Hooray!

It only took two weeks....

All done!

Inside pockets

I didn't use the pattern, but based it off this bag.

Pretty happy with how it turned out.  The straps are a little wide, but it does give it an overall tote-y feeling, which is what I wanted in the first place so I guess it's ok.  I should have taken more time on the inside and made it fitted to the exterior (rather than just a big loose3-seam bag on the inside).  Oh well.  And that bow-thing on the front just looks lop-sided.  I intentionally let it droop, and I did measure the middle, but it just looks off.

It took a good, full 2 days probably (over the span of a week..  Allen is glad to have the dining room table back).  Ironing and cutting is BORING!  But, I decided to try to at least be a little more precise so I did measure some things and made a pattern for myself to follow.  I think it helped.  And I only had to rip out stitches once!  (The lower bobbin was messed up, and all the stitches got knotted and messy and terrible.  Grr)

Overall, improvement!  Now I just need more practice so it doesn't take THIS long.

Next, I need a new makeup brush holder.  That should be a snap to make, after this honkin' bag!

Maybe I'll Learn...

One day, I will learn that it is important to measure and mark and not just guess at things, when it comes to sewing.

Today was not that day.

Allen has a UC Berkeley shirt that he thought fitted too tightly (around the neck, and everything).  So, he told me to fix it up to fit me!  I mentioned last time that I had some success making a t-shirt smaller/more fitted.  I found this awesome Cannondale shirt on sale at REI.  It was like $15 I think.  (this shirt!)  I have a cannondale bike, and I LOVE it!  So, I'm a big cannondale fan.  Anyway, they only had an XL shirt, but I figured I could figure it out!  So I traced another shirt over it, pinned it up, and ta-da!  It now fits perfectly.

So this time, I was overly-confident.  I used my cannondale as a template, and cut around it (leaving a little extra room).  I pinned the edges, re-did the hems, and sewed in a little on each side.

Then I put it on.  It, er, fits.. it's just a little tight.  Plus, the sleeves are all wonky.  Since the original shirt was much larger (and a men's shirt), the shoulder was really wide and down on my arm and now it's all sorts of confused-looking.

So now I have a tight-fitting, off-center shirt.  ohhhh well.  I'll probably do something else with it-- a bag, or something, maybe...

My next "real" project is a bag...  I want it to be simple and functional enough I can throw things in it like a tote, but also cute enough that it can look like a purse.  I have my eye on this one.  Not too sure about the bow, but we'll see! I already know I won't print the templates and all that silliness...but I know I need to be mindful and measure things well and take some extra time to make sure it's right!

Surprise!

You thought I had flat-out stopped posting, didn't you?!

Truth be told, I've thought about posting.  More than once.  I've even thought of things to post about.  But then I realized I'd rather get up and go do something else, instead of write about something I already did (even though it was something AWESOME!).  I mean, I like reading a few blogs and living vicariously through people with amazing houses I want to steal, but apparently I don't like writing them.

So, here are some awesome things that I did/made/etc but you will not get to read any more about:
- Finally biking again (kinda) - STP is July 17 and I'll probably die (200 mile bike race, no big)
- Taking in old t-shirts / shirts that are too big (but on sale, so impossible for me to pass up) and making them fit perfectly
- A few new recipes that have turned out awesome (new as in I pinned them on pinterest and actually made them), and a few that were kinda meh, but have some good potential.
- Way too many photos of my cat

etc, etc, etc.

OK, so this is the part where I'm supposed to stick in some photos to break up this monotonous text.  Heck, if I were reading this, I'd have stopped way up there in the second paragraph.  But, as I alluded to above, I basically just take photos of Xyla.  In fact, I just counted up the last 20 photos on my phone-- 12 are of Xyla, 4 are screenshots of funny things (including when I play a 108 point word in Words with Friends.  I gotta document this stuff!), two are photos of a rainbow that was outside yesterday, and and two are screenshots of an adorable cat with a baby chick.

Yes, I'm a giant dork.  But, that's my life.  At least I'm staying true to the title of this blog, in a very, very loose sense.  The Renaissance was a time of emergence, out of the dark ages with advances in all forms of arts and science.  In my mind, that means doing some of everything.  Being creative, learning, taking chances.

In my case, this post proves that I am: biking, sewing, cooking, taking nature photos and kicking butt at Words with Friends.

My life is complete.

Bathroom Coasters!

