These cookies are the first recipe that I've tried for the season. I'm not a chocolate lover, but the family is. They loved them.
December 2, 2010
Chocolate Walnut Cookies
I baked these the other day.
I bought "The Best of Fine Cooking - Cookies" magazine back in 2008. This edition has 101 recipes, tips and tricks. The photography is beautiful and all of the instructions are easy to follow.
These cookies are the first recipe that I've tried for the season. I'm not a chocolate lover, but the family is. They loved them.
These cookies are the first recipe that I've tried for the season. I'm not a chocolate lover, but the family is. They loved them.
Last Minute Advent Calendar
After numerous attempts over the years, I have finally completed an Advent Calendar. Usually I would start an intricate calendar that is just too complicated and would often run out of time. This year, I kept it simple.
The numbers are actually shrinky dinks. The "flowers" are mini cupcake papers and I pinned them to my corkboard located in the kitchen with straight pins. Not bad for last minute. Everything I used was already on hand except the candy.
The numbers are actually shrinky dinks. The "flowers" are mini cupcake papers and I pinned them to my corkboard located in the kitchen with straight pins. Not bad for last minute. Everything I used was already on hand except the candy.
November 24, 2010
No Roll Pie Crust
How do you roll out pie crust dough into that perfect circle?
I don't know.
I've tried a few times ending up with odd shaped uneven dough. My brain just cannot comprehend how to form that perfect circle. So as a result, my lovely glass Pyrex pie dish has been used as a flour and egg dip pan, a pancake plate and a bead sorter.
So my interest was piqued when one of my favourite bloggers, Joy The Baker, posted a recipe for No Roll Crust.
Eureka! I can bake a pie completely from scratch?
You know, I had a bit of baker's guilt because my crust was not my own. It was hard always having the following conversation:
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Michelle, this pie is sooo delicious! Did you make the crust?"
Me: "Thanks! But no, it's refrigerated."
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Oh....I see....it's still good."
Why is it that whenever someone eats a pie, they always want to know if you made the crust yourself? These people don't bake! And they sure don't bake pie crusts!
Anyway, finally, thanks to this recipe, my future conversations will go like this:
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Michelle, this pie is sooo delicious! Did you make the crust?"
Me: "Thanks! Yes. Yes I did."
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Guuurrlll you are a baking goddess! I bow down to you!"
Me:" Oh it's nothing really, it's just my calling."
The crust is great.
No Roll Pie Crust by Joy The Baker:
makes 1 9-inch pie crust
Add frozen butter that has been grated on a cheese grater and tablespoon of cream cheese. With your fingers, work the cream cheese and butter into the flour mixture, breaking the butter and cream cheese up until they’re in well incorporated into the flour. Some butter bits will be tiny, other the size of small pebbles. The dough may even begin to some together in a rough, sandy kind of way.
Combine the milk and oil. Whisk together. Add all at once to the flour and butter mixture. With a fork, begin to combine the ingredients, making sure that all of the flour mixture is introduced to the liquid. The mixture does not need to come together into a ball. Leave it a bit shaggy and dump the dough into a clean 9-inch pie plate. With your fingers, press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pie plate and up the sides. Try to get the dough as even as possible, but don’t worry too much about finger indentations. You can’t fight that.
Place the prepared crust in the freezer while you preheat the oven and prepare your filling. If you’re going to pre-bake your crust, heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line the chilled pie crust with foil, weigh down with beans and bake for 10 minutes covered. Remove the foil and beans and bake for 4-6 minutes uncovered until golden brown.
If you need an unbaked pie crust, simply remove the crust from the freezer once your filling is made, fill your pie and place in a preheated oven. Bake according to your particular recipe.
Linked To:
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
Night Owl Crafting
Unbaked No Roll Crust |
I don't know.
I've tried a few times ending up with odd shaped uneven dough. My brain just cannot comprehend how to form that perfect circle. So as a result, my lovely glass Pyrex pie dish has been used as a flour and egg dip pan, a pancake plate and a bead sorter.
