Chicago

Michael had recently been working a lot, and at the same time I'm trying this whole working at home thing... I hadn't left the house in five days. I didn't really notice it until I started getting cabin fever, hah.

He decided we were taking time off and heading to Chicago for a bit. No reason, we just sort of wandered around.

Outside of the Museum of Science and Industry. :)

Mirrors. <3

Michael on the bus (He forgot his razor! So scruffy!).

Now that we're back I'm going on an adventure to organize my work space since I spend most of my time finding the things I need instead of creating.

This is going to be interesting,  ;]

Ever have one of those weeks where absolutely every single thing you try to do completely fails utterly and entirely?

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

(Cute bunny pattern, for those who actually read this: <3 :P)

Sorry for the lack of posts, this little beast has been kicking my butt. :P

 Michael gifted me a new camera, which takes lovely pictures... most of the time. The only time it sucks is apparently when I'm taking pictures of bright red yarn. :(

His tummy is yellow though, and I made the pattern myself (which took an exhausting amount of time). I've been working on this for nearly a week.

 My hands hurt. :(

T-Shirt Fun! :D

 I have a pile of 20 some odd T-shirts in a box that I've been wanting to do some stuff with, and today the inspiration came to me. I like the way I made the bag more than the tutorials I've seen out there, so I figured I'd share. ;3

 Cut off the sleeves, starting from about 3 inches down, curve it just a bit.

 Easiest way to make the top of the bag is to trace a dinner plate around the neck. :)

 

 Cut the hem off the bottom of the shirt, flip inside out, sew shut.

 Now this step is optional, I guess. It's a bit difficult, but it give the bag more volume and a semi flat bottom. Take your hand on the inside of the bag and spread your fingers out placing one side of the shirt on your thumb, and the other on your index finger, and the bottom seam you just made in the middle. This should make a triangle you can fold over, much like a paper bag, or a milk carton.

 Pin and sew it down.

 Take the bottom of the sleeves, and pin about 5 inches up.

 

Sew shut. :)

 

And now you have a simple tote bag! :D I'm the process of painting and decorating mine with more details, but this is the basic outline. :) You can also make pockets out of the sleeves, like I did below.

 

Well, this little guy kinda came out of nowhere. :3

Michael and I were laying in the bedroom watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? (aamaaazzzingggggg) and I said I wanted to make a cat. Well, it's a cat. I think it is. Others disagree.

All that matters is it's cute, no?

I've started!

I've been wanting to start an art blog to document my processes and ideas better for what seems like forever now. But, I'm also a great excuse maker, and I hadn't known it was all this simple. But let's ignore that shall we, pay attention to these yummy cupcakes instead! :D

I made these to take to Michael's family Christmas celebration thing. I had already mixed the batter when I realized that I had no cupcake liners, and since it was Christmas going to a store was out of the question seeing as how they were all closed.

I have secret stashes of a lot of random items, bottle caps, yarn, clothes pins, buttons, zippers, and evidently origami paper. (Here's a rather cute instruction guide on how to shape the paper right: here)

And here's the recipe to my delicious Applesauce Cupcakes:

•  3 cups flour
•  3 eggs
•  2 cups white sugar
•  1 cup vegetable oil
•  2 cups applesauce
•  1 tbsp cinnamon
•  1 tsp baking soda
•  1/4 tsp baking powder
•  1/2 cup sour cream 

Optional:

•  1 cup raisins 
•  1 cup nuts (walnuts work best!)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Beat eggs, sugar, and oil together until smooth. Blend in applesauce, then sour cream until thoroughly mixed. Slowly add flour, baking powder and soda, and cinnamon. Add raisins or nuts. I found it easiest to mix everything with a whisk to keep the clumps out, then add the raisins or nuts with a spoon.
3. If using loaf pans, use butter/shortening to grease the pan, then flour it before pouring the batter in. Cupcakes I used an ice cream scoop to divide the batter.

Makes: 2 loaves, or 3 dozen cupcakes.