All the Queen's Chocolate

Mardi Gras

2011-03-09T18:50:00.000-06:00

or and with our etouffee recipe with one stick of butter, although delish, we know where the fat comes from.

Recipe

New Workshop

2010-11-28T10:52:00.003-06:00

A Winter Stories Workshop is being hosted by Kari (of Artsy Mama) and Hope of Paper Relics.

This is a way to journal your Holiday season and learn some new techniques.

Lots of fun.

Wizard of Oz Tags Have Arrived!

2010-10-15T09:04:00.003-05:00

And they are all so beautiful. Karla Nathan (who does not know who she is by now - one of the top art/craft/decorating bloggers) hosted yet again a wonderful little swap.

Although this swap was a lot of work for her she sure brightened my day.

What detail and care went into each of these tags from many people. The one Karla made even has a (yippee) little Toto charm. I have a little dog named Toto and this is a wonderful little charm.

All the others, who do not have blogs but emails, I shall email you to thank you for the work and beauty you put into these beautiful tags.

But for Karla, I may not have partcipated in anything this year. Her tag swaps were a great creative and inexpensive way to connect with one another.

Thank you so much Karla!

Been awhile and update and a Swap

2010-02-25T13:25:00.003-06:00

Gosh do they still even have my blog online I wondered? Yes, still here and joy for there is a swap that I just barely got into which I need right now.

The talented Karla of Karla's Cottage (hubby will insert link later) is hosting a wonderful Alice in Wonderland tag swap.

My precious, most wonderful, constant companion Toto has a seizure disorder. It turns out it was not mycotoxicosis poisoning after all. She has required a lot of monitoring and we made the decision to put her on the medication for this. Talk about emotionally draining, stress eating, financially gobbling, sleepless weeks (they come at night).

Little thought about blogging but then found out about this tag swap. Yes, definintely still reading blogs - so much fun to read about what others are up to and happened upon Karla's swap just in time.

The Alice in Wonderland swap and soon the movie!

Cookie and Candy Homemade Decor

2009-12-14T05:19:00.016-06:00

The Nesting Place is hosting a big Christmas Tour of Homes.

We decorated our cubboard with totally handmade treats this year and it was quite an achieve'mint'!

Details:

The best kind of real estate invest'mint': A Gingerbread House!

A great embellish'mint' - candy canes with crepe paper on a cupcake stand.

Edible Decor -
A wonderful mint cone - put in with toothpicks on the wrapper ends - you just pluck a mint off to nibble on - very handy.

A tacky wacky fun box. Love making these - truly a trash to treasure craft. This was an old box decoupaged with paper. Have even used the box trash bags come in for this - kids and dogs love these.

Here we have put dog cookies in this box:

A big thanks to The Nester for hosting this huge Holiday Tour of Homes!

Scrappy Jessi's Third Anuual Cookie Swap

2009-12-02T18:01:00.016-06:00

We are glad Scrappy Jessi threw this cookie swap again this year - it is always a lot of fun to check out all the great cookies everyone makes and fantasize of gobbling up all of them.

Yesterday, it was a cold blustery day and me and the dogs were inside - what could be a better time than to make cookie memories for them - especially Chloe as she is the new wee one.

There are many dog cookie recipes and they are great - but call for complicated ingredients and sometimes an egg.

I found the following recipe a basic, simple 'have on hand' ingredients cookie for dogs recipe.

This is posted by Dalyce on eHOW titled: How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies for Dogs

RECIPE

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons oil (I used canola)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup tepid water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white floor

You will need: rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking sheets

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine oil, peanut butter and water in a medium sized bowl. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Knead constantly into a firm dough. (This will be thicker than a sugar cookie dough or pie crust.) Use your hands instead of mixer for this, it seems easier and the dough will be very firm.

3. Lightly dust part of your countertop or large cutting board and a rolling pin with dough to keep it from sticking. Roll a 3" ball of dough to about 1/4" thick. Cut the dough with cookie cutter.

4. Arrange cut cookies on a baking sheet. Place in preheated oven.

5. Bake for appoximately 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

This was a quick to mix up batch of cookies.

The dogs loved taking little nibbles of the dough (this was doable as no raw eggs in batter).

The cookies are firm and warm when out of the oven, but they turn into a harder cookie. The dogs enjoy hard crunchy cookies.

These cookies are 100% Dog Approved! All of the dogs loved these - would make a great gift for a dog. Thank you Dalyce for tasty dog cookie recipe.

And thank you Jessi for hosting this wonderful cookie swap!

Now off to visit the other yummy cookie posts...

Candace’s Mad Hatter's Tea Party

2009-10-23T18:07:00.017-05:00

Chocolate, pumpkin hats and lemon balm tea
Must be Candace’s Mad Hatters Party Tea!

We will sit and chat
About this and that
Then wait and watch for
The wild cheshire cat

A Baker’s chocolate for us to eat
Sweetened, of course, my, what a treat!

Pompadorish pumpkin hats there’ll be,

So tie one on and drink your tea.
Hardy har har and tea hee hee.

Candace hosted a real Mad Hatter's Tea Party along with the Mad Hatter's Tea Blogparty with some fun, dressed up friends. And has a wonderful authentic tea menu she is serving. Thank you for hosting this Candace!

Hello There Dearies,

2009-10-16T18:59:00.032-05:00

Do come in...truly glad to welcome some of you from Vanessa's A Fanciful Twist Halloween Blogparty...

Here we are in a (six degrees of Kevin Bacon way) close relations’ fabulous kitchen.

I have been cooking up a storm working on recipes from the “Mrs. Lovett’s Secret Recipes Collection” and everyone, well, they just ‘love it’! It does take a bit of effort to ‘catch’ her truly secret yet tasty ingredient.

Little known but actual fact – many true crime buffs will tell you there really was a Barber of Feet Street and his creative cooking companion in London’s history coinciding along with lots of tasty pies with many missing people – I mean people missing - in the vicinity of the barber shop. It took ages for the lax and lazy police to figure out this wily couples’ ways and means. Many an officer themselves gorged on the infamous meat pies.

Ahh, here you have caught me slaving over a hot stove making my special stew (the secret really is in the sauce). You need a Basil, some Manwich and well a helping foot ... er hand.

Trust me, don’t be shy, take a bite - it really does taste like chicken!

What’s that? You are a vegetarian -
Not to worry, I have for those of you ‘going green’ (and by the way green humans do look so fresh) my soylent green sandwiches. And these are jam packed with only the freshest raw soylent green. Not any rationing going on here – I have my own private supply – so dig right in, there is plenty more. I know other hostesses will be absolutely green with envy – they shouldn't be because now my dinner plans can truly involve them.

Check out my finger food and tarts – what beauties . They were always so eager to lend a helping hand.

Everyone, wait your turn, don’t rush the tray loaded with The Tasty Toes, that's right toes not toads! And what goes so well with these but a well aged hand-crafted cheese. We are considering going into the gourmet cheese business – but we have only toed around with the idea so far.

Well have so enjoyed having all of you delightful ladies for dinner and careful, do watch your heads on the way out!

Gals I will get to your blogs - what a blogparty blast! All of these (other than the plastic foot and real creme cheese sandwiches) are made of that old fashioned flour dough craft clay. You just shape your flour dough and lightly bake then paint with food coloring. There are some recipes for edible sculpted bread fingers.

And: there is a theory based on some extensive research that there really was a man and lady selling the meat pies made of people in old London. Eeeek.

2009-10-15T20:54:00.014-05:00

Hi there, Stuart here with the latest news…

Meet little Chloe.

She has fun playing with my toys.

She sleeps on Daddy,

Here is me, Stuart, trying out my new costume, it is comfortable and fun to lounge around in.

Did you know that several years ago I was freed from a cage by my Mom? Some wonderful ladies at a shelter had hidden me in the rabbit room - I have long ears and blended in but had to be quiet. I was a 'smiler' and they could not give me that scarey shot. No one had wanted to adopt me because I was a biter. I am glad Mommy came and adopted me.

I will be going Trick or Treating with Toto who will go as Toto of Wizard of Oz. We only go to neighbors’ houses that we know. Mommy always sorts through our candy bag and somehow people give us tasty dog treats and crackers.

Dressing up in costumes and eating treats - Halloween is a fun time!

A Fun Halloween Blogparty

2009-10-15T11:49:00.005-05:00

The wonderful Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist who always works so hard to throw the best parties in blogdom is hosting Halloween: A Hauntingly Magical Celebration Revealed.

You know it's goin to be great!

Petfinder and finding a Pet

2009-10-08T10:24:00.035-05:00

What have I been up to? Trying to get a little dog and make a difference in it's life.

I wrote about the loss of my dogs, little Silkey and Sprout that passed this summer.

I felt it was time to start looking for another little pet.

PETFINDER

Petfinder (a website that lists all dogs and other pets available) has lots of listings from shelters, humane societies/SPCA groups and rescue groups. No longer does a person have to go in person to a city shelter to look at all the dogs and cats. Most city shelters list on petfinder and you type in the size, age range and breed of pet you want.

I started checking Petfinder any time I got a spare minute at the computer.

Tips:

Groups that tend to have less strict criteria are the SPCA groups, some Humane Society Groups and of course, City Shelters. The SPCA will do a home visit for pit bull adoptions (a very good idea).

If you find a pet on Petfinder feel free to call for any details. Make sure a heartworm test is done, spaying will be performed and shots given.

If it is a rescue group that has a dog you like check out their qualifications and ask about their criteria - some now require all animals in the household to be spayed and every animal to have heartworm preventative for 5 years in their own names. Many feel some of them are getting so strict as to be hurdles. Some are not as strict though and work very hard at getting a pet a good home. You have to be persistent and find one that you might qualify.

The wonderful lady I got Silkey from was no longer doing rescues.

Call and check the pet is still at the shelter/SPCA as we got there and the little dog had been adopted - they had not had time to update their Petfinder listing.

Puppymills are happily being done away with (Petland is one of the few stores remaining that sell puppymill puppies) thanks to Petfinder and public awareness.

Another tip: if going to a shelter, as a precaution, when you get home, take off your sneakers outside and run them through the washer then air dry. I do not want to expose my pets to anything such as dog flu or kennel cough and am extra careful this way.

Have you checked out the guys and new reality show "Rescue Ink"? These tough looking hunky guys go out and make a difference in animals' lives. They actually are out working on animal problems, really rescuing them - a great bunch of guys. An upcoming episode has them trying to help some dogs susupected being involved in pit bull dog fighting.

