National Chili Day and Louis Vuitton Dog Sweater

National Chili Day

I'm a big fan of all sorts of chili and enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients.  To celebrate this National Chili Day, I went with a traditional Texas Bowl of Red.  It's been simmering in my Le Creuset Dutch Over for a couple hours now, and the smell is divine.  I have resisted the urge to add tomatoes and other vegetables in order to maintain the integrity of a true Texas Bowl of Red.

This is a super-easy chili to make and doesn't take much in the way of ingredients -- beef chuck cut in cubes, beef broth, spices and thickener.  The only thing I bought at the store was the beef.  Many Texas Red Chili recipes use masa harina as one of the thickeners.  I didn't have any on hand so substituted a couple chopped up fresh corn tortillas, which is masa harina that's been made into a tortilla.

It's another hour before the chili is ready, so I'll enjoy the smells while watching Grey's Anatomy.  By the time Scandal starts, it will be time to break out the toppings.  What to choose?  Cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, jalepenos, avocado -- some or all?  Of course, tortilla chips will be on the side.

Louis Vuitton Dog Sweater

A mini-daschund living in Florida is named Louis Vuitton.  This LV dog sweater is on the way to his home.  I hope Louis and his owner enjoy it!

Once again, graph paper to the rescue.  In order to knit a good representation of the iconic LV logo, I looked at multiple logo images, then sketched out the logo on graph paper.  By now, I know what size monograms and motifs fit on the back of dog sweaters, so I have a working area with which to design.  

Love Your Pet Day and National Cherry Pie Day

Love Your Pet Day

I'm learning that there are many pet-oriented holidays/celebrations.  All sorts of organizations start these themed days, so it's likely possible to have a "celebrate your pet in some fashion day" at least once a month.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Archie.  I had only had him for a few months, but already knew that he was a very sweet, agreeable dog.  He's a rescue dog, which means I don't know exactly what he is (shih tzu mixed with something that makes him a big little dog), how much training he had as a puppy, or why he was found wandering around the city.  He definitely had some training because he's very good around the house, doesn't have any accidents, and doesn't tear anything up when I'm gone.  He looks for permission to jump on the couch and is polite when he begs for food.  He loves all the neighbors and is obsessed with the little dog on the first floor.  He's a great companion for someone who works from home.

National Cherry Pie Day

Yum for cherry pie.  My Great Aunt Mildred made the best cherry pie, with a flaky crust and sour pie cherries.  No cherry pie filling for her!  

When I was making my miniature slices of cake and pie, I knew that cherry pie had to be one of my featured slices.  It was a fun experiment to determine which stitch to use to mimc the look of cherries and figure out how to mimic a lattice crust topping.  If you or someone you know need a non-edible, stuffed cherry pie slice, you can find one here.  

Single Tasking Day and Pink Heart Dog Sweater

Single Tasking Day

No one talks about single tasking -- it's all about multi-tasking these days and has been for quite some time.  I admit that I am a strong multi-tasker.  Right now, I'm watching Chicago Med (on demand), writing this post during commercial breaks, and working on an afghan square for the groovyghan CAL.  My computer alerts me whenever an email comes in, so that's a temptation.  I have several tabs open on my web browser, so I can pop over to different sites quickly and easily.  I recently posted some pics on the Occasions by sonjabegonia Facebook page, so if someone likes or comments, a little "1" will appear on the Facebook tab, alerting me to go check out the activity.

One of the few places that I don't multi-task is at the movie theater.  It's very relaxing to sit in the dark and not have any screens competing for time.  I don't understand the people who go to the movies and can't turn off their phone.  Don't they know this is a time when it's accepted and encouraged to focus on a single task?

When I find a really good book, I am very good at single-tasking.  If it's not a page-turner, I'm content with reading during commercials and setting it down when a show picks up again.  Pager-turners are a different story.  With those, it's best to find a quiet spot, some hot tea, a warm sleepy dog, and uninterrupted time until the end of the book.  

Playing the piano is another single task that is totally consuming and really can't be done when doing anything else (except singing if appropriate).  I need to get back into the practice of playing regularly and enjoying the focus of a single, beautiful task.  

Pink Heart Dog Sweater

This morning and early afternoon, my main project was knitting an extra small pink dog sweater for a little Maltese in Missouri.  This custom order was for a pale pink sweater with a white heart motif on the back and white edging.  I documented the process is a few pictures to share with those who are interested in the knitting process.  

The entire sweater - including weaving in ends - took about 5 hours.  

Gathering materials:  For this dog sweater, I needed my standard dog pattern adjusted for size based on the dog's measurements, a graphed heart motif, small amount of white yarn, pale pink yarn divided into three parts, straight needles in sizes 9 and 10, three circular needles size 9, scissors, and a yarn needle.

Making leg openings:  One of the more involved steps in the process.  In this row, four balls of yarn are in play because the pink yarn needs to be used in three separate areas to create the leg holes and the white heart is starting in the center of the sweater.  For an extra small sweater, this craziness only lasts for 5 rows.

