Many years ago I had huge dreams of homemade blankets.
Piles and piles of glorious homemade goodness.
I thought about quilting with vintagey pale calicos, but it's too technical for my pea brain.
I am wishing on that one still.
Then I had a dream of throwing clay on the wheel, and I got really obsessed with that.
I would make clay things from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m.
For years.
Then I made jewelry like a mad woman.
Then I bought my weight in yarn.
Then I bought more clay.
Then I became soldering obsessed.
Then I made a great wall of blanket and forced myself to stop after adding for 8 years (maybe more).
Then I started the blanket below on December 23rd 2013.
And finished it last week.
Forced myself to stop.
It was the hardest thing ever.
Stopping.
And did I tell you about that time I decided to start blogging???
🙂
Wait wait, I am still obsessed with all those things.
(here's the newest blanket below just completed)
Well, you know where this is leading.
I suppose it's no secret.
I have a bit of ocd.
Do you???
Tell me you do too.
Please?
What is your obsession (s)?
Sometimes it's a burden, like when I have to check doors and locks 35 times.
(for some reason that faded when I moved to the country house full time)
But, it was to the point that I would have to talk to myself.
And remind myself that I did check it, and that everything is okay.
Brain gets tense and stuck, goes bonkers.
Drives hours to go recheck something.
Twice.
It's exhausting.
And since I am coming clean, I count things too, but less now that I am older.
Letters and numbers and boxing in words, all in the mind.
OY, my brain.
What is wrong with me?
The part that annoys people (like ML) is that I have been known to ask the same question several times.
I just want to be sure 🙂
Maybe that's why I love crochet?
Doing the same thing over and over and over and over and over again.
I find such comfort in it.
I can breathe and relax.
And not to mention, count!
Hey, epiphany moment here.
I can listen to the same song over and over all day for years.
It becomes part of me, my daily thing.
A flow.
I have a very complicated brain I guess.
Then I decided I needed to make homemade pasta…
But before I go there, let's talk about…
The blanket I forced myself to stop last week.
Like I said, I made it fairly quickly.
Dec 23rd to last week.
So, a few weeks.
And the whole family has enjoyed it.
It's about 69" x 50" in size.
I decided to hide out and watch scary movies to break it in last weekend.
Popcorn, shirley temples?
Keep 'em coming, keep 'em coming….
Aaaaaaahhh!
So here it is, smaller than the great wall of blanket of course.
And looser.
Lighter, simpler.
It's prettier up close because I double up many yarns, and it's super sparkly too.
You can not see hardly any sparkle in photos.
Below is the great wall of blanket, which you have heard about for years.
I worked on it for 8+ years.
I finally stopped when it was 100" x 70" in size.
You can tell I started it when I had a really really really stressful job.
Why?
The weave is sooooo tight and obsessive.
It's not even funny 🙂
I remember my hand always aching when I would work on it.
Years and years of weaving.
Super sparkly too.
And because the weaves are so tight, it is extra warm.
I personally think it would made an awesome coat.
It is so heavy, it's astounding.
Crazy heavy.
After this pic below, he didn't want to take it off.
Soooo warm and cozy.
So, while he cuddled up with the yarn…
I decided I needed to make homemade pasta.
Needed to.
I tried Ree's recipe.
It was good, next time I will try Mario Batali's for fun.
It takes some elbow grease doing it by hand.
2 eggs for 1 cup flour.
That's it.
I did 6 eggs and 3 cups flour.
I kneaded my heart out.
About 10 minutes.
Adding flour when sticky.
Then I rolled it out super thin.
I plastic wrapped and refrigerated half of it.
And made the other half last night.
Using my pizza cutter to slice.
It was fun actually.
I made it in batches.
When you pop it in the boiling salted water it sinks to the bottom.
Then a few seconds later each noodle starts to float.
Ree said to cook it for about 2 minutes.
But that was a bit too dense and al dente for us.
3-4 minutes was even better for our mouth likes.
I had some homemade summer pesto in the freezer, so I heated that up real quick.
It was such a fun thing.
(The doggies reaaaally loved it, they like basil and they love pasta. They get homemade food sometimes, and their doc says pasta is a go, so, yay.)
This morning I decided to make the refrigerated dough, and it was even easier to work with and roll out.
I made a go to dressing, because it's sunny and I wanted a cool light pasta for lunch.
The juice of 1 lemon, the grated peel of 1 lemon, a heaping spoon of honey, a heaping spoon of mayo.
Whisk.
Then add a drizzle of olive oil and two slurps of white vinegar.
So fresh, so yumm.
It makes a lovely dressing for anything.
I love it with roasted chicken shredded, as a salad, with peas and diced veggies.
