Let Them Eat Cake & Other Yummy Things http://ak.pinterest.com/razorbackchik04/let-them-eat-cake-and-other-yummy-things/
Everything Cupcakes! http://www.pinterest.com/katiesheadesign/cupcakes-everything-cupcake-share-your-favorite-cu/
One Good Thing http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2014/03/diy-cookie-basket-made-from-a-paper-plate.html
It's Always Autumn http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/
Monday, March 31, 2014
Cake Crazed
Am certifiably cake crazed!
Gotta fit in more than one craft workshop a month with the pseudo-nephs ~ one baked & one non. For max ease & fun, have cake components ready to roll, let the boys mix the colors, then enjoying putting them together.
My head is filled with cakes!
Gotta fit in more than one craft workshop a month with the pseudo-nephs ~ one baked & one non. For max ease & fun, have cake components ready to roll, let the boys mix the colors, then enjoying putting them together.
My head is filled with cakes!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Oh bliss! Fuddrucker cookies & dipped Peeps
My first monthly craft session with four young lads (just past toddler to 3rd grade) was an utter joy. Kept the prep to simple simple simple & the projects fun. In & out of their house in an hour. Perfect!
When an equally young friend dropped by to see if the oldest was available to play, we included him in on the fun. Having a blast with five fine fellows (& one mom, who took stride her messed-up kitchen) - what a wondrous way to spend a rainy afternoon!
When an equally young friend dropped by to see if the oldest was available to play, we included him in on the fun. Having a blast with five fine fellows (& one mom, who took stride her messed-up kitchen) - what a wondrous way to spend a rainy afternoon!
On a miserable day like this...
... it is sooo tempting to just curl up & skip clearing out a corner of the kitchen. Takes more than will power & stern fortitude to kick butt - it takes IMAGINATION. That is the secret ingredient left out by most "self help" best sellers & gurus.
The message about imagination powering our life was taught to me by Chief Detective Inspector Charles Parker, in Dorothy Sayers' Clouds of Witness. Talking with Lord Peter Wimsey, his best chum & future brother-in-law, he asks if his lordship's brother, the Duke of Denver, understands the seriousness of the charge of murder that has been made against him.
Peter explains that both he & his brother's solicitor (family lawyer) have made it clear & that Gerry seems to understand.
And Charles asks, "But does he really understand it? I mean, imaginatively?" (or words to that extent).
To which, Peter shoots him a look that says, "No."
Have always remembered hearing Mark Eden's Charles deliver that line to Ian Carmichael's Peter. I was still in college when that mega-watt light bulb went on in my head - information needs to be powered by imagination to be fully empowering.
The truly successful people in my life can SEE their end as soon - before - they set out to reach it, who seem to brush away whatever obstructs the view of what's to them an already existing whatever.
If I'd remained true to simply here & now reality, I'd still be in my cozy bed, taking a languid nap instead of dashing off a post before heading down to clear off a counter. But I can sense feel see how empty I'd feel tonight if I let it slide. I've given a tip of my hat to DLS for such an insightful line, am about to put the final period on this post & then it's off to the kitchen!
The message about imagination powering our life was taught to me by Chief Detective Inspector Charles Parker, in Dorothy Sayers' Clouds of Witness. Talking with Lord Peter Wimsey, his best chum & future brother-in-law, he asks if his lordship's brother, the Duke of Denver, understands the seriousness of the charge of murder that has been made against him.
Peter explains that both he & his brother's solicitor (family lawyer) have made it clear & that Gerry seems to understand.
And Charles asks, "But does he really understand it? I mean, imaginatively?" (or words to that extent).
To which, Peter shoots him a look that says, "No."
Have always remembered hearing Mark Eden's Charles deliver that line to Ian Carmichael's Peter. I was still in college when that mega-watt light bulb went on in my head - information needs to be powered by imagination to be fully empowering.
The truly successful people in my life can SEE their end as soon - before - they set out to reach it, who seem to brush away whatever obstructs the view of what's to them an already existing whatever.
