Salt Dough Crafts

I wanted to do something for my parents and in-laws for the Valentine's Day/Family Day weekend, as well as for us.

I've seen lots of craft ideas using a child's hand and footprints and figured I would do something similar. 

Originally I wanted to shape her footprints into a heart but have you ever tried this with a kid who can't bear weight on their legs?

I also tried to do her handprints but that is just as difficult as she would make a fist every time I tried to press her hand into the dough.

Even when asleep.

Maybe if I had rolled out the dough thinner...?

Anyway, I got enough of an imprint to paint it which helped it stand out.

If you're feeling brave, give this craft a whirl. 

• In a bowl, mix together 1 cup flour with 1/2 cup salt. 
• Add in 1/2 cup water slowly as you may not need all of it. Mix together, careful not to let the dough become too sticky.
• Knead the dough then roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut out desired shapes.
• Struggle to get your child's hand or footprint on the dough.
• Allow dough to dry overnight, then bake at 170 degrees for 2-3 hours until completely dry. 

And let me know if you try this with an infant and have a foolproof method.

Adventures in Knitting: How to Knit a Beard

This year, much like last year, I won't be celebrating Valentine's Day with John.

Last year we were in a jeep on the Serengeti, chasing down lions and leopards and zebras (oh my).

And that was exciting enough.

This year John is off to climb Mt Washington so my valentine will be my mom because I secured her once I found out I'd need one and she gives awesome presents.

I'm anticipating quite a bit of chocolate.

But back to the point of the post.

I knit John a hat for his cold adventure as his valentine present.

I also thought it would be funny to knit him a face warmer to go with it.

So, inspired by a hat I saw one year at the family Country Christmas gift exchange, I did.

And you can too! 

Using 4 mm needles and your choice of material, cast on 36 stitches.

Knit 4 rows.

On row 5 knit 13 stitches, cast off 10, then knit the remaining 13 stitches.

(To make the mouth a bit wider I'd be tempted to add in a row here where you knit 12, cast off 2, then knit the remaining 12. I may try this next time)

Row 6 work back 13 stitches, cast on 10 stitches, then finish the row.

Continue knitting until the beard reaches the bottom of your chin.

Knit 2 together at the end of every row until you're left with 14 stitches.

Cast off.

Separately, knit two strands to connect the beard to a hat. Otherwise purchase some elastic thread and connect it to the beard so that it can be hooked around your ears.

How? I don't know. I haven't found elastic thread yet.

There's still one more surprise to the hat - John if you're reading this, stop now.

...

I put on a patch that we bought in Tanzania of Mt Kilimanjaro and another patch that I ordered online of Mt Washington. 

The patches commemorate his summits AND hide the ugly back part of the hat so... 

win-win.

Knitting Adventures: My First Hat

Having had moderate success moving away from my straight patterns (scarves and blankets) to more challenging patterns (the knittens from a previous post), I tried my hand at making a hat.

I started on circular needles but quickly came to hate them. I may need to give them a second chance in the future though.

I switched the my regular boring straight needles and picked a smaller size to ensure a warmer, more tightly knit hat. I used 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. 

I started with the basic pattern idea - knit a swatch to know how stitches it's going to take to make it around your head. Always err on the side of caution and knit less than you think if you're unsure. It's better if the hat needs to stretch a bit anyway.

I forget how many stitches it took me but it was quite a few. 

Then I knit and knit and knit until I had about 6 inches of the hat. Then I started knitting 3 together at each end to start tapering the hat down. 

Once I was down to about 10 stitches left I casted off and stitched the back together. 

I won't show you a picture of the back because it's horrible.

Nowhere near as nice as the front. 

I may do a few fixes to try and correct the monstrosity at the back. All I need is a patch I ordered online to arrive then voila - this hat will be a Valentines day present for my mountain climber.

I'll show you the final product once it's done! 

Adventures in Knitting: Knittens (to warm hands on cold days)

During my experimentation with knitting patterns more complicated than blankets and scarves, I moved on to mittens. 

My first attempt ended in a gigantic mitten better suited for an oven mitt. 

So I started again, with a better idea of how to proceed.

The end result was still a bit bigger than I perhaps would have liked but I used it to my advantage and created felt inserts filled with rice that can be microwaved to provide some extra heat. 

Follow the pattern from Martha Stewart that I posted in an earlier post (also found here) or do what I did and use thicker wool and thicker needles and just cast on half the number of stitches they call for and continue with halving the numbers (except for number of rows, then just go by how wide the mitten looks).

