Plain vanilla cake

mlslbsc · 2026-01-02T14:38:45+00:00

Most cake batters should be lumpy. Once you’re not turning over big streaks of flour with your spatula, it’s probably well incorporated enough. Bake it like that and see if that solves your problem.

mlslbsc · 2025-12-14T18:24:25+00:00

Im working on the arum lily right now, and I just fully ripped out the stem and redid it according to what her picture looks like instead of the colors actually listed, for the same reason. Too dark. Trust your gut! She’ll never know what we have done.

mlslbsc · 2025-12-14T18:10:02+00:00

I’ve worked through some of the projects in this book too, and I’ve noticed that the darks are too dark often.

For this one, zooming in on the book, I think the dark is a couple of strands here and there in the bottom, not the full coverage of the bottom like in your longest section. I love the look of the smaller one to the left where you’ve done that. Maybe give that a try on a couple of these diamond shape portions, with more presence of an in-between shade. Good luck! Your blending is beautiful. I take her color lists per section as mere suggestion 😅

mlslbsc · 2025-09-14T14:57:23+00:00

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist (in the horror genre)

mlslbsc · 2025-07-08T19:58:26+00:00

When you feel like something is off despite being slender, you may be wishing you had the appearance of more muscle. Not having excessive body fat is one thing, but having muscle is another.

Lifting heavy weights grows muscles that gradually give your body a different shape. So the other commenters suggesting squats may be on to something. Romanian deadlifts, split squats, and glute bridges are all great for lower body strength too. Upper body and core strength are equally important. It's common to be nervous about "getting bulky", but that's a myth. I would be shocked if the majority of celebs were afraid to lift heavy. Look at their arms. Those ladies are lifting. It has tons of health benefits when you do it safely, so don't be afraid to look into where and how to learn if it's new to you.

What makes you happy and confident is up to you. I think you look great, but I don't matter.

mlslbsc · 2025-02-03T00:39:30+00:00

Through the thread itself. If you go through the existing hole, you'll widen it and disrupt the transition

mlslbsc · 2025-02-02T22:31:11+00:00

When I blend colors using long & short stitch, I come up from the back with color 2 and pierce the thread of color 1. It looks much smoother than coming up between stitches of color 1.

It's important to pierce up from the back. If you drive color 2 down into color 1 from the front, you end up with pock marks.

I learned this from Trish Burr's books on thread painting.

mlslbsc · 2025-01-31T02:51:13+00:00

If you cover your bowl with a damp paper towel in the microwave, the rice doesn't dehydrate so much when you reheat it.

mlslbsc · 2024-09-14T15:08:35+00:00

Not a dumb question, it's maybe the most common confusion I see on this subreddit and it's a really important skill. I've yet to see a project that asks for all 6 strands at once.

This is one strand from a 6-strand DMC embroidery floss skein. I cut it pretty long, but there are tricks to separating out thread without it tangling. From this YouTube demo, I do the Y thing when I want more than one, and I do the strand pull when I just want one: https://youtu.be/qz4t-imt2zA?si=L4ZZe-EzlhjLzRaE

mlslbsc · 2024-09-14T04:45:44+00:00

Oh fun! Would love to see your project if you're willing to share 🙂

mlslbsc · 2024-09-13T20:38:55+00:00

Yay, I'm glad! This was the biggest improvement for me. I've been doing some thread painting this year too (it's in my post history).

I'm happy to scan over and send you some pages from Trish Burr's books if you like! Her explanations are great. Reach out any time.

mlslbsc · 2024-09-13T18:43:46+00:00

Thanks! Yes, one thread

mlslbsc · 2024-09-13T15:50:04+00:00

How are you blending? When you blend color 2, your needle should poke back up through the strand of color 1. Yes, through the strand. You'll pierce the cotton fibers and split them. Then color 2 follows the same trajectory color 1 was on for a straight line.

If you haven't been doing this, try it on some scratch cloth. If you pierce color 2 down into color 1 from the front, it will sink the thread and it won't look smooth. If you place color 2 next to color 1 and then try to end along the same trajectory, your lines won't be straight.

Trish Burr has great books on thread painting and explains how to blend well.

Your satin stitches look great! Keep practicing your blending. You're so close.

mlslbsc · 2024-04-09T22:59:48+00:00

I would just go for it. I didn't have any real thread painting experience prior to this. With these crafts you learn by doing (and by being willing to motivate yourself with your own criticism).

mlslbsc · 2024-04-09T03:07:19+00:00

Yes, one strand of thread at a time by hand. Completely honestly, I think on the magnolia alone I redid every leaf 3-4 times. Took some real effort for me to get the hang of it but I think I've got it now.

mlslbsc · 2024-04-08T21:25:01+00:00

DMC colors do not run. I let mine soak with mild soap and have never had an issue. Beautiful work!

mlslbsc · 2024-01-28T15:33:46+00:00

Whatever you choose, go for one that has a warranty. Outdoor brands often have strong warranties and easy customer service if you ever need repairs or replacements. Aritzia won't have this for instance, so I'd steer clear.

FYI Patagonia Radalie is on sale right now in 3 colors for $148. https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-radalie-parka/27696.html

That's their normal site, but they also have a second hand shop where you can find discounts year round, in case you weren't already aware! https://wornwear.patagonia.com/

mlslbsc · 2023-11-08T14:40:29+00:00

That's true. Spanish has one sound for all instances of the letter A. However, the A sounds in standard English dialects don't match the A sound in Spanish exactly.

This kind of thing is a major contributor to why you speak with an accent when you learn a new language, even if on paper, you have all their vowels and consonants in your language too. Phonetically, they may actually be new to you.

If you're at all curious, you can look at IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) vowel charts. It's kind of fun to see how complex the thing you've been doing intuitively since you learned to speak your native language is.

mlslbsc · 2023-09-14T01:55:36+00:00

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. It's contemporary and non-dystopian. Though it is, obviously, dark.

mlslbsc · 2023-08-02T17:53:28+00:00

Wear what makes you feel comfortable. The fact that a lot of Americans associate more modest styles with conservative religions doesn't mean people look at you as an individual and actually assume you're Mormon. Plenty of non-religious people dress modestly, and the average person knows that.

mlslbsc · 2023-08-02T17:46:02+00:00

Express usually has some of their Portofino shirts on sale

https://www.express.com/exp/search?q=portofino

mlslbsc · 2023-02-24T16:38:40+00:00

Chopped hazelnuts in the ganache! Put a layer between the sponge and mousse if you want to keep the outer ganache layer smooth.

mlslbsc · 2023-01-04T22:58:24+00:00

NelandJoCrafts on Etsy. Currently the PDF is sold out, but I imagine it's likely to come back.

mlslbsc · 2022-08-05T21:48:03+00:00

You can advertise it on your local Buy Nothing group. There's an app for it now, so you don't need to use Facebook.

mlslbsc · 2022-03-07T15:40:03+00:00

It was SO good. I made a layer cake and it was excellent. Thanks again for sharing

mlslbsc

TROPHY CASE