tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52689316511448516462024-02-07T08:41:21.356-05:00alysia makesAlysiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07771303191649252005noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-662367101797738482009-09-23T11:07:00.008-04:002009-09-23T11:39:40.019-04:00Hair Doo-Dads<div style="text-align: left;">Well hey there. It's been a while since I posted here, so I thought I'd better get a quick post in. I recently participated in another <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a> swap, this time for hair "doo-dads." I had 3 swap partners, and had to make them each something simple. Here's what I came up with:</div><div><br /></div><div>For the first partner, who likes the color green and plastic toys in accessories:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gJWsdHEESudxkysSMXSxjmZzqGtkYc9m60bjwDK8R18UUs0DMS98s5rOHfvizu3LmoEQebtAt6I3IwjRs4mrx03RrLI3I6IaW0GCqQ1DWF2oRoHNhqNN_NQYvoC5RGNuuVM_KT9_Pno/s320/DSCN2011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683213067942962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>For the second partner, who didn't give many guidelines but said she likes bright colors:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyBTg9hnMq6jsLFD7yz9MVR_EQz_2tehQL-OZ0iErKCG5SsaQoJuBL2Brt22dxicJ796rKRNZMUqswAGdtm8ZVtZg-HXvRTmVix6CqmqyJ9ZO-jJ2RQdozVMSSqFQGEaTat2dfjpK8qc/s320/DSCN2012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683223421106850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I also did a headband for her, since the bobbies were simple:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gAw3H7hyphenhyphenzbRw9psRszA6GcPV5G6JAsx80OAjqJWr3ZTVplrIUlnzlVUpzSjq98BeHM2HTAYO5rDcosAI4U-1LvoSf8aK-gI0F-jruzoSRWHNaTnxAol9HjDBYLdPmrYBkeEQL_T7aY4/s320/DSCN2014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683226940849042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And here's a detail shot of the bow:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bhcqwSZqgqC8AUQ5v2tHnF1pHaTr2L3KQIIinec6RTaV1pLT3u92qrzj8qqSAF5T1886aFw7HkYnuidt-KMQtjIXGAuEhOlqc6D-yJpA49GzDAkf28Jri8t6dG5f5dfXGOGvARlJzLk/s320/DSCN2016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683234126446258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And lastly (my favorite), for the third partner, who likes the color yellow and had a cool bee necklace in her <a href="http://www.wists.com/">Wists</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC1jNg97szAWLIYr-kzqLoIJ4yQRRfISKrQyh3SCnNlpAxwDUz2VqmProx2iCM5XkizgQPbXvtLJQzMwtrmWot2ZuAGEYB_oKsD34xNi9Y0hRy27cL4p5cix1AE4yyP5TMaMzqPHRco8/s320/DSCN2017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683240954412002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The bees and birds are felt and embroidery thread, and every piece required hot glue. Making these was fun, I'll probably make some in the future for myself :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-65891242918699716622009-08-27T20:09:00.007-04:002009-08-27T20:33:27.059-04:00New Obsession: ATCs<div style="text-align: left;">So, I recently started making ATCs for a swap I'm involved in. "What in the world is an ATC?" you wonder? Well, let me enlighten you.</div><div><br /></div><div>ATC stands for "Artist Trading Card." The only hard and fast rule is that they have to measure 2.5" by 3.5", and they are not supposed to be sold, just traded.</div><div><br />There's more info <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=136601.0">here</a>, on Craftster. You can also peruse pages of ATCs made by all kinds of crafters.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this particular swap, participants make lists of different themes in which they would like to recieve ATCs. Person A posts a list, then person B "claims" them for one of there themes, then posts their own list. Person C claims person B for one of there themes, posts their list, and so on (until the end of August). So far, I have made 4 claims. