Help! I Have an Ugly Couch

I have an ugly couch. We got it from the thrift store so it has to be ugly apparently. Why don't you cover it you ask? Well it's a recliner sofa and they just don't make slipcovers for those. So I would have to completely recover it. My schedule clears up quite a bit in August (I'm graduating in July!!) so I will have time then to do some recovering. But I want to get it ready now. So what are your thoughts? We're newly weds so spending a bunch of money on fabric isn't really an option. I was thinking maybe buy painter's canvas since it comes in huge sheets and dye it? I don't know...HELP!!

Cricut Basics

Cricuts are an awesome addition to every crafters arsenal. Cricuts are personal electronic die-cutting machines. During my next three posts I’m going to outline three different aspects of Cricuts. The first entry will be about Basics, an introduction to Cricuts for those of you who don’t (yet) have one. The next week will be Cricut Beginnings which will be what to do once you have a Cricut cutter. The last week will be Cricut Techniques which is some of the tips I have found out through experience or research.

Cricut Basics- for non- pre-owners

You may have heard of the Cricut machine, passed the Cricut aisle in the craft store, or even seen one in action but what is it really? Cricut is produced by Provo Craft and they make multiple products under the label. Here is a list of their products.

The Cricut (original)- Can produce 1”- 5.5” image from cartridges that fit all of the Cricut Machines. You put paper on a sticky mat (12”x6”) , type in what image you want on the keyboard, and press cut.

The Cricut Create- Can produce a .25”-5.5” image. Uses the same cartridges and mat as the original Cricut.

The Cricut Expression- Can produce images much larger. Uses the same cartridges but the mat is 12”x12” or 12”x 24.” Has more cutting options than the smaller versions.

The Cricut Cake- Pretty much the same as the Expression only can cut out products like fondant.

Juke Box- Can utilize up to 6 Cricut cartridges and switch between them with the push of a button instead of having to change them in and out.

Gypsy- A handheld design studio that you can download your cartridges onto and create images which you can cut out with your Cricut.

Design Studio- Similar to the Gypsy only it is a computer program that links up to your Cricut. You can download a free trial to see how it works. I'll talk more about this another day.

Cricut Imagine- This is the newest Cricut product. It is like an Expression plus a printer. You can actually print and cut at the same time. It helps with layering images and of course adds color.

Here is a simple demonstration of how a Cricut works:

Update on the 3Yin3M Challenge: I'm still going strong. I have used my Cricut a ton so I don't have to keep buying more letters and cut outs individually at the store. Pictures coming next week!

You can still submit a project to the Wayward Weekend. We would love to see what you guys do!

Not-so-crisp fruit crisp

This weekend, I opened a big can of peach halves, only used two of them. So (inspired by too many Chopped episodes) I decided to make a fruit crisp.

Here's the fruit in the pan:

And the topping mix:

Together, before baking:

And after baking:

It looks delicious, but one thing was a little disappointing: the topping texture. It just wasn't crisp enough! I was expecting more of a streusel topping texture: light, crunchy, sweet. The proportions reminded me of my husband's favorite coffee cake streusel topping, but instead this was a little crunchy, and a lot chewy.

Here's what I used (to the best of my recollection):

• 1/2 c packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c butter
• 2 T white sugar
• 2/3 c quick rolled oats
• 1/2 c flour

Because I use unsalted butter, I sprinkled a tiny bit of salt over the top. I also sprinkled on a little cinnamon. The taste of the topping and filling was fine. But, man, why did this fruit crisp turn out less than crispy?

A little help?