Knit It

Craft It

2011-11-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

Turn your little man into a true Gentleman!

Craft It

2011-11-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

Monster bookmarks! So easy and makes great gifts.

Craft It

2011-11-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

Easy to sew fun fabric balls.

Here is the tutorial

Great way to get rid of small pieces of material as well!

Craft It

2011-11-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

Great Idea! Simply sew 5 pillow cases together for a fun, comfy floor bed.

Bake It

2008-07-21T11:36:00.001-07:00

I haven't tried this one yet, but it seems simple enough.

Looks delicious and quite fancy.

I wonder if you can add food coloring too???

Zebra Cake

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ cups of flour
1 cup of olive oil
1 cup of Sprite (or other fizzy drink)
1 cup of sugar
5 eggs
2 tablespoons of cocoa
2 heaping tsp baking powder
3 tablespoons vanilla sugar

DIRECTIONS

Whisk eggs with sugar until mixed. In a separate bowl sift flour and baking soda and mix together.
Begin adding the ingredients to the sugar / egg mix. Start by adding a quarter of each of the others (flour, olive oil, sprite) at a time and whisking until combined. Repeat until all are added and then mix in the vanilla sugar.
Separate the entire mix into two equal bowls. In one bowl add two tablespoons extra of plain flour and mix. In the second add the cocoa and mix.
Take a lined cake tin and pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the white mixture into the centre, creating a small circle. Next take 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dark mixture and repeat. If you’re careful you should find concentric circles of alternating colors forming in the tin. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
Bake in an oven at 180 degrees for 50 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Bake It

2008-07-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup sugar
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

DIRECTIONS

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 400F. Butter or spray the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan or fit the molds with paper muffin cups.
In a large bowl, rub the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and the fragrance of lemon strong. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and melted butter together until well blended.
Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and, with the whisk or a rubber spatula, gently but quickly stir to blend. Don't worry about being thorough - a few lumps are better than over mixing the batter.
Stir in the poppy seeds. Divide the batter evenly among the muffins cups.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a thin knife inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing each muffin from its mold.

Bake It

2008-07-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Incredibly moist and oh so yummy!

Snickerdoodle Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp cream of tarter

3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1 1/4 cup sour cream

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar and 1 TBSP cinnamon mixed together for rolling

DIRECTIONS

Cream the butter and sugar until soft about 3 to 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla. Add in the eggs one at a time and mix until each is incorporated.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and cream of tarter.
Add the flour mixture and the sour cream alternately to the egg-butter mixture in the additions. Start with the flour and end with the flour. Scrape the bowl occasionally.
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out muffin batter one at a time and drop into a shallow bowl filled with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the muffin around in the mixture until it is covered completely in cinnamon sugar. Place muffin into muffin tin. Depending on the size of your tins, you should get about 12 to 14 muffins. Bake them for approx. 20-22 minutes in a 350F oven or until they are golden brown.

Bake It

2008-07-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

These are called "Chips", but since they are thicker, they may not be classified as so- but they still sure are as delicious and addictive as chips!

Oven-fried Potato Chips

INGREDIENTS

4 russet (baking) potatoes, peeled and sliced diagonally 1/8 inch thick
1/4 cup of butter, melted
Coarse salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

Pat the potatoes dry between paper towels and arrange them in one layer in 2 buttered cookie sheets pans. Brush the potatoes with the butter, bake them in a preheated 500°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Sprinkle them with the salt.

Serves 4.

Bake It

2008-07-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

This recipe shouldn't technically be under the heading "Bake it", because there is no baking involved. Great for the hot summer months, when you don't want to turn on your oven.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy is great too!)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

In a pot, combine the butter, water, cocoa powder, nutmeg, and sugar. Turn on the heat to high and keep stirring so that the sugar does not burn.
Bring to a boil for about 2 minutes.
Turn the heat on low and add the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir until the peanut butter melts and is incorporated.
At this point, the mixture shouldn’t be runny, but it shouldn’t be too thick. It should be like a cupcake batter. Add in the oats and stir for 20 seconds.
Take out a tray and mold the “cookie batter” into small circles.
Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.

Bake It

2008-07-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Pop Up Pancake

INGREDIENTS

1 cup milk
1 cup flour
6 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
dash salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400° F
Blend all the ingredients in a blender or with a whisk, until smooth
Grease muffin tins, or spray with Pam for Baking
Bake them for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.
Top with syrup, powdered sugar, or fruit.

Bake It

2008-06-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

These muffins couldn't be more simple to make, and are delicious. Very good for breakfast, too.

