Strict Etiquette: the whatnots of what I do

Sourdough Bread Step 1: The Starter

2011-10-16T21:57:00.002-04:00

So I love bread, I love the whole process of making bread and the baking science behind it. Reading about making bread is like reading a romanic book. I got this book Tartine Bread from my friend for my last birthday. I curled up in bed and read though it, giddy with joy. But it's been a long time coming I needed to make some bread from these beautiful recipes.

Here's what was stopping me, finding good quality bread flour for a fair price. Which with some hook ups I did. One 25kg of organic 70% whole wheat bread flour for $37.00 what a deal! (mind you it was suppose to be unbleached white but that is another story) and I got another 10 kg of unbleached organic white bread flour. So now with all this flour I had to get making bread.

This evening I started my starter. Lets call it "the mother". To make the mother I made a 50/50 blend of whole wheat and white flour. Then in a small plastic container I put some warm water and added my 50/50 flour mix until I had the thick paste. After that I clean up and set the container on the counter with a dish towel over top. Now time to wait.

Tartine Bread Book and the starter

A close up of the mother doesn't look like much yet

New Dress: sewn by me

2010-04-05T23:33:00.002-04:00

Okay I got inspired to make a dress before finishing my third skirt. I had this wonderful vintage dress, but the fabric was decomposing. That's what happens to old, old cotton sometimes. I just loved the style and cut of it so much to let it go. So I seam ripped it all apart and copied the patterns on to a new fabric. The pleating at the waist took a bit, it's every 1cm for the whole waist! A lot of pins where needed. The fabric is from my grandmother and the buttons have chest pieces on them. I'll have to take a close up picture. It's very Alice in Wonderland. I've so happy with it!

see all the pins

Horses and Ponies

2010-04-05T23:12:00.004-04:00

So I've moved into a new apartment March 1st and wanted to do affordable decorating. I saw this posy on design•sponge a while ago of horse done by Ann Wood and really loved the idea of having a stampede of horse and ponies across my living room wall. Here are some of them so far. I will post more pictures when I get more painted.

The first one done!

Pizza!

2010-04-02T23:54:00.000-04:00

I never get sick of pizza and it's so easy to make. This is a crust receipe my mom used when I was little and I still use it. It's quick and easy.

Pizza Dough

1 cup of warm water water

1 tablespoon yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups of flour

in large bowl add 1/2 cup of warm water, sugar and yeast. Wait 10-15 mins for the yeast to become foamy. Add olive oil, salt and the rest of the water (1/2 cup). If you want more flavor you can add 1 teaspoon of rosemary. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix with a fork. When the dough become more solid put sprinkle flour on a clean counter top or table. Place dough and kneed in the rest of the flour. Kneed the dough until when you poke the dough it rises back quick. Place in lightly oil bowl and cover with a dish towel. Let rise till it doubles. 1 hour or so.

This makes two 12" round pizzas.

New Skirt: designed and made by me

2010-03-27T23:22:00.000-04:00

I've been on a sewing kick the last month. It's quite lovely because with Spring being here having new clothes to wear is so much fun. I made a pattern for a skirt and have been sewing skirts and change a few details. This one is the second one and it has pockets and a wider waistband. I love the cotton printed fabric the colors are so great together. My third skirt is almost done. It has ponies on it!

Spring!

2010-03-24T13:43:00.003-04:00

Spring is here and with the weather warming up I wanted new clothes that were fun colors. So I started making a bunch of new skirts. The first one done is this wool one a wonderful bright reddish-orange. I love the color!

Below are a pair of tights I bought at H&M this week because it has the same color in it as my skirt. I love the flower print and the bright colors sing SPRING! Too bad it's still kinda cold outside. But at least the grass is starting to turn green.

Banana Muffins Forever: Yummy!

2010-02-08T17:59:00.004-05:00

So today I made some banana muffins for my lover. The recipe is my grandmothers, a nice cinnamon and spicy favor. I change it at times and do cinnamon with chocolate. It has a nice kick to it. It fast and easy and takes no eggs. Also a good way to use those banana's up that are going bad. I just chuck them in the freezer and when you got 3 times to make muffins!

Scraping the batter

Baking in the oven

Reupholstering Jacob's Napping Spot

2010-02-07T14:32:00.003-05:00

So I've been reupholstering with fabrics I've been saving for something important or special. I realized that was kinda silly because those days next come. I have piles and piles of unused fabric so I decided to put them to good use. Here is one of Jacob's favorite sitting/ napping spots. I don't have the before pictures because for some reason they went missing on my camera.

Sunny Yellow

Close look at the fabric!

