Harman Kardon Piggy Bank

While doing some early "spring cleaning" I came across an old Harman Kardon iSub that has been sitting in my closet for years!

Learning that it wasn't even compatible with anything that I owned, I knew I had to get rid of it.  It seemed like such a shame, the iSub just looks so cool!

After a final attempt to find it a new home with my neighbours (which failed) Mark came up with the brilliant idea of making it into a piggy bank!

Here are some photo's of the process and the very cool looking bank!

Everything had to be unscrewed and the bottom speaker needed to be taken out

All the parts for the bank

The final product!  

It's pretty fun dropping the coins in and aiming for the different holes.....looks like something you'd see at a Science Center.

Make Yourself Some Cute Coasters!

These Coasters are so cute because they are made by you! 

It's an easy project that doesn't take much time to do - the hardest part is deciding which colours to use!

Cut out two squares from either the same or two different fabrics. (I use different so my coasters can have two different sides). 

 To decide how big to cut your fabric, figure out how big you'd like your coasters to be and add 1/2 inch to each side of measurement.

Place your fabric with the right sides of the print facing together and sew 1/2 inch seam all the way around, leaving a 2 inch opening at the bottom ( to turn your project right side out)

Before turning right side out, trim all four corners being careful not to cut through any stitches.  

By doing this, it allows the corners to be pointy once turned out.

Turn your project right side out.  

Push out the corners (use a tool if needed)

Press your coaster so it sits nice and flat (make sure your two inch opening is turned in before pressing)

Sew another seam all the way around on the right side (this seam will close the two inch opening).

Now your coaster is complete!

There are so many variations you can do as well.   

These Coasters can be made by sewing a seam around all the sides and using pattern edge scissors to create the jagged edge.

Enjoy and happy sewing!

Dog Coat

I finally finished Becky's doggy coat and just in the nick of time!   I was starting to think winter was winding down only to wake up to a beautiful blanket of white snow outside.

Because I had no pattern for this coat I used Willow's old jacket as a template.  Becky is much thinner so I needed to sew it smaller around her chest and length.

The fabric I used is waterproof and I used a jogging fleece for the lining.  The grey and black ribbon on the sides are actually reflectors for night time and I used velcro on all the panels to make it easier to put the coat on and off.

Becky is the best model - look how fabulous she looks in her new digs!

Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken -Chickpea and Apricot

When it comes to slow cooker recipes they can be so hit and miss with the texture and flavour so it's up to us to pass along the good ones!

This is one I came across on the   www.food.com  website and it turned out to be really tasty.

You can eat it on it's own but I served it on rice.

• Ingredients
• 
  
• 6 large boneless, skinless chicken breast chopped into large chunks (I used a mixture of thighs and breast)
• 1 tablespoon flour or 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 3 -4 garlic cloves chopped finely
• 1 -2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 inch fresh gingerroot, finely chopped
• 6 ounces dried apricots ( I cut them in half )
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 (14 ounce) cans chopped tomato
• 2 (14 ounce) cans chickpea OR ( I used 1 can chickpea + 1 can white kidney beans)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 pint chicken stock
• 1 pinch saffron or 1 teaspoon tumeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper  (optional) ( I used 1/2 tsp and it was just a little spicy)
• salt and black pepper
• 2 carrots peeled & diced (optional)

Graham Roumieu is Hilarious!

Shop addict recently posted about a great little store called Good Egg in Kensington market worth checking out!

 Read more about this shop on her blog:
http://www.theadventuresinshopping.blogspot.com/

While checking things out at this store I stumbled upon a table with some very fun reads on it!
It's not too often I see a small little shop hosting my favourite Bigfoot Series written by local Torontonian Graham Roumieu.
Please do yourself a favour and read some of these books!  They are not only hilarious but the amusing illustrations will leave you wanting more - apparently he is having an art show at Good Egg in the summer!

Here's a link to Graham Roumieu's website.

http://www.roumieu.com/


So funny.

Gathered Clutch Tutorial

I found this tutorial on Noodlehead and thought I'd give it a try.....

http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html

This project was pretty easy to follow and the pictures were helpful!   However, be sure not to make the same mistake I did with the corners. I should have cut bigger tabs for the zipper ends and I didn't leave myself enough extra fabric allowing space to sew around the zipper at the top corners.  (This all must sound very confusing but it might make more sense while making the clutch.)

Next time I will cut the fabric tabs bigger and leave more room beside as well.

Here's my finished clutch (you can see the top right corner of the bag where I struggled).

 I will definitely be making this again and recommend it as a fun quick project!

Make Your Own Dry-Erase Board

Bad perm, braces and acne.......why document these days you wish to forget?

Let's get rid of those old framed photo's and give a new purpose to that old picture frame!

By framing a pretty piece of paper, wallpaper or fabric (I'd use a light colour) you have an instant dry-erase board!

Write down all your daily to-do's with a dry-erase marker and instantly wipe away and update when needed.

I used an old fabric with little words on it - thought it would suit something I'd be writing words on.

It looks cute on it's own or with writing on it!

I also think it would look amazing with a textured white fabric and no border....