The paint was starting to chip off my of eyeglasses' frame and since they were dark, it was quite visible (though you can't really see it in the before shot)... I can't afford a new pair and still have to wait another year for insurance to cover them. Soooo....

I decided to paint them!!! I bought a can of speckle spray paint and gave them a few coats. Unfortunately, the paint wouldn't stick - it just peeled off. Of course, once I'd peeled of the paint, the glasses were in even worse shape than before. Soooo....

I decided to mod-podge them!!! This time, I scratched the frames up quite a bit before starting. I used scrapbooking paper and mod-podge glue to cover them up and then sealed it with clear nail-polish. I think they turned out quite well... considering I couldn't really see what I was doing

A few close-ups:

      

Here's what they looked like before:

Let me know what you think!

This was my first time working a lattice motif, but I must admit I'm quite proud of the result! I totally invented the pattern. It's worked in one piece, belt and all, so there was no sewing/joining to do (except to close the bottom). It's just the perfect size to fit my monkey wallet and all my keys.

Thanks for looking!

After spilling a gallon of water on my computer last winter, I had yet to mourn over its loss... since I couldn't get myself to let go, I finally decided to take the keyboard apart. I've had this wallet tute on my Wists for ages and I finally had a chance to try it out.

I must say I love it! It was so easy to make!!! I followed the instructions exactly, the only difference is that I chose to add a coin pocket (with a flap).

See how incredibly thin it is?

The wonderful tutorial was posted here, by Ryan McFarland. There are both illustrated and video instructions.

[Here she be... the GALLERY !]

Here she be... the GALLERY !

Swap name: Stitch Marker Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: Burgz
Sign-up date range: May 17th - June 4th
Date to send item by: July 12th

Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): 24

Restricted to people who all live in the same country? NO
If so, which country?

Additional Age requirement? NO

Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions:
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide: YES
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: YES
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: YES
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: YES
- Is at least 18 years old: YES

Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: YES
- Has posted at least 15 times: YES
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: YES
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps: YES
- Does not have any negative feedback: YES
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 16 years old: YES
- If within the US, understands that Delivery Confirmation number is required for this swap: YES
- If outside the US, understands that a mailing receipt copy is required for this swap: YES

Details of swap:
If you're like me, you never have too many stitch markers... either because you're working on tons of projects at once, you're always misplacing them, or just because stitch markers are just plain useful!

This is a group swap so everyone will be set up in a group of 6. Each participant must send 10 stitch markers (at least half of which must be crafted) to each member of the group, for a total of 50 markers. I've decided to keep this low stress, so we'll have 5 weeks of crafting time.

Packages should be small, reducing shipping costs significantly... this is your chance to send international if you want!

The goal of this swap is to have fun To do so, good communication is essential. It would be greatly appreciated if you dropped a word once in a while to let us know you're okay and still crafting away, or to advise us if you'll be away from the computer for a while!

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ _____

If you want to participate, information to send to organizer (via private message):

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap -
Craftster username -
Email address -
Your real name -
Mailing address including the country -
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country?
Confirm that are at least 16 years old or, if not, that you have moderator approval(YES/NO) -
In the even that we have an uneven number of swappers, would you be willing to be part of a larger group?
A smaller group?

You will PM the organizer & partner once you've sent?
You will PM the organizer & partner when you receive?
If something happens and you cannot send, or will be sending late, you are aware that you must  PM the organizer & each of your partners as soon as possible?
Do you own/have access to a camera to post pictures of what you have received?
If not, you will ask your partners to take pictures prior to sending?
Are you familiar with the Swap Info Guide and agree to the follow its rules about participating in a swap?

Do you knit or crochet, or both?
Do you have a specific type of marker that you particularly like (ring, opening, slide on, etc)?
Is there a particular crafted (ex. shrink plastic, beaded, macramé, polymer clay, etc) marker you would LOVE to receive?
What related crafts can you do?

What are your favourite colours?
Are there any colours you don't like?

Are there any allergens in your home (pets, smoke, etc.)?
Do you have allergies?

Give a brief bio so your partners can get to know you (ex. interests, themes, patterns/motifs, pet peeves, etc.)
Is there anything you would like your partners to know?
Do you have a Wists, blog, or other website that may help your partners "get" you?


IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ _____

Yay for our...APPROVED SWAPPERS:
1 )    Burgz
2 )    holistic knitter
3 )    styupe
4 )    Michela
5 )    RazorBladeSmile
6 )    emerri
7 )    dustyfro
8 )    Slingmomma
9 )    panda
10 )  koalascout
11 )  WhiteSheep
12 )  ozarkcat

Here are your groups!

Group 1:
- Michela
- styupe
- dustyfro
- koalascout
- RazorBladeSmile
- ozarkcat

Group 2:
- holistic knitter
- emerri
- Slingmomma
- panda
- Whitesheep
- Burgz

*Since group 2 is smaller, they will be crafting 12 stitch markers for each partner instead of 10.
We've now got two even groups!!!

