New Pillowcases!

This weekend I finally made pillowcases! I have had this fabric for a long time.  I bought it because it goes perfectly with our bedroom color and it has birds and flowers on it!  The color might not show up correctly on everyone's monitor, but it's between cornflower blue and dusty lavender.

I used this blog tutorial to help me figure it out.  But I had to adjust the size because we both like really wimpy pillows.  I cut my fabric to 42''x 28.5'' for the main body fabric and 42''x 10'' for the edge fabric. I ended up using bias ribbon for the divider line fabric mostly because it was the only thing I could find in the correct color.  But you could use fabric or ribbon. It is also best to finish your edges now with the zig zag stitch ( I don't have a serger).

I also altered the way she attached the edge fabric. My way hides all the seams. I made a diagram below.

Make sure to pin the bias ribbon only to the top layer first.  It is important to get it even and straight here.

Then go back and pin the main body fabric.  At this point you can pin through all the layers.

After sewing this together it's easy.  Just fold with right sides inside and sew the edges.

Dual Flush Toilet

Recently George and I were watching one of those home improvement shows on TV and they had this show about dual flush toilets and how easy it is to convert your toilet into one.  Of course, we always see stuff like that and say that we want to do it, but in reality we never do.  But as fate would have it I was in Ace hardware a week later and what do I see, but a dual flush toilet converter!  I had to buy it... and it was only $25!

For those of you who are asking what is a dual flush toilet?  It is a way to save water every time you flush.  There is a button for solids and a button for liquids.  Hence, every time you just tinkle you don't use as much water.  If you have an old toilet and would like to convert it, it is really easy.  It took George about 15 minutes.  It is a win-win situation - you save water and money at the same time.

Last day of Daffodil Mania

Phew, I didn't realize how much effort it takes to post something every day.  I almost forgot today is the last day of Daffodil Mania week.  I liked these pale daffodil photos so much I am going to make note cards out of them.  Maybe if I get my act together I will sell them some day on Etsy.

Daffodil Bouquet

I made this little arrangement a couple weeks ago for my friend Mary.  This photo shows another one of my favorite kinds of daffodil.  I love the one right in the middle with the orange center and white petals.  The center has a dark orange ruffly edge and fades to yellow.  Gorgeous!

More Daffodils

So I was just reading about daffodils and apparently you should never eat them!  All parts of the plant contain alkaloid chemicals that are bitter and can be toxic.  That's why they are deer and rodent resistant.

Asparagales April!

When I was trying to decide what to draw for this month's calendar I started off trying to think of something that started with an A.  I thought about Arthropod or Arachnid April but then I gave up because I haven't done it every month and nothing was coming to me.

Then I realized I should draw a daffodil in honor of Daffodil Mania week.  And as luck would have it the Order for Daffodils is "Asparagales!"  I lucked out!  Incredibly, the family is Amaryllidaceae so I had my choice.  Some things were just meant to be.

Daffodil Poem

I would be remiss if I did not include this poem in Daffodil Mania week.

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Birthday Daffodils

I made this sweet little arrangement for my friend Jennifer's birthday Thursday.  I was telling her that I normally wouldn't think to combine purple and orange, but I ended up loving the combination.

Its so nice to be able use flowers from the yard.  Although I sometimes curse the previous owners of our house for planting such a huge garden that constantly needs tending, I owe them a big thank you because I love the flowers.

Daffodila Mania!

The day after the daffodils came up two weeks ago we had a big frost and they all fell over.  I was so sad and thought that might be the end.  But they recovered nicely and it has been a great daffodil season.  In honor of them I have decided to have a daffodil related post every day this week.

This photo shows one of my favorite kinds.  It has a double blooming head and I call it orange sherbert.  Every time I see one of these it reminds me of icing and I want to eat it up.  Yum!

Empanadas

Have you ever had a warm empanada on a cold day?  It is pure heaven.  Empanadas are like warm bundles of joy chock full of yummy goodness.  They are my favorite meal in the world! Luckily George has been cooking up a storm lately.

The other day he made them and added a new ingredient that is now my favorite - artichokes.  I happened to have my camera handy so here are the photos.

First he rolls out the dough.

Then he adds the filling.

Then he folds them up into little packages.

Then you cook them and they are ready to eat!

If you would like a copy of George's empanada recipe you can download a pdf here.

New Website

So this is the reason I haven't posted very much this month.  I have been busy building Carole Paine's logo and website. I spent all day yesterday fixing last minute issues and I am excited today to finally say its done.

You can visit the site at CincinnatiAcupuncture.com (let me know if you see anything askew!).

