tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734375051161987982024-03-20T01:22:10.633-04:00done wellA little crafty, a little outdoorsy, a little delicious.
All Dunwell.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-90307409173024104402013-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:002013-06-01T06:00:01.236-04:00Drum roll...No, I'm not switching jobs, or having another baby (yet), or moving to Portland.<br />
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My big announcement is the start of my new project: Purple Workbench.<br />
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I've had so much fun blabbing about anything and everything on "done well" over the last 4 and a half years, but it's time to refocus.<br />
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I've always had hopes that my creative life would one day take center stage, and although I'm still not there yet, I think Purple Workbench is a step in the right direction.<br />
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So mosey on over.<br />
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<a href="http://purpleworkbench.com/">purpleworkbench.com</a><br />
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It's still in its early stages. My logo isn't up. I haven't even started my facebook account. But I *have* broken into the world of Twitter! Don't get too excited. I still don't know how to tweet.<br />
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Please visit me in my new home! It's going to be slow and steady, but hopefully just as exciting and maybe a great way to spend creative time with you in person!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-18233290168215527782013-05-26T10:09:00.001-04:002013-05-27T20:10:30.630-04:00The end of an eraExcitement and sadness consumes me as I write this post.<br />
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I have yet to decide if it will be my last, or my second-last.<br />
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Don't worry, I'm not going far. But this is the end of the road for this blog.<br />
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I've read that you should write blogs assuming no one will read them (no one besides your mom). But now and then I need to thank you for actually reading my ramblings. It's motivating to know you're out there.<br />
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I will make a final announcement here on June 1st to tell you all about my new project, but today, I just want to reminisce on everything "done well"and leave you with some parting words.<br />
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1. Donate blood!<br />
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Remember when I started this blog? <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/05/in-honour-of-my-grandma.html" target="_blank">My grandma had passed away</a>, and I wanted to encourage people to donate blood. <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/bloody-generous-friends.html" target="_blank">Some people still let me know when they last donated</a>, or that they have an appointment coming up. Dustin actually received his "25" pin last week. 25 donations! Thanks to all those blood donors out there! I'm still hopeful that they change the rules and let me donate one day. The offer still stands if you need someone to hold your hand or to bake you a cookie reward. Or a <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/02/coocookiekie.html" target="_blank">coocookiekie</a>. Just let me know.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2. Make something!<br />
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My discovery of <a href="http://theworkroom.ca/" target="_blank">the workroom</a>, a cute fabric shop and sewing studio in Toronto, kickstarted my love for sewing. "<a href="http://www.makesomething.ca/" target="_blank">Make Something</a>" is the motto there, and I couldn't agree more. You can do it. Try the <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/my-birdie-sling-factory.html" target="_blank">birdie sling bag</a>. Or a <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/12/fabric-ornaments.html" target="_blank">Christmas ornament</a>. Or <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/02/patchwork-bibs-and-baby-shoes.html" target="_blank">a baby bib</a> (<a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/02/20-minute-bib-tutorial.html" target="_blank">complete with tutorial!</a>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/10/11-do-not-covet-thy-neighbours-purse.html" target="_blank"><img height="365" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F2Wtg6hMN24/StZNqyxKejI/AAAAAAAACmg/QyKrEiAefMI/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/10/11-do-not-covet-thy-neighbours-purse.html" target="_blank">Birdie Sling Bag</a></td></tr>
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3. Quilting is for the young and hip.<br />
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Modern quilting is an actual thing. Patterns are easier. Fabrics are way cooler. You <a href="http://seamslikely.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">meet amazing people</a>. I took classes at <a href="http://theworkroom.ca/" target="_blank">the workroom</a> for <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2010/11/my-very-own-sampler-quilt.html" target="_blank">the sampler quilt</a>, and the <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/01/houses-baby-comforter.html" target="_blank">Houses!</a> paper piecing quilt. But there are endless resources online. Like the <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/12/new-pattern-houndstooth-quilt-pattern.html" target="_blank">Houndstooth pattern</a>, or <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/03/quilt-along-14-freemotion-quilting.html" target="_blank">how to free-motion quilt</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/02/houndstooth-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank"><img height="425" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2PaDPtMr0C8/TzH4mdhtZAI/AAAAAAAAF5g/cRgGl_Pcvto/s640/IMG_2078.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/02/houndstooth-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank">Houndstooth Baby Quilt</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/01/hunger-games-quilt.html" target="_blank"><img height="425" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I-YD7QJ8L_I/TxI88zOYR6I/AAAAAAAAF1I/qr6BFwWv1VY/s640/IMG_2001.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/01/hunger-games-quilt.html" target="_blank">Hunger Games Quilt</a></td></tr>
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4. Eat locally: CSA boxes, home gardens, or neighbourhood restaurants.<br />
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Not only does local food generally taste better (not always: my mom once told me that she spent $6 on a pint of local Ontario strawberries that were terrible; I guess you can't always win), but you are also supporting your local community and province.<br />
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If you live in a somewhat major city, you likely have the option of a <a href="http://csafarms.ca/" target="_blank">CSA</a> (Community Shared/Supported Agriculture) program where a box of local produce is delivered to your door, or available for pickup. <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/11/life-is-like-box-of-local-produce.html" target="_blank">It's pretty fun</a>. You learn to eat weird, new foods, or begin <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2010/02/beets-have-me-beat.html" target="_blank">a quest</a> to find out how <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/10/basic-beets.html" target="_blank">to love beets</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/11/life-is-like-box-of-local-produce.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SeyofiwUEFo/Svn6_Rn_HeI/AAAAAAAAC0M/S614UF80g_U/s800/002.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/11/life-is-like-box-of-local-produce.html" target="_blank">Our food box from The Culinarium</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/11/life-is-like-box-of-local-produce.html" target="_blank"></a><br />
I live in a typical Toronto townhouse with no backyard and minimal sun-exposure. But I managed to maintain a pretty decent vegetable (I guess tomatoes are fruit...) <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2010/06/all-decked-out.html" target="_blank">garden</a>! Tomatoes, snap peas, cucumbers, <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/08/garden-kohlrabi-risotto.html" target="_blank">kohlrabi</a>, beets, even strawberries were all quite successful growing in pots on <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/balcony-garden.html" target="_blank">our back balcony</a>. Nothing beats walking out there and munching on fresh snap peas that still taste hot from the spring sun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/balcony-garden.html" target="_blank"><img height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XZzXcPSIITw/Son6OT4nh4I/AAAAAAAACJ0/xJmIyeuJzIE/s400/001.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/balcony-garden.html" target="_blank">Fresh snap peas</a></td></tr>
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If you're the "go out to eat" type, then make sure you go check out your local restaurants. Forget the chain restaurants. Pick places that focus on local and seasonal items, or smaller <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/01/kensington-sweethearts.html" target="_blank">local businesses</a> that make your city special.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/09/bannock-canadian-comfort-food.html" target="_blank"><img height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFPR8qEL2-I/ToPKgsUNFYI/AAAAAAAAFU8/ghM0uBQWDks/s640/DSC05848.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/09/bannock-canadian-comfort-food.html" target="_blank">Duck poutine pizza from Bannock</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/01/bah-hamburger.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6KSdBJRdXAU/TSu6BSwPuPI/AAAAAAAAEVU/vM67prb-N-M/s800/DSC03992.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/01/bah-hamburger.html" target="_blank">MTK Burger from Mildred's Temple Kitchen</a></td></tr>
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5. Share and inspire.<br />
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I find myself often explaining how I find time to do "all this stuff". You'd be amazed at how much you accomplish if you just start keeping track.<br />
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Start your own blog. <a href="http://www.thepassionateprojectmanager.com/2013/01/06/advice-about-blogging/" target="_blank">Here is a fantastic article with tips about blogging</a>. The author, a hero of mine, mentions that it changed her life. I think I can honestly say that it has probably changed mine as well.<br />
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When you share, you inspire. When you're inspired, you share more. Here are some of my fave inspirational blogs: <a href="http://makesomething.ca/" target="_blank">Make Something</a>, <a href="http://www.mothersdaughters.ca/" target="_blank">Mothers Daughters</a>, <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Orangette</a>, <a href="http://ohfransson.com/" target="_blank">Oh, Fransson!</a>, <a href="http://dirty-kitchen.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Dirty Kitchen</a>, <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>, <a href="http://lookimadethat.com/" target="_blank">I made that</a>, ... the list goes on. (See my blogroll to the side.)<br />
