tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72527363631590724332024-03-17T05:26:50.388-07:00Eighteenth Century Agrarian BusinessElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-46736489086877102932013-10-05T10:15:00.001-07:002013-10-05T10:15:22.177-07:00Bento Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really love these <a href="http://www.quitokeeto.com/products/linen-bento-bags" target="_blank">linen bento bags</a>. They're great for farmers markets and lunches. I also really enjoy the challenge of looking at something and determining the construction. I could tell these were simple in that lovely <i>origami and inside out</i> kind of way that sewing often is — but it took a bit more experimenting and researching to figure this out.
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As far as I can tell, there isn't a really good tutorial (I found a couple confusing and incomplete ones) online for making these. I'm happy then to get this out there! All the steps, photos and diagrams after the jump.<br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Piece of fabric at 10" x 30"</i></li>
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<li><i>The photos are of a slightly smaller one I made at 8" x 24" </i></li>
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<b>Rectangle</b><br />
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Cut fabric to 10" x 30" (length should be 3 times the width). Secure all of the edges by either serging around or doing a zig zag stitch.<br />
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<i>Tip: take the tail end of your serged stitch, thread it through a large eyed and dull needle and thread it through the perpendicular edge's stitch.</i><br />
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<b>Folds and Stitches</b><br />
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Lay your piece flat, lightly mark your fabric at 10" and 20" from one short side. You'll have three equal sections, imagine them as <i>a, b and c</i> as diagramed.<br />
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Take the left most sort edge (the left edge of section <i>a</i>) and fold it in, on top of section <i>b</i>, so that it meets your mark at 20". Pin and press the new left side fold.<br />
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Right next to the edge of your serge or zig zag, stitch along the tops of sections <i>a</i> and <i>b</i>, which is the space between your 10" and 20" marks.<br />
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Next, fold the right most short edge (the right edge of section <i>c</i>) over top of section <i>a</i> (which is still on top of section <i>b</i>. Press, pin and pull the bottom right corner of section <i>a</i> out so that its bottom edge is no longer near the bottom, which you're about to stitch.<br />
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Right next to the edge of your serge/zig zag, stitch the bottom edges of sections <i>b</i> and <i>c</i> together. Make sure that you're <i>not</i> catching section <i>a</i> in this.<br />
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<b>Sides</b><br />
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Next you'll create the width for the sides of the bag. Start with the top right corner of the piece. Pull out the loose corner of section <i>c</i> so that you're only sewing through sections <i>a</i> and <i>b</i>. Approximately 4-5" (depending on how wide you want your bag) from the top left corner, sew diagonally at 45° to the left side.<br />
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Do the same with the bottom right corner, between sections <i>c</i> and <i>b</i>, making sure that no part of section <i>a</i> is getting caught in this stitch.<br />
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Finally, turn the piece right-side out and iron your edges. Secure the side intersections with a tight zig zag or button stitch.<br />
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And bento bag!<br />
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<br />jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-43316895165497596312013-09-28T09:55:00.000-07:002013-09-28T09:55:47.338-07:00More Coasters, Napkins and Towels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the next post in the series of <i>when I sewed for two days mostly just for the sake of sewing</i>.<br />
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Because I can never seem to have enough, I made <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/07/cloth-napkins-ii.html" target="_blank">dinner napkins</a> and a kitchen <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/07/cloth-napkins-ii.html" target="_blank">tea towel</a> again. The links will take you to the tutorials I've done here for those.<br />
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I love everything from <a href="http://www.foglinenwork.com/en/" target="_blank">Fog Linen</a> and they've got these <a href="http://www.shop-foglinen.com/category/coasters/" target="_blank">simple linen coasters</a> I've been wanting to make for a while. Here's how:<br />
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<li>Cut two pieces of 4" x 4" fabric.</li>
<li>With right sides together, pin and stitch around most of the perimeter (1/4" from the raw edge), leaving a gap of about an inch and a half. Trim the corners off.</li>
<li>Turn the piece right side out, tuck in the seam from the gap and press with an iron.</li>
<li>Top stitch around the piece close to the edge.</li>
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jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-67589900117678960132013-08-03T16:33:00.001-07:002013-08-03T16:33:59.572-07:00Small Pouch, Pencil Case<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9432142308_e8ed938b61_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9432142308_e8ed938b61_b.jpg" width="550" /></a>
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I could have sworn that a while (as in years) ago I posted on making little zipper cube pouches. I thought this was about to be a sister post, for a rectangular pouch, but I see no trace of this other post. This, then, is long over due! I recently bought a yard of fantastic red and white linen and then went to town sewing up my favorite quick projects and using it all up in a day and a half. It was so great to spend that much time sewing. I love these pouches. They take very little material and make great gifts, too.<br />
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Instructions after the jump!<br />
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Materials<br />
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<li><i>2 square pieces of fabric*, one interior and one exterior</i></li>
<li><i>1 zipper at least 2 inches longer than one side of fabric</i></li>
<li><i>2 1.5" pieces of gross grain or twill ribbon</i></li>
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* A square of 8"x8" is about as small as you'll want to go. It will make the one I have made in my photos, which finishes to about 5.5" in length -- about as short as you can get and still hold pencils.<br />
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* If you double the length of each fabric, say each being 8"x16", you'll end up with a square pouch, also neat! Play with the proportions for an awesome toiletries travel bag!<br />
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<b>Attach the zipper</b><br />
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With fabric right sides facing and the right side of the zipper facing the right-side of your exterior fabric (if you use fabric with no front or back for both the interior and exterior, this is super easy!), attach your zipper with the zipper foot of your sewing machine. Then do the same on the other side of the zipper table (image below).<br />
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Having a zipper much longer than your fabric makes sewing zippers on so much easier because you can move the zipper pull completely off to the end that's not getting fabric attached to it.<br />
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<b>Center</b><br />
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Now you'll have an open tube with a zipper. Turn the tube inside out. You want to flatten the tube so that the zipper is in the middle. I usually use my cutting mat to help gauge that there are equal amounts on both sides of the zipper.<br />
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Now you'll take the edge of the fabrics, in the diagram below, corners A and B, and push them into the center, under the zipper, until A and B meet each other. Then press with an iron and pin together.<br />
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Next, take your small strips of ribbon, fold in half and press. Place each of them in the ends of your project, between the zipper and the points A and B.<br />
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<b>Close Ends</b><br />
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Now you'll stitch up the ends. Stitch a generous 1/4" from the raw edge (make sure that your zipper pull is within the fabric space and not off to one of the sides!), stitching over the zipper a few times. Then trim off the excess. You can then serge the edge, apply binding, zig zag stitch it or leave it.<br />
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Finally, turn it right side out and you're done!<br />
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</div>jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-57385736184455957742013-06-09T10:47:00.002-07:002016-03-18T06:10:39.196-07:00kitchen cabinet improvements and returning from the dead<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u-_aACSF8W4/Uai-6hOkw0I/AAAAAAAACBE/s6g3xoKfN3g/w928-h678-no/IMG_1414.JPG"><img height="402" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u-_aACSF8W4/Uai-6hOkw0I/AAAAAAAACBE/s6g3xoKfN3g/w928-h678-no/IMG_1414.JPG" width="550" /></a><br />
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Hello there to everyone who checks in every few months to find that we're still on semi-permanent hiatus! Jessica and I both have lots going on right now, and we decided a while back that regular updates are, for the moment, too much to handle. It was a strange feeling, when I baked my first cake after that conversation last summer, to realize that I didn't need to take pictures. I hushed the voice at the back of my head that said, "Explain why you're separating the eggs. Think of a narrative for this cake."
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For now, I wanted to share a fairly major project in which Allen’s considerable handyman skills were completely crucial – I could never have done this on my own. We have a small kitchen, and we use it pretty efficiently. We utilize a lot of specialized storage devices, like spice jar holders that mount to the inside of cabinet doors, and a magnetic knife rack that I jerry-rigged with metal rulers and super-strong magnets. But Allen’s parents gave me a pasta maker for Christmas, and it’s the first item that, truly, no amount of kitchen reorganization would accommodate. It was re-do the kitchen, or move. Of course, neither of those is truly an option right now. But I had an “Aha” moment over <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/210472982557776739/">this pin</a> on Pinterest, and it blew my mind that I’d never thought of moving our existing cabinets up to the ceiling and putting open shelves below.
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I'm not going to go into too much detail with this post, since Allen, my in-house carpenter, handled most of the carpentry construction details. I measured the existing cabinetry, counters, and windows in our kitchen, and drew up a half-dozen models in SketchUp, which is a free program from Google that I’d recommend to anybody for projects like this – it’s easy to learn, and it’s a great tool for space planning and visualization.
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Cpmm1PFYx5Y/UbS6yMTGHtI/AAAAAAAACCU/M1i_IzcXIUU/w927-h571-no/kitchen+cabinets+2013-03-37+v2.jpg"><img height="339" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Cpmm1PFYx5Y/UbS6yMTGHtI/AAAAAAAACCU/M1i_IzcXIUU/w927-h571-no/kitchen+cabinets+2013-03-37+v2.jpg" width="550" /></a><br />
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Between the look of the models, our space-usage goals, and concerns about the complexity of building new shelving, we decided to build shelves above the existing cabinets on the left side, and to move the cabinets up to the ceiling and build shelves below on the right.
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-II78elwm-Fc/UbS87A6dyCI/AAAAAAAACCo/q0VSzmhKQHE/w534-h703-no/photo.jpg"><img height="703" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-II78elwm-Fc/UbS87A6dyCI/AAAAAAAACCo/q0VSzmhKQHE/w534-h703-no/photo.jpg" width="534" /></a><br />
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I also had several heart-to-hearts with the manager at my Sherwin-Williams store. I love the hard enamel finish of oil-based paints, which I <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2012/03/dark-glossy-doors.html">used on all our interior doors</a>, but light-colored oil-based paints yellow over time, which is a problem we already had with our cheap paper-laminate cabinet boxes. He steered me towards an <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/catalog/proclassic_interior_acrylic_latex/">acrylic enamel</a>, and although latex paints will never achieve as hard a finish as oil paints, I’m very happy with it.
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Before priming and painting, I caulked all the joints in the cabinet boxes, which made a surprising difference – the assemblies looked more monolithic and less cheap. I painted all the cabinet boxes – upper and lower – on my own while Allen was out of town, and used epoxy to repair cabinet doors where the vinyl laminate had peeled at the edges. I used XIM adhesive primer on said cabinet boxes, and I left alone the vinyl-laminate cabinet doors completely.
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Since I wasn’t painting the cabinet doors, the paint for the boxes had to match the doors pretty perfectly, and after a bit of guessing, painting, and second thoughts, I ended up with about a 30% tint of Alabaster, in a mixture that was about 25% satin and 75% semi-gloss. I used white nap mini-rollers to apply both the primer and the finish paint, thinning the paint a little with water. The caulking and painting improved the existing cabinets tremendously.
