Thursday, October 24, 2013

Hammered Copper Bangle

First of all there isn't too much in terms of materials you need for this one, you could really get by with a ball peen hammer and a file, but if you have a bench grinder and an anvil it makes it go quite a bit easier.

Materials:

piece of copper-  I ordered the Multipurpose Copper from McMaster Carr 1/8" thick 1"w and 12"l for about $10 and that is enough to make 2 of these bangles.  

Tools :

-Ball Peen Hammer
-file - either a mill or flat file works great
- Anvil-  Not necessary, if you have a chunk of wood or something you dont mind denting as you hammer you are all set
-bench grinder- again, not necessary, but way faster than just using the file...


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Gluten Free Bittersweet Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

These are my new favorite treat!  I wanted to try a cookie using coconut palm sugar instead of regular white/brown sugar.   It gives the cookie a much darker color, a slightly deeper taste, and less of a blood sugar spike due to the lower glycemic index of the coconut sugar. (Note:  You can substitute regular brown sugar if you can't find coconut sugar)  I added the macadamia nuts because I love how the saltiness of the nuts contrasts with the slightly sweet dark chocolate.  This is very much an adult cookie....it is not overly sweet.  My 3 year old did ask for seconds though :)

Ingredients:
1 cup certified gluten-free oat flour   (I make my own using rolled oats in the food processor...so easy and inexpensive)
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup millet flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup coconut palm sugar
1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)
2 eggs
2 TB whole milk
1.5 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
1.5 cups chopped macadamia nuts (I chopped these in the food processor as well)

Instructions:

Using a whisk, mix your flours, cornstarch, xanthan gum, salt and baking soda together in a small bowl.  Set aside.

In your stand mixer using the paddle attachment on low speed, mix the melted butter and coconut sugar.    Add in the eggs, milk and vanilla.  Slowly add your dry ingredient mix to the mixer bowl....mix until well combined.  Add in your chocolate chips and macadamia nuts on the "stir" setting until they are just mixed in.

Chill the dough in the fridge for 30-45 minutes.  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a baking sheet.  Bake for 10-11 minutes.   Makes about 39 cookies.

Notes:  The only word I can use to describe eating one of these is heavenly.  Its the kind of cookie you want to snack on with a cup of tea....every single day of the week :)


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Custom Bias Tape Without Special Tools

0000-a.jpgYou can buy bias tape in any retail craftyplace for $2 and change (plus gas).  You can also order bias tape online, paying a ridiculous shipping cost (or waiting FOREVER for it to arrive).  However, commercial bias tape is typically solid in color, comes in 3 yd. packages, and is sometimes difficult to coordinate with your sewing project.  With $3 in fabric*, some thread, and a couple hours, you can make continuous miles** of your very own.

* full retail.  I picked up this piece for $0.72, including tax.  It can be done for free if you have discarded clothing or sheets you are willing to cut into.
** ok, yards, but an easy 4-5x more!

0001.jpgwoven fabric, laundered (the piece I am working with is cotton, 25 in. L x 44 in. W.)
iron + ironing board
fabric scissors
pins
needle + thread -OR- sewing machine + thread
ruler -OR- measuring tape + a straight edge
washable marker (rinses out) -OR- chalk, depending on light or dark fabric

Optional:
cutting mat, rotary cutter, poster board for strip template (not pictured), hat pin (for wider bias tape)


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Wood Chopper Windmill

This is a fun to build toy/decoration that easily provides entertainment or simply catches one's eye. It can be built with simple woodworking tools and can easily be throw together within a few evenings.

Materials/Toos
Tracing Paper
6" X 6" (1/4" thick)plywood-for arms
10 1/4" X 5 1/8" (1 3/8" thick) softwood-for body
13 3/4" X 8" (3/4" thick) plywood-for base
5 1/2" X 12 5/8" (1/16" thick) balsa or plywood-for windmill sails
2 3/4" diameter wooden wheel (can be purchased at a hardware store)
12" long stiff wire
2 x 12" long (5/8" thick) dowels-for uprights
9 1/2" coat hanger wire
1 x 1/4" nut, bolt, and washer (at least 3" long)
1 x 1/16" nut, bolt, and washer
wood glue
acrylic paints
Polyurethane varnish
Sharp craft knife
fretsaw
ruler
drill
drill bits to match dowels and bolts
needle nosed plyers
small saw
carving knife
sandpaper

( I included an image of the template I used)


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The Best Ever Burger Sauce!

Ketchup was a firm favourite with my family for smothering burgers with. That was until I made this particular sauce which blew the ketchup out of the window!

This is perfect for those times you fancy something different, but don't have fancy things in the cupboard that other recipes call for. I tried having a look around for a recipe, but couldn't find one that I had everything in for, so I raided the cupboards and made my own :)

Also works great as a dip!


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This Week's Top Downloads

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