Rainy Day

The weather is so (not) delightful. But that’s ok. I’ve got 5 1′x1′ blocks of linoleum to carve, some gloves to crochet, and curtains to redo (for the 4th time). And this little quilt to eventually finish. In the mean time, if you’re a super crafter, you should join in on Sew Crafty’s, Crafting a Year challenge! It’ll motivate you to get those projects done and possibly win a nice little prize. And if you happen to be in the Houston area, you should stop in and say hi. They’re pretty nice there, they’ve always got a free kids craft table and little activities going on (I made a sweet pie pin on National Pie Day!). So get out your supplies and have a go at this great competition!

Leather Hands

I am inspired by people like mairuru and this exteremely talented designer/crafter to try my hand at leather work. Sure, I’m starting out with suede, but its only one step up to the real stuff. I come from a family of sicilians who ran their own shoe shop, not just your regular repairs but beautiful handmade boots and shoes. This project is a birthday present so I can’t divulge what it is exactly yet, but be certain that I’m very excited about it.

On another, more art based note, one of the talented women that rules my world (as far as inspiration and sheer amazement are concerened) has started her own blog, Soft Core, and it is a joy to the eye. Sarah Applebaum, enjoy.

Peg Board

too busy to really say much else.

Beautiful surprises are always appreciated

thanks <3

Bugged and Drugged

I hate allergies so much. My nose hasn’t stopped running for a solid week now. I have vaccumed and dusted and the air purifier is going full blast but the sneezes and boogers just don’t stop. Last night there was benadryl involved and I slept for 14 hours, waking up at 11 wondering what had happened. On top of the constant nose flow the apartment has become infested with fungus gnats, so yesterday, in between sneezes, I gathered all of the potted plants and gave them a good soil drench of orange oil, in 3 days there will be another drenching and then hopefully the end of these gnats. There was also the discovery of scale on my baby lemon tree! If anyone knows any  better way of getting rid of them than going along and picking them off, please tell me.

Now that I’ve complained enough… I have managed to be somewhat productive over the last couple of days. I made this little letter pouch for A to keep things in. It was my first time sewing in a zipper and there were many redos, but eventually it all worked out.

Soil Drench with Orange Oil per Calloway’s man’s instructions:

Mix 4 oz orange oil (1/2 cup) with 1 gallon water. Working over a bathtub, a sink, or outdoors, soak every potted plant with this solution (I ended up using 3 gallons because I have too many plants). After about 15 minutes, go back through and drench again using clean water. Repeat this process every 3 days until the gnats disappear. (Gnats have a 3 day lifespan)

Olive Cheese Balls

I’m hoping I can make up for my long absence by sharing one of my favorite foods in the entire world. In fact I think it is my favorite food in the entire world. Olive Cheese Balls. That may not be an exactly appealing name but once you’ve eaten your first one, it doesn’t matter what they’re called so long as you can keep eating them.

Olive Cheese Balls

adapted from my mom’s recipe

Ingredients:

-1/4 tsp salt

-1/2 tsp dried thyme

-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (chili powder works just as good)

- 2 cups SHARP cheddar cheese, shredded (any less of a kick will make a bland cheese ball)

- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

- 1/2 MELTED butter (melted is extremely important, otherwise the dough will not form properly)

-36 small olives, pimento stuffed works well (I bet garlic stuffed would be even more delicious though)

First, mix the flour, spices, salt, and cheese together on medium speed. (I found this helps break the cheese into smaller pieces and helps the dough form better).

Pour in the butter and mix on medium until the dough is formed. It will be very crumbly, but no worries, it’ll smooth out as you work with it.

Making sure the olives have been drained and are almost dry, pinch off a piece of dough about the size of 1 tablespoon. Flatten the dough into a disk about an 1 1/2″ across, place an olive in the center and wrap the dough around it. If the dough cracks that’s alright, just mush it up in your hand until it is sealed.

After the olives have all been wrapped place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper about 1/2″ apart. Place them in the fridge for about an hour. (You can put them in the freezer, they will just take a little longer to cook. I like freezing them and then keeping a zip lock bag stored away so that I can pop a few into the oven whenever I feel like it.)

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place as many olive balls on a cookie sheet as you like, it isn’t necessary to spray the sheet but you can if you want to. I usually just lay down parchment paper. Cook for about 10-13 minutes, or until the balls have started bubbling and the bottom has turned a golden brown (easily checked by flipping one over). Be sure to let them set on the counter for at least 5 minutes before eating, the juices from the olive are still boiling and can cause a nasty burn. This I have learned from experience…

Fort Champion

It’s not a party until a blanket fort has been built. I do think this is the best one yet. And my Christmas stockings are hanging from the tire valves on one of my bikes.

Besides the fort building there have been more christmas decorations put up, including this gingerbread house with Homies. My mom has a matching house with cute little pinecone elves, but since I have no pinecone elves I used the Homies instead.

I have until the 27th to finish 3 plaid scarves and a bunch of cookie baking and decorating. Some good friends of mine are off somewhere in east Texas planting trees for the next 3 months and these will be my Christmas present to them.

Hope you all are having a great holiday season so far, I am definitely pumped for Christmas.

When you leave the cat alone

Destruction.

Little Forest

Nerding out for Christmas. Big time. I’m currently working on some glass ornament garlands and crocheted stars for the windows. It’s also 50 degrees inside my apartment. Why????????

10 Blankets

Oh, cold weather. You’re no match for me.