Sunday, January 31, 2010

Little Winter Woodlands Rabbit Happy Easter


Happy Bitten by the Bug 2 Monday blog hoppers. This week's challenge cut at BBTB2 is the Rabbit from Winter Woodlands. I had not used this rabbit cut before and I must say she is just adorable! I love the layered pieces and the potential for this cute little bunny. I used cat’s eye chalk to add depth to the edge of the top layer leg and head pieces.


I know that I have jumped the season a bit, but I combined the rabbit cut with the new Easter 2010. I used the Easter basket and eggs from the Easter cartridge, as well as the scalloped circle cut. I used my Copic markers to color the edge of the scalloped circle and to color the flowers and leaf cut out areas on the eggs and basket. I added pearl embellishments, including the black pearl for the Rabbit's eye. I used my usual black and white pens to add dotted embellies.


Do I even need to tell you that the Happy Easter cut came from the Easter cartridge???  Probably not.  I used the same chocolate brown paper for the word shadow as I used for the Rabbit, basket and bow shadows. And again I used a Copic marker on the top layer of cardstock to to match the color on the scallops.
 
 
I love the close up of the rabbit in the basket; she looks so sweet and so happy. 
 

The inside of the card is stamped with a curved Happy Easter stamp.  I have a confession:  I dropped the stamp as I was completing the stamp.  You will note the little smudge on the word Happy.  And finally, below is one last look at the card front.


Note:  The cut file has been added to the list of available cut files in the left column - WW & Easter Rabbit Card.

A Novel Romance 2010

More to come... but I have to go to bed... I'm pooped. :)


kathleen12


all2


sarah4


kathleen1


kathleen3


headband10


headband9


kathleen13


Head pieces, belt: Twigs & Honey
Models: Sarah Clements, Kathleen, Linda, and more names to come
Dresses: The English Dept.
Location: Ace Hotel
Flowers: Ink & Peat


hubby


The better half wearing a Pinkham Millinery custom fedora.
View more in my Flick folder HERE.

Look forward to Custo Barcelona F/W 2010 Collection

We can hardly wait to see the Custo Barcelona Fall/Winter 2010 Collection – especially after last season. Lucky for us – one of the design duos, Custo Dalmau shared some thoughts (and sketches!) of what is to come this season.

Cupcake Mag: It has been quite some time since the first printed t-shirts by Custo Barcelona - what is the secret to your brand's success?

Constantly re-thinking the creative process to produce designs that are new, exciting and representative of the Custo Barcelona DNA.

What was your inspiration for the collection this season?

Inspiration came from the beauty of precious gems and jewels.

Can you describe the collection in a few words?

Chic, sensual and adventurous.

Is Barcelona still your favorite city to live?

Yes. Barcelona has the energy and excitement that keeps the company growing.

What is the next big step for Custo Barcelona?

We are launching our children’s line for FW 2010/11, which is a big step for the brand. It is called CUSTO GROWING, and is a huge endeavor for Custo Barcelona, especially when other brands are downsizing. Like the adult line, GROWING features fun, flirty and colorful prints for girls and boys. There will be skirts, pants, jackets and t-shirts available.

Stay tuned for full coverage on the show in February!

A Pretty Boat House




Look at this pretty Boat House....so lovely and inviting. What a perfect spot for a Summer Holiday.


Image 1 & 2 - Mike Newling

A Pretty Boat House




Look at this pretty Boat House....so lovely and inviting. What a perfect spot for a Summer Holiday.


Image 1 & 2 - Mike Newling

Big Blog Candy Winner!!!!!!!!

Ok ladies, I have gone through, eliminated all double posts, and discounted posts after 11:59 pm last night. And I have a winner!!! Are you excited??!! I sure am!! Ok, here we go....from Random.org, here's what came up....


True Random Number ServiceRandom Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

96
Timestamp: 2010-01-31 20:27:42 UTC


Ok....now to go count! LOL! I'll be right back.....

Drum roll please....... THE WINNER IS........

Pam L!!!!


