tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39407134002118516662024-03-12T23:19:27.738-04:00knit one bake twofiber arts. book arts. food.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-69231910163960377892012-12-03T11:00:00.000-05:002012-12-03T11:00:11.972-05:00Making a mend(s)So one day a girl walks into her wedding cleaver.<br />
<br />
Oh wait, there's no joke there. I walked into our cleaver (doesn't everyone get a cleaver for a wedding present?) and it cut a few tiny threads in my favorite, favorite jeans which I knew would turn into a full fledged hole in a few days.<br />
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And lo, it did.<br />
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So I decided I should finally <a href="http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2009/12/essential-blue-jean-mending-method.html" target="_blank">learn to mend</a>. <br />
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Before I started on my favorite pants ever, I, of course, practiced on things I didn't care about: an old pair of sweatpants, ripped jeans I don't wear anymore, a zip hoodie I only wear to work, and my husband's pants.<br />
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I started off with some ripped jeans I never wear any more. They are pretty faded already, so finding a shade to match would be kind of hard... so i went contrasting. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiBvtTwWNTWW9zQ0YA_TbBy8NIXfiAIKEX3QB4iTgXOf4zxUtGe91lW29I5hJJTFmWQWdiyyhKAws2UdCHBUmEj03CrTMhWIKnzaxvg1GU_F86FR6Q7oxHZ7gQ6iyZ_H9GqW2WwzQKXa/s1600/mend_3247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiBvtTwWNTWW9zQ0YA_TbBy8NIXfiAIKEX3QB4iTgXOf4zxUtGe91lW29I5hJJTFmWQWdiyyhKAws2UdCHBUmEj03CrTMhWIKnzaxvg1GU_F86FR6Q7oxHZ7gQ6iyZ_H9GqW2WwzQKXa/s400/mend_3247.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ripped jeans back</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA4-K_sqqWLJWS3RMxDT7qoGc8yYfqURRrP6utuya0IanleQQjl1X-WJOXjh4eNlhkUxQ6hg3xFAdDss6KBv_qSQXSQZJkyvO4vt1VYRP4gjz7WCKOX9I8yyt9hULzeiMprAlNrtOP9-z/s1600/mend_3248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA4-K_sqqWLJWS3RMxDT7qoGc8yYfqURRrP6utuya0IanleQQjl1X-WJOXjh4eNlhkUxQ6hg3xFAdDss6KBv_qSQXSQZJkyvO4vt1VYRP4gjz7WCKOX9I8yyt9hULzeiMprAlNrtOP9-z/s400/mend_3248.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">patch close up</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o-t1dw70Zv-NLvAhD_JJ1kkFLiZc_UpaxRC-I_GeSOvVx-rn7KwmQhZ7in3Z4nihAHkejM4FB14lIq7xPFN_KJivtSPDeiiyFJ-IeXaSk9Muud7ZisCIrP0EbAMlxPVsLeDOElEOJmxU/s1600/mend_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o-t1dw70Zv-NLvAhD_JJ1kkFLiZc_UpaxRC-I_GeSOvVx-rn7KwmQhZ7in3Z4nihAHkejM4FB14lIq7xPFN_KJivtSPDeiiyFJ-IeXaSk9Muud7ZisCIrP0EbAMlxPVsLeDOElEOJmxU/s400/mend_3251.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ripped jeans knee</td></tr>
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This zip hoodie has probably reached the end of it's life. I've had it for a good 6-7 years, it's thin, there are holes I don't think I can patch, and should probably be thrown out. I didn't mind the ones near my wrist, but the one on my elbow was noticeable to the point that I had a customer (at the job where I have a company shirt and the only dress code is no jeans) comment on it. I'm pretty happy with the results. I had to back the elbow patch with scrap (which was black/white check) to cover the hole, but I don't mind. I think the other elbow is about to go though....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3l-vlZJpnVfK8INcpmNV8uiBicV9jA0vhiztgR1n5J8-rlSwF8LDfZ7_kug6rbg4TTwkSgggH1XT8BjmZEMXScVhOqUUh0PvQjka2QMJw7E_fLTTgqwGj69-6XnAZfx1L0JUmHhS3gCr/s1600/mend_3254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3l-vlZJpnVfK8INcpmNV8uiBicV9jA0vhiztgR1n5J8-rlSwF8LDfZ7_kug6rbg4TTwkSgggH1XT8BjmZEMXScVhOqUUh0PvQjka2QMJw7E_fLTTgqwGj69-6XnAZfx1L0JUmHhS3gCr/s400/mend_3254.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wrist</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9F2Jc_DM-qVwfPTXj8wRr9kwvTE-XQIltuOHl_eblryrg3fGnonRD3Qx5MJX3Sy8DUjJNgi1c-TDGjuAEpzcLu2lwVhAAR4lKcPg_kkA_YoV9V6u_EWkfeGEKVTMN16I-KcR-rPkNGMk/s1600/mend_3258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9F2Jc_DM-qVwfPTXj8wRr9kwvTE-XQIltuOHl_eblryrg3fGnonRD3Qx5MJX3Sy8DUjJNgi1c-TDGjuAEpzcLu2lwVhAAR4lKcPg_kkA_YoV9V6u_EWkfeGEKVTMN16I-KcR-rPkNGMk/s400/mend_3258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elbow patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So finally I felt comfortable working on my own jeans. I picked out some some thread I thought would match, but I think I matched it to a slightly less faded part of the jeans, because it doesn't blend in like I thought it would.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDwG4k83oVqx9ChDR9XRgrwLOY26lgU63LpCNn05buAveqCfg1XuoZyzIj-ithtHOjID4l4BbIM4gY4AjeqJRN3hBcbTaSZs1F4K0617XiTUcuET99Q3MDKNfxfqz5ZmkStKwb10Elgbe/s1600/mend_3236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDwG4k83oVqx9ChDR9XRgrwLOY26lgU63LpCNn05buAveqCfg1XuoZyzIj-ithtHOjID4l4BbIM4gY4AjeqJRN3hBcbTaSZs1F4K0617XiTUcuET99Q3MDKNfxfqz5ZmkStKwb10Elgbe/s400/mend_3236.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cleaver hole!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1id3Q3ROxjX2FAbZ1FlYt-2SjNO461Fx-jYHbDXS0OFloxZa49sE5JmERzxBDI8tZVI_VltP6XtHoVUvEpr6ApvdtmTervkm1r-wT6Kqp4W6cBxsuTspOV5m8hc-pxiCzGv5v4qLPweT/s1600/mend_3237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1id3Q3ROxjX2FAbZ1FlYt-2SjNO461Fx-jYHbDXS0OFloxZa49sE5JmERzxBDI8tZVI_VltP6XtHoVUvEpr6ApvdtmTervkm1r-wT6Kqp4W6cBxsuTspOV5m8hc-pxiCzGv5v4qLPweT/s400/mend_3237.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cleaver hole close up</td></tr>
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First off, I cut a piece of interfacing to slightly cover the hole and ironed it onto the inside of the jeans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rK2tPc7vxwgrIlZ2id8Uw9ezZoBRS-NMkVxwyS2iyyPYnl7BpQ2R8YsT0rn7TN27nB-0R3cWacM4JrNxzT-zsxeU7HQZ-UAOaR6qolHilCdbr8HjuHnVzedf4VJjk4Sm5g3goavFb1Tx/s1600/mend_3239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rK2tPc7vxwgrIlZ2id8Uw9ezZoBRS-NMkVxwyS2iyyPYnl7BpQ2R8YsT0rn7TN27nB-0R3cWacM4JrNxzT-zsxeU7HQZ-UAOaR6qolHilCdbr8HjuHnVzedf4VJjk4Sm5g3goavFb1Tx/s400/mend_3239.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interfacing ironed on to inside of jeans</td></tr>
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Then I used my machine to run over and over over and over the hole until it was covered with stitches (I used the default stitch length). I didn't get any pictures of that step, but<a href="http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2009/12/essential-blue-jean-mending-method.html" target="_blank"> this blog post</a> has great pictures of the process. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKkErBoSbxPfwbEQcdfAMRn3GmZLaopeI-X9PxF4CjJ5TVgKMD42je8TsYKHB5eDwRrxMnjE1hgkju-K16fzue78jI4-0WFpEUuwbOjHY-24c9hbCwDTkNfy6sRPd4DWzLTkXCHzeIitf/s1600/mend_3242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKkErBoSbxPfwbEQcdfAMRn3GmZLaopeI-X9PxF4CjJ5TVgKMD42je8TsYKHB5eDwRrxMnjE1hgkju-K16fzue78jI4-0WFpEUuwbOjHY-24c9hbCwDTkNfy6sRPd4DWzLTkXCHzeIitf/s400/mend_3242.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the patch!</td></tr>
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My end result doesn't look exactly like hers, but I'm 100% positive I'll
end up doing this again and I'll get better at it. I love that this saved my jeans! I don't feel comfortable wearing them to work any more (not the job where I wear the patched hoodie, the job where I can wear basically wherever I want as long is it is neat and not revealing), but my mom got me an early birthday present of this same cut so I have jeans to wear to work again! So now I have patched jeans for every day wear and nice jeans for work/date night! It's a win-win situation. I'm very happy. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuucDQ6e8pAcvmzs2cf4fLVmszdELj7QGSTswEv_7jdms9KMNxRZE2rd8auMA5Qvva5wgYzabyewOSIIbKbJd2CzAKv4juc8jOT4r1Fd3uG0NvOrZgiM8B1LTbJWnhIlx_qGT3kQRJ1TLo/s1600/mend_3243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuucDQ6e8pAcvmzs2cf4fLVmszdELj7QGSTswEv_7jdms9KMNxRZE2rd8auMA5Qvva5wgYzabyewOSIIbKbJd2CzAKv4juc8jOT4r1Fd3uG0NvOrZgiM8B1LTbJWnhIlx_qGT3kQRJ1TLo/s400/mend_3243.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't disappear, but it doesn't scream "patched!" either</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-54323879211830094002012-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:002012-11-21T08:00:06.520-05:00A Baby BlanketI made a baby blanket a few months ago. Actually, I should say I <b>finished</b> a baby blanket a few months ago. I started it in 2007. (Have I mentioned it takes me a while to finish some things?)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr8mpoIwP7PQx_Wl8MFP0IsYgJloabV5v6Ee0nOrJ9AAe6HEqQPNaT963hgL6PXBJ1udsO3vaCKn3KMTdiVAhn_1gZ_QhTiO_-o4K4e1goIGz75kDj8yCrk4wRooySC7na7SlwtKqpPhY/s1600/sophblank2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr8mpoIwP7PQx_Wl8MFP0IsYgJloabV5v6Ee0nOrJ9AAe6HEqQPNaT963hgL6PXBJ1udsO3vaCKn3KMTdiVAhn_1gZ_QhTiO_-o4K4e1goIGz75kDj8yCrk4wRooySC7na7SlwtKqpPhY/s320/sophblank2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea if that little thing to hang the blanket by is useful, but I was excited to add it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I was studying abroad in Germany in 2007, I bought some yarn. I had a vague intention of crocheting a baby blanket. I just really wanted to crochet some granny squares, the end result of which would likely be a small blanket. I was not in any hurry as the eventual recipients were in the process of planning their wedding, not pregnant, and not expecting to be pregnant for several years. However, even with that much of a head start, it was not finished by the time their child was born. Their darling little daughter was born August 1, 2012. I finished it around August 23.<br />
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I've never made a baby blanket. I've never crocheted a blanket. I had no idea what I was doing. I had chosen a nice gender neutral blue/green variegated yarn that I paired with a soft cream, but I only bought one skein of each. By the time I had crocheted all the squares I would able to make, I knew it was going to be a bit smaller than I wanted. Also, what the heck was I thinking with using a soft cream for a baby blanket?! Figuring out the pattern took a bit because while I like the white design, I figure it would be a magnet for juice spills. Cranberry, not apple, of course. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdD3OyFJTSpSGqoT4DzqUDo0cE9xq2ER8-4eGo60mzoWtQRruzr46uHuptPTZG_Sis7rVdF-P4i3LguD7OysirJZHuvNxIHlMFNOnMjDLa72rGIjIO_4OdElo_DBb2gISr7APK9eoB5B2/s1600/sophblank3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdD3OyFJTSpSGqoT4DzqUDo0cE9xq2ER8-4eGo60mzoWtQRruzr46uHuptPTZG_Sis7rVdF-P4i3LguD7OysirJZHuvNxIHlMFNOnMjDLa72rGIjIO_4OdElo_DBb2gISr7APK9eoB5B2/s320/sophblank3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny squares! So many granny squares!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Several years ago when I was making tiny squares, someone questioned the wisdom of making something with tiny little holes that a tiny little child's fingers could get caught in. I had not thought of this. I decided to back it with a coordinating fabric and tack down the crochet, then bind the edges with satin binding. I loved edges as a child; my mom had to serge off the corners of my baby blanket because I chewed it off.<br />
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I actually had the majority of the blanket finished by the time the child was born. Turns out tacking down crochet takes <i>forever</i>. First I went through with my machine and a loose stitch to tack down the edges of the squares. Depending on the color of the square, I used either a matching ivory or a silver/gray that that was in the same tonal range as the blues/greens. Then I went through each square to tack down the inner edges by hand. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwPRj8oRmwvtEuJP33boh_K5exiNAH4d-6JCiCLTgBH-VeDsY-PyvgFoQnAkop9gwwitoz6qhr8QSP9pYGZHcRuVjUWwpJsnk1mEhs15f1dyKHnqssT5C-dmTQ_8ydPwSwIVn9Zv_OCc9/s1600/sophblank4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwPRj8oRmwvtEuJP33boh_K5exiNAH4d-6JCiCLTgBH-VeDsY-PyvgFoQnAkop9gwwitoz6qhr8QSP9pYGZHcRuVjUWwpJsnk1mEhs15f1dyKHnqssT5C-dmTQ_8ydPwSwIVn9Zv_OCc9/s320/sophblank4.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tacking down of the blanket as seen from the back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The tacking down is kind of ugly, so I used another layer of the flannel to hide it. It was sewn to the piece of flannel that the crochet was tacked down on so if the binding ever needs to be replaced (which I expect, because babies love soft satin binding and the things they love go in their mouth), matching up layers is one less thing to worry about. So with two layers of flannel and crochet, I'm going to call this a winter baby blanket. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8EI2LloCPlAMjGEuD8HPVWe2xIdnXReVmu-S-UZzcL5Et-iqzUAq9Udmf2EAu_MACUIpdWaJqB4dIB15yot6hJi59WROIVjUiHJk8anO8rlLl7tbHVeUQ9zc4aRVsofLeRkxxbbZbD73/s1600/sophblank5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8EI2LloCPlAMjGEuD8HPVWe2xIdnXReVmu-S-UZzcL5Et-iqzUAq9Udmf2EAu_MACUIpdWaJqB4dIB15yot6hJi59WROIVjUiHJk8anO8rlLl7tbHVeUQ9zc4aRVsofLeRkxxbbZbD73/s320/sophblank5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green satin binding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found some tutorial online to figure out how to sew on the binding. I don't remember which one at all, I think I looked at several. <br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-3399794415905376492012-08-13T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-13T07:00:00.244-04:00From College Cubes to Wire ShelvesIt's been a while since I last posted. In early April, I got a second part time job in my field– graphic design. So, I cut back my hours at UPS Store job to 2 days a week with the occasional Saturday and started working an 8-5 job 3 days a week. <br />
<br />
Usually those Saturdays are spread out and I don't mind working them even though it means a one day weekend. However, it's August and everyone is moving and I ended up taking someone else's Saturday shift along with my own. After three weeks of working 6 days a week, this normal two day weekend feels amazing. <br />
<br />
So what's been happening? Well, it's summer now. My law student husband had an internship in Germany for 7 weeks. (Oh and did I mention this is the first summer I've ever not had a vacation or break from work/school??) He's back now and starting school soon, but that was really rough on me.<br />
