MPM # 35

Ahhh... The second full week of the month. Last week, we all got sick. I got it Friday so I got to spend the majority of the weekend feeling 'unwell'. Thankfully, whatever it was is fast moving and we are all feeling much better.

I can tell you I was very disappointed in some of the new recipes I tried last week... The Southwestern Soup was a YUCK. I love soup - it's my 'thing' and I could not eat one bowl of that abomination. I'm very glad I halved the recipe. It wasn't beany enough, it had such a yucky acidic flavour (yes, I tried a little sugar and a little Worcestershire sauce) and it was just boring and bland. It won't be moved over to my Family Favourites, that is for sure! On the plus side, my toss together quesadillas were great. They were fab and were even great reheated the next day.

This week, I'm using tried and true recipes. No 'new' vegetables - it's winter and we've had a foot or three of snow (no kidding - it started snowing Friday afternoon and I think it's stopped now... We had so much snow, we built TroubleMaker a toboggan hill in our back yard. Although our Barbeque is buried under all the snow, I'm digging out our indoor grill to make a summertime favourite - it's just been too long since our last BBQ and we all need a fix!


Two hours of shoveling, some kitty litter and a big push and we finally extracted our car from the front street. The snow is thigh deep on me (I'm 5'-11" tall) and TroubleMaker fell into a snow bank today and he was up to his head!








I hope you have a great week - whether you're snowed in our enjoying the sun! Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you next week!

January 10 to January 16

Monday Soup & Grilled Cheese
Tuesday Chicken & Mushroom Linguine
Wednesday Hamburgers & salad
Thursday Beef Stroganoff with egg noodles
Friday Chicken Nuggets with fries
Saturday Beef & Bean Burritos
Sunday Slow Cooker Beef Roast

Breakfasts
Cereal, toast, bagels, muffins, Bacon & Eggs

For more great meal planning ideas and menu planning tips, check out The Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!

Toss Together Quesadillas
1/2 white onion, sliced
1/2 red pepper, large diced
1/2 green pepper, large diced
4 very large white mushrooms, sliced
Heinz Chili Sauce
10" flour tortillas
Shredded cheddar and mozza cheese

-Preheat oven to 375.
-Saute all the vegetables in a little olive oil in a pan. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup Heinz chili sauce and continue cooking until vegetables are tender and most of the moisture has evaporated.
-Divide mixture and spread on flour tortillas.
-Top with lots of cheese and another tortilla
-Place on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes or until cheese is well melted
-Slice with a pizza wheel and serve hot with sour cream

Fun Sock Friday - The New Year is Here!

Image Courtesy of Blackstone Images

Last Friday was New Year’s Eve and I had a post planned – I’d wanted to share how much I love entertaining and post pictures of the large spread my friend and I put together for our gathering (of 4 adults and two kids). But I was so busy planning, preparing and enjoying that I didn’t get it done!

So as I thought about this week’s Fun Sock Friday post, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about… The 12 goals for 2011 I wrote for myself? My love of Freecycle? The soup I loved throwing out? My love of lists?

My head is blank – oh sure, there is lots going on but nothing quite focused enough to write about. My head is a bowl of unleavened dough – not quite ready for bread!
Perhaps you’re a full loaf this morning – I’d love to hear about what you love this week so please join us and post a link to your blog below.

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I know we all have something – be it socks, electronics, singing ornaments, or a closet full of beads that we want to share with the world. I want Fun Sock Friday to be a potpourri of things you love. I know this is vague and nondescript and I’m sure we’ll refine as we go along but let’s play!

This is new and as far as I know, original. Share here and spread the fun but please don’t host your own Fun Sock Friday.

Fun Sock – the Guidelines
1.Fun Sock Friday is about sharing. Posts should be original and mention your participation in your post. I’ll try my best to ensure my post and the linky are up by 9am Mountain.
2.Share something you love – craft, photo, person, song, collection – it can be anything but it should be something done by you because you love doing it!
3.Posts should be “G” rated and family oriented– no adult content or graphic images, please.

We-Design-Day: Design Theory

This week, I’d like to step back a bit and look at some more design theory. Although all of this is ‘text book’ stuff, it’s helpful in the sense that knowing it can help you see and feel a space differently. One thing I forget is that I use this stuff daily – whether I realize it or not. It’s become such a part of my daily life that the terminology gets lost, but the application and the theory are ingrained. Knowing all of this is helpful and I’m only going to provide an overview for you. There are many great resources available for further study – I’ll share a few later in this post.

