Likely Story

Birthday Thank You's

Yesterday was my birthday (32) and I just wanted to thank everyone for the awesome gifts!
Always on the quilting front, Bea came through with some excellent supplies and a cute, simple Amy Butler kit.

My friend Rachael also went the awesome craft route with two books I desperately wanted (thanks again!)

Josh, of course, got me exactly what I wanted - an Orla Kiely bag and flowers!!

My mom got me a couple of cool books, a top and a ton fo gift certificates to my favorite lunch places!

And, last but certainly not least, my Dad got me this truly awesome and amazing antique sewing box that even has tiny hidden drawers (I'll never tell where)!!  This thing is sooooo cooooool!  I love it!!!

Thanks again everyone!!! 

Did I mention...

That I'm teaching myself to sew?

I followed instructions which taught me how to make a pattern which I used to sew this cutey of a bag!
Of course, I seem to be a bit pattern dyslexic, so figuring out the lining took me about 3 tries, but otherwise I'm pretty pleased.  Yay me!

Best. Cookie. Ever. and other assorted brilliance.

I present the best Oatmeal, Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookie.
They are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle.  The cranberries present a lovely tang when balanced against the dark chocolate and the brown sugar dough.  Not too many chips or craisins and the oats aren't all up in your grill, either.  They are in a word, perfection.  Don't you want some?  You do?  Okay, here's the recipe:

Oat Chocolate Chip Craisin Cookies by me.

2 sticks butter
1 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. castor sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp good vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 - 1 1/2 c. chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips
3/4 c. craisins (dried, sweetened cranberries)

ovens at 350 f    please.
 cream butter and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix until just combined.
In theory, you should sift the dry, but I never do.  Mix in flour, salt and soda until a good dough forms.  Fold in oats, chips and craisins.

Bake 15-18 minutes, depending on your oven.  They tend to burn quickly, so watch the first tray or two.  Cool on a rack and eat!

But what to store these little treats in?  Oh, I know!!  An awesome cookie jar that I smuggled back from the UK in my suitcase. How could a cookie jar be awesome you may ask? Because its a retro, ceramic (not that cheap, plastic crap you see making the rounds), Dr. Who TARDIS cookie jar - hell yeah! And it was only a tenner!   Bask in it's glory, internets!

Checklist

Finish the back panel of Jemima.....check!

Sew an obscene number of Buck-A-Block squares (as I was horribly behind on them)......check!

Plan a delicious and well deserved Valentine's Day mini break someplace lovely (like here)......check!

See, I do get things done....sometimes.
See you after V-Day!

FO's and WIPs

Good Morning!  I have made some progress here in the last few days.  FOs first!  I have rescued a lovely sweater from its stained, Good Will existence.  It now has a new life and new career in my closet, with the help of some left over Brown Sheep (I stiched on the flowery things to hide the sweater's sordid past).
See?  Pretty!  Not bad for 3 dollars.

Speaking of closets, have I mentioned Project New Year?  The first rule of Project New Year is we don't talk about Project New Year, but I invented Project New Year so I am breaking the first rule.  We are going through every ounce of all of our crap and donating, purging, repurposing, recycling and out right throwing away everything we don't need.  Yesterday was Phase 1, Bedroom Closets (ours and the spare rooms).  I am pleased to report Phase 1 a success.  Notice, cedar planks for clothes to rest on, new hooks on the wall (off screen) and new closet shelves, installed by me:

Finally, a WIP that is actually progressing, Tree Jacket!  I only have about 6 more inches to go on the body then it's time for the sleeves and then fini!  I like the way it's turning out so far, but I don't know if my gauge went ka-blooey or what, but I went from knitting myself a Large down to an Extra Small.  I prefer a snug sweater, but there is no way on this earth or in any other dimension I should ever be wearing an Extra Small.  Ever.  Even with heavy plastic and reconstructive surgery.  Not even if I have my torso removed.  Really.  But, whatever, it fits.  And now we're all caught up.