Pam L. said...
400 Followers! amazing. I am thrilled with my 66!LOL! I can't even imagine that many! Congrats.That tells me that you are already giving to your readers by posting your wonderful cards and projects. Thanks for sharing your talent and sweet personality with us!It's so generous of you to offer all of these wonderful crafting goodies!
Hugs,
Pam

January 11, 2010 4:34 PM

CONGRATS PAM!!!! Please email me your address so I can get all your goodies out to you. Also, please go over to The Cutting Cafe' and pick out which stamp set you would like to have, and then go to Peggy Loves Vintage and pick out your three sets of cut outs that you would like, and let me know!

A huge thank you to everyone that played along. Thank you so much for all your kind words and support! You are appreciated more than you will EVER know!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! Big hugs!

the Vessel. by lois

the Vessel. by lois is a collection by designer and model Lois Samuels that consists of garments for women, that draw inspiration from traditional menswear as well as the uniform.

The debut presentation for Spring/Summer 2010 was featured in WWD, The New York Times, Essence and Italian Vogue amongst others. The Collection will be presented during New York’s Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Week on Wednesday, February 10th 2010 in Chelsea with collaborations and sponsors such as Timex Watches, Colasuonno Designs (Jewelry), Young Blood Cosmetics, Cutler Salon.The collection is a blend that creates a clothing that is absolutely comfortable and undeniably feminine.

What others are saying about the Vessel.

“...Lois Samuels is banking on basic, comfortable, classic pieces - with simple silhouettes such as overalls and shift dresses which smack of nineties minimalism...” - WWD 9/10/09

“Jamaican-born former model Lois Samuels put an English accent on her menswear and uniform inspirations, creating a prim, tailored collection with an emphasis on the jumpsuit”. - WWD 9/10/09

“Drawing inspiration from traditional menswear, the Vessel by lois is for the woman, who appreciates understated sophistication”. - Essence Magazine

“A sophisticated dialogue of menswear inspired garments, very proper in a way- that grown women would wear, not just willowy Gossip Girl types.” - Lyra Magazine

About Lois: With a love for fashion and design from her early years. Lois entered the world of fashion as a model and travelled the fashion capitals working for designers as Lacroix, Miyake, Rucci and Givenchy. Her fashion education came through these amazing experiences and through her search for clothing that collaborated with her spirit and identity. Her first Collection presented a clean, simple and basic slate which she believes is the foundation of what fashion should represent - A reserved, comfortable and graceful look for any woman.

Stay tuned for our coverage on the show to come in February.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Peggy Loves Vintage contest!


Have you been wanting to try some images from Peggy Loves Vintage?? Well, nows your chance to win some free images! Just visit Peggy's blog and get the free image of this beautiful vintage heart (make sure you click on the heart first before you save it so you get it at full size). Then make a project with it and post a link on Peggy's blog (or email her a pic) before February 12th, and you could win 2 sets of cutouts from Peggy's store!! Fun stuff!!!! So hurry on over there and get your free image, and I can't wait to see what you come up with!


I printed the image out twice, once on kraft paper for the dark background, and once on white Bazzill so I could have the brighter pink heart in the center. I cut out the brighter pink heart, stamped it, and then popped it up from the background image after using a little chalk ink around the edges. It's also for sale in my etsy shop. Link is on my side bar.

Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and hope to see you back again soon!! Hugs!!

recipe:
image - Peggy Loves Vintage
paper - DP - Fancy Pants Letters of Love; kraft paper, Bazzill cardstock
tools: heart Nestabilities, Bow Easy
Misc: pink rhinestones, silk ribbon, charm, machine stitching, stickles, dimensional tape

Friday, January 29, 2010

Playing With New Toys


I was so happy to see UPS arrive at my door today bearing my Custom Crops order. In addition to some really pretty Valentine Paper I also received the Mother's Day cartridge. Initially I was not very excited about this cartridge, but upon closer inspection I discovered that it contains some really pretty cuts. And I discovered that it does not have to be all about mom.


As I looked at the pretty cuts, I noticed this really pretty floral vine. When I placed the cut on the mat in Design Studio I realized that when I turned the vine upside down it resembled a floral heart. Given that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I decided to make a card.


I used five colors of Core'dination cardstock to create this card: Jenni Bowlin Core Impressions embossed black, white washed red, white washed pink, plain white, and gold. I cut the shadow of the vine in plain white. I cut the vine cut twice, once in white washed red, once in white washed pink. I used scissors to trim away the flowers on the pink cut. I then attached the pink cut over the red cut. I used a 1/4 inch hole punch to create the gold flower centers. Finally I cut the tag, using the hide select contour feature, in black.

