Ornaments

Debbie posted a pic on Pinterest that had six versions of felt animal ornaments. Lauren needed to craft one day and turned out the following three. She decided to go the easy route and not stitch around them but they are adorable and super easy!

Artsy

I have actually done quite a bit of sewing and other craftiness lately...but since most of the crap awesomeness is going to be Christmas presents, I can't really show any pictures for a few weeks.

Here's something I can show you:

Keira and I had a ton of fun doing backgrounds on canvas. Keira used different colors, but the principle is the same - choose two or three or four colors of paint and squirt some directly on the canvas, then spread with a dry paintbrush - blending a bit as you go.

I found these stencils at Michael's in the art aisle in the drafting supplies.  Using my 40% coupon they ended up only costing two or three bucks - which is an even better steal when you realize that there are TWO complete sets.  One set of 3/4 inch and one set of 1 inch both have complete upper and lower case and numbers!

Butterick 3762 - Pattern Review

I was looking for a simple dress pattern for my granddaughter for her birthday/Christmas dress.  I had already bought some very busy fabric, so I knew I didn't want a busy style - and since the Butterick patterns were only a dollar (JoAnn's, Black Friday), this was the one I went with.

I'm not really sure that I ought to call this a 'pattern review' since I changed several things about it, didn't follow the directions, and don't know yet whether the size is true or not, but here goes.

Oven Mitts Tutorial

If a picture says a 1,000 words, you're in for a feature length novel here....

I first saw some hot pads like this at Porter's (in Rexburg) back in August.  I thought they combined functional and cute pretty well.  Then I forgot about them.  I ran across them again a week ago and pinned them on Pinterest.  The gal that writes The Idea Room even included a download-able pattern.  Brilliant.  Being me, I couldn't leave well enough alone, so I'll show you what tweaks I made (and I do mean show you - I took twenty thousand pictures of the process...more or less).

I cut out all the pieces to make 2 different oven mitts, then shuffled the pieces a bit.

Wrist Clutch/Purse Organizer

I have this secret nagging fear that I will leave my wallet home someday, go to the store, open my purse and not be able to pay.  Oh, you do too?

Not only do I worry about not having it with me when I need it, I often end up having to carry my wallet and keys into the store without a purse at all - because I don't want to lug the big tote bag in.  I don't like just setting my keys and wallet in the shopping cart - for one thing, the keys always slip down through the gaps. What I really need is some sort of bag that would be small enough to fit in my purse or my tote bag - just big enough for my wallet, keys and cell phone - that could also be carried on its own.  When I saw this cute little bag on Happy Find, I knew I was onto something.




My first prototype.

 

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Fancy.

Happy Birthday to me!  In honor of the day, I took cupcakes to seminary and used my new Open Star Tip (Wilton 1M) to tart them up.  Fancy Schmancy?  Yes.  Easy Peasy? Even more so.

I saw some beautiful rosette cupcakes on Glorious Treats.  The talented lady who writes that blog included a tutorial. I liked what I saw so much that I bought the tip last week when I was at JoAnn's.  I didn't even bother to make the frosting (teenagers will eat anything that features sugar...) - I just opened up a can of cream cheese frosting and added a few drops of red and yellow food coloring.  If I was really trying to be fancy, I would used slightly thicker frosting so that the 'petals' stand up more.

And there you go...

"P" Bags

This is what a foley bag looks like...more or less. 
It's not really very attractive, and when it has urine in it, it's even less so.
Thus the need for "P" Bags.

Purging

I found a quick and easy little check list (here) for one woman's home.  I love the idea of Debbie's Sanctuary Challenge (which my irreverent mind will insist saying with a Quasimodo accent, 'Sanctuary!') but this week is super busy for me and I can't think of anything off-hand to do that won't pull me into a project quicksand.  But this seemed easy...and sanctuary facilitating.  So I'm doing some clutter cleaning.  I'm thinking 10 bags.

Sanctuary Challenge

This past weekend we had a speaker at church (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) who talked about sanctuaries - and about how they should be a refuge from 'the world'.  The most important sanctuary we have is our own home. 

Here's my challenge this week:

Make at least one room...or failing that, PART of one room in your house a place where you (or a family member) can go and feel at peace and safe from the world. 

Let's see some pictures people!

Yam-Salsa Meatballs

I made meatballs on Sunday. Secretly. While the children were watching VeggieTales, I loaded the slow cooker and disposed of the evidence.

At dinner time, the children ate ecstatically. "I love this dinner!" said several children. Trevor asked me what was in it. I told him Costco meatballs. He said, "Yum! Maddie needs to know because I'm going to marry her when I grow up!"

