Curiouser and Curiouser- Now what?

So I don't really need a good reason to travel to the Downtown LA Fashion District, but inspiration surely helps. So does a massive project I must start without delay! If you read in my prior post I will be attending Kim Caldwells Affaire in Wonderland. Part of the Affaire event includes the attendees hosting "swaps". Basically you make a themed project according the the hostess's criteria, and then you swap it with another attendee. This is my first venture into Swapville, and I am not quite sure what I have gotten myself into!! The project that brought me to Michael Levines was for what is called a "Fat Book". I joined this swap as the hostess is Cheryl Stoneham. I met Cheryl at Kim's last event, and she was so nice. Not to mention talented, she even walked me through my first blanket stitch! So, I have to make 10 identical 6x6 fabric "pages" , front AND back, with a Wonderland theme of course! I had a rough sketch of what I was going to do, but let the fabric inspire me. Here are some of my finds. Wish me luck!

I Really loved this little crown applique! I know exactly where it is going,

for now.....

I am loving these little pendant buttons, have no idea where they are going, but i can see adding little details to them...words, or letters....hmmmmm

Okay, my biggest splurge! This is hot pink satin loop fringe. However it looks a little distressed and I loved that about it. 5 yards! This will go around the edge of my front page, and peek a boo to the back.

And I am the biggest sucker for tassles! These were pricey so I only got a yard, but tassles just make me smile so I couldn't go without.

Now the hard part, getting started!!! I may have to call on friends and family to help the assemblage after I figure it all out!  (hint hint friends and family :)

-Denise

An Affaire in Wonderland

I am so excited to be able to attend Kim Caldwells next special event, Affaire in Wonderland. This event is combining soooo many of my favorite things; Art, Disneyland, Tim Burtons new Alice in Wonderland movie, and meeting up with some amazing inspiring people I met at Kim's last event. There will be three classes, food, giveaways, a screening of the movies, and an evening at the park. The last event some of the attendees hosted "swaps" where everyone makes a similar themed item and swaps with another attendee. I hope they have some swaps because I sure could use the inspiration. The event sold out  right away, but please check out Kim's website Artistic Bliss and look out for her future events, you won't want to miss! Here is me and my Disney buddy Angelica, we always get cupcakes and milk when we go!

-Denise

Long Beach Sunday Farmers Market

I am so excited to be a part of the Long Beach Sunday Farmers Market. Through my friend Julie from the Vintage Emporium in Long Beach, I met Kelli Johnson who is the manager of the new certified Farmers Market in the California Heights historic neighborhood. What is so cool about the market is that it benefits 3 local area elementary schools. I have been calling on my ETSY friends to join me for the first Mini-Craft fair we will be holding at the market. I have the following members of my team the California Crafters Club of Etsy, joining me!
bybelinda.etsy.com
fallingstarlane.etsy.com
smallandmighty.etsy.com
Janiexy.etsy.com
lotusinthemud.com
nasila8.etsy.com
noemisfigureines.etsy.com
redbessbonney.etsy.com
Reflections.etsy.com
Tmpenrose.etsy.com
waxingmooncreations.etsy.com

Kelli is doing an amazing job promoting this market. She has done pie and cookies contests. I had the pleasure of creating some handmade award ribbons (on left) for the event. I am so please with how thy came out! Next month is a soup swap. And she has even teamed up with the Long Beach Public Library for Book Week. From their website:Our Long Beach Sunday Market in California Heights has been chosen to host the All Day Read on Sunday March 7th from 9am-2pm. We are thrilled to be an official Book Week Event!! Book Week is the annual celebration of literature organized by the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. Come listen to The Soloist being read aloud in the family friendly atmosphere of the Long Beach Sunday Market, located on the playground of Longfellow Elementary School. We will have performances throughout the day by Student Cellists and Musical Portrait Photo Sessions by Ogg Studios. If you would like to volunteer, read or perform, please write LBSM@mac.com
So it should be a great week for the Market! Hope to see you there!
Denise

Ski Season Has Arrived

My favorite time of year! My Mom said as a child I hated skiing.... who knew!? My adult skiing life started about 5 years ago. Tyler was on Ski Patrol and I got tired of being home alone on weekends, so I started going with him and skiing for free. I eventually tried snowboarding, but spending all day on my ass was not my idea of fun. I got my own gear and have been skiing ever since. So, am I a good skier? Hell NO! I suck, although I am getting much better. I fear no blue run and will hit the occasional black diamond, only If I can see it from the lift and deem it do-able! This season I have committed to wearing a helmet though. So I got myself a pink one and added some rhinestones in the shape of a skull and crossbones for it! I look so tough(yeah right!)! I have been to Mammoth twice already and head to Colorado at the end of this week. It HAS taken a little of my crafty art time away though, but I just can't resist that cold fresh air!

