My first sweater

I finally learned how to follow a knitting pattern for sweaters. I made all too many scarves, tube tops and hats, so i felt it was time to move up to sweaters. I also haven't had too much experience following a pattern, so i picked up my Stitch n Bitch Nation and found this

cute sweater that i thought i would actually wear.
While i didn't follow the pattern word for word (of course not!), and i had some problems when i had to switch yarns, make the sleeves, and i ran out of yarn, in the end i'm pretty happy with my job. And i actually wear it. I just wish the picture could do it justice!

Food Fair

Isn't it great when something you love is celebrated over a whole weekend? Like, for instance, if you get the chance to celebrate your birthday on the actual day plus on another weekend date? Feels like you're birthday is extra special! Well, in a couple of weeks, a extravaganza is coming: i am looking forward to the annual Vegetarian Food Fair that is coming to Toronto. September 9 -11, the fair will feature oodles and oodles of fun, free samples, workshops, great vendors, and a chance to be surrounded by other vegetarians and vegans - something that doesn't happen often im my day to day life. If you're interesting in learning more about it, check out it here. I'm excited this year to see Sarah Kramer, author of the book i featured before (and the classic one How it all Vegan). I think i'll pick up a bag or tee that proclaims me as the vegan i am.

Simple Knitting Project

Here's a simple project that takes mere minutes, and is fun to do. It's a great little pouch/wallet/envelope that i espeically like using for when i have small gifts to give friends. I turn the pouch into the gift wrap! Just knit a rectangle shape into a desired length, fold over and sew up the sides with contrasting colour. For this pouch, i used the moss stitch.

Flamboro Finds

As promised, here are some pics of the great finds i picked up this weekend at Flamboro/Aberfoyle. Thanks to Laural for sharing her camera with me! And, as a bonus, check out the great sewing notions that were hiding in the sewing basket!

Leek and Olive Tart

I made this for dinner yesterday and wanted to share the recipe. I saw similar ideas with other seasonal veggies, but wanted to experiment myself. It's a nice and subtle dish that goes well with fresh spinach salad.

1 leek, cut into small circle pieces
1 block tofu, drained
6 sheets of phyllo pastry, thawed
12 black olives, no pits and halved
handfuls of fresh herbs (i used basil, oregano, thyme, parsley and rosemary)
olive oil to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper

1. Make the tofu into 'ricotta' by mashing up the tofu, adding lemon, s/p, and dried basil. Can use food processor if you have one. Process to resemble consistency of ricotta. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350. Finely cut up all fresh herbs, mix liberally with olive oil and set aside.
3. Flatten pastry and start layering onto gently greased baking pan. Put one (or a couple, because it can be hard to work with stuff!) sheet on pan, sprinkle with oil, add another sheet, and continue until all sheets are layed out.
4. Spread tofu mixture onto pastry. Then add herb mixture, followed by leeks. Top with black olives.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until pastry edges are nicely browned. Eat while warm and fresh, since it can dry out. Voila!

Charming

I went to a fabulous antique fair yesterday and got oodles of goodies. When i get my hands on my digital camera again (i accidently left it at my mom's), i plan on sharing my finds with you. I got everything from a great egg basket for holding yarn, a new sewing basket with some vintage pins and needles hidden inside, some great vintage hankies that i'm collecting to make a quilt with, and Joel even found a great old guitar for $20! If you're interested in knowing more about this place, check out www.flamboro.com or search for info on Aberfoyle Antique Fair near Guelph. It really is worth the drive.
Until then, here's a picture of a charm braclet that i made for myself. I starting making jewellry years ago, but it was mostly beaded necklaces. I've since expanded to earrings, rings, silver jewellry, pins, and bracelets. I hope the picture captures the charms well enough. I have some great Mexican charms on it, some flowers (of course!) and a great collection of beads.

Mmmmm....new groceries

Don't you just love the day after a big grocery trip? I don't know why i wait so long to get new food in my fridge and on my shelves. As a vegan, i really need to concentrate on eating the right food and nutrients, so i really can't excuse all the crappy meals i have, even if they're in the name of 'comfort food.' Now that i've restocked, i have lots of meal options - organic leeks and kale, great fresh and local fruit like raspberries, strawberries and pears, vegan cheeses (for my favourite comfort food of all - grilled cheese sandwiches with red onion and sun-dried tomatoes!), canned beans galore (mung, adzuki, chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans for hearty chili with TVP - mmm, i can't wait to start cooking good foods again and putting up my recipes and pictures so you can see the outcome!

New Vegan Cookbook

I'm so excited to get my hands on this book when it comes out in the fall. my soon-to-be mother-in-law has the first book (How it all Vegan) and i have the sequel (Garden of Vegan). It comes with great recipes as well as a great section in the back full of craft ideas for your pet cat, a stitch 'n' bitch menu as well as a full glossary of all things that could contain animal products. And to top it off, it looks like these two women also love shopping for whimsical kitchen goodies!

ps. in case you didn't already know a vegan (vee'gan) is someone who forgoes eating, using, or wearing ( or at least makes a committed effort to) any animal products including meat, eggs, dairy, honey, wool, etc., for various reasons including animal rights, human rights, anti-consumer culture, health reasons, anti-violence stance. It's hard to do sometimes, especially when travelling or with groups of people. So sometimes, I'm not perfect but nor do i ask you to be!

Baby Poncho for Baby V

here's one of my latest creations, a baby poncho for my new friend Baby Vania. She's the daughter of good friends of mine, Pierre and Maritza, that live in Colombia. I figure since she's got my name and all, i have to pamper her. She's 8 months old, and will grow into this soon. It's made from this decadent mixture of yarn (no wool of course!) and is made from 2 rectangles that are both 16 inches long. Easy peasy! I added the simple felt flower for some flair, cuz even babies deserve flair.

i'm finally here!

well, after months of purusing and envying all the great blogs out there, i knew it was time for me to join the world of Blog. I'm excited but still very much a blog virgin. any suggestions for a first-time blogger are welcome. i'm hoping to mix two of my loves here - being a vegan and an obsessed crafter! here's hoping it works!