patchwork cap tutorial

I love baseball hats. Actually I love just about anything I can put on my head right now that keeps me from chopping my hair off (after 15 years of short hair I am desperately working to grow my hair out). So I have a huge collection of hats and I am always looking for ways to even create my own. Any time I find a plain hat that actually fit me, I buy it- I have an abnormally small head and hats that fit are hard to find!

Recently Jo-Ann Fabric had plain white hats that fit my head perfectly and I knew right away they would be perfect to alter! fyi- just about any cotton or canvas cap can be altered.

I started by painting the hat with screen printing paint mixed with a little water to create a wash over the entire hat.

I let the hat dry.

I used a bunch of tiny scraps that I selected in my color scheme and started layering and creating a patch full of patchwork.

I used colorful thread and messy stitches to sew the different pieces of fabric together.

I added a bright red heart to my patchwork patch.

Next I hand stitched the edges of the patch to the surface of the hat.

And just like that...brand new cap, my style- ready to wear!

grilled cheese with roasted green chiles

There is just nothing better than a grilled cheese sandwich, except a grilled cheese with roasted green chiles! A while back I had a version of this sandwich at a restaurant and was immediately in love. I knew right away I would be adapting it at home.

Start with 1-2 green chiles (enough for 1 sandwich)

Green chiles are mild but have a nice flavor.

Slice up the chiles.

Cook the chiles in a little olive oil, garlic and a pinch of salt on low heat.

Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until they are cooked down and until the skin is blistered.

Prepare the bread- I like a good french bread or even sourdough bread.

Instead of butter, I like to brush olive oil on the bread.

Add your favorite cheese.

Do your best to peel the skin from the chiles- if not thats ok- it will still be yummy.

Add the chiles to the sandwich.

Place the sandwich on a grill or in a pan (with just a little olive oil).

Cook until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Slice up and serve.

I like mine sliced into four

and with a green salad.

Enjoy!

bedridden

The last few days have been spent around the clock in bed...no I am not sick, I have been finishing up the first draft of writing for my book. And for some very strange reason I cannot get work done unless I am laying in bed. I have tried working in our office space, on the kitchen table, in my studio, the living room couch but nothing keeps me focussed or gets my brain in the writing mode more than laying under the covers in bed- I know- strange! I finally decided to just embrace it and have incorporated time spent in bed into my routine over the last few weeks of writing. Wrapped in quilts, surrounded by pillows and cozy under the covers, I have made my way through the time consuming task of writing. This morning (while laying in bed of course) I sent my finished first draft off to my editor. Now it really is time for an nap!

today in the studio

inspiration: boats

I couldn't resist sharing more pics from my trip to the marina over the weekend. You see, I have this thing for boats- the names, the sizes, the shapes, the colors. I have been to just about every marina in San Diego to take photos, day dream and just soak in the vibes. Yep...I love boats.