Or pasta, salad like, dishes.
Which is what I made.
You can also put in canned fish if you need some protein in there.
I did some tuna fish and peas.
I love peas.
I eat lots of frozen peas.
Stir, and yumm.
That was a real pasta fill.
I am not a HUGE pasta lover.
But, from time to time, it really hits the spot and I want some.
So, we have homemade pasta, and crochet blanket dreams come true.
What's next?
2 stacked blankets.
Yay.
But, ocd says, more more more more!
I think I am like cookie monster, honestly.
Well, I started the scalloped edging for a new blanket last night actually.
I will only use yarn I have on hand.
As I did with the one I just made.
I enjoy having something as such to do late at night.
Are you ocd-ing on anything lately??
Or always??
😉
Love, V
ps: Is everyone on vacation, bored, tired, hibernating, in a holiday fog still????
Oooo, vacation, yumm.
pss: here is a video that has the most views on youtube for crochet beginners.
psss: Here is an easy video, also on youtube, for crochet flowers.
Bee-U-Tee-Full! And yes! I have OCD too 😳
Ha ha ha! I got here before anyone else did…bbbhhhhaaa!
So, my Beloved Fanciful One, I am in LoVe with your crocheted binkie. I desparetly need to learn how to try some lovely stitches together. If I were your neighbor, I would be poking my head over your fence…”Vanessa, oh Vanessa, PLEASE please teach me to crochet. Alas, me be thousands of miles away 😰. Have you every crazy quilted? It’s great fun too.
I 💜💚💛💖 you!
Coricakesaloo
Thank you, Oh I would teach you. The smaller one only took like 3 weeks to make.
The bigger tighter one took 8+ years 😉
xoxo
I think everyone has slowed down after the holidays. But oh how I love your crochet blankies! They are gorgeous my friend. And the pasta looks very yummy. I made Broccoli quiche using your recipe and it was incredible. I actually froze 3 slices (and ate 3 slices) so that works out great. I love that it uses buttermilk instead of cream….so much better for you! Sweet hugs!
I’m here! That pasta looks good and I love the sauce you made. I can eat that so will be making a note of it to give it a try sometime. I wonder how oat flour would be to make pasta? I do miss pasta and I know there is gluten free pasta out there but I haven’t checked to see if it is sugar free too.
I love your blankets! I so want to learn to crochet! I’m just going to have to do it and figure it out. Maybe youtube can help?
I don’t know if it is OCD or not but I will listen to the same song on repeat for days and days. And when I get something on my mind I tend to think about it over and over until my brain just wants to explode. (course it always wants to explode cause of headaches, but well…)
I’m drawing faces tonight. Working on making one that I can add to a painting. I think I’ve found the right one. Tomorrow I will definitely look up crochet! 🙂
love & blessings my dear sweet V!
~*~
ps…hugs & kisses to Matty and Miles!
Oh my…..I get the locks…..must recheck many many times! Can not crochet but love to knit. Made my Mom a nice big blanket for Christmas. I am wondering how unbearable summer is there…. as we think that winters here (Georgia ) are getting harder to take and your winter seems so lovely!
Hello Beti, oooo knitting, I tried once and found it too hard. Maybe
I will try again some time 😉
Well, we are having a crazy mild winter. It usually snows in
February. Winter has not found us yet, thank goodness. I love winter
in Arizona, so delicious.
Summer is very hot, but its dry, not humid, so that makes is sort of
fun. It only gets humid for about 2 months in rainy season.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/16/2014 5:53:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Beautiful!!!
Those blankets are so colorful & beautiful! I’ve found the best yarns in the baby afghan section. They are softer & fuzzier!
You’ve gotten me to pick up my crochet hooks again! I’ve been watching videos online to refresh my memory on some stitches.
I started with some washcloths. I’m trying out different stitches. I’m not following any sort of pattern. Just making it up as I go along.
Oh boy, OCD! I’m a checker. Did I ever tell you about the time we were driving home from our cottage (2 hours away) & I said to my husband….”I didn’t check the stove before we left”. I don’t use it much over there & I was afraid that I may have forgotten to shut it off. We were almost home when the thought struck me. We had to drive 2 hours back there (of course it was off) & then 2 hours back home again! Six hours of driving that should have been only two! I thought he was going to kill me! I’m not as bad as I used to be. I also get all consumed with a project & then all of a sudden move on to something else. I eventually go back but I just get so consumed. I can be a counter too. I have to concentrate on stopping when I catch myself doing it. I’ve read books about OCD but in the end I figure mine’s not life altering like some people who have it bad. I can live with it! You’re right though, the counting thing probably makes us good crocheters!
