Alli Raw

After discovering my newest favorite hobby (knitting) over the last summer, I have fallen in love with the simple lace patterns and am looking forward to trying cabling next. I just wanted to leave you all with this awesomely simple pattern that I whipped up for myself the other day. It literally took me only two days to knit (or two end of the days movies) and I am a fairly slow knitter so I'm sure it whip up just as fast (if not faster) for you. Beginner's Leg Warmers I used a heavy weight yarn for this project (Vanna's Choice Heavyweight in Ivory) Size 15 (US) knitting needles. *Note- These are knitted from the base up, and are as a flat piece and then stitched together using the mattress stitch. Stitches are easier in the eyelet section if they are knitted more loose. CO 35 Row 1: *k3, p2; repeat from * to end. Row 2: *p3, k2; repeat from * to end. Repeat rows 1&2 7 times. Should be a total of 16 rows so far. On the RS, begin eyelet pattern Row 17: k1, *yo, k2...

Hey it's Christmas time, and my little fingers have been hard at work, designing and crafting for loved ones all around. I have to say, Pintrest has been AMAZING in keeping my ideas down to earth and actually feasible. It doesn't help for the multiply of them though. I have to share the skirt that I made (with no pattern) and sorry, I can't give away the original photo or tutorial, since I don't hold the copyright to either. And for those that love reading and eating (sometimes simultaneously) I made the easiest thing ever last night with some of my lady friends, and we ate every single one. They were that great. S'More Bites Using crescent rolls (prepackaged and unbaked), unroll on counter. At the wide end, sprinkle 5-6 choc chips and 3-4 mini marshmallows. Roll and bake according to directions. Try not to inhale all as soon as they come out of the oven. YUM!

 Honestly the only reason I'm up at three in the morning writing this is a combination of way too much caffeine late at night trying to stay up for band practice (that ended hours ago) and because in my insomnia stupor decided the best idea was to finish off Dexter season 4. Bad idea. The last scene gave me literal chills. So, here I am, an hour later, too terrified to go and work out either. Wishing desperately for the sun to rise and for the fabric store to open up. Instead, I'll share a couple of things that have been keeping my free time occupied of late. First of all, this song . Oh my, this song. Can't express how much I love this song. It doesn't have all the same lyrics that the one that our church plays, but still- incredible. {This Is War by Dustin Kensrue of Thrice} Making the second dress I've ever made, after my wedding dress. And busily making my first ever batch of jam, and canning my first batch. So much fun. Learning so much. For anyone ne...

This is my favorite tiramisu. Don't get me wrong, I love the chocolate/coffee kind as much as the next person. But something about crisp, tangy lemon and the sweet juicy blackberry just makes me ready for summer right now . I love it. And since my lemoncello has aged for about 4 months, it's the perfect time to make it. You can love it too now. Lemoncello Blackberry Tiramisu from Alli Raw's Kitchen 2 packages ladyfinger (dried out overnight) 16 oz mascarpone cream cheese 1/4 cup light sour cream 3-4 tablespoons sugar 1 lb blackberries, fresh or frozen 4 tablespoons lemoncello 1/3 cup lemon juice Blend the mascarpone, sour cream and sugar until smooth with no lumps. Check the taste, if still not sweet enough, add more. You do want it to be a little sweet because the lemoncello really isn't. Get a deep dish that you won't be embarrassed pulling out for the world to see, because you're going to want to share this with everyone. (I used my mixing bowl for lack of b...

When I was a child, all I wanted to do was to preform. My mother put me in dance lessons, and then after an bad injury a couple years into it, put me in music lessons. After six years on playing through all middle school and most of high school, I just stopped. I wasn't bad by any means, but I wasn't a rockstar. I just left to pursue being a teenager I guess. I don't even remember what my real reasoning was. I just quit. I question my decision now, but if I would have kept at it I might have missed something that I love now. I've come to realize in the last few years, how much better I like being behind the scenes. I can make the costumes, hang up the set, and run the music as long as I don't go up in front of anyone. It's funny, I don't think I would have ever realized how much more I love this, than if I would have left playing so long ago.

I've been making lemoncello this week. Meyer lemon lemoncello. For those of you that don't know what lemoncello is, it's a wonderful spring/summer after dinner drink that is tangy and slightly sweet. My aunt home makes lemoncello and it is always incredible. I can't wait to try mine. Right now Costco has Meyer lemons in 2lbs for like 7$ which is a total steal. I made two batches, the tester has been infusing for a week, and the second just started today. I love it so much, I'll even share the recipe here. Lemoncello makes 2 batches (adapted from Bon Appitet) 2lbs Meyer Lemons 8 cups good vodka (at least 80 proof) 6 cups sugar (It is a good idea to use organic lemons for this because of the prolonged contact with the zest.) Peel lemons in long strips making sure to only get the yellow part not the gross white part. Combine the zest and the vodka into a bottle. (I just used the vodka bottle for this part). Infuse for 1-2 weeks at room temperature. Juice lemons, throw...