Thursday, November 26, 2009
Pumpkin Waffles
Have some extra pumpkin puree lying around from making pies? Use it up by making these fantastic Pumpkin Waffles! Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, Monday
Everything is busy this time of year. On top of the holidays it is the last push until finals week. We have two days of classes this week, one more full week of classes and then a week of final exams. The semester absolutely flew by. It was an okay semester. My schedule was horrendous and the choice to take Physics was poor, but I really enjoyed taking 2-D and 3-D Design! So all in all it wasn't too bad. We'll see how I feel after finals!
In other news I'm narrowing down the fabrics for my next quilt, I think I have them pretty much worked out, I can't wait to start planning it out! I also need to whip up an apron for Thursday. I am a total mess in the kitchen and somehow have survived this long without a full-body apron. This will have to be remedied. If there is time I would like to make one from Seams to Me. But I will probably make one from a tea towel for now!
I can't believe I completed the Pyrex Friendship Cinderella Bowl Set. I am in love.
Picked up a Flamingo Pink Pyrex cake pan this afternoon. I went out looking for something for my 3-D project and hit Pyrex gold instead! I had to rearrange the pink so I thought I'd take a shot of my Flamingo Pink collection. I hope to find a rectangular pan someday!
Found lots of Spring Blossom today! I was really happy to find the square pan. I use my pink one all the time. Was totally thrilled to find the refrigerator dishes as well. Now I just need the largest one! I love refrigerator dishes, they are so cute!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Candles
Sound of: Harry Potter on Audiobook
Taste of: Banana Bread
Sight of: Pyrex!
Feel of: Warm blankets
Good Things about Today:
- Great finds at the thrift!
- Managed to take decent photos despite the rain!
- Got out of 3-D early today!
- Only 1 more class until Thanksgiving break!
In other news I'm narrowing down the fabrics for my next quilt, I think I have them pretty much worked out, I can't wait to start planning it out! I also need to whip up an apron for Thursday. I am a total mess in the kitchen and somehow have survived this long without a full-body apron. This will have to be remedied. If there is time I would like to make one from Seams to Me. But I will probably make one from a tea towel for now!
I can't believe I completed the Pyrex Friendship Cinderella Bowl Set. I am in love.
Picked up a Flamingo Pink Pyrex cake pan this afternoon. I went out looking for something for my 3-D project and hit Pyrex gold instead! I had to rearrange the pink so I thought I'd take a shot of my Flamingo Pink collection. I hope to find a rectangular pan someday!
Found lots of Spring Blossom today! I was really happy to find the square pan. I use my pink one all the time. Was totally thrilled to find the refrigerator dishes as well. Now I just need the largest one! I love refrigerator dishes, they are so cute!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Candles
Sound of: Harry Potter on Audiobook
Taste of: Banana Bread
Sight of: Pyrex!
Feel of: Warm blankets
Good Things about Today:
- Great finds at the thrift!
- Managed to take decent photos despite the rain!
- Got out of 3-D early today!
- Only 1 more class until Thanksgiving break!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Banana Bread
Between all the homework and studying I always seem to find time every couple weeks to bake. I love baking and one of my favorite things to bake right now is bread. This past Thursday I baked banana bread. This wasn't just any old banana bread though, this bread had toasted coconut flakes. Totally genius idea on Linda's part. It tastes delicious. I used this lovely recipe Banana Bread. I added a few things though: I replaced 3/4 c of flour with whole wheat flour and I added 1/2 t cinnamon, 1/2 c of toasted coconut and 1/2 c walnuts and left out the chocolate chips!