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I helped Allen move the right-side cabinets to just shy of the ceiling (to accommodate new crown molding), and helped however I could with the new carpentry. This job was so custom to the particular configuration of our crappy cabinets, that I don’t think construction details would be too helpful to share. We mostly used poplar for the new construction, as it’s hard, cheaper than oak, and has a tight grain.
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I was so determined to gain useable space with this improvement that I actually modeled cake stands and storage bins in SketchUp to be certain they would fit. There was also quite a bit of discussion about the height and number of the open shelves (one tall shelf or two short ones?) and which of our many, many glasses I wanted to display. (I have a serious problem with Goodwill and with Pottery Barn’s clearance section, and this project has only enabled my habit.)
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3mFT3SjIVYs/Uai-6ugfknI/AAAAAAAACBA/_sk8HZMbMgM/w928-h619-no/IMG_1418.JPG"><img height="399" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3mFT3SjIVYs/Uai-6ugfknI/AAAAAAAACBA/_sk8HZMbMgM/w928-h619-no/IMG_1418.JPG" width="550" /></a><br />
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The final (though not particularly easy) touch was crown molding that wraps all the way around the kitchen, incorporating the cabinets.
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z4OMNAk3p5g/Uai-7TiIY8I/AAAAAAAACA8/sCO6tDmG7Eg/w800-h534-no/IMG_1438+%25282%2529.JPG"><img height="339" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z4OMNAk3p5g/Uai-7TiIY8I/AAAAAAAACA8/sCO6tDmG7Eg/w800-h534-no/IMG_1438+%25282%2529.JPG" width="550" /></a><br />
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This project has changed the whole look of our kitchen – I keep telling Allen, “It looks so expensive!” It really looks like custom cabinetry – which, it sort of is now, isn’t it? We get to display our pretty second-hand glassware, and we’ve freed up some valuable counter space with all the extra storage. I’m so grateful I have a handyman who’s willing to work for baked goods.
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gDD3G0LihNw/UbS94X6yoBI/AAAAAAAACC0/UQfD5M2TpYk/w533-h709-no/photo.jpg"><img height="709" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gDD3G0LihNw/UbS94X6yoBI/AAAAAAAACC0/UQfD5M2TpYk/w533-h709-no/photo.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
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Here are shots of the kitchen before (but after I'd <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/04/painting-kitchen-tile.html">painted the Ronald McDonald kitchen tiles</a>), and after:
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hkIMCO0qAmY/S84eIPzUX-I/AAAAAAAABjA/i-m5KzOpPtY/s512/kitchen%20vertical%202.jpg"><img height="408" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hkIMCO0qAmY/S84eIPzUX-I/AAAAAAAABjA/i-m5KzOpPtY/s512/kitchen%20vertical%202.jpg" width="272" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vaLynReWgRo/Uai-8ByJqXI/AAAAAAAACBQ/bMOkNdgv4jU/w473-h709-no/IMG_1439.JPG"> <img height="408" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vaLynReWgRo/Uai-8ByJqXI/AAAAAAAACBQ/bMOkNdgv4jU/w473-h709-no/IMG_1439.JPG" width="273" /></a><br />
<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-16920497102850683332013-03-09T18:00:00.002-08:002013-03-09T18:00:10.621-08:00Hanging Herb Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend I made this hanging herb garden, a great solution for my tiny kitchen which has, oh, about 24" of counter space. At first I'd planned on mounting mason jars to a board which would lean against the wall but on my way to the hardware store it occurred to me to do it this way, which involves less infrastructure and is probably a little easier.<br />
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<b>HANGERS</b><br />
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To make the two shown here, you'll need:<br />
<ul>
<li>6 wide mouth, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Wide-Mouth-Pint-Bands/dp/B008586UJO/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1360478407&sr=1-2&keywords=wide+mouth+pint+jars" target="_blank">pint mason jars</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Koch-5600725-Braided-Cotton-Trade/dp/B002T44UQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360478261&sr=8-1&keywords=sash+cord" target="_blank">100' of cotton cord</a>, #7</li>
<li>scissors, ruler</li>
</ul>
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I find it helps to do make these while the rope hangs. Hang it from a back-of-the-door coat hook, or nail a small nail somewhere about 7' off the ground.<br />
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For each 3-plant hanger, you'll cut 3 pieces of cord 14' long and 4 pieces about 15" long (for your stop knots).<br />
<ol>
<li>Line up the ends of your long cords and fold in half. You should now have 6 lengths of 7' cord. </li>
<li>About an 1.5" from the bend in your cord, create your first stop knot. Mine had about 4-5 loops.</li>
<li>10" from your top stop knot, take two neighbor cords and tie a basic knot. Repeat for each pair.</li>
<li>4" down from the last knot, tie a basic knot between one strand of two neighboring knots. Be sure to be joining two cords that are already close - do not cross over a cord to tie to another cord. See the diagram and photo. Repeat for each pair.</li>
<li>4" down from the last row of knots create another stop knot.</li>
</ol>
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Repeat steps 3-5 twice more to complete one hanger. Repeat all the steps to create your second hanger.<br />
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<b>PLANTS </b><br />
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I used mason jars. I've had some hearty herbs in lesser containers so I'm hoping they'll work. I put small rocks at the bottom of each jar, transfered the herbs, adding potting soil when necessary. The nursery didn't have basil starters yet so I'm growing them from seeds. Fingers crossed!<br />
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<small><i>notes</i></small><br />
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You'll see that mine are different lengths, I started the first hanger with less cord than I needed and adjusted for the second one.<br />
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I have no idea what I'm doing with that branch.<br />
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How have you grown herbs in your home? Any other small space solutions? Have you done more adventurous macramé?<br />
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As it's now been weeks between when I did this and when I'm posting this entry, I'd definitely say put your plants in things meant for plants, not mason jars. What was I thinking?</div>
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<br />jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-73486836959426922312013-01-22T23:43:00.000-08:002013-01-22T23:44:12.255-08:00Naturally Dyed Tea Towels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For Christmas I made a small batch of tea towels to give to friends and family. And since I'd had in my mind for a while to experiment with dying, I decided to experiment on friends and family.<br />
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After the jump you'll find the basic steps for creating a tea towel and what I did to create a gradient on the towels from blueberries and blackberries.<br />
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Materials<br />
<ul>
<li>natural linen (or tea towel appropriate fabric of your choice)</li>
<ul>
<li>your yardage will depend on how many you want to make. i created 8 from 2 yards of linen.</li>
<li>for one towel, you'll need a piece at least 24"x18.5"</li>
</ul>
<li>cotton twill tape</li>
<li>sewing machine, thread, scissors... </li>
</ul>
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<b>Make the tea towel</b><br />
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The tea towels are made exactly as I made the dinner napkins in <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/07/cloth-napkins-ii.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, with two exceptions: size and twill loop.<br />
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There seems to be no standard size for tea towels, I looked. So I picked a size within the range of sizes I found online that would yield the most towels with my fabric. I also made a more snug hem, doing about a 1/4" on each fold (instead of 1/4" and 1/2" as the napkins are done).<br />
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After you have completed folding in the side edges of each side, cut a few inches of cotton twill tape for the loop. You'll cut the ends at a slight angle so that it slips right in under your the hem, pin it in place and do your stitching around the sides. See the top photo of this post for the loop.<br />
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<b>Dyeing</b><br />
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Materials<br />
<ul>
<li>berries, salt, vinegar, water</li>
</ul>
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I am by no means a dyeing professional and it will be clear I didn't even try to be. I read up a bit online, I learned about some options - and then decided on a path, trying to keep things simple.<br />
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To make the dye I took blueberries, blackberries, a few pinches of salt and water to cover them an inch or so. I then let it simmer for quite a while. I'd check on it every now and then and smush things up with a masher. When things (arbitrarily to me) seemed like they'd expelled all the color they were going to expel (I don't believe it was more than an hour), I'd strain them through a mesh strainer. Keep the liquid, toss or compost the pulp. I did the two berries separately because I wanted to see the color of the dye they'd make independently (the second photo in this post shows my blackberry test strip, a much pinker hue than blueberries). I used a pint of fresh blackberries and a large bag of frozen blueberries and had<b> a lot</b> of dye left over.<br />
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I combined the dyes I'd rendered in a large pot and put it on low heat. I put the towels in a my sink, filled with warm water and a generous splash of vinegar. And then I made the fancy set up you see on the right side of the image below. I draped the towels over a hanger (suspended from my stove's range hood with s-hooks) cliping them in place at each stage of dying.<br />
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I started with the towels (about 3 at a time) nearly submerged. After about 30-40 mins I moved them a third of the way out of the liquid and in another 30 mins or so, only the bottom third in the liquid.<br />
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When the towels were done I carefully transported them to the bathroom sink and let cold water run on them (in the direction of the dye, not opposite - you don't want to send dye onto the un-dyed portion) until it started to run clear. In the photo above and right you can see that there is a blueish band at the top - this is a blueberry thing, someone who understands chemistry better may be able to explain it. It mostly faded away after drying.<br />
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After they were all dyed, I put them in the dyer to set the color. The color faded a bit, but not too much.<br />
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And finally, tied with bows for giving.<br />
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If I did this over I'd let them stay in the dye bath longer, maybe another 40 mins or so and I'd do one at a time (if I had far less than 8). Dyeing a few at a time in the pot created a few, though minor, inconsistencies in how the dye penetrated the fabric<br />
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I liked that this was a pretty simple project - I want to experiment with other things in the kitchen I can dye with - like turmeric! If you've done natural dying before, I'd love to hear about it!<br />
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jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-29920218561796250822012-11-25T20:20:00.000-08:002012-11-25T20:20:02.226-08:00Hello, again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You might have noticed recently a new post after a long, long while. My <a href="http://www.codeforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Code for America</a> fellowship has just ended and I made a b-line back to making things. This year has been a whirlwind filled with lots of new friends, experiences, 22+ flights and lots of <a href="http://www.jlord.us/work/see-penny-work" target="_blank">non-sewing projects</a>.<br />
