Nature's Corridor

Art Class Still Life

2012-02-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is my still life from art class. So far I have created a collaged background and lightly sketched in the flowers and vase with pencil and artist crayons. I am so afraid of adding more, I don't want to loose too much of my background!

Completed Painting

2012-01-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is my finished piece. My paintings are getting darker. I just love the richness of the deeper browns and purples. I also find I am able to create more depth with these colors.

I am trying to hold off on painting to work on my sons baby book. This is a project I hope to finish soon! Scrapbooking is a fun hobby, but not something I like to do on a regular basis.

My New Hair

2012-01-22T19:49:00.001-08:00

So, I decided to get my hair cut. A last minute decision, but I am so happy with the results. I am actually having neck pain from the lack of weight! Here are the two braids, about 13 inches each, that will be donated to Locks of Love.

Work in Progress

2012-01-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

I am finally back to painting after a couple month break. This is my current work in progress. I will have my oil paintings from art class posted soon!

My Talented Husband

2011-11-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to share with you my new works space. It fits all my arts and crafts supplies, except for maybe a few larger items. However, I will be working on a desk skirt to solve this problem. My husband built this beautiful desk using a plan I found. The drawers are very deep and I can fit LOTS of supplies in them. But my most favorite part is the built in lighting in the shelves! I have been very productive with my new workspace!

Altering a Book

2011-09-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Large projects, such as this, usually intimidate me, but I am looking forward to experimenting with this one. I thought this would be a good project to reintroduce myself to fine arts, so I chose this theme: Live, Create, Inspire. This will be more like an art journal, rather than a piece of art.

Gluing the pages was a huge task. I was suprised that I had used the entire bottle of gel medium! I found a good tutorial to begin creating an altered book here. After doing a little research, I found that some artist choose to glue pages and gesso right away, while others will work with each page at a time. I chose to glue all my pages together right away, but have not yet gessoed them. This is going to be a big task, but it will be fun!

Apples and Art

2011-09-29T18:50:00.001-07:00

I am going back to basics, here is a pastel drawing of an apple from my painting class. I was able to begin a painting as well. For my subject I chose a simple landscape and with a focus on the beautiful shades of purple and gold in a sunset. It is exciting to be creating with other artists again.

One student brought in some altered books she created that were just beautiful. I have wanted to create an altered book for years, so I have been spending my free time tearing out pages of an old book. The book will most likely have a nature them and I am looking forward to experimenting with a few different techniques.

Wedding Photos on Display!

2011-09-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

So here is our wall of wedding photos. We chose some rustic frames. A few of the frames I found at thrift stores or garage sales I painted and distressed. I also have my lovely burlap pillows I made for our vintage bench. I plan on painting the bench, but I will leave it for now. Art class tonight, hopefully I will be ready to start painting!

Decorating for Fall

2011-09-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were so excited to receive our wedding photos in the mail. We are having a difficult time deciding which one should hand on our walls, so in the meantime I am working on fall decorations. I just created this rustic harvest banner from scraps of burlap, a sharpie, twine, and some fabric ribbon. A tutorial for a similar banner can be found at Dream Book Design.

Saturday we visited the The Little Farmer. We had so much fun! We got lost in the corn maze, went for a hayride, and enjoyed the most delicious pumpkin muffin I have ever tasted. The muffins were so fresh, they were still warm! Behind a screen in the bakery we watched the bakers at work, creating the most delicious treats and filling the The Apple House with delicious aromas. We plan on making our visits to The Little Farmer a tradition.

Wedding in One week!

2011-08-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a little preview of my wedding, just one week away! I have something old (vintage handkerchief), something new (earrings and necklace from Etsy seller kmyjewelry), and something blue (a couple of butterfly clips I made). I just need something borrowed.

Starting Over

2011-08-12T19:35:00.001-07:00

Butterfly Flat Notes

Clothespins with Peacock Print

I have just started up my Etsy shop again. The little guy is keeping me busy, but I hope I can keep up! Here are a few new items!

