tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35021236389610930082024-03-13T14:42:41.249-05:00With a FlourishWith a Flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192097427817743986noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-51065168674140363692010-12-10T09:28:00.000-06:002010-12-10T09:28:14.591-06:00Best I've Read (this week)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each week I come across so much online each week that I can't wait to to share... so I'm not! (waiting, that is...) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TQJGgR_N8EI/AAAAAAAAAgw/nWz3fIGVO_I/s1600/LightTree1_120910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TQJGgR_N8EI/AAAAAAAAAgw/nWz3fIGVO_I/s320/LightTree1_120910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture via </span></em><a href="http://www.amerrymishapblog.com/2010/12/mail.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Merry Mishap</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">, via </span></em><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/diy/a-holiday-tree-made-of-lightsa-merry-mishap-134454" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Apartment Therapy</span></em></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some online goodies that made me happy as I stumbled across them this week... hope they make you happy too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/12/2010-gift-guides-crafts.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crafty Gift Guide</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. 'Cause we all know you can never have enough projects going on at once </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://blog.designpublic.com/2010/12/07/organization-wedesday-the-wrapping-closet/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful Gift Wrapping closet</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... who has room for this?! Ah, we can dream... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Loving these holiday ideas: </span><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/diy/a-holiday-tree-made-of-lightsa-merry-mishap-134454" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2D Tree of Lights</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (amazing how something simple can be so pretty!) and the trend in </span><a href="http://www.designmom.com/2010/11/ask-design-mom-potted-christmas-trees/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potted Christmas Trees</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (found via </span><a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-decorating-plans.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Green Notebook</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/diy-foot-balm/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DIY Foot Balm</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - great gift idea, even if just for yourself</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-66464026312829567972010-12-08T11:03:00.000-06:002010-12-08T11:03:02.777-06:00Words of Wisdom: Passing Time<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've mentioned a </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2010/03/well-said-do-what-you-love.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">few</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2010/09/beautiful-inspiration.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">times</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2008/10/quotation-inspiration.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that I have a thing for quotations... just came across this one and love it... hope you do too!</span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5244400888/" title="Passing Time and Fear by withflourish, on Flickr"><img alt="Passing Time and Fear" border="0" height="265" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5244400888_599a204e80.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-41204311113766565842010-12-07T12:52:00.000-06:002010-12-07T12:52:16.852-06:00Yummy Matzo<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roommates over the years found it strange, but I've always liked <a href="http://www.manischewitz.com/products/matzo/matzo.php" target="_blank">Matzo</a>, as far as crackers go. As a kid we'd have it in our tomato soup (instead of more 'traditional' saltines or oyster crackers) - it has the perfect light taste + crunchy texture. And that's as far as my Matzo enjoyment has ever gone... until now.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over at </span><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kitchn</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I came across this </span><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/sweets/recipe-chocolate-toffee-matzo-candy-047589" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recipe for toffee & chocolate-covered matzo</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The post explains "We call it matzo crack. It's just that addictive." Um, sign me up. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TP6BLWvb7UI/AAAAAAAAAgs/z1VV4yQbiyI/s1600/2008_04_09-MatzohCrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TP6BLWvb7UI/AAAAAAAAAgs/z1VV4yQbiyI/s320/2008_04_09-MatzohCrack.jpg" width="252" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Picture from </span></em><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/sweets/recipe-chocolate-toffee-matzo-candy-047589" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Kitchn</span></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its perfect timing, too... this weekend we're headed to the 'burbs to celebrate Hanukkah with aunts, uncles, and cousins. My dad's side of the family is Jewish & though its not the most traditional celebration (Christmas trees are involved), it always includes lots of yummy latkes with applesauce. (Everyone leaves their coats in the car, or else you'll smell like latkes for weeks! :) The gift exchanges are really just for the kids, but I always like to bring a little something for the adults... and this will be the perfect little treat! </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-22048885331947581522010-12-06T09:41:00.000-06:002010-12-06T09:41:24.433-06:00Paper Gift Topper (with a side of amazing)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm working to wrap the gifts for my young cousins & second cousins and was looking for ideas as to how to label/ decorate the boxes... and came across <a href="http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/2010/07/paper-gift-topper.html" target="_blank">this project from The Crafts Department</a> over at Martha Stewart. Seriously - how amazing is this?!</span><br />
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<a 07="" 2010="" href="http://www.blogger.com/href=" http:="" imageanchor="1" paper-gift-topper.html?="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TP0DRO1JAjI/AAAAAAAAAgo/wCcLVlrZZ6Q/s320/gift-topper-345x360.jpg" width="306" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know that I have the patience to do this on my own, but I love the end result. This would also be a cute way to create the labels for a buffet or appetizers for a Shower. So inspiring!</span> <br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS - In case you missed it, my </span></em><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2007/12/holly-giftwrap.html"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jinglebell-and-holly present toppers</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from a few years ago! </span></em>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-4162460904098153242010-11-22T08:00:00.004-06:002010-11-22T09:27:57.214-06:00Cranberry Holiday Decor<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across these gorgeous topiaries via </span><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/entertaining/ocean-spray-not-just-for-eating-132849" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apartment Therapy</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - wouldn't they make great decorations for this time of year?! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TOmEg3dr0HI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ITepOU7Hpw0/s1600/cranberry.