Quilled Monogram Giveaway Winner (Again)

I gave her over a week, I tried to contact her multipe times yet I haven't ever heard from my giveaway winner.  I've decided it's time to pick a new winner.  Kelly, I'm so sorry but it's time.

Once again I used a random number generator and came up with number 10.

I'm really excited to make one of these for Sarah, she said, "I am a new follower of your blog and I LOVE it. I have been lusting over the Framed Quilled Monograms ever since you posted about them. I NEED one of my own! ;-)"  Makes it even more fun when I know she really loves them.


So we can avoid the confusion again I'll give Sarah a week to contact me.


Sarah, I need the following info:

1. What letter do you want?
2. What sort of color scheme, do you want browns and blacks?  What accent colours can I add?
3. I'll also need your address so I can ship it once completed.

You can contact me at westlaur@gmail.com


Hopefully this ends our Quilled Monogram Giveaway and I can make a great tutorial.

What Catie Wore Wednesday #9

This week we seem to have taken a style nosedive.  Nothing is new and there are two outfits in particular that are not good, you'll see what I mean.

Wednesday

White Long Sleeve Onsie - H&M (I'm thrilled to finally have a nice long sleeve onesie.  I only have one because H&M isn't nearly as cheap as Carter's buy my Mother-in-law happens to be in the States right now with a Carter's order for me. )
Argyle Sweater Vest - H&M
Jeans - Old Navy
Sunglasses - $1 store.  She puts them on and then struts around feeling so cool because she has glasses on.

Thursday

I know this is a crummy picture but she's worn this before.
White Onsie - H&M
Green Dress - Superstore
Pink Striped Tights - Sears
(you can see this outfit much better in this weeks photo)

Friday

Striped long shirt - Superstore
Grey Pants - Mexx.  The pants are really cute but don't go with very many shirts, all of her white ones were dirty today.  I ended up switching the pants for jeans later.

Saturday

Navy T - Superstore

Embroidered Jeans - Esprit

Sunday

Today was General Conference (www.mormon.org) so we stayed home in our pajamas all day.

Tuesday

Such a special outfit today...
Blue shirt - Superstore
Awful pink pants - I think they're from Walmart.  Don't you just love how they're tight at the ankle and super baggy at the knee?

Catie seems to have some sort of stomach thing going, after the 4th diaper change before noon I gave up on the jeans and switched them for these awesome pink pants.

Rigby came to play today for a couple hours so I thought I'd share just how cute he is.  Catie loved to rub his head and shortly after this picture she gave him the toy she's holding.  They were pretty fascinated with each other.


So there's the week.  WIWW seems to be getting harder lately because Brad's has more school meaning I have a car less often so Catie and I spend more time at home.  There's no point dressing up if we're just hanging out at home all day.  I'll try harder next week.

Linking up to

Mini Caramel Apples

Everybody loves a caramel apple but nobody actually likes to eat them. They're a pain and you end up with caramel on your nose, plus the apple to caramel ratio is not good, far too much apple.

I've seen these floating around lately and I thought they were such a fun idea.

Mini Caramel Apples

I didn't take a picture tutorial because I only had one nap to complete them in, there wasn't time, also I didn' t know they'd be so cute. I will tell you what I did though.

I started with 3 apples, I meant to get more than that but I forgot to write it on my grocery list. Two were granny smith and one was a braeburn (can't wait until the Ambrosia's come back). I washed them well and then dried them. I then took a melon baller and made as many little scoops as I could. I think I got just under 30 so in the end 3 apples was plenty. I dropped those scoops in lemon water to keep them from going brown and then I dried them as well as I could.

Once they were dry I laid them out on a sheet of parchment paper (put a cookie sheet underneath, it was later that I realized how silly it was not to have). I didn't have any sucker sticks and I didn't want to buy any but I did have a small handful of bamboo skewers so I cut each one into 4 pieces and pressed those down into my apples (next time I'll probably use toothpicks).

It was here that I was grateful I'd read a few other people's experience with these apples and had formulated a good plan. I noticed as I pushed my sticks down that some apple juice would raise up and even trickle down the side sometimes. I had read that people have a hard time getting the caramel to stick to the apple since there's no skin, it just peels right off because there's no way to dry the apple well enough. I had decided to first dip in chocolate.

I melted a handful of chocolate chips in the microwave and once it was melted I decided it was much too thick. I thinned it with a little olive oil though I'm not sure why I didn't use milk, it was just the first thing that came to mind and it worked just fine.

