Monthly Archives: July 2014

Pink House …

Posted on July 26, 2014 by | Comments Off on Pink House …

Gingerbread Cottage – Martha’s Vineyard

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- by Joan -


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Lavender Infused Soap

Posted on July 26, 2014 by | Comments Off on Lavender Infused Soap

The second batch of soap I made with my soap making kit from brambleberry.com was a small batch of lavender infused soap. I used the recipe that came along with the kit, but instead of mixing my lye with plain old water, I boiled some lavender buds I had laying around–they were food grade, and I had always planned to make ice cream with them, but never had–and soap seemed a great way to make use of them. It’s hard not to love a classic, relaxing scent like lavender.

I was still working with the cardboard mold that came with the kit, and as I discussed last time, I wasn’t completely thrilled my soap biscottis. I wanted soap bars, so I did surgery on my mold.

modifying a cardboard soap mold

I finally found a use for that washi tape I had lying around. (I’m not even sure where it came from, but it’s pretty funny.) By shortening the mold, I was able to make the soap taller.

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It almost looks like regular soap bars! It’s still a little short and wide, but it seems like it will be a little bit more practical to use in the shower.

lavender soap
I sprinkled a few buds over the top of the soap, but because I was still wearing some honking big rubber gloves, it was really more of a dump. Overall, I like the effect. And it smells wonderful. I added just a few drops of lavender essential oil, but I’m thinking most of the scent comes from the infusion. Next I need to get some little reusable tea bags and start infusing some olive oils.

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Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single for FW Buteo

Posted on July 26, 2014 by | Comments Off on Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single for FW Buteo

After blocking the FW Cereus, I went ahead and cast on for the FW Buteo.  I don’t have any good WIP pics — I’m only on Row 12 — but here’s a pic of the oh-so-lovely yarn:

serenity singles pic

 

The colorway is, as you can read, Terracotta.  It’s a rich, warm brown with hints of orange. The silk content makes it just glow.

I’m hoping to get this one finished by the end of next week.  Like the FW Cereus, it’s not going to be a small shawl, but at least it’s not as many stitches as the laceweight version!  Instead of 11 reps of the feather I’ll be working 7 reps.  The repeat is also shorter.

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Fingering Weight Cereus – Up for Testing!

Posted on July 25, 2014 by | Comments Off on Fingering Weight Cereus – Up for Testing!

The fingering weight Cereus (can’t really call it ‘small’, though it’s only 5 reps of the flower rather than 9) is now up for testing in the Rav Group here.

It’s in Anzula Dreamy in Gravity and takes a little more than 1.75 skeins.  Can I just say this yarn is truly dreamy to work with??? Loved it!
fingering weight cereus pic

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Shady Peaches …

Posted on July 25, 2014 by | Comments Off on Shady Peaches …

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- by Joan -


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Surprise! We’ve re-decorated!

Posted on July 25, 2014 by | Comments Off on Surprise! We’ve re-decorated!

Lately, I’ve been making all kinds of changes. Setting new goals and boundaries. Drawing a hard line between my personal life and my work. Re-prioritizing my time and the amount of headspace I allocate to my business and my family.

I thought all of that work would be exhausting but, honestly? It’s been completely inspiring! I am more excited than I’ve ever been about Juniper Moon Farm and the things we are planning for the future.

All these changes seemed to call for a fresh new home for JMF on the internet and this is it!

The site is still a work in progress. We will be unveiling a new shop in the next 24 hours that is easier to use and more functional and we’ll be refining the site design, adding more pictures and stuff, but the main architecture is in place and I love it!

I hope you like it too!

There are good things to come, my friends. Very good things.

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Letters

Posted on July 25, 2014 by | Comments Off on Letters

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Different kind of reading … what do you think about letters? Do you ever send them anymore? Receive them? Or do you just do email and texts instead? Do you miss the days when people used to write letters?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!


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Out Vineyard Windows …

Posted on July 24, 2014 by | Comments Off on Out Vineyard Windows …

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Do you know where the last picture was taken ?  What window is it taken through and what building is in the picture ?  :)


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Just in time!

Posted on July 24, 2014 by | Comments Off on Just in time!
"Indian Elephant" from Ottobre 06/2014

Yikes!  This baby really is growing fast!  I finished the all-in-one pattern "Indian Elephant" from Ottobre 06/2014 just in time for the little dude to wear it.  It only took me two weeks to make it, but now I know that may be too slow!  Whoah!


This baby is making me a much faster sewist.  Even a week can be too slow in the world of baby growth.  I'm going to have to plan projects for the far future to keep up!  The pattern "Indian Elephant" is pretty straightforward.  It's actually a lot easier than the onesie pattern "Warmly Wrapped" that I finished last week.



The toughest part is applying the binding and, once again, the snaps!!  What in the world is up with these ring snaps and why don't they install correctly!?  This is with the special pliers, too.  The prongs often don't align with the center of the snap and then stick out... possibly with the end result of scratching baby. Not nice.


If he's in hefty stuff-in cloth diapers like today, the crotch gusset is a bit revealing shall we say, but if he's in a trimmer model diaper, it'll fit just fine.  I may still add two more snaps.  Maybe.


Pattern: Indian Elephant, Ottobre 06/2014
Fabric: organic cotton jersey from Lillestoff in "Pirates" print
Notions: fine ribbing in red, a bunch of snaps, stretchy interfacing G785 from Vlieseline/Vilene, and Vliesofix (two-sided fusible interfacing)
Special Tools: twin needle, snap pliers, walking foot, stretch needle

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Sun Dappled Orchids …

Posted on July 23, 2014 by | Comments Off on Sun Dappled Orchids …

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- by Joan -


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