Cappuccino Cupcakes

My friend and co-worker, Andrea is getting married next month. A bunch of us decided to surprise her with a shower at work, so I of course, volunteered to bring dessert.

I wanted something simple, yet pretty. Since there were going to be a lot of men at the shower I also needed something that wasn't TOO pretty. I decided that Cappuccino Cupcakes would be perfect!

The recipe comes from my copy of Old-Fashioned Bake Sale (page 122). It couldn't be simpler because you just need a chocolate cake mix and frosting. To achieve the mild coffee flavor, the cupcakes are made with strong coffee instead of water (I used hazelnut), and you mix coffee liqueur into the frosting. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons but I gave it an extra dollop of Kahlua - this does make the frosting too thin, but just beat a spoon of shortening in and it will come out really good. I topped with a coffee flavor chocolate candy (couldn't find any choco covered beans) and I was done! So simple!

The cupcakes came out very moist and delicious and everyone loved them. They look great on the cupcake tree too!

Amigurumi - I'm in love

I really didn't think I would ever want to crochet. EVER. I didn't like the look of it and thought knitting was superior. Then I saw amigurumi. I couldn't get enough of all the adorable little animals and items and decided I had to make them. Little did I know that almost all amigurumi patterns are crochet.

I took a quick lesson with my mom and ta da! I have the makings of my very own amigurumi black cat. The pattern is actually pretty easy but now, as you can see, I have to figure out how to put him together. I worked on his face FOREVER until it was just right. I could only get my hands on solid black eyes (they are hard to see in the photo), but I ordered a bunch of natural eyes so I can make more of these little guys. Isn't he cute!?!?!?

Tree of Life Knit Along

Lion Brand Yarn sends me emails every now and then and I was so excited when I saw they were having a knit-along with the Tree of Life pattern. Even though the pattern is labeled "Experienced" I read through it and was only mildly terrified of what lay ahead. It's so amazingly beautiful I just couldn't help myself and had to start it right away. I'm using Lion's Fisherman's Wool (100% wool so it smells really nice) so it will be very cozy when I'm done. There is a scary flower garden section coming up but onward I go! *insert marching music here*

My poor husband thinks I'm possessed when I'm working on this blanket. It takes SO much concentration because I don't want to mess it up. When he starts talking to me I usually end up giving him sinister glares or bite his head off with "Stop talking to me! I'm knitting!!" I of course apologize when I finish the row, but I think he's catching on that when he sees the cream colored blanket come out, he should hide. hee hee.

So far I've made one mistake. Instead of hiding it and pretending it's not there, I've taken a picture and am pointing it out to the whole world. I was very disappointed when I noticed it but since the pattern is so complex, I've decided to call in a knot in the branch, and move on. I knew I would just make more of a mess if I ripped the rows out and tried to fix my mistake. I blame Bill for the error, of course. He must have chosen that moment to tell me something and I held the cable needle in front of my work when it should have been behind. (I hope he doesn't hate this blanket by the time I'm done.)

Lace Panel Socks - You mean I have to make two?

Here is my first sock (you can click on the picture for a nice big closeup)! That's right, I haven't finished the second one (I'm not even close!!) but I'm very proud of the one I have. A friend hooked me up with some very nice washable merino wool but it was VERY fine. I fortunately had a pattern in my copy of Patons' Pull Up Your Socks! that worked when I held both colors together. The Lace Panel Socks pattern is beautiful and I'm really pleased with how this one came out.

I was always afraid that making a sock would be really difficult and that I couldn't do it, but I was surprised how easy it was! You do have to be used to double pointed needles, but there were no scary moments. I did have to undo rows a few times but that was my fault for not paying close attention to the pattern and/or trying to watch TV at the same time.

I'm not sure if I have enough yarn to make a second pair or not. It looks like there's enough to make 10 pair but I think I'll go blind from using the size 1 needles!