Essentially, I learned design is comprised of two key purposes:

Design can be structural or applied

Structural design is integral – the underlying framework. It isn’t an embellishment.
Applied (or Decorative) is applied to the structural framework. Often to add character or a ‘personal’ touch to something.

Here is an example – a piece of fabric is structural. It has purpose and it is useful in its function. Adding a pattern to the fabric is applied (or decorative) design. It doesn’t change the structure of the design (of the fabric) but it enhances its visual aesthetic.

I won’t touch on it today, but there are several approaches that can be taken when looking at structural and applied design. These include organic and abstract – I suppose you could call them methods of design. We’ll look at these another day.

For my basement renovation, I’m primarily looking at applied design; however, I’m changing and altering some of the structure – but of course, not load bearing structure. Interior design focuses a lot of the applied design – but it isn’t always decorative.

Looking at the ‘bigger picture’, although I’m not creating something new or revolutionary, I’m altering the structure or space of our basement to make it work and function better for our family and our needs. I’m reworking the existing framework of the space and redefining the way the spaces relate to one another so structural design is integral to interior design and this is where interior decorating and interior design often stand apart from one another.

To wrap up this week, I want to take a look at the Elements of Design. Most of the reading and studying I’ve done refer to six or seven elements and often call them the building blocks of design (or language of design) – whether it’s paint on a canvas, pencil to paper or fabric to chair, building to ground. It is the starting point and the areas we examine when thinking about any type of design.

Generally, these are the seven with a basic “one line” definition.

Space – Area where things exist: Spatial concept & relationship to that concept
Line – Has direction and projects emphasis
Form – Can have dimension or mass, can be essence or inspirational; can be abstract (often called “Volume” – but the two are actually quite different but kind of fall here)
Shape – outline or definable contours
Texture – Visual or tactile characteristics of an object
Colour/Light – can be used to define form and give a sense of scale. Colour does not exist without light
Time – This one isn’t always listed – but I learned it as a fourth dimensional element – what will the space look like in 20 years? Life cycle and sustainability – how will the finishes wear (fading, discolour) etc.

Hand in hand with the Elements are the Principals of design, but I’d like to cover that next week as this is a lot to digest in one sitting. Putting the elements in any search engine will get you a host of definitions and explanations. A lot of the terminology used in interior design is applicable to graphic and industrial design and art. They are a foundation. I’ve provided an illustration of a very famous chair and highlighted the Elements for you. Can you see how they relate?

Barcelona Chair & Stool – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – 1929
Photo courtesy of Knoll

(click on the picture to get a larger, readable view)







As always, I’m always open to questions and comments so please leave one! Next week, we’ll look at the Principals of Design and keep working through this process together. Thanks for stopping by!

Further Reading:

Wikipedia: Design Elements
John Lovett

MPM #34

TroubleMaker in 2011 - Inspiring Better Budgeting and MORE Vegetables!

Image Copyright Blackstone Images


Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2010 was a prosperous and happy year and that 2011 brings you all that you need.

Our "Appy New Year" was a huge success and lots of fun! We had too much food - way too much and we are going to my Mother In Law's house tomorrow and bringing lunch!

I've been reflecting on my year and where things will go for me (and my family) in 2011. Menu Planning wise I hope to introduce more vegetables to our menu. Living in a northern climate makes trying some new things difficult - fresh produce in the winter months here isn't always an easy thing to come by but I think I can speak with confidence for all my family when I say we're a little tired of the frozen peas, corn and green beans! Broccoli and cauliflower can only be jazzed up so many ways before it gets BORING! I also want to get my grocery budget in control. Although I diligently plan, our shopping budget needs tweaking and improving. I had been getting good at budgeting so much per week and eating one week for 'free' (using items I'd bought ahead or using the stores of food we have)... But it has been awhile since I took the time to plan my month properly and I have no idea what I have in the cupboards any more!

How about you? What are you hoping to improve with your Meal and Menu Planning in 2011?

Here is our first full week of 2011 - see you next week and thank you for stopping by!

January 3 to January 9

Monday Perogies & Sausage
Tuesday Chicken Cordon Bleu Rice, Sauteed zucchini with garlic
Wednesday Egg wraps with tater tots
Thursday Southwestern Soup with quesadillas
Friday Beefy One-Pot Dinner
Saturday Pizza Party!
Sunday Spaghetti with meatsauce

Breakfasts

Cereal, toast, bagels, muffins, Bacon & Eggs

For more great meal planning ideas and menu planning tips, check out Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!

