My Final Day!

And not very exciting...

I decided that December should be a commitment to me and my fitness... mostly so when all the newbies show up at the gym in January I can look down my nose at them.

So today I created my fitness plan for the month of December.

My goals will be:
Lose 4 pounds. (Seems realistic - what with the treat overload I'm anticipating for the month.)
Be able to run 5 miles in under 60 minutes.
Be able to run 5k (3.1 miles) in under 30 minutes.

Also, for fun... the Army Fitness Requirements:
45 pushups in 2 minutes (yes, I'm counting the girly kind with my knees bent.)
76 situps in 2 minutes (with my back issues, not sure if this is happening.)
2 miles run in 16 minutes.

I'm also hoping that some snow will show up, because I'd like to do some winter fun "cross training" including: ice skating, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Here goes!!

Me and Trader Joe's

...make a great team for pasta!

I picked these tortelloni up (pesto stuffed) from Trader Joe's. In a fortuitous twist of fate, the unidentified container I chose to thaw from the freezer (freezer roulette, anyone?) was pasta sauce!

The pasta was super easy -- put in boiling water for 4-6 minutes and done! And re-heating the sauce was a piece of cake, too.

And both tasty... and timely. I was only able to make it through a couple days of the pumpkin curry soup (it became more and more potent the longer it stewed in the fridge.)

In The Works!

So the only thing that really keeps me on-task with stitching is if what I'm making is a gift -- so here's the most recent! I think it's adorable.

Pumpkin!!! Soup!

It doesn't look like much. For sure. (A lot like baby food.) But my dear friend baked and pureed pie pumpkins this year. She was nice enough to give me some, so I made some Pumpkin Curry soup! This is my first creamy-type soup... I've done stuff with broth before but this was exciting. It's all pumpkin, with sauteed yellow onion and garlic. And curry powder, of course. (Maybe a little tooooo much.)

Another apron!

I must have done the pleating a little differently on this one... it seems longer, but I think that's because it's not as "poofy" at the bottom... strange. I guess that's what make hand-made special! You just never know if your math is going to be right! :)

Turkey Hand!

Classic.

Pasta!

Inspired by an incredibly garlicky entree at The Cheesecake Factory, I was looking to make a pasta with a very simple sauce (olive oil) and lots of my favorite vegetables.

I love the slice 'n' dice process, so I started with tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers (orange, yellow, and red,) mushrooms and (of course) garlic.

The result was so pretty!! But not very flavorful... I need to do more research on herbs/spices for the next time.

Cheesecake!?

Something I have always enjoyed... but secretly feared. I mean, not that a cheesecake would come for me o my sleep or anything -- more feared its creation. But this was going to be it! My attempt to make a cheesecake. First, some backstory...

I saw a recipe called "Maple Cheesecake with Baked Pears" (with a picture, of course. I can't tell you how many recipes I pass over, though I'm sure they're delicious, because there's no picture. A picture will get me every time!) and knew it was the one. I talked about it at work, and one of my coworkers said I simply HAD to make it (and bring it in for everyone to eat, of course.) I said I'd love to, but unfortunately I didn't own a springform pan... of course, she did and said she's try to remember to bring it in for me to use. Now, were this me it would mean I hoped that I would remember to get it to work within the next week or two... or month. But no, she brought it the next day. No pressure, right?

Anyway... today was the day. I was not as successful doing the press-in crust as I would have hoped. I need to do some research on a better method for that. It was uneven, and therefore baked unevenly... it didn't go halfway up on the sides like it was supposed to... etc. Also the pears weren't cut very consistently, so they didn't bake very evenly. Next time.

I think it turned out awfully pretty, and I hope it tastes good, too!!

Here comes Turkey Day!

So I admit it... I love the cranberry sauce from a can. That Ocean Spray whole-berry is delicious and sculptural! BUT... for the past two years I've tried to broaden the horizons of my extended family by making cranberry sauce from scratch.

Behold, my super-delicious cranberry pomegranate sauce! It also features a granny smith apple and an orange. And a cinnamon stick (but I recommend removing it before serving.)

I only made a half-recipe this year... both because cranberries were a ridiculous $2.50 per bag (ouch) but also because I just finally finished all the leftovers I froze from last year. I know it's a novelty, and it will never replace the ribbed mold of the can -- but I try!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Dala Horses!!!

In hindsight... I probably should have gone for something more muffin-shaped. Something portable and freezable -- but these lovelies can certainly come to work with me.

The pans are from IKEA -- it's funny because I don't have any normal loaf pans, so it's dala-shaped or nothing.

The mini chocolate chips are just a little extra something-something to tip the scale from "bread" to "dessert."

Yum.

Eggselent!

Started today off right... with a tasty omlette! This is not my usual breakfast fare (now with the cold weather I usually go for oatmeal) but the nice thing about weekend mornings is that you have a little more time t be creative.