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TOmEg3dr0HI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ITepOU7Hpw0/s320/cranberry.bmp" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd be curious as to how long these would last - I know you can make garlands out of cranberries, to hopefully that means that the effort to make the topiaries (it does seem a <em>bit</em> tedious...) would make for a long-lasting display?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not normally a big fan of <i>eating</I> cranberries (the slimy canned cranberry sauce totally creeps me out, though I know lots of people love it!), but this </span><a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001673146#" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recipe for Cranberry and Pumpkin muffins</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> may just help me change my mind! Doesn't that sound yummy?</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-77638065553446855092010-11-09T10:08:00.000-06:002010-11-09T10:08:23.755-06:00Amazing Lamp Tramsformation<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across this amazing project over on </span><a href="http://www.dwellingsbydevore.com/2010/02/chandelier-reveal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dwellings by DeVore</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - she took these old lamps and some shades (both thrift finds)... </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TNlwHv_rEUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/9pZMKd33DtI/s1600/lamps1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TNlwHv_rEUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/9pZMKd33DtI/s320/lamps1.jpg" width="320" /></img></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And created these! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TNlwQ9YLy_I/AAAAAAAAAgc/HbvA913O16U/s1600/lamps2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TNlwQ9YLy_I/AAAAAAAAAgc/HbvA913O16U/s320/lamps2.jpg" width="240" /></img></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazing, right?! Reminds me a little bit of </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2009/12/chandelier-love.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these ones</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I was fawning over last year... </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-58427831390639354402010-11-02T08:27:00.009-05:002010-11-02T08:30:06.288-05:00Supper Club: Game Night<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe I am going to admit this, but my parents were right. See, when I was a teenager and my friends and I would complain that there is <em>nothing to do</em>, they'd suggest we play a game. And we'd roll our eyes and laugh and them, because that was just soooo dorky. Now, as an adult (when did that happen?!), I see the error of my ways and love a good Game Night!</span><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The food part of a Game Night can be pretty simple, or you can focus on appetizers/ small plates that can be shared during the game playing. </span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5139155341/" title="Game Night by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Game Night" border="0" height="254" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/5139155341_ed783a197c.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The favorite games among my friends?! </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Brothers-5712-Electronic-Phrase/dp/B001RNFQNK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288704406&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catch Phrase</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is always fun and is great for a group. I like that it is a good ice breaker if everyone doesn't know one another well. My personal favorite is </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cranium-101090000-100E-Pop-5/dp/B000EBFPS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1288704271&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cranium Pop 5</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - this game is so much fun, you must try it! In the original Cranium, you had to perform the task (hum, draw, sculpt, act) your team landed on while traveling around the board, but in this version you get to choose what to do - the creative freedom is hilarious!</span><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS - sorry I've been a bit MIA around here... but thanks for sticking around! I have big plans in store!!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-64898731782442646002010-10-20T10:02:00.000-05:002010-10-20T10:02:58.950-05:00Fall is Here<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a huge fan of the winter or cold weather. Which is unfortunate, given that I live in Chicago. Just this week the weather really turned and we seem to be officially in Fall. The weather isn't so bad <i>yet</i>, but I'm mourning the long winter ahead... but these pretty flowers spotted at Pike's Place Market this summer are helping to cheer me up for now! </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5099746144/" title="Peonies by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Peonies" border="0" height="332" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/5099746144_21c255a179.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The market was filled with gorgeous goodies of all kinds, but the flower vendors had me mesmerized by their buckets and buckets of gorgeous blooms. Peonies just always seem so happy and luxurious to me... all those fabulous fluffy petals! </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-88200884124237350992010-10-18T16:51:00.001-05:002010-10-18T16:53:44.568-05:00Supper Club: Look to Restaurants for Inspiration<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm becoming a better cook with practice, but often I get stumped just trying to think of what to make. (Worrying about my ability to actually make it comes next! ;) A trick that works for me is to look to our favorite restaurants and steal ideas from their menu... and that's how we came up with one of my favorite appetizers to serve guests: bruchetta with a twist. </span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5094318491/" title="Non-Traditional Bruchetta by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Non-Traditional Bruchetta" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5094318491_396d66a3a2_m.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></center><center><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">forgive the bad phone photo... </span></em></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are super easy to make and are really yummy. Our favorite combinations are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Brie and Apples</strong> - slice both thinly, then put the brie down, the apples on top. Top with a little bit of black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Ricotta, Pistachios, and Honey: </strong>just like it sounds - so simple! OK, the pistachios always need to be de-shelled, so there is <em>some</em> work needed... </span><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just slice french bread, brush with olive oil, and bake at 350 for ~10 minutes so its nice and crisp (adjust time/ temp if you like your bread softer). Then add the toppings and you're done!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-67601864540931539052010-10-12T08:39:00.001-05:002010-10-12T08:40:34.698-05:00Supper Club: Do Brunch Instead<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At certain times of the year, it can be next to impossible to find a weekend night where a whole group of friends will all be in town and have no plans... this summer was like that with our Supper Club groups and I know that we'll have a similar situation as we get into the holiday season and all the guests, parties, and trips they always entail. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TLRjeAT8TXI/AAAAAAAAAgA/M8lXPyV9vOA/s1600/waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TLRjeAT8TXI/AAAAAAAAAgA/M8lXPyV9vOA/s1600/waffle.