Just a quick post to let you know that I am pretty angry right now. My friend who graduated with a degree in fashion is now on the job hunt. She's looking for a job that would enable her to sew costumes for a theatre company or something similar. The problem is, many of the jobs out there don't pay. And when I say, "don't pay," I don't mean that they don't pay well. I mean that you sew for them, and you don't get a single cent. Can you say sweatshop?
If the theatre company charges admission, I don't see how they can get away with that. I can understand if it's a free show like the free Shakespeare shows in Schiller Park here in Columbus. Why would they pay the employees because they're not taking in any money? But if the company takes in money, don't you think those profits should be shared with the costume sewers? Sewing takes time, people!
Yeah, me too. I just had to get that off my chest.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Foodie Friday: Baby Food Edition
I forget who turned me on to this book, but I read about it somewhere. I had to run out and get it from my local library right away! Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel gives you all sorts of recipes and food combos from your little one’s first foods all the way up through one year. Annabel’s philosophy is that babies become picky eaters because they aren’t exposed to flavorful and interesting foods. Babies don’t want bland, nasty food from a jar; they want to eat food chock full of flavor like adults do! Annabel points out that your baby’s taste buds are starting to develop, and this is a crucial time for your baby to experience an array of appetizing flavors!I thought I’d share some things from this book so you can see what kinds of flavor combinations Annabel recommends. She says to combine pureed parsnip, carrots, and either sweet potato, pumpkin or rutabaga for six month olds. Avocado and banana with a tad bit of formula or breast milk is an easy no-cook option for six month olds. At around seven months, she includes recipes such as Fillet of fish with cheese sauce and vegetables and Easy One-Pot Chicken. She also says that combos such as peach, pear, and blueberry or apricot, apple, pear, and vanilla are suitable for seven month olds. (I read some of these to my sister-in-law who has a six month old, and she told him no way was he getting any of these homemade gourmet meals!)
When a baby is 7-9 months old, he can eat Tomato, Cauliflower and Carrot with Basil or Pasta with Butternut Squash, Tomato, and Cheese. Or perhaps Fillet of Fish in an Orange Sauce will tickle his fancy! No? How about Salmon Surprise or Chicken with Leek, Carrot, and Peas? Desserts and fruits for 7-9 months old include Apple, Pear, and Prune with Oats and Strawberry, Peach, and Pear Crumble. (Is your mouth watering yet? Yeah, mine too).
And finally, for 9-12 month olds, try Tuna Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Fillet of Cod with Spinach in a Cheese Sauce. He might also like Tasty Chicken Bolognese and Tender Casserole of Lamb. Sweet tooth? Try Nectarine and Strawberry with Vanilla. (Damn, these babies are eating better than me. I plan on making my own baby food but I think Lamb might be taking it a little too far).
I’m going to cut this posting short. I have a date with some nectarines, strawberries, and vanilla!
Visit Ann's website for more Food on Fridays! Make sure to leave all participants lots of bloggy love!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Gardening with the Aliens Among Us
Tomatoes are red
Zucchinis are green
Whether my garden will be successful
Has yet to be seen.
Bell Peppers are Green
And can be yellow or red.
Stay tuned for adventures
In my vegetable bed.
I finally broke down and did it. I bought some vegetable plants and got some dirt under my fingernails. You may remember how much I hate gardening. Really what I hate is the sunshine and the heat, so I figure I can take care of all things garden-related either early before it gets hot, or later after the heat of the day has passed.
Once it gets hot, all I am going to do is sit inside, sip some lemonade, and write about gardening. For example…
My Bucket List
- Create a topsy-turvy upside down tomato planter from a five gallon bucket (Get it? Bucket list? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)
- Buy some vegetable plants
- Weed the flower bed so I can plant the veges there
- Get down and dirty with my plants (That didn’t come out right. What I meant was plant them in the ground
- Water my babies regularly
So far, I have accomplished the first four things on my Bucket List. Hopefully I can do the fifth and final one as well. I’m not holding my breath though.
So you are jealous of my attractive upside-down tomato planter and want to make one for yourself? Well let me start off by saying that Becky over at Crafting a Green World somehow managed to tap into my brain power and blogged about how to make an upside-down tomato planter before I got a chance to.
