Larissa Another Day

Jan 10, 2011

Sewing, "Quilting", Making Things I Need

Sometimes I find myself making stuff just to make it. You know how it goes. Sometimes it is just fun to craft for crafting sake, or sew for sewing sake. There are LOTS of times where this is just fine and dandy...but lately I find myself trying to make sure I am spending my time a little more efficiently.

This means I might not sew as many felt banners to coordinate with any given upcoming holiday...what???? I know the horror! Instead I have decided to sew/craft stuff I actually need.

Something perhaps like these...

We have had the same hot pads since first getting married. Slowly they have all started sneaking off, I am not sure where they are going, but I am beginning to realize they are never coming back. I have made poor hubby, more than once, grab something out of the oven with a dishtowel. This of course has lead to the question of why we don't get more.

So I realized that mayhaps I could just make a set. I saw a pair of quilted ones on the Martha Stewart craft blog. I decided to give it a whack...I mean seriously I have never "quilted" anything in my life. After a lot of measuring, cutting, piecing, sewing, and overlooking uneven seams, I had myself a new pair of hot pads.

So that when I made the cake for these...

I got to test out my new hot pads...

and I found out that on top of being pretty they work too.

I also found out that mayhaps I might just enjoy trying my hand at quilting.

Jan 7, 2011

Braided Sweater Scarf with a Side of Poms

I love a good scarf to drape around my neck. Something that keeps me warm and fuzzy and is cute to boot.

I just made this to add to my scarf collection...

It was inspired from this scarf I found at Ruche (ps LOVE that site). Since I don't knit, I immediately started brainstorming how I could make myself one.

Then I found this long sweater cardigan worn when I was prego with Littlest Man. I did a little dance, literally. I realized right away this would be the perfect thing to make into a dreamy braided scarf.

there might be more projects coming from this sweater too

After picking up some coordinating yarn to make the delightful pom-poms for the ends, I went to work.

Just in case you have a long sweater hanging about, I am going to give you that basics on how to make it.

Cut 6 strips from your sweater. 4" wide and the longest you can possibly get. I got about 35 inches per strip.

Make your self some floofy pom-poms. Here is a link when I made them for a party hat, to make big ol' poms, wrap the yarn around your palm instead of two fingers.

Pair up your sweater strips. Giving you 3 pairs. With right sides facing sew one edge together, giving you a really long strip.

Repeat for the other pairs. Next fold each strip in half, lengthwise with like sides facing. Sew up the edge. Turn out. This will give you three long sweater tubes.

Starting at one end, pin three strips together wide and flattish (totally a word) and start braiding. Not too tight, you want it to be chunky. Sorry no specific picture for this. Don't ask me where it went, tis a mystery...oh that is right I didn't take a picture. Oops.

In order to fasten your poms to the bottom of each side of your scarf, there needs to be a couple strands of yarn that stick out.

I simply threaded a larger needle with yarn and looped the yarn through the middle.

I pinned the poms in place, folding the longer strings in between the flat ends of the bottoms of the braids.

At first I tried machine sewing them in place...BIG mistake, at least for my sissy machine. Your Popeye of a machine may be able to do it.

I ended up hand sewing them in place. In order for them to be REALLY secure, I hand sewed the entire bottom edge closed, back and forth several times. This seam is hard to see so don't worry about being perfect, just get the poms snuggly in there.

Then you have an absolutely de-lightful scarf that just might make your hubby say,

"You made that?"

"Why yes sir I really did."

Linking these places:

Friday Link Party: Creation Corner

Fun Friday Finds: Kojo Designs

Pity Party: 30 days

Show and Share: Just a Girl

I'm Crafty Party: SYTYC

Make it Wear it: The Train to Crazy

Handmade Gifts: At Second Street

Show and Tell Saturdays: Be Different, Act Normal

Weekend Wrap Up: Tatertots and Jello

Making Mondays Marvelous: C.R.A.F.T

Jan 5, 2011

Chicken Noodle Soup

My favorite chicken noodle soup is Panera's low-fat chicken noodle. So I decided to go on an internet scavenger hunt to find a recipe. I found one and after some tweaking it was a bowl of just delightful Chicken Noodle Goodness...not exactly like my loverly Panera's, but close enough.