I have to try to control my ocd, because it could easily take over – and I
find it so terribly exhausting too.
Oh yes yes yes, baby section best yarns!!
Once, I drove to the country form the city house, only to think I didnt
lock it, even though I knew I did, my soul would not rest. I had to drive
all the way back.
Then when I got to the country, I did it again.
And I realize, it was like my brain had erased the memory of doing it at
all. Which is why I had to do it again.
So, the third time back, I walked it all out, outloud. That was one
of the worst times. I was sobbing, telling myself it was safe and move on,
but I couldnt. Insanity. It was a weird night in total though
😉
hahahaha!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/16/2014 6:40:37 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Vanessa:
I wish my mom could see your blankets. She would love them! Your color choices and textures are gorgeous and light-hearted.
OCD!! Unfortunately, I could write a book about it. But…as I get older, I am not as burdened. I used to be on medication, which I hated. It made everything TOO okay. I stopped checking and cleaning the water spots on my faucets, I stopped counting my steps and I stopped typing in my head. BUT….the meds made me so blah and casual. My lows weren’t as bad, but my everydays were so gray. I haven’t been on meds for years now, and I’m finally learning to control things by myself, in a healthy way.
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Yes, mine is fading too, thank goodnessss!
Awe, your mom 3 3 3
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/16/2014 6:56:45 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Definitely still in a holiday fog, I’m only just starting to feel like I have any energy.
I never realised that you could make fresh pasta without a pasta machine to do all the rolling out, that’s why I’ve avoided it. Hummmmmm might have to give it a go now.
Oh that pasta, oh my my my! I’m a starch-carb freak and I have been craving peas for a while now. I have never tried before, but I will have to make some fresh pasta on the weekend!
On the other topic I have to say ‘no’, no OCD. But I do want things done MY way 🙂
Oh Miss Vanessa, Your blanket is so beautiful and cozy. I love it. What size crochet hook do you use? Thank you for the video, but I like your thingamabobs better..So whimsical and fun. I could use your warm blanket on this cold, cold day here in Michigan. It is still snowing.
Your pasta is wonderful and your meal looks so yummy.
thank you again for the video.
He’s wearing his coat of many colors wonderfully! I think most artists are OCD and hoarders. I know when an obsession finds me I have to have as many of “those” things as possible. My logic is that I won’t be able to find anymore, ever, ever again…lol
Oh my GAWD that is a gorgeous blanket. Making me really really want to pick up the crochet hook and knitting needles tonight even though I must write a paper today! I go through my obsessions too, don’t worry. I’m a checker hehe. I’ll clean a room, a cupboard, a closet, and check it over and over again to make sure no one’s put anything in the wrong place. They know I’ll be breathing down their neck! I’m a tidy obsessed gal, nothing kept that’s not loved, nothing in the wrong spot!
Thanks Miss Linda 😉
OKay so, on the great wall of blanket that is tightly woven, I used a 5mm
crochet hook. And on the recent blanket, the one with aquas and pinks I
used a 9 mm hook for a looser look. On flower thingamabobs, I usually
use a 4mm, maybe one size smaller depending.
So, when I started making flowers I was taught in that style in the video,
but then I just elaborated and invented on my own later ;))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/17/2014 6:08:10 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I cannot even IMAGINE making something that gorgeous. I mean, well, you know I am often a bit….challenged…when it ocmes to Things Requiring Skill And Dexterity (you DO remember the square snowflake incident of 2008?)
Le Sigh. MAYBE. I mean MAYBE as i get older my brain will say nonono we tried it that way and lets do it this way….or maybe i should just get Lovee to model whatever i make and it’ll look great! (aw, see that? Roo gave some props to your MANekin!) heeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Who knows?
I did do that hooklatch stuff as a kid. And needlepoint. I always ended up with the little wooden circle thingy on my head doing my best imitation of a shepherd though 😀
But I think maybe possibly i could do the pasta stuff. i gotta rolling pin. Could you do it with some sort of healthy frou frou flower too, do you think?
Now I gotta go back and look for the pesto recipe again and did i miss the lasagna recipe?
Wolf Boy makes Sobe noodles (the japanese ones) with thai peanut sauce, green peas, and black beans…and then tuna or salmon or fake chicken. Its DELISH!!! We’re huge pasta fans too. Him being from N’awlins, I also get a lot of shrimp-and-sausage pastas and etouuffes <---totally spelled wrong. NOT that I am complaining. 😉 I will check the coffee pot 1000000 times to make sure i turned it off. And lights. And heaters. And car lights. Not so much the door though- like you I'm way out in the boonies and behind a locked gate. 🙂 {{Also good for when one watches scary movies!!!} XOXOXVIIIXOXOXOX
FLOUR not flour. I mean, I guess you can make pasta with edible flowers in it…..
flour not flower. AYE CARUMBA!!!