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This concludes my parting words. I hope you'll stick around for my next project.<br />
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It's been an absolute pleasure sharing my first blog with you. We've <u>done well</u>.<br />
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Here marks the end of an era.<br />
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<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-22902310254173305002013-01-28T22:13:00.000-05:002013-01-28T22:13:00.294-05:00Envelope t-shirtsAt first glance, this blog implies that I have been quite successful in keeping up with my crafty and foody hobbies. But if you look closely at the dates of the posts, and look even closer at the dates of the pictures from the posts, you will see that I binge-sew and binge-cook.<br />
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The cycle usually begins with a mild depression. Pregnancy and then early motherhood (and then regular being-a-girl) has been a rollercoaster ride of crazy emotions for me. I always tell people (and by "people", I mean Dustin) that what makes me crazy is also what makes me awesome. Boringly sane people are rarely awesome.<br />
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My mild depression usually ends in sobs of how I miss doing things for myself. So I cry it out, decide to make time for me, binge out on me-time, and then feel ready to rock it out with Lily again. Until the next depression hits, then we rinse and repeat.<br />
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But during the me-time, I get lots of great blog-worthy stuff done, and most importantly, I catch up on many of the things I've been wanting to do.<br />
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My dear friend Emily has taken wonderfully to motherhood and she has also been able to keep up with so many of her passions. <a href="http://mothersdaughters.ca/" target="_blank">Her blog</a> leaves me in awe. She always remembers my birthday, and even shopped for Lily this Christmas. I was determined to return the thoughtfulness by sewing something nice for her darling baby Lucas.<br />
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I've had my eye on <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-the-90-minute-shirt.html" target="_blank">Dana's 90 minute shirt tutorial</a> for a while now. I find the envelope-style neckline makes it so much easier to get over big baby heads. In early January, I made my first attempt and used one of Dustin's old orange tshirts. I think I got lucky and the tshirt was almost perfect.<br />
<br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f85u3sijuieqp6Rj2vvKTNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ew6iC1PXAts/UQXo0daqY8I/AAAAAAAAHaE/ENOwYKFnehw/s640/IMG_3345.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
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I just needed a couple changes to neckline, a little more room in the torso, and I was ready to make one for Lucas!<br />
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Wrong. Attempt #2 left me with a neck that was too big, armholes that didn't match up, and an express ticket back to devoting my time to Lily and muttering mean words to my sewing machine.<br />
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I slowly worked on a 3rd revision, which quickly led to a 4th. I finally went back to Dana's tutorial and restarted a new pattern from scratch.<br />
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The final pattern is definitely for a bigger baby; I'd guess it's in the 12-18 month range, but at least it wasn't too small. And I'm not ready to make a smaller size yet. Lucas will just have to cuff up his sleeves for a while.<br />
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I finished off Lucas' tshirt with an 'L' and then continued on my streak and sewed another one for Lily.<br />
<br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FMRe_2GhibWu29weqsE4s9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GgIzwoY1VPw/UQXowptXtMI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/rkwWLc6zOvQ/s640/IMG_3387.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YEeTcCSC8jX7j5OpZTzJrdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZFva5VS3ShA/UQXoxygnVII/AAAAAAAAHZ8/nt25SSqagTU/s640/IMG_3390.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
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Usually when making gifts for friends, I wait until I give them the gift before blogging about it. I thought it would be neat doing it the other way around this time. I had already told Emily of my plan to sew Lucas the shirt and that I was have "trouble". So it's no surprise a tshirt is on its way. Now we can look forward to our next playdate where we may force the kids to wear their shirts so we can take pictures and be "those" moms. Maybe we can get them to hold hands...<br />
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-46286880337878444782013-01-27T15:19:00.002-05:002013-01-27T15:19:49.989-05:00White snow, brown butterWhat a winter! Growing up in Ottawa really teaches you to embrace the snow in Toronto. This snow has not slowed us down at all; Lily and I are as adventurous as ever with the outdoors.<br />
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During our winter promenades, we have witnessed some odd behaviour in our Toronto neighbours. I think they need a crash course in snowy winters.<br />
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Brushing the snow off ones vehicle is apparently limited to the windshield and the side windows. I see ridiculous cars with piles of snow on their hood and roof; perhaps they enjoy leaving a cloud of white behind them? Like a cartoon?<br />
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There are several neighbours that insist on using a broom to clear their walkways and driveways. Not the heavy duty brooms you might see a janitor use; the brooms you see witches ride. in movies. kid movies.<br />
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Even when I see a proper shovel being used, most of the time the snow is being shovelled directly onto the street. Yesterday, I wanted to tell a man that if he was going to shovel onto the road (which he shouldn't, but that's besides the point), he should at least shovel to his right and not his left. Everyone in Ottawa knows that the plow is just going to push it right back onto your driveway in the form of solid, icy, igloo chunks.<br />
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But it all just adds to the entertainment this snowy weather brings.<br />
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Lily is really loving this weather. When she isn't outside enjoying the brisk, fresh air, she stares longingly out the window.<br />
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For those who don't share Lily's enthusiasm of the cold outdoors, my suggestion to you is to go and brown some butter. That's right. Melt better in a pot, then keep warming until it gets golden brown and fragrantly caramelly and nutty.<br />
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My sister in law baked us up some delicious brown butter and sea salt chocolate chip cookies a few weeks back. They were so delicious I decided to try one of <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Joy</a>'s recipes from <a href="http://joythebaker.com/cookbook/" target="_blank">her new cookbook </a>that I got for Christmas.<br />
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The cookbook is pretty great. <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Her blog</a> is fantastic, but sometimes you just want to flip through a physical book. I have dog eared several recipes and this <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2009/07/browned-butter-blueberry-muffins/" target="_blank">browned butter blueberry muffin recipe</a> shot to the top of the list.<br />
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Look at that golden-brown butter. Delish.<br />
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As usual, I mixed it up a bit. I substituted 1/2 cup of all purpose flour with 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour and 1/4 cup of quick cook oats. I also used frozen blueberries. In her book, she recommends that if using frozen blueberries, you should thaw and drain the liquid. Who has time for that? I threw it in frozen and it turned out great (I never seem to mind the purple hue that engulfs the muffin when using frozen berries). I realize that fresh blueberries work best, but in the middle of winter, I prefer frozen Canadian blueberries (<a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?catIds=cat40002&catIds=159&tags=100090&type=details&productId=16804" target="_blank">PC has a great product</a>) over berries picked and flown in from Chile.<br />
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I also opted to skip the streusel topping, much to my husband's disappointment, but purely out of laziness, not concern for the size of my waist/hips/bottom/cheeks. Next time, I promise him some sugary, crumbly topping.<br />
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The muffins are quite magical -- even with my substitutions and instruction disobedience. The inside is light and fluffy, the outside crisp. And standing over the stove, browning the butter will warm any cold hands and windburned face. Promise.<br />
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-91977573517086414252012-12-07T22:26:00.000-05:002012-12-07T22:26:56.601-05:00Ma! The meatloaf!Lily is a pretty good eater, and it's amazing how much she consumes. It took me some time to figure out some good homemade food that she enjoys. For a while, I just couldn't figure out why she preferred the jarred green beans to homemade green beans. I borrowed books from the library, scoured the internet for recipes, and asked all of my friends what foods worked for their babies. I've been so consumed by making food for Lily that I have been neglecting my own meals. We've been getting by on throw-together meals that are still satisfying, but not very adventurous or blog-worthy.<br />
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Until now.<br />
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We made a quick stop at Costco on the weekend to pick up some essentials -- at least that was our intention. Why is it that a trip to Costco always ends up in $200 worth of random stuff? This time, included in the plethora of random stuff was Ina Garten's new <a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/cookbooks_details.aspx?CookbookID=33" target="_blank">cookbook: Barfoot Contessa Foolproof</a>.<br />
