Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Finally Made it

Over three years ago, a friend and I were inspired to make pesto like one of the characters off..


And I finally did..




I think Emma-Lee would be very pleased. 


I don't know why I didn't sooner - it's delicious and easy! It tastes a LOT better then store bought pesto. All it takes is..

2 packed cups of basil leaves
3 Cloves of garlic
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 tbs lemon juice (probably don't NEED it)
1/2 cup cashews (or whatever nut you want I guess)
1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil. 

This is me guesstimating what I put in because I only roughly measure myself. You can't really go wrong.. you just blend it all up. 








A day in images

This is what I did today...


Thar she blows, the Cath Kidston baggy. It's a very cute size. 


Then, went to the farmers market. Will's parents bought me flowers again =). I really should buy a vase. This is what I came up with -  I've just realised the choices carry a theme.. 

Brandy glass for the bedroom



Wine bottle for the kitchen table



Beer glass for the craft room



I don't know how this happened, we really don't drink much.. 


Monday, December 28, 2009

Up for grabs

Though I'm trying to pawn it off to friends as a 'test petti' (the unit really is too small to house TWO of these), I must say it's poofy prettiness is growing on me..

Well..

I finished the petticoat, and despite it looking great and all... I'm not happy. Unfortunately, I'm unhappy because of  a very insignificant (yet, bothering) difference.

(p.s. longest full skirt I have at the moment) 

I'm going to explain this in pictures. My skirt begins gathering at the waist, so I look like this.. 



Cute... if your a drawing. A very tall, skinny drawing. 


I want the petticoat to look like this: 



The only difference is, that its gathering begins at the hips, not the waist. Allowing the lady to keep her figure. My petticoat, adds weight on between my waist and hips because it begins so high up. 

This is what I'm going to try now:


Only instead, three tulle tiers.

I know, I'm starting again. That petti took me three days (on and off). Hopefully, it will be less this time around. 


Sunday, December 27, 2009

What am I making?

I'm sorry, but I really got to organise myself and I'm going to use my blog to do it. I feel like I have so many things I want to make right now, and I have no direction, it's one thing to the next, then I end up not finishing anything. I long for the sense of accomplishment!

Right-0. Currently, I am making a petticoat. Lets start with that:

1. Finish Petticoat

Of course, I'm going to need to wear that petticoat under something. At least three ideas. So out of all my 'want to make' pile, these would best suit the petticoat:

2. My McCall's dress pattern

3. Sweetheart neckline circle dress

(something like this, but not halter) 


4. A full, gathered skirt. 

Ok. So there are four things, I feel a little better now. Once I finish the petticoat, that will just be three things that I want to get done, not too overwhelming. I have to get the petticoat done first, so I can judge how long and wide I want the three items to be!

I love fifties fashion. A quick fact; although Bewitched began filming early sixties, the fashion Sam wore reflected fifties styles (even up to half way through the series, well into the sixtes). This is because in suburban areas, where you'd normally find someone like Samantha Stevens, the fashion trends hit much later. The housewives took a while to catch up. I think that's cute. 

5. When I don't feel like making clothes, I'm going to be making the samples for my Bernina bag. It's just a big tote, with plastic pockets (transparent) that you can put things in. 



Christmas Benny

For Christmas breakfast I made eggs benedict - a tricky dish. It's not exactly difficult, but it requires a lot of multitasking, if you want everything ready all at once. The sauce was a bit lemony for my liking (that's what I get for never bothering to measure), but the eggs were beautiful! It's so cool to watch eggs poach, the white ghosts over the yolk. 


I used the recipe available here, with a few changes to suit our liking. 


I was a very lucky girl this year and got lots of great presents. One of my favourites would have to be this book I got from Will's mum (or Will's "mom"). Free patterns galore, as well as enough of Cath's signature fabric to make a cute bag. 




I am also getting lots of use out of our new blender, thank you Will! 


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Patchworking

It's simple, it's beautiful, it's last minute.


Whipped it up for a table topper because we only have one tablecloth that we use all year 'round. Yes that's right - one. However, now that I have scored a job at the La Boite theatre, I will hopefully be able to buy another one.. unless I just buy more fabrics.

Mind was racing last night, dreaming up beautiful dresses that I want to try make without a pattern (I really admire the girls who can do it). I think it might be very helpful if I draw the design out, and break it up. 



Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas Skirt

Anything red or green, though preferably red, is a Christmas something to me, and today I made this girly skirt for Christmas day. 


I was going to put a bow on the back, but I think that might be too much - I'll just make a matching coin purse instead =). *Sigh*, To be a little girl again... I could of had the bow AND the purse..



Four days till Christmas!


For students with no jobs, we sure do like our presents..
 (can't wait to unwrap that big one on the right)!



Today I made a present for Will's Oma, a little purse (roughly 6 x 4 x 3 inches) thanks to a tutorial on Burdastyle. The layered flower was inspired by Heather Bailey designs. The flower can be removed and worn as a broach (or if Oma thinks it's hideous), and the purse is closed with a zipper for security.  I'm going to make a smaller one (button closed) for myself tomorrow, after I put a cute little card in this one. 


I love my Christmas roses from Will's parents. 

I spritzed them like crazy.. I think I went overboard :\

Friday, December 18, 2009

Rainy Saturday

It's muggy enough outside for me to finally begin a craft/art/life blog. 

To christen my blog, I've decided to showcase some of the crafts I've been busying myself with this past week, decorating the house for Christmas. I've never really been into Christmas decorations (except the tree), but being away from my family means I'm not reminded of Christmas as much, and thats no fun at all. Chrissy crafts get me in the spirit and keep me entertained!

Cardboard Christmas Wreath

I didn't want to pay for a real (well, plastic) one, and thanks to a short-lived scrapbooking phase and Martha Stewart, I was able to use up card stock and make this cute wreath. Although, I don't know how I'm going to store it :|


Our First Stockings

Well not entirely true, Will's had heaps of stockings but my family never got into them. These are our first as a couple-in-a-unit. 
I am pleased with them because I didn't use any sort of pattern, and they're reversible!


Angel Garland 

This is something I made while trying to master ruffle for skirts and dresses. I basted a strip of fabric on low tension, and the pulled the thread. Very frustrating with cheap thread,  *twitches*. I love the little angels, I put some on kebab sticks and pushed them into the garden pots on the patio (if you can call it that).


Yo Yo Garland

I'm obsessed with these things. These yoyos can do anything, and today, they were sporting some ric-rac for a pretty garland. I'm definitely going to make some more for something else.


Merry Christmas!

And finally, a welcome plaque to replace our cheap unit number. 
Once again, beats a plastic one.