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I've been busy. I still work on knitting, baking, crafting, etc but usually don't have time to photograph them or post (even this post has taken me most of an afternoon!). Hopefully I can get back on some sort of schedule—or at least do some mass writing and post date them so it appears I'm on a schedule!<br />
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Everybody dislikes something about their house. I dislike many things in my house. Case in point: the master bathroom. It's about 3 feet wide. My feet touch the wall when I sit at the toilet. The only storage space provided was an ill-fitting medicine cabinet and likely because it was there when the landlord began fixing up the house - if he did not bother to install any sort of towel racks or toilet paper holders, I can't imagine that a medicine cabinet was a priority. When we moved in last year, we put some of my old college modular cube storage in there because we had it and needed something to put our toiletries on in the bathroom. I was against this from the beginning. The cubes are ill-fitting in that space and not very usable. However, it was what we had. <br />
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Fast forward to this April. Our lease was up and after negotiating with our landlord, we were able to secure the same rate we were currently paying for the next two years. As much as we dislike certain things about our house and our landlord's management, it was worth it to us. So the first project I tackled when I realized we were going to be here another two years was our bathroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N78ypZKYP28/UCgSck9NmZI/AAAAAAAAHXU/4KOXMFEuSOw/s1600/IMG_3142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N78ypZKYP28/UCgSck9NmZI/AAAAAAAAHXU/4KOXMFEuSOw/s400/IMG_3142.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syWzGOV0kP8/UCgSdT8sUMI/AAAAAAAAHW0/SJeAi98BHkg/s1600/IMG_3143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syWzGOV0kP8/UCgSdT8sUMI/AAAAAAAAHW0/SJeAi98BHkg/s400/IMG_3143.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wee bit crowded- mostly my stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />When I was at the RE Store (a Habitat for Humanity store full of all sorts of fun building type stuff), I found an 84" piece shelving wire looking lonely and tall in a corner. Wouldn't you know, it would fit perfectly in my little corner space if I cut it in half!* I took it home and then gathered the appropriate hardware from a big box store to connect it to my wall. And also a hack saw.** <br />
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While the husband was studying hard for exams, I got all handy and cut/installed the shelf. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEiE6399mKc/UCgSeTtcQWI/AAAAAAAAHW8/A17KMBclR3M/s1600/IMG_3145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEiE6399mKc/UCgSeTtcQWI/AAAAAAAAHW8/A17KMBclR3M/s400/IMG_3145.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually really like the white on cream look. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I chose to install the top shelf slightly high because I wanted it to double as a make up shelf. I'm blind without my glasses. They are useful when applying stuff to your face, so it helps to have a mirror about two inches away from eyes. Leaning over a sink that has a high likelihood of getting my shirt wet because the faucet sprays too hard and soaks the entire tiny counter space is not ideal. I put down a clear shelf liner from the modular cubes in two places. One so our toothbrush chargers won't fall through and the second I have a small place to put the earrings/necklaces I wear too much to have a permanent "away" place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uK4isTOcNg/UCgSfT_WyII/AAAAAAAAHXE/QtETlfl1Nl8/s1600/IMG_3146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uK4isTOcNg/UCgSfT_WyII/AAAAAAAAHXE/QtETlfl1Nl8/s400/IMG_3146.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">much better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMqJfYrE2a0/UCgSgDnT0pI/AAAAAAAAHXM/jIykT_JjrYE/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMqJfYrE2a0/UCgSgDnT0pI/AAAAAAAAHXM/jIykT_JjrYE/s400/IMG_3150.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I also found a glass jar with lid (possibly used to have a candle in it?) at a thrift store to put my cotton balls in. It makes me feel like I have a fancy, organized vanity space. I looked for a while for an equally nice looking glass jar to put q-tips in, but eventually gave up. A salsa jar ended up being the perfect size. At some point, I'll get around to painting the lid.*** I'm pretty sure all q-tips are "mild" and I don't need to be reminded. <br />
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* Technically, due to the stellar construction of my house, it only fits perfectly at the back near the wall. It widens out about .5" by the front of the shelf. <br />
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** Young married people have no basic tools. Next time you are invited to a wedding and forgot to buy a present, consider dropping by a Big Box hardware store and picking up a gift card. It will get used eventually. They have no idea what they need right now. <br />
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*** Honestly, it'll probably be a couple of years if it ever gets done. I have very realistic expectations from some projects. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-92094613051982611562012-03-15T14:39:00.001-04:002012-03-15T14:39:18.603-04:00Plastic Bag HolderOur plastic bag situation was getting out of control. While I am highly in favor of reusable grocery bags, it's very handy to have a stash of bags around for walking the dog and garbage bags. Also, I forget them in my car a lot. However, a reasonable sized stash of bags has ways of taking over spaces. I've done some crafts with plastics before: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80024758/plarn-basket" target="_blank">plarn baskets</a>, <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/10/pot-scrubbies-and-plarn.html" target="_blank">pot scrubbies</a>, and even some full on purses with plarn (eeks! Must get a picture!) but I've never made anything to control the stash. I once posted on my college message board that I was looking for plastic bags and ended up going to an apartment that had dedicated the entire area under their sink plus a few other cabinets to plastic bags. They were trying to be responsible and not throw it away, but they clearly needed to stop collecting bags. My mom used an old cardboard container, an old roommate bought a plastic ikea contraption, and until a few weeks ago, we were using a wicker basket.<br />
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The basket had issues. Namely, it didn't fit well near the door and bags tended to float out of it when it got too full. I thought about buying something, but since I have free fabric, why not use it?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yNXPHhevuIO5o-uHWBWWEU4ACSLHptFkApIqbxMvRFhJJpu5NXWRC4fcNqcSKzv5Lq1Xe4ndygdkr4LA7yjVbb2rY5HVzjH0J1JgY25sYjP6sg22cvb7TrMnFjlMkLD8VNwk-Jvl2kWd/s1600/IMG_3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yNXPHhevuIO5o-uHWBWWEU4ACSLHptFkApIqbxMvRFhJJpu5NXWRC4fcNqcSKzv5Lq1Xe4ndygdkr4LA7yjVbb2rY5HVzjH0J1JgY25sYjP6sg22cvb7TrMnFjlMkLD8VNwk-Jvl2kWd/s400/IMG_3133.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bags easily come out the elastic bottom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/10/pot-scrubbies-and-plarn.html" target="_blank">The Accidental Crafter </a>as my technique guide for properly casing the drawstring and elastic and wound up with something that matches the cover I made for the <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/08/dogs-bed.html" target="_blank">dog bed,</a> pops on my white/cream walls, and fits perfectly in narrow space by the door.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPi2zxf7HhgMN6oRu5a4gFXbxDftKSUovSBWNIEteuW362sUDPBFLLsZUQMxIS1h7MsecXoSBiQDw1WJXP-OJcZ4QdJbPanYuMJMqXxi9e6TAPc5QUAG1CTw9oNSotTf5_1W_B33W4kbi/s1600/IMG_3132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPi2zxf7HhgMN6oRu5a4gFXbxDftKSUovSBWNIEteuW362sUDPBFLLsZUQMxIS1h7MsecXoSBiQDw1WJXP-OJcZ4QdJbPanYuMJMqXxi9e6TAPc5QUAG1CTw9oNSotTf5_1W_B33W4kbi/s400/IMG_3132.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drawstring doubles as a way to hang it to the wall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The drawstring top allows us to periodically add bags to the holder easily and the elastic bottom allows us to draw out single bags as needed when headed out the door when an excited pup in tow.<br />
<br />
Were I to do it again, I would reposition where the drawstring comes out because I have a prominent seam right in front that I am not a fan of looking at all the time. Alternately, I could add a ribbon/band between the seams so that the seams are on the side instead of lazily using my drawstring as the hanger. Also, I would loosen the elastic at the bottom to a size I could more easily fit my wrist in to grab bags that are stubbornly not falling to the bottom. It works as is, but one of these days I'm probably going to get annoyed and fix that. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QrZ2eRLNH1kflMMbCNWFVmXpBb5iSPg7-fuQfSn8QxJvXdy2aV_JXUsTce8tc5Pw3baPHT29fAoP1jMHdErxM2NWkVmE0xnh1OrWPUPx2rZV1MGDUhDshKLSUyXT0VEgZ0bu_molYRAB/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QrZ2eRLNH1kflMMbCNWFVmXpBb5iSPg7-fuQfSn8QxJvXdy2aV_JXUsTce8tc5Pw3baPHT29fAoP1jMHdErxM2NWkVmE0xnh1OrWPUPx2rZV1MGDUhDshKLSUyXT0VEgZ0bu_molYRAB/s400/IMG_3136.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awkward narrow space + tall, narrow bag holder = awesome</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-79547724042322695972012-03-08T06:00:00.000-05:002012-03-07T11:21:46.132-05:00Baked Pizza Pockets and Veggie Sweet Potato BurgersI know the "about me" on my blog says it's to keep me busy while underemployed, but I have been BUSY lately. Underemployed really refers to the type of job and minimum wage I'm earning despite having a bachelor's degree, not the hours I work. My paychecks are pitiful despite working a decent amount of hours, so I've been doing some freelance graphic design work to supplement my income. My house and this blog are suffering due to my lack of free time. I'm slowly making progress on a few projects, I just haven't had time to write up anything about them!<br />
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In the last few days, we tried the pizza pockets from <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2012/02/frozen-pizza-pockets.html" target="_blank">the last post</a>. They were delicious! We have plans to pick up more pizza dough and make more. Yum. They don't brown very well on top, I think a bit of olive oil or an egg wash just before popping them in the oven would fix that though. <br />
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I also made this <a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/02/easy-sweet-potato-veggie-burgers-with.html" target="_blank">Veggie Sweet Potato Burger</a> the other day. I halved the recipe and spiced it with oregano, red pepper flakes, and and garlic. It was delicious! It reminded me of a hummus made with sweet potato - which isn't surprising since tahini is one of the major flavors in the burger and I topped my burger with spinach, tomato, and cucumber, just like I would for a hummus wrap. Half a recipe made four giant burgers so we'll get to enjoy it again in a few days. I believe due to my use of garlic in it, it is not doggie-scrap safe, which is unfortunate because our Puppy was super excited when we made it. I think she likes sweet potatoes.<br />
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Here's a sneak peek into a project we're currently working on. It's taking a while to finish because the weather isn't always cooperating when I have time off to work on it. I'm hoping it'll be functionally finished this weekend though.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGj3ll3rAAonX36G3JYx8t31ZEV18jeZJuiOXRie_25MN124nOIlGWpv9aI_I1GoR4-yrBulXaSYb9r4r_QM5k3aZmpUHB7EcTAvWTKqP2aTYYe4pEfr1TOvkSR6mSe7tH2ebwqd2_1RZ/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGj3ll3rAAonX36G3JYx8t31ZEV18jeZJuiOXRie_25MN124nOIlGWpv9aI_I1GoR4-yrBulXaSYb9r4r_QM5k3aZmpUHB7EcTAvWTKqP2aTYYe4pEfr1TOvkSR6mSe7tH2ebwqd2_1RZ/s400/IMG_0302.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">project supplies from a big box store</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-79561900981312727042012-02-21T10:14:00.000-05:002012-02-21T11:17:55.203-05:00Frozen Pizza PocketsMy husband has a weakness for cheap frozen food. He <i>loves</i> cheap frozen taquitos and burritos. I have a problem buying them because I flip over and look at the ingredients- the salt is way too high and the serving size way too small. There's no way he'd only eat five taquitos or one small burrito, he'd easily eat twice that. What to do?? Well, I had some left over pizza dough so I decided to make pizza pockets.<br />
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There was a BOGO sale on pizza dough the other day. One was used immediately for a spinach, turkey sausage, onion, and pepper pizza on an olive oil base and the other sat waiting for inspiration. My first thought was to do rolls stuffed with pepperoni and pepper jack cheese (a West Virginian specialty according to my freshman year roommate), but nixed it because I didn't have pepperoni or pepper jack. Then I realized I could make pizza pockets using ingredients on hand from the pizza the night before and some frozen pizza sauce from a couple months ago.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FVAWdUQCUQgXdg2-muuvAGAymqKpbwqGs1M5FIS6NqpF9OhbG7DGFHxdx_EG9R8ZmCtDCnEUYl7s3XO3Tabb9X1IuXz90n8UpUmVFuVt38hubHpPKpTS8WpGt5sJPN5pqsGAjulczZmL/s1600/IMG_3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FVAWdUQCUQgXdg2-muuvAGAymqKpbwqGs1M5FIS6NqpF9OhbG7DGFHxdx_EG9R8ZmCtDCnEUYl7s3XO3Tabb9X1IuXz90n8UpUmVFuVt38hubHpPKpTS8WpGt5sJPN5pqsGAjulczZmL/s400/IMG_3116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ingredients set up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After defrosting the sauce, I set up my ingredients:<br />
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- Turkey sausage <br />
- mozzarella (we buy balls, not shredded) <br />
- pizza sauce (homemade and seasoned with oregano, garlic, and basil)<br />
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- parmesan (optional, but it was in the fridge!)<br />
- red pepper flakes (optional)<br />
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<br />
Basically, any combination of ingredients you'd put on a
pizza would work. I gently rolled the dough into a log and divided it
into roughly equal pieces. Taking one piece at a time, I gently
stretched it into a round(ish) shape like I would for a large pizza.