Gone With The Wind Gala Blog Party

2009-09-06T19:33:00.035-05:00

Hosted by Nikki of The Scarlett Rose Garden Blog.

Welcome as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of this spectacular movie.

Let's have some cake specially made for this occasion...

Deep in plantation country in Louisiana is a traditional recipe that is as rich and beautiful as Scarlett O'Hara.

SCARLETT RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Recipe:

Cake (or cupcakes) Ingredients:

1/2 ounce red food coloring (optional)
2 heaping teaspoons cocoa
1/2 cup shortening
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 and 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar (cider vinegar would be too strong)

Make a paste of red food coloring and cocoa in a small bowl. Cream shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add eggs and mix well, then add the cocoa paste (or the cocoa if omitting the red food coloring). Add butermilk alternately with the flour and salt. Beat well after each addition (important to do this step to get a light, fluffy cake texture). Then add the vanilla. Mix soda and vinegar in a small bowl and fold into the cake batter. Pour batter into a greased and floured cake pan or into cupcake pan with paper liners.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes. Watch carefully and test with an inserted toothpick. Let cool completely before frosting.

Icing:

This is an old fashioned roux icing. Rouxs are the basis of much cookery in Louisiana plantation territory. This is a rich buttercream icing that is cooked.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

Cook flour and milk until thick while stirring constantly.

Then thoroughly cool. In separate bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add vanilla. Beat the two mixtures together until the consistency is that of whipped cream. Refrigerate to cool completely before frosting cake or cupcakes.

Note: I did add a small amount of red food coloring - most modernized recipes use a bottle of red food coloring. You get a natural red color with the mixture of the vinegar, buttermilk and cocoa.

A Scarlett Red Velvet Cupcake Tower:

I printed up Scarlet in her famous red velvet gown and glued the picture to a toothpick (making sure to apply glue only to the very top of the toothpick). This cute little toothpick paperdoll is useful to adorn cupcakes or other food items.

This was a lot of fun to make a classic Southern cake for such a wonderful celebration. I truly anticipated having half a cupcake with total excitement.

Thank you Nikki for hosting this and I can't wait to find out what the other blog partygoers put together!

The Wizard of Oz Blogparty

2009-08-21T22:24:00.058-05:00

How wonderful that Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters would host a celebration of this great movie.

All the dogs got so excited and well...let's let Stuart type from here on out...

Mommy told us about the Wizard of Oz Blogparty.

I was excited!

We have been working hard and having fun homeschooling this summer. I overheard Mommy tell Daddy that we will continue to do so - she said it is cost e-fish-ent - whatever that means. All I know is that I am having lots of fun to miss the doggie daycare.

The Lesson Plans for this week were about The Wizard of Oz.

We worked on menu planning, thinking up creative dishes of a Wizard of Oz theme.

WIZARD OF OZ MENU

These are all CERTIFIED and
Toto-ally APPROVED:

Tree Thrown Apple Fritters

Poppy Seed Muffins

Relish the Adventure Relish Tray

Witch's Wicked Beef Stew Brew

Aunti M's Biscuits and Gravy

Glenda the Good (for you) Witch's Vegetarian Stew

Lions and Tigers and a Bear Claw Pastry

Ruby Slipper Red Velvet Cake

For snack time we had a Relish the Adventure Relish Tray.

My favorite was the doggie relish tray which consisted of chicken and crackers - mmmmmmm.

After eating it was time to do our Theater Arts segment. We got to get in the fabric box and decide who would be who in the Wizard of Oz dress up.

Confusion ensued! Toto wanted to play the Good Witch. I wanted to play Toto. Ariel did not really mind who she played.

We settled this by having Toto play Toto (a logical fit and no costume needed) and Ariel play the Wicked Witch (not a logical fit) and me play Glinda the Good Witch (a perfect fit).

Here I am (Stuart) as Glinda the Good Witch

Here is Ariel:

Here is Toto:

We had fun but the day's lessons were still not done.

We had computer time and found these facts about The Wizard of Oz movie:

Toto was a rescue (she barked too much and was not wanted).
Toto was a girl.
Toto should have won an academy award.

Next it was craft time.

Mommy is working on a book called "How to Homeschool Your Dogs". She is almost done with the chapter on 'crafts from throw away items'. For this project she took some scrap paper destined for the recycle bin and traced each of our paws on the paper. We colored it in with a little help. We rolled up some paper to form the stick.

And we had a paper Lolli-paw-p (pronounced Lollipop). The Lollipop Guild is our favorite song.

Whew, what a day!

Mommy is going to read to me "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" tonight as my bedtime story. It was a busy day and we are tired - thank you Twyla and Lindsey for hosting this fun blogparty - It was pawsitively the best!

There really is no place like home...

2009-07-27T19:42:00.004-05:00

Toto says she is feeling much better. She had a great cozy set up today to relax in - a big, soft, comfy quilt with her favorite stuffed dog toys. She loved this and relaxed all afternoon while watching tv and eating chicken dinner. When she got tired of watching tv I read to her from - you guessed it - her favorite story:
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"!

Mycotoxicosis again

2009-07-27T06:44:00.015-05:00

Just disbelief as I saw Toto come in jump on the bed and I noticed mild shaking.

I told my husband she was shaking and he thought it was just too cold in the house.

I put her down on the floor and she had that walk where she was stumbling around.

And I just flat out have to admit I just freaked out panicked.

Then of course the fast dash to the emergency clinic.

Warning: for other pet owners. Mycotoxicosis is a mold toxin that can form in a compost (dogs can still get to this with a secure lid on it), on food in garbage or food left out (in another case someone had left out a pan with leavings from a roast outside), on grains (put in a compost or in your garbage/kitchen trash), and, as we learned, mulch - the list goes on - leaves, average garden debris, almost anything.

Although a lot of vets are aware of this, some are not, or it can be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in time or the person could be gone and not realize their dog has this. There is a small window of time to get your dog to the vet and get treatment.

Toto had been in the backyard and I thought it was safe back there - we had dismantled the compost bin months ago when this had happened. Now we found out this toxin can form on mulch, leaves left on the ground, hay used as mulch, basically anything. I am still researching this - pea gravel and plain dirt my be less likely to have this.

I spent the weekend redoing my garden. I am removing the mulch we had.

She had had a full 'dinner' of chicken breast, a bit of pasta and a small amount of prescription diet id. She went outside and I noticed her exploring and nosing in a particular spot around some mulch. The vet said some dogs will put mulch in their mouths.

She was kept for 20 hours at the emergency clinic on an iv. I had told them I would call often and most certainly did.

We went out to the yard and even in the hot southern sun we found mold on the mulch she was nosing around in. Mold forms on moist wood in the enclosed plastic bag you buy at garden centers - so check very carefully and follow up with more checks as it can form underneath the top layer.

Toto is resting comfortably and doing fine. No walks today and she will be getting lots of cozies (when you pile the quilts and comforters in a big pile - dogs love this), pettings, love and chicken dinners (her favorite) - and a good dog movie - the cute Hotel for Dogs.

I will be doing a mold check daily in the backyard on everything and supervising her quite carefully.

A Garden Party hosted by

2009-07-18T14:03:00.029-05:00

Susan of Savoring Time in the Kitchen , who not only has a spectacular garden but also has a some wonderful cooking recipes and photos. I got excited when I read she would be having this garden party.

I planned my garden menu around herbs.

The al fresco menu:

Basil with cream cheese sandwiches with rosemary garnish.

Some strawberries and

A strawberry drink I made by taking organic strawberries and simply crushing some into some ice water. Strawberries always make a great garnish.

And some green tiered cupcakes. Piled really high with gloppy icing and lots of sprinkles.

The best for last: homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream - fantastic.

Now off to visit the other Garden Partygoers.

Just got to everyone on the list and I tell you - the gardens and produce are spectacular! A lot of people do not realize the work that goes into gardens (that is why I stick with herbs which are a bit less work). Such beautiful, well tended gardens at all the blogs. It was actually like reading a gardening magazine.

What a fun garden party - thanks Susan for hosting this!

Swap defautlers

2009-07-16T12:38:00.009-05:00

I also feel quite freely to speak my mind about all the people that sign up for swaps and then just flat out give an anemic response and then don't respond much less send their package.

Sadly this is a recurring thing in a lot of swaps. I would hate to think of a beginner blogger being excited and signing up for a swap and running into this.

It has happened to me. The wicked witch swap last year netted me a lady who flat out took my package and I received nada, not even a thank you or that she had received it.

Some swaps I have read about have super strict rules. Some apron swaps even require a reference! And a copy of the mailing receipt to the hostess. Some little children had been involved with their moms in receiving a little apron and in more than one instance these little kids sat waiting for their little aprons that never arrived.

Is this what our fun friendly innocent swaps are evolving into.

I do know I am not the only one going through this and happily I feel compelled to write about this problem so that others do not think they are alone in this!

Update:
Well, better late than never and surely better than being a defaulter - my package did come in! And it is quite wonderful.

But still, though, giveways and blog parties seem more of a sure deal.

A Very Sad Day

2009-07-16T12:10:00.008-05:00

I know I talk on about all my wonderful pets. Well, two of the oldest ones were having health problems. They had been going to the vet to take care of these things.

One dog, my beloved Silkey (a puppy mill rescue) had some problems and I had to put her to sleep this past Tuesday.

The next morning I sat in the backyard with my dogs who were missing her and my other oldest dog, Sprout (Little Sprout when younger) went outside with us and then asked to go back in quite quickly. We lingered outside for not more than a few minutes and I went in expecting to find her on the pile of comforters I keep on the den floor for her.

She was missing. I went searching through the house fearful she may have fallen (she had bad arthritis) and could not find her.

I then looked more carefully and found her dead in a place (behind the stairs) that she had never been to. She lay peacefully dead.

I am just heartbroken to lose two of my most precious dogs each day.

My littlest Ariel is taking it really hard as Sprout was the 'mom' dog to them all.

I am so grateful to all the blogworld and all of you ladies because I already have something to look forward to: the blog garden party hosted by Savoring Time in the Garden. I would be just hysterical with grief but at least I have something to plan for.

I really do love all you fellow bloggers and feel we do help each other through these trying times.

Update: my poor little delicate Ariel is taking this hard and had to go to the vet for not eating. Dogs really grieve for other dogs.