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/groovehouse/108294615/" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">groovehouse</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (Flickr)</span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's a Supper Club to do? Meet for Brunch! We recently did this with some friends and it was great - we got to hang out and catch up, and everyone got to have a yummy breakfast to start their day - win-win! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><u><br />The Menu:</u></em></span> <br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li>Waffles: I used <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=48f69b04d1f8b110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default" target="_blank">this Martha Stewart</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> recipie - I used (for the second time) the waffle maker we got as a wedding gift... 5 years ago!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waffle Toppings: Strawberries (add some sugar to the fresh berries and let sit for a few hours - this will create a natural syrup - yum!), </span><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/banana-caramel-sauce" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caramel Bananas</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (this was sooo good), Whipped Cream, Butter and Syrup</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scrambled Eggs</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sausage, Bacon, Turkey Bacon... how much meat and the variety will depend on your group</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toast, Bagels, etc... one of our friends contributed with some fresh bagels and cream cheese </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To drink: Coffee, OJ, Mimosas </span></li>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this Martha Stewart</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thats it! It was pretty easy to pull together, but was such a fun, delicious way to start the day.</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-64510369455711165682010-10-08T10:11:00.000-05:002010-10-08T10:11:32.089-05:00Photo "Tile' Wall Art<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2010/10/spark-of-creativity.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">last week</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I teased with a picture, promising a reveal as to what I had done with it. I considered just blowing it up, but since that could be expensive and also just <i>too simple</i>, I decided to split it into individual 4x6" photos and hang a 'tile' art piece on the wall in our dining area:</span>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5062587380/" title="Photo Tile Wall Art by withflourish, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Tile Wall Art" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5062587380_2590795edc.jpg" width="332" /></a></center>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curious to see the work-in-progress? I had the original photo (which I took) and then split it into 36 parts in photoshop, giving me this:</span>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5062564820/" title="Photo Tile - Pieces by withflourish, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Tile - Pieces" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5062564820_6020a3f985.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then had the 36 pictures developed at my local drug store and bought a bunch of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/96471400" target="_blank">Ikea Clips</a> frames (at $0.99 for 4, such a steal!) - I wanted the frames to be almost invisible and visually disappear, so I knew these would perfectly do the trick. Then I sat down in front of some trashy reality tv (not required, but helps the time go by!) and put my pictures into the frames. I carefully labeled each one of the 36 pictures with the row (1-6) and column number (1-6) where it belonged - each assembled frame ended up with a post-it note labeled something like "2,3" (2nd row, 3rd column). </span>
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5061961517/" title="Photo Tile- Work in Progress by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photo Tile- Work in Progress" border-0="" border="0" height="332" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/5061961517_6334a7c623.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I could hang the (many) frames, I had to determine where each one would go. I gathered my supplies: painters tape (I used the width to measure the gaps between frames), my laser level (invaluable for this project), a measuring tape, and a hammer and nails. I determined where the middle-top of the whole thing would go and then measured from there.</span>
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5062572050/" title="Photo Tile- Work in Progress by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photo Tile- Work in Progress" border="0" height="326" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5062572050_7b1ecff616.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the paper that came in the frames as a measuring guide and did a row at a time. As I comleted marking off each row, I hung the frames for each row to determine where the nail would go - the clips weren't always perfectly centered, so I could ensure that the nail was in the right spot to make it hang straight. I then took down the frames until everything was marked and all nails in the wall. Then... almost done!</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take down all the tape and hang the frames, and it's complete!</span>
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5062564570/" title="Photo Tile on the Wall by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photo Tile on the Wall" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5062564570_15d7a61bb8_m.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></center><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5061979437/" title="Photo Tile Wall Art by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photo Tile Wall Art" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5061979437_47f3f3aca3.jpg" width="413" /></span></a></center>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-7407180615246899422010-10-06T07:00:00.001-05:002010-10-06T07:00:02.078-05:00Supper Club follow-up: Sushi Decor<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday we talked about <i>making</i> sushi, but we're not done yet... your guests need to be able to sit at the table and enjoy their creations! When serving sushi you have to make sure each person has their own dipping bowl for soy sauce- I love these ones from </span><a href="http://crateandbarrel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crate and Barrel</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<center style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5053970273/" title="(Non Traditional) Sushi Accessories by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="(Non Traditional) Sushi Accessories" border="0" height="313" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5053970273_afb419c892.jpg" width="421" /></span></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clockwise from top: </span></em><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/outlet/serving-pieces/rectangular-dish/s663654" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rectangular Dish</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, </span></em><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/individual-bowls/blue-square-dipping-bowl/s600167#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Square Dipping Bowls</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, and </span></em><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/individual-bowls/deep-sauce-dish/s438359" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Deep Sauce Dish</span></em></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the small white ones, which we bought for this purpose... but I actually end up using them more than I expected whenever I need a small dish (they're great for holding olive oil you need to brush onto dough, etc). In general, I tend to buy all white so I can change my accessories and color theme easily, but love those colored ones too! I also got a couple of the longer dishes for putting out wasabi and ginger for the table to share. </span></div><table border="0"><tbody>
