Next project

Look Ma, no patterns! has this sweet little tutorial on how to make your Swiffer Wet Jet slightly less evil. I acquired one because my dear friend had an extra (I think it was a 'gift' from someone. I say 'gift' because, really, a Swiffer Wet Jet?). Anyway, it is pretty darn convenient, but I hate throwing those pads away. ... .... consequently, I use them several times. (ew). Problem solved. I bought a cheap hand towel from the store and I think I'll make this later today. Should be relatively easy to whip up!

I made a pillow. It's wonky.

All kinds of wonky, and I love it!

Behold the bulgy goodness

Ok, I wish it wasn't wonky, but I'm proud of it. I'm trying to get over my perfectionistic tendency to not do anything unless I think it will work out great.

Mood lighting helps...a little

So, here's my pillow; I made most of it today between my classes. I finished it up except for one edge + stuffing. Fiberfill sucks. I wish I had a pillow form. Also, slip stitching on jersey is no good.

Point in case...

I reserve the right to change,

So, I started this blog as a cooking blog, but I've started getting rather crafty lately (oddly this is directly and positively correlated with the arrival of and my going to the new Goodwill store in town). Here are some of my finds from yesterday:

Aren't they hideous?! Brass. Yuck.

Yesterday, I saw a tutorial about spray-painting brass, and I decided a little spray paint therapy was just what I needed. I set out to Goodwill, knowing I would find something brassy and wonderful. Sure enough, I settled on the above; I particularly like the little bowl with the cutouts. I think the three cost less than $4. After lots of cleaning, priming, drying, painting, drying, painting and maybe some more painting, here's what I ended up with:

I kind of love them! I'm not sure where they will live yet though...

I also found this old sewing box. It was $3.99, which is really too much for Goodwill, but it was taped shut, treasure-chest style, so I decided the money was worth the surprise.

Treasure!

It had tons of buttons, which are actually really expensive, so I've decided it was worth it. There is also some bias tape, ric-rac, 2 zippers, needles, pins and all kinds of snaps, rivets and clasps. What a fun little find; must have been someone's mother's or grandmother's.

Pretty little ceramic (?) buttons

Oh, aaaand, I found this amazing sewing book. An oldie but a goodie:

Keeping it real with Singer.

It has all kinds of things about sewing clothes and home-decor-things. It even has a section on tailoring (a bit advanced at the moment, who knows, maybe some day!)

I also bought 2 pillows to use as pillow forms for, perhaps, this pillow (only with one or 2 rows of ruffles kind of off-centered, not the whole shebang).

All-in-all, a good day at Goodwill!

This is clearly a good idea

Cheesy cover - delicious cookies

Ah baking cookies. The measuring, the melting, the mixing, the mess... Not that I don't love baking - I do. However, let's be honest, sometimes a girl just needs a cookie..or maybe two. Am I right? You know I am. I know I am.

Half a batch

My dear friend Blake gave me this book - Small Batch Baking - over the summer; I haven't used it until now. People - awesome. Imagine the possibilities. Here, I'll give you a second to think about the ability to make two cookies, two brownies, a personal-size cake with the perfect amount of icing.

.

..

...

Yeah, that's what I thought. Oh, and the cookies are very good.

Tea Shelf

I love my new tea shelf. I made it with my dad a few weekends ago, but he held it hostage for like a month. I finally retrieved it this past weekend and I've already hung it. It's centered above my sink, which is way better than the weird grape/muscat/fruit print that was up there (thanks Mom).

mmmmmm...I love tea!

Oh, and I certainly can't take credit for this beauty.

Nugget of Hope

Barn's burnt down.

Now

I can see the moon.