Friday, November 30, 2012

A Saturday Outing - Big Heap!

A friend told me about this event happening in Cave Creek called "The Big Heap" ... and she thought of me.  She knows I love to look at anything nostalgic, junky, and vintage, so it seemed right up my alley.  Here are some of the sights that day...
 My friend, Miss Kylie, agreed to pose for me by The Big Heap sign... on our way in...
 Doll heads hanging on the trees - creepy!  A little late for Halloween.
 Car fenders...
 Lots of booths.

 This is one of my favorite altered things - I just love that they take odds and end pieces of dishes and turn them into garden ornaments.  I would love to have a whole garden full!
 My friend, Maggie, posing on the trunk bench I'd like to have.  Although I decided, it would be too hot to sit on in Arizona.
 We'll just call this guy "Mr. Fix It."
I missed getting Miss Myah's photo on the way it, so here she is ... