Shirt Factory

This blog is one of my all-time favorite sources of inspiration. Every quilt is perfect, her photos amazing, her ideas genius. And so prolific...sheesh.

And again, I was so inspired by a shirt she made (seen here), I had to make it right away! I even uesd the same fabric (embarrassing!), I thought it was so fabulous. I don't make myself clothes very often as they look so, well, homemade. Which I guess is sort of coming back in, but still...


And I love it!! I used my little owl stamp to make a "tag"...which is nothing more than tweed ribbon stamped with an owl, duh. Clothes look so much less handmade with a tag, don't they?

I made a practice shirt first, the first version of which was WAY too small (is that why they put measurements on the back of the pattern? To actually measure yourself by?) And so it's been gifted to a petite friend of mine :)


I've actually worn both shirts on more than one occasion, so I suppose that's a good sign. I got the purple fabric at Peapod (both times). The blue fabric at SuperBuzzy. Pattern is simplicity 3835 (measure yourself before buying fabric and cutting up your pattern).

Missing Three

She insisted on wearing just her bathing suit with Uggs and water wings - even though it was going to be a couple more hours before we hit the water.

This might be my favorite photo of all time.

Going Places

I went on a bike ride today to one of my favorite San Francisco destinations, the Warming Hut, appropriately named. It's a cozy little coffee shop/gift shop right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. Today it was icy cold and foggy, but I found refuge (and a little inspiration) in the Warming Hut.

I bought my friend a passport cover made with a recycled map of her SF neighborhood (can't seem to find it online, nor can I find the maker). And I got inspired to make one for Darren and myself.


I used iron-on vinyl because there was no matte contact paper within walking distance...and when you have a bee in your bonnet, you just go with what you've got. It seemed to work out just fine. I used some clear (non-adhesive) vinyl for the tiny interior side pockets (to keep your passport from flying out - pun totally intended). And I sandwiched magazine response cards between the laminated maps to stabilize the whole thing and give it a center crease.

Darren got one with NYC and I made one for myself with San Luis Obispo. I have maps lying around because I like to wrap presents with them, but you could probably use any paper subject you like. Maybe I'll try fabric next!

Not sure when we'll need our passports next, but when we do, we'll look pretty rad.

Burp Cloth Factory

Remember the 12 girls at work who are pregnant/have had babies in June, July, and August? Well, the burp cloth factory is officially open.

I tried my very hardest to use fabrics I already had in my stash - and I think I did pretty well (yay for using up stash, and there was actually some pretty great stuff in there - glad I looked!). However, I couldn't resist the Jay McCarroll tomato print for the I'm-not-sure-what-we're-having crowd. I think it's pretty gender neutral. Also, I might have accidentally purchased too much of the blue dots (woops!), so I had to use that too. Most of the girls are having baby boys, so that works out.

I'm going camping for a few days, so the factory will have to close for now. Don't worry, camping = time to think up new projects. Mwahahah.

4th of July Sewing

Enjoying the morning off, I made my niece a belated birthday outfit (bad, Auntie).



The polka dot fabric is my new favorite. I bought it on sale yesterday at Peapod. I might have to buy more in every color.

Happy 4th of July! I'm going to have a one-man BBQ now.

Mrs. Fiore

I got married!!

In case you've been wondering where all the blog posts have been (and most of you know), I've been preparing for our big day. The wedding workshop was in full force, and I'll parse out all the crafty details soon.

But for now, this is my favorite photo so far. Our photographer has such a creative eye, I can't wait to see the rest of them!

Until then, you can see the rest of the preview here.

It's OK if you want to call me Mrs. Fiore :) I'm so proud to be your wife, D!

The Greatest Idea of All Time

I saw this in this month's Everyday Food magazine and had to make it immediately.

You could probably cut your bell pepper ring a little thicker and add cheese or veggies or another egg. And it fits perfectly on an English muffin or toast!

*high kick* Awesome idea....now, why didn't I think of this?

Oh, Yes I Did Just Make Crackers

I've been having a streak of bees in my bonnet. Every day it's been something different.

Today's bee: making crackers (of all things). Took ~20 minutes start-to-finish and I was able to make it in my tiny Cuisinart food processor. Bonus!



I made them with Parmesan, but maybe bleu or Gorgonzola would be good too!