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of the first ATC I made, but here are the other three (and their respective themes):</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Cthulhu"</i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2MbcJ0OUCw-KEbGi052V7U3NIS_6_3lxB3StyvjrBoXtQfiDIBh95acG_0aF9VtDjJ-750sg4qsTu-JTe3PL9ehbyEtaBgtisBddqaTOd9mh20Fo9rqvfNZlii3RT-F-iqJSXAqrmCs/s320/DSCN2009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374802938073594706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This one I did in a yarn painting style, with a red Swarovski eye. Here's another angle:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-RHUZqzRPn8JpnlTwwoI-yJy6eV1cXAzrMaQwSqyzE5J3i8YvNvTTqdp6G-HTCWkpRIluLq6olpxb7APBy1vABo5cfeDwH-Ik1sB3TxGVQ9k5nYYa2plMnAmX5jaEXrY8aQC9nrQxFA/s320/DSCN1982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374802907498967794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Edgar Allen Poe"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWA8tYbc4sFZ-380B6fuVxU5uLHJoR_cniC9k6ihAZszRRNN3ZNrpK_xIRgatUxmqeToFUZxzI_TWEfMB9BDgRR5mD3OGS5JRql1hTluX5Lo7tj3rApX3fiDubLB-snbE2WnzyEhDep0/s320/DSCN2006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374802927127321682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This is just a collage, with pages from a magazine, a printed portrait of Poe, and black puffy paint. Another angle:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11HpikgBdKnmGbn48R5DUSNIIBOSMTfKJbdD6M8sXWfljpIuzvZo1zdyR4Kd2pDoBNZolVpwIrG72K_fB3tnWkOR3ehrGgF2OiKqeexiOqZZxSfi4KmqH7GGDWB7L-qRYNTYprHkKcxs/s320/DSCN1987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374802910884053218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Om nom nom nom"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPzRENLI4xBnZXxnTfdzDI-aU66P68Uu5nnMR_j7H4Pb-FxfmFwqOYVDZzmNblP2890DwA6VZvLtZgmsNcATOs6F9o5G0vgRQmgNkbo3w_chDiyisyJFGSJufxKua15wzVH_5y7Sp-Nw/s320/DSCN2002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374802920482447090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Another magazine collage, with a ruffle for textural interest. Here's a pre-ruffle pic that shows the color a little better:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH7gNGcPdwMJLp9QTQXcky1B25bwewRnXNVvk3B4wLKKy3I1R8mJMdlHhpOFCFzpEeAWRp95-0Gj-WumsEJM-c2qfk5Dq3C7XbZHX8L_l1Nxc8UoKsbDM2ib1_y42Rw6Z-7tB52UhNpg/s320/DSCN1994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374803045198908754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>These are super fun to make, and I imagine I'll make a lot more. Anyone can make them, and they give you a chance to try out different techniques and styles on a small scale. I love the "trading card" idea, and I look forward to acquiring a collection :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-26617451273311239532009-08-15T13:30:00.004-04:002009-08-15T13:43:02.536-04:00Quick Craft<div style="text-align: left;">I generally gravitate toward more tedious and time-consuming (knitting, crocheting, sewing) crafts. It's actually quite odd, seeing as I am generally a pretty impatient person.</div><div><br /></div><div>From time to time, I have to take a break from my bigger projects for a little instant gratification crafting. With that said, here are six pairs of earrings I made this morning, from findings and charms I had laying around in my craft-stash (I stopped at six because I ran out of earwires).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZoFWf6PXITWXIJpoIzzgWJ3pzEcY6VpTurihhtMi8kAHx98kbw7RtggiHTfmdqCF6WvZ-Q8MJ7tn4wHiZSKCRdhNR2Bo0XDk1Jq7mtdE7Ul0YHPAYPX_BoEvQ53bYSyAw5l_aos_m9o/s320/DSCN1930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370246144181417522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09LkWIO5h_K93iHIsEgTKb_ESflDVnrjbq_iCcJM3CgechN_E00mBQa69p2RTYnUNqxRqNavVbIxfSYtN_UDauwcmKg4_EYqVpX7r5Qd3JhSL9RMiYfnH4Azdy15uangyVB6hKW7mkGw/s320/DSCN1926.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370246138137291314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5vcWGM6wLddylV79eH20vCRrBjrSrtHRl0ZX48-b7dp0FE4Gay3giyl4_Vn5teXANM4qyBA8YgXvJER1QApDLiaxxOKWEN8k6OVWG5yB-KSBERbeRs_A9x6e7LhxGhYoZMpc0-xcHeU/s320/DSCN1934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370246161441196658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now, but I have a knitting project and a sewing project both ongoing, so stay tuned...