Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Wishing you a day full of tricks and treats!

I attended a costume party over the weekend as "Fifty Shades of Gray" in which I wore a ton of gray including this skirt adapted from the circle skirt pattern:

 

Little Red and I are making a "spooky" snack inspired by my friend Shannon over at Sewing Barefoot. Little red and I decided it would be fun to add gummy worms to the mix to make it more "spooky" and dirt-like.

 

Pinterest Challenge: Sweater Mittens

It's Pinterest Challenge time over at Young House Love! Autumn in Colorado brings warm afternoons but frigid mornings, I saw these sweater mittens on Pinterest,  and I knew they would be perfect for autumn mornings.

I found this sweater fabric in the remnants bin at Joann's. I've been waiting for the perfect project idea to create with it. Since, the material is thin, (more like a sock material than a sweater) I decided to line the mittens with fleece.

Start by tracing your hand, to create a template for the mittens, tracing bigger than your hand to allow for hem allowance.

Using the template, pin and cut out the sweater material and the fleece lining.

Sew the bottom of the mittens.

Lining up both sides of the mittens, inside out, sew the perimeter of the mittens.

Turn inside out, and stay warm on these frigid mornings! I have a cashmere sweater with a hole in it that would make wonderful mittens as well.

Happy Pinning! For the last Pinterest Challenge hosted by Young House Love I made a necklace from another era.

Music Monday: Bobby Long

I've seen Bobby Long a few times live now and I think he is wonderfully charming. I could also just be drunk on his English accent. Apparently I'm not the only one since he is now on Dave Matthews' record label. Isn't he adorable?

Spaghetti Squash

I had never made Spaghetti Squash before, but have been dying to try it. I've heard nothing but great things about it.

First, cut the spaghetti squash lengthwise, and remove the seeds with a spoon. Bake the squash cut side down for 40 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a knife can be inserted and removed without resistance.

While the spaghetti squash baked, I sauteed Italian sausage and tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

Once the squash is done baking let it cool until you can touch it without burning yourself. With a fork, rake the strands from the squash.

Toss with sausage, sauteed tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Top with shredded Parmesan. I could have cooked the squash longer, the stands were al dente, to say the least. However, when mixed with the other ingredients, the crunchy texture added a refreshing quality to the meal.




Happy Cooking!

Let it snow

It started snowing late last night and continued through until early this morning, here in Denver. Dante loved chasing snowflakes and biting at flying snowballs. School was already cancelled due to fall break, so I'm spending today: organizing my desk, pulling out all of my cold weather gear, and getting ready to sew a few quilts for the many newborns that have entered my life.

 

More snow is expected tonight, so stay warm.

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

I love fall fashion: knee-high socks with boots, the annual introduction of scarves. However, it is still in the 70s here in Denver, so the wool scarves can't be pulled out just yet (or at least not until Wednesday, when snow is in the forecast).

I found two pieces of this fabric in the remnant bin at Joann's. (Have I mentioned I love the remnant bin?) Since the fabric is so thin, I layered the two pieces to thicken it up some.

First, I sewed the short ends of the pieces together.

Folding the fabric "hot dog", I pinned the four layers together, and sew.

Trim the excess.

Turn inside out.

Pin the end of one side into the tube of the other, creating a loop.

And sew. This is the only seam that shows. I was glad I was able to match up the pattern for the most part.

Loop around twice to create the effect above. Today, I paired the scarf with a jean jacket and brass flower necklace.

Music Monday

I've decided to do a weekly post dedicated to music, what I'm listening to and what is probably stuck in my head. So, here is the first of many "Music Mondays" to come.

Formally known as Goodnight Sunrise, the band The Goodnight has hooked me again with their new single "The Love Left in You". Fabulous.Perhaps I'm biased due to family connections, however these guys got me through the long drive of the entire state of Wyoming!

Taylor Swift's new album "Red" came out today. Taylor and I have a love/hate relationship, mostly because she gets stuck in my head. However, Little Red and I are in a dire need for new music to listen to on the way to school and activities (there is only so many times I can listen to "Call Me Maybe). I will give credit, where it is due, the chick has talent and is successful for a reason. Music often finds a way to express our innermost feelings, when we can't express them ourselves.

Monogrammed Key Holder

I was commissioned to make a wedding gift for my friend Chandi's cousin's wedding this weekend. Never have met the couple, it was difficult to make a custom piece, however Chandi had a direct vision of what she wanted to give them for their new home and life together. I had a lot of fun making this gift and learning the trade of wood burning! Congrats Katie and Matt!

Apple Cinnamon Bread

 Little Red was home sick last week with an upset stomach. When she finally got her appetite back she was craving muffins. I think it had something to do with the fact that she was watching Phineas and Ferb (the movie) and Norm kept mentioning "muffin time".  She decided on apple cinnamon muffins. I couldn't find the muffin tin nor have the patience to really search for it, so her muffins became a muffin loaf, or bread (if you will).

Here's what you need:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar*
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon*
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 apple: peeled, cored, and grated*

*Items were changed from the original recipe.

I decided not to add the crumble topping to the bread. I'm not a huge fan of crumble topping and since the muffins became bread, it wasn't necessary for the overall taste.

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix together all the ingredients except the apple. I decided to grate the apple, since the mixture was dry and the grated apple would add more liquid than a chopped apple.

All mixed up!

Bake for 25- 30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick int he center of the loaf comes out clean.

If autumn had a smell, it would be this. The smell fills the entire house and makes it cozy and warm.

Enjoy!