ikea hacker: Ikea blue shopping bag into messenger bag

Keep on rolling baby!

Become a super tree!

My Starfruit tree is getting bigger and bigger!

(Super Simple) Oven Potatoes


1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1/4"

1-2 glugs of olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees while you peel and slice the potatoes. Toss the sliced potatoes in a bowl with the olive oil and salt and pepper. Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet or two. Bake for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and cooked through.

Found this recipe on this Blog

By Nicole Vasbinder

Many times a pattern will simply tell you to hem a garment and not go into much detail. Or maybe they only give you one option and you would like to try something new. There are lots of different ways to finish hems on skirts, pants, dresses, necklines, and sleeves, and I’m going to explain my favorite methods that I use daily. Some are really simple and some are a bit more complicated.

Double Turn Back and Topstitched

This is probably the most common hem you see. It simply involves turning the raw edge under twice and then stitching it.

Materials

Sewing machine
Iron
Sewing gauge

Directions

Step 1: Divide the total hem allowance in half. In this case, I have a 1" total hem so I pressed up the hem 1/2" to the wrong side. I find it super helpful to use a seam gauge and to pin the fabric to the ironing board. Make sure to use glass-head pins (not plastic!), and you can iron right over the pins.

Step 2: Turn the hem up another 1/2" and press again.

Step 3: Working from the wrong side, line up the fold against the left edge of the presser foot and adjust your needle to the left position. Topstitch in place.

If you would like the stitch line closer to the fold, try lining up the fold in the center groove of your presser foot, and then adjust the needle to the right position and topstitch. Note that not all machines have a needle right position.

---

Serged and Topstitched

This hem is really common on ready-to-wear clothing, as it’s fast and easy. It’s not quite as finished looking as the double turn back, but I like to use it on pajamas and casual things.

Materials

Sewing machine
Serger
Iron
Sewing gauge

Directions

Step 1: Serge the raw edge of your hem, making sure not to trim off any fabric.

Step 2: Press the hem to the wrong side the full amount of your hem allowance. Again, use the seam gauge to make sure it’s accurate.

Step 3: Line up the right edge of the serge stitch under the center of your presser foot and topstitch.

---

Twin Needle (Faux Coverstitch)

A real coverstitch is done on a coverstitch machine, and you see coverstitch hems on knits and lots of athletic wear. But most seamsters don’t have this pricey machine. Not to worry! You can do a faux coverstitch on a regular sewing machine. Because there is only one bobbin, the bobbin thread will zigzag back and forth between the 2 needle threads and the seam can stretch.

Materials

Sewing machine
Serger
Iron
Twin needle
Sewing gauge
Magnetic seam guide

Directions

Step 1: Twin needles come in different needle sizes and different widths. Note that any machine that can do a zigzag can do this stitch, but make sure that the needles will fit through the hole in your presser foot. You still keep your machine set to a regular straight stitch.

Step 2: Insert the twin needle into the machine and then thread 2 threads through the machine. One little trick is rather than buying a second spool of thread, just wind a second bobbin and use the bobbin as your second thread. Make sure that the threads don’t tangle as you thread them!

Step 3: Serge the raw edge and then press the hem under to the wrong side. Then working from the right side, line up the fabric so that the twin needle will stitch right over the serged edge. Using a magnetic seam guide will give you something to line up against and will help keep your stitch nice and straight.

---

Faced Hem

For this hem you use single-fold bias tape. This provides a great finish to curved edges, since bias tape will bend around curves. This is also a great way to hem something if you accidentally cut off too much or forgot to leave hem allowance, since you will only lose about 3/4" of fabric to the hem.

Materials

Sewing machine
Iron

Directions

Step 1: Lightly press the right fold open but be careful not to press too much or you’ll lose the crease.

Step 2: Place the bias tape face down against the right side of the fabric, lining up the raw edges together. Stitch in the crease.

Step 3: Press the seam flat.

Step 4: Press the tape over to the wrong side, and have a tiny bit of the right side of the fabric roll over too.

Step 5: Edgestitch the tape in place.

---

Bound Hem

For this hem you use double-fold bias tape. This is also a great finish for curved edges, since bias tape will bend around curves. It looks especially great in contrasting colors, and looks really nice on necklines and sleeves. Double-fold tape has one fold that is bigger, and the bigger fold goes on the back.

Materials

Sewing machine
Iron

Directions

Step 1: Lightly press the smaller fold open, but be careful not press too much or you’ll lose the crease. Place the bias tape face down against the right side of the fabric, lining up the raw edges together. Stitch in the crease.

Step 2: Fold the bias tape over to the wrong side to encase the raw edge, and press in place.

Step 3: Working from the right side, stitch in the ditch where the fabric and tape come together. You should barely see any stitches from the right side and will see stitches on the back.

---

Blind Hem

This hem is a classy touch on nice pants, skirts, and dress where you don’t want to see visible stitches on the right side. You see it a lot on suit pants and skirts.

Materials

Sewing machine
Iron
Sewing gauge
Blind hem foot

Directions

Step 1: Put the blind hem foot on your machine.