Once my chocolate was a consistency I was happy with I dipped my apples in, one at a time. I used an extra skewer to help get the chocolate right up to the stick so there wasn't any apple showing. I did run out of chocolate halfway though and had to melt a little more. I replaced the dipped apples to my parchment and once they were done I slipped them into the fridge. Here's where I was wishing for a cookie sheet. I used some creative sliding with cutting boards and left them on that until the chocolate was set and I could replace the cutting boards with a cookie sheet.

While the chocolate set I got out my toppings (I should have done this while my caramel cooled). I used peanuts, teddy grahams and skor bits. The peanuts and teddy graham I crushed with a hammer. I put the three in small bowls and then I worked on the caramels.

I used a bag of Kraft caramels, unwrapped and microwaved with 2 tbsp of cream. Again I thought this was way too thick so I added probably another 4 tbsp, maybe even a little more than that.

It seemed like it was so thick it would just push off my chocolate.

At some point I realized my apples weren't setting fast enough so I transferred them to the freezer. I wanted them to be good and cold so my caramel wouldn't melt the chocolate so I only pulled out a couple at a time. The first two were casualties as the caramel was too hot and my chocolate melted. I gave it some time and then I resumed, I got better as I went on and here's what worked best.

I dipped one apple with my right hand and then tipped it upside down and transferred it to my left hand turning occasionally to give the caramel a little time to cool so it wouldn't all slide off. As I did that I dipped a second and transferred it to my left hand as well so I'm now holding and turning two apples. Then I dipped a third. While my third was being turned and cooled by my right hand I used my left to dunk the two in topping and then place on the parchment. By the time those two were done I could dunk the remaining one. I repeated that until I was finished (sounds tricky but it was really no big deal).

Start to finish they took about an hour and a half which I thought was not bad for such a delicious result.

I do think they were a little fragile, It seemed like if I left them out of the fridge the caramel would start to slide off the chocolate and it got really sticky. This could have been for a couple reasons. Maybe the oil in the chocolate was a bad idea, or maybe I used too much milk in my caramel. I think I'll give them one more try to see if I can improve them but even as is they were a big hit and just so cute.

Blogger Issues

Is anyone else having a hard time with Blogger? I'm so frustrated I'm about ready to go to Wordpress, let my share my annoyances.

I use Firefox as my browser of choice, I'm very happy with it and it works great until recently. Anyone else notice how the way you upload pictures is different? Well when I try to upload a picture is says "Server Error".  Every stinking time.  I figured it was a problem with Firefox so I switched to Internet Explorer and it worked okay.  I'm not a fan of IE though so I didn't want to use it all the time until I read a glowing review of IE 9.  It's still in the Beta stage (testing) but I thought now big deal.  Apparently it's a big deal because in the IE 9 none of the buttons on my editor work.  So I click on the button to add a picture and nothing happens.

So now I can't use Firefox or Internet Explorer.  Brad uses Chrome so I switched to his profile and used Chrome and it sort of functions though pictures are miserable to upload.  So lately I've been composing in Firefox and then switching to Brad's profile so I can use Chrome to add photos.  A ridiculous set up.  Something better get fixed soon or I'm outta here.

Polynesian Satay (Meat on a Stick) - SAMM

This is a dish that we had with Brad's family as an appetizer and it was a huge hit.  It was so good that Brad and I made it again the next week and ate it for dinner.

Here's what you start with

Combine 3/4 cup Soy Sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp oil, 1 minced garlic and 1/2 tsp ground ginger.  Give it a good whisk and it looks like this.

Then you take your sirlion steak and you're going to slice it nice and thin.  The trick to this is to put it in the freezer for about an hour and a half, you want it to be not frozen solid but a little stiff, it helps you get some awesome thin slices.

Here's what mine looked like when I pulled it out of the freezer.

Then slice it against the grain.  The recipe says 3mm but I think you really want to get it as thin as you can.  I aimed for 3mm and they would have been nice if they were thinner.

Slice until you have this nice pile.

Then toss all your neat slices into your marinate and coat all the pieces.

The recipe says to marinade for at least 30 minutes, I gave it a good 3 hours.  Make sure you give your container a shake and a rotate occasionally so all your meat is coated.

Here's mine post marinade.

This next part is slightly time consuming but until now it's all been a snap.  You thread your meat accordian style onto bamboo skewers that you've soaked in water.

Here's where I parted from the recipe, it says to broil them but why broil when you can bbq?

We gave them about 2 minutes per side and until they were all yummy and the sugar had carmelized.