So my interest was piqued when one of my favourite bloggers, Joy The Baker, posted a recipe for No Roll Crust.
Eureka! I can bake a pie completely from scratch?
You know, I had a bit of baker's guilt because my crust was not my own. It was hard always having the following conversation:
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Michelle, this pie is sooo delicious! Did you make the crust?"
Me: "Thanks! But no, it's refrigerated."
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Oh....I see....it's still good."
Why is it that whenever someone eats a pie, they always want to know if you made the crust yourself? These people don't bake! And they sure don't bake pie crusts!
Anyway, finally, thanks to this recipe, my future conversations will go like this:
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Michelle, this pie is sooo delicious! Did you make the crust?"
Me: "Thanks! Yes. Yes I did."
Sister/Aunt/Friend: "Guuurrlll you are a baking goddess! I bow down to you!"
Me:" Oh it's nothing really, it's just my calling."
The crust is great.
No Roll Pie Crust by Joy The Baker:
makes 1 9-inch pie crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoon) frozen butter that has been grated on a cheese grater
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tablespoon cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons cold milk
Add frozen butter that has been grated on a cheese grater and tablespoon of cream cheese. With your fingers, work the cream cheese and butter into the flour mixture, breaking the butter and cream cheese up until they’re in well incorporated into the flour. Some butter bits will be tiny, other the size of small pebbles. The dough may even begin to some together in a rough, sandy kind of way.
Combine the milk and oil. Whisk together. Add all at once to the flour and butter mixture. With a fork, begin to combine the ingredients, making sure that all of the flour mixture is introduced to the liquid. The mixture does not need to come together into a ball. Leave it a bit shaggy and dump the dough into a clean 9-inch pie plate. With your fingers, press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pie plate and up the sides. Try to get the dough as even as possible, but don’t worry too much about finger indentations. You can’t fight that.
Place the prepared crust in the freezer while you preheat the oven and prepare your filling. If you’re going to pre-bake your crust, heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line the chilled pie crust with foil, weigh down with beans and bake for 10 minutes covered. Remove the foil and beans and bake for 4-6 minutes uncovered until golden brown.
If you need an unbaked pie crust, simply remove the crust from the freezer once your filling is made, fill your pie and place in a preheated oven. Bake according to your particular recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie with No Roll Crust |
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
Night Owl Crafting
November 22, 2010
Sweet Potato Pie
I, on the other hand do not. As a descendant of an oppressed people, I choose not to observe the day. I do however enjoy all of the online sales and recipes! So yeah, I'm two-faced...whatever.
As I mentioned previously, when this time of year rolls around, I like to test recipes out before Christmas just to make sure that they will be great on the big day. So far, I've tested the Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls.
Now I've tested one of my desserts...Sweet Potato Pie. I tried this recipe for the first time last year and loved it. So, I really didn't need to test it, I just had a craving for it.
I modified the recipe from a Sweet Potato Pecan Pie on the Eagle Brand website. Pecans are not readily available here, and they are also very expensive. Also, I do not like nut pies.
So here's my take on it:
Sweet Potato Pie by Eagle Brand modified by The Sapphire Ridge Chronicles:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound yams or sweet potatoes, cooked and peeled
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- Prepared Pie Crust (I made my own)
Directions:
HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat hot yams and 1/4 cup butter in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla, nutmeg, salt and egg; mix well. Pour into crust.
BAKE 55-60 minutes.
Linked To:
November 17, 2010
Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
I'm starting to get the Christmas bug. For me, that means baking!
I always have this fantasy that my husband and kids, family and friends will come over to a house full of goodies and great food to eat. Unfortunately, it doesn't turn out that way. You see, I also sell cakes and goodies for the season, and end up being too pooped to do much at home. But I always make sure that Christmas Dinner is cooked and they have a great Christmas Breakfast.
