New Mitts for Musing

I've added some new designs to the Mitts for Musing line. I've also been taking some beauty shots of new and old designs for craft show applications. Here are some out-takes. Big thanks to my handy (hee hee) Mitts models!

Stars

Moon & Star

Robot

Flames

Moon & Star

Eyes

Suitcase Display

A moth seen during Mitts photo shoot.

Nettles for Lunch

As soon as I read this recipe over at Ripple Rock Cooks, I knew I had to drop my sewing and get out-side to those nettles! I'd harvested some leeks the other day, had a hunk of kabocha squash needing to be used, and a quart of fresh-made chicken stock in the fridge. I didn't need to think twice. 

It's always an exciting time when the nettles appear, because it means Winter is truly ending. Sure, we have months of damp, cool Spring ahead of us, but that's easy to forget when tromping about the woods snipping nettle tops. 

I spied this friendly fauna as I was scrunching myself under a fallen branch. (don't worry...it didn't end up in the soup pot!)

I had my good friend, Louie, helping me out. Isn't he pretty in the forest?

I made a few adjustments to the recipe, using squash instead of potato, and an immersion blender instead of a regular blender. The accompanying side is toasted home-made wheat-free pumpernickel bread with miso-pesto spread. 

Happiness!

Spring Slippers

I made these cozy new slippers as an Ostara (Spring) gift for my Sis who is living up in the Arctic Circle.

Sprite Washing Test

I recently had a customer ask me if my Pocket Sprites are washable. I was embarrassed to have to write back and say "I don't know"! Usually I just tell folks that spot cleaning is okay, but throw in the washer at your own risk. Pocket Sprites make a sweet baby gift, so of course folks want to know if they are washable. Silly me, I'd never thought to just wash a few myself and see what happens!
So I did a little test. I chose these two Sprites. The brown fox is made of an angora/wool blend and the fuzzy cream bear is made of polyester "sherpa" polar fleece. Both are stuffed with polyester fiberfill and have hand-embroidered faces.

This shot is pre-washing, the way they look "brand new".

This is how they looked after a trip through the washing machine.

I washed them in a top-loader washing machine with regular eco-friendly detergent, on cold water and gentle cycle,along with a small load of mixed clothing. Aside from collecting a little lint, they don't look much different! The fox's face is a tad bit fuzzier than "brand new".
I air-dried them, which took a few days. If I washed them in the summer, I'd put 'em out in the sun for a day or two, which I think would dry them nicely.
Now I can say with confidence that my Pocket Sprites are indeed machine washable, cold water, gentle, and NO DRYER. Yay!