Take your time, dough is fragile.<br />
<br />
I spread about a teaspoon of sauce over the entire dough ball and over half put 5-6 pieces of sausage, roughly the same amount of mozzarella, a tiny bit of parmesan, and a dash of red pepper flacks. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qZ-clXzBBdablsYiDmrTFgOVclt6Dw-l3SnxBpSNyFQCSB3dUWizTvgqLp9Z0cqbWotwoujKZ0qMZuKZR_VwYyZjFIc_4L5ElhktuVopvccbe_SfieRfSFGRhKhypz8FshyIe0iK8CIj/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qZ-clXzBBdablsYiDmrTFgOVclt6Dw-l3SnxBpSNyFQCSB3dUWizTvgqLp9Z0cqbWotwoujKZ0qMZuKZR_VwYyZjFIc_4L5ElhktuVopvccbe_SfieRfSFGRhKhypz8FshyIe0iK8CIj/s400/IMG_3122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pizza pocket assembled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I folded half the dough over to form a pocket. Look, a tiny calzone! I use a fork to seal the edges and tried my best to not seal them too flat because I didn't want them to burn when I eventually cook them. I froze them individually on a baking sheet so they wouldn't stick together and put them in vacuum bags after they were frozen in portions of 2 (for one person) or 4 (if we're both snacky). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrLMXnFvcBXdbOBpnCOKoKikw06JTTgnlzkS5x3oTiW8pTB9bHrXHjY4gCyzgb8gm1jBtS1XIV9oBqQ6ZEBnPZDHHETy6t4SaRQIqf9yEaabwcFCUJ7d47Afx1G2vY3qL-ziyAgkGwVDX/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrLMXnFvcBXdbOBpnCOKoKikw06JTTgnlzkS5x3oTiW8pTB9bHrXHjY4gCyzgb8gm1jBtS1XIV9oBqQ6ZEBnPZDHHETy6t4SaRQIqf9yEaabwcFCUJ7d47Afx1G2vY3qL-ziyAgkGwVDX/s400/IMG_3123.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pizza pockets frozen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
According to a recipe I read, bake them at 400 for about 30 minutes frozen or 20 minutes defrosted. I haven't actually cooked these yet so I don't know if that cooking time is accurate and I'll have to keep my eye on it. I'm excited to eat these!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-58012826413742592752012-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:002012-02-21T11:18:12.775-05:00Dry weather, dry house[1/14/12: apparently I forgot to press "publish" yesterday... oops!] <br />
<br />
The weather is not cooporating. I have a couple of projects in the works, but I need it to not be freezing and/or raining so I can sand and spray paint outside. For another project, I am in the processing of finding/ordering an essential component and I'm stuck until I get it.<br />
<br />
With the exception of today, the weather has been dry and with the heater running, bone dry in the house. My nose has been quite distressed by this and protested with some bloody outbursts. Since we don't own a humidifier (yet), we've been exploring the DIY options.<br />
<br />
<b>Option 1: </b>leaving bowls of water in rooms to evaporate<br />
<b>Verdict:</b> doesn't appear to help much, but I've left them out. Best if you have a baseboard heater.<br />
<br />
<b>Option 2:</b> using a crock pot as a makeshift humidifier<br />
<b>Verdict:</b> helps a little, but we're no longer using it because there is no "on" light. Someone decided to see if it was on, stuck their hand in very hot water, and burned themselves. <br />
<br />
<b>Option 3: </b>hanging up wet laundry or damp towels around the house<br />
<b>Verdict: </b>best solution yet. Since we already hang dry our clothes, we just moved a drying rack into the bedroom. Our jeans and other laundry are nearly bone dry by morning. If you've ever tried to air dry jeans before, you know that's unusual. It typically takes a good two days to air dry.<br />
<br />
<b>Option 4: </b>be the humidifier and go around spraying water from a spray bottle everywhere<br />
<b>Verdict: </b>works instantly, but only as long as you spray frequently. Not a good solution if you want uninterrupted sleep. <br />
<br />
<b>Option 5: </b>simmer water on the stove<br />
<b>Verdict:</b> works great, but quite localized to the kitchen. I highly suggest doing this if the oven is on because that can further dry out a home. Bonus points because you can add citrus peels, essential oils, or other spices/herbs to the water to make it smell delicious. <br />
<br />
<b>Option 6: </b>bring plants inside <br />
<b>Verdict:</b> undetermined, but my rosemary is now living next to my bed for the rest of winter. The act of watering the plants will humidify the hair and plants recycle water by transpiration: moisture is released from the roots to pores on the bottom side of the leaves. If you're buying a plant instead of a humidifier, look for bamboo palms,
snake plants, areca palms, spider plants peace lilies, and gerbera
daisies. <br />
<br />
<b>Option 7:</b> shower with the door open<br />
<b>Verdict:</b> works, but a short term benefit. <br />
<br />
<b>Option 8:</b> make a humidifier from scratch<br />
<b>Verdict: </b>haven't tried it. We'll cave and buy one as soon as we find one in our price range that cleans easily. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-48991534410525841052012-02-09T09:55:00.001-05:002012-02-09T10:07:15.906-05:00Homemade Turkey SausageRemember that giant turkey <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2012/01/grinding-turkey.html" target="_blank">we got on sale</a> after Christmas? Well, one thing we've really enjoyed making from the ground turkey is turkey sausage. For almost every package we open, part of it becomes sausage: on pizza, in pasta sauce, with eggs, etc. We have yet to find sausage casings to make proper tubular sausage (though we have a stuffer attachment for the Kitchenaid!), so most end up being patties or tiny meat balls. Jamie and I have both been to Germany and realize there are a bajillion types of sausage depending on the meat, spices/herbs and prep method, but we've seasoned it simply: sage. It is AMAZING how much that one little herb changes the somewhat bland flavor of plain turkey into <i>sausage</i>.<br />
<br />
By the way, it is coincidental that "sage" is the final syllable of sausage. Sausage is derived from "<span class="foreign">salsicus" (salt) in Latin. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="foreign">So how do we make turkey into sausage? First, chop up some fresh sage and add it to a bowl of ground turkey. I estimate we use about a tablespoon or so per pound. Salt and pepper to taste. Pinch off pieces to make little balls (hint: wet hands work best when working with raw meat).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mjzbWtmqiMSmpdm6DvT3CF0mpJ3EppLBNbidCpjGN2kSOjtZTY_aa89KdVeOXg7RaPGZZ_2nF_-HlhNbIFaL7Yw5orcEFiYh-mayw6dfWWEAEqqDlkIQc19wAiesiHV2ocULA21m7oBa/s1600/IMG_3086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mjzbWtmqiMSmpdm6DvT3CF0mpJ3EppLBNbidCpjGN2kSOjtZTY_aa89KdVeOXg7RaPGZZ_2nF_-HlhNbIFaL7Yw5orcEFiYh-mayw6dfWWEAEqqDlkIQc19wAiesiHV2ocULA21m7oBa/s400/IMG_3086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">forming the sausage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next: saute over medium heat in olive oil. Baking would probably work as well, but we've always been too impatient to get dinner on the table. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwXFRNW1AEFaaoUemdIYvbAshNOTdr_WTObCEd1Jamzr80J5fqaqFmmzkcIforZOHfHl319Y_PEUabt7yr0u3QihPCASpJu6U9bonevFXWglXlt3UTXTi2K-NoeZiXJQk5IOVvFqKBSpk/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwXFRNW1AEFaaoUemdIYvbAshNOTdr_WTObCEd1Jamzr80J5fqaqFmmzkcIforZOHfHl319Y_PEUabt7yr0u3QihPCASpJu6U9bonevFXWglXlt3UTXTi2K-NoeZiXJQk5IOVvFqKBSpk/s400/IMG_3093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sauteing the sausage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then use in your favorite recipe. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZbS_BcoD-iiGnnF8mwrOxApHhddnPNHItDtUBPNPAopqp2ghE99J3vDGc_zJWEkfd5NRi0Qs695BGCeE3VcoVLSWFVfW9T7SmI6GDDGvHJ4zITkOj_x9jXD5dgjS8sY4J3RuUPxbjxd/s1600/IMG_3073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZbS_BcoD-iiGnnF8mwrOxApHhddnPNHItDtUBPNPAopqp2ghE99J3vDGc_zJWEkfd5NRi0Qs695BGCeE3VcoVLSWFVfW9T7SmI6GDDGvHJ4zITkOj_x9jXD5dgjS8sY4J3RuUPxbjxd/s400/IMG_3073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom and turkey sausage pizza with asparagus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Easy peasy. We love it.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-69397457980869741922012-02-07T10:26:00.002-05:002012-02-07T10:26:39.773-05:00Energy Trail MixThis happens to me often: I'm headed out the door and realize I need to eat something fast, otherwise I won't make it til my next regularly scheduled meal (which means getting fast food or convenience snacks to tide me over, which is both unhealthy and expensive). Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of snacks that be carried out the door (yogurt can be messy). So, I decided to mix up a high energy, good source of protein snack. I could have just bought some trail mix from the store, but most of them had something in it I didn't want (i.e. brazil nuts, etc). I feel like this was just as cheap and I could choose exactly what I wanted in it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv2DgB0CnbggMVxlLc7q9nwRLeoGmdTbs3e8aa8p2Lr6jSUDB4mkuJ8riSEAUFlrIXpros2ST8w4o38WJpZcjWCn2f-blT-Ax8C-WhMvLo21rUavzubhb6Y0o7glged5hLl5I_Td5a7Uf/s1600/IMG_3068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv2DgB0CnbggMVxlLc7q9nwRLeoGmdTbs3e8aa8p2Lr6jSUDB4mkuJ8riSEAUFlrIXpros2ST8w4o38WJpZcjWCn2f-blT-Ax8C-WhMvLo21rUavzubhb6Y0o7glged5hLl5I_Td5a7Uf/s400/IMG_3068.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almonds, cashews, cranberries, golden raisins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Recipe </b><br />
1 lb almonds<br />
1 lb cashews<br />
2 c. cranberries (or to taste)<br />
2 c. golden raisin (or to taste)<br />
<br />
Mix together in large bowl. Keep in airtight container. Servings size: 1/4 c. (about a handful)<br />
<br />
<br />
I already had the cranberries on hand in a Costco sized quantity and we had the golden raisins left over from my husband's Christmas pudding (which I totally meant to post a picture/recipe of, but forgot til it was nearly gone). I don't use golden raisins much, so I figured this would be a good way to use them up before they got all dried out. Yes, I realize raisins are dried out, but there is a difference between fresh, plump raisins and old, dried out raisins.<br />
<br />
By the way, I ended up keeping the trail mix in an old tupperware 1qt pitcher with a push button lid, but this canning jar was waaay more photogenic. A ziploc back would have worked well, but I've noticed that if a bag/container cannot be closed with one hand (because the other is full of snacks), it won't get closed in this house. Then I wander through the kitchen a few hours later wondering why the chip bag is open. Or if the cereal has been opened all day or was an afternoon snack. We're probably going to be using that tupperware as a snack container more often. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-40284010893238325682012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-25T20:10:54.632-05:00Homemade Laundry Soap ResearchLast weekend, I made homemade laundry soap. I've heard this should only take about 15 minutes to do, but I took at least an hour because midway through I started second guessing which recipe to follow and took a good 45 minute break to research everything. Again.<br />
<br />
There's an overabundance of recipes for homemade laundry soap floating around on the internet. This <a href="http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/" target="_blank">website</a> alone has collected 10, and I think the comments include a few more variations. There's a lot of information and a lot of people contradicting each other which it comes to homemade products. (Differing opinions on the internet?! Who knew?!) The most helpful sources seem to be the mothers laundering baby diapers. Not only do they have a need to get some serious junk off what they are washing, it needs to be gentle enough for a baby's skin. <br />
<br />
Why use homemade laundry detergent? Lots of reasons. It's frugal (<a href="http://www.diynatural.com/simple-easy-fast-effective-jabs-homemade-laundry-detergent/" target="_blank">generally $.01/load</a>). A simple batch generally yields a generous quantity, so there's less frequent making/purchasing. It's virtually zero-ish waste because containers get reused- think about how many plastic detergent containers you've bought and thrown away. They may get recycled, but you're still creating demand for them to be made. There's also far fewer fragrances and dyes to irritate skin- unless you want a particular scent, why have them in there? Plus, your skills will be in high demand when the zombie apocalypse comes. It seems to work as well as regular store bought detergent (one example <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-a-detailed-visual-guide/" target="_blank">here</a>), so why not?<br />
<br />
Well, for one, the effectiveness of your personal soap seems to involve a bit of trial and error and some basic chemistry. I've been several months off and on researching this before I finally made a batch. It was confusing. If you're thinking about making your own, here's a few things to consider.<br />
<br />
<b>First: Hard water vs. soft water</b><br />
It's important that you know whether your water is <a href="http://www.howtoguides365.com/how-to/hard-water/">hard or soft</a>. If you don't know off the top of your head, go look at your shower head or glass shower door. If you have limescale deposits (whitish powdery stuff and rather hard to clean off shower doors), you have hard water. If your soaps lather up really easily but doesn't wash off super easily, you probably have soft water. There is a regional factor to this: New England, the Northwest, and Gulf coast tend to have soft water. The Plains and Southwest tend to have hard water. HOWEVER, about 85% of tap water is considered hard. If you are confused as I am about your water (but have more disposable income), a hardware store should have a test kit that will tell you how hard your water is. If you don't want to spend that money but like tea, use this <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wttw/handymaamtv/handyTip201.htm">home test</a>. If you don't like tea, <a href="http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/testhardwater_2.htm">use this test</a>. The advantage of a test you have to pay for is that you'll find how how hard your water is on a hard water scale (soft, slightly hard, moderately hard, hard, very hard) which depends on how many parts of hardness per gallon you have. To confuse things even more, previous owners/landlord/etc may have had a water softener hooked up so even if your neighbor has the hardest water ever, you may not. Ok, now that you know (or know that you don't know!) what the water is like in your home, read on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Second: Soap vs. Detergent</b><br />
<i>This is a summary of <a href="http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_soapvsdetergent.asp">this article</a> by Heather L. Sanders plus other relavent information I found.</i><br />
<br />
What is the role of soap/detergent in laundry? As a surfactant (surface active agent), it helps reduce the surface tension of water. If you walk outside in the rain wearing a raincoat, the rain is probably going to bead up on the outside of the coat. The surface tension of the water droplet is what allows the droplet to retain it's shape. Surfactants cut that surface tension so it can soak into the clothes. Both soap and detergents are surfactants. Soaps are generally made from natural materials (oils/fats) and detergents are made from synthetic materials (chemical equivalents). Detergents tend to work better in hard water than soap. Soaps form a scum that doesn't wash away as easily in hard water. Detergents have been prevalent since WWII because it takes out the trial and error factor of homemade laundry soap- they will work in hard water, no fiddling with a recipe or additives. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Third: Composition of a Homemade Laundry Soap</b><br />
There are many variations of proportions and occasionally some other ingredients, but here's what the most common ones do.<br />
<br />
1.) soap - surfactant (see above), see #4 for which soaps to use<br />
<br />
2.) borax - sodium borate, <a href="http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm">a whitener and deodorizer</a>. It <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-use-vinegar-borax-laundry/">raises the ph of the wash water</a> to a basic solution, <a href="http://www.20muleteamlaundry.com/about">softens hard water by removing hard water minerals, and is a color safe bleach alternative.</a> This can be found on your laundry detergent aisle as made by 20 Mule Team or online. <br />
<br />
3.) washing soda - soda ash, <a href="http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm">helps remove dirt and odors</a>. This is NOT baking soda. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Washing soda is sodium carbonate (and can be derived from baking soda when heated, google for instructions). This can also be found on the laundry detergent aisle as made by Arm and Hammer. If you don't have luck there, try the pool aisle/store and look for soda ash (just make sure it's pure sodium carbonate) or online.<br />
<br />
4.) essential oils - Since many homemade laundry soap recipes leave the clothes coming out smelling like nothing (i.e. no "fresh clean smell"), some people like to add essential oils. <br />
<br />
5.) vinegar - ok, this is not actually added to the recipe (usually), but is often suggested to <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-use-vinegar-borax-laundry/" target="_blank">add to the rinse cycle or fabric softener dispenser</a>. White vinegar helps strip excess soap/detergent out of the water and lowers the pH of the water. If you line dry you clothes (like me), it's rather important to have a fabric softener so everything doesn't dry to a stiff board. I dilute mine in water before adding it to the dispenser. Oh, and bonus: it's safe for microfiber (most fabric softeners are not, check your care instructions).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Fourth: Which Soaps</b><br />
Most recipes suggest Fels Naptha Soap (found on the laundry detergent aisle), Zote (I've heard Mexican stores and Dollar Generals if not in your grocery store), Castile, or Ivory. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.felsnaptha.com/">Fels Naptha </a>- a pure soap specifically formulated for pretreating stains and removing residue from poison oak/ivy, etc when washing<br />
<a href="http://www.zote.com.mx/english/about.htm">Zote</a> - made from coconut oil and tallows and contains an optical brightener and citronella. <br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castile_soap">Castile Soap</a> (Kirks, Dr. Bonners**, etc) - made from olive oil instead of tallow<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_%28soap%29">Ivory</a> - made from similar ingredients as Fels Naptha (based on skimming their listed ingredients), but with the purpose of body soap, not laundry soap<br />
homemade soaps- there have been universally positive results from people making their own homemade soaps who then use those soaps in laundry soap. <br />
<br />
There is much anecdotal evidence (read: multiple commenters on every homemade laundry soap post) that whatever you use in your shower and the mini bars from hotels will work too. I caution against that. It may contain fragrances or oils that could leave stains on your clothes or react with the other ingredients in a negative way. That said, if one has allergies/sensitivities to anything in the soaps listed above, start with a soap you know won't react with your skin. Just make small batches and test on non-expensive, easily ruined items. If you don't have skin sensitivities and just want to make a batch already, start with whatever soap on the list above you can find easiest. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Fifth: Which recipe</b><br />
I can't suggest a recipe because I haven't experimented enough to figure out what works best with my water. I can say that based your water type, you'll have better luck increasing or decreasing certain ingredients. In general, most combinations should work because the soap is decreasing surface tension, the borax is whitening and deodorizing, and the washing soda is helping remove dirt/odors. However...<br />
<br />
... if you have hard water, you may want to increase how much borax you use.<br />
... if you have extremely hard water, you may want to even double the amount of borax you use. <br />
... if things aren't getting clean enough (dingy white shirts, etc), try<br />
... adding white vinegar to the rinse cycle as a fabric softener or more borax per load<br />
... Zote contains an optical brightener (which many conventional detergents contain)(I have no personal experience with this)<br />
... add <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_%28fabric%29" target="_blank">bluing</a><br />
... add lemon (citric acid has whitening properties) <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Sixth: What container</b><br />
There are powdered soap recipes and liquid soap recipes. The main complaint against liquid recipes is that they take up more room. You can store them in old, cleaned pour spout detergent containers, milk jugs, or buckets. For free buckets, ask the bakery section of the grocery store if they have any extra icing buckets they want to get rid of (bonus: there's about 1/2c of white frosting left in the bucket!). For powdered soap recipes, plastic containers (yogurt, glad, ziplock, tupperware, etc) work well. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Seventh: HE machines?</b><br />
Does this work in HE machines? I have a top loading HE machine (yes, they do make those!) and I don't want to break it. I can't find a satisfactory answer to this. The soaps listed above are low sudsing, which is good for HE machines (using a non-HE detergent in an HE machine can cause it to foam over). Anecdotal evidence (read: commenters on blogs) say it works great in their machines! However, I did find one commenter (among hundreds that I've read I might add), who suggested this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This formula is missing the corrosion inhibitors, enzymes and
chelating agents that are usually present in a commercial detergent.
