Mmmm...Spaghetti

Spaghetti is pretty much my favorite meal. One of the only things I would eat consistently growing up, and still my favorite thing to eat.

In college, I learned a new variety called "noodles". Noodles is usually shell pasta, but if I don't have shells on hand, I'll use spaghetti. It consists of pouring in a can of Hunt's Tomato Sauce and a spoonful of butter. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll add some pepper and garlic. This disgusts Kevin, but if my favorite way to eat pasta now.

However, I have a feeling I'm in for something a bit more fancy:


For graduation, my parents got Kevin a pasta extruder (think play-doh factory) for his Kitchen Aid stand mixer. He made Rigatoni the last night my Mom was in town, and last night he made me half-wheat spaghetti. Of course, I could probably do the typical "noodles" sauce on this pasta, but since he's making it, he's also eating it, so we are using real sauces (store bought jars still- I can make a great spaghetti sauce but it's a PITA!)

Last night we bought Cheddar and Fontina to make Macaroni and Cheese. I bet the homemade macaroni are awesome.

The best part- unlike normal pasta, which I think is maybe too thin, this stuff reheats really well. At least the rigatoni did. It tasted as good, if not better, after reheating.

The worst part- no Angel hair, Texas, or shell attachment. (Texas shape? For some reason, Skinner Texas pasta is the absolute best. Angel Hair is my second favorite. Then shells...)

Wow, Amazon! That was quick.

So yesterday, I was thinking about a free PDF from Sew Mama Sew- The Blossom Bag. The bag is INCREDIBLE, so much so, that rather than just make it up from the pdf, I wanted the author to get paid for the work, so I bought the book.

I ordered the book from amazon yesterday a little before lunch. And today, I assume a little before lunch (because that's when Kevin brings the mail in) it arrived at my house. We do have Amazon Prime- but that's 2 day, not overnight. What speed!


So, what do I think of the book? Well, the Blossom Bag is without a doubt the best project in it. It's not a very expensive book (especially considering how expensive Amy Butler patterns are), so it might be worth it just for the pretty pictures, but there aren't too many projects that jump out at me. But- the Blossom Bag is advanced, so I plan to make one other one first. And there are two others that I like.

The book's subtitle is "12 easy ways to 26 wonderful bags"
It might as well say infinite wonderful bags, because what it considers a variation is very slight- in most cases, it is a change of handle, possibly a change of size. If a long handle vs short handle is a variation, so is a fabric change- that's how I calculated infinite!

The book contains a pocket in the back with all the pattern pieces, full size. It will be tough to get them all back into the pocket after unfolding, but a much better idea then printing the patterns scaled down in the book- scaling up is a PITA.

Here are the 12 bags, and my thoughts:

Cosmo Bag - I loved this bag on first sight. On second sight- it's HUGE! I wonder if there is a way to scale it down. It has two variations: long handle, short handle

Reversible Everyday Shopper- Cute pattern, probably one I will make. No variations, but it is reversible.

Origami Bag Set- Six different sizes of zipper bags. These don't seem too different from the zillion different zipper bag patterns you can get on the internet, but a lot of variety all in one place means you won't google forever for the perfect pattern, I suppose.

Beautiful Balance Checkbook Cover- An outdated idea (not many people use checkbooks anymore), but I'll probably make this one just because it's cute. Right now I just have a loose book of checks floating in my skating bag.

Perfectly Pleated Clutch- A cute purse, but I'm not a clutch person. It looks very formal, and cloth bags aren't formal- are they? 3 size variations.

Teardrop Bag- a cute bag, I'll probably make one of them. It has 2 size variations, but no handle variations. If they had done short handles, they could have claimed 28 bags. Short handles would look good.

Key Keeper Coin Purse - This is kind of goofy looking because it's the same shape as the teardrop bag, but it's a coin bag. It looses cuteness in the scale down.

Fringed Hobo Bag - This bag is absolutely absurd. Who needs a bag this big? Available as small or large, but both sizes are huge. And the fringe is so not my thing.

Blossom Handbag/Shoulder Bag - the bag from the pdf above- Gorgeous and a must have! 2 strap size variations available.

Everything Wristlet -This appears to be a formal clutch with a wrist strap. I think there is a disconnect between formal clutch and cotton print fabrics. I expect to see this in bridal silk or something. Two sizes.