I like to try new recipes out before Christmas morning to make sure that everyone will enjoy them. We love Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast. I've tried a few recipes, but they were never quite to my liking, OR they were just too much work.
However, I have found a recipe that tastes great and is easy to do, mainly because it uses a bread machine. It can be done without one as well, but a bread machine makes it easier.
I love the way they came out, and will definitely be making them on Christmas Morning!
Ingredients:
Dough
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup warm milk ( I used powdered milk)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons milk
Directions:
1.In the pan of your bread machine, combine water, melted butter, vanilla pudding, warm milk, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, bread flour and yeast. Set machine to Dough cycle; press Start. 2.When Dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 17x10 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over dough.3.Roll up dough, beginning with long side. Slice into 16 one inch slices and place in 9x13 buttered pan. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4.Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. While rolls bake, stir together cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk. Remove rolls from oven and top with frosting.
Linked To:
It's So Very Cheri
Round Tuit
The Girl Creative
C.R.A.F.T
Making the World Cuter
Sugar Bee
These Creative Juices
Skip To My Lou
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
Santa's Gift Shoppe
Night Owl Crafting
Homemade Cinna Stix
It was family night last night and on the menu were homemade pizzas and cinna stix.
This was easy to make and it tastes just like Dominos!
Ingredients:
Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
For the glaze, mix confectioner's sugar with a little water. If its too watery add more sugar. You don't want it too thin. Drizzle onto Cinna Stix while hot out of the oven.
This was easy to make and it tastes just like Dominos!
Ingredients:
- pizza dough (12oz.)
- 1/2 stick butter (2oz.)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- water
Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
For the glaze, mix confectioner's sugar with a little water. If its too watery add more sugar. You don't want it too thin. Drizzle onto Cinna Stix while hot out of the oven.
November 10, 2010
Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
I made these for my cousin's godson along with some Red Velvet Cupcakes. It's a simple Vanilla Cupcake recipe. I got the recipe from the Joy of Baking website.
It wasn't as light as I'd hoped, but they did rise quite well, and they taste good.
The recipe calls for lemon zest. I didn't have any, and used lemon extract. I think I used too much because the lemon taste was stronger than I'd hoped. Next time, I'll use Vanilla Extract instead.
The recipe makes exactly 12 cupcakes, so double if you want more. I topped them with Chocolate Buttercream.
Vanilla Cupcakes from The Joy of Baking:
Ingredients:
It wasn't as light as I'd hoped, but they did rise quite well, and they taste good.
The recipe calls for lemon zest. I didn't have any, and used lemon extract. I think I used too much because the lemon taste was stronger than I'd hoped. Next time, I'll use Vanilla Extract instead.
The recipe makes exactly 12 cupcakes, so double if you want more. I topped them with Chocolate Buttercream.
Vanilla Cupcakes from The Joy of Baking:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 large lemon (outer yellow skin)
- 1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with icing. If you want flat topped cupcakes then slice off the dome of each cupcake, with a sharp knife, before frosting.
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Maybe it's just me, but I don't know what the big deal is about Red Velvet cupcakes. They taste like chocolate cake - but red. Why does everyone go gaga over them?
I was asked by my cousin to bake these for her godson's birthday. Apparently, they are his favourite.
I got the recipe from Joy The Baker. She has a great blog. She bakes yummy treats and has a great sense of humor. Her recipes are fantastic. If you love Red Velvet cake, then try this recipe. These were good, especially with the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.
Recipes from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook via Joy The Baker
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Makes one dozen cupcakes, double recipe to make 2 9-inch layer cakes (I doubled it to make 24 cupcakes)
In a separate bowl mix together cocoa, vanilla and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter, mixing thoroughly until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
Turn mixer to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
Turn mixer to low and add baking soda and white vinegar. Turn to high and beat a few more minutes.
Spoon batter into a paper lined cupcake baking pan and bake at 325 F for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center cupcake comes out clean.