This may reduce the life of your clothing and washing machine. I would
caution against using this in a HE or front loading washer. Because the
water use is lower, concentrations of contaminants is higher and these
additional ingredients in commercial products are more critical. Also,
there are typically special surfactants or surfactant formulations that
do not foam as much to prevent damage to the machine. ~ <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-a-detailed-visual-guide/" target="_blank">Credit</a></blockquote>
Now, his last point about surfactants I feel isn't well founded because Fels Naptha IS low sudsing to the point that many people who start use it get worried that there aren't enough suds. However, that first part? I'm not sure. I've tried searching for answers, but it's a bit beyond my understanding of chemistry. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Eighth: My Unanswered Questions</b><br />
So, I've learned a lot, but I still have questions. <br />
<br />
1.) Does my laundry detergent need the corrosion inhibitors, enzymes, and chelating agents found in commercial detergents to prolong the life of the machine?<br />
<br />
2.) Borax raises the pH of the water to a basic solution. Vinegar lowers the pH to an acidic solution. <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-use-vinegar-borax-laundry/" target="_blank">If you mix them, you can make salt</a>. Can I use a homemade laundry soap that contains borax (or use it as a booster to commercial detergent) and still add vinegar to my rinse cycle without making salt?<br />
<br />
3.) Would homemade recipes please indicate whether they mean 2 cups of grated soap or 2 cups soap, grated?? They are different! I grated 4.5 oz of soap and yielded 2 cups grated soap. <br />
<br />
4.) What is the specific hardness of these recipe posters (specifically on the scale of water hardness)? It's well and good to say "I have hard water and this works great!" but what level of hard water? What if I don't have hard water?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've only used my recipe once so far, which is not nearly enough times to recommend it. If I like it, I may post what works for me. I have a feeling it will take a while for me to feel comfortable endorsing any particular recipe.<br />
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** after I wrote and posted this, I looked at Dr. Bonner's Castile soap in the grocery store. While it likely does have olive oil in it, there was more coconut oil.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-52309693363526963322012-01-19T14:01:00.000-05:002012-01-19T14:01:52.154-05:00Classic Bottle Opener<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkKPDUEtEJ3i6I3StMqhRzoYMvH86ngBLA0uA5odSKV0gWm8guSSyJa3BfMPFN05KNDzEKklFcXqfb2ydj30mDXXkLzG3Ip79RQY6ywauwWgAM6kBuNNxuHwrhqFkrJYLJURwdKx6xZVD/s1600/IMG_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkKPDUEtEJ3i6I3StMqhRzoYMvH86ngBLA0uA5odSKV0gWm8guSSyJa3BfMPFN05KNDzEKklFcXqfb2ydj30mDXXkLzG3Ip79RQY6ywauwWgAM6kBuNNxuHwrhqFkrJYLJURwdKx6xZVD/s400/IMG_3058.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got my husband a mounted bottle opener for Christmas from a thrift store. His last house had one and everyone loved it. They had a bucket on the floor to catch the bottle caps and it was quite convenient for parties. After deciding on the best place to put the bottle opener (on a sturdy stud in a convenient location), we were a bit stumped on what to do for a bottle cap catcher. Problem was, it had to be removable. We couldn't just nail an old tomato jar up because eventually we would want to empty it.<br />
<br />
We found a cool coffee tin from a local coffee company and decided to somehow mount that after we finished the coffee. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWNPfIzeosrOuwJLggExfTIHLs9Z40WB0zWTVXn-g1uyuIqpeMkP-l5mxeI1y0HRQVPbW228YCqHjhZylx8FNfFKH8Djf-LLwIMOxMImohCcFjuDvpa-5HsDBM0ybrRxP89b5cozEU6CZ/s1600/IMG_3059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWNPfIzeosrOuwJLggExfTIHLs9Z40WB0zWTVXn-g1uyuIqpeMkP-l5mxeI1y0HRQVPbW228YCqHjhZylx8FNfFKH8Djf-LLwIMOxMImohCcFjuDvpa-5HsDBM0ybrRxP89b5cozEU6CZ/s400/IMG_3059.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We took a finishing nail to hammer two holes in the top, then I took some wire and fashioned a handle. I used a command hook to mount the coffee can because I felt a nail, while more aesthetically pleasing, wouldn't be as secure. That spot is extremely convenient because it's a heavy traffic point, however being an heavy traffic point means more bumps than an out of the way place. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOKQ0nJ5kJGoKJV98VQhT-8g8sNKvg19n0-LBgL9_d9jyZspocKjnsJBqju6EMLFH8ME3OYTQexnYmm663G7ahY63Le5oBptWApp3A8vpTViBQURSA5t5rpPFtyvjS_P0fHbpG5aWrRTH/s1600/IMG_3057.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOKQ0nJ5kJGoKJV98VQhT-8g8sNKvg19n0-LBgL9_d9jyZspocKjnsJBqju6EMLFH8ME3OYTQexnYmm663G7ahY63Le5oBptWApp3A8vpTViBQURSA5t5rpPFtyvjS_P0fHbpG5aWrRTH/s400/IMG_3057.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-11304361774425029322012-01-17T10:35:00.001-05:002012-01-17T10:35:30.307-05:00Painted Cabinet Knobs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdxGYMsY5B6HKbH1o6d4_n0B9ffz-iQHM-vL1b7_QtOz-FjjVF_mIuR8Iv6p1mfxiPJarK5t2ikuUZKpVP54GfXAG5Bt-Pt5tqDSUplTZQNS7DfNZWxZrDICcVnfxv-SD0XEUbK9TmPQi/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdxGYMsY5B6HKbH1o6d4_n0B9ffz-iQHM-vL1b7_QtOz-FjjVF_mIuR8Iv6p1mfxiPJarK5t2ikuUZKpVP54GfXAG5Bt-Pt5tqDSUplTZQNS7DfNZWxZrDICcVnfxv-SD0XEUbK9TmPQi/s400/IMG_3054.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the old cabinet knobs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Problem #1:</b> My cabinets are used. When we moved in, one of the first things we did was clean all the kitchen cabinets we had (we were promised more). Try as we might, there was odd coloration around all of the gold knobs that we could not get off. When we finally got the rest of the kitchen cabinets installed (which took a few weeks cuz my landlord is AWESOME), we discovered what the discoloration was.<br />
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The previous owners of the cabinets had birdhouse knobs on all of them. <br />
<br />
On our new cabinets, we got one birdhouse knob, one gold knob, and one door with nothing on it. This has bothered me for many months now.<br />
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<b>Problem #2: </b>We have no closets or coat racks, so our coats most often get thrown over the back of the couch and then fall to the floor when someone sits down. We also find it hard to keep track of hats.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Solution!</b> Take off all the old gold knobs and buy enough new ones for ALL the doors/drawers that match the kitchen and use the old gold knobs to make a coat hooks. My first solution was to find old mismatched/vintage type knobs at thrift stores, but after looking for several weeks, I couldn't find any and gave up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNhXi4kWGG2KXHRdJ5u1lP4FBMz2fyKUcJIZiKVWE0mGKJMcMy-JsBl8whamrv5CM7E9OX416MgL3LKRHCA6sZ9S0eUfqVGXcFdy4M6ScpZrQpzAxsvABeA4AU-y_4vCw2H0h4HJzE0Zm/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNhXi4kWGG2KXHRdJ5u1lP4FBMz2fyKUcJIZiKVWE0mGKJMcMy-JsBl8whamrv5CM7E9OX416MgL3LKRHCA6sZ9S0eUfqVGXcFdy4M6ScpZrQpzAxsvABeA4AU-y_4vCw2H0h4HJzE0Zm/s400/IMG_3046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wood cabinet knobs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step One: Buy knobs within my budget</b><br />
Since my budget was "as cheap as possible," I found some $0.85 knobs at a big box home improvement store. I have lots of paint left over from my college art 101 classes (luckily, they haven't dried out) so I knew I could make these match. I took an old piece of cardboard and poked some finishing nails through it to give me something to rest the knobs on without smudging paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u3AK_CiihRHhrYGtxa2KLJd0xGYAPY34ql-10nvXxsto34B4x9QgH5Ay54E3LTPTPPc-h3nmkwehwhMaOXNlNWO6-kBy8g_1ISV_oX0sV5kg7618laJpVNMQVODPUL4XdDftNYc8OtUg/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u3AK_CiihRHhrYGtxa2KLJd0xGYAPY34ql-10nvXxsto34B4x9QgH5Ay54E3LTPTPPc-h3nmkwehwhMaOXNlNWO6-kBy8g_1ISV_oX0sV5kg7618laJpVNMQVODPUL4XdDftNYc8OtUg/s400/IMG_3052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with two coats of paint, no varnish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step Two: prime, mix, paint</b><br />
While I've done a fair amount of painting, I wanted to make sure I was using the right products for a kitchen cabinet because it's so heavily used. I used <a href="http://betcaro.hubpages.com/hub/Kitchen-Cabinet-Refacing-Decorative-Knobs-DIY">this how to page </a>as reference. They suggested sealing/gesso-ing raw wood as a base coat. My gesso was dried out and unusable, so I used what I had on hand: some of my bookbinders PVA* glue. I think modge podge would work well too and most crafters have that on hand (and if you don't have any on hand, a 1:1 ratio of white glue and water makes <a href="http://babblingsandmore.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-mod-podge.html">homemade modgepodge!</a>). I let that dry, lightly sanded, and mixed up a nice red color to match my kitchen. One thing I learned in art classes was to always mix acrylic paints with water to thin it out. The paint will go on smoother and have less globs and paint stroke lines. Also, you get a thinner coat, which is actually good because two thin coats will cover better than one thick, globby one. Another tip: add small amounts of white/black to the color you are mixing, don't add color to white/black. It will take far too long and make waaaay too much paint for pretty much any purpose. Oh, and I painted all of these in at least two steps: first the curvy part by holding the top and bottom, then the top while holding the curvy part. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q3FCD4RmEzFBonbiGNzc03OeDihc0fCOo6vTPJt9aE9yA7plpWRgcKFKkU8dAwX6wlg7kMDH_Qq6yMzAXGG5jxtMrR_Bsd3CVrhyphenhyphenEPs9w8TyBx21IrMaI9i4RmuLzgCSYnoxtQDTi8y5/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q3FCD4RmEzFBonbiGNzc03OeDihc0fCOo6vTPJt9aE9yA7plpWRgcKFKkU8dAwX6wlg7kMDH_Qq6yMzAXGG5jxtMrR_Bsd3CVrhyphenhyphenEPs9w8TyBx21IrMaI9i4RmuLzgCSYnoxtQDTi8y5/s400/IMG_3055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two coats of paint with varnish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step Three: varnish and wait</b><br />
After two good coats, I varnished the knobs using a matte varnish I picked up at a craft store (glossy is another option). Typically things like varnish and paints are cheaper at big box home improvement stores, but when one is doing a project this small, it's not really cost effective. Same thing if you are buying acrylic paint. Find a few coupons and go to town at a craft store. Be sure to varnish the bottoms! You don't need to paint the bottom, but the varnish will help protect the knobs from any moisture in the kitchen (like wiping down cabinets). After I varnished these, I waited FULL 24 hours before attempting to put them on the doors. They were dry within half an hour, but I wanted them to fully cure. Also, I didn't want to annoy the next owners by having my paint stick to the door like the stupid birdhouses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJdFcTcU6HaMI19RJdM9YKD086F_a82q5lI-VNKeTcezhwY6xnW6qGN9FW-2AJKz1xtcxLsIjZvqkTviIUaPOceCIs0gcHPMeSREnFmT8T2MfBxZXIhFGTaXn6TemTYcdn2sjAfuMMv0G/s1600/IMG_3069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJdFcTcU6HaMI19RJdM9YKD086F_a82q5lI-VNKeTcezhwY6xnW6qGN9FW-2AJKz1xtcxLsIjZvqkTviIUaPOceCIs0gcHPMeSREnFmT8T2MfBxZXIhFGTaXn6TemTYcdn2sjAfuMMv0G/s400/IMG_3069.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the new knobs. and the paint i can't get off. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step Four: install</b><br />
Then it was install time. I removed the old hardware and screwed my newly painted knob in its place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghso59cuYYQjye9PUiU0MDbptu1GeOuADwUVQlgl0fl5nwVQrsYKlKt3Mu2RKCNUKAUbss58cjLOn07eP9L09QtTASni3wzjtA57BK4U2IXPrHFlx7fNhIY4sBAq7VbVa7Fi082qcJDzuX/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghso59cuYYQjye9PUiU0MDbptu1GeOuADwUVQlgl0fl5nwVQrsYKlKt3Mu2RKCNUKAUbss58cjLOn07eP9L09QtTASni3wzjtA57BK4U2IXPrHFlx7fNhIY4sBAq7VbVa7Fi082qcJDzuX/s400/IMG_3071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that birdhouse paint is REALLY tough to get off. Also, aren't my cabinets hung nicely? Thanks landlord!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step Five: go to the hardware store to get necessary supplies</b><br />
I discovered as I was trying to install these that the pilot holes were not big enough for the wood screws that came with my new knobs. The threads were bigger, the old screws don't work on the new knobs, and I didn't have a big enough drill bit to enlarge the holes to the correct size. I currently only have new knobs on three doors; the thick drawers gave me a LOT of trouble. <br />
<br />
<br />
So now I have Problem #1 solved (pending visit to hardware store). Problem #2: No Coat Rack, No Problem will be covered in a later post. <br />
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<br />
------------ <br />
* while Elmer's while glue is a PVA glue, bookbinders PVA is a higher quality PVA. While high quality PVA can be used in place of Elmers, Elmers is NOT appropriate for bookbinding purposes.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-50681943357682540342012-01-10T17:40:00.001-05:002012-01-10T17:40:45.704-05:00Felt Christmas Ornaments<i>Disclaimer: I know Christmas is over. However, I intentionally did not post this before Christmas because several of the recipients read this blog (and to my brother and sister-in-law whom I still have not sent presents to, surprise!) </i><br />
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Christmas this year was tough. People tend to show their appreciation and friendship for others through presents, but presents cost money. Money is tighter than I've ever experienced and while I finally got a part time job mid-way through December, my first paycheck was after Christmas. Not having money to afford things didn't stop the feeling that we needed to buy things for friends and family. However, I did have time, energy, and pocket change so I tried to find something I could make that wouldn't look cheap and like I had made it. <br />
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I think I mentioned before that I joined pinterest a few months ago. I am not nearly as into it as it seems everyone else is, but I find it a great place to stash a picture and link of something I want to make and come back to it later when I have time. Around Christmas, I found some amazing felt ornaments on pinterest linked from etsy and various other places around the web. I pinned all the ones I found interesting and decided to make ornaments for friends and family for three reasons: first, felt is crazy cheap, second, embroidery thread is super cheap, and third, I wanted to learn more about needlework and embroidery. <br />
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<b>tools needed:</b><br />
- felt<br />
- embroidery thread (or button&craft/heavy/upholstery thread if you have it on hand)<br />
- needles (I don't own embroidery ones; experiment with what you have on hand)<br />
- scissors<br />
<br />
<b>tools I found helpful</b><br />
- disappearing fabric marker - I did half of them without it and broke down and bought one. love it. <br />
- scrap paper to draw your own patterns<br />
- fiber fill for making plush ornaments <br />
- cookie cutters - I don't own any, but I heard you can trace the interior and exterior to make patterns)<br />
- needle threader for threading several strands of embroidery floss onto tiny needles not made for embroidery<br />
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<br />
<b>Step one: </b>make a pattern for the shape you want. For me, this meant drawing it several times until I got the shape I want or printing out a line drawing I made in Illustrator. Then I cut it out in felt and traced any design I wanted in the disappearing ink. I used pencil at first, but it doesn't rub out of felt very easily. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPWwZlXgQOU9U-IBHY-TGbDapPqb6d4sVBhvoWhRbKbgxyYI5XNdbMCbF9jqRJfnRWAj1cIHELgDnCEUdQrbn26sfWCL73djFuAvtutdETmt9QiRhkYlYxvYglhQyLsz49Zsz_FzLO_u_/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPWwZlXgQOU9U-IBHY-TGbDapPqb6d4sVBhvoWhRbKbgxyYI5XNdbMCbF9jqRJfnRWAj1cIHELgDnCEUdQrbn26sfWCL73djFuAvtutdETmt9QiRhkYlYxvYglhQyLsz49Zsz_FzLO_u_/s400/IMG_3013.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper pattern star and felt cutout with disappearing ink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Step Two:</b> Embroider away! If you're like me and haven't really done it before, I found <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/howto.html">Sublime Stitching</a> to be helpful in telling me how to do basic stitches. By the way, I'm fairly certain I do it incorrectly (I knot the ends of the thread together to form a sturdy anchor knot) but I don't particularly care due to my medium of felt. OH, another thing: it took me several ornaments to develop the sort of skill allowing me to do straight lines and even(ish) stitches, so make sure you start with practice pieces you plan on keeping instead of giving away. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OjFGgUUYSl1gHuY6H6351bAqQg9BUOiQOXBILPomgg0Xxj0VlZ8tu28dqZqnFCGgylBN12IAnM22-jS-USXixDisBE9xUcg36UfoawCgF3nEQIX3hVbphWXKL9s5j2qwuIVAPkoeOv4O/s1600/IMG_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OjFGgUUYSl1gHuY6H6351bAqQg9BUOiQOXBILPomgg0Xxj0VlZ8tu28dqZqnFCGgylBN12IAnM22-jS-USXixDisBE9xUcg36UfoawCgF3nEQIX3hVbphWXKL9s5j2qwuIVAPkoeOv4O/s400/IMG_3018.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitching right along my disappearing lines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Step three:</b> After completing the decorative stitches, I stitched the white felt star onto a slightly larger blue felt star. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQak5MF7xMm2ZCtz6nTmOhnUbx-C5GkXWfHhw9CXlXq4deCPYQeLdqxp6hwBrZDXsBrwB3S_7YXS5V9drp6QEVhJ35W0mViptmi4bSw0oiiNYSdXWxbI3pca0LoIOzBamygp1cxvZkkMHi/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQak5MF7xMm2ZCtz6nTmOhnUbx-C5GkXWfHhw9CXlXq4deCPYQeLdqxp6hwBrZDXsBrwB3S_7YXS5V9drp6QEVhJ35W0mViptmi4bSw0oiiNYSdXWxbI3pca0LoIOzBamygp1cxvZkkMHi/s320/IMG_3022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Step four:</b> If it's going to be an ornament, add the ribbon to hang it now (I forgot several times)! Also, I suggest stitching your initials and year onto the back piece of felt so both you and everyone else can remember who made it and when.<br />