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You likely already know about my crush on Ina Garten. I was in awe and deeply envious of Joy Wilson (from <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>) and <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/11/red-velvet-black-and-white-cookies-3/" target="_blank">her cookie swap hosted by Ina herself</a>. My favourite go-to cookbook is <a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/cookbooks_details.aspx?CookbookID=30" target="_blank">Barefoot Contessa at Home</a> and not just because it's the pink one. It was as if Ina knew I was in a culinary funk and needed a little inspiration. Her new "foolproof" cookbook looks great. I've already dog-eared several recipes to try, including <i>marinated artichoke hearts, lamb shanks with orzo, amelia's jambalaya, and chocolate chunk blondies.</i><br />
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My brother's birthday was this week, so I used this as my opportunity to debut a recipe from the book. Inspired by my brother's love for meat and ketchup, I bring you: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/1770-house-meatloaf-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">1770 House Meatloaf</a>.<br />
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It was fantastic, but I must confess to my abundant ingredient substitutions... I nixed the chives and parsley and stuck to thyme, no panko breadcrumbs so just the regular variety, skim milk instead of whole, fennel instead of celery, and rather than the garlic sauce that is supposed to be what takes this recipe to a whole new level, I made a mushroom onion gravy.<br />
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I have a problem following recipes. I need help. I definitely plan to try the garlic gravy next time.<br />
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Nevertheless, the meatloaf turned out delicious. My brother even told me it didn't need ketchup, but proceded to add copious amounts to his plate anyway. Lily approved as well! I love when we make food that Lily can also enjoy. She is a demanding girl, making noises, gestures, and faces to make you understand that she wants the meatloaf NOW. <a href="http://youtu.be/xSRcXRkQGOI" target="_blank">"Ma! The meatloaf!"</a><br />
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<br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eNQjcn_srcsDIltomErMVuJXJ0ZumL8Msy3iE6uuQZk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lva0ifXTO_c/UMKoI_ac7dI/AAAAAAAAHUU/9IS_uHHbpko/s640/IMG_3208.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-67059387715049235772012-12-05T21:05:00.000-05:002012-12-05T21:05:21.462-05:00Puppy safetyI just witnessed a really awful accident involving a neighbourhood dog named Hannah. I'm still a little shaken. I watched the dog run into the street (she had a leash on, so I imagine she got away from her owner) and collide badly with an oncoming car.<br />
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I regret the words I shouted to the driver of the car. She obviously couldn't have done anything differently and yelling to her that she just hit a dog was probably the worst thing I could have done. Stupid me. Foot in my mouth again.<br />
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Everyone was shocked; Hannah's owner was devastated. I jumped into crisis mode and managed to get a vet from our nearby animal hospital (<a href="http://www.westsideanimal.vetsuite.com/Templates/grouped.aspx" target="_blank">Westside Animal Hospital</a>) to walk to us and she took it from there.<br />
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They were in the process of getting someone to drive Hannah to the emergency clinic when I left. Both Lily and Mackenzie were so patient through the entire process. I had quite an upsetting walk home.<br />
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It would be an understatement to say that Mackenzie has taken a bit of a backseat in our lives since we had Lily. I get annoyed with having a dog around. Mackenzie gets in the way, she leaves hair everywhere for Lily to grab and eat, she makes me pick up her poop when I've got Lily in the baby carrier.<br />
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But she's <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2009/08/thats-my-girl.html" target="_blank">still our girl</a>, too. I love her as much as ever. Today's events reminded me how she is equally important in our family, and just as we baby proofed our house for Lily, we have to keep our leash on Mackenzie when we're out on the street. Forget the squirrel chasing: safety first.<br />
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My thoughts go out to beautiful Hannah and her family. A big shout out to <a href="http://www.westsideanimal.vetsuite.com/Templates/grouped.aspx" target="_blank">Westside Animal Hospital</a> for taking the time to walk to us and take Hannah to emerg.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JJyKezADdcZLcwMTdQ680CJHNahTZC8i6U_Zxlk0KMN2J-ma5PdD5bmA0WDAHuZxClQLQJqxZvByQgvMKIYfu3uk8vBfBkFSYsj6m8BJxnZGpA-zZQy7HOMHIQpo9wZPXBB-CvWv/s1600/Mackenzie+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JJyKezADdcZLcwMTdQ680CJHNahTZC8i6U_Zxlk0KMN2J-ma5PdD5bmA0WDAHuZxClQLQJqxZvByQgvMKIYfu3uk8vBfBkFSYsj6m8BJxnZGpA-zZQy7HOMHIQpo9wZPXBB-CvWv/s400/Mackenzie+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">circa 2007. Our first year with Mackenzie<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOXmqYSimds/Sq7v_nLOt7I/AAAAAAAACZk/loEeUZxF_uM/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOXmqYSimds/Sq7v_nLOt7I/AAAAAAAACZk/loEeUZxF_uM/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a trip to Ottawa filled with squirrel chases</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSG750NhMz0/T0KUjiA43GI/AAAAAAAAF-8/wYx79dp1cek/s1600/DSC06268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSG750NhMz0/T0KUjiA43GI/AAAAAAAAF-8/wYx79dp1cek/s400/DSC06268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses for Lily</td></tr>
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Play safe with all your loved ones!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-26026889817611831422012-10-21T21:31:00.001-04:002012-10-21T21:31:22.026-04:00Baby mittens<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zeNkv7VM0C9Ym1Q8m9iXktMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-feIjDaCZ34w/UISVqY5nlKI/AAAAAAAAHTc/gkMQ-h3jrIQ/s640/IMG_3114.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
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Autumn is my absolute favourite season. This year in particular because I get to enjoy it with Lily. I think it's safe to say that Lily is in love with the outdoors. She craves the fresh air, the buzz of traffic, the kids running around the park. We would go on 2, 3, 4 walks a day sometimes -- even during this past sauna of a summer. Thank goodness for the crisp weather change.<br />
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Along with this cooler weather is a need for some warmer gear. I haven't been able to sew much for Lily; mostly because there hasn't been the need since we got so many great hand-me-downs from friends and family. But with our numerous walks a day, rain or shine, Lily was in need of some mittens. Her cute little fingers were icicles by the end of our walks.<br />
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I pulled out some flannel from my stash, grabbed some ribbing material that never turned into a cardigan for myself, and after two attempts (with some guidance from <a href="http://treasuresunderthewillowtree.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tutorial-newborn-mittens.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>), Lily hands now stay warm in a cute little pair of infant mittens! I made sure to make the ribbed cuff extra long so they stay on better.<br />
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Raise your hand if you love them.<br />
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<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-24702194504956111032012-10-11T10:22:00.000-04:002012-10-11T10:22:44.224-04:00Double date with Richard and OscarMy awesome friend Jenn invited me out to a magical evening listening to the music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, all performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.<br />
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These days when it's so hard to tear myself away from my life with Lily, Dustin insisted that I accept Jenn's invitation and enjoy the night out. Although I didn't manage to "get dressed up" as originally planned, I did manage to wear a clean shirt and put on earrings. <br />
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The performance was so wonderful. I had chills. I was in near tears. Both Jenn and I had commented that our mothers would have thoroughly loved to the show.<br />
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The Toronto Symphony Orchestra was accompanied by soloists and a choir; they performed selections from Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and of course, The Sound of Music. I think I may have enjoyed the selections from Oklahoma the best, and I thoroughly enjoyed singing along to <i>Edelweiss </i>when they asked the audience to join in, but I was completely floored by their finale piece from <i>The Sound of Music</i>. I had just leaned over to Jenn and whispered a snotty "I think <i>Climb Ev'ry Mountain</i> is probably one of my least favourites from this musical" and then was blown away by the arrangement that they sang. All three soloists (the soprano, tenor, and baritone), along with the bellowing choir, came together to sing this beautifully grand finale.<br />
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This concert was part of the "POP" series. I guess compared to the performances of the baroque and renaissance era, this was an evening of "popular music". I wonder, what they will call it in a decade or so when I take Lily out for a magical night at the orchestra?<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-14098622876845898772012-10-09T13:30:00.000-04:002012-10-09T13:30:32.129-04:00Deleeecious quiches!<br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KxH8vS9IHiQeH2-hS-X2Y9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R-7puTPGwYE/UHDWEyimpbI/AAAAAAAAHR4/wwAVyYv6ga8/s640/IMG_3040.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></center>
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I'm going through a quiche phase. It may have started when my friend Magda made me a delicious chantrelle mushroom quiche for my birthday. It was my first chantrelle mushroom experience: delish.<br />
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Shortly after, I visited my friend Jess and her new baby girl Danika. I threw together a quick pie crust and made a quiche filling with whatever I had in my fridge. I think I used onions and mushrooms (maybe some cheese? I don't even remember.) Quiches are just so versatile.<br />
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This past Friday, I had a playdate at Magda's again and we had a gourmet lunch with two types of quiche, a green salad, a sweet potato salad, strawberry banana smoothies and apple butter cookies for dessert. That's what you get when 5 women come together for lunch!<br />
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Both quiches at the playdate were so delicious: spinach-mushroom-goat cheese and ham-red pepper-onion. I don't think I've had a quiche I didn't like. So much so that I decided to make a quiche with the can of smoked salmon pate that my mom gave me last year.<br />
