2011 Illustrated calendar

Twelve months of illustrated goodness is in the shop now! I'm very excited about this one. I've been wanting to do a calendar for several years now, and finally made 2011 the year. So here it is… printed on bright white linen card stock and secured with kitchen twine (to remind you of me in the kitchen!) 

 

Handmade ornaments with Blue House

After a busy craft show day Saturday, I was so happy to spend Sunday at the Blue House for an afternoon of festive ornament-making. There was a lovely group of about fifteen people participating, and with warm beverages in our hands and soothing music on the speakers we set to work on a variety of ornaments. They are all quite easy projects that you probably have the materials on hand for at home, many of them taking advantage of recycled/upcycled materials. I didn't try my hand at each, but these pictures are of the ones I made. Above left is a little bird made from bits of felted sweater and button eyes. He even sits on a twig branch, though that is camouflaged in this photo.  You could make these in any shape you want. I plan to make a few stars next.  

Next, is a very simplified ball ornament based on Japanese temari balls. These are usually ribbon and yarn wrapped around a styrofoam ball in very ornate patterns. We simplified the process and simply wrapped wadded up newspaper with yarn and stitched into it. You can adorn them any way you'd like — Siobhan, Blue House's owner, added an appliqued bird to hers. So cute.

Next we made paint chip orbs based on those from ReadyMade. I added some decoration by punching holes all over, and after it was assembled, Siobhan suggested using the ones with holes as shades for Christmas lights — how fun and easy! We used fewer sides in these, but when I got home I tried making one with the full 20 sides and loved how it looks. I used my stack of misprints as material and may have some of these on sale at DUCF this weekend. 

That's the beauty of Blue House — you often come away with new ideas that you can easily recreate at home from recycled materials. I wish I could show you how festive and sweet the decorations are there right now, but my camera went on the fritz that day.  Beyond the ornaments I came away with so many simple yet beautiful ideas I can't wait to try. Really, if you're near you should stop by and be inspired. And if not, keep on coming back here and I will share with you what I see and try!

Flint Handmade

Hello! I spent a great day in Flint this past weekend for the Flint Handmade Holiday Craft Market. Thanks to everyone who made it out — and if you couldn't get there, here's a peak. 

I got to admire a whole crew of monstas all day long with Frankenstitch Productions across the aisle from me. Stephanie is one talented lady with an incredible imagination. We traded and now Jungle Gym Jane and Nelson Sloth have a new home here in Ann Arbor. Aren't they sweet. Jane's head and tail wobble like crazy making her a really fun dancer. 

You might have noticed, too, that new little box to your right. I'm getting all fancy and started a real mailing list. I hope to send updates monthly, including special deals and discounts for subscribers. So give it a shot, join the list. And for those of you in the area, I look forward to seeing you at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday at the Fillmore!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday SALE

Now that the turkey is digested and you've started in on the turkey sandwiches, get in the holiday spirit without facing the mall crowds. Now through midnight on Monday, November 29th, I'm offering free shipping anywhere in the world in my shop on Etsy. Stock up on holiday cards, gift tags, stickers and more! 

Loot!

When my parents visited in October, they brought with them a huge stash of loot to unload on me. Last year they retired to North Carolina and moved to a smaller house in the process. Leading up to the move — and ever since — I have been benefiting from their constant purging. I thought it would be fun to put together everything they gave me in one place. It all goes together so nicely and reminds me of the house I grew up in. In the back right is the metal kindling box that stood by the fireplace that my brothers and I had to keep filled. The brass kerosene lamp hung over our dining room table. The iron was always a doorstop somewhere in the house. You can see I also hit the mason jar jackpot and a stack of absolutely gorgeous books I really want to read. Included in that pile are the Man in the Iron Mask, The Scarlet Letter and A Tale of Two Cities which has especially gorgeous gold embossed design on its cover and spine. There is also a meat grinder I'm pretty sure my dad thought I would actually use, though it is coated in so much rust, I'm not sure I would ever be comfortable. And, last but not least, a canning jar lifter and old wooden crate for Remington ammunition. Score!

She's a pepper

This weekend was spectacular. I was on the road with Courtney Fischer headed to the Crafty Supermarket in Cincinnati (you can see Courtney's photos here). People were lined up outside the venue — an old school once abandoned, that was saved by the neighborhood — waiting to get in and the crowds were intense. Love the 'nati. And love my hostess. A Southerner at heart, she has a certain kind of hankering for Diet Dr. Pepper that some might call an addiction. I think it's just love. I decided to surprise her with some Diet Dr. Pepper cupcakes. Indeed. 

