Bread & Sewing

Sunday, January 31, 2010


My first loaf of bread!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Baked my first loaf from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day!


3x6 Mini Bee Block for Solidia!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finished another block for the 3x6 Mini Bee.


Hexagons, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finally made some Hexagons!


Little Whale, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Thrifted this little whale sponge holder for $.75!


George, originally uploaded by jenib320.
George bunny :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh Bread
Sound of: 30 Rock
Taste of: Fresh Bread
Sight of: George laying down
Feel of: Warm sunshine

Good Things about Today:
- Baked my first loaf of bread!
- It's sunny today!
- Got through the first month of 365 without missing a photo!

Lately

Thursday, January 28, 2010


Starflower Block, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Whipped out a Starflower Block tonight.


George, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Who can be stressed or sad when you look at this face?


Library, originally uploaded by jenib320.
An afternoon at the library.

Today I love the..
Smell of: Ravioli
Sound of: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Taste of: Gobstoppers
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: The end of the week

Good Things about Today:
- Finished up homework early
- Got some sewing in
- Remembered I have Foster's Seasons 1 & 2 on dvd :)

Lotus Bowls

Wednesday, January 27, 2010


Favorites, originally uploaded by jenib320.
I know it's going to be a long day when it is necessary to take my 365 photo at 9:00am! My three favorite vintage lotus bowls, orange yellow and red. Used the keep things organized on my sewing table. The pincushion is the first one I ever made :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Winter
Sound of: Silence
Taste of: Peanut butter + banana
Sight of: George
Feel of: An evening nap

Good Things about Today:
- Had a productive day
- Took a much needed nap
- The worst day of the week is over!

Tutorials

A Little Sewing

Monday, January 25, 2010


Some Sewing for Me, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Made myself a tissue holder and cellphone holder.


Sewing, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Originally supposed to be an iPod cover, turned cellphone cover.

Today I love the..
Smell of: Cincinnati Chili
Sound of: Cavs basketball
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: Fabrics
Feel of: Sweatpants

Good Things about Today:
- Picked up some interfacing and fusible fleece on sale
- Stress free mailing at UPS
- Keeping up with my 365

Busy Week

Sunday, January 24, 2010


Yellow, originally uploaded by jenib320.
The lid arrived for my Cathrineholm Pot!


Popcorn, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Parmesan Popcorn.


Sneak Peak for Tasha!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finished another block for the 3x6 Mini Bee.


Lebron James, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Cavs beat the Lakers Thursday night! :D

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh waffles
Sound of: 30 Rock
Taste of: Waffles
Sight of: New photos uploaded
Feel of: Sleeping In

Good Things about Today:
- Uploaded all my Cavs photos! (last night too!)
- Found new corduroy pants in my closet from last year!

Wednesday

Wednesday, January 20, 2010


3x6 Mini Bee Block from Leigh!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Beautiful block from Leigh for the 3 x 6 Mini Bee.


Sneak Peek for Leigh, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finished one block for the Bee!


Fabrics, originally uploaded by jenib320.
New yummy fabrics came yesterday!


Gahh!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Terrific swap came from Gretchen yesterday!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Pork tenderloin
Sound of: Entourage
Taste of: Steamed sweet corn
Sight of: Fabrics
Feel of: Comfy clothes

Good Things about Today:
- Got some sewing in this afternoon
- Yummy dinner
- A clean kitchen!

New Garland

Monday, January 18, 2010


New Garland, originally uploaded by jenib320.

I am treating the area above my Tv as a place for ever changing garlands and bunting, which I am very into right now. Schools starts back up tomorrow so this can't be long but here are some photos of the new Valentine's garland I made using this tutorial: Scalloped Fabric Garland.


New Garland, originally uploaded by jenib320.


New Garland, originally uploaded by jenib320.

