Completed Surfette Overall

These overalls were a lot of fun to make. I've had the pattern for over a year, and I've been avoiding it because I thought it would be so complicated. It was very quick and easy to do, although my satin stitching is not very pretty at all. I have other applique patterns from this designer and I can't wait to make more!

Fabric Disaster

Fabric has completely taken over my life (as well as my apartment). I have put myself on a very strict fabric shopping budget. I refuse to buy any more fabric, no matter how much I desperately need it - or want it. But what if it's on sale? Oh my!

My biggest has been that my sewing output does not match my fabric input, and thus I have mass quantities of yardage floating around. I think one problem is that I will have so many ideas for what I want to do with something, that I have a hard time actually deciding what to do. I have found that I prefer hoarding my fabric, waiting for some special occasion or project. But - what I really need is to stop thinking, and just start doing. Sometimes I get lost in blogs and web sites looking at the wonderful outfits so many people are doing (check out rae*danae to see what I mean). And I need to focus and just get busy.

So, in these last few days of Spring Break I'm going to make a commitment to finishing everything I set out to do, plus STUDY, plus clean my apartment! I'm not sure about that last one - but if I can get a handle on my fabric disaster then I'll be halfway towards reaching that goal.

Ok, enough whining - back to sewing!

Law School Exams and Spring Break

Picnic Island, Tampa
Originally uploaded by rusewcrazy.

My spring break won't be here unfortunately. I'll be busy concentrating on getting ready for law school exams which will always seem to come faster then I expect.

I have five written exams this semester, which is the most I've ever had. And, for those who might not understand how law school works, your exam is typically 100% of your grade for the whole class. In one case last year my exam was the only grade for an entire year. Occasionally some professors give some credit for class attendance, but overall your entire law school career rides on one, lousy grade. For me this has turned out to be a struggle. I've always been a natural test taker and expected this to carry on in law school. Unfortunately, unless you are exceptionally and brilliant, your exam grade directly correlates to the amount of time you are able(willing?) to put in. Of course a little bit of intelligence doesn't hurt.

Being a mom with two kids automatically cuts my available study time to a bare minimum. Sleeping time is non-existent and I HAVE to give myself enough time to be crafty, otherwise I just can't function.

So, if you feel some waves of stress coming from this direction in late April, think of me and send some good vibes my way.

BTW, that photograph was taken in Florida in December of 2005.

Mushroom Ravioli

One of the vendors at the winter farmer's market had fresh mushroom ravioli yesterday. This is probably one of my very favorite foods, when prepared properly. And of course the only way to prepare it properly is to do it yourself at home!

1 lb fresh mushroom ravioli (cooked - it only takes a couple of minutes in boiling water)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated FRESH parmesan cheese
dash nutmeg
dash salt
dash freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (thank you aerogarden)
2 tbl butter
2 tbl flour

1. Melt butter, add flour and stir to make a roux
2. Add cream
3. Add cheese, salt pepper and nutmeg.
4. Stir until melted
5. Add milk if necessary to thin sauce

Pour over cooked mushroom ravioli in baking dish, put in 350 degree oven to brown.