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</span><br />
<a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/07/diy-project-template-from-twig-thistle/" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TKtDsQ6nshI/AAAAAAAAAf8/wHsS6R0zQnM/s200/amyatlastwigthistlechopsticks1-700x700.jpg" width="190" /></span></a><br />
<center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Picture via </em></span><a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/07/diy-project-template-from-twig-thistle/" target="_Blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Amy Atlas</em></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></center></td><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" valign="top"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, no party would be complete without some craftiness! No need for fancy chopsticks, but replace the paper wrapper with something pretty... how gorgeous are these ones from </span><a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/07/diy-project-template-from-twig-thistle/" targte="_Blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Atlas</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?! (Created by </span><a href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twig and Thistle</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). Follow the link for instructions, or use this alternate version from </span><a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/08/kid-craft-chopstick-holders.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zakka Life</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For decor, I love the idea of making some paper cranes (you can find instructions </span><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4824867_fold-origami-crane.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), a Japanese symbol of long life, prosperity and good health. It would be adorable to leave one at each place setting, or make a bunch, string them up, and hang from the ceiling over the table... Here are some great </span><a href="http://anythingnoteverything.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/the-damn-birds-1000-origami-cranes/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">instructions for stringing cranes</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from a bride who made 1000 for her wedding(!).</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5054590034/" title="Strings of Hanging Cranes by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Strings of Hanging Cranes" border="0" height="412" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5054590034_9fb4def254.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Top: </span><a href="http://cheap-wedding-planning.blogspot.com/2009/10/real-wedding-anna-bruno.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cheap Wedding Planning</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, <br />
Bottom: </span><a href="http://woodwardandrick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Woodward + Rick Photographers</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> via </span><a href="http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/hanging-out/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wedding Paper Divas</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> and </span><a href="http://greenweddingshoes.com/hanging-paper-cranes-and-more/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Green Wedding Shoes</span></a></i></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you're inspired to have your own sushi party... if you do, I'd love to see pictures!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-10449295472856236052010-10-04T09:59:00.000-05:002010-10-04T09:59:44.451-05:00Supper Club: Roll Your Own Sushi<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenkieb/3078538490/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TKnaq4tKeSI/AAAAAAAAAf0/YwEjcsVWS40/s400/sushi3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenkieb/3078538490/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Frenkieb</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (Flickr)</span></i></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have our friends Chris & Maura to thank for this idea... they had a Sushi Making Party for one of our Supper Club get-togethers and it was so much fun! Rolling sushi is one of those things I had heard people do at home, but I had never tried it before... but is was so much easier than I expected and was a fun hands-on party. Everyone made rolls and then we put them on a big platter in the middle of the table and were able to enjoy one another's creations - yum!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supplies/ Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <strong><em>Sushi Rolling Mat</em></strong>: we only had 2 for 6 people and were fine to share... I've seen instructions online for rolling without mats (use fabric & put saran wrap over it to prevent sticking), but the mats made it feel so much more authentic and were fun to use</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <strong><em>Nori</em></strong>: seaweed sheets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <strong><em>Sushi Rice</em></strong>: its important that you use rice labeled to be for sushi, so that it is sticky enough for the job. Traditionally, the rice is made with vinegar (here's a </span><a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/rice/sushi-meshi-vinegared-rice/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recipe from Better Homes & Gardens</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <strong><em>Fillings</em></strong> for your sushi... our friends went to a local fish market and were given advice on what seafood to use. Don't forget the veggies too! I don't eat seafood, but love avocado, cucumber, asparagus and carrots in my sushi rolls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* A <strong><em>bowl of water</em></strong> near where you'll be making the rolls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <strong><em>Soy sauce</em></strong> and <strong><em>wasabi</em></strong> (Japanese horseradish) for dipping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Optional: toasted sesame seeds and fish eggs (for the outside of your inside-out rolls), tempura crispies (look at a local Asian market) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instructions:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Make sure your sushi mat is clean (you'll want to rinse it off between making rolls) & then place a piece of nori on it, shiny-side down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Put 1/2-2/3 cup of rice on the nori and spread it around very thin. You can use your hands or a flat wooden spoon, but use the bowl of water to keep your hands wet to prevent the rice from sticking. Be sure to leave about 1/2 an inch at the top empty and free of rice</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/futureshape/4342051998/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Sushi from above by futureshape, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sushi from above" border="0" height="246" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4342051998_fc7baf8970.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Picture from </span></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/futureshape/4342051998/" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">futureshape</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (Flickr)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Place your desired fillings across the mat, about 1/3 up from the bottom edge. You can even have your fillings stick out the ends for a fancy effect once cut. :)</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.Using the rolling mat, begin to tightly roll the sushi. Start at the side nearest to you, and roll away from you. Make sure you don’t roll the rolling mat into your sushi... as you get the mat to the point where it would be rolled into the rice, roll it backwards upon itself. See </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenkieb/3089570956/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this video</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for an example, its much easier to see it done than explain it in words! The most important thing is that you roll the sushi tightly - keep a lot of pressure on your mat and sushi as you roll to ensure a tight roll that will be easier to cut and eat. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table><tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/estr/2414550663/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Homemade "Sushi" by estrr, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Homemade "Sushi"" border="0" height="320" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2414550663_c4e3a814a3.jpg" width="270" /></a></span><td valign=top><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Before you get to the end (where you left the nori uncovered by rice), use your fingers to put some water on that exposed edge - this will help the edge of the nori to stick to itself when rolled. When the sushi is completely rolled, use the rolling mat to give the sushi a final squeeze so it does not unroll when you are trying to cut it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.Cut your roll into pieces, depending on how thick you like your sushi. If you're having trouble with the rice sticking to the knife, it can also help to wet your knife between cuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Enjoy your creation!</span></td></tr></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want an inside-out roll (where the rice is on the outside), just flip the nori over between steps 2 & 3. You can then put some sesame seeds on the rice after rolling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Still want more instructions and examples? I liked these tutorials:</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://sushiday.com/archives/2006/10/26/how-to-roll-maki-sushi/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SushiDay</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipes/fish/basics/how-to-roll-sushi/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better Homes & Gardens</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span><a href="http://makemysushi.com/index.php/How-to-make-sushi/classic-roll.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make my Sushi</span></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-7420549732545488352010-10-01T08:51:00.002-05:002010-10-01T08:51:45.823-05:00A Spark of Creativity<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember when I said that I loved the idea of an </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2010/05/focal-point-oversize-art.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oversized focal point</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Well, below is a sneak peek of a project I've been working on & will share with you next week:</span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5041832910/" title="Sparkler by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sparkler" border="0" height="332" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5041832910_ea7b46407a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you have a wonderful weekend!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-9282391988885712302010-09-30T09:08:00.003-05:002010-09-30T09:11:04.778-05:00Handmade Holidays: time to start?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, while at screenprinting class, our teacher showed an example of some fabric she's been decorating to use in a quilt she has been working on... that will be a Christmas gift. The holidays? Already?<br />
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Her comment kinda shocked me (I'm still pretending that summer isn't over!), but she has the right idea... might as well get started now so its not a mad dash at the last second and you dont have to assemble gifts in the backseat of the car on the way to your aunt's family gathering. Not that I was doing that last year as J drove us to the suburbs... anyhoo... <br />
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So now I'm inspired to get started on my projects. Though the first step is to choose what I want to make! I came across these felted stuffed animals from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stuffed-animals-how-to" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a> I bookmarked a while ago and think this little pig is too cute to pass up any longer (love that tail!).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designscouting.com/2008/12/03/my-handmade-christmas-stuffed-wool-animals/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TKSX28KgIxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/8Iz_SRGeBss/s320/3080270095_24b5d8f518.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture from </span></em><a href="http://www.designscouting.com/2008/12/03/my-handmade-christmas-stuffed-wool-animals/" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abbey Goes Design Scouting</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>. Adorable.</em> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone else planning to make gifts for the holidays? Would love to hear what you're planning... I need ideas!<br />
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(PS: <a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2009/11/craftiness-handmade-holidays.html">here</a> are some of the projects from last year!) </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-59021571680495589532010-09-29T10:36:00.001-05:002010-09-29T10:37:52.902-05:00Fabric Painting for Non-Painters: Freezer Paper Stencil<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often feel like items I sew or buy need a little <em>something</em> extra... I do know how to screenprint, but often what I want to do is a one-time project, so I need a simpler approach. My favorite go-to technique is using a Freezer Paper Stencil. Ridiculously simple and inexpensive, I recently used it to decorate a canvas bag I was giving my cousin with her birthday present inside. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><u>Supplies:</u></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Design you want to stencil onto the item - I chose to do her first initial, so printed out a big, fancy "R". (For this technique, pick something relatively simple in black & white)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Freezer Paper - you can find it at your local grocery store near the plastic wrap and aluminum foil... but be sure to buy freezer paper, not waxed paper!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Pen/ Pencil/ Marker</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Scissors or an exacto knife to cut out your design</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Fabric Paint</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Paintbrush (I like the foam brushes)</span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5035749953/" title="Freezer Paper Stencil by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Freezer Paper Stencil" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5035749953_1f96101bac.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><u>Instructions:</u></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Print out your design... here you can see the "R" I used (Chopin Script, for anyone who is interested!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I place the printout under the freezer paper (<strong><em>shiny side down!</em></strong>) & trace around the edges with a pen/ marker. You want to trace around the outside edges of all printed (black, in my example) areas. The freezer paper has wax on one side (the shiny side), so you want to be sure that this is the 'back' of your stencil. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. One I have the design on the freezer paper, cut on the lines: you'll end up removing the printed/ black areas, so that all is left is everything <em>except</em> the design you want to paint. The really neat thing about this approach is that you can have 'floating' areas, like inside the top of the "R" - with a traditional stencil, all pieces need to be connected, so this is a great perk of the freezer paper stencil. </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5035749959/" title="Freezer Paper Stencil Steps by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Freezer Paper Stencil Steps" border="0" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5035749959_67442f04ba_b.jpg" width="485" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Once the design is cut out, iron the freezer paper stencil you just created onto the fabric, using the warmest setting available for your fabric. Make sure that you place it exactly where you want to apply the design, and pay special attention to the edges to make sure that there is a good bond between the fabric and stencil. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Paint in the design! Paint over all the open areas (where your fabric is exposed) - I like to do two coats (letting them dry completely in-between)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Let the paint dry completely and then peel off your freezer paper stencil</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost done... Read the instructions on your fabric paint for how to make it permanent - normally you need to heat-set (iron) the paint after its been applied to ensure it wont wash off. Then, admire your finished product! </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5035750003/" title="Finished Bag by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Finished Bag" border="0" height="487" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5035750003_c89b4b501b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So cute... and so much better than the plain bag!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-49480272537224771902010-09-28T12:31:00.002-05:002010-09-28T12:33:14.990-05:00Beautiful Inspiration<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a soft spot for quotations and inspirational words... as a teenager I paint-penned them around my room on my inexpensive shelves (as you imagine, didn't really look quite as cool as I pretended!). </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These days I fulfill the need for inspirational words and pretty things together with inspirational posters/ prints - our home office is covered in them and while my husband would argue that we have more than enough, I just don't see how that could ever be possible. To compromise, I sometimes 'window' shop online... as I'm doing over at </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/evajuliet?ref=top_trail" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eva Juliet</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s etsy shop (which I just found via </span><a href="http://to-be-charmed.com/2010/09/26/do-i-have-to-choose/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Be Charmed</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). How lovely are these prints?! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a target=_blank href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55457345/never-too-late-13x19-pep-art-collection" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TKIlZAL2PNI/AAAAAAAAAfs/F552ctYtzW8/s400/neverTooLate.jpg" width="300" alt="Never Too Late, by Eva Juliet"/></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a target=_blank href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55595649/make-it-happen-13x19-pep-art-collection" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TKIlYmxAX7I/AAAAAAAAAfo/Nh7c8ondmI0/s400/makeItHappen.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-27809049219195869232010-09-27T10:42:00.000-05:002010-09-27T10:42:24.481-05:00Supper Club: Keep it Simple!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we first started having Supper Club get-togethers, I was stressed out about my first hosting. See, I don't really cook. I've gotten better over the years as I've had more occassions and practice (Last year I served Easter dinner for 10, with a ham & lamb! Serious progress!), but having people over makes me feel like I need to prepare a Martha Stewart-worthy spread. Which of course would be amazing, but certainly has not always been within my reach. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5030187406/" title="Baked Ziti by withflourish, on Flickr"><img alt="Baked Ziti" border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5030187406_6b809fda3e_m.jpg" width="202" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image via </span></em><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lasagna-style-baked-ziti-10000001123648/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Real Simple</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">, picture by Petrina Tinslay</span></em></span></div></td><td></td><td valign="top"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing is, your friends are coming over to see you, not judge your cooking! They want to chat and share a meal (with my friends, and some wine!) and hang out. So my advice to you is not to stress out too much over the food... make an old standby that you know turns out well - nobody (except your significant other!) will know that its your 'go to' dish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite meal is </span><a href="http://http//www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lasagna-style-baked-ziti-10000001123648/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Baked Ziti recipe from Real Simple, though I normally make it without the meat (I'm veggie) and prefer to use a Campanelle pasta (the ruffled edge & loose spiral are great in a baked dish). I'm a huge baked pasta fan for dinner parties - you can make it ahead of time (and it often tastes better if you do!) and then it can be baking as your guests arrive, making sure that you can hang out and mingle instead of slaving over the stove. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note, I think that Real Simple has great, <i>simple</i> (pun intended) recipes for anyone just starting to cook. Plus the reviews and comments are invaluable when choosing something worthwhile to try. </span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We typically have the host family provide the main course, and then others help bring sides/ appetizers/ dessert/ wine... two of my favorite appetizers are an </span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/ricotta-herb-spread-00000000012927/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herbed Ricotta spread</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (seriously so easy - literally just ricotta and herbs)- in the summer I have fresh herbs in the backyard, so its basically the simplest, cheapest - yet super yummy! - thing to make. The other favorite (which I've mentioned </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2008/03/fabulous-fondue.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) is a cheese fondue. Get some fruit, veggies, and bread for dipping, follow <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/cheese-fondue-10000000614072/index.html" target="_blank">this</a> easy recipe, and you're all set! </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/5029571273/" title="Fondue & Dippers by withflourish, on Flickr"><img alt="Fondue & Dippers" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5029571273_2b22444671.jpg" width="468" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So while I dont think you need to stress out about what exactly you're serving, I do think you need to set a nice table like grownups. Use real dishes and silverware, cloth napkins, and put out some flowers. No matter what you're serving, those small steps will really help show your guests that you care about them and want them to have a memorable evening. </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-52094677959792206622010-09-24T12:02:00.003-05:002010-09-24T12:04:05.802-05:00New Series: Supper Club!<table><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vasta/4934837106/" title="Lonely table. by vasta, on Flickr"><img align="left" alt="Lonely table." border="0" height="250" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4934837106_0c64a7b078_m.jpg" /></a></td><td rowspan="2" valign="middle"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love a good get-together - of course special occassions, showers, and parties are super fun, but really what we do most of are smaller, casual gatherings with a group of friends. We have two sets of friends (4 couples in each) that try to get together once a month... everyone is so busy, that its nice to have a little 'club' to help make sure we get to see one another. Sometimes we meet out at a restaurant, but mostly we just rotate around hosting and have one another over for dinner... especially in these tougher economic times, its nice for everyone to get to spend time with friends but not have the night cost a fortune! <br />