If you're on a diet, don't make these. Yes, I'm on a wedding-dress diet, but I'm putting them away RIGHT NOW. Promise!

Recipe found here. Enjoy!

Hawk's Map Quilt

I finished the map quilt and I love the way it turned out. Maybe one of my all-time favorites!




It was made for my friend Lisa's baby, Hawk (that's only his name until his real name is revealed once he's born).

My favorite part is the neighborhood above Little Italy in NYC. Here, they call it "Norita." I love it.


p.s. The idea was totally snatched from this website - I couldn't help it, it was too great an idea!

The Greatest Idea of All Time

OMG
(I don't think I've ever said that, but I feel it appropriate at this moment.)

Look. At. This. (found here)

Is this not the greatest baby shower favor you have ever seen in your entire life? How up my alley is this? Blog-readers (all 11 of you), next baby shower I throw, I'm using this idea. So please act surprised.

Should you decide to run with this idea too, here is my go-to/fail-proof/easy-peasy recipe (I omit the sugar).

*high kicks* ALL DAY for this idea. I love it!!

Yogurt Factory

I have been making one batch of yogurt after another - I can't stop!

I started getting a bit daring ... you know, doing crazy stuff like putting them in individual jars. I even added a little homemade jam to the bottom of a couple of them. And currently, I'm "thickening" one of them with some paper towels (like this). We got a reckless homemaker on our hands!


And the granola factory is also still in business...

Lotta Love

Another important item of business while in NY was to finally visit Lotta Jansdotter's studio in Brooklyn.

If I had a studio, I would want it to look just like hers - bright, open, airy, inspiring. It was awesome.

I bought these scraps to do I-have-no-idea-what with. But I'll come up with something.

Map Quilt

While I was in NY last week, one important item of business was to hit up Muji for these:



Because I MUST make this (the one on the bottom). And since I have 14 (yes, 14!) pregnant coworkers/friends (most having boys), this little blankie should not have any problems finding a home.

Giada is My New BFF

I received Giada's new cookbook as a shower gift, and I was instantly obsessed (Aunt Celeste, you know us too well).

The first thing I made was the Pasta Ponza, which was SO GOOD and so easy (or, as my dad would say, "really terriffic")! I recommend you make this for dinner tonight!

And I made these Pea Pesto Crostini for a mid-day snack. So fancy, right? Also, delicious & beautiful & easy.

...I might have just had one for breakfast...

I Like to Put Things in Jars (And What?)

I'm going out of town for a few days, so I had some citrus to "deal with" before packing up.

Luckily, we got this fabulous juicer for our wedding (thank you D, B, and E!):




I made grapefruit, lemon, and orange juices and stored them in jars. I'd be just as happy to have them in my fridge (for admiring) as I would be to drink them.

*high kick*

Somebunny Loves Me

I came home from work on Easter to find that a little someone had made me a basket of my favorite things... sneaky.


And I do love all these things... Isn't he so thoughtful (the Easter Bunny, I mean, of course)?

A Happy Morning

Starting the day with homemade granola and homemade yogurt (in a jar, no less).

Oh, and skies are clear today. I am happy.

Ginger Beer

My dad taught me how to make this fabulous new concoction: Ginger Beer! (<1% alcohol)


My sister is already going through a 10-step to break the habit.

I didn't actually make the batch in the photo, but I did make "Sara's Immunity Tonic" (I just named it) with carrot, apple, ginger, and lemon and lightly sweetened with agave. It's light and bubbly and kind of amazing.

My dad makes his with his ancient yeast, but I just used bread yeast to be sure I could duplicate it at home. Poor D, he's going to have to deal with a little brewery in the kitchen now... trust me, it will be worth it.

My Love

photo by Charleton Churchill

I seldom post photos of this handsome guy, but this is D, my love.

We had our engagement photos this weekend at the very spot we became engaged. It was so romannical (word credit: Paula Deen) and fun. We got pretty silly at times, but Charleton was great, because he let us be ourselves. It was your typical San Francisco day, I would say - a bit cold, windy, overcast.... but thank goodness the bridge was visible!!

May I recommend a fun, professional photo shoot, even if you're not engaged or getting married? It is too cool.

photo by Charleton Churchill

Way Cooler Polaroids

Look how much way cooler these photos are once I drop them into the polaroid maker.




I will probably do this forever and ever...

*high kick*