Dr. Pepper Cupcakes

Via From Glitter to Gumdrops

Makes 24.

1 1/2 c. Dr Pepper Soda (one can)

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 stick of salted butter

4 Tb cocoa powder 

2 c. sugar

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1/2 c. buttermilk

In a saucepan, combine Dr. Pepper, oil, butter and cocoa. Heat over medium heat while stirring. When it comes to a simmer, remove from heat. Make sure it is mixed well . 

Add the dry ingredients all at once, but don't over mix. In a separate bowl, beat together the buttermilk and eggs, and then add it to the rest of the mix. Stir well to combine. 

Fill cupcake liners more than 3/4 full. 

Bake at 350ºF for 13-16 minutes, until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean (Add about five minutes if you are making a cake).

And then I went with this icing cause it was dang easy:

Chocolate Icing

1/4 cup butter

3 Tb cocoa

1/4 cup Dr. Pepper cola

1 box powdered sugar

Heat over medium heat: butter, Dr. Pepper and cocoa, stirring until well blended. Stir in powdered sugar. 

Spicy roasted cauliflower

My mother always says that cauliflower tastes better after there's been a hard frost. It's not something I ever questioned — or experimented with to find out. I simply believe her and wait to have it until I'm sure we've had a good number of frosty nights. By now, we certainly have in Michigan and I bought this beautiful head grown just down the road a ways. I pulled out a recipe from Serving up the Harvest by Andrea Chesman, a book I bought when I first joined a vegetable CSA and had started a little backyard garden and was overwhelmed with both the variety of new veggies in my box each week and the quantities of veg I was harvesting. The book is arranged in order of ripening during the harvest season and gives a bit of history of each vegetable, growing tips and then several recipes. 

This is addictive. It becomes somewhat caramelized and is packed with flavor. I dedicate it to my brother, who when asked by his third grade teacher to name his favorite vegetable, replied cauliflower. Yes, that's right. Third grade. Cauliflower.

 

Roasted Spiced Cauliflower

From Serving Up the Harvest

 
¼ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large head cauliflower (about 3 lbs.), cut into florets
Kosher or coarse salt

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Lightly grease a large sheet pan (preferred) or large shallow roasting pan with oil. Combine the oil with the garlic salt, curry powder, cumin, cardamon, ginger, cayenne, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat. Spread the cauliflower on the prepared pan in a single layer. Roast for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the florets are tender-crisp and browned. To serve, mound the florets on a serving platter and sprinkle with the kosher salt to taste. 

 

Easy weeknight steak salad

This is such a busy time of year and with all the running around, it's easy to just grab something easy and unhealthy to eat for dinner or to order in. I type that all generic, like "it's easy for one to do such things," when what I really mean, is that's what I've been doing! This week I tried to come up with more of a plan for meals and this was an easy, quick weeknight salad that the boy and I both really enjoyed. I loved the strong flavor of sesame with just a hint of heat from the chili-garlic sauce.
 

Asian Steak and Mushroom Salad

From Bon Appetit, November 2010
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
4 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon Asian chili-garlic sauce
1/8 teaspoon plus 2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 12-ounce rib-eye steaks
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
8 ounces crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, quartered
8 cups mixed greens

Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil, minced ginger, chili-garlic sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil in small bowl. Add cilantro and stir to blend. Set dressing aside.

Rub 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil over each side of each steak. Sprinkle steaks with salt, pepper, and toasted sesame seeds; press firmly to adhere. Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until browned, about 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer sautéed mushrooms to plate. Add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil to skillet; heat over medium-high heat. Add steaks; cook to desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to cutting board. Slice steaks. Toss mixed greens with dressing in large bowl; divide greens among plates. Top with steak slices and mushrooms and serve. 

I used strip steaks in a cast iron skillet which works beautifully. They needed to cook for much longer than recommended times above. And please excuse the night time, flash heavy photos — I decided it is better to share a good recipe with you than hold back because the photos are meh.

Small works for Microcosm

Last week I hinted at I project I was working on and today I want to show it to you. I sent off four pieces to be included in the show Microcosm celebrating the one-year anniversary of Fabricate, a store/gallery hybrid space in Cincinnati dedicated to unique art and handmade items. The store recently moved and the show is not only an anniversary celebration, but a grand reopening celebration. The exhibit is dedicated to small pieces — all 4x6 — and here's a look at my entries. 

These two were painted with a glazed acrylic technique that is very difficult to scan, so they look a bit blown out. But I think you get the idea. So if you live in Cincinnati, or are going to be in town next weekend for Crafty Supermarket (Saturday, November 20, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.), I encourage you to stop by the store and check it out! 