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<b>Step five:</b> I stitched two blue stars together using a blanket stitch (google it). When I got about 1-2" to closing it up, I stuffed some fiber fill in there to make it poofy and then finished blanket stitching it up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ-y1wSqBH6Wr0s1bnbH43ptql3gbPmyyBIeXU3a2WqAJnzbdJa1Vcld3H9Nu_PVOUfn88CDMQ7RlRf1zCcY4hHhUudr9ap8efBm2mA5taL4Rh0PD-SliQSp2klxdM1qaMqKyJlH1Nfn4/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ-y1wSqBH6Wr0s1bnbH43ptql3gbPmyyBIeXU3a2WqAJnzbdJa1Vcld3H9Nu_PVOUfn88CDMQ7RlRf1zCcY4hHhUudr9ap8efBm2mA5taL4Rh0PD-SliQSp2klxdM1qaMqKyJlH1Nfn4/s400/IMG_3025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">poof!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Step six: </b>All done! Stick it in a bag and it's ready to go. By the way, these also make great pin cushions. (I may or may have no used one of my early I-don't-know-how-to-embroider ornaments as a pin cushion for the rest of the project.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCJlOHzgrBmyOYsPCFpq00KwPA5_BNGj6DiVgJqYUe7EnnlrmslOU9T5tjgcl6apY2NGCkEgiEfsifwXA5cbQbAjuov7x42-NPdWv63wtqUGGe3uims0REK4tSyC3sZ6VtCSwl7u3NqjK/s1600/IMG_3028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCJlOHzgrBmyOYsPCFpq00KwPA5_BNGj6DiVgJqYUe7EnnlrmslOU9T5tjgcl6apY2NGCkEgiEfsifwXA5cbQbAjuov7x42-NPdWv63wtqUGGe3uims0REK4tSyC3sZ6VtCSwl7u3NqjK/s400/IMG_3028.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I ended up making at least six designs just playing around with it (the candy cane has already been given away) and fell in love with the tree in the back. I made a little forest of them, but since I forgot to add a ribbon, this is the only one I have left. The two circular ornaments were some of the first ones (the absolute first one never even got stuffed, it was that bad!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFO9PxYxJEnJ5gOyFkIbbmhyphenhyphenJ7vrPBvOKnluiaOIKwS5VVCWJ4wJXQklnA5y6Nz4f_94GoszRdt6v6lolkZdLXFtIcc6FsOYD25uUhhg7nYPeoZ8Q8ruicbKy2cnuOz0BbSpQtJ66a_Bf/s1600/IMG_3043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFO9PxYxJEnJ5gOyFkIbbmhyphenhyphenJ7vrPBvOKnluiaOIKwS5VVCWJ4wJXQklnA5y6Nz4f_94GoszRdt6v6lolkZdLXFtIcc6FsOYD25uUhhg7nYPeoZ8Q8ruicbKy2cnuOz0BbSpQtJ66a_Bf/s400/IMG_3043.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">felt Christmas ornaments</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-41005949741072079872012-01-05T09:17:00.000-05:002012-01-05T09:17:19.932-05:00Best. Cornbread. Ever.I've had quite a few versions of cornbread. I grew up with the occasional cakey cornbread and delicious honey butter (I know we mixed our own honey butter, but was the cornbread from a box, Mom?) Now that I'm in the South, I've discovered that cornbread or biscuits are served in most Southern diners/restaurants and everybody has their favorite recipe. Most biscuits are delicious but the cornbread can range from corny and bland to super sweet and cakey. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlA5wsJcoW0/TwWmT1BDpzI/AAAAAAAAG8o/aMvbeTN5DjY/s1600/IMG_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlA5wsJcoW0/TwWmT1BDpzI/AAAAAAAAG8o/aMvbeTN5DjY/s400/IMG_0250.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmm, look at that golden top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I made the best cornbread of my life on New Years Day. I've made corn bread before, but I've always been vaguely disappointed in it- it was too cakey, too thin, or too much "corn" and not enough bread. This recipe produced a cornbread that was an ideal 1.5"-2" thick, sweet enough to be eaten by itself (but not too sweet I couldn't slather it in butter and honey), and the perfect texture that walks the line between cakey and flakey. It was so good, I made it two days in a row and only just stopped myself from making it for dinner on the third. <br />
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I thought I'd made this recipe before. It's from my New Best Recipe Cookbook, but there are two recipes: Northern and Southern cornbread. Maybe I tried the Northern one and forgot to notate it. I distinctly remember trying to make cornbread in my 10" square cast iron years ago and it turning out far too thin and consequently a bit too brown on the bottom to be flavorful, so maybe I made the Southern one. This time I had the suggested 8" cast iron that we picked up at a thrift store and made the Southern Skillet Cornbread.<br />
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Cornbread is a quick bread, meaning it gets its rise from baking soda, baking powder, and/or eggs (in this case, all three) instead of yeast. The difference between Northern and Southern cornbread tends to be how cakey it is. Northern cornbread uses roughly a 50/50 blend of cornmeal and all purpose flour with butter for the fat while Southern styles use all or mostly all cornmeal with oil/bacon drippings as the fat. This Southern one uses only cornmeal, so it's gluten free. My dad is gluten intolerant, so I'm always happy to find something gluten free that tastes this amazing. It comes together pretty quick, so I can quickly mix it up and stick it in the oven, then have 20 minutes to pull together the rest of dinner. <br />
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I don't want to write out the recipe because of copyright restrictions (blogging is a form of publishing), but I will give the basic gist of how it's put together that can be used on other recipes. The oil (or bacon drippings) is preheated in the cast iron. The cornmeal is divided and most of it mixed with the dry ingredients. The remaining cornmeal is whisked with hot water to form a thick paste, then buttermilk and egg is added. After folding those together, the hot oil from the cast iron is quickly mixed in. After baking for about 20 minutes, out comes the best cornbread I've ever had. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M9WBNbd6wU/TwWm8Y7F_7I/AAAAAAAAG9E/EmRlGEjLajA/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M9WBNbd6wU/TwWm8Y7F_7I/AAAAAAAAG9E/EmRlGEjLajA/s400/IMG_0248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 8" cast iron pan of deliciousness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCv8NYcy_HGxiV1GZu8OaA9gAfesNF2IA9lJGEjCuFsUgC7MFukyDq8PBIM-6P6n_R89UXX3HmI8BY79-fvEpotaOl8hT1u7h8yS2lCUk5UmuYBgscf0m_vRiSpKaeiLCYyf4hyzJToOi/s1600/blogger-image-259484371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
So why did I made the cornbread? Well, the South has a tradition on New Years Day: for good luck in the new year, eat black eyed peas, collards, and fat back (or something porky; we did bacon this year). While I can finish my plate, I don't particularly like any of these traditional Southern dishes and wanted something that I could look forward to in the meal. It will now be in constant rotation in our meals. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jKE4GLFo3o/TwWwHopvUjI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/2uFSNN_Ur_U/s1600/IMG_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jKE4GLFo3o/TwWwHopvUjI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/2uFSNN_Ur_U/s400/IMG_0254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bacon, collards, cornbread, and black eyed peas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-10023836073770993682012-01-03T07:26:00.000-05:002012-01-03T07:26:02.461-05:00Grinding TurkeyI've heard turkeys go on sale after Thanksgiving. I never saw evidence of this in my local stores. However, I did find turkey on sale for $0.59/lb after Christmas. <br />
<br />
So my parents bought my husband and I an 11lb turkey.<br />
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What does one do with an 11lb turkey?? It's just the two of us and while we would like to have parties, we likely wouldn't serve turkey at one. After a brief discussion on how we would likely use turkey, we decided to grind the whole thing up. (Actually, our plan was to make sausage, but we wanted to mix beef heart with the turkey and didn't have time to get to the store that sells it).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ymTZhl85QA/TwERaaZ2jBI/AAAAAAAAG7U/nm2VFzIRby8/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ymTZhl85QA/TwERaaZ2jBI/AAAAAAAAG7U/nm2VFzIRby8/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11lbs of fresh, raw turkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table> First, we portioned it. We discovered turkey bones are much thicker and tougher than chicken bones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsUONLb9iP8/TwERwOkBdbI/AAAAAAAAG70/sJLOCvCTUiQ/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsUONLb9iP8/TwERwOkBdbI/AAAAAAAAG70/sJLOCvCTUiQ/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the turkey meets the cleaver. The cleaver's name is dexter. no joke. it's engraved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we ground it. I love our grinder attachment for the Kitchenaid. Because turkey meat is so lean, we ended up grinding in some of the skin based on a recipe my husband had read for making sausage. After seeing it all ground up, I probably would have put in slightly less skin. However, the leanness of ground beef heart will probably balance it out when we make sausage. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u12QVJPdd3Q/TwEShKPBFzI/AAAAAAAAG8I/vjJxa3rDWUY/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u12QVJPdd3Q/TwEShKPBFzI/AAAAAAAAG8I/vjJxa3rDWUY/s400/IMG_0238.JPG" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all ground up and lightly salt and peppered</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then we bagged it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fr1Tb5fhpRI/TwESjdSEZ2I/AAAAAAAAG8Q/hrCmTTLl_bU/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fr1Tb5fhpRI/TwESjdSEZ2I/AAAAAAAAG8Q/hrCmTTLl_bU/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need a scale. I tried, but I know the portions are all over the place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We got 8 bags of meat with roughly 1lb in each bag. So far, we're planning on making meatballs and sausage. We're still thinking about other meals we can do with ground turkey meat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEkPY68CMIU/TwEVUzCiblI/AAAAAAAAG8c/XwwRhQn0h8c/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEkPY68CMIU/TwEVUzCiblI/AAAAAAAAG8c/XwwRhQn0h8c/s400/IMG_0245.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vacuum sealed, labeled, and dated</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
After grinding everything, we took all the bones, sauteed them, and boiled it with leeks to make broth. We didn't quite have a big enough pot and really we should have made two batches of broth, so we ended up with a super concentrated broth. <br />
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I looked into canning the broth, but I only have a water bath canner. Due to it's lack of acidity and bacteria that could be present in the meat, I would need a pressure canner to safely can the broth. My alternative is to just freeze it. After we refrigerate the broth overnight, we will skim off the solidified fat and pour it into muffin tins (after I measure how much each muffin tin holds!). After freezing those, I'll vacuum seal them and keep them frozen for future use.<br />
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I'm excited. <br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-68355538358238713012011-12-20T08:07:00.003-05:002011-12-20T17:27:47.437-05:00Christmas StockingsI am still alive and working (yay! I got a part time job!) and making and baking things, but lately it's all been Christmas presents. I would love to post those, but some of the people receiving them read this blog... so that's out til after Christmas. <br />
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I did make my husband and I stockings. This project has been in the works for a long time- I got the faux fur from my mom's stash specifically to make these in June! Nearly a yard of red linen blend was found in remnants in September after the local college's sororities had used most of the bolt in the name of school spirit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI7yBgit-iXFqPpQcDYQ9UfUMv4P4oKk9uu-3_C75tsaMETbj1Ku3zK6mtzC9buUHWr8aVyS4WQdaFaU0M127SSbqJ3SRfkMRbKTshWBwMx9Ivd7ZG4SZPeDrz6X38DgbnD__3LLMxkiY/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI7yBgit-iXFqPpQcDYQ9UfUMv4P4oKk9uu-3_C75tsaMETbj1Ku3zK6mtzC9buUHWr8aVyS4WQdaFaU0M127SSbqJ3SRfkMRbKTshWBwMx9Ivd7ZG4SZPeDrz6X38DgbnD__3LLMxkiY/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is instagramed. I have horrible lighting in my house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It just took me til last week to do anything with the materials.<br />
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First up, I had to have a pattern for the stocking shape. If you own a stocking, you can just trace it and add about 1/4-1/2" all around for your seam allowance. Since this is our first Christmas, we have very few decorations and the stockings we grew up with have stayed with our parents: hence the need for me to make some. A quick google image search turned several shapes you can download, trace, enlarge, whatever. The stocking won't fit anyone anyway, so as long as you're happy with it, it's fine. If it doesn't include the size of fur strip you'll need, then you'll need to make your own pattern piece. First, how thick of a cuff do you want? Copy/trace that amount of inches from the top of the stocking onto another piece of paper, marking which end is the toe and heel end. Fold the fur in half and place the toe end of your pattern piece against the fold, then cut (you'll get one long strip instead of two pieces. You could also do it with two pieces, but I did it with one).<br />
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The red stocking part is incredibly simple. I serged my pieces because the fabric would fray like crazy otherwise. The cuff was the hard part. <br />
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Faux fur is incredibly weird to work with. It sheds more than my dog and that's saying something. Most tips I found suggested small cuts using scissors or craft knifes on the wrong side of the fur and not to cut through the fur itself. But how does one finish off a cut end? I couldn't find a tutorial, so I modified a technique I found to make a <a href="http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2010/11/vintage-flair-make-a-faux-fur-collar/">vintage faux fur collar</a>. She has great pictures that explain each step. <br />
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I cut one faux fur strip and one same sized lining (I suggest white cotton, but I'm not entirely sure a liner is even needed for a stocking. However, the faux fur collar used one, so I did too). Tack the lining to the faux fur using an uneven, shallow basting stitch that just catches the fur backing (I basted on one and didn't on the other. I highly suggest basting). Sew twill/hem tape to the edge of the right side of the fur using a zig zag stitch. I had silver hem tape in my stash and didn't feel like purchasing white. Festive! And cheap! Cut off any excess cuz this is going to get thick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTvBctgnOfuBr5nWJAV87CvQ-o1ktskUaJQW6qVHQIWd2BhwQxxgs4dXRlCIrM8SlGwg-hOD_mJnAjIQPeV6zLS7yUJp9fe1JKt0iQpNXEVViLwKjkPEefKHp8-GvgPn0HdhjdKwI-wnH/s1600/blogger-image--164232347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTvBctgnOfuBr5nWJAV87CvQ-o1ktskUaJQW6qVHQIWd2BhwQxxgs4dXRlCIrM8SlGwg-hOD_mJnAjIQPeV6zLS7yUJp9fe1JKt0iQpNXEVViLwKjkPEefKHp8-GvgPn0HdhjdKwI-wnH/s400/blogger-image--164232347.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">machine zig zag stitch to the edges of the fur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Fold the binding tape over on one side so that the faux fur edge is contained and use a running stitch to tack it to the lining. The other end will be attached to the stocking proper.<br />
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Pin the right side of the fur to the WRONG side of the stocking (i.e. turn the stocking inside out) with the tape folded towards the top of the stocking. The zig zag stitch on the right side of the fur should be hidden by the tape folding over itself. This is hard to see in the pictures, but the second one below this paragraph shows it slightly better than the first one. After I pinned it together, I stitched the fur together for that back seam in the first photo (taking care not to get any red stocking in the seam). I feel like there was probably a better point/time to do that step, but I'm not really sure what it is since I knew that my paper pattern wasn't very exact. I straight stitched the fur to the stocking using the bottom of the zig zag as a guide.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCv8NYcy_HGxiV1GZu8OaA9gAfesNF2IA9lJGEjCuFsUgC7MFukyDq8PBIM-6P6n_R89UXX3HmI8BY79-fvEpotaOl8hT1u7h8yS2lCUk5UmuYBgscf0m_vRiSpKaeiLCYyf4hyzJToOi/s1600/blogger-image-259484371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCv8NYcy_HGxiV1GZu8OaA9gAfesNF2IA9lJGEjCuFsUgC7MFukyDq8PBIM-6P6n_R89UXX3HmI8BY79-fvEpotaOl8hT1u7h8yS2lCUk5UmuYBgscf0m_vRiSpKaeiLCYyf4hyzJToOi/s400/blogger-image-259484371.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIGHT side of fur pinned to inside-out stocking with fur seamed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_asIdNPcGqWVKOHgGSwFdnIjH4bcJwMKhvP-yWSv4389FdZtVV-CQdgSEps_EkUbk0fA1hKq5OFwOeOcGK3nDk2I3RoExhBmnz4JQbFXEQBsKG9Y3dU_YvekRVfpnG4EINUeqL3R2rNEt/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_asIdNPcGqWVKOHgGSwFdnIjH4bcJwMKhvP-yWSv4389FdZtVV-CQdgSEps_EkUbk0fA1hKq5OFwOeOcGK3nDk2I3RoExhBmnz4JQbFXEQBsKG9Y3dU_YvekRVfpnG4EINUeqL3R2rNEt/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to see, but I stitched a straight stitch using the bottom of the zig zag as my guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then I turned the stocking right side out and folded the faux fur cuff over. You can make a simple tube out of the red material about 1.5" wide and 6" long and stitch it to the stocking so you can hang it. My tube is still inside out because I found the fabric too thick to turn right side out without a super cool tool made for turning tubes right side out. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMKsFfwVCgfnKNOA8Z-1YsiPXw57vaWcMDR9urWSKxvyvQxfB5VdcKykCqpLiMtzJGtKiPYqrTJcPLg-BdIfBxcZksfTP_mM3759PqLpkMTeOyKoTcB0nDgmBJT3Cie-3Pvyt0fxp3Z4b/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMKsFfwVCgfnKNOA8Z-1YsiPXw57vaWcMDR9urWSKxvyvQxfB5VdcKykCqpLiMtzJGtKiPYqrTJcPLg-BdIfBxcZksfTP_mM3759PqLpkMTeOyKoTcB0nDgmBJT3Cie-3Pvyt0fxp3Z4b/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay, all done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There. All done. Now we have our very own stockings.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-67837765045058460722011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-22T08:00:10.224-05:00Twine KeeperI think I'm back. Due to the unfinished nature of my rental house (not enough insulation, doors fitting improperly, lack of heat) and a couple of nights hovering around freezing, I had to take a break. My husband and I were huddling in the central room of the house around a space heater.<br />