My husband the conspiracy theorist is always telling me I should wear a little tinfoil hat. That way Becky and the aliens won’t be able to read my thoughts anymore. See what I get for not listening to my husband? Note to self: add “make tinfoil hat” to my bucket list.
There’s really no point in me explaining how I made my tomato planter because Becky did a nice job (Of course she did. She stole my brain waves, after all). I will say however that some people say to use burlap to keep the dirt in, others use coffee filters, but I used some stiff tulle fabric from my bridesmaid dress. That dress is like the Energizer Bunny, isn’t it? It keeps going and going and going…
I’ll leave you with some photos. If you look very closely, I’m pretty sure there’s a flying saucer in that first photograph. I sure hope they're here to do some weeding.
PS. A forum my husband frequents called Above Top Secret says that France is about to come clean about their knowledge of extra-terrestrials. Other European countries will then follow suit. Maybe we should start crafting ourselves some tinfoil hats. Remember, you heard it here first, folks.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Beef Stew, Burgundy Style: Update
Hubby called from work and told me that some of his coworkers were inquiring about the beef stew. (Quick shout out to Adam and Flora! If you stop by my blog, leave me a comment, yo!) I did link to the recipe on Monday, however since I didn't really follow the recipe (at all), I figured I better just redo it. I'm going to copy and paste the recipe into this post and add my own things in italics. Here it goes.
Basically I marinated the meat and onion in the wine for 24 hours. I then browned the meat and sauteed the onion with it. I placed the rest of the wine marinade in a crockpot along with all the other ingredients and cooked on low for about 8 hours.
De-frickin-licious.
- 1/4 cup dried parsley- didn't use this
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme - didn't use this either
- 2 tablespoons dried bay leaf- I have this, but for some reason didn't use this
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary- You guessed it. I omitted this too. Geez. You mean to tell me the only spice I did use wasn't even on the original ingredient list?! (I used some oregano)
- 3 pounds beef chuck, cut into large pieces-I think I used about two pounds of roast
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped- I used a regular white onion but at least I used an onion!
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped- used some frozen carrots on hand and also threw in a can of corn and a can of green beans
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled- I buy the little jar of garlic already minced. I'd say I probably used about a teaspoon or so
- 25 1/2 oz wine, (1 bottle) rich red burgundy or California pinot noir- I used a little over half a bottle of red wine. Don't even ask where the other half went...
- 6 ounces Lean salt pork, diced- Ew, this just sounds bad so I left it out.
- 1 tsp each Salt and Pepper- Come to think of it, I can't remember if I put S&P in or not!
- 1/3 cup flour- This would have certainly thickened it up a bit, but I didn't put any flour in my concoction
- 2 cups water-I used beef broth rather than water, and I also added in a can of whole tomatoes in their juice. Smash up the tomatoes with your hands. I think the addition of beef broth and tomato juice made the soup a little less knock-your-socks-off-with-the-taste-of-wine
- 1 pound mushrooms, stems trimmed and caps peeled-Crap, I knew I forgot something...
Basically I marinated the meat and onion in the wine for 24 hours. I then browned the meat and sauteed the onion with it. I placed the rest of the wine marinade in a crockpot along with all the other ingredients and cooked on low for about 8 hours.
De-frickin-licious.
Sewing Some Snazzy Sock Storage
Problem: Need somewhere to house my collection of ratty, tatty can't-bring-myself-to-throw-them-away socks.
Solution: Sew myself some handy dandy sock pockets! (*hums the Hot Pockets commercial*)
Want some snazzy storage of your own? Here's how.
Measure the top of your dresser.
I am clearly not a perfectionist-type.
I thought I might mention that you need to make sure that you don't sew your pocket shut! You need to catch all the layers of fabric while stitching up the sides of your pocket, but when you topstitch the top of your pocket, you obviously wouldn't want to sew through the bottom layer or else your pocket won't be much of a pocket!
Alternately, you could sew the pockets with right sides together, and then the stitching up the sides would be on the inside and wouldn't show. I opted to do a fancy schmancy zig zag stitch on mine, so I didn't mind it showing.
My fabrics were curtain panels but of course you could use normal-person fabric. The blue and white stripe was from a Kmart-going-out-of-business-sale, and the toile-like fabric was thrifted a couple months ago.
Now go stuff your pockets full of socks and do a little jig because you're finished!
