished this last week:
- Jayne Hat
- One of the summer gloves

Project added to list:
- Taxi wallet
- Fluted choker

Does cooking count as a craft? Because I spent a good four hours on it yesterday. I made muffin-sized meat pies and lemon ginger scones for my family last night. As a post-graduate bum, I figure I will make up for my in-between undergrad and grad work by cooking a lot.

No pictures today, but soon! I promise! I'm casting on summer glove #2 now. It should be a quick finish, then I should really get back to those Aeneid socks... the second one isn't even charted yet, and I'm getting to the decreases for the ankle, which means I'm almost halfway through the first sock!

Knitting Away the Summer

Here's some advice for you: don't catch Mono. It is unpleasant and takes forever to recover from. This is the first time in three weeks that I've been able to swallow without my throat being sore.

In other news, I am joining my friend, Spiffy, in some stash busting this summer. I have a bunch of yarn that needs using. Some of it I have had for over a year, and knowing how fast I knit, I think this is unacceptable. Therefore, my goal this summer is to reduce my stash by knitting a lot of projects, at least one a week. Some I will give to friends as gifts, and others I will post online for sale and see what happens. I may even knit a few things for myself!

Spiffy set up some rules for this endeavor, so I will, too, although slightly altered. Knitting does not quite allow the same kind of abundant usage as sewing, especially as I am not fond of making plushy objects, like pillows and toys. And, at times, a project comes up that I simply don't have enough of the right kind of yarn for. With that in mind, here are...

THE RULES:

1) No buying anything. (This rule can be broken if you get a brilliant idea for a project that absolutely can't be completed in the stash, but planned things only, no random buys!)

2) There shall be approximately one project a week. They shall be determined and organized each week to balance long term projects with shorter projects. Stash shall be cleaned up and organized in between projects.

3) Try not to throw anything away. At the end of each week, scrap yarn that is too short even for knitted jewelry will be knit into squares for a blanket.

Another goal I would like to make for myself this summer is to take more pictures, mostly of things that I have made. A lot of times I forget to photograph projects before giving them away or wearing them, thus rendering them beyond my reach, or very worn looking. So, as I knit my way through piles of yarn, I will have my camera at my side.

In the midst of this, I am reorganizing my room. This includes setting up a crafting corner. Once this little niche is established, I shall take and post photos.

The current knitting project list is:
1) Jayne hat(s) (halfway through one, will have yarn enough for another one, maybe two)
2) Aeneid socks (1/4 done)
3) Summer gloves
4) Morgan scarf (started, but at no significant amount)
5) Tarot card bag (needs finishing touches only)
6) Sweater vest
7) Scalloped rib gloves (one glove made; need to find the project to knit the next one...)
8) Knee High Stockings (one cuff almost done... will probably go insane finishing the rest - definitely a long term project, may devote an entire week or two to it)

Gloves and Glossy Yarn

The commissioned gloves are long finished at last. Now, I have a list of projects, including a new commissioned pair of socks. Aeneid socks, to be exact! Inspired by "Hwaet!" by Sanguine Gryphon, one of my friends excitedly announced that I should make a pair with text from the Aeneid. My roommate then promptly commissioned a pair from me. But, I still have time to knit for myself, as the yarn I ordered for the socks has not yet arrived.

Thus, on my needles I have:
- Entrelac headband to match my fingerless mitts
- Second of Lynn's Scalloped Rib Gloves (fully fingered for a change)
- Eleanor of Toledo Stockings

Now, the last item is going to involve a bit of stubbornness on my part. I will finish this project that I cast on Feb 2 of last year. *crosses arms* Or. Else.

Of course, at home I have more things on the needles, but I consider those sleeping at the moment.

In the meantime, look! A glove!

Back to School Blunders

Going back to school always puts a damper on craft time. Because I tend to lay on the credits, and because car space is limited when moving back in, I tend to put my projects on the back burners. But, here are some recent things:

- One whole dinosaur is now sewn to my apron front. Next step is to sew on the others along the hem of the skirt, then suck it up and gather the skirt to sew it all together.
- I have acquired my calligraphy materials, so the Ovid/Firefly poster can continue its progress!
- I have continued work on my remaining two commissions. Thankfully, the weather is still warm, so my dear patrons have not fussed about their late completion...

