W.I.P's

Just a little kntting WIP ( work in progress) for a friend. I got the pattern for free in Ravelry. You can find it here if you are interested.. I am using Malabrigo worsted, and it is sooo soft..



 

I love this color purple!

Will update when I am done!

~ Bianca

~2/13/2011~

UPDATE ... ALL Done!!

Valentine Bouquet

No need for flowers this Valentines Day. I made my own, well they are not flowers with petals and blooms, but a bouquet of hearts instead.  I wont have to take care of them, because I am awful at taking care of plants and have no green thumb! I made a little tutorial of how I made them for those who may be interested..

OK here is what you will need:

• 18 gauge cloth stem wire ( found in the floral section of Michael's, Beverly's, Joann's)
• Scrapbook Paper in colors of your choosing
• Craft Glue
• Vase for Flowers
• Ribbon

I used my Cricut to cut out different size hearts, You will need 2 of the same size for each flower, You could make a template or stencil if you don't have the cheater machine..

I put a dab of glue on the corners and middle of the flower



Then I placed the cloth stem in the middle of the heart/flower

Then I placed the other heart on top and sandwiched the stem in between the two

I placed the heart flowers under a heavy book while they dried so they would stay flat.

And here ya go , this was a super easy way to make a nice bouquet that will last the whole month! I added a little sand in the vase to keep the flowers standing straight and some ribbon to make them  feel pretty ...

There are tons of Valentine crafts out there in blogger land, I spend,  ummm hours, I mean minutes a day checking them out. Here are a few that I tried and some  I thought were cute..

I love this one, well all of them.. But this one gave me a new must have crafting supply to add to the list.

Here is the Tutorial  @ How about Orange, You should so try this! Below is her version

and here is mine.. My fabric choices ..

• 

Cutting out hearts..Glad I had a stencil!

• 
  
  

Sewing hearts Together

Ta Dah..

Love these, I made my own but forgot to take a pic of them.. Here is the tutorial @ A Life of Perpetual Probability

• I made these for Lily's Slumber Party.. Here is the instructions @ That's my letter

All you need is love, Love IT! You can make this HERE  @ Primp

This is on my TO DO list!! Need to get done asap.. Here is the Link to the Tutorial @ Flamingo Toes

So much Love and Crafts to share,
Hope you all have a great Heart day with the one you love.

~ Bianca

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

A  little story about the scariest cooking  adventure I have had ..ever... Awhile back a friend asked me to donate 6 months of baked goods ( one per month)  for a charity event she was doing. I agreed, so off  I went and  made my  list of old favorites and some new recipes that I had been wanting to try.

The winner of the auction picked  from my list Snickerdoodle Cupcakes {of course one of the newer recipes I had not yet tried } for her first baked item. Now there was no more wanting to try this out.. now its your gonna make this and it better taste good!

I found this recipe in the Martha Stewart Cupcake book or Here is the recipe on her website.Cupcakes  to me are the new Cake , like purple is the new black. So easy to make and decorate.

 

Are you a batter licker? I am the worst batter licker, sometimes I make things just so I can eat the batter. This was not the scary part if this adventure.. Its coming up.

Cupcakes cooling.. On to the frosting.. Here is where things get scary. Have you ever heard of 7 minute frosting?  I had heard of it, but never tried to make it. If you take a look at he recipe you might get and idea of what was so freaky , but let me spell it out for you. Raw eggs, and hot liquids ..if not combined at the right speed equals scrambled egg frosting..yuck.. Also you have to let the egg and hot syrupy mixture mix for 7 minutes and if you let it go to long poof.. flat and if you don't let it go long enough.. runny ..

Here is my kitchenaid mixin' away. I tried to follow the instructions, but it got to the point where I knew if i didn't stop it, my frosting was going to die.

All done! Here they are, all sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. My stress level dropped  100% when I finally frosted the last one. I handed them off to my friend and crossed my fingers that whoever was receiving these would like them. I of course had a try, but I was on such a sugar rush from all my batter licking I was worried about my taste buds being fried.

So , if you are going to try this one have a friend there for help and support. I think that would have made my experience a little less freaky!

Have a great weekend! ~ Bianca

New Pillows for Chase

 Well I bought this fabric well before Christmas  intending to make new pillows for Chase for Christmas..But this did not happen..

But I did get them done at some point there after.. Here is how I made them

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions..its seems easy enough to me so I might have skipped something important!!

1. I layed the fabric out  and  cut  one piece roughly the size of the pillow plus 1/2 in all  the way around the pillow.
2. Then I cut 2 more  pieces, 1 half the size of the pillow ( plus the 1/2 in all around)  and one 3/4 the size of the pillow ( plus the 1/2 in all around), so you should have 3 pieces
3. To Hem the edges that will be see in the back of the pillow I folded the edges 1/2 in and pressed and did it one more time so you wouldn't see any rough edges...

 Here is a picture

4. Then I sewed up the hem

5. Then I pinned the front to the two back pieces which should be over lapping  in the middle so you have a place to insert the pillow. ( right sides together) I used my surger to sew together because I didn't want any frayed edges and hanging threads after washing ( and no I don't wash my fabric first, its to messy!)