If I'd remained true to simply here & now reality, I'd still be in my cozy bed, taking a languid nap instead of dashing off a post before heading down to clear off a counter. But I can sense feel see how empty I'd feel tonight if I let it slide. I've given a tip of my hat to DLS for such an insightful line, am about to put the final period on this post & then it's off to the kitchen!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
A - crafting I will go!
My first craft session with my first "nephlings" - Stella & Mike's boys - is less than four hours away! Perfect afternoon for it - grey & damp. Ideal for baking Fuddrucker cookies (refrigerated choc chip cookie dough baked in mini-cupcake tins & plugged with a mini-Reese's cup), then dipping yellow Peeps chicks & cream puffs (purchased for today's Bryn Athyn College "campus clean-up" that was called on account of rain).
Future crafting will feature a little baking & a lot of non-foodie fun. Waxing creative with all boys - what a wonderful new adventure!
Blissed!
Future crafting will feature a little baking & a lot of non-foodie fun. Waxing creative with all boys - what a wonderful new adventure!
Blissed!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Countdown
Five weeks from tomorrow - 05/03/14 - is the start of Bryn Athyn Bounty! To get ready, am in countdown mode to get myself & my environment ready to bake up a storm & do so with ease. In other words, in a neat, clean & orderly kitchen.
03/29 - Day One. The challenge begins!
03/29 - Day One. The challenge begins!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Tussie Mussie Easter Napkins (from HISTHI)
Totally melted when I spotted these beyond charming tussie mussie Easter napkins at Home is Where the Boat Is!! They wouldn't even be all that much work, especially this year with such a late spring by both calendar & winter. Sort of thing I envision Erica C. or LynnEllen using on their Easter dinner tables!
Life style blogs I love...
Gotta love a blog titled "Home is Where the Boat Is" - http://homeiswheretheboatis.net/
ahhhh... A quiet life... http://aquietlifeblog.blogspot.com/
Between Naps on the Porch... http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Love the Pineapple Pie with chick vent at Happier Than a Pig in Mud... http://happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.com
It's Always Autumn is stunning & often surprisingly simple; I've never ever liked the idea of babies messing themselves up with birthday can, but I love how she set up the shoot; also liked her other birthday photo shoot ideas A LOT! http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2014/03/19/fun-mini-photo-shoot-ideas-kids-birthdays.html
Autumn lead me to Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke http://www.kristendukephotography.com/
ahhhh... A quiet life... http://aquietlifeblog.blogspot.com/
Between Naps on the Porch... http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Love the Pineapple Pie with chick vent at Happier Than a Pig in Mud... http://happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.com
It's Always Autumn is stunning & often surprisingly simple; I've never ever liked the idea of babies messing themselves up with birthday can, but I love how she set up the shoot; also liked her other birthday photo shoot ideas A LOT! http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2014/03/19/fun-mini-photo-shoot-ideas-kids-birthdays.html
Autumn lead me to Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke http://www.kristendukephotography.com/
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Napkin or Serviette?
What I call a napkin, my English & Canadian friends refer to as a serviette ("Napkins are what you put on a baby!"). Whatever you call it, this past brute of a winter has me thinking about making a bevy of butterfly napkin rings, 'cause one of these days we ARE going to be released from our shivering cocoon into glorious springtime!
There are so many ways to whip up a veritable kaleidoscope of beautiful butterfly napkin rings:
What variations can you think of? Let me know!
There are so many ways to whip up a veritable kaleidoscope of beautiful butterfly napkin rings:
- Pleat a pretty napkin into wings, bend a colorful pipe clear in half, wrap it around the pinched together napkin with the two open ends coming up through the bent center, fashion the two ends into antennae. Behold - a butterfly!
- Cut up a paper towel tube to the desired length; paint each section - can be the same or different, regular acrylic craft paint or sparkly - and let it dry; hot glue down a silk butterfly (available at craft stores) or cut out a paper butterfly from pretty paper or color it yourself. Voila! (If you want to keep it super simple, you can use the wire that comes attached to most silk butterflies to create the ring.)