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-83515073879494588272009-08-08T08:19:00.014-04:002009-08-09T16:13:23.745-04:00The elephant in the room<div style="text-align: left;">I mentioned <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a> in my previous post, but I did not really get into how awesome this website is. Basically, it is an enormous forum for discussing, showing off, and looking at all things crafty and homemade. Craftster has a huge user base, and there is enough info and cool stuff to look at on there that you would likely never get through it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the neat things on Craftster is the organized swap. There are constantly swaps going on, and they all pretty much work the same way: </div><div><ul><li>Someone comes up with a theme for a swap and posts it</li><li>People sign up</li><li>Original poster divides participants into pairs</li><li>Each participant makes something and sends it to their partner</li></ul><div>There are specific guidelines laid out for each swap, but this is basically how it goes. I hadn't done a swap in a while, and decided I felt like doing one the other week. I love making little stuffed animals, so when I saw there was a stuffie swap going on, I thought it could be a lot of fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The girl I was paired up with is German, and right around my age. (I am not the only one in my mid-20s who appreciates a stuffie swap. Ha!) When you sign up, you have to fill out a questionnaire so as to give your partner an idea of what you'd like to receive. One of my swap partner's favorite animals is the elephant, so I decided that's what I'd make for her.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I crochet an animal, I don't use a pattern. I crochet enough that I kind of just know how much to increase or decrease to get the shape I want (most seasoned crocheters would probably tell you the same thing). I work in spirals, creating hollow shapes that I stuff and assemble. Basically, I just make it up as I go along...</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a shot of the trunk/head when it still just looked like a cone:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsjxgl-ZzftZr5G3v3b0lnbIA4jLOqOXPYTVAEbpRDd_HnPG5-1uJYh_ODv9k0AzkzBmNHGxp1c2EY8-lg23t82HdByTGv0Cj0jKOR0E4tUAqPOSd7s_Q1TYM9IIBaH8NYqH9ink4D-0/s320/DSCN1850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368054797021702098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And here are the pieces once I finished them, pre-assembly:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FjWYgDG00vhnI9Cl720YVFnjMb6IUb4sALCyK9fEzNlt15_YGBd4BDD53He1IB9p-BNgd4YrwKntmXXr1kdFKeq-hy-07nd6pMWEhPYZP6YgxEWTmXLct9PkUUFeiqlg2zBCiQPvmV8/s320/DSCN1877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368056295578213218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And post-assembly, sitting on my computer:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oFl2I33ctqcYLLm9zp3NcDqUkMpKkVD0QpC65I9LzVlfFmi_EASnumj7z4xdHu_I4ZVy6qjvclDy3723Sv4inbWA8dxznVbE6IHtcGpxpRDC2QPjsadR1Q1ULOgVDBFDk7uY_6fmCUA/s320/DSCN1885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368054809359364482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, I liked how the simple, cream-colored shape of the elephant was looking, but it still needed a little something else....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ribbon?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5pFgRhhnF_h6wMGNOTCsMdB_dHiJOOROmC2T9xychnbhml67KGXO5z0h8nl_Ex_9ZaMpMlLTyXb2bO5MvvtQrWzQHFHEoXW4QV9b5Zh5E0rWue7-ziuxjzB4SLU0kDCF2sVSdhGvR8Y/s320/DSCN1889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368054806888040722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A good start, but not quite enough. So I added fabric paint eyes and a felt heart, and it was finally finished.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXfAKa8zxOyNdm9u-l2PEgSxzA94zY1f_FQfKnu6R-_VpDBNw2W5OBhd3OvInGW1sKwsBiCrpRDK8e8Rxs2ng2LpDGCFYIwpf7f3qavtCGwK9iz5fw6bzEQajG5VTac5Ct19Yho56Zgc/s320/DSCN1895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368053949090069570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxnZPz4ksRGirBntM3dFVra_npFKKdZSW2Z7wJmGfbRcCNUWda3a_Wa5YuvQAWvuBLQ6k6KyQswR_oJ9BWJtgsUNSzv32emCH4VihpY6voMd4lVFnUxdGkCjBJz3lzVWQcIHcKOY6Uuo/s1600-h/DSCN1902.