What I've cooked.
What I've grown.
What I've made.
Another year is winding down. And this post makes me appreciate all my friends in blog land- thanks to you I always have great ideas for projects at the click of a mouse. I have enjoyed seeing what you all have created, grown and cooked over the years. You help me keep the creative juices flowing- whether I need a good book suggestion or a a recipe- I always know where to go.
So here's to another creative year!
Ever since I saw this post on Ella's blog, I knew this was something Beanie would love. Using this pen she created an awesome gift. Care to give it a try? Look at this for some cool ideas.
We're on a roll over here.
I save everything. Bottle caps, wine corks, plastic flowers, beads, paperclips, wire...birds from the dollar store...I never know when I'm going to need this stuff. Pack rat? Yes, but I always have junk when I need it!
My grandmother made the nest there in the center and I always loved it. Mine, however, are bird's nests on steroids.
Glittery plastic flowers. Check.
Spray glitter. Check.
Butterflies and Birds. Check.
Hot glue gun. Oh baby. Check.
I'm so inspired by all you crafty people, making such cool things this season. I love visiting you guys and seeing what you're making! So if you're in need of some crafty holiday inspiration yourself try this list. And if you want to sneak away for a moment to recharge that warm & cozy holiday feeling, go here. Liesl's collage of photos makes me want to quit my job and move to rural Montana.
Cheers!
Did you survive Thanksgiving? Did you eat your body weight in candied yams? Did you deep fry a turkey and almost burn your house down? The fire department wasn't called this year so I have nothing of real interest to report.
All was good but I am just completely unable to get every dish out on the table, hot and at the same time. I kept thinking Gordon Ramsay was going to jump out and start screaming at me because my mashed potatoes were cold and the rolls weren't out of the oven yet...
But alas, the Crack Pie made up for everything. In your best Homer Simpson voice: Mmmmmmmmm. Crack.
The best part about the Thanksgiving holiday is the four days off alone with my sewing machine... making Christmas gifts.
You know, Christmas has been different for me the last few years. Less pressure. Even though I am scrambling to pack and be ready to for a blissful Christmas vacation here on December 17th, I am still relatively stress-free. Why? Because I am not paying one bit of attention to the ads on TV. I had no interest in Black Friday or any other occasion where I need to be at Walmart at 4am or any other time.
I am creating, crafting, canning-- making stuff. I am seeking small, meaningful gifts for people I love. I am avoiding the stress, the Christmas rush and the crazy expectations I inevitably set for myself.
How are you staying sane this season?
I was going to title this post Crap I've Made but then I remembered there is already a nifty blog titled Crap I've Made too... So I will title this is Random Crap I've Made Recently instead.
I made this patchwork camera strap last week because I was sick of the bright yellow advertisement for Nikon on my old one. Blah, blah, blah is much better...
I made this oil cloth composition notebook cover for my mom for Mother's Day...
We made chocolate covered bananas...
And crock pot granola.
What are you guys making these days?
I made a blanket. I don't think I can call this a quilt technically since I didn't bind it. But I did piece it...sort of straight....and I did quilt it and all. I used a 1/4 inch foot which helped but I still have problems keeping the whole dang thing straight. Know any tricks?
I used Punctuation Fabric by Moda. And yes, my neighbor hangs plastic bats in his tree.
By the time we've had what seems like 11 months of grey and rain, I am more than ready for some pastel colors to come my way.
I want rhubarb.
Have any of you made hot cross buns? I like Pioneer Woman's recipe because 1.) they look gorgeous and 2.) she gives you 500 photos in her step-by-step instructions. For some reason yeasty baking projects scare me.
So inquiring minds want to know: what are your spring/Easter traditions. Do you plan elaborate Easter brunches? Bake hot cross buns? Make crafty things? Do tell...
I need this on a shirt my size...
These onesies are soooooooo tiny! They say they're size 3-6 months but I dunno..... I think babies are getting tinier these days...
I found these charm packs at the Fat Quarter Shop but have refrained from buying them until I use all the other charm packs I have purchased for the quilt I have yet to make... Such discipline!
There are just too many cute fabric options out there and I want them all.
What are you working on these days- sewing anything fantastic?
I think I have a hoarding problem.
Who has a bin entitled: BELTS? Fabric, of course. Clay, maybe. But belts?
Anyhoo. I decided to go thru some of the obscure bins in my art room and see what I could find. Who knew I had a leather punch?
Wanna make one? You'll need:
Cut your belt to size, allowing enough room for your snap. And trim the edges, rounding them a little bit so the belt looks more finished. Mark where you want to punch a hole for your snap.
Punch your holes through the belt. Make sure you are using a surface which can take some pounding.
Next, attach your snap. Easier said than done I've discovered. I bought a set of snaps specifically for leather which came with the equipment needed to set them. However, only two of the snaps worked, the rest got all wonky on me. So after watching a you tube video on setting snaps I learned it was not my poor snap-setting technique but instead cheap snap-setting equipment. Apparently a snap press is the easiest way to go but they can be spendy. So if you go the cheap route, the key is keeping the snap pieces lined up perfectly and don't pound them to death.
And voila!
