The Fickle Hobbyist

Archive for February, 2010

What happens when 15 crazy women, who just happen to be reps for one of the most fabulously sexy lifestyle companies in America, get together in Las Vegas for the weekend?  Well, that’s for me to know, and you to never find out. 

This weekend I will be attending E.D.G.E. (explore, discover, grow, earn) Leadership conference with Booty Parlor Parties.  I’ve been with Booty Parlor since February 21, 2008.  In that time I have promoted to the first Silver Leader in the company and maintain a team of 60+ women.  I’m looking forward to getting re-inspired and seeing what the company has in store for us Sexy Lifestyle Advisors this weekend.  They never disappoint! 

So obviously because I will be out of town (and KID FREE!) I will likely not be updating, unless I come on to give you a snippit of what we’ve been up to.  (or maybe I’ll post a picture of me and some Chippendales or something!  haha)  I hope y’all have a great weekend.  I’ve got a bunch of great projects to share with you when I get back!

-Autumn

My SIL just had a baby not too long ago so I’ve been trying to come up with some projects to make for her and baby Jaxson. I made a couple of the easy applique onesies (but I actually sewed along the seems on those).  I am still thinking of making some matching burp cloths and a diaper wipe container, but I haven’t yet had a chance to start those.  Instead, I wanted to make something that was really quick but cute.

I was at the good ole Goodwill a couple weeks ago and found a brand new copy of “Are You My Mother”.  If you’re a parent you likely own this book.  It’s one of my girls’ favorites.  It was only $.50 so I snatched it up.  I had had the idea in the back of my mind that I would turn a children’s book into a clock for a while now, so this was going to be the perfect one.

I ran over to Michael’s and picked up the clock kit and spent about 5 minutes and made this.

Here’s what you’ll need.  I also used a drill, but I didn’t take a picture of it because I went out into the garage to use it. 

First, you’ll want to glue the sides of your book together.  I just did a dot of glue here and there as opposed to running glue all along all the sides.  It doesn’t take that much.  Alternatively, if you plan on opening the book up and displaying it that way, skip this step.

Then, figure out where you want your clock face to go and mark the center.  You’re going to want to have a rather tight fit for the clock to fit into, so what I did was take the nut off the clock hardware and fit it around various drill bits to find the one that was about the right size.  When you’ve got that, drill a hole and screw in the base of the click from the back through the front and secure it with the nut.  (be sure to follow the directions on your clock because there is also a rubber washer and another piece that has to go in there.  Just layer yours in the order they say.) 

Then just finish up the minute, second, and hour hand and you’re good to go! 

I wanted a very simple look, so I didn’t even add numbers, but you can be super creative with this.  You could embellish the hands or the face of the book.  Just use your imagination. 

-Autumn

I had a hankering for brownies, but not chocolate ones.  I am not a huge chocolate fan.  I was thinking about making Blonde Brownies, but I was really wanting some with peanut butter in them.  I made something that really hit the spot.  These came out with a little bit of a crunch on top, and were very chewy on the inside.

Here’s what you’ll need:　

½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened ~ (margarine if making vegan)

¼ cup peanut butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar, packed

3 eggs (*or egg substitutes if making vegan)

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup chocolate syrup ~ optional

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.  In large bowl, mix butter and peanut butter.  Add sugars, beat well.  Add eggs, one at a time (or egg substitute), beating well after each addition.  Blend in vanilla.  Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; mix into peanut butter mixture, blending well.

Spread into prepared pan.  If you’d like to swirl chocolate syrup over the top, do so now.  Swirl with knife for marbled effect.  Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool completely in pan, cut into squares.

* egg substitutes ~ per egg¼ cup silken tofu per egg (so, ¾ cup)

Or you can use a flax substitute: 1 TBSP ground flaxseed + 3 TBSP water for each egg, mix well, let set a couple minutes until thick

Even if you are not vegan, or vegetarian, you may simply be watching your egg intake, trying to cut down on saturated fat, there may be any number of reasons you might want to use an egg substitute.  Sometimes, you just might not have eggs on hand (but, you probably wouldn’t just have some silken tofu laying around, either.  Flaxseeds, maybe).

Try these, I know you won’t be disappointed. Happy snacking!!

Tami’s Tip of the Week

If your houseplants overflow every time you water them, try dropping a few ice cubes on the soil instead.  They will melt slowly with no mess.  This is also a great tip for plants that are too high to reach easily with the watering can or for no-spill watering of Christmas trees.

Adding this to Remodelaholic’s Recipe Swap