I've taken to calling this knit mittens 'knittens'.

Once your knitten has been cast off, use a darning needles to stitch the mitten together around the edges.

I used a white wool to show what I did, but I removed it after and re-stitched it with the same colour wool to make it look cleaner.

For the microwavable insert, I traced the finished knitten onto a red felt stocking I bought from the dollar store. I ended up having to cut it a little smaller to fit into the mitten. I sewed around the edges, leaving a small opening into which I poured uncooked rice. Add just enough to fill the mitten without leaving it bulging. 

Ideally, use thread the same colour as the felt. Unfortunately in my case my dog took off with the red thread in her mouth and it was too slobbery to use on something I hoped would turn out nice.

I thought about sewing the inserts into the knittens but ultimately figured leaving them as inserts was the better option because they did make the knittens quite bulky.

I gave these knittens to my father-in-law, who works outside and I'm sure with all the crazy weather lately could use something to keep his hands warm. 

They make a cute gift AND I was able to knit both mittens in less than 5 hours so this is a project that won't take a long time to finish.

Here's to a 2014 filled with many more handmade crafts!

(Hopes & Dreams item #9!)

Last Minute Christmas Printables (and ice storm 2013 pictures)

It's Christmas Eve!

Our beautiful city was pummelled by an ice storm over the weekend and many people are still without power (including my parents).

We've been lucky and haven't been without power & heat but my parent's have been wrapping themselves in blankets upon blankets to stay warm since Sunday morning. 

I finally convinced my mom to come over yesterday for a shower and dinner but I haven't been able to talk them into sleeping here yet. 

Hopefully tonight.

Freezing rain and high winds caused a lot of trees to snap and pull down power lines all across the city. Roads and walkways were turned into skating rinks seemingly overnight.

Driving home on Sunday morning we saw a lot of the damage first hand:

This is the dog park we frequent. John took the dog but wisely didn't stay long as the trees were making ominous creaking noises and the possibility of having large branches come crashing down was too great.

This was a common sight on the roads.

But despite the destruction and danger, the ice has actually been quite pretty. 

I snapped this picture of John last night on our walk back to the apartment.

As a result of the lack of power we're switching up our Christmas Eve tradition this year (also cause my dad is working) which, as a big fan of traditions, I find really sucks. But I'm sure tonight will still be as magical as every other year.

Christmas Eve is hands down my favourite day of the year. 

Hopefully everyone is finished their shopping.

If you're struggling for some last minute gifts you could whip up some bacon jam, knit mittens (that post to come), or bake a batch of Christmas cookies (with Bailey's icing on those snowflakes)

And if you're wrapping up your gifts, why not print out and use these adorable rustic gift tags? I've been using the gift tag templates found HERE or you could use the tags found  HERE

If you're throwing a party why not make some props for people to take photos with?

Simply save and print this image to size, cut out and attach to sticks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE! 

Knitting Projects

I recently (finally) finished a long knitting project:

This blanket.

I've made a blanket before but this was almost double the size of the first one and took me the better part of 6 months to finish. This was mostly because I'd start and stop and wasn't just consistently working on it. 

I finished it at work one night and then decided to get adventurous and try my hand at something more complicated than a straight garter stitch pattern.

In the same MSL issue with the bacon jam recipe, I also saw a knitting template for adorable mittens.

Following that template, I started on my first mitten.

I was using my big blanket needles so... I probably should have waited and used smaller needles or cast on less stitches than the pattern called for. 

It's the size of an oven mitt.

 I think once it's complete I'll use it as the dog's stocking. 

It was good practice to learn how to add stitches by "make 1 left" and drop stitches by knitting two together.

I will be trying this again with more appropriate needles.

If you're looking for a quick knitting project follow the template for these cute mittens here

Bacon Jam: the ultimate stocking stuffer

As I was perusing this month's issue of Martha Stewart Living, I kept coming back to one page in particular because it looked too good to be true. 

It was a recipe for a homemade gift, a perfect stocking stuffer for carnivorous friends and family.

It was Bacon Jam. 

So yesterday I spent the afternoon in the kitchen, surrounded by the happy smells of frying bacon, onion and garlic, bubbling brandy, maple syrup and brown sugar.

If you're looking for something to wow your friends, make this for them. 

This recipe is based on the Martha Stewart Living recipe found here but with my own substitutions.

