Figgy's Ofelia Dress

After running into a bit of a snag with the sleeves and not buying enough ribbon, I finally finished Ava's dress!

I picked up this adorable  Figgy's pattern at The Workroom on Queen West,  however there is a list of places you can buy from on their site.

The Pattern comes in sizes 12mo - 6y and includes designs for the dress, a shirt, and knee-length bloomers!  So cute!

This dress was a lot of fun to make and now I can't wait to see Ava in it!

Enamel Coated Glass Bottles

Here's a new way to recycle old jars and bottles!  Transform your glass containers into beautiful vases by coating them with enamel paint.


For my project I used white enamel, which shows up as different shades of green depending on the tint of the glass.

What you need:

Glass Jars

Dishwasher-safe Enamel Paint

Paint's Surface Conditioner 

The paint and Conditioner is found at most craft stores - I got mine at Michaels.  

Instructions:

1. Wash the bottle inside and out with warm soapy water and let dry. 

2. Pour in a small bit of the paint's surface conditioner - this primes the glass for the enamel.  Make sure to coat evenly and pour out excess.  Stand bottle upright and dry for an hour. (Read the label of your conditioner but mine said I had to use it within 4 hours of application)

3. Pour in enough enamel to coat the inside. Swirl around slowly making sure to coat evenly and not to miss any spots - return excess to the container for reuse. 

4. Dry bottle upside down on paper towel for 48 hours.  During the first hour, periodically wipe excess enamel from the rim with a damp cloth. 

Next time you're at a flea market (I know all the time right?), buy up some old unique jars and watch how beautiful you can make them!

On This Snowy Day

Inspired by a friend,  I decided to get some fresh flowers on this snowy day.  


Hydrangeas are so beautiful but also quite sensitive when it comes to care.  Here are a few tips to help you appreciate this gorgeous flower and extend it's life once you bring it home.


 Hydrangea's have a woody stem so its water absorption ability is poor compared to other fresh flowers. To counter this problem, I usually use a hammer or the flat end of a handle to smash the bottom of the stem.  This is to ensure that the flowers will be able to absorb water at a faster rate and keep the hydrangea’s blooms hydrated at all times.


Place the hydrangea into cold water - they love cold.


Cut the hydrangea’s stem every 2-3 days and never expose them to direct sunlight.

Dishwasher Magnet

Clean or dirty?  That is always the question when it comes to the dishwasher.

This idea comes from Futuregirl.  Here is my take on this adorable magnet!

It doesn't take very long to make and you can put your own spin on it.  I used foam for the base and felt for the rest of it.  There is a magnet in the skirt and the letters were glued on.

Oh so dirty......

Amazing Bread Recipe

On a recent trip out west to visit my family,  I learned how easy it was to make your own bread!

Over the duration of my visit, my sister in law made two loaves - each took about 3 hours to make, start to finish, using a bread maker.  Throwing the ingredients in takes only 5 minutes and the remainder time is the rising and baking (which the machine does for you).

This inspired me to get a bread maker and all I can say is wow-  I have become a bread making machine!

Making your own bread is so easy!   These days It can easily fit into anyone's busy life with program options like cooking overnight (wake up to the smell of fresh bread....sigh)  or "quick bake" which only takes an hour!

It feels so good to know exactly what is going into my bread and it tastes so much better than what you get at the store!   Nothing beats warm bread and butter.

Here is a recipe I have been making most frequently but I hope to post many more!

• Ingredients:
• 
  
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar  (I use a bit less)
• 1 (.25 ounce) package bread machine yeast
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups bread flour  ( I use half whole wheat and half white bread flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start.

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!