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxnZPz4ksRGirBntM3dFVra_npFKKdZSW2Z7wJmGfbRcCNUWda3a_Wa5YuvQAWvuBLQ6k6KyQswR_oJ9BWJtgsUNSzv32emCH4VihpY6voMd4lVFnUxdGkCjBJz3lzVWQcIHcKOY6Uuo/s1600-h/DSCN1902.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxnZPz4ksRGirBntM3dFVra_npFKKdZSW2Z7wJmGfbRcCNUWda3a_Wa5YuvQAWvuBLQ6k6KyQswR_oJ9BWJtgsUNSzv32emCH4VihpY6voMd4lVFnUxdGkCjBJz3lzVWQcIHcKOY6Uuo/s1600-h/DSCN1902.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxnZPz4ksRGirBntM3dFVra_npFKKdZSW2Z7wJmGfbRcCNUWda3a_Wa5YuvQAWvuBLQ6k6KyQswR_oJ9BWJtgsUNSzv32emCH4VihpY6voMd4lVFnUxdGkCjBJz3lzVWQcIHcKOY6Uuo/s320/DSCN1902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368053940894240610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTiL47o6wvQgtBPPABs7rna5X5PWZ9gsLEP58SCzoqXH-w7aSeD17U2UfWL12u3x1mWdbsvGCfy5cgPSiZefjsF6WP4VhS-1m3OvcJzMmTbcCeOWGMGwA0ikH3Jux9IFSGTkMM7DVyuY/s320/DSCN1898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368057406417052914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She's on her way to Germany now, I hope she makes her new owner smile :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-41506491560526942302009-08-02T16:36:00.009-04:002009-08-02T17:41:00.786-04:00älysiabars<div style="text-align: left;">So, I came upon this <a href="http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2009/05/homemade_larabars.php">post</a> on Chocolate & Zucchini via a link on <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/">Craftster</a>. Basically, the author was introduced to <a href="http://www.larabar.com/">lärabars</a>, which she enjoyed, and decided to try to make a homemade version. I like to pack a little snack like this when I have class or am otherwise going to be somewhere where I might get hungry, but good-quality energy bars can get expensive, and who wouldn't rather make their own?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was intrigued.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not a big chocolate fan, so I decided to change this recipe around to suit my tastes. </div><div>Behold, the älysiabar:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpDMTPbFQHy-CZAavj1HH93fdGA58OKqetx8SWXYjga_9JWobJ6kqos11fsRJOk5eSn6JqtaSGJc4vgIRZtLKVfq3b50PNPVQOkV2h3UzSN4AQ4qBU0fo9Xzkdj4_GMbDN0uSA-SrU0E/s1600-h/DSCN1873.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpDMTPbFQHy-CZAavj1HH93fdGA58OKqetx8SWXYjga_9JWobJ6kqos11fsRJOk5eSn6JqtaSGJc4vgIRZtLKVfq3b50PNPVQOkV2h3UzSN4AQ4qBU0fo9Xzkdj4_GMbDN0uSA-SrU0E/s320/DSCN1873.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483874641869186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ingredients:</div><div>1 16oz package Medjool dates</div><div>1.5 cups roasted unsalted mixed nuts</div><div>Juice and most of the zest from one small lemon</div><div>1/4 cup whole flax seed</div><div>1/3 cup dried cranberries</div><div>1/2 teaspoon sea salt</div><div>A little bit of whole wheat flour (or any flour, really)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK_lMyQjclVzamUe7RPxWGQoC7eOYTjbnLCk9osdyVGXYULZfbxoCwE2o8hJ0GC3XlU_EbepSlRImBMgYUKWAc47vcqUwjiEK2lKTwoXLcXFyKICkxZ4y1wRPprPuP59PFru2T1RAe24/s1600-h/DSCN1862.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK_lMyQjclVzamUe7RPxWGQoC7eOYTjbnLCk9osdyVGXYULZfbxoCwE2o8hJ0GC3XlU_EbepSlRImBMgYUKWAc47vcqUwjiEK2lKTwoXLcXFyKICkxZ4y1wRPprPuP59PFru2T1RAe24/s320/DSCN1862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483853699883122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>First, pulse the nuts in a food processor until they are broken up, but not reduced to a dust. Remove and set aside.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div>If your dates are not pitted, you will need to pit them yourself (like I did). Simply slice in half with a paring knife and remove the pits.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6AwuFmgVewJGlM3Rkp8-KmsDJr7wHIOnKgxg0uel_6InC8AyEMsv_K_Zfhxc0W46Vbl74BPoQTbF63XbsoOWo_ovEimCKRFnI_dFYOsihmCP4Cs4zE87wNlV0DzB9hyphenhyphenATqUNmzgqTgY/s1600-h/DSCN1864.