Ok, I admit it: my husband is a bigger neat freak than I am.  I like things clean, but don't obsess over it.  Allen, on the other hand, dilligently scrubs the bathroom and kitchen/bathroom floors every week.

However-- I can't stand little pools of water on the counter!  We have electric toothbrushes, and every time you finish using them, water drips down and pools at the base.  The soap dispenser can't sit on the sink itself (it's uneven), and is consequently right on the edge...and every time you reach to get soap, water drips down resulting in a big mess of water on the counter.  It drives me crazy!

Now, switching gears, remember my placemats I made in January?  I made some coasters with leftover fabric.  To say they didn't turn out great was an understatement.  I didn't think when I made them, and it showed in the end result-- they're lopsided, different sizes, etc etc etc.  Allen agreed that I shouldn't send them as gifts, along with the placemants.  I'm embarrassed to even show them, but here they are:

I am ashamed...

Anyway, they've been sitting on our table in a corner for a while.  I have a million coasters (I collect coasters from vineyards... yes, I'm a weirdo), so I don't have much of a need for these cast-offs.

But!  I realized they might solve the water-dripping problem!  Who cares if they aren't the same size or look a little wonky, if all they do is catch water?!

Ta-da!

Ugh, why did it rotate itself?!

 In any case, I can't believe it took me over a year to figure this out.  So far, it's worked like a charm!  The little coasters get wet, but dry out really quickly, and I see no ugly puddles of water!  Plus, since there are 4 of the ugly things, I can throw them in the wash whenever they get too icky, and replace them right away!

Nothing amazing, but I love simple little fixes for simple, silly things like water on the counters :)

Spring is Coming!

Hard to believe, with the snow and all, but spring really is on the way.  But, I wanted to bring some spring into the house!  Of course, being in an apartment instead of an actual house means less space, and less willingness to completely go crazy with decorating.  But, I figured the throw pillows on the couch could definitely use some life.

Our couch is dark brown leather.  The pillows are red.  I love the color combo, but it's not very spring-like!  So, I went completely over-the-top cheesy.

Anywayyy, here is the pillow, with it's new pillowcase!

(NOTE: I don't know why the photos all rotated.  I rotated them again, and they still didn't upload correctly.  What the heck!  Sorry... )

Finished Pillow.  I went back and fixed the sides a bit, so it's not quite so loose looking anymore.

Close up.  Bunny and baby chick!

Back.

Overall, pretty fun.  I actually carefully measured and meticulously made sure things lined up.  And hey!  It mostly worked.  Imagine that!  Also, this was the first time I every tried applique, which I really enjoyed.  I always liked the look, and I think it turned out pretty OK considering it was my first try!

Now if only I could get the photos to upload in the right orientation...

All-purpose Noodles!

Ok.  I make these noodles about once a week, so it's high time I post about it since I fail at posting in general.

Growing up, my mom made these noodles for homemade chicken noodle soup.  In fact, it wasn't until I older until I realized there was chicken noodle soup that came in cans-- which still sounds pretty gross to me.  No, the wonderful homemade chicken noodle soup my mom made was one of my all-time favorite meals growing up.

A couple months ago, I decided I wanted to try making the soup for Allen.  I had asked my mom for the noodle recipe a while ago, and wanted to finally put it to good use.  Of course, my husband is crazy and not a big fan of soup in general, so he asked if instead, I would make the noodles but just  make chicken fettuccine alfredo.  I had never had the noodles in anything other than soup, but hey-- why not?!

The end result?  FANTASTIC.  Allen loves these noodles, and I'm happy to know that these noodles work for anything.  I know nothing about making pasta, but I do know these noodles are delicious!  I suppose they're egg noodles, since they ingredients are basically just egg and flour, but they sure are tasty in just about anything!  Nice and hearty, they have a much different texture than pre-made dried noodles, but are super tasty and easy to make!

Recipe (original, from my mom):

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt
• Flour

1)  Mix eggs, baking power, salt and a little flour. 
2) Slowly add flour, until dough is stiff.

3) On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thick.

4) Cut dough into strips.

5) Cook in boiling broth for 20+ minutes.