I have also cooked lots of things. Maybe doodling on homework will commence just to keep my creative juices flowing?

Calligraphy with Images

This is the first draft, and so far the most colorful. For the final draft, I decided to give each quote its own frame, since I couldn't get the letters to play nicely within the same one.

I need to load pictures here more often, don't I?

Calligraphy

I am five drafts deep into an illuminated quote poster for myself. PIctures and more details will follow tomorrow, when I have slept and re-hydrated my contact lenses.

Illuminate Me

Knitting:
- Last pair of gauntlet gloves: commenced, but far from complete
- Other last pair of gloves, not gauntlet: almost done with the first glove
- Wedding shawl: commenced, done with first strawberry
- Stockings: don't talk to me
- Long sweater: hesitating on this one; I'll tend to knit a row then set it aside again
- New! Marguerite's lace collar: planning stages
- Other: various stages of things; lately I've taken to knitting a bunch of jewelry, which is small, fast, and beaded, and it gives me a chance to practice different lace patterns

Tatting:
I have a shuttle... and that's about it. With the proper tool, I have to admit that it is easier, but needle tatting is quite different as far as approach is concerned, even though I understand that the knots are the same.

Sewing:
- Apron of Awesome: almost there! things that need sewing: gathering of the skirt, hand stitching dinosaurs onto skirt and front pocket, entire making of oodles of pockets, and overall assembly
- Hemp cord bodice/vest: materials are in my possession, so all I need is the confidence and sewing machine
- Marguerite's lab coat: have a pattern, need EVERYTHING ELSE

Calligraphy:
That's right folks! I have returned to one of my favorite crafts, now in color! I recently purchased red, blue, and green dip pen ink, and I love it. The inks are acrylic, so my nibs get a bit gooey on larger projects, but that just means cleaning them more mid work than before. Furthermore, this means that my inking won't have to cower behind the application of Prismacolor markers any longer. While I adore my markers, and they have served me well for several years, they don't cut it when it comes to super fine detail work, which is required for calligraphy. When you are working in a frame of 1" by 2", the 1/16" tip seems gigantic.

I have just finished two thank you cards on stationary paper. I am currently wondering why my craft store trip earlier did not include picking up proper calligraphy paper cards... but, no matter. I have enough bristol board leftover for further playing with these beautifully colored inks.

Gloves Galore

I am halfway through the second pair of commissioned Joan Gauntlet gloves. At this point, once I finish the ribbing, the gloves fly by on my needles. The coloring on this particular yarn (Debbie Norville Serenity Sock Weight, color: Sapphire) is a little disappointing. The colors look very nice in the skein, and they shape up nicely for the main part of the hand and fingers, but they pooled awfully along the wrist and upper hand (both times when a larger number of stitches were employed). This was a bit of a disappointment after the wonderful coloring of the other yarn colors in this brand. I am also beginning to worry that the next yarn I use for my final pair of these gloves will do the same, though that yarn is a bit heavier, more of a proper fingering weight than the light fingering of the Serenity.

I have also picked up my Very Long Medieval Stockings knit project again. I am on round 29/55 for the cuff of the first stocking. Each round is 180 sts right now. I think I am a crazy person for loving to knit such projects on such tiny yarn...

In other news, I also finally bought my own US 3 dpns, which means I can continue my Bird and Vine gloves (Fair Isle knitting), as well as bust through some of my growing stash. My goal is to keep my non-project allotted yarn to a single box or less. In the most ideal world, I would only buy yarn I have ideas for, but then the spontaneity of some projects would be lost. I like the ability to stumble upon a pattern or idea, pick up my needles and yarn and then just go with it. I recently had that happen with the yarn leftover from my first and thus far only pair of socks. It is a 100% merino wool fingering weight: Jitterbug by Colinette, so far one of my favorite yarns, even though it is wool, and makes my fingers itch a bit after working with it for too long. There was enough left for me to make a pair of fingerless mitts with a braided cable down the back.

