Makin' it

How to make a simple and healthy lentil bake

2010-06-10T15:34:00.000+01:00

I made this last night and realised that I only used stuff that I either keep as staples or need tobe used. This is a great way to use up any veg etc you don't know what to do and is also able to feed a whole family (or a single person for four days).

What you need:

Lentils (any kind will do, just foll the cooking instructions carfully)
2-3 Parsinps
Mushrooms (any type)
Any kind of veg you've got laying around
Two of your faveortie herbs (or spice)
Soy sauce
Worchester Sauce
Lemon Juice
1 Mozzerella

1. Set the lentils to cook as they always take the longest.
2. While that happening grate the parsinps and set them aside.
3. Chop the mushrooms and other veg.
4. Saute the veg in the frying pan and add two of your favorite herbs for more flavour.
5. Put in equal amounts of the soy, worchester and lemon and stir, then take of the heat.
6. Pre-heat your oven to 200'c
7. Mix the parsnip and veg into a metal roasting dish
8. When the lentils are done, drain and mix with the rest.
9. Make sure the mixture is flat then put into the heated oven for 30mins
10. While thats happening slice some mozzerella and/or mushrooms
11. When the 30mins is up, top the bake with the toppings and herb and cook for 10mins
12. After that allow it to cool for 3mins, the slice and serve.

This is quick and simple to make and can keep for a day or two in the fridge, just warm it up under a grill or in the oven until warm through.

Hats: For sale (if I get enough requests)

2010-06-09T15:19:00.000+01:00

Here are the photographs of my mini-top hats. They are all made from recycled materials and are all made by hand. I've considered whether I should make some on request and sell them online. However I must stress that due to the supply I currently have, no two hats will be alike (or like these). I can also make simple plain hats on one colour with no head attachment and sell them at a lower price than the customized ones.
If your interested in buying a hat please leave a comment with your location, so I can figure out if I'm able to send you one.
Or if you'd like to know how o make one yourself, I'll make a post instructing how (depending how many people request it).

Glitter Animals

Flower Gala

Mad as a tea-cup

Coming soon!

2010-06-07T14:04:00.000+01:00

I've got a few major posts coming up and I hope you enjoy them.
I'll also be consideing starting my own (albeit small) line of clothing and accessories. This all does depend on weather I can get a placement for my gap year. So good news for hat lovers f I don't get one!
So tomorrow I'll be posting some proto-types of hats I've made and will be advertising them as limited requests.
So watch this space!

WGW Mad Hatter

2010-05-13T17:55:00.000+01:00

My mad hatter outfit that I made for Whitby Gothic weekend went down a treat with photographers and locals alike. I particularly enjoyed how children wanted their photo with me, especially a few girls dressed as Alice. I think that really made their day.
My boyfriend had a few shots but seemed OK not being the main focus. I must admit I did work very hard on the outfit, the hat mostly! And I'm glad it was something interesting and entertaining to look at. I've been posted in another blog, please take a look here.
I'll once again be donning the hat at Leeds Wendy house to celebrate their 12th year. Anyway here are some photos from the weekend.

Bits and Pieces from my Second Year

2010-05-13T17:38:00.000+01:00

This past academic year has been one of failure and success. I've learnt a lot about myself and how I can improve and where my strengths lay. Here are but a few examples of my work that I've done throughout the year. For those who think university will enhance their skills etc, your wrong. It's purely administration which hinders and doesn't cover true creative minds. If you can tick boxes and be like everyone else then feel free to go, otherwise just try and break into the industry in a more purer and truthful fashion.

P.S. These are all from the same project and are my origional designs and work. Please don't claim as your own.

Up and coming ideas/projects for when I have time

2009-11-11T22:57:00.000Z

Time. Great I have NONE of it. Not since I've stated my second year at the university of Huddersfield.
So throughout the year I will be posting quick, simple and (most of all) amazing things but not as much or a frequent and I'd like to.
So watch this space for the bondage bolero, office sweat pants, v-neck hoodie and a plethrum of things with stencils and no sew. Here's a usful video I got throught threadbanger on twitter, follow them as they sometimes have a few unique or easily changeable ideas to suit all prefrences.

Custom Corset

2009-08-30T00:53:00.000+01:00

I bought a bustier from a second-hand shop but when I came to try it on I found it too small. As for this AW09/10 there is a resurgance of 80's/90's grungy goth style I though I'd have a go at changing the item into something wearable.
As it already had the needed requirements to be a corset all I did was add the eyeletts and ribbon. I can easily change my look with the method of simply changing the lacing. I also have a red cord but I think this purple ribbon looks more classy.

In the works

2009-07-22T22:19:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so this'll be a quick recap of everything I've done so far over the summer. They're mostly t-shirt reconstructions as I've got a load of clothes I can't part with yet don't want to see go to waste.

Homemade sushi

2009-05-31T00:05:00.000+01:00

My first attempt at homemade sushi of nigiri and maki. Not as tidy as a pro but I think I may have found a new hobby in sushi making. Or I could just love sushi, 25% discount for student at Yo Sushi isn't too bad either.

Unique unicorns - Cute animation

2009-05-27T02:30:00.001+01:00

The strangest and cutest thing I've seen. Not really part of my blog, but something I think is worth looking at, for a chuckle.

Weave final

2009-04-10T18:13:00.000+01:00

Weave

I've finished my recycled weave project and have set it up to be marked. I'll recieve the results after Easter. I hope to get a high mark as me room was taken over by plastic bags.

