a peek behind Lark Studio...

Merry Christmas!

 

If you are celebrating the holiday, I wish you a very Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you everything you wished for!

~Dawn

A little rusty

My sewing skills that is.  I've made excuse after excuse for the past 3+ years as to why I don't use my sewing machines.  In 2005 I invested in some great Baby Lock machines (Ellure sewing machine and a Imagine serger) and I can count on one hand how many times I've used them since then.  Sad, I know. I've got my eye on #11 from the list this week so I'm dusting off both machines, pulling out the manuals and getting my butt in the chair. 

This week I made a promise to clear off my craft table.   In particular one pile that has been in the far upper left corner for eons.  At the bottom of the pile were some lingerie travel bags I had an idea for some time ago.  I came across this cute fabric at Quilting Adventures and it just had to be made into something dealing with lingerie!  When I travel I always swipe one of the plastic dry cleaning bags, you know the ones that hang in the closet of the hotel room, to put my dirty unmentionables in to keep them separate from the other things in my suitcase.  I loathe plastic bags in every other area of my life but I was still using them on trips.  Well, no more!  These great cotton, reusable bags will accompany me from now on.  

It took me waayy too long to whip these out so I know I need to sew a lot more to get my skills back up to par.  I'm off to Fleur Fabrics to get some paper to make patterns for these and then to find more fabric to make more for my shop.  Perhaps I can find some fabric with boxers on them to make one for the hubby!

What do you use for your unmentionables when you travel?

A yummy healthy muffin? Yep, it is possible!

I have decided to severely cut down on eating processed foods.  My friend over at House of Lukaya suggested I have a cooking day - a day where I cook several things that can refridgerate/freeze so I have ready made, homemade meals later in the week.  That's what I'm doing today.

As always, I am purusing my Cooking Light Annual Recipe books.  Cooking Light (the magazine) puts all of the years recipes into one hard bound book.  I got my first one the year I got married and have been a faithful buyer of this periodical every year.  Even years, like this one, where I have the magazine subscription!

Breakfast is the biggest challenge for me on cutting out processed foods.  I usually get up with not to many minutes to spare before having to leave for work, so I need something quick.  In January 2008, the magazine did a feature entitled "Body Boosters: How what you eat can improve your health, mind and appearance".  The article focused on recipes that included super-foods and the vitamins and minerals the body needs most.  The recipe for Orange-Cranberry Wheat Germ Muffins caught my attention (orange, cranberry, brown sugar) and I decided to try it.  The wheat germ provides a excellent does of Vitamin E which can benefit eye, heart and brain health.  These muffins were excellent!  The sprinkling of turbinado on the top provided a great crunchy texture.  I would say take the time to do the fresh squeezed orange juice - it makes a world of difference on flavor and doesn't take that much effort.  These muffins are recommended best served warm, but they are delicious at room temperature too!

Orange-Cranberry Wheat Germ Muffins (Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2009)

(Yield: 1 dozen. Serving size: 1 muffin)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces)

1/2 cup raw wheat germ

1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon grated orange rind

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through nutmeg) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture.

Combine brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs); stir with a whisk.  Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined.  Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.  Bake at 375 degrees for 17 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched in center.

CALORIES 197 (26% from fat); FAT 5.8g (sat 0.6g, mono 3.1g, poly 1.6g); PROTEIN 3.4g; CARB 33.8g; FIBER 1.2g; CHOL 35mg; IRON 1.7mg; SODIUM 149mg; CALC 54mg

Finally.

I have 2 whole days off in a row!  Just wanted you to know that life was getting back to some sort of routine.  K'thanks.

Between you and me...

If you are even a remote follower of my blog - you know about my relationship with the Richmond Craft Mafia.  Five (that's right, count 'em) years ago I helped to start RCM and it has been part of my heart and soul ever since.  Our little group of 4 has grown into the crafty force of 15 kick-ass artists and crafters you all know and love.  We put indie craft on the radar in both Richmond and throughout VA - a fact that I am, and will always be, very proud of.

I am leaving the Richmond Craft Mafia after our Spring Bada-bing craft show this April.  It's time to move on and make room in the group so it can continue to grow and dominate the craft scene in Richmond.  Lark Studio will still be around.  And hey - you know I'm always full of ideas for crafty events!  I hope you choose to subscribe to my blog feed and take this journey with me.  I will need the support!

My new gig

Hello blogosphere!   How have you been?  Me?  I've been busy.  I went and got myself a part-time job.  I'm the Education Coordinator for the new JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts superstore in Midlothian.  The store opens tomorrow at 9:00 am and I several huge events at the store until our Grand Opening on March 20th.  I'll be back here on the regular after tomorrow. Come by and see me at the store!

The list: #38

is done.  (See this post for details)

A powerful essay

One of the most powerful essays on sexual assault against women I've read in a long time.

The Not Rape Epidemic by Latoya Peterson posted on Racialicious.com

How did I ever have time to have a full-time job?

Whew...I've been busy since I left my full-time job.  So much so that I have to wonder how I juggled both my crafty endevours and work in previous years.  When I decided to get up from my week long nap after my "retirment" began, I was all about planning our first Fall Open House.  The DH and I haven't had a number of people over to our house at one time since about 2000.  That is way too long!  We had done some remodeling in 2008, and were celebrating both our birthdays and our new found freedom from working for "da man".  What better way to commemorate all of that than with a party, right?  The DH even showcased is expansive collection of classic hip-hop posters throughout the house. The event was a great way to kick off the holiday season - good times, good food and good friends!

Since then, other than the requisite break for Thanksgiving cooking, its been all about holiday craft shows.  Sorry for the last minute-ness of this, but if you are looking for cool gifts in downtown Richmond, stop by the Fawn Shop.  We are only open through Saturday December 13th so hurry on down!

Can't make it to the store?  No worries, I got you covered.  Come see me at the Richmond Craft Mafia's fourth annual Handmade Holiday show.  We went bigger and better this year - featuring over 30 local artists and crafters from the area, the show will be 2 days and at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope today is filled with good food and good times for everyone!

~Dawn