One Year of My Life

2010-09-11T11:08:00.001-07:00

Alot can happen in one year. Just one year from today I had moved to England to be with my fiance. So much has happened in this past year...I moved to England, moved back home, found out I was pregnant, got a job, started dating my boyfriend, had a baby, moved in with my boyfriend, and just yesterday I witnessed a few of my son's first smiles.

Setting Up Shop Again!

2010-09-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to open up my Etsy shop once again! Here are some sweet little boxes I have been working on. They have been decoupaged with some beautiful patterned paper and are perfect for holding little treasures!

Damon and I have settled in to our new home, this is us curling up on the couch.

Etsy Baby Shower Gift from Closet on Queen Creek

2010-08-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

I recieved this luxurious blanket from Closet on Queen Creek!

Meet Damon...

2010-08-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

And here is my little guy. Born July 28, 2010, 6lbs 5oz, 21 1/2" long.

Etsy Baby Shower Gift from BubbleKidShop

2010-06-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the adorable onesies I received from bubblekidshop.

Etsy Baby Shower Gift from Tonya's Temptations

2010-06-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

This wooden ring ribbon teether was a gift from Tonya's Temptations!

Etsy Baby Shower Gift from Crochele Handcrafted

2010-05-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

I signed up for the Etsy Baby Shower and received some wonderful surprises in the mail. The first gift I am featuring is this adorable crocheted hat from Crochele Handcrafted. I am looking forward to putting this hat on my little guy!

5 Months!

2010-03-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Here are my 5 month ultrasound pictures, as well as a my baby bump. I will most likely be closing my Etsy shop soon, however I will still take orders if requested. Between work and preparing for my baby I am unable to put as much time into my shop as I would like.

Baby on the Way!

2010-01-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

I found out that I was pregnant a few weeks ago. I am now 12 weeks along. Today I had my first ultrasound, and here are the pictures. It was so exciting, especially when he/she started moving around. We were able to hear the heartbeat loud and clear.

I just found out today I got a job at Wigwam and I will be working with my dad on second shift! I am so excited.

Flat Notes for Valentine's Day

2010-01-10T17:37:00.001-08:00

These little Valentine themed flat note cards are now available in my shop!

My Wish List

2009-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Cheese - Original Fine Art Photograph Print 5 x 5 by Mingtaphotography

12th Scale Dollhouse Miniature Full English Breakfast On The Griddle by linsminis

Lighthearted Card Pack by sharonbell

Lemon Cream Pie - Organic Cocoa Butter Lip Balm by Virtue Natural

Just a few things I thought I'd share.

Candied Orange Zest and Snow as Promised

2009-12-08T08:15:00.001-08:00

So we have our snow, and even more to come.

Here is the candied orange zest I made. It was meant to decorate a cake, but the cake did not turn out. All the filling oozed out and made a huge mess. I would never make that cake again, however, I would certainly give the orange zest another try. It is so festive for the holidays.

Bookplates

2009-12-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

I have finally designed some bookplates, something I wished to do for a long time. There are now two available in my shop and more will be listed throughout the week. I've also redecorated my shop for the holidays, so take a peek while you are browsing my new bookplates.

Right now I am wishing for snow. Maybe a couple of feet? That would be nice.

DIY Holiday Gift

2009-11-29T14:45:00.000-08:00

New item! Printable calendar for 2010!

I am so excited about my desk calendar design. These instructions are great for making your own cd case stand. I also found this video showing how to cut your calendar with crop marks.

Ready for Tomorrow

2009-11-26T01:47:00.000-08:00

I am just packing my last few belongings at the moment. Today I'm slightly optimistic and excited about some new designs for stationery and cards that I can work on, possibly even a desk calendar design. Its a sunny day to today so maybe I can enjoy the good weather after packing and giving Tigger lots of cuddles.