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SO... whats the reason I'm telling you all this?! </span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" valign="top"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vasta/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">vasta</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> on flickr</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
One of the topics that I love in real life and have been meaning to talk about more here is <strong><em>entertaining</em></strong>. So on Monday I'll be kicking off an 8-week series called...</span> </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TJzWYW9IIsI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Z-PKrrQcdrw/s1600/supperClub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="138" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TJzWYW9IIsI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Z-PKrrQcdrw/s320/supperClub.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every Monday for the next eight weeks (September 27 - November 16) I'll share menu and theme ideas, and hopefully will inspire you to host a Supper Club get-together of your own! </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-39053433749827959342010-06-21T10:23:00.000-05:002010-06-21T10:23:50.638-05:00Modern Floating Frames<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently came across these </span><a href="http://www.wexelart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wexel Art</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> acrylic frames on </span><a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/wexel-art-frames-117948" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ohdeedoh</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and can't get them out of my mind. </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4720701025/" title="Wexel Acrylic Frames by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wexel Acrylic Frames" border="0" height="372" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1093/4720701025_93b1587183.jpg" width="399" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They'd be great as a way to hang a collage of items (maybe from your wedding, new baby, travels...) but seem so much more modern to me than doing a shadowbox. Since the frame almost acts like a scrapbook page there no need to worry about having things displayed at different depths... so much simpler!</span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4721351582/" title="Wexel Acrylic Frames by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wexel Acrylic Frames" border="0" height="296" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/4721351582_becbc13b3e_o.jpg" width="399" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love the idea of splitting a picture with the Rasterbator (mentioned </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2010/05/focal-point-oversize-art.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) and doing a grid of frames with an 8x10 portion of the photo in each one.</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-37358415844429646172010-06-17T09:00:00.001-05:002010-06-17T09:00:00.248-05:00Natural Inspiration<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry for the spotty posting lately... I'm on vacation in the beautiful west (Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks) and am trying to spend as much time outdoors as possible, soaking it all up. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TBg0IV5MRTI/AAAAAAAAAfU/PAiP_irJvNM/s1600/DSC_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ygv4vm0dryU/TBg0IV5MRTI/AAAAAAAAAfU/PAiP_irJvNM/s640/DSC_0809.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isnt it gorgeous here?! I promise to be back full-time next week!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-10548369347276657372010-06-16T07:00:00.007-05:002010-06-16T07:00:03.919-05:00Magnetic Art Idea<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While staying at the adorable Boise Guest House, I loved the artwork hanging above the couch in our apartment (Boozer is also enjoying it!):</span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4705086358/" title="Magnetic Artwork Idea by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Magnetic Artwork Idea" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4705086358_7b961b895e.jpg" width="332" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking more closely, I realized that each individual square was actually a painted block (I'm pretty sure it was encaustic-style painting) with magnets on the back... what a cute idea to recreate at home! I love how the squares can easily be moved around, so your artwork can constantly be changing.</span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4705090902/" title="Magnetic Artwork Idea by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Magnetic Artwork Idea" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4705090902_1cbceff8f0.jpg" width="332" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4704447037/" title="Magnetic Artwork Idea by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img align="left" alt="Magnetic Artwork Idea" border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4704447037_2f430778de_m.jpg" width="159" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This could easily be recreated using a similar magnetic board - I am pretty sure that the metal board in the background is from Ikea, like </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10159443" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Get boards like </span><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/ampersand-gessobord/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (I like the 4x4 size) or even some </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/96471400" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">borderless frames</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and attache some </span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/messageBoards/accessories?productId=10007274&N=64182" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strong magnets</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to the back. To decorate the squares, different patterned papers or wallpaper scraps would be great, or even just paint them different solid colors and this would also be cute with some favorite photos. </span><br />
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Such a simple (and inexpensive!) idea, but such a big impact... my kind of project!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-18844624249819834462010-06-03T14:43:00.001-05:002010-06-03T14:44:22.879-05:00Business Advice<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been talking for years (literally <em>years</em>... almost 10!) about wanting to start my own business... and now that I am job-free, it is time to bite the bullet and see what I can do. Its exciting but also scary and overwhelming. Part of what makes it so hard is not knowing how to go about things... so of course I am turning to blogland for some guidance and inspiration. While I dont know anyone in 'real life' that has done what I am trying to do, but it helps to know that there are so many people sharing their stories out there!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some links I've had bookmarked for a while:</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4667244690/" title="Business Blogs by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Business Blogs " border="0" height="678" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4667244690_9b170407ac_b.