Chicken Noodle Soup

8 cups low fat chicken broth

1 large onion, diced

1/2 cup+ sliced celery

1/2 cup+ sliced carrot

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 tsp dried thyme

pepper to taste

2 large boneless chicken breasts, cut in 1/2" pieces

1 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

6 oz of homemade style noodles (more or less depending on how noodle-riffic you want it)

In a pot combine stock, veggies and spices (except parsley). Bring to a boil and cook 7-10 minutes, until veggies are tender.

Add chicken and cook for another 10 minutes. Then stir in parsley.

While chicken is cooking, cook noodles as per package directions, drain and add to soup.

Jan 4, 2011

Why NOT to organize...

When you have a room that looks like this-

And it has a door on it that will shut it off from the world, aka your neighbors/friends/husband/you, word to the wise....just keep the door closed and choose not to organize it.

I mean sure it is a new year. And SURE there are tons of people out there with CUTE laundry rooms that are not the dumping grounds of said house. Of course there is some merit to cleaning/organizing such a room. You might just find that missing sock/candy bar/pair of scissors/air pump nozzle/smell/ you haven't been able to find. Of course there would be a sense of accomplishment at completing such a task.

Just imagine it-

crisp white shelves

cutely labeled bins/totes/crates/baskets

a clean and organized pantry (haha p.s. the first time I wrote this post I wrote a clean and organized panty...haha)

a cozy little nook for my vacuum

a posh and modern rug for my momma feet to rest while I change some loads

a lack of pure and utter shame that accompanies the previous pictures

Yes, that would seem like good reasons to get my Laundry room organized. At least that is what I felt up until seeing this-

Pure madness. Not one, not two, but three heaping piles of poopy-doop. All ripped out of it's previously can-close-the-door-home. Now annoyingly sitting out in the open for all to see. Homeless as I rip out shelves, spackle holes, sand said holes, prime, tape, paint, paint again, paint some more, find new shelves I like, put those in, scrounge around the house for make shift cute bins...ugh the list goes on.

Meanwhile no one is welcome in my home...I mean it. If you are wanting to stop by and gawk at Mt. Crappity Crap, you can't. Put your cameras away and keep driving.

My boys are eating on a blanket in the living room...they think it is cool "like a picnic".

Upon hubby seeing the mess he asks, "Are we moving?" Haha. Shut it.

SO yes, as I am up to my elbows in junk and paint, I think hmmm...maybe this was a good reason NOT to organize. Of course when it is all done I will be glad I did it...

and at least I have a happy willing helper.

Anyone want to place bets on how many days this is going to take me? I am already on day 2.

Here is to opening the door, abandoning my pride and getting organized.

Jan 2, 2011

2010 Most Popular Projects in Paradise

2010 has officially been gone for 3 days. I can't believe it. 2010 was a pretty fun time here on the blog. In February was when I decided to be brave and showcase more of my projects and ideas to more than just my mom and sisters. I spent the year sewing more, decorating some, and momma-ing lots and I shared it all with you...you lucky people.

So yes in 2010...

stuff was accomplished.

tutorials were typed.

pictures were taken.

new friends were made.

late nights were kept

followers increased

comments were read

warm and fuzzies were felt

Thank you EVERYONE for stopping by and reading my little piece of paradise. Thank you for leaving me comments, I know it sounds silly but when you leave comments it really does make my day. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Thank you for showing me when you make one of my projects...I LOVE it.

Just for you I went through and I am recapping my ten most popular projects. They are in no particular order...well except my number one is last...can you handle the suspense? I also threw in a couple of projects that were my favorite.

So with out further ado...ooh I sound so fancy...here is the 2010 Most Popular list.

Chicks Dig Me Shirt