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6AwuFmgVewJGlM3Rkp8-KmsDJr7wHIOnKgxg0uel_6InC8AyEMsv_K_Zfhxc0W46Vbl74BPoQTbF63XbsoOWo_ovEimCKRFnI_dFYOsihmCP4Cs4zE87wNlV0DzB9hyphenhyphenATqUNmzgqTgY/s320/DSCN1864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483860026284050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div>Process dates into a thick paste in the food processor. You will know they are mashed enough when a ball forms and starts threatening to jam up the blade. Take the ball out, break it into pieces, and put it back into the food processor (your hands are going to be sticky now if they weren't already).</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div>Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the flour), and process until mixed, or until another ball forms. Take the ball out, and if it looks like it could still use a little mixing, knead it around in your hands.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div>Flour your baking pan (I used an 8.5" square pyrex dish) and then press in the mixture.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpndpsvdNXxq1ApxJs6qp8BT06lac33NoGW8OPjwF2f2PwKWIVlD4A4qoYvEUh60czAujxG6Mf2Vvy7bs12jDZ48Ui9s4d0g7U0Fjp0-XPyp4UU_ix95qGusQrMhkSswFF9pTNL9j5Qk/s1600-h/DSCN1866.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpndpsvdNXxq1ApxJs6qp8BT06lac33NoGW8OPjwF2f2PwKWIVlD4A4qoYvEUh60czAujxG6Mf2Vvy7bs12jDZ48Ui9s4d0g7U0Fjp0-XPyp4UU_ix95qGusQrMhkSswFF9pTNL9j5Qk/s320/DSCN1866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483864050137538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div>Put it in the fridge and let it set until firm, then cut up into small rectangles and wrap them individually in plastic wrap. I got 15 out of the batch, they seem small but they are really rich and packed with energy. A little goes a long way! They will keep for about a week in the fridge.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoiJW6YRbFlWeB8V5gukFfj787MvyJqr8OtWd7ufXhqJBw4MZTIQ1ycPgHS8moEOxQQVbm5pg_EWHEOpdOQ8wwMQTSXcw8b9Ydlp6RAiNZoP_LZxpD6frxkIUQzHHkF-1FaPYGvzGtUo/s1600-h/DSCN1868.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoiJW6YRbFlWeB8V5gukFfj787MvyJqr8OtWd7ufXhqJBw4MZTIQ1ycPgHS8moEOxQQVbm5pg_EWHEOpdOQ8wwMQTSXcw8b9Ydlp6RAiNZoP_LZxpD6frxkIUQzHHkF-1FaPYGvzGtUo/s320/DSCN1868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483872277191410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-53225374986923060312009-08-02T12:01:00.009-04:002009-08-02T12:45:01.610-04:00Kombucha Update<div style="text-align: left;">So I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats, wondering what's going on with my k<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ombucha</span> brewing <a href="http://alysiamakes.blogspot.com/2009/07/kombucha-take-one.html">venture</a>. You can relax, I'm going to fill you in right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>I checked on my jar-o-'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">booch</span> today, and to my delight, things are happening! Good, culture-growth things. There is a film that has formed on the top, which will become the new "mother" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SCOBY</span>, that you can see here:</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nqAPlverR4j1RPvfx4YMK-uJk7DINBYCaM1wUXs1y8c6iBXFw3J611Gp6BL5HXVsQUZLSXATZeckNfEYHGZFYkZRvccQ0NNDCt_osDd_a_CaenA2hGnO_Dlxz_vft46xvVTG6Kn6bdg/s320/DSCN1855.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365398538089558866" /><div><br /></div><div>You can also see that the original <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SCOBY</span> is growing in size/thickness, and I think there might even be another one that is beginning to grow, as well:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u6wCllXgZeoWWvTwjJ8qL6YYARyGyrGgRPEQSu3Liz8AL11VXe6I5NnIJRX1cw_NVqUJsJeIYv5mAylc0M7AGyGs3OSbCUjZQeka0WVh2TT2PMPbFEn1Lxq_nJyaV7ve2d3R3MIYi-g/s1600-h/DSCN1859.JPG"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u6wCllXgZeoWWvTwjJ8qL6YYARyGyrGgRPEQSu3Liz8AL11VXe6I5NnIJRX1cw_NVqUJsJeIYv5mAylc0M7AGyGs3OSbCUjZQeka0WVh2TT2PMPbFEn1Lxq_nJyaV7ve2d3R3MIYi-g/s320/DSCN1859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365398558706612082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I have been asked, what am I going to <i>do</i> with this fungus-tea, if and when it ever comes to maturity. Well, I am going to drink it, of course!