Measuring for fit: The leg openings have been completed, good progress has been made on the heart, and it's time to measure the sweater.  I'm at the point where it's time to start decreasing for the back of the sweater.  After two significant decreases that signify the end of the body, the decreases are slight and steady until the end of the back.

Body is finished:  The body has been knitted flat, making it easier to create the leg holes and make the decreases even and in the correct spot for a dog sweater.  The last row of back stitches are on a holding yarn because they will be used in the edging.  Now it's time to sew up the body and start the edging.

Edging the sweater:  Three circular needles and white yarn are used to make the back edging.  Stitches are evenly picked up on each side of the sweater and the live end row of back stitches is in the middle.  A knit one, purl one ribbing is used to match the neck.  The same process, on a smaller scale, will be used for the legs.  

Completed sweater:  The edging is finished and all yarn ends have been woven in and tied off.  The pale pink and white is a subtle combination that will look great on a little Maltese.  It was fun to knit something in pink.  Archie doesn't act like a pink kind of dog, so this is the first pink dog sweater I've made.

Heart:  A close-up look at the heart motif.  On Archie's heart sweater, the heart really pops because it's a white sweater with a bright red heart.

Side view:  Here's a view that shows all of the edging and the overall shape of the dog sweater.  This is an easy sweater to put on dogs and holds up well.  It's made with yarn that stands up to the washing machine and dryer.  

Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

This is a true story.  And it happened in Missouri in 1930.  

Elm Farm Ollie -- nicknamed Nellie Jay and Sky Queen -- had the honor of being the first cow to fly in an airplane.  This Guernsey cow traveled from Bismark to St. Louis in order to attend the International Air Exposition.  During the trip, someone milked her for several reasons.  She needed to be milked three times a day.  Scientists thought something might happen.  It was great publicity.

The very strange publicity tie-in idea was to put the milk the Sky Queen produced in-flight and parachute it down to spectators.  Sky Mail!

In other news on this day, I learned a new crochet technique, the Foundation Single Crochet.  This stitch allows your to do the foundation chain and the first row of single crochet at the same time.  The end result is that the edge is stretchier and should be easier to attach to other pieces.

I can usually read about the steps of a stitch and figure out the technique without the use of a video, but I had to turn to YouTube this time.  The issue is that I'm left-handed, so I can't always immediately process the reverse of pictures when I don't really know what to expect.  Fortunately, the video helped clear out the final step and I was on my way crocheting a block for the UK Groovyghan CAL (yes, I caved and am making this afghan too.  It's going to be all shades of green with some neutrals thrown in and really will be a groovy throw-back afghan).

Random Acts of Kindness Day and My Way Day

Random Acts of Kindness Day 

I wasn't surprised to learn that there was an official Random Acts of Kindness Day (which is actually in the middle of Random Acts of Kindness Week), but I did find it interesting that there is an entire organization devoted to this concept.  For a complete history of the day, inspiring individual stories, ideas for activities, and other information, I recommend taking a look at the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Today I was busy working from home so I didn't have a chance to do anything to commemorate the day, unless you count complimenting a few posts on Facebook and moving Archie away from approaching dogs in case they didn't want to play and bark with him.  It's a good thing there's an entire week of opportunity!

Of course, I would rather take the RAK Foundation's approach and just live a kind life.  Living in a city, there are lots of opportunities to be kind to strangers or be selfish.  I must admit that leaving my corporate job and getting a dog are two major life changes that has made me kinder in most situations.  I have more patience and am not as stressed or consumed with my own life.  

My Way Day

There are so many random and obscure holidays and national days that there are times when days will inevitably clash.  Celebrating My Way Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day may make one a bit nutty.

The day takes it's name and attitude from the expression "It's my way or the highway."  According to Days of the Year, you celebrate by doing whatever you want, however you want.  Using this logic, I suppose it is possible to combine this with your random acts of kindness -- just make sure you're being kind exactly how you want to be kind.

SOY Mystery Scarf CAL Completed

The four-week crochet-a-long for a Scraps of Yarn Mystery Scarf is over and I now have a new scarf to wear on dog walks for the rest of the winter.  In true My Way Day fashion, I expanded the instructions for week 3 and totally disregarded the finishing instructions given on week 4.

Week 3 was the week that all of the flower motifs were sewn together and then the granny row neck portion was crocheted.  I quickly noticed that the scarf would not be a practical length for a Chicago winter and the flowers would hang in an awkward way.  I ended up more than doubling the amount of granny rows so that the flowers would start below my shoulders instead of close to my neck.  This made the scarf much more proportional, in my opinion.

Week 4 provided finishing instructions that were just not my style -- a couple rows of crocheting along each end of the scarf, followed by the addition of fringe.  I knew that I would not be happy with a scarf finished in that fashion.