Now, my own notes:

1)  "A little flour" is just a spoonful or so-- nothing critical.
2)  When I make these for alfredo, I use 2 eggs, rather than 3 (which makes enough for dinner and lunch for one person), and it takes maybe 2 cups of flour?  I don't measure-- just keep slowly adding and mixing it until the dough is stiff enough to roll out well.
3)  When my mom makes these noodles for chicken noodle soup, she makes them thick-- cut about 1/2" wide.  When I make them for fettuccine, I cut them to be maybe 3/8" wide.  After cooking, the noodles will get a little bigger, and you want them to have some substance (I've made them too thin before, and they just aren't as good because you don't taste them as much)
4)  For chicken noodle soup, place the noodles in the boiling broth.  For fettuccine, I start boiling some water with olive oil and salt right as I start cutting up the noodles, and cook them in that.
5)  I've found that the fastest and easiest way to cut the dough is to use a pizza cutter-- a knife just doesn't cut it as well.
6)  Check after 20 minutes, but I usually seem to cook them for longer.  Just a matter of preference.

Ok, so maybe it look complicated, but it really isn't.  I want to try them with spaghetti sauce, sometime, or even to make ravioli.  Yum!

Whining

I whine a lot.  This is probably not something I should try to expand upon, and enrich my life with, but it's kind of true- I'm a complainer.

Here are a few things that I feel compelled to complain about lately.  I know you were wondering....

First of all, why is my photo always a big triangle with an exclamation mark in it, now?  This is very frustrating.  I tried googling it, and (ironically) the most I could find out was it somehow had to do with google+?  Anyway, I deleted my google+ account, since I literally have never used it and hadn't added anyone and generally it was confusing and redundant... and it still shows my icon as an exclamation mark.  Clearly, the internet is telling me how awesome I am!  (except it looks more like a warning/bad exclamation mark.  hmm..)

Next, I want to complain about pinterest.  Actually, not really, because I love it so much and I am a little addicted to it.  BUT!  It drives me crazy when people just post these "inspirational" photos and "slim down in 5 days!" and "get great arms by doing these two 20-second exercises that consist of lifting a 1lb jar over your head!"  Ok, so maybe I'm kinda a snob.. but it drives me CRAZY.

1. If you're going to work out, just do it.  Don't comment on peoples' photos saying "omg I WILL look like this someday!"  Granted, I know it's a handy way to gather information for yourself, but for some reason, this just really bothers me.
2. I can absolutely guarantee that that chick in that photo did NOT get that body by doing a 20 minute work-out twice a week.  If that was really a "thing," and actually worked, we would all look like models.  Why is the diet and fitness industry so successful?  Because there isn't some quick, fix-all method.  People in photos are fitness models.  It's their job, and only those people that are blessed with naturally athletic builds are going to have a shot at looking that perfect-- and only after hard work.  Now, there's nothing wrong with striving for it, but it drives me crazy when these little "routines" guarantee you'll look like the model.
3. It's just annoying.

I think I'm just full of myself.  And bitter.  Weight-lifting for 4.5 months and...well, I think my back is bigger.  My thighs are bigger.  I have super leg muscles, but mehhh.  I have great abs, but under this huge flab of fat, I just look fatter.  I can squat and deadlift and do rows at 45lbs on each side (so, 90lbs.. I only have dumbbells, so all my weights are "half" of what it would be if i were using ) but my arms looks like uncooked breadsticks.  Nasty.  HMPH!

(also, I'm fully aware the squats and deadlifts don't work your arms that much.  Those were just the top few things that popped in my head.  I think you get the picture, though)

I'm also kind of hating stomach aches.  I mean, come on!  When I was younger, I never got stomach aches.  Never ever.  In the past few months to a year, I've had more stomach aches than I can count!  Honestly, what changed! Come on body, why are you getting old?!

----

Ok, I'm actually getting bored of complaining -- um, yes, what?!  That never happens!  As a consolation for having to read my complaining.. here!  A cute picture of Xyla when she was small and tiny!

Oh, one more thing...  We are doing STP this year!  (Seattle to Portland bike race, of course)  Registered yesterday.  I'm so excited!...and also terrified.  Allen and I are doing it, and so is my dad!  It should be fun.  Since we've only done one 10 mile quick ride in the last 4 months, I'm not feeling very good about it.  But, I guess I can do it, right?  Good thing it's not until mid July.  That's plenty of time to get ready.  Right?  Right.


In the meantime, I have lots of sewing and decorating and baking and ahhh!  I got some really fun spring-y fabrics..but don't know what to do with them.  Oh man.  All I want to do is create, but I have no ideas!  Help!