Returning Home

2009-11-20T02:51:00.001-08:00

I am sad to say that I will be returning home in one weeks time. I gave up my life to join my fiance in the U.K. but it became clear to me shortly after my move that he did not feel the same about our relationship. Maybe the visits were fun and that was all he wanted, a nice holiday to America to visit a nice girl. Any mention of wedding plans when I arrived caused fighting rather than excitement. I had to ask my parents to buy me the plane ticket home due to him not being financially stable (he enjoys living expensively). Hopefully I can figure out where I will go and what I will do after investing so much time on this one person.

Coffee Cake the English Way

2009-11-17T05:05:00.000-08:00

This is a recipe from my Better Homes and Garedens New Cook Book. I had to make a few changes to the recipe and my fiance had the idea of pouring over some devon custurd.

An English Coffee Cake

3 small apples, peeled and chopped into half inch pieces
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter of margarine
a tin of devon custard (optional)

1. To make filling in small saucepan cook apples until soft over medium heat. Remove from heat and add cinnamon and brown sugar.

2. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). In medium bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, the 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut in 1/4 cup butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Makes a well in the center of flour mixture; set aside.

3. In another bowl combine egg, milk, and vanilla. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Spread half of the batter in and ungreased 8x8x2-inch (or similar size) baking pan. Sprinkle filling over batter. Drop remaining batter in small mounds onto filling.

4. In a small bowl stir together the 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup sugar. Cut in the 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over coffee cake. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden. Cool and serve with devon custard.

Bonfire Night

2009-11-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Bang-8x10 by ablaze

One RamaJama Candy Apple by thecandyappletree

Guy Fawkes V for Vendetta Wall Art by shortsleevealliance

Guy Fawkes Night 8 x 10 by hlkparis

I am so excited to be able to celebrate Bonfire Night. These are a few Etsy finds dedicated to this holiday.

Tigger Jr.

2009-10-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

We could not keep Jay, but we now have a pet slightly more manageable. Meet Tig Jr.

My walk with Jay...

2009-10-12T02:35:00.000-07:00

What's for dinner?

2009-10-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Whatever can fit into my oven I suppose. Today a 14" pizza from Asda just barely fits.

My Favorite Room

2009-09-26T10:05:00.001-07:00

The kitchen, photos do not really do this room justice.

A Beautiful Morning in Birmingham

2009-09-21T01:34:00.000-07:00

Tony managed to take this photograph from our back garden. Right now Jay and I are relaxing at home while Tony is at work.

Our New Baby

2009-09-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Jay...

A Walk Through Clumber Park

2009-09-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

Just settling into my new home in Birmingham. Tony took a few days off so we went to Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.

The best fish and chips can be found in the middle of Sherwood Forest. I bet Robin Hood never had fish and chips like this.

And wild blackberries for desert.

FINALLY MOVING!!!!

2009-08-21T14:35:00.001-07:00

I am so excited, I just found out yesterday I got my uk visa. Right now I am sorting through all my stuff and deciding what to bring. One thing I'm stuck on, what is the normal amount of socks one person should have? My dad works at Wigwam, so I have an excessive amount of super cozy socks. I will only be bringing about half of them.

Unfortunately I will have to close my Etsy shop. I am predicting I will have it back up again in about a year. My shop is closing Monday, so make any purchases before then.

Where will I be tomorrow?

2009-08-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just put in my visa application to move to the UK and be with my fiance. Right now I am waiting nervously, I don't even know where I will be in the next couple months. We have been waiting for a long time to be together, so hopefully everything will go as planned.

I may have to close my Etsy shops with little notice and I will not be able to set up shop again for about half a year. However, I will most likely be spending my spare time blogging, painting and taking photographs that I can share here.

Personalized Stationery Giveaway Winner!

2009-07-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! The winner is ThreadBeaur.

Don't Forget to Sign Up!

2009-07-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

A few more designs for you to choose from. Sign up for for my giveaway of a set of personalized stationery of your choice here:

http://naturescorridor.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-stationery-now-listed.html

A Jane Austen Wedding

2009-07-15T17:50:00.001-07:00

Take a look at my treasury! This is my dream wedding, if only I could convince my fiance to dress as Mr. Darcy.