Instead, I crocheted around the entire scarf with black yarn and also added some black edging to a couple of the larger spaces between flowers.   This gave the scarf a more polished look and also reinforced the many joins and ends associated with a scraps of yarn project.  After blocking the scarf, the end product is colorful and fun.  

National Almond Day and RESOBOX Exhibition Extension

National Almond Day

Today is a day devoted to almonds.  Most of the almonds we eat come from California, but they originated in Asia.  Almonds have become well-known for their health benefits and are an extremely adaptable nut.  They are good in sweet and savory dishes, salads, and trail mixes.  As a snack, almonds are good raw, but even better toasted and tossed with different spices and seasonings.  

For a comprehensive look at almonds, I recommend the official National Almond Day website.

This Christmas, I received some raw almonds, almonds covered in an orange and honey topping, and Hershey's Kisses with almonds.  Needless to say, my family is big on nuts and other edible gifts.  

In honor of the almond, I plan to start my dinner tonight with a green salad topped with roasted almonds and other goodies.  

RESOBOX Exhibition Extended

World Amigurumi Exhibition vol. 2: Crocheted Culture Celebration!

 This is the second year that RESOBOX gallery in Long Island has hosted an amigurumi exhibition.  Amigurumi are small, stuffed, crocheted or knitted animals and anthropomorphic dolls.  The art started in Japan and has swept over the world over the past few years.  These cute, stuffed dolls are beloved by children and adults.

RESOBOX's exhibition features artists from all over the world.  This year, the theme was a crocheted culture celebration so each artist submitted at least one amigurumi that featured a part of their native culture.

The exhibition has been extended, so there's still time to view a room full of cuteness in person.  All items are for sale and will remain on exhibit through the end of March. 

Right before Thanksgiving, I packaged up two trays of my amigurumi for a trip to New York.  I included a wide variety of stuffed cuties, including pieces that are available in my shop and new items created especially for the exhibition.  

In honor of Chicago, I crocheted a couple Chicago-style hot dogs.  Chicago is definitely a food town, with several iconic offerings.  One of the best and most clearly defined is the Chicago-style Hot Dog, also known as the Chicago Red Hot.  The all beef frankfurter is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.  The complete assembly of a Chicago hot dog is said to be "dragged through the garden" due to the many toppings.  NEVER put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago!! 

I also created a few catfish in honor of growing up in rural Missouri.  When relatives came to visit my grandmother in her tiny town of McGirk, Missouri, fresh-caught fish were often on the menu.  The fish were from Spring Lake on the property.  When eating the delicious, fried fish, everyone knew to be on the lookout for the errant small bone.  These amigurumi are a playful nod to the catfish - a cute cat head attached to the body of a striped fish.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Happy Valentine's Day from a Chicago Winter Wonderland.  It's been lightly snowing throughout the afternoon and early evening, so outside it's covered with the perfect light, glittering, unblemished snow.  It's snow pre-shoveling with few paw and footprints.  It's also slippery snow, so the evening walk was a careful one.

This Christmas, I received the above tribute to Lucy and Desi's love from my sister.  She's got a great eye for unusual outsider art and easily matches it with the correct home.  I wish the above photo did the piece justice.  It's difficult to see all of it's 3D, sparkly, multi-layered awesomeness.  Sequins!  Glitter!  Jewels!  Sparkles!  Silver trim!  Resin-filled painted bowl/tub!

This is the back of the piece to show more of the heft of the piece.  I think it was ambitious of the artist to include a hook for hanging one a wall -- this is a heavy, bulky item and I am not confident in my secure hanging skills.  It's titled ""Ba, Ba Loosie"and was created in 2007 by Galail Garcia (name may be misspelled because it's faintly written in cursive).  I wish I knew more about the piece and the artist.

Recently, I have been watching "I Love Lucy" reruns on late night Hallmark Channel programming.  They stand the test of time and continue to make me laugh.  I don't mind the black and white but I think it would be really interesting to be able to see what colors were used on the sets.  I imagine it was very colorful, especially in Desi's shows.

Iconic Love Stories Tea Towel is one of my favorite tea towel designs that I offer in the shop.  Although I originally created it as a Valentine's Day offering, it is a great gift for weddings and anniversaries too.  This is actually the third of these tea towels I've embroidered -- a pair of them were shipped off to a new owner earlier this year.  

It was fun figuring out which iconic couples to feature on the towel and figure out the placement.  The irregularities in spacing and lettering are intentional and highlight the fact that it's a hand-embroidered and designed tea towel -- no transfer stamping on these towels! 

I also really enjoy this String of Hearts Garland.  The little hearts are crocheted, then attached together to form a lightweight garland that can be used in any room of the house.  This garland is a part of my collection of holiday garlands in the shop.  All are knitted or crocheted using fingering weight Peruvian wool and can be easily stored in a ziplock bag.  It's fun to have these small decorations on hand to brighten up a room and change things up for each of the seasons.