1. Cut 2 500-gram packages of bacon into 1 inch pieces. Spread half of the bacon in a single layer in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until brown, about 20-25 minutes. Repeat with the remaining bacon, making sure to drain off as much fat as possible in the process. 
2. Save 1 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet and add to that 1 large red onion, diced, and 4 cloves of garlic, also diced. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. 
3. Stir in 1 tbsp paprika and 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger and cook for another minute. 
4. Turn heat up to high. Add in 1 cup brandy, 3/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup red wine vinegar. Bring to a boil then add in bacon.
5. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces to a thick glaze. I added in 1/4 cup molasses and a bit of corn starch to get my liquid to thicken.

Warning: your kitchen and subsequently your home is going to smell like heaven at this point.

6. Once thickened, let it cool then transfer to a blender or food processor and puree to the consistency of a thick/chunky jam. 

7. Put jam into airtight containers or jars for gifting or saving and refrigerate for at least one hour. The jam should keep in the fridge for about a month. 

Make sure to sample some for yourself as well. 

Enjoy!

Easy Holiday Ornaments

As I patiently (kind of) wait for this weekend to hurry up and get here so we can get our tree and finish Christmas decorating the apartment, I've been keeping myself occupied with other holiday things.

I've made cookies, I've started putting up decorations, and I've been wrapping presents.

 

Inspired by my friend Emily (who invited me to do a nursing/first aid talk with her Brownie troupe last Wednesday which was SO much fun) who does a handmade ornament swap, I thought I'd try and make some of my own.

 

After a Pinterest browse I came across a cute idea using scrabble tiles.

My best friend's husband calls me Scrabble (long story involving me trying to use code to talk about him with my friend wen they first started dating) so I though this craft was particularly appropriate.

 

I googled where I could buy extra scrabble tiles but ultimately ended up buying a bag off of Ebay.

 

I'm sure many stores that sell games also sell additional tiles. You can also purchase them on Etsy (as well as purchasing only the tiles you need).

 

All you need for this craft is scrabble tiles, something to make the ornament hang on the tree like a hook or ribbon, and a glue gun.

 

 

I spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to arrange words and sentences into scrabble patterns (Silent Night worked pretty well with the night coming off of the N in silent) and racked my brain for holiday phrases.

 

On the docket for today: making bacon jam.

Yep.

Apparently it's a real thing.

And it sounds gloooooorious.

 

Christmas Wish List Update

Selfish Update.

I've worked two CRAZY busy 12 hour shifts this weekend and I'm tired so I'm allowing myself to look at things I want during my down time.

 

Also, use this as a gift guide for that special someone in your life!

 

 

1. This reasonably priced bangle from Indigo:

 

 

2. This less reasonably priced purse ($148)

 

 

More updates to follow, most likely.

 

Christmas Wish List. Cause Everyone Deserves a Selfish 'Want' Post.

It happened.

I was trying to avoid it for fear of diluting the season but it happened anyway, as I suspected it would.

I got bit by the Christmas bug.

All it took was one venture outside into the world of red Starbucks cups, Christmas lights and trimmed trees in store windows and the sounds of holiday music.

I've found my walks with the dog are even more pleasant with Mariah Carey singing into my earphones that all she wants for Christmas is me. 

All 3 versions (current favourite: this one)

I love Christmas, as you probably know.

Nowhere near as much as my cousin (who's already started his Christmas blogging here), but I am a big fan. 

John and I argue a little every year on when we'll get our tree. Since he doesn't believe in Christmas at any point in November, December 1st is my D-Day. Or C-Day maybe.

So of course I want our tree December 1st. Then we fuss over whether it'll dry out and die before the 25th if we get it to early blah blah blah. We usually get our tree the first or second week in December depending on our schedules. 

Interesting note: last year, we missed the infamous Ikea monkey Darwin by only an hour. If only we'd stalled and parked on the second story!

And further sidenote: wouldn't it be nice to have Toronto known worldwide for our fashionably clad monkeys instead of our foul-mouthed mayoral monkey?

But I digress.

Back to the important issue at hand: my Christmas wish list!

Having zero idea, really, as to what I would like to unwrap on Christmas morning, I started thinking about what kinds of things I need and/or want.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

Because the one I have is broken and I seriously distrust any reading it gives me.

Good shoes and I like the way they look.

One of the social workers has a pair and she looks really cool in hers so obviously I'll look just as snazzy in mine.

I need some form of cable box to accompany the TV I got for my birthday. A PVR would mean I could record ALL the shows and John would never fall asleep peacefully again. 

BECAUSE WHERE IS SEASON 4!?

I have all of the other seasons but for some reason no store near me seems to carry this one.

Was it taboo? I don't recall.