I finished a block for the 3x6 Bee. Shall show a sneak peak asap! :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Cinnamon candles
Sound of: The sewing machine
Taste of: French toast for dinner
Sight of: A finished block
Feel of: Warm laundry

Good Things about Today:
- Extra 50% off clearance at Old Navy!
- Got in some great sewing today
- Caught up with Mom at the mall
- Finally received all my textbooks in the mail

Craft Hope for Haiti

Craft Hope for Haiti Shop Spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time

This may be the gazillionth blog you've seen this on, but oh well! Please stop by the Craft Hope Etsy Shop! All proceeds of the Craft Hope Etsy shop will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. If you craft, please consider donating a handmade item. If you don't, please shop! :)

Also check out the Craft Hope website!

Here are the items I have donated so far. Hopefully the first of many!


Pillowcase, originally uploaded by jenib320.


Pocket Tissue Holder, originally uploaded by jenib320.

Sewing on the Brain

Sunday, January 17, 2010


Orange, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finally made a Fabric Scrap Basket :)


Pink & Brown, originally uploaded by jenib320.
I love little bees.


Birds & Branches, originally uploaded by jenib320.
And little birds.


Branches, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Plus some mod branches.

Today I love the..
Smell of: Cincinnati chili
Sound of: Friends
Taste of: Grilled cheese
Sight of: A clean apartment
Feel of: Bunny kisses

Good Things about Today:
- Fabric shopping!
- Clean apartment
- An evening with friends :)

Cincinnati Chili Recipe


Cincinnati Chili, originally uploaded by jenib320.

I know the long list of spices seems daunting, but I promise it's worth it! :)

3 lbs Ground Beef
1 T Minced Dried Onion
2+ t Garlic Powder
1+ t Salt
1+ t Chili Powder
1+ t Cumin
1+ t Paprika
½ t Thyme
½ t Cayenne Pepper
½+ t Cinnamon
¼ t Oregano
¼ t Marjoram
¼ t Ground Allspice
¼ t Rosemary
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
Pinch Ground Cloves
2 Bay Leaves
45oz Kidney Beans
46oz V8 Juice
1 ½ T Worcestershire Sauce

(1+ t= a heaping teaspoon)

1. Brown ground beef. Drain off the liquid.

2. Mix the ground beef with the V8 juice, spices and Worcestershire sauce.

3. If cooking on the stove, combine ingredients in a large pot and let cook partly covered on low heat for 2.5 – 3 hours.

4. If cooking in a crock-pot, combine ingredients in the pot and let cook covered on high for 4 – 5 hours.

5. Add drained, rinsed kidney beans about 5 – 10 minutes before serving to heat through.

6. Serve over spaghetti with crumbled saltines and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also add some minced red onion! (I skip this because I hate onions.)

*Notes:


Spices, originally uploaded by jenib320.

When we make this recipe we generally make a separate set (or a few!) of the spices and store them in a small tupperware. Since it takes so many spices, it’s nice to have them already premeasured to make prep really quick! Just be sure to mark it so you don’t forget what it is!


Cincinnati Chili, originally uploaded by jenib320.

Also, this makes a lot of chili, but it freezes great. It can be frozen in freezer bags or tupperware. Personally, I like freezing some in bulk and then a few single serving sizes so that I don’t have to defrost a whole bag when I want some for lunch!

Enjoy!

Spring Blossom Green

The Pyrex pattern of the moment. I hadn't been able to visit my favorite thrift store in over a month. When I walked in today I went straight to the kitchen section as usual and didn't find anything. I peeked at the fabric/sewing section and didn't find anything there either. I was about to leave but figured I should check the last row just in case. The last row has lots of glass items and some decorative items. But low and behold, tucked away in the back corner was this minty complete Spring Blossom refrigerator set, just waiting for me. This is the 2nd complete set that I've found at this shop. The first was the Daisy refrigerator set that I picked up for $12. This one was $15 but still completely worth it! :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Carbonara
Sound of: George
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: Finished projects
Feel of: Sleeping in

Good Things about Today:
- Good luck thrifting today!
- Finished up some errands!
- Made a few projects I've been meaning to try!

Flickr Favorites

Friday, January 15, 2010


Flickr Favorites, originally uploaded by jenib320.
1. Sneak peek, 2. Pretty, Pretty, 3. An Undersea Adventure, 4. Nursery Wall, 5. Block Party - April detail 2, 6. our banner, 7. Blue Daze, 8. Buttons , 9. LQS4 - second block for me
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!

