Happy Halloween!

Halloween Party Pics
Originally uploaded by veganvania.

We had a great party last night - and in the spirt of Hallow's Eve, there was a definite dress-up vibe. Too bad we all enjoyed our Zombie punch a bit too much to play Oijia.

Special mention goes out to the very creative costumes, and our special friend who kept the TV 'alive' all night. (Can you find her in a picture?)

On the menu:
* Onion Roll (Martha Stewart magazine November 2005)
* Rum Balls (recipe to follow)
* Pumpkin Loaf (The Everyday Vegan cookbook)
* Sugar Cookies with icing
* Hummus, pate, and cheese tray with crackers (real cheese for the non-vegans)
* Pakoras (brought by Tod and Christine - thanks!)
* Zombie punch (2 kinds of rum, orange, juice, pineapple juice, champagne, hints of grape juice and lime juice)
* Beer - a lot of beer
* Wines
* Goodie bags and Candy Corn with almonds

In the Stereo:
* A selection of tunes ranging in soul, funk, our favourite indie rock groups, M.IA. and more! Brought to you by D.J. Kalm.

Chocolate Rum Balls
3/4 cup raw sugar
2 tbsp cocao - fair trade ideal
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk
2 tbsp margarine
1/8 c peanut butter
1/8 c pumpkin seed butter
1 1/4 c oats
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp dark rum

Combine sugar and cocoa in a medium sized pan. Stir in milk and margarine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring consistently. Add peanut and pumpkin butters, oats, and vanilla. Remove from heat and add rum. Stir until thoroughly combined. Line cookie sheet with wax paper, and drop mixture by the spoonful. Chill until firm. Roll into balls if needed. Add powdered sugar before serving.

Lucky Me

Well, i'm on vacation for 2 weeks, which is a great treat because work has been bringing me down. I'll be spending it in a fun mix of everything - crafting, reading, cooking, eating, sleeping, visiting friends, going to New York City, etc. I spent yesterday being crafty and fixing things. With my new sewing machine, i am a whiz! I started making 2 pillows about 2 years ago but my old machine just didn't cut it so they've been sitting there unfinished this whole time. One is from a beautiful shirt i bought in India that doesn't fit anymore. It's joined my pillow club on my bed already!

From this:


To this:


I said I'm lucky because i had a scare yesterday with my blog. Since i'm on holiday, i have time on my hands to 'play' and well, i don't know what i did, but i lost the template code to display all my posts. How scary! But, my boy genius said, why dont' you just create a new blog to get the templates, and i did! Brilliant!

Fun Vegan Yarns

I just found the best yarns at a local yarn store; i've been looking at all these sites on line for vegan yarns like bamboo and banana silk - there's even yarn from pineapple! I picked basic black bamboo yarn for a winter hat, and i'm going to accent it with this amazing recycled sari (cotton/rayon blend) from a community outreach project in Nepal. I can't wait to work with it! Thanks to the other vegan knitter bloggers who helped guide me in learning more about the available yarns out there!

october Tie One On

october Tie One On
Originally uploaded by veganvania.

here's my latest creation - just in time for Hallowe'en, it's my contribution for Tie One On. This month's theme is to incorporate mixed media work, so i used various sorts of fabric (cotton, silk), i ironed on a great image from Sublime Stitching, and embroidered some detail on the cat, i sewed some orange buttons to make them look like pumpkins, used a pompom as detail on the cat, and added a line of pizazz at the bottom of the apron. Can't wait to wear it on the 31st, and yea for my new sewing machine!

In all Fairness

So i went to my first big craft fair with my friend Laural, who is a great person to with! I found some great things, and found some inspirations for projects and presents in the near future. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait to see some of my creations because i don't want the recipients to see them here first! We weren't allowed to take pictures there, but i have to share these great finds!

First, some great fabrics for quilts and more:



I also found a bunch of great buttons and more for $2.99! Notice the cute kitten buttons and belt loops.