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I honestly have no problems making a pie crust from scratch. It seems like it would be a hassle but I feel like it's less of a hassle than having a pie crust take up space in my freezer. I never have one on hand and whenever I take the time to make one, I find it was so easy I would do it again.<br />
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I decided to reward such domestic thinking with a new <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/french-rolling-pin/s640894" target="_blank">French rolling pin from Crate and Barrel</a>. I paired it with a new <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/ruffled-pie-dish/s522158" target="_blank">deep pie dish with pretty ruffles</a>. (Thanks to my brother and sister for the <a href="http://www.yorkdale.com/" target="_blank">Yorkdale</a> gift card for my birthday!) For some reason, <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kaiser-nonstick-tart-quiche-pan/s368288" target="_blank">an actual quiche dish</a> (the one with the removable bottom) is very shallow. If I had to eat a shallow quiche for dinner I think I'd eat the whole darn thing. I like my quiches nice and deep: a higher filling-to-crust ratio and, let's be honest, more quiche fits on a plate... This ruffled pie dish was perfect.<br />
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These days I use <a href="http://chefmichaelsmith.com/recipe/old-fashioned-apple-pie-2/" target="_blank">Michael Smith's recipe for pie crusts</a> but using the food processor. I think the last time I <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2009/11/quiche-lorraine.html" target="_blank">blogged about a quiche</a> (wow, that was a long time ago) I used<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/deep-dish-apple-pie-recipe/index.html" target="_blank"> Ina's recipe</a> which calls for both butter and shortening. Michael Smith's recipe has been just as flaky and tasty and lately I try to keep things simple.<br />
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Also, I think I've changed my mind on the idea of blind baking the pie crust first. Again, out of laziness and the need to get the quiche done before Lily wakes up from her nap, I've just poured the quiche filling straight into the unbaked pie crust (I always chill the crust while I'm assembling the filling), then straight into the oven. I think it turns out pretty great!<br />
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For this deeper dish, I used 6 eggs and 1.5 cups of milk, whisked in the smoked salmon pate, added some chopped green onions, and blanched broccoli.<br />
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I love eating quiches with an arugula salad. I find the peppery leaf cuts the richness of the quiche really well, but any leafy salad with a nice tangy dressing would go great.<br />
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While the quiche was baking in the oven, my dear friend Rebecca called me from Ireland. "Write more blog posts!" she begged. So instead of watching another episode of Top Chef Masters, here you have another blog post in less than a week!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-42446996801299049802012-10-04T20:52:00.000-04:002012-10-04T20:52:02.572-04:00Pickled peppers, train trips, nursing strikes and more!Inspired by <a href="http://youtu.be/ZCSjcII64FE" target="_blank">Barney's one-minute recap of his relationship with Robin</a>, I have decided to do a speed recap to update you all on the goings on in the Dunwell house!<br />
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Ready? *big breath*<br />
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We went raspberry picking with <a href="http://mothersdaughtersblog.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-friday-raspberry-cream-pie.html" target="_blank">Emily and Lucas</a>. Also got some hot peppers. Used <a href="http://ruhlman.com/2009/03/michael-symons-pickled-chillis/" target="_blank">Michael Symon's method/recipe</a> to pickle them. mmmm. Highly recommended.<br />
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We rented a cottage in the 1000 islands and went on our first vacation with Lily. Lily played on the dock. She didn't fall in the gross green water, but Mackenzie did -- 4 times.<br />
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Lily is getting bigger, loving her solid foods, has two bottom teeth and a couple more cutting through on the top. She still doesn't like being on her tummy. It is unlikely she will learn to crawl.<br />
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She took her first train trip to Ottawa where she caught her first cold. *sniff* (Literally.)<br />
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A week ago, Lily went on a nursing strike. I cried a lot. She cried a lot. We forced her to drink milk from a sippy cup. The strike finally ended yesterday. Phew. 6-day strike. Not fun. Probably one of the hardest things I've ever gone through.<br />
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Dustin started his first job last week. 12 years of university. Big milestone. Next on the list: new car. Our poor '95 Corolla deserves a retirement.<br />
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Dustin is on a purge. He tried to donate my rollerblades to Goodwill. I fought to keep them. I won. He tried to donate my wedding dress. I fought to keep it. He won. Hopefully it helps <a href="http://www.thebridesproject.com/">raise some money for cancer research</a>.<br />
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My goals for the next month: sew some fall/winter gear for Lily, finish a quilt, go to the theatre to watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siEHekc-1oE" target="_blank">Pitch Perfect</a>, celebrate our 5 year anniversary (I know! 5 years! crazy!), bake a pie, eat a pie, and maybe I should really get started on finding Lily a daycare...<br />
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*exhale*<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone!<br />
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Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-30764716068962611472012-08-16T22:22:00.001-04:002012-08-16T22:22:47.503-04:00Wee Urban sleep sacksGreat customer service is just so hard to find these days.<br />
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All I want is for someone to pick up the phone. Someone to return an email. Someone who knows their product and stands behind it.<br />
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I find it so frustrating that a certain giant baby-toy store (that I won't be so unprofessional as to name) has such terrible service, product, and return policy. My friend actually had to argue about returning a baby mirror for the car after realizing that it makes you look like you're at the county fair where you pay $1 to look like you have a fat nose and one eye bigger than the other. They told her it had been opened and used. The fact that the product was terrible and that it was going to cost *unnamed giant baby store* pennies to make the customer happy was irrelevant. The teenage girl working the boring Wednesday afternoon shift didn't care and just wanted to get on with her day.<br />
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Enter <a href="http://diapereez.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Diaper Eez</a>: a cute little baby shop in Bloor West Village where Dustin and I chose to get <a href="http://www.gro-via.com/" target="_blank">our cloth diapers</a> for Lily. We tried to do our cloth diaper research online but it was actually mind blowing how confusing everything was. We stopped by <a href="http://diapereez.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Diaper Eez</a> and got the low down from an incredibly knowledgeable sales lady. They always answer their phone. They answered my emails when I complicated our baby registry. Best of all, they stock their shop with products that they love and recommend.<br />
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Lily has always been a feisty baby, even in the womb. She quickly learned how to wriggle her way out of swaddles and kick off any blankets. I was in need of a sleep sack. With leftover gift cards at *unnamed ridiculous baby store* I figured I'd look there first. The selection was dismal: polyester polar fleece, made in China, no special features, overpriced. And I was scared to open it and try it out since they would likely never accept a return or exchange.<br />
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At <a href="http://diapereez.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Diaper Eez</a> they had not one, but two Toronto-designed, Canadian-made sleep sacks to choose from. I was debating between a multi-layered cotton sleep sack with front zip and extra breathability, and the <a href="http://www.weeurban.com/" target="_blank">Wee Urban</a> sleep sack made with extra soft sweatshirt material. I decided to opt for the <a href="http://www.weeurban.com/" target="_blank">Wee Urban</a> because of the shoulder snaps and side zipper that made getting our super-wriggly Lily into and out of the sack much easier.<br />
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We loved it. The giraffes were an extra bonus.<br />
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Then disaster struck.<br />
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After using it for about 2 months, the snap on the left shoulder ripped. Is this common? If I buy another one will it just happen again? The other 2 snaps looked to be in great shape... Dare I try and ask for them to repair it?<br />
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I went to the <a href="http://www.weeurban.com/pages/contact-us.htm" target="_blank">Wee Urban website</a> and wrote them a quick email. Hours later (not days -- hours) I received the kindest email from Wee Urban apologizing for the defect and offering to send me a new one as soon as possible. You see, they wanted to ensure that Lily's sleep was disrupted as little as possible.<br />
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I was beyond shocked. What kindness. What fantastic service. What confidence in their product. All they asked in return was for me to send the defective sleep sack back to them so they could see what went wrong.<br />
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I wish more businesses were like this. I can't tell you how many times Dustin and I have called companies looking to give them business: window repair, driveway snow removal, physiotherapy, and they just don't call us back, let alone offer customer satisfaction in guaranteeing their product.<br />
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Good customer service is so important to me. Since discovering Diaper Eez, three of our friends have gone there to purchase their cloth diapering systems. I'm pretty sure the next few baby gifts I give will be the Wee Urban sleep sack. The next time you think about going to buy a baby-something from the store that rhymes with Shmoys R Us, try visiting a local baby shop. You will be pleasantly surprised!
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Here is Lily modelling <a href="http://www.gro-via.com/hybrid-diapers/shells/hybrid-grovia-shell-snap-closure.html">her GroVia pink peacock diapers</a> from Diaper Eez.