We-Design-Day: Thinking, rethinking and thinking again

Every so often I've experienced the 'doubt' and it does usually surround my own projects (for our home). The less residential work I do the more I doubt my ability to do residential work. For some bizzare reason, planning labs, offices and the like is far easier - perhaps because it is just one project of many. My home is mine and the choices I make impact a greater audience.

*sigh*

I did have 'the talk' with my Husband about budget and true to our usual dance, he said "What does the project need?" and I said "I knew you'd say that!" and I explained my desire to design a project to a budget and not budget to a design. This is causing me many mixed feelings because I want more than we can afford. But with our budget in mind, I'll be planning a project to fit.

This week has me finalizing (or trying to between play sessions with TroubleMaker) the measured plan of our basement as welln trying to find just the right solution. This morning, my husband and I sat around discussing his needs for his office and studio. He was able to further help me refine and define his needs. I've got a better understanding of just what he requires which does simplify a few things for me and what I need to squish into our family space.

I also need to take a careful look at the ceiling. Our ceilings downstairs are suspended with accoustical tiles. Not exactly a designer's dream but they are simple and easy to work with. We have a few wacky bulkheads to deal with. One of which I have no idea what purpose it serves. My plan is to take down some of the tiles and see if the one is actually necessary or if I could replace it during the renewal. I also need to improve the lighting in both what will be in my new sewing studio as well as in the library area. I'd like to improve the lighting in the family room as well, however, my main focus will be the area in which we work.

A photography studio has special lighting needs that generally aren't met by general room lighting. My husband has a series of soft boxes and hot lights that he uses for table top work (like the pictures he did here) as well as his portraiture (seen here). He does need good task lighting around his office space. Furthermore, we will be moving all the prop storage into his new studio and that area will require special lighting as well - likely I'll use unit mounted lighting to provide the best direct light so we can see what we're selecting.

Think about your space and the tasks you do. For my sewing studio, I already have incandescent fixtures mounted to my sewing table. These are postitionable so I can focus them on the task at hand (whether sewing a piece or threading a needle). I need more general lighting for cutting and the other crafts I do. We'll be having a work centre in the Sewing studio and I need to ensure adqueate lighting there as well. I have an issues with shadows and must think about those as well.

One of my first renovations was to our kitchen in our condo. I picked two halogen fixtures that had three positionable lights. They provided very decent light - except when I was standing at the counter doing anything! Because the light was so bright (and very hot, I might add) my body cast huge shadows and I was always turning and shifting to allow the light to get past me.

Here are some lighting basics.

The typical types of lights used vary with the application. There are fluorescent, halogen, LED, incandescent and compact fluorescents. My personal opinions aside, each light has an appropriate time and place. Think about the work you are doing and what you need for lighting to see. Think about the time of day that you will use the space and what (if any) access to natural light you have. Take the heat the lights give off into consideration - as I mentioned, halogens are HOT. They have a good light rendition but they generate a lot of heat! Fluorescents of old caused many problems for people (flickering) but the new ones are much better and there are even 'true' light bulbs that replicate day light.

I'm not 100% familiar with LEDs but I do know I personally have difficulty with them. I cannot see accurately with them and the light itself is muddy and I see flickering and fluttering when I look at them. My husband read recently that it may be caused in part because they only emit on certain wavelengths and our eyes see the full spectrum. I know the are environmentally friendly but my issue with them is, the colour rendition aside, is that if one light burns out on my string of Christmas lights, I must replace the entire string... And that's a green thing I can't wrap my head around.

Come really close and I'll tell you a secret... Compact fluorescents drive me nuts. First, the colour rendition is horrid. never, ever, ever try to pick a paint colour in the presence of a compact fluorescent! Second, they flicker like mad (to me). Third, they are STILL a fluorescent and contains mecury - which requires special disposal procedures.

Incandescents are the oldest and most commonly used light for residential applications. They are not eco-friendly but they do have a nice light (albeit a bit yellow). And they can be turned into some pretty cool crafts once they burn out!

I'd hope I'd have another download for you this week, but with all the holiday fun, I didn't get it printed out for this edition.

Have a great week and feel free to send me any lighting questions!

MPM#33 - An Appy New Year!

Before I get into my post, I must announce with a HUGE helping of pride, my husband's website. The majority of the images I post are taken by him via his company, Blackstone Images... Well, this Christmas our/my gift to him was his own website! It is very early and extremely preliminary but I'm just SO pleased to post a link to HIS site... Blackstone Images

Ahhh... Another Christmas has come and gone and our house was a hive of fun and activity! We had an excellent and even moderately relaxing Christmas. Santa answered TroubleMaker's request for a Race Car Game and we've all become very good at racing the little cars around the track at high speeds! His Gran made him some awesome new clothes and he's got more socks then me and his Dad put together!