</div><div><br /></div><div>But why!?!? It's got floaty culture bits and who knows what else in it.... I mean, gross.</div><div><br /></div><div>Colby is concerned:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaa7vZ6TVN0-K1rFuWnGowBCq-vHeWEK5oFJ8IlVuZKmqJ6uTBikb3dV_JjeYkYx2l8ifSTLM6rnfwx7bMDNFRnxae60ToJzABOMglgTTdYM8Y_FQXoTsmeTGPGle4eVdomBXVUHmKvs/s320/DSCN1854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365398549660373602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kombucha</span> tea comes from China, where it has been brewed for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. It is purported to be a kind of "cure-all" tonic, and people who know and love it have story after story about what it has done to improve their health and their lives. What makes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">kombucha</span> "work" is the fact that it is a living beverage, chock-full of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">probiotic</span> (good bacteria) material. It is actually available, bottled, at most health-food, Whole-Foods type places. Here's an example of a bottle I purchased and drank at my local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kimberton</span> Whole Foods store:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_KY6dR8ICI3XU-g0y9g2uKJJCvaODwJzSA0vIe_e_2PrZUS3G9FScaxACV3AG6f6dluotgjfVRy2yJq0_oVekgV1w-_LpxOE0cOrxBC2G_EBqgl4C-ZHa9SqrMD0kDXHFIVIHPS4kJY/s1600-h/CIMG0067.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_KY6dR8ICI3XU-g0y9g2uKJJCvaODwJzSA0vIe_e_2PrZUS3G9FScaxACV3AG6f6dluotgjfVRy2yJq0_oVekgV1w-_LpxOE0cOrxBC2G_EBqgl4C-ZHa9SqrMD0kDXHFIVIHPS4kJY/s320/CIMG0067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365402089130723810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I highly recommend this flavor. Yum!</div><div><br /></div><div>So why am I, specifically, interested in this beverage? Those of you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">who</span> know me well, also know that I have quite the problem stomach. One of the main benefits ascribed to the consumption of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">probiotics</span> is improved digestion and gastrointestinal function. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">homebrewing</span> process appeals to both the science geek and culinary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">crafter</span> in me ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>*Phew!* Colby is relieved.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCcItTC_yL3Xw9X-rhyPYH7-LZXbR-n_vvQeHv3SwkcT559rD_y6wBMY4KxGZD4MGMfTyReIwsRjVW_0fdsMio19NsJw7hgxMyZj52ZakgJUwYCLJD79ypVlfxeDV4LBtRhqX-1WHbJY/s1600-h/DSCN1857.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCcItTC_yL3Xw9X-rhyPYH7-LZXbR-n_vvQeHv3SwkcT559rD_y6wBMY4KxGZD4MGMfTyReIwsRjVW_0fdsMio19NsJw7hgxMyZj52ZakgJUwYCLJD79ypVlfxeDV4LBtRhqX-1WHbJY/s320/DSCN1857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365398553195546866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can all go back to your regularly-scheduled Sunday naps, now (Colby in particular).</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-84882773419986946782009-07-31T01:13:00.009-04:002009-08-02T12:33:16.627-04:00NightcraftingWhat, you don't stay up until 1am sewing? Well, I do. And I did tonight.<br /><br />Because I can never fall asleep at a decent hour anymore, I decided to finally do something with this big ol' shirt I bought for like $3 at a thrift store:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ugei8o2Cplo8Ln0-2tSzitqOEc3I23qRDeVW6NQoUt9BvgjrKtZRUpBNmowRSwgFrGz4Cw5aFCF2B-Lp1GJ_KIFoqUf3qdTxlDsbiRdZs00tqaOw89_od2QcN1a5HfPG-_4kfxqnLL0/s1600-h/DSCN1825.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ugei8o2Cplo8Ln0-2tSzitqOEc3I23qRDeVW6NQoUt9BvgjrKtZRUpBNmowRSwgFrGz4Cw5aFCF2B-Lp1GJ_KIFoqUf3qdTxlDsbiRdZs00tqaOw89_od2QcN1a5HfPG-_4kfxqnLL0/s320/DSCN1825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364488414419033874" border="0" /></a><br />It's a men's 3x, but I love the colors in the plaid and decided it was really meant to be a summer dress, not a big shirt.