An Exquisite Package

by Julie Morstad

I received an exquisite package in the mail this week — The Exquisite Book that is. And it is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Based on the Exquisite Corpse, a surrealist game developed in the 1920s in which a group of people work together to complete a drawing. One person begins a drawing on the top part of a piece of paper. That part of the paper is then turned down so just a very small portion of the drawing sticks out at the bottom. It is then passed on to the next person who continues the drawing, folding over their portion and passing it along again until the paper is filled. We used to play this game as kids. 

This book is a similarly collaborative project with 100 artists participating. Organized by Julia Rothman, Jenny Volvovski and Matt LaMothe, ten artists contributed to each of ten chapters and the book is assembled so that each chapter folds out in a continuous sheet. 

My photos don't do it justice, but that is as it should be because I encourage you to check it out for yourself. The project includes some of my very favorite artists and — even better — almost every image in the book is available to purchase as a print for $60. 

by Nick Dewar

The book is dedicated to Nick Dewar who passed away during the project.  

Pumpkin Quick Bread and Soup

I finally succumbed to the pumpkin baked good. All of October seemed to be ripe with pumpkin recipes both on the interwebs and *gasp*, sputter* —even in person. I resisted. But something happened this past weekend, I'm not sure what, maybe it was the passing of Halloween. I reached for that canned pumpkin that's been lingering in the cupboard since last Thanksgiving at least and whipped up this luscious pumpkin quick bread with chocolate chips. I debated long and hard about the chips before tossing them in to the batter. I think it was the "spice" in the name that made me hesitate. Spice and pumpkin seems full on pumpkin pie-ish and I wasn't sure I want chocolate mixed in with the lot. But that combo kept popping up this fall and I fell for it. And I'm pretty sure that's the main reason I ate a ridiculous amount of this bread all on my own. Mini-chocolate chips would be a great option, too.

I found the recipe on Lottie & Doof and have only slightly modified it below to replace some items that i don't generally have on hand like grapeseed oil and Demerara sugar. 

Pumpkin Spice Bread 

(From a recipe by Karen DeMasco via Lottie & Doof)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1/2 cup canola oil

3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sour cream

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of ground cloves

1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line the bottom of a 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with parchment, and grease the bottom and sides with butter.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, egg, egg yolk, and oil. Add the pumpkin, sour cream, and vanilla and stir well to combine. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Then stir together gently just to combine.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the sugar.

Bake until the bread is firm to the touch, well browned, and slightly cracked on top, about 55 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let stand for 5 minutes. Turn out the loaf onto rack and let cool.

And then what do you do with that bit of leftover pumpkin in the can? Someone on Twitter — I can't for the life of me remember who — suggested whipping up a quick soup for lunch and that's just what I did: Saute in butter a bit of onion, garlic and fresh ginger. Add a bit of stock and bring to a steady simmer. Stir in pumpkin puree and simmer for 10 minutes or so. Stir in some fresh cilantro right before serving. You could also stir in a bit of sour cream or yogurt, use powdered ginger if that's what you've got or thyme instead of cilantro. Really, you could go any which way with this one. Enjoy!

Hit the ground running…

Been crazy running, running, running to get a project shipped out today… and I made it—just barely! That's a little peak (tee, hee) at it above, though I'm saving the details for you until next week…

Yesterday I shipped off 450 penguins, 100 Wellies, 30 masked birds, 120 mittens and a couple other items. Whew! It's a busy, busy fun time in the studio these days, so it's a good thing I made a yummy quick bread over the weekend to fuel me through. I'll have that recipe for you tomorrow! 

The holidays are just around the corner: Craft Show Roundup

It's been a little on the quiet side here on the blog this week. I've been in scurrying elf mode warming up for the holiday craft show season. I know. You've barely wiped the Halloween cobwebs off and here I am talking about winter holidays. I just want you to be in the loop! So here's a look at what I've got lined up in calendar order. Hope you'll make it to a show or two on the list to say hello, and if you're not near any of these shows, hope you'll find a local place to shop handmade this holiday season or do some shopping on Etsy! 

Art in the Park

Saturday, November 13 • 10a-4p

Ypsilanti Community/Senior Center

1015 N Congress

Ypsilanti, MI

Crafty Supermarket

Saturday, November 20 • 11a-6p

Clifton Cultural Arts Center

3711 Clifton Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45220

Flint Handmade Holiday Craft Market

Saturday, November 27 • 10a-6p

Rowe Professional Building

540 South Saginaw St.

Flint, MI

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

Saturday, December 4 • 10a-7p 

& Sunday December 5 • 11a-6p

Fillmore Detroit
2115 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI

Cleveland Bazaar Bizarre

Saturday, December 11 • 12-9p

& Sunday, December 12 • 12-6p

78th Street Studios

1301 West 78th Street

Cleveland, OH 44102

MittenMade Holiday Craft Show

Saturday, December 18 • 11a-6p

Blue House Ann Arbor

1026 S. Main Street

Ann Arbor, MI

Soup for Bones: Get out the Vote!

