The Brown Bag Wrap(ping paper)

I love wrapping things with brown paper grocery bags because I'm cheap, they're free, and I can usually dress them up a little. 

I love that Fabric Paper Glue has the same idea for wrapping things with kraft paper.  She has a really useful tip on how to make these envelopes for wrapping oddly shaped things.

I was actually just wrapping that crochet case, and even though it is rectangular it was soft and fairly difficult to wrap properly.  I didn't go all out with rubber cement, just some good old clear packing tape did just fine.

Plus, I love hang tags. It's the little details that shine when the wrapping is plain.  The hang tag made out of an old clothing price tag (nice cardstock ^^), pretty multicolor cotton yarn, and a shiny medallion sticker, just for fun.

An open question to all of you...

For those of you who read blogs,

How do you find new blogs to read?

I was nominated for a nice little blog award from Knit by Nat (thanks!).  Now, I do not generally answer these kinds of give-detailed-lists-about-yourself, those Xanga days are behind me, haha. But I appreciate the sentiment.

One thing that did strike me was that they wanted you to pass on the award to fellow bloggers who have less than 100 followers.  I actually don't think I currently read any blogs that qualify as such.  Most of the blogs I read are fairly well known, at least in their respective circles.

I find that I rely, almost entirely, on craftgawker for checking out new blogs based on new projects.  However, this is usually just the same several big blogs again and again, hardly a font of new sources.  That and the fact that craftgawker is so damn selective when it comes to accepting submissions (bitter much? yeah).

So there you have it.  Plus, with Google Reader shutting down, I've switched over to Feedly, which sort of baffles me since I used to like the recommended articles feature on Reader but now cannot seem to find the equivalent for Feedly.  Which means that I am exclusively reading content that I am subscribed to, but never being exposed to different related articles.

Thoughts?


Above photo from a pretty fall day at La Jolla Shores :)

Failed Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I have to eat my words. Last week, I said I was a pretty good judge of tasty recipes, but this one was a dud. I must admit, it's probably not the recipe's fault.  I did use rolled oats instead of quick oats because that's what I had from my last batch.  I am also not a huge fan of low-fat recipes, so I don't know what made me think this was going to be different.

Verdict: Tasted like banana bread.  For whatever reason, the texture came out so bread-y that it was basically no longer a cookie.  And if you do make them, definitely flatten it out into a cookie shape because there is nothing in the batter to melt which turns normal cookies from balls into discs.

Here's the recipe I used, give it a try?

Round-bellied Hippo

This cutie was a UFO for the longest time, all summer I think. I just couldn't make myself sew on the legs.  And then he sat on top of the TV waiting to be photographed for almost 5 months.  Nevertheless, he is one of my favorite patterns to date.

The pattern is beautifully written with subtle but important shaping and excellent step-by-step instructions.  She also has a great idea for sewing on legs so they look more seamless and realistic.

My little hippo definitely turned out very much like a soft doll - stiff crocheting and stuffed firmly.  N has also made the same pattern and his is definitely squishier and more plushy-like.  I used a D hook to make this, and he still turned out pretty large.  One thing to consider, make sure that your wrong sides are truly on the wrong sides.  My snout is wrong side out but I made the body right side out.  I kind of wished they at least matched even if they were both wrong side out.

Check out the "Little Hippo Taweret" Ravelry pattern page. (It's a free download, how generous!)

Sleepy Kitty, purr, purr, purr

Gratuitous kitty picture, anyone?



That is all. Just wanted to share the sleepy sweetness.

A new tripod for me!

When I was at home recently, visiting my grandparents for Chinese New Years, I found this little gem in the closet.  It was from way back in my dad's journalism days (I'd never have guessed!), but he had forgotten all about it.  Anyways, he let me have it, and I'm super psyched!  I've been shopping around for a full sized tripod for a while, but all the good ones (that don't look like their legs are just going to snap off) have a going rate of at least $100 which was more that I really wanted to spend.

I think it's really funny that the brand is "Hollywood Tripod" which is not currently still a brand, I think?

Hawaiian Butter Mochi

Ok, I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but new favorite ...food... ever!  I seem to have a pretty good sense for yummy recipes, so I guess I don't end up with bad dishes too often.

But! Back to this butter mochi! So good!  We were inspired to look up a recipe for this because N's friend Chad brought some of his delicious mochi to a potluck.  He always brings the best Hawaiian dishes!

We found, and liked, this recipe best, over at FOODjimoto.  We forewent the shredded coconut topping since I like the subtle flavor imparted by the coconut milk, but I'm not overly fond of the shredded stuff.

You may want to put a baking sheet or something on the rack under the pan when you bake this.  It tends to drip, and those drippings smoke awfully when they hit the bottom of the oven.



P.S. Do you also LOVE the fabric I used for my backdrop??  At first, I swooned just because I love cross-hatching patterns, but then... LITTLE FORKS AND SPOONS AND KNIFE.  What? So cute!  I wish I had enough fabric to make a whole dress out of, but sadly, there is only enough for a little tote bag.