Crafty & Cool

Pretty in Pink

2008-12-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

Gifts of new dress, new shoes and matching flowers.

(Not Christmas related.)

Last Year's Dining Room Project

2008-10-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

We inherited this dining room set.

We were told by someone who is not so credible, that this is 50's decor. We wanted to keep with the retro theme and tried to pick out retro fabric. However, I originally purchased some pink tulip fabric to recover chairs. The chairs were covered using furniture tacks instead of a staple gun, which made this project is taking longer than I thought it would.

After uncovering the chairs, this is the fabric we found underneath:

I left this fabric on the chairs and recovered them with the new fabric.

I found it interesting that it is the same brand of fabric that I took off: Waverly.

Coffee Table Makeover

2008-10-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

First off, I forgot to take "before" pictures. We had a a dark brown coffee table that I decided to revamp. The wood was primed and then given three coats of a cranberry red to match the fabric. The fabric was decoupaged onto the top of the table. I would still like to get a glass table top to protect the table. Although, it was best that I did this at our old house, the paint did get a little scratched when we moved to apartment.

This is the best photograph of the fabric that I could manage. I promise the fabric is far more vibrant in real life. There are hints of gold thread around the ginkgo leaves.

The coffee table now lives happily in our apartment. I have extra fabric that I want to make into matching throw pillows. I do not see that happening any time soon.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies: The Recipe

2007-12-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour with 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (set aside). Drain 48 maraschino cherries, reserving the juice. Place cherries on paper towels to absorb liquid (set aside).

2. Beat 1/2 cup butter until softened. Add 1 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat until combined. Add 1 egg and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until combined. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet. I spray the sheet with cooking spray and every year I make the 1-inch balls too big. I make what I think is 1-inch and then cut each ball in half to yield the 48 cookies!

4. Press down the center of each ball with your thumb. Place one cherry in the center of each cookie.

5. For frosting, in a small saucepan combine 6-ounces of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low, stir like crazy, until the chocolate is melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice.

6. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of frosting over each cherry; spreading to cover the cherry.

7. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until their edges are firm. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Makes 48 cookies, Each cookie 81 calories, 3 grams fat, 0 grams fiber

I have used this recipe for a base and have often exchanged ingredients (I always make one batch like this). The most popular version was replacing the cherries with an almond and using kaluhua instead of cherry juice in the frosting.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

2007-12-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Lightbulb Ornament

2007-12-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

I made this star ornament with thrifted glass light bulbs and floral wire.

Yo Ho Ho: Rum Cake

2007-08-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

When googling "rum cake" this recipe appears over and over again. It is no wonder, the cake is very moist and has the perfect rum flavor. If I visit this recipe again, I may try a coconut instant pudding mix instead of the vanilla. I love coconut!

Rum Cake:
1 package yelllow cake mix
3 eggs
1 small package instant vanilla pudding
2/3 cup rum
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil

1. Grease & flour bundt pan.
2. Mix all ingredients on medium speed for 4 minutes.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Glaze:
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup rum
1/2 cup – 1 cup sugar

1. Heat glaze ingredients in saucepan until all sugar is melted.
2. Prick cake to absorb the glaze.
3. Drizzle glaze onto the cooled cake.

***I used Barcardi Gold Rum and Eggbeaters.

My Strawberry

2007-04-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

March 31, 2007

I thought that my strawberry plants were not doing well. The plants looked fine, but the flowers have all dissappeared. At the end of my gardening today, I noticed that one of the plants has a small green strawberry on it! I am excited for this first fruit . The other plants look like they will soon follow.

April 7, 2007
My strawberry is continuing to grow and now I have more baby berries. If you look closely, you can see the second strawberry in the photo. This plant has two other teensy tiny berries.

April 15, 2007
The strawberry is red! And tasty too!

April 22, 2007
We have picked another 2 berries. This my only strawberry plant that is producing berries. I have two more plants that have flowers on them. And another plant that hasn't even flowered yet.

My Tomatoes

2007-04-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

April 1, 2007

I staked my tomato plants using the single staking method. I found green stakes at Home Depot for under $.99 each. I tied the tomato plants to the stakes using an old pair of nylons. After tying a knot around the stake and plant, I trimmed away the excess nylon.

April 7, 2007

My first tomato plant has flowered! I am pretty sure that this plant is an Early Girl. The early girl was my favorite farmer's market tomato and I can't wait to grow my own.

