^Great idea! Thank you!

Thanks! Yeah I wondered if it'd be possible to replace the glass...but we'll see what it can withstand first.

Haven't posted in awhile but it's summer and I've had a lot of time.

Last month I came across a set of windows at a yard sale, for FREE! Even though I had nothing in particular in mind to do with them, I couldn't pass them up.

So, I'm moving into a new apartment in a week, and this apartment, being a serious upgrade from my old apartment, actually has room for a coffee table (i.e., NOT A STUDIO!). But that doesn't mean I have the budget for anything besides an 80's thrift store monstrosity. Yes, there are diamonds in the rough, but I didn't feel like looking. I've spent enough time at thrift stores lately as it is.

After seeing this blog post (http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/08/before-after-renees-door-turned-table.html), inspiration struck. I decided I could part with an old Target stool that could be taken apart. It had two holes in each leg already, and so I figured out what size I needed and went to the hardware store.

I got 8 carriage bolts, 1/4" diameter and 2.5" long, and 8 nuts. They only had the chrome finish, or else I would've gotten copper or brass. Oh well. I think it looks industrial.

So basically I just drilled corresponding holes in the window to match up with the ones that were already on the stool/table legs, making sure to drill on the side of the window that I wanted to be facing up (it looks neater). From there it was just simple assembly: bolt, window, leg, nut, and then a good tighten.

I like it! Unfortunately, it wil be somewhat delicate...drinks only! It's only a single pane window and therefore not meant to hold stacks of books or anything. But as long as we don't use it as a footrest too often, I think it'll be okay.



(Cell phone pictures are ugly...sorry!)

^ YES! So good. Another patty that I eat without a bun because it functions in a meal as a cut of meat would.

Morningstar has these (new, I think?) rice & veggie "cakes", or patties, and they rule. They're pretty small (and they're not a burger substitute, so no bun), so you could eat two and a small side and have a very filling meal. We ate the ginger teriyaki flavor tonight, and it tasted like a fried rice patty, only more flavorful and with big chunks of edamame and bell peppers and carrots. Very, very tasty. They're expensive, of course ($5 for 4), but it seems like that's the reality for any truly tasty vegetarian entree. And no processed soy. Don't get me wrong -- I eat tofu and fake meat all the time, but it's nice to find something that tastes good without any meat flavors at all.

Yeah I've had some mushy veggie dogs in my day and the only method I ever use is boiling. But, I've learned that they overcook VERY easily. You want to follow the directions on the package to a T if you choose to boil them. Don't give up because it probably isn't the veggie dog -- they definitely take WAY less time than a regular hot dog.

I second the suggestion of TJ's veggie masala burgers. So good, even without a bun or anything. They're pretty spicy and the texture is much softer than meat imitation burgers since I think they're potato-based, but they're definitely tasty.

Also, TJ's vegan vegetable fried rice is really good too! Not many calories either.

I would really like to make my friend "Breakfast Club" in a box, but I am having a lot of trouble coming up with things to put in the box. If any of you have any ideas I would really appreciate it.

You mean the movie? Pixie sticks, Brian's social security card, pages ripped out of a book, girly makeup, a "diamond" earring, a teal tank top (haha), a flare gun! ...some pot?

I'm also going to try stenciling with printer paper to make him a shirt. I was wondering how fool-proof it is because I ordered him a nice american apparel shirt to print it on, and I do NOT want to mess it up because it was spendy. SHould i try it first on a throw-away shirt, or will I be safe if I follow directions?

I've been stenciling for years, and it took me months to get stenciling down...unfortunatel y, I think that's pretty normal. But, I have some tips.

1) Don't use printer paper; buy a roll of freezer paper, it should be with wax paper and foil and stuff at your grocery store. It's paper that's regular paper on one side, wax paper on the other. Tape your stencil to the regular paper side (or print right onto the freezer paper, if your printer can handle it), cut through both layers, and then iron the freezer paper onto your shirt, wax-side down. The wax will melt to the shirt, forming a very very good bond, but when you're done you just peel it off. These are, however, one-use.
2) Use acrylic paint mixed with textile medium. These paints should be in the same place at your craft store.
3) Yes, you should practice. You don't need to practice with a complicated design, but just cut out a few stars or hearts or something and practice with those. You'll need to figure out how much paint to use, and how to apply it, and that's the tricky part. Generally, try to cover the space in as little paint as possible to cover the whole thing fully (i.e., not too thin either or the shirt shows through). I recommend using using flat-topped stencil brushes or small sponge rollers (like you'd paint walls with, but waaaay smaller, and foam). Bleeding is hard to avoid, and it does take practice. But, trust me, freezer paper is THE BEST method for stenciling on fabric. If you use a roller, try to make sure you're not rolling against the paper...a little hard to explain, but if you're stenciling someone's face for example and you're starting at the top, roll downwards over their forehead towards the nose, not upwards the hairline. This helps avoid getting paint under the stencil.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to pm me. Stenciling to your own satisfaction can be pretty hard, but I've done a lot of it, so I've dealt with most problems!

a scarf or hat that has a light kit. (check instructables) you can knit it or use felt or polar fleece or just put a comic character or symbol like x men, bat man, or super man.

That's a great idea; only problem is, I can't knit and I don't have a sewing machine...or even know how to use one for that matter .