It is good that I had something to plan for this week (the blog garden party) -that has helped - but this has been a really tough week. Thanks to all of your who have commented and emailed... - I love all you 'url friends'!

Valerie

Welcome to the Ice Cream Social given by

2009-07-12T19:32:00.023-05:00

Jenn of Sweet Eye Candy Creations .

What a wonderful idea on a hot day and what a sweet way to cool down...
My childhood memories of ice cream involved the homemade kind. My father had 'farm folk' as relatives and it was a treat to go visit them for they usually had real dairy - the labor intensive kind -such as churned butter (unbelieveably good) and homemade ice cream.

The homemade kind where it had a crank and all the rock salt and had to be done outside in the easily over 100 degree heat. It was a lot of work but worth it.

How much more carefree and easier it is to replicate that now. Real homemade ice cream with an electric ice cream maker - we got one that required rock salt which really brings home that old fashioned creamy taste.

We made three flavors of custard ice cream. Strawberry, creamy blueberry, and chocolate & cherry.

Then, I made an ice cream cone tower with Stuart on top. This ice cream topper is from the tutorial Jenn gave us (actually referred to as a cupcake topper) in the Sweet Six Online Art Seminar. I love how it turned out!

I can't wait to visit the other ladies in the ice cream social and get more ice cream!

A MeMe Award from Sherry & Paper trinket Giveaway

2009-07-09T18:08:00.044-05:00

of If I Could Set My Soul Free She has a great blog and just hosted a paper bag swap that was a lot of fun.

Seven things I recently discovered about myself are...

1. Finally, my flagging interest in politics has been restored: Brad Pitt for Mayor.

2. That I love our new ice cream maker. The kind that uses rock salt and real cream and other real ingredients. You can customize some terrific flavors...triple chocolate espresso is an idea.

3. Me and the dogs are really enjoying homeschooling this summer. They get home cooked meals, an invigorating curriculum and we save daycare tuition costs - I just might become a Stay At Home Dog Mom.

4. The precious rescued cats at Animal Rescue League of Elk Grove, California have great taste in tv shows. The League is requesting people donate any spare tv's they might have. These help relax and soothe them. What do these little fur cuties like? -Desperate Housewives and nature shows - in that order.

5. I am an avid pre-cycler. I have a stash of a hidden-from-Hubby hoard of used coffee filters, egg cartons and (horrors) cardboard toilet paper rolls. My most recent swap hosted by Sherry involved paper bags - loved this and never realized both what fun you can have with paper bags and how many you can fit by mashing them flat in the top of a closet.

6. Ab crunches are gone. Outta here, don't need them. No more I should have, would have, could have done a crunch. They may contribute (some sources are saying outright cause) a collapsing pelvic floor. Jaw dropper shocker. Tummy pull-ins held for various counts (yes, a retro isometric exercise) and some pilates non crunchable ab exercises are alternatives.

7. Chocolate is truly a remarkable substance. It really is an affordable necessary luxury. I have found many uses for it - not just eating it (obviously the best use), but creating with it (chocolate clay), imbibing it (chocolate liquor) and even bathing in it (my chocolate truffle sugar scrub). I do not, though, take it to the garden in the form of cocoa shell mulch as this may not be good for dogs.

Thanks Sherry for giving me this award!

Paper tiny trinket Giveaway: (This is not actual life size - the pizza is about the size of a quarter)

This includes my tiny bags for holding the pizzas and a tiny handwritten menu and 1 pizza, and three slices of pizza stickers. Enough for a tiny pizza feast. The stickers are usable as their backing is still attached. These realistic stickers are made by 'sticko'.

Your comment must have a blog link to an email or an email in the comment post, please. Leave a comment through til next Wednesay to be eligible.

Mad Hatters Tea Party

2009-06-26T19:39:00.017-05:00

Preparations for the Mad Hatters Tea Party were in full swing.
This fabulously famous event was anticipated by all of Blogdom.
The Queen had verily and busily baked some tasty tarts.

She had baked chocolate tarts and even chocolate heart tarts.
Peter Piper had given her the recipe for a red non-pickled pepper tart.

Later, a messenger hurriedly arrived to deliver a message to the Queen.
Someone had absconded with those tasties, those tarts!

Drat, but how could this have happened queried the Queen (of Hearts),
Someone has stolen my tasty tray of tarts.

She paced to and fro contemplating this would be greedy culprit.
And she had not too short a list of suspects...

Was it the virile Guard she had set out on duty to protect the tarts? Surely not...

or the handsomely weary world Traveler that had dropped by just as the tarts were made?

Or this rakish Charmer? Impossible. why he could afford a pirate's bounty of tarts!

Hmmmm, to set a trap - that would be the way to catch this smart tart thief!

The Queen of Hearts once again made some tarts all in one long day.
Now these tarts would be rigged from the start all doused in a liquor-ish way.

The Knave of Hearts, slyly at the start, did take and devour them away.

Soon all concerned noticed the Knave of Hearts did hop kind of funny.

Aha, they had caught the non-teetotaler tart thief - the little Bunny!

The taker was forgiven - he's such a cute little (hi-cup) Hunny.

This is amazing - I heard sounds in the kitchen and went in there and found that Bunny (aka Knave of Hearts) and the Queen of Hearts had made a chocolate clay theater - naturally in their size so they could step right up on stage and act out this Tale of Tarts.

These are just too stickerish sweetly cute - all involving storybook and tea party themes! Just post a comment on this post through til this Sunday (must have an email or blog where I can reach you if you win) and there will be a drawing for these.

Now off to visit the other tea partyers! And thanks to Vanessa for hosting this fantabulous Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Edited to add on Monday: This wonderful tea party really has not ended for a lot of us just because it is Monday and I am even still visiting other parties - so the final date has been extended for the stickers until this Wednesday to give other party goers a chance to win them. Happy party hopping!

AND The Winner of the Sticker Giveaway is....

Zan Asha

Congrats.

Have you heard??? are you going to be there?

2009-06-22T18:15:00.002-05:00

get on board for what all of Blogdom is buzzing about:

Vanessa Valencia's Second Annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party
this Saturday, June 27.

Click on the Mad Hatter Tea Party banner at the very top
right and you will be linked right to the her blog for more
information.

Don't miss out on this frolic'n fun exstravaganza!

Summer Fun and a Show Me Your Crown Blogparty

2009-06-09T16:35:00.000-05:00

Yippee -- a crown blog party!

Finally it's summer - Doggie Daycare is out and I get to spend the summer with mommy every day. We are trying out some home schooling.

Me and mommy were reading blogs together and found the "Show Me Your Crown" blogparty hosted by Andrea of Vintage Bella Studio . I got so excited about this! I asked if I could try it out myself.

This week our lesson plan was of a nautical theme...

I watched Flipper in a movie this week. I liked it! I asked mommy if I could have a crown with Flipper on it.

During craft time yesterday I made this crown (with only a little help). I also strung some shells - I think this shell necklace really completes the look.

Then it was time to get ready for the big "Show Me Your Crown" blogparty.

Mommy put make up on me, as she says that helps my features show up better on camera.

She only uses the purest make up on me (and not animal tested!) 100% Pure has a great berry blusher that I like. Anyway, I got made up and was ready.

I sit patiently as daddy fits me with my shell necklace...

Posing is a breeze and my smiles flow freely...

Then time for my favorite summer treat: corn on the cob - yum!!!

Now off to visit the other partygoers with their beautiful crowns!

Marie Antoinette Collage Swap

2009-06-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

hosted by Maria of The Junk Drawer netted me a great swap partner.

Sue (who does not have a blog but lets hope she gets one) sent me this gorgeous collage. All of these jewels just sparkle - the effect is pure loveliness.

I sent a collage and since she was so nice about me sending it a day late I made a Marie paper doll for her.

Thank you Sue for the fantastic collage and thank you Maria for hosting this fun swap!

The Easter Bonnet Blog Parade

2009-03-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

What excitement! Everyone is lining up with their splendid Easter Bonnets in scrumptious spring colors! Bobbie is hosting this fabulous blog parade.

When I told my little ones about this Easter Parade, Stuart in particular became quite interested. I asked him if he would not mind wearing something that I designed and since he is an amicable little guy he readily agreed. (This hat was custom made by us consisting of a flower, card stock and ribbon).

So...I finally have my little Stuart (actually named Stuart Little) in a Baby Blue Gerber Daisy Easter Bonnet. What a dashing little fellow he is.

"Pretty Please with a smile - Vote for ME Ladies!!! - and Bobbie, thanks for hosting this fun Easter Parade!"

Compost Warning regarding Dogs

2009-03-20T07:03:00.000-05:00

composting can be downright dangerous for your dogs. In fact, in some cases it can be very serious.

Mycotoxicosis. This can develop in compost and if ingested can make your dog very ill. Although this used to be rare it is getting found more often as more people are composting.

The dog that had been into the emergency room the previous week with this died from this. It sometimes even goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed unless a vet can pick up on it and quickly treat it.

I have been composting for years and have even attended "master composter" classes. My husband in his profession works closely with composting experts but we had never heard of this potentially toxic result.

Quick action by me in getting Toto to the emergency vet and the vet recognizing what it was saved her. She will be fine - but still...

We are dismantling our compost bin. For now, I am not taking any chances; the dog that died from this had an owner that had the precaution of a lidded compost bin, but the dog still got into it.

Please be careful with your precious pets and the seemingly innocuous compost bin.

Happy Mardi Gras!

2009-02-24T18:02:00.001-06:00

We celebrated with an old Cajun dish that has been in my hubby's family for decades -Shrimp Au Gratin - delicious.

And some yummy King Cake with all the Mardi Gras colors...

Daddy, can I have some King Cake?

Some successful bead catchers.... Stuart
Boodreaux

Whew, tired revelers finally asleep after all the feastivities...

An Ice Day, A Nice Day

2009-01-28T18:17:00.000-06:00

We love it when the weather is cold and icy. We make good use of that big stack of firewood and get out lots of blankets for the fur babies. They love to gather and cuddle in front of the fireplace...

Here are Sprout and Boodreaux

And Ariel, a snug little bug

Really was a (n)ice day!

A Pretty Little Christmas

2008-12-16T06:18:00.001-06:00

Heather of Pretty Petals is hosting this blog party.

There I was busily coloring, cutting and putting up these little holly leaves in a sort of temporary decoupage yesterday while the whole party was going on! I also added some pointsetta petals to the light fixture.