And Voila .. here they are, It is really really simple so if you get confused It is probably cause i missed something.. Here is a tutorial on standard pillow cases if you were wondering..

Chase really liked them !

~Bianca

Project January Complete

Yey , its done!! I completed the first of my New Year Craft-o-lution projects!!  I ended up picking the first book on the list Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Of course I picked and easy one to start out with so I wouldn't get all discombobulated ( and I didn't pick a quilt, but I am thinking about it!)

OK I have to tell you a bit of a funny story that goes along with this. This book has patten pieces in the back that you have to get enlarged from 250% -400% depending on the project.. So instead of trying to figure out how to do it at home on my printer scanner thing I was like " I'm gonna go to Kinko's and save myself a ton of time" Here is what happened

Kinko's worker:  hi how can I help you

Me: I have a book with some pattern pieces that I need to have enlarged..

Kinko's worker: Oh, we cant copy books due to copy write laws.

Me: Yes I know, but this book tells you to enlarge them, so I would think its OK to copy it??!!

Kinko's worker: Well we still cant do it.

Me: ( pointing to instructions in book that says to enlarge by 250%) but its says right here to copy and enlarge by 250%, why would it say that if you cant do it?

Kinko's worker: ( looks at front of book and points out page that says to not make copy of book)

Me: Yes, I get that ( trying to not be annoyed, but its is not working) BUT WHY would the author tell you to enlarge by 250% if you couldn't make a copy and enlarge it????

Kinko's worker: Well let me ask my manager..

Me: ( watching them as they skim through the pages getting increasingly annoyed, and not leaving with out my pattern)

2-5mins later

Kinko's worker: OK, but you are going to have to sign a waiver taking responsibility for coping the book.

Me: OK no problem ( back in line, when I got to the front the guy did not even care, did not ask for the waiver and proceeded making my pattern!)

So home I went to start my project, here is what I started with. A big ole' piece of paper that I had to cut out the pattern pieces from. And over here is the fabric I chose something old and something new.One is a upholstry weight fabric I used to sew a purse for a friend, and the othe is one of my newbies from the portland fabric store, just a cotton quilting fabric.

Here are the Pieces..OOOhh exciting...

Next of course I cut the fabric and sewed the pieces together as instructed. I left those pictures out due to copy write laws.. :-) I didn't want to get in trouble for showing you too much of how to do the project...you gotta buy your own book!

Here are the pieces sewn together

Here he is, in the book she calls him Steve. But I like Oliver better, who knows what the Lily and Lucy will call him??!!

Up Close Shot! Isn't he cute?! Not too bad..

This Project took no time at all, so I used up some of my extra Lucy nap time by making this little thingy.

A zippered little catch all bag, I do really hate sewing zippers!

                             

                                   Which so happened to go with this  bag I made awhile back

I really like this bag, I use it for my knitting projects. Made of Vinyl and super durable..

 OK so now I gotta pick project #2, but until then  Valentines projects to do and Lily's 7th birthday I have no idea of what to do!!?? ~ Bianca



New Year Craft-o-lutions

Hello, my name is Bianca, and I am a hoarder.. Not the kind of hoarder you see on TV where the people save everything from used bandaids to cereal boxes from 20 years ago. NO, I am way to OCD for that. But I do hoard. Books, Magazines, Fabric, Yarn, Buttons, Scrapbook Paper these are my "precious" ( insert creepy Golem voice from Lord of the Rings) .

Lately I have been on a mission to dust off my books and try and use up the supplies I hoard so that I don't feel sooo guilty when I happen to roam past the fabric section at Beverly's ( its so hard not to!) . So this is my new years Craft-o-lution.

First I want to start with my books. I love crafting books. I try to be smart about which ones I buy, I see them at the craft stores and as hard as it is to wait, I will always go home and buy them on Amazon. I only buy books that have more than one project I would like to do...unless the one is a REALLY good one.

My plan of attack is to pick one project from each book each month of this year and actually do it. My to do list has always been long, and getting longer. SO I figured if I made some of my list public I would have to face the shame of not getting it done!

OK, So here is the list of books I have to work from.

* disclaimer*

books are not in any order I may start with # 12 or whatever floats my boat. But I will get through all these books or you can publicly shame me and sew a "L" on my clothes because I'm a Laay-whoo-whoo-Zer..!

1. Denyse Schmidt Quilts- do get fooled by the title, there are smaller projects to work on in this book! For me to start and finish a quilt would take all year!
2. Softies- Stuffed animals for the kids, like they need more, but they are so cute
3.Stencil 101- Just got this one, cant wait!
4. Amy Butler's In Stitches- Have a huge stash of her fabric so this one is going to be easy peasy..
5. Amy Butler's In stitches for little ones- need to get on this because my little one is getting to be not so little
6. Sew What Skirts- I love skirts so this will definitely be a spring or summertime project
7.Lotta Prints-more of a home decor type book, but who's house doesn't need more decorating?
8. Stupid Sock Creatures- we have been saving socks for days for this one!
9. Printing by hand- for my love of screen printing
10.Stitched in Time- this book is a wonderful collection of girly girl projects, She has a fun blog HERE if ya like
11.Bend the Rules Sewing- lots of fun-ness..also has great blog to follow HERE if you are interested
12.Remake Restyle Reuse- eco friendly crafting and decorating.

