Case in point. This morning I was outside spray painting at 8 am. What would I be tagging, especially so early? Wearing tennis shoes and my pajamas? In the snow? Salsa lids. Logically. 

Lessons learned: spray paint and snow don’t mix. Dogs like to drag off spray painted projects into the snow and bury them, which can be a total bitch to find without a metal detector. Lavender bath salts in a salsa jar is an absurd idea. Not even cute ribbon can make this spicy project tolerable.

Total fail.

Then again, ability to crack myself up at how bad things can end up? For certain.

Fear not Grinches! I have other ideas up my little jammie sleeve. Onward!

~K

Recipes, knitting and sewing patterns and traditions I find meaningful — all on the pending schedule for H4. Still working on a few PDFs I plan to post in the next week. If you’d like some easy gift ideas, both of the craft and food varities, check out Handmade Holidays of years past. {Here is a checklist. And here are a few fun ideas.}

~K

Just because she knits something new doesn’t mean I’m supposed to walk around the house, strutting like some skinny French poodle on the dogwalk. I mean, GOD MOM. What will the neighborhood dogs think?

I’ve got an “obnoxious barking + no-discrimination humping policy” to uphold. It isn’t easy for a street dog like me to move into the burbs with all of these farm dogs prowling their backyards and make friends. I just want to fit in, sniff some butts, spend more time at the park and sniff some butts. Is this too much to ask?

I’m channeling my namesake, Willie, and writing a sad, lonely country song about the woes of the pound pup who was forced into drag.

Wait, that’s better. At least no one can see me now.

-w. Nelson Mandela

And only 9 months late — a Christmas gift for Meg.

~K

A friend sent me this photo of her new adorable baby boy’s favorite way to sleep.

Needless to say, I think he’s got a future in African leadership.

~K

I left a few of these on neighbor’s doors and handed out a couple others to those I could catch in person; my parents are still friends with neighbors they had in their very first home after getting married. There is something endearing about knowing who lives near you, and not just so I can borrow their tools or take care of their dogs when on vacation.

My last home had a constant stream of changing neighbors; I hope to plant some new seeds of friendship on this street.

~K

Are you a Simon and Garfunkel fan? I grew up in a home that worshiped the likes of Prince, George Clinton and some lady named Apollonia. We never, ever listened to hair bands (which is why to this day I don’t understand the Bon Jovi fascination of many of my friends), or folk.  My mother was both the keeper of the family stereo and the car radio. Funny, today when I put together mixed CDs and am rocking out during my commute, I regularly have Prince leading into something folksy. And both make me scream at the top of my lungs.

“Cecilia! You are breaking my heart!”

“She wore a raspberry beret! The kind you find at a second-hand store.”

{You’re signing along, aren’t you? You’re welcome.}

Most of my mixes make absolutely no sense; they are simply songs of a dozen genres that I love. Often they include Yo Yo Ma, who I swear is divinely talented, Ani DiFranco — a college favorite, Vampire Weekend, Andrew Bird, Griffin House, GirlTalk (new album out!) and Simon and Garfunkle. I had a friend tease me once that every single CD I ever made had a song from Paul Simon’s Graceland included. Well, of course. I’m pretty sure music doesn’t come in a finer model than Paul Simon signing along about Arizona in Africa, with an African choir. (Not a stretch to see why I love this album, is it?)

Really, I have Mini to thank for opening my eyes in high school to Mr. Simon and Mr. Garfunkel. She choreographed a dance for our church youth group set to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and I thought, “huh. That tune is pretty good. And it doesn’t include a man humping a purple piano, wearing heels. I should give this folk thing a shot.” The song, “The Sound of Silence” is one I’ve spent some time thinking of lately. I was reminded of it when I read this quote by Mother Teresa, “Be still. It is in silence we are able to touch souls.”

Still. I am not still often enough. Nor am I silent. But when I can steal a moment to knit, simply listening to the click of the needles, I can find an internal silence that is my true source for creativity and happiness. It is usually then I turn the radio back on and find my groove.

~K

*Scarf knit for a coworker’s boyfriend, by request. Malabrigo yarn, size 9 needles, 3 stitch rib.

How about a fabric correspondence envelope, with space for both your cards, stamps and your favorite pen? You could use this to clean up your stationery drawer, or throw it in your suitcase when you travel to keep postcards and an address book handy.

{Yes, I actually travel like this. And yes, if you are in my address book, you’ve more than likely received your fair dose of correspondence over the years.}

Let’s start with fabric selection. Pick two pieces of fabric that are decor weight to give this some heft.

Supplies:

- 2 pieces of decor weight fabric, interior 10 ” x 14 ”

- 2 pieces of decor weight fabric, exterior 10 ” x 7″

- 2 pieces of lightweight fusible interfacing,  one, 10″ x 14″; the other 10″ x 7″

- 1 fabulous button, with needle and thread to attach

- general sewing notions: scissors, machine, ruler, pencil, etc.