Anyway, this ended up being a sort of "clean out the fridge" omlette... some leftover pico de gallo, some meatless Italian sausage, green onion and cheese! It was taaasty!

It's a Seeeecret!

I made something today... But it's for a gift, so I cannot reveal it.

I also created a digital copy of my Scott pilgrim vs the World so I can carry it with me constantly only iPad.

A Craft from the Past!

When I was thinking about the "rules" for this month I kind of ruled out anything I did at work, since my job is kind of "creative." However, since this was kind of an "above-and-beyond" project, and it's a bit nostalgic, I decided I could use it anyway.

So, I remember waaaaaaay back to a faboo craft called "Perler Beads." You've got these little tube-shaped beads, and pegged grids -- you arrange them into shapes, and then lay wax paper over the top. Add a hot iron, and the beads melt together making shapes!

Teh awesome.

I like the orange the best... though it just made me want to make other fruits, and PacMan, and Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and Clyde. Oh, and all the Mario stuff... 1UP mushrooms, etc.

A Custom Order!

One of my favorite things about my Etsy shop is getting emails from people that have bought my stuff and are sooooo excited about it. Today I got to fill my first custom order -- a woman in Florida who wanted an grown-up version of my hippo apron for kids. Apparently, her friend works at a popsicle shop called the "Hyppo" and wears an apron while he works... SO... It will be a nice birthday surprise, I hope.

I also hope it looks a little more attractive on her friend than it does on my dress form. Eep.

Chilly Means Chili!!

I love chili. Well... my chili. I don't really like beans much. And I only use vegetables. And nothing canned, only fresh (well, okay the beans I *do* use are canned, but one day I might get dried and reconstitute them. Maybe.) And I don't like cumin, so I don't add that. Can I even call it chili? (I do use chili powder!)

Anyway... it's cold and chili is delicious. Plus it's easy! (Coming from someone who lives the "slice and dice" part of ay food prep the best.) Zucchini, and squash, and onion, and carrot, and tomato... and anything else I scrape together from the fridge.

This batch turned out especially well! (The only thing that could have possibly made it better was corn.) I can't wait to have it for lunch this week!

Afghan in Progress

I was at my parent's house the other day and my mom was crocheting and watching the game... and I thought "I haven't crocheted since last winter! I should get on that." So I did.

As can be expected, with my addiction to bags in general and wish to have every little accoutrement for my hobbies, I have this wicked-awesome crochet bag with places for 6 yarn skeins, plus scissors and hooks. And the pockets for the skeins have eyelets inside to thread the yarn through! I know. Awesome.

The reason why crocheting afghans in the winter is super-awesome, is that as you keep working the afghan keeps you warm while you make it!

Applesauce!!

I love apples. Nom nom nom. Unfortunately, I'm a little particular about them. My favorite apple is probably Jazz, and of course I love Honeycrisp. Sometimes neither are available at the ol' grocery store though, so I have to branch out. This past week was one of those -- unfortunately it was a fail. Bummer.

However, know what's also yummy? Applesauce! And it hardly matters whether the apple is all crisp, which is what I look for, 'cause it gets all warm and mushy anyway.

Anyway, this batch was lovey and tastes great in my morning oatmeal!

...and Cakes!

So, usually I'm a cupcake baker. Easy, cute, portable... and when you make them the way I do (box o' cake mix plus one can of diet soda) they're relatively low-calorie.

Anyway, I decided to mix it up today and make a CAKE instead... my first one! It was just your basic white cake mix, so I decided to sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips to add some excitement. The frosting is just your basic vanilla (and it looks like I may have sampled a little too much, 'cause the frost job is a little thin in spots.)

I was wishing I had extra so I could try some fancy piping on it... but it's safely tucked away in the fridge so I won't eat it.

Cupcakes!!

Oh, cupcakes are so cute. And delicious. These ones aren't edible, so much... but still cute! They started life as a kitchen towel, but it was a quick snip and stitch to get them into apron shape.

Warm and Toasty!

(...even when you don't exactly follow the instructions right!)

Okay, so the book "One Yard Wonders" is awesome because: A) It's written by a local author and part-owner of Crafty Planet -- one of my fave craft shops. Also, B) every project in it can be done with one yard of fabric or less! (However, let's face it... not everyone can actually wear a shirt or skirt made with only one yard. Nor should they.)

I was flipping through it because I was looking for a replacement for my exploded hot/cold pack, and voila! A pattern for a pack and an obi-style belt. I didn't care much about the belt, I just wanted something I could thrown in the microwave (like, NOW) to put on my aching neck.

In spite of following the directions wrong, the pack works just fine! It's filled with whole flax seed (organic, though that matters not) but I could also have used rice. I'll be tackling it again (the right way) to make the whole project... but it was a great, fast solution!

It's Wednesday!

And I will be stitching! But I'm not posting another photo of the project, 'cause it looks pretty much the same. I'm just not very speedy.