I received my wonderful kit from icebyrd!

She sent everything I need to make myself a skirt:

• a great, detailed tutorial
• blue & yellow fabric
• matching thread (yellow)
• matching embroidery thread (green)
• interfacing
• an elastic band
• a safety pin
• a seam ripper
• a retractable tape measure
• finally, some pretty pins

She also made me a skirt as a sample, it's a little wrinkled from travelling to its new home, but it fits perfectly!!!

I'm excited to make my own!
Thank you icebyrd, I appreciate all the effort you put into this kit!!!!

[purple]

Here is my package from Lunanne, she went with my "purple" theme (though the pictures  don't do the colours justice)!

This is what came out of the box:
2 MYBs, 3 skeins of grey/white yarn, Post-its with my initial, recipe cards, and a couple envelopes.

The (cat-approved) content of one MYB:
amethyst necklace & earrings (I love amethysts), beaded ankle bracelet, stitch markers, a notebook (which she actually made ), MP3 player case, a gorgeous reusable bag, beads, zipper, ribbon, jewellery cord, seam ripper, vintage stamps, embroidery thread

Contents of 2nd MYB:
metal bookmark, adjustable ring, bracelet, prism, fabric, ribbon, beads (not in picture), lip balm, sewing scissors, chopsticks, mini alarm clock (so cute!), embroidery thread

She sent two! patterns:
a summer hat (grey yarn) and nesting bowls (purple yarns)

All the crafted items:
minus the prism, which was already hanging in my window

The other goodies:

Finally, everything together:
with an attention hungry cat holding the stamps and beads hostage

Thank you Lunanne, I had so much fun swapping with you!!!

[Thanks madgrin - I love it all and I had a blast doing this swap!!!]

Just received the awesom-est package from madgrin!!! Will post pics later...

I usually come home for lunch, so there I was, eating the first onigri I've ever made (or eaten), when the phone rings - it was the postman with a package!!! Had I not come home, I would have missed him and would have had to wait another day or two before being spoiled rotten Sorry about the picture quality, I was hoping to get home earlier so I could take them in the daylight, but it didn't work out that way.

First of all, here's the coolest 3-tier bento box (from my wists?) which I adore, along with a card and a book for writing recipes (inside is one of madgrin's favourite recipes):

Loads of goodies - chocolates, gum, and sesame seeds; there was also a package of edamame seeds for my garden this summer:

Onigri moulds, little sauce bottles, silicone cups (matching the lunch box), along with some furikake (which I've been unable to find around here):

Cute edamame chopstick rests:

Sadly, the chopsticks arrived broken but they are fixeable. I temporarily put one back together like I think they were supposed to be (correct me if I'm wrong madgrin) and a closeup of the notebook:

Thanks madgrin - I love it all and I had a blast doing this swap!!!

[Thanks for looking]

In my quest for the perfect wallet (not too bulky, organized, easy access to everything, contains lots of stuff), I decided to finally make my own. My seamstress skills are very minimal and I could not find a pattern which would a) be clear enough for me to follow and b) suited my wallet needs. Soooo... I created my pattern, which I must say, I'm rather proud of!

Usually, the most complicated part (for me) of a pattern is all the cutting and measuring, so my wallet is basically two rectangles (that includes the lining), plus a tiny one for the tab; the rest is just folding and sewing.

Here it is:

The inside:

Coin pouch - the black Velcro is temporary, I plan on changing it to 1 long white strip:

Pocket - perfect for receipts and coupons:

Empty (click on thumbnails for bigger image):

Contents during pictures (click on thumbnails for bigger image) - 9 cards, tons of coupons, bills and some loose change:

Hope you like it! Any critisism, comments and suggestions are very welcome and appreciated.

Thanks for looking

[this]

How can you make your kids eat carrots and tofu for dessert, with very little sugar?

I tried this smoothie recipe, with a few modifications (see below) but could not get used to the texture soooo... I added in a few eggs, poured into frozen tart shells, and popped these babies in my toaster oven.

Tadam!



Here's what I used:
4-5 chunks frozen mango
2 large carrots, grated
1/2 (8 ounce) package extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons molasses
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup skim milk

3 eggs
12 frozen tart shells
Bake at 375F.

The texture and taste turned out perfect!

Okay, so pie crust is not very healthy (esp. commercial) but you could always make a healthier crust with whole wheat flour or nut-based, but the practicality of the frozen tart shells is awesome, only a blender jar to wash up.

Not sure you could do this with any smoothie recipe - but you could always try (if you do, I'd love to know the results)!

Enjoy

I've finally received from Mizell and I was really spoiled!

A giant hat that I can wear many ways with its matching neckwarmer (they are incredibly soft):

And a spring hat (love the colour combo) with its inspector - will try to get an action shot when my camera's come back to life:

Notice how little snow we have...

Thanks Mizell