<br />
I finally joined pinterest and while my first week or so of using it was slightly frustrating (I could not get anything to be posted and viewable on any of the 3 browsers or 2 platforms I tried), I've somewhat started to appreciate it. Instead of googling a craft I want to make, I can search for it on pinterest and then repin it so I can come back to it later. That's how I'm using it at least.<br />
<br />
I discovered this easy craft of turning a glass jar with metal lid into a kitchen twin holder via <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/11/how-to_jar_twine_dispenser.html">a craft blog I follow</a>. Things like this justify my obsessive saving of jars for Future Unspecified Use. It's super simple to do, keeps your twine clean while cooking, and prevents it from rolling off the counter onto the floor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8ZP9RBQTsaJhkDN3D3rGgrhTrRQYizay4OUbco4ydbQ0-y53rM0MLfEhyNPg0rRRzxVaAiAR7KuWKJSG3OOEeoaEvrMMU7w3ZtxUJGRv2r3k7iLBhFrMFMXehRRuMH3ux1fId9o0PiW1/s1600/IMG_3004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8ZP9RBQTsaJhkDN3D3rGgrhTrRQYizay4OUbco4ydbQ0-y53rM0MLfEhyNPg0rRRzxVaAiAR7KuWKJSG3OOEeoaEvrMMU7w3ZtxUJGRv2r3k7iLBhFrMFMXehRRuMH3ux1fId9o0PiW1/s400/IMG_3004.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this project's spiciness? medium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I found that a glass salsa jar was the best shape for my kitchen twine instead of the example of a glass peanut butter jar (I have a lot of those). I had a tiny bit of difficulty making the hole for the grommet round. I'm thankful the eyelet is wide enough that it covered pretty much all of the ugliness on this top! I used a hammer to dull down any sharp bits I had before setting the eyelet. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbnZ9ZFIWi_obCeny90pGIp3yH7laDFLkd9lSlANs82l0l_QuaGsPPzLHqye_zueEZu52L6dZn5Rzc68vxR3DLQcJq8LJfOWoVqlyi8Jylt6P1RknYTVkb65UdIpurLsocDcDKQzJa9rF/s1600/IMG_3008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbnZ9ZFIWi_obCeny90pGIp3yH7laDFLkd9lSlANs82l0l_QuaGsPPzLHqye_zueEZu52L6dZn5Rzc68vxR3DLQcJq8LJfOWoVqlyi8Jylt6P1RknYTVkb65UdIpurLsocDcDKQzJa9rF/s400/IMG_3008.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it looks great in the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm thinking about using this same principle to turn giant plastic peanut butter jars (think Costco sized Adam's Peanut Butter) into a yarn keeper. I keep a project by the couch so when I'm watching tv I can feel a bit productive, but it's getting unwieldy and I dislike the thought that my dog's hair is getting mixed in with the fibers. One of my former roommates and I went through a lot of Costco sized peanut butter jars but I'm not sure that I kept any of them.... maybe a post on craigslist will turn up something.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-78616852133160837272011-11-11T22:10:00.001-05:002011-11-11T22:13:02.996-05:00too cold to craftIt's too cold in the crafting room to craft. I'll be back when my house has heat and/or my landlord finally does some basic cold weather proofing (like replacing doors with cracks I can stick my finger through.)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-65446315692883866032011-11-08T11:12:00.000-05:002011-11-08T11:12:17.247-05:00Chicken with Tomatillos and Braised FruitI haven't posted in a week. Between my temporary job ending (yay!) and my husband's laptop batter/charger fritzing out (boo!), I have been busy cleaning all the little things I neglected while working and sharing my computer so he can do Important Law Studying. <br />
<br />
I did make something amazing last week though. <br />
<br />
We eat a lot of Mexican food, and usually it's prepared more or less the same way- rice, beans, some sauteed veggies, and chicken spiced with cumin and peppers and topped with cheese. The base of rice and beans is cheap, filling, and healthy, and by shredding the chicken we stretch it out longer for days longer than eating a breast each for dinner. As much as I like it, I was getting tired of it. Epicurious.com is my go-to website for finding new recipes when I'm not sure exactly what I want to fix, but I now I want something different (and Cooks Illustrated is my go-to when I know exactly what I want). My parents gave me and my husband early Christmas presents of iPhones and I've been using the epicurious app a LOT in the kitchen- I don't have to print out any recipes I find and I can double check the ingredient list in the grocery store. <br />
<br />
I found a <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Tomatillo-Sauce-and-Braised-Fruit-238508">Chicken with Tomatillo Sauce and Braised Fruit </a>recipe that is AMAZING and unlike any other Mexican dish I have prepared at home. By using a few substitutions, I had nearly everything on hand. The only "special ingredients" I had to buy were pears and tomatillos. I substituted dried cranberries for dried cherries, ground cinnamon for the stick, ignored the epazote leaves and green onions per the comments, and completely forgot to buy tomatillos. I was really disappointed in myself for forgetting the tomatillos, but I discovered that in some recipes, green tomatoes and a bit of lime can be substituted for tomatillos. Since my tomato plants decided to produce some late harvest tomatoes that would never have time to ripen before the first frost, I went out and gathered up all the remaining tomatoes I could find. From what I understand, green tomatoes have a similar tartness to the tomatillos (but not a crispness) and don't cook down like ripe tomatoes. This recipe definitely tastes like fall/winter goodness because of the pear, but it was published in a June 2007 magazine - possibly because that's when tomatillos are in season. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapqyk_Lo1oECvEZo_iPMYlq7YtT3SJH-DNmt2zUWo6xlgTaEIUtNJeAEh7AnRCH3Ml90uK0FQ_gtXf61xojKrBAJobt0SFifbChrAG6HSrQvSmzBroFj2T4YVEOW81Dc74ILBlhz6wrTH/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapqyk_Lo1oECvEZo_iPMYlq7YtT3SJH-DNmt2zUWo6xlgTaEIUtNJeAEh7AnRCH3Ml90uK0FQ_gtXf61xojKrBAJobt0SFifbChrAG6HSrQvSmzBroFj2T4YVEOW81Dc74ILBlhz6wrTH/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm salivating just seeing this picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It took me about two hours to prepare this recipe (which included the using my awesome cleaver to quarter the chicken). I ended up throwing some chicken stock in the pot at some point because I didn't feel like the chicken was cooking fast enough and it seemed to need more liquid (I think there's a difference in water content of tomatillos and green tomatoes). I think I added a bit less than a cup, use your judgement if you need it. We made rice and black beans to accompany this (the rice soaks up the extra liquid). <br />
<br />
<b>ingredients</b><br />
<ul class="ingredientsList">
<li class="ingredient">1 (3-pound) chicken, quartered</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons vegetable oil</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced crosswise</li>
<li class="ingredient">4 large garlic cloves, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons minced chipotle chiles (from canned chipotles in adobo)* (or a cayenne pepper)</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 pounds tomatillos, husked, rinsed, quartered (or green tomatoes cut into bite size pieces)</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cinnamon stick (or a generous helping of ground cinnamon) </li>
<li class="ingredient">1 pound pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes</li>
<li class="ingredient">4 ounces dried apricots (about 2/3 cup)</li>
<li class="ingredient">3 ounces dried cherries or cranberries (about 1/2 cup packed)</li>
<li class="ingredient">Warm tortillas</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<div class="instruction">
<b>preperation</b></div>
<div class="instruction">
Brine the chicken for at least twenty minutes.</div>
<div class="instruction">
<br /></div>
<div class="instruction">
</div>
<div class="instruction">
Heat oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add
chicken pieces and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
Transfer chicken to plate. At this point, I took off the majority of the skin to reduce the fat content in the recipe. </div>
<div class="instruction">
<br /></div>
<div class="instruction">
Add onion to pot; sauté 2 minutes. Add garlic
and chipotles; stir 1 minute. Stir in tomatillos and cinnamon stick;
return chicken pieces to pot. </div>
<div class="instruction">
<br /></div>
<div class="instruction">
Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until
chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes. I shredded the chicken after it was cooked.</div>
<div class="instruction">
<br /></div>
<div class="instruction">
Add
pears, apricots, and cherries and simmer until pears are tender,
stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Serve with
warm tortillas, rice, and beans.
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
Read More <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Tomatillo-Sauce-and-Braised-Fruit-238508#ixzz1d8861aG9" style="color: #003399;">http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Tomatillo-Sauce-and-Braised-Fruit-238508#ixzz1d8861aG9</a></div>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-35989728925248005652011-10-29T14:29:00.003-04:002011-10-29T14:55:35.385-04:00Puppy Dog the LadybugI made my dog a Halloween costume.<br />
<br />
First off, I would like to affirm my belief that dogs should not wear clothing. They have fur. Unless you have a grayhound who has been bred to have no body fat/hair and therefore has a legitimate reason to wear a sweater, you should not put your dog in a sweater. I have two exceptions to this and both are conditional. I find dog raincoats practical in rainy climates, not because they look cute, but because the first thing my dog does after being out in the rain is shake all over the front entryway. The raincoat seems like it would be a practical convenience (I don't own one). The second is dog booties in icey weather. In general, I think a dog's paws are made for the elements and we shouldn't mess with the natural calluses. However, deicing salt is dangerous for a dog. It can cause chemical burns on their paws from prolonged contact (long walks or iceballs on the foot hair) and can be toxic if the dog licks their paws (to get rid of iceballs, etc). <br />
<br />
That said, costumes are not clothing. A costume has no practical purpose and I do not intend for it to serve any purpose other than being adorable. And Puppy Dog is adorable. <br />
<br />
I spent maybe $3 on this costume for the red felt, which I actually bought to make Christmas ornaments. The entire costume is made of felt and stuck together with felt glue. I rough measured her to cut out a rectangle of felt and then cut out a bit for her neck and rounded the back end. I discovered a wine bottle made appropriate sized black circles. Some of my felt scraps and velcro were used to hold it on it on to her body at the waist and neck. I did not make any sort of hat because those tend to bother dogs. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJcVGTfKlDvebAKBoHiXecqKWWdxQkdD6ljqSRh_coy3w5x5gAw0cu9uWsW0itW0F7OaRQuvP028oGiLil1Sr3cq48Zb18PFSYYoRIePug14OvYgo6pX38Clsw61bwF0Rm50oAFV0x0yD/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJcVGTfKlDvebAKBoHiXecqKWWdxQkdD6ljqSRh_coy3w5x5gAw0cu9uWsW0itW0F7OaRQuvP028oGiLil1Sr3cq48Zb18PFSYYoRIePug14OvYgo6pX38Clsw61bwF0Rm50oAFV0x0yD/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sad eyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Ok, so she's not thrilled with the costume. I had the velcro on there pretty loose so she shook it off in about 10 minutes. That's ok. I spent $3 on it and I wasn't expecting her to wear it for long. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin11fN1C1qgvnlVSfbd0Wv_t3056WSxqj7HLMIIR1Y4MX4oa0o9roxGRz3FKWE_pulkzQHr9Jj8kLfOqY3gAceVXc2RS7HkT_1YZuewVyiC-QhoQo5katzZa3Yy63-6R06Z9mqoe5KuX-z/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin11fN1C1qgvnlVSfbd0Wv_t3056WSxqj7HLMIIR1Y4MX4oa0o9roxGRz3FKWE_pulkzQHr9Jj8kLfOqY3gAceVXc2RS7HkT_1YZuewVyiC-QhoQo5katzZa3Yy63-6R06Z9mqoe5KuX-z/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the largest bug I've seen in our house. some have come close though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<i>[edit] I intended to post this on Thursday, but after taking Puppy Dog to the vet, I was in no shape to add the last minute touches, take pictures, and write something up. On Thursday, we found out three pieces of bad news regarding our dog, Puppy Dog.<br />
<br />
First, she has an ear infection. I was expecting that one. She's been using her paws to scratch her ears/nose in the most adorable way, but she seemed in pain. We got a prescription for some meds that will easily clear it up.<br />
<br />
Second, she's in heat. We had believed she was spayed, so this was a big surprise. Dogs should ideally be spayed before their first heat. She has at least a 25% chance of developing mammary tumors because she's had several heats (probably in the neighborhood of 16) and the anesthesia is more dangerous for older dogs. Again, easily taken care of, but the surgery will be somewhat traumatic for her 9 year old body and it's an extra expense for something we thought was done.<br />
<br />
Third, she tested positive for heartworms. This one is WAY, WAY more serious than the other two issues. Heartworms are a potentially fatal condition and if left untreated, they can cause problems in the heart and lungs. We have two options to deal with it. One, the slow-kill method: give her heartworm prevention medication so she doesn't contract more heartworms or spread heartworms and wait for the ones in her to die. This could take several years. This is not an accepted treatment, but it does work for some otherwise healthy dogs and is recommended for those that cannot withstand the treatment. Two, the fast-kill method: give her the treatment, which is a long and expensive process. After being evaluated to make sure she would survive treatment, she would be given injections of an adulticide in the muscle (ouch!) over a period of several months. For both of these options, the real danger lies in the adults heartworms dying. As they die and decompose, they can cause partial or complete blockage of blood flow to the lungs. For the fast kill method, she has to be kept on the doggie equivalent of bedrest because all the worms are killed at about the same time. For the slow kill, the more active she is, the greater the risk.<br />
<br />
We decided to go with the slow kill method. Even if we had the money for the fast kill method, it wouldn't necessarily be worth the expense due to her age. As she is relatively healthy, she seems to be a good candidate for the slow kill method. However, she could basically drop dead from a dead worm blocking her blood flow and that terrifies me- and because it's a very slow process, I expect to be terrified for several years while I wait for them to die.<br />
<br />
So after all this, I realize I made her the wrong costume. Heartworms look like spaghetti and since they are in her heart, clearly she is a Pastafarian and member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster">Cult of the Flying Spaghetti Monster</a>.<br />
<br />
However, I started this costume before I knew any of this.</i>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-82204104258740181182011-10-25T07:00:00.000-04:002011-10-25T07:00:17.684-04:00Carroty Macaroni and CheeseI love boxed macaroni and cheese. It was the first dish I ever learned to make completely by myself (second was tuna noodle casserole). My husband does not share my love for boxed mac and cheese. He loves macaroni and cheese casserole. It's a bit of a sensitive subject for us. Before we got married, we had half-joking discussions regarding which version of mac and cheese our future children will eat more and likely love more (jury is still out). Since we've been married, it hasn't been as big of an issue. We've made mac and cheese casserole, but I always keep a box on hand for those days we both get home late, I have no idea what to make for dinner, there's no meat defrosted, and if I don't get something on the table <i>now</i> he's going to order pizza.<br />
<br />
When I was fully FUNemployed, it wasn't too hard to get dinner on the table every night without much planning. Now that I haven't slightly less time on my hands, it's been a bit hit and miss.* Last weekend, Jamie and I planned out this weeks meals. First up was something I was rather excited about and he was kind of dreading: his beloved mac and cheese mixed with some like-colored vegetables.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc6GkMi5Lwf9Xy3as18eQOm9e27QdZC7_IZA8_6JuHyGJsl4bkdUnZGFwYPkXUxwJu12K1ZyGm82kkfXsOCJN0oeuzdSb3ZZVIIJhDhnU-ioag7PlSI-lIuSAzg7GZirUgn-tGnDsDi_p/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc6GkMi5Lwf9Xy3as18eQOm9e27QdZC7_IZA8_6JuHyGJsl4bkdUnZGFwYPkXUxwJu12K1ZyGm82kkfXsOCJN0oeuzdSb3ZZVIIJhDhnU-ioag7PlSI-lIuSAzg7GZirUgn-tGnDsDi_p/s400/IMG_2987.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carrots kind of look like cheese.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Result? Well, he said he couldn't taste the carrots and had seconds, so I'm going to count that as a win.<br />
<br />
I made a few alterations, but here's the recipe I used with my alterations (1/4 tsp less mustard powder, used buttermilk instead of sour cream, and I'm not sure I put in as much carrot as called for either. And after reading over the ingredients again, I totally forgot to put butter in... wow. Couldn't tell.) <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Carroty-Mac-and-Cheese-367160#ixzz1bkkGz5XN">Carroty Mac and Cheese</a></b><br />
<ul class="ingredientsList">
<li class="ingredient">2 cups macaroni</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 1/2 cups coarsely grated carrot (about 8 small)</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup gouda</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces</li>
<li class="ingredient">3/4 cup buttermilk (I used powdered, so I always have it on hand)</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup whole milk</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 large eggs</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon mustard powder</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese</li>
</ul>
<div class="instruction">
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Arrange a rack in the top third of the oven.
