Sheep Shots: March 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ever Wonder

if there's any real difference between the store brand and the "name" brand?

This afternoon, I made 2 batches of cupcakes for a party on Friday.

The chocolate ones are the store brand from a store I trust. And trust me, the few canned foods I buy (tomatoes, beans, a couple other odds and ends) generally are this store's brand. Why? Because I can't really tell the difference. Yes, they are that good!

So, there was no doubt when I compared the incredible array of cake, brownie and quick bread packages, that I would grab the store brand cake mix.

I already had a box mix (Duncan Hines, if anyone cares) at home, but I wanted to do two flavors.

First up was the chocolate (store brand) and then the "confetti" (DH).

Technique was identical. Same eggs, same oil, same tins, same mixer, same oven. But look at the difference in the finished product(s).

Not a mistake I'll make again soon!

But heck, add enough frosting, and they'll be just fine.

Labels: current events

// posted by Ann @ 3/23/2011 04:18:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Getting Bigger

Just like its intended ~~victim~~ recipient, the scrapghan grows.

It was a rough week for knitting time. The Other Half is headed into a major work deadline, and I have also been very, very busy at work, so there hasn't been a lot of time to spare for relaxation.

I think I'm at about the halfway point on this one, but the rows get longer.

Labels: baby things

// posted by Ann @ 3/20/2011 08:54:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, March 13, 2011

What I've Been Up To

I haven't really finished much of anything since I posted two (really, that long) weeks ago. I've dipped into the scrap bag of ack odd balls and started a scrapghan for TPT. Seeing that 90% of what I had was red, white, or green (leftovers from Christmas decorations/stockings), I added a couple of skeins of Red Heart Classic (the yellow and the orange) and got down to it.

This is how far I've come. (Not very.)

I've been working on a summer layer for myself as well, pattern by Oat Couture, yarn a huge cone of reclaimed cotton in a color called "bark" that I bought from Elann.com many years ago.

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I picked this color (I also bought faded denim--long since knit up and the sweater given away--and eggplant--still on the cone). I think it will go well with some natural linen slacks that I already own. We'll see. It will definitely need to be a layer, though.

And last, the only FO of the times. A pair of booties in Patons Astra color Camouflage Ombre. Pattern is from Morehouse Farms Merino Knits. It's my go-to, hurry-up baby pattern.

Not for TPT!

Labels: baby things, big people clothes, current events

// posted by Ann @ 3/13/2011 09:04:00 AM 0 comments

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Welcome Spring!

A walk around the yard uncovered some sure signs that 1) spring is on the way and 2) we are bound to get hit by another snowstorm before it arrives.

Daffodils, getting ready to bloom.