That's it.  Since this was dinner I served it with cesear salad and carrots and it was delish.  They were even just as good the next day.

Polynesian Satay
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cooking oil (I used olive)
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 tsp ground ginger
Thick sirloin, cut across grain into 1/8 (3mm) thick slices
Bamboo skewers

In a bowl with a tight fitting cover, mix soy sauce, sugar, oil, garlic and ginger powder. Add beef and allow to marinate for at least 1/2 hour.

Thread meat onto wooden skewers accordion fashion.
Broil on top rack for 2 min per side until medium rare.

Store covered in refrigerator.

To serve, pile on baking sheet. Heat in 400F oven for 5 – 10 minutes until hot.



Linking to Share a Meal Monday

Ribbon Rose Ring

I link up to a lot of different parties which gives me the opportunity to see a ton of really original idea.  My favorites tend to jump out at me and this was one of those.  I like how easy and quick this idea was so I took 15 minutes and made my own.

Ucreat's looks a little smoother than mine and perhaps a second or third attempt would look just a bit better but I think it's a cute accessory.

It does stand up a little tall so it's not something I'd wear all the time but I think it's a fun piece to be pulled out occasionally.

Menu Planner

I've seen tons of menu planner's all over the blogs lately and honestly I've sort of looked and them and thought they were cute but unnecessary.  It wasn't until I looked up at my magnet board and saw this that I realized how much I'd like one.

Each week I pull out a piece of paper, a scrap of envelope, an old receipt or any piece of paper I can find and write up 6 or 7 meal ideas, then I make a grocery list based off of those meals.  The grocery list gets thrown away but the meal list stays up on the magnet board until I've made them all.  Sometimes they look fine (this list is a good looking one), sometimes they look less fine.

I think this is a big improvement.

I took a frame I wasn't using and spray painted it black.  It was ridiculously windy but I was impatient so I sprayed anyway.

I then used scrap book paper to fill the frame.  I added the red strip to the bottom thinking it will make a good temporary grocery list.  For example, I used up the last of the vinegar while making sweet and sour sauce for the meatballs so I added it to the list.  Next week when I come up with my new menu I'll add vinegar to the grocery list instead of forgetting until it's absolutely necessary and sending Brad on a quick run.

I simply write on the glass with dry erase and can wipe it off when I'm done the week.  I also cross off items as I make them.

It hangs here in my kitchen.  I would have liked it a little to the right but I rent and there was already a nail there.

I had visions of stenciling the days of the week on the glass because I think that looks really cute but I hate planning my week that way.  I don't like being tied to a specific dish, I like having the flexibility to make what I feel like.

What Catie and I Wore Wednesday #8

Another week of What I Wore Wednesday.  I decided this week that since the weather turned a little cooler I would participate with Catie.  I've also decided that I stink at taking photos of myself.  I tried the mirror photos but since you can't use the flash I can't take a clear photo to save my life, they're all super blurry.  I started using the timer function and the results are a little better.  As with the last round I did I'm not really ever going to show you my shoes because my selection in pathetic.  I wear flip flops as long as possible.

Here goes.

Wednesday
I'll start with Catie since she's so much more fun.

Jeans - Old Navy
Striped Dress/Shirt - Superstore
She probably has a Carter's onesie on under there

She wore these cute shoes from Zellers, I love how the toes turn up at the end and they were only $7.

Jeans - Reitmans
Brown zip up Hoodie - Concert.  I went to this concert once for Hellogoodbye.  I wasn't actually interested in them but a friend had an extra ticket so I went.  Boys Like Girls was playing with them and at the time I loved them (at the concert they couldn't have been more full of themselves and my interest faded after that).  One happy result of this concert was the opening band, The Hush Sound.  They were an awesome find and the highlight of the show.  The sweater says Hush because it's a band sweater, it's soft, comfortable and a favorite in the fall.

Thursday

Headband - $1 store
Striped Ruffle shirt - Superstore
Brown Sweater - Mexx
Skinny Jeans - Children's Place
Shoes - Zellers

It was a little chilly so when we went outside we added the Button Ruffle Scarf - Made by me

White Tank - Shade
Striped Shirt - Old Navy
Long Sweater - Old Navy 
Jeans - Reitmans
 
Friday

Catie
Striped T - Old Navy
Brown Sweater - Mexx
Brown Pants - Old Navy

Me
Turqoise T - Gap
Striped Sweater - Walmart
Brown Pants - Reitmans

One more photo of Catie just because the above one is too far away

Saturday

Hair Clip - $1 Store
White Onesie - Carter's
Yellow Sweater - Old Navy
Embroidered Jeans - Esprit
Brown Mary Jane's - Walmart

