New Bracelet, Interrupted
I must’ve done something to my wrist yesterday or today because its really bothering me. I started to work on a new bracelet but it hurt too much to continue so Ive put it aside for now.
It’s also hurting to type, so that’s it for tonight!
The Olympics Are On, So
We had a great play date this morning with some close friends, followed by a visit to Ama’s house and then an evening at the local community parade. Now I’m glued to the TV watching the opening ceremony (tape delayed – thanks NBC).
No project today, but no regrets! Life happens. There might be a few more days like this coming up as my free time is consumed by the games.
Tilapia with Peppers and Onions
Tonight was a quick dinner – pan-friend tilapia smothered with onions and sweet bell peppers, served with steamed rice and broccoli.
Super easy and super kid friendly (my kids aren’t into fried onions and peppers so I left it off their portions).
Tilapia with Peppers and Onions, serves 4
4 tilapia filets
2 sweet bell peppers, cored seeded and sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced
california style garlic salt
salt and pepper
cayenne pepper
apple cider vinegar
olive oil for sauteing
1. Heat olive oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat, then add the onion and pepper slices and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until they are browned and wilted, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with cayenne pepper (I used about 1/2 teaspoon) and a splash of cider vinegar and cook for a minute more. Put the mixture into a bowl and set aside.
2. Season the tilapia filets with the garlic salt. Heat more olive oil (if needed) in the same pan over medium heat, add the filets, and cook. Depending on the thickness of the filets, this should take about 4 minutes for each side.
3. Put each filet on a plate, top with some of the peppers and onions, and serve with a wedge of lemon for squeezing on top, if desired.
Little Girl’s Headscarf Tutorial
My dear friend sent my kids a package today, and one of the gifts inside was a lovely little girl’s headscarf. It looks absolutely darling on my daughter, and it looked like it might be so simple to make. Turns out it was – here’s how I did it, and it took me less than an hour (seamstresses might scoff at how long that is, but I’m no pro)!
First I found a lightweight cotton fabric to use (I wanted to mimic the light cotton of the original scarf, but it certainly could be made with a heavier weight fabric). I cut two rectangles, using the measurements of the original – the bigger rectangle (the headpiece) measured 7″ x 16″, and the smaller rectangle (the elastic casing) measured 2″ x 10″.
Next I pressed the smaller rectangle in half (right sides together) and sewed the open long side to make a tube for the elastic. I pressed a small seam on either long side of the larger rectangle (folding the front side over and pressing it to the back), and stitched each seam.
I turned the tube right side out (it might be helpful to use a pencil to help push the fabric) and then added the elastic (I used 6-1/2″ of 3/4″ elastic because that’s what I had on hand) and sewed it to each end of the tube – the fabric will bunch between the ends so that there is room for the elastic to stretch.
Finally I folded pleats into each end of the larger rectangle, folded the ends back to hide the unfinished portion and wrapped them around the smaller rectangle with elastic inside. One simple line of stitches on each end and I was done! My baby’s sleeping now – can’t wait to try it on her tomorrow morning.
Mapping My Mind
Working on a ‘mindmap’ today to help outline a writing project I’ve got buzzing around up there in said mind.
Also, take a look at the bunny we made for a rousing game of ‘Pin the Tail on the Bunny’:
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| Its hard to tell the scale here, but the bunny measures about 3 feet in length. |
Denim Headband Disaster
My son grew out of a favorite pair of jeans, and because the knees were both ripped out I couldn’t donate them. I stuck them into my fabric stash and then started pondering what to do with them. I had the idea to make a headband, or a head wrap, using the denim from the jeans.
I decided to try to make a braided headband, so I cut strips from the jeans and then knotted them together as for a friendship bracelet. That so did not work out well. After I finished the braid I could already see it was a failure, so I didn’t take any more time to finish the headband.
If anyone can think of another use for this, or a way to salvage it, let me know!
Creation Station
I went to such a fun place today – my daughter went to a friend’s birthday party at Creation Station. It’s a crafts store meets junk shop meets art studio. The party was in the back studio room, and the kids (and grownups) had about an hour to make whatever they wanted from the materials in the room.
And this room, I wish I had taken photos of it. All four walls were lined with barrels and bins and racks filled with the most random assortment of materials – all recycled or surplus items – tubes and bottles and stickers and fabrics and CDs and wood scraps and things I couldn’t even identify. All the kids had so much fun grabbing things to use and taping them together. I got inspired and started on a headband, but ran out of time before I could really execute it.
At the end of the party the kids all got a goodie bag to fill with materials from the bulk bins. They were all so excited to go home with more art supplies to work with. I didn’t have time to browse the store, but I’d love to go back and look at all they’ve got – I’ve already got projects in mind!
Picnic Madness
What a busy day today – I have been going nonstop since early this morning! My projects today drew on my mom creative juice, since I had to come up with two separate picnics for two different concerts.
First up was a lunchtime picnic to enjoy at the park after a Not-Its concert at Silver Lake (there’s a great kids concert series there every summer). We had scones (made fresh by us last night), graham crackers, string cheese, black olives, leftover pasta salad and juice.
Next came our dinner picnic at a Ziggy Marley concert at Woodland Park ZooTunes. For this I just foraged at our local Whole Foods (since I had a free gift card – woo hoo). We had baguette sandwiches, mixed berries, kettle chips, cheese cubes, watermelon, wafer cookies, juice and water. It was yummy, although not near the spread of some of the people around us.
Thanks Aunt Nancy for the show tickets! Now I’m ready for bed!
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