I have crafting and sewing on the brain!

TGIF


New Blanket, originally uploaded by jenib320.
New favorite blanket made of fleece remnants.


Around My Craft Table, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Yummy fabrics & vintage sheets stacked on my sewing table.


Around My Craft Table, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Sewing books lined up and ready.


Cincinnati Chili, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Feel good food at the end of a long week.

I made it. The first week of classes is over. Thank goodness it's a three day weekend!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh waffles
Sound of: Entourage
Taste of: Cincinnati Chili
Sight of: A clean kitchen
Feel of: Warm blankets

Good Things about Today:
- Managed to get a few good photos
- First week of school is over
- Having an apartment I can keep as warm as I want!
- George has been really happy lately :)

Thursday


And then there was wonky.., originally uploaded by jenib320.
A little bit of sewing.


Mmm, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Pyrex & Popcorn.


George Bunny, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Tiny little rabbit.

Just trying to make it through this first week of school. Can't wait for this three day weekend!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Vanilla Tea
Sound of: Keane
Taste of: Parmesan Popcorn
Sight of: George
Feel of: Warm Blankets

Good Things about Today:
-Survived the longest day of the week
- Pyrex trades are brewing!
- Won a lid for a Catherineholm pot!
- Finally won a top pyrex want!

Sewing Therapy

Monday, January 11, 2010


Scrap Block, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Today was the first day of the spring semester. I was definitely not ready to go back. Break never seems long enough and I really hate the cold. I am however, ready to get back into a routine. I just wish I wasn't snowing! Oh well. My classes today went okay and there have been no tears yet, which is a pretty big accomplishment! I'm notorious for being weepy on the first day of school. I don't know what it is, the anxiety, the new people, new professors, it just has never sat well with me. Needless to say, I will be very glad when Friday afternoon rolls around! :)

In order to keep the good mood rolling today I decided I would sit down and start playing around with possible blocks for the 3 x 6 Sampler Quilt Mini Bee. I am super excited to get started, I have never been in any kind of bee before! I actually have never made a quilt block before today! However, since I have been sewing for 4 or 5 years, I think I'll be okay! As long as I don't choose a block with curves I'll be good to go! :) I have always been super picky about everything being straight, and cut precise and lined up which I'm learning is pretty important in piecing, so I'm not worried. I just hope my beehive members don't get worried!


Scrap Block, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Anyways, this is the first block I tried out. I just kind of cut pieces as I went. I guess it's sort of a semi wonky log cabin? I like it, but I definitely want to use skinnier strips next time! :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Grilled Cheese
Sound of: Harry Potter 6
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: Stacked Fabric
Feel of: Fleece

Good Things about Today:
- Tear-free first day back to school!
- Successfully made my first quilt block!
- No homework yet!

Saturday

Saturday, January 9, 2010


Contessa, originally uploaded by jenib320.
My favorite cookies, 90% off.


:), originally uploaded by jenib320.
Orla-inspired to go Mug.


Autumn Harvest, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Bright, shiny Pyrex.

Things have been busy as the semester is about to start. I am somewhat frantically trying to get my apartment in order before school starts Monday. As I get used to my classes, my posts will continue to be short and sweet. Normal, text heavy posts will return sometime later this month :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Cookies
Sound of: Quiet
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: Efficient shopping trip
Feel of: George

Good Things about Today:
- Finding my favorite cookies for $.49 a box!
- Successful shopping trip!
- Did I say cookies? :)

A Few Quick Notes

Friday, January 8, 2010


Tea Cozy, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Made myself a tea cozy using a new pattern.


Bow, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Made a dorky water bottle sleeve.


George, originally uploaded by jenib320.
George is happy to be home.


Snow, originally uploaded by jenib320.
It's been snowing like crazy.


Mmmm, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Today I love the..
Smell of: Dinner
Sound of: George running around
Taste of: Leftover Carbonara
Sight of: New room layout
Feel of: Fleece blankets

Good Things about Today:
- Moved around the furniture in my bedroom
- Had two adoptions at the shelter today!