New House, New Craft Room!

Remember my old craft rooms? Here are some highlights...

My first was a small bedroom, not bad but a but awkward to set up. (See more)

Then I moved it to the basement and shared the space in the laundry room. This was a lot more functional and accessible. I ended up getting a tv and cable hooked up down there. It was nice and cool down there all summer. 

Now...

We started moving into our new house not long after Myla was born. Like a couple of weeks. Since I had a c-section I didn't do much moving or helping. Just hung out with my bear and watched everything come in the door.

Here is what our house looks like. Our yard was a big pile of weeds and dirt, this looks a lot better. :)

In February I FINALLY got my craft room in order. I am really organized and I love labels. It drives me crazy when things aren't put away where they belong. Since we moved in, my craft room has been piles of boxes and bins piled up on one another. I did work around the mess from time to time, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I do now. 

Before:

Yep, this is was it. Messy.

I searched the internet for inspiration: Google, Pinterest, then I came across Houzz.  

I have always admired library shelves in homes. Ohh, envy...

Mediterranean Staircase design by Denver Design-build Celebrity Communities

Wow.  Great use of space.

Eclectic Home Office design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Annette Tatum

Organized!

After having my head swimming with ideas and envy, its time to plan it and put it together.
I found bookcases at Canadian Tire. I bought 4 Sauder 5-shelf bookcases and 4 Sauder 3-shelf bookcases.

By stacking the shelves with shorter ones on top, they reach almost to the ceiling. 

This got most of my stuff out of boxes. I still need some kind of shelves for in the closet, but so far I have made lots of progress!

After:

 

 

I am so happy with how it turned out. Now I can spend nap time doing something productive.

Steampunk Creations

Re-stocking my Etsy shop... 

Highlights of my Steampunk Series 2

NEW! Steampunk Assemblage Series 1

Visit my Shop!

My little Bear

Here she is! Myla, born August 27, 2012. We nick named her bear when she was a few weeks old because she would raise her little fists up when she cried and it reminded me of an angry bear. 

 

3 days old

Bear for Halloween, 2 months old

Now, 6 months old

Wow, time flies by with a baby. 

Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast can get so boring. Oatmeal, cereal, eggs, leftovers. Same old thing. 

I found some great recipes on Pinterest, where else?

I made a few changes to the recipe, see link for original by Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body

Coconut Banana Bread  

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

1/2 cup apple sauce 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
2 eggs 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
2 1/2 cups self all purpose flour 
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3 medium overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup) 
1 cup light coconut milk 
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut (or shredded coconut)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Lightly grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan and set aside.

In the bowl using a wooden spoon mix the apple sauce and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the mashed banana and the coconut milk.

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients. Start and end with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in the flaked coconut.

Pour the batter to the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 1 hour – 1 hour and 15 minutes, when a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.

Blueberry  & Raspberry Baked Oatmeal by so, how's it taste?

This is the best oatmeal I have ever had. Super easy to scoop out a bowlful and heat in the morning. Also, it keeps me full for 3 hours or so. Again, I made a few changes using what I had. Blueberries are my favourite so I skipped raspberries.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup quick oats 
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, divided 
1/2 tsp. baking powder 
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 
Pinch of salt 
1 cup milk (I used almond) 
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly 
1 tsp. vanilla extract 2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed 
1 cup blueberries (or raspberries or any fruit, fresh or frozen) divided
2 tbs. brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, half of the walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the milk, egg, butter, and vanilla. (Be sure to mix the egg in well or you will have egg chunks on top, I don't mind them)

3. Spread the mashed bananas in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the berries. Sprinkle the dry oat mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

4. Sprinkle the remaining nuts, berries and brown sugar over the top. 

5. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

6. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.




For fruit, a couple of times a week I eat a broiled grapefruit. Cut in half, place face up on baking sheet, broil for 5 minutes. Cool until warm to the touch and enjoy scooping it with a spoon. So good.

What is your favourite breakfast recipe? 

I am always looking for great ideas.