Crepe Night!

I love crepes! Even more since I lived in Paris for 3 months. These delicious treats are super easy to make. Crepes are perfect for sweet and savory appetites. Add Nutella, strawberries, bananas or even apples for a sweet dessert. Savory crepes are just as tantalizing. Crack an egg over one and add some cheese, ham, and tomatoes and yummy yummy in my tummy.

For this crepe night I decided to slather pastry cream in between layers of crepes. After I made a crepe stack I covered it in granulated sugar and put it under the boiler until the sugar caramelized.

Crepe batter, is it similar to pancake batter but much runnier

Pre-oven: layers of pastry cream and crepes

Post Oven: Sugar is caramelized and the stack fell over slightly :)

Muslin Jewelry Bag

I bought some jewelry a while back at JCrew and they came packaged in cute muslin bags. These bags are fantastic for storing my jewelry. They keep necklaces and bracelets from getting tangled in my jewelry box. I decided to make a few more with some scrap muslin leftover from my draping class. (I can't throw anything out.) I stitched up the sides, used ribbon to close, and even hand embroidery little design for extra daintiness.

Leather Bracelet Recycling Project

I saw a leather and chain bracelet on an online shopping site and thought "I can make that, and I have all the materials!"

I picked up some scrap leather at Joann Fabrics a few weeks back and have been holding onto it until I found the perfect project. I wore out a pair of leather moccasins but before I ditched them in the trash, I saved the leather ties. I had some chain scraps that I found and snaps that I bought a on sale a month ago.

I punched holes in the leather and tied the chain to the leather with the leather ties.  I added a few snaps and the outcome is a lovely bracelet reusing materials I had lying around.

Floss and Chain Bracelet

I have the habit of going into antique or consignment stores and purchasing bags of broken jewelry or plain necklaces. I never know exactly what to do with them. When an idea pops into my head, I will already have the materials. The chain I used for this project I found at an antique store for around $3.00. It had 2 clips on either end. I removed one clip and removed the extra chain I did not need. I saw this bracelet on another site and thought, I can make this! I had the perfect chain to use and plenty of embroidery floss. I braided two different color floss around one side of the chain.  My plan was to make a necklace but I ran out of floss. Instead, I now have a double wrap bracelet. I am all about wrap bracelets right now. Let me know what you think.

 

My New Favorite Toy

I finally bought a larger paper cutter today. I have been using a small 6" paper cutter for months. I caved in and purchased this Westcott one for $16.99 at Target. I am in love with it (and not because it is pink.) It made clipping coupons this evening a breeze. What usually takes 2-3 hours only took 1. Hooray for time savers.

Reusable Napkins

Going along with my 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' theme from my last post, I decided to make reusable napkins. I had a larger scrap of fabric leftover from a previous sewing project. For some zazzle, I doubled up the fabric and added some lace trim. These are perfect for dessert and that is not just due to the theme of the fabric.

4 Large ones & 2 Small ones

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

As a sewer, I can never throw away scraps of fabric. I keep them in a bag thinking that one day I will reuse them. I have been trying to come up with innovative and practical ideas. Well, I found one! A reusable snack bag. I did not have to buy any materials for this project, I had them all already.

Snack Bag Materials

For my materials I used:

-Vinyl: you can find in the home decor section of fabric stores and usually can find remnants
-Scrap Fabric
-Velcro
-Buttons
-Ribbon

I hand sewed the buttons onto the fabric in a cute arrangement. Then I folded down the top edge of the fabric and sewed the vinyl to the top edge. I separated the hook and loop sides of the Velcro, then sewed it to top edge. I did not like how the stitching was visible on the right side of the fabric so I used ironed a piece of ribbon to the fabric with stitch witchery.

Finished Product :)

Sew up the sides, bottom, and turn right side out. Viola! A reusable snack bag in a cute pattern. It is almost too cute for snacks. It could also be used as a cosmetic bag.

Scrap Leather Project

I recently bought a bag of scrap leather at Joann Fabrics. I decided to make a leather bracelet. The leather wasn't cut perfectly straight but I think it adds character. I used my bedazzler, that I bought from savers for $5.99, to add some gold studs. I used my Nanny's eyelet punch and vintage eyelets to add more dimension. A vintage pearl snap finished off this wrap leather bracelet.

All that Gitters is Gold

I am drawn to sequins, glitter, shiny and bright anything. There is no exception when it comes to these Steve Madden shoes that I found for a steal of price at TJMAXX, only $49.99. To some that might seem like a chunk of change for some gold shoes put I just could not resist. I have yet to find the occasion or outfit to wear these but as soon as I do, you all will be the first to know!

I love everything about these shoes: the platform, the wood heals, the ties and of the course the gold! I have a pair of black trouser socks that paired with these will unleash my inner French fashionista.

CVS Fall Savings Extra Bucks

On your next trip to CVS do not forget to scan and Extra Bucks Rewards card at the red machine in the store. Starting today you can receive you fall spending extra bucks rewards. I scanned my card and out popped $11.50 in extra bucks!!! Woohoo. What are your rewards?

Happy New Year's

We have all made it to 2012. Whether or not 2011 was your year or not, now is the chance to either start fresh or continue the feat. Many people use this time to create "New Years Resolutions". My belief if that one should not have to wait until January 1st to set resolutions. Although in spirit of tradition I still reflect on the year and set new goals on what I would like to work on. Number one on my list? Blog more of course. I not only want to  blog more often but develop an identity for my blog as well. What are your resolutions? Do you have any feedback on my blog?