Changes to the Garden

2007-03-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

I followed the advice of a few people and pulled my chocolate mint from my vegetable garden. I replanted the mint in one of our side yards to fill in the missing ground cover.

I also removed the kale and lavender and replanted them in the front side yard. I think the purple plants look pretty next the pink flowering bush. These are now the first plants I see when I leave the front door. How pretty!

I ran to Home Depot today to buy some wooden dowels or something similar to help support my tomato plants. I left the store with another tray of goodies including: dill, purple sweet bell pepper, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, and corn. One of my cats ate all of the corn seedlings that I planted in my house. Tomorrow's goal is to plant all of these new plants outside.

Can you find the chocolate mint? It is planted on the lower right side of the dirt crack. The plan is for the mint to beat out the other ground cover and fill the little spot of dirt.

Today, I also planted (and created, ie dug up all the weeds, prepped the soil, etc.) yet another small side garden in our backyard. This is a small mystery garden. I planted some of the seedlings that I first started inside. However, the cat ate some of these and the others were unmarked. The only surviving plants that I am sure of is broccoli and sugar snap peas.

My green onions sprouted this weekend. I planted these seeds directly into the ground a few weeks ago. After reading excerpts from You Grow Girl, I decided to cut the bottoms off of some empty water bottles. Then I placed these bottles around the baby plants to protect them from the wind and insects. I don't know if that was necessary and I didn't take any pictures.

Colcannon

2007-03-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

I never heard of Colcannon until I was browsing the internet and found Tyler's Ultimate Colcannon.

Creating this dish is so unlike me. I haven't made mashed potatoes or eaten bacon in ages. Also, we haven't had any type of butter/margarine in our home since December. But alas, I was eagerly filling my grocery cart with such sinful delights.

I checked out a few other recipes, but ended up working from Tyler's.

As I cooked, I thought about dinner at my grandparents home. My grandmother almost always served mashed potatoes and some other vegetable - usually corn. My grandma would make a mountain of his potatoes, stir in his corn and pour on some homemade gravy. My siblings and I would mimic this behaviour as we ate our meal. Soon mashed potatoes, corn and gravy became one of my comfort foods. (Nothing beats homemade pierogi!) Oh, how I had forgotten this ritual.

This is how I made Colcannon:

In one pot, boil the potatoes with skins on. I used 2lbs of red mixed with 2lbs or Yukon Gold.

Once the potatoes are cooking, chop the cabbage (one head). In a separate pot, boil the cabbage until you think it is done. I prefer most veggies over cooked. I don't think they are over cooked, but I know others do.

Time to fry the bacon! I added about 1lb of bacon. Of course, drain the bacon from the fat. Next time, I will probably use turkey bacon, Canadian bacon, or even Baco-bits!

When the potatoes are done, drain and remove the peels with a fork. Mash potatoes with a tad butter and skim milk.

Stir in the cabbage, crumbled bacon and scallions.

Eat!

My New Garden

2007-03-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend I started my first garden. Being able to step out of our back door and pick fresh vegetables to cook or enjoy raw has always been a dream of mine. It makes me giddy to think that I may be picking my own luscious tomatoes fresh from the vine this summer. The first challenge in creating my garden was picking out a place in the yard that would work visually and spaciously and still receive the necessary sun for the plants to grow.

After picking the location, the digging began. It took me about 2 hours to dig and line the border of the garden with rocks. There is my new plot waiting to be planted. Look at my pretty kitty posing in the picture.

Part of me wishes that I made this garden plot larger. After today's planting, I still need more room for the seeds that I started indoors and the few plants that I have on order. (I have a second garden plot planned for these.)

The plants in my new garden plot:

Chocolate Mint
Chives
Barbecue Rosemary
Sweet Basil
Lavender
Eightball Zuchinni Squash
Red Beauty: Sweet Bell Peppers (6 plants)
Gourmet Salad Blend Lettuce (3 plants)
Early Girl Tomato (2 plants, still have 4 plants left)
Tomato: Mortgage Lifter
Tomato: Supersteak
Tomato: Red Cherry
Green Beans: Blue Lake Pole
Green Onions (several seeds planted directly into the ground)
Strawberries (6 plants)

I hope my garden is a success and has a high yield of delicious produce!

Oh, and the purple plant in the lower left corner is kale. I thought it was pretty and edible. After the kale was planted, I went to Home Depot and they sold the plant as "ornamental kale". I am going to have to look into it. At least the plant is pretty!