Miss Maven Ruffled Handbag- I like the idea, but it's not my thing. Again, it's a very large bag for the style. (2 sizes, but both seem big). Maybe if the person carrying it was a very stylish person they'd pull it off, but I'd look silly.

Take Flight Handbag/Shoulder Bag- I love this one, but the retro look is something I'm unlikely to actually do. Comes in 2 sizes.

This chapter is closed....

Congratulations Kevin!!!!

I can't even tell you how proud I was during the commencement. And a little jealous; growing up I always wanted a PhD. Oh, and freezing. But I don't think freezing is an emotion. (Kevin says it was insanely hot down on the floor.)

The first chapter of our marriage was in Ohio, where Kevin was in the Air Force. When he separated, we began the next chapter, here in Iowa. And after about 5 years, this chapter is closed. We both have jobs here in Iowa, so it looks like the next chapter will continue here in Iowa. I'm not sure what that chapter will be... but I'm sure whatever it is, it will be great!
(I'd say an adventure, but man am I boring, I'm not sure anything I do can be called adventurous!)

Product Review: Olay Massaging Soap

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that I am obsessed with soap. I like to buy handmade soap from a few different places (and shampoo bars) but I'm not anti-store bought soap either (even though it's really detergent).

I also am a lover of a good massage. My back and my legs are in constant pain. So when I saw the massaging soap bar commercials, I thought that might be something good for me. (I've seen forms for handmaking this kind of soap too.)

Compared to handmade soap- around $5 a bar- the stuff is down right cheap. I got 4 bars for about $6.99 at the grocery store. This is in line with the other bars I like, Dove Winter Care (so moisturizing!) and Dove Gentle Exfoliating (I like the scrubby feel, and it's fairly moisturizing too.) The comparison prices I found on amazon for winter care were 8 for $9.99 and for exfoliating was 2 for $4.40. Not sure what they cost in store, but it's about that.

So what did I think of the soap?

Well first, the massage feature is divine. It felt AMAZING on my legs, but it was too painful on my arms (which have some pressure/pain issues). I can't really reach my back well enough to use it there, so for my arms and back I used the smooth side of the soap to wash, hoping to not wear down the massage nubs.

And that's the main problem. The massage feature only lasts for maybe 3-4 washes. And that was using it JUST on my legs. After that, you have a normal bar of soap.

The scent I got was "Purely Pristine". I have no idea what that means, but it was vaguely floral. It was nice, and not overbearing, but I almost think it wasn't strong enough to create a pleasant shower experience. I'm not a real perfumey person, but this you practically had to sniff the soap to smell it.

It lathered really nicely, and the soap looks like it's fancy. It has glycerin insets so it looks like something expensive from a bath and body store.

I don't think I would use this as a winter soap, because while my skin doesn't feel dry after using it, it does have that "tight and clean" feeling. Iowa winters demand major moisturizer, but Iowa spring you don't need quite as much.


Final verdict: I like it, but not as much as the other two soaps I mentioned. Will buy again if the price is right.

No fabric this weekend...

Although I did round 2 on the leggings (looking better, need round 3) this week, I didn't do anything crafty this weekend.

I had an ice skating show that went well, and am starting on my second class towards my Masters. Those take so much time! Only 10 more classes left to go -hahaha- I JUST started.

Sewing today...

I didn't get a lot of sewing done this weekend (we had a fondue party last night, so we spend the day prepping.) But I did sew today.

First, I made another umpire bag for my nephew. The ones I mailed last Monday still haven't gotten there yet, and to will the post office to deliver them, I decided to mail a new one out tomorrow. This time I remembered to take a picture. You can see the lining in this one.

Then, I worked on my leggings muslin (a muslin is a practice garment). The good news is I made something that resembles leggings. The bad news, is these are NOT my size. I guess it's nice that i'm not as big as I thought I am (the pattern just has a waist measurement). So I'm going to make the next size down, plus get rid of some of the extra width (I already cut 5 inches off- but these are extra long to scrunch up on the leg...I though some of the extra length would be good for the skates.) Before I make the next pair, I want to ask people on Pattern Review if the baggy crotch will be fixed by having the size right, or if I need to alter the pattern shaping in some way. I didn't put the waistband elastic into these ones, because that seemed too hard to take out if I needed to remake them (and I assumed I would.)

