Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

 

My 'real-life' job is working in property management at some large apartment communities. This year I coordinated a craft fair at one of the community's holiday parties. I invited five other San Diego Etsy sellers to join, which made for a fun holiday shopping experience for the residents.  It was also really fun for me to set up my goods in a pretty display!

 

It was also fun to meet other Etsy-ans (Etsy-ites?) and see their amazing products. Check them out for yourself!

Little Mama's Pretties

Sidekicks

Azuca Bath and Body

Barrel Craft SD

In the Lavender Haze

Happy Small Business Saturday!

View all patterns HERE in my Etsy shop. Happy knitting!

And the Pippi winner is...

Thank you so much to all who visited my blog on the Holla Knits Blog Tour! The randomly chosen winner of a copy of the Pippi pattern is  Zombie Queen! I loved reading everyone's comments with what fabulous colors you will use for your scarves, and I can't wait to see your Pippis up on Ravelry!

 

 I knitted up another Pippi in a lovely ice blue for a friend (sorry about the quick cell phone photo) and I just love this pattern. Perfect for making holiday gifts! Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Pippi: Holla Knits Fall/Winter Accessories Collection 2013

Since the winter months can be somewhat dreary, I love designing knits that brighten the spirits. That's why I'm so excited to introduce Pippi, from the Holla Knits Accessories Collection 2013! I was thrilled to work with Allyson because her collections have a quirky and fun style. Pippi is quirky and fun too! Pippi was named after Pippi Longstocking, because she's strong, confident, and has funky pig tail braids that stick out. The braids and tassels of the scarf are carefree and fun, just like Pippi!

Pippi actually started as a totally different accessory (stay tuned in 2014!) and evolved into a chunky, cozy, cable-y scarf that hugs you when you wear it. I'm a sucker for sinking my needles into some chunky yarn with a project that gives some instant gratification (knit-ification?).

Pippi is knit up with braided cables, while increasing and decreasing to create the shape of a stole. Braided tails are added at the ends, with poofy tassels to top it off. Wrap it around twice and tie it with fun braided tassels for a cowl, or toss it around your neck and let the tassels hang long.

I can't wait to see Pippi projects on Ravelry in all kinds of punchy colors and combinations! Head over to the Holla Knits Blog to enter to win a skein of Wooly Wonka Fibers Brigit Bulky so that you can knit up your very own Pippi! Leave a comment here on my blog telling me what fabulous color (s) you're excited to use for your Pippi, and be entered to win a copy of the pattern!

Big Dots Beanie

There is a new pattern up in my Ravelry store and my Etsy store! The Big Dots Beanie is exactly what it's called. Big. Dots. In a beanie. And a big pompom too! Love it.

 

 This pattern is perfect for knitting up some fun gifts for the holidays, and one for yourself of course.

The pattern comes with written instructions and a chart for the dots pattern. Do you have some random scraps of super bulky that you want to use up? This pattern offers yardage for using 2, 3, and 4 different colors for your beanie. Purchase it on Ravelry or Etsy! What colors will you combine for your Big Dots Beanie?

What's for dinner: Mahi Mahi Salad

I'm always looking for quick, easy, and healthy dinners, and since I mostly shop at Trader Joes, I like to share how I use their products. We try to eat a (mostly) Paleo diet, which takes some creativity. I don't claim to be a chef by any means, but I love sharing what I make. I hope you can use my recipes to jazz up your dinner table in a jiff!

MAHI MAHI SALAD (serves 4, one burger per person)

1 package frozen Mahi Mahi burgers from Trader Joes (or anywhere else)
1 package shredded cabbage
1 carrot, grated (or 3/4 cup pre-shredded carrots)

4 green onions, chopped
4-5 sprigs cilantro, chopped
1 cup raw broccoli, chopped

Sesame Lime Vinaigrette:

1 t grated ginger (tip: keep ginger root in your freezer, and grate frozen)
Juice of one lime
1/3 cup coconut cream 
3 T soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
3 T rice vinegar
2 T sesame oil
2 T grapeseed oil or vegetable oil
1 T honey
1 t chili garlic sauce (optional, for some heat)
pinch of salt

 

 Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and shake, or whisk well in a bowl. Put in fridge and let sit while you work on the rest.

Cook up the burgers on the grill according to the box instructions---grill, pan, or oven! Toss all salad ingredients together. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss. Place burger on top and serve.