I having some blog partying to catch up with.

A Pretty Little Christmas Blog Party

2008-12-16T06:09:00.000-06:00

Oops I thought this blog party was today! And, I thought I was getting off to a rousing early start by doing my post very early.

Favorite Things

2008-12-13T12:54:00.000-06:00

My favorite things at Christmas time are:

Christmas movies to set the mood. I only hope Santa got my letter asking for that Kit Kittredge Dvd. If so, this year's collection will be complete.

Handmade ornaments. I try to make something handmade each year. This year was easy as all I had to do was gold dust a dried pomegranate left over from my botched foray into daily pomegranate eating.

The best Holiday drink ever! I just take coffee add some egg nog, a bit of rum extract and a nutmeg topped whipped cream dollop. Love this, I drink this all day long now.

Cute Christmas Chis. Our littelest dogs in their Santa outfits. They just love to pose for the camera.

Ariel

Stuart Little

And speaking of cute dogs a fanatastic blog discovery:

I just recently discovered this.
The Christmas Corgi Blog
The name of this blog says it all.
Corgis and Christmas. A really fun blog to read.

Favorite Things Holiday Blog Party

2008-12-13T07:23:00.000-06:00

hosted by Gypsy Mermaid Life,

Please stop back by later.

Holiday House Blog Party

2008-12-12T11:16:00.000-06:00

Hi ladies! My name is Valerie and I have just been touring some of the homes with absolutely beautiful trees! I love doing these blog party tours and I try to leave a comment on all the blog homes I visit.

I am involved with three Holiday Blog parties (listed on sidebar) all within days of each other. Since they are all of a show and tell and decorative nature I will just do a series of pictures for each blog party rather than posting the same pictures three times.

The area I will post about today is the Christmas tree area. Little Stuart got in the picture when he was checking things out.

The mantle with the Vanessa Valencia tutorial stockings (check out previous post) I made. Some Christmas village homes and some Yankee Candles in Christmas Cookie scent.

Gingerbread cookies on the tree...

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Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday House Party

2008-12-12T06:36:00.000-06:00

hosted by The Junk Drawer.

Candy Land Christmas Stockings

2008-12-11T05:50:00.001-06:00

courtesy of Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist's free (we all can appreciate that these days) stocking tutorial. It was very easy to follow, I did not sew these at all which made it all the more fun to make. I stuck with her glue gun way of assembling these. Glittering and gluing down the candy on these means I will not eat the candy from the finished project as I am wont to do.

I have made gingerbread houses several times and I must say these truly have that wonderful magical gingerbread house quality to them. They really are beautiful.

Exciting eco note: these are felt squares bought at Wal Mart made by Eco-Fi and are made from recycled plastic bottles.

Here is one 'in action' hanging at the fireplace

Here they are all lined up

And a close up

Thank you Vanessa!

Holiday Beauty

2008-12-10T19:23:00.000-06:00

Ladies,

Are you feeling worn and wan from all the holiday preparations?

Well, take a minute and relax with some amazing beauty tips that will leave you feeling ready to tackle the holiday season….

First off, take a bath to refresh and invigorate and go ahead and get in some caroling practice while you are at it.

Next, rejuvenate with a contour strap. Grab yourself some frownies if you have them to complete that Norma Desmond look.

Now, refreshed and rejuvenated you are ready for your make up.

And ladies, while attending all those holiday parties let’s not forget to sit in that energetic S curve formation. Absolutely stunning!

(It might appear they are holding hands but one lady is an instructor doing hands on teaching of poise at a charm school in New York City).

Cookie Swap

2008-12-04T19:58:00.000-06:00

Scrappy Jessi, the hostess with the mostess fun is hosting a cookie blog party today. Yes, finally a reason to get out that older than retro cookbook and try something different. Shortbread. A simple short recipe that gives big results in cookie satisfaction. I think this is excellent as a replacement for some of those sugar cookie days during Christmas season. It is not too gloppy sweet. I also took some cream cheese frosting and thinned it out a lot and then crushed some Texas pecans into it - this was a sort of dip for the shortbread - Excellent.

SHORTBREAD

1/4 pound butter
7 Tablespoons shortening
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
Sugar (for light dusting)

Cream butter and shortening with sugar. Work in flour. Roll about 1/4 inch thick; cut into small shapes or sticks. Sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. Bake on a greased cookie sheet in 350 degree oven until light brown. Makes app. 3 dozen.

Note: Sis (the one time cake pro) told me I made these way too big - they kept falling apart. Since I was going to allow myself one cookie I had gotten the largest round cookie cutter I could find. Make them into small shapes.

Now off to check out the other cookie party particpants...

My Swap Partner

2008-12-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

Denise of Pinkpomegranate sent me all this great stuff. Lots of great vintage items and some ready right out of the box fantastic fudge. Thank you Denise!

Thanksgiving Swap Paper Doll & ATC

2008-12-04T19:12:00.000-06:00

Here is the paper doll I made with the vintage doll picture that was generously provided by Hop Hop Jingle Boo - thanks Debra! I also made a 'corny' ATC.

Thanksgiving Swap Recipe

2008-12-04T18:47:00.001-06:00

I needed a recipe for the Thanksgiving Swap and this is one highly recommended by Boodreaux the Cajun Cat. This is an old Southern recipe invented with the practical purpose of using day old bread. Mmmm what those cajuns can do with just bread. Boodreaux helped us prepare and test several batches of this. Here it is and it is totally Boodreaux approved!

Southern Style Bread Pudding

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

8 slices white bread cubed
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup raisins
1 can sliced peaches (drained, cut into smaller pieces)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter

Grease casserole dish with butter and put the cubed bread in it. Mix in mixing bowl the milk, eggs, sugar, raisins, peaches, vanilla extract, cinnamon and melted butter. Pour into a casserole dish over the cubed bread and let set for about 20 minutes.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until pudding is set.

Top with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.

Thanksgiving Swap

2008-11-08T12:39:00.000-06:00

Click Here to go to HOPHOPJINGLEBOO's Blog for info on Fun Thanksgiving Swap

Greetings Lovely Ladies of The Court

2008-11-02T10:59:00.000-06:00

as we convene to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Queen!

We gather with a salabrious salutation to our Queen Marie Antoinette hosted by Cupids Charm. And what better way to celebrate than with a hot chocolate drink that the royals always loved to indulge in. This drink is a combination of hot chocolat, creme and espresso - A Royal jolt of energy and healthy chocolate benefits...hence the name:

ROYAL JOLT HOT CHOCOLAT CREME ESPRESSO:

Ingredients:
Espresso (or strong brewed coffee)
Vanilla Extract
Cream: heavy whipping cream from the dairy
Dark Chocolate Bar
Cocoa powder
White Sugar
Crushed nibs of Cocoa (optional)

This merely requires assembling to taste: Take your hot espresso, add in some small chunks of dark chocolate bar, a scant tespoon of vanilla and stir carefully. Add in the cream and stir. Now whip the cream and top off the drink. Now the fun garnish part: top off with sprinklings of sugar, dustings of cocoa, shavings of dark chocolate and crushings of cocoa nibs...

There you have a frothily frivolous confection fit for a Queen and her Royal Ladies!

I paper dolled up the cafe cups and even the bar of chocolat - Marie looks so wonderful with chocolat.

Careful as you lift it. And CHEERS - here's to our Queen!

Marie Antoinette's Birthday Blog Party

2008-11-02T06:11:00.000-06:00

Ladies, we are busy preparing right now, please stop back by later...

Wizard of Oz Swap

2008-11-01T20:26:00.001-05:00

I really got a great swap partner for my Wizard of Oz Swap. Kelley of Teacups and Ponies sent me this wonderful mosaic tray. She has a flawless technique with her mosaic work and she took a lot of care with this - I love it! It also is a message center for writing down messages (pen included and even an eraser). And would you look at that - no place like home is on there. The witch-ily beautiful wrapping was an added touch that made for a great package. Thank you Kelley!

This is what I sent to Kelley - some flowers, candy (of course always a chocolate bar), Martha Stewart glitters, and ribbon...

Smiling Stuart

2008-11-01T20:17:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have a chihuahua that really does smile. And he loves to have his picture taken - here he is on Daddy's lap in the backyard - isn't he cute! and I actually happened upon this photo when I was searching for the pics of the Wizard of Oz Swap, which is my next post...

2008-10-18T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, they seem to be hitting it off. Don't get too cozy as we are off to visit the other blog partygoers!

2008-10-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

Here she is, the little beauty! Mr. Ware please promise you shall be on your beast, uh I mean best behaviour! That etiquette class I sprang for shall come in quite handy. You are quite the charmer.

Mr. Ware!

2008-10-18T14:36:00.001-05:00

Welcome back, Mr. Ware, I must say you do look much more presentable! What took you so long? Goodness, I do hope you are not inebriated! - oh well, never mind. The others have already been here and left. You are in luck though, there is one more little lady still here and she is a beauty!

2008-10-18T12:24:00.000-05:00

Greetings ladies, guys and assorted ghouls.

We are here for our Halloween Extravaganza Blog Party. I have invited one of my closest and dearest friends, Mr. Were (pronounced 'Ware'). He has brought his contribution to our little Potluck - Wolf Brand Chili. What's this? tsk tsk tsk, he has arrived in much too casual wear. I send him back home howling and screaming to change into something more suitable.

A Halloween Party!!!

2008-10-18T10:06:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yippee, the fabulously fabulous Vanessa Valencia is hosting a Spooky Soiree of sorts. AND I am here and setting up for all you guys and ghouls out there,

PLEASE DO STOP BY THIS AFTERNOON,

and come parched and famished!

Testing

2008-09-28T12:36:00.001-05:00

Blogdom becomes slogdom.

I got a computer whiz (aka my BIL) and he arrives to show me some great linkage stuff and I sit here and Hubby Hubster sits in the other room unable to leave the telly-vised football to learn how to link.

I take notes on how to do this - but truly wonder if I am even understanding it.

Testing complete.

Toto Goes to Sonic

2008-09-11T07:51:00.000-05:00

I have been getting busy with some swaps. I amibitiously joined three swaps and am currently working on my Wizard of Oz Swap this week.

Toto has been quite excited as she has watched me gather gifts and goodies to put in the swap pack. We both were in need of refreshment and she needed some one on one time with me.