I'm hiding in this picture because OMG ugly. But they do resemble leggings, don't they?


One or two more tries and I'll decide if I want to buy the expensive Under Armour fabric. Even leggings at Target are like $20, so making them myself would save quit a bit.

In other news, Kevin spent the day making a bed. Like actually making a bed. He is building a twin bed for our guest room.

Want to buy some yarn?

I'm destashing some yarn in hopes of acquiring funds to buy rhinestones for my skating dresses.

This is Wollmeise and they are:
63 grams of WD Neptun (80/20) (deeper in color than picture shows, at least on this monitor…)
61 grams of WD Schwammerl (100%)
and 65 grams of WD Bromberee (100%)

(WD means "we're different" it's a grab bag colorway that might be slightly different from the color with that name. It is not a "second"- but a first run, excellent condition yarn. 100% is all merino, 80/20 is merino/nylon.)

Since these have been used (but NOT used for knitting - just the rest of the skein was used) they have been exposed to the dog hair in my house, but they don't look bad (certainly not rolled in hair!) and it would just be a matter of picking off a few pieces. But warning in case you have allergies.

For reference, I can do a simple pair of socks for my size 5 feet with 60 grams, but only something quite simple. However, each mini-skein is more than enough for a pair of women's anklets, but would also be good for sampling projects or use in multiple color projects.

The price is $33 including paypal fees and first class shipping.

This yarn sells at The Loopy Ewe for $30 a skein, and skeins are approximately 150 grams. (This lot is 189 grams!)

Trust me, it's a good deal! I hate parting with such pretty pretty yarn- but I need some sparkles for my upcoming competition!

Leggings Frustration

I really need new leggings for ice skating. I'm currently wearing size S under armour leggings- and they are super long, and sadly too tight. But if I got the medium, I'm really worried they would be way too baggy in the crotch, and still maybe be too tight on the waist.

So I'm thinking- maybe I can sew them?

I found a place online that sells the under armour frosty tight fabric- and it's only $10 a yard. Even with shipping, I can probably get 2-3 pairs for less than buying 1 pair.

But, I'm not sure I can make leggings.

So I asked for some advice on pattern review, and it was suggested I use a kwik sew pattern- because it has both an inner and outer seam. I ordered the pattern, and it's expensive, since it's not Big 4. It gets here, and it doesn't have 2 seams per leg, just 1. The only way to get the extra seams is with a contrast insert...

So I have it, and I have a McCalls legging pattern, and I need to make a mulsin. I have some cheapish (well, not that cheap- but less than the under armour- it's hard to find super cheap 4-way stretch) red knit fabric with excellent 4 way stretch, so I'm going to see if I can at least make leggings. I'm not sure if it's going to work to have just 1 seam- everyone said that for activewear I need 2. I also need to figure out if I need a crotch gusset...all my yoga pants have one, but my target skating pants don't.

I'm trying to anticipate what's going to be wrong. I'll probably need to do something to raise the waist band in the back (big butt adjustment). Do I need a swayback adjustment on leggings- or just with pants that don't fit tight? Should I try to make the over-the-boot bell shape on the first pair of leggings, or not try that yet? I also want to try to shorten them so they fit me, not a person with normal size legs.

But this will have to wait until next weekend...

This is my last week of my first class at Lesley University- and it's going to be a busy one. I have 2 extra assignments this week as compared to other weeks. Like week 4, and that was a busy one. I also have an extra skating lesson on Wednesday- since the competition is coming up very soon, and I don't have programs yet.

Umpire Bag

My weekend sewing plans were for leggings (more on that in the next post). But I got a phone call yesterday that changed my plans.

It went something like this: (Basically, it was a bit of a mystery to figure out what was being asked for...)

I received a phone call on my cell phone it said “Mom”, so I answer the phone and a tiny little voice says
“Can you make me a belt in a bag?”

Oh! It’s my nephew!! Hi! nephew. What does he want?

“Hi C. What are you asking for”
“A belt on a bag”
“Oh, a bag ON a belt. Sure sweetie. What’s this for?”
“Baseball.”

-Thinks about baseball players- why do they need bags on belt?

