Click the images for larger versions. The page with several hands is for embroidery and other craft purposes, and includes some blank hands in different sizes to fill in however you wish. I did the coloring page both with and without an eye.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Hamsa Coloring Page and Embroidery Patterns
Click the images for larger versions. The page with several hands is for embroidery and other craft purposes, and includes some blank hands in different sizes to fill in however you wish. I did the coloring page both with and without an eye.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Book Review- Crazy for Cake Pops
Molly Bakes, if you haven't heard of her yet, is a London cake artist who specializes in bespoke cakes made with wonderful ingredients and wonderful designs. If you're lucky enough to live in that area, she even teaches classes every so often.
If you're over here in the USA though, she has a new cake pop book available. Crazy for Cake Pops: 50 All New Delicious and Adorable Creations.
It's a full color, step by step paper book that explains the tools and methods you'll need to make cake pops and has instructions for lots of decorated pops.
The first part of the book is the introduction and the equipment you'll need as well as a brief overview of the method used to make cake pops. The list of tools is very complete. She also includes a conversion table for measurements.
Then the cake recipes! The recipes have some metric measurements with the US volume equivalents in parentheses. Since Molly specializes in bespoke cakes using very good ingredients and made from scratch, the recipes are just wonderful. She suggests frosting pairings for making the cake balls for the pops and includes recipes for the frosting. A lemon cake with yogurt for extra moistness and tartness, a toffee frosting made with dulce de leche for flavor, more traditional vanilla and chocolate cakes and frostings.
She follows that with photographed instructions for making the cake balls and putting the sticks in them as well as how to melt the candy coating for the cake pops.
If you just wanted to make simple and very good cake pops, you could add some sprinkles or crushed nuts and be done there. But then she has a bunch of designs as well. This is the part that made my daughter very excited.
Sweethearts, Tricolor and Marbled pops all start with a basic round pop and use simple decorating techniques. Then you get into the shaped pops. Lightning bolts, adorable miniature donuts, mustache pops, skulls, animals, lovely white decorated wedding pops, there are pops for every occasion. She explains her decorating and shaping methods in a way that's easy to follow. The colors and shapes are great, they remind me a lot of very colorful toys.
The end of the book has instructions for the techniques she uses to decorate in easy to follow language. She also includes a supplier list.
You can get this book directly from the publisher, Ulysses Press
My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
If you're over here in the USA though, she has a new cake pop book available. Crazy for Cake Pops: 50 All New Delicious and Adorable Creations.
It's a full color, step by step paper book that explains the tools and methods you'll need to make cake pops and has instructions for lots of decorated pops.
The first part of the book is the introduction and the equipment you'll need as well as a brief overview of the method used to make cake pops. The list of tools is very complete. She also includes a conversion table for measurements.
Then the cake recipes! The recipes have some metric measurements with the US volume equivalents in parentheses. Since Molly specializes in bespoke cakes using very good ingredients and made from scratch, the recipes are just wonderful. She suggests frosting pairings for making the cake balls for the pops and includes recipes for the frosting. A lemon cake with yogurt for extra moistness and tartness, a toffee frosting made with dulce de leche for flavor, more traditional vanilla and chocolate cakes and frostings.
She follows that with photographed instructions for making the cake balls and putting the sticks in them as well as how to melt the candy coating for the cake pops.
If you just wanted to make simple and very good cake pops, you could add some sprinkles or crushed nuts and be done there. But then she has a bunch of designs as well. This is the part that made my daughter very excited.
Sweethearts, Tricolor and Marbled pops all start with a basic round pop and use simple decorating techniques. Then you get into the shaped pops. Lightning bolts, adorable miniature donuts, mustache pops, skulls, animals, lovely white decorated wedding pops, there are pops for every occasion. She explains her decorating and shaping methods in a way that's easy to follow. The colors and shapes are great, they remind me a lot of very colorful toys.
The end of the book has instructions for the techniques she uses to decorate in easy to follow language. She also includes a supplier list.
You can get this book directly from the publisher, Ulysses Press
My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Another chevron zig zag box- Sunset Palette
This pattern uses a palette from one of the sunset photos that I posted recently. I also shifted the colors a bit to create 2 more color choices for this chevron themed box.
2x2x2 inch cube, click on the images for larger versions. I suggest printing to fit a sheet of card stock. Cut, score, fold, glue!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Classic vs. Not
Yesterday I took TG to the thrift store. She was thrilled to find a nice big bag of fabric scraps for herself. She uses them to make her dolls and other things. I was thrilled to find some wonderful craft books and magazines in the era I most like. The 70s!
This one, I have mixed feelings about. I love the sweep, and the lines remind me a lot of the capes my mother wore to great effect. Unfortunately, at 5'3.5" I'm too short for anything that dramatic, it would look like I left the house wearing a blanket. Check out those gloves! Aren't they great? The bobble edging on the cape adds a lovely amount of visual and textural interest. The colors, well. Not so much, maybe a medium grey with pewter grey and crimson?
Oh the horror of knitted pants! I'm pretty sure that's always going to be a very bad idea. And the color is a mucky orange. The other outfit is a skirt and cardigan set. Taken by individual elements, I don't like the skirt or pants. The cardigan and pull over sweaters are nice. I'd lengthen the sleeves on the pullover and probably get rid of the bottom hem cables on the pullover for a straight bottom. The cable border detail with it's honeycomb effect is very pretty though. The cape doesn't work for me either. I like capes but that one isn't fitted right around the shoulders and is very boxy looking.
