Archive for the ‘Craftyness’ Category

Here’s a fun idea!

To celebrate my blogs one year anniversary on July 6^th 2010 I’ve decided to announce:

THE NUTTERMOTHER APRON SWAP!

Half, full, frilly, retro, modern, pockets, ribbons, patterned or plain – it doesn’t matter as long as it’s an apron that’s newly crafted or (for the more craft challenged type of people) bought fresh.

It’s easy to play along, so share this with your friends and tell anyone you know who might like to join in the swap – the more the merrier!

RULES, RULES, RULES

1. Tell everyone you know!
2. Buy or hand make a full or half apron.   We want that puppy looking awesome so here’s your opportunity to get creative!
3. Email me your info: Name, address, email – HERE (or add a comment and I’ll message you)
4. If you do sign up you are responsible for sending one completed apron to your partner.
5. Sign up ends July 16^th, you will receive your partner’s information by July 18^th and you have just over 1 month to complete your apron.
6. All aprons must be mailed by August 16^th 2010, because who doesn’t want to get a gift in the mail?
7. Feel free send images of your finished aprons or of the one you received.
8. Have fun!

*Note to Self
Need some inspiration…or a pattern? Try this

Do you know how many hours I have spent watching the Bullet infomercial? It’s the same one over and over again, but the crazy part is that although it is full of awful acting, and repetitive chopping, I just can’t turn away.

I have a problem.

I can spend hours at 2am sucked into the endless stream of 15 minute commercials.

It all started years ago with the Rotato, and I spiralled down a path that includes, but is not limited too the purchases of a Topsy Tail, a Bullet, an H2O mop, a Shamwow, Dryer Balls, (we do not acknowledge the Snuggie…), a Ped-Egg, a Greater Plater, a George Foreman Grill, and the first purchase I ever made off the tv… don’t laugh…

A Tony Little Gazelle.

Yes, I have a Gazelle tucked in the back of my laundry room. The gazelle lost its lustre a week after I ordered it because they introduced a new version, The Gazelle ‘Elite’… with power pistons.

Imagine how much skinnier I’d be today if I had had power pistons.

Granted, I myself have never had a problem answering a phone with a regular blanket, or chopping a tomato with a regular knife, but what if I did? What if I my food needed dehydrating? What if my thighs needed mastering? Where would we be without infomercials?

I’d probably at home unable to slice bread.

*Note to Self
I just bought two Topsy Turvy Planters – I’m SO excited!

Maybe I need an intervention…

No I don’t.

You find better a blender with 21 parts for less than four easy payments of $12.95

I haven’t put anything crafty up in a while. Frankly, because I just haven’t had the time.

Somewhere in between cooking, cleaning and working there just isn’t an extra minute to do, well, much of anything. And yet, I still need to find room to fit in running, reading, yard work – oh right! … I also have kids… so write off anything extra curricular until I am at least 40.

BUT!

If I did have an extra minute… these hooded towels are super cute.

In fact, I seem to have a large array of fringed towels in my laundry basket.  I don’t know if it’s just me, but new towels are  always the last things on my list to pick up.

Now that I am thinking about it… I don’t remember the last time I actually bought towels…

I moved out almost eleven years ago, and I brought with me (among other things) a stash of my mom’s good “nobody touch these, they are GUESTS ONLY towels.”

You know the ones, they sit on the towel rod in the “clean” bathroom, with the empty trash basket and fresh bar of soap.

While I now ponder the actual age of some of these towels, I am also reminded of all the money I have potentially saved over the years… Probably thousands of dollars – towels are expensive!

And the hubby says I waste money on lattes- HA! I’m actually SAVING us money!

I think I deserve a latte…and a cookie.

*Note to Self

When was the last time I bought sheets…?

I have a small obsession with Indian food.

And by obsession, i mean i crave it nightly. If I had money, i would immediately hire an Indian Chef… who would also bring me chai tea in bed with nan khatai’s…

I would also not hesitate to hire a driver, a housekeeper and a masseuse.

