Design

  • “For Your Pleasant Life”

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Japanese_Cut_Off_Saw
    Woodworking projects sometimes call for a dowel or rod to be cut off at surface level.  Power saws aren't usually up to the task and most hand saws, on top of too inflexible to stay flush with the surface, would damage the surface with their offset teeth. 

    Enter the Japanese Flush-Cut Saw.  This handy saw is not only rigid enough to make fine cuts in thin material, but also flexible enough to press tightly against the surface of your project — imagine a long, metal spatula with sharp, toothy edges.  The teeth curl back toward the handle and do not offset each other which means two things:  one, the bottom of the saw is smooth and will not marr up your project; and two, it only cuts on the pull stroke.

    There really is no other saw that can do this job.  Sure, perhaps only a handful of you will find need for such a device in the near future, but I love this thing, so there you are.  And if you are in a family full of men, you now have a new topic to bring up at dinner.  And there are birthdays and Father's Day to consider.  Isaac calls this simple tool a "revelation." 

    Funny — I just noticed this — ours has a stamp on the blade that reads, "For your pleasant life."  How about that!?

  • The Universal Survival Tool

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    ChocolateBars470
    Chocolate is perhaps the best tool of all.  Of course, if I was stuck on the prairie with bodies to clothe, food to procure, and a shelter to build, I may not think so.  Then again, maybe I would.

    I’ve come to the conclusion that if I’m going to splurge, then I’m going to splurge.  When I want chocolate, I want the good kind, not some cheap, grainy, make-your-mouth-sore chocolate wanna-be.  Good chocolate, or no chocolate at all.  Same goes for ice cream, cake, butter, mayonaise, and so forth.  Why bother if it isn’t any good?  In the end, what real pain is there in spending $2 on chocolate satisfaction over $0.50 on chocolate disappointment?  This is my thinking.

    RitterSport_ButterBiscuitBarW2 My favorite, easy-grab indulgence is the Ritter Sport Butter Biscuit bar from Germany.  It’s creamy and dreamy.  I’m sure there are plenty of other varieties that are just as delicious, but this is one of my all-time favorites AND the Target nearby has them displayed at their checkout stands — which adds an undeniable convenience factor to the equation.

    When I’m feeling extra snazzy, I may even venture to the other side of the store to grab one of Ritter Sport’s other varieties.  They make a surprisingly fantastic Cornflakes bar and I’m ga-ga for their Marzipan bar as well. 

    Good chocolate.  Chocolate, good.

    How about you?  Who makes your favorite chocolate bar?  Or, if you’re not into chocolate, then how in the world do you get by?  Do tell.



  • Chef’n Spatulas

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Chefn_Spatulas

    A few years back I picked up an oddly-shaped silicone spatula on sale at a fancy, local grocery store.  I was intrigued by it’s double-ended design and the claim it was heat-resistant to 650º F (340º C).  It worked so well as a spatula for baking and also as a stirring tool for cooking that I hustled back to that store and purchased the only other one left. These are now among my favorite, everyday kitchen tools.

    The spatula is reinforced down the center with a super-strong, super-stiff metal bar.  The silicone at either end is flexible, but not too flexible.  It scrapes up brownie batter like nothing else. 

    I am glad to have tracked down the company’s website so easily.  It turns out they have a ton of nifty tools based on the same concept.  Look at all of these options and colors!  My exact spatula is no longer in the collection, but it is most similar to the clear design below.

    Who knows, it may no longer be my favorite once I have my hands on that violet one above, or perhaps the red one. It looks like they are available on Amazon for $10 to $13  each or so.

    ChefnSpatula_Clear300THere are the product names for easier hunting:

    1. Chef’n Switchit Flex Wide (pink + 3 other colors)

    2. Chef’n Switchit All Purpose (violet + 7 other colors)

    3. Chef’n Switchit Spoon/Spatula (yellow + 5 other colors)

    4. Chef’n Switchit Spreader (red +7 other colors)

    5. Chef’n Switchit All Purpose (cream + 7 other colors)

    6. Chef’n Switchit Flex Spoon (blue + 7 other colors)

    7. Chef’n Switchit Slim (green + 7 other colors)

    8. Chef’n Switchit Long (clear + 5 other colors)

    And check out this groovy salt and pepper grinder — it’s a bunny and you squeeze it’s ears!

  • He Knows the Drill

    ByHeather Bailey

    March_of_the_tools470

    Drilling

    Isaac is moving along on two mammoth work tables.  Each one will sit on a large, rolling base so it will be counter-height for working, but can be lowered to table-height if needed. Here’s a great trick we use for drilling holes to the perfect depth. Wrap the drill bit in masking tape at the depth you wish each hole to be. Stop drilling when the edge of the tape meets the top of the surface. Works like a charm.



  • Stripped Teaser

    ByHeather Bailey

    It’s Saturday!  And I’m determined to spend a good part of my day outside.  I’m either going to prune the rose bushes or clear out the garden to prep it for planting.  It’s stormy outside, so we’ll see how it goes.

    Stripping_Table_Legs

    Isaac is finishing up two big tables for the studio.  (The same ones I mentioned last year.  You know how that goes.  They are looking awesome though!)  After having at these reclaimed table legs with a palm sander for a while this morning (above), he gave up and purchased an orbital sander.  This has made a huge difference, especially with the deep, turned contours at the top and bottom of each leg.  The palm sander wasn’t working too well on the rounded surfaces.

    The rest of the table parts he has built from scratch and everything is ready for assembly.  These tables are HUGE and I can’t wait to spread projects out all over them.  I might have to try them out for napping as well.  They are that big.

    What are you up to today?  With the way the wind is blowing outside, I might be baking cookies and crocheting granny squares by nightfall.  Cold-weather activities sound equally appealing.


