Journey-along | Are you signed up?

April 30, 2014

I've been busy planning what seems like an overwhelming amount of awesome all at once and today it dawned on me... it's last day of April - where did the month go?! I assume I'm not alone here as spring seems to be flying by for everyone. The response to the Journey-along has been humbling - thank you everyone that is participating online and in the shop and for keeping the group motivated as we knit our way through Journey! Some knitters have completed several projects already and some have ALL six projects on their needles - yes, it might sound like a lot, but all of the projects are fabulous and we are leisurely knitting through November so there's plenty of time to finish. I must say that I'm impressed with the number of sweaters that are being cast on AND finished - the two sweaters in the book are both simple in construction and beautifully executed, making them so very hard to resist!

I currently have 3 Journey projects on the needles - Climb (shop sample), Onward (shop sample) and Inland (for ME!). We have a 5-1/2 hour drive each way to TNNA this weekend and I plan to do my best to wrap up the 2 Firefly Fibers samples so I can get them out on display. Here' s a peek at the new Climb shop sample:

I'm using SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Lakeshore Drive for this pair and I love how the colorway is working up! Last night, I had my teaching had on for a two-at-a-time sock class featuring Climb - the knitters did a great job, their socks look great and it was fun to see how some of the other colorways knit up!

Just a reminder.... I'll be doing little giveaways from time-to-time throughout our Journey-along (one is coming up very soon) and we'll wrap up in November with something special. So...Are you asking what you need to do to enter? If you already joined the Journey-along by filling out the 'official' form and cast on a project, you're set - just keep knitting! If you cast on, but haven't filled out this form, you can still sign up to 'officially' join and be eligible for the giveaways (don't worry... your information is kept private).

I guess I better get back to working on the ever-growing list of things to do: TNNA prep (it's this coming weekend), CustomFit launch, summer class schedule, putting away new arrivals, ordering more awesome, and then there's the bookkeeping. I think I'll be a rebel today and do the fun stuff first!

Cheers!

On the Needles | Inland & Big News!

April 24, 2014

I had grand hopes of finishing Inland within a week since some of the Knit Night ladies decided that knitting Inland was a contest - I always say that knitting isn't a race, but I guess a sweater race now and then is just fine. lol! So, I've been trying to knit like the wind and posting snippets of my sweater progress on Facebook and Instagram along the way. Well, I'm not winning the Inland contest by any means, but I have managed to divide for and start the sleeves. Inland hasn't gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves since it's a personal project and my hope of completing it within a week has since passed. But, I'm totally okay with that, because...

A really exciting opportunity has come up for Firefly Fibers - like, really exciting - so I've been busy prepping the store launch of... drum roll please...

CustomFit by Amy Herzog Designs!

I was keeping things under wraps - shocking, right?! - but while I was prepping, the shop was spotted on the CustomFit LYS page and questions have been coming in, so the time has come to make the official announcement. I love the enthusiasm for CustomFit so far and I can't wait to share the fabulous shop offerings (and samples) I'm working on for you! Stay tuned...

In the meantime... I've been working with a couple really fabulous new yarn vendors to line up some great new yarn for the shop - sorry, I'm teasing, but it will be well worth the wait. Also, hubby and I are getting ready to head off for Firefly's biennial trip to TNNA next weekend in Indianapolis. This will be my third TNNA and Mike's first, so I'm super excited for him to see what this TNNA hullabaloo is all about. It's amazing, overwhelming, fabulous, exhausting, and so much more! I can't wait and will report back!

Cheers!

In the Kitchen | Pickles, Curd and more...

April 12, 2014

Last weekend when I finally started feeling like myself again, I *might* have gone a little off the deep end in the kitchen. Really, I couldn't help it. I was sick and didn't feel like myself for a month and spent about half of it without an appetite. I didn't get my needed relaxing time in the kitchen, but last weekend, I made up for it... First, Marisa of the fabulous Food In Jars blog posted a recipe for Honey Sweetened Meyer Lemon Curd on March 5th and I had hubby get lemons for me so I could make it the following weekend, then I came down with that bear of a cold. While I was out of commission, I literally had dreams about this stuff - seriously, my mouth waters just thinking about it. So, this was on my kitchen 'to make' list last Sunday and I have to say, it is divine! A little bit of patience and time is a small price to pay for the end result of a perfectly balanced tart and sweet lemon curd. Yum!!!Then, not wanting to waste the egg whites from the lemon curd, I had the brilliant idea to make some lightly sweetened coconut macaroons. As they were baking, I dug around and found some dark chocolate bars to melt and drizzle on. These also were DELICIOUS! In my usual fashion, I made these up as I went along since I wanted a VERY low sugar recipe. I'll keep track next time and I can type it up.

Next, I started a batch of homemade yogurt - I've been doing this for a couple years now and I love it! The texture and taste is so much better than store bought.

And then I took a break to spend some time with my new sewing machine (more on that in an upcoming post).

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After sewing success, it was time for supper and I had another Food In Jars recipe that I had to make. Marisa had been taunting me with her Instagram photos of some Spicy Quick Pickled Cucumbers on a salad with lentils and avocado. Again, as soon as I saw these, I knew I had to make them. They are delicious and I've had them 3 times this week!!!

Then, I while I was letting the cucumbers mingle with the flavor a bit, I started a batch of Homemade Kimchi - also from Food In Jars (have you noticed a theme here?). It's been cool in our house so it's taking a bit longer to ferment, but after setting for a few days, I think it's ready to pop into the fridge to enjoy. I can't wait to try it!