Tight Stuff

coming home to a good meal

2011-03-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

my mom made this for me. its bomb. heres the recipe (ITS VEGAN)

what its supposed to look like..... yeah i took a photo of the recipe.

looks super easy too.

-jmg

everyone luvs gingerbread cookies

2011-03-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

yes i realize its march, but i really wanted gingerbread cookies so i made some. deal with it.

these came out better than i ever thought possible.
everything's from scratch, as usual. its the same as i did before.

-jmg

magnet and cork message board

2011-02-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

i painted the message board to better fit into my overall motif of white on pink.

before: raw wood colored. looked unfinished.

after: i painted the wood white and the cork in a light cream. i think its an upgrade even if it took me much longer to get done than it should've (in my defense, i finished it sometime last week).

-jmg

small update

2011-01-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

this is the most recent craft, but i've already got another in the works. this sweater was finished right before my school started on the 19th or whatever. i was afraid i wouldn't be able to wear it because we got a heat wave like the day after i finished it, but i lucked out with chilly weather! so without further adieu...

i cut off the armwarmer-type sleeves, finished it off with flat lace, then added two rows of lace at the collar (one narrow and one wider). i think it came out pretty good. i especially like the collar and the color combo.
bonus full outfit shot!

-jasmine

old crafts that are still awesome

2011-01-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

i'm a terrible updater, these are some crafts from ages ago.

stenciled myself an exploding hearts shirt. its one of my favs.

studded moto jacket. i picked up the jacket at a thrift store for 4 or 5 bucks and studded it (at the end of summer?) this is also in high rotation in my wardrobe.

and i studded this shirt. i don't know why i haven't worn this out yet because it looks totally cool right? i guess i don't have the perfect outfit yet.

-jasmine

cinnamon rolls

2011-01-12T17:34:00.001-08:00

i have been craving cinnamon rolls for days so i finally decided to do something about it!
the recipe for the rolls is from an old cook book and the icing is from alton brown over at food network. it didn't come out that sweet... which i guess was good because you can eat 5 without throwing up (believe me, the 4 of us ate it in 2 days).

-jasmine

the white tree

2010-12-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

so I've still been crafting, and I just wanted to prove it to you with actual proof.

here's a canvas (my first!). it looks like a painting of nothing so I'll explain what its supposed to look like. I painted the canvas with the same color pink as my room and spray painted a stencil of the white tree of gondor (don't hate on my love for lord of the rings). I figured making lotr fit in my super cute pink room would be easy if I painted it the same super cute pink as my room. in real life, the tree is only really visible after your eyes have adjusted to the soft lighting in my room.

(this is what it looks like on my wall.
I had to move things around a bit to get my room how I want it.)

I also made a shirt of the tree which makes the stencil actually visible. its a gift, so don't spill the beans!
the spray paint didn't seem to show up well on the shirt, so with the stencil still on, I painted it again with a thin coat of fabric paint.

-jasmine

Vegan Snickerdoodles

2010-11-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

Okay another vegan recipe!
This comes from when I was in high school and I have recently rediscovered it.
I got it from Janae who, i believe got it from Becca so I can't exactly source this recipe but I can definitely share it with you!!!

These are for sure the moistest cookies ever. I thought they would taste like my vegan apple cinnamon cookies, but they are a completely different texture and not as sweet but equally as lovable.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup oil
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. maple syrup
egg replacer equivalent of 1 egg- i use about a half cup of applesauce or half a banana
cinnamon and sugar (to coat)

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix the wet ingredients and stir wet into dry. Using your hands form the dough into a big ball. (if it sticks together well, then its the right consistency, if not, add a bit of water and mix it well.) Form the dough into cookie-sized balls and roll them into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten each ball a little bit (I didn't do this, but my dough was soft enough that it flatten itself a little). Bake at 375 degrees for about 6-7 minutes.

I used a little less oil and a little less than a half cup applesauce and they were still gooey when i tried to form the balls. I couldn't count them because everyone at them as soon as they came out of the oven, but I think its like 2 dozen.

-jmg

Gourmet dinner, my treat

2010-11-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

my mom was working today, so my dad had the good idea to cook dinner for my mom, but somehow this turned into me cooking dinner. it was a lot of hard work.

this recipe was VERY poorly written so i don't really recommend using it. and i don't recommend grilling artichoke, it became inedible and i had to throw it out.