Martini Weekend

2007-03-05T16:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I tried to come up with a good martini recipe of my own and failed. I wanted to use my Malibu Pineapple Rum, which I love. I tried mixing it with Barcardi's CoCo Rum and added an orange slice (because that is what I had). It was ok, but nothing to make again. Of course the pineapple and coconut liquors compliment each other, hence the Pina-Colada, but the martini wasn't quite right. Next time, I might use coconut milk or accent with a pineapple slice or something!

My tropical "martini" failed, so here is Alton's successful martini recipe. *We used a cocktail onion as an accent instead of the olive.

AB's Martini

1 cup crushed ice, plus extra for chilling glass
1/2-ounce dry vermouth
2 1/2 ounces gin

Place some crushed ice into the martini glass you will be serving in, and set aside.

Place the 1 cup of crushed ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour in the vermouth and swirl it around, making as much contact as possible with the ice. Using a strainer, pour the vermouth out. Add the gin and stir well to combine.

Remove the ice from your serving glass and add the olive*. Using the strainer, pour the gin into the serving glass.

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005
Show: Good Eats
Episode: Raising the Bar

Lemon Drop Martini

2007-03-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

I finally found a use for all of our lemons!

This lemon drop martini is wonderful and tastes better than most of the lemon drops I have received from bartenders. Depending on the size of your martini glass and your nightly plans, I would recommend doubling this recipe. Two of these drinks were enough to last me all night. Additionally, I think the glass looks prettier when it is full.

Lemon Drop Martini

1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ice cubes

Mix the vodka, Triple Sec, sugar, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice; shake well (supposedly the cocktail is to be shaken 40 times to make sure the sugar is well blended). Pour strained liquor into sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.

Hot Damn!

2006-11-25T22:54:00.000-08:00

The last time I was at Sur La Table, I picked up Cool Shooters: The fill and chill shot glass mold. I plan on using the silicone mold to make chocolate shot glasses from Wilton's melt and pour candy pieces. However, I had to use the mold right away and served my boyfriend some Hot Damn from the frozen glass. It was fun, but melty! The mold is limited to making four shot glasses at a time. The frozen shot glasses can easily be popped out and left on a tray in the freezer until you have as many glasses as your party or Friday night requires.

Pina Colada Cupcakes

2006-10-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

When I participated in a cupcake themed swap, I received a pineapple flavored cake mix. As a pina colada lover, I decided to make pina colada cupcakes. Most people can make these cupcakes, by making the pineapple cupcakes according to the package instructions. I used eggwhites and replaced the oil with applesauce. I also mixed in some coconut flakes into the batter, however the flavor was too subtle and next time I will omit this step. I did not want to make my own frosting and bought a creamy vanilla frosting and mixed in a little rum. After the cupcakes are frosted, dip the frosted side into flaked coconut and you get a fabulous tropical cupcake.

Cupcake Potholder

2006-10-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

I decided to make a potholder for a cupcake themed swap. I used the fabric that I had leftover from a baby quilt that I had made. The cupcake applique was cut from pressed pieces of satin baby blanket binding. The cherry was cut from red satin fabric from an old dress. I ironed on light weight interfacing to keep the piece together before attaching it to the fabric.

After sewing the cupcake to the square fabric, I added sprinkles by sewing on clear seed beads mixed with red bugle beads. I must say I love the cupcake. I used 3 pieces of quilt batting for the middle of the potholder. The whole piece is held together with more pink satin baby blanket binding.

2006-10-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

When I moved to Berkeley, I missed seeing lawns. I love the idea of sustainable yards, however, most of the yards look like overgrown weeds. This home is a little different then the rest on the block. The succulents are really appealing to the eye, especially against the turquoise paint.

Landscaping With Glass Pieces

2006-10-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

I took a quick photograph of the front yard in my neighborhood, because I really like this landscaping idea. The picture does not do justice to the dimensions of the green and blue glass pieces. I love how the glass catches the sunlight and the colors shimmer. It appears like they might be planting in between the glass circular borders. I can't wait to see the yard when it is completed.

Is it October yet???

2006-09-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

Light-up Skull w/ Tarantula
Light-up ghost I bought at a thrift store in Illinois for $1.99.

The rest of my Halloween collection is now up.

Candy Corn Plushie!

