pretty and more practical closet

Our house was built in the sixties, way before walking closets
and all of those wonderful wasted spaces.
So we have compact closets, and while they are practical
they are not especially well designed: one shelf and one bar.
Shortly after moving in, I used a shoe shelf (from our previous home)
as an extra shelf, it was not ideal.

Then after almost 3 years in this house,
I added some shelves, what an improvement!
Why did I wait so long?

 I bought a full sheet of MDF (4x8) and had it cut at HD
into long pieces, about 12" wide (4 long pieces).
I not only fixed my closet,
I also fixed Mon Cheri's and Miss C.'s closets
(Brick Master's closet did not need any fixing).
I added two shelves in mine and
one shelf in the other two closets.

To support the weight of the shelf (and all the stuff that goes on it),
I used some preprimed 1x2 and screwed them into the studs.
I primed and painted the MDF shelves
and set them into place, their weight is enough to hold them.
Since I had to remove everything, I took advantages to go through
all of the clothes and kept only the good ones,
and gave away the rest....
it makes dressing up in the morning easier and faster.

So much more space....
Now there is even a shelf for my purses!
There are stuffed with tissue paper so that they can keep their shape.

While everything looked neat and organized,

the top of the dresser needed some attention,

it was a perfect place for a pretty vignette!

My Mom made me this really cute cross stitch embroidery 

about little black dress (petite robe noire)

for my birthday.

It was exactly what my new dressing area needed!

I added a small mirror, a little silver tray with a red rose made by Miss C.,

some ivory "roses", perfume and a bunny, of course!

While it is still not a walking closet,
it feels like the perfect closet....

Happy day!

laptop cover

With work taking over my free time,

I thought the best way to "fight back" was by creating beautiful accessories!

So I sewed a padded laptop cover to transport my computer

from home to work back and forth. 

I used a retired pattern from Michelle Patterns (also known as Keyka Lou),
it was easy and relatively fast (I have less time, my definition of fast is changing!)

The outside print is a home decor fabric, it is similar to this  penmanship village print,
except mine is grey with off-white writing and green seal.
I like the idea of mixing old fashion writing with computer,
and of course it is in French so always a plus!
I checked for possible non sens/obvious mistakes, I did not seen any....but it is really hard to read.

For the lining I used this cool off-white musical instrument print,
while it is hard to see on the picture, the green of the seal and the instruments is the same,
so it goes, right?
Now I need to make some king of tote or bag to carry it....

Happy sewing!

jewel monster

For my birthday (yes it is shortly after Brick Master),

Miss C. made me a jewel monster.

Are you wondering what such thing is?

well here it is!

He is an adorable monster hold up together with jewels of course!

I was so impressed by her creativity,

she came up with the concept and the execution all in her own.

To make him a perfect monster, she made sure to cut him different ears,

but similar arms and legs.

She used felt and fabric, and of course lots of jewels.

Don't you just love that smile?

He keeps my new ring safe at night.

Thank you Miss C. for such a lovely present,

keep practicing your craft,

you have so much talent!

Happy sewing!

a little cream puff goodness

Last week end, we celebrated Brick Master's Bday.
Can you believe that I am the mother of a teenager?
Well I can, but still I feel like I have reached a new level!
To celebrate this event, I made him some cream puff.

They are totally delicious,

we called "choux a la creme" in France,

they make the most wonderful wedding cake

(you can see ours here)

They turned out really well, but I am not ready to build a "piece montee"!

After learning some secrets of French pastry,

I thought it was time to make some of my own,

they are easier than they look.

Here are the ingredients for the Choux:

1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of water, 3.5 oz of butter, 4 eggs, 5.25 oz of flour, 0.5 tsp of salt

and here are the ingredients for the creme:
1 cup of milk, 4 oz of sugar, 3 egg yolks, 1 oz of flour, 0.5 tsp of vanilla, pinch of salt.

If the cream is too much effort, or there is just not enough,

it is also perfect with vanilla ice cream and a little chocolate sauce on top!

Happy day!

Bonne annee

I wish you all a wonderful new year:

Happy 2014!