I used bananas that I had frozen for this recipe. A few weeks ago my local grocery store had $1 bags of overripe bananas so I bought two, ate as many as I could and froze the rest. I froze them whole, in their skins. The skins turn brown in the freezer, but the banana inside is fine. Before I left for school Thursday morning I put a bag of the frozen bananas in the refrigerator. They get a little mushy which is kind of gross but also exactly what you need for banana bread! When I was ready to use them I just tore off the top and the banana just slides out. Only a little mashing was needed to separate it. I was happy that I finally got to use my new (old) masher! :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Waffles
Sound of: Quiet
Taste of: Strawberry Jam
Sight of: My Quilt
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Sleeping in
- Watching George tear up his box
- Banana Bread
I used bananas that I had frozen for this recipe. A few weeks ago my local grocery store had $1 bags of overripe bananas so I bought two, ate as many as I could and froze the rest. I froze them whole, in their skins. The skins turn brown in the freezer, but the banana inside is fine. Before I left for school Thursday morning I put a bag of the frozen bananas in the refrigerator. They get a little mushy which is kind of gross but also exactly what you need for banana bread! When I was ready to use them I just tore off the top and the banana just slides out. Only a little mashing was needed to separate it. I was happy that I finally got to use my new (old) masher! :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Waffles
Sound of: Quiet
Taste of: Strawberry Jam
Sight of: My Quilt
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Sleeping in
- Watching George tear up his box
- Banana Bread
Friday, November 20, 2009
Flickr Favorites
1. Amy Butler, 2. paper polaroids wire , 3. Small parcel of Sweetness, 4. rise&shine, 5. fabric shopping, 6. Kawaii Animal Heads, 7. Courtney Clutch in Pretty Glow, 8. le kitchen, 9. my office in the early morning
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Warm Colors Patchwork Quilt
My first quilt is finished! FINISHED! I am so happy and excited! I had it professionally quilted by Christina over at The Sometimes Crafter! She did and amazing job, I highly reccomend her for your next quilting project! I will certainly turn to her for my next quilt! Which is already being planned :D I think I want to do a quilt just like this one except with cool colors instead of warm. I have such a large fabric stash and this is such a good way to clear some of it out. So it would be blues, greens, and purples. I'm excited to start going through my fabrics and planning it all out!
Soon I will be trying to take better photos of this beauty. The gray of Cleveland winters is slowly creeping in. I haven't had good photo-taking light in my apartment since Saturday so it's been hard to get decent photos. However as soon as it's nice there will be many more photos. Here is an older post that documents each step of the way: My First Quilt!
If you'd like to make your own, check out my Colors Quilt Tutorial.
Today I love the..
Smell of: New Shampoo
Sound of: George running around
Taste of: Diet Coke
Sight of: My Quilt
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Found some Pyrex thrifting!
- Did well on German test
- Yummy Burger at Max & Ermas
Monday, November 16, 2009
Weekend Sewing
I didn't have a lot of homework this weekend so I had some time to sew! I accumulated a lot of new scraps from making my quilt so I decided to use some of them up with a new project! I was inspired by this lovely Sewing Machine Cover and decided to make one for myself! I hadn't originally planned to add a border but I didn't cut enough squares and I didn't feel like cutting any more. I use my machine pretty regularly so I'm not really too concerned about dust. However, my sewing table is directly across from the door to my apartment so it's pretty much the first thing you see when you walk in the door. I figured that was a good enough excuse to make a pretty cover for it. I am really enjoying patchwork at the moment, I can't wait to start working on another patchwork project.
I have been drinking more tea lately so I thought I'd make this little tea wallet. I used this great little tutorial. I love an excuse to make fabric covered buttons! These fabrics are also from my quilt, I was able to use scraps to make this as well!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Cinnamon candle
Sound of: The sewing machine
Taste of: Lebkuchen
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Finished two sewing projects!
- Apartment is still clean!
- Playing with George
- Found a good deal at Old Navy!
I have been drinking more tea lately so I thought I'd make this little tea wallet. I used this great little tutorial. I love an excuse to make fabric covered buttons! These fabrics are also from my quilt, I was able to use scraps to make this as well!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Cinnamon candle
Sound of: The sewing machine
Taste of: Lebkuchen
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Finished two sewing projects!
- Apartment is still clean!
- Playing with George
- Found a good deal at Old Navy!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Flickr Favorites
1. I Did It!, 2. Kindle Case, 3. Hello kitty sewing machine, 4. coolsizzle closeup, 5. be still..., 6. Sewing machine cover, 7. Set of Enameled bowls, 8. patchwork pillow, 9. Pyrex Collection
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
More Sewing!
