In love with Madeline

This is the second sweater I've knit for Erin with Madeline Tosh yarn, it is just beautiful stuff.  It's hand dyed in the most lovely variegated way, is super soft and is amazing to knit with.  It's also machine washable!  So I can buy this beautiful yarn for Erin and I don't have to worry about her just being a toddler!

She found the last apple left on our little tree.

Still needs to be blocked a bit, the lace is crumpled on the bottom

Let's go to the park already Mom!

The pattern is Baby Tabitha by Sandi Rosner for Kollage Yarns.  I knit the size 2, and added a little extra length, about 1/2", to the bottom section to account for Erin's long torso.  It fits perfect right now, but I may have to knit another in the next size for next year!  

Another bright fall pretty

I just love how this dress turned out, or at least 95% of it.  That's pretty darn good for a dress that contains several firsts for this novice seamstress.  First time making a garment out of corduroy, this was a sweet fine wale cord in some bright dots.  First time inserting a neat and clean zipper, I've done some messy ones but this was the first one I was actually pleased with.  First time setting in a front placket, with those cute little pleats no less.  

Had to get a shot of the cute bow I picked up at the farmers market, totally need to try and make one of these.

I just love the toothy smile and had to sneak this one in too!

Spider Web

I just saw a post over at MADE and had to make my own spider web over my fireplace.  My Mom commented the other day how I had nothing on my mantle so I though this would be a good remedy.  Plus I need some Halloween decorations already!

Yeah, still pretty bare but working on it.

Maybe some spiders on those candle sticks will improve things?

14 pounds of apples

Another reason to love fall is apple picking!  Too bad the closest place to pick here in Portland is out in Hood River.  Good thing I got my apple picking fix in NY in September because a trip out the gorge isn't happening this season.  Oh well, I did get a big bag of apples from Dinihanian's Farm where we get our CSA.

14 lbs of apples go from this:

really about 3x this number of apples

I leave the skins on, and use a food mill after it's cooked.  

Beautiful!  No sugar needed.  

to 5 pints of applesauce in about an hour and a half.  

Wait... 14 lbs of apples only gets you 5 pints of applesauce?  Well you also get two of these!