Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Celebration Garlands


I have seen these garlands around, but never got around to making them until recently.

I made up my own pattern, the top of the triangle is 7 inches, each side is 9 inches. Cut two triangles for each flag and sew, right sides together. Turn and press, making sure to clip the tip of the triangle to get a clean point.  

I used one package of double fold bias tape to form the garland. The bias tape can hold 12 to 13 triangles spaced 1 & 1/2 inches apart.


When you're finished you get a lovely garland. Take it out for every celebration, or give it as a gift!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Grandma Wilma Noodles

I recently made these egg noodles - Grandma Wilma style. We used them in homemade Chicken & Noodles, YUM!

You'll notice they are extremely yellow, this is because we used our backyard chicken eggs.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Grandma Quilt Squares Project




I have recently found a bag full of quilt square that my Grandma Natsuye in  Hawai'i  made years ago. This is not the traditional Hawaiian quilt patterns, but something that all my Japanese grandmas made. I love that they're so colorful and scrappy. They're not focused on a fabric scheme and there are multiple textures and weights to the fabric.



There is only one square like this in the bag. I plan on making enough in this patter for a quilt. 
When she passed away my father brought them home for me, along with her crochet needles and a few other crafty things.  Growing up we always had quilts from one grandma or another around the house, even now I have a quilt from another "grandma" in Hawaii on my couch. It's so old that its fraying and I burned one corned of it on the stove in college while heating up (I had the flu at the time).



My understanding is that these are all made from scraps Grandma Natsuye got from the fabric store.  I plan on saving all of my scraps to be able to make squares like this that are really patchy and scrappy. I colorful way to use up remnants.

Below is a picture of the pin-wheel pattern baby quilt Grandma Natsuye made me.


I love the detail here...

Friday, May 6, 2011

Amigurumi - Crocheted Cuteness

No-Face Lion


If you are not familiar with Amigurumi allow me to introduce you. Amigurumi are small knitted or crocheted stuffed dolls/animals/inanimate objects, etc. Originating in Japan, amigurumi are cute and fun to make. Last Christmas my husband gave me Amigurumi World by Ana Paula Rimoli.  

I'd like to introduce you to some of my new amigurumi friends.

This is Sardonic Turtle, he was the first pattern I completed and I put one of his safety eyes on a little too tight. I that if he had eyebrows one of them would be raised...


This little owl didn't turn out as well as planned, my yarn selection was somewhat limited....

The pattern for the lion at the top of the page calls for a face, but I like him with just the eyes...He seems a little more solemn this way.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Cinco de Mayo Treats



Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I made churros and I have to say that they're pretty amazing. This recipe was surprisingly easy and simple. I found the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/churros/Detail.aspx (vegan).

A few thoughts:
-Piping the dough is much easier when the dough is still warm
-I piped the dough onto some wax paper first, this gave it time to firm up and it was much easier than piping directly into the hot oil (as suggested in the recipe). This also helps keep the churros straight, instead of all curly.
-Be careful not to get too much of the cinnamon and sugar on the churros. If there is more than a light sprinkling its too intense (even for my sugar loving husband).
-The amount you see here is 6 batches of this recipe, so keep in mind that it doesn't make much.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Pretty in Pink


I've started a new quilt...Without finishing any of my others... 



This "Mosaic" style is one I saw on Oh Fransson, I think it looks amazing. I have found the technique to be fun and surprisingly quick for all of the sewing, cutting and pressing required. I think that perhaps I have cut the pieces a little too small, but overall I really like what I've done so far.


I'm not sure yet what color I'd like to use around the blocks in the void space. I'm thinking about a rich chocolate brown, hopefully that won't be too dark.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Doughnut Disaster

Earlier this week I tried to make homemade doughnuts. I don't know what I was thinking.  They did not turn out well at all. The dough was weird and sticky and took a lot more flour than it should have, which of course meant that they were too heavy. It also seemed like my yeast never really took off.  It was a fresh jar, but it just didn't get very foamy.  Disaster.

Sad flat doughnuts


Now that I have failed I am determined to make a good doughnut. Perhaps I can achieve this in the coming months. If anyone reading this has a good doughnut recipe, please let me know!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Spiderweb Blocks


I'm working to finish this spiderweb block lap quilt this week.  I've had it sitting in pieces in the 2nd bedroom for months.  The fabric is Moda Mod Green Pod Free to Grow by Robert Kaufman. It was so colorful and exciting that I couldn't resist. Although, now that I'm seeing it all together it seems a bit aggressive...I'm sure it will be great from a distance.

I'm at the block assembly stage. Once that is complete I plan to take the plunge and quilt it myself, something I've been avoiding because I'm so intimidated by it. My friend Cortney has invited me over to work on it and for a little coaching (she is assembling two twin size quilts for her girls...Quite a project!).


It's also my goal to start a sheet quilt for the bed soon...something lightweight and easy for summer. OhFransson! has a great pattern. She is amazing.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Shopping Bag

I have a new favorite bag pattern. It's great and fits those plastic bag hangers at the grocery stores, so clerks like them too.  The pattern can be found at Keyka Lou. I've made this twice as a gift (4 bags total), they're simple to make and look fantastic. It's difficult to tell in this photo, but they are very spacious. Below are the bags I made for Madison's birthday in earlier this month. Happy Birthday Madi!