We'll never mind this recipe was born because I had inadvertently picked up a can of yams at the store, not realizing we were out of cranberry sauce. 

Yam-Salsa Meatballs

frozen meatballs (about 2 lbs.)

small jar of mild salsa

large can of yams, drained

Fill the slow cooker about 2/3 full with frozen meatballs. Mash the yams with a fork (or blender). Stir in the salsa. Pour over the meatballs and stir. Cook on low for about 6 hours.

For cran-salsa meatballs, replace the yams with one small can of cranberry sauce.

Gallery Wall

The room's not done yet - but I thought I'd give you a peek at our gallery wall(s).

 

There's no rhyme or reason - except that Steve's relatives are on his side...mine are on my side.
Ignore the bookcase - that's next on my list.





Yes, I went with long curtains, horizontal stripes.



Goodwill steals

I really should know better than to try and take pictures in my bedroom after dark.  Oh well, you get what you get. I thought I'd give you a peek at my newest additions to "Roundup Time at the Lazy B" aka My Master Bedroom.



For $3 I snagged some kind of wooden thingy that was just right for a tv riser...after Andrew and I cut it in half.  So really, the tv riser ended up being $1.50.  The other half is on Steve's night stand...you'll just have to wait to see it.



For $3.50 Steve and I found this cool bench.  It's a bit deep for the space - nothing a table saw can't remedy.

I still haven't sorted out the Great Curtain Dilemma...but I am a step or two closer to a finished room.

Curtain Dilemma



I got a great deal on this Ralph Lauren fabric...the colors and style are right.



My problem is this: should I do traditional long curtains with the stripes vertical?



Or should I do short OR long with the strips horizontal.


Let's recap the choices:
1. Long w/ vertical stripes.
2. Long w/ horizontal stripes.
3. Short w/ horizontal stripes.

Simplicity 4947--Review

I've been sewing clothes lately and have only recently stepped into the black void of pattern sewing.  Sewing from a pattern has been an interesting trip--I find I am greatly inclined to do what I know how to do, sewing to my strengths and whatnot.  But when I cut out and assemble a pattern, I have to do other things--zippers, darts, etc.  Things I would never actually choose to do.

I really like vintage patterns (so much funner to sew something you KNOW you won't find at the store) and this one, found in the GW rummage bins for, like, 50 cents, said 'Jiffy'.  (That's for me!)  It was a awesome, awesome pattern to make my first dress on. Very simple and quick to do but classic.  It could look a ton of different ways based on the fabric and the accessorizing. 

I love the look in that blonde model's face. ("The secret plans for the nuclear weapons are mine, finally mine!  I will crush them all!")

"Hey, Floral Print. (blows cigarette smoke into her face) Nice hair. Why don't you make me some coffee while I take over the world." 

I had five yards of an off-beat Navajo-inspired print I picked up at the great GW for a song--I didn't love, love the print but figured it was cheap as dirt and...well, that's it, really.  It was cheap as dirt.  I wasn't going to cry if I botched the job.  I began cutting at 1pm in the afternoon and finished up that early evening (with tons of downtime because I had to make a run to JoAnne's for a zipper and pick Jonah up from scouts).  I left the hemline below the knee because Zac likes to roller-derby on my lap during sacrament meeting.

Box pleat!

But the neckline.  I had added some inches to the pattern to make it fit my curves which was all well and good for my hips but the subtle boat neckline was bowing out like the lid of that carton of cottage cheese in the fridge, a month past its sell-by date.  Kylene (a skeptical-of-my-Navajo-pattern Kylene) suggested a box pleat.  Instant awesome.  Zero effort.

Still, it needed a name.  The print, as I mentioned, has a little Indian-style Southwestern thing going on which reminds me of 50s sweater-girl Jane Russell.   

The 18-hour-bra for us 'full-figured' gals!

 I saw an interview of her on the Larry King show, maybe 10 years ago.  She was dripping in Southwestern turquoise.  In my callow youth I was icked out.  Turquoise.  Only old ladies wore turquoise.  Time has brought me around on the subject of turquoise.  The rock has grown on me.  And so has the idea of being over-dressed for Larry King. 

I call this "The Eighteen Hour Dress"

Maybe this means I'm an old lady now?

