Twilight Tide Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

I think I might need to rename my blog "the grosgrain-giveaway-want blog"...


Twilight Tide Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

soapboxing

Copyright.

So necessary these days. So misused.

What can be copyrighted?
"Copyrights protect the "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression."

And what can't? Well the one that is yanking my chain these days is this one:
"Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration."

There are so many tutorials and patterns out there in 'blogland' right now that have a little copyright statement at the bottom telling prospective users that since the pattern in question is copyrighted by the author, the user is not permitted to make items for sale using said pattern. Heck, even a lot of books being published right now say the same thing.

Bollocks.

The only thing that copyright covers is the actual instructions and illustrations as written down by the author. That's it. All that copyright means is that I can't print out the pattern as given by the creator and claim it as my own, or sell it, or use it to teach a class. I can't even modify it and claim it as my own. But once I've bought it, it's mine to do with as I choose. It's called the Doctrine of First Sale... distribution rights of a copyright holder end on that particular copy once the copy is lawfully transferred.

Once I have legally purchased or been given a pattern, I have the right to sell *my copy* of the pattern (and only that copy of it!), or give it away, or lend it to someone, or burn it, or cut it up and use it in artwork, or use it to make the actual item described. It's my copy. I own it. And the item that I make with the pattern is also mine to do with as I choose. It's considered a "useful item", and as such, cannot be copyrighted.

I was blog-hopping this evening and came across a pattern for a pleated cushion cover. It is lovely. I'm considering making one. But once again, the author put a "not for commercial use" disclaimer at the bottom of the pattern. I ask you. Did she invent the concept of cushion covers? Was she the first to put pin-tucking on such a cover? I think not.

I welcome comments on this one... I know it's a hot topic. Tell me what you think!

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh. My. Gosh.

Baggu Grosgrain Guest GIVEAWAY!!!!

Baggu Grosgrain Guest GIVEAWAY!!!!

I can't believe I'm doing this again... but reusable bags are great. So there.

cookies

Is this turning into a cooking blog, you might ask?
Don't know.
Cooking and baking is a passion of mine, but it's certainly not the only one.

So here's the recipe for cookies that were called "f***ing awesome" by the highschool kids last night. I found them in Frozen Assets by Deborah Taylor-Hough.


2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
5 cups blended oatmeal*
3 cups chopped walnuts
24 oz chocolate chips
1 8-0z bar chocolate bar, grated (I just used more chocolate chips... who can be bothered grating a chocolate bar?)

*First measure the oatmeal, then blend into a fine powder in a food processor or blender.

Cream together butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift together and then stir in salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour. Stir in blended oats. Mix in chips, grated chocolate bar and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees.

This makes, as you might guess, a HUGE amount of cookies. I had to mix the dough in my roasting pan, since none of my bowls were big enough. I baked 5 dozen of the cookies, and put 9 dozen little dough balls in the freezer for a later date. Seriously. 14 dozen cookies.

And they're f***ing awesome!

Found!

A thrift store trip this morning netted a bag of rusty goodness. I thought it was cogs and gears and random stuff, but oh no! It was better than that!

Two rolled-hem feet (I think they're slightly different sizes, it's hard to tell)





A ruffler foot




Some mystery metal pieces that look like they might belong to a sewing machine somehow



And a very mysterious-looking foot. I have no idea what it is for, but I'd love to find out, if anyone knows!

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. I'd love to be able to resurrect the ruffler, because that would be a very handy thing to have around. I guess if they're beyond hope of reviving, there'll be some sort of assemblage art in their future, we'll see. At any rate, I was really excited to find them!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

dang it... two in a row. I'm sorry. But I just saw this today and I need to win it. NEED.
For my daughter.
yeah.
that's right.

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!


Check this out! It's absolutely gorgeous, and she's giving it away!

Oh how I'd love to be able to create something like this.

of food and questions

the food...

I didn't think to take a picture of this *before* we started eating it... and soon there was absolutely none left. There was a small fight over who would get to scrape the pan.

Fridge-raid Pie

3 onions, peeled and cut into wedges
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped ham
1/4 cup flour
1.5 cups milk (or 3/4 cup milk + 3/4 cup chicken broth)
1 cup grated cheese (I used a 4-cheese Italian blend... I think sharp cheddar might have been better)
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes mixed with 1 head roasted garlic
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (approx.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Caramelize the onions in the olive oil (saute gently, stirring often so that they get well-cooked without browning - this usually takes at least 30 minutes. Don't try to rush it!) Add the ham and cook til it's heated through. Stir in the flour until it's completely absorbed by the oil in the pan. (Add more oil if necessary.) Slowly stir in the milk, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly til thickened. Pour into 2-qt baking dish. Put a layer of grated cheese over top, and then top that (carefully) with the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes, til the cheese on top is golden, and the filling is bubbly.

Comfort food!!!

...and now the questions.
This is a shawl I made last week. The yarn is gorgeous... noro silk garden. I love the colours - to look at. D'oh! When am I going to figure out that although I love bright colours and multi-coloured objects, I. do. not. wear. them.
Ever.
Nor do I wear bulky chunky things around my neck.
On the other hand, when I'm cold, which is most of the time these days, I have been known to walk around the house with a blanket around my shoulders.
So, do I keep the thing? Frog it? Try a different style of shoulder-warmer? Dye it black (heaven forbid!)