As I was leafing through the 1971-1972 Fall Goodhousekeeping Needlecraft magazine, my family had a conversation about classic vs not classic. How can you tell the difference? Vintage magazines are a great way. Is something still wearable today? Sometimes you have to look past the colors, and the accessories or look at things as separates to know if the lines and style are still wearable today. Other times you know instantly either way. Click on images to see larger, all images from the magazine I mentioned above.
This coat has wonderful lines for the under 25 set. My daughter is charmed by it. Not in those colors, I think if she decides to make it, she'll make it in Tom Baker scarf type colors. The soft hood and simple shape would also look good in a solid color.
Not classic. I love various elements of this, the button detailing, the hood, the striping, but it's really, really not classically wearable. Ponchos come in and out, but that one does look very much like a blanket.
Oh lovely. Again, if you aren't a bright color sort, picture it with less going on for color. This dress has lovely classic lines and would look great with tights in black with jewel tone stripe detailing, or just a solid color.
Not classic. This coat is made by creating yarn loops as you knit, then after you're done, combing or brushing the loops to break up the twist and create a fur effect. It's a fun idea for a stuffed animal, doesn't work as well in a coat.
Classic- Sweater. Not Classic- those shorts!
The sweater is nice, the crocheted sash is fun, and I could totally see my daughter wearing something like that. The "funnel hood" is knit in Quaker rib and it's not really a classic design that's been wearable for the last 40 years since the magazine came out, but it *is* an idea that's come back around as a trend. The knitted gauchos though? Really didn't age well. I think maybe just any kind of pant thing knitted might be a bad idea.
Just.. wow. The colors, the lines, everything about this outfit. It doesn't age well at all does it? The great big checks with smaller checks in some of the big checks is a neat pattern. Maybe better for decorating than for clothing.
LOVE this simple teeshirt dress with it's bold graphic design. I think I'd like to make a custom fabric print on Spoonflower to make something like this dress with. In the case of this dress, it's sewn with striped fabric and applique circles. Doing a custom fabric removes the need for applique for that same kind of bold style.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Winter around my house- snowy photos!
The other day when I went down to check the mail, I decided to bring my camera with me. It's a half block to my mailbox. Click on the images for larger versions.
If you look to the east, you see the Chugach mountains. I've lived in Anchorage all my life, and they still make me breathless sometimes. The sharp edges, the weather changing there first. They aren't particularly high mountains, but they seem very high because they don't have the long slow slope other mountains have. They come up sharply and suddenly.
We call the snow on them "Termination Dust", the phrase comes from the days when people got their termination notices for seasonal jobs, and seems to be a very Alaskan phrase. When the termination dust comes halfway down the mountains, it's going to snow in Anchorage soon.
You've seen lots of photos I've taken around this wooded lot that's across from my mailbox. Well, if you had a wooded vacant lot that pretty and close, wouldn't you take lots of photos?
The lot has a path through it. From there it looks gorgeous. Unfortunately, just as you hit that clearing you can kind of see in there, you find that people dump things in there. Big appliances and the like. However, it's still nice to walk through there during the summer because it's a habitat for lots of birds. You can hear wrens sounding lovely (and hardly ever spotted), get scolded by ravens and get the gossip from the magpies. My husband and I will walk through there hand in hand, and I'll stop every so often to snap a photo of a magpie or a wild flower. Looks gorgeous all snowy doesn't it?
About a half hour later, at just about 4:45 pm, it was sunset. Check out those colors! Aren't they beautiful?
I also put the snowy path photo through Paint It just for fun. I love using Paint It on snowy photos.
Corel Paint It! Photo
is only 9.99 from Amazon.com (affiliate link) and it only makes painterly effects from photos. I think it's a fun little graphics application.
Since we decided to give Black Friday a skip, I told my daughter we would go to the thrift store today. I scored very nicely on the 70s craft books and magazines I love, she was thrilled to find a fantastic holiday dress and a bag of fabric scraps. We also picked up shirts for William and Michael. Michael liked his shirt. It's the same basic style as his favorite black and red shirt in black and gray. William's shirt is another genuine Hawaiian shirt for his collection. Thrift stores are so full of awesome.
If you look to the east, you see the Chugach mountains. I've lived in Anchorage all my life, and they still make me breathless sometimes. The sharp edges, the weather changing there first. They aren't particularly high mountains, but they seem very high because they don't have the long slow slope other mountains have. They come up sharply and suddenly.
We call the snow on them "Termination Dust", the phrase comes from the days when people got their termination notices for seasonal jobs, and seems to be a very Alaskan phrase. When the termination dust comes halfway down the mountains, it's going to snow in Anchorage soon.
About a half hour later, at just about 4:45 pm, it was sunset. Check out those colors! Aren't they beautiful?
I also put the snowy path photo through Paint It just for fun. I love using Paint It on snowy photos.
Corel Paint It! Photo
is only 9.99 from Amazon.com (affiliate link) and it only makes painterly effects from photos. I think it's a fun little graphics application. Since we decided to give Black Friday a skip, I told my daughter we would go to the thrift store today. I scored very nicely on the 70s craft books and magazines I love, she was thrilled to find a fantastic holiday dress and a bag of fabric scraps. We also picked up shirts for William and Michael. Michael liked his shirt. It's the same basic style as his favorite black and red shirt in black and gray. William's shirt is another genuine Hawaiian shirt for his collection. Thrift stores are so full of awesome.