Daffodils

One of my favorite things to do in the spring is to pull out this vase and fill it with daffodils.  I bought the vases and wire holder at World Market a couple of years ago and it is one of my favorites.  I love the vintage look of it.  Happy Spring!

Echinoderm March!

Its Echinoderm March!  OK, I know its a little late, but we went to the Dominican Republic for Spring Break.  I wanted to post some DR photos but I haven't had a chance to go through them to see if they are blog worthy.  However, today I was motivated because I have been making appointments with tub re-glazers and roofers and I needed a March calendar.  My brain somehow went from tubs, to water, to starfish...yeah for echinoderms!!!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

So I spent this Valentine's day laying in bed... which under normal circumstance might be a good thing. However, most of the day I was either sleeping or trying to get saltines to stay in my very tired tummy.  Somehow I got food poisoning or had the stomach flu.  Either way, not how I envisioned spending one of my favorite holidays.  Then, when I was starting to feel better I got a head cold and have spent the past week trying to get over that.  So needless to say I am finally ready to get out of bed and start living again.  Hence, my blog today!  I think I might even eat those chocolates!

Fungi February!

Its fungi February!  I don't know why, but I felt inspired by mushrooms this month...and, of course, Valentine's day.  Happy February!

Quiche, Strata, & more

This spinach mushroom cheddar quiche is easy to make and only takes 3 eggs! You just cook 2 pkgs of frozen spinach with  a clove of garlic, some olive oil, an onion, and some mushrooms.  Then you add a cup of cheddar cheese and pour it into your pie crust (that you previously spread with Dijon mustard).  After that you mix 3 eggs, 1/2 cup whipping cream, and some salt and pepper and pour it over the spinach.  Then you top with paprika and Parmesan and bake it at 375 for 35 minutes.  I think the recipe came from cooks.com.

My friend Mary made this incredible Bacon and Egg strata for the shower.  Not only was it delicious, but I love the warm cheesy orange and bacon-y red colors.  Ooooh, its making me hungry just looking at it.

I just had to take a photo of Mary's cute vases with tag holders.  The Apple French Toast was gone so fast I couldn't get a photo of it.

Baby Shower Carriage Cake for Twin Girls

Today I co-hosted a baby shower for my friends who are having twin girls and this is the cake I made for the party.  At first I had the idea to make 2 carriages, each with a baby inside.  However, after using all of my white chocolate for the top of the first carriage I decided perhaps both babies could fit together inside one carriage.

The cake was comprised of two cake layers.  The first layer was made with a regular 9 inch cake pan.  The carriage layer was made with half a soccer ball cake pan (a half sphere).  First, I iced both layers with cream cheese frosting.  Then I used a delicious buttercream for the colored icing.

The top of the carriage was made by melting white chocolate (with a bit of kefir) and then painting it on to a half sphere cake pan lined with saran wrap.  At first it didn't go very well and I almost gave up.  The chocolate didn't want to stick to the saran wrap, but after the first layer was down it was easier.  I just wish I had made it a little smaller so the babies inside would be more visible.

I made the babies out of Starbursts.  Two orange Starbursts slightly warmed and rolled together make one baby head.  I also used one Starburst for the body below the blanket.  To make eye holes and ears I used a toothpick.  The hats and pacifiers were made of icing. 

The final step was to place the golden Oreos on for the wheels.  A big plus (or minus, depending on how you look at it) of this cake is that now I have a whole bag of Oreos left over.

More photos of the shower to come!

Baby Shower Invitation

The last issue of Martha Stewart Magazine inspired this baby shower invitation.  They had an article on Darcy Miller and how she had an art opening for her scrap boxes where she did quick line drawings of all the guests.  I loved her drawings so much I decided to try my own.  I always like line drawings that are able to capture the essence of a person with simple lines. 

Now I have to think about the cake!

Radiolarian January!

I needed a skinny calendar to go on the wall near the computer.  Last year I didn't have one and I missed appointments left and right.  So this year I decided to make my own one month at a time.

When I decided to make it I thought, "What are my favorite things right now?"  The answer was folk prints and ocean creatures...you can't get better than that.  So I decided to go with that theme.

This month features a radiolarian.  Enjoy!

Vegetable Soup

I was making vegetable soup the other day and I am always struck by how beautiful the pot looks when its filled with carrots, celery, and onion. I love the orange, green and white.

I also love warm soup in the winter. George and I have been making this vegetable soup a lot and I never get tired of it.