- Or hot glue a pin backing to each butterfly & attach it to the painted paper towel ring with a piece of tape - it is a favor each guest can put on & wear home
- Personally, I am a total sucker for washi tape butterflies! Imagining a buffet table with colorful napkins featuring a flock of butterflies crafted from a variety of washi tape - breath taking!
What variations can you think of? Let me know!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Mother's Day - Family Tree
Natural progression from head filled with grandbabies - thoughts filled with Mother's Day!
First thought - probably 'cause it's first in my own heart - would be a simple yet very cool family tree, with pictures of kids & parents in the branches, photos of grandparents at the roots! On the back, include some favorite things of each one. Bit of a time capsule!
Alas, no picture or link to add - idea came out of my own head (trying to get away from the grandbabies, I guess)!
First thought - probably 'cause it's first in my own heart - would be a simple yet very cool family tree, with pictures of kids & parents in the branches, photos of grandparents at the roots! On the back, include some favorite things of each one. Bit of a time capsule!
Alas, no picture or link to add - idea came out of my own head (trying to get away from the grandbabies, I guess)!
Monday, March 24, 2014
My head is filled with grandbabies!
Alas, none of them are mine. But they give me joy, even if they are far far away, a bevy of photos on Facebook with wrapped-around-their-little-fingers commentary from blissed-out grandparents.
But let's face it - most of those grandparents are to busy busy busy to spend time sewing or crafting. So, am the hunt for darlin' baby treasures as readily available as plunking down cold hard cash.
This bunny ears (uni-sex) hair clip from WunWay makes me think of Candace Frazee!
But let's face it - most of those grandparents are to busy busy busy to spend time sewing or crafting. So, am the hunt for darlin' baby treasures as readily available as plunking down cold hard cash.
This bunny ears (uni-sex) hair clip from WunWay makes me think of Candace Frazee!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Easter Coconut Cake, from Today's Mama
Gotta LOVE specialty cakes that are especially easy! Like the too-adorable-for-words & fabulously-easy-to-do Peeps sugar cookies, this cake ~ from Lindsay Johnson at Today's Mama ~ knocks my bunny socks off! Hardest thing is toasting the coconut for the little nests. Or use one nest & eggs atop cupcakes.
Friday, March 21, 2014
easy AND stunning chick cookies
Fabulous AND no-bake Easter cookies ~ ~ what busy parent could ask for more? Christi at www.lovefromtheoven.com is a brilliant creative! Gotta pledge undying devotion to anyone who shows how to turn your own OR store-bought sugar cookies into a stunner of a dessert. Dye buttercream (homemade or Betty Crocker) frosting green, ice the cookie (or pipe, using a "grass" tip), place a Peep chick in the center, then surround the "grass" with jelly beans, the smaller the better. Dandy for a Welcome Spring party or as an Easter dinner center piece.
It's always especially grand when something looks so swell & takes so little time to put together. Christi - thanks, thanks & more thanks!
It's always especially grand when something looks so swell & takes so little time to put together. Christi - thanks, thanks & more thanks!
Tiny taps
seems 11:45ish is prime time for tucking a small weekly something into bacnc mail boxes. way too many students to do something for them all - how we have grown since the mom squad baked goodies for pendleton hallites - but at least i can deliver a tiny tap on the heart and/or mind each week to the seniors.
food is too iffy, so have opted for photocopies of print whatevers that i love. this week, it was a print-out of a quote, last week it was a cool cover of what is enlightennext? magazine (is it even published anymore?). means keeping my eyes peeled for sales on color printing & maintaining a sane balance between b&w prints & $$ colored, but so worth it. they can trash it or keep it or pass it on - it's about extending loving energy, not stuff.
less than half the class were part of the kindergarten i adopted (oops - a politically incorrect word, these days)... EMBRACED - was it 17 years ago? the majority of the class didn't attend bacs, while a large number never attended anc. how times have changed!
it's been 48 years since i first baked a goodie for an ancc (now bacnc) student - college women lived in the stucco'd wing off glenn hall, with high school boarding students in the original building. seems the blink of an eye that i - a mere h.s. freshman - would visit college friends for a gab & a smoke (yes, it was ok waaay back then). glenn hall was a place where i was always welcomed, whether i was toting a goodie or not. maybe i continue to do what i can for anc & bacnc students as a sign of gratitude. i didn't strike up any deep friendships, which was fine - i was totally unschooled back then on how to move from light touch to connection to integration - because what i needed was a place to at least connect.