11-27-11 Mandala design to color
Book Review- Ramen to the Rescue
Ramen to the Rescue : Over 100 Creative Recipes for Easy Meals Using Everyone's Favorite Pack of Noodles by Jessica Harlan is a cookbook filled with recipes for everything from appetizers to dessert using ramen noodles.
There are no finished food photos in the book, so it's not a cookbook for the people who love cookbooks filled with full colored photos. It's recipes. Lots and lots of recipes.
I've done a lot of what I thought was creative ramen cooking. This book showed me how much more could be done with these noodles.
When you're in a hurry, when you know you want to have a real meal but don't want to spend too much time cooking, when you're just saving money by eating at home, this is a great go-to book for recipes.
My son tried this one out for me. He went through the book and marked all the recipes he wanted to try. Then he made up a shopping list and made the family dinner. He picked a beef and mushroom stew for the first recipe he tried. Doubling the recipe and using minute steaks instead of the flank steak called for, he made stew for the 4 of us for under 10 dollars, and it was so good that my husband went back for seconds.
We've tried a few more of the main course recipes since then. Most of the recipes take under a half hour to prepare and lots of vegetables and small meat servings make them economical.
A lot of Asian style recipes make this book absolutely delightful for my family, especially my son. The Spicy Peanut Noodle Wraps can be made with ingredients we usually have on hand, and he likes those so much more than peanut butter sandwiches.
There are also many salad recipes that would make great summer lunches. Since most of them have minimal cooking, they won't heat up your kitchen too much.
Clear, easy to follow instructions, wonderful variety of flavors and ideas. It proves that while ramen is still a very inexpensive choice for meals, it can also be used in a lot of ways for more grownup meals, even many things you could serve to guests at a dinner party.
Recommended for anyone who is looking for cookbooks with quick and easy cooking, and as a gift to young people going off to college or to follow their dreams.
You can get this book from directly from the publisher, Ulysses Press My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
There are no finished food photos in the book, so it's not a cookbook for the people who love cookbooks filled with full colored photos. It's recipes. Lots and lots of recipes.
I've done a lot of what I thought was creative ramen cooking. This book showed me how much more could be done with these noodles.
When you're in a hurry, when you know you want to have a real meal but don't want to spend too much time cooking, when you're just saving money by eating at home, this is a great go-to book for recipes.
My son tried this one out for me. He went through the book and marked all the recipes he wanted to try. Then he made up a shopping list and made the family dinner. He picked a beef and mushroom stew for the first recipe he tried. Doubling the recipe and using minute steaks instead of the flank steak called for, he made stew for the 4 of us for under 10 dollars, and it was so good that my husband went back for seconds.
We've tried a few more of the main course recipes since then. Most of the recipes take under a half hour to prepare and lots of vegetables and small meat servings make them economical.
A lot of Asian style recipes make this book absolutely delightful for my family, especially my son. The Spicy Peanut Noodle Wraps can be made with ingredients we usually have on hand, and he likes those so much more than peanut butter sandwiches.
There are also many salad recipes that would make great summer lunches. Since most of them have minimal cooking, they won't heat up your kitchen too much.
Clear, easy to follow instructions, wonderful variety of flavors and ideas. It proves that while ramen is still a very inexpensive choice for meals, it can also be used in a lot of ways for more grownup meals, even many things you could serve to guests at a dinner party.
Recommended for anyone who is looking for cookbooks with quick and easy cooking, and as a gift to young people going off to college or to follow their dreams.
You can get this book from directly from the publisher, Ulysses Press My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Printable Paper Star Tree Topper
To make this paper star tree top, you'll need to print and cut out 4 stars and glue 2 together back to back, then repeat with the other two. Cut 1 star from the top to the center dot, and the other from the bottom to the center dot.
Then you'll slide the stars together interlocking them. Print and cut out the base, glue along the the tab to form a cylinder, then cut on the guide lines to make slits. Slide the star into the base slits.
Click on the images for larger versions. There is the colored version as shown, and a version that you can color in. Print each image to fit pages. They are set up at 8x10 inches.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for all the nice comments and emails that I've gotten in the last year and appreciate every one of you.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Book Review- Craft-In
Craft-In : 12 Project Booklets for Your Own Crafty Gatherings is a collection of ideas for crafting parties. The projects range from very easy for people who very new to crafting to projects that will be easier either split into a couple nights or for more experienced crafters. The booklets are full color and housed in a nice slip case.
I think it rocks. Really, if you have non-crafty friends who are interested in making things, this provides a great starting point for a party of you and a half dozen of your friends. If you have crafty friends and would like to have a themed party, again, great ideas ready to go.
Each booklet is by a different artist/author. They explain how to make the project pictured in detail. Paper projects include pages you can copy and use for your guests. They tell you what supplies you'll need, approximate level of skill needed, and the time needed for the projects.
I suggest if your hosting a party, you read all the way through the booklet you choose first. You might decide to make up an example ahead of time so you can help your guests and share out the booklet. Since the sets are fairly inexpensive though, you could also buy a couple extra sets.