I digress…

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

1 cup yogurt

1 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tsp ground cumin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp minced ginger

1 clove of garlic minced

1/2 tsp salt

3 chicken breast cut up into bite sized pieces

SAUCE

1 Tbs butter

1 clove of garlic

2 Tsp ground cumin

2 Tsp paprika

1/2 Tsp salt

2 Tbs sugar (or to taste)

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In a large bowl combine, yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, garlic ande chicken. Marinate at least an hour.

Heat oven to 350

Place chicken pieces on a greased cookie sheet – discard the marinade – cook until done about 15 minutes

SAUCE

Melt butter in a large pot, saute garlic, cumin, paprika and salt about 3 minutes

Stir in tomato sauce, cream and sugar

Simmer on low until sauce thickens

Add chicken pieces simmer for 5 more minutes

Add cilantro

Serve over rice

*Note to Self

I would also buy Clive Owen…

Random thought
*It has been so hot and muggy here, I feel like I am living in a testicle.

I think a day at the seashore moved the little craftbug in me. Olivia and I were collecting seashells (Audrey looked on in the wagon) something I hadn’t done in years, because frankly– what the hell do you do with seashells?

I remember as a kid collecting a wide assortment of sea crap in my bucket, bringing them home to stink on the porch and a few days later, after I had totally forgotten about it, dad would chuck them out.

So this last week when the girls and I were out at the beach and the tide was unusually this far out, I found all these wonderful rigid shells – which inspired me to do… something…

Needless to say, i decided this time would be different and I brought home a bucketful sea crap.  So far instead of leaving them out on the porch, I bleached them – because that’s what you do with shells – totally just learned that, I just thought you boiled them – but no!  A 50/50 water bleach solution kills all the little fuzz and life that grows on the dead shells (it takes off the barnacles as well) and they now look like this:

So far I have only come up with the idea to sparkle the outter portion of the shells  (love sparkles), add a pearl and ribbon, and use them as Christmas decorations, along with a beach day photo of my cutie pies. I will let you know how that develops…

The seashells then sparked another project, one that I had been talking, with myself, about doing for months. FYI – I happen to be a great internal conversationalist.

I was watching the Martha Stewart Show randomly when her guest, Heather Ross, made these wonderful smocked sundresses. They looked simple enough and although my printer is not working I figured I could guesstimate the pattern. (The dress pattern and instructions are free on her website and she also included them in this book –Weekend Sewing-  I just ordered it – i’ll let you know if its worth it).

I bought some super cute fabric…

 …and realized… a weekend project with a husband and two kids does have its disadvantages.  Sewing in between doing laundry, making dinner, and cuddling can be time consuming.

However, the project was easy enough that I could finish it without getting to the ‘I just want to get this done, I don’t care how straight these lines are or how finished the edges are stage’. That clearly means it was a rousing success- That and the four compliments I received while wearing it means it was THE BEST SEWING PROJECT EVER!!!

- Wait there’s more!-

The completion of the dress sparked an even craftier project, still   is in its infant stage.

While IN the dress at the Ladner farmers market (twice a month on Sunday and its wonderful) I came across lovely scrabble tile necklaces which screamed at me “YOU CAN DO THAT”… so now I need scrabble tiles…  

Speaking of farmers markets – did I mention how great the one in Ladner was; it had live music, crafts, fresh fruit and veggies, and the smell of baked bread wafting in the air… The main highlight is this market had more than 5 booths; in fact it had about 50.

I have been to so many farmers markets lately which are really small and very disappointing. What happened to huge street markets bustling with energy? – Yes, there is the Richmond Night Market, but honestly, doesn’t that feel like an overpriced outdoor dollar store with food?

Also exciting, speaking of farmers markets and crafting, minutes ago i was sent this link – talk about train of thought – Modern Urban Guide

Note to self

*I love bread; carbs are good, dress hides carbs

PS – are we enjoying the book ‘punny’ titles as much as I am?

 PPS – Those bags in the wagon… are all filled with fresh bread!!!