Let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then place them of a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Add the cream cheese all at once and beat on medium to medium-high until incorporated.
Turn the mixer to medium-high and beat for 5 minutes, or until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
Linked To:
Blue Cricket Designs
Someday Crafts
Tea Rose Home
House of Hepworths
I was asked by my cousin to bake these for her godson's birthday. Apparently, they are his favourite.
I got the recipe from Joy The Baker. She has a great blog. She bakes yummy treats and has a great sense of humor. Her recipes are fantastic. If you love Red Velvet cake, then try this recipe. These were good, especially with the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.
Recipes from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook via Joy The Baker
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Makes one dozen cupcakes, double recipe to make 2 9-inch layer cakes (I doubled it to make 24 cupcakes)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tablespoons red food coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
Directions:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Turn mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated. In a separate bowl mix together cocoa, vanilla and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter, mixing thoroughly until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
Turn mixer to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
Turn mixer to low and add baking soda and white vinegar. Turn to high and beat a few more minutes.
Spoon batter into a paper lined cupcake baking pan and bake at 325 F for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center cupcake comes out clean.
Let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then place them of a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
double recipe to frost a 2 layer 9-inch cake
- 2 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cold
- scant 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Add the cream cheese all at once and beat on medium to medium-high until incorporated.
Turn the mixer to medium-high and beat for 5 minutes, or until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
Linked To:
Blue Cricket Designs
Someday Crafts
Tea Rose Home
House of Hepworths
November 5, 2010
I'm OutMANned
Last night I had a glimpse into my future, and I'm not quite comfortable with it.
While my daughter was at Drama Practice at church, my husband, son and I watched "The Karate Kid". During the movie, my son and husband engaged in male behaviour involving bodily functions etc.
They found this quite humorous and tried to out do each other at who can be more gross. As the only female there, I was completely disgusted by this caveman behaviour and just wanted it to end.
My daughter will be leaving for College next year. That will leave just the three of us at Sapphire Ridge. I will officially be in the minority. All my life, I have never been in the minority as far as the ratio of male:female in my home is concerned. What am I going to do?
How will I cope with all of the testosterone? How will I survive the farting contests, booger flings and hands down pants every single day. I need a plan!
Yes...
Something that will protect me from the belches and spit bubbles.
But what?
Help me.....please?
While my daughter was at Drama Practice at church, my husband, son and I watched "The Karate Kid". During the movie, my son and husband engaged in male behaviour involving bodily functions etc.
They found this quite humorous and tried to out do each other at who can be more gross. As the only female there, I was completely disgusted by this caveman behaviour and just wanted it to end.
My daughter will be leaving for College next year. That will leave just the three of us at Sapphire Ridge. I will officially be in the minority. All my life, I have never been in the minority as far as the ratio of male:female in my home is concerned. What am I going to do?
How will I cope with all of the testosterone? How will I survive the farting contests, booger flings and hands down pants every single day. I need a plan!
Yes...
Something that will protect me from the belches and spit bubbles.
But what?
Help me.....please?
November 4, 2010
Damon-ism
Damon and I have just pulled up the driveway and there is Roxy (the dog) standing in the way of the car.
Me: Damon can you move Roxy out of the way?
Damon as he opens the car door: Well you know what they say...If a woman wants something done...ask a man to do it.
....
....
....
Eh?
Yes, I have a 7 yr. old male chauvinist.
Me: Damon can you move Roxy out of the way?
Damon as he opens the car door: Well you know what they say...If a woman wants something done...ask a man to do it.
....
....
....
Eh?
Yes, I have a 7 yr. old male chauvinist.
October 27, 2010
Baby Shower Projects
So the baby shower finally happened on Sunday. It seemed that although planning and preparation began three weeks ago, Sunday came too soon. There were a few late nights before the shower. But I am happy to report that the guests of honour were very happy with the way things turned out, and I must say, so was I.