Hahahaaa!! Flower… oooooo!!
I was just in the garden eating violets and arugula 🙂
You know what Rooooster? It’s probably not very good that I became so laxidazical (sp?) about the locks in the country. Maybe I should revisit that?? hahahaa!
Oh no, I didn’t post the lasagna recipe yet. I already forgot what I did 😉
I should make it again just to remember, hahahaa!!
You rock the socks!!!
xoxoxo
The thing I love about OCD is how it makes me plunge into things.
The thing I don’t like about it, repeating things over and over 🙂
But that has faded soooooo much as I get older.
Thank heavens!
I am sooo exactly like you in the crafty OCD department, you just don’t know!I wish you could see all my artzy starts and stops and just how many craft supplies I have. I need to will them to you If I were to pass because no one else would appreciate them. You are the best lil Miss. Your long lost Vegas friend Chrissi!
Chrissi!!!! Oh yes, will them to me pleeeeease ;))) But
hopefully that wont be necessary and you will get to use them all, hahahaha
xoxo!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/17/2014 11:22:52 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Vanessa, I love your blankets! I could make one like that as I have tons of all kinds of yarn. Yes, I have OCD too when it comes to yarn. Just ask my hubby! He just recently helped me box up a bunch of the yarn to put in our storage building because I’ve run out of room in the house! Ok … now, you know we want to know what stitched you used on both blankets and how many chains you started out with (on the smaller one). Thanks! You pasta looks yummy too!
Sharon, hahahaa! I have no idea. That is the problem, I dont
know crochet lingo, I just somethimg would go into the loops 3 times, sometimes
2, sometimes 1. On each different color. Isnt that pitiful??
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/17/2014 5:18:45 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Well Vanessa, you inspired me so much that I have started a throw like yours only my colors are a little different. Once you get started, you just can’t stop. I’m going to have a small fortune in this little thing, haha! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Oh, I tried your recipe for deviled eggs and they were devine and also the carmel corn….oh WOW. Next I want to try your lemon soufflé.
You are a mad woman! A Magical Mad Woman! I love how you learned to be a self-soother with your crochet and other arts. I think all the best artists are mad indeed.
Lovelovelove,
Deb
Hi Vanessa –
A friend of mine works with a woman who has bad OCD when it comes to checking things before leaving the house. Her solution – Before leaving, she takes a photo of the stove turned off, the locked door, etc. That way, she can prove to herself she actually did those things before her departure. I think it’s a brilliant solution and it save A LOT of driving. 😉
LOVE, love the idea of homemade blankets – and just may make some. If only I weren’t sooo obsessed with the other million things I’m obsessed with…
Hahahahaa!! Obsession are good though, they make me get out of bed in
the morning 🙂
Well, thank goodness I dont have anything to do with the city house
anymore or I would be checking it still.Nothing like having a city house
full of treasures.
Now in the country, I check nothing. Which could be dangerous,
hahaha!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/18/2014 12:14:42 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
you are always an inspiration!
thank you for the beauty you fill our lives!
ocd? but of course! Let’s see…..I play games with license tags where I make them into abbreviations fr stuff. I count steps EVERYWHERE I go…from crack to crack. How many steps? I check my clock over and over to make sure I set it even though I don’t need it because I wake up before it goes off. Everything has to be even, pressure wise. If I knock a knee, I have to crack the other one…if my finger hurst, I press the other one so it is even. The list goes on……that is why I crochet. It settles me……and the wine helps too!
Luv your blankets….I may have to begin one of my own today!
We make fresh pasta often…don’t knee it like bread but just incorporate it together and knead lightly for just a few minutes-then let it set for AT LEAST 30 minutes….or overnight in the fridge. This helps the gluten and eggs to meld well together and makes it easier to roll out…that is what you found out from the refrigerated batch 🙂
I’m working on a mini dollhouse right now…maybe I should make a mini sparkle afghan for it too…?
Oh Yea, I suffer from the OCD too. I do the counting thing also! Have since I was a kid and also find crocheting comforting with the repetition and the counting. Right now am obsessed with making scrapbook albums and doodling and am a terrible craft supply hoarder. Your blankets are lovely and the pasta looks divine, however I won’t be taking up the latter as I don’t like to cook. 🙂
Hugs to you,
Tracy M.
mini sparkle afghan?? yes for sure!! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 1/20/2014 7:54:52 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
The post was really amazing to read. I am going to share it with my friends and family. Thanks!