design proposal

problem:
My space feels more neutral than personal, lacks an individual touch, and seems very temporary.

solution 1:
All of the furniture in the living room of my apartment, which is the main area where my roommate and I spend most of our time, is a disaster to look at. We each brought our own couches, one a navy love seat, the other a sectional with seventies floral pattern, crammed into the space with the coffee table and nonmatching tv-stand. I think that taking the time to improve this space would improve both both of our moods and well being while being in the space.

solution 2:
People are more attached to something that they make themselves, as opposed to something that they purchase in a store, therefore, I think it might be nice to have my roommate and I both contribute to making something. Both of us making a painting or other such piece to hang up on our wall would feel gratifying and make the space more individualized.

solution 3:
For this solution, I would like to make a memory or keepsake board to preserve pictures and other items I have that are currently just sitting in a box in my closet. To make this, I would need a wooden board as a backing, with an edge. Then I would place the pictures and other items on the board and glue them into place. After the glue is dry, you would put clear resin coating over the top to make a smooth top layer protecting the objects. Then, after it's done, I could hang it on the wall.

This is usually done with table tops, here is an example of the outcome:
http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/05/transform_an_old_table_with_bu.html

diy project - blueberry coffee cake

For the diy project, I baked a blueberry coffeecake.

For the cake:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sour cream
2 cups blueberries
2 cups unbleached white flour

For the topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour




1. preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. cream butter and sugar

3. add eggs, baking powder, salt, and baking soda

4. alternating, add flour and sour cream

5. fold in blueberries


6. pour into well-buttered cake pan ( 9x13)


7. topping: cream brown sugar and butter, add flour, apread on top of the batter


8. bake for 30 minutes (I actually had to bake for 55) - topping should melt and partially sink into the batter


... and enjoy!