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Elizabeth is taking a break but I'm hoping I can start to get regular-ish again. I can't say how regular, my life could get crazy again (what and where will after CfA be?). But this site is important to me. I believe the best thing about the internet is sharing. If I'm able to share anything helpful, at any frequency, I want to. Also, now that I'm so front-end web development happy these days (and even <a href="http://www.jlord.us/blog" target="_blank">blog</a> about it now, too), the entire site might just get a big facelift.<br />
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But in other, seasonal news, I'm happy that my year has slowed down in time to get excited about the holidays. My boyfriend and I picked up this little tree (above) today (one of our favorite coffee shops in Oakland, <a href="http://www.subrosacoffee.com/" target="_blank">Subrosa</a>, is selling them) and I have all kinds of old-fashioned Christmas visions in my head. Handmade paper ornaments, popcorn garland...<br />
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Hope the holidays have kicked of great for you and thanks for sticking around!jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-80506166402622021892012-11-19T21:06:00.002-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.083-08:00Tote Re-Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I once had a great, large tote. I used it often. After a while grime and grease from toting leftovers rendered the tote too gross to use (despite attempts to launder of course). I finally parted with the bag but I saved the hardware (handles, shoulder strap, d-rings) with the intention of re-creating it. A year or so later and 2 days before leaving for a trip to Argentina I decided, now is the time!<br />
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After the jump, illustrations and walk-through galore!<br />
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Here's another look at the tote. It's a large tote with handles at the top so that you can tote it or put it on your shoulder. A third of the way down are d-rings so that you can attach a strap. The top third of the bag folds over and you can cary the bag over your shoulder/chest like a messenger.<br />
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I'm being intentially vauge on some of the dimensions in the post, I'll leave it up to you to decide how large you want to make your bag. Mine is fairly large (which makes it great for a plane carry-on bag and for biking around with my computer and layers of clothing as is appropriate in San Francisco). The tutorial explains the elements and construction.<br />
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Besides the basics (sewing machine, needle, thread..) you'll need:<br />
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Notes on materials:<br />
<ul>
<li>For the exterior, I used a medium-weight waxed cotton. It's gorgeous!</li>
<li>For the interior, I used a basic cotton calico. </li>
<li>To stitch waxed cotton I used a heavy-weight fabric sized needle in my machine and nylon upholstery thread, in black.</li>
</ul>
<b>Basic Structure</b><br />
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Notes:<br />
<ul>
<li>The diagram above illustrates the elements of the bag. </li>
<li>When you determine the dimensions you want for the face (pink area) to be, you can generate from that the size of fabric to cut. </li>
<li>WIDTH = body "face" width + 6". Your band width should be the same.</li>
<li>LENGTH = band + body "face" length + 6" + body "face" length + band</li>
<li>Your interior fabric should be the same dimensions of the bag, minus the band. It will sit under the band on the inside. </li>
<li>Make 6 pieces of fabric to be your loops to hold on the d-rings. To do this, measure the flat side of your d-ring (approx. 1" in my case) and double that number, then add on 1/2" for seam allowance. That will serve as your width. Make it at least 24" long. You should have a long rectangle. Fold right-sides together lengthwise and press. Stitch 1/4" from the raw edge down the length of your piece. Then turn right side out and press again, now you've got your tube for d-ring loops. Cut into 6 pieces approximately 3-4" long.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Construction</b></div>
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Essentially, you'll take your body piece, and place right sides together with the band at the short edge of each end. Place your handle's d-ring through the loop and pin the loops in place in between the two layers and stitch. Do this on both ends. (left illustration)<br />
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Since I don't heavy heavy duty industrial machine and was worried about the layers becoming too think to sew through, I did a few things to keep thickness as low as possible. One such thing was to serge the raw edges of the band. (right illustration)<br />
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Fold the purse in half, right sides facing. Your bands should be up (not folded down). Folded in half, place your interior fabric over the bottom portion of the bag with the pattern facing out (facing you). Pin and stitch or serve up the left and right sides with your side loops and d-rings pinned in the middle of all the layers. (left illustration)<br />
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Next, cut out a 3"x3" square from each bottom corner. This will provide your bag's depth (or bottom).<br />
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Pinch the cut out so that the two cut lengths are together - it should start resembling a bag bottom at this point. Stitch or serge this combined raw edge.<br />
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Flip the bag right side out, it should like a bag, yay! Fold the band down towards the inside of the bag and pin in place. Top stitch around the bag about a 1/4" from where the band ends on the inside. (right illustration)<br />
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That's it - those are the elements and construction of the bag. I'll add, I've been traveling with this bag now for about 5 months - I love it.jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-72133402117548228502012-06-08T17:08:00.001-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.071-08:00Post Fatigue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I set out over a week ago to write about post on a bag I made. Editing photos, writing and making illustrations has taken forever plus some. I have to take a break from it, whew! So here is a picture from my recent trip to Buenos Aires and the future post's artboard in Illustrator (which has gotten even more complex since this screen shot).<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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</div>jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-39633032104977644652012-04-26T10:18:00.000-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.029-08:00Anatomy of a Try<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thought since I took the time to make this, I might as well try and get a post out of it.<br />
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This is a clutch I made hoping to adjust <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/06/small-clutch.html" target="_blank">this one</a> (Which is missing! Where is it? It ran off with at least one cute hankie and one vintage pocket mirror. Sad.) a tad so that it served more as a wallet. It was not a disaster by any means, but it wasn't quite what I wanted:<br />
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<li>I forgot to <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IRJ4rqwt6m4/TgdVicK1eaI/AAAAAAAACfE/tpWvVbkyhX0/walletclutch_zipper.jpg" target="_blank">add the ends</a> to the zipper. This isn't critical, many pouches don't include them, but I really, really like them. I more often than not do one completely wrong thing in any project. Usually I catch myself while a seam ripper can still save me. Not this time.</li>
<li>I thought I'd like it with more of the zipper tape exposed. I do not. I also did this weird thing with gold thread at the end as a zipper stop. I wouldn't have tried this if I hadn't done number 1.</li>
<li>I created a divider on the inside, hoping to separate bills from coins and phone. I'm so-so about it. I also intended to have 3 card slots, stacked and side-by-side, 6 in total. I assumed my 7" zipper was long enough for that, it wasn't. (Three isn't so bad actually, I should carry fewer cards.) </li>
<li>It's about 2 inches too tall. This makes it dark inside and hard to read the bills and spot quarters from nickels. Maybe if it were shorter I wouldn't mind the divider as much.</li>
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I still really love this gold linen though. And there you have it. Not a disaster. Not a success. A try.<br />
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</div>jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-15835295107935261932012-04-12T13:15:00.001-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.014-08:00Lemon Pudding Cakes<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PP1xkM5pPko/T4MMjQ95z0I/AAAAAAAAB3o/ioiESFiQ4mM/s512/IMG_0772.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PP1xkM5pPko/T4MMjQ95z0I/AAAAAAAAB3o/ioiESFiQ4mM/s512/IMG_0772.JPG" height="425" width="273" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_Csz0WNDObQ/T4MNC_Z6GGI/AAAAAAAAB38/FN5-WhehIkk/s512/IMG_0784.JPG"> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_Csz0WNDObQ/T4MNC_Z6GGI/AAAAAAAAB38/FN5-WhehIkk/s512/IMG_0784.JPG" height="425" width="273" /></a><br /><br />I love <span style="font-style:italic;">America's Test Kitchen</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Cook's Illustrated</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Cook's Country</span>. I have a mail subscription to <span style="font-style:italic;">Cook's Illustrated</span>, and I tear out and keep probably three-quarters of the recipes in every issue. But I have an online subscription to <a href="http://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/">Cook's Country</a> - which, as far as I can tell, is the simpler, more down-home relative - and if I need a specific recipe, I go there first. Every one I've tried has turned out great, and they tend to be a little less fussy than the ones in <span style="font-style:italic;">Cook's Illustrated</span>.<br /><br />I've made this lemon pudding cake once before, exactly the way the recipe's written - baked in a single 8x8-inch pan. It's got a creamy, custard-y bottom, with souffle-like cake on top. A little whipped cream balances the tartness really well.<br /><br />We've been having friends over to enjoy the deck that Allen built, and I thought that individual - and closeable - containers would make this really easy to set out at a party, and easy for guests to serve themselves. It also makes the recipe way more adorable, which is really important.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />We also took these over to Allen's parents' house for Easter, and his mom mentioned that she had an old recipe for "lemon cake-top pudding" from her grandmother. We took a look at the recipe, and it looked very much like this one, except with fewer eggs and about one-quarter the lemon juice. Since I found this recipe in the <a href="http://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/browse/?all=true&v=gl&recipeDepartment=%2522Lost%2BRecipes%2522">Historic American Recipes</a> section of the <span style="font-style:italic;">CC</span> website, I guess they're true to their word.<br /><br />Incidentally, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000BYD0F/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details">here are the jars I used</a> to bake the cakes in. I searched high and low for half-pint wide-mouth jars that I could use for exactly this type of task - but also for lunches and leftover storage - and I couldn't find them anywhere locally. I know it seems ridiculous to order utilitarian canning jars online, but they're great to have around - I make pudding in them all the time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Individual Lemon Pudding Cakes</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Adapted from </span>Cook's Country<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Makes 10 individual cakes</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">These are best the day they're made, but they're good as leftovers, too - just keep them in the fridge, and heat in the microwave for 15 seconds before serving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients:</span><br /><br />1/4 cup all-purpose flour<br />2 teaspoons cornstarch<br />1 1/4 cups sugar<br />5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened<br />2 tablespoons grated zest and 1/2 cup juice from 4 lemons<br />5 large eggs, separated, room temperature<br />1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature<br />2 quarts boiling water<br /><br />whipped cream, recipes follows<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Instructions</span>:<br /><br />Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease ten 8-ounce ramekins or wide-mouth half-pint jars.