White Tank - Shade
White T - Old Navy
Red Sweater - Ross?  I can't remember, I got it on a trip to Great Falls with my Mom.
Jeans - Addition-Elle
Dizzy Daisy Watch

Sunday

Headband - Made by me
Adorable dress and sweater - They're on loan so I'm not sure.  I think they're from a boutique in BC
Shoes - Zellers
Faux Pearl bracelet - Made by me

Oh dear this outfit is a fail and will not be worn again.  I wish I hadn't looked at the picture right before church, no time to change but I felt self concious all day.
The dress has big sleeves that I don't love so I wear a white t underneath and you can see it through the top.  The dress is also a little short (mostly in the back) so I only wear it with tights but the pattern on these tights looks awful with the pattern on the dress, next time I'll wear plain ones.  I'll not wear this exact outfit again.

White T - Shade
Polka Dot Dress - Motherhood (Yeah, it's a maternity dress)
Tights - Sears
Shoes - Herbergerz.  I should have taken a better picture of my shoes, they're the only ones I like :)
Dizzy Daisy Watch

Monday
There are lots of photos for today

We started the day like this.
White Onesie - Carter's
Heart Shirt - Superstore
Jeans - Old Navy
Jelly Shoes - Anabanana

Then we went to Park Lake.  It wasn't nice enough to swim but we did some wading.

I traded the jeans for Guess Capris.

I'm wearing
BRAND NEW White tank - Shade (so nice!)
White T - The Gap
Capris - Reitmans
Flip Flops - Old Navy

Then she tripped and fell in the water so I put her jeans back on and added her cute Roots Hoodie.  Her shoes were wet so she wore her pink crocks instead.

Tuesday

White T- H&M
Grey Cord Skirt - Children's Place
Patterned Leggings - The Bay
Flower Shoes - Payless

I know this picture is special.

We needed to go grocery shopping quick so Brad could get to school, there was no time to do anything better.  No makeup, terrible pony tail.
Red Shirt - It's Brad's, I'm not sure where it's from
Brown Pants - Retimans.

I'll shower and make myself more presentable later but this is how most of the day was spent, just barely a step up from pajamas.

There was our week, slightly better than the last time I showed what I wore and I actually have a couple things left that I didn't show, perhaps I'll participate next week too.


Linking to

Button Ruffle Scarf

I saw this button ruffle scarf and thought it was awesome so I made one for Catie, here's how it went.

I started with this scrap of knit fabric that I had left over from some pajama pants I made for myself.

I cut out two pieces this shape.  I actually used different measurements, I made them smaller thinking that the scarf was made to fit a bigger girl.  In the end I don't remember what measurements I used but I wish I hadn't made it smaller, I like the look of the longer one.

I then cut a 3'' strip of fabric from what I had left from my ironing board cover.  I cut down then length and it was pretty long so I figured it would be plenty long.

I took my long strip and pressed it in half, then I sewed a large basting stitch making sure not to backstitch and I pulled the ends until I had a long ruffle.

Then I went to pin it to my fabric and realized it wasn't long enough.  So I cut another strip, pressed it in half, sewed it to my first ruffle and then sewed again.  I broke my thread  and ran out of bobbin thread but eventually got the strip to ruffle.  Then I carefully pinned all around one of my brown pieces, raw edges together.  For the ends of the ruffle I just gradually ran them off the fabric and cut them once it was sewn.

Once it was all pinned I sewed the ruffle on making sure to sew just a little further than my ruffle seam so it would show when I was done.  The corners are a pain to do and I ended up having to unpick a couple folds that got caught.

One side note, I love the way ruffles look but apparently I hate working with them.  This is where I quit taking photos because I was annoyed the project was taking so long.

Once my ruffle was sewn I layed my second piece of fabric down and sewed it on top making sure to leave a couple inches open so I could turn it inside out.  I turned it and topstitched all around, really close to the edge and pressed it all flat.

Then I made two button holes.  On the square side of the scarf I measured up 1.5" from the bottom and side and marked with a pin.  I did the same on the other side and had two pins, these are the bottom of the buttons.  At this point I stopped and waited until morning when Catie was awake, I tried the scarf on her and marked where my buttons should be, I hand sewed them on and called it done (the buttons aren't actually sewn on in this photo).

Here's how it wraps up

And another picture of Catie modelling

You should definitely check out Living with Punks, her photos are great, her daughter is adorable and her tutorial is much more detailed.