We got the chance to visit with some family we don't see often at my Mom's on Boxing Day and I ate so much I had a tummy ache!

Presently, I don't feel much like eating so I'm quite glad I planned this menu weeks ago! We'll be playing it pretty casual around here this week. Between building new (train) layouts and racing cars, there won't be much time for cooking!

Enjoy your week and Happy New Year! We are doing our first "Appy" New Year - we're getting together with our friends and are all bringing 2 or 3 of our favourite appetizers to share!

December 27 to January 2

Monday Chicken Nuggets & FriesTurkey & Ham Sandwiches
Tuesday Assorted subs
Wednesday Spaghetti & Meatballs
Thursday Chicken Nuggets & fries
Friday An "Appy" New Year: Crock Pot Spinach dip plus 2 yet to be determined!
Saturday ??
Sunday Pork Roast with Brown Sugar Glaze

Breakfasts

Cereal, toast, bagels, muffins, Pancakes, Bacon & Eggs

For more great menu planning ideas and resources, check out the Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday!

Fun Sock Friday (The Christmas Eve Edition) – How to Make the Perfect Bow

It’s just after eight on Christmas eve morning. I’ve been a busy little elf so far this morning… Buns are rising, ham is in the crock and I’m stopping for a sip of juice before tackling the rest of my to do list.

Over the past week or two I’ve been working on my bow making skills. I must admit I have a bit of a ribbon addiction and I have rolls and reams and spools of ribbon just waiting to be made into something. I’ve bought the majority of it because I love the colour or the texture but some has been purchased because I knew it would make a perfect bow. Four and a half years ago when I got married, I thought I’d perfected my art of bow making but it’s been a long time and when I sat down to transform the lovely Christmas ribbon into bows, I couldn’t remember my tail from my nose (hahaha). So in my chair I sat, ribbon in one hand, wire in the other and thought… I twisted and trimmed, tried and retried and then it happened.

Now I realize that I likely did not “invent” this bow, with so many talented crafters and artisans before me, they likely happened on the recipe long before I did but this is my attempt and I hope you find it makes as splendid a bow as I did!

Materials:
Wired ribbon (I used 12’ (about 3 metres) of ribbon to make the bow illustrated)
Florists wire (24 gauge) on paddle
Scissors
Wire snips









Cutting your bow

1.Decide how big/full you want your bow













2.Snip this length, allowing ½ to 1” extra for overlap














3.Cut three of this length (illustration used 20” for this)
4.Cut two more – one inch (1”) shorter (2 @ 19”)
5.Cut one more – one inch (1”) shorter than the previous (18”)
6.Cut nosing – 4 to 7” (depends on how you wrap it)
7.Cut tails – decide on how much hang you want on one side, cut 2x (leave one long piece)

Putting it all together
1.Pick up first long loop, overlap and fold loop in half to mark centre point. Pinch centre point in with overlap (accordion the pinch).









2.Using florists wire, wrap 2x around pinch, pulling very snug to secure (DO NOT CUT WIRE)

3.Repeat step #1 with next 20” piece, place immediately below first wrapped loop and wrap 1x snuggly with wire






4.Repeat with final 20” piece and place below second wrapped loop and wrap 1x snuggly. Wrap all three loops once or twice and pull tight. DO NOT CUT WIRE





5.Pick up first medium loop (19” piece) and repeat step one. Lay this pinch atop the foundation bow layer. Wrap wire around 1x.






6.Repeat with second medium loop and wrap 2x around, pulling snuggly.





7.Pick up small loop piece (18” piece) and repeat step one. Lay this pinch atop the middle layer. Wrap 2x to secure.





8.Pick up tails and fold in half. Place below all loop and secure.






9.Cut about 8” of wire from florist wire paddle and set paddle aside.









10. Take nosing and loop around middle of bow. Leave it loose and overlap at back of bow.









Using wire, loop around and secure nosing. Form a loop in the wire and secure to itself (for the hanger)












11. Fluff up the bow and viola! The perfect bow!



I just love crafting and I’m so glad I have this to share with you!

A huge thank you to my photographer extraordinaire and fellow blogger for helping me with the photography for my first tutorial. I can tell you the hot lights are HOT but they made the pictures just pop. I love you and thank you!

**So excited to be sharing this with Blissful & Domestic and her Friday Linky Party!**

All images used with permission. All images copyright Blackstone Images