The Anthropologie Inspired Pillow

I'm sure many of you by now have seen the Orimono Pillow floating around pinterest and various sewing blogs. So many people are talking about their love for this pillow! And it's understandable, what's not to love about it? It's a very modern take on patchwork design, the photo of the pillow shows an arrangement of lovingly picked and placed fabrics (though it sounds like that isn't always the case when you read the reviews for this guy on Anthro) and it's a neat conversation piece wherever you decide to place it in your house.

And it's $88.00 dollars.

In this household, spending...wait no, thinking about spending $88.00 on a pillow is crazy talk. It's not that I couldn't scrape together $88.00 if I needed to. But wow come on! Wouldn't you rather spend that on awesome clothes (note the plural-ness of that word) or on an epic night out or ... really on just about anything. This pillow is a beautiful piece of art, but I'd almost rather frame $88.00 and lean that frame up against my sofa then spend it all on one pillow.

That being said, I totally looked at this thing and thought the thought I've had about a billion times in my adult life already. "I could make this" and with a smirk I added the second part to that thought that immediately follows: "...and it probably wouldn't cost me a thing!"

Deal sealed. I was making this pillow.

(Please note that at this point... all that conversation prior to this line was said before starting thus pillow and therefore complete and total reality has now set in concerning this creation.)

Now, this isn't really a tutorial on how to make this pillow. It's been on just about everyone's sewing board that I browse and their are many, many wonderful tutorials out there about how to make this thing already. This is more a bit of eye candy with a word of advice. So here goes: Give yourself time... don't rush this thing. It is one of those projects that loves to be picked up during a movie... or casual conversation with friends. It has it's sticky points... like when your creating a pattern for the tiny pieces that aren't meant to fit together perfectly. There were times I wanted to throw this thing against the wall. (Totally unsatisfying to throw fabric at the wall by the way). So heed my advice: give yourself time.

I walked away from this project for about 2 weeks ahem, 4 months... then I picked it back up and am attempting to finish it. (See where that monthly sewing basket challenge has made a difference?!) I love my pillow, and I love my total cost of $0.00 spent on the project. But I would charge way more the $88.00 dollars if I was making this for a client. Way more.

So here is to my almost finished project. Yippee!

Hoping to show you guys this thing in it's amazing whole-ness soon.  And I guess I am also encouraging all those out there like me who procrastinate on projects, who have a timeline of 2 weeks that gets blown out to 2 months or longer, who have the best intentions to keep plodding along but are easily swayed by shiny new projects they just can't wait to start... to keep on keeping on. You'll be so happy you did in the end.

Love,
Cut

Lemon-spiked Hummus

As the days are finally starting to grow warmer... and we start settling into a summertime routine that involves more outside then inside, more play then work, more family communal meals or meals on the go then the sit down variety we are so used to, I've found it immensely helpful to have a bowl of this made up and ready to go in the fridge each week.



This hummus is the perfect bridge between meals and I often eat it as lunch itself with a liberal helping of fresh cut veggies as dippers. (Cucumber spears and bell peppers are my favorite).
It's also incredibly portable and I've already taken it to several family barbecues and picnics in the last month... and only see that trend continuing.

If your like me in any way... you like your dips super flavorful... and this one does not disappoint! I like a good dose of lemon in my hummus... because I think it compliments the warm notes in the olive oil and chick peas while giving the whole dish a jolt of much needed flavor.

Hummus however is forever adaptable and this would serve as a good base to something:
~spicier (cayenne-roasted bells-chili flakes)
~earthier (good olive or other oil of your choice-toasted pine nuts-fresh oregano)
~or even playing around with your bean blend. I've already made a lentil/chick pea blend that I love as a sandwich spread.

Play around with it and see what goes over best in your household.

Lemon-spiked Hummus

Ingredients:

1 can (14 ounces) chick peas/garbanzo beans, drained
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup lemon juice (I only like fresh lemon juice and usually use the juice of 1-2 lemons)
1 large garlic clove
1 teaspoon tahini butter
2-3 good glugs of olive oil

Blend all ingredients together either with a food processor, blender or directly in the bowl with your immersion blender. Consistency should be solid, not runny... but not super thick like mashed potatoes either. Serve with a variety of vegetables, pita chips or wherever else you need a little extra flavor. Best served chilled.