Great Cupcake Makeover by Jodi Rhoden has two cupcake recipes and two icing recipes. The chocolate recipe is vegan! It has lots of ideas for how to decorate the cupcakes. It explains how to ice a cupcake to look professional and has suggestions for natural sprinkles and garnish ideas, natural food coloring ideas, and how to sugar fruits and flowers. Since some of the decorations are flags for cupcakes, they seem a natural for paper artists.
All The Hoopla by MelMac Pink has full instructions for making your own hoops. This is absolute win for a summer party, especially for tween and teens. It takes about an hour and half to make the hoop and it's fairly simple. Then hours of enjoyment learning how to use it.
Crochet Cactus by Katy Yellen is one I really suggest at least one person who knows how to crochet. The pattern and instructions makes a very cute cactus with a button center flower that's set in a store-bought clay pot. There are full illustrated instructions in the booklet on how to crochet, so if you want to teach yourself ahead of time, you can. It's full of cute!
Jar Lid Masterpieces by Julie Armbruster is a very simple idea that would be just a lot of fun with a group and it's an idea that works for adults or younger people. It's playful paintings based off a scribble of ink that fit in a Mason jar type lid.
Stupid Sock Creature Social by John Murphy can be done using either a sewing machine or by hand. This project includes some soft sculpture to create a mouth which adds character to the toy. A nice collection of buttons, and lots of orphan socks would make very unique dolls with lots of personality.
Culture Club Pocketbook Logs by Alli Good starts with store bought notebooks that you can create lists in with art and ideas to start. I love this as a collage project and a way to enjoy suggestions from friends.
Retro Paper Doll Party by Suzie Millions combines scraps of fabric, paper, buttons, beads and embellishments with vintage images of heads to create cute little works of art. Easy and just a lot of fun.
Little Ireland: Awesome, Mossy Terrarium by Maura Okuley is both creating simple terrariums and beginning needle felting for the ambitious. Rolling hills of green are the pasture for a tiny felted sheep. If you're not feeling ambitious enough to felt, provide guests with the supplies and moss for the terrarium and a selection of miniature plastic animals. Include tips on how to find live moss for terrarium and how to keep just wet enough to grow.
Strawberry Fields Forever by Jeanette Lim is little hand sewn felt strawberries, with a variation for chocolate dipped. It also has a sushi recipe to serve your guests.
Shrinkable Adornment by Alisa Wagner Poage made me think about my friend Katie immediately with it's wing necklace. Shrink art has come a long way since I was a kid!
Mint Tin Fairy World by Debrina Pratt is a great reason to have a "potluck" style crafting evening. Tell your friends the theme, and ask them to bring buttons, scraps of lace, favorite papers and other ephemera. You supply mint tins, paint and wings and vintage images.
Pet Portrait Embroidery by Cindy Steiler uses simple embroidery techniques and can absolutely be done with beginners. If you don't want to do pets, you could substitute other simple line art or even children's art.
These are just great ideas for a craft party in one easy package.
You can get this set from the publisher, Lark Crafts My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
I think it rocks. Really, if you have non-crafty friends who are interested in making things, this provides a great starting point for a party of you and a half dozen of your friends. If you have crafty friends and would like to have a themed party, again, great ideas ready to go.
Each booklet is by a different artist/author. They explain how to make the project pictured in detail. Paper projects include pages you can copy and use for your guests. They tell you what supplies you'll need, approximate level of skill needed, and the time needed for the projects.
I suggest if your hosting a party, you read all the way through the booklet you choose first. You might decide to make up an example ahead of time so you can help your guests and share out the booklet. Since the sets are fairly inexpensive though, you could also buy a couple extra sets.
Great Cupcake Makeover by Jodi Rhoden has two cupcake recipes and two icing recipes. The chocolate recipe is vegan! It has lots of ideas for how to decorate the cupcakes. It explains how to ice a cupcake to look professional and has suggestions for natural sprinkles and garnish ideas, natural food coloring ideas, and how to sugar fruits and flowers. Since some of the decorations are flags for cupcakes, they seem a natural for paper artists.
All The Hoopla by MelMac Pink has full instructions for making your own hoops. This is absolute win for a summer party, especially for tween and teens. It takes about an hour and half to make the hoop and it's fairly simple. Then hours of enjoyment learning how to use it.
Crochet Cactus by Katy Yellen is one I really suggest at least one person who knows how to crochet. The pattern and instructions makes a very cute cactus with a button center flower that's set in a store-bought clay pot. There are full illustrated instructions in the booklet on how to crochet, so if you want to teach yourself ahead of time, you can. It's full of cute!
Jar Lid Masterpieces by Julie Armbruster is a very simple idea that would be just a lot of fun with a group and it's an idea that works for adults or younger people. It's playful paintings based off a scribble of ink that fit in a Mason jar type lid.
Stupid Sock Creature Social by John Murphy can be done using either a sewing machine or by hand. This project includes some soft sculpture to create a mouth which adds character to the toy. A nice collection of buttons, and lots of orphan socks would make very unique dolls with lots of personality.
Culture Club Pocketbook Logs by Alli Good starts with store bought notebooks that you can create lists in with art and ideas to start. I love this as a collage project and a way to enjoy suggestions from friends.
Retro Paper Doll Party by Suzie Millions combines scraps of fabric, paper, buttons, beads and embellishments with vintage images of heads to create cute little works of art. Easy and just a lot of fun.