So, off we went to Sonic...

mmmm a little bit of creamy refreshment - she also gets a few bites of a corndog...

Lip smacking good!

Sunflower Harvest

2008-08-14T11:16:00.001-05:00

A sunny summer harvest is getting me in the mood for fall (this would look good with a scarecrow standing guard).

I have an ambitious birding program and feed lots of birds. They love sunflower seeds and these flowers were volunteers. Mammoth volunteers. These towered over me!

I let the sunflower heads dry and was able to pluck some of the seeds and set them out for the birds. Some people just set out the dried flower head on a branch or feeder and let the birds select their seeds. Either way they love homegrown seeds.

New Camera and Lots of Swaps!

2008-08-11T19:01:00.000-05:00

I have finally figured out a major impediment to good photography:

NOT having the latest model of a camera. My old one was only bought last year but in the interim the improvement of the Kodak camera is amazing. I am just now getting the hang of the new camera and am quickly taking pics.

And I have signed up for three swaps. Yippee!

Nothing like a swap to get one creating.

I will need to get the swap banners posted. One is for Wizard of Oz and the others are Halloween related.

Hope all have been having a great summer.

Crepe Paper July 4th Blue Ribbon Tutorial

2008-07-03T19:23:00.000-05:00

I took a roll of blue crepe paper (from Party Supply store) and cut it into short lengths. I apply several of these lengths from left to right, gluing the first one down and then the next and so on each one overlapping the previous one. The base is a square piece of computer/typing paper.
I use regular tacky glue applied with a toothpick.

I take two 'tail' lengths and cut a point into the bottom. These are glued on. Note the other round crepe paper piece. This is first joined with glue at the bottom forming the circle. Then glue is applied to the bottom of the circle piece and put on to form a bow. Trim away any excess typing paper that shows.

Since it looked plain, I appled a white flatened circle, then a red one on top.

Now to go finish up some more for our Fourth of July decor!

2008-06-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, at last, our preparations have borne fruit! Let us sit back and finally enjoy these fruits of this repast…

Speaking of which, The Mad Hatter’s Maddeningly Missing Cake Cake is also called a Queen of Chocolate and Hearts Cake. Hmmm, what an appropriate name for the cake Mr. Hatter, but do tell, what about the Missing Cake part of the title?

What’s that? We discover such as we slice the cake?

I shall delightedly apply myself to such a task…

Why, part of the Cake is missing. And there is a yummy strawberry filling in place of the missing cake.

It appears we don’t quite know which part we shall slice – the part with the cake or the part missing the cake and filled with this wondrous fruity filling…

Hare had mentioned he might be bringing some of his friends (we are quite frankly astounded by the number of attendants to today’s Tea – but we were prepared for a large turnout). For his funny bunny bunch of friends we have made some tantalizing feastibles…Simply Simple Carrots, Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins, and Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting. By the way Mr. Rabbit we have spied you there amidst those carrots – save some for us please!

There are lots of sandwiches to fill your plates. Load up those plates, don’t skimp, there is plenty to go round! Take some biscuits, slather them with some Basiled Butter and don’t nibble, bite into them…Doormouse loves this as you get a burst of Sharp Cheddar Cheese-y goodness.

Dear Alice, we only had enough mushrooms for one Mushed Mushroom Tarte as you ran off with them! But, this one is for you, as we know this is your favorite dish.

Everyone drink up! We have several selections of tantalizing Teas…

A hearty, bracing Earl Grey Tea, a delicate Green Tea with a touch of Lemon Balm, and Chamomile Tea. I am partial to herb teas so I shall sample those.

As we sip and nibble, we check out the Mad Hat Mr. Hatter has been working on. Seems others, also, have been industrious; Doormouse and Hare had a late night making streamers and streamed them all over our dining area – what a wondrously wonderful effect.

What a delightful and Fes-TEA-val fun time we have had, and we do thank Vanessa Valencia for this funtastic idea and all the work she put into hosting this Blog Party! Thank you any visitors for stopping by.

Stay tuned I shall be putting some Flicker photos up and I shall do a Tutorial on crepe paper streamers. Next week, we have a Fourth Of July Feast...

Today's Tea...

2008-06-28T06:49:00.000-05:00

Our Mad Tea Party shall commence this afternoon...

Please do stop by as we are sure you shall be parched and weary by then and shall need a pick-me-up.

Mad Hatter requests you save room for his Mad Cake!

2008-06-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

Good Day Friends of Blogland –

We, of Queen’s Chocolate, are busily preparing for the upcoming ‘Fest-TEA-vities’, The Mad Tea Party hosted by the fabulous Vanessa Valencia!

Some of us happily toil in the kitchen whilst others are busy elsewhere…

The Mad Hatter has made yet another trip to obtain another flourish for his Mad Hat. He has been working on that hat all day! But perhaps tis best he is occupied with such a project. He has promised later to make his special cake.

Alice is off on some adventure and took off with some of the mushrooms for the Mushed Mushroom Tarte. Not to worry, there is still plenty left for the dish.

Hare has gone to meet up with the Green Grocer to sample some simple carrots. I do trust his ability to find the freshest and tastiest fare.

Doormouse has scampered off to procure some sharp cheddar cheese. Hmmm, we shall see how well that jaunt goes…Dear Doormouse, please let’s not be ‘gnaw-ty’ or ‘gnaw-tea’!

I have been out in the kitchen garden to search for the freshest offerings of the Lemon Balm, Basil and Chives. The robust Rosemary will make a wonderfully fragrant garnish. These herbs shall be picked the morning of The Tea to assure absolute freshness!

And I am working hastily with the rolling pin and dough. I won’t be ‘kneading’ any help with this task as I love to bake all sorts of delectables.

REAL guests have sent non-requested RSVP’s desirous of sampling the Tea Menu…

Hence, by astounding request we shall post our menu…Doormouse and Hare were handwriting the menu when they had the misfortune of spilling tea all over the page. Seeking my counsel I conveyed that perhaps merely trimming out the written words would suffice. They then, of their own accord, added some embellishments…

A Beautiful Mermaid

2008-06-25T07:58:00.000-05:00

Pam Warden, a talented artist and my swap partner painted this.

Isn't she beautiful? The blue hues in this painting are spectacular - I have really loved having this in our outdoor grilling area - you feel breezier and cooler just gazing at all this wondrous blue!

Mermaid Swap

2008-06-25T07:45:00.001-05:00

The wonderful Enchanted Bella hosted a Mermaid Swap. I sent my swap partner, Pam Warden, this:

A repurposed box covered with some Luna Girl pics, paint and shells.
I loved being able to purchase and download the needed pics in seconds.

I printed up the Mermaid Luna Girl sheet to send to Pam and also sent her some goldfish, a bag of gold bubble gum, Little Mermaid pencils, some shells and last but not least some chocolate.

A Chocolate Card

2008-05-21T08:09:00.001-05:00

I did a card for Karla's Aunt Caroline (of Karla's Cottage). This card is made out of chocolate clay. I loved doing this as I have done chocolate clay in a smaller version but not a big card - once again I have been stretched creatively here in Blogland. I did send a smaller version of this card as a backup just in case.

I have been busy with this and my mermaid swap and of course, squirrel feeders. Not to mention putting out all the seed and nuts for the birdfeeders and squirrel feeders. What hungry little critters and getting quite rounded. Certainly a well fed bunch!

Yet another Birdfeeder...

2008-05-01T09:42:00.000-05:00

And an adoreably cute little non-feathered visitor! Hmmm, looks like he might be needing his own little diner, plus he might have some hungry friends. So, on to another woodworking project - a squirrel feeder.

Here is the most recent finished birdfeeder added to the metal pole. I have really liked helping to make these. Power tools are loud and well powerful, they take some getting used to, but it is fun to learn more skills. The painting is the best part though.

Now, on to study some squirrel feeder woodworking plans...

A Bird at the Birdfeeder

2008-04-23T08:14:00.001-05:00

First, this is the next birdfeeder on our assembly line. Yes, we are just cranking these on out! This is a great springtime project and Earth Day project (we are using old paint in the garage for this one). It appears to be puce but actually has a gorgeous pale green tint to it (some colors just do not photograph well).

After we put up the first birdfeeder last week Hubby would rush to the window to see the feasting feathered friends - only there were no shows. It was as if we had opended a bird diner and no customers were coming in. He was so disappointed - so - I, very sneakily, ran out and put an adorable little chick (fake of course!) on the feeder as if he were perched there (with the help of some 'duck' tape).

I did have to contain the guffaws as Hubby went to the window and saw this little sweet fellow indulging in some bird seed. Hubby was so excited and ran out there only to discover my ploy. Later that day some real birds did end up eating at the birdfeeder.

That is good as we are working quickly to get the second feeder out there.

He is hanging on even with a strong gust of wind!

A Birdfeeder

2008-04-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

We completed this Gazebo Birdfeeder. This was one long project but well worth it. This has taken all our creative energies this week, now with this done I can concentrate on some upcoming swaps!

More Birdhouses!

2008-04-10T11:58:00.000-05:00

My Hubby saw the blah birdhouse I redid for the Bling Your Birdhouse Blog Party. He was so impressed he got out some wood and made several more.
A Lavender one and...

Here are four more posing in a line up. He is cranking these on out. Hey, uh Dear, what am I going to do with all these birdhouses? How about making something else?

Our little garage workshop...he started a birdfeeder - a Gazebo Birdfeeder - something I have always wanted.

I am painting this soon-to-be Gazebo Birdfeeder green to match the trim on our house. The birds will be dining in high style.

Lumber is super cheap now due to building taking a back seat in this economy. This is so much fun to do and I am getting out there in the garage workshop also, learning a few power tools.

Faux Fur may not be Fake

2008-04-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

Ugh, I could have sworn that sometime last year I heard someone utter be sure you buy fake fake fur and not ‘fake’ fake fur. Horrors, it turns out some faux fur has been actual dog fur. I am not talking about a canine cousin of dogs as in dog raccoon but domesticated dogs. Seems this was easier to ‘produce’ than any synthetic fur.

I was actually going to get in a supply of fake fur for any Santa’s I would make for the holidays. Not now. When you get respected news organizations reporting on this you know something is going on. This dog fur is coming from China (hmmm, they seem to be bringing us so many chest clutching scares – what with the lead toys and dog food scandal).