Directions:

All seams are 1/2 inch.

Cut your exterior and interior pieces, along with your interfacing. Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your exterior pieces. Place the exteriors (with interfacing now attached) and interior right sides together. You’ll have two stacks. The 10″ side is the bottom. The 14″/7″ side is the height.

Now, we are going to cut the larger set of pieces  to make the point of the envelope. Pin the 10″ x 14″ exterior and interior piece together.  Use a ruler and a dull pencil and measure 7″ from the bottom of the sandwiched pieces. The wrong side of the either the exterior or the interior should be facing up. Draw a line across the 10″ width at the 7″ (from the bottom up) mark. Now, draw a line from top to bottom at the 5″ mark. You should have two lightly drawn lines across one piece of your fabric.

Starting at the left corner of the 7″ mark and the left-side of the fabric, gently draw a line to the top 5″ mark, creating one side of the envelope point. Repeat on the other side of the fabric, creating the other side. You’ve now drawn a perfect triangle. Trim your envelope pieces accordingly:

You started with rectangles.

Now you have four pieces, two with a triangle top.

Let’s sew these pieces together. As per most sewing patterns, the key is to always sew things right sides together and leave a hole so you can turn it right-side out when you are done. Starting with the smaller 10″ x & 7″ pieces, place right sides together and sew only the top edge closed. (see the above photo) Press with your iron, turn right-side out, repeat seam with a top stitch.

Now, leaving a 3″ hole along the bottom 10″ piece — we are going sew the envelope portion together. Place the 10″ x 14″ (pointy envelope) exterior piece and interior pieces right-sides together. Sew along the outer edge, leaving the 3″ hole along the bottom. Place the other two pieces (10″ x 7″) right-sides together and repeat, leaving the same hole. Clip the corners. Turn both sets right sides out. Using your iron, push out your seams as far as you can. Match up both sets of fabric along the bottom edge (both with 3″ holes). Carefully turn these in and pin. Pin around the entire outer edge of the envelope and top stitch, enclosing your 3″ turning holes. You should now have one giant envelope.

To create pockets for the pen and cards, measure in 2″ from the left-hand edge of your fabric. Run a seam from the bottom to the top of the pocket section (only 7″ tall, not the entire 14″ triangle point!). You’ve now got one large pocket — on the right — for cards and stamps, and one little pocket — on the left, for your pen.

Now, pick a coordinating button to sew on the front of the flap. This is simply for decoration, and to provide a bit of weight to keep the flap down. You won’t create a button hole, so your button doesn’t need to be practical. Go wild!

Add a personal label if you’d like, fill with stationery and a pen and enjoy!

Yay! Letters! Who doesn’t love letters (especially love letters)!

-k

Come to find out, I didn’t have nearly as many tomatoes for a canning day as I had planned. Also? I didn’t have any more canning jars or the energy to start an extensive project. I was sidelined late last week with an inner ear infection that was by far the most painful experience I’ve had in a very long time. So, instead of laboring in a hot kitchen this weekend, I used my tomatoes for a much quicker project and used my time curled up on the couch with Netflix and a certain furry friend.

Kili (Kilimanjaro) is just about the sweetest dog you can imagine. We spent most of the weekend together while her parents were away. She did not like the sound of the blender, but did enjoy the copious amounts of cuddle and snuggle time afterward.

As for the salsa? It was fresh, easy and I threw in whatever I could find, including those tomatoes and some cilantro from the garden. I’ve decided life is just better with copious amounts of home grown condiments and boisterous puppies. And antibiotics. And Advil. And Diet Coke.

I’d better stop there.

~K

There was a knitting frenzy underway the last couple of days. A knitting frenzy that makes me blush a bit with confusion. I simply don’t understand why people stare like I’m crazy for knitting in public. It’s KNITTING. Not porn. Not flossing my teeth. Not clipping my toe nails. We are talking about two innocent needles and a ball of yarn. It’s a silly hobby and certainly not that archaic. I’m not carving wood, staining glass or weaving a basket. (Although, to be honest, those do sound fun.) Knitting in a bowling alley, at a stop light, waiting between yoga classes, before church starts? This makes as much social sense as everyone on a smart phone in the same settings. But I end up with a cute hat.

I went to a fun baby shower yesterday and have several more I’m looking forward to. I mentioned a few days ago that I wanted to replicate a cupcake hat I’d seen online. Here is my take — complete with a cherry on top. (Cupcake Baby Hat pattern pdf, for those interested.)

And this adult bell hat is another reproduction from an REI find for my friend Tiffany. She found a hat at the store she really liked, but it was stupidly priced. She took a camera photo and asked if I could make something similar. I don’t know how to crochet, so I called my mom in Texas and we agreed to work on it together. I knit the cap, mailed it to my mama and she added the crochet edge. It is one of my favorite colors and I hope it will serve Tiff well in the cold Midwest. I’m hoping she sends a photo!