-jmg

todays adventures in domesticity (includes two recipes)

2010-10-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

the gals came over today for some homemaking fun!
first we whipped up some Mediterranean-style mac 'n cheese

(sorry its blurry, but it was delicious i promise)

then we made gingerbread cupcakes (with cinnamon homemade royal icing/frosting because i don't really know what vegetable shortening is) (and not vegan because i ran out of vegan stuff but the recipe is animal-free!)

cupcakes pre-frosting

cupcakes post-frosting

the gals (lei, karla, and stephanie)

we also punked out some clothes with studs, but those are for another post once i get some pics of the clothes.

-Jasmine

cranberry oatmeal cookies: another great vegan recipe

2010-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

this has to be one of my favourite recipes from the internet (thanks for sharing this one Holly!).
it makes fantastic oatmeal cookies.... srsly the best i've ever eaten or made and, believe me, i've made some mean oatmeal cookies. I followed the recipe exactly except i threw in a bunch of dried cranberries and i shortened the bake time to about 10-11 minutes, but you'll know when they're done because they turn a bit brown on the top and bottom.

here's the recipe: Best Oat Cookies that Ever Existed
vegweb is a GREAT vegan recipe resource. use it and love it.

and, of course, here are some pics(getting supplies, check out my pants from the last post!)

(kristy being my wonderful assistant)

in conclusion, these are worth your while.

-jmg

sailor pants to awesome pants

2010-06-30T00:25:00.000-07:00

i swear i've been sewing a lot more lately, but it feels like most of it is changing buttons and hemming pants (boring stuff!) so i'm going to pretend thats why i haven't been posting but today i share the fruits of my labor: sailor pants turned to tight ankle pants!

of course i don't have any before pics... just picture high waisted, wide legged, really long pants. they were cute but i hate pants enough as it is, i don't need them to be long and wide.
here is what they look like now:
and, of course, they are cute rolled up with heels:
(hat is from charlotte, and heels are TUK)

-jmg

Dreams do come true: a recipe

2010-04-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

you may or may not know this about me but breakfast is by far my favourite meal of the day. i try to have at least 3 breakfasts by noon. my brothers share my love for breakfast and breakfast foods so when we get hungry at around 10pm, breakfast foods are what we reach for in the kitchen.
pancakes are our fav, but as much as we love pancakes, our current pancake mix is awful, bland, and dumb so our options were to make some from scratch (not likely) or make our pancake mix better. i decided to mix it with instant oatmeal to make a supreme breakfast food. the result was amazing. here's the recipe:

1/2 cup pancake mix (its okay if it sux)
1 packet instant oatmeal (we just used the flavored quaker ones)

(action shot)

on a side note, the pancake mix is a 'just add water' mix but these pancakes weren't as good cooked with water.

-jmg

Septum

2010-03-12T23:40:00.000-08:00

Here you kinda see it. Finally have one.

vegan peanut butter choc chip cookies

2010-03-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

by popular demand, here is my vegan version of the last recipe.

ingredients:
1/2 cup applesauce (i use unsweetened)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (i use the natural one again)
1/2 cup margarine
1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tbsp soymilk
1 tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup soy flour
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 baking soda
optional vegan chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. combine peanut butter, margarine, brown sugar, soymilk, vanilla, and applesauce in a large bowl and blend well.
2. combine flours, salt, and baking soda in another bowl. add to creamed mixture slowly until blended. mix in chocolate chips.
3. lightly flour baking pans. form dough into small balls (~1.5 inches) place on floured pan and flatten a little with fingers/fork. bake for 5 minutes.

makes about 3 dozen cookies

-jmg

food post part 2: a recipe

2010-02-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

this is my own recipe for peanut butter cookies (with optional chocolate chips)

ingredients:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (i use all natural; just peanuts and veg oil)
1/2 cup margarine/butter
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup soy flour
3/4 cup whey protein powder (i use choc. protein powder, like the kind you use for shakes)
3/4 tspn salt
3/4 tspn baking soda
optional chocolate chips (i used white choc.)

preheat oven to 350'F

1. combine peanut butter, margarine, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. blend well. add egg and beat until blended.
2. combine flours, whey, salt, and baking soda in another bowl. add to creamed mixture slowly until blended. mix in chocolate chips.
3. lightly flour baking pans. form dough into small balls (~1.5 inches) place on floured pan and flatten a little with fingers/fork. bake for 6 minutes.

makes about 3 dozen cookies.

i also have a great vegan version of these if anyone is interested.