I love Trader Joes, so most of the recipes I make include their products. Most of the ingredients can be found in other stores so I hope you try it out, even if you don't have a Trader Joes in your neighborhood! (And as long as I'm hoping for things, I hope one comes to your neighborhood soon!)

Leftovers? Here's an idea for dinner #2 or lunch the next day: Chop up the remaining fish and put it in a tortilla with some of the salad. Serve with the vinaigrette and a lime wedge for a quick fish taco. YUM. I'm going to try making tortillas out of coconut flour, so I'll let you know how they turn out!

Fourth Day Earwarmer Recipe

The Fourth Day Earwarmer is a quick knit to keep your head toasty warm this season. I named it "Fourth Day" because it will become that favorite accessory that will help you squeeze a fourth day out of your blowout. I love anything that keeps me from having to wash my hair!

It's not really a pattern design, just a quick little project to use up some last bits of yarn and to brighten your wintery spirits.

Not a knitter? You may purchase this cozy earwarmer in my ETSY SHOP!

RECIPE:

40 yards super bulky yarn (I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool, my fav)
sz 13 needles
tapestry needle

Crossed Stitch:
R1: k1, *sl 1 st purlwise (with yarn at the back), k1, yo, psso (pass slipped stitch over both), repeat from * to last stitch, k1
R2: k1, purl to last stitch, k1
*See notes at the end for help with stitch pattern

CO 14 stitches.
R1: Begin with R1 of Crossed Stitch pattern.
R2: Every WS row will be R2 of Crossed Stitch pattern.
Repeat R1 and R2 for 19 inches, or a length that fits your head size.
Bind off.
Weave in ends and block.
Seam ends of work together using mattress stitch. Note: the stitch pattern creates diagonal ends of the work, so the seam will run diagonally as well.

Now throw on your earwarmer and put your blow dryer away!

Please post your cute earwarmers on the RAVELRY PROJECT PAGE to show your Fourth Day love!

Extra help:
Slipping a stitch purlwise
Slipping a stitch purlwise with yarn at the back
Passing a slipped stitch over
Abbreviations


Text © Emily Blue 2013
Photographs © Emily Blue 2013
This pattern is intended for personal use only and not for retail sale. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the author.

Celebrating Fall!

 I am so thankful that the weather is (slowwwly) starting to cool off! It has been a toasty summer and I'm ready to wear some yummy sweaters and boots. To celebrate, I am offering FREE SHIPPING for all of October in my Etsy shop HERE! You'll find some great accessories to jazz up your fall wardrobe, including slouchy beanies, polka dots, and neon, oh my!

Road Trip Blues

One of the Blue family goals for this year was to take a road trip and see some parts of California that this Southern California girl has never seen. When you live in SoCal, you think that the Bay Area is Northern California. Well this trip showed me that there is a LOT of Northern California north of San Francisco, and I love it! Boy, do we live in a beautiful state!

Blue Family Road Trip Essentials:

1. Cooler filled with snacks
2. Audiobooks: Bossypants by Tina Fey and The Informant by Kurt Eichenwald
3. Priceline app for iPhone (we booked our hotels about 30 minutes in advance)
4. Headwrap (ok, that was just for me because who wants to wash their hair on a road trip??)
5. In n' Out, several times
6. Comfy car (we heart you, Subie!)
7. Fanny pack (also for me-- essential for hands-free hiking)

This was our route for 7 days:
Yosemite ---> through Reno to Redding ---> through Mt. Shasta area to the coast ---> stop in McKinleyville for lunch ---> up the coast to the Redwoods ---> up further to Crescent City ---> down the coast to Trinidad Bay ---> down further to Ukaia ---> stop in Carmel for lunch ---> up and over thru San Jose area to the Grapevine ---> back home!

When we left home, all we had planned was that we would see Yosemite and the Redwoods, and we weren't sure of what we'd do or where we'd stop in between. I'm so proud of our spontaneity! (One of us was very nervous about spontaneous travel, I'll give you one guess who that was.)




Here are some highlights...

Most Challenging Excursion: climbing the Upper Falls Trail in Yosemite Park

view of Half Dome from the trail

At the top of the Upper Falls Trail, thinking "How am I going to get down from here??"