<br /><br />So, I cut it up....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGadH6Zlgn_rnFgUkjmLE8saL0pbCw5-EoargDSahvb5_2JeHUUfrDdC87Fdk2lr0NiC983ePm8mKhmCjKd0sjV8LdFigpOMVfHGgtUmB6Hp6Dgl-zkCIPQygF7iz-GMqcvRc1PBOdmo/s1600-h/DSCN1827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGadH6Zlgn_rnFgUkjmLE8saL0pbCw5-EoargDSahvb5_2JeHUUfrDdC87Fdk2lr0NiC983ePm8mKhmCjKd0sjV8LdFigpOMVfHGgtUmB6Hp6Dgl-zkCIPQygF7iz-GMqcvRc1PBOdmo/s320/DSCN1827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364488899412696338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And remade it into this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QbYBnUsqiD3-lcYRqQaz8BX8br5LLEpOwcziF2BzcbZ2e4DdWhv3OytzjWG9cMp6Yj8gyjlRci541V-XhDzM30BpmfnKhzVne2DVUm3ukbgfrnxfY-CaFZQWA7lr_boY6bvhaD0hAk/s1600-h/DSCN1837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QbYBnUsqiD3-lcYRqQaz8BX8br5LLEpOwcziF2BzcbZ2e4DdWhv3OytzjWG9cMp6Yj8gyjlRci541V-XhDzM30BpmfnKhzVne2DVUm3ukbgfrnxfY-CaFZQWA7lr_boY6bvhaD0hAk/s320/DSCN1837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364489144663695698" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for the crappy pics, I'm going to go ahead and blame the poor lighting (and it is past 1am, after all!)<br /><br />A stupid-face side shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg5r4gvdjGbAkR68BnccqBwLlQAQB56w9oTgYasPpbNjjdd2WbdYart6rb4aw6d_aMnt4om9_JdkOPz2DMKn2dwUpnloK7g0tyzgrxNmBuXmQenmsnflSHZOYiKtFOrT32BZIjeltbt4/s1600-h/DSCN1833.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg5r4gvdjGbAkR68BnccqBwLlQAQB56w9oTgYasPpbNjjdd2WbdYart6rb4aw6d_aMnt4om9_JdkOPz2DMKn2dwUpnloK7g0tyzgrxNmBuXmQenmsnflSHZOYiKtFOrT32BZIjeltbt4/s320/DSCN1833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364489433622029954" border="0" /></a><br />And a shot from the back:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2PNxhpAfyWXDyK1Os20jnDyVuKP2RTurO0LEED6Qo15gM9ShB6W9mt2Mrvc_x4G5c0SU6hpJ3ZHRh3H_9czRcqnFyYuYEMAkAaipDntMpb81wR_WiTU18DrTH7Pmej9EnAikn0aEzms/s1600-h/DSCN1834.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2PNxhpAfyWXDyK1Os20jnDyVuKP2RTurO0LEED6Qo15gM9ShB6W9mt2Mrvc_x4G5c0SU6hpJ3ZHRh3H_9czRcqnFyYuYEMAkAaipDntMpb81wR_WiTU18DrTH7Pmej9EnAikn0aEzms/s320/DSCN1834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364489620903030642" border="0" /></a><br />Goodnight!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-86111655125466658132009-07-30T10:54:00.005-04:002009-07-30T11:18:36.327-04:00Yes, sir, I am crazy.So this past weekend was my best friend Kristin's bridal shower/bachelorette. It was a super time, and I couldn't be more excited for her :)<br />Anyway, I gave her a framed photo (that Doug took) of the place where she and her fiance met, but I also wanted to give her something else. I was planning to buy something and considering all the options, when I realized that it's just not my style. So a handmade gift it would be.<br /><br />This is where the crazy comes in.<br /><br />I decided on Sunday, the week before her shower, to crochet a blanket for her. For all you non-yarncrafters, this is an immense amount of work. Luckily, I am a pretty quick crocheter, so I dove in headfirst. I used a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired pattern that can be found <a href="http://www.creativehomeartsclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=104502">here</a>. I omitted one row of squares, so as to change it from a rectangle shape to a square, as I imagine it being used as a sofa throw, and the size as dictated by the pattern is quite large for this purpose. I had actually seen this pattern a while ago, and thought it would be nice in shades of purple (her favorite color) as a gift for Kristin and her fiance, but forgot about it.<br /><br />Long story short... despite working and going to class all week, I managed to finish (with the exception of the border) in time for the party on Sunday. Whew! My hands were a little crampy, I'll tell you that much.