-jmg

also, expect some sewing pics soon, i've been tackling my sewing pile this weekend (with a little success).

more baked goodies

2010-02-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

so obviously, my family can't keep me out of the kitchen. here are some stuff from recently.

these were from a box/kit, so obviously they weren't amazing. the frosting tasted like preserved egg whites.

flan (again from a box/mix). this wasn't too bad, but i hate caramel, so i didn't eat much of it.

and last, but not least, BISCOTTI! they're more like shortbread texture, but taste better. i made 3 different flavors: cocoa/cinnamon, pecan, and white chocolate chip with white choc. drizzle. i think its safe to say i won points for presentation and taste.

-jmg

2010-02-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

i obviously photographed my recent doodle. it reads "things charlotte needs to make her happy." i drew it on one of my buses home the other day (approx. 40 minutes). you can't see it that clearly so i'll just list all the good stuff:

charlotte + manatee
matching berets
manatee is smoking a cigarette
charlotte is holding a cupcake
charlotte is wearing a perfect striped shirt, tight jeans, braces, and boots

(they were supposed to be holding hands but i couldn't make that happen due to poor planning on my part.)

-jmg

i'll post my hourly comic here soon too! its a good one.

vegan apple cinnamon cookies

2009-12-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

these cookies are my own recipe and boy are they delicious (if i do say so myself). Actually, my family loves these and they usually hate vegan food, just saying.

ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
<1/4 cup applesauce
<1/2 cup oil
1/2 tablespoon vanilla

preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. then mix in applesauce, oil, and vanilla.
roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. cut with cookie cutters (preferably heart shaped for obviously reasons).
bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6 minutes.

makes about 2 dozen cookies.

-jmg

a little late, but check out what i did during thnxgiving break

2009-12-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

i baked for 5 hours straight to bring my family some treats:

gingerbread cookies (i also made homemade icing after this picture was taken)

a coffee cake

homemade pumpkin pie, completely from scratch. its the first time i've ever made pie or pie crust. i made a ramekin with the leftover dough and filling. it was delicious even a week after i made it.

-jmg

Some Nice Things

2009-12-05T12:18:00.001-08:00

How wonderful is Niotillfem's hair-bow? It's so sweet and cute. I instantly knew this would be something we're going to have try on you, Jasmine, for our next play dress-up/hairstylist day. She used this video, and it totally looks doable, so psyched!

From calivintage, came across another cute fashion blogger, Kennedy Holmes. Pillbox hats are way too cool.

And tinydoll's petticoats have reminded me of how much I love pretty things made of layers and yards of ruffles, lace and lots and chiffon. So nice. Here's her flickr, that she posts her creations on...I really want a petticoat like this. They remind me of the creme colored one you made. I think I'd have to wear it under every dress, like everyday, they just look like too much fun.

xo,

Charlotte

design my etsy.

2009-11-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

i actually made these a while ago, but i had to clean them up a little on my computer (using paint because i'm too lazy to install photoshop). so without further adieu, i present my etsy icon and my etsy banner.

and heres a link to my soon-to-be-open etsy shop
(just waiting for my camera charger to find its way back into my life so i can actually post stuff)

p.s. expect to see some sewing stuff i've been working on (after my camera gets charged)

-jmg

Peroxide!

2009-11-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

Finally brought it back. It's totally fried but who cares! I think Im gonna have to change over to parting my hair on the opposite side, too, 'cause all the little layers my "normal" part are pretty ratty haha. Weeeeeeeeee!!!

been gone too long... time for a new recommendation!

2009-10-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

so it isn't a secret that i've had an ongoing obssesion with all things sweden, from fashion blogs to bands and now to this adorable artist:

(click pic for link)

her trademark style is in drawing herself as other people (she calls it "freaky fridays"). here's just a few:

lady thirty as lady gagadouble points for her being prince

(saving the best for last) infinite points for drawing herself as max!!!

she also does other things like outfit posts and "nostalgic wednesdays" and "fairytale mondays," whatever it is, its always mega cute. i'm LOLing all over the place with her! hope you enjoyed.

love,
jasmine.

an outfit and a glimpse into jasmine's room

2009-08-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

lets start with an outfit picture from the first day of school:
blouse: i "borrowed" it from my cousin
skirt: i made it a few years ago
shoes: plain black mary janes
it may have been inspired by casey brown's lovely outfits or maybe this print i found in my room

look i painted my room:
and here's the dress i altered a little while ago (it looks good with my walls, yes?)