Intense Lasagna

I forgot the photo showing a thick slice of this gorgeous lasagna with a ladled scoop of Grandma's sauce over the top, sprinkled with freshly grated Parmigiana and chopped parsley and basil. If taste buds could sing a thousand pictures!

This lasagna contains a mix on Bobby Flay's Bolognese Sauce, Ricotta Mixture, Grandma's Tomato Sauce, Bobby Flay's Mornay Sauce and Assembly Instructions. Takes about 3 hours total, including cooking the bolognese in the oven but once you sink your teeth into this heavenly lasagna, the time will mean nothing.

How many of us continue making the same ingredient combinations for certain comfort food dishes? Lasagna being one of those essential family comfort foods. I use too. Then I hooked up with a friend whose family is from Italy and my thinking on all things pasta changed. So happy to finally look outside the box for what I thought was everyday cooking. It was Not. My Mom use to cook what my parents were able to afford for a large family and she is my biggest influence for cooking today.
The Intense Lasagna has everything to do with layers BUT not piling the same layers over-and-over. Each layer is important on its' own. You will have multi cheese layers in a sauce form but your ricotta cheese layer will be 1 layer and your Bolognese sauce meat layer will also be 1 layer in this lasagna.
Intense Lasagna
Bolognese Sauce:
4 T. olive oil
2 ham hocks, preferably smoked
1 to 1 1/2 pounds bone-in beef rump roast
1 pound pancetta, diced
fresh ground black pepper
salt
1 1/2 c. finely diced sweet or yellow onion
1/2 c. finely diced carrot
1/2 c. finely diced celery
6 whole garlic cloves
1 c. dry red wine
3 cups homemade beef stock
1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes and their juices
3 fresh sprigs rosemary
4 fresh sprigs thyme
5 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
1 c. tomato sauce, recipe follows
Chopped fresh parsley leaves
Chopped fresh basil leaves
Ricotta Mixture:
3 c. ricotta, strained in a cheesecloth lined strainer for at least 4 hours
2 large eggs
1/4 c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 T. chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmigiana-Reggiano
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Grandma's Tomato Sauce
7 cans (16-oz) Tomato sauce, preferably Hunts
1 can Tomato paste, again Hunts preferable
2 cans 912-oz) Diced tomatoes
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiana cheese
3 T. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
1/3 cup fresh Parsley chopped finely
1/3 cup fresh basil chopped finely
1 medium sweet onion finely chopped
2 celery stalks cleaned
1 whole carrot just peeled and cleaned
1 T. dried Oregano
2 Bay leaves, whole and dried
Mornay Sauce
2 T. unsalted butter
3 T. all-purpose flour
3 c. whole milk, heated
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3/4 c. fontina cheese
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmigiana cheese
Assembly:
2 T. unsalted butter
Mornay Sauce
1 pound lasagna noodles, (cooked in boiling, salted water until slightly under al dente, about 5 minutes)
Ricotta Mixture
Grated Parmigiana cheese
Fresh Basil Leaves
Bolognese Sauce
Directions:
For the Bolognese Sauce:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the ham hocks and beef rump roast with salt and pepper, place in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
Remove the shanks to a plate. Remove fat from the pan. Add the pancetta to the pan and cook until golden brown. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic to the pan and cook until soft and lightly golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the red wine, scrape the bottom of the pan and cook until completely reduced. Add the beef stock, diced tomatoes thyme, rosemary and parsley and bring to a simmer. Add the ham hocks and 1/2 of the pancetta back to the pan, cover and transfer to the oven. Cook until the meat is tender and falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
Remove the ham hocks to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle, shred the meat into bite-size pieces and place in a bowl.
Strain the cooking liquid into a bowl. Place 3 cups of the cooking liquid into a large high-sided saute pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the liquid is reduced to about 1 c. Add the shredded meat and the remaining cooked pancetta to the pan along with 1 cup of the tomato sauce, parsley and basil and stir to combine and just heat through.
For the Ricotta Mixture:
Stir together the ricotta, eggs, parsley, basil, cheese, salt and pepper in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Directions for Grandma's Tomato Sauce:
Use a large pot. Heat olive oil on medium-low heat. Put garlic and onion in oil and heat until it is tender. Put parsley, basil, oregano and bay leaves in and continue to heat for 3 minutes.
Open all cans of tomato products, add in sauce pot. Raise heat to medium-high. Make sure to occasionally stir sauce. Cook and stir sauce until hot. Once sauce is hot, lower heat to a simmer.
Add celery stalk and whole carrot in sauce, continue to simmer 15 minutes.
Add 1 cup of freshly grated Parmigiana cheese to sauce, continue to simmer 15 minutes.
Remove carrot and celery, cover sauce, continue to simmer. Make sure to occasionally stir sauce.
For the Mornay Sauce:
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and let cook for about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in 3 cups of the hot milk and continue whisking until the sauce is thickened and loses its' raw flavor, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season the sauce with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Whisk in the cheeses. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in some more milk.
For Assembly:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Ladle a thin layer of mornay evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the Mornay sauce and top the pasta with the ricotta mixture and spread evenly.
Spread a thin layer of Mornay over the ricotta, sprinkle with a few Tablespoons of Parmesan and some basil leaves. Top with another layer of pasta and spread the meat mixture evenly over the top.Ladle an even layer of Mornay over the Bolognese mixture, sprinkle with a few Tablespoons of Parmesan and some basil leaves. Place the final layer of pasta dough over the meat mixture and ladle the Mornay sauce over the top to completely cover the pasta and sprinkle with 3 Tablespoons of Parmesan.
Place the pan on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees, remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden brown and the filling bubbling, about 25 to 35 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and let rest 10 minutes before cutting.
CUT into slices and top with some of the tomato sauce, more grated cheese, chopped parsley and basil.
**NOTE**: Remaking this week and will add final picture then =)