So here is a rundown of the finished projects I worked on. Some of these photos were taken at 2 in the morning so please forgive the poor lighting:
Cookies for the gift bags:
This was the first time I had decorated cookies. It was fun (not at 2 a.m. though), and now I'm hooked on cookie decorating. I got alot of compliments on them.
Flower Balls:
It took me two days to recover from all of this, but it was all worth it.
So here is a rundown of the finished projects I worked on. Some of these photos were taken at 2 in the morning so please forgive the poor lighting:
Cookies for the gift bags:
This was the first time I had decorated cookies. It was fun (not at 2 a.m. though), and now I'm hooked on cookie decorating. I got alot of compliments on them.
Flower Balls:
These were time consuming, but worth the effort. We hung them with wide sheer ribbon. Unfortunately, I did not get a good shot of them in action. I found the original tutorial on the wonderful site House of Smith's. Shelley has great tutorials on there and I recommend you check her out.
Flower Arrangements:
I am NOT a florist, and I underestimated their job. It's not as easy as it looks. We had six arrangements to make for the shower. The flowers were bought as big bunches and we spray painted some cans to hold them.
This is the best picture I have. We also glued butterflies to each can. We gave the arrangements away as prizes for the shower games.
Cupcakes and Tower:
Cupcake towers in The Bahamas are expensive. So I decided to make a tower. Actually, my husband built it and I decorated it. It isn't the most graceful looking tower, but it worked for the shower.
I also baked the cupcakes. Banana Spice with Cream Cheeese Buttercream, Chocolate with Chocolate Hazelnut Buttercream and Guava with Guava Buttercream. While I enjoyed the Banana and Chocolate, the Guava didn't turn out the way I wanted them too, but the guests enjoyed them.
I also baked mini-cheesecakes. You can check out the recipe here.It took me two days to recover from all of this, but it was all worth it.
I Don't Scrapbook.....
But I LOVE Scrapbook paper! I never knew of the magical powers of scrapbook paper. It can transform any old ugly object into a thing of beauty!
After I made this lovely for my cousin's baby shower, I had a lot of scrapbook paper left over.
So I turned this boring can on the bookcase that had become the catch-all :
I also turned this :
After I made this lovely for my cousin's baby shower, I had a lot of scrapbook paper left over.
So I turned this boring can on the bookcase that had become the catch-all :
Into this lovely:
When my husband saw it, he immediately asked for one for his desk:I also turned this :
Into this:
I'm currently looking around to find something else to cover.
October 21, 2010
Why I'm Up at Two in The Morning
My Dining Table 2:00am |
The cookies are for the gift bags and dessert table. That tower in the back is the diy cupcake tower that my husband put together. And to the far right are two of the flower ball decorations.
I also put this together:
Baby Banner |
Yes, this child will take a while learning to spell her name, but it's pretty.
Left on my to do list:
- decorate cookies
- bake mini-cheesecakes
- bake three dozen cupcakes
- spray flower cans
- finish cupcake tower
- take my son on a field trip to The Bahamas Humane Society
Piece O' Cake!!
September 11, 2010
Spreading The Love
Upon receiving the award, here are the rules one must follow:
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 5 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
4. Tell us about your favourite book
My favourite book is "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
My favourite book is "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a Columbian born Nobel Prize winning author. He wrote 100 Years in 1967, but this book is timeless.
The book chronicles 100 years in the life of Macado, a small village founded by José Arcadio BuendÃa. You are introduced to his descendants and experience their pain, joys and eccentricities. An excellent read.
Now onto my awardees (In no particular order)...All of these blogs, I have recently discovered and think you all should check them out:
September 7, 2010
Leaf Print Pillows
As I've mentioned on this blog before, we've been at Sapphire Ridge for a year now and haven't really decorated with the exception of the kid's rooms. I have since made slipcovers for both couches and I am now making pillows to add a bit of pop.