-jmg

check out the new banner!

2009-08-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

Good News: i was finally able to scan a bunch of my drawings including our new banner!!!!!

here are some of my scans:

this chambered nautilus was actually drawn a long time ago (i think it wasn't too long after the squid with the banner a few entries back). its pretty realistic which is a good look for me.

here is a small sketch i did of me and charlotte that i was planning on adding to the banner, but i liked the banner the way it was so i didn't end up adding it to the final banner.

this is a larger, more stylized version of the last drawing. and the next two are basically the same but i was trying to get more comfortable using ink and trying out new fill techniques. enjoy!
(obviously drawn during the brief period where charlotte's hair was red)

i already have more things lined up for my next few posts so stay tuned.

-jmg

Daily Outfit #1

2009-08-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

So I was thinking that we should start incorporating our "daily outfits" into our blog, as we do appreciate fashion and individual style. Here's an outfit from last week while I was walking around in downtown Portland, OR. Of the five days that I was there, it was extremely hot, like in the high 90s, so I had to wear the least amount of clothing possible, but of course in the least revealing way, too. It was nice though to be able to wear a skirt again and not get cold at all for the whole day.

Sweater - Forever 21

Bandana - Thrifted

Black Chemise - American Apparel

Lace Skirt - Sewn by me

Shoes - Converse

(fun, secret flair: Black Apple pin)

New Hair

And I dyed my hair again. I'm a little compulsive when it comes to my hair, I like to change it up kinda frequently. I've been longing for chocolatey tresses for a while now. After seeing 500 Days of Summer, my girl crush on Zooey was renewed, and seeing her long brown hair reinforced my decision to dye it darker so I did it that same night. It actually turned out a lot darker than what I was expecting, some streaks are practically black, but Im happy with it. I think the hunt for a cute Black Apple girl that resembles me will be a lot easier now.

Lovable

2009-08-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here's some more female-lead pop punk for ya. And they're totally lovable.

“There's something addictive about this album, I swear. Don't start listening to it unless you're perfectly immune to infectious girl-fronted pop punk rock.” -Razorcake Zine

Try it: Heartsickle

<3char

sew stuffs: an improved jacket and a caplet

2009-08-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

just shortened the sleeves and added the black braid trim. it matches a cute dress that i'm working on (pictures soon hopefully!)

a sweet little caplet i made using emily's tutorial the hem fur is a little stiff, but a good washing ought to fix that up. i can't wait to wear this over all of my dresses this fall/winter!!!

(please excuse my dumb face)

-jmg

Discount

2009-08-03T00:09:00.000-07:00

This band fucking rules hard. I found out about them unexpectably one day when Marissa and I were reading up on The Kills and came across the band's biography and the member's backgrounds. Turns out Alison Mosshart, the lead vocals of The Kills, used to be in this punk band, Discount. They formed in 1995 in Vero Beach, Florida and disbanded in 2000. It's too bad they're not playing together anymore, Mosshart was way cooler punk. I was so excited when I heard their stuff. It's fun and fast and makes you wanna shake.

Download Here

Band: Discount

Album: Half Fiction

Enjoy!

Char

Afternoon of the Faun

2009-08-02T22:52:00.000-07:00

My love for The Black Apple just grows fonder.

Red

2009-07-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jasmine! I finally got around to doing it. I dyed my hair back to a redder shade. Sadly, it's already fading, but slowly. I'm just extending the number of days between showering to try to save it ha. It does look a little redder in person than it does in the picture. But in a few weeks, I decided I'd get back to dying it with henna again and sticking with that, in the hopes that it will just get to a more intense, richer red.

Meow,

Char

bubblegum candy stripes

2009-06-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

here is the sewing project i told you about:

it was originally long sleeved and way too big but the stripes were irresistible!

