Courtesan au Chocolat!

As the school year ended and summer began, I was obsessed with The Grand Budapest Hotel.  As summer is now ending and the school year is beginning, I still find myself infatuated with the film along with many others by Wes Anderson.  The Mendl’s Courtesan au Chocolat featured in the movie stole my heart and we had to give them a try.  I am “truly” grateful for this sweet DIY recipe, so everyone can enjoy making these darling treats.  

Hoppy Easter!

“Hoppy” Easter… clever because this is a post about Easter and bunnies, right?  Actually, this is a post about “hoppy” beer because these little bunnies required some responsible drinking to complete them.  This was not quite the “easy crochet bunny,” but it was worth the effort because they did turn out pretty cute.  I tried so hard to follow the pattern, but by the time I got to ears it was a free for all.  I couldn’t do them right and each one is different, but whatever… adds character.  I only had the patience to make one bow.  There were just too many little parts that had to be connected and stitched together.  I really had to pay attention for this project, haha.  I only intended to make three, but there will be four because I just found another muzzle I had made.  We kept the first one and then the others went to my grandma, aunt, and friend.  I’m saving the pattern, but I think I may be done with this one at least for a while.  Happy Easter and happy crocheting!  
*Suggestion:  Add an oval cardboard piece to the bottom before it’s stuffed to help it sit up.  The first one I made didn’t have this support, so it has to lean on something.  

Wonder of the World

“Wonder of the World," written by David Lindsay-Abaire, is happening at The Empty Space for the next couple of weekends… go see it!!!  This play is filled with lots of laughs and the director, cast, and crew are amazing!!!  I get to help move sets around and help with costume changes this time around… so much fun!  I find myself picking favorite lines during the scenes, while I wait for my cues.  Each time I listen to the show, the list of favorites goes on and on… there are too many good ones!  The gem below inspired me to attempt a macramé purse as a prop for the show and thankfully it turned out to be useable.  As usual, I deviated from the tutorial I “followed” and the single crochet stitches that were required were almost too much for me to finish.  It was meant to be though because it miraculously got done on time.  As much as I would like to keep it (I would actually use it), I think it needs to stay with the actress who plays Lois.  As always, thanks to The Empty Space for letting me be involved in another great show.  It's awesome to see everyone come together and the continued success of The Empty Space.       

LOIS. … It’s good to have projects.

CASS. Yes it is.  I make mosaic tabletops.

LOIS. Crafty.  I do macramé.  Take a look at this.  (Lois pulls a macramé purse out of her barrel.  The words “I Love Bingo” have been stitched into it.)  I made it myself.

CASS. It’s adorable.

LOIS. Thank you.

CASS.  You think you could teach me macramé?

LOIS.  Sure.  It’s real easy once you --- (Suddenly realizes.)  No, I can’t teach you macramé!  I’m here to kill myself!  What’s the matter with you?

CASS.  Sorry, just looking for things to do.

LOIS.  I’m making myself a drink.

Pat's Day!

I love to crochet and I love making crocheted things to give to others, but lately I have been asked if I could teach people how to crochet.  Aye!!!  I honestly don’t really know how to myself.  I taught myself years ago from a book and my first scarf was not to scale and ended up being a fat rectangle that went to the cat.  I put it away for a while, but rediscovered it when my dad was in the hospital.  I started crocheting scarves for the wonderful people we met at UCLA and after making more than 100 scarves (here are a few), I became addicted and have tried to branch out from scarves.  I still have one scarf left that I need to finish for a nurse, but I haven’t been able to complete that one just yet… one day.  Even with all that practice I still don’t know how to make things to scale and I probably never will.  I probably won’t be able to read a pattern either or crochet a scarf the "right" way.  Thankfully, my friend Lisa is a crocheting and knitting master and a way better teacher.  She started a Stich ‘n’ Bitch group and our first meeting was a blast!  We decided to meet the following week at a local coffee shop.  To our surprise, a group of musicians were also meeting and we got to enjoy some wonderful music and a little Baileys.  I had some leftover green yarn and was able to make fourteen of these shamrocks to share before we headed out.  The best part was that they all found a home with the musicians and their supporters who were also enjoying their music.  CHEERS!!!… to such an unexpected, but fun evening!

HCSD!

What does HCSD stand for you ask?  It's short for Happy Chocolate Souffle Day, which is celebrated on the 28th of February.  I stumbled upon a reminder from a friend about this important day and turned to our favorite baker, Dulce Delight.  We decided to open up the V-Day kit we got from her and, even though it was a rainy day, got to baking.  Surprisingly, souffles are not difficult to make at all and I think we just may be celebrating them more often. :)

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. ;)