As I was browsing the great queen Martha Stewart's site, I came across this lovely tutorial for "Leaf Print Pillows". I had a bit of canvas left after covering the couches so I decided to use the leftovers for this project. This is my first try and I've only used one color. Next time I'm going to use at least three.
First I had to pick the leaves. I decided on Sea Grape leaves. Sea Grape is a fruit tree that grows along the shore and resembles grapes in size and purple color.
They also grow in a clusters similiar to grapes.
Hence the name. Their leaves are broad, have deep vines, and are perfect for this project.
As I was browsing the great queen Martha Stewart's site, I came across this lovely tutorial for "Leaf Print Pillows". I had a bit of canvas left after covering the couches so I decided to use the leftovers for this project. This is my first try and I've only used one color. Next time I'm going to use at least three.
First I had to pick the leaves. I decided on Sea Grape leaves. Sea Grape is a fruit tree that grows along the shore and resembles grapes in size and purple color.
They also grow in a clusters similiar to grapes.
Hence the name. Their leaves are broad, have deep vines, and are perfect for this project.
First I gathered my supplies:
- foam brush
- fabric medium
- acrylic paint
- paper towel
- rubber roller (I didn't have this so I used a large cup)
Prepare the paint and medium. Then with the foam brush, paint the underside of the leaf. Do not put too much paint on the leaf, you want to be able to see the details (I did a few practice runs).
Next, place leaf painted side down onto fabric. Then place a paper towel on top of leaf.
Roll the brayer/cup back and forth on the paper towel, making sure you get all of the grooves. Carefully lift up your leaf.
Continue to add leaf prints in a pretty pattern until satisfied. Let dry. Heat set with an iron. Sew your pillow together.
September 6, 2010
Just Take A Minute
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet some special people. They all live at a government run facility for those who need assistance as a result of mental or physical incapacity or drug rehabilitation.
We visited the children's wards. Some of these children were abandoned by their parents and family members because they are mentally or physically disabled. Linda is in her early thirties, has the mental capacity of a child and has lived there for more than 15 years. Her family just left her there. She greeted me with a wide smile and a long hug. She had never met me before today, but she called me her niece.
I also met a group of boys and girls ranging in age of 12-16. They are in there for behavioural problems. They were all polite and listened intently to us. They quoted Bible scriptures and prayed beautiful prayers. When I left, all I could ask myself was "Why are they there? What went wrong? Will they be okay?"
For most of us, we live a good life. We are secure in the knowledge that we are loved by someone. We take so much for granted. Family, friends, the abilty to read, write, use computers, cellphones, ATM's etc. We have it so easy, and complain so much.
Just take a minute to look around, really look at what you have and then thank The Lord.
We visited the children's wards. Some of these children were abandoned by their parents and family members because they are mentally or physically disabled. Linda is in her early thirties, has the mental capacity of a child and has lived there for more than 15 years. Her family just left her there. She greeted me with a wide smile and a long hug. She had never met me before today, but she called me her niece.
I also met a group of boys and girls ranging in age of 12-16. They are in there for behavioural problems. They were all polite and listened intently to us. They quoted Bible scriptures and prayed beautiful prayers. When I left, all I could ask myself was "Why are they there? What went wrong? Will they be okay?"
For most of us, we live a good life. We are secure in the knowledge that we are loved by someone. We take so much for granted. Family, friends, the abilty to read, write, use computers, cellphones, ATM's etc. We have it so easy, and complain so much.
Just take a minute to look around, really look at what you have and then thank The Lord.
August 20, 2010
End of Summer Birtday Party...Theme Water!!!!
My brother and SIL flew over from Florida and brought all of the decorations and big toys.
We had:
Lots of Confetti
A Slip n' Slide
A pool
And most importantly, happy kids. It was great having family and friends come together and enjoy each other's company.