-jmg

sassy squid

2009-06-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

i actually made this the other day, but my camera ran out of batt's before i could get a good picture (and i promise i'll hook up my scanner soon and replace all these terrible photos, i just don't have any place to put it right now!)

so without further adieu:

this little guy was supposed to be just a sketch to get me pumped for another work in progress (involving more banners!!!) but he became a full drawing. its much more anatomically correct than i'm used to, but i think i like him that way. sass and all.

also, i have some sewing stuff to post as soon as i photograph them. it may only be one or two items but hopefully it'll be worth your while.

also, also, i really want to make the hoodie capelet that char posted before this using my black hoodie that has faux fur on the rim of the hood, i'm just trying to figure out what to use as trim on the hem. i really don't want to buy more of the faux fur, but i think thats the only way it will look good. suggestions?

-jasmine

Sweet Little Caplet

2009-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

I was rummaging through Emily's older posts and found these simple instructions for this cute caplet. I think I will be on the look out for a brightly colored sweater to cut up.

Link to the post

Rosette Headband

2009-06-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

We should really try to make these. I love how feminine they are, and the felt adds a nice touch.

Here's the girl etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=872

On there she charges $30, and I feel like we could definitely make them for cheaper.

-Char

Liz Prince

2009-06-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

http://lizprincepower.com/

I recently got "Will You Still Love Me If I Wet The Bed?" by Liz Prince. It's about her and her boyfriend. Her comics are adorably humorous. I thought you'd enjoy them, so check her out.

Love,

Char

yes charlotte, we can do that

2009-06-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

i just finished hemming my some curtains for my cousin who just moved recently. i didn't really make them myself so i won't bother posting them, instead, i will share some recommended listening.

Madeline Ava

she is in high school (last time i checked) and she plays the ukulele. she plays adorable music and does a great cover of neutral milk hotel's in the aeroplane over the sea.

first listen to some stuffs on last.fm
then read about her
then download her cd in the aeroplane over the sea (but not really)

-jmg

>>>edit: i forgot to mention that her original stuff is the cutest thing ever

Grandma's Dresses

2009-06-06T02:41:00.001-07:00

So, like usual, I can't sleep and what's better to do at 3:00am than to go through your closet and rediscover amazing items that you totally forgot you had? I came across these two ancient dresses that used to be my grandma's. Im pretty sure the first one must be from the late 40's, and the second one from the 60's? Point is, Jasmine, I need your help revamping these and making them wearable and (more) cute. Pwease!

Dress 1. Green with white/black/red sketchy drawings of Paris. Theres the adorable ruffle layer around the waist that I can't get over. I couldn't get a full shot of the dress, but the skirt part it really pretty long (and pressed with pleats, like that red skirt I gave you), and considering that there is a pretty big, noticeable stain on the front, I'm thinking it would be cute if we shortened it to be right above the knees. And then the jacket's just amazing even by itself.

Dress 2. Gray/silver flowery print. It's a basic design but the dress must be 2 or 3 sizes too big, so I want to just take it in and maybe shorten it to the knees as well (right now it hits the top part of my shins and its just kind of an awkward length). And then it has this cute matching bow belt, but the belt is so old and stiff and cracked that Im thinking I'll either just take of the bow and make another ribbon belt with it, or use it in my hair.

I'm dropping them off at the cleaners before I leave, because they smell so incredibly dusty and old, so that they will be ready to be picked up by next weekend when I come back home, and then I'm hoping I can steal you for an hour or so to help me fix these. Yes?

kthnxbye,

Char

cupcakes!

2009-06-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

jasmine again.

charlotte drew me on a cupcake for my birthday:

it reminds me of a little sketch i did a few days ago:

-jasmine

charlotte is a flapper

2009-06-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

jasmine here!
on monday, me and charlotte hung out for my birthday (the big 19!). we went shopping in hillcrest and then we took the party back to my house and i gave charlotte a 1920's inspired 'do. here are the results:

-jasmine

jasmine manatee girl (the sequel)

2009-05-02T19:36:00.001-07:00

DSC06671
Originally uploaded by snazzmatazz

the sketch on the right was the prequel.
it reads "i'm just a huge manatee" surprisingly, it took me a long time to get the manatee to be THAT fat.
(sorry for the shadow but i was trying to get a good photograph of it.)

This was my secret project for charl dubbed "Saint Manatee." water color on construction paper.

