Much has happened...

Since the last time we posted, we have moved twice, got our ridiculously cute dog Noam Chompsky, got and lost a teaching job, started grad school, and helped a friend open a business.

Here's a little photo journey of Chompsky which hits most of the highlights for us all:

so little and new in Olde Kensington

with hoodie

At Trenton Ave. Arts Festival 2011. DJ and I became involved several organizations against Fracking.

at the house on Coral St 

Camping in 2011

Doing what he does best: cuddling at the apartment on Norris St. this year.

We are excited to be doing new projects. DJ has brewed 3 beers this year and has continued to work on his music. I have completed numerous embroidery projects. We both are trying to continue to make as many things as we can at home while beating the early Philadelphia heat.

Stay tuned...maybe this the start of a new blogging season for us!

ukulele case

DJ has been rocking out on the ukulele. He also has to carry it back and forth from home to pm on a regular basis. I decided to make him a case out of cardboard, tape, staples, sewing materials, and buckles.

don't play with knives, kids

first I traced the uke and cut it out using a utility knife and cutting mat.

then I taped the sides together using masking tape

finished skeleton.

then I sewed on some fabric, a handle, and buckles for closures.

I left a bit of the lionshead box showing for DJ.

The support inside the case is made of a plastic bottle.

All in all a successful and useful project.

Home Made

Hello,
Mrs। Jill Robinson here…

My husband and I like making things on our own, whether it be salvaged window frames turned into art or old National Geographic magazines into post cards। Recently we decided to take two items and make them ourselves. It not only saved us money, but also gave us the satisfaction of using something we made.

A couple of months ago, we noticed that the price of granola was to steep for us to buy every week. After consulting with friends and the internet, we compiled ingredients and started to make our own. We use old fashioned oats, flax seeds, walnuts (or whatever nuts we have), chunky peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, pure sugar, simple or maple syrup, and oil. We mix the wet and dry ingredients separately and then mix them together in a lasagna pan until coated. We put the mixture in the oven at 350° F for an hour or so and stir it every 15 min. We let it cool and store it in a glass container. We love that the process is so easy and that we know what is going into it.

I have been wanting to try making home made laundry detergent for a while now. I have heard that the powdered variety is really simple to make and lasts for a long time. I took on the challenge. The recipe that I found online called for Borax, washing soda, and a bar of soap. I found all the ingredients in the grocery store for under $6. Each batch calls for a mixture of 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of washing soda, and one bar of soap grated. I stored it in a Tupperware container. I use 1 to 2 tablespoons of the detergent per load depending on the size and soiling. This detergent is also great for all those soap slivers that get too small to use in the shower. Just break them into small pieces and mix them in. The detergent works really well for us.

We both love DIY projects and can’t wait until the next one.