Step 2: Press up your hem to the wrong side 1". Now fold your hem back to the wrong side so that 1/4" of the raw edge extends out.

Step 4: Adjust your machine to the blind hem stitch. On my machine, it’s stitch E, and the little zigzags will finish the raw edge.

Step 5: Put the blind hem foot on your machine. Using the hand wheel, walk your machine until the needle swings to far left zigzag. You want the needle to just barely catch the fold. Using the hand screw, adjust the bar on the foot so that it comes right up against the fold. This will keep the stitch nice and even.

Step 5: The big zigzag will catch just a thread of the fold, and the little zigzags will finish the raw edge and prevent fraying.

Step 6: Unfold the hem and press it flat. From the right side you should barely be able to see a tiny stitch every 1/2" or so. If you see a big stitch, then you stitched too much onto the fold. The blind hem can be tricky, so take your time and practice!

Hope you enjoyed some of my favorite hems!

S’mores actually got its name from the phrase “some more”. This recipe for S’mores Milkshakes is as easy as can be, and you will definitely want more. Combine the classic s’more ingredients of chocolate ice cream, mixed with chocolate milk and top with roasted (or broiled) mini marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate. Feel free to lighten this recipe using low-fat frozen chocolate yogurt and low-fat chocolate milk or even chocolate soy milk. You may also substitute regular-size marshmallows for mini ones. Enjoy this cool treat in the heart of summertime where eating (and drinking) s’mores are so fun.

S’mores Milkshakes Recipe:

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 11/2 minutes

Ingredients:

8 cups chocolate ice cream
2 cups chocolate milk
2 cups mini marshmallows
Cooking spray
4 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
4 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Garnish: Chocolate bar squares

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. Combine ice cream and chocolate milk in container of an electric blender; set aside.
3. Place marshmallows on a lightly greased aluminum-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Broil 1 1/2 minutes or until lightly browned on top and roasted.

4. Blend ice cream mixture 30 seconds or until combined. Pour evenly into 4 individual glasses. Top each glass with 1 tablespoon graham crackers crumbs, marshmallows, 1 tablespoon chocolate chips and garnish with chocolate bar, if desired.

Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings

Blue Ribbon Almond Roca Cookies

So i found this great recipe on Emeril Live Christmas Episode. Fell in love with the cookies and started the recipe within 24hrs after i saw the show. Its super easy to make and the house smells great! now on top of that the cookies lasted less then 5 hrs after they came out of the oven! that's how good they where. that Christmas i made countless batches of cookies and the entire family loved them. So here is the great Recipe:

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 package toffee bits
1 cup coarsely ground almonds
4 ounces milk chocolate
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend sugars together on medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste. Add eggs and vanilla and mix at medium speed until light and fluffy. At low speed, slowly add the flour mixture and then the toffee bits. Mix until just blended; do not over-mix.

Place ground nuts in a small bowl. Using hands, roll balls of dough into 1 to 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll in the ground nuts. Place on cookie sheets several inches apart. Bake approximately 22 minutes and then transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

Melt the chocolate with the vegetable oil in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies. Place cookies on a cookie sheet and place in freezer or refrigerator until chocolate is firmly set.

Blue Ribbon Almond Roca Cookies

Recipe courtesy Lynn Scully, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Tosh.0
I Hate Video
www.comedycentral.com
Web Redemption 2 Girls, 1 Cup Reaction Demi Moore Picture

so i just saw this for the first time! What a great idea for anger management! i can definitely see myself creating a "I Hate Blog" soon. So stay tuned

Bored? - Don't Care - That Ughhh feeling - Those Blaaa Moments

YES
YES
YES
And Oh Yes

So lets see where should i start! Hmmmm Well lets just start typing and see what comes along! Times been tough, don't really need to tell that to anyone because we all have suffered in one way or another with this horrible economy. So my company let 2 people go in the last 6 month. (we are a small company) and now there are 3 of us left! we are hanging in there. Don't get me wrong we actually have work right now. But we don't have the staff to finish all the work on time. every time after we let someone go we are promised to have an office "meeting". that way non of us keep thinking about who is next. So long story short, Meeting never happened. When the 3 of us asked for it, we where told its not necessary. so as of right now we all are in the Who gives a F***" mood. Don't get me wrong, we all are great full to have a paying job. But should you really not care about your job, and atleast have a job or not have a job and be unhappy. i guess that is a pretty tricky question. i mean the money factor aside. we all need money to support ourselves. something i found out after college was that just at the time i thought i learned everything the job had to offer i was fired, due to downsizing. and it took me a couple years to find that out. i never had a major problem finding a job because of my educational background. but even these are some really tough times. and i want to work and be happy in what i'm doing. REALLY i do want to. but i am surprised that my company does not feel the same way. we are not asking for a raise, or for more vacation time. we just don't want to be stressed out because lack of management. all of us came to the conclusion that when we started with the company we loved our job and the work atmosphere. yeah that all went downhill. there is not a lot of professionalism and a large lack of planing going on now. and everyone is suffering from it. I want to work, I want to be productive - Please just listen to us and motivate us!

The individual plans are little over 2 foot now.