<br /><br />Whisk flour and cornstarch in bowl; set aside.<br /><br />Using a clean mixer bowl and whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. With mixer running, slowly add 3/4 cups sugar until whites are firm and glossy, about 2 minutes. Scrape gently into another bowl, and set aside.<br /><br />Rinse and dry mixer bowl. With mixer on medium-high speed, beat remaining 1/2 cup sugar, butter, and lemon zest until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, until incorporated. Reduce speed to medium-low. Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Slowly add milk and lemon juice, mixing until just combined.<br /><br />Whisk one-third of the egg-white mixture into the batter, then gently fold in remaining whites, one scoop at a time, until well combined.<br /><br />Place greased ramekins or jars inside two 8x8-inch or 9x13-inch baking dishes, leaving a little space between them, and spoon batter into the ramekins - I used an ice-cream scoop, and found that they took about three scoops each to divide the batter evenly. Carefully place the baking dishes containing the ramekins into the oven and pour boiling water into the baking dishes until water comes halfway up the sides of ramekins.<br /><br />Bake until the cake tops are slightly golden and edges are beginning to set - about 35-38 minutes. Transfer dishes to a wire rack and let cool about 30 minutes before removing the ramekins from the baking dishes. Serve warm or at room-temperature with lightly sweetened whipped cream.<br /><br /><br /><b>Whipped Cream</b><br /><br />1 cup heavy cream<br />1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br /><br />In a chilled glass bowl, whip cream with an electric mixer until it begins to thicken. Add confectioner's sugar and vanilla. Continue to beat until peaks form. Refrigerate.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-45043577390227372162012-04-05T20:40:00.001-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.041-08:00Alameda Antique Faire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, all! It's Jessica, and I'm still around. My days have changed, however, and more often than not I'm behind a computer. An important detail is that I'm <i>happily</i> behind a computer. I'm loving the work I'm doing with <a href="http://www.codeforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Code for America</a> and learning as much as I can. I can be found in coffee shops in SF and Oakland or at the fantastic office of ours at CfA. So, while I'm still making things, they contain strings in code more than strings of thread. But, I promise projects from me won't be disappear completely, they'll just happen when they do in this new schedule of mine, and whenever they do, they'll definitely be posted here.<br />
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Moving on, I did go out to Alameda, an island just west of Oakland, to visit the <a href="http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/" target="_blank">antiques fair</a> (or to them, <i>faire</i>). It's the first Sunday of every month. There is an admission to get in, which I thought was a little odd, but if you go around 10 (I know, late by antique market standards) it's just $5. The place is huge and if I weren't on my fellowship salary and basically already in possession of most things I need in my life right now, I would have gone to town. To. Town. I did pick up a couple things, though. I got 7 hankies, because I use hankies. Everyday.<br />
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If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a go -- even just for the view of downtown San Francisco.<br />
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Below you can see that we're not in Kansas. Oakland has a big port and these giant shipping crate dinosaurs provide the backdrop for rugs, old dressers and Fiestaware.<br />
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<br />jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-64906620392610059002012-03-18T07:52:00.003-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.065-08:00Dark, Glossy Doors<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DJwJJ99dufM/T2Z7LDzd8bI/AAAAAAAABzo/zZWAmV50dnA/s512/IMG_0556.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DJwJJ99dufM/T2Z7LDzd8bI/AAAAAAAABzo/zZWAmV50dnA/s512/IMG_0556.JPG" height="382" width="273" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DX6oaHi1R6I/T2Z-Ut9YagI/AAAAAAAAB0A/YZPC4IYypew/s512/IMG_0563.JPG"> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DX6oaHi1R6I/T2Z-Ut9YagI/AAAAAAAAB0A/YZPC4IYypew/s512/IMG_0563.JPG" height="382" width="273" /></a><br /><br />I was tempted to just write another post <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/12/speaking-of-making-gifts.html">in this vein</a>, and leave it at that. Starting around my third full day of work on this, I started thinking, "This project just wasn't worth doing" (which Allen would have told me that at the beginning, if he'd thought it would make any difference).<br /><br />Now that I have a few weeks of retrospect, that attitude is starting to change, but I think that's partly because I've blocked out memories of all those hours spent hunched over <span style="font-style: italic;">yet another</span> door, sanding and patching and sanding again. Painting the doors in the hall opened a pain-in-the-ass Pandora's box - we had to paint the backs, too, which of course appear in the bathroom and both bedrooms - so the closet doors in those rooms would also have to be painted, front and back. How can such a small house have <span style="font-style: italic;">nine</span> interior doors?<br /><a name='more'></a><br />The doors <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> need painting, and repair. In all my years of obsessive-compulsively completing DIY projects, our weird little square corridor was the one space that had been ignored completely. The pretty glass doorknobs and the metal plates had been smudged with twelve different shades of white paint, and the trim had yellowed to something resembling Drab Almond.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vy5GFxgCNRg/T2Nr2IDepAI/AAAAAAAABzI/0nOJnzTzu5g/s640/IMG_0505.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vy5GFxgCNRg/T2Nr2IDepAI/AAAAAAAABzI/0nOJnzTzu5g/s640/IMG_0505.JPG" height="425" width="273" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JcZW3XrK6A/T2Ns1fKiFdI/AAAAAAAABzQ/CNdMJzZeu6g/s640/IMG_0506.JPG"> <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JcZW3XrK6A/T2Ns1fKiFdI/AAAAAAAABzQ/CNdMJzZeu6g/s640/IMG_0506.JPG" height="425" width="273" /></a><br /><br />Inspired by spaces like <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/inspiration-bla-89693">these</a> and <a href="http://nestegg.typepad.com/nest-egg/2011/06/dark-doors.html">these</a>, I realized that dark, glossy paint on its myriad doors could give this no-man's-land some kind of identity, even kind of a tailored sophistication. And with something other than Lowe's white on the nice old wood doors, it would seem considered, intentional - as if we'd actually given the space some thought and done something with it.<br /><br />I was determined to use gloss oil paint on the doors, which was probably my downfall, as far as the project time and cost went. Oil paint is much more expensive than latex, and takes many more coats for decent coverage - but it's also more durable and has a nice, hard, enamel finish that I love on doors and trim. It seems permanent, and it looks better.<br /><br />So I resolved to do it "the right way" - sanding, oil paint, the whole thing. I pulled the doors off their rusted, seven-decades-old hinges, took off the doorknobs, placed the first door on sawhorses, and made <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4fbox_ive-made-a-huge-mistake_fun">a huge mistake</a>.<br /><br />Whatever you do, don't use a belt sander on latex paint. The belt sander I tried out on the first door ripped up all eighteen-or-so layers of latex and lead paint, leaving a jagged, thick border around it. Unless you plan on spending three days on each door to sand off every single bit of old paint, use an orbital sander with 150-grit paper to just smooth out the imperfections. Don't worry - you'll still spend a few hours on every door.<br /><br />While you sand, use a brush to sweep away all the balled-up clumps of paint every couple of minutes; otherwise they'll wind up under your sander and reattach themselves to the door.<br /><br />Where it was necessary to fill in screw holes or areas where the paint had dimpled or chipped, I used <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-acrylic-gesso/">gesso</a>. I brushed the thick primer on, let it dry for a few hours while I worked on another door, and then came back to the gesso'd patch to sand it smooth and sometimes apply another coat.<br /><br />I never got a perfectly smooth finish. The doors look like they've been here since the forties, and I'm fine with that. If perfect is what you're going for, hire somebody.<br /><br />The guy at Sherwin Williams assured me I didn't need to prime the latex before applying the oil - though you would have to prime the other way around. We went with Sherwin Williams' <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7048-urbane-bronze/">Urbane Bronze</a> in <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/catalog/all-surface-enamel-oil-base/?referringCategory=interior-paint-coatings/paint/">All-Surface Interior Oil Enamel</a>, which has a good bit of brown and green in it. I used a cheap, foam mini-roller to paint on about four - sometimes five! - coats per side, letting the doors dry about six hours between coats. I thinned the gooey paint with a tiny bit of mineral spirits.<br /><br />We really liked the color - except in the bathroom, where the blue morning light gave the brownish-gray a decidedly Army-green cast, especially next to the black and white tiles. UGH. So we bought a pint of <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7069-iron-ore/">Iron Ore</a>, a true dark gray with almost no other tints, and I rolled on two coats to the inside of those two doors.<br /><br />I also used <a href="http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3587950">stripper</a>, a putty knife, and lots of steel wool to take off all the overpainting from the door knobs and plates. We replaced the two sets of rusted hinges from the bathroom doors, but reused all the others.<br /><br />DONE, finally. I'm not sure that I'd ever recommend anyone doing this <span style="font-style: italic;">nine doors at a time</span> - my single-minded devotion to finishing these all in one go kept us without a bathroom door for several days - and I am <span style="font-style: italic;">not that kind of person</span>.<br /><br />But I do love the end result.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vy5GFxgCNRg/T2Nr2IDepAI/AAAAAAAABzI/0nOJnzTzu5g/s512/IMG_0505.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vy5GFxgCNRg/T2Nr2IDepAI/AAAAAAAABzI/0nOJnzTzu5g/s512/IMG_0505.JPG" height="382" width="270" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KP_tJYxbmB0/T2Z72wet5CI/AAAAAAAABzw/ICy6ndCj9dQ/s512/IMG_0567.JPG"> <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KP_tJYxbmB0/T2Z72wet5CI/AAAAAAAABzw/ICy6ndCj9dQ/s512/IMG_0567.JPG" height="382" width="276" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-1659214225766043512012-02-18T08:07:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.016-08:00Altering Jeans: Original Hem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having a few alterations you can do yourself is a pretty valuable asset. Even having fake alteration assets is great, like how I take in sides, along the entire length, of a pair of pants or a skirt; I'm mostly guessing but it usually turns out good enough. But being able to properly take in a hem, is on the top of the altering-assets list. In <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2009/07/invisible-hem-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this post</a> I talked about taking in the hem of skirts with a blind stitch, and today taking in jeans using the original hem. There is <i>such</i> a difference in using the original hem versus creating a new hem on your own -- you're never going to get your new hem to look like the manufactured hem and, I think, that's quiet distracting and you might as well walk around in pants too-long. Plus, it's so easy to use the original. Tutorial after the jump!<br />
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On these pants I actually took in both the hem and sides to turn them from too-long-bootcut to just-right-skinnies, but I'm just going to talk about the hem in this post.<br />
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<b>CUT & PLACE</b><br />