August 16, 2010
Bahamian Fruit Punch
Whenever you attend a party here in The Bahamas, you will find great food and lots of drinks. One drink that is always available is Fruit Punch.
It's a great alternative to soda and is a hit with all ages. It can be served with or without alcohol. Most of the local restaurants also make this Bahamian Fruit Punch available on their menus.
The ingredients are simple and can be made at the last minute.
All you need is:
3 cups Hawaiian Punch - Fruit Juicy Red
3 cups 100 % Orange Juice
3 cups 100% Pineapple Juice
Makes 1/2 gallon of punch
Directions:
Combine equal amounts and serve cold or with ice. If you want it a little sweeter, add a bit more Hawaiian Punch. For those who like cocktails, add some Bacardi Gold Rum to individual glasses.
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August 15, 2010
Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
I threw a birthday party for my son's 7th and nephew's 5th birthday. I had no wrapping paper for gifts and did not want to buy any. I'm really happy with the way they turned out!
All you need is newspaper and hemp chord. It doesn't get any easier than that!
I'm still recovering from the festivities. I will post about that soon!!
Linked To:
It's So Very Cheri
The Girl Creative
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creating My Way To Success
Keeping It Simple
Simpsonized Crafts
Craft-O-Maniac
Skip To My Lou
C.R.A.F.T
Super Stinky Boys
All Thingz Related
Tip Junkie
Silly Little Sparrow
The T-Shirt Diaries
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
Linked To:
It's So Very Cheri
The Girl Creative
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creating My Way To Success
Keeping It Simple
Simpsonized Crafts
Craft-O-Maniac
Skip To My Lou
C.R.A.F.T
Super Stinky Boys
All Thingz Related
Tip Junkie
Silly Little Sparrow
The T-Shirt Diaries
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
August 12, 2010
How to De-Oxidize a Tub
There was a horrible clog in the bathtub. With three teenage girls who constantly shave and wash hair, as well as two young boys who think that anything can survive in water, it was bound to happen.
I knew I had something under the kitchen sink that should work. The bottle had a skull and crossbones on it. The main ingredient, Sulphuric Acid. So, with just skimming over the directions, I poured it down the tub's drain, knowing it would work.
An overwhelming odor eminated from the tub. I held my breath. It had to work I thought, it was so stink! Then to my horror, I slowly saw my tub turn from dirty soap scummy to ORANGE!!! What??????? But Why????? I looked on the bottle again to see if I missed something. There is no warning that this product may turn your tub orange!!
I knew I had something under the kitchen sink that should work. The bottle had a skull and crossbones on it. The main ingredient, Sulphuric Acid. So, with just skimming over the directions, I poured it down the tub's drain, knowing it would work.
An overwhelming odor eminated from the tub. I held my breath. It had to work I thought, it was so stink! Then to my horror, I slowly saw my tub turn from dirty soap scummy to ORANGE!!! What??????? But Why????? I looked on the bottle again to see if I missed something. There is no warning that this product may turn your tub orange!!
I ran to my husband and tell him about the tub in a panic. He nonchalantly says, "I guess you need to buy a new tub." A new tub? Tubs here are expensive here! We can't buy a new tub.
So, like any other person in a panic would do, I looked up "Sulphuric Acid turned tub orange" on the Internet. To my relief, I wasn't the only one who did this. Apparently the Sulphuric Acid oxidizes the tub, and turns it orange. After reading a few suggestions, I settled on using Hydrogen Peroxide. It was cheapest and had some good reviews.
Simply, get a roll of paper towels, soak them in the peroxide and apply to the tub. You can wipe the tub with them or let them sit on it.
In less than ten minutes, my tub was back to normal.
Thank Goodness!!! I have to host a birthday party on Saturday. I'm not confident enough to think that no guests would look behind the shower curtain. There's always a snooper.
Thank Goodness!!! I have to host a birthday party on Saturday. I'm not confident enough to think that no guests would look behind the shower curtain. There's always a snooper.
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