for the love of socks...

Hello there Ladies!

It's about time I got my behind in here for my first post. ;) I LOVE this blog!! It seems I have a ton more time for crafting and creating now that I'm living with my "distraction." I can't wait to vent my many ideas and frustrations in here with you two. Most excellent!

Now... for my first blog I would like to talk about my love of socks. I know, it's not really news. But it's gotten past addiction level. I have a huge drawer stuffed full of socks. Now...what shall I do with so many socks?? Wardrobe changes to make sure they all get equal love and attention? *sigh*

Socks... When I walk in the store and I see them hanging on a wall... What's going to happen? Of COURSE I have to buy a pair. I must stop!! I need a cure! I MUST KNIT SOCKS.

Two of my passions rolled into one. However... Um... It looks ... like... REALLY hard. And I'm still at the end of my beginner phase methinks and want to advance. Do I dare jump off the cliff into the advanced world of knitting socks?

Help me! Save me from myself! I must find the most excellent yarn (both in texture and color) to knit socks with. And then to start, the easiest pattern to be found...

Mission impossible? Methinks not... Mission really hard? Likely. Learning how to knit socks? Priceless.

Hot off the stove...

Hey ladies,

Loved your post Lee... Ironically my new icon happens to be one of those infamous pumpkins! You are welcome to another free candle-making or knitting lesson anytime you please. :)

Figured I'd show you both a sneak peek of what I've been up to in the workshop this week... Went on a crazy shopping spree at A.C. Moore & Michael's to take advantage of the fall sales and got TONS of awesome new "ingredients" to try...

First up is a medium dish garden filled with a wreath of branches, leaves and flowers in hues of soft orange, green, yellow, cream and brown. The outer dish is scented with wild twigs & berries complimented by the pumpkin spice scent of the interior candle.


The second is a bit more traditional harvest garden dish filled with fruit and gourds on a bed of leaves and cheerful baby sunflowers. The scent is cornucopia, a delicious blend of pumpkin, apple and pear with a hint of autumn leaves.


(These are my first attempt of posting digital pics on Flickr so please excuse the amateur quality!)

I'll be in my workshop for the majority of the weekend getting ready for an open house candle sale in Chatham next Sunday. You are both more than welcome to come over and help! ;) Hoping to have a bunch of new creations to share next week...

Love,
~Colleen

beyond the pale...pumpkins

Hi Colleen and Jenn!

So you really want to publicize some of my letters to ya', eh? I'll try not to pull the typical "LeeAnn took it and sprinted over that line......still going....going....". Well, this is all about crafting and creating so how how wild could it possibly get, right? Yup, that's the sound of my evil chuckling you hear.........

A candle maker, a soap maker and a jewelry designer. Only two of the three knit because I'm simply not patient enough. I'll do a hundred count of seed beads every hour before I can sit and knit. I do, however, want to make a few hand towels and I'll need some....er....[in]spiration to do so. (smacking forehead at own corniness)

I'll also need some 'guest appearance' time in your shop, Coll, as I'm dying to make an orange peel candle (my first, and probably last, candle ever!). Speaking of orange....(cough)....remember the first pumpkin jars you made way back when in the kitchen of my old townhouse? On the gas stove? I think we were two Yellow Tail bottles into the night when you decided that "the color wasn't working out". Yes, the orange was a little pale but good grief, you had put almost half of the color block into the molten gel....that was sitting on an open flame gas stove. Is that dangerous? ;) Anyhow, I still have that candle and look forward to another night of pumpkin jars this Halloween!!!

Listen girls, I'm psyched about this blog and am looking forward to sharing workshop stories and pics of our creations.

~LeeAnn M.

[IN]SPIRATION

Dear Lee Ann & Jenn,

So excited!!! This is my first (ever) blog post. Have been brainstorming for quite a while about starting a blog to share some crafty ideas, patterns, projects, shopping and links... finally figured what better way to do it than to share it with two of my best friends :)

You both have enriched my life with not only your friendship, support & encouragement but also your inspirational ideas, candid advice and enthusiasm. The creative juices always seem to flow more freely when we get together...I figure that this blog could be an virtual way to bridge the miles between us and keep those craft nights going...I'll bring the wine!



Love,
Colleen