Finished up the last 1/3 of the binding tonight. It's all pressed and ready to go! I can't wait to get the quilt back and sew it all up! I can't believe how quickly it has come together with how busy I have been with school! I'm so excited to use it and say "I made this!". I have been sewing for a few years but the vast majority of my projects have been small. This is by far the biggest project I've ever undertaken and so far I couldn't be happier with how it has turned out. I can't wait to start working on my next quilt!
After completing the binding I made a couple little things for a friend's birthday. I have lots of pretty flannel patterns from Black Friday at JoAnns a few years ago so I thought this was a good excuse to cut into them!
I got my first taste of printmaking today in my 2D Design class. We are doing a unit on printmaking making mono-prints. The guest artist, Callie Haplea, did a demo/workshop with us explaining her techniques and introducing us to the process. She uses mainly stencils and textures using everyday materials. It got me really excited to get into the studio and start experimenting! I have always been really intrigued by printmaking and am really excited to get going!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh Bread
Sound of: The Cavs
Taste of: Diet Coke
Sight of: Finished Binding
Feel of: Warm Blankets
Good Things about Today:
- Made it through another Wednesday!
- Finished up the binding and presents
- Fun Mono printing workshop today!
- Did well on my German midterm
After completing the binding I made a couple little things for a friend's birthday. I have lots of pretty flannel patterns from Black Friday at JoAnns a few years ago so I thought this was a good excuse to cut into them!
I got my first taste of printmaking today in my 2D Design class. We are doing a unit on printmaking making mono-prints. The guest artist, Callie Haplea, did a demo/workshop with us explaining her techniques and introducing us to the process. She uses mainly stencils and textures using everyday materials. It got me really excited to get into the studio and start experimenting! I have always been really intrigued by printmaking and am really excited to get going!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh Bread
Sound of: The Cavs
Taste of: Diet Coke
Sight of: Finished Binding
Feel of: Warm Blankets
Good Things about Today:
- Made it through another Wednesday!
- Finished up the binding and presents
- Fun Mono printing workshop today!
- Did well on my German midterm
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Afternoon Sewing
Today was a good Tuesday. My busiest day of the week is Wednesday so usually my Tuesdays are super hectic trying to get things done. Not this one! I still had plenty of homework but not too much and I was efficient! This gave me time to sew and watch Up! I started working on the binding for my quilt today, since it is currently on it's way to being quilted! I sent it off to be quilted Monday. I am super excited and want the binding done when it gets back.
I am making the binding patchwork as well. Since the front and back both are I decided it would be fitting for the binding to be as well. Plus I don't have a lot of each fabric to make it all one pattern and I didn't want to buy any new fabric for this quilt. Stash only! (well except the batting but that doesn't count!) As I was making the binding using Christina's great Binding Tutorial Series I started accumulating little triangle scraps when trimming. Instead of throwing them away/in the scrap box I decided to sew them together. This little block is the result. I think I'll make it into a coaster! I used an 1/8" seam allowance if anyone is interested!
I have about 2/3 of the binding finished. I didn't feel like measuring as a cut out the original strips so I just cut a bunch. Now I just have to go back and cut more!
Last but not least, I caught George eating a carrot, his favorite food!
Today I love the..
Smell of: New Shampoo
Sound of: Cavs 'Soundtrack'
Taste of: Cheese and Crackers
Sight of: George
Feel of: Fabric
Good Things about Today:
- Up! came out today!
- Got most of the binding finished!
- Homework didn't take too long!
I am making the binding patchwork as well. Since the front and back both are I decided it would be fitting for the binding to be as well. Plus I don't have a lot of each fabric to make it all one pattern and I didn't want to buy any new fabric for this quilt. Stash only! (well except the batting but that doesn't count!) As I was making the binding using Christina's great Binding Tutorial Series I started accumulating little triangle scraps when trimming. Instead of throwing them away/in the scrap box I decided to sew them together. This little block is the result. I think I'll make it into a coaster! I used an 1/8" seam allowance if anyone is interested!
I have about 2/3 of the binding finished. I didn't feel like measuring as a cut out the original strips so I just cut a bunch. Now I just have to go back and cut more!
Last but not least, I caught George eating a carrot, his favorite food!