And on another note about dogs – today (April 4, 2008) Oprah has a show devoted to her beloved dog Sophie who passed away recently. In this tribute show she is revealing what goes on in puppy mills. This is a topic near and dear to me as I have a puppy mill rescued dog named Silkey.

Both of these important dog topics are something that we don’t just wring our hands about and wonder what can I do? Being consumers we can make all the difference by being informed and making purchases based on information.

We don’t buy pet shop puppies (there are so many wonderful pets at your local shelter) and now I will be very careful to buy fake faux fur. One exciting trend…faux fur from organic cotton – and this stuff looks fantastic, would make a fabulous trim on a Santa’s coat. But, do I tell Hubby now that a faux fur Jacket by Loyale at $340.00 would be bought to cut up for my fake fur stash? Maybe I better not! Or maybe I should find a cheaper way to get the organic cotton faux fur.

Seems now the key thing is to specify what type of faux fur you want. I do not want any fur in my faux fur.

Easter Basket Swap

2008-03-31T11:36:00.000-05:00

My basket ready to go, look at the little faces peeping out - excited about their trip to Australia!

This is the beautiful basket Linda sent me:

Linda was assigned as my Easter Basket Swap buddy. This was my very first swap and it was so much fun. I got to meet an international e-friend, but more exciting her basket had an Australian flair that I truly enjoyed.

What fun to have a big box arriving and opening it up. Hubby and me immediately ate the huge chocolate bunny she included. I unpacked everything and would later sit down to truly enjoy the experience she sent me.

Me and my new pals Kanga and Roo sat down together (I love them). I simmered the delicious tea (even had a little sugar cube packed with it) and sipped and read the postcards she sent of her town. Kingaroy in Queensland is where she lives. I looked at her beautiful card she made for me and sorted out the eggs of many varieties she sent. A rose bookmark, a little pillow with my initial, and even some footies were among the things she sent. And paper items for crafting. Thank you Linda!

And I must mention what a doll she is. My basket got to her on Monday the day after Easter. This was our first ever international shipment and she did not get it in time. I felt so bad I sent her a 'sussie' - a little extra gift. She was so nice about it all - she is a great e-friend.

The Morning After...

2008-03-28T14:32:00.001-05:00

The morning after…

The fabulous Bling Your Birdhouse Blog Party.

That was a lot of fun, and I did set out the red birdhouse and this morning spied Mr. Cardinal checking it out. He loves it.

Hubby loved hearing I had ‘putered’ (a kid word for computer) all by myself –no long night of picture taking and loading and editing awaited him.

Maybe I am getting the hang of some of this stuff after all.

Ba-da-BLING

2008-03-27T13:29:00.001-05:00

Ba-da-Blah
Ba-da-Bling

What a fantastic spring fling!

This birdhouse was a very old faded withering white – and the effect was not even shabby chic. It was as bleak and drab as this lingering winter.

I thought of the phrase ‘riot of color’ and got this. Since this is an actual birdhouse I am going to leave it in my backyard. Already the birds are chirping more merrily in anticipation.

The wonderful Karla and Beth are hosting a Bling your Birdhouse and this is my result. This is so exciting as I have always wanted a red birdhouse. And here I did it. Thanks Karla and Beth for hosting such a fun event to herald in Spring!

Ba-da-Blah

2008-03-27T13:09:00.001-05:00

Rules to Blog by

2008-03-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

As one journeys further into Blogland and participates in exciting things found in this land you learn a few things. The hard way. Things that leave such an impression that you make some of those lessons into rules.

These are:

1. Never, ever think you have your e-swap buddy’s address in your email folder. Print it out pronto. Have several hard copies. You sure would not want to be ready to mail the package and look at the saved email and realize with complete dismay that you have saved their blog address! No not even in blogland do packages get mailed to blog addresses.

2. Always write down upcoming dates of blog events. Refer to it often.

3. Keep a list handy of the full names of your e-friends so that you don’t comment on their page/blog and/or have numerous correspondences with someone who you refer to by the wrong name. There is no edit button to undo that.

4. Be ready for things ahead of time. Make the item, buy the item, get the item days before it is needed. Then you are truly prepared in time for whatever blog event you have entered.

5. Have passwords written down especially if you have several different ones for different forums/groups/blogs. This should be so obvious. I have run into difficulties not paying attention to this one. Frantic typing in of passwords that don’t work and then having to retry with that number/letter entry thing over and over without results - that’ll get ya worked up.

6. Always study computer-ology even though it is frustrating trying to become techno-savvy when this just is not your forte. It also starts to dawn on you that as you seem to master one skill several more needed skills pop up to be learned. A purchase of Photoshop just nets you yet another instruction manual to read.

7. Try not to ever give in to the great temptation of having a pictureless art blog.

My Chocolate Blob

2008-03-16T16:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, there it was. An icon on my screen. "CHOCOLATE BLOB" I had thought the result of an easily made transposition of the keys b and g hastily typed by Hubby so as to quickly find my blog during an all night blog-a-thon.

Hmmm, was that a mistake after all?
If I had any doubts they were quickly dispelled when I cheerfully and full of vigor to face the combined challenge of exhaustive exercise and starting a new blog told my husband that we were doing a blog to document our hours of exercise. He could not contain his flat out disappointment.

I was stunned – what’s this? These nights of toil have not been a fun fling?

I can’t say I blame dear Hubby and his not so easily concealed mockery of my blog name (or blob name). It has been work. All of it. Just the picture taking alone is daunting. You got to set up the object to be photographed – careful to watch for all sorts of errant objects that seem to show up in the picture just as you click. Then there is the effort to get the best light. The actual shooting entails keeping the ‘set’ clear. (this alone can turn one into a screaming tyrant – ‘ let’s move it people!!!’) Then when the photos are finally taken you get to look at all the annoyingly magnified details the digital camera reveals.

Next more work as taking a tip from a photography forum I would shoot hundreds of shots of one item – just to find the best one. I insisted we look at each photo to scrutinize it. For a few blog pictures this would be hundreds of photos we reviewed…for hours and hours. Not fun after all I guess.

And for all the effort my photos have that signature Polaroid picture in a bad light effect.
Any creativity has just flown out the window, I am just still working on the mechanics of photos and photography. We are shopping for photo editing programs. I would like to eventually get back to making things.

URL-Friends or Gurl Friends

2008-03-12T09:25:00.000-05:00

Get it? G url friends! I have met so many wonderful ladies. And all are truly so nice and friendly and very helpful.

Blogging is really sort of an easily found, convenient scrapbook. You get this digital record of what you have made, done, taken a picture of right there - it does not get easily lost or have to be hauled out of the back of the closet.

But, to be honest I had not realized the amount of work that goes into a blog! I had a chance to visit some of my favs from when I did not have a blog and you get to reread them with a whole new perspective.

I am still working on the Easter Basket Swap and I just got an order of Amazon books in and I got an invite on Flickr which I need to figure out and I will be checking on the gals at that great forum (those are fantastic people there) the Cottage Etsy group.

These blogging skills will come in handy as just in the nick of time Hubby and me joined the MSN Biggest Loser Online Group as a couple. This requires a blog. Now I am in the Biggest Loser Online and the MSN Biggest Loser Couple Challenge (online). Which means I am definitely in Biggest Loser and results in my whole family knowing about it. Last night we had a birthday party for my Nephew and there I wanted the tiniest piece of cake (I mean tinsy) and No! I was not allowed to have any. Hubby snuck me a scant bite or two but I wanted my own itsy piece. No not even that, Sis took it away from me.

She was particularly adamant: "Don't Let Her Eat Cake!"

Hmmm, is that not an echo from days of yore? And she had it wrong, it should have been "let her eat cake"! Yes let all of us eat as much cake as we like. But, alas, that is not going to happen any time soon. Oh those wondrous days I am wistful for - I could eat and eat cake with no thought of the morrow. Which leads me to my current reading: "A Scented Palace" - it is an intoxicating read about Marie Antoinette's perfumer.

Shopping for a Swap

2008-03-08T20:02:00.000-06:00

What fun, shopping for stuff to make some stuff...

Picked up some elusive crepe paper. Yippee! It is a bunch of streamers, but I got green, yellow, black and white (which I can custom color).

Gotta get more stuff tomorrow, it is Easter Basket Swap buddy shopping time and all the stuff is 40% off - meaning I get to get 40% more. And got to check the e zine for any things I may not have.

More things on hand to play with = more creativity = more fun.

Etsy Cottage Style

2008-03-07T17:00:00.000-06:00

I have joined the best forum for my type of interests: Etsy Cottage Style.
Very helpful and friendly group of gals who all have blogs - beautiful blogs.

I am not ready by any means to even begin to Etsy but this is an informative group that is very generous with info.

Joining also bore fruit or rabbits. I posted on 'list your blog' thread and wandered about that thread checking out other blogs. It lead me to a blog that has the cutest, most adorable Easter packs. Even with vintage ephemera. After several trys to order (believe it or not a challenge for me) I got my pack with the Rabbit - he is a cutie!

I got a photo tip on the forum: Someone who has the best detailed well lit pics confirmed she uses a lightbox and a homemade one.

A Marie Antoinette Cake

2008-03-06T20:34:00.000-06:00

Lest anyone think I have become a Littlest Winner by dropping out of the Biggest Loser (online) Contest rest assured I have not. But my creativity today wandered into the realm of food as art.

I have done cakes/cake decorating. What a hobby and I love to go the Wilson Cake Decorating Aisle at Micheals – they even have edible glitter and sparklies for cakes and cookies. Done well, cakes/cupcakes/cookies make a wonderful hostess gift (or any kind of gift); it is a profitable gifting hobby.

Cakes, even simple cakes, are art. I love the gloppy, too-heavy-a-hand with the icing type of cake. I also love layers. Actually last summer for a cook-out I made this exact same cake except it was real. Being an ambitious caker I made a 3 layer cake with strawberry filling. My other Sis who actually has made a few professional cakes admonished me that I should have put straws into the layers to hold them. I had not and we had this sliding, leaning albeit tasty cake.

We also had purchased the Marie Antoinette DVD and we were screening it. All eaters commented it looked like the Marie Antoinette cake in the opening. What a beautiful film which also happens to be the best dessert movie ever produced.

Now, during dieting days, I admire it sitting there all ribboned up and luscious awaiting that magical day when I can make one for real and run to it delving in, getting dollops of icing on my chin. But, I need to stop this reverie into careless cake eating…

Hubby will be coming home soon but not to fear, he will know it is a fake. I am not that sort of a person who lets unwary people start to eat my desserts while I wheeze with laughter as they take a startled bite and taste plaster and paper and glue!

