Priscilla Ahn

It's sprinkling here, and this song came to mind.

Enjoy.

PRISCILLA AHN - 'In A Tree' - A Takeaway Show - Split Series from Jeremy M Lundborg on Vimeo.

Easy Craft Projects via Easy to Follow Videos

photo of Craft Club video

Hancock Fabrics has teamed with teen.com to make some great craft videos.

This first video I saw was for a bag that requires no sewing (if sewing isn't your thing).

The craft projects are led by Kit Scarbo from Project Runway.

I'm going to check out more videos-- like the sailor scarf and stained glass sunglasses and double finger ring and well, I'll check out all the videos!

Let me know which projects you like and try.  I'll let you know if I make any of them and how it turned out.

New Dress A Day

My friend Sarah was kind enough to send me this link.  And I was instantly hooked.
Marisa set a year challenge of making a dress a day from (get this!) thrift store clothing!  Each outfit starts out looking pretty hideous and extremely oversized.  Then she works her magic to create a darling new outfit.  Sometimes it's as simple as taking in the sides, and other times it's as complicated as taking the entire piece apart and starting from scratch.
Check out New Dress A Day for inspiration and a dose of Marisa's humor.  If you're like me, you'll go back and read every single post.  It's that addicting!
Here's a before and after:

 

Cute, huh?

While you read, you might want some music to listen to (if you're like me and need to music to breathe!).

Here's a little cover from Stacy DuPree of Eisley.

What's App?

I'm new to the iPhone world and thought I'd share some applications that I'm currently loving.

Photo Apps

Hipstamatic: You've probably seen a ton of Hipstamatic prints on Facebook.  With this app, you can change your lens, film, flash, and purchase even more options.  This is a fun way to get a vintage look.  This app doesn't do great in low light situations (even with the iPhone 4's new flash).  Here's an example of a low light situation that turned out pretty good, though:

IncrediBooth: This is as the name suggests-- photo booth photos (just like at the mall!).  This is fun and comes with 3 options: color, black & white, antique.  On the iPhone 4, it uses the front camera, so you can see yourself just like in a photobooth.  Example:

PhotoShop Express: This app is free and lets you edit photos in your photo library or one you take within the app.  You can add different filters and effects, but as far as I can tell, you can't add text yet.  Does anyone know differently?  Example (my Hello Kitty toaster that toasts Hello Kitty's face onto your toast!):

Plastic Bullet: This app takes a picture and gives you an endless amount of effects.  You can save as many effects as you want.  Each tap of the screen presents a new effect.  Example:

Game Apps

Angry Birds: Warning: Angry Birds is addicting.  The Lite version is free, but you'll quickly finish all the levels.  The paid version has several levels, and they keep adding more levels.  The object is to use birds with different skills to kill green pigs.  Fun, right?!

TapWord: If you've ever played BookWorm, it's kind of like that.  This app is free and fun to play.

Words With Friends: Once I downloaded this free app, TapWord was put on the back burner.  Words With Friends is liking playing scrabble, and you actually play with your friends that also have the app on their phones.

Talking Tom: This cat repeats what you say, drinks milk, and falls down when you punch, kick, or pull his tail.  You can also record his actions and make a video.  This app is free.  And makes me giggle.

Qrank: This is a free app that quizzes you on pop culture of all sorts.  You can play a Qrank game once a day, but play unlimited live games with other players.

Music Related Apps

I Am T-Pain: Autotune just like a rapper!  This app has songs you can sing along with or you can purchase more songs to sing with.  A new feature lets you rap with video.  My husband doesn't think it's quite as funny as I do.  But my dog likes when I rap about her in autotune.  Headphones are a must when recording; otherwise, it's squeals and buzzes.

Glee: Sing along with the Glee stars!  Headphones are a must for this app as well.

Pandora: This free app lets you decide what you what to listen to.  Create radio channels based on musicians you like.  Don't like a song?-- skip to the next song.  This is great!

VoicePlus: This free app allows you to record your voice to sound like a mouse, horn, whatever!

Bump

This app is free and lets you share information with friends.  All you do is literally bump two iPhones together, and you can send photos, contacts, whatever!

What apps do you use and love?  I'd love to hear about more apps I should download!

Idea Book and Life

Kaelah of Little Chief Honeybee wrote a post about idea books.

Well, here's mine!

This book has lyrics, recipes, quotes, ideas for writing and film projects, stories that help me remember things about my family, music and movies I want to watch, everything!

I keep this in my purse, because you never know when you might need to jot something down!  It's about the size of my phone, so it doesn't take up much space.

Do you have a book like this?

In other news...

I know I've been somewhat MIA from the blog world. I haven't been doing much crafting as of late, because life has called for other things.

Like snuggling with my puppy Ruby after she had a bath :)

Go enjoy life and realize it's okay to take a break from projects.  I'm still learning that, so you can learn with me.  Ruby has it figured out; she just enjoys the love she receives and plays with her neighbor dog and sleeps the rest of the time.  She doesn't let life get her down like we humans do.

Romanian Inspiration

I'll be going to Romania in a few weeks and can't wait!
I started shopping last night for a few new travel clothes (most of what I had no longer fits or is worn out!).

I started searching Etsy for what items had a Romanian flair, and I thought I'd share!