-jmg

finished my secret project

2009-04-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

DSC06510
Originally uploaded by snazzmatazz

i just finished my two-part secret project. as soon as charl receives it (yes, i'm mailing it to her) one of us will post pics of its tightness.

and for now, i'll show you all a dress i finally finished a little while ago because i know you love pictures.

-jmg

Tattoo

2009-04-22T22:48:00.001-07:00

I should probably really get a manatee tattoo. I mean, it's about time.

love,

Char (obviously)

the perfect pancakes

2009-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to live in a place that has a kitchen again. I'm probably going to go on a cooking/baking frenzy for the first few months. I'm so excited that I look at recipes on my free time and bookmark ones that I want to make, like these delicious-looking flapjacks...mmmmmm......

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Sauteed Apples
Gourmet, September 1991

Servings: Makes about twelve 3- to 4-inch pancakes.

For the sauteed apples
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
fresh lemon juice to taste

For the pancakes
4 large eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups ricotta
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Melted butter for brushing the griddle

Maple syrup, as an accompaniment

Prepare the sauteed apples:
In a large heavy skillet saute the apples in the butter over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they are softened, sprinkle them with the sugar and the cinnamon, and cook them over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir in the lemon juice and keep the mixture warm.

Make the pancakes:
In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, the ricotta, the sugar, and the zest, add the flour, and stir the mixture until it is just combined. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold stiff peaks, whisk about one fourth of them into the ricotta mixture, and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Heat a griddle over ~~moderately high heat~~ (Deb does not concur. She firmly believes that pancakes should be cooked medium-low.) until it is hot enough to make drops of water scatter over its surface and brush it with some of the melted butter. Working in batches, pour the batter onto the griddle by 1/4-cup measures and cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden, brushing the griddle with some of the melted butter as necessary. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to a heatproof platter and keep them warm in a preheated 200Â°F oven.

Serve the pancakes with the sauteed apples and the maple syrup.

Can't WAIT.

xo,

Char

"Borne On The FM Waves Of The Heart"

2009-04-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

Tegan + Against Me! = tewtully rewlz. Download Against Me!'s album: New Wave which has "Born On The Fm Waves Of The Heart" on it. That one song has to be the best though.

Enjoy,

Char

500 Days of Summer

2009-04-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

So excited for this to come out in June. Zooey Deschanel is a cutie.

jasmine manatee girl

2009-04-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

so i'm working on this pretty good project, but its going to have to remain a secret for a while. nevertheless, here is a manatee...with a hat. if you look really close (but not too close), you can see a hint as to what the secret project will be.

just a quick 30 minute sketch:

i should probably invest some time into actually hooking up my scanner again (and this manatee should invest some time into shaving before hat parties)

-jmg

boys on a bike

2009-04-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Just got this adorable handmade patch yesterday. Im not sure what to do with it yet, but I think it'll have to make an appearance on a jacket or something? Ideas?

-Char

while i'm here

2009-04-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

here are some baked goodies from this year (so far):
ginger bread cookies with homemade royal icing.

buttermilk scones in plain, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice.

pecan sandies / mexican wedding cookies / russian teacakes completely covered in powdered sugar.

not as good as they look but it is fillo dough cups with homemade whipped cream and strawberries/kiwi. it was made from the leftover fillo of baklava i made that day too (sadly no pics of the baklava but those came out pretty good).

yellow and red velvet cupcakes. red velvet is frosted in cream cheese frosting and, eventually, red sprinkles; yellow cupcakes were frosted in chocolate frosting and non perils.

-jmg

nautical themed

2009-04-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

i'm currently working on a few new surprises that i can't wait to post but in the mean time, here are some older creations following a nautical theme. (the new surprises will also be nautical themed)

squid done in white marker paint and various purple crayons on my wall. (darker and more obvious in real life.)

a felt applique on a sweater of mine (its supposed to be an octopus with bubbles)

a ginger bread cake baked by me and charlotte with homemade royal icing. clockwise: manatee, flower, squid, and jellyfish.

colored pencil and a page from an old book (possible to kill a mocking bird) on white paper.

hope you enjoyed,
JMG (jasmine)

The start of something TIGHT

2009-04-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

Here's to our new blog that will be documenting whatever tightness we feel needs to be shared.

cheers,

Charlotte