Brown Sugar Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup nuts, chopped coarsely

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375F. Grease or line 16 muffin cups. Combine all ingredients until mixed. Fill prepared muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes or until done.

Makes 16 muffins

Bake It

2008-05-21T12:49:00.001-07:00

Here is an easy and tasty cake to make when you have company coming over-
it's really simple and so good!

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
6 oz chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Mix 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, chocolate chips.
Cream butter, 1 cup white sugar, and eggs. Add the sour cream, vanilla and water.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and soda. Combine into the wet ingredients.
Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon, sugar and chocolate chip mixture on the batter. Pour in the rest of the batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon, sugar and chip mix.
Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. Let it cool for at least an hour before cutting into it, or the chocolate chips will be too melty and it will be hard to get out of the pan.

Knit It

2008-05-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a pattern for a cute and very easy Teddy Bear:

He's knitted in one piece, starting at his legs.

Garter stitch used throughout (knit every row) with 4mm needles.

Cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows.

Break off yarn and cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows to form other leg.

Knit across both legs (16 sts) and complete 8 rows.

Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Work 8 rows.

Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Now work 38 rows on these 16 sts.

Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Work 8 rows.

Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows.

Using only first 8 stitches, work 16 rows and then cast off.

Return to remaining 8 stitches and work 16 rows and then cast off.

Fold knitted piece in half lengthways. The fold becomes the top of the head.

Join seam around teddy, leave a small gap between the legs. Turn right side out.

Backstitch a diagonal line across corner of head to form ears.

Stuff and slip stitch closed area left for stuffing.

Embroider a face on teddy.

Take a double thickness of yarn and thread around neck, going in every few stitches, (making sure there are no loops that little fingers can get into). Draw up yard tightly to form neck and secure ends. Do the same around his arms.

Dress him up with a little scarf or hat (or coat, or bow tie...)!

Bake It

2008-05-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Here is something really different that I just came across on the
Fine Furious Life website.

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting

INGREDIENTS

For the “cupcake”:

1/3 lb. ground veal

1/3 lb. ground chuck

1/3 lb. ground pork

1 small carrot, pureed

1 small onion, pureed

2 stalks celery, pureed

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup shredded parmesan

2 eggs

Salt and pepper

For the “frosting”:

7.2oz box instant mashed potatoes

Milk, per package instructions

Butter, per package instructions

Beet juice from canned beets

To garnish:Green pepper, very finely diced

DIRECTIONS

For the “cupcake”:Preheat oven to 350F.

Mix the three meats, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley and vegetable puree in a large bowl until an even consistency is reached.
Place meat mixture in greased muffin tins and bake until brown and shrunken away from the sides, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from tin and cool on rack.

For the “frosting”:Prepare one sachet of instant mashed potatoes according to package instructions. For red “frosting”, substitute beet juice from canned beets for the water called for in the instructions. Allow to cool.
Transfer each batch of mashed potato into a separate pastry bag (or Ziploc bag with a snipped-off corner) with your favourite pastry tip. Pipe onto cupcakes and decorate with diced green pepper.
Reheat in oven or microwave before serving.

Bake It

2008-05-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

These are really funky, and taste great too!

Rainbow Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup sugar

5 eggs

2 tbsp condensed milk

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp pure vanilla essence

3-4 drops food colouring, each for red, green and yellow (or any colour you like)

DIRECTIONS

Beat butter and sugar till well incorporated. Add in eggs one at a time while continuing to beat mixture lightly.
Fold in flour a little at a time, on a low mixing speed till the mixture is well blended. Add in baking powder, condensed milk and vanilla essence.
Divide the batter into three separate bowls of equal measure. Add a different food colouring to each bowl.
Layer the cake batters one colour at a time on greased muffin cups. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20-25 mins or till done.

Bake It

2008-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

A muffin that tastes like a donut? Could I be in Heaven??

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup plain yogurt

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

4 to 8 tbsp oil

1 tsp vanilla

Topping:

1/2 stick butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan with paper cups.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix with light strokes until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Don't overmix; batters should not be smooth.
Divide batter among the muffin cups and bake until a toothpick inserted in one or two of the muffins come out clean, 12-15 minutes.
While the muffins are baking, melt 1/2 stick butter and place in a bowl just large enough to hold a muffin. Combine ½ cup of sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a small, shallow bowl. As soon as the muffing are done, dip them one at a time in the melted butter and then roll in the sugar mixture. Set on a rack to cool.