New Stationery Giveaway!

2009-07-13T04:20:00.002-07:00

I have just listed my first stationery design. At the moment I have six designs, and I will be listing about two a week for the next few weeks. This is my Marie Antoinette stationery, it was mostly inspired by the movie. I love the costumes in this film!

As I mentioned earlier I am having a giveaway for a free set of personalized stationery. You can enter here by leaving a comment here on my blog. Please include your Etsy username in the comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner. I will be using Random.Org to choose the winner on Friday July 31st.

New Stationery Preview

2009-07-10T09:28:00.001-07:00

A little peak at some of the stationery I will be listing starting Monday!

Paper for Stationery

2009-07-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about my new stationery designs I went ahead and purchased all my supplies. The paper I picked out is perfect! It has a nice felt texture, perfect for making business cards stand out as well as a wonderful texture to write on. It is green seal certified and has 30% PCW recycled content.

I plan on listing my first stationery set Monday July 13th. I will also be having a giveaway for a free personalized stationery set. Visit again for details!

Digital Collage With Corel Draw

2009-07-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I am not listing as much in my Etsy shop. Right now I am working on some new stationery designs using Corel Draw. I will be making personalized stationery sets, calling/business cards, and address labels. I hope to have them listed in a month or two. Visit my blog to stay updated on my new stationery designs.

Walvoords Strawberry Picking

2009-06-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

My mom, dad, and I went strawberry picking yesterday. We picked about two flats of strawberries, and right now my mom is working on making strawberry jam. On the way to the berry farm I photographed some neat vintage gas pumps in Gibbsville.

A Little Redecorating

2009-06-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

I added a couple of things to my room. I found these beautiful vintage keys from The Graphics Fairy. My original intention for the keys was to make necklaces, but I discovered that they make go really well with my room decor. I also added a basket to store all my papers and things. Of course Max thinks otherwise. He has officially claimed it as his new cat bed.

Vintage Finds at Bethesda

2009-06-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Bethesda is a local thrift store where I often find some neat vintage items. They recently moved so they are no longer a quick bike ride down the street. However, their new location is much more spacious and I found even more vintage goods to search through. Here is what I found yesterday, a bag full of lace and two rustic muffin tins. I am using the muffin tins as storage for the lace. You can see my favorite piece of lace in the photograph.

Here is a little peak into my corner studio. My dad and my fiance built this work bench into the corner of my bedroom. I have a roll out storage that I can use as extra surface area to work on. You can also see one of the paintings I did in high school and my little wood replica owl I purchase from the Lincoln Cathedral gift shop.

Sweet Little Sachets

2009-06-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the lavender sachets available in my Etsy shop. I love creating my own designs with stamps on linen fabric. When I stamp with brown ink on the fabric they have a slightly faded appearance so they look more vintage and aged. Plus, with my work schedule I don't always have the time or the energy for tedious embroidery.

Chocolate Covered Oreos For Father's Day

2009-06-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Instead of buying chocolate covered Oreos, I decided to make some. I melted my chocolate with shortening using a double boiler. I would recommend this method instead of microwaving because it's easier to control the temperature or your chocolate. I found the easiest way to dip the Oreos is by hand. I tried the skewer method but they fell right off, and I can imagine a dipping fork would do the same. After the chocolate dried, I melted the white chocolate and drizzled it over the oreos. Some I added sprinkles to for some added color. Now there are plenty of chocolate covered Oreos for my dad to enjoy for Father's Day!

Bookmarks

2009-06-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

I've added a bookmark section to my Etsy shop. Here is just a peak. Visit my shop to see more!

Wisconsin Street Team

2009-06-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

I just joined WIST, the Wisconsin Street Team on Etsy. I found these images provided by ZenithJade and created gift tags with them. I plan on including them in my orders to help promote WIST.

Introducing...

2009-06-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

...my new stationery series. I will be listing more throughout the week!