</div>
<div class="instruction">
2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions in a
large pot of salted boiling water; add carrot 3 minutes before pasta is
finished cooking; drain well.
</div>
<div class="instruction">
3. While pasta is hot, stir in all but 1/2 cup of the
cheddar and the butter. In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, milk,
eggs, salt, mustard powder, and pepper. Fold mixture into the pasta.
</div>
<div class="instruction">
4. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle
the remaining cheddar and the parmesan over the top. Bake until the
casserole is firm to the touch and golden brown, about 30 minutes. </div>
</blockquote>
<div class="instruction">
<br /></div>
<div class="instruction">
* I would like to clarify that I don't cook our meals because I'm the wife and he expects me to. My husband is a fine cook and often cooks on the weekends. However, I am done with my education at this point and he is continuing his for the benefit of both of us. I consider his studying every night a bit more important than evenly dividing cooking nights. The 1L year is hard enough without me stressing him out more. </div>
<ul class="ingredientsList">
</ul>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-13255752606128761642011-10-18T17:30:00.003-04:002011-10-18T18:32:01.582-04:00Sweet Potato Zucchini Bread[<b>editor's note:</b> I just got an iPhone and I would like to assure those using smartphones that this site looks good in the mobile version. So you know... if you want to visit me more. Or look up ingredients for recipes. Also, I have discovered that those of you who have liked me on facebook aren't always seeing my new posts pop up in your feed. I believe if you like a couple things on the page or add comments, facebook will "learn" that you like hearing from me and notify you more often. Now, on to the actual post.]<br />
<br />
<br />
Sweet potatoes were on sale last week and my husband and I got excited because of all the great things that can be made with sweet potatoes- sweet potato pie, sweet potato mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows, etc, etc. Jamie claimed some of the sweet potatoes for a pie and I got the rest to portion out for dinners and this new recipe I found. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLzpBtXE6J1nfCFCoCmIzzifLWe_bCaHAQu7tmGbcZdDi1Gp039ezul3DNV8Hc9tRKoPQ3FI_dJ5NIXuodyRDuva_45XJIcJp42n6BibRGCkYAH40pBH7cG5JozZdp6rvoSzaYVCmDkt9/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLzpBtXE6J1nfCFCoCmIzzifLWe_bCaHAQu7tmGbcZdDi1Gp039ezul3DNV8Hc9tRKoPQ3FI_dJ5NIXuodyRDuva_45XJIcJp42n6BibRGCkYAH40pBH7cG5JozZdp6rvoSzaYVCmDkt9/s400/IMG_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Potato and Zucchini Bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Usually I link to where I got recipes and patterns to avoid copyright infringement and give full credit to the original author/publisher. For this recipe, I took the main idea from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sweet-Potato-and-Zucchini-Bread-2674">an Epicurious recipe</a> and combined it with elements from the zucchini bread recipe in The New Best Recipe Cookbook (hereafter shortened to NBRC).<br />
<br />
Whenever I use a recipe off Epicurious, I always check the comments to see how people have changed the recipe. Usually people have decreased the fat/sugar or suggested adding another spice to really bump up the flavor. This one was no different. Most people did some combination of all purpose and whole wheat flour, decreased the sugar, and replaced some of the fat with applesauce. I also combined whole wheat and all purpose flour, decreased the sugar to NBRC levels, and fully intended to replace some of the oil/butter with the last bit of my applesauce... but I opened the jar and was nearly overpowered by the scent of fermented apples. So I just cut down on some of the fat [edit: it needed that extra 2 tbs. I put it back in the recipe.] <br />
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NBRC has some great ideas regarding zucchini bread. Zucchini, like tomatoes, cucumber, and melons, has a high water content. Macerating the zucchini in sugar allows it to release it's juices, just like people do with strawberries they want to enjoy on waffles. Instead of grating the zucchini, I ended up grinding it. I do not have a box grater appropriate for this (my microplane grates too finely) and my faithful food processor's 30 year-old bowl finally broke (it's been in the process of breaking since a roommate was particularly harsh with it). So I had a food grinder. I don't really recommend using it unless the veggies are softer, but it definitely works in a pinch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzTqVblfM2CIBc1X0AGP2OUc3aFe1woo8ypD5hXPdCaa32JEAJQ60-3LquKb_pP3FdOdggC1Ij_oLsx127DPNO8M9Yi3zYQTnXWJo9_DTPplRhjFJqSkDPg3b6Cbu3eGTLTh4uKrHwujI/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzTqVblfM2CIBc1X0AGP2OUc3aFe1woo8ypD5hXPdCaa32JEAJQ60-3LquKb_pP3FdOdggC1Ij_oLsx127DPNO8M9Yi3zYQTnXWJo9_DTPplRhjFJqSkDPg3b6Cbu3eGTLTh4uKrHwujI/s400/IMG_0014.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinding the zucchini up. I find most things, once ground, look slightly disgusting.</td></tr>
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I've noticed that NBRC tends to add sour cream, plain yogurt, or buttermilk to their quick bread recipes (muffins, sweet breads, etc) because it is an acidic liquid that brightens flavors. In this one, they preferred yogurt. I did not have any on hand so I went with their second choice: buttermilk. <br />
<br />
So, I've only had a small slice of this so far, but here are my impressions. It has a mild sweetness with a subtle flavor of both zucchini and sweet potato. I think the sweet potato is kind of like the carrot in carrot cake: it lends the sweetness and backbone of a root vegetable, but isn't so intense you can't taste the other flavors. I think using some allspice and nutmeg would help round out the flavor- just cinnamon is too one dimensional. Overall, I'm pleased with it. It's a bread you probably wouldn't bring to a potluck or make for company, but it is the kind you would buy at a coffeeshop. It's filling and as far as coffeeshop treats go, it's one of your healthier options. It's actually exactly what I was going for: something healthy-ish my husband could eat with coffee instead of buying something from the coffeeshop. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMZ0ePwtnv_26c5sbyc3Q9SvEE5cRWMHH0iEVSuoIUsvV36UklVEvtpx3kE0Rgaozwwo2xdOTDjI6wV_qcF7hWwgtq3oxICLCIvC3Eq5bUArlZwgQDLI4wqt27e22e8E2ymItXTiwSq-U/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMZ0ePwtnv_26c5sbyc3Q9SvEE5cRWMHH0iEVSuoIUsvV36UklVEvtpx3kE0Rgaozwwo2xdOTDjI6wV_qcF7hWwgtq3oxICLCIvC3Eq5bUArlZwgQDLI4wqt27e22e8E2ymItXTiwSq-U/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not my best photo. it was not a bright and shiny day. </td></tr>
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<b>Sweet Potato Zucchini Bread</b> <br />
<br />
1c. all purpose flour<br />
1c. whole wheat flour<br />
1tsp cinnamon (or 1tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp nutmeg)<br />
1tsp baking soda<br />
1tsp baking powder<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
<br />
3/4c. sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
6tbs (3/4 stick) butter, melted and cooled (or replace up to half with applesauce)<br />
1/4c. plain yogurt or buttermilk (or 1 tbs dry buttermilk added to dry ingredients and 1/4 c. water added to wet)<br />
1tsp vanilla extract<br />
<br />
1 1/2c. grated zucchini (+ 2tbs sugar)<br />
1 1/2c. peeled, grated sweet potato<br />
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1/2c - 1c. chopped walnuts, toasted (opt)<br />
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1. grate zucchini and toss with 2tbs sugar. Put grated zucchini in a strainer over something to catch the juices. It should drain for about 30minutes or however at least as long as it takes to prepare the rest of the ingredients and heat up the oven.<br />
2. preheat oven to 350 and prepare bread pan or muffin tin<br />
3. mix dry ingredients.<br />
4. grate sweet potato and add wet ingredients to it and mix. Add the zucchini. Add the walnuts.<br />
5. bake for 55min - 1hr 15min at 350degrees.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-40825891323289294252011-10-13T17:45:00.000-04:002011-10-14T08:09:59.195-04:00Weekend Hand WarmersI'm not very good about finishing big knitting projects. I've been working on a cranberry colored market tote made up of mitered squares for about three years. Some projects are just hard for me to stick with, so I was super proud of myself for making these hand warmers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyHZPxTkVogvG0LSo_c8m6vTekDV1tdCqqsahB5L4GI6m-1IOC1zOt9T_HXS8prALnxz5y6BuWTKes5Xw4qvG7V26rP9pQGbCXUaO4io7GyUsVBHzqN6L24exxnfqJy2azayxkCffWfKW/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyHZPxTkVogvG0LSo_c8m6vTekDV1tdCqqsahB5L4GI6m-1IOC1zOt9T_HXS8prALnxz5y6BuWTKes5Xw4qvG7V26rP9pQGbCXUaO4io7GyUsVBHzqN6L24exxnfqJy2azayxkCffWfKW/s400/IMG_2956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're a tiny bit fuzzy cuz I've been wearing them for a year</td></tr>
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<br />
Especially since to get the shaping right, I ended making a total of FOUR hand warmers. Yup, I have two sitting with my yarn waiting to be frogged (rrrrrrriiiiiip it out).<br />
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Want some tips if you want to make your own? (or just to see more pretty pictures??)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>First off, the pattern. I really wanted a pair of mitts that Penny (Felicia Day) wears in Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog because I really, really, really, love that web series. I found one through Ravelry. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/great-weekend-mitts">Great Weekend Mitts</a> by Thea Eschliman is a free download and can be knit flat or in the round (I knit it in the round). I made a few adjustments to my usual knitting technique and to the pattern. <br />
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<br />
1.) I don't know what cast on/off you use (I use a Norwegian long tail), but this one requires a SUPER STRETCHY cast on/off. I used <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2010/02/12/cast-ons-part-2.aspx">this one</a> to cast on (illustrated) and <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/needles/archive/2010/03/25/stretchy-bind-offs.aspx">this one</a> to bind off (illustrated + video tutorial) from Interweave Knits. <br />
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2.) I have super-duper-skinny-baby wrists, so I did not make some of the increases/decreases the pattern indicates.<br />
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3.) I did not knit the placket that has buttons. I have the yarn for it, I have the buttons for it, I just never got around to actually knitting that part. As soon as they were finished, I started wearing them just about every day to work because the place I worked last winter did not turn on the heat much. Very eco. Very cold. <br />
<br />
3.) I used two different sock weight yarns that I later discovered knit up differently (and I even swatched!). Notice how the purple stripe is a bit thicker than the bluish one? Yeah. It's more noticeable when I wear them and bend my fingers. Luckily, I don't mind too much. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7AYFxwyjik_9pkKVo50jc5LW5EGcfL3rDqP0PHjulJ3pwXZbtexGqRZrhcBSDI2KwOPBUgDc6PS44j7IbW8toPqiEXTvgwtUB-fftE3ypdQqYgtZmG965E2FTLSPqobcrXD2iaR8nm1g/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7AYFxwyjik_9pkKVo50jc5LW5EGcfL3rDqP0PHjulJ3pwXZbtexGqRZrhcBSDI2KwOPBUgDc6PS44j7IbW8toPqiEXTvgwtUB-fftE3ypdQqYgtZmG965E2FTLSPqobcrXD2iaR8nm1g/s400/IMG_2965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yarns are different guages</td></tr>
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So, the first time I knit these I had no idea how long they would turn out and where they would hit on my arm. I happen to like this length (they tuck into sweaters well), but if you want to make some shorter or longer, just add or subtract a couple rows (BEFORE the gusset starts) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_YPJYw-2EarN4sAlVFUX3YxXR8JoN2jZ4ZtXrcEj7HZJ_u41hkryU3Q2GEQdStFiWZdcHt_KupXqckKZl0e-JYKHRcWhdK2ORCaMp-GJ2AHCOE9JlcCSq1OnHor0fjuubYZAfhlKNtA7/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_YPJYw-2EarN4sAlVFUX3YxXR8JoN2jZ4ZtXrcEj7HZJ_u41hkryU3Q2GEQdStFiWZdcHt_KupXqckKZl0e-JYKHRcWhdK2ORCaMp-GJ2AHCOE9JlcCSq1OnHor0fjuubYZAfhlKNtA7/s400/IMG_2981.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ombre is a fun word to say</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCOJis17Qd0n00YfXZ0CdsPkT_UBqgWYWxe_vkMutttWLQ5ocJNWqssqoYtrCR4k5qirPsq5g2vw-CglEGkauYPrmmkyUQtrgl7Z1PnZHdsnqD_kcOCMjUB4k5dar_JfbTci82TsxMHmN/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCOJis17Qd0n00YfXZ0CdsPkT_UBqgWYWxe_vkMutttWLQ5ocJNWqssqoYtrCR4k5qirPsq5g2vw-CglEGkauYPrmmkyUQtrgl7Z1PnZHdsnqD_kcOCMjUB4k5dar_JfbTci82TsxMHmN/s400/IMG_2972.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my husband is not the best picture taker. i still love him.</td></tr>
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If you're on ravelry, be my friend! My name is rainrose and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/rainrose/great-weekend-mitts">this is the project page</a> for these guys.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-66464852849918399552011-10-08T23:03:00.001-04:002011-10-09T19:26:41.567-04:00Pot Scrubbies and PlarnAfter I switched to using <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/08/alterna-sponge.html">Alternasponges</a>, I needed something scratchy. I'm a big fan of alternative materials like plarn. Plarn is "yarn" made out of plastic grocery bags and you can make some cool baskets and purses with them <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80024758/plarn-basket">like this</a>. I've played around with making crocheted bags and purses out of plarn, but due to how chunky plarn is and the size of hook that needs to be used, I haven't made much else.<br />
<br />
I had just finished a bag of clementines, so I decided to see what I could make out of the nylon stretchy bag. I ended up making a great little scrubby that has served me well for months now. Have you ever tried to clean up dough with the scratchy side of a sponge? It doesn't come out. This scrubby rinsed out after using it a few more times. We primarily use cast iron and generally one doesn't use soap or sponges that might have soap in them because it breaks down the oil that seasons it. This scrubby doesn't hold soap like cotton or sponges and is great with cast iron. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvXw_9yp1FyNicpOXhDyKqjiYvF3RpZXRYZ8S3p7youjQUQlr47GFQ1LDkbEgFhuYk4R2g1AhqljIzPUOPL2HwqZMsub0AB6bd_T7v57Vt-DWAT4aB2RVf4N9kfMXPMKa8n9CRSNIgyPl/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvXw_9yp1FyNicpOXhDyKqjiYvF3RpZXRYZ8S3p7youjQUQlr47GFQ1LDkbEgFhuYk4R2g1AhqljIzPUOPL2HwqZMsub0AB6bd_T7v57Vt-DWAT4aB2RVf4N9kfMXPMKa8n9CRSNIgyPl/s400/IMG_2935.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the original scrubby</td></tr>
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So I decided to make another one. <br />
