This is what I've done lately

The better half kindly agreed to teach me the basics of photoshop. And what better testpicture than a picture of the little man.

So here is the result from my first try on the fancy MacBook Pro.

Original picture:



New and improved picture:



I am quite content with it, even though I might have to control myself a little with some of the effects. The little one is practically glowing on the picture - and even though that is pretty much how the little man looks to me, the rest of the world might see it differently! So I am quite excited that I am learning something new after having been completely lethargic the last few weeks. Producing babies is no small job.

The lovely, lovely sprouts

A few days ago we tried some of the sprouts. I made a meatsauce with corn, mushrooms, carrots, zuccini, onion and our sprouts. They tasted so good, a little bit nutty and both the husband and I was excited. The little man had a hard time chewing them, but they are also kinda big and certain foods can be challenging when you only have 8 teeth to work with.

Today I decided my remaining sprouts had had its share of growing and they were transferred to the fridge where they now rest happily. The glass is ready for a new challenge - I am thinking flax seed. It would be fun with a lighter type of sprouts for salads and sandwiches.

Making lovely sprouts:

It took me 5 days to grow the sprouts to a size where I felt I could use them for something. I started out with 1 dl beans and added 4 dl of water to it. I let it stand in a transparent glas with a thin foamcloth over for 12 hours. Then I poured out the water. And after that I just poured water over the beans and drained it away though the foamcloth 6 times a day or so - or when ever I happened to be out in the kitchen. It is so simple. And that 1 dl turned into a lot!

The result:


Of other culinary experiences - I just baked a big plate of cookies. The three of us are all high on sugar and I am worrying what to do with all of these now! I am actually considering making the husband bring them to work with him tomorrow.



And finally, check Mrs Emmas blog for the latest on our projects.

Unbelievable

It seems that my little black eyed beans are beginning to sprout. I am totally excited about it. However, I am suddenly realising that I have no idea of how to use the sprouts. They are going to be quite big so I guess they might be a little overwhelming raw. Maybe in a nice wok dish or so. If anyone knows about the use of power sprouts, let me know.

I am very well aware that the picture doesn't have anything to do with my sprouts. Emma came over today for a crafting session and brought her camera with her. She let me try it - and I took about 100 pictures in all my excitement. One of them was of this lovely rose that my visiting teacher gave me. I am in love with her camera. Nikon D40! You are loved.

But wait, there is more

Not only did I make a killer purse ... right, I admitted in the last post that I am not completely happy about it, but I am trying to set the scene of me, the super creative woman. And then it sounds cool to call it the killer purse rather than the semi-okayish purse.

So I have made a killer purse, but I am also an absolute wizard in the kitchen. Or at least I am trying.

Today at church a lady talked about making sprouts from beans, lentils and chickpeas. Apparently they are super healthy for you and cheap. What's not to love about that? So today I started my own little sprout factory with black eyed beans.



Hopefully they will be lovely green sprouts in a matter of 3-5 days. Yes, there will be updates on the project.

If it works out there will also be a full explanation of how this magical trick was done! Exciting or what?

It's been a while

But honestly for the last many weeks I haven't done anything that could be catagorized as creative. That wasn't nice!

However it seems that my creative flow is back again - well at least a little bit, and so I figured I better document that I am actually using my crafting room. So here is my newest project:


A little purse!
I made the white felt piece a while ago and I think it is interesting to work with something where you have been a part of so much of the process. Now I just need to get me some sheep and make my own wool, then ... erm no, probably not.

Mrs Emma and me are thinking about opening up a little online shop and this is one of the things I am considering for it. I am not completely happy with it, but it is nice to be doing something.

I think the other stuff I am going to make are to be secret, but since I haven't done anything for so long I have a need to publish this little one.

What is that? You want more pictures? Well, if you absolutely insist ... I just happen to have some more right here.

Happy birthday, little one

I finished it. After way too much stitching by hand and watching way too x-factor it is finished. And I love the way it looks. It is simple, playful, gender-neutral and will last a life-time.

I put a little loop with some ribbon at the top of each letter so I could hang them on a piece of string if I wanted. They could also just stand. I choose to hang them from our beams on a piece of hemp string and they really brightened up the room. Even though that doesn't really show in the picture. I guess, you just have to trust me on that one : )



We kept the rest of the preparations to a minimum, apart from a homemade sacher torte as the birthday cake and homebaked bread.

Here's the sacher torte right after we put on the final layer of yummy chocolate. The picture is quite shiny but it just looks so fresh and newlymade. And it makes me want to lick my screen!


And homebaked bread. That was as inventive as I got, but I think it was kinda fun anyway.

The birthday banner

The last few days I've been working on the birthday banner for the little ones birthday. Originally I had a very simple idea in mind. I was inspired by a artist from Etsy, who had made this:

I thought it looked cool, simple and it would be easy to make. I like all three things! And we could keep it for years and make it a part of the Brandt Family tradition.

I then showed it to the better half. He was clearly not as impressed as I was. He is not that fascinated by the idea of it being simple to make. So he suggested that I made individual letters and stuffed them giving it a nice 3D feel. Unfortunately he was right, as always when it comes to my little projects.

It took me longer than I had planned, but it always does! However, I am almost finished now. I only need to make the R. But do you think anyone will notice?

We are celebrating the little ones 1 year birthday tomorrow, so it better be finished then. I'll post pictures from the finished result later (as in - when I am finished). For now here are the pictures from the first steps.



Oh, and now when I am almost finished I received a catalogue from Fabric Heaven. And they have a pattern for some even cooler letters in real 3D, nicely stuffed and ahhhhh ... I want them. Although the birthday banner is not going to be changed, maybe I could make some letters for the little one spelling out his name. What would be a cool little project, and I am certain it would include less handstitching ...hopefully!