A Perfect Day in June

2009-06-14T10:45:00.001-07:00

It's one of those perfect June days, warm but with a slight cool breeze. I enjoyed some time in the sun in the back garden and managed to get a few photos of some of the flowers.

I am working on a new series of stationery. Here is just a sneak preview. It is very different from my other stationery, more minimalist looking. I will start listing these tomorrow, so visit again soon!

Write a Love Note

2009-06-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Just a few new items with a similar theme. These are not just for Valentines Day! The mini stationery are the perfect size to for a small note that a loved one to find throughout their day (sneak one in a lunch box for a little surprise).

I love coffee staining tags to give them a primitive or vintage look. Plus its a great way to use up my scraps. As soon as I see my scrap paper stack piling up I make a batch of these. I have a few more of these rustic looking tags that I will be listing soon.

Say Goodbye to Mr. Hedgehog and His Pal

2009-06-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Hedgehog and His Flatmate are retiring, just one more set left. I still have a few Spicy Scented Hot Pads available now for only $5.

Clear Stamps

2009-06-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

I was finding the selection to be very limited with rubber stamps so I decided to purchase a few clear stamps. They are so wonderful! You can see exactly where you are stamping. My favorites are from Crafty Secrets. They have all sorts of vintage looking stamps. Here is some excellent information if you are just starting out with clear stamps.

Fly Away...

2009-05-28T18:15:00.001-07:00

...with me.

Nature's Corridor Gift Tag Sampler Box

2009-05-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

I just created this sampler box that holds a variety of gift tags. There will be several more items in my shop in the near future.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T16:40:00.001-07:00

Easter bunny fruit basket created by my cousin Whitney.

Black Dress

2009-03-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

I found some beautiful eyelet fabric and made this dress using Simplicity Pattern 2886. I adjusted the collar and the bodice so that it looked more like my inspiration dress. This was my inspiration:

Black Dress - by MaryBobbins on Polyvore.com

Silly Toby

2009-03-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Foods From England

2009-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Sausage Rolls

Steak and Ale Pie Served with Chips and Peas

Unfortunately I could not pack some of my favorite foods from England to take home. However I was able to recreate a few dishes and I was pretty happy with the results. I used puff pastry for these recipes, but you can use short crust as well. I found these recipes surprisingly easy to make.

Back Home

2009-02-05T04:42:00.000-08:00

It was a long journey, but I am finally home. I have reopened my shops and I am currently having a sale in my Mary Bobbins Etsy shop. 20% off your total!

Yarmouth

2009-02-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Today we traveled to Yarmouth. On our way here we looked at some of the thatch roof houses and windmills. We won about £40 today in an arcarde. Its very cold and snowing right now. We hope it does not snow on Tuesday so we can make a safe trip back to Manchester.

Lincoln Cathedral

2009-01-31T12:34:00.001-08:00

I visited Lincoln Cathedral and city today. Tony and I took so many pics, here are just a few.

Blue John

2009-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

(one of the mines)

Today we visited Bakewell and the Blue John mines. The walk was very misty, I wasn't able to take in the beautiful scenery but I still managed to take some nice photographs. We also purchased a Bakewell tart from a small shop.

(Castleton, walk to mine above)

(early in the morning Bakewell)

Chatsworth House

2009-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

Walking through the mud to see Chatsworth House...

Tony and I were able to get close enough to get some nice photos. Shortly after our walk the sun came out.

Announcement!

2009-01-17T04:15:00.000-08:00

My shops will be closed from January 26th until February 5th. When I return I will be having a sale in my Mary Bobbins Etsy Shop for 20% off your total.

If all goes well, I will be visiting my fiance in the U.K. for a week. I'm bringing my pencils and a journal. But, if I do not have time for drawing, I will be taking many photographs that I will be posting here.

Purple Finds on Etsy

2008-12-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

A few Christmas gifts for myself...