Roasted Beet Balsamic Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

1 1/2 lbs baby beets, red & yellow (you can use full sized but cut them in half for roasting)

Extra Virgin olive oil

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

4 ounces feta, goat or other semi soft cheese

Dressing

1 shallot, finely minced

5 Tbls balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbls maple syrup

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Combine shallot, balsamic, oil and maple syrup in a small jar with a tight lid, shake vigorously until blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400'. Wash beets until outer skin is rubbed clean - and mostly gone. Trim off both ends. (If regular sized beets cut in half.) Cut two 12" x 12" pieces of foil. Place one piece on a baking sheet. Spray with non-stick spray and place beets in the middle. Drizzle with a small amount of oil then seal with the other piece of foil and seal the edges. Roast for approximately 1 hour or until a knife pierces beet smoothly (do this through the foil). Take out of oven and cool for 20 minutes. Cut beets into bite sized pieces. Place beets in serving bowl, pour dressing over and mix. Sprinkle on cheese and toss lightly. Serve warm or cold.

Lauren Makes Dinner

Chicken Parmesan

4 boneless chicken breasts - pounded to 1/2" with mallet (Optional but increase cooking time)

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

2 large eggs beaten with 2 Tbls water

4 Tbls oil

Marinara sauce (We like Barilla)

8 slices mozzarella, thin sliced

1/2 cup shaved or grated Parmesan

1/8 cup basil or parsley

Preheat oven to 400'. Season chicken both sides with garlic salt and white pepper (black is fine), Dredge each breast in flour and tap off excess, then dip chicken in egg and let excess drip off. Dredge on both sides with panko crumbs.

Heat oil on high in large skillet. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes each side. Transfer to baking sheet and top with tomato sauce and a couple slices of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes depending on the thickness of chicken breasts. Remove from oven and garnish with basil or parsley.

No More Little Boys

I am not a fast mover when it comes to painting. I am too picky to have someone else do it and I have too much stuff to do - work, kids, primary, laundry, shuttle service, you know - during the day to dedicate a whole block of days. I had a entire week of spackling, texturizing and sanding, three days of detail brush work on the ceiling and the closet doors took two days of spray painting. SO! Six weeks later I'm as done as I'm going to be ... for now. (I have two more posters coming.) From baby blue with bugs to buttery yellow with a burnt orange accent wall. I think it turned out fabulous!! What say you?

Mini Chocolate Donuts

My first attempt at mini donuts was less than encouraging.  I followed the recipe on the packaging for my Wilton mini donut pan.  It made lovely little donuts, which tasted like cardboard. Fail.



Sure, they're lovely, but they tasted like cardboard. 
Lucky for me kids will eat anything that has chocolate frosting on it.

Keira's Adventures in Sewing

Debbie is a genius.  A. Genius.
How else do you explain the phenomenon of her churning out two dresses and a shirt up-cycle without laying a finger on them?

Okay.  Well, maybe I sewed them but hands were held, people.

Upcycled men's shirt to girl's dress

It's pretty hard to see, but I put six pleats in the skirt front.

Oh What Do You in the Summertime?

We've been very busy at Casa Dominguez this week.  Here's a sampler of our deeds (I'm leaving out Keira's sewing adventures - she'll be doing a post on that soon):

Do you use an oil-based paint pen to turn black and PINK soccer cleats into black and BROWN soccer cleats?  

Do you clean out your sister's pantry? 

Do you make darling mini donuts? 

Did you paint a picture for Marcy's birthday?

Did you make and gather stuff for seminary?

Did you create a fairy village and name it "Pixie Hollow"? Laura did.

Did you make up-cycle a dress for a 5 year old from a woman's shirt?

Yup. We were busy.  What did you do this week?

Pattern Review - Simplicity 4206

I only made the top from this pattern (so far). It is a very easy top - and very easy to adjust.  I added a band to the end of the sleeves for a little interest and a band to the bottom of the bodice to make it a little more modest.

Upcycled skirt

Goodwill is SUCH a fun place to shop!  I'm wondering if I can talk Keira into one more trip this week (it's practically on the way back to her house after we drop off the teen cousins at EFY).

I forgot to take a before picture - the original skirt looked much like the one I made - only it was twice as long and twice as wide. 

Someone else went to the trouble to make all these horizontal pleats...all I did was sew one seam up the back, turn the top down (twice) and stitch an elastic casing.  I'm not quite done with the skirt - I'll have to take it back up to Washington and try it on Miriam so I can adjust the elastic length.

Upcycled dress

I found this humonguos little beauty at Goodwill.  It looked like it had  possibilities. I like the dip-dyed effect on the skirt.


I had Miriam try it on, then I pinned it about where I wanted the width of the bodice to be.



I then cut armholes and neckline (I think I used a pattern for a guide for the armholes.



I cut sleeves from the leftover fabric, using a puffy sleeve pattern piece.



The color is great on her, but I'm not thrilled with the neckline - it could have used a little something more (more than white bias tape).



For a bit of fanciness, I braided some leftover skirt material and then coiled it into a circle and stitched it together.