And then on my "it's worth mentioning but is more likely a wild fantasy" list:

Worth mentioning because I once wildly asked for a puppy and guess what I got as an early Christmas present.

Hopefully she'll be so well trained by then (she understands come, sit, and lie down but not stay. Not even close yet) that she'll sit patiently under the tree for me with a big red bow on and then I can just kiss her smelly little face and remember the lesson I learned: if you want something bad enough just keep asking for it repeatedly and throw in the odd guilt trip.

I'm going to be a great parent some day.

P.S. What's on your wish list this year? (By this I mean what cool items have I forgotten to add to mine that I should add before everyone finishes shopping for me?)

1st Anniversary Gifts: Part 1

**For some reason this was saved in my drafts and was never published! Oops!

Enjoy belatedly :)

 

As the big day draws closer I've been putting the finishing touches on John's anniversary present.

Sticking to my theme of the paper card encompassing the 5 ways to show your love, I present to you my 'Acts of Service' contribution.

 

I made a few coupons for John to use to 'get out of jail free' with respect to household chores.

I tried to pick some of the more common ones that we do.

 

I google image searched for the famous Monopoly card and opened it in picmonkey to customize it.

 

Tada!

 

 

The other gifts I'll be keeping secret until after the big reveal for fear that John will read all about them before hand.

Some of his co-workers have been reading the blog [Hi! I promise to keep stuff more impersonal ;) haha] and I fear he's worried about what I'm posting for them to read and therefore might pop on to see what's new.

 

Feel free to copy and print these coupons if you think you'd use them.

I can make more too!

 

Anniversary Card

I saw the idea for this card on (guess where?) Pinterest and knew it would be perfect for John.

I meant to fancy it up a bit more and make it look more fishing vest-like but I forgot...

And spent my time working on the gifts that go with the card.

 

As I mentioned it's a fishing vest. With 4 pockets. And in each of those pockets is a fish on a tongue depressor (thanks, place of employment).

 

 

 And on each of those fish is a way to show someone you love them (as mentioned in a previous post).

"Acts of Service" I will post tomorrow because I meant to do it today but forgot. By forgot I mean I got home from work, popped 2 Zzzquils and slept for 7 glorious hours before heading off to work again.

For "Receiving Gifts" I bought him a documentary about Maynard James Keenan (of Tool/A Perfect Cirlce/Puscifer fame)  and his foray into wine making.

I cheated a bit and used "Quality Time" and "Physical Touch" together for one gift. A couple's massage! Sunday morning we can look forward to a relaxing rub down. This gift is also for me because I did something to my lower back ... probably from lifting and repositioning heavy patients.

Also I realize I'm giving him the gift of physical touch from someone other than his wife but let's be honest, my massages are mediocre at best.

 

 

"But that's only 4 fish. What about Words of Affirmation? You forgot one."

No I didn't.

They're on the back!

 

 

I'm so excited for this weekend.

Strolling around Niagara, sampling wines and ultimately buying way more than we intend to, getting massaged, sitting in the heart shaped tub with a glass of wine, and spending time with my husband.

 

They say you're only newlyweds for the first year.

Maybe technically.

But that feeling's going to take a lot longer than a year to disappear.

 

Happy 1st year of marriage, (insert any number of silly pet names here)

 

Birthday Wish List

One of the best things about summer (besides the heat, cottage trips, burgers and BBQs, flip flops, etc) is my birthday.

Actually, every other thing in that list I think tops my birthday but it's still an enjoyable part of the summer.

This year I have no idea what I want.

I mean, I obviously have a few things on my wish list but I'd say 99% of those fall in the realm of "keep dreaming sister".

These include:

A puppy.

Presented to me in a box, which upon opening will cause me to cry tears of joy.

Any puppy is acceptable but preferably not a stupid breed. I need one that can be easily trained.

A trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

I will happily wait in line at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for hours with the children and like-minded grown ups.

A baby.

This would realistically come in the form of my husband agreeing to a timeline for us to start a family.

I've given him my timeline so ... he knows.

(A baby isn't on the horizon for minimum another 6 months though)

(Sorry mom and dad)

But I suppose there are some things I want that aren't completely unrealistic.

Take for example this anatomically correct heart necklace.

They're all over Etsy, this one courtesy of Lost Apostle.

I also want a flatscreen tv for the bedroom (I'm thinking a 22") to make more space on the dresser.

Also a cable box cause we've now lost pretty much every channel since things have gone digital.

Also on the safe bet list: books, wine, food.

That's all I've got for now.

Maybe if I keep the list small a puppy and a trip to Disney might happen....