Luster. Berry Earrings by Mia Beads

Purple Shrug with Twin Flowers by Trendy Knitting

Art Fire and Shop Handmade

2008-12-11T04:47:00.001-08:00

I recently opened a couple new shops. Shop Handmade and Art Fire are both very new online venues that I had to give a try.

I would have to say that the listing process in Shop Handmade is very confusing, but I love the look of the site. It is both buyer and seller friendly. Plus, with their sponsorship program, you have the option of selling for free!

Art Fire, on the other hand, has a very nice listing process and lots of nice features for sellers. However, this seems to be a site created for sellers only. I worry that there will not be enough customers for sellers to be successful on this site. I would like to see more features for buyers.

If you are a buyer or a seller, try these out and let me know what you think!

Elegance in Nature

2008-11-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

I am so happy with my recent purchase from SemperAugustus. It arrived wrapped like a present. I purchased a lovely barrette and bracelet. Each piece tells its own story. I love her use of natural elements to create these unique and elegant pieces.

My New Handbag

2008-11-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

I made this handbag from a pattern I purchased from Jenna Lou Designs.

For All You Winter Elves...

2008-11-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

...the modern elf hood. It is especially cold in Wisconsin today.

Practicing for Project Runway

2008-11-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is my early Christmas present. Now I'm ready for Project Runway. I tried out one of the pretty decorative stitches for it's cover.

Pretty Pumpkins

2008-10-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed making Cinderella's Pincushion so much, I decided to make one in a larger size.

Make It Home Before Midnight

2008-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

I just completed Cinderella's Pincushion.

Flouncy Tank Top

2008-10-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

It's complete! And I'm very happy with the results. The pattern is pretty easy, but I did get stuck in a few places. Sew Everything Workshop is my favorite sewing book so far.

Spicy Scented Trivets and Coasters

2008-10-25T03:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new products I've been working on. The spicy scent in these coasters and trivets is wonderful. It is a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon chips, anise seed, cloves, allspice, and rosemary. I purchased these herbs from San Francisco Herb Co. My fiance helped me write out the instruction cards. The word wallop is completely foreign to me. So not only do they make great kitchen accessories, they also work as stress relievers when your perfectly planned holiday meal does not turn out as you had hoped.

My 23rd birthday was this week. My parents helped me make my amazon wish list smaller and bought me a stack full of books. I was so happy to receive Anna Maria Horner's new release, Seams to Me: 24 Reasons to Love Sewing. It was a huge surprise to find an envelope full of patterns in the back! I also got a copy of Sew Everything Workshop and I found the perfect material to make the flouncy tank top.

The Importance of Bookkeeping

2008-10-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

Yes, I discovered how important it really is. With my dads help, we created a spreadsheet on excel. Now I can see the gradual increase in sales and profit and I know how much I'm really spending. At the moment I am reading the book, Craft, Inc. and I am following all the helpful advice.

I also tried out Paypal shipping for the first time. Now I can spend more time creating!

Little Birds

2008-09-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

I've really enjoyed making these birds, they are available in my Etsy shop. I will be making more for the holidays!

Introducing...

2008-09-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

...Mr. Hedgehog and his flatmate. My fiance actually came up with this idea. He is so creative! I thought the "flatmate" would work well as a needle case. I am very happy with how they turned out!

Autumn Accessories!

2008-09-10T21:22:00.001-07:00

I love fall, it always inspires me and I create some of my best works this time of year. My recent creative outlet, being sewing, has inspired me to create a couple fall accessories. The felt pin and eyeglass case are still available for purchase in my new Etsy shop.

I've also been reading a few sewing books that I would like to recommend to beginner seamstresses like myself. Bend the Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew is an excellent book with great projects for beginners. Doodle Stitching and Subl i me Stitching are perfect for those of you who would like to learn to embroider. I created this eyeglass case from patterns I found in Sublime Stitching. I checked this one out from the library, but I should probably buy it so I don't have to trace the patterns. It comes with tons of iron on patterns and a nice little front pocket to keep them in.