Bake It

2008-05-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite things, Chocolate & Peanut Butter!

Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups peanut butter chips

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets if needed.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the peanut butter chips. Drop cookies by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until set. Cool on wire racks.

Bake It

2008-05-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a recipe for

No Knead Bread

It can also be found, with full pictures of the process on Steamy Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

3 cups bread flour

1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

3/4 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)

1 1/2 cups warm water

Covered pot (five-quart or larger cast iron, Pyrex, ceramic, enamel...something that can go into a 450F oven.)

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a big bowl with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 12-20 hours on countertop.

The dough will now be wet, sticky and bubbly. With a wet spatula, place the dough on a floured surface. Fold ends of dough over a few times with the spatula and make it into a ball shape. You can use your hands if you like, just keep your hands wet so that the dough does not stick. Generously dust a cotton towel (not terrycloth) with flour. Set dough seam side down on top of towel. Fold towel over the dough. Let it sit for another 2 hours. When you've got about a half hour left, slip your covered pot into the oven and preheat to 450F.

Your dough should have doubled in size. Remove pot from oven. Holding towel, dump dough into pot. Shake to even dough out. Cover.

Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake another 15-20 minutes or until the crust is beautifully golden and middle of loaf is 210F. Remove and let cool on wired rack. If not eating right away, you can re-crisp crust in 350F oven for 10 minutes.

Bake It

2008-05-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

How good do these look! This recipe only makes 4 Popsicles, so double or triple as needed!

Margarita Popsicles:

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

2 tablespoons tequila

2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)

Kosher salt, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine sugar, lime juice, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Once cool transfer to a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime and process until smooth. Pour into Dixie cups or Popsicle molds and cover the top of each cup with foil.
Place a Popsicle stick in center of cup (down through foil, which will hold it in place). Freeze until hard, preferably overnight.
Remove from freezer and run cup under warm water to loosen Popsicle. Garnish with kosher salt and serve. Enjoy!

Bake It

2008-05-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a tasty and (somewhat) healthy recipe for Oatmeal Cookies. These come out very soft and chewy, too!
PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 10 Min
READY IN 2 Hrs

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups quick cooking oats

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets if needed. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

** You can also add chocolate chips, raisins or nuts.

Bake It

2008-05-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here is my favourite recipe for Dinner Rolls:

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup hot water
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (7 grams)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, mix the shortening, sugar, and hot water. Allow to cool until lukewarm, and mix in the yeast until dissolved. Mix in the egg, salt, and flour. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into the greased (or sprayed) muffin cups, and allow to rise again until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Knit It

2008-02-19T06:37:00.000-08:00

Knitting doesn't have to be done only with yarn or wool. I had this idea awhile ago, to knit with plastic bags. I planned on making a hand bag or a pencil case, but never got around to finishing it (I get distracted pretty easily).

Here is how I made the plastic yarn:

The bags I use are shopping bags with handles, in bright colors (I like Old Navy bags the best).

Flatten the seams and smooth the wrinkles.

Cut off the handles.

Cut open one side and the bottom, so you have it opened up completely.

Start at one corner and cut a strip, about 1/2 an inch to 1 inch, depending how thick you want your yarn (the thinner the easier to use).

When you get up to the first side, simply turn and keep cutting it one length. This will make a big spiral.

It's a good idea to wrap the "yarn" into balls, so it's easier to work with.

Here are some items for sale on Etsy made out of plastic bags:

Handbags

Bracelets

Crazy Clutch

I would love to see some finished projects, so feel free to email me pictures, and I'll post them!

Craft It

2008-02-19T05:52:00.000-08:00

Even though Christmas is long gone, I still can't help but think about craft ideas for next year. It is a tradition in my family that everyone hand makes decorations to give out. This past year, I made paper origami cranes with wire loops, and bead embellishments. Next year, I think I'll make these cute button wreaths. They seem pretty simple, and I already have tons of loose buttons (leftover from another craft project).
Here are the instructions:

Tools and Materials

Needle-nose pliers or wire cutters

Copper wire, cut to 9-inch lengths

72 buttons for each wreath

Scissors

Satin ribbon, 6 inches long

How To

1. Using pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire.
2. Thread buttons onto the wire until you have enough to form the size of the wreath you want. (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter is good).
3. Using pliers, bend the plain end of the wire around the looped end. This will form the wreath.
4. Use the satin ribbon to make a loop for hanging the wreath; tie the ribbon in a knot about 3 inches above the wreath.