I love this and it makes a nice display cake that never spoils and no one ever sneaks a taste of. Yes, a cake just like Marie Antoinette had. It is a truly delicious beauty.

[Obviously I have not made that photo lightbox and when one clicks on the photo it enlarges to an abusrdly large size - little glitches I will work out eventually; I did post all of these by myself - finally]

A lightbox

2008-03-05T20:17:00.000-06:00

Aha, a lightbulb went on when I remembered reading of a doll artist who had made a little forest scene in a cardboard box for photographing her little dolls.

A quick google for lightbox or homemade lightbox brings up lots of helpful info on this topic and you can control the lighting, detail, background.

This is particularly good for small items to photograph.

I have a huge assortment of cardboard boxes to choose from and we will have
to make a depot run, but I think we might get going on this to take some better not so polaroidish photos.

So for those of us wondering about all the lush detailed photos - this is one of the best tools photographers use.

Back to the drawing board or cardboard in this case!

Blogging, mechanics of

2008-03-03T17:08:00.000-06:00

I have really loved just the flat out blogging part of blogging. It was actually quite easy to start this all by myself that Saturday and join Blogland.

But the thrill was short lived as I realized I just was not doing anything with links, banners, pics, flickr, those thingeys that we display when we are in a swap (the one I am in for the Easter Basket Swap is a wonderful banner).

My Hubby was getting the brunt of trying to figure this stuff out as he is the resident computer expert, but it was turning into for him a sort of old fashioned busman's holiday.

I was also having trouble just commenting on people's blogs with leaving a name and url. I knew it was getting to be ridiculous when I could not even guide my Sis to my blog by phone while she was on her computer. I resorted to printing up my entries for her to read.

I had googled the word 'blog', and even searched for a forum. I was surprised whenever I tried this approach all I found was info on how to MAKE MONEY (always capped) with your Blog.

Huh? People are trying to make moula off of this? Hey, I want to spend money on my blog (those words never crop up on SEO). I knew I would do a blog and actually told Hubby to watch out, we would have a blog budget.

Currently I am wondering about a new camera, one of those that actually look like a digital photo and not a poloroid snapshot taken in a bad light of a puny object. I have read that it is technique that helps with this more than a camera, hmmm, I don't know about that.

I have been scouring the bookstore and have found they have books on blogging.
I am getting one that covers the mechanics of it, not the so called money making potential of it.

On another money and blog note, I am going to save thousands just by having a blog. Discovering the fantastic do it yourself, make it look old and shabique will save a fortune.

We will not have to spend thousands for new furniture - yuch - new - don't want that.

I also will not have to attend (at least not yet) an art class to give me creative outlets, just doing these swaps and challenges is keeping me busy - there's another couple hundred dollars saved. So in a way I am financially doing better with a blog already without even knowing how to technically blog.

Best website discovery:

Swap Dex lists all the current swaps for all sorts of categories. I missed some fun ones, but at least I finally know where they are listed instead of me stumbling upon them. I will link to this when I learn that from my blog book.

Friday - whew,

2008-02-29T16:38:00.000-06:00

What a week. No it was not the Blogger's Honeymoon that caused me to blog so much that first week, it was the fact that I had not started all these projects and a challenge to myself. Also, I made a run to the library and got a stack of books and I also this past week joined the Biggest Loser online club.

I somehow, unbeknownst to me, ended up with a really hardcore group of exercisers that are really into this stuff and sponsoring a challenge that I joined. We even had to publicly post our measurements added up and our weight (ouch!). It is what I need but the day is being devoted to hours of exercise (much like the people on the show). Ugh, I am sore, tired and not getting all the chocolate/cocoa and lattes that I love to have. Horrors,
I almost absent mindedly popped a chocolate clay rose into my mouth as I was putting up my Valentine's display. Caught myself in time though. That would have taken another hour trudging on the treadmill to work off.

Project update:

Today, when the dogs were taking their nap, I primed my plant stand in the back yard. I also, today, spotted a good color candidate on someone's garage door. They had just painted it and what a wonderful green shade it is. I also saw a blue that I found in a Painting Cottage Scenes on Shovels chapter of a decorative art book and what a blue it is - gorgeous. These are some choices but I also keep dallying back to simple shabby chic white.

I will photograph that garage door, surreptiously while no one is watching (I have to get out of my car to do this and this has attracted the attention before of an overzealous security guard on duty) and I will take that photo and have the paint guy/gal at the Depot match it. I will scan the shovel painting and have that matched too. These colors are ones to keep on hand, plus I can decide which one to use.

Well, my project is done and it is time to yet again go exercise.

Project update/Dog emergency

2008-02-26T12:20:00.001-06:00

Did not end up even getting to furniture project. Had to rush my doggie to the vet. She is ok now, but am I glad I had all systems on go...

I always have a checklist for what must be done and always in place for a dog emergency. These things must be ready at all times.

1. Always have gas in the car.
2. Always have the ole credit card around.
3. Always have cell phone batteries charged up.
4. Know the emergency procedure, such as calling vet's office to know if I should keep driving or pull over and start dog cpr, and to let them know of what the incoming emergency is.

Whew. My dog still has some test results but it may have just been a nosebleed. She was doing one of those backward sneezes for a long time and as I checked on her I saw blood coming out of (what I thought) was her mouth.

Eeek. Scary situation. And could not reach Hubby or Sis. Finally did as the tech came out and asked me if I used any rat poison. I said no, we do not own rat poison. Yet I was told to check on the other dogs as the symptoms were showing as poisoning. I actually was quite calm as I drove home and ran in to check for more bleeding noses. The littlest dog appeared to have labored breathing and by then Sis and Hubby had come home and we rushed the littlest dog back up to the vet. She was fine and all were ok. Was not rat poisoning after all.

Goodness, what a circus and some totally shot nerves. Whew! am I glad though I have that emergency plan in place. I only need to make sure it includes some dressing options: I, of course, ditched any attempts at makeup, but in the commotion managed to run out of the house without keys, shoes or a bra (grabbed a sweatshirt though).

Anyway, back to furniture project challenge. I am getting the first series of sandings in. On a huge piece of furniture this sounds easier than it is and of not too much accomplishment - but it is. I am a stickler for sanding the underbelly and other hidden areas. No slap, sand and dash for me. I am using medium grade sandpaper and doing this as a start by hand and not the power sander.

And great news: I heard from my Easter Basket Swap buddy! She is from Australia. An awesome Aussie (sorry just could not resist that - love those Aussies). I think she has a blog but am not sure and she loves things from Micheals - yes - a fun basket to produce for her.

An odd footnote: my comments on other blogs keep coming up as 'anonymous'. How sort of creepy is that? Still need to learn some simple computer things such as putting my name on a comment.

A Furniture Project

2008-02-25T09:03:00.000-06:00

I have had a super busy weekend, whew, but it is Monday morning and I need to get to work on my furniture project. I am repainting my huge plant stand. I have washed it and need to go from there but have a case of furniture repainter's/repurposer's block. I just need to decide on a color.

I guess when we are in doubt we do the Shabby Chic color of white. That is so refreshing a dark dingy brown wood to a bright and light white!

Blogland & Projects

2008-02-22T10:38:00.000-06:00

Well, I got one project, The Queen of Hearts done.

These blog swaps are a lot of fun!

I love the way I have done more, learned more in two weeks of having a blog that would have taken months for me to complete in blogless land. I am even learning computer skills, photography, the list goes on. It is amazing.

I woke up today and thought of actually lugging this huge heavy plant stand outside and priming it. I love reading how other ladies are repurposing and redoing old furniture - just makes ya want to get out the paint brush and go to town with any furniture you have.

Red

2008-02-21T14:05:00.000-06:00

I have been working with red. Deep red, crimson red, Cardinal red, glitter icy red, rose red. I have almost completed the red things I will be using for my Queen of Hearts project.

I am making my own hearts and having to color them (crackerbox cardboard) also I am playing again with the fake crepe paper. I take my coffee filter (cone shaped type) and put some red acrylic paint on it. I want some different reds so I have been mixing different nuances of red...a drop more of blue here, a bit more orange for another color red.

Taking the coffee filter, I layered on several different reds, after a quick water wash as the first layer. I painted more red, different reds then waited for it to dry and topped with unthinned coat of red all over it - so several layers give an intense saturation and depth of color.

This is a very effective way to study color theory. I have always disliked the color theory part in art class or books and would blase over it. This way, mixing color and painting my own red hearts instead of purchasing ready made hearts makes color theory real and usable and definitely memorable.

I am going to be picking up crepe paper (a search for it led me to the local party supply store for the streamers) but it is nice to know I can use coffee filters in a pinch.

'Poor Man's Gesso'

2008-02-20T09:27:00.000-06:00

As is wont to happen when I do a project I can get sidetracked. As I started on the preliminaries of my Queen of Hearts project, I decided to make my own cardstock (or could be called 'poor woman's cardstock' - which really my motivation is to both repurpose a cracker box and have more coinage for emptying out the gold leaf aisle at Micheals this week).

While using this crackerbox I realized it needed a basecoat and as most artists I instinctively reached for my trusty bottle of gesso. As I did this I remembered during some research of paper mache a book had called (VOC free) White Latex paint 'The Poor Man's Gesso'. This is from an older book hence the somewhat chauvinistic slant to their namesake of this.

I like it! It is great and I am going to take my gesso bottle and refill with a bit of low voc white latex paint that always seems to be lurking in my garage.

A Swap

2008-02-18T16:21:00.000-06:00

Getting ready for Easter Basket Swap. This is so exciting as some international bloggers are joining in. Partners are to be assigned this week. Pastels, glitter
and Easter bunnies and chicks. This is also a great chocolate Holiday!

I also want to make a little Queen of Hearts. I have always wanted to interpret this; and I want to use glitter, gold, and chocolate clay hearts.

Lots of chocolate and glitter and fun!

Shopping & Grey Gardens

2008-02-16T19:55:00.000-06:00

One thing just leads to another. As I took photos of my dinette area, I noticed the light fixture was just all wrong. I have always longed for a chandelier and there Sis and me were at Home Depot getting some primer for a furniture project and she encouraged me to just get this fantastic chandelier - in fact she bought it. Thanks Sis!