Thanks Vintage Workshop!

2008-07-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Vintage Workshop created the most amazing banner and avatar for my new shop. I decided to start sewing again so I needed a new shop for all my hand sewn goods.

I love my new sewing room, it has the right amount of space for me to work in and I can close the door so the cats won't bother me too much.

I found a really nice vintage sewing book today. I was so excited to find it that I snatched it up without really looking through it. I've also been reading Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp. It's a really great book for beginners.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2008-05-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

I saw these on Food Network, and I had to try them. After dumping a whole bottle of red food color into the batter I was a little skeptical, but when I tasted them I was amazed and how wonderful they are! They are all about the frosting, so if you are going to try this recipe don't be afraid to pile on the frosting. I put a big spoonful (Terri Wahl uses an ice cream scoop) on top of each cupcake. These are simple, classic cupcakes with the most amazing cream cheese frosting.

Card Designs

2008-04-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

I've really neglected my blog! I downloaded a trial version of Coreldraw and I've been creating some card designs. These are just a few of the cards I came up with. My parents 25th Wedding Anniversary is coming up and I created a card design for the invitations. Hopefully there will be more designs to post in the future!

Watercolor and Gouache

2008-03-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

I tried out the gouache with watercolor (mostly watercolor) and I like it much more than gouache by itself. I like the watercolors because of their transparency and the textural effects I can create. Gouache, on the other hand, creates a more flat texture. The gouache makes the feather texture and outline in my little owl friend here.

Coconut Cloud Cake

2008-03-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in the April 2008 issue of Country Living. Its a perfect cake for spring (sorry, a little late for Easter). Its made with lemon curd between three layers of spongy cake, and a fluffy meringue frosting that is covered in coconut. Next week I'm going to try lemon curd cake. Simple, sweet, and lemony.

Coconut Cloud Cake
Makes 12 Servings/One 9-Inch 3-Layer Cake

4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups milk
Lemon Curd (recipe follows)
Fluffy Meringue Frosting (recipe follows)
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut or 1 fresh ripe coconut

Make the batter: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a small brush, lightly coat three 9-inch cake pans with softened butter or vegetable-oil cooking spray. Dust with flour and tap out any excess. Set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, using a mixer set at high speed, beat the butter and sugar until well combined. Add the vanilla and egg whites and continue to beat until light and fluffy -- about 2 more minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low and add half the flour mixture. Beat just until flour is completely absorbed. Add the milk and beat for 1 minute. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat for 1 more minute.

Bake the cake: Divide the batter equally among all 3 cake pans and spread evenly. Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a tester inserted into the center of each cake layer comes out clean -- 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the cake layers from the sides of the pans and invert the layers onto the wire rack to cool completely.

Frost the cake: Use a serrated knife to trim the mounded side of each layer to level them, if necessary. Line the edges of a cake plate with 3-inch-wide strips of waxed or parchment paper and place a cake layer, trimmed side down, on top. Spread the layer with 3/4 cup of Lemon Curd and place the second layer, trimmed side down, on top of the first. Spread another 3/4 cup of Lemon Curd on the second layer and top with the last cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with our Fluffy Meringue Frosting and sprinkle all over with coconut. Remove paper strips and serve at room temperature. Store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Lemon Curd
Makes 2 ½ Cups

4 large egg yolks
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (about 3 lemons) fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
6 tablespoons unsalted butter-cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Make the Lemon Curd: In a medium-size nonreactive saucepan, use a whisk to lightly beat the egg yolks and eggs. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice, milk, and cornstarch. Add the butter and place saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, using a wire whisk to stir constantly and being sure to reach all sides and corners of the pan, until the mixture thickens -- 5 to 8 minutes. Do not allow the curd to boil. The resulting curd should have the consistency of a light pudding. Cool the Lemon Curd in the saucepan for 5 minutes. Use a fine sieve to strain the cooled curd and store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Fluffy Meringue Frosting
Makes 2 Cups

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Make the Meringue: In a double boiler over barely simmering water; combine all ingredients except vanilla extract. Using a handheld mixer set at high speed, beat until the mixture is light and fluffy - about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and beat in vanilla. Continue to beat 1 more minute until the meringue forms stiff peaks.