Pumpkin shelve, which includes a cabbage patch doll dressed as a pumpkin.

Halloween matryoshka dolls

Meet My Witches

2006-09-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

The witch on the broom was found at a Colorado thrift store for under $3.00. She hangs from a clear fishing line to look as she is flying through the air.

Close-up of the witch noise-maker.

Still Redecorating The Bedroom

2006-09-12T23:36:00.000-07:00

I moved the picture of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks, which I bought in Colorado, from the hallway into our bedroom. I never was able to appreciate this oil painting in the previous spot, because it was always hidden by the open hallway door. The picture looks great above our bed, especially against the newly painted blue wall.

Excited for Halloween

2006-09-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I began displaying my Halloween goodies. I even bought some candy for my witchy candy dish. I will post more pics when I have my other stuff out. This is a teaser of my holiday decor.

The picture of the left is of a Halloween afghan on our love seat.

On the top right is a hanging tapestry.

And the bottom right is a Fitz & Floyd Chips and Dip dish that I put candy in.

Thrift Store Score - Art Prints

2006-09-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today, at Thrift Town, I found a bag of pictures at the end of a knick-knack aisle. The bag turned out to be art prints and recipes fused into one. A great find for someone who loves recipes, art, and the politics of the 60's. (Because the designer/publisher participated in the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley.)

Enclosed with the prints was a letter (looks like it was typed on a typewriter):

"These prints were once part of the folio "Thirty Recipes Suitable for Framing," published by St. Heironymous Press of Berkeley in 1970. The recipes were by Alice Waters, collected from friends including Lindsey Shere and me. The prints were designed and printed by David Goines, who in 1968 had made his first poster for The Kitchen, my cookware shop on Shattuck Avenue, which operated until 1984. David's distinctive poster designs brought him national attention; Alice started restaurant Chez Panisse (with my help in early years), which became the byword in fashionable cuisine. When the folio went out of print, prints that remined were put in my custody. This year they have been donated by the artist to benefit the University Art Museum. Apart from their lively designs and superb workmanship, they are emblematic of Early Taste in what has become Berkeley's persisting Culinary epoch.
--Gene Opton"

On google, this out of print book sold for $300. The bottom of each print has the copy right of 1968 st. heirenymous press - berkeley. I can't believe that I bought all 30 prints for $3.99. I cannot wait to frame these.

The pictures are a sampling of some of the prints. I know that they are dark, no flash, etc. etc. The pictures are white and not yellowing at all.

***After further reading, I learned that David Goines has made all the posters for Chez Panisse up to the most current one on the restaurant's website.

Bedroom Makeover

2006-09-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

It all began with a new bedset...

In Chicago, I picked up a bedset - which has embroidery. The picture is of the package, because it is still being shipped to me. The bedset features robin's egg blue, chocolate brown and champagne colors.

Next came the bedroom walls:

I was sick of living in apartments full of white walls and decided to paint our bedroom walls Martha Stewart's Robin's Egg Blue. (Of course, this was with the help of my boyfriend.)

I couldn't stop with the walls:

We found this bookshelf at the local thrift store. I decided to paint that too.

After painting the thrifted bookshelf, I had to move our matching chocolate brown chair into our bedroom. After all, it matched our new color scheme! Now we have a mini reading area at the foot of our bed.

Up Next:

I still plan on sewing curtains for the window. I want to make a shear champagne colored curtain. And then with a thicker fabric, I hope to make a chocolate brown outer curtain. I can't wait to get the bedset and the curtains up and finished! (And maybe a new area rug???)

Baby Quilt

2006-09-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

For my second project, I decided to make a baby quilt for my sister's baby shower gift. I used a Simplicity pattern. I picked out four different colored light flannel pastel fabrics. For the applique hearts, I used four different colors of silky baby blanket bindings. I decided to omit the ribbons in the center of the hearts, because I thought they looked too busy and were probably not friendly for infants either.

When it came to binding the blanket together, I went to the fabric store with intentions to purchase a pastel pink or even a white silk binding. I ended up with the bright rainbow trim. I must say the rainbow binding grew on me and I love it!

On the back, I embroidered Henry David Thoreau's quote, "Every Child Begins The World Again." I also signed and dated the quilt with embroidery (stem stitch).

Hawaiian Print Skirt

2006-09-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is my first completed sewing project. A simple, six-panel skirt, with an elastic waist band. (Excuse the mis-matched shirt).