Cooking

I'm also including my recipie for chilli pizza.

1 pizza base 1 tin of chilli or any small amount of leftover home-made chilli A few slices of any cheese

Heat the oven according to the insturctions and unwrap the base. Ladle on the chilli and spread evenly around the base. Cover with cheese and place into the preheated oven and cook. Check every few minutes and remove once cooked through. Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes and cut and serve.

Woven Works

2009-03-28T23:40:00.000Z

I've come to the end of my warp for my weaving project and I'll be displaying my wrok along with my sketch book on Friday of this week. I hope I get a passing grade as I've worked hard on this and my subject matter is more concept than art, which make sketch book work hard.
I've got little work left to do as university is concerned but it's rather time consuming. I'm making three books for visual studies and I really need to get them done in time, as they take the longest and are the most expensivve to make.

Woven pieces

2009-03-20T20:52:00.000Z

My weave work using wrappers and papper.

More Weave

2009-03-20T16:15:00.001Z

I've added some more plastic yarn toy weave an have now started with wrappers.
The carrier bag yarn world best bit the wrappers build up nicely. I'll start combining materials on Monday.
I'll post my progress photos at some point over the weekend.

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Start Of Plastic Weave

2009-03-17T15:45:00.001Z

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Low carb recipe and secret obsession

2009-03-16T23:56:00.000Z

I recently tried a new recipe from my low carb cook book. It work out all right but I must stress to seperate the egg whites carefully as not doing this properly could mess up the whole meal.

150g sweetcorn kernals
200g spring onions, chopped
2 eggs, seperated
pinch of cayenne pepper
50g parmesan or blue cheese
6 courgettes
salt
pre-heated oven 180'c

Cook the courgets in boilling water for 5 mins, drain and cut in half. Scoop out the flesh and drain.
Mix the flesh with the sweetcorn, spring onions, cayenne, half the cheese and egg yolks. Add salt.
Whisk egg whites till stiff and fold into courgette mixture.
Put the courgette shells into a oven dish and fill with mixture and cover with remaining cheese then cook for 25 mins.

I rate this 3/5 as due to seperating the eggs, I think I messed it up. However I hope to cook it well in the future.

As I study fashion and have done since high school (all those years ago) I've always been interested in sub-cultures. Personally I think it's because I've never belonged to one or have either have been able to slip in and out of them (as my wardrobe is a real mish-mash).
One of these is the gothic lolitas of Japan, the victorian/edwardian little girl. There is femininity and then these girls. The style has spread to America and has gained propularity to the extent that the 'bible' in Japan is now being translated into english. I've bought volume 2 (and will probably buy more) and have found it interesting, as though these girls/women are very seperate in modern socitey they go about their lives etc with the same outlook on life (though with a bit more elegance).
Having been raised around chavs, my family being the biker varity and my early teenage years as a 'trogg' (I'll elaborate if asked) this is a more dainty and elegant look that the western goths could only dream of.
Despite having a 'natural' hatred towards new romantic (due to biker influences) I find that I often look like a mix between said style and punkish cross cute.
I've come a long way from my baggy clothes, tacky jewelary and thick chain trogg days, that's certain.

How To Relax

2009-03-16T18:02:00.001Z

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What I Wore Today

2009-03-14T19:23:00.001Z

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Today I Wore

2009-03-14T19:22:00.001Z

Today I wore my shirt that I stitched last night, it reads
"I couldn't find 120 days of sodom at Waterstones".
And you know what, I couldn't.

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A Weaving Way

2009-03-11T15:35:00.001Z

Unforntunatly I wasn't able to get my loom strung up (is that even the correct term?) but I did manage to get to my lecture, despite the cold, sleep deprivation and the fact I woke up for no reason at five in the morning.
I've just this second bought a low carb cook book, as I think I've inherited my mothers intolerance to bread and complex carbs. I'll post some feedback and the best recipies once I've tried some. I'll also add some of my own soon which are simple and easy to follow and importantly yummy (or yumyfull if you prefer).
I can't belove how fast this term has gone, only three weeks left. I'll put up some of this years work on a slideshow, so please leave comments for that.

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The start of a remake

2009-03-10T20:24:00.000Z

I'm doing a personal project for my university course in recycling and it got me thinking of things we don't really need or use any more. Things like VHS tapes, tapes, plastic bags and other items we either throw or give to charity. I had a rummage around some of the charity shops in my area and found a few gems. A pair of mens' YSL jeans, a french coffee press, various scarves and (although I didn't buy them) numerous LP's that look like they could be worth something. I bought some childrens clothes (which are the most colourful and cheapest) and worked them into my quilt, which is made from discarded fabrics and bargin bin buys. I'm overall pleased how this has turned out and has sparked a direction in reusing unwanted goods alternativly. I took to making balls of 'yarn' out of plastic bags for my university weave project (hopfully I'll start weaving tomorrow) which took me a while. I sat till nearly three in the morning cutting and tying. I think like setting up a loom, there is a method to this mess I've turned my room into (well the cleaners have been in today).
I've got plans to turn my unwanted clothes I originally intended to dump into new usefull items. I've taken some ideas from various websites and videos I found on the net while researching further into recycling.
Craft magazine A good source of information and basic ideas (Iam studying fashion and interiors after all, so craft is rather child/housewife to me).
Threadbanger An interactive site that posts videos and tutorials by admins and users, a usefull source but still rather crafty.

These are just a few of my souces, for more try my delicious page for interesting sites.

A sample of my unfinished quilt.