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Cut off the original hem giving yourself a generous 1/4" or 1/2" from the stitching. Using a seam ripper, take out the <i>outside </i>pant seam so that your hem piece is one long piece (no longer a tube).<br />
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Next, cut your pants to the length you'd like them. Your final leg-length will be where you do your stitching <i>plus</i> the length of the original hem (a half inch or so), keep this in mind.<br />
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Using a seam ripper again, take out a couple inches of the <i>outside</i> pant seam (on the right side of the photo above).<br />
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Pin the hem onto the pant leg <i>right sides together</i> (your pants should be <i>right-side out</i>) and<i> raw edges on the same side</i>. Match your pant's and hem's outside and inside seams. We will be stitching just below the stitching on the original hem so make sure that when you place it onto the pant leg that it is at this new stitch postion, plus the length of the original hem, that you want your new pant-length to be. Hopefully the picture makes clearer what my words fail to explain.<br />
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With your sewing machine, stitch as close to the fold of the inside seam as shown in the photo above.<br />
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At this point, if you want, you can finish the raw edges by trimming them and serging or zig-zag stitching. Not doing so won't really change the success of the alteration.<br />
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When you've finished this, turn the pants <i>inside-out</i> and stitch back over the side-seam you opened earlier.<br />
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Finished pants with both legs altered and my feet no longer bare. Please let me know if I did a terrible job at explaining this.<br />
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<br />jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-4388358806663303192012-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.036-08:00Etching Glass<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AjukZ56cvgg/TySwV4K45TI/AAAAAAAABxw/R2vuo1Bcwfg/s512/IMG_0476.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AjukZ56cvgg/TySwV4K45TI/AAAAAAAABxw/R2vuo1Bcwfg/s512/IMG_0476.JPG" height="410" width="273" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zuzVlDxqhOs/TySwWhjWfRI/AAAAAAAABxw/N_qoFnoIqR4/s512/IMG_0493.JPG"> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zuzVlDxqhOs/TySwWhjWfRI/AAAAAAAABxw/N_qoFnoIqR4/s512/IMG_0493.JPG" height="410" width="273" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;font-size:85%;" >At left: our glass cocktail shaker with etched monogram. Right: Taylor's gift, and us as young woodland varmints.</span><br /><br />This post is specifically about a gift for my brother, which he hasn't yet received. But, given that he'd never be caught dead reading this blog, I think it's safe to go ahead and post.<br /><br />I am and always will be a Stevens, even though I'm also a Morris now. "Team Stevens" happened on day when I talked my brother into letting me go on a run with him, and then our dad asked if he could join us, and then we all forced our mother to come along. It just felt so silly and all-American, going out for a brisk jog with one's whole family. Obviously, Team Stevens was a thing that needed a logo, and once that logo was created, it needed to be on everything. I think I had patches made at some point.<br /><br />When my brother turned 21, I wanted to put the logo on a beer mug for him, but I couldn't find a company that would custom-etch glass products in such short runs - as in, one. Then I discovered etching cream. It's cheap, it's easy, and it allows you to customize glassware at home. I bought it at <a href="http://www.samflaxsouth.com/">Sam Flax</a>, but you can also buy it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Darts-crafts&field-keywords=armour+etch&x=0&y=0">Amazon</a>, where the product description reads: "NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CLEANING GLASSES!"http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif<br /><br />My brother broke his beer mug in his last move, and he asked that I make him a new one. The process is as simple as this:<br /><a name='more'></a><br />1. Create your image. You can draw it or use whatever computer program you want - you just need to be able to print it out and trace it. I've used Word in the past, just to print a single 72-point <span style="font-style:italic;">M</span>.<br /><br />2. Trace your image onto a small piece of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tact-24F-C9D78-06-18-Inch-Multipurpose-Adhesive/dp/B001NPDFEY/ref=pd_sim_t_1">clear contact film</a>. (It's really called contact <span style="font-style: italic;">paper</span>. But it's not paper - so in this blog, it is henceforth known as <span style="font-style: italic;">contact film</span>.) I found rolls of contact film in Target's home organization section, alongside decorative shelf-liner paper.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-47v06qRNAi0/TySuobLALtI/AAAAAAAABxE/VbeGJOTMMag/s640/IMG_0439.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-47v06qRNAi0/TySuobLALtI/AAAAAAAABxE/VbeGJOTMMag/s640/IMG_0439.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a><br /><br />3. Peel off the backing paper, and stick the contact film to your glass. Smooth out any bubbles, and rub the film to make sure it adheres evenly.<br /><br />4. Use an Exacto knife to carefully cut out your image. Try not to actually score the glass; only use as much pressure as you need to cut through the film. As much as possible, keep your cuts smooth and fluid, rather than short and choppy. Peel off the image itself, so you're left with a negative of the image.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nd0H-iVje4U/TySuop1K_yI/AAAAAAAABxE/Bj9ki5xeWTw/s640/IMG_0443.JPG"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nd0H-iVje4U/TySuop1K_yI/AAAAAAAABxE/Bj9ki5xeWTw/s640/IMG_0443.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a><br /><br />5. Using a cheap paintbrush, brush on a thick coat of etching cream. Leave it on as long as the container's instructions indicate - mine called for five minutes. Rinse carefully with water, and pat dry lightly with a paper towel, ensuring that you don't pull up any of the contact film. (I find that you get a deeper, more even etch by applying the etching cream twice. You'll never be able to cut a stencil exactly the same way twice, so be very careful to leave the film on when you rinse the first time - if it's adhered evenly to the glass, the water shouldn't be a problem.)<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yiJTiFLtAQQ/TySwWIJXFqI/AAAAAAAABxw/hUyemxzHJaY/s640/IMG_0445.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yiJTiFLtAQQ/TySwWIJXFqI/AAAAAAAABxw/hUyemxzHJaY/s640/IMG_0445.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a><br /><br />6. Finally, apply your etching cream again, wait the prescribed time, and rinse off. This time, you can remove the contact paper and reward yourself with a beer.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOmMZ_BfltY/TySwWB0eDWI/AAAAAAAABxw/MgJ-09THsp4/s720/IMG_0447.JPG"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOmMZ_BfltY/TySwWB0eDWI/AAAAAAAABxw/MgJ-09THsp4/s720/IMG_0447.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ih-tG-4ooeU/TzNE31cGvLI/AAAAAAAAByw/XLHZSZoEN3Y/s640/IMG_0495.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ih-tG-4ooeU/TzNE31cGvLI/AAAAAAAAByw/XLHZSZoEN3Y/s640/IMG_0495.jpg" height="440" width="550" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-18490427767559419822012-01-28T16:29:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.018-08:00Pretty-Good-For-You Apple Crisp<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lE2XFMoKjPs/TySun-ToRFI/AAAAAAAABxE/z6znbg9OlMw/s800/IMG_0427.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lE2XFMoKjPs/TySun-ToRFI/AAAAAAAABxE/z6znbg9OlMw/s800/IMG_0427.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a><br /><br />Some otherwise completely sane people believe that every dish presents an opportunity to ruthlessly cut fat, salt, and calories. That's not me. While it would be recklessly dishonest of me to say that I do everything in moderation, I believe that a cook has a duty to aim for the sublime, and if transcendence is achieved with a stick of butter, then try to limit yourself to a few bites.<br /><br />That being said, I’m always glad to find a healthy recipe that delivers on more than just fiber, and I’ve found that <i>Cook’s Country</i> – the sister publication of <i>Cook’s Illustrated</i>, and published by public TV's<i> America’s Test Kitchen</i> – actually has some pretty great ones.<br /><br />Most of the excess calories in a fruit pie or cobbler are delivered by a buttery, sugary crust, and it just can't be made healthy. A whole-wheat, low-fat pastry dough is an abomination that none should endeavor to eat. The pastry part of this apple crisp is rolled oats, a few pecans, a sneaky secret ingredient, and a little bit of butter and sugar. It’s delicious and satisfying. (And begs for you to keep in mind that two tablespoons of whipped cream have only 50 calories - a little cream adds a lot to this dessert.)<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Healthier Apple Crisp</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Adapted from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cook’s Country</span><br />Serves 6-8</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Filling:</span><br /><br />6 large Golden Delicious apples (8 ounces each), peeled and cored<br />1 cup apple or pear juice<br />1 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar<br />3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />2 teaspoons lemon juice<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Topping:</span><br /><br />2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (don’t use instant or quick oats)<br />1/3 cup Grape-Nuts cereal<br />1/4 cup chopped pecans<br />1/4 cup packed light brown sugar<br />1/4 cup all-purpose flour<br />3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled<br />1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br /><br />Whipped cream; recipe follows<br /><br /><br /><b>Instructions:</b><br /><br />Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Slice apples into 1/4-inch-thick wedges.<br /><br />Bring half the apple slices, apple juice, sugar, and cinnamon to a simmer in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are fairly tender, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat, let cool for five minutes, and mash the apple mixture using a potato masher.<br /><br />Set aside 1 tablespoon mashed apple mixture from the pan.<br /><br />Return burner under the skillet to medium heat. Add the remaining apple slices and cook, covered, until slices just begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and stir in lemon juice.<br /><br />Process the oats in a food processor until ground pretty finely, about 15 seconds. Add Grape-Nuts, pecans, sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon, salt, and reserved apple sauce; pulse two or three times to mix. Set aside.<br /><br />Scrape apple filling into 8-inch square baking dish and press into an even layer. Sprinkle topping over filling and bake until juices are bubbling and topping is deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool on wire rack for 15 minutes. Serve with a little whipped cream.<br /><br /><br /><b>Vanilla-Bourbon Whipped Cream</b><br /><br />1 cup heavy cream<br />1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />2 teaspoons bourbon<br /><br />In a chilled glass bowl, whip cream with an electric mixer until it begins to thicken. Add confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and bourbon. Continue to beat until peaks form.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7uga1r9VQiA/TySunjIDtCI/AAAAAAAABxE/VKbMMSA8C_c/s720/IMG_0426.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7uga1r9VQiA/TySunjIDtCI/AAAAAAAABxE/VKbMMSA8C_c/s720/IMG_0426.JPG" height="393" width="550" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-9303204234255233922012-01-16T18:50:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.095-08:00Quick Drawstring Bags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've posted on a few kinds of drawstring bags already (<a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/07/sewing-linen-bread-bag-french-seams_23.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/02/re-purpose-t-shirt-to-shoe-travel-bag.html" target="_blank">here</a>), could there be more? Of course. These are about as quick and dirty as it gets. It's also a good way to use up extra fabric (that you buy and buy without a project in mind and then you end up moving it across the country and promising yourself to find ways to use it and store other things, like air, under your bed). Instructions after the jump!<br />
