I'm going DIY all over the internet...

I like to bookmark projects I find on the internet. A lot. I think I might have a problem, actually. If I were to attempt every project I have bookmarked, I'd have to quit my job and work straight through them for 6 or 7 years.



So, I'm sharing some of these great projects here. Maybe you'll get inspired to try one out??







I have actually tried this project from craftzine for a ruffled cardigan. However, I made ruffles for a small tote I use as my lunch bag. Did I not post those pictures here? That's a shame because it is damn cute.

The project shown above is from Martha Stewart - it's a bag made from a pillow case. Since I have a mountain of vintage pillowcases lying around, I thought this would be a perfect easy project.

This is another one I have tried. I put it together while watching Role Models with the husband one night. Movie, not so great. Totally recycled basket, awesome!

While not technically a tutorial, I recently stumbled across designers toolbox. If you are a lay designer like me, it's a goldmine of helpful measurements, templates, and ideas.

I recently found VERT online, great coordinated wedding invitation and decor themes. They also have a few templates to download, like this fabulous placecard holder.

Freebie - Blue Bird To Do List

My to do list is long and never ending! I whipped up these cuties to make writing out all the tasks ahead a little more fun. Download the full size and print them out yourself! I sized them to fit 3 to a page on standard 8.5x11 paper. Just follow the cut marks and make a whole stack. Enjoy!

Food - The Amateur Gourmet Goes to El Bulli

The Amateur Gourmet got to go to El Bulli! He did a great post about the visit, complete with videos. If you have any interest in molecular gastronomy, Spain, or humorous food writing, go read it now!

Dress Up - Tulle

I am loving the clothes over at Tulle. Great silhouettes, interesting patterns, and super sales on past collections! Thanks for the tip, TL!

Recipe - Eggplant Tian

The season of eggplant is upon us. I used to be vaguely frightened of eggplant. It does look pretty weird, vegetables are not supposed to be purple! However, like most delicious things, I am willing to overlook the less savory aspects of the eggplant.

My recipe began with this recipe, but altered to use what I had on hand. It was pretty quick and delicious. These proportions fed two well. Don't be scared of the eggplant!

15 basil leaves
2 stems fresh oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 15 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 425. Combine olive oil, basil, oregano, and a little salt and pepper in a food processor to make a paste. Baste each eggplant slice with the herb mixture. DO NOT CLEAN FOOD PROCESSOR YET.

Oil a large baking sheet and place eggplant slices in a single layer on it. Roast in oven for 10-12 minutes until eggplant begins to soften. Remove and set aside.

While eggplant is roasting, add fire roasted tomatoes to the food processor with leftover oil and herbs and pulse to make a quick tomato sauce.

Turn the oven down to 375.

Coat the bottom of a medium casserole dish liberally with the tomato sauce. Add a layer of the roasted eggplant, using about 1/3 of the eggplant. Add a layer of of feta, using 1/2 of the cheese, and top with a coating of tomato sauce. Repeat eggplant, feta, tomato sauce layers. Top with remaining eggplant slices and another coating of sauce (there may be some sauce left over, depending on how saucy you want the final product). Top with parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is hot and bubbly. Enjoy with a green salad and a thick slice of baguette.

Operation Nice

How have I missed Operation Nice? Greatest (and nicest) idea ever, I am totally in!

How To - Girly Coozies

I have a new friend who recently complained that I hadn't made something for her yet. BUT things have been busy, so I couldn't launch into a huge project. I came up with these cute felt coozies as a super quick solution. They don't have bottoms to them, but we didn't have a problem with the cans slipping through when gave them a test run.

Materials needed:
8.5" x 11" pieces of felt, assorted colors
fabric scraps
rotary cutter
pinking shears
sewing machine
thread

Cut the felt into strips 8.5" x 4" using the rotary cutter. Cut the fabric scraps into strips 3/4" x 8.5" using the pinking shears. Layout 2 fabric scrap strips on to the felt and sew down. Fold the felt strip in half with the fabric strips facing in. Sew together with 1/2" seam. Flip coozie right side out and enjoy a frosty beverage!