Let's think: a huge, lots of crystal type things on it chandelier in my tinsy dinette area -
I love it. And, what the heck, we also got a tile/plaster looking thing you put
on the ceiling to attach the chandelier. Of course that looks too new and too
glaring plain white, it needs some vintaging.

All my stuff is too old in an unexciting way, as in my husband's bachelor bedroom furniture, or the outdated hutch outdated because it does not
look good outdated or chippy, peeled and shabby.

I need some new old looking stuff. But, I was raised that you just hold onto your furniture forever and forever. Sure that might eventually after decades breed some fine antiques, but I am just not liking that idea for me.

This is the exciting era where we can take thrift shop finds and paint it or even take our Hubby's bachelor days furniture and paint it a darling Robin Egg Blue. In my Mother's time, women just redecorated with an Interior Designer with brand new furniture. To not do so was just so:

Grey Gardens...

That documentary that went behind the doors of some pre-Shabby Chic ladies that seemed so Miss Haversham then, but today would be getting top billing in a decorating magazine. They did have flair that someone noticed though, a European fashion magazine did a fashion spread based on the daughter's costumes she had fashioned.

If only these ladies had started the rampaging trend that is now, then. Their old, homemade, chipped furniture just did not launch any ships off into the stuffy world of home decoration. To be sure, when you have foundation cracks in the wall and well, a grey, untended, weedy garden and other dilapidations quite evident it just does not make one want to imitate the whole style. A thorough decluttering would have not been a bad idea either. You need that everything totally upkept, well cared for, maintained place; then you stick in your chipped pieces that would have years ago been relegated to the junk heap.

This is so liberating how this new trend came to be. Anything goes, and if it happens to be old, junky, thrift shoppy, flea marketed - that is so much the better. We brag about our junque. If it is new, well then we have these paint techniques to age it up.

And reading some blogs where the ladies repaint their walls, redo furniture just to change the room is to me very exciting. You just don't get stuck in a rut and your home becomes your canvas.

I look at a piece of furniture and see a blank canvas, I look at a blank white wall and see an even bigger blank canvas...for a mural - and if I don't like it all I have to do is repaint it. An easel the size of a wall - or a wall. If only art class had been like this.

I am planning, I picture the Trompe L'Oeil, the chipped furniture, the unframed paintings, the thrift shop finds mixed with my oversized chandelier; all these possibilities makes it all so exciting...and no documentarian will come knocking on my door to film the results.

Cake

2008-02-15T19:34:00.001-06:00

A three tiered white paper mache cake on a real cake stand. I used some chocolate clay hearts, repurposed craft store rose, real rose petals. This is
(for me) utterly fascinating and fun to dress up my plain white cake.

Basic paper mache white cake with various real/repurposed/fake crepe/chocolate clay items on it. Also: some photo editing done

after the picture was taken for a different color scheme.

Basic paper mache white cake with chocolate clay heart, roses cut off Valentine candy boxes and real red rose petals.

With repurposed craft store flower which was cut apart, vintaged, distressed and lightly glittered.

Whew! Spent hours figuring out the picture posting, even with hubby's help it was quite a challenge. But at last some pictures. Now to figure out flckr.

Blogland with pictures is a lot better. And it looks like I got my first comment,

Thanks! I also entered in time in the fantastic Easter Basket Swap, there are even some international swap participants. Blogland is a great place. I have learned so much in just a week.

Picture taking

2008-02-15T07:43:00.000-06:00

Tried to post a picture in the text and it appears on the side bar.
Hmmm, I will get this figured out. I will also figure out how my
photos seem to be taken with an old polaroid in a bad light
instead of a fairly new digital camera.

Figuring out how to do Photos

2008-02-15T06:41:00.000-06:00

To remedy what is fast becoming a pictureless blog, I need to learn the art of blogography (blog photographs). Taking the pictures turned out to be a challenge as with the digital cameras every little nuance is caught. The camera reveals the pattern of your brush strokes, the evenness of the glitter and even your last minute, in a huge hurry, application of duct tape to make it hold together!

And what is this with the camera making things appear smaller? Huh? With people we appear bigger in film. But my large cookies and huge three tier fake cake appeared downright miniscule.

Oh well, another thing to learn about - photography.

Chocolate on the Walls

2008-02-13T14:45:00.000-06:00

And cookies too

This is a carefully calculated decorating scheme, not some food fight gone awry.

As a child I loved the story of Hansel & Gretel and the idea of a Gingerbread House. Through adulthood, that fascination has remained. I frequent the children's section of the library and look at artists' interpretation of the Gingerbread House in the Hanel & Gretel books.

How to replicate such a house in real life, that has been something I have oft times pondered and realized it would only result in a spat with both my husband and the Building Code Compliance Officer. Putting huge (albeit weatherproofed with varnish) gingerbread cookies on one's home is not very acceptable.

That certainly leaves the inside that I can decorate however I like. And with Chocolate Clay and gingerbread cookies I can do this. Years of working with gingerbread/bread clay (I developed my own recipe) has resulted in the cutest heart shaped cookies that have a wonderful spicy aroma of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg as I include generous amounts of spices in the formula. This is actually a quaint German tradition for holidays. Some cookies can be up to three feet wide - or big enough to put on a real house.

For tomorrow I have meshed a sort of Hansel & Gretel meets Valentine's Day setting. This includes lots of fakes, chocolate clay, gingerbread clay and repurposed, vint-'aged' items.

Now only to plan dinner, which will have to revolve around lean meat/soy meat and veggies. Maybe a splash of wine and a healthy berry dish for dessert with some chocolate shavings. We will have only a few pieces of the chocolate Valentine's candies. We will freeze and give away the rest while we wistfully sit with all the fakes around us!

Countdown to Valentines

2008-02-12T11:52:00.000-06:00

I have the kitchen table covered with several simultaneous projects going on for our celebration of Valentine's Day. Hubby and me had our first date on a Valentine's Day and it is always special.

I love to decorate for this occasion. I am making a bunch of decorations out of papier mache, plaster, spackle, glitter and Chocolate Clay...

Chocolate Clay

I have not known long about this but I do remember the day I made this discovery. Alas, happening upon something that combines my love of sculpting along with food which ends up being food as art. This clay has that heady deep chocolate aroma... It really truly is a dream to work with.

Several recipes abound for this but it is basically taking your bittersweet bar chocolate and melting it with corn syrup. You knead it, work with it and form all sorts of yummy concoctions that look good enough to eat.

Due to strict dieting I have a whole fascination of having fake food around the house. To eat this or that delectable is a question that does not even come up yet you get the sweetened atmosphere that having desserts around creates.

Back to my kitchen where I have chocolate sitting out ready to be molded, plaster setting up and newspapers shredded for that fake cake.
A great big messy project!

Food as Art

2008-02-11T13:10:00.000-06:00

Once one starts to do some color theory you tend to wax on about all sorts of color discoveries and sometimes from the most mundane source.

I have always thought food in and of itself is beautiful. The fact that it can both set an ambience and act as decoration is evident in the way so many mags have food as part of the photo layout. This makes cooking all the more fun as a color study.

Country Breakfast...

Each weekend my hubby and me have a country style breakfast (meaning large). This is both fun and of use. If we are going off for the day it is great to have a solid breakfast - that way one need only stop off and eat later in the day.

The menu varies, but usually we do something as a side to our standard turkey/soy bacon and eggs fare. This past summer it was biscuits and I became an expert in biscuits (the scratch kind). Mmmm, slathered in blackberry jam and butter melted and drizzled. But I linger too much on the food description.

Lately, we have been cooking waffles. I wanted to health it up a bit and made whole grain waffles (from scratch - I rarely use a mix). I added a lot of blueberries (this is a super food). Many recipes have you leave out the juice, not me, I make sure it goes in the batter. When it is stirred you have the most beautiful blue shade of blueberry batter! (Picture to be included when I figure this out).

For such fantastic waffles I must have a good syrup. To my dismay I read the contents of my favorite syrups we buy. They all had corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup listed as ingredients.

My hubby, a Cajun whose family business was a grocery store, knows his food. He quickly remedied the situation by getting some Steen's cane syrup. Ah, this tastes wonderful. Not anything added. The Cajuns are very serious about their food. Pure cane syrup. It even pours a nice thick, gooey pour. Not any of that thinned out high fructose, low flavor, corn syrup.

Well I had to umph this up a bit. Which, for me, usually includes something with berries. I took some raspberry jam (with the seeds - another super food) and mixed it with my Steen's syrup. Oh, the color was a deep, molassy, rich burgundy.

Recipe: Two Tablespoons Steen's syrup and 1 tablespoon berry jam. Blend and pour into your syrup dish. I have a pic of that too.

Anyway, that and soy bacon and eggs made for a great breakfast and a quick color study. If I sound a bit too enthusiastic about food that is because I diet rigoursly during the week. This makes any food occasion very exciting and the holidays absolutely thrilling.

Painting

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I got in a good bit of painting yesterday, I am practicing on an old cardboard box (pre-recycled). I have some furniture I want to paint and this is the best practice method I have found.

To practice on an easily controlled piece of paper is just not the same as the reality of painting not so easily controlled furniture.

But it is fun practice. I got out some old latex paint and brushed that on, and am doing some more detailed painting with some Folk Art acrylics. I ran up to the craft store and got some floral colors: Lavender, Lilac and Teal. Great cottage garden and beach cottage colors.

The teal is the real beauty. I can just imagine...We have a drab, brown standard aquarium issue piece of furntiure you set your aquarium on. This aquarium sure could use some beach cottage shabby teal/tourquoise treatment. The water stand nearby could also do with some fantastic shell applications on it.

On my jaunt to the library I picked up a book "Shell Chic" by Marlene Marshall. The cover has the cutest photo of a little baby standing tiptoe looking into a shell covered vintage tub. Lots of fantastic projects including instructions for an octopus chandelier. It is one of those projects that starts off with chicken wire. You know you are in for some major craft fun with that! Get your gloves on and clear the decks.

Hmmm, what a fun summer project...

yes,

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it worked! This was much easier than I had thought it would be.

My first post and am I really

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in blogland? I have zilch computer skills and finally went ahead and created a blog (I think). I have visited the creative/artistic blogs for quite some time and love all things bloggy.

I think a great way to get started is to get into a swap. And to challenge myself with any projects I might be working on by posting pics.

I love blogland - it is a beautiful place and am glad I am finally here.