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I'm going to skip suggesting fabric sizes and amounts as I can't really say what they were. I just was in need of about 4 or 5 drawstring bags for various kitchen odds and ends and so I took some fabric, it was at least a yard, and started cutting it into rectangles, just eyeballing the "half" size to get an idea of how big the bag would be when finished. I suggest you do the same, figure out rough size you'd like the bag to be and double it on either the long or short side. For the sake of ease on my part (of course), I've just illustrated it one way, a long rectangle.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other supplies: ribbon, machine or will to make button holes</span></i><br />
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Serger note: I used a serger, but you can use a zig zag stitch close to the edge, too.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>*</b>red lines indicate that step's stitching</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*that black dot in the center just illustrates the center, I'm realizing now it may be confusing and unnecessary in this illustration, whoops. </span></i><br />
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<b>1. CUT & BUTTON HOLE</b><br />
Cut into a rectangle and allow at least 3.75" for your draw string tube. Serge (or zig-zag) the two short raw ends.<br />
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Create a button hole in the center of the short side, about two inches down from the raw edge. The exact dimensions will depend on the size of your button hole, but you want it to fall in the center of the 1.5" tube space. </div>
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<b>2. SEW SIDES</b></div>
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Fold the rectangle in half, right sides together, matching the two short ends you've serged/stitched. Serge/stitch the left and right sides together. </div>
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<b>3. CREATE DRAWSTRING TUBE</b></div>
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Fold down the first edge you stitched in the first step so that your button hole is in the center (inside) of the fold you're making and the top of the zig-zag stitching. Press your fabric and then stitch around the bag, following the top edge of the zig-zag stitch. </div>
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<b>4. FINISH</b></div>
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Flip right-side out and feed ribbon in the button hole and back out from the other side. Done! </div>jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-11789240603007923642012-01-04T06:43:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.009-08:00Otomi-Inspired Appliqué Pillow<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W2GsrjjKUEU/TwCq4Ba_EDI/AAAAAAAABsQ/0k9YMDYm02E/s720/otomi%2525201.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W2GsrjjKUEU/TwCq4Ba_EDI/AAAAAAAABsQ/0k9YMDYm02E/s720/otomi%2525201.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br />I think a lot of us have a contrarian streak - a tendency to resist things that are popular, and especially things that cross the line from popular into ubiquitous.<br /><br />One night in December, Allen and I were driving to a barbecue place for dinner, and we passed a lot of houses decorated with white Christmas lights, and a few with colored Christmas lights, but only a couple with icicle lights - the ones that were so rampant for the last ten years or so. Not the molded plastic ones that are actually shaped like icicles, but the light strings that have smaller little strings hanging off of them.<br /><br />I said to Allen, "Do you think, now that those icicle lights aren't so popular anymore, they're okay for us to start using?"<br /><br />Allen was shocked. "You like those?" he said, indignant.<br /><br />"Yeah, I really like them! But everybody uses them, so we've never used them."<br /><br />"No," said Allen. "We don't use them because they don't look like real icicles."<br /><br />"What?"<br /><br />"Yeah, nobody uses them right. People hang them where real icicles would never be - like on the back sides of beams. That doesn't make any sense."<br /><br />"Allen, of course it doesn't make any sense. They're not real icicles. Even if you 'use them right,' nobody is going to look at them and say, 'Wow - somebody waited for a snowy day, hosed down their porch roof, got those those beautiful icicles to form, and then somehow lit them from the back.'"<br /><br />"You're twisting my words."<br /><br />So I understand perfectly a natural aversion to trends. Otomi embroidery has been all over the internet for a few years, but I still love it so. I have loved it since my grandparents had some in their "Mexico room" when I was a little girl.<br /><br />The animals, y'all! They are such great animals. Actually, if I have any disappointment about the way my pillow turned out (other than the time it took, which was more than I expected), it's that the animals aren't as crazy-whimsical as the weird, fantastical creatures that populate real Otomi embroidery.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />The online store <a href="http://www.jacarandahome.com/index.html">Jacaranda</a> sells full-size Otomi coverlets and tablecloths, but they also sell <a href="http://prostores1.megawebservers.com/jacarandahome_com/Detail.bok?no=181">small swatches</a> for a dollar each. A few years ago, I ordered several samples, hoping that one day I'd save up the money to buy a full-size specimen, and fantasizing in the meantime about what color I'd pick. The swatches are either cut portions of larger works (which seems a shame) or small, fully composed little scenes. And the scenes are crazy.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-70_SVDbP0O4/TwCq6HY7-qI/AAAAAAAABsw/HOf1olBSvno/s720/otomi%252520sample.jpg"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-70_SVDbP0O4/TwCq6HY7-qI/AAAAAAAABsw/HOf1olBSvno/s720/otomi%252520sample.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br />What is that? A turtle-deer with a propellor attached to its back? It is awesome.<br /><br />So when I was drawing little creatures to stitch onto my pillow, I actually kept catching myself making them too real, too correctly proportioned. When you draw these, you must go crazy! Combine a deer with a bunny with a sea monster. That's a lot of what makes the real ones so damn charming, and if I try my hand at copying the beautiful embroidery technique, I'll challenge myself to go more outlandish. To take a cue from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/131800726564257381/">this beautiful piece</a>, and its charming lizard-otter-pig.<br /><br />Anyway, on to the instructions, which are few. Basically, lay out the shape of your pillow. Use <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/01/invisible-zipper-pillow.html">this tutorial</a> as a basic pillow-making template. I made a 20"-square pillow, using remnant linen fabric I bought at <a href="https://lsfabrics.com/">Lewis and Sheron</a>.<br /><br />For your appliqué pieces, you can use wool felt, or an old sweater. I washed an old moth-eaten wool cardigan in hot water, and then dried it in the dryer. I was hoping to <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/2259/how-to-felt-sweaters">felt the sweater</a>, but since it was a blend, with 20% nylon, it mostly kept its shape. Oh well - I just had to be more careful when I was cutting and sewing it, since it didn't become tough and cohesive like felt.<br /><br />Just turn your fabric over to the wrong side (if there is one) and start drawing. I used a charcoal pencil. I looked at Google images, <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/?q=otomi+embroidery">Pinterest</a>, and photos on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=otomi&_sacat=See-All-Categories">eBay</a> and <a href="http://prostores1.megawebservers.com/jacarandahome_com/Detail.bok?no=1">Jacaranda</a> for inspiration. I drew pastiches of some of my favorite recurring fauna - a rooster (or bird of prey?) in flight, a deer-like shape, and a canine. Otomi compositions are full of abstract floral shapes that fill some of the negative space. I implore you, once again, to be more ambitiously imaginative than me!<br /><br />I cut out my shapes, pinned them in place, and appliqued them. I used a simple <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4940669_sew-whip-stitch.html">whip stitch</a> to sew the shapes in place.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPS0BRXhg8g/TwCtoml6hLI/AAAAAAAABtg/Nwyx_oxR5qE/s720/otomi%2525206.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPS0BRXhg8g/TwCtoml6hLI/AAAAAAAABtg/Nwyx_oxR5qE/s720/otomi%2525206.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5I85FCOHWxI/TwCtom1oq3I/AAAAAAAABtc/OkvnSlKR85o/s720/otomi%2525205.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5I85FCOHWxI/TwCtom1oq3I/AAAAAAAABtc/OkvnSlKR85o/s720/otomi%2525205.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br />The knitted nature of my fabric was problematic at times, since it wanted to fall apart at the ends (whereas felt would keep its shape nicely). So when I got to pointy shapes, like ears or skinny feet, I improvised. Sometimes I sewed all the way across the shape, or added definition by basically embroidering the ends of ears.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lpPVXQexaC4/TwCq4GA14WI/AAAAAAAABsc/4leRaUNMG00/s720/otomi%2525202b.jpg"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lpPVXQexaC4/TwCq4GA14WI/AAAAAAAABsc/4leRaUNMG00/s720/otomi%2525202b.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oa0q-vj2XkI/TwCq5GrmcQI/AAAAAAAABss/RlDipw4Z0GI/s720/otomi%2525203b.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oa0q-vj2XkI/TwCq5GrmcQI/AAAAAAAABss/RlDipw4Z0GI/s720/otomi%2525203b.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br />I made a bunch of little knots for eyes, though in real Otomi pieces, the eyes would be negative space.<br /><br />The appliqué process takes a while, but the process of assembling the pillow is very straight-forward. Just follow <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/01/invisible-zipper-pillow.html">these instructions</a>, installing the hidden zipper at the bottom of the pillow.<br /><br />I tried appliqué because I was convinced it would be so much faster than embroidering the shapes. But since this turned out to be a time-consuming process, I'd like to try copying the Otomi embroidery technique sometime soon. I'm a glutton for punishment, and for whimsical animals. Expect a sequel!<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JWHrpC3Yjw4/TwCtoRUjZWI/AAAAAAAABtY/oYo4xuBA6kA/s720/otomi%2525204.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JWHrpC3Yjw4/TwCtoRUjZWI/AAAAAAAABtY/oYo4xuBA6kA/s720/otomi%2525204.jpg" width="550" height="393" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-56750758015755341462011-12-28T21:30:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.057-08:00Draft Dodger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFDCkzxeiZc/Tvvw31roDhI/AAAAAAAAClo/p7pec6IYZWM/s550/dd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFDCkzxeiZc/Tvvw31roDhI/AAAAAAAAClo/p7pec6IYZWM/s550/dd1.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0FiofT2lLPk/Tvvw3xIWL3I/AAAAAAAAClk/L85Rdaq-nJE/s550/dd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0FiofT2lLPk/Tvvw3xIWL3I/AAAAAAAAClk/L85Rdaq-nJE/s550/dd2.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>Guys, I sewed something! I am happy to contribute my first project post in many months. I'm also happy to be settling in here in San Francisco and to have my sewing machine not in a box.<br /><br />This project was born of necessity - my new room's windows are drafty and it gets pretty chilly here in SF. As soon as I could, I made two of these. This is a simple project; if you've got a drafty door or window there's no excuse not to whip one up yourself. The part that takes the most time is picking up the rice from the store. Instructions after the jump.<br /><br />Also, New Years is upon us! Don't forget your lucky greens and <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/12/feeling-lucky-happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">black-eyed peas</a>.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><b>Supplies you'll need:</b><br /><br /><ul><li><i>Fabric of your choice, at least 36" x 6.5"</i></li><li><i>2.5 - 3 lbs of rice (I used about a 5 lb bag for two dodgers)</i></li><li><i>needle, thread, sewing machine, scissors...</i></li></ul><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwH_cIe5KR4/Tvvt2ZG9h8I/AAAAAAAACk8/YCW4zjULe8s/s912/draftdodger-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwH_cIe5KR4/Tvvt2ZG9h8I/AAAAAAAACk8/YCW4zjULe8s/s1600/draftdodger-03.png" width="550" /></a><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div><b>CUT, PREP AND SEW</b><br /><br />Cut your fabric to 36" x 6.5" (first illustration). A note: I lined mine with muslin. You don't have to, but my other dodger was linen and I felt better with the extra layer. If you do this, cut a piece of muslim to the same dimension, stack on the wrong side of your exterior fabric and follow the instructions the same.