Solution: Sew myself some handy dandy sock pockets! (*hums the Hot Pockets commercial*)
Want some snazzy storage of your own? Here's how.
Measure the top of your dresser.
I thought I might mention that you need to make sure that you don't sew your pocket shut! You need to catch all the layers of fabric while stitching up the sides of your pocket, but when you topstitch the top of your pocket, you obviously wouldn't want to sew through the bottom layer or else your pocket won't be much of a pocket!
Alternately, you could sew the pockets with right sides together, and then the stitching up the sides would be on the inside and wouldn't show. I opted to do a fancy schmancy zig zag stitch on mine, so I didn't mind it showing.
My fabrics were curtain panels but of course you could use normal-person fabric. The blue and white stripe was from a Kmart-going-out-of-business-sale, and the toile-like fabric was thrifted a couple months ago.
Now go stuff your pockets full of socks and do a little jig because you're finished!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Kiddie Microphone Tutorial
I’m finally creating my first tutorial! I’ve mooched off of others long enough; it was high time for me to get creative. This is a ten minute project; just the way I like ‘em. Quick and easy peasy.
Go gather up the following items: small piece of black fabric, piece of silver or black ribbon (or any color would probably be okay), piece of silver fabric, tube from foil container (though a toilet paper tube would work as well, it’s just not as sturdy), a saw to cut the foil tube in half, hot glue gun, and a ball of yarn. Go ahead and grab your supplies. I’ll wait. *Whistles Jeopardy theme song.* Are you ready? Ok, let’s begin!
First I covered the ball of yarn with the piece of silver fabric (leftover from Mom and Dad’s 25th wedding anniversary lap quilt). Use your ribbon and tie the silver fabric onto the ball of yarn with a tight knot. I didn’t worry about the tail because it’s just going to be tucked into the tube anyway. In fact, I thought it was kind of cool looking. I could see making some of these to throw around like comets or meteors or something.
Next saw the foil tube in half. Yes, I actually used a saw. It’s sturdier than it looks! Then I ran a bead of hot glue around the top of the tube and secured the silver “comet” to it.
With your sewing machine, hem three sides of your black fabric. The top and bottom both need hemmed, as does one of the sides. The other side is going to be underneath so it will not matter. How big should the black piece of fabric be, you ask? Well that depends on your tube. Just make sure it’s wide enough to wrap around it with some overlap (I made mine a couple inches wider). You’ll want it to be a couple inches longer than the tube also for tucking it in at the end.
Here I used bright pink thread so that you could see the stitching better. I also thought bright pink gave it that rockin’-out-to-the-eighties vibe. (I used to have neon pink spandex, did you? No? Oh, me neither). I certainly did not use bright pink thread simply because it was still in my machine from the piggy and the crinkle toys. *Ahem* Moving right along…
Next you’ll want to hot glue the crap out of your microphone. I ran a bead along the top and along the side to make sure the black fabric stayed put. You see how the pink thread curves? I meant to do that. It’s not because I’m a half-ass sewer or anything.
Now simply tuck the remaining black fabric up into the tube and secure with more hot glue if you want to. I didn’t but that might come back to bite me in the rear later. Once Joel starts head-banging with this microphone and guitar softie, the fabric is probably going to fall out and need hot-glued. I’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
You’re finished! Go admire your handiwork. Grab your mic, some hairspray, and your cassette tape of Cyndi Lauper’s greatest hits and have a jam session in front of the bathroom mirror. I won’t tell anyone, I promise.
Go gather up the following items: small piece of black fabric, piece of silver or black ribbon (or any color would probably be okay), piece of silver fabric, tube from foil container (though a toilet paper tube would work as well, it’s just not as sturdy), a saw to cut the foil tube in half, hot glue gun, and a ball of yarn. Go ahead and grab your supplies. I’ll wait. *Whistles Jeopardy theme song.* Are you ready? Ok, let’s begin!
First I covered the ball of yarn with the piece of silver fabric (leftover from Mom and Dad’s 25th wedding anniversary lap quilt). Use your ribbon and tie the silver fabric onto the ball of yarn with a tight knot. I didn’t worry about the tail because it’s just going to be tucked into the tube anyway. In fact, I thought it was kind of cool looking. I could see making some of these to throw around like comets or meteors or something.