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Thank you for being so patient.  I know, you were all waiting with baited breath thinking, "What in the heavens is that mad woman up to these days?  Its been ages since she has polluted teh internetz with her exploits and wisdom!  Has she forgotten us, her loyal readers?"  No, Mom and Dad, I haven't. 

I have however been slammin' busy with random projects.  I have one book in pre-press and I have just finished laying out another (ed. note:  for those people not related to me, I design/edit books and stuff).  I have the potential for a few website consultations which, time permitting, will spiral into full site builds (time, incidentally, will most likely not permit).  I am officially behind in writing book reviews for two titles now.  It looks like I am unofficially catering my friend's gallery opening next weekend.  I am frantically knitting/sewing  holiday presents (which means my SKC knitting is on hold).  Also, in class, this Saturday, I am building and decorating a 4 tier wedding cake. 

But finally, and I think we all know, most importantly, I have discovered an Apple IIgs emulator for my laptop.  Oh sweet Jesus YES!!!  Today I have just beaten (with the aid of a walkthrough, yes...) TASS TIMES IN TONE TOWN.  And it's only taken me, what, 21-22 years?  Thank Christ!  That has been bugging me.  That game was the bane of my existence (when I was 9).  My cousin can attest to this.  She used to spend summers with us and she, too, rotted away her brain one summer pounding her skull against the hefty weight of the IIgs running Tass Times.  But now, who's the loser, Tass Times?  Huh?  I win, TTiTT.  You lose.  All I have to say is this:  Suck it Tass Times, there is nothing sad about my wrath. 

Ooooh.  That felt good.

Dream Zone - You're next!

On that note, here is a grainy picture of a giraffe cake.  Bon Appetit!

Nerd, Geek, Dork?

The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test

Your Score: Modern, Cool Nerd

82 % Nerd, 78% Geek, 47% Dork

which are you?

cake and knitting pics to come...

Mrs. Darcy is Blocking!!!

She is blocking now and hopefully, I can sew her up tonight.  Yay!

Also, our garage door is completely off track and the cable has come uncoiled from the right cable drum.
This happened at 6:30 am today.  This is not a good way to wake up.  Any ideas?

Tarts and Yarn

Yesterday was J's birthday.  He requested a fruit tart, claiming that cake was too heavy.  So, here we have a mixed berry tart with mexican vanilla pastry cream and a port wine glaze.  It was quite yummy.  Also, as you can see, I have only the sleeves to go on Mrs. Darcy.  Oh, Mrs. Darcy - she will be mine!

Its Amazing What A Little Haircut Can Do

So, the real reason I have been AWOL for so long has been a sneaky, creeping, mild depression.  I just didn't have it in me to write, knit, sew, etc.  It just wasn't there.  The whole ugliness has been rounded off by my having to leave the bakery.  I don't get to professionally make pretty cupcakes, fruit tarts or eclairs anymore. 
    Why did I quit?  Well, at the time I made the decision, I had convinced myself it was b/c the bakery job was awful.  And honestly, it wasn't great.  I did spend most of my time asking people if they wanted their loaves "sliced or whole" which is only one step up from asking "do you want fries with that?". 
    But really, I had to quit b/c after working 8-9 hours at the bakery, I could barely move my legs anymore.  My hips would scream and bite at me all night long.  You should see the Mt. Rushmore of pillows I have at my hip-propping disposal!  And not just the "too mild to consider surgery at this juncture" hip, but my "fixed through the miracle of surgery" hip as well.  Double teamed by my own joints!  The nerve of them.
    Anyhoo, so all of these things, and the questions they raise (ie:  what do you do when you figured out your passion in life and are too bloody crippled to pursue it?)  have been seriously bumming me out lately.
All of that, and I hated my hair.  OOH, have I been hating my hair.  I made the mistake of growing it out, b/c I wanted to feel French (long story) and it was just heavy and long and I am CONVINCED it made my ass look fat.  That's how much I hated my hair.
    Well, NO MORE! 

Which would you prefer, the out of focus but you get the idea photo or the dying of ennui with great hair photo?  Well, ok, you get both:

Look at that hair, man! I feel freakin' fantastic (despite my expression in the second photo).  Its amazing what a haircut can do!