Bake It

2008-02-18T12:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a great recipe for Banana Crumb Muffins.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

Topping:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10-12 muffin cups.*

In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes*, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

*I used my silicone muffin pans, so I don't grease them, and I have to bake them a little longer.

Read It

2008-02-18T12:12:00.000-08:00

I just read the book Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. I'm still trying to decide whether I liked this book or not. It definitely held my attention, and I stayed up very late to finish it, so I must have liked it, but looking back, I really didn't connect to the book.

It's about a Jewish family; father Saul, wife Miriam, and children Aaron and Eliza.

On the surface the book is about Eliza's quest for winning a spelling bee, with the study help of her father. It's really more about the study of Jewish mysticism, and spiritual fulfillment.

I would recommend this book, but I'm not saying that you will love it, but I think you would need to decide for yourself.

Bake It

2008-02-18T06:12:00.000-08:00

I love to bake, but don't really like to eat overly sweet things, so this recipe for Apple Loaf is perfect. It's great as a light dessert with tea, or even good for breakfast.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 apples- peeled, cored and shredded

DIRECTIONS
1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease loaf pan.
2- Mix together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, spices and nuts.
3-In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and 1 egg until smooth. Beat in second egg, and stir in vanilla. Stir in shredded apples. Pour flour mixture into batter; stir just until moistened. Spread into prepared pan.
4- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes*, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes, and then remove from pan. Place on a rack to cool.

*I always use my silicone pans for baking, so I need to cook it a little bit longer (65-70 mins).

Play It

2008-02-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had my first real driving lesson, but I'm already a pro driver in the new game, Burnout Paradise. I have played it both on the PS3 and XBOX 360, and I ended up buying the 360 version. I found the controls better and the graphics a little bit brighter and sharper on the 360 version, so that's the one I picked up.

I have always been a fan of the Burnout games, and this one is very different, but in a good way. What I didn't like about the other versions was the confusing menus. Paradise gets you right in the action- instead of choosing a race or event in a menu system, you just drive up to a stop light, rev your engine, and it calls up a race.

I know a lot of people are complaining that this game isn't true to the series, but I like the new open world game play. I also love the Junk Yard where you get your car, and the boost refills at the gas stations. I think all these new features are very creative, and add to an already great game. I would recommend it to anyone who loves driving games, but not the simulator driving games. If you are looking for realistic driving, check out Forza, but for just fun and crashes, Burnout Paradise rocks!

Craft it

2008-02-15T06:32:00.000-08:00

Anyone who comes by my house knows I love having a wreath on my door.

Where I am living now, in an apartment, I need to hang my wreath in a way that won't damage the door. I love the look of a thick ribbon holding the wreath, but couldn't figure out how to attach it in a way that wouldn't look strange from the inside.
After much thought, the simple idea of thumb tacks came to my mind.

Here's what you do:

Cut a piece ribbon that's long enough, when doubled, to hang the wreath at the desired height. Loop the ribbon around the wreath. Join ribbon ends, and fold them over a 1/2 inch. Secure the ribbon ends together to the top of door with a few thumbtacks.

So simple and looks great!

Knit It

2008-02-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite and easiest knitting projects is this dish cloth. It's a good beginner pattern, and is a lot of fun to make (and quick to finish).

You can really use any size needles, but I use my trusty #7's

This is started from the corner, so it gets bigger by one stitch each row you knit. When you get half way through it, you start decreasing each row by one stitch.

Here are the instructions:

cast on 4 stitches
knit 1 row
Next row, knit 2, yarn over, knit to end (this is to increase each row by 1 stitch)
Repeat the k2, yo, k to end until you have 44 stitches on the needle
Next row, knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end
Continue to do this, decreasing each row, until 4 stitches are left on the needle.
Then bind off the 4 last stitches.

* If you are just starting out, here is a great How To guide.

Read It

2008-02-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading the book, The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, and I really loved it. It's the story about an Indian family, and their life in America and Calcutta. It follows husband and wife Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, and their children. The story mostly revolves around their son, whose nickname, Gogol, becomes his "good-name", and how this affects his life.

I really loved this simple story and Lahiri's amazing writing, so much so that I went out and rented the movie too. The movie was really well done, but I think if I didn't read the book first, I might not have enjoyed the movie as much. I say, go read the book, and if you loved it as much as me, rent the movie after.

(My copy is currently loaned out, but if you want to put a request in to borrow it next, just let me know)

Welcome!

2008-02-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new site, were you can see all my knitting projects and ideas, plus some fun baking recipes and crafts.
I will also post book and game reviews... hope you enjoy!