This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama

Recipe: Mussels in Garlic Cream Sauce

This recipe is our go-to fancy dinner recipe though it really isn't all that fancy. We get our mussels locally from Saltspring Island. If you are afraid to try them or don't really like the "fishy" taste, this recipe is a good one to try. I always approximate so go ahead and make this to your taste.

You will need:
2 dozen large mussels
2-3 tbsp organic butter
1/4 cup white wine
3-4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
chopped parsley (optional)

In a large skillet heat butter over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add white wine and cook for another minute or so, stirring regularly. Add heavy cream and reduce to a simmer. Rinse mussels well and add to the sauce. Cook until all the mussels have opened and the meat has started to lighten. Serve hot over rice or orzo. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you desire.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama

Peach Pebble

I love vests for babies. I'm not sure why, but I think the lack of sleeves at mealtime really appeals to any parent. This little vest was a quick knit (I only worked on it for 3 nights) and the color just makes me think of spring.

The pattern is original for a newborn but I sized it up using a worsted weight yarn and a larger needle. I made a few more modifications, my Ravelry notes can be found here. While I love the color, the yarn isn't as soft as I wanted. It's so hard to tell when you order online (the yarn was from Etsy). I was so glad to find I had 8 matching buttons in my collection. These little wooden ones were hand-me-downs from my grandmother.
I like this pattern a lot actually. It seems such a shame that it is marketed only as a male vest on Ravelry. I think it is a perfect vest for little boys or girls. I might try making another next year using some of this yarn, which is so soft and definitely heavier than what I used this time.

A Shirt for Me

Sewing for myself has always been a challenge. I don't have a form and fitting things to myself without one almost never works out. This project is a good example of that.
I had some really nice Nani Iro double gauze that I thought would make a perfect spring top. I used the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic, but cut it to the shirt length. I cut the size that the patterns guide indicated would fit me. I sewed it most of the way, put it on and it was way too big. Almost two sizes too big. After a lot of pining and resewing I have something that I can wear. It isn't overly flattering but it is very comfortable.

 

The seam down the back was a way to deal with the huge amount of extra fabric and I opted not to add the elastic to the arm hem. I find wearing a belt with it helps with the oversized problem. I will wear it because I love the fabric and it's light and comfy but if I use a Sew Liberated pattern again, I will definitely size down.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama

This Red Fabric

...has been on my shelf for years. I'm not sure what I was planning on using it for but I have more than 3 yards of it (I think I might have been planning on making a vintage style apron but I'm not sure). So I've decided to work it into some projects I've been making. I've found I like it more as a lining fabric than a main fabric.

I used it for this reversible wrap dress and for another pair of the awesome quick change trousers from Handmade Beginnings. I guess these projects were stash busting all around because the gray fabric is another oldie and the plaid is some deliciously soft flannel I found at the thrift store last year. I've been putting April in these pants as often as possible because they are so soft and warm. The wrap dress is a bit long (even though I trimmed about 2.5 inches of the bottom of the pattern) but it has give so it can wait until she is a little taller. I still have a bunch of this fabric left, what to do with it......