3 bags in two days - I'm my own sweatshop!

In the last two days I've managed to make three different bags. This new design, Ariel, came about when I was planning on making a "Kim" bag. On a whim I decided to throw in a couple pleats (which, since were done last minute were difficult thanks to the sturdy interfacing). In order to conceal the top's jagged shape because of the pleats, I added another layer of fabric and folded it over- I think it gives it a nice clean look. But then I realised the bag was getting lost in its print, which is why the big black bow came to the rescue..

And voila, Ariel!

I fell in love with this fabric- I'm a sucker for houndstooth, tweeds, herringbone- all that goodness. But this, with the teal, well, how could I not? I'm thinking of buying more and even making a dress or a skirt - when I feel super adventurous.

But, not content to make "kim" bags only, I freestyled a new design. I just decided to cut and cut and sew and sew, and this is what I ended up with:

Her name is Alexandra, and she came to work with me today because I love her so much.

It was fun to make something different, though she came out more "sac" like than I would have wanted.. she's slouchy, I'm planning on using some interfacing next time for a sturdier look. She's only got the cotton shell fabric and the thick navy satin lining holding her, plus the super cute damask ribbon as handles. I love the trim idea, so I think it'll be making more appearances in the future!


And lastly, my first creation out of this little set, my ladybug "kim".

Dresssew was having a sale on the piping, which was going for $1.00 per ROLL! So of course I bought red, pink, green and blue! they're my new easy-cheat handles.. for the times that I can get away with non-matching handles..

But how cute are those ladybugs!?

Domestic Day

Today was spent doing everything around the house. Vacuuming, mopping, dusting, laundry, sewing, dishes, the works. Liz came over with a bundle of clothes for me to fix for her, and I snapped my one and only needle on the bottom of her jeans while fixing their taper. So I'm "out of action" until I can run off and buy a new needle for my sewing machine.

Luckily, a couple days before, I had a chance to play around with a new design idea I had.
I don't really like it, but I suppose I had to make it to realise that! I'm not sure why I dont like it, since I like the idea of a curved bag.. there's just something not right. Could be that it's a bit sloppy looking. It's not sellable so I have no idea what I'll do with it- seems a waste.

I named her Diana, after the moon, since she's moon shaped. Turquoise lining is so yummy.

Then I made a Lucy bag out of the same old dress that I made the apron out of- this is for my DeNuevo line of reused fabric bags.

I gave her fushia lining since its so pretty and bright!


Now comes the little dilemma we've been having as of late. Now that the dining nook (and yes, its a nook.. this place is so tiny EVERYTHING is a nook) is finally coming together, I want to paint the trimming on the built in shelves. Only I cannot for the life of me decide what colour they should be, and whether we should paint just the frame, or the curvey inlay, or both.

Suggestions welcome!

(its that frame/built in shelf thingy on the left with all the pots and bowls).

Aprons from Dresses, ohmy!

I had intended to write last night. And the night before. But with working and then coming home to cook dinner, sew, and garden, it's fallen by the wayside.

Trying to get a business off the ground is exciting but racked with small potholes that if you're not careful, you might just trip over and land flat on your face. I'm busy working on Divina//Denuevo, and this was my first reclaimed-clothing creation.



This apron, made from an old dress I bought in Thailand that never fit (silly me for buying something I couldnt try on!), is perfect for pottering around the kitchen and washing the dishes. I found I was getting water all over me more than anything as I'm still washing dishes by hand (some day, some day, a dishwasher will grace me).

I thought about making it fancier with pockets and the like- but really, when I'm cooking in the kitchen, what on earth do I want pockets for!? I don't really see the point, and I wanted to save the fabric as much as possible to be able to make one of my "Kim" handbags too. I made that last night (pictures to follow when I get home from work- blogging at work, naughty naughty).
I also have enough fabric to make another one.. so 2 DeNuevo bags and one DeNuevo apron! Huzzah for that little dress!

Recipe: Chicken in red wine tomato sauce with lemon and garlic mashed potatos

I figure my first offering should be a recipe, so here's one that I sort of invented while being a madscientist in the kitchen (de rigour).


Ingredients: (serves 4)
-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or, if you prefer dark meat, substitute!)
-1 medium sized onion
-3 cloves of garlic (or less if you're not a fan of garlicky things)
-1 large tomato
-1 can of tomato paste
-1 bag of frozeb broccoli
-pureed basil (to taste, I usually use about 3-4 tablespoons)
-balsamic vinegar
-olive oil
-red wine (can be cheap!)
-4 large potatos
-margarine
-lemon juice
-parsley
-oregano
-salt, pepper to taste

Method:



1. Chop potatos into even cubes and set to boil while preparing the chicken.

2. Coat a medium sized pot with olive oil, and place on medium heat. Chop the onions and throw them in that pot- they should sizzle a little. Cook until clear.

3. Take 2 cloves of garlic, mince, and add to the onions, continuing to stir so they dont burn.

4. While the onions and garlic are cooking, be sure to occasionally stir the potatoes so they cook evenly.

5. Cut chicken breast into cubes if you'd like it to cook faster, if not, you can leave it whole- completely preferance based. Add it to the onions and garlic and continue stirring until chicken starts to brown.

6. As the chicken is cooking, add balsamic vinegar (to taste, I usually add about half a cup, because I like mine to have a tang to it). This will make the chicken juicy and tangy.

7.Continue cooking until chicken is almost fully browned on the outsides (not necessarily cooked through though!)

8. Chop the tomato and add it to the pot, continue stirring.

9. Add the can of tomato paste (and one can of water to match the proportion)

10. Stir well, until the tomato paste has dissolved with the water to create a sauce.

11. Add the basil puree. I love basil so I tend to add A LOT. I like to SEE it in the sauce.

12.Add oregano. Again, I add a lot. I'd say something like 2 tablespoons worth. Stir continuously.

13. Add the frozen broccoli, and stir so that it has a chance to defrost and be covered in the sauce. By now the chicken should be cooked the potatoes will be nearing done.

14. Take a fork and pierce one of the potatoes. If it slides right off the fork, then they're done. Drain and remove from heat.

15. Add about 2 tablespoons of butter, and begin to mash.

16. Add lemon juice - this depends on how 'lemony' you like your mash to be. I like it to be noticeable so I use about half a cup of lemon juice. It also makes the mash a little creamier/less dense.

17. Mince the last clove of garlic and add to the mash, continue mashing.
(in the meantime, check the chicken and stir occasionally to ensure the broccoli is cooking)

18. Add olive oil to the mash- this gives it a nice flavour and again, makes it creamier.

19. Finally, add parsley. Its great if you have it fresh- if not, go for the dried. It adds colour and tastes yummy.

20. Continue mashing to the consistancy you like. I like mine chunky (which is why I leave the skins on)

21. About 10 mins before serving time, drop in about a cup of red wine into the chicken and sauce. If you do it too soon, the wine evaporates and you miss out on the strong flavour- unless of course you dont want a strong wine flavour!

22. Make a well with the mashed potatos and place the chicken and sauce inside it when serving.

VOILA!

and the leftovers are great for work the next day!

Introduction to domestic disasters.

I'm not actually that bad at this whole keeping-house thing. I love to cook, I clean to de-stress, and most recently I've found an addictive love of sewing. I often wonder if I'd have been more at home in the 50's than now. I'm quite content with my freedoms, but I love the excuse to bake, sew, clean, decorate, and be lazy.

And so.. here come the chronicles of my serious poseur-ness in the world of housewifery.