<br /><br />Fold the fabric in half, right sides (of exterior fabric) together, lengthwise and press. Pin the fabric in place and stitch, with a 1/4" seam allowance, along the open long side and one short side. On the remaining short side, sew the corners, leaving a 2" or so gap in the middle for filling the tube with rice (second illustration).<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>FILL</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Using a funnel, fill your tube with rice until just nearly the open end. You want it to have some wiggle room and not spill out when you close the end. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Using a needle and thread, slip stitch the opening closed.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0lNAyGR_xJ4/Tvvw4MGkq7I/AAAAAAAACl0/xWZ-QNRTeWs/s912/dd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0lNAyGR_xJ4/Tvvw4MGkq7I/AAAAAAAACl0/xWZ-QNRTeWs/s912/dd3.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>You're done; seal up those window/door gaps! Get cozy!jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-83196394286765673942011-12-18T15:32:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.086-08:00Speaking of making gifts ...Things that aren't worth making at home:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">No. 29</span><span style="font-style: italic;">: Cherry cordial candies</span><br /><br />I admit defeat.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-65651225929910908502011-12-14T15:46:00.001-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.067-08:00There's still time to make something!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, all! You must have plenty of free time left and are wondering what other things can you make before Christmas is here? We've got ideas in the new masthead and right column and here are a few more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/07/diy-bird-mobile.html" target="_blank">bird mobile</a> / <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/01/adjustable-bow-tie.html" target="_blank">bow tie</a> / <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/01/strawberry-pincushions.html" target="_blank">strawberry pincushion</a> / <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/01/pressed-framed-botanicals.html" target="_blank">pressed botanicals</a> / <a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/06/small-clutch.html" target="_blank">clutch</a><br />
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PS. I have arrived in San Francisco, I've even found a great apartment with great roommates in the lovely Duboce Triangle and my stuff has even arrived from Boston and I've even just unpacked it!jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-40268097881150328692011-12-04T08:20:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.031-08:00Edible Holiday Presents<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tVSaNKcH47Q/Ttukscbp2tI/AAAAAAAABng/oTSA7a6qEYY/s800/giftable%252520desserts%2525202.jpg"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tVSaNKcH47Q/Ttukscbp2tI/AAAAAAAABng/oTSA7a6qEYY/s800/giftable%252520desserts%2525202.jpg" width="550" height="372" /></a><br /><br />I am living life right now in full-blown Christmas mode. I've spent most of my adult life developing a Christmas playlist that isn’t terrible (Allen would argue with that), and it's playing on a loop. My Christmas presents are wrapped – not because I’m so together, but because few things fill me with glee like a bunch of wrapped packages stacked up in our living room. The only ones left to deal with are those presents that have yet to be made.<br /><br />Every year, Allen and I make a bunch of edible gifts – pralines, granola bars, four kinds of truffles, and sometimes peanut brittle or marshmallows. The truffles are the most well-loved among their recipients, and the most time-consuming. Every year, I naively look forward to the magical night, a week or so before Christmas, when Allen and I will get home from work, prepare our <span style="font-style: italic;">mise en place</span>, wash our hands, and calmly execute dozens of perfectly spherical, glossy confections. And every year those candies deliver us to the brink of sanity and coat two rooms of our house in a fine layer of Dutch-process cocoa.<br /><br />But year after year, we soldier on.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bUZk7yj7IvU/TtumjnQlElI/AAAAAAAABn4/vCSXZSMqE98/s800/wrapped%252520gifts.jpg"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bUZk7yj7IvU/TtumjnQlElI/AAAAAAAABn4/vCSXZSMqE98/s800/wrapped%252520gifts.jpg" width="550" height="367" /></a><br /><br />There is another, compound reason, for getting all of my Christmas shopping done early. I love buying and making gifts for the people I love, and I’m happy to give my energy to it. But I am able to enjoy it in November only because it doesn’t yet weigh on me; all my happy little homemade projects are unrushed, untarnished by impending deadlines. I Christmas-shop early because I can only enjoy it that way, and because I want to devote my entire December to decorating the tree, sitting in front of a fire, and making those god-awful truffles in a haze of adrenaline and rum-apple-cider.<br /><br />So while I love Christmastime with all my heart, and engage in its traditions with all the serene and happy fervor of a zealot, I understand the stress, too. Christmas - and all the winter holiday - should be enjoyed, in whatever way suits you. With friends or with family, by going to parties or to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. By baking desserts or buying them. I'd never intentionally contribute to the stress and the pressure that’s already laid on thick in this season of impressive meals and family togetherness.<br /><br />That's all to say: I love making homemade gifts, but if your brother just wants a shirt from the Gap, and you don’t want another activity on your list, order that button-down right now and make sure to get free shipping.<br /><br />If, however, you’re inclined to make some presents yourself, then here are some of my favorite recipes:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/12/christmas-truffles.html"><b>Chocolate Truffles</b></a><b><br /><br /></b><a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2010/01/copy-cats-are-okay-if-theyre-making.html"><b>Peanut Butter Granola Bars</b></a><b><br /><br /></b><b><a href="http://www.ecabonline.com/2011/11/candied-key-lime-slices.html">Candied Citrus Slices</a></b><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Creamy Pecan Pralines</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Allen and I used to love these pralines. Then we made about two-hundred of them to give as favors at our wedding reception. After making them for days and days, and eating many of the rejected specimens, we no longer wish to see them ever again. The problem is, there are a few people in our family - my beloved, departed, Louisiane grandfather was the most emphatic - who simply wouldn't abide a Christmas gift box without them. And so we suffer through every year, for the good of the family.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />3 cups granulated sugar<br />3 cups packed light brown sugar<br />¼ tsp. salt<br />1/3 cup dark corn syrup<br />2 cups evaporated milk<br />¼ cup (½ stick) butter<br />2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />3 cups pecan halves<br /><br />Butter the sides of a large saucepan. Place the sugar, salt, corn syrup, evaporated milk, and butter in the saucepan. Over medium heat, stir mixture constantly with a wooden spoon until sugars have dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Continue to cook to soft ball stage, about 236° on a candy thermometer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.</div><div><br />Add the vanilla and nuts, and beat with a spoon for about 2 to 5 minutes or until the candy is slightly thick and begins to lose its gloss and become opaque. </div><div><br /></div><div>Working quickly, use a 2” ice cream scoop to drop candy onto waxed paper. If the candy begins to get stiff, add a few drops of water and place back on heat for a few seconds.<br /></div><div><br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-31789780780183072342011-11-15T09:40:00.001-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.022-08:00Eating on the East<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you know, I'm transitioning to the west coast (!) - I left Boston at the end of October and traveled down the east coast, bidding farewell to friends and cities. I have no sewing machine and no pantry so I can't contribute much on those fronts (the only "project" I've done is mend some buttons) but I thought I could talk about some of the fun places I've eaten along the way.<br />
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<b>New York City</b><br />
<a href="http://www.doughnutplant.com/"><i>Doughnut Plant</i></a> in Chelsea and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/dough-brooklyn"><i>Dough</i></a> in Bed-Stuy: Such great flavors; pricey but thats how boutique treats go.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertaspizza.com&src_bizid=FhXjAc6nKLf414KxYujUHw&cachebuster=1321397060&s=8834c1c931b9d3b18844ffa9997088715247c173efabf58999a56545f43f6c1c"><i>Roberta's</i></a> in Bushwick: A bit out of the way, but a great space with great pizza.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeardedLadyBrooklyn"><i>Bearded Lady</i></a> in Prospect Heights: Cool corner spot, bright mid century chairs.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeardedLadyBrooklyn">Sit and Wonder</a> </i>in Prospect Heights: Stumptown coffee, great egg and sage baguette, wifi.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.pequenarestaurant.com/">Pequena</a></i> in Fort Green: Fantastic mexican fare. I'd go here all the time even if Lindsey wasn't there (say hi!)<br />
<a href="http://thehabitatbrooklyn.com/"><i>The Habitat</i></a> in Greenpoint: They have trivia - with buzzers!<br />
<i><a href="http://nymag.com/listings/bar/anotheroom/">Anotheroom</a></i> in TriBeCa: I could live in the look of this bar.<br />
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<b>Philadelphia</b><br />
<a href="http://ultimocoffee.wordpress.com/"><i>Ultimo</i></a>: Counter culture coffee and beer, a sister to Atlanta<br />
<a href="http://www.greeneggscafe.net/"><i>Green Eggs Cafe</i></a>: Don't be fooled, the red velvet pancakes are hardly breakfast fare.<br />
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<b>Baltimore</b><br />
<a href="http://www.thebrewersart.com/"><i>Brewer's Art</i></a>: Esquire named this one of the country's best bars.<br />
<a href="http://milkandhoneybaltimore.com/"><i>Milk and Honey</i></a> in Mount Vernon: A wonderful cafe and market.<br />
<i><a href="http://soupsonbalto.com/">Soup's On</a></i> & <a href="http://www.oknaturalfoods.com/"><i>Ok Natural</i> </a>in Mount Vernon: Great organic soup shop nestled up with a natural market.<br />
<a href="http://Pitango Gelato"><i>Pitango Gelato</i></a> in Fells Point: The banana taste just like pureed banana, which I love.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.thewindupspace.com/">The Windup Space</a></i>: a bar with the Black Lodge from Twin Peaks set up. Enough said.<br />
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<b>Washington, DC</b><br />
Actually, I just ate at the museums on this day trip.<br />
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<b>Atlanta</b><br />
<a href="http://pizzeriavesuvius.com/"><i>Vesuvius</i></a> on Edgewood: Great pizza, lots of space.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sister-louisas-church-of-the-living-room-and-ping-pong-emporium-atlanta"><i>Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room</i></a> on Edgewood: I thought bars like this only existed in NYC. Two levels, garden, ping pong table and choir robes to wear.<br />
<a href="http://www.suninmybelly.com/"><i>Sun in my Belly</i></a> in Decatur: The ideal brunch spot.<br />
<a href="http://octanecoffee.com/"><i>Octane</i></a> in Grant Park: The sister to my old westside haunt; plus a bakery.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.apresdiem.com/carroll_street/">Carroll Street Cafe </a></i>in Cabbagetown: Not new to me but a must-go place if you're in the 'hood.<br />
<br />
I'm now at home in Kathleen, Georgia through Thanksgiving. I fly out on a one-way ticket to San Francisco on Friday. Eee!<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*A special thanks to Foursquare (and me for checking in) for keeping track of where I'd been!</span></i><br />
