All posts by peneloping

Garlicky sandwich spread

Noms

When we were living in San Francisco, Boyfriend introduced me to an absolutely nommilicious sandwich shop that quickly became a favorite. Sadly, I haven’t found anything remotely close to it over on the other coast. It’s something about the sandwich spread they use. Very garlicky, very delicious, but definitely not the place for a first date!

Anyway, we were missing home the other night so I decided to attempt to recreate these sandwiches.

Noms

I used a giant clove of garlic (it was seriously huge, probably about the size of 2-3 normal cloves), juice from half a lime, about a tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro, and enough olive oil to cover it all.

For the other sandwich toppings we did turkey slices, sharp white cheddar, and tomato slices on toasted sourdough bread. It didn’t turn out quite the same as our sandwich shop but it’s definitely something I’m going to make again.

Noms

I highly recommend doing your kissing before consuming this one. Just sayin’.

Darling Ranges #2

Darling Ranges #2 detail

I know, I know. I have yet to post pictures of Darling Ranges #1. I only finished making the back ties last night and wore it for the first time. Have I mentioned how much I love this pattern?? I ended up making another one today, that’s how much. Meet Darling Ranges #2!

Darling Ranges #2
dress: self-made (Darling Ranges by Megan Nielsen), shoes: Nine West (thrifted)

I made a few changes to this one, but nothing huge. I added about two inches to the waist, and then made the skirt hit about 1/2″ lower than the other one.

Darling Ranges #2

I scored a huge stash of gorgeous prints when I went fabric shopping with my friend’s mom last week. This coral-y red print was my favorite of the bunch, and I also picked up a gorgeous pale spring green version of the same print. I think that one’s going to be Darling Ranges #3. Ooh maybe a sleeveless version!

Darling Ranges #2

No, but seriously. If you don’t own this pattern go buy it. Immediately. And then make at least four versions of it. Do it. Now.

Camera bag pretties

Sorry, I suck. In my defense, grad school!

Anyway, I took a break from all the paper writing to make myself a handy dandy little camera bag. Well, not the bag itself, but the inserts. I realized I’ve been terrified of leaving the house with my very obvious black camera bag so I’ve just been leaving my camera at home, which is of the lame.

I had been eyeing drooling like an idiot over the bags at Kelly Moore and Epiphanie, but decided I would rather buy a second lens than a pretty handbag. And then it occurred to me that it really wouldn’t be that hard to buy a handbag and make foamy camera-safe inserts to put inside.

So this morning I shuffled off to Goodwill and picked up this lovely Liz Claiborne bag for a whopping $6.49.

Camera bag finished

It has many many compartments, which I love. Plus the middley compartment where the camera will go has a structured rectangular bottom. I wouldn’t recommend trying this with a bag with a floppy bottom.

DIY camera bag

I sort of got over-excited and forgot to take pictures of the sewing process, but it’s pretty simple.

What you’ll need:

DIY camera bag

-A purse big enough to fit your camera with room for cushioning; if you want to fit extra gear, pick a bigger bag

-1 yard of fabric; I chose cotton, just make sure it’s not scratchy

-1 yard of velcro; do NOT buy the stick on kind, it doesn’t actually stick and you can’t sew it. If you do buy this kind, I recommend you get some kind of fabric glue too because you’ll need it

-1 foot of 1/2″ foam; the foam I bought was 18″ wide

-1 1/2 feet of 1″ foam; also 18″ wide

Instructions:

Measure the bottom of your bag. Cut a piece of the 1″ foam to those measurements. Mine was 11.5″ x 5″.

Put the cut foam on the fabric and measure out a piece of fabric that will essentially cover the foam like a pillow case. Sew all of the raw edges and tuck the finished insert in the bottom of the purse.

With the bottom insert in place, measure from the top of it to the top of the bag or as far up as you want the side inserts to go. Mine were 4.5″ x 11″. Cut two pieces of 1″ foam to these measurements. Cut out fabric similar to the first insert. Cut two pieces of velcro (the soft side) about 1″ shorter than the width of the side pieces and sew them in place on the same side, a few inches apart. Then do the same for the other side insert. Sew the pillowcase together for each.

For the middle ones, you’ll want to use the 1/2″ foam. With the bag pulled open, measure across the side inserts (I got 4″). When you cut the fabric for these, add an extra inch on either side for the velcro tab. Make the pillowcases for these the same way but just sew down an inch into the fabric on either side. Attach the velcro to the same side on each tab. I made three of these.

DIY camera bag

The best part is, you can remove the inserts and you’ll have just a normal purse!

You’ll notice I forgot that the sides and bottom didn’t need velcro so there are velcro tabs anyway.

DIY camera bag inserts

Look how snuggly it looks! (The extra space is for a new lens which is arriving tomorrow! -squee- )

Camera bag inserts finished

Some things

Things that make me want to rip out my hair:

– I promised my sister I would start Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred today. I tried the ab toning one a few months ago and got through about twelve minutes. Haven’t worked out since, that’s how torturous it was. That lady is evil.

– I have a horrendous paper due tomorrow. It should be really easy but for some reason I’m having all sorts of trouble with it. Gah.

– I also have a presentation to give on Wednesday, two group projects due on the 23rd, and a paper due on the 30th. We’re not even going to peek into what I have due in the first nine days of May.

– I made a dress but the fabric is too thick and now it’s sitting funny. Gah.

– I made another dress and the fabric is possibly too thin and I’m afraid it’ll be see-through.

Things that make me smile inside:

– I got through a Jillian Michaels workout! Granted, I didn’t use weights because I don’t have any yet.. But still!

– I’m going to France in 84 days!

– I know I’m way behind the ball on this one but I’m really obsessed with Swedish Hasbeens.

– I’m considering taking a photography class.

– Boyfriend and I are going to his roomie’s family’s lake house next weekend!

– The two dresses I made are super cute!

– My hair is ridiculously long. I lurve it. I’ve been trimming it every few weeks but I’m determined to grow it to even more ridiculous proportions so I can dress up as a proper elf when the Hobbit comes out. (Yes, I am a huge nerd.)

– My camera. It’s just full of squees.

– I have a place to live next year!

And just because I have no interesting photos to share, here’s a one of me and Lyds out last week before school got crazy.

Me and Lyds