I Dream of Sashiko

Lately, I've been really into the Japanese embroidery technique called Sashiko. It is simply a running stitch through two layers of fabric in a simple geometric design. It was originally used as a way to repair clothing. 

I bought two sampler kits from the City Quilter last weekend and worked on them throughout the week during my commute in the morning. 

After completing the first sampler on an off-white muslin I realized that it reminded me of my friend's apartment. So, I squared it off, added some matching fabric and made her a pillow. 

Life, Crafts and food. Four months and a few photos...

I'm blogging again! It's been a crazy four months, but I am now ready to get back on the wagon. The craft wagon.  This is what I have been up to lately...

being employed

moving back to nyc

going to fancy parties

baking for fancy parties

eating too many cupcakes 

feeling very grown up

crafts and  learning how to quilt!

Faux Chocolate

Happy Easter! Don't these bunnies look delicious? The Martha Stewart holiday crafts are amazing and I was so inspired by her faux chocolate bunnies that I decided to make my own to give as gifts. They are absolutely perfect and a great home decoration. They are made from Durham's water putty which is easy to work with. Don't bring them through airport security though! My sister went to visit family down south with one in her carry on luggage. Not only did they search through her bag, but they couldn't identify the material the bunny was made of and questioned her for several minutes. 

Happy Belated Birthday Dad!

Ok. So my dad's birthday was awhile ago (he is a pisces!), but I wanted to post some pictures from his birthday party. It was a small party, but we had a great time and ate lots of cake. Actually, I ate lots of cake...The cake pictured is a 3 layer Devil's food cake recipe from Martha Stewart with Mrs. Milman's frosting. The frosting is just made from chocolate chips and heavy cream melted on the stove. It is delicious but super sweet and almost a dessert in itself.  The cake came out a little drier than I would have liked, but it was still a winner. 

Vintage Singer Industrial

So, last week I found the sewing machine of my dreams and I am madly in love. I was casually looking on craigslist for an industrial machine and found one located in a small town in upstate New York. It is a vintage Singer 85-90 which is part of a series that was originally released in the late 1930's. It sews like a dream and I got it for a fabulous price. I have some projects that I will be working on in the next few weeks so I will post them as they are completed. This is very exciting and I am so happy that I will finally be able to sew through the massive amounts of leather I have acquired over the past few years. 

MSG Free!

On Saturday my friend Tara celebrated her 24th birthday with a renaissance themed party in Brooklyn. She was dressed like a king with a cape and sword. It was very exciting and there were kool aid vodka punches with fun names like "the lucky leper" and "purple reign".  In honor of her birthday I made her this take-out container full of faux shrimp lomein. It is a gift befitting of a king, or at least someone who likes fake food. 

There is no udder...

Happy belated Valentine's day! I've been somewhat neglectful of my blog, but am trying to remedy that with these fabulous cow cookies. Seriously, they bring a smile to my face. My favorite ones are beefcake and the I luv moo with the amputated leg. The back story is that growing up my mother was obsessed with cows. Our house was decorated with lots of cow themed items including, but not limited to a cow tea kettle, cow towels, cow figurines and of course cow cookie cutters. So these cookies remind me of my childhood and my mother.