<br />jlordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005416192305036438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-34883331968550662402011-11-11T15:20:00.000-08:002012-11-24T16:43:28.026-08:00Candied Key Lime Slices<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yIWVnma08cA/TpeIPVN86wI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Nr4S_8742sI/s720/IMG_9536.JPG"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yIWVnma08cA/TpeIPVN86wI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Nr4S_8742sI/s720/IMG_9536.JPG" width="550" height="393" /></a><br /><br />Sorry about the inconsistent posting as of late. Allen and I were out of town for quite a while, traveling in Italy and France. It was a great trip. There were little disasters (I lost our train tickets - replacements, in fact, for the train that we'd <span style="font-style:italic;">missed</span> 15 minutes earlier), and minor mistakes (Allen said "Hola!" to nonplussed Italians more than once (<i>note from Allen: Only once.</i>)). But there were little victories, too: I learned a little Italian, and my triumphs include successfully ordering quantities of cheese in a crowded Venetian market while Allen stood behind me and whispered, "Get some salami, too. Salami!" Allen's greatest feat was more dramatic: he cool-headedly jockeyed through Florence traffic in a Fiat while I pushed an imaginary brake pedal and stifled shrieks.<br /><br />Allen, my awesome husband, was an ideal travel companion. Aside from being generally fun and hilarious, he hauled my giant suitcase around Europe (of course, I offered to tote his reasonable carry-on), while I packed it ever-fuller with jars of honey and olivewood cutting boards. And if I ever got tired of bumbling through Italian greetings, or searching for a French verb that I haven't used in years, Allen was always ready to step in and shout "Hola!" to everyone in the vicinity. <br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1kyzz7OOWFQ/Tr6dim2vXcI/AAAAAAAABac/9J-lvcMDsC8/s800/IMG_9611.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1kyzz7OOWFQ/Tr6dim2vXcI/AAAAAAAABac/9J-lvcMDsC8/s800/IMG_9611.JPG" width="550" height="396" /></a><br /><br />Jessica is presently gallivanting across the eastern seaboard, and me? Well, now it's time to eat and drink and catch up with friends (Jessica among them!) - before the holiday eating and drinking inevitably starts, which is a whole other kind of eating and drinking, and will require commitment and preparation. But we're back in the meantime, however sporadically. Those Christmas dioramas aren't going to decorate themselves.<br /><br />Now to the project at hand. Our noble little key lime tree, who lives in a pot and had to be moved indoors last night, has given us 10 or 20 little ping-pong-ball sized fruits. In my determined campaign to turn everything healthy and natural into candy or cake, I took those fruits and made gorgeous little stained-glass treats - candy <span style="font-style:italic;">to decorate</span> a cake!<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wG0C8tTsjYM/TpeIOPdy59I/AAAAAAAABTM/Q5T7pmR2N6A/s720/IMG_9532.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wG0C8tTsjYM/TpeIOPdy59I/AAAAAAAABTM/Q5T7pmR2N6A/s720/IMG_9532.JPG" width="550" height="360" /></a><br /><br />Here are the instructions:<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Candied Key Lime (or Lemon) Slices:</span><br /><br />Use a mandoline (preferred) or a very sharp knife (dangerous, for me), to cut six key limes into paper-thin slices. Discard the one or two slices at each of the ends. (<span style="font-style:italic;">Or, you can use the same process for two medium-sized lemons.</span>) I didn't worry about removing all the seeds.<br /><br />In a large bowl, prepare an ice-water bath, and set aside.<br /><br />Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, and dump in citrus slices. Stir very gently for about one minute. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the citrus slices and place them in the ice bath. Drain.<br /><br />Prepare another ice bath, bring another pot of water to boil, and repeat the blanching and ice-bath process once more. This helps remove all the bitterness from the pith of the lime.<br /><br />Combine 4 cups sugar with 1 1/2 cups water in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir gently until all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear, and reduce heat to medium-low. Using tongs, arrange the citurs slices in a single layer in the skillet. Let the lemon slices simmer for about an hour and a half. Do not stir, and don't let the water boil.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bdXEa829Ywc/TpeIMTxIq0I/AAAAAAAABTI/kMxVjJttPaI/s720/IMG_9527.JPG"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bdXEa829Ywc/TpeIMTxIq0I/AAAAAAAABTI/kMxVjJttPaI/s720/IMG_9527.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br />Set two cooling racks over parchment paper, for catching drips. Use a fork to remove the lemon slices from the pan and place on the drying racks. The slices will need a day or more to dry completely.<br /><br />I placed most of these in a plastic container and put them in the freezer. I've used the rest to decorate cakes and small pastries. They would be pretty (and delicious) dipped in chocolate, too, and given as gifts.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252736363159072433.post-72985427323774563792011-11-01T08:59:00.000-07:002012-11-24T16:43:28.073-08:00Lit à la Polonaise<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-urKhbRyCzLw/TnaeEnufEuI/AAAAAAAABME/Qs2AgQdXsSc/s640/IMG_9426.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-urKhbRyCzLw/TnaeEnufEuI/AAAAAAAABME/Qs2AgQdXsSc/s640/IMG_9426.JPG" width="273" height="425" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_FvLHt2GaO8/TnaeGKFXMPI/AAAAAAAABMI/ZKLdWPCSQ08/s640/IMG_9428.JPG"> <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_FvLHt2GaO8/TnaeGKFXMPI/AAAAAAAABMI/ZKLdWPCSQ08/s640/IMG_9428.JPG" width="273" height="425" /></a><br /><br /><i>Allen and I have been out of town for a couple of weeks, and I've had this post prepared since before we left. Unfortunately, I'm missing the picture that Jessica has requested - one of Huey (our dog) reclined on the bed and wearing an old-fashioned sleeping cap - but I will do everything in my power to bring this important item to fruition soon.</i><br /><div><br /></div><div>Please don't hold me to the correct terminology here. There are several types of ciels de lit - which themselves are a type of bed canopy - including <span style="font-style: italic;">lits à la duchesse</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">lits à la polonaise</span> - or "Polish beds." All I know is I'm a sucker for ridiculous drama, and two-thirds of the bedrooms that I've ripped out of <span style="font-style: italic;">House Beautiful</span> feature canopies (like <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/photos/test/eddie11.html">these</a> from Eddie Ross, with whom - like Dolly Parton - I'm convinced I could be best friends if we ever met). Since our guest room has recently taken on a cool, calm, less schizophrenic personality, I thought I'd rig one up in there.<br /><br />It's actually pretty easy. Here's what you need:<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><ul><li>plywood</li><li>about 6.5 yards of outside fabric, depending on your ceiling height, plus a little extra (roughly a 4" square)</li><li>about 6.5 yards of liner fabric (or a pair of Ikea <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80063833">curtains</a>), plus some extra (see below for details)</li><li>a staple gun and staples</li><li>a sewing machine and thread</li><li>1/4" upholstery tacks</li><li>a hammer or tack-hammer </li><li>a small disk about 1 1/2" in diameter - an aspirin bottle top works well</li><li>threaded metal hooks</li></ul><br />Use a jigsaw to cut a big donut out of the plywood - mine is about 17" diameter, with a two-inch hole in the middle.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02DqLFZbWZ4/Tnac3rnWSJI/AAAAAAAABLo/QHS2ZzwGS4Q/s912/IMG_9362.JPG"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02DqLFZbWZ4/Tnac3rnWSJI/AAAAAAAABLo/QHS2ZzwGS4Q/s912/IMG_9362.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br />Use the extra liner fabric to cover the donut. (The fabric should be equal to about twice the donut's outside circumference, and a little wider than the donut's diameter.)<br /><br />Picture an imaginary line down the middle of the fabric's length. Along this line, staple the fabric to the edge of the plywood donut, bunching it as you go. Staple every inch or so, folding the edge of the fabric down at the end so that no raw edges are showing.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kKs9jIDhWxE/Tnac8F6nLrI/AAAAAAAABLs/g3Zq9NiF7hc/s912/IMG_9365.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kKs9jIDhWxE/Tnac8F6nLrI/AAAAAAAABLs/g3Zq9NiF7hc/s912/IMG_9365.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ycPYtoODXBE/TnadBBg19hI/AAAAAAAABL4/o5DzSMyetZg/s912/IMG_9369.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ycPYtoODXBE/TnadBBg19hI/AAAAAAAABL4/o5DzSMyetZg/s912/IMG_9369.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br />Once the fabric is stapled along the edge, gather it and push it through the donut's hole. Staple in place. Staple the loose fabric on the other end to cover the plywood (this part isn't important, as you'll never see it once the canopy is installed).<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HbkOWM_llHE/Tnac9hWRJxI/AAAAAAAABLw/lY_uIjbdpls/s912/IMG_9366.JPG"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HbkOWM_llHE/Tnac9hWRJxI/AAAAAAAABLw/lY_uIjbdpls/s912/IMG_9366.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INEmLuXxEYs/TnadAQxbeNI/AAAAAAAABL0/_u-BxvHlIjs/s912/IMG_9368.JPG"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INEmLuXxEYs/TnadAQxbeNI/AAAAAAAABL0/_u-BxvHlIjs/s912/IMG_9368.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br />Cut your exterior fabric in half so that you have two widths of fabric, about 3.25 yards long - you want it long enough to reach from ceiling to floor, plus about six inches. Sew the pieces together so that you have a double-width of 3.25-yard-long fabric.<br /><br />Repeat with the liner fabric or curtains.<br /><br />Place the two double-wide pieces of fabric with the right sides against each other. My exterior fabric was wider than the liner fabric, so I folded it back in (and I like the look of it on the finished product).<br /><br />Sew the sides of the fabric together, then sew the bottom. You'll have a giant fabric sack now. Flip it so the right sides are out. Fold the raw edges of both fabrics so they're inside the sack, and pin in place. Sew shut. Now you have one big double-sided panel.<br /><br />Measure about three inches down from the top of the panel - a patterned fabric will help you eyeball this as you go along. Tack the panel onto the edge of the donut using an upholstery tack. Position the other edge of the panel flush with the first edge, so that the panel wraps around the donut - there should be a lot of excess. Tack in place. Estimate the halfway point of the panel's width, and tack it onto the opposite side of the donut. Keep working like this - finding the halfway point of the loose panel, and tacking in place between the two existing tacks. The idea is to get the panel evenly distributed around the plywood circle. Finally, space your tacks about an inch apart, with the fabric bunched all the way around the circle.<br /><br />Last, you want to cover the donut hole in the plywood. Cut out a circle of your exterior fabric, and stretch it taught around a small plastic disk, like an aspirin bottle top, sewing it in place. Sew this over the donut hole, hiding the stitches as possible.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qQ4pWOi1y7E/TnadDXZQn1I/AAAAAAAABL8/Iqd8MWTBybY/s912/IMG_9373.JPG"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qQ4pWOi1y7E/TnadDXZQn1I/AAAAAAAABL8/Iqd8MWTBybY/s912/IMG_9373.JPG" width="550" height="366" /></a><br /><br />Sink three threaded hooks into the plywood, spaced equally around the circle - snipping the fabric as necessary. <div><br /></div><div>Position the canopy exactly where you want it over your bed - get a partner to help. Push it up against the ceiling, and nudge it backward carefully a quarter-inch - this will leave marks on your formerly pristine white ceiling. Use heavy-duty drywall anchors to sink three more threaded hooks into the corresponding positions. All that's left is to hang the canopy hooks from the ceiling hooks - which is a bit of a pain in the ass, since you have to do it blind. Patience, my friend. Because once you're done you can relax under your canopy and pretend you're royalty.</div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rilKRePm5BY/TnaeDfDd5SI/AAAAAAAABMA/M_0_MRhCRIQ/s640/IMG_9430.JPG"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rilKRePm5BY/TnaeDfDd5SI/AAAAAAAABMA/M_0_MRhCRIQ/s640/IMG_9430.JPG" width="273" height="425" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-urKhbRyCzLw/TnaeEnufEuI/AAAAAAAABME/Qs2AgQdXsSc/s640/IMG_9426.JPG"> <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-urKhbRyCzLw/TnaeEnufEuI/AAAAAAAABME/Qs2AgQdXsSc/s640/IMG_9426.JPG" width="273" height="425" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376994576612040184noreply@blogger.com4