Honorable Mention..If I succeed and maybe get ahead of schedule..
1. HeartFelt- this will help use up my felted sweater supply
2. Happy Gloves- Got the gloves just need to make them happy..
3. Warm Fuzzies-another felted sweater book, yea gonna use those supplies up!!
4. Doodle Stitching- probably a Christmas time kinda book..



On top of this project in the works I think I need to mention some of my other wishes for this year, I fear if I don't then I wont be held accountable if I don't get to it. I've heard people say that they don't like to make resolutions because they are setting themselves up for failure. But for me I see it as a new beginning. A chance to wipe the slate clean and try again. If I don't get everything done... well at least I know I tried ..

1. Make my own noodles, I tried this once before and it was a huge failure.But I need to try again!

2. Make clothes for my self and Family. Two of the books above will help me accomplish this goal.But I see little dresses and shirt patterns all the time that I would love to try and make.( and I might have already bought a few.. I told you I'm a hoarder!) OHH you gotta see this men's shirt pattern I just found the other day.. HERE is the site. I would love to make this for Chase or Mike!

OK Well I thought I had more , so 2 extras isn't so bad. Of course I didn't mention the one resolution that I'm pretty sure everyone makes at the beginning of the year. That one is for a whole other blog... Now I have to go figure out what book I am going to start from first, and since we are already 1.5 weeks into the new year I am already behind!

Keep Ya Posted ~ Bianca

HaPPy New YeAR

Happy New Year!! Well another year has come to an end. The years just seem to be going by so fast the older... I mean younger I get. I started out 2010 with a babbling little baby, and I now have a walking talking whirling wind of little girl. My other two lovelys are also growing at rapid pace. Soon we will have Jr. High *yikes* and even though Lily is in 1st grade, silly girlyness " Oh My God, today at school" has graced our house.

So the family and I went on a little adventure for the New Years. Our first stop was at my in-laws house in Redding Ca. for our traditional/Non traditional New Years celebration. The kids had a great time playing with cousins, and we enjoyed our normal 5 star accommodations  provided to us.... Although no beer brewing this year  :-(

Our second stop was Portland Or. to visit my two brothers, sister and of course mi padre who recently shipped himself up there to join the group. Although I do enjoy seeing all of my family I was especially excited about this leg of the journey. I haven't ventured up to P-town in almost 2 years due to having the baby , and guilting  my mom into moving back to the valley. I absolutely love Portland and all of its crappy weather. I had the pleasure of being birthed there and although my parents and I moved away when I was 2, I definitely feel at home when ever I am there.

So I thought I'd share MY list of Places to see, especially if you are a first timer. I know I will probably get yelled at by the fam for not picking more untouristy places, but even after many visits I still enjoy going to these places.. I could probably come up with a  bigger list if I was going to be there longer * and if it wasn't winter* ! Also this list is not a top ranking list ( # 1 is not necessarily my favoritest place of all. Some of these places I might skip if I were there by myself..)

1. Omsi- Science based museum of fun for kids and adults. Kind of like the exploratorium in SF. They have an IMAX theatre,  a planetarium, and exhibits that change often giving us something new to look at each time we go. This is definitely a good place to go with kids! Here is the link to their website if you are ever in town.

Lily testing out one of the Exhibits

Lucy and Daddy playing with Blocks

My awesome sis

And of course Chase

2. Avalon-another great place to go with kids. The Avalon is a 5 cent arcade,  and is so way better than going to the CHEESE or that other pizza buffet place.. I am not much of a gambler so when ever I have gone to Reno/Tahoe *I have not been to Vegas in my adult life :'-( * I really enjoy the 5 cent slot machines, SO what could be better than a 5cent arcade !?! For 5 bucks you get a baggie with 100 nickles and can play for hours, OK maybe 10-20 mins! Here again is the link if you are in need

3. Fabric Depot- OK here is one place I would go by myself., no kids! I have many reasons why I would love/need to move to Portland and this is high on list. For you visual people consider this the Costco of fabric stores, and for those of you who don't sew you probably think I am crazy. They just have everything here, where at home I have to go to at least two different stores to get what I am looking for!

4. Voodoo Donut- Been there done that bought the sweatshirt, but I definitely want to go back this trip.  it is just a yummy goodness destination for  donutty concoctions. MY fav's Bacon Maple bar, Dirt donut( oreo's on top) ,  and the No Name...  Plus I like getting the " you've been there "! when i wear my sweater at home. Check out the website  here.

5. Saturday Market, but unfortunately for me the season is over until the spring  :-(   So I will have to wait and go on my next visit..I also like to check out all the fun shops on Hawthorne  but I spent all my christmas cash at the fabric store.

I was so sad to leave, but school, work and life was calling.

~Bianca