Sunday, March 29, 2009

Book Mooch


I have a new love and its name is Book Mooch! It's just fantastic. I have a number of books sitting around that I have read but don't really want to keep. I have a number of books that I would like to read. I loaded my list of books that I don't want into Book Mooch, and people who want those books can request them. I ship them out by Media Mail, usually about $2.50 or less per book. I get points for them, which I can then "spend" on requesting books from other people! Great for all you literary types who lead busy lives and can never get your library books back to the library on time! So all of you--join up. I want to see what books you have that I can mooch!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Frogs!

I love this froggy fabric! It's from LeelaLouDesigns on etsy. She was de-stashing, much to my benefit. This pair of jammies is listed in my etsy shop, and I think they're suitable for either a boy or a girl.

Pretty in Blue and White



Here's Lei Li looking winsome in the dress I finished on Thursday.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Japanese Craft Book Bunny

Today's project was a bunny made of linen and flannel with embroidered eyes and face. The bunny is for my niece for her 2nd birthday. The pattern was from For Sweet Baby, which I ordered from Yes Asia about a year ago. The background book is a vintage Peter Cottontail that I found at the Friends of the Library Book Sale in Ithaca in the fall.

For Sweet Baby

Spring Finery


I'm absolutely ready for Spring to come. It's been fairly Spring-like around here lately, and my daffodils are starting to peek up through last year's leafy mess that's covering the yard. Everything's soggy outside, still too soggy to rake. Today it's supposed to snow, though, typical of upstate NY in the spring. Above, Kerry (Mandy by Heidi Plusczok) is sporting a new dress I made and embellished with spring chicks. Below is Song by Helen Kish, wearing the spring frock that I made from the pattern that was included with her when she arrived.


Sunday, March 15, 2009

Pounce!

This was today's project. I crocheted this little guy from a Planet June pattern. Isn't he stinkin' cute?! He's taken up residence on top of my craft shelves to keep me company.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Orange Cake with Orange Buttercream Frosting!

This is a cake I made for my boss' birthday tomorrow. He turns 65! It's an orange flavored white cake with marmalade filling and orange buttercream frosting, decorated with orange gummies. It's 100% homemade (except the gummies, of course). Here's the recipe:

Orange Cake

2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
3 teaspoons orange extract
1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk

Grease and flour two 9" cake pans and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the sugar and butter and then add the eggs one at a time and beat till smooth. Stir in the orange extract and the orange zest. Add the orange juice and stir. Mix the flour and baking powder in a separate small bowl and then add to the batter. Add the milk, beat till smooth and then place in the two prepared pans. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until it tests done. Turn out onto wire racks after they cool for a few minutes and allow to cool thoroughly.

I filled my cake with marmalade (prepared) between the two layers. I then frosted the whole thing with buttercream frosting. I didn't measure anything so I can't exactly say how much sugar or milk I used in my buttercream, but I softened two sticks of butter and then added confectioner's sugar to make a stiff dough. I then drizzled in milk, maybe about 2 tablespoons' worth, mixed, and then added more sugar until it became the right consistency. I colored mine soft orange and then frosted the cake. I put orange gummies on, then piped leaves and writing onto the cake. Hope it tastes good!

Etsy Outfit


I made this outfit for a gal on etsy. I hope she loves it! Poppy certainly does. The little bunny blankie is made of a doll sock and a scrap of flannel. I turned the sock inside out, cut down from the toe end and then stitched around the slit to make ears. I turned it right side in, stuffed with a tiny scrap of stuffing, and then added beads and embroidery to make a face. I then sewed it to the flannel and now Poppy has a little friend.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

My Cat Ate my Pincushion

Well. Here is the culprit.

And here is the nice pincushion, made just on Thursday, that she "enjoyed." It was so nice and NOT RIPPED UP before. The spots are even loose. I at least hope she had fun.