Wingin' it Waldorf Style: Phase 4

More Waldorf updating coming at you...LOL!! My Mom stopped by for a moment today and I enlisted her help with this doll. I had her make a crochet cap for the beginings of a wig. She is a great crocheter and I was in the midst of making some other gifts. It was a great help...Thanks Mommy :)

Anywho, I did the face and the hair is started. Of course, when I say started, I mean just the crochet cap part, LOL! I think the hair will actual take me some time, so I am going to finish up the last four gifts I have to do and then do the hair later on tonight. I think I may even make her a dress and then worry about the hair.

I should probably add that I searched high and low for the perfect hair tutorial for this doll. I didn't want just any type of hair, I wanted a type of wig that could be changed after all it's wear ant tear. I finally found a tutorial last night, on a site that sells a lot of Waldorf doll kits/ Patterns and much more. The site is Dancing Rain Dolls. They have a little section how-to's that were are very helpful :)

Here is a picture update, yet again:

Wingin' it Waldorf Style: Phase 3

This is coming along nicely. It can be VERY frustrating without a pattern, but I am used to it. I can do this...I know I can...I know I can!!!

Here is where I'm at now:
Hair, face and a dress and that is it!!

Wingin' it Waldorf Style: Phase 2

Well, it seems to be going well with this Waldorf style doll! There was some serious fighting with making the body and I had to do it twice, to get it right but I've got a handle on it now :)

Here is what I have now:

I seriously hope I can finish this in time for Christmas *biting nails*

A New Favorite

Just wanted to share another Christmas present I made for Ya-ya!

My good friend Lottie has been reading a lovely crafting blog she found, some time ago and has recently shared this blog with me...YAY!! I am beyond happy that she did because it was there, that I found the greatest fleece hat tutorial! I have to say, it was super simple to make and it turned out fantastic! The only thing that I did differently, was that I did not use the patter provided. I would have but my printer has no ink :(

Anywho, here is the hat I made from this pattern:


I think this hat is so great, I am planning to make another one this week :) Be sure to check out Infarrantly Creative for this tutorial and so much more!

Wingin' it, Waldorf Style!

I have been crafting up a storm for Christmas this year and was looking for a nice doll to make for Ya-ya, when I came across the Waldorf Dolls. These are the cutest little dolls, EVER! I really like the way they look and really want to make one for Ya-ya, but I don't shop online and can't really afford to pay for the patterns :( I was browsing some of the sites, belonging to people who have made Waldorf dolls and got an idea...I bet I could wing it if I tried hard enough! Not that I have a fat head or anything, but I do have a knack for making things from pictures, without a pattern.

So, I began the process of figuring out how to make a Waldorf style doll, using the small tutorials online as well as my own ideas. I haven't gotten too far yet, but I have started!! I would like to share with you, what I have so far.

Here is my take on the Waldorf doll...The head is all I have so far:

Now remember, I am working with no patter and I have no real clue as to how this is "supposed" to be done...LOL! I really hope it turns out!

Keep your eye open for more updates on this one as I will be posting more soon! Well, I am off to work this doll :)

On the Menu: Eggplant Pasta Bake

Lately, I have been trying a lot of new dishes for our meals and I thought it would be fun to start a little segment called, "On the Menu", to share with you the tasty recipes we've been trying.

I have been in search of some great vegetarian meals, in a fight to eat healthier and be greener. In my searches, I have found a lovely selection of tasty meals and am amazed when everyone actually likes the them! Macho Man is not in to veggies at all, so when he likes it, it is far more amazing than when Ya-ya eats it all up.

I must add that this dish was absolutely delicious and it was gobbled right up! I think it may be a new favorite, along with the vegetarian Minestrone Soup from last week.

Without further adieu, here is tonight's tasty meal:

Eggplant Pasta Bake
(this is my finished product...It was soooooooo YUMMY!)

Deliciously rich and full of tomato goodness. Whole wheat pasta adds a nutty flavor to this casserole.

2 cups Whole wheat penne pasta (or other tube pasta)
2 Medium eggplants, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch (6 mm) slices
Salt, sprinkle
1 tbsp. Olive (or cooking) oil
1 cup Chopped onion
2 3/4 cups Tomato pasta sauce
6 Roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup Basil pesto
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
Cook pasta in boiling salted water in large uncovered saucepan or Dutch oven for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but firm. Drain. Return to same saucepan. Set aside.

Sprinkle both sides of eggplant slices with salt. Place on wire rack set on baking sheet with sides. Let stand for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Blot dry with paper towels. Spray both sides of eggplant slices with cooking spray. Preheat gas barbecue to medium (see Note). Cook eggplant on greased grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to large plate. Cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Add to pasta.

Heat olive oil in small frying pan on medium. Add onion. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until softened. Add to pasta. Stir.

Add next 3 ingredients. Stir. Transfer to greased 3 quart (3 L) casserole.

Sprinkle with both cheeses. Bake, uncovered, in 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through and cheese is golden. Serves 6. 1 serving: 447 Calories; 16.6 g Total Fat (8.3 g Mono, 2.6 g Poly, 4.5 g Sat); 13 mg Cholesterol; 64 g Carbohydrate; 7 g Fiber; 17 g Protein; 828 mg Sodium. Note: If preferred, cook eggplant slices in 3 batches in 1 tbsp. (15 mL) olive (or cooking) oil in large frying pan on medium for 2 minutes per side until golden.

Tonight's dish has been brought to you by Company's Coming Most Loved Casseroles Cookbook

Christmas Chaos!

Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!! Things are SO out of control right now and I have a million projects on the go! I don't know why I do this to myself. I have decided that I am not only going to make as many of the Christmas gifts this year, as I can, but I thought it would be a lovely idea to take everything out of Ya-ya's room and paint!!!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?! What makes me do such insane things?? Why can't I get away from all this chaos I create?? I am crazy I tells ya! AHHHHHHHHH!!! This place is a crazy, horrible mess! It just makes everything so confusing and nothing is getting done. It doesn't stop me from trying though...LOL! I just hope I can finish all the gifts I have on the go, before Christmas. I promised myself that I would NOT be sewing on Christmas day, like last year.

This year, the New Year's resolution is one thing and one thing only....NO MORE CHAOS! I have to rid myself, my life and my family of all this insanity I bring on. This means a clean, organized, clutter-free home and life (add healthy living to this list). It also means ridding myself of the chaos in my own body. I must lose weight! Just another thing in my life that is out of control!

Nothing negative, just looking to the positive! Even though things are super crazy, I feel good that I am actually getting some crafting done and Ya'ya's room is a quarter done..LOL! I think my Mom will be coming to help with the room, I really need to have it done before Christmas. I have most a lot of things cut out, I just need to sit in front of my sewing machine and get things done. I can do thins, I know I can. In fact, I am off to the craft room to do some sewing, right now!

I suppose that is all for this crazy lady update! I am really hoping to have some great crafty goodness to blog about later :) I will also finish up the construction on here, after Christmas (no time right now, you see the chaos...LOL)