prudentlyprudent

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I am on Etsy!

Please see my Etsy store for art, crafts, etc. etc. :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/fynish?ref=l2-shop-info-name

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, without baking Soda!

So I am a vegetarian who is allergic to eggs, and prefers to drink almond milk (I stay a vegetarian because I love cheese too much!). Sometimes baking can be a bit of a hassle, and I often do not have the cupboards full of ingredients like Martha Stewart, so I often find myself using a lot of substitutes!

Here is a great recipe for Chocolate Chip cookies!

Ingredients

1/2 cup of vegan margarine

½ cup raw sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup of apple sauce (replaces egg)

½ tsp salt

1¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup of vegan chocolate chips (dark chocolate usually

coarse salt for sprinkling if desired

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Mix together the butter and the sugar until well combined.

Add the vanilla and the egg, and beat until combined.

Add the salt and then the flour in small amounts, mixing until well incorporated.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Scoop cookies onto cookie sheets. I use a large scoop that is just barely less than 1/4 cup of dough. Do not overcrowd them.

Sprinkle coarse salt on top of each, if desired. (you should. it brings the cookies up a level)

Bake at 350ºF for 8-12 minutes, until the edges are just set.

Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets.

makes 1 dozen large cookies

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Knitting!

So I started knitting! Stat tuned for posts on various beginners projects! Also- a friend of mine has started a similar blog, check her out at emseadee.blogspot.com :)

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DIY Owl Play Mat:

(Sorry for the lack of pictures)

Materials:

-1/2 metre of three different coloured fabrics of your choice

-1/4 metre of white fabric (for eyes)

- two buttons

-poly fill

-thread

- scissors

- sewing machine

What to do:

1. Create your pattern using pattern paper (or any regular paper). I used printer paper, taped it together and drew out my pattern. I made sure it was at least 3 feet long. Draw out the main out line and cut.

2. Take your main out line and choose the fabric you would like for the back. Cut out back.

3. Once the back is cut out, you can use the main outline pattern to cut out each of the other pieces. To ensure it was equal on either side, I folded the pattern and cut drew and measured out each piece, starting with the head and stomach, then I simply measured out the different swatches surrounding the stomach. 

4. Draw out your wings, eyes, and feet- you will need two identical fabric pieces for each.

5. Take your desired fabric and cut out each piece.

5. Pin and sew the pieces for the front together. 

6. Sew on eyes.

7. Sew feet and wings front and back pieces together leaving one part open for stuffing. Stuff and sew closed.

8. (Optional) take an old chip bag and wash thoroughly. Let dry. Cut out desired size to fill eyes. Take front and back of eyes, place chip bag on top, sew all three together leaving a space to flip fabric out. Once flipped out (so chip bag is inside and unseen, sew the open space.

9. Sew on eyes, with button centres (easier by hand).

10.Once you have your front pieces all sewn together, put right sides together and sew to the back piece. Leave space open where wings and feet will go as well as a space to stuff the bird (no pun intended). 

11. Place feet and wings in desired slots and sew together!

12. Stuff the head area first to desired firmness. (Optional)- sew along the outline of the head area to close the stuffed area and keep its firmness.

13. Stuff the remainder of the body. (Optional)- Sew around the outline of the stomach.

14. Close the open area for stuffing, and voila!

I understand the instructions are a little vague, please comment if you have any questions!

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Thrifty Frames:

I bought these frames at the dollar store for $1 each. Using some leftover paint I had around the house, I attempted to make them look better with a coat of paint. Once I let that dry I used some sandpaper lightly over the frame to give it a vintage look.  I found most of these images online printed them off on regular paper in black and white, and ta da. Turned out alright.

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DIY Sewing Machine Cover:

Supplies:

-Sewing Machine

- Thread

-Fabric

-Paper

- Decals (optional)

Steps:

1. Iron out your fabric.

2. Measure the height, and width at the top and bottom of your machine. Use these measurements to create a pattern that you will use to cut out the sides of the cover.

3. Fold your fabric over so you will cut two pieces at once. make sure to leave half an inch to an inch for the hem. I figured that I could use two panels for the sides, then have one continuous piece of fabric to go up the front, over and down the back. My machine is curvy. If you have an older, boxier machine, you could make the cover out of 5 separate square pieces.

4. Use the measurement of the perimeter of the shape (without the base) to cut the strip for the front/top/back of the cover. 

5.Sew the pieces together with a simple straight stitch with some matching thread.

6. Turn the cover right side out, and test it out before you hem. This is a good time to figure out the length. It's good for it to be just barely touching the table. Enough to keep dust out without looking baggy and messy. I needed to snip mine in a few places. Then iron the bottom folded inwards for a nice finished edge.  After that, one more quick straight stitch around the whole bottom to complete the hem.

7. Now if you want, add embellishments like bottons or lace to make it your own.

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DIY Hair Bow:

Supplies:

-Fabric

-Scissors

-Needle and thread

-Bobby Pin

Steps:

1. Cut a rectangular strip of your fabric; for large bow approximately 5 x10 in., for a medium bow approximately 4 x 8 in., for a miniature bow 3 x 6 in., or 2 x 4 in.

2. You will also want to cut out a smaller rectangle- this will be the centre of your bow. Usually 1 in., or 2 in. wide and make the length double the width.

3. Lay your rectangle fabric- side down. Lengthwise, fold one edge of the fabric in towards the centre. Fold the other side in so that the two meet in the middle and iron the folds. 

4. Take the short ends of the rectangle and fold them in so they meet in the middle- make sure they overlap slightly. 

5. Take the smaller rectangle with the fabric side down, and lengthwise fold each side to meet in the middle. Iron the folds. This will give the appearance of a nice finished edge.

6. Thread your needle and create a stitch at the edge of your smaller rectangle. Find the middle of you folded larger rectangle and sew the edge of the smaller rectangle to the centre of the larger rectangle. 

7. Pinch the bow in the middle- creating an accordion style fold. Wrap the smaller rectangle around the centre of the larger rectangle creating the bow. Continue your stitch around the edges of the bow centre.leaving a small space in the middle to fit the bobby pin.

8. Put the bobby pin through the back, and voila!

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How to paint laminate furniture:

1. Wash furniture down with an all purpose cleaner and make sure it is dry before priming. 

2. Use an all surface bond primer like this Zinsser 946 ml can for only $11.99. I used rollers purchased at the Great Canadian Dollar Store for $1.25. For this particular shelf I used two coats of the primer because the dark wood colour still shot through.

3. Let dry over night.

4. Once primed, you can add the colour! I used the Behr Premium Plus Sample Size for only $4.99. I painted two coats and still had paint left over. No need to waste your money on a larger can. I used the matte sample, but if I were to do it again I would use one with a gloss (easier to clean).

5. Let dry, and voila!

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The timid man calls himself cautious, the sordid man thrifty.

Publilius Syrus