Little Ireland: Awesome, Mossy Terrarium by Maura Okuley is both creating simple terrariums and beginning needle felting for the ambitious. Rolling hills of green are the pasture for a tiny felted sheep. If you're not feeling ambitious enough to felt, provide guests with the supplies and moss for the terrarium and a selection of miniature plastic animals. Include tips on how to find live moss for terrarium and how to keep just wet enough to grow.
Strawberry Fields Forever by Jeanette Lim is little hand sewn felt strawberries, with a variation for chocolate dipped. It also has a sushi recipe to serve your guests.
Shrinkable Adornment by Alisa Wagner Poage made me think about my friend Katie immediately with it's wing necklace. Shrink art has come a long way since I was a kid!
Mint Tin Fairy World by Debrina Pratt is a great reason to have a "potluck" style crafting evening. Tell your friends the theme, and ask them to bring buttons, scraps of lace, favorite papers and other ephemera. You supply mint tins, paint and wings and vintage images.
Pet Portrait Embroidery by Cindy Steiler uses simple embroidery techniques and can absolutely be done with beginners. If you don't want to do pets, you could substitute other simple line art or even children's art.
These are just great ideas for a craft party in one easy package.
You can get this set from the publisher, Lark Crafts My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Angel printables 2011
Every year, I draw a new angel. This year I decided to go with something cute. I hope you like it as much as I do! This one is on a 3x3x1 inch printable box, as well as being a coloring page. As usual you can use all my coloring pages for embroidery patterns.
Printable cute angel box- click on image for a larger version. Cut, score, fold, glue.
Printable cute angel coloring page- click on image for larger version.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Book Review- Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2
Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2: Build a Secret Agent Arsenal by John Austen is the sequel to Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction.
If you haven't read either of them, they contain instructions to build all sorts of neat weapons that are meant for "office warfare". I've never worked in an office with that kind of office warfare but I really like both books.
I really don't recommend this at all for kids or adults who are liable to shoot the weapons at each other.
I'm a fan because of interesting projects built out of easy to find office supplies. The emphasis is firmly on safety. You are reminded to wear safety glasses and given ideas for targets to fire at instead of firing the projectiles at people.
As a firm believer that fun examples make it easier to remember basic math and science principles, these books go hand in hand in my family with discussions about things like Newton's Laws of Motion, and how they apply to projectiles. We get to build things and compete with each other for accuracy shooting at targets.
In this sequel, the guns and weapons are powered by balloons and rubber bands. They are made to look like models of real guns. Not realistic looking enough to be scary, but realistic looking enough to make most young men and women who are interested in such things happy. Most of the projects call for hot glue and craft knife use, so supervision may be necessary.
The ammo for these is creative and inexpensive. Candy, mini-marshmallows, pennies and even cotton swabs.
In this book, other than the weapons, there are also projects for spy equipment like projects that can be used safely by kids or adults. A periscope made from CDs and toothpaste box, cipher wheel are some examples, lots of ideas for concealed storage. All of it built from inexpensive components. Those projects alone make this book well worth it to me.
Everything is well illustrated with good diagrams, and while you're building, you can see the principle behind how it works. Lots of the supplies can be garnered from things you'd ordinarily throw away.
It's a hit with my whole family. My daughter likes the Concealment chapter, my son thinks the whole book is wonderful and is already planning modifications of some of the designs in it. My husband and I appreciate how clever the designs are, and how much fun we have as a family with making them and competing with them.
The last chapter is full of wonderful target ideas like a laser shark, a fake security camera, some regular paper targets and a cute octopus target made from a balloon.
My favorite projects in the book are the soup can safe, the gift card coin launcher, and the code wheel.
You can get this book from IPG Books
If you haven't read either of them, they contain instructions to build all sorts of neat weapons that are meant for "office warfare". I've never worked in an office with that kind of office warfare but I really like both books.
I really don't recommend this at all for kids or adults who are liable to shoot the weapons at each other.
I'm a fan because of interesting projects built out of easy to find office supplies. The emphasis is firmly on safety. You are reminded to wear safety glasses and given ideas for targets to fire at instead of firing the projectiles at people.
As a firm believer that fun examples make it easier to remember basic math and science principles, these books go hand in hand in my family with discussions about things like Newton's Laws of Motion, and how they apply to projectiles. We get to build things and compete with each other for accuracy shooting at targets.
In this sequel, the guns and weapons are powered by balloons and rubber bands. They are made to look like models of real guns. Not realistic looking enough to be scary, but realistic looking enough to make most young men and women who are interested in such things happy. Most of the projects call for hot glue and craft knife use, so supervision may be necessary.
The ammo for these is creative and inexpensive. Candy, mini-marshmallows, pennies and even cotton swabs.
In this book, other than the weapons, there are also projects for spy equipment like projects that can be used safely by kids or adults. A periscope made from CDs and toothpaste box, cipher wheel are some examples, lots of ideas for concealed storage. All of it built from inexpensive components. Those projects alone make this book well worth it to me.
Everything is well illustrated with good diagrams, and while you're building, you can see the principle behind how it works. Lots of the supplies can be garnered from things you'd ordinarily throw away.
It's a hit with my whole family. My daughter likes the Concealment chapter, my son thinks the whole book is wonderful and is already planning modifications of some of the designs in it. My husband and I appreciate how clever the designs are, and how much fun we have as a family with making them and competing with them.