Today I love the..
Smell of: New Shampoo
Sound of: Cavs 'Soundtrack'
Taste of: Cheese and Crackers
Sight of: George
Feel of: Fabric
Good Things about Today:
- Up! came out today!
- Got most of the binding finished!
- Homework didn't take too long!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Flickr Favorites
1. Patchwork, 2. Strawberries // Swimming, 3. monet's flower garden, 4. boutonnière, 5. Summer is coming tote, 6. "Happy Halloween!" *Apollo*, 7. new bag!!!, 8. marrakech, 9. Circle of Geese :: July's Block
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thrift Finds
I finally managed to get the swine flu vaccine today after waiting in line for 2.5 hours, so this is going to be a short post! Managed to do a little thrifting before getting my shot as a little treat. :)
I couldn't believe it when I saw another one of these trash cans! I found the yellow one last week and today I picked up the red one. They're so cool.
I originally saw this little dish at the local consignment shop a few months ago. I really liked it then but it was a little more than I wanted to pay. When stopped in today I was thinking about it but didn't expect it to still be there! I picked it up for 50% off :)
Finally, a little George love. He's looking as cute as ever these days!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Apples
Sound of: Talk of the Town by Jack Johnson
Taste of: Roast Chicken
Sight of: New Camera!
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Good thrifting finds!
- Apples with caramel
I couldn't believe it when I saw another one of these trash cans! I found the yellow one last week and today I picked up the red one. They're so cool.
I originally saw this little dish at the local consignment shop a few months ago. I really liked it then but it was a little more than I wanted to pay. When stopped in today I was thinking about it but didn't expect it to still be there! I picked it up for 50% off :)
Finally, a little George love. He's looking as cute as ever these days!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Apples
Sound of: Talk of the Town by Jack Johnson
Taste of: Roast Chicken
Sight of: New Camera!
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Good thrifting finds!
- Apples with caramel
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Curious George
Instead of working on homework like I should be, I wanted to write a little something about one of my favorite albums. I love Jack Johnson but was a little skeptical about this soundtrack. I picked it up from the library mostly just so that I had more Jack Johnson. I never thought I would fall in love with it. It has a few kiddy songs, but the majority of the songs are classic Jack Johnson. I listen to this album all the time. If you haven't checked it out yet, you definitely should!
If it weren't for this album, I don't think that I would have thought to name my bunny George. The reason he is George is because he is so curious, and we thought of Curious George very quickly because this album is so often in my car player.
If it weren't for this album, I don't think that I would have thought to name my bunny George. The reason he is George is because he is so curious, and we thought of Curious George very quickly because this album is so often in my car player.
Monday, November 2, 2009
IT'S HERE!
Finally, my new camera is here. I finally broke down and upgraded my body. I have been shooting with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel since December 2003. It has lasted me very well these past 6 years. It's traveled with me, been out in the snow, rain, and to Cavs games. Surprisingly after taking about 40,000 photos with it, it still works great. It just isn't fast enough for what I want to do.
This new baby that arrived today is a Canon 40D. I got it used on eBay for exactly half of what it goes for on Amazon with free shipping. The biggest upgrade is going from being about to shoot 2 frames per second to a whopping 6.5 frames per second. No more blurry photos of Lebron dunking! :D :D :D
Going to the game tomorrow night, I cannot wait to try it out!!!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Bretzelbrot
Sound of: Wake up by Arcade Fire
Taste of: Brezelbrot
Sight of: New Camera!
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Picked up my camera today!
- 3-D went well today
- Both of my art projects are currently on display!
- Halloween candy on clearance!
This new baby that arrived today is a Canon 40D. I got it used on eBay for exactly half of what it goes for on Amazon with free shipping. The biggest upgrade is going from being about to shoot 2 frames per second to a whopping 6.5 frames per second. No more blurry photos of Lebron dunking! :D :D :D
Going to the game tomorrow night, I cannot wait to try it out!!!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Bretzelbrot
Sound of: Wake up by Arcade Fire
Taste of: Brezelbrot
Sight of: New Camera!
Feel of: George
Good Things about Today:
- Picked up my camera today!