<br /><br />I will post better pics once I get it back to do the simple border (a quick job, I just ran out of time), but for now here are two from the shower:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4Blqoat3244qxNxZPvtme8KW_GP-nxSasg2Bo_rcdTSoLuNtwx36qCODs2mmHJFJLjgE1mO0kM74aIuroHkVzaM1zLDlzlhk0nshFEXdWJ1rIVk4LYrs16pJMztogR1SMEKiU4tDGHA/s1600-h/blanket2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4Blqoat3244qxNxZPvtme8KW_GP-nxSasg2Bo_rcdTSoLuNtwx36qCODs2mmHJFJLjgE1mO0kM74aIuroHkVzaM1zLDlzlhk0nshFEXdWJ1rIVk4LYrs16pJMztogR1SMEKiU4tDGHA/s320/blanket2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364270183216723458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fQ2UlrbjZAqvqyvSTYOj7HdscqdVKmDpN98m2k6eQreYGWPvGeT-f51Kl9g9WDAacC5IV06JuRgVH4ogur3Nsye6-g8ggoHLTlglAj05plEPTc7rDg3tx2y8qiV4bKp2pho9yYgDg9U/s1600-h/blanket3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fQ2UlrbjZAqvqyvSTYOj7HdscqdVKmDpN98m2k6eQreYGWPvGeT-f51Kl9g9WDAacC5IV06JuRgVH4ogur3Nsye6-g8ggoHLTlglAj05plEPTc7rDg3tx2y8qiV4bKp2pho9yYgDg9U/s320/blanket3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364270253864981954" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-85241143902421019682009-07-29T11:04:00.000-04:002009-07-29T11:29:57.175-04:00Kombucha: Take OneToday, I am trying my hand at brewing homemade kombucha. To rip off Wikipedia, kombucha is "a fermented tea that is quaffed for medicinal purposes. Kombucha is generally fermented using a visible solid mass of microorganisms called a 'kombucha culture'." There is a great post on how to do this over on <a href="http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/06/adventures-in-fermentation-%E2%80%93-kombucha/">Sustainable Table</a>, check it out.<br /><br />So where to start? First, I needed a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Luckily, due to the high rate of reproduction of these little slimy fellas, there are plenty of good-hearted souls looking to unload their extra SCOBY "babies" over on the <a href="http://www.kombu.de/suche2.htm">Kombucha Exchange</a>. To my surprise, one of the few PA volunteers lives in the next town over from me. How convenient! Within a few days of email, my new SCOBY had arrived home.<br /><br />So now to make the tea. I decided to only make about a half gallon (in our one-gallon pickle jar), so as not to overwhelm my new SCOBY. I brewed up enough rooibos tea, added organic sugar and some vinegar, and let it cool. It took overnight, due to the heat (ugh). This morning, I added the SCOBY:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ekFgFrO-U1rC4KQxrcz5AHGJvh40CdLIw0Zd7wU1MtTbkK98LIEOlmLXddieoVzeN0Zg0ONCflVmUWqDM8DAZGnos-HlyVn2d5zX916_woZcvZbafKMPz6rcEgqwkfOOKjfvGTRMFcY/s1600-h/CIMG0099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ekFgFrO-U1rC4KQxrcz5AHGJvh40CdLIw0Zd7wU1MtTbkK98LIEOlmLXddieoVzeN0Zg0ONCflVmUWqDM8DAZGnos-HlyVn2d5zX916_woZcvZbafKMPz6rcEgqwkfOOKjfvGTRMFcY/s320/CIMG0099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363903673808398114" border="0" /></a><br />(Sorry for the lousy-lighting cellphone pics)<br /><br />Here's a closer shot where you can kind of see the little disc of culture (the SCOBY):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9pp2_PN74r46bEwBlRZg-hSyFXF5Eet2jxyaHC_ImYcfDzNXPhvxOCICq4RJLO0ij6C4l-MVsaqnbJt1yseMhKaa6eVyRAJDN6syvkiem1rK4yFIdg-UZg2_vUQZ9zj44X2o4pTJ9Mk/s1600-h/CIMG0101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9pp2_PN74r46bEwBlRZg-hSyFXF5Eet2jxyaHC_ImYcfDzNXPhvxOCICq4RJLO0ij6C4l-MVsaqnbJt1yseMhKaa6eVyRAJDN6syvkiem1rK4yFIdg-UZg2_vUQZ9zj44X2o4pTJ9Mk/s320/CIMG0101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363904248357384866" border="0" /></a><br />So now the waiting begins! According to my research, it should take a week or so to ferment. Only time will tell...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268931651144851646.post-40138183315781989972009-07-29T10:57:00.001-04:002009-07-29T10:57:45.388-04:00Me, too.Inspired by the millions of other blogs out there, I decided to create my own. I plan to use it to record the things I make on a semi-regular basis, for my own benefit and that of anyone who feels like reading along. We’ll see how it goes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0