My First ETSY Front Page!

Any etsy seller will tell you the crown jewel of etsy is to be selected as one of the 12 handpicked items that graces the home landing page of etsy.com, and today out of the hundreds of thousands of items I bagged my first front page!

I'm like a proud mamma, I might even frame it. Now lets hope it results in a sale or two! You can see my MERRY banner in the bottom left corner. I would like to thanks RosyAppleVintage for including me in this treasury. I don't know you Rosy, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

A Tale of Book Bindery

My very first little book I binded all by myself! I wish I got a picture of the inner cover, it's orange polka dots!

I have bought at least two books on bookbinding, only to shelf them with frustration. I just can't figure out the stupid little illustrations! So I was very happy when I found that the International Printers Museum only 15 minutes form my house had a guest artist that was teaching bookbinding. I really wanted to learn the coptic stitch binding so signed up for the class. First I have to say the museum is awesome if you ever have a chance to stop by. I have never seen so many letterpress and printing machines in my life! No to mention the drawers upon drawers of antique metal and woodblock fonts, I can see how people get hooked on letterpress, I may have to take a class at some point.
Here is my book from the back. I just love how you can see the stitching. Things I learned: don't poke ugly holes-use wax coated string-pull hard, but only in the direction you are sewing or you will tear your papers-always put your string through when it's hanging in front of you, not behind you, or you will drag all kinds of things off the table-lay your books flat on edge of table to sew, don't sew "up in the air"!
Here is teacher Lucia Farias Villarreal showing us how to attach the first register to the cover. Lucia has a Masters Degree in Bookbinding, so I felt very confident learning from her!

A masters hand at work. During class, as she was teaching she found some paper she liked so she whipped out a book for herself as she taught and used it as an example for us.

Me and Lucia with our books, her binding was so amazing, consistant, tight and beautiful. I hope one day I can be half as good as she is! Below are two of her hard covered bound books. I swear these look bought right off a shelf in a book store. Just amazing. hopefully the next time she is the the US (She lives in Monterrey Mexico) I can take her class and learn even more about the book arts. For now, I think I will just work on not screwing up my coptic stitching!

-Denise

It's The Cookie Exchange!

I have been invited by the talented an lovely Scrappy Jessi to her cookies exchange! However, I got my cable changed over I have been off line until now! But I'm back and the recipe for my favorite gingerbread cookies!(Okay so I borrowed it from my friend Martha ;)

What I love most about making cookies though is spending time with my Mom and friends. Here is Mom, she looks like she is NOT having fun, but she really just doesn'tlike her picture taken!

Trees Are my favorite to decorate, there is just sooo many options. I especially love silver dragees. Did you know they are illegal in the state of California? So don't turn me in to the cookie police!

Wait, I am actually the cookies police! I police those "going out of the lines" with their royal icing. I will look over my friends creations, and say things like, "Oh don't worry we can eat that one first!" LOL! I really am a cookie snob!

Here is the recipe, I like it because it is less sweet and more spicy, great for dunking in a latte. Oh and my special hint is to put a little lemon extract in your royal Icing, it matches perfectly with the ginger! Au Revoir! And happy baking!

• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups unsulfured molasses

• Ingredients

  Makes about 2 1/2 cups

  • 1 pound confectioners' sugar, plus more if needed
  • 5 tablespoons meringue powder
  • Scant 1/4 cup water

  Directions

  1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.
  2. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Divide dough into 3 portions, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a generously floured piece of parchment, roll dough to a scant 1/4 inch thick. Brush off excess flour. Slide dough and parchment onto baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.
  4. Cut out desired shapes. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.
  5. Bake cookies for 6 minutes. Remove sheets from oven, and tap them firmly on counter to flatten cookies. Return to oven, rotating sheets, and bake until crisp but not darkened, 6 to 8 minutes more. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
  6. Spoon icing into a pastry bag fitted with a very small plain round tip (such as Ateco #0 or #1). Pipe designs on cookies. Let cookies stand at room temperature until set, at least 2 hours (preferably overnight). Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

  7. Royal Icing

     Ingredients

     Makes about 2 1/2 cups

     • 1 pound confectioners' sugar, plus more if needed
     • 5 tablespoons meringue powder
     • Scant 1/4 cup water

     Directions

     1. Beat sugar, meringue powder, and water with a mixer on low speed until smooth. If icing is too thick, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time; if too thin, beat icing for 2 to 3 minutes more, or add more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Use immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature overnight; stir before using.