- 3-D went well today
- Both of my art projects are currently on display!
- Halloween candy on clearance!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bretzel Brotchen
Finally had a break in the homework this weekend. It should be relatively quiet at school for a week or so and then it will be the final push towards finals week. I can't wait to winter break, my goal is to learn to crochet and start a granny square blanket! :) I'm getting ahead of myself but I'd also like to start another quilt, pretty much exactly like the one I have started but in cool colors, blue, turquoise, green and purple. We'll see! For now, I made Bretzel Brotchen tonight. It is my favorite bread in the world. Haha. This is a great recipe too. Here it is if you're interested: Pretzel Bread.
Received a lid for my Hostess set in a trade today! I think this is such a cool set and I'm really happy to now have a lid! :)
I was a busy bee in the kitchen today. On top of making Bretzelbrot I also made a Dutch baby this morning. It was interesting, I don't know yet it I really liked it. Either way, it was super easy and it looks cool, haha. I also made some candles today.
George has been good. He is still as cute as ever, and branching out eating all kinds of veggies!
Went home for a night and hung out with kitty. She didn't want to pose for me, but I managed to get a few good shots!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Vanilla candles
Sound of: Friends
Taste of: Brezelbrot
Sight of: Pyrex
Feel of: Comfy Futon
Good Things about Today:
- Found a great little quilt shop in the neighboring town
- Did well at Giant Eagle today
- Made Bretzelbrot
- Having time to just relax!
Received a lid for my Hostess set in a trade today! I think this is such a cool set and I'm really happy to now have a lid! :)
I was a busy bee in the kitchen today. On top of making Bretzelbrot I also made a Dutch baby this morning. It was interesting, I don't know yet it I really liked it. Either way, it was super easy and it looks cool, haha. I also made some candles today.
George has been good. He is still as cute as ever, and branching out eating all kinds of veggies!
Went home for a night and hung out with kitty. She didn't want to pose for me, but I managed to get a few good shots!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Vanilla candles
Sound of: Friends
Taste of: Brezelbrot
Sight of: Pyrex
Feel of: Comfy Futon
Good Things about Today:
- Found a great little quilt shop in the neighboring town
- Did well at Giant Eagle today
- Made Bretzelbrot
- Having time to just relax!
My First Quilt
It isn't finished yet, but it's definitely ready to go! I have the front and back all piece, purchased the batting, and contacted a local quilter. Now I just have to go through the process of getting it quilted and it'll be time to try out the great set of binding tutorials over at The Sometimes Crafter! I am beyond excited. The whole process came together pretty quickly especially since I never had a huge amount of time to dedicate to it all at once. So even though it isn't finished yet, here is a little timeline of the process, starting backwords!
This is the finished top. I'm really happy with how well the squares lined up. There are a few that aren't quite perfect, but for the most part they are all lined up!
Whipped up the back on Saturday morning. It is just some random rectangles of fabric from the front!
All the rows ironed and ready to be sewn together.
I spent a lot of time making sure that no two fabrics were in the same row or column. I also tried to balance out the bolder reds and fabrics so that they were dispersed pretty evenly. This took some fiddling but it was worth it!
It didn't take as long as I expected to cut all the squares. I used a 6x6 template, so the finished squares are 5.5 because of the .25" seam allowance.
I choose to use 40 fabrics. 20 are pink, and the other 20 are red, orange, and yellow.
EDIT: Here is the finished quilt!
This is the finished top. I'm really happy with how well the squares lined up. There are a few that aren't quite perfect, but for the most part they are all lined up!
Whipped up the back on Saturday morning. It is just some random rectangles of fabric from the front!
All the rows ironed and ready to be sewn together.
I spent a lot of time making sure that no two fabrics were in the same row or column. I also tried to balance out the bolder reds and fabrics so that they were dispersed pretty evenly. This took some fiddling but it was worth it!
It didn't take as long as I expected to cut all the squares. I used a 6x6 template, so the finished squares are 5.5 because of the .25" seam allowance.
I choose to use 40 fabrics. 20 are pink, and the other 20 are red, orange, and yellow.
EDIT: Here is the finished quilt!
