I figured I better practice my picture editing skills since Home Cooked will need me to do some client portrait editing and retouching soon.  I grabbed some of my favorite pictures of family from our wedding and got started.  I will say that I'm having fun and I imagine I'll end up wasting a lot of time in the future playing with photos :) Take a look and let me know if you think I've gone too far or if the retouched photos still look natural.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I can't wait to get started on another one :)

Tags: Graphic Design

This was a great, one evening, crochet project.  I made this little fuzzy teddy bear for my cousin, Christian, for Ukrainian Christmas. It wasn't hard to make but the yarn I chose definitely made the pattern a little more difficult because I could barely see my stitches.  With patience, good lighting and a few cups of tea I easily put together this bear.



I followed the pattern outlined for Rainbow Bear from Caron International Yarns, but as you can see, I didn't switch colours. Instead of using the suggested yarn I used what I had, which was Red Heart Foxy yarn, which has unfortunately been discontinued. Below is a picture of what the yarn looks like if you're interested in finding something similar.



Give it a try!

Tags: Crochet Projects

As most of you know, my husband and I run a website company called Home Cooked Website Solutions.  We're happy to say that we're doing well and are helping many small businesses and community groups find success on the internet. 

The very first website Jason and I built together was for 2Ascribe Medical Transcription. 2Ascribe is a long running successful transcription company that needed a new website to attract potential clients.  We continue to work with 2Ascribe today and I thought it appropriate that 2Ascribe's website be the first website design I share on my creative blog. Take a look.

If you'd like to visit 2Ascribe's website to take a closer look at our design and build work you can visit it at http://www.2Ascribe.com. I always like to hear feedback, so please leave your comments.

Tags: Graphic Design

Simple, sophisticated and a great gift!

This is the same hat pattern I crocheted back in November, I liked it so I made another, this time with a matching scarf.  You can see the first one I made on my November 20th, 2009 posting. I found Sarah Margaret Crittenden's pattern at http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=crochetme.com/patterns/simple-cable-hat.

I made the scarf to match the hat by using the same front-post treble stitch as described in the hat pattern. I think it worked out great and I hope Lauren likes them :)

I think it's about time I make myself something :)

Tags: Crochet Projects

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is bake. This year, to save some money, I decided to put together cookie tins for friends and family instead of buying gifts for everyone. I began by looking through my favorite recipe book, Company's Coming, Cookies by Jean Pare 1988. I love this cook book because it has pictures of all the cookies and allows me to easily pick a selection that I know will visually present well. 

This year I made eight different kinds of cookies:

1. Prize Shortbread
2. Peanut Butter Cookies
3. Macaroons
4. Chocolate Ice Box Cookies
5. Granola Snacks
6. Palmiers
7. Lemon Cookies
8. Coffee Finger

 

All were a big hit and turned out great.

As you can see I didn't do many traditional Christmas cookies.  I prefer baking a wide range of cookies when I'm baking for gifts because you never know what your friends will like best.  You can do the same thing for your friends and family with any cookies you choose.  Get out your favorite cook book or start searching the web for great recipe ideas. 

Tags: Great Recipes

I'm beginning to see another side of crocheting.  There's a whole world of stuffed animals that are simple to make, cute, cuddly and gift appropriate. I had lots of fun making this Giraffe for Lukas' first birthday and although it was intended for him, I think his big sister has grown attached to the little amigurumi.  Either way, I was overwhelmingly happy to witness one of my home-made gifts adored by a child.  I hope my giraffe lives for a long time in the loving arms of Lukas or Lilly :)

This pattern was offered free with sign-up to Lion Brand Yarn's website.  You can find the pattern here. I decided to make the neck a little longer than the pattern recommended.

I wanted to gift more to Lukas than just one stuffed animal so I searched the internet for more ideas.  I repeatedly found information, blogs and reviews on making knotted fleece blankets. It sounded simple so I decided to give it a try.  I visited my nearest fabric store, purchased appropriate fleece and got started.  You can find very detailed instructions here. I decided I wanted a thicker blanket so I used two layers of fleece and tied the two layers together. This is what my knots looked like.

I was impressed by the finished project.

       

Lukas was a tired, little, one year old at his birthday party and I was honoured that he picked me to take a little nap with.  What a sweetheart! Lukas is a wonderful boy.

Tags: Other Crafts, Crochet Projects