by nicolemiko on February 12, 2010
This is our view from our balcony at night – in hearts.
Color Me Katie posted about making her own heart lens filter using black construction paper.
To make your own: trace your lens circumference on a piece of black construction paper and cut out. In the center of your circle, cut out a heart (or any other shape your want) so that it takes up about 1/3 of the center space. Proceed to hold this in front of your lens while shooting at a wide aperture and you will have instant heart vision.
I read that this is a technique only achieved with DSLR’s and lenses with an aperture around 1.8. Otherwise this may result in a heart vignette and not the above effect. I enjoyed experimenting with this technique.
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by nicolemiko on February 8, 2010
I saw these Superbowl Football Truffles on Bakerella and I had to try them! The coating step took me a while to do because I didn’t have the prepared dark chocolate coating, since these were impromptu and last minute. I was able to improvise with some semi-sweet chocolate chips, a little milk and butter. Next time I’ll leave out the added butter because the chocolate didn’t harden right and was a little soft to the touch at room temp or I will just get the prepared chocolate coating.
I did have white chocolate coating for piping the details. I melted some in a double boiler, poured it in a plastic sandwich bag, cut off one of the corners and had an instant piping bag.
The results were not the neatest looking, but with a little practice I know I will get better.
My family raved about their texture… crunchy, crumbly and melt in your mouth – and their flavor… a sweet and mildly savory combination.
A most enjoyable ending to a Superbowl that certainly did not disappoint – at least from the view point of those watching it. I was slaving in the kitchen almost the whole game.
Despite being exhausted at the end of the day, I had fun in the kitchen.
The Oreo Truffle recipe was as good as I thought it would be. We used a natural Oreo look-alike cookie.
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by nicolemiko on February 1, 2010
This entry is part of a series, Project Mondays» 
My Love-Hate Relationship With Wool
Although there was never a time that I doubted I would cloth diaper my children, I have not always relished every second of it. Wool diaper covers have been the bane of my existence as a cloth diapering mother. Washing them is something I always procrastinate – mainly because it requires some extra TLC. I love them more than I hate them though. And in this case the good does out weigh the bad.
Pros
- Breathable
- Do not absorb odors
- Naturally anti-bacterial
- Wick away moisture and heat from baby’s bum
Cons
- Can shrink
- Require washing by hand with special care products
- Not machine washable
- Kind of expensive
Make Your Own Wool Diaper Cover For $2.00 Or Less
There is a way to make wool diaper covers for near to nothing with all the benefits of the fiber but without the huge price-tag. The neutral tones in covers like the aristocrats are beautiful, but the bright colors that can be found in thrifted wool sweaters are lots of fun and pretty too.
Below are photos and instructions for how I made a wool soaker for only $2.00 (cost of sweater).
Sizing is as follows:
Premie…..cut three sides of triangle by 10 inches (26cm)
Newborn….cut three sides of triangle by 12 inches (31cm)
Medium…..cut three sides of triangle by 16 inches (41cm)
Toddler….cut three sides of triangle by 20 inches (51cm)
Super……cut three sides of triangle by 24 inches (61cm)
(sizing chart taken from Borntolove.com)
Materials Needed:» Step 1: Felt Wool Sweater:» Step 2: Measure & Cut:» Step 3: Pin and Sew Soaker Base:» Step 4: Add Cuffs:» Step 5. optional Fold and Sew Down Cuffs:» *Before Use*
Lanolize and air dry
Learn the ins and out of caring for wool from experienced cloth diapering parents at this Diaperswappers.com forum.
Zany Zebra Designs has very thorough instructions for how to care for your wool, including making how to make your own wool wash.
I made mine 16 inches, without measuring, and that’s why it came out way too small. Mr. Happy Feet is not a medium size baby – what was I thinking?
I guess it’s time to make another one! No big deal since these are so easy and quick to make. What to do with the medium one I made though…
Next I want to try making a wrap style wool diaper cover using touch tape closures.
You want the wool to be thick, soft and shrunken so it will contain moisture. If the knit of your sweater is already thick then you may be able to skip this step.
Wash the sweater in the washing machine in hot water to felt the wool. Place your sweater in an old pillowcase that you knot closed before washing to prevent your washing machine from getting filled with lint balls. Use a small amount of a gentle, unscented detergent. Dry the sweaters on high in dryer. You may need to repeat this process until the wool is properly felted.
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Measure baby’s waist and see sizing chart above. All three sides of your triangle will be the same length.
Cut off the cuffs of the sweater – these will be the leg cuffs for your wool soaker.
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Fold up your triangle like an envelope per above photo.
Pin your edges together. Do not pin the whole length to leave room for where you will attach the cuff. (see above photo)
Sew pinned length using a zigzag stitch. Then stop and cut your thread.
Above is what it should look like thus far.
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Grab your cut wrist cuffs, right sides facing out, and put them inside your base like above.
Pin them inside the two holes/spaces left for them.
Sew all together. My seams were 3/8″ wide using a zig-zag stitch. Be careful as you sew this part since it is very easy to sew over something that you didn’t mean to. I try to avoid the seam ripper at all costs! 
Turn cover right side out to see your almost finished wool soaker. Above is what the leg cuff should look like now.
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