congratulations, here is your floppy hat

As soon as I opened my birthday present from this one and that one and saw Amy Butler's "Sun Hat" pattern, I knew that I would make them each a big freakin' floppy hat and then they would feel obligated to wear it and then I would LAUGH, oh would I laugh, at them in their floppy hats.

Alas, the floppy hats actually turned out quite nicely and are, in fact, wearable.

Notes: At a certain point in the directions it recommends that you try on the crown piece for size. When you do, make sure there is still some wiggle room because there will be at least another layer of fabric in between said crown and your head.

Also, if you are using light- or medium-weight cotton instead of home deco fabric, the pattern calls for making three interfacing brim pieces out of canvas... I made just two and things worked out fine and I think I saved myself from too much manhandling of the project and machine-jam frustrations.

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Grad school is FINISHED and, as predicted, I have been a crafting FIEND. Stay tuned. Also click on over here for some graduation photos, sans cap+gown.

And even MORE importantly than a Masters degree... this is my 100th blog post here. Count 'em. So the 100th caller will be entered to win our Memorial Day sweepstakes package featuring 5 nights, 4 days in an all-inclusive resort in CANCUN. Bad decisions not included.

Wow, what if I really gave away a vacation?

But seriously kiddos, leave a comment and I guess make it a good one and if you win over my heart, I'll send you a little handmade something.

relaxing heat pack

Materials:
1/2 yard fabric
1 cup dried rice or beans
3 tea bags or tablespoons loose tea of your favorite flavor

1. Cut a 10" by 9" piece of fabric.

2. Fold in half with right sides together so that the folded fabric measures 10" by 4 1/2".

3. Sew a 1/2" seam around the raw edges, leaving a 3"ish opening on the long raw edge to insert filling. Make sure to backstitch at both edges and also before and after the opening.

4. Sew another seam at 3/8" to reinforce. Trim excess seam allowance and turn rightside out.

5. Fill the fabric pack with your choice of dried rice or beans. Tear open the teabags (or use loose tea + herbs) and add to the rice. Anything can be subsituted here so if you have a favorite dried herb or potpourri feel free to use it! The pack shouldn't be filled too much, it should still bend really easily and have some "give" to it. (If you still want an extra fragrance kick, try dabbing your favorite essential oil or perfume on the outside of the pack.)

6. Carefully pin closed the opening, being sure to fold the raw edges under 1/2". Hand sew opening closed using a slip stitch. Reinforce the opening by sewing closed the opening twice.


Tip: I doubled up my fabric so there are two 10" by 9" layers instead of one. Consider doing this if your fabric is particularly thin.

Microwave for 20-30 seconds on high and place over eyes, shoulders or any other area that is TENSE. Then c h i l l o u t.

thesis + sweets

So. The thesis is in + I've presented it and that's that. Of course, I rounded out my grad school career and simultaneous exploration of the domestic arts by bringing a double batch of chocolatechipbananaoatmeal cookies to the presentations. Just like I brought chocolatepeanutbutterbars to my last housing policy class. It doesn't hurt, ya know? If anyone's up for some light summer leisure reading, you just say the word and you can have your own copy of la thesis. Or you could just slam your head against a brick wall a few times, and probably have as much fun. Your choice.

(Oh + check out "i screamo no emo" photo week. The rules are NO:

1. looking at feet or the ground
2. being thoughtful
3. looking "cute"
4. cropped heads
5. tidying up your picture-taking space
6. trying hard to fit the "myspace profile picture" guidelines
7. pigeon toes
8. jazz hands

For anyone who has ever set up a self-centered, self-portrait photo shoot for their self-serving blog, you know this is more challenging than it appears.)

yes, another apron

And yes, I sewed it during my self-imposed craft moratorium. This is what a REBEL looks like, kids.

I loosely followed the Modern Apron pattern in Jocelyn Worrall's Simple Gifts to Stitch. It called for seersucker and although some people and non-WASPs have mixed feelings about this fabric, I secretly love it. But I didn't have any on hand. Instead I used this birthday fabric (Water Lily from Amy Butler's Lotus collection).

I measured, cut and sewed with ultimate carelessness so I'm surprised it turned out even this nice. I fudged some of the measurements but it alright. I agree with many others and will say that the measurements provided for the next strap are WAY too long so I copied only a few others and made one side strap detachable so you can velcro it around your big Polish head. If you happen to have one of those.

(See below for update on empanada recipe.)

taco night

Taco Night is always a good excuse to take a break from the work + to have a 748 reunion.

Veggie empanadas with creamed corn, potato, onion + bell pepper.

RECIPE UPDATE:

For the pastry:

2 C flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 C margarine

1/3 C milk

1/2ish tsp. sugar

1 egg

Combine dry ingredients, cut in margarine so the mixture is crumbly + add in last three ingredients. Roll into little balls (size of a walnut) and then flatten into 4" circles. Makes about 15 empanadas. Or just buy frozen puff pastry sheets, lots easier.

For fillings:

2 lbs potatos

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 C creamed corn

Seasoning (chili powder, salt and pepper, garlic, whatevs)

Cut potatoes into small cubes and boil with onion until tender. Combine potatoes, onion and pepper in skillet with a little oil and get 'em sizzling. Add corn and seasoning cook for 4-5 more minutes until everything's mixed together and a little mushy. Scoop a spoonful of filling onto half of each pastry and fold over to make a pocket.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 or until golden.

Guacamole, Leahey family recipe.

Mmm, Chicken Tacos.

Margaritas, of course.

coffee, on the rocks

Ice Coffee + Sunny Porch.

A mid-morning break from writing.

afghan for a baby boy

Here's a mini afghan I made for a new baby boy. I wanted to make it like the ones I had growing up and I found a good Lion Brand pattern to get me started.

All of the yarn I used was from the stash I inherited from Mom a few months ago, so it didn't cost a nickel. To see it in use by one heck of an afghan model, click here.

And if you are monitoring my work/thesis quota and wondering how the afghan fit in, don't worry. I made the bulk of it weeks ago and just finished it and wove in the ends this week. 'Tis crunch time though, so you may not be hearing from me for another little while.

colorado recap

1. put your fabric in motion, 2. got a little captain in you? 3. pretty 4. village at copper

Back from the mountains and ready to finish up grad school. Everything is basically due in 1 month, including la thesis.

Minor freakout.

Knowing my history, I'm sure that school won't stand in the way of some side-crafting. A laptop sleeve, a batch of lunchbags (green bags) + maybe even a dress.

See my flickr page for some more Colorado photos + explanations.

rocky mountain high

With reckless abandon I am setting aside my Masters thesis for a few days and heading to Colorado. My laptop will be with me in the rare event that I am struck by the urge to do some more thesis-ing. Which reminds me, I need to make a cushy little laptop sleeve with this sweet print:


Happy trails. To you. Until. We meet. Again.

happy easter

Coloring eggs, Berkshire brunch, eating chocolate until I puke, pierogies & kielbas, ending the night with wine & a movie at home. That's Easter.