More than a Hill of Beans: No Sew Fabric Wreath

 

I'm very excited about happening upon Vanessa Christenson's blog yesterday!  She's got a great sense of style and some awesome tutorials on her blog, including this No Sew Fabric Wreath that I've just added to my to-do list. 

Now, I'm stepping away from my computer so I'm not tempted to purchase one of the many tutorials for sale on her etsy site. 

Onesie Sample Sale!

I'm having a sample sale at my Etsy Shop!  I need new samples, so you get a deal!  Now's you chance to get a customized baby onesie at a great price.  Prices as marked at a 50% off discount!  Act fast, because there's only ONE LEFT, and it's first come, first serve!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29472247

What a reWreath!

 

Over the weekend, I finally updated the bare wreaths sitting on top of my bookshelves.  I bought two grapevine wreaths from Michaels back in January, and added the white berries, which I purchased for this purpose at AC Moore back in September!  I used thin floral wire to tie the berry vine to the grapevine, and I was impressed at how quickly I finished.  I'm not sure if they're complete yet, but they certainly look better than before. 

Have any ideas of what to add?  Post a comment!

Alton Brown Came to Town

Hey foodies!  Last Friday, Alton Brown came to town to give a celebrity lecture supporting the Indian Creek Foundation, and I enjoyed being in attendance.  Alton entertained by mixing three recipes and a continuous Q&A dialogue with the audience.

Sadly, this is the best picture I got.  Having lost 50 pounds, he was a little more difficult to catch on camera (certainly not because of the quality of my little point and shoot.)  I hope that he comes out with a weight loss cookbook soon!   I'm guessing it won't contain my favorite recipe that evening: a 5 minute chocolate cake!

Alton whipped 8 eggs, 5 1/2 oz of sugar and a pinch of salt in a mixer on medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes.  Then, he added 7 1/2 oz of melted dark chocolate until combined, and continued with 1 1/2 oz of all purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons of expresso powder and 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Now here's the fun part.  He added the cake mix into a N2O charged cream whipper, then filled a glass coffee cup with the now aerated cake mix.  The glass went into the microwave for 45 seconds on 90% and out came cake!  I wish I could have tried it...and I was totally ready to make this cake when I got home, but I didn't have the $100 stainless-steel cream whipper. (The nitrous oxide cartridges are extra...)  Oh well. 

More than a Hill of Beans: Sewing Machine Cookies

I apologize for not piling up the beans for the first time last week, but fear not!  I've got a peace offering of cookies this week...well, sort of:

Earlier this week, while perusing the website of one of my favorite local fabric shops, Spool, I found this adorable sewing machine cookie cutter.  Such a perfect shape for those of us sewing inclined, and these cookies must be "sew" much fun to decorate, not to mention eat!  I'll surely be picking up one of these the next time I'm over there!