SMS Giveaway Win!

Sew Mama Sew blog has a Giveaway Day twice a year. There are hundreds of bloggers who host giveaways on their blogs and are listed on the Sew Mama Sew blog. I was lucky enough to win one of the giveaways this time. This great tote came in the mail today from Crafty Tokyo Mama. All the way from Japan. Of all countries! My son is taking beginner's Japanese courses this summer at university. I thought it was such a coincidence. Isn't the fabric awesome? Inside there's an elastic loop to hang things from. Janine also has an Etsy store called Crafty Tokyo Mama.

ETA: Oops! Crafty Tokyo Mama mentioned in her comment to this post that the loop is actually for wrapping around the bag after you've folded it up when it's not in use. Also when using a bag as a gift bag she has wrapped the loop around the bottom of the handles so you can't see what's in the bag. Great idea!

Socks Done at Last!

I finally finished my first toe-up socks. I started the first one last year, took bits from different socks and didn't take very good notes so it was a bit difficult to come up with an exact pair. But I doubt anyone will be looking at my feet. I used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off but I still don't find it very stretchy. Anyone have any tips?

Podcast Episode Three: Knitting Problems

Please click here if the video doesn't show up.

Show Notes (I changed the name of the episode.)

KNITTING:

• Cable and Lace Baby Blanket by Stephanie Ament (Ravelry link). Still working on this.
• Toe-up Socks (my pattern). On the second sock.
• Freya Shawl by Renate Haeckler. Hand-dyed yarn from Grannyg.
  

FINISHED

• Bunny Nugget by Rebecca Danger
  

BY NEXT PODCAST:

• Finish the Ardelle hat by Ellen Bartz.

STASH DASH

• The Knit Girllls' 5K Stash Dash is from May 27 to August 15, 2011.

CHARITY STORE FIND:

• lots of yarn

SEWING

• finished a project bag
  

REVIEW:

• Hetaleita poropeukaloille edited by Ulla Huhtala and Reija Nieminen.

(Library Book. All opinions in the review are those of the blog author's.)

SOMETHING ABOUT FINLAND:

• High School Graduation Cap
• Graduation day this year is June 4, 2011.
  

Friday's Foto From Finland #9

I know dandilions are weeds but they are so colourful against the green grass.

Chunky Black Bean and Tomato Dip

Carla at The Year of the Vegan has starting testing for a new book. Today I made the Chunky Black Bean and Tomato Dip (though I used it as a spread). I almost never put fresh tomatoes in anything else but salads. So having them in this dip was an enjoyable change. The texture was good and I think I might try this in a wrap.

I tried our local stores but couldn't find any hot sauce any and it was needed for the recipe. So I looked up some recipes and made a 1/4 tsp version of my own. Some finely chopped chili from the freezer, a dash of salt and sugar and then some vinegar and water. I didn't notice it in the dip but I've never tried it so I don't know what it adds to the recipe. But maybe I'll put more chili next time.