The last chapter is full of wonderful target ideas like a laser shark, a fake security camera, some regular paper targets and a cute octopus target made from a balloon.
My favorite projects in the book are the soup can safe, the gift card coin launcher, and the code wheel.
You can get this book from IPG Books
Christmas Tree coloring page
I hope you enjoy this coloring page. As usual, you can use this for any crafty use. Coloring, embroidery, etc.
Click the image for a bigger PNG version of this swirly Christmas tree coloring page.
I also posted instructions for this pressed penny bracelet on Beadwork at BellaOnline. I also opened a topic on the beadwork forum to trade pressed pennies. You do have to make an account to leave a comment on the forums.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding that's so good my non-vegan teens love it. Also good for pudding lovers who have a lactose intolerance. Another plus is that pumpkin and almond milk are both high in vitamin A and this is so much tastier than carrots!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup tofu- yes. Tofu. Since this is vegan, it won't have the body and silkiness that an egg offers. Tofu helps! A soft tofu works best. You can skip this if you want soy free.
- 2 cups almond milk- the first time I made this, I used soy milk, but the almond milk tastes so much better!
- 1/2 cup pumpkin butter (recipe HERE)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sweetener- I used a raw sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Put aside 1 cup, and put the rest in a medium sized sauce pan. Whisk the corn starch into the cup you put aside until the corn starch is well incorporated
Cook the mix in the pan over medium until it starts bubbling, whisking to keep the almond milk from scorching. Pour in the cup you set aside, whisking constantly.
Keep cooking over a medium heat until it's thickened to your liking.
I compare making pudding to making gravy. You use a thickener and cook to let some of the liquid evaporate until you have the consistency you like. For pudding, this takes about 10-15 minutes of cooking and whisking to keep it evenly heated and not let it scorch.
Serve chilled, with pumpkin seeds on top for garnish if you wish. The photos are of a tiny demitasse glass cup and little decorative pumpkins.
Here's another one!
Mandala to color
Not even sure what to call this one. I drew it last night and colored it today, I hope you like it. Click on the image for a larger version.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Book Review - Junior's Dessert Cookbook
Junior's is well known for their cheesecakes, which are considered by many to be the best in the world. Located in Brooklyn, it's a must-go for lots of visitors to New York.
So if you're a cheesecake lover, you're going to be thrilled they have a cookbook now, Junior's Dessert Cookbook: 75 Recipes for Cheesecakes, Pies, Cookies, Cakes, and More, and the book does start with some great cheesecake recipes. Classic New York style to start with, then getting into more complicated cheesecakes. Personally I had to wipe up a little drool after just reading the recipe for the Red Velvet Cheesecake which is a "skyscraper" style cake, 5 inches tall with cake, cheesecake and cream cheese icing. The tiramisu charlotte is a new favorite for my family.
After the cheesecake recipes comes a chapter on soda fountain desserts. Perfect egg creams, orange freeze drinks, milkshakes, malted and ice cream treats. As much as I love cheesecake, this is my favorite chapter. My family loves ice cream, I'm pretty sure if you asked my dad, he would say it's favorite food. This is the chapter for hot sunny days.
Black and Whites covers two-tone desserts that are stylish and tasty. Cheesecakes, cookies, malteds and a couple other recipes. The Oreo Little Fellows look like the perfect cool dessert for my daughter's July birthday.
Layer Cakes and Cupcakes is self explanatory and full of wonderful baked goods. My favorite in this chapter is Grandma's Lemon Loaf. It's plain looking compared to the rest of the desserts, but I love loaf cakes.
Pie Shoppe has whipped cream pies, adorable tartlets and classic pie recipes. Recommended- the Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie.
Save Room For Dessert has recipes that don't fit into the rest of the chapters like blintzes, brownies, cookies and pudding. It even includes a recipe for fried cheesecake.
For Those Watching Their Sugar is where this book becomes very much a favorite for me. I don't have to watch mine, but my uncle is diabetic and I like making him a special treat every so often. With several cheesecake recipes, a muffin recipe and a couple mousse recipes, this one will keep him happy for years.
The last chapter contains instructions for things that are used in several recipes. Crusts, sauces, whipped cream and ganache.
The instructions for the recipes are clear and well written, and there are bits of trivia and tips sprinkled liberally through out the book. The photos are incredible.
You can get this book directly from the publisher, The Taunton Press
My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
So if you're a cheesecake lover, you're going to be thrilled they have a cookbook now, Junior's Dessert Cookbook: 75 Recipes for Cheesecakes, Pies, Cookies, Cakes, and More, and the book does start with some great cheesecake recipes. Classic New York style to start with, then getting into more complicated cheesecakes. Personally I had to wipe up a little drool after just reading the recipe for the Red Velvet Cheesecake which is a "skyscraper" style cake, 5 inches tall with cake, cheesecake and cream cheese icing. The tiramisu charlotte is a new favorite for my family.
After the cheesecake recipes comes a chapter on soda fountain desserts. Perfect egg creams, orange freeze drinks, milkshakes, malted and ice cream treats. As much as I love cheesecake, this is my favorite chapter. My family loves ice cream, I'm pretty sure if you asked my dad, he would say it's favorite food. This is the chapter for hot sunny days.
Black and Whites covers two-tone desserts that are stylish and tasty. Cheesecakes, cookies, malteds and a couple other recipes. The Oreo Little Fellows look like the perfect cool dessert for my daughter's July birthday.