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-8738503926645060402012-08-11T22:20:00.000-04:002012-08-11T22:20:57.749-04:00Rollin' with the homiesLily turned 6 months old on Thursday and she has hit some major milestones!<br />
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As with most things in life, her wonderful achievements have not come without hardships.<br />
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1. She has learned to roll over! Lily has never been much of a "lie down and play" baby, but now that she can roll, she seems to enjoy it more. She will roll and roll until she reaches the end of the quilt, then we pick her up and start her back at the beginning. You see, much like Derek Zoolander, she is not an ambiturner: she can only roll in one direction. So the one downside to all this rolling excitement is that she has been getting stuck in her crib, unable to unwedge herself from the edge. We are hoping this is a short phase and she will quickly learn to rectify this problem. The sobs are unbearable.<br />
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2. She has started solids! She is loving it (she has the Fong gene in her!) and could not get enough of it in the early days! She has since gotten over the initial excitement but is still a relatively good eater. The downside is that she has always been a finger sucker, eye rubber, and ear puller. Solid food is a messy art and by the end of our meal she will have baby cereal in all nooks and crannies of her face.<br />
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Along with these two major milestones, she is very close to sitting up on her own and we also think that she may be getting some teeth. She is chewing on anything and everything she can get her hands on -- including her own feet.<br />
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It is really incredible how much Lily is maturing. It wasn't long ago that I would spend all day sitting on the couch trying to stop her from crying. Now she's eating solids, pooping like a Dunwell, singing along to my silly songs, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ6tNNqgyRg" target="_blank">rollin' with the homies</a>!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-79986930237486703262012-07-25T14:11:00.000-04:002012-07-25T14:11:12.874-04:00Oh bring back my bonnet to meI lost it. The brand new bonnet that I sewed for Lily. Yes, <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/07/baby-sunbonnet-success.html" target="_blank">the one I just posted about</a>.<br /><br />
In a chaotic kerfuffle at the park, the bonnet was misplaced. We returned to the park a couple hours later, scoured the area, even checked if it was not atop another cute child's head, but alas, we have declared it officially gone.<br />
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I don't know if I was more heartbroken or more relieved that I had made the bonnet. All that hard work, gone, but at least I can sew her another.<br />
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To mourn the loss of the truck-bonnet, I did a one-eighty and sewed her new bonnet out of the leftover elephant fabric from<a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/02/houndstooth-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank"> her houndstooth quilt</a>. A pink bonnet with lace ties. Sorry Dustin, pretty much as girly as it gets.<br />
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Lily was nice enough to model the new bonnet on my birthday picnic!<br />
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-38767971226566878532012-07-17T21:15:00.001-04:002012-07-19T09:24:46.721-04:00Baby Sunbonnet: Success!<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yel6lrgaGJm_TtbcLHISINMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UkZZF17HwCY/UATAD-3jVeI/AAAAAAAAHLk/aa6Y8kngMCc/s640/IMG_2720.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></center><br />
After a little encouragement <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/03/baby-sunhat-attempt-number-1.html#comment-8242939504814915674" target="_blank">from the peanut gallery</a>, I have successfully sewn Lily a sunhat that is functional and fashionable!<br />
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<a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/03/baby-sunhat-attempt-number-1.html" target="_blank">My first attempt</a> at a baby sunhat back in March was embarrassing. I had decided to create my own design with little to no research or hat-sewing-experience; after all, how hard could a hat be? I was very wrong. Not only did it not fit, but I realized it was not well designed. Children's hats need a tie so they can't swat the hat off. I also realized that Lily would benefit more from a bonnet rather than a sunhat whose brim went all around the head. With a full brim, she had trouble lying back in her stroller or carseat.<br />
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By June, I<span style="background-color: white;"> still had not sewn Lily a new hat. With this unending sunny weather, I desperately needed to purchase one to tide us over. I found a really great bonnet at <a href="http://diapereez.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Diaper-eez</a> in Bloor West Village and it fit Lily for a full 2 weeks before it was barely shielding the sun from her eyes. Here was my chance to redeem myself (and finally be worthy of <a href="http://dirty-kitchen.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Jenn</a>'s praise) and make her a bonnet that was the right size -- and with room to grow so it would last into the autumn.</span><br />
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I took some pointers from the bonnet we had bought and reworked it a bit. A bonnet is essentially three pieces: the back of the head, the brim of the hat, and the piece in the middle that joins the two.<br />
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With some basic pattern drafting skills that I picked up from (none other than) <a href="http://theworkroom.ca/" target="_blank">the workroom</a>, I created a cute little sun bonnet with a nice large brim for Lily. I chose a lightweight cotton with blue trucks, a boyish touch to an otherwise girly hat!<br />
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<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-90679899337144061412012-06-16T10:44:00.000-04:002012-06-16T10:44:30.704-04:00Pistachio pound cakeWhat happened to the pistachio when he walked down the dark alley?<br />
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He was a-salted.<br />
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He would have preferred being baked into a delicious, dense, crumby pound cake.<br />
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<a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Molly Wizenberg</a> shared a recipe a couple months ago starring the pistachio, with supporting roles from the orange, lemon, and lime. <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.ca/2012/04/no-such-thing.html">A pistachio pound cake</a> with bright citrus notes, rich dense crumby cake topped with crunchy nuts. <br />
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I made it for a friend's birthday in April and recently repeated it to bring home to my parents on the weekend of my brother's wedding.<br />
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The recipe calls for zest from orange and lime, and juice from orange and lemon. I think that's a little silly. I just went with whatever citrus fruit I had, and used the zest and juice from the same fruit. The first time I only used lemon, the second time I used lime and orange. Both were fantastic.<br />
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When I showed up in Ottawa and presented my mother with the pound cake, she immediately told me that she was not going to share it at the post-wedding brunch on Sunday. She put it in the freezer and planned to save it for her and my dad to savour and enjoy after all the hoopla of the wedding was over. She hadn't even tasted it and knew it was good. It's rare that a pound cake isn't fantastic, what with all the butter, sugar, and eggs.<br />
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I'm not sure if they've cracked into it yet, but the one that I ate was divine. Since pound cakes take so long to bake, I like to make two smaller loaves and cut the bake time slightly; it makes it easier to share when you get one to yourself as well!
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Maybe my blog has suffered a little, but I'm still so impressed by the little bit of sewing, crafting, and baking I get done these days. A different level of super-mom, but super nonetheless.<br />
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My most recent project was a quilt for my brother and my new sister-in-law (congrats Karl and Joelle!). I had been following the <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/2012/01/01/100-days-of-modern-quilting/" target="_blank">100 days of Modern Quilting</a> hosted by <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/">themodernquiltguild.com/</a> and came across<a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/2012/01/04/100-days-week-of-shapes-featured-quilt-3/" target="_blank"> a fabulous "Ring Quilt"</a> by <a href="https://toithaca.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Isobel Piper</a>. It was the perfect design for a wedding quilt that was a billion times easier than the <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2011/04/double-wedding-ring-quilt.html" target="_blank">double wedding ring quilt I made my parents</a>, but still had the "infinite circle" motif to represent their eternal marriage.<br />
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The wedding colours were teal, silver, and lime green, with an emphasis on the teal. It was great fun going through my fabric scraps to pull out colours for the wheel segments of the quilt. I used a Kona solid in "natural" as the background and then echoed the colour wheel with an ornate circle fabric from the Karavan collection by Valori Wells (the same collection as the pink elephants from <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.ca/2012/02/houndstooth-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank">Lily's houndstooth quilt</a>) for the back of the quilt.<br />
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The pattern originally comes from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Patchwork-Quilted-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584796340/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325644936&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts</a> which I borrowed from the library. I remembered to trace the wheel segment template but neglected to copy anything else, so there was a lot of guess-work that went into this quilt. I had to do lots of trimming so that everything fit together in the end and created a circle rather than an oval.<br />
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I loved how<a href="https://toithaca.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/concentric-circles/" target="_blank"> Isobel Piper used concentric circles for her quilt</a>, so I decided to do the same, although I used an entirely different technique. She took the time to draw the circles on the quilt -- I am far too lazy for that. Instead, I taped a quilting pin (since it is longer than the average pin) to my walking foot and using the head of the pin as a guide so my circles were the same distance apart. Genius, I know.<br /><br />
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The quilting got progressively more difficult as I got closer to the center, so for the very middle of the quilt, I personalized a K and J with the wedding date.<br />
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My brother's wedding was simply gorgeous. Everyone (except maybe Lily...) had a wonderful time: an incredible venue (with a fantastic view of the Ottawa canal and the Parliament building), delicious food, breathtaking flower arrangements, and of course, a room full of wonderful friends and family.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUmZ1RGJVRk/T9eb4PDx9JI/AAAAAAAAHCA/tEJJD9Mif_M/s1600/head+table+by+kevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUmZ1RGJVRk/T9eb4PDx9JI/AAAAAAAAHCA/tEJJD9Mif_M/s640/head+table+by+kevin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Photo by Kevin Fong]</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKphC7I-0rc/T9eb5IyqIvI/AAAAAAAAHCI/rGLSSyfwSao/s1600/karl_joelle+head+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKphC7I-0rc/T9eb5IyqIvI/AAAAAAAAHCI/rGLSSyfwSao/s640/karl_joelle+head+table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Photo by Elizabeth Pagnotta]</span></div>
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It was my absolute pleasure to spend Lily's nap times quilting this wedding wheel quilt for my brother and sister-in-law. May they continue to cuddle for afternoon naps until they are old and grey.