My dearest friend and near other half also introduced me to Old Town Needlecrafts in Manassas, VA. It is a spectacular place for anyone with fabric-working hobbies, whether knitting, needlework, quilting or otherwise. Since the Knitter's Cottage in Fredericksburg has closed, I think I may need to make several trips there once I have used up more of my stash. They also carry AddiTurbo needles, including 4/0 dpns, which I near drooled on. Methinks there is lace and vision loss in my near future.

Half Pair Down

One glove of one pair is complete for the several Joan Gauntlet gloves. On the upside, the yarn for all of the commission projects is in, and the colors are going to look great on all the gloves.

In less fibrous news, Mother's Day is coming up, which means I have some maille bracelets to make for the mothers in my life. Luckily this week marked the end of the school year, so I will have nice, large chunks of time to sit and weave shiny things. The same goes for knitting as well. Maybe my Stockings of Doom will gain another inch or so.

Mary WashiCon Update

I did not sell any items at the convention. However, I did receive four commissions, which is very exciting. Three of these were for Joan Gauntlet Gloves, a spectacular pattern that I first used to make my own pair of fingerless gloves. They are terrific for transition weather, and for winter weather that requires multiple layers. I am very excited about each of these, as each patron chose very different color schemes. The fourth commission was also a pair of fingerless gloves, but only with a color specification. The yarn chosen will serve nicely for a lace pattern, so I am also excited to knit those.

In the meantime, my personal projects will be on hold. I have a pattern base chosen for my Massively Long Sweater of Doom, and a feel for what I will do for my lace tank top. I also have a desire to make bamboo or cotton socks with crochet size thread...

The tatting has not progressed. I may play more with that once two or more pairs of these gloves are done. However, I did purchase an amazing book by the title of Mrs. Beeton's Book of Needlework, which is also available for free on Project Guttenburg. However, having the book in print has already paid off for the knowledge it contains and the convenience of having it detached from a power cord (not to mention the break it gives for my eyes!).

Lost and Found

Thanks to the morning light, I located a seed bead lost during a bit of stringing last night. Times such as this make me wonder what it is about crafts with small, easily lost materials I find so intriguing.

In other news, I finished the first of a series of lace headbands using lattice lace. It is quite entertaining shuffling about extra long stitches. It is a pattern I find simple, yet interesting, which makes me think that I could stand to use it on a larger project. I also want to make a choker, and perhaps bracelet to sell with it as a set.

The remaining half of one of my glove pairs (light blue silk bamboo Patons) is causing potential trouble. I improvised a tiny bit from my basic glove pattern, and thus do not know where to put the thumb for the left hand (as in, how many stitches from the end of the needle and what exactly my increase pattern was). So, part of this weekend will be spent staring at one glove and then the other while I knit.

Since the weather has shifted from snow to rain, I have begun to wonder about Spring knits. What projects might be best for this weather? Dry is a bit easier to consider, using lighter materials, more lace, short sleeves, etc. But what holds up in the rain? Is there a solution for water-proofing knits (to the degree that knitting's natural hole-iness will allow)? I have seen a friend knit grocery bags into a purse. Would recyclable knits be ideal for such a time when nature is about to have an orgy in the air?

For now, I am willing to stick with simple hands and fingerless gloves to pass the time, and the transition temperatures of the 60s.

In Which Craftiness Ensues

Crafts I knew going into college: typical high school art class content (drawing, painting, sculpting, some engraving, and very basic use of a pottery wheel), braiding, tying knots in strings (from a knot book), basic sewing skills (repair ripped seams, sew buttons back on), minimal cross-stitch

Crafts learned since entering college: chain mail weaving (freshman year), knitting (freshman year), blackwork (sophomore year), machine sewing (sophomore year), button making (junior year), tatting (junior year)

Observations: I will study jewelry and clothing to identify the ways in which they were made. I will also ask to touch interesting looking material (for people with whom I am less familiar), or simply start petting friends' clothes.

Purpose of this blog: 1) Record thoughts on crafts and their respective patterns. 2) Monitor skill progress. 3) Use literary devices, most especially puns, with reckless abandon.

Most recent enterprises: knitting items to sell at a local convention, teaching myself tatting

Short term goals: finish fingerless gloves (two pairs, one glove of each pair remaining), tat a bracelet with beads

Long term goals: incorporate beadwork into more projects, have a Respectable Inventory by April 3