Layer Cakes and Cupcakes is self explanatory and full of wonderful baked goods. My favorite in this chapter is Grandma's Lemon Loaf. It's plain looking compared to the rest of the desserts, but I love loaf cakes.
Pie Shoppe has whipped cream pies, adorable tartlets and classic pie recipes. Recommended- the Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie.
Save Room For Dessert has recipes that don't fit into the rest of the chapters like blintzes, brownies, cookies and pudding. It even includes a recipe for fried cheesecake.
For Those Watching Their Sugar is where this book becomes very much a favorite for me. I don't have to watch mine, but my uncle is diabetic and I like making him a special treat every so often. With several cheesecake recipes, a muffin recipe and a couple mousse recipes, this one will keep him happy for years.
The last chapter contains instructions for things that are used in several recipes. Crusts, sauces, whipped cream and ganache.
The instructions for the recipes are clear and well written, and there are bits of trivia and tips sprinkled liberally through out the book. The photos are incredible.
You can get this book directly from the publisher, The Taunton Press
My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Simple Black and White Pinstripe 4x6 recipe cards
The first set just has the open fields for filling in. Links will open in a new window or tab.
Pinstripe 4x6 Recipe Cards
The second set has a pair of recipes a couple people have asked for, my mom's stuffing recipe, and my French toast recipe.
Recipes on Pinstripe Cards
My mom's stuffing recipe always seemed very ordinary to me, it's what I grew up with after all. But my husband thinks it's the best food in the world and people have complimented it repeatedly. The apples give the stuffing a very nice tart sweetness.
Mom's Stuffing Recipe
1/2 breakfast sausage links
4 stalks celery
1 lg yellow onion
1 lg Granny Smith apple
8 c. dry bread cubes
1/4 tsp. crumbled thyme
1/2 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. chicken broth
Get a couple large bowls with plates the cover them.
Chop celery, onion and apple in a small dice, cut sausage links into 1/2 inch pieces. Put all in a large skillet and saute until the sausage is done cooking.
Split the bread and sausage mixture between both bowls. Mix well.
Mix seasonings into broth and heat
Stir a half cup of hot broth into each bowl. Cover with plate. The steam should soften all the bread cubes. If it doesn't, add a couple more spoonfuls of broth into each bowl.
Use one batch to stuff the turkey, bake the other batch in a 9x13x2 inch pan. At least in theory. Mine never gets that far.
Quick note- Because of the fat that comes off the sausage, I don't use butter. My family also seems to prefer the flavor of bouillon cubes to canned broth. I'd like to say I'm one of those very prepared people that keeps homemade stock in my freezer, but it's just not so. My stocks usually gets used quickly to make soups.
Holiday French Toast
3 lg. free range eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbs. good vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 loaf stale sliced Italian bread
butter
Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Melt a pat of butter in a medium high skillet and dip the bread into the egg batter. Fry on both sides until golden brown.
Serve with butter and choice of syrups and fruit purees. My family is very fond of Birch Breakfast Syrup, which is a mix of cane syrup and birch syrup. We use pure birch syrup in our cream sodas for lots of extra flavor.
Generally speaking, adding what seems like too much vanilla to sweet recipes makes people think you're a brilliant cook!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Book Review - Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause
Out of all the craft books that we've gotten in the last year, this is one of my favorites and it is my daughter's favorite.
Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause by Jade Sims
The theme of the book is crafting for charity, giving people hope with items made with love and care. Each project has a sidebar note about a charity it would be appropriate for, as well as a list of other charities including local groups that would appreciate the gift. Addresses and websites are included.
The projects themselves cover different skill levels and abilities, and are inexpensive to make. Some of them can be made by re-purposing items.
There are a lot of projects to make for children in need. Easily smocked dresses, bandanna pants, pillowcase skirts, stuffed animals with information about organizations like SOME, Little Red Wagon Foundation and many others of which you may not have heard.
The projects include melt and pour soaps, stuffed animals, hats, purses, scarves, fingerless mitts, a strung necklace and use such techniques as sewing, knitting, macrame, stamping, applique, stenciling and dyeing.
What I liked most about the book is that the projects are easily made and nice looking as well as the suggestions for ways to use them locally. That makes it a great book for scouting troops and other youth organizations that want projects that teach people how to make things that are also good for local donating.
In keeping with the spirit of the book, a dollar for every copy sold is donated to Global Impact.
Be sure to check out Jade Sims' site, CraftHope.com
You can get this book directly from the publisher, Lark Crafts My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause by Jade Sims
The theme of the book is crafting for charity, giving people hope with items made with love and care. Each project has a sidebar note about a charity it would be appropriate for, as well as a list of other charities including local groups that would appreciate the gift. Addresses and websites are included.
The projects themselves cover different skill levels and abilities, and are inexpensive to make. Some of them can be made by re-purposing items.
There are a lot of projects to make for children in need. Easily smocked dresses, bandanna pants, pillowcase skirts, stuffed animals with information about organizations like SOME, Little Red Wagon Foundation and many others of which you may not have heard.
The projects include melt and pour soaps, stuffed animals, hats, purses, scarves, fingerless mitts, a strung necklace and use such techniques as sewing, knitting, macrame, stamping, applique, stenciling and dyeing.