And, while i didn't get this at the fair, a big welcome to Martha, who will be a great asset to our family (thanks Laural). I already put her to work by making a pouch filled with sewing notion for a friend who's moving overseas. And, since she might need a pin cushion too, i made this pin cushion (inspired by Bella Dia's amazing world of cushions).



I'm in full craft work mode - knitting a new poncho for myself, a gift for someone else, and am looking at on-line vegan yarn sources for a new hat. Besides knitting, i'm working on my Tie One On apron, another gift, and getting ready for my Hallowe'en extravaganza! Wish me luck...

This Trade Show's for Me!

I know that i already posted something today, but this info deserves immediate attention! Wow, i can't believe my luck. Someone told me today about this amazing craft fair that's coming to Toronto this weekend. Has anyone else heard of it, and how come i don't know about it already - it comes yearly! Check out the website for more info on the Creative Sewing and Needlepoint Festival/Creative and Crafting, Arts & Decor Festival for more info - there should be stuff on quilting, sewing, patterns, knitting, and so much more! This will definitely bring me knitting inspiration! See you there.

My Moments of Craftiness

My creation
Originally uploaded by veganvania.

Here are some photos of what i am currently working on. I've hit a bit of a rut with knitting - maybe it's because i facilitate a stitch n bitch group and am always helping others - but now i feel inspired again. i know what my sister's presents for christmas will be, as well as some other people. now i just have to get started! My first quilt project is really rather simple - i bought an unfinished work and just need to put it together with the batting and back, which is what i'm doing now. The bottlecap piece will be for my second quilt/bedcover which will have 30 different vintage hankies and this in the middle. Whew, i'm tired just thinking of all of this!

Thanksgiving Extravaganza!

Meet Shuma, and forget about seeing the dingy bathtub.

I'm off to cottage country for a couple of days of respite from the city. Can't wait to enjoy the drive up and see all the fall colours. I'm taking a quilt i'm working on, some yarn to make a cable belt with (from Stitch n Bitch Nation), and my Tie One On apron for October, plus the current book i'm reading, Aman. We stayed home this Friday night to make some tasty treats for our big Thanksgiving dinners (notice the plural). We made a Tofurkey with potatoes as well as a few dozen pumpkin cookies. The tofurkey is pretty easy and the best part is the stuffing. I bought a vegan packet of gravy to do as well (convenience beats out authenticity at the cottage). The cookies are a Martha Stewart recipe that i altered to be vegan - all the rage at a party this year - soft, moist, sweet, like mini pumpkin pies! Since it's Thanksgiving (even though i have misgivings about celebrating it), one thing i am thankful is the unconditional love i have from the two boys in my life, my partner and my cat Shuma. He even likes to keep me company when i take a bath or shower (but he's too shy to see me sans clothes!) That's why i wanted you to meet him, officially.

I'm on Fire!!!

Literally, i mean it. I can't believe my bad luck. I cook over my stove daily, but for some reason, Sunday seemed to be a special day of learning for me. I was reaching over my stove to get some spices while i had the front two elements on med-low (i had a big pot on to boil water). And voila! I smell something burning, a funny smell, and i look down, and there's my shirt and pants on fire! I screamed like you wouldn't believe (not loud enough, incidently to wake my sleeping prince on the couch!), and patted down my top. To top it off (no pun intended), i searched high and low for a top like this (blouse, with buttons in the back) and now it's ruined. Well, i'm a crafty grrl, i guess i'll add a bow or flower detail to it. Any suggestions; look at the dark mass for guidance. Now i know that my aprons aren't just for show or to stop the flour from getting all over me - they are practical too for fires. Be warned!

Time to Start Holiday Gift-Making

Well, it's October 1st, and that means two things - Hallowe'en/Hallow's Eve is just around the corner and it's only a few months time to the holiday season. I'm hoping to make some gifts again this year, but am a little stumped on what to make. I always make something for my sister and mom, but i think i'll branch out and make gifts for everyone on my list! Which means, i better start now. I just recently got into quilting, and while i'm by no means good at it like some others i know, the new Denyse Schmidt Quilts book will be a good source of inspiration. That and these fantastic books i got from my mom (pictured here). What are all of you making this year?