Painting and sewing and rain

It has been raining all week!!!

View of the rain from our front window, as seen from my sewing table.

Which means inside projects. The first half the week John primered the little bedroom and I worked on a little dress project. It has an embroidered bodice featuring a hand sketched version of Sun Bonnet Sue and a colorful little skirt. The bodice work has taken me most of the week to complete.

I have always loved Sun Bonnet Sue and you know about my passion for gardening! This is inspired by a darling quilt my great grandmother made me when I was a wee one. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I decided to go with a thread tone that would compliment the skirt fabric I chose. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I love adding all the little accent touches, they are what really make a piece special! (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

I decided that it was silly that every little Sue I had ever seen had white skin, so I chose a beautiful, warm, chocolate tone for my bodice. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

One of my favorite things to add, the flowers!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Missy Cat said I had been working hard enough through the nasty rainy weather that I deserved a break. So I put my embroidery aside long enough to make Short Round and the rest the family a healthy treat. I made two batches of power balls, little healthy energy snacks.

Then it was back to work for me!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

The chickens wondered what had happened to mom, since they hadn't really seen much of me all week.

But Chewy Dog assured them I was working away inside and would be back out as soon as the weather cleared up.

I just love her little braid! it finishes her off so completely. Very happy with how she turned out. 

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Bear decided she really liked the fabric I picked!

So much that I had to chase her down to get it back! But in the end it worked out, She helped mom pin pleats and sew the skirt to the bodice. One straight pin at a time.

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I am presently finishing off the bodice edge with a  lovely blanket stitch. I will then turn my attention to the hem line and it shall be complete!

But it hasn't been a week of all sewing. I have painted and baked some as well.

Calzone half fail. Still tasty, but not right. 

I made calzone, which didn't turn out so great due to old yeast and I made lemon cookies which turned out fabulous enough to make up for the calzone and then some!

Yesterday I even took a day off, simply called in sick to life with the blahs. Today I was back to work though, I got a first coat of my base colors on the little bedroom walls.

You can see the original brown ceiling paint through my pink texturing. The ceiling and all of the trim was that deep brown originally. And all the walls were the color that the door presently is.

Bear was really excited about getting her own room! This was the girls' room, but Short Round has moved into the big bedroom now that grandpa is gone and Bear has been waiting in anticipation for a room of her own. She was so excited when dad started primering the walls and mom painted the ceiling. However...

When she woke up from her nap to see I had transformed her room to this... I simply do not have words for the look of horror and disgust that contorted her face. Apparently Bear does not approve of pink walls, no matter how many times mom tells her it is a lovely rose color and it will be assuredly beautiful when it is done. In her defense, it is very pink.

Too bad she can not share my country cottage vision. The two wall shades will have a textured over layer to blend them and tone down the colors. The window will be framed in roses and the ceiling and walls will have a border trim of little flowers and vines when it is all completed.

Not sure if you can see the floral pattern on the blue tile flooring in these photos, but I just love this floor!

I think it will be lovely when it is all done. Let's just hope Bear can bear with me. I think I may even have enough paint left to do the big bedroom as well, though I may end up having to buy a bit more. I keep thinking I would love to paint the walls of the big room teal with a painted white picket fence and roses on the fence. Guess we shall see how the mood strikes me and what my inspirations are when I get to it. I originally was going to paint the big room light mint green and a light lilac or lavender purple, but why buy more paint if I have enough of this one left? Hmmmm, sudden thoughts of a light minty green on the walls and lilacs painted into the corners or framing the window with the painted fence and roses. Ohhh!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Anyway, that's been my week. The little dress is almost done! And the weather forecast is supposed to warm up, with clearer skies ahead. Which means back outside to button up the coop and clamp down on our gardening.

Which reminds me, I have much blogging to catch up on in regards to both the coop and the garden!

All photos in this blog are the soul property of Full Knitted Jacket. Please contact me for permission before using any images from my blogs. All product designs, descriptions and images copyright Lae Morae / Adina Higdon and Full Knitted Jacket unless other wise specified. All Rights Reserved.

Plants, Seeds and Recipes?

(c) Full Knitted Jacket April 2012

Friends and fans, as an avid organic gardener and believer in self sustainability, I have decided to celebrate the warming months by opening up my shop to wider things. I likely will not be listing live plants or seeds this year, but please know I do have some things I will pass on very cheaply if you are interested. I have live fully organic plants that I will sell you "dirt" cheap. Along with many seeds I have collected from my own garden, including mustard, dill and many squash, I believe I also have broccoli seeds. 

The live plants will be shipped bare root, and if interested please contact me right away! 


Lemon balm is an amazing hardy herb from the mint and balm family that is great for teas all year around. Perfect for soothing anti viral teas in cold season, or refreshing iced teas on hot summer days. I will even pass on tips on harvesting and drying at your asking. 


Sage plants, perfect for your herb garden.


Parsley plants, another perfect cooking herb you can grow at home. 


I have ginger starts also. Live rhizomes with plant starts ready for your potted garden or in warmer climates they can be planted straight into your garden. I can send on some ginger growing tips at your request. 


Live bare root black berry plants. For those who do not live in the pacific north west where black berries grow prolifically, I would love to share the bounty of these lovely berries with you! The roots are a perfect natural cure for loose stools, the leaves share the beneficial properties of the red raspberry and are great for women's tonics. These will arrive at your door ready to be planted. At your request I will share trimming tips and ideas for keeping your new garden treasure in check! 

Mustard seeds are great tossed into stews and in the crock pot with corned beef. The greens are great in a dandelion green and fresh greens salad. Wonderful to make your own mustard powder or table mustard. 