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-87948793566953033972012-04-06T18:29:00.001-04:002012-04-06T18:29:41.094-04:00Two Thirds of an Angel Food CakeYou can buy cartons of egg whites at the store, but you can't buy egg yolks. Whatever the reason, it is quite unfortunate since I often find myself in an "egg white" dilemma. I tend to make foods that use only the egg yolks and I'm at a loss for what to do with the whites.<br />
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I fool myself into thinking I will use the reserved egg whites soon to make an omelet, only to have them sit in the fridge for questionably too long (even for me) and I end up throwing them out. Sure, there are always the crispy-chewy meringue recipes that use egg whites, but then I have to bake them for hours and hours. And regular fluffy meringue just doesn't do anything for me: the tart or pie or baked-Alaska was just fine without the meringue layer.<br />
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My favourite egg white usage is probably Angel Food Cake. The problem is, it usually calls for a ridiculous 10 or 12 egg whites.<br />
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Fortunately, <a href="http://altonbrown.com/" target="_blank">Alton Brown</a> has a recipe, and as always, his incredibly scientific recipes are written with both volume and weight measurements. The recipe calls for 12 egg whites. For 4 egg whites, I can easily divide the recipe by 3 and make a third of an angel food cake; for 6 egg whites, half of a cake; for 8 egg whites, two thirds of a cake. You get the picture.<br />
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Dustin's birthday was last week. Although busy and tired with our beautiful newborn, Dustin agreed to watch her for a few extra hours the day before his birthday so I could prepare food for a birthday brunch with a bunch of our friends and their kids.<br />
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The brunch menu consisted of all make-ahead food: <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2010/02/say-you-love-crepes.html" target="_blank">crepes with fruit and yogurt</a>,<a href="http://www.justonedonna.com/2011/04/healthy-blueberry-yogurt-muffins.html" target="_blank"> low fat blueberry muffins</a>, and my favourite brunch item: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/overnight-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Alton Brown's Overnight Cinnamon Rolls</a>. They are made the day before, stored in the fridge until the next morning, then proofed and baked so they are fresh. They are fantastic. Stop what you are doing and go make some. Now.<br />
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Oh. Right. Back to the egg whites. The (fantastic) cinnamon bun recipe calls for 4 egg yolks. I doubled the recipe, and was therefore left with 8 egg whites. Time to make a two thirds of a cake!<br />
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I love angel food cake. Sugary, light and fluffy, fat-free. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. For this two thirds of a cake, I decided to grate some lime zest into it. Alton has a version with cloves and cinnamon. Ina has a recipe with grated chocolate. Possibilities are endless. Just gently fold the flavouring into the light fluffy batter!<br />
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Here is the recipe in weight, rather than volume. If you don't have a scale, then shame on you. Pick one up at <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/8/KitchenBath/GadgetsAccessories/SpecialtyGadgets/PRD~0424076P/Starfrit+5-kg.+Digital+Scale.jsp?locale=en" target="_blank">Canadian Tire</a> for $10 and open up your cookbook library to great <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/" target="_blank">British</a> recipes!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>One third of an Angel Food Cake</u> </span>(adapted from <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Im-Just-Here-More-Food-Alton-Brown/9781584793410-item.html?ikwid=alton+brown&ikwsec=Home" target="_blank">Alton Brown's book, I'm Just Here for More Food</a>)<br />
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NOTE: This recipe has been scaled to use 4 egg whites and will make one third of a cake. 12 egg whites make a full sized cake in a regular sized tube pan.<br />
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131g sugar<br />
pinch of salt<br />
43g sifted cake flour<br />
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4 large egg whites (120g) at room temperature<br />
28g warm water<br />
1/2 tsp cream of tartar<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.<br />
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Combine the salt and cake flour with<b> half</b> of the sugar and set aside. If you are adding any additional flavourings (spices or grated zest) combine into the flour mixture.<br />
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Using the whisk attachment on an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, water, and cream of tartar until opaque. Slowly sift in the remaining sugar and beat until you get medium to stiff peaks.<br />
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Sift in enough of the flour mixture to dust the top of the foam. Fold in gently using a spatula. Repeat until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.<br />
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Carefully spoon the mixture into an ungreased tube pan. Bake for 15 - 20 mins for this 1/3 size cake, 25 minutes for 2/3 of a cake (8 egg whites) and 35 minutes for a full sized cake (12 egg whites). Check for doneness with a toothpick (or an uncooked spaghetti noodle).<br />
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Cool upside down on a cooling rack for an hour before removing from the pan.<br />
<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-10720255659278760602012-03-29T17:47:00.001-04:002012-03-29T17:47:19.974-04:00Baby sunhat attempt number 1I was chatting with my friend <a href="http://dirty-kitchen.blogspot.com">Jenn</a> and told her about the sunhat I was making for Lily. She was amazed. I was flattered. My sewing time is limited and I was determined to be a good parent and shield Lily's sensitive skin from the harsh rays of the sun.<br />
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Precious hours later, I tested out the almost-complete hat on Lily.<br />
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Too small. I panicked. Far too small. No! Precious hours wasted!<br />
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While watching some fabulous figure skating this afternoon (yay Scott and Tessa!*) I practiced the art of seam ripping and at least salvaged the ruffled brim of the sunhat. I am determined to make this work (and earn Jenn's praise)!!! I'll let you know if/when I figure this out...<br />
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* My apologies for the spoiler, but honestly, none of you watch figure skating. I know it. I bet you want to tell me all about how your grandparents love it, though.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-37120925747854898942012-03-22T15:32:00.001-04:002012-03-29T17:52:10.168-04:00Post pregnancy Marilyn Monroe dressThey call it the 4th trimester: the first three months after giving birth. I'm not sure why I didn't think it through, but for some reason I thought that after the baby was out, my belly would disappear. I had brought my favourite comfy clothes to the hospital only to find out that it was still incredibly tight at the waist as it takes several days for the uterus to shrink and for the belly to disappear. Silly me.<br />
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For the first month after Lily was born, I was still wearing my maternity pants, maternity jackets, and cardigans that didn't need to be buttoned up. Slowly, I was able to start zipping up my sweatshirts and wearing my old sweatpants. Slowly, I pulled out my old jackets for this springy weather. Slowly, I started to shed the baby weight.<br />
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Although this gradual reunion with my old wardrobe was exciting, I was not confident that I would be able to fit into a dress in time for my cousin's wedding. (Congrats Tiff and John!!!) The wedding was this past weekend, a little over a month after Lily's birth.<br />
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I took advantage of Lily's more sleepy days in the first couple weeks (and the extra adrenaline I had pumping through me) and sewed a dress from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Famous-Frocks-Patterns-Instructions-Fabulous/dp/0811877914/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332432958&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Famous Frocks</a> that my (soon-to-be) sister in law bought me for Christmas. The book is a collection of iconic silhouettes from famous 20th century stars. From Audrey Hepburn to Twiggy. Jackie Kennedy to Madonna.<br />
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I decided to make the famous Marilyn Monroe dress, but with criss-cross straps rather than an open back.<br />
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The pattern was simple, and I was able to easily tailor to my odd post-pregnancy shape (medium chest, large waist, still no hips or butt...) I also had the perfect fabric in my fabric stash: a shimmery stretch jersey in a rich merlot-wine colour.<br />
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I worked on the dress for maybe an hour every day for two weeks: whenever Lily was down for a nap and I just didn't have it in me to nap while she napped. After about two weeks, Lily decided her crib was not nearly as comfy as napping in our arms so the sewing came to an abrupt stop. I had finished everything except the hem, and the straps on the back. Since I had used a jersey fabric (which doesn't fray) I just left the hem as-is and pinned the straps on with safety pins!<br />
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The dress turned out great. It ended up being just a bit loose; I probably lost a bit of weight in my chest/back since my initial fitting, but I just pinned the straps a little tighter. (Photo cred to my cousin Kev.)<br />
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Lily also had her own custom made dress. No, I'm not crazy and didn't also try to sew Lily a dress at the same time. My friend Danielle, from <a href="http://beadmarket.ca/">beadmarket.ca</a>, sewed Lily a dress intended for this summer, but it was just too cute that I wanted her to wear it for the wedding. I sewed a quick belt to tighten the dress a bit and added some red tights to complete her look. Unfortunately (or fortunately) she was asleep in her carseat for most of the wedding and didn't get to show off the dress until the end of the night. I didn't get a great picture of her wearing the dress, but you can still tell she was cuuuute in that outfit!<br />
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<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-78694172326412363142012-03-05T19:44:00.001-05:002012-03-05T19:44:27.244-05:00Roasted Fennel and Tomato: two waysBefore Lily was born, I had bought a bulb of fennel from the grocery store hoping to whip up a delicious fennel salad. It's honestly one of my favourite salads. Thinly sliced fennel with olive oil, salt and pepper. Simple. Delicious.<br />
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But Lily was born early. And my mom came to visit shortly after. And Mom doesn't approve of eating too many raw veggies. It sounds ridiculous, but it's a very common practice in traditional Chinese medicine. I actually googled this to be sure, and found <a href="http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/a/Raw_Foods.htm">this article</a> that supports all the craziness my mom has been teaching us all these years. It's all about energy, and finding a balance between the cold and the hot energies. The optimal state is different from person to person, but my mother likes to err on the side of keeping oneself on the 'warm' side. Raw vegetables contribute to the cold energies, and while we're in the middle of winter, and I've just gone through a gruelling childbirth, 'cold energy' is the last thing I need.<br />