Serenity

2008-03-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

My oil painting is dry enough to be listed in my Etsy shop. I decided to title it "Serene" because, for me, it has a very calming effect when looking at it. Almost like peering into water, or walking in the woods on a beautiful day. I've really enjoyed creating this piece.

Mini Envelope Template

2008-03-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

I have another envelope template to share. This one I used to create envelopes for the "Silhouette of a Tree " and "Evening Light" cards. These are slightly more tricky than the petal envelopes because the corners of the square need to be marked on the inside of the paper before cutting. That way you know exactly where to score and fold. Also, a little bit of gluing involved. Or you can use a nice double sided tape so its not as messy. I also like the clear paper glue.

I got my gouache today, so far its not working for me. I am going to try to combine watercolor and gouache to see if I can get the results I was looking for. It could be that I am now in the mood to work with oils so I might give the gouache and watercolors a break.

Painting

2008-03-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a peek at the oil painting I worked on today. It will be listed in my Etsy shop in the next few weeks, just needs some drying time. I have another HUGE canvas that wants to be painted, that one is almost intimidating. I might even need to buy more paint for it.

I've also ordered some gouache that I'm going to give a try. I already have two pictures drawn out ready to be painted! Take a look at Virtual Gouache Land. It's a great blog that includes a demo video on working with gouache. And, according to this wikipedia article, Matisse worked with a variation of gouache for his Blue Nudes series.

Seeing Double?

2008-03-14T17:32:00.001-07:00

I wanted to work on a new watercolor today, but I'm afraid my vision will become blurred I will start seeing double (like the crazy cats you see on the right). I will have to wait for tomorrow.

I did make a new envelope template for my cute Itty Bitty Cupcake Cards. I would like to share it with you. Just right click on the image below and save it on your computer. Then you can print it out. Cut along the solid lines and fold on the dotted lines. Always score your paper before folding so you get a nice, crisp fold. You can score your paper using a paper clip if you don't have a bone folder. These envelopes are great because you can make them out of just about any paper material. I have another envelope template I hope to add soon.

A Bite of Chocolate

2008-03-13T18:08:00.001-07:00

It's been a very busy week for me, and I don't know where I found the energy to start this blog. But here I am. My inspiration comes in floods, and right now I'm flooded. I get overwhelmed and try to get everything on paper (or canvas) as quick as possible.

I also made this quick, easy dessert, Cherry-Chocolate Bread Pudding, from the Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. And if chocolate is a necessity for you as it is for me, here is a healthier option for your chocolate cravings. Here is the recipe with a few tips I've added:

Cherry-Chocolate Bread Puddings

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups firm textured whole grain bread cubes (about 3 ounces)
3 tablespoons snipped dried tart red cherries
1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ
2/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/3 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed (I used one large egg)
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frozen light (I prefer the sugar-free) whipped dessert topping, thawed, (optional)
Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

1. Coat four 6-ounce individual soufflé dishes or custard cups with nonstick cooking spray. Divide bread cubes, cherries, and wheat germ among the dishes. (You can also add a few chocolate chunks for extra gooey chocolate.)

2. In a small saucepan, combine milk and chocolate. Cook and stir over low heat until the chocolate melts; remove from heat. If necessary, beat smooth with a wire whisk.

3. In a small bowl, gradually stir chocolate mixture into egg product. Stir in orange peel and vanilla. Pour mixture over bread cubes in the dishes. Press lightly with back of spoon to moisten bread.

4. Bake at 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the tops appear firm and a knife inserted near the centers comes out clean. Serve warm. If desired, serve with whipped topping and sprinkle with cocoa powder.

Make-ahead directions: Prepare as directed through step 3. Cover and chill for up to 2 hours. Continue as directed in step 4.