  • Tray Jolie

    ByHeather Bailey

    CupcakeDecorating

    How about a new free pattern?  An early Valentine’s Day present.

    Here’s a sweet little project that goes together quickly — a bow-tied box for treats or trinkets.  Perfect for displaying tasty truffles and candies for your Valentine or hip paperclips and doo-dads for your desk.  The pattern and instructions below are for one 3″ x 3″ x 1 1/4″ tray.  However, once you have the hang of it, you can scale the design up or down as needed. Imagine tasty trays for sewing supplies, post-it notes, business cards, candies, jewelry, buttons, keys, coasters…

    TreatBox4

    Treat_trinket_tray

    TreatTrayPattern2MATERIALS LIST (one 3″ x 3″ x 1 1/4″ tray) 

    7” x 7” fabric*
    7” x 7” lining fabric*
    3/4 yd narrow piping
    1 1/3 yd ribbon, 1/8” wide
    8” x 10” stiff, thin cardboard
    Thread 

    HELPFUL TOOLS
    Pins, scissors, needle, liquid seam sealant (such a s Fray Check™)

    * Suitable fabrics include laminated cotton, quilting-weight cotton, light-weight decorator fabric, and other light to medium-weight woven fabrics

     

    INSTRUCTIONS (click on illustrations to enlarge)

    A. Cut Out Fabric & Cardboard – Click here to download pattern pieces. Using pattern, cut one 5 7/8” square of fabric and one 5 7/8” square of lining fabric. Round corners per pattern & clip at circles to mark ribbon placement. Of cardboard, cut one 3” square, and cut four 1” x 3” rectangles.  If cardboard is flimsy, cut two sets & glue corresponding pieces together to stiffen.

    Tray_01_02_03b B. Baste Piping to Tray Exterior – Baste piping to tray exterior. Join piping at one black circle by overlapping piping neatly. Trim.

    C. Attach Ribbon Ties – Cut eight pieces of ribbon, each 6” long. With a small stitch-length, sew one ribbon to tray at each black circle, on top of piping; stitch back & forth across ribbon to secure well.

    D. Sew Lining to Exterior – With right-sides-together, pin lining to exterior. Sew around tray, leaving one side open between black circles. Notch curve at each corner. Turn tray right-side-out through opening in seam.

    E. Insert Cardboard & Stitch Around Sides – Insert one rectangular cardboard piece into tray;  butt cardboard up to stitching at side of tray opposite from opening, beneath the seam allowance on exterior side of tray. Secure cardboard in place by stitching 1 1/8” away from fabric edge (not piping edge) along stitching line shown on tray pattern, beginning & ending at black circles. See illustration. Be sure stitching runs alongside cardboard & does not go through it & ribbons are not caught in seam. Insert another cardboard rectangle at one adjacent side & stitch as before. Repeat at opposite side of tray. Slide cardboard square into place at center of tray & stitch along last stitching line, parallel to opening. Insert last cardboard rectangle into opening. Fold tray lining edge under 1/4” & ladder-stitch to close opening in seam.

    Tray_04_05_06_07
    F. Tie Corner Bows & Trim – Fold sides up & hold corners together with a pin. Tie two ribbons at each corner into a bow. Once tied, trim ribbons to desired lengths. Finish ribbon ends with liquid seam sealant to prevent fraying.

    ENJOY!


  • |

    A Fetching Pail

    ByHeather Bailey

    LunchBagPattern1

    With Charlotte in Kindergarten this year, and half of my own week days spent at our new business location, my family's need for a fantastic lunch bag pattern has increased in urgency.  So I have hunkered right down and put together a new mini pattern — meeting my need, and hopefully yours as well.

    LunchBagPatternCover Introducing Jack & Jill, a fresh take on the classic lunch bag.  I've got the girls covered, and the boys too.  I worked the design into my mini pattern format to keep the price low, jamming some serious value into one little package.  Whether you have one lunch bag to supply or several, Jack & Jill bags go together quickly, so you're in good shape.

    This is also my first pattern highlighting my yummy Nicey Jane laminated cottons.  The laminates are light and supple and easy to work with.  For specifics on the care and make-up of these fabrics, click here;  I understand the laminate is about as food-safe JackandJillLunchBag as plastic can be.  Of course, you can make lunch bags from non-laminated cottons as well, or decorator fabric, light corduroy, denim, and so forth, like the green floral bag shown at right.

    Fun-fun!  Great for holiday presents too — a nice bag for a nice girl or boy — filled with a naughty amount of candy.

    While you're at it, whip up a coordinating napkin or two to boot (tutorial).

  • Dab, Dab

    ByHeather Bailey

    ClothNapkins

    Whether you are prepping for the holidays, or getting ready for a birthday or baby shower, cloth napkins are a great way to personalize your table decor.  Expand your decorating options by sewing the napkins yourself — from your favorite fabrics.

    They are super easy to make, so why not?

    Deck the halls!  Deck the tables!  Get started with this simple, illustrated tutorial.  Fancy-up and save some dollars at the same time.  Happy Holidays, everyone!


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  • Autumn Napkin Ring Tutorial

    ByHeather Bailey

    Thanksgiving is coming right up. 

    To get into the autumn groove, try stitching up some fall decorations with our designer felt, glitzy thread from DMC, and few glass beads.  With a full table to set, these playful napkin rings pack a big bang for little buck.

    ThanksgivingNapkinRing
    Trimming up the acorns is my favorite part.  Aren’t they fun?  And Charlotte is always game to help embroider — she likes to the pull the needle through, then hand it back to me.  This is a much slower process, as you can imagine, but I love her.

    To share the fun, I’ve put together a tutorial and a free pattern download…



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