♥ pimping my BB Bold & E71 ♥

soooo, I have been using the rubber case for my BB Bold.
it's cute but I wanna try something else..
so I found this little accessories shop for Blackberry in PIM (Pondok Indah Mall), Indonesia.
not only rubber case, but also the hard battery case. :)
they weren't much choices of colors because there were soo many people in the shop buying accessories so I guess the choices got ran out.
luckily, they still have the PINK one although the material was too glossy (the Bold battery case supposedly a bit leathery) but hey, it's still pink~ lol.
& the other color that I picked was the light green & the material was made from leathery so it matched my Bold. xD
I was kind of thinking to get the orange one too with a little bit of style of animal print, but i thought i wouldn't need that much case anyway.
those battery case costs about Rp.100.000,-
i'm not sure if it's expensive or not.
but they have the full set of case that comes with the keypad, battery case, and everything else but it was too expensive. it costs about Rp.1.500.000,-!!


soo what do ya' think, which one looks cuter?




as for my Nokia E71 case, I bought them in Bangkok while I was on quick holiday.
i chose the glittery bling bling cases just because I thought it looks fun~~ ^o^
it costs me about 350Baht/case. that's around Rp.100.000,- too just like my BB case.


soo which one looks cooler on my E71?




hehee pimping out gadgets it's fun.
although original case are not bad at all but i just want to 'dress-up' my gadgets sometimes. hahahaaaa~
maybe gadgets wants to look fashionable too.


love.love ♥♥

It's Friday Night...

While I can't believe it is already over, this week has definitely been one of those I'm glad to see end. I am sitting here drinking a cup of coffee and taking a moment to breathe, but I really need to start packing; this weekend, I am heading to Kentucky to see my best friend from college and celebrate her little girl's 1st birthday.


Noe Dewitt

There is nothing quite like catching up with an old friend in person, and I can't wait for my feet to hit that snowy ground. I hope you also have something planned for this weekend that you're looking forward to doing, even if it is simply doing nothing at all.

Friday out to lunch outfit

Friday2


Indy wanted to "model" today too...


Friday4


Indy2


And then she got camera shy...


Indy1


Tank tops: American Apparel and Old Navy
Vest: Anthropologie
Jeans: Anlo from Gilt Groupe
Shoes: Rosegold
Bag: vendor at the UCDavis Whole Earth Festival