Here is the recipe:

Olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic
3 stalks celery
1-2 onions
2-3 carrots
1 carton vegetable stock
3-4 fistfuls spinach
1 container mushrooms
Cheese and/or sour cream for topping

Pour olive oil into large pot (enough to thinly coat bottom of pan - maybe 4-5 tablespoons). Slice garlic, celery, onions and carrots and cook in olive oil until softened (about 5-7 minutes). Add entire carton of vegetable stock. Fill vegetable stock carton with water and add to pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for at least an hour. Add spinach (if you like spinach you can really add quite a bit). Let spinach wilt. At this point I like to grind it with a hand grinder to make it a smooth consistency. You can just leave it if you like it chunky. Add mushrooms and cook until they are soft (5-10 minutes). Serve hot and top with cheese or sour cream.

This recipe is very flexible. I add random (often unidentifiable) vegetables from the CSA and it always turns out delicious. You can also add chicken or turkey if you have it.

Insulate!

OK...I know this is not the most exciting post, but I feel super happy to have this project crossed off my list. George and I (OK, mostly George) spent a good portion of Sunday lining our kitchen cabinets with 2 inch foam insulation.

Our kitchen is freezing so I thought this might help a little. The problem is our kitchen has no heat source. I think it used to have a radiator, but right now the only way head enters is when it slowly seeps in from the other rooms. Also, all the outer walls in our house are plaster directly on brick. So there is no insulation in the walls. Oh, the joys of older homes!

Anyway, most of the time we will see if from this view so we don't have to see the blue foam. I also covered some 1 inch thick foam for the bottom with this fabric I had left over from the bathroom project.

I did the same thing for this fan above the stove. I love the fan, but in the winter it just lets in cold air.

Costa Rica 2010!

I haven't been writing lately because we rang in the New Year in Costa Rica on the beach! George has been taking Xavier students now for three years. We had a great time on the Osa Peninsula and then at Bijagual Ecological Reserve near Sarapiqui.

One of my goals on this trip was to take a real vacation - and that meant not taking too many photos. In years past I lugged the Canon Eos 20D around everywhere...but this year we bought a smaller Canon Powershot SX120IS. I wasn't overly impressed with it and I think we might return it. I'm not sure I can go back to a non-SLR.

Anyway, George took the above photo on our flight to the Osa. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this two-toed sloth through the scope. She was beautiful! Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I had to post this photo of the wrapping paper I found at Ikea this year. It is the cutest paper ever! The gnome tags really make it.

I also got this green paper there too. You gotta love the folksiness of it.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I wish all of you a very Happy New Year!

Christmas Cookies

I made these cookies last week and I loved them! I don't normally gravitate towards a chocolate-based cookie, but I am a sucker for any cookie with icing. If you would like the recipe send me an email. Happy Baking!

Ikea Bird Ornament

This was one of my favorite new ornaments this year. I got it at Ikea. The thing that surprised me about it was that when you hang it the thin white glass looks and feels like a light bulb. It made me laugh and like it all the more.

Candy Cane

The other day I bought these candy canes for a cookie recipe and I just threw the extras in this cup. I was totally struck by how pretty they looked so I had to take a picture. Don't you love it when something accidental turns out so wonderfully?

JOY!

I had been eyeing these letters at Hobby Lobby for a long time. You know how every time you go to a store and you see something and you want it, but you don't allow yourself to get it?

Well, one day this summer everything came together perfectly. I had just gotten home after a trip to Hobby Lobby where I had been ogling the letters as usual, when my friend Lori called and asked me what I wanted for my bday. I told her I wanted JOY!

So there you have it...the story of JOY. I hope your holidays are filled with it!

Look at the great shapes cut into these letters! It fills me with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to say that I am thankful for each and every one of you. Thanks for supporting and encouraging my blog habit. I find such joy in thinking about it and working on it.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wood

A couple weekends ago we went to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland for George's Dad's 70th birthday. We had a great time and stayed in a big house on the lake.

Walking down by the lake was fun because there were all of these big old tree trunks that had great weathered-looking wood. I took about a million pictures of all the wonderful lines and wrinkles, but don't worry I won't bore you with all of them...just a few that stood out.

This one reminds me of Yoda.
Click on the one below to see all the great texture and detail.

Falling Water

We visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house this past week and I loved it! Everything was so custom-made. My favorite part of the house (besides the fact that it sits on a waterfall) was the fireplace pot. He built a fireplace where a gigantic spherical red Asian pot can swing over the fire to boil water. When it is not in use it sits in its own custom half sphere carved out of the stone wall. Totally awesome! I wish I could have attended a party there and sipped hot cider with Frida and Diego.

If you ever have the chance to stop by and see it you really must. It was wonderful.