Voting booth at Detroit Soup. Photo by Vanessa Miller

There seems to be a bit of a trend going on using soup to raise dollars — more specifically soup dinners that raise money for micro-grants for creative projects. I know of three in this area alone that all seem to work around the same model: $5 gets you soup and the opportunity to hear about some cool creative project proposals. You then cast your vote for one of the projects and the one with the most votes receives the proceeds from the event. Here's a little peak:

1. Detroit Soup

This one is held the first Sunday of every month in Mexicantown in Detroit. During dinner, attendees hear about a number of proposals for creative projects and then cast a vote. The dinner generally raises between $300-$500. Check 'em out on Facebook, too.

Next event: Sunday, November 7

Above Mexicantown Bakery: 4330 West Vernor Street, Detroit

Doors open at 7 p.m. with dinner at 8 p.m. 

Carrot-ginger soup with a citrus-beet reduction garnish at Soup at Spaulding

2. Soup at Spaulding

This one is a weekly dinner on Thursday nights, "raising seed money for cool projects happening throughout Corktown and Detroit." Each week, three projects are pitched and the proceeds are split between the one with the most votes and the Friends of Spaulding Court. But it continues beyond the dinner: A video of the winning presentation is posted on Kickstarter and they try to raise an equal amount of money there to what was brought in from the dinner. (If you're not familiar with Kickstarter, it is an amazing site that has introduced a new, creative and easy way for people and projects to fundraise. Check it out!) They have an active Facebook page and weekly event pages that includes info about the menu, upcoming proposals and more. 
Next event: Thursday, November 4

Spirit of Hope, 1519 MLK Jr Blvd (corner of MLK and Trumbull)
Dinner at 7 p.m., presentations at 8 p.m., voting at 8:30 p.m.

3. Soup Stock

Hosted by the Love Factory Collective, this one may be a bit less than monthly, but it is also a soup event where in return for a bowl of soup, you get to vote on creative project proposals. In the spring they helped fund a road trip by a pair of filmmakers from Ann Arbor to Alaska to Argentina. Find out how to submit your proposal here.
Next event: TBD date & location

So get out there and support your creative community — the soup's on! 

A little bit of sanity

It's been a zoo around here

Well, a menagerie at least... Here's a peak at some of the animals that I've been  working on this week for various projects:

These silly guys are now available in the shop in card sets for the holidays.

One little red fox from one little red fox

This little fellow was on the front page of Etsy yesterday and I just can't stop thinking about him. Made by OneLittleRedFox, I love the variety of textures and patterns this young French artist uses. Mr. Fox (James, the geeky red fox, as he is known in the woods) has such a sweet and wise face and the glasses and bow tie take the cake. He is already on his way to some other lucky person's home, but I've got my eye on this shop!

Come get crafty at Blue House!

I was going to start this post by saying that now that it's getting cold out, isn't it time to find a new activity to occupy you while sitting cozy inside on a blustery day sipping cocoa? But then… it happens to be close to 70ºF here today. But we all know those days are coming soon enough! If you're in the Ann Arbor and are interested in that cozy indoor activity perfect for blustery winter days, why not learn to knit? I just so happen to be teaching a couple of workshops at Blue House Ann Arbor in the coming months.

Knit One

Just the basics to get you started: Learn to cast on, knit and cast off.

• Sunday, October 31: 1 - 3 p.m.

• Monday, November 8: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Knit One.2

Did you take Knit One but ned a little help remembering what to do next? Need a little refresher or helping starting a project? No problem, this session will get you back on track and started on an easy knitted hat that you can finish in time for the worst of the chilly Michigan winter.

• Tuesday, November 30 • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

And if knitting's not you're thing, don't worry! There are plenty of other workshops to suit a wide range interests. 

• Learn to sew with uber-crafty Amanda Schott of Dang Argyle 

• Sign up for one of the new metal jewelry design classes with the oh-so-talented Courtney Fischer 

• Experience an amazing printmaking workshop with Marcy Davy of All Things Grow 

Check out the full listing of workshops on the Blue House web site!

And if you're not that into taking a class or don't have time, you can find handmade items from all of these artists in the consignment area at Blue House. Okay, that's my plug for today. As you can tell, I am smitten with the BH and want everyone to know it!