Dill seeds, another great kitchen herb that is easy to grow.
As I am not yet set up for officially selling seeds and plants, everything this year is extra cheap, and will not be shipped to you in fancy packaging. Same great organic quality from a back yard farmer to your back yard, but none of the added cost of the frills. I just want to share my abundance and over stock with you. 


All you need to do is contact me with your custom order request and it's yours while supplies last. Shipped straight to your door from my garden, right away. (Seeds are all last years seeds and have been properly stored, they will not be shipped straight from my garden)

Please consult your local planting guides for your area before purchasing, as I am in the pacific north west and will be making plants available through our safe planting season. Now is the perfect time to plant any of the above listed live plants, so if interested please do not hesitate! 


Contact me via email at Full.Knitted.Jacket@gmail.com or on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FullKnittedJacket .

Up coming, be looking for many more seeds next year as I harvest the ones from this season. I re allocated my extra strawberries this year, but if you are really interested in some I have several I could make available. Next year be looking for strawberry plants, black berry plants, possibly raspberry plants, lemon balm plants, parsley plants and tons more seeds! 

Also be watching my shop for recipes, I plan to start adding some of my favorite recipes that I have written, for very low cost to you. First on my planned list? A wonderful summer dish, potato salad.

(c) Full Knitted Jacket April 2012

All photos in this blog are the soul property of Full Knitted Jacket. Please contact me for permission before using any images from my blogs. All product designs, descriptions and images copyright Lae Morae / Adina Higdon and Full Knitted Jacket unless other wise specified. All Rights Reserved.

Sweet treat Saturday

Okay it is a bit early, I know it is supposed to be free pattern Friday... but I have these sweet delights for you instead. 

Photos courtesy Luulla

Food blog? Why yes I think so!

So you guys may not know I have a food blog too, though I have been kind of lazy maintaining it over the past year, all with new babies and new businesses and such. However I have committed to being better at posting blogs up there and sharing my other favorite passion besides fibers, that's right, foods.

I have recipes and tons of yummy food photos!

Oh ya and this week I am busy baking Lemon Cheese cake with blue berry sauce and whipped cream for Bears first birthday, so you get recipes instead of patterns for your free Friday!

Merry Krampus!

I was craving monkey bread today which led to me finding this great biscuit site! Every thing you need to know to make perfect biscuits!

Photo courtesy of Pinch My Salt 

I ended up deciding on cinnamon rolls which are raising by the fire as we speak, but also wanted to share these monkey bread short cuts for bisquick and pillsbury.

Photo courtesy Betty Crocker

Oh and here is a great baklava recipe for your Holiday pleasure as well.

Hope your holiday was great and merry!

Shara's Pumpkin Tarts

This Pumpkin recipe is brought to you by a friend of mine Shara.

(c) Shara Amir, 2011

Pumpkin Preserves
1 4 –pound piece of pumpkin, seeded 1 Tblsp whole cloves, tied in a piece of cheesecloth
3 c sugar 1 Tblsp lemon juice
Preheat ove to 375’F. Put pumpkin in a baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes until tender. Scoop the flesh away from the rind, discarding rind. Transfer pumpkin to a nonreactive saucepan. Add sugar and cloves, simmer for 15 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Do not let it boil over. Add lemon juice and cook a bit longer until the preserves set. Discard the cheesecloth with cloves. Transfer to small clean jars and close the lid. Keep in refrigerator for up to 3 months. Makes 3 ½ cups.
Pumpkin Tart
1/3 c olive oil 1/3 c sunflower oil ½ c sugar 2 eggs 3 Tblsp brandy
3-3 ½ c unbleached all purpose flour 1 tsp salt ½ to 1 tsp mixed ground cinnamon and cloves
Zest of 1 lemon 1 ½ cups pumpkin preserves 2/3 c blanched slivered almonds
Process oils and sugar in the food processor for about 2 minutes. Add eggs, brandy, 3 c flour, spice mixture and zest. Process until you have a soft dough. If it is too soft, add some more flour, but be sure not to overwork the dough.
Divide dough in 3 equal pieces. Form each into a ball and wrap in plastic and place in the refrigerator for about an hour. Preheat oven to 375’F.
Lightly sprinkle work surface and rolling pin with flour. Roll out two of the dough balls together to form a 15 inch diameter circle.
Lightly oil a 12 inch tart pan with removable bottom. Transfer the pastry to it and trim edges. Pour pastry into shell and spread evenly.
Form remaining pastry into walnut sizes balls. Roll each ball in your hands to form long cords. Crisscross cords over preserves to make diamond pattern and press ends into rim of pastry shell to attach. Sprinkle with almonds and bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Makes 10 servings.
These were made into tiny tarts, instead.

Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin!

I just had to share this list of great pumpkin recipes! A favorite taste of the season!

Taste of the Season

I know I have a food blog, and this is not it, but I just had to share . This is the season when I always want to devote my time to hours in the kitchen baking away. My mind turns to pear butter, pumpkin butter, pies , cobblers, cinnamon rolls, fudge, divinity, and all manor of cookies, candies and treats.

In case you guys didn't yet know, I love to bake!  That said I have been finding some very tasty looking recipes that really catch my eyes this last week. Disclaimer here, I have not actually tried any of these recipes yet, but I still wanted to share the tasty love with my readers.


Anything I can make in my crock pot makes me smile. I just adore my crock pot! So these little treats really caught my eye. Crock pot sugared pecans.

I have been craving fudge and stumbled upon someone selling pumpkin fudge, I was so intrigued by this idea, two of my favorite things together? Yum! So when I saw this recipe listed I was super excited!

Speaking of pumpkin. I have a thing for pancakes, and I have recipes ranging from brownie pancakes to traditional, these seem like a really great addition to any one's pancake recipe collection!. Pumpkin pancakes...

I also love tasty home baked breads, and whats better than sweet breads? From pumpkin breads to this yummy looking treat.