blessings on all the people who made me feel visible & even valued. i pledge to continue paying forward all you gave me, far more than i gave you.
food is too iffy, so have opted for photocopies of print whatevers that i love. this week, it was a print-out of a quote, last week it was a cool cover of what is enlightennext? magazine (is it even published anymore?). means keeping my eyes peeled for sales on color printing & maintaining a sane balance between b&w prints & $$ colored, but so worth it. they can trash it or keep it or pass it on - it's about extending loving energy, not stuff.
less than half the class were part of the kindergarten i adopted (oops - a politically incorrect word, these days)... EMBRACED - was it 17 years ago? the majority of the class didn't attend bacs, while a large number never attended anc. how times have changed!
it's been 48 years since i first baked a goodie for an ancc (now bacnc) student - college women lived in the stucco'd wing off glenn hall, with high school boarding students in the original building. seems the blink of an eye that i - a mere h.s. freshman - would visit college friends for a gab & a smoke (yes, it was ok waaay back then). glenn hall was a place where i was always welcomed, whether i was toting a goodie or not. maybe i continue to do what i can for anc & bacnc students as a sign of gratitude. i didn't strike up any deep friendships, which was fine - i was totally unschooled back then on how to move from light touch to connection to integration - because what i needed was a place to at least connect.
blessings on all the people who made me feel visible & even valued. i pledge to continue paying forward all you gave me, far more than i gave you.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingersnap Crust
Oh, my! What a scrumptious springtime dessert! Will report back after I make it - with pictures & reviews.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
PEEPS!
Who knew, back in the distant past, when Mom would nestle marshmallow Peeps in our Easter baskets, that in the 21st century (okay, late 20th century, too) they would put the chic in CHICkens!
Each Christmas (CHRISTMAS!), Peeps' calendars are huge sellers. We have two large stuffed yellow Peeps chicks. There are a variety of flavored Peeps. Even a book on Peeps' craft!
This is my favorite Peeps' project. It is very easy & can be done with either the bunny or the classic chicken. I prefer the chick (yellow, of course), but the bunny is an easier fit & stays flat. Great for teachers or friends or holiday party favors.
Personally, I don't include the prayer, which seems a bit of a stretch. Some things should just be left secular.
Each Christmas (CHRISTMAS!), Peeps' calendars are huge sellers. We have two large stuffed yellow Peeps chicks. There are a variety of flavored Peeps. Even a book on Peeps' craft!
This is my favorite Peeps' project. It is very easy & can be done with either the bunny or the classic chicken. I prefer the chick (yellow, of course), but the bunny is an easier fit & stays flat. Great for teachers or friends or holiday party favors.
Personally, I don't include the prayer, which seems a bit of a stretch. Some things should just be left secular.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Picture Perfect
What a wonderful dream, last night. A typically jumbly experience, all about Karen - in her teens - coming for an unannounced solo visit. Filled with high jinks & smiles & one particularly sweet stretch with Karen and an unexpected, totally out-of-context Kerry. Can see them still, arms around each other's shoulder, blissed out over being mother & daughter.
And thinking a how much family means to me. Which jogged my memory about an utterly dandy web site specializing in photo jewelry. There's one dangly bracelet that I long to make, using pictures of Mom from early childhood to later life. There are square beads for folks who adore the currently most popular charm bracelet style. Even software for resizing photos!
Awoke feeling mellow.
And thinking a how much family means to me. Which jogged my memory about an utterly dandy web site specializing in photo jewelry. There's one dangly bracelet that I long to make, using pictures of Mom from early childhood to later life. There are square beads for folks who adore the currently most popular charm bracelet style. Even software for resizing photos!
Hmmm... A starter set could make a special present for Karen,
when the opportunity next arises.