Baking Wonderful Things

2010-01-27T23:15:00.005-05:00

I got a wonderful new cookbook from my sister for my birthday. It's call Whitewater Cooks by Shelley Adams. It has so many wonderful recipes. So far I have made samosas. Which turn out delicious, they did take awhile to make but it was well worth it. Finding good samosas is hard then you think and these ones you bake so they aren't oily. I made a double batch and put them in the freezer, so I just take them out and bake some in the oven whenever I want some. I also made some mango chutney to go with them, the recipe was so-so but I'm not a huge fan of mangos so that's most likely why.

Another day I made the recipe for cinnamonbuns for the same cookbook, that had raisins and pecans. Yummy! I also have been baking a lot of scones one of my favorite recipes I found a few years ago, so quick and easy. I put cinnamon and apples in them. They are great for breakfast or a quick snack.

Cinnamon Buns: hot out of the oven!

Climbing out of the crack in the Wall

2010-01-27T22:54:00.005-05:00

So I disappear for awhile. But have come out and am ready for the year 2010! The New Years kicked off with my favorite person and we had my favorite food, sushi! So it's going to be a good year. This year is out with the junk and old and starting fresh. I've been getting rid of a bunch of junk and finishing up projects that have been put to the side. My old junk has gone to new homes of friends or has been donated. It feels good to have less stuff. Even if I see everything as a possible project. But one can only get so much done!

List of Projects to do during 2010

finish quilt

finish jean quilt

paint table

paint dresser olive green

learn new recipes

sew new skirts

add more to list

Sushi! Oh how I love you!

Painting Done

2009-05-21T10:46:00.002-04:00

So with my new job and my apple computer crashing I haven't had much time to blog. But with the warm weather and green trees and grass out, I hope to be more inspired to create. I need to sew some new summer clothingn for sure. At least I finished this robot painting, though he has yet to leave my place to go to his new home. I really do like robots, don't I?

Robot with Hook

2009-05-06T14:59:00.000-04:00

If you don't like robot get out of here! Here is a robot sculpture part of a series of 4, that I did a few years ago. They will soon be put up for sale, after spending most of there life on a shelf in a box. Yes, for the people who saw that box high up on my the shelf and ask "Robot box?" here is your wonders answered.

"I'll hook ya if you don't love me!"

Photos From The Hunt & Gather Trunk Show

2009-05-03T22:10:00.007-04:00

Photos By Karyn from the workroom

Bad Blogger

2009-04-25T00:32:00.004-04:00

Okay so as you can see I haven't made a post in awhile. Well my computer crashed and I have to get it fixed. I think the hard drive died on me. I'm very upset because well I don't want to lose what's on my computer. But that's why THEY say back it up. How many people every back it up though, come on now really?

What's been new

The trunk show went well. Thank you to everyone who came by! I was a volunteer at F.A.T. Toronto Alternative Fashion week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Saw same great fashion shows and meet interesting people. Became part of Freedom Clothing Collective.

More post coming soon! Sorry there is no new photos.

Hunt & Gather: Trunk Show

2009-04-11T23:37:00.004-04:00

Yay!! I will be selling at the Hunt & Gather Trunk Show on Sunday April 19, 2009 Noon-5pm at the workroom, 1340 Queen Street West. It's my second trunk show at the workroom. I'm really excited to be doing another trunk show. They are really fun and there are so many great vendors. If you are in Toronto come by and check things out!

New Bow Design

2009-04-08T10:54:00.000-04:00

Here is a new design for the bow, reusing old vintage ties that were to crazy for any one to wear. Even for me they were to much, but I couldn't let them go the fabrics were to beautiful. At one point in my life I had a collection of 75 ties.

Strict Etiquette: Spring Labels

2009-04-08T01:30:00.002-04:00

Here are my Spring label designs for my line "Strict Etiquette". Now just to go get them printed.

Bow Necklace for Sale in Montreal!

2009-04-06T00:02:00.004-04:00

If you are in Montreal, then you should check out General 54 in Montreal's, Mile End. My bow necklaces will now be sold there. I'm really excited! This is my first time having something I made sold in a store. It's one of my favorite shops in Montreal. I started shopping at Local 23 (same owners) when I lived in Montreal years ago. They then open the second boutique General 54.

The boutique has over 30 designer & artist from Montreal and all over Canada. Keep your eyes open for my friends Heidi's clothing line Homebaked Fashion while your there and the stores co-owner, Jen Glasgow clothing line Glasgow.

I also will soon have the necklaces in a Toronto store! (detail coming)

General 54 54 St. Viateur West, Montreal, Quebec

Local 23 23 Bernard West, Montreal, Quebec

Turquoise Coat

2009-04-04T22:50:00.010-04:00

I made this coat base off a vintage rain coat I had that. The pattern and the sewing took me awhile, it was one of those projects that keep getting thrown back in the forget-about-it box. When I finally finished it, I was so tired of working on it. I just wanted to get rid of it. So I packed it up again hiding it from my sight. Finally after a year I started wearing it. This Spring I've falling back in love with it.