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This one didn't turn out so well. Why? Well...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We had just finished a large bag of onions and I figured why not make another one? I was so excited about it; I knew this was going to be last Thursday's post. This bag had plastic sealing the edges, so I couldn't cut it like I had the clementine bag or grocery bags. That was my first clue.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR4IlMmd1AGNOvyDfAnl3Kua7x6kAOA6AhBXca_xhlIk1X7b-5Gj7TrGXJTfuHjHk0XAo2jrg3S3SX2u6nhHR2fgiJ2_I4ElvLSZDuaCkhVc2bZlycTUVWtozwG9YR5IRmy3EVHUl5iUb/s1600/IMG_2860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR4IlMmd1AGNOvyDfAnl3Kua7x6kAOA6AhBXca_xhlIk1X7b-5Gj7TrGXJTfuHjHk0XAo2jrg3S3SX2u6nhHR2fgiJ2_I4ElvLSZDuaCkhVc2bZlycTUVWtozwG9YR5IRmy3EVHUl5iUb/s400/IMG_2860.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onion bag</td></tr>
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<br />
I cut it into strips and then tied them together like a bedsheet rope, so it had a lot of ends that I probably wouldn't be able to weave in smoothly. That was my second clue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ7eLtCh45Be0H6pR-GP31CjNhHp0jhgAQ_hdr_uW5nuC-cJEUMWwZXMbJHSCT0WGKZMtsCoJ2jpBck5ThjWDAei4MeOpOvtxpecbsFinTnhkVNCyAtN0rC_4jkfPdvfZtvSGZh2vwFsk/s1600/IMG_2877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ7eLtCh45Be0H6pR-GP31CjNhHp0jhgAQ_hdr_uW5nuC-cJEUMWwZXMbJHSCT0WGKZMtsCoJ2jpBck5ThjWDAei4MeOpOvtxpecbsFinTnhkVNCyAtN0rC_4jkfPdvfZtvSGZh2vwFsk/s400/IMG_2877.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onion bag in strips</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I crocheted them into a circle and it looked like crap. It was rough, scratchy, and looked like a deformed purple octopus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExPISbPgzL9CknbjSdmybh32ADqfHM02e1WwKaek6AtZSm1-AMMFEsYzU4QeSStoM6DdoDgoPT2CmhI94TjxBrjRo8mSVd1umnXgLAgp5ft94CmPy1FO2ZMQH552-JWSZnV5vVgEcwjL2/s1600/IMG_2908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExPISbPgzL9CknbjSdmybh32ADqfHM02e1WwKaek6AtZSm1-AMMFEsYzU4QeSStoM6DdoDgoPT2CmhI94TjxBrjRo8mSVd1umnXgLAgp5ft94CmPy1FO2ZMQH552-JWSZnV5vVgEcwjL2/s400/IMG_2908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the aforementioned deformed purple octopus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqa_pEKmAzOio5v0WRs4SO7Xkw2W-oBjMnQrXZEDow9XWCS9YJAM_PXDkwxNPNRmDxsVlZMf51yZcXq0pfrhQ6uqe_UNe4qZhddYBagRZP61ckgl6PtQ2rkG8pDTXaCiVSBmYWt0PQs7U/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqa_pEKmAzOio5v0WRs4SO7Xkw2W-oBjMnQrXZEDow9XWCS9YJAM_PXDkwxNPNRmDxsVlZMf51yZcXq0pfrhQ6uqe_UNe4qZhddYBagRZP61ckgl6PtQ2rkG8pDTXaCiVSBmYWt0PQs7U/s400/IMG_2939.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ok, it looked way better after i tried to weave in the ends, but something about it was still off</td></tr>
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I was frustrated, it was late, and I went to bed and ignored this blog for a couple days. We had another bag of clementines and I ended up cutting up that bag and doing exactly what I had done the first time. With pictures.<br />
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<br />
<b>Making Plarn/Pot Scrubbies</b><br />
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<b>step 1</b><br />
Gently take off any packaging and cut off the bottom of the bag. Cut the bag into 1" strips width-wise. Each strip should form a circle. <b> </b> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZrkbx6_B-sWiZGVh7ejlFpwiWJapDEFFlq06_5aigLG1dWyBFQ7c_B0WVAL5Im7rVRtQfEgpXMCeeqSsLwT7FLSEImJ5lCuvHP-KoduigKpBmbIAgUBG_vkLVWGGzE_Cma3cqPsUNf6/s1600/IMG_2912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZrkbx6_B-sWiZGVh7ejlFpwiWJapDEFFlq06_5aigLG1dWyBFQ7c_B0WVAL5Im7rVRtQfEgpXMCeeqSsLwT7FLSEImJ5lCuvHP-KoduigKpBmbIAgUBG_vkLVWGGzE_Cma3cqPsUNf6/s400/IMG_2912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>step 2</b><br />
join each strip. There are two strips in this photo, the upper one and the lower one. Take the lower one and feed it back through the hole where my pinky is. Tighten.<b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ7hCiWvkRYR1v7syilprdJ0wZCWz4tets3RTIStB3tLFYI6fqVjT15ACvPiy_eaKjik7xfR0JKmeys1y7vQNupVccvGDXw-o5ODHDGQ0DO6N0DGDKjCxAFfI1y8pOOEEd75t9VQ794Td/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ7hCiWvkRYR1v7syilprdJ0wZCWz4tets3RTIStB3tLFYI6fqVjT15ACvPiy_eaKjik7xfR0JKmeys1y7vQNupVccvGDXw-o5ODHDGQ0DO6N0DGDKjCxAFfI1y8pOOEEd75t9VQ794Td/s400/IMG_2913.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<b>step 3</b><br />
Do this for all the strips to form a long chain. <b> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3faqKhHyWAbFR-4rGr-8wCBmK9DFhRwww5OVLIiSSCfBtc-zPexqg6T3HRFCVUQoXTtidIh7AQ171tF5nFUizORdRvRQtt1XMjfreCF-vwMXF_65ZQMPBj3NzlXCQ2aXqDjhVXhIdMor2/s1600/IMG_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3faqKhHyWAbFR-4rGr-8wCBmK9DFhRwww5OVLIiSSCfBtc-zPexqg6T3HRFCVUQoXTtidIh7AQ171tF5nFUizORdRvRQtt1XMjfreCF-vwMXF_65ZQMPBj3NzlXCQ2aXqDjhVXhIdMor2/s400/IMG_2918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>step 4</b><br />
If I'm using grocery bags, I tend to cut up several bags, join them all together, and then make a ball. I only used one bag for this, so no need.<br />
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<b>step 5</b><br />
now the crocheting begins: <br />
chain 3 and join to form a circle.<br />
SC about 6 into the circle<br />
SC, chain 1 around the circle<br />
<br />
I've only been able to form two rows out of a clementine bag, but if you have a particularly large bag, I'm sure more could be done. I used an M or P crochet hook for the first scrubby and an L for the one below. (I typically use an M or P when working with grocery bag plarn) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhtWkNYM31QL693jCOi7M-hnP302DxlYudtqKb8e-R-x2372b0YZStRzi0eaYJDeaHAaY-J0m88lVQup3BCHuVKtOgc7QsEWzJmhTXuig7EjJWT4ONCgVEbdoz_L_FEpRUkYrhdYPMt74/s1600/IMG_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhtWkNYM31QL693jCOi7M-hnP302DxlYudtqKb8e-R-x2372b0YZStRzi0eaYJDeaHAaY-J0m88lVQup3BCHuVKtOgc7QsEWzJmhTXuig7EjJWT4ONCgVEbdoz_L_FEpRUkYrhdYPMt74/s400/IMG_2941.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yay scrubby!</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940713400211851666.post-14975497037995990962011-10-04T16:51:00.000-04:002011-10-04T16:51:17.700-04:00Living FrugallyI think I've mentioned that I'm currently FUNemployed*. It has a HUGE effect on what I can do here because I need my money to buy food, not grommets and bias tape. I've set rules for myself that were somewhat unconscious until I wrote this post. So here they are. <br />
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1.) <b>No buying things.</b> Unless I find a fabric in the remnant pile (50% off retail price!) and I really need it for a specific project (i.e. I bought some terry cloth for some commissioned wetjet pads). Exceptions made for notions. I can fudge what kind of fabric I'm using, but if I've explored every other option (stashed zipper in the correct length, buttons, etc) and I need velcro, then I need velcro. <br />
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2.) <b>Check the thrift/seconds stores first</b> if I do need to buy something and I keep my eyes open at garage sales. This worked better when I lived with my parents and could go to <a href="http://scrapaction.org/">Scrap</a> ($0.10 zippers!) and <a href="http://www.knittnkitten.com/">The Knitt'n Kitten</a> ($0.50 knitting needles!) or <a href="http://www.lydiaplace.org/PageID/150/default.aspx">Wise Buys</a> ($3 iron! $0.25 yarn!) and a couple antique stores in college. Heck, my mom found my amazing serger at a garage sale around home (thanks, Mom!). Here, it's much rarer to find someone who has donated every zipper they owned to charity. The section of fabric lengths that usually sit next the hanging linens at Goodwill is much smaller. The finds are fewer and farther between. I've enjoyed thrifting for over 10 years now and I have some advice on finding things on the cheap.<br />
<blockquote>
a.) <u>Every thrift place has at least one specialty.</u> Some always have a great selection of picture frames and furniture but hardly any craft things. Some have the best selection of shorts, but very few housewares. Check out every thrift store in your area and try to categorize them (probably will take a few visits). This way, when you're in a bind and you really need X, you can know what place is likeliest to have it. <br />
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b.) <u>Flat sheets are really just giant lengths of fabric</u> (if you can find ones that aren't threadbare). Instead of buying new muslin, make mockups out of old sheets. We recently got a couch off craigslist so I'm on the look out for a set of king non-threadbare sheets or curtains to use in a color that doesn't disgust me. Curtains are good when you need much thicker or much thinner fabric. Here's a guide to sheet yardage I got <a href="http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/14/helping-you-craft-green-translation-of-sheet-sizes-to-fabric-yardage/">here</a>.<br />
<ul>
<li>Crib Flat Sheet: 42″72″. This equals two yards of 42″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>Twin Flat Sheet: 66″x96″. This equals a smidge over two and two-third yards of 66″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>Twin Extra Long Flat Sheet: 66″x102″. This equals a little over two and three-quarter yards of 66″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>Full or Double Flat Sheet: 81″x96″. This equals, lengthwise, a smidge over two and two-third yards of 81″ fabric. The fabric is wide enough, however, that you can turn it the other way if the print works sideways. Widthwise, the fabric equals 2.25 yards of 96″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>Queen Flat Sheet: 90″x102″. This equals a little over two and three-quarter yards of 90″-wide fabric. Used sideways, widthwise, the fabric equals 2.5 yards of 102″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>King Flat Sheet: 108″x102″. This fabric is longest when turned sideways. Widthwise, the fabric equals three yards of 102″-wide fabric. Used lengthwise, the fabric equals a little over two and three-quarter yards of 108″-wide fabric.</li>
<li>California King Flat Sheet: 102″x110″. This equals a smidge over three yards of 102″-wide fabric. Widthwise, the fabric equals a little over two and three-quarter yards of 110″-wide fabric.</li>
</ul>
c.) <u>Don't buy it unless I have a project in mind</u>. This applies to nearly ANYTHING found at a good deal, anywhere. Now, there are some things particular to what I do that maybe I can/should stock pile (for months I was finding xacto knife blades at Tuesday Morning and I stocked up because I went through them like candy as a design major) but that doesn't mean I buy everything that interests you if it's on sale. I tend to see things that only cost $1 as not being that big of a deal to buy... since I recognize that in myself, I don't let myself buy (hardly) anything from the dollar bins at the front of Target and in the checkout aisle of Joann's (hmm, I'm guessing they realized other people think like me) and thus don't buy a lot of super cheap things I super didn't need. <br />
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d.) <u>Go through your own stash.</u> Chances are, you probably have something that will work. I happen to have a stash of fabric right now so I don't really need to buy any. I've seen some advice for those who end up with overflowing stashes of yarn, scrapbooking, sewing supplies, and clothes: if you haven't used it in a year, toss it. You probably won't use it. I feel like this applies to the hardcore crafters who consistently use their stashes. Most people I know only sew a couple times a year or knit/crochet a few scarves, but they shouldn't get rid of all their needles and stuff. I think more useful advice for the occasional crafter who finds that life takes up more of their time than crafting is to have a predefined storage space for your crafts and then stick to it. Maybe it's a wardrobe, a set of shelves, a closet, or even a small room with cabinets, whatever is appropriate to your craft/house-size/average stash/frequency of crafting. If your stuff doesn't fit, then you have a problem. The answer is not another set of shelves, it's going through what you have and slimming down your craft diet. <br />
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e.) <u>You get what you pay for.</u> I just bought some sheets and pillowcases at a thrift store. It cost less than $5. If I had bought them new, the sheets alone would have cost around $50. Even at a closeouts/seconds store, it still would have been in the neighborhood of $30. My thrift store sheets don't match each other and one has a hole I patched, but I'm ok with that. The amount I saved more than makes up for that small detail at this point in my life. <br />
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f.) <u>Lower your expectations.</u> While it's not incredibly rare to find things new in box, don't count on it. Things will generally be used, it's more a question of how used/damaged are they. Also, raise your expectations: just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's what you want/need. Factor in how much it might cost to repair the item in the sale price.</blockquote>
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3.) <b>Crafts must have a purpose</b> (especially if I want to spend money on it.) I tend to give practical gifts and make practical things. There are some things that should not be knit (I'm looking at you, <a href="http://www.regretsy.com/2011/07/07/stop-it/">human hair doily</a>). I think amigurumi is adorable and I really want to make <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62778417/patterns-for-10-star-wars-mini-amigurumi?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=crochet+star+wars&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">all of these</a>, but I'm not going to buy all the colors of yarn I need to do so. If I happen to already own some Tardis blue yarn, found a free pattern, and have several hours, I might make a <a href="http://knitonebaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/09/knitted-tardis.html">dishcloth of a Tardis</a> that has no practical purpose- but it's outweighed by the alternasponges and other practical cleaning supplies I needed and made.<br />
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4.) <b>Use coupons.</b> If you know you're going to be working on a project and you know everything you need, start buying your supplies a month or two before you need them and make use of every 40% coupon you can find. Joann's, Michael's, Craft Warehouse, Fabric Depot, whatever is in your area or stocks what you need probably has coupons that you can get in the newspaper or pick up in-store (I do the latter as we don't get a paper). However, if you don't have a project in mind, don't wait to use them for something "more expensive." I've wasted so many coupons that way. Pay attention to what types of things have regular sales. I know that Joann's has a sale at least once a year where patterns are $1-$3 (next week in fact!). The notions wall is often 50% off. Their fabric rotates what type is on sale for 40%-50% off about every week. So, if you can, just wait a week and check the ads. <br />
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*technically, I have a very short term contract job at the moment and it has prevented me from making anything for today's post. Thus no pretty pictures. Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12292136822221906110noreply@blogger.com0