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top to Bottom:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:: </span><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design Sponge</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s </span><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/biz-ladies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Biz Ladies</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:: </span><a href="http://www.modishblog.com/biztips/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modish Biz Tips</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (no longer being updated, but lots of good info there!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:: </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3502123638961093008#//venuszine.com/users/JennyHart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny Hart's posts</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on </span><a href="http://venuszine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">VenusZine</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (also older, but her </span><a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sublime Stitching</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is amazing, so have to check it out)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Etsy's</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Blog, </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/business/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Storque</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:: </span><a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/craft_business/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Craft Magazine's Blog</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any resources to share, I'd love to hear about them!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-12793806010998087462010-06-02T09:31:00.000-05:002010-06-02T09:31:27.296-05:00Craft Review: Memory Game<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just realized that I never gave an update on the Memory Game I made a </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2009/11/craftiness-handmade-holidays.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while ago</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (yes, as a Christmas gift!). I originally got the idea </span><a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2009/09/memory-game-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and as soon as I saw it knew it would be the perfect gift for my 5-year old cousin (really my cousin's child, but 'cousin' is so much easier to say! :). <br />
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Instead of different patterns, I used pictures of his family (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc) and their pets as the matching items and some patterned scrapbooking paper as the backing. </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4663495222/" title="Memory Game by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Memory Game" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4663495222_ed28d9447f.jpg" width="375" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key difference I made from the original idea was to use clear contact paper instead of mod podge. Actually, I used mod podge originally and it was horrible - everything ended up lumpy and kinda stuck together, plus it looked like a kindergarten project. (Ironically, I was making the gift for a kindergartener...) I am not an expert decoupager (is that even a word?!) by any means, so generally have trouble with the stuff (except for </span><a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2008/10/craftiness-halloween-pails.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this project</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), so wasn't really surprised. I ended up tearing the paper squares off the wood and starting over and was so happy I did - the contact paper was smooth and shiny and even added a layer of kid-proofing for dirty hands. <br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then made a drawstring bag (using <a href="http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2006/04/dsb_301_better_.html" target="_blank">this</a> pattern <a href="http://withflourish.blogspot.com/2008/11/craftiness-drawstring-bag-with-flower.html">again</a> - always works well!) to house the game. To finish things off, I printed "The Memory Game" and the instructions used some iron-on printer fabric (like </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Printed-Treasures-Inkjet-Fabric-Sheets/dp/B000A88LYO" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my local Joann's always has some by the Quilting section) and attached to each side of the bag. </span><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4663496546/" title="Memory Game by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Memory Game" border="0" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4663496546_5677f4e96c.jpg" width="375" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above is the recipient enjoying his new game. Turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502123638961093008.post-38458140258618894282010-05-27T08:00:00.005-05:002010-05-27T08:00:03.087-05:00Focal Point - Oversize Art<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently came across pictures of this living room on Apartment Therapy and fell in love with the large photograph over the couch:</span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4643280027/" title="Artwork Inspiration by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Artwork Inspiration" border="0" height="388" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4643280027_75bcdf2ab8_o.jpg" width="363" /></span></a><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pictures from "Genevieve and Maxwell's Mid Century Perch" House Tour on </span></em><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/house-tours/gen-and-maxs-minimalist-silver-lake-perchhouse-tour-094111" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apartment Therapy</span></em></a></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I may steal this idea for a wall in our kitchen/ dining area... currently some artwork that I painted is hung there, but don't really love it and have been trying to decide the right replacement. I can't afford a professional piece of art like shown above (House Tour comments indicate the photo is by Kelly Barrie), but this would be great (and even more meaningful!) to implement with a personal photo. </span><br><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think what would keep the same feel is to do something abstract. It could be fun to shake up a champagne bottle and see what shots you get out of it. Last summer a friend's wedding had sparklers as the bride and groom exited and they looked great in pictures - a close-up of the sparks would also make for a really neat shot. </span><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19354093@N05/4643894714/" title="Artwork Inspiration by withflourish, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Artwork Inspiration" border="0" height="305" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4643894714_283f647d0e_o.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To really make an impact, a key factor here is size - you need the photo to be big! I have used </span><a href="http://www.perfectposters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PerfectPosters</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the past and was happy with the result (glossy, photo-paper finish), but the print would also be great on a canvas like </span><a href="http://www.canvasondemand.com/canvas-sizes.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Or, try out </span><a href="http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Rasterbator</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (more info </span><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/the-rasterbator-huge-diy-artworkemail-from-52308-052497" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) for a print-at-home option - it will split your photo into 8.5x11 pieces that you just need to print separately and assemble!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790420956587570085noreply@blogger.com0