Clothes are weird like that. Especially ones I make. It's as if I know them too well, all the work going into them, the problem solving, the designing, cutting, sewing, ironing. It's a love/hate. They become little nuisances. But in the end my heart softens and they are worn and loved.

Robot Painting Coming to Life

2009-04-02T14:54:00.000-04:00

My friend ask me to do a painting of a robot for his apartment. The thing is I haven't painted for years and years. It's slowly coming back to me as the robot comes to life. Here is a sneak peek of him.

AHHHhRRrrgggg!!

Robots Robots Robots

2009-04-01T14:41:00.005-04:00

I think one thing I haven't lost interest in is robots, I've been drawing them for years and if I want to draw and can't think of anything; a robot comes out. Here is an old drawing that's on my wall in my sewing space and my fuzzy friend, Jacob.

New Bows Almost Done!

2009-04-01T14:31:00.006-04:00

Orange and peachy bows; part of the new Spring colors collection. They will soon be sold in a store in Toronto and maybe Montreal. Those details will be coming soon! If you can't wait until then contact me and I'll work something out.

The Skirt Challenge: Part 2

2009-03-26T17:56:00.001-04:00

Yay! I finished something, here is a quick look at the skirt I made from the skirt challenge. My friend hasn't finished her yet but with some nagging she'll get it done. The outfit isn't really pulled together I mostly just wanted a picture of the skirt. It felt good to finish a project.

The Skirt Challenge

2009-03-22T17:16:00.006-04:00

My friend from Montreal who does Homebaked Fashion was visit me for the weekend. It was nice to have someone who spoke the same lang as me around, patternmaking talk that is. It was so great to have her in town, we always bounce ideas off each other and get feedback. We both really liked these sheer shirts from Charles Anastase's Spring/Summer 2009 collection and we wondering if we had the balls to pull it off.

So while we in the fabric store, looking at fabrics that might work. We decide to go for the same fabric and then make the same skirt. Laughing that it would be funny if we wore them together but being in different city new it would be okay. So like a mini project runway challenge . We did start our patterns but then spend the rest of the evening talking and enjoying wine. So this week I hope to get time to work on it and get it done.

New Spring Bows

2009-03-19T22:00:00.001-04:00

Spring is here. Well at least the sun is, it's still cold but I had enough of my winter jacket and winter boots, so I packaged them up and into the storage closet they went. I did some spring cleaning in my sewing studio, I caught every dust bunny, that had free range and sweep them up. If dust bunnies did look like bunnies I would keep them.

I started a new collection of colors for my bow necklaces, so far the colors are pastel yellow, mint green and peachy. Also a vintage orange chinese print. Here's them in a work in progress stage.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE

2009-03-14T17:15:00.005-04:00

With winter and the cold, I tend to not leave the house unless I have to. So when I found out about craft night with a DJ put on by Spins & Needles. I thought I should go. I did go with my roommate, even though I had a fever and cold. It was fun in my fever haze, I made these robot pins from shrink plastic. It's was very magic watching them shrink in the toaster oven. They called them shrink-a-dinks, this made me laugh for quite a bit.

BEFORE

AFTER

The Skirt: that has been in my head & a cup of tea

2009-02-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

I've had this idea for a skirt for some time now. Two fabric, one satin one matted.The style line details would be, a curved satin strip going up the princess line and curving to the side seam and then curving down the back. The fabrics being the same color so that the luster and texture were what was different. I finally made the pattern this weekend and pick the fabric from the pile I had; wool crepe and a satin weave. I starting cutting the pieces, on Monday evening. I can never wait to start sewing and usually start before I finish cutting out all the pieces, this is a bad habit of mine and is not a good idea. I just get so excited I want to see what it's going to look like.

I was finally making the skirt in my head, and had all the skirt piece cut out but the waist band. I then realized I didn't have the matching color thread! Some of you might not know this but using thread that doesn't match is a HUGE no no in my books. I took sewing lesson as a child and had very strict sewing teachers. If I said I was going to use a thread color that didn't much, well I believe they would be shocked to the point where they would be speechless. So I decide to wait until I had the matching thread and enjoy a cup of mint tea before calling it a night.

New Fabric

2009-02-08T23:00:00.001-05:00

Today the weather was plus one and the sun was shining, I left my fat winter coat at home. It's still February so it was a tease the Spring was coming but not yet. I headed over to the Love & Rummage Trunk Show at the workroom. It was full of people shopping and so many lovely things. I knew I couldn't shop because of my empty walet but when I saw this fabric I couldn't past up on it. The colors screamed "SPRING!" and then when I saw it was only 5 dollars it was well worth it.

I'm not sure what I will make out of it yet, a lovely spring dress would be nice. Another project added to the already very long list.

Bow Necklace

2009-02-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

Some of you have seen me wearing them, some of you may have one, some of you may see people wearing them. Bow Necklaces, handmade by Sarah Anne (me).