Or for Whitney - Peter's man enough to wear a bracelet
with his beloveds!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Tin Pan Elly
Many, many moons ago, I was honored to put on a show at Orchard Artworks. Boxologie featured all sorts of decorated boxes, including my personal favorites - altered mint boxes. I love those small yet sturdy little boxes & used the name "Tin Pan Elly" (a twist on my birth name, Elsa) on the final pieces.
Here's a link to get even the most obstreperous "I can't do that" doubter's creative juices flowing!
Personally, I love using them for my Book of Uncommon Prayer - a collection of prayers from around the world - and as photo albums. The photo albums are especially nice for people who don't have a lot of space - if giving to older friends/family, make sure it's easy to open the lid.
FYI - it appears that the Moving Ballerina tin, from Zakka Life, uses Trader Joe's Green Tea lozenge box. Unlike T.J's Gingermint tin, it has a see-through lid. How lucky for me that I prefer the ginger lozenges, while John prefers the green tea, so I get a supply of both.
Here's a link to get even the most obstreperous "I can't do that" doubter's creative juices flowing!
Personally, I love using them for my Book of Uncommon Prayer - a collection of prayers from around the world - and as photo albums. The photo albums are especially nice for people who don't have a lot of space - if giving to older friends/family, make sure it's easy to open the lid.
FYI - it appears that the Moving Ballerina tin, from Zakka Life, uses Trader Joe's Green Tea lozenge box. Unlike T.J's Gingermint tin, it has a see-through lid. How lucky for me that I prefer the ginger lozenges, while John prefers the green tea, so I get a supply of both.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
a GRAND chain reaction
Confession: Ever since an elementary school teacher had us make a wonderful, HUGE Christmas tree out of hundreds & hundreds of green paper links, hung from the center of our class room & attached between every couple desks (arranged for the season in a circle, rather than traditional rows) - well, I've been a sucker for paper chain crafting. (There's an great story about my ancient mother, a hospital stay & stint in rehab, and the power of a paper healing chain - but more about that later.)
For now, imagine children with a beloved grandparent other older relative/close friend. Something a "grand" is sure to cherish as a true treasure is a Love Chain - a paper chain made up of links in whatever colors the child/ren wishes.
On light-colored pieces of paper (I use about 1" x 8"), their names are written on one end, with a loving word or small drawing on the other end, on the same side. Each should take up no more than 1/4 of the total space.
When they are stapled or clear taped, both the word & the name should be clearly visible, albeit on opposite sides.
Forge a brilliant (in more ways than one!) chain of words/drawings, linking each with a plain, dark-colored spacer link.
Small Suggestion: Double check the first few links to make sure the drawings aren't taking up more than 1/4 of the total link. Connect them with a few spacer links to make sure that neither the word/drawing nor the name are obscured.
The chain can be as short or long as you like. When it is hung, all the words will be facing forward, with the name of a beloved child ~ of any age ~ on the back of each one. (Sometimes, duplication is a WONDERFUL thing!)
For now, imagine children with a beloved grandparent other older relative/close friend. Something a "grand" is sure to cherish as a true treasure is a Love Chain - a paper chain made up of links in whatever colors the child/ren wishes.
On light-colored pieces of paper (I use about 1" x 8"), their names are written on one end, with a loving word or small drawing on the other end, on the same side. Each should take up no more than 1/4 of the total space.
When they are stapled or clear taped, both the word & the name should be clearly visible, albeit on opposite sides.
Forge a brilliant (in more ways than one!) chain of words/drawings, linking each with a plain, dark-colored spacer link.
Small Suggestion: Double check the first few links to make sure the drawings aren't taking up more than 1/4 of the total link. Connect them with a few spacer links to make sure that neither the word/drawing nor the name are obscured.
The chain can be as short or long as you like. When it is hung, all the words will be facing forward, with the name of a beloved child ~ of any age ~ on the back of each one. (Sometimes, duplication is a WONDERFUL thing!)
Discipline & Creativity
Interesting, the great number of people who think of creatives as inherently disciplined. In my experience, artists writers singers et al who live by a regular routine tend to be significantly - vastly - more creative than ones who just wing it. The Muse seems to feel more welcome when she knows when it's time for tea and when she should be departing because slumbers beckon.
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