Ring in the New Year 2013 Craft Swap

Another craft swap has come to a close and this time the theme was Ring in the New Year!  We went with the silver and gold idea, but love what our swap mates came up with... snowmen bells and a New Year themed quote... too perfect for the theme!

Happy Christmas!

Thanks to our "deer" friend, Linna for sending this sparkly reindeer our way.  It's the perfect card for the season in all its glittery glory.

Slingshot!

Years ago I watched this video and discovered the SlingshotPlanner!  We’re big fans of trying to keep organized, so we were pretty excited to find this little gem thanks to our favorite, ThreadBanger. We had high hopes of submitting some art that year, but things happened, which didn’t allow the art to happen.  BUT… we held on to the dream of one day making it into the planner and this was the year it happened!!!  We were given September for the month-at-a-glance and a four-week section in August and September.  This planner is packed full of original art submissions and radical historical dates throughout, so you can learn some interesting facts each day.  Big thanks to Slingshot for lettings us be a part of this year’s planner and for sending a few copies our way.    

 

Fall 2013 Craft Swap

Finished up another awesome swap.   We made the fall framed picture and were inspired by a similar one we saw at a décor shop.  We had one of those “I could make that” moments and this time we actually made it!!!  The awesome scarecrow candy display and the felt photos were mailed to us.  The scarecrow has been on display since we got it and the photos (which were a special request) will be used for some fall speech vocabulary activities.  I hope the students love them as much as I do!  

 

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Crust Kit

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*Sigh*  I don’t even know where to begin…

This is simply the most delicious chocolate tart we have ever made!  It melts in your mouth, tastes amazing at room temperature, and just as amazing out of the freezer.  I did spare a few tiny slices for my coworkers to try and they loved it as well.  This was so unbelievably easy to make and it came out perfectly.  Another important aspect to note is how well this tart slices when it’s sitting out or straight from the refrigerator.  It was rich in flavor and texture, but not overpowering and it had just the right amount of sweetness.  The hint of raspberry in the honey was the perfect touch.  This will definitely be made many more times for others to enjoy.  It’s too good not to share.    

Hummus!

I was so so hungry after work today, so I decided to make some hummus.  If you are so so hungry, you can make some too thanks to SandCastleInc.  All the flavors are delish!!!

Christmas in September

Tuesday was our lucky day because three Dulce Delight baking kits were delivered to our doorstep.  We wanted to take pictures in natural light, so it was all we could do to wait until the next day to open our treasures.  It was definitely worth the wait because they were jam-packed with fun surprises.  Every item was perfectly labeled, jarred, bagged, and packaged with care.  I love the reusable muslin bags and weck jars that house some of the ingredients.  All the ingredients are premeasured, which saves so much time and the quality is outstanding.  The sweetest ingredient included was measured honey contained in a weck jar.  There was also a FULL jar of Fat Toad Farm’s Farmstead Goat’s Milk Caramel.  This will be utilized for our favorites… macarons!  I have tried to make these little macs in the past, but I failed at the filling.  I have lusted after Dulce Delight’s Chocolate French Macaron Kit and can’t wait to get baking.  We also had to grab the Chocolate Cups with Chocolate Mousse Kit and the Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Crust Kit.  As if these kits weren’t awesome enough, gifts are also included in each package.  Our kitchen welcomed a mint ceramic milk bottle (I have also lusted after this item), a floral glass storage bowl (complete with resealable lid), and Tala wooden spoons and pastry brush set (with pastel painted handles).  We also received floral fabric that can be used to display the final products, step-by-step recipe guides with color photographs, helpful tips complete with music suggestions, and an ingredients list.  The only fresh items we need to provide are eggs and heavy whipping cream… check!!!  We are ready to go and are excited to celebrate Friday and the weekend with a little baking.  We’ll be posting our results within the next few weeks, along with a couple of surprises.  If these kits are anything like the Heart Patterned Cake Roll, we will be in dessert Heaven.       

Patches!!!

Who doesn't love patches???  Especially ones from our favorite, Threadbanger.  If we had a patch to give back to them they would get a heart, but they would have already earned it years ago.  Anyway, this summer we escaped to Camp Threadbanger and created four awesome projects.  Here are our results...

Christmas in July and Home Office 2013 Craft Swap

Here's our latest swap swag.  We sent away the first two pictures and received the four pictures below.  So fun... love them all!

Picking Daisies

It’s hard to believe that it has been a week since we were in SLO visiting Picking Daisies.  They have the best selection of modern quilt fabric and are known for their cotton napkins, which can be shipped if you’re interested.  We’ve been to the store before, but last weekend we visited to actually take a napkin making class and learn how to sew mitered corners!  What a fun day!  Included in this full day of sewing and instruction were all the extra tools needed to complete a set of 4 dinner napkins, 2 cocktail napkins, and 2 practice squares. The class materials included the coolest fabric marking pen EVER that disappears when ironed, fabric that can be preselected from the store and is prepped and ready to sew, coordinating thread, a point turner, a napkin ironing template, instructions, and a 20% off fabric coupon.  All you need is a sewing machine.  
 
As my mom sewed away, I unfortunately had to go write a paper at a local coffee shop.   When I returned I got to see her awesome napkin results.  I think she’s on a napkin making roll because we left with a pile of neatly folded fabric and a handmade wooden napkin crate.  Can't wait until the next time we get to visit this fun shop.        

 

Christmas in July

Merry Christmas… in July!  We just love Raiza Costa, so when she opened an online store we were super excited to try her baking kits.  She freely shares her recipes and tips on YouTube and we have already made some of her delicious treats, but we definitely wanted to support her and love her first kit that was sent out… the Heart Patterned Cake Roll.  She packed her Dulce Delight box full of goodies that were all individually separated and labeled.  The white chocolate endured some trauma during the shipping process due to the heat, but it tasted just as delicious as would be expected.  We watched her tutorial to get some visual tips and then went for it.  We were a little nervous to just flip the cake over from the pan to powered sugar dusted parchment paper, but it was really no big deal.  We did "ooh" and "ahh" when we finally got a glimpse of the bunny design… very impressive and such a cool technique to learn.  We recently saw Spamalot at the PCPA Solvang outdoor theatre, so we figured a red bunny was a good choice. ;) 

Patriotic 2013 Craft Swap

Just finished up a fun red, white, and blue themed craft swap.  There was a little delay with the Post Office, but everybody got their packages in time for all the July 4th festivities.  We sent out two U.S.A. themed magazine bags and included a vintage pin with both.  We received this super cute wreath and I  think it's  actually made from a pool noodle... how creative!  It's just so fun and festive.  Also, we got this awesome U.S.A. bunting pillow!  I don't know if we have a set style, but this would definitely be considered "our style" if we did.  We're really into buntings at the moment, so this is the perfect fit.  The string at the top is crocheted  and the letters are felt.  Love, love, love!  It's so cool to fill our house with things people have made. 

Summer Fun Fair

Instead of the usual Fireworks Booth, The Empty Space will be having a Summer Fun Fair and we want you to join us in all the fun!!!  Here is an article about the event that was in our local paper and Saint Olive is featured... so exciting!  We have been busy little crafters lately, but all the hard work is paying off because we have some really great crafts coming your way this weekend.  We teamed up with Carla's Studios last weekend and made a TON of beaded jewelry.  Check out Gyspsea Journeys to read the whole story and be sure to visit us this weekend!