Favorite Spot in Yosemite: Tenaya Lake

Favorite Animal Sighting: a herd of elk lounging around a school house/museum

Favorite Adventure: Hiking in the Redwoods

Favorite Discovery: Trinidad Bay

Trinidad ~ population: 311 ~ used for commercial fishing boats ~ home to one of the oldest lighthouses in CA

 



 Favorite Meal: Trinidad Bay Eatery ~ calamari, clam chowder, fish n' chips and blackberry cobbler, YUM.














 Biggest Realization: Spending time together in nature, doing adventurous things, feeling vulnerable sometimes, and making quick decisions will all bring you closer to your partner. Loved it.

Swatched: Erika Knight Maxi Wool

 

Even though it's August and not wool-knittin weather, I swatched some up last night. I bought this yarn on a trip with my hubby to Blue Bell, PA for a wedding this last February (brrrr!!).

We spent a day in Phillie after the wedding, and of course I had to look up a popular LYS and decided on Rosie's Yarn Cellar. There wasn't any parking outside so my husband was "forced" to sit in the car and listen to sports radio instead of coming inside the yarn shop. What do I bee-line for when I don't have a lot of time to browse around? Super bulky. Gimme. I saw the color Artisan of Erika Knight Maxi Wool and couldn't leave without it. Find it on Ravelry HERE.

Stats on the tag:

100% British Wool

100g per hank

shade: artisan

shade no: 20

lot no: 539

80m/87yds

8 sts & 12 rows = 10 cm / 4 in.

US 15-17

(I tend to knit bigger than most gauges so I used US 13s)

My gauge: 9 sts & 14 rows = 4 in.

I love this yarn. It knits up so nicely in stockinette. It feels like a sturdy and hearty wool, but isn't scratchy at all. I only bought two hanks, but if I had bought more I wouldn't hesitate to make this into a sweater.

I'm now deciding on what I will make with this yummy yarn. Possibly Starflower?

Summer Eats: Watermelon Cucumber Salad

This salad is such an easy and delicious side dish. It is so fresh and flavorful-- perfect for summer BBQs! There are several variations floating around out there, but this is my version.

Watermelon Cucumber Salad

(feeds 4-6)

1 shallot

2 T lemon juice

1/2 of large watermelon or 1 small watermelon

4 seedless Persian cucumbers

1 whole cube of feta cheese (or crumbled)

2-3 sprigs of mint

olive oil

salt and pepper

Slice up shallot into fine slivers. Place in the bottom of your serving bowl with the lemon juice and let sit while you are prepping the other ingredients. **I often do this when adding shallots or red onion to a salad. It pickles them slightly so that they provide a sweet flavor but aren't overpowering. 

Dice up the watermelon and cucumber into equal size chunks and put into the same bowl. Pull the mint leaves from their stems, roll the leaves up, then slice into small strips and add to bowl. Drizzle contents with olive oil (several tablespoons) and season with salt and pepper. Toss all ingredients to coat. Dice up feta cheese and add on top just before serving. 

I like the cubed feta because it hold up nicely for a longer period of time. The crumbled feta starts to look a bit murky after awhile. But it's still delicious if that's what you have. That's what I had when I took the photos!

When you get "recipe block" while standing in the produce section, I suggest this combo for dinner:

I served this salad with the pre-marinated lamb tips from Trader Joes. My hubby grilled them up (so fast!) while I tossed this salad together, and it was SO yummy. The freshness of the cucumber/watermelon/mint combo really compliments the hearty flavor of the lamb. 

Enjoy!

{ Shipping News }

I shipped my first sale today, for my long-time friend, Haley. Did you read my story in my Etsy profile about my first (and only) handmade bathing suit? That happened in Haley's pool. I'm thankful that my first order is from someone who saw my handmade bathing suit fall apart in 5th grade. Grace and feedback from a good friend is invaluable when trying something new and a little scary. She ordered my Kerchief Cowl in charcoal. I know she wears tons of gray, navy, and cream, so this will be a perfect addition to her classic and comfy Bay Area wardrobe!

Siah, my cat (#siahgirl on Instagram) was not happy to be locked out of the bedroom when there was tissue paper and yarn on the floor. That is her dream combination. I make sure to keep anything knitting related wrapped and sealed to avoid eager paws. 

Cheers to many more knitted goodies from emilygreeneblue on Etsy!