(Click to view larger)

Romania Vintage Resin Stamp Necklace-1960s Romina Stamp with Metal Shovel Charm from Love Las Muertas

Country Road from Simona Barbu

Romania Map Magnets, Vintage 1920s Atlas, set of 4 from Historically Inspired Designs

Gypsy Wagon Necklace from featherhead

World Traveler Pendant - Eastern Europe from The Green Daisy

Red ruffle long skirt from taitee

Cheap and Easy Flower Headband

I'm no craft genius, but I'm pretty happy about this headband.  I was in a rush last night getting ready for a concert and wanted something cute in my hair.  This is how this headband was born...

I had a pack of 3 black flower pins for a couple bucks (on sale at Hancock Fabrics).

And I had a pack of 3 headbands (clear, black, brown) for $1 (from Dollar Tree).

I took the flower and pinned it onto the headband.

Ta da!

The flower stayed in place and didn't move a bit.  The teeth on the headband probably helped with that.

Best part: it's cute, easy, cheap, and the flower can be taken off to be worn on a shirt or for the headband to be worn plain!

iPod Touch for Sale

My iPod touch (like new) is for sale!

Ebay Listing

The Sketchbook Project

The Sketchbook Project

You can do your own sketchbook if you sign up by October 31!

I haven't started mine yet.  I picked "In Flight" as the theme and will be collecting items on planes as I travel in the next couple months.  I'm really excited about this project!

Let me know if you do one!

Breakfast Sandwich

There's a local coffee shop a few blocks from our house that my husband and I LOVE!  I used to hang out there in college, but only went for the coffee.  Once I was out of school, I started ordering food and one day found a gem-- their breakfast sandwich.  Wowee!  It's so yummy and a huge serving and all things good.

I got to thinking...how can I have that same thing any time I want it and even when cash is tight?  Don't get me wrong; we still visit this place and give it our business.  I just wanted an alternative I could make at home.

So I present...my version of...

The Perfect Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:

Biscuit (I prefer the Pillsbury biscuits in the freezer bag, so you can cook individual biscuits)

1 Egg (or egg substitute)

1 Sausage patty (I use maple syrup flavored veggie patties)

Cream cheese

Honey (I usually leave this off mine, but it's a must for my hubby)

Cheese (I like cheddar or provolone)

Butter

Let's get started!

1) Get your biscuits in the oven so they cook!

2) Cook the sausage (veggie patties cook for a couple minutes in the microwave)

3) Cook the egg.  Here's a secret tip: Crack in egg in a coffee cup.  Don't stir it up.  Add your salt and pepper.  Cook for 30 to 45 seconds in the microwave.  Spoon it out of the cup and it's the perfect size for the biscuit!  (I have cooked them in a skillet, and I have to fold them over to fit the biscuit.  And it takes longer and is more to clean up!).

4) Get the warm biscuit and butter both sides.  Lay a piece of cheese on the bottom of the biscuit then the patty then the egg then spread cream cheese and honey on the top of the biscuit and then set it on the egg.

5) Microwave for 15 seconds to melt the cheese.

Ta-da!

I make one for me and my husband in no time!  This really is a yummy Saturday morning wake-me-up with help from our Dunkin' Donuts French Vanilla coffee brewing while we make the sandwich!

Let me know if you try this out!

Apron with Pockets & Pattern Review

I bought a pattern for aprons several months ago (I mean severallll).  I finally sat down and opened the pattern and cut out the pieces a week or so ago.  Then I finally sat down and started sewing late Monday night.  About an hour later I had this apron!

(this picture was taken right after I made it, so I might look a little tired and worn from the day :) )

The apron has two pockets.  I'm sure they're for stashing m&ms or whatever to munch on while you slave away in the kitchen.

(Note to self: when having a photo shoot, be sure to reposition props-- like the spoon falling out of the pocket!)

You can see the fruit on the skirt, but you can't really see the words that are behind the fruit.  It says things like "pomegranate, apple, basil" etc.  The fabric is even cuter in person!  I splurged a little on this fabric-- it wasn't on sale like most of the fabric I get.

I used this Butterick pattern to cut out the pieces and get started on sewing.

I made several adjustments to the pattern.  See the large picture of the apron with a top?  That's the pattern I went off on (because it had the pockets!), but I took away the top and changed a few other things.  So basically it's not the same apron at all, but hey, make a pattern what you want it to be!

This pattern has several choices, which is great.  I feel like you get more for your money when the pattern is adaptable.  I think I got this on sale for 99 cents.  Watch for sales, and you can get great deals.

My mom and I just opened a booth this week at Angels Crossing Mall.  So if you live around me, come check it out!  The apron will be at Booth 72!

My Main Squeeze

  

my boo's blog

he's not very good at updating.  but maybe he'll get better if enough people encourage him :)

Elastic Band Skirt

Thanks to this and this I was able to whip up a new skirt in no time!

(no, that is not a giant door.  i really am that short.  5'1'' and proud!)

Skirt: Made by me (fabric from Hancock Fabrics for $1/yard)

Shirt: Walmart (bought last week)

Shoes: Reefs (comfy and cute-- perfect combo!)

Flower pin: Little Chief Honeybee

Necklace: Made by me

Since the fabric was $1/yard and the elastic was on sale, I made this skirt for a couple bucks!

I think I like the pairing of stripes with floral patterns.  What do you think?