~K

I bought 8 skeins of Blue Heron Cotton Woven Ribbon four years ago for a sweater that was never to be. I remember taking the knitting book to the store, spending $100-plus promising myself this was going to be the pattern that would break through my “major knitting project” fears. Alas, I’ve tried that pattern several times and it just never worked. That said, I didn’t want to give the yarn away. It is so very pretty and different. Cotton ribbon is flat — just like it sounds. And stretchy.  Plus, this color lends its self to wonderful holiday projects.

Have any little ones in your life you want to spoil for Christmas? This hat knits up within a matter of a couple hours.

{Here is a great knitting tutorial for newbies.}

Christmas Cap for Kids

Details:

Yarn: 1 skein Blue Heron Cotton Woven Ribbon (or any ribbon or chunky yarn)

Needles: Size 11 circular needle, 16″ long

Other supplies: scissors, a stitch marker, tape measure, yarn needle

Directions:

Cast on 50 stitches on the circular needle. Join in the round, placing stitch marker. Work knit 2, purl 2 for 5″ to create hat brim. At the start of a new round, after your 5″ are complete, knit only for an additional 2″.  To begin decreasing for the crown:

R1: K5, k2tog

R2: Knit

R3: K4, k2tog

R4: Knit

R5: K3, k2tog

R6: Knit

R7: K2, k2tog

R8: Knit (you may need to go to double pointed needles at this point)

R9: K2tog

Cut yarn, leaving 12-inches. Use yarn needle to thread remaining stitches together. Pull tight and knot to secure. Weave in ends.

Voila! A quick, cute Christmas cap for a sweet wee one!

~K

Sunday I was in charge of Children’s Moment at church. The timely lesson was about giving thanks. I whipped up some Thanksgiving cards and we talked about the importance of being grateful. The kids went into the congregation and found someone to give a card to and then we worked on cards for their families in Sunday School.

I am a bit like Johnny Appleseed, but with correspondence. Johnny Stampyseed? Kelli Appleletter? Hmm… I like to spread it and make others write letters too. (My brother told me the other day he’s saved all the letters I’ve sent him since he left for college and there are more than 100. I’m a little crazy, I know.) The kids agreed — getting personal mail rocks.  They now know the secret too — to get mail, you’ve got to send some stationery love too. They were as excited as a group of little ones gets about a thinly veiled manners lesson.

I whipped up some music mixes this weekend too. Looking at this photo I just realized the Four Seasons song is a Vivaldi and it is Violin not Violent. Ha! Violin autmun, not violent autumn.

I think these might be my two very favorite things to receive:  handwritten notes and mixes of la musica.

Hope your Thanksgiving week is off to a great start!

~K

When I took my current job more than a year ago, a magazine in Phoenix featured the top 100 women in business. I sent each of them a letter, congratulating their achievements and introducing them to my new organization. Several replied favorably and relationships that have resulted from a letter-writing campaign have been serendipitous. (Go correspondence!)

One such friendship is my mentor, E. She recently turned 50, owns her own company and is wildly successful. We bonded over our first lunch when she told me her real love was travel — specifically to Africa. For her recent birthday, she asked friends and family to give to a local organization that will build a school and latrine in a village she visited in Niger.  She told me it wasn’t enough to just build the school because in this region, girls weren’t allowed to go to school when they were on their “moons” unless there was a latrine nearby. Otherwise they were kept at home and eventually fall so far behind the boys, their educations are handicapped. So, logically, E decided a latrine was essential to the well being of the girls in this village.

Amazing. For some reason, she’s taken me under her wing and invites me to fancy luncheons, introduces me to her friends and sends me books I must read for “my profession.” Her mother recently passed away and although I was more than 2 hours late to the funeral (poor communication and long story later), I could tell she was touched I’d come. I introduced myself to her siblings, said hello to a few of the familiar faces I’ve met during the last year and watched as this strong woman wrangled with grief. Even in mourning, she somehow seemed entirely put together.

Another woman, D, also recently reached out to help me learn some much needed nonprofit skills. A revolutionary in fundraising, she has a cleverness that impresses me. She’s spent several hours with me in the last month carefully explaining charts, formulas of sorts and methods of raising more money regardless of the economy. D is a Disney nut, and I mean nut. She’s got a year-long pass and she and her husband regularly drive to Anaheim to visit their favorite rodent. She wears Disney diamond earrings, has mouse ears on her car and will talk about the Magical Kingdom whenever appropriate.

As a thank you for her recent mentorship, I sewed up a mousy pouch. I’ve yet to figure out what I can do to thank E, but I’m working on it.

Both of these relatively new friendships have reminded me of the importance of patience. These women are so very patient with me and truly want me to become stronger, smarter and better. They are willing to put in the time necessary to teach me skills that I need to be all those things. I’ve truly enjoyed the time I’ve spent with girls I’ve mentored and frankly it is so luxurious to be on the receiving end at this stage in life.

Brava to strong women who make time to help others!

~K

My first custom order completed. Kate Spade, watch out. (ha!)

~K