My new project of the week will be sewing a hot/cold pack! Last night, the gel pack I'd been using (and abusing) finally burst. Icky gel stuff all over. Yuck. However, I found a pattern for a hot/cold pack using rice or flax seed... and heaven knows I've got fabric to spare!

Pictures will be forthcoming!

More Ribbon Fun!

Today was beautiful, and gorgeous. My lawn mower would not start (again. Still.) so I went for a run, instead! It was a great day for it, and my body was ache-and-pain-free for once.

Of course, that cut into craft time, so I stiched together a few more of the ribbon blankets I prepped the other day. SO much fun! I like the monkeys especially.

In other news, two of my monthly creations have sold from my Etsy shop! Oh the joy. It's one thing to finally see yards and yards of fabric turned into what you envisioned them to be -- and something completely different to see them leave your house!

It will be so wonderful when my tote of projects is empty. Here's hoping!

It's been a week!

And in celebration... something that's NOT an apron!














Another thing I started making (though due to some apparent patent infringement I cannot sell on Etsy) are these adorable ribbon blankets. I've read that they're great for the sensory development of babies, and they love sucking on the different ribbons and discovering textures.... blah, blah, blah.

It's really a great excuse to buy adorable flannels and fleeces!!!

I have a lot of fabric waiting to meet this end, as well.

(And owls are apparently VERY in, in my world.)

Playing Catch-up!

Sometimes you know that you're just not going to have time to do the things you want to. Thankfully, I wasn't able to craft every day because I was doing other fun, awesome things. SO, I figured if I had a net gain of +3 crafts for Friday-Sunday... that would still keep it as a craft/day.
(And I did MAKE a pig of myself on popcorn on Friday night at "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.")















So, it's 3 more aprons! (Actually, 6... I had supplies to make 2 of each style.) I'm really enjoying seeing all this fabric actually become something... not just take up space in a drawer.

I do have to confess that a trip to JoAnn was required -- I am starting with only things from my stash, but when you run out of the matching thread or coordinating trim, you gotta get more. But only what I need... okay, and maybe there was a cute remnant that I picked up to make another apron. :)

It's a sickness! I know!

Cook it up!

(Okay... not cooking, per se... Cut it up? Maybe?)

So, today I hemmed some curtains. (Finally. I hung them up in July, 'cause you know otherwise I would just have them sitting around in the package. So I hung them up, even though they were too long.) They are pre-packaged sheer panels, and I still have to sew the actual curtains. We'll see if that gets done this month -- It's just hard to find room to cut and pin 9-foot panels in my teeeny house. I think I may have to go off-site.

So, there's a farewell potluck for a couple of my coworkers tomorrow... It's hard to do potlucks at work, 'cause they always want you to sign up and tell what you're going to bring -- only I have no idea what I'm going to bring until I make it. So, tonight I made some of my signature pico de gallo (or as my family affectionately call it... "pinko.") I find such satisfaction in cutting things into teeny teeny pieces. The ol' slice and dice. This is a perfect dish for that!

What will tomorrow bring? I know for sure I'm planning on MAKING a pig of myself by eating a ton of popcorn at the Riverview while I watch "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." That'll probably be it! :)

Stitching!

So, here's my secret. I cross-stitch. The thing is, unless it's got some sort of deadline (wedding, birth, etc.) it's not going to get done. My stitching process is an eternal one.

So, anyway... here's what I'll be working on today. Why today? Because today is my weekly night at Stitch and Bitch. Every Wednesday, I gather with a group of 3 or 6 or however many people can show up... we eat, and chat, and stitch. We watch movies sometimes, too.

(Though occasionally we neither stitch, nor bitch... but we're flexible that way.)

Also... I didn't have my camera with me, so my cell phone had to stand in. (It looked much better in person.)

A variety!

So... I made many things today.

1. I made myself go for a run. (Okay, a jog.)

2. I voted! W00t! (I'm trying to CREATE change! Right?)














3. I completed another apron. (I confess, though... while digging around in my craft stuff yesterday I found it nearly completed! I'm not quite sure why I didn't take it that last few steps...)

Day One!

Meet my "Hoot" apron! I actually did a lot of the prep work for this yesterday -- and it still took a while to do!

I'm a little concerned that I might have bitten off a bit more than I can handle -- at least on the week days!

Anyway, I already decided that anything I sew has to use fabrics and notions that I already own... I have SO MUCH fabric. I actually bought this fairly recently, and only because I had a coupon. (And it is SO CUTE!) The bias tape on the bottom is way thinner than I am used to, and it kind of freaked me out. Pinning it on was probably the most time-intensive part of this project.

As an added bonus, some of the things I'm creating will be available for purchase in my Etsy Store!

Looking ahead for the week, I expect some baking might happen... but otherwise it just might be a bunch of aprons!

(I think I may need a plan.)