“What does it need to be made out of C?”
“Blue Yarn”
-Okay, so I’m knitting a bag.
Grandpa yells from back “Tell her blue fabric”
-Thank goodness…that will be much quicker!

“Okay, C. I can make you a bag on a belt! Can I talk to Grandma?”

“Hi Mom- what does he want? Can I just make a bag that slips onto a belt? Or do I need to sew a belt?”
Mom: “No, you need to make a belt, with pockets. Like what a workman wears…:

-OH! An apron. He wants an apron that can hold a baseball.
“Okay, well can you run a rule around his waist and find out just about what his waist measurement is. I know my sister doesn’t have a tape measure, and, uh, if you could send a picture it might help.”

Then she says “What he wants is what the umpire’s wear to hold the balls.”

OH FINALLY! We’ve gotten to what it is…

So I go and google umpire bags. Turns out, like I originally though- you just slip them on a pre-existing belt. They also cost about $6-$12. Why are they not just buying one. The measurements are 10" x 12" - that's why- it would completely overtake him if he wore it from a belt. I am thinking that I could probably put a buckle on a belt, rather than a tie- that might be easier for him.

I told him it might take me about two weeks, but almost immediately I get an email from my Mom to tell me he said he was going to sit on the couch and wait until I was done. Uh-oh- this is a rush order! She also says it can just slip onto a belt- woo...that makes it easier.

So yesterday Kevin and I go to Hobby Lobby and I bought some blue broadcloth and some baseball print fabric. I've actually bought the baseball print fabric before, but I guess I didn't have any leftover...

Today I made the bags, the handles are twill tape wrapped with fabric to give them a bit more hold, the bags are just simple serged bags. The first one seemed a little too small- it was wide enough, but it held only a baseball and a tennis ball, so not quite big enough for 2 baseballs (the request), so I cut out another. I had intended for this one to be bigger (I cut it 6" x 7" and used about 1/2" seam allowances- well large 1/4"...whatever my serger does) but it ended up narrower, but taller. I THINK it should work okay, but it's a bit more difficult to get the ball out of it- hopefully the smaller hands won't have a problem.

So my weekend sewing was umpire bags for the nephew. I don't sew on demand for very many people- so he's one lucky kiddo! (My sister told me he has already asked 100 times if I was done yet!)

I wish I got a better picture, but they are already sealed up in an envelope to mail out.

Sewing Day!

I promised myself yesterday that if I finished all my homework, I could spend all day today sewing. My original plan was to do the sandwich covers, but I need a small square of interfacing and I didn't have any. So then planned to sew up the pink fabric I just got, but somewhere along the line I switched to the orange fabric.

I found a Butterick pattern I liked, but it had kimono sleeves - already attached to the pattern. After cutting it out, I realized that means I need like twice as much fabric as if they were set in sleeves, and it wouldn't fit onto the fabric.

Then I found another Butterick pattern, but it is a twist top (so cute) but realized that the center front seam won't look good in a solid. So after cutting THAT out, I changed my mind.

Then I went and traced a Jalie pattern, and it worked out great. This is a pretty commonly sewn pattern on patternreview, and I like it a lot. I opted not to put in the modesty panel, but in the end realized I NEEDED it - so I'm wearing a tank under it. Kevin says I look like Halloween, so I should get a white one. (He just wants me to look like a longhorn.)

So what do you think? I cut the size U and graded down to an X at the waist. It obviously still needs to be hemmed. My tummy isn't in great shape, and this kind of highlights it- but I don't think it needs to be any bigger-do you? Also, those sleeves- they are 3/4 length. Can't you tell :) Then hem will take care of that.

Other sewing:

I tried to hem my green shirt (which I've worn to work 3 times, unhemmed...lol) and failed. If anyone has hemming knit tips I need them for sure. Zig zagging results in a wavy puckered seam, but if I zig zag with the walking foot it just looks weird. I can't do a straight stitch because I NEED the stretch in the hem.

I also hemmed a pair of black pants for work. I bought them over a year ago, but just HATE hemming. Best hem ever. I cut an inch off, sergered the edge, and then folded it up another inch and used the walking foot with a straight stitch (woven fabric)- no puckering at all! (That always used to happen. I love the walking foot for wovens! (I cannot believe I have to shorten PETITE pants another 2 inches!)