Next saw the foil tube in half. Yes, I actually used a saw. It’s sturdier than it looks! Then I ran a bead of hot glue around the top of the tube and secured the silver “comet” to it.
With your sewing machine, hem three sides of your black fabric. The top and bottom both need hemmed, as does one of the sides. The other side is going to be underneath so it will not matter. How big should the black piece of fabric be, you ask? Well that depends on your tube. Just make sure it’s wide enough to wrap around it with some overlap (I made mine a couple inches wider). You’ll want it to be a couple inches longer than the tube also for tucking it in at the end.
Here I used bright pink thread so that you could see the stitching better. I also thought bright pink gave it that rockin’-out-to-the-eighties vibe. (I used to have neon pink spandex, did you? No? Oh, me neither). I certainly did not use bright pink thread simply because it was still in my machine from the piggy and the crinkle toys. *Ahem* Moving right along…
Next you’ll want to hot glue the crap out of your microphone. I ran a bead along the top and along the side to make sure the black fabric stayed put. You see how the pink thread curves? I meant to do that. It’s not because I’m a half-ass sewer or anything.
Now simply tuck the remaining black fabric up into the tube and secure with more hot glue if you want to. I didn’t but that might come back to bite me in the rear later. Once Joel starts head-banging with this microphone and guitar softie, the fabric is probably going to fall out and need hot-glued. I’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
You’re finished! Go admire your handiwork. Grab your mic, some hairspray, and your cassette tape of Cyndi Lauper’s greatest hits and have a jam session in front of the bathroom mirror. I won’t tell anyone, I promise.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Double Digits! (And Some Baby Gear)
Woohoo! I just had to share with y'all that I finally made it to double digit followers (there's ten of you special peeps out there now)!!! Small potatoes, I know, however it still made me excited!
In other news, today I made some baby gifts for my mom's best friend's step-son's wife. Pfew. That was a mouthful. She's having a little girl, so I made her two of those crinkle toys that have been such a hit lately in blogland, and I machine appliqued a heart onto a onesie. Not the best applique job but at least you can tell it's a heart so it will do! I also got her a pair of little jeans for a couple bucks. Actually, I bought those pants awhile ago with no particular baby in mind but they were so cheap and cute I had to snatch them up, knowing that someone would have a baby girl sooner or later.
Gift Bag- Free (reused from one of my showers). Tissue Paper- free, once again reused. Card- on clearance for fifty cents at The Book Loft purchased awhile ago because I knew there'd be a girl baby born eventually.
Pants were a couple bucks; onesie was from a pack of onesies someone got Joel however I never even opened them because we had so many. I figured I could use the five onesies from that pack as gifts for others as I've done here. Do you regift like that or do you think it's tacky? Oh well, she'll never know!
Fabric, Ribbons, and Thread- from the stash. Crinkly stuff- reused some cellophane that I received the other day from my coworkers as a going away present. Not that their gift to me was cellophane. They all wrote a nice comment to me, and all the little note cards were wrapped in cellophane. And there was chocolate too. Dark chocolate. My favorite!
In other news, today I made some baby gifts for my mom's best friend's step-son's wife. Pfew. That was a mouthful. She's having a little girl, so I made her two of those crinkle toys that have been such a hit lately in blogland, and I machine appliqued a heart onto a onesie. Not the best applique job but at least you can tell it's a heart so it will do! I also got her a pair of little jeans for a couple bucks. Actually, I bought those pants awhile ago with no particular baby in mind but they were so cheap and cute I had to snatch them up, knowing that someone would have a baby girl sooner or later.
Gift Bag- Free (reused from one of my showers). Tissue Paper- free, once again reused. Card- on clearance for fifty cents at The Book Loft purchased awhile ago because I knew there'd be a girl baby born eventually.
Pants were a couple bucks; onesie was from a pack of onesies someone got Joel however I never even opened them because we had so many. I figured I could use the five onesies from that pack as gifts for others as I've done here. Do you regift like that or do you think it's tacky? Oh well, she'll never know!
Fabric, Ribbons, and Thread- from the stash. Crinkly stuff- reused some cellophane that I received the other day from my coworkers as a going away present. Not that their gift to me was cellophane. They all wrote a nice comment to me, and all the little note cards were wrapped in cellophane. And there was chocolate too. Dark chocolate. My favorite!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)