What I liked most about the book is that the projects are easily made and nice looking as well as the suggestions for ways to use them locally. That makes it a great book for scouting troops and other youth organizations that want projects that teach people how to make things that are also good for local donating.
In keeping with the spirit of the book, a dollar for every copy sold is donated to Global Impact.
Be sure to check out Jade Sims' site, CraftHope.com
You can get this book directly from the publisher, Lark Crafts My reviews are always my personal and honest opinion. You can read more about my review policy here.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Printable Quote Card
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
-Thornton Wilder
-Thornton Wilder
I hope you enjoy this printable card. Because of the size, 2 cards will fit on 1 sheet of US letter sized card stock, and one envelope will fit a sheet of paper. I do recommend paper for the envelope. It's left plain. Click on the images for larger versions, print each to fit the page.
Rest now Kim, thank you for everything
My friend passed away this morning after a very long week, it's because her fellow classmates at the Career Academy moved so fast that we've all had the time to say goodbye to her, and I'm incredibly grateful to all of them for that.
Not that's easy to say goodbye, it's never easy.
Kim and I met in 1994, and she just knew we were going to be best friends. I was pretty baffled by why she was being so friendly and persistent. But she was right.
We've done a lot of very foolish things together, people do when they are growing. We've shared tears and laughter, we've grown together and I know that I'm a better person for having known her.
She took life in great big bites. Where I tend to live too much in my head, planning out projects and reading, she was out there grabbing life in both hands, trying new things, going places, and charming people where ever she went. That combination of sincerity and enthusiasm that too many people outgrow. She was the kindest, most patient, and caring person I've ever met. If she could help, she did. Every time.
She's been my biggest cheerleader through those years. Encouraging me to draw my cartoons when I was doing that, to paint, to learn. She was constantly learning. Always new things she wanted to know, taking classes on a regular basis.
It's really hard to imagine not being able to pick up the phone to call her, to not leave and get voice mails that just say "I was thinking of you. I love you. Call." and knowing that we would talk soon about everything going on in our lives.
Love should, if it's real, help you to become a better you. Help you reach heights in goodness, love and understanding that you might not be able to reach on your own. You reach them for love, or because love lifts you to them.
After a week on life support, her husband made the very hard decision to take her off. She went on breathing for sometime after that. She was surrounded by people who loved her. I said goodbye that day then came back the next day after I had the tears under control to read to her for a bit. She always knew we would be friends until the end. The end came much sooner than anyone could have expected.
For that last week, she had her husband, family and friends around her constantly. She's touched so many lives deeply.
Please, say a prayer or send a good wish for her husband and friends. This is a very hard time for him, for all of us.
I'm beyond grateful for her friendship through the years. It's been a blessing and an honor to have been in her life.
Rest now Kim, thank you for everything. You'll be in my heart always until we meet again.
Not that's easy to say goodbye, it's never easy.
Kim and I met in 1994, and she just knew we were going to be best friends. I was pretty baffled by why she was being so friendly and persistent. But she was right.
We've done a lot of very foolish things together, people do when they are growing. We've shared tears and laughter, we've grown together and I know that I'm a better person for having known her.
She took life in great big bites. Where I tend to live too much in my head, planning out projects and reading, she was out there grabbing life in both hands, trying new things, going places, and charming people where ever she went. That combination of sincerity and enthusiasm that too many people outgrow. She was the kindest, most patient, and caring person I've ever met. If she could help, she did. Every time.
She's been my biggest cheerleader through those years. Encouraging me to draw my cartoons when I was doing that, to paint, to learn. She was constantly learning. Always new things she wanted to know, taking classes on a regular basis.
It's really hard to imagine not being able to pick up the phone to call her, to not leave and get voice mails that just say "I was thinking of you. I love you. Call." and knowing that we would talk soon about everything going on in our lives.
Love should, if it's real, help you to become a better you. Help you reach heights in goodness, love and understanding that you might not be able to reach on your own. You reach them for love, or because love lifts you to them.
After a week on life support, her husband made the very hard decision to take her off. She went on breathing for sometime after that. She was surrounded by people who loved her. I said goodbye that day then came back the next day after I had the tears under control to read to her for a bit. She always knew we would be friends until the end. The end came much sooner than anyone could have expected.
For that last week, she had her husband, family and friends around her constantly. She's touched so many lives deeply.
Please, say a prayer or send a good wish for her husband and friends. This is a very hard time for him, for all of us.
I'm beyond grateful for her friendship through the years. It's been a blessing and an honor to have been in her life.
Rest now Kim, thank you for everything. You'll be in my heart always until we meet again.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Star box and coloring page
Happy Birthday Carl Sagan!
I hope you enjoy this star themed box and coloring page and printable quotes. Click on the images for the bigger versions. Download to print, for printing directly from a browser, as usual, I recommend Chrome. As always you can use my coloring pages for embroidery and other crafts as well.
The coloring page is a braided star design using 3 8 pointed stars for 24 points total. The box and quotes are also done with 3 8 pointed stars, with more stars surrounding and centered in the design.
I hope you enjoy this star themed box and coloring page and printable quotes. Click on the images for the bigger versions. Download to print, for printing directly from a browser, as usual, I recommend Chrome. As always you can use my coloring pages for embroidery and other crafts as well.
The coloring page is a braided star design using 3 8 pointed stars for 24 points total. The box and quotes are also done with 3 8 pointed stars, with more stars surrounding and centered in the design.