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And so, with my mother's kind reminders to stay away from raw vegetables and icy cold water, I decided to forgo the raw fennel salad.<br />
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My next favourite fennel recipe comes from <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2010/10/avoca-poshness.html">another fantastic Avoca cookbook</a>: Avoca Soups (again, courtesy of my friend Rebecca!)<br />
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There is a roasted fennel and tomato soup recipe that is so easy, and so delicious. Roasted fennel + sauteed onions + 1 can of diced tomatoes + chicken or vegetable stock. Simmered together and blended until smooth. I love making it early in the day so we can have the soup for lunch, and then use it as a delicious sauce for dinner.<br /><br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WH6lx_YeaFUX3Nr-Ip0q4NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ubOO7Hwtlwc/T06QwU-hMFI/AAAAAAAAGEM/q0hCbAJ91aY/s800/IMG_2137.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
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I've used it as a quick pasta sauce, but this time, I used it for my cabbage rolls. Cabbage rolls freeze really well, so I always make extra rolls that are fully cooked and store them in the freezer. I slightly defrosted a serving and then added the rest of the leftover roasted fennel and tomato soup. I also added about an extra cup of chicken stock so the sauce wouldn't thicken or dry up too much.<br />
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After 40 minutes of simmering on the stove, the cabbage rolls were deliciously soft and absorbed some of the fantastic fennel and tomato flavour. I love when one recipe does double duty! And I bet my mom is proud that I didn't just chop up the fennel and eat it raw.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-53864948925466752892012-02-29T15:47:00.002-05:002012-02-29T15:50:57.396-05:00The 20-minute bib tutorialHere's an easy peasy tutorial to make a small baby bib that takes no more than 20 minutes! This really is a perfect crafty baby gift.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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For the pdf version, <a href="http://dunwell.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/20-minute-bib.pdf">click here</a> (thanks wordpress!).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The 20-minute Bib</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tutorial by Kelly Dunwell</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">done-well.blogspot.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> For home-use only</span></div>
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Materials:<br />
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Front fabric (at least 9” x 12”)<br />
Back fabric (at least 9” x 12”)<br />
Batting (at least 9” x 12”) - optional<br />
1 set of snaps or Velcro<br />
Fabric Scissors<br />
Straight Pins<br />
Matching thread<br />
<a href="http://dunwell.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/bib-pattern.pdf">Bib template</a><br />
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Instructions:<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cut out the two pieces of the <a href="http://dunwell.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/bib-pattern.pdf">bib template</a> and tape together at dotted line.<br />
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2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Using the template, pin and cut 1 pattern piece of the front fabric, 1 of the back fabric and 1 of the batting (if using). To save time, you can cut all three at once if you are careful to pin and cut through all three layers.<br />
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3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Place the front and back pieces good sides together; it doesn’t matter which is on top.<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wZTU83sbR0ip08T-iZQqYka3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n5GgOhiVW48/T06K4EFs6FI/AAAAAAAAGCc/-XqSVpSu-38/s400/IMG_2089.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a>
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4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If using a middle batting layer, place the batting piece on top of the wrong side of either the front or back piece.</div>
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5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pin around all sides but leave a 3” gap at the very bottom. I like to mark it off with pins so I don’t forget to leave the gap when I’m sewing. </div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mAAmBMwJwjWMtZ_AKX_Aoka3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7SXEw1bt0gg/T06K6tGsCwI/AAAAAAAAGDM/rEBX-N3VwcY/s800/2012-02-071.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></center>
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6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Starting just to the left of the gap, sew all around the bib using a ¼” seam allowance. To help pivot around the curves, leave the needle in the down position, pick up the presser foot and pivot the fabric. You can do that several times to get a nice curve. Backstitch at each end.</div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qPPI0V4GPD4TfIA3HQ4p-Ea3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-keH1bv_pf68/T06K69xzaMI/AAAAAAAAGDY/m59TlbKdbVo/s800/2012-02-072.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trim along the tight curves of the bib straps. Cut notches in the neckline. Be careful not to cut through your stitching.</div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tue-qt2br98yEn_nM7Qmgka3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jf9Pgg8aXjE/T06K7LKV9oI/AAAAAAAAGDc/mcauZFzZS1s/s800/2012-02-073.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Working from the strap ends first, flip the bib inside out. At the gap, carefully fold the fabric inwards and pin shut. (Unlike my picture, you should point the pin to the right side to make it easier to unpin when sewing.)</div>
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9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Press all edges with the iron. Edgestitch around the entire bib, including the gap that you pinned shut. Backstitch at each end.</div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AA5IFnTmM8oIh8Xeax1mm0a3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-032A_6-E7XA/T06K76stT_I/AAAAAAAAGDs/4HQDL-tR9I4/s800/2012-02-075.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Attach your favourite snaps or Velcro of choice to the bib straps. I used sew-on snaps. Make sure you attach one half of the snap or Velcro to the front side of the bib, and the other on the back side of the bib.</div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uZ99KIxViqhSWDupz1Esb0a3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zSKKZo5FKq8/T06K5XHl7hI/AAAAAAAAGCs/XpRlbwkq3ko/s400/IMG_2109.JPG" height="246" width="400" /></a></center>
You’re done! This basic, reversible bib takes only 20 minutes to sew, and you can modify to make it fancier if you want! </div>
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ibVE0GGRRx9kGpviuajwG0a3onAfk_0Zn7syEmLx-xk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Uz9i_efwXHg/T06K5pyl7LI/AAAAAAAAGC0/n4Tboxt3sz0/s800/IMG_2112.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></center>
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To make <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/02/patchwork-bibs-and-baby-shoes.html">a patchwork bib</a>, sew together smaller scraps of fabric until you have a piece that is 9” x 12”. Give it a nice press with the iron. Continue with the above instructions.</div>
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To add piping or a lace fringe, sandwich the trim between the front and back fabrics in step 3 and pin with the raw edges lined up (fringe side facing the inside of the bib). Make sure to place the pins perpendicular to the fabric so you can still place the batting layer on top without covering the pins.</div>
</div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-1395264897599413812012-02-23T22:23:00.000-05:002012-02-23T22:54:49.319-05:00Patchwork bibs and baby shoes<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hEbRFznlIuPJuhmpNdeNZNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ET5UCbDkapg/T0b8_Np_IUI/AAAAAAAAGCI/3o8g0Ba7fbA/s800/IMG_2056.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></center>
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I wish I had time to make handmade baby gifts for all my friends that are expecting new babies. Ideally, I would work on a beautiful elaborate quilt (like <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2011/04/sunbonnet-stella.html">the Sunbonnet Sue</a> quilt that I made for baby Stella) to match such a monumental addition to the family.<br />
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Almost as cool as a personalized quilt, I found <a href="http://www.ithinksew.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pgProductID_int=51">this super cute pattern for baby shoes</a>. I know, newborns rarely need to wear shoes, but <a href="http://ithinksew.com">ithinksew.com</a> has such amazing baby shoe patterns: like <a href="http://www.ithinksew.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pgProductID_int=93">this bootie</a>, or <a href="http://www.ithinksew.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pgProductID_int=35">these mary janes</a>. I decided to go simple and do a basic "sneaker" for Magda's baby. A gender neutral green with a padded olive green sole.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IFDsovDy1Fc7p7umDV81t9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h1XW2qVqcHc/T0b89JNNi7I/AAAAAAAAGBo/LiLgUcRh9ik/s800/Search%2520results%2520for%2520bib.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a>
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The shoes were relatively easy to sew. The last "flip inside out" was a little difficult, mostly because the shoes were so small! The next time I make them I will probably pick a fabric that has a bit of stretch to it for the sole. It will make it much easier to flip inside out.<br />
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To match the shoes, I sewed some baby bibs. I scoured the internet for a simple baby bib pattern, and didn't really find one that I liked. There are lots of fancy bib patterns (like <a href="http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/05/bapron-tutorial.html">the pattern Jenn used</a> for the super adorable <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/01/handmade-baby-gifts.html">baby aprons she made me</a>). But I wanted uber simple. So I just made it up myself. I'm actually going to post a tutorial on how to make the 20-minute bib. Stay tuned on that. Anyone can make one. Uber simple.<br />
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The bibs I made were pieced together with various green, brown, and blue fabrics. I don't have a lot of gender neutral fabrics, so patchwork-style worked perfectly to use up some of my smaller scraps. The other side of the bib is a soft flannel. <br />
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Lastly, I made a basic rectangular burping cloth. Two pieces of grey flannel with an organic cotton batting in between. I bound it with one of the bib fabrics and then did a little bit of machine quilting to keep the cotton from bunching up when washed.<br /><br />
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I love how the three parts came together to make a nice "gift set". I have a few more friends that are expecting babies soon, so hopefully I can whip up a few more of these simple hand-crafted baby gifts!
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pQXKlYuPGWKOCqndnSmUVNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mw2mUiEX2wM/T0b8-s8I1LI/AAAAAAAAGCA/P3DZU8Ix984/s800/IMG_2052.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-14280093566409191162012-02-16T17:43:00.000-05:002012-02-16T17:43:07.520-05:00Hats off to Lily!Lily Marilla Dunwell was born on February 9th at 3:30pm weighing 6 lb 13 oz!<br />
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Her name is a nod to heroic characters in <a href="http://www.jkrowling.com/en/">J. K. Rowling</a> and <a href="http://www.uxbridge.com/people/maud.html">L. M. Montgomery</a>'s famous stories of <a href="http://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/">wizardry</a> and <a href="http://www.anneofgreengables.com/">imagination</a>.<br />
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Lily was actually born a few days before her due date (in true Kelly-style: "arriving early with lots of time to compensate for unplanned events") and I have several partial blog posts that are ready to be finished up and shared with you!<br />
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I had made a conservative sewing "to-do" list for the expected arrival of Lily, and I managed to finish every single one of them (including her recently completed <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/02/houndstooth-baby-quilt.html">houndstooth quilt</a>.) I didn't plan to make any clothing for Lily, as our generous friends and family have showered her with plenty of this season's latest and greatest fashions. I did, however, notice that all the hats we received were quite large, including the one that we registered for (What was I thinking? 6-9 months baby hat? For the summer months??).<br />
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I found a blog post on Made by Rae where <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/08/my-old-jcrew-shirt-newborn-hat-and-pants/">Rae makes a newborn hat out of an old T-shirt</a>. She used a <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=9855809dc732f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default">template from Martha Stewart</a> and modified it slightly. I also modified slightly (the tutorial on Martha Stewart's site is dismal) and made the hat out of flannel.<br />
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I scaled<a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/woolengifts_hat.pdf"> the pattern</a> so the length of the hat from front to back was about 7 inches and I used two different fabrics for the outside and inside so that it was reversible. It turned out so great and took such little time that I whipped up another one for my friend Magda. I thought about doing a step-by-step tutorial for this hat, so if anyone is interested, please leave a comment and I'll see what I can do!<br />
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Magda's baby isn't due for another few weeks but hopefully we'll get the babies modelling both hats at some point!
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</center>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-33195281406097864542012-02-07T23:58:00.001-05:002012-02-07T23:59:43.900-05:00Houndstooth baby quilt<a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/">Vanessa Chistenson</a> has a wonderful blog filled with tutorials and patterns (like<a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2011/12/fabric-ornaments.html"> the fabric ornaments I made in December</a>). When I saw her <a href="http://vandco.bigcartel.com/product/houndstooth-quilt-pdf-pattern">houndstooth quilt pattern</a>, I was in love. I had promised Dustin not too much pink for baby's room, so I thought a chic dark-brown and beige houndstooth quilt would be perfect: a simple design to complement <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/01/houses-baby-comforter.html">the "houses!" baby comforter</a>.<br />
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This is the first quilt that I've made that has required only two fabrics. I could have easily picked two Kona Solids and called it a day, but what's the fun in that? For the dark brown, I chose a Kona Solid in espresso, but for the beige, I chose a mostly cream fabric with tiny little stars (<a href="http://www.lecien.co.jp/en/hobby/scandinavian/index.html">Scandinavian Christmas collection by Lynette Anderson</a>). The stars are subtle, but if you look closely, they're there! There was a lot of repetitive cutting and piecing. It's sometimes refreshing to be on autopilot and just go, go, go: I never had to stop and decide what fabric to use next.<br />
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When it came time to pick a fabric for the backing, <a href="http://theworkroom.ca/">the workroom</a> had just received the <a href="http://www.stitchinpost.com/vals-karavan.html">Karavan collection by Valori Wells</a>, including the beautiful elephant fabric <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theworkroom/6678992405/in/set-72157615075722779">Marrakech in Blossom pink</a>. The print is quite large and worked incredibly well as the quilt backing. I also decided to do some more free-motion machine quilting since it went quite well on <a href="http://done-well.blogspot.com/2012/01/hunger-games-quilt.html">The Hunger Games quilt</a>. I did a meandering pattern in cream thread (beginner's tip: always match your bobbin thread to your top thread in case your tension isn't the same!)<br />
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I really love how this quilt turned out. It will be perfect for play time on the floor, learning to roll over, tummy time, something to throw up on... Lots of memories await!<br />
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<br />Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573437505116198798.post-13520708033831639642012-01-31T22:31:00.002-05:002012-01-31T22:31:55.693-05:00Handmade baby giftsWe're so fortunate to have such generous friends. Since we've announced our baby-on-the-way, our friends and family have been offering their used items (we're ALL about the hand-me-downs!), showering us with amazing gifts, contributing to our reusable diaper fund, and taking the time to give us invaluable advice. Thanks everyone!<br />
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I'm especially impressed by our friends who have taken the time to make a gift by hand. I know how time consuming it is to hand-make gifts, so the least I could do is highlight the talent in a blog post!<br />
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Our friend Ange used to live with us, and when her friend was expecting a baby girl last year I saw her spend countless nights in front of the tv crocheting a beautiful blanket for the baby. I was thrilled to receive a crocheted blanket of my own, in beautiful shades of raspberry and pale pink.<br />
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Our Ottawa friend, and fellow blogger, <a href="http://effwords.wordpress.com/">Krystle</a> is also a crochet genius. Her<a href="http://effwords.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/say-hello-to-my-little-friends-the-best-brunch-dish-ever/#more-142"> previous works of art</a> include a baby bunny rattle, and little baby booties. I was floored when I saw the intricate baby blanket that she crocheted for me with alternating squares of bears and flowers. (Read more about her creation <a href="http://effwords.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/quilt-trip/#more-195">here</a>.) I love that I received two crocheted blankets that are so different and complementary.<br />
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And of course, dear friend <a href="http://dirty-kitchen.blogspot.com/">Jenn</a> also crafted me something for baby. <a href="http://dirty-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/12/babes-in-to-land.html">She sewed me the cutest little baby bibs</a> (so cute and chic that they are in fact "baby aprons").<br />
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Thanks to everyone for all your generosity (handmade or otherwise!) I only hope to be able to return the favour one day!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184659699489379471noreply@blogger.com1