Coming Soon!

We are excited to tell you we are working on opening an Etsy shop! As part of the new venture, we will be changing the name and address of our blog so that everything is coherent. The new blog will have the same content but with a new name and format. Stay tuned for details!

Closet Flashback: Cowboy Vest

I must admit that Rachel's flashback last week brought me way back. Exactly how far back, we will not divulge. Let's just say that might fall into the 'vintage' category pretty soon. This project does not harken back to the days of yore, but it has seen its fair share of use. The vest my son is wearing has been floating around for about 3 years, and it has been used and abused. It was made from some fake suede material I inherited from a friend's grandmother. There was yards and yard of the stuff, and I have made chaps, vests, Daniel Boone pants, and an Indian teepee out of it, among other things. Whatever the fiber content, it has held up amazingly well! It looks great paired with an Under Armour shirt and some flashy green shorts, don't you think?

Crafts To Give! Kids Craft Round Up

I am always on the lookout for quick and easy crafts to make for our shoeboxes. I have posted several craft ideas in the past, and here's a round up of great kids crafts that would be perfect for adding to a shoe box, giving to your favorite kids charity, or for gifting to the special little people in your life!

 Fabric Hair Bows from Momtastic

DVD Coloring Case by staceyvaughn

Boys' Toolbelt by One Hip Mom

Braided Headbands from recycled t-shirts from Make It Love It

Paper Doll Kits from This Mama Makes Stuff

Washer Necklaces from Small For Big

Flannel Picture Sets from Happy Hawkins

Clothespin Airplanes from Paint Me Plaid

Checkerboard from American Crafts

For more ideas, click here. 

Foodie Friday: Stuffed Jalapenos

OK, so I'm a little late on the stuffed jalapeno homefront. Despite my love for spicy food and all things Mexican/Tex Mex/Megzican, I had never partaken in this 8th wonder of the world. OK, maybe not the 8th wonder, but they are really good! I found a recipe here and used that as inspiration. And yes, I tried both variations. For my version, I sauteed a few strips of chopped bacon, along with half a small onion, finely diced. While the delicious smell of bacon wafts through your house, prepare the jalapenos. Mine were on the small size and I used about 12. Cut them in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and veins with a teaspoon.

***It is here that I shall insert a public service announcement: unless you prefer to live on the edge like me, wear gloves! Often I can get away with jalapenos, but you never know when you will get an especially spicy batch and then your hands will burn for hours. And for the record, none of the internet remedies work.***

When the bacon crisps up, throw in a little garlic, about a teaspoon of cumin and a big pinch of oregano. I also added a bit of red chile powder. Saute for another minute. Remove from heat and throw in a generous handful of chopped cilantro and about 1/2 C. of shredded cheese (cheddar, colby jack, whatever floats your boat...) Use mixture to stuff jalapenos and put on a baking sheet. The recipe calls for additional 'batons' of cheese to top each pepper, and as much as I love cheese, I left it off. I did sprinkle a small bit of shredded cheese over each because I had extra. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes. The verdict: deeeelicious! The cream cheese version is also fabulous but when it comes to a choice involving bacon, is there really a choice? Its bacon all the way, baby!

Closet Flash Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay Back: Hand beaded, Velvet Bag

A very long time ago, probably circa the late 90s, I needed a fancy bag for some event and my sister lovingly made this for me. I just officially finished unpacking a few days ago and found this carefully tucked away.  

 

The outer layer is made from black velvet and the inside is lined with a rich, purple colored satin or taffeta (not 100% sure which).

 

 

 The fringe is all hand beaded with beautiful leaf and butterfly beads mixed with some tear drops, seed beads and tube beads.

 

 

 It has a simple, black, cross body strap and is closed with a loop that goes over a glass butterfly bead.

 

 



Foodie Friday (A Day Late): Red Chili with Adobo & Chipotle

I created this recipe when my husband was in grad school. One night I was feeling particularly lazy and only had a few things on hand that led to this combination.

 

Rachel's Red Chili

 

 1 29 oz can black beans (I use organic with no salt added)

1 29 oz kidney beans (I use organic with no salt added)

1 - 1 1/2 lbs turkey burger

2-3 minced garlic cloves

1 small red or white onion diced small

olive oil

1/2 - 1 bottle beer (I like to use Guiness or a Porter style)

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (I use organic)

1 TBS tomato paste (I use organic)

2-3 diced chiles (or whatever heat you can handle) in adobo sauce + extra adobo sauce

 

Brown the meat in olive oil. Add onions, garlic and chile to meat and cook until softened. Then add the tomato paste and cook slightly until it starts to darken in color. Add beans (in their liquid OR rinse them and add beef, veg or chicken stock instead) and tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a simmer then add the beer. Cook for another 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld and serve with biscuits, corn bread or crackers.

 

**Note: Sometimes I add Mexican oregano to change up the flavor a little.

 

The Whale Super Tote

I bought the Super Tote pattern from Noodlehead a couple of months ago with the idea that maybe someday Meg and I would open an Etsy shop. Last week I decided to get to work and make a prototype bag out of a Whale print, 21 wale, corduroy that I had banished to the back of my stash. 

 

I like to vigorously test out the end product myself to see if there are any quirks that need to be smoothed out in future versions. I'm a stickler for stability and I think the original pattern needs it's interfacing requirements to be beefed up significantly. That's really my only qualm though. Other  than that, the bag sewed up beautifully, I love the size and it has endless possibilities. I have at least 25 other versions dancing around in my head that need to be liberated so I better get sewing!

  

 This picture is just for scale purposes. The finished bag is deceptively huge and holds e v e r y t h i n g with space to spare.

The front of the bag has a large pocket trimmed with white piping.

There is a pretty, pleated gusset detail on the side.

I have to say that the recessed zipper is probably my favorite part. 

There are 4 large, internal pockets with elastic to keep everything in order.

I box stitched the handles for extra stability.