Jewelry Pouch

A lady must protect her bling. I think Eleanor Roosevelt said that (I may be wrong). February was exciting because I had two trips to take. One to New York City - it had been too many months, and one to Baltimore - to which I'd never been! It is also an exciting month because I've had more time to make things.

I got one of these when I was younger; one that used to belong to my Aunt. I don't see them around these days, but I think they are great. You get small pockets to place earrings and necklaces so that they do not tangle and a center area for whatever else - I fit quite a lot. I lined the inside with a velvety-ish fabric; I love the contrast with the linen. Full tutorial after the jump.

building a tufted ottoman

Update: there's a cost breakdown and a basic illustrated step-by-step process for a similar ottoman here.



You guys, Allen and I totally built this ottoman.

If we can do this, anyone can do it. I think I'm going to forgo a detailed tutorial on how to do this particular one, because the bumper around the edge (copied from this one that I love) made for a really convoluted process. But anyone could easily (really!) build one like this.

I'd recommend buying these two books, building a simple frame out of inexpensive two-by-fours (you can have Home Depot cut these for you), buying high-density foam, cotton batting, and edge roll from DIY Upholstery, legs from Adams wood products (we used oak, 8" tall), and having covered buttons made by your local upholsterer.

Remember to use edgeroll vertically at the corners, or you'll end up with sausages at the edges, which is how ours looked before. Give it a try. You get to carve foam into fun shapes!

Here and there

A few small things to mention. I hope combined, at least, they are post worthy.

FRONT POST DOUBLE CROCHET
I recently learned a new crochet stitch, front post double crochet, it's a great, thick stitch. So I used it to make a little sweater for my french press. I chain stitched long enough to circle the glass and slip stitched into my first chain. From there I did a row of single crochet, a row of double crochet, a row of single crochet and the finally the front post double crochet is the 4th row and you work it into the double crochet post on the 2nd row. On this fourth row you'll alternate the fpdc with a double crochet into the top of the single crochet on the 3rd row. Repeat these 4 rows until it's as high as you'd like. It's wordier than it is hard.

For the pot holder, I used a wonderful tweed yarn and started a chain and made it about yea-wide (that means pot holder width). Work in the same 4 row pattern as I described above. When it's square and you finish the last row, work two rows of single crochet around the edges and on one corner make a loop.

SMALL TABLE CLOTH WITH MITERED SEAMS
I made a small table cloth to cover the small round table I have. I used the same technique I describe in this cloth napkin tutorial but I begin with a square that is 23"x23". Whatever the size of the table you're wishing to cover, add three inches to the length and width and follow the same instructions.

Meanwhile, I've been trying to conquer French macaroons. Elizabeth has asked me to post about my trials, I think she likes when I do baking posts the same way that I like (a lot) Steven Seagal movies: so bad it's good. So, coming soon(ish), French macaroons, by a sewer.

Have a great weekend!

KING CAKE!

It's Mardi Gras season! Every year (or, the last two, that is) I've had a Mardi Gras party. My best friend is from New Orleans, and we went often to beautiful New Orleans during college - that's how I met King Cake (different than the French Galette des Rois Elizabeth shared last year). This is a traditional cake during the Mardi Gras season; the sweetness does not kid around, and inside is small baby (what's a cake without one, I ask?). The person who gets the slice with the baby has to buy the next cake.

The party gives me a reason to have King Cake at least once a year. And here in Boston, most have never had it before, so I get to introduce others to the tradition. Step-by-step guide on making your own cream cheese-filled (my favorite!) New Orleans King Cake after the jump.

(So many baking posts - what's that about?)

fresh apple cake

Apologies for the onslaught of posts about baking. But seriously, go make this cake right now. It is so easy - the hardest part is peeling the apples - and it is so damn good. Super moist, with some light, crispy caramelization at the edges and top. Perfect for taking to a dinner with friends.

Make sure your oven's the right temp - just invest $3 in an oven thermometer - and follow the instructions to a tee.

Over and out.*

*I've been using a walkie-talkie a lot at work.

honeycomb pie

I received The Pie and Pastry Bible as a gift at Christmas, and I absolutely love it. It reminds me a lot of Bo Friberg's The Professional Pastry Chef - both books cover the basics of nearly every technique or recipe, and then explore the myriad fun variations of each.

The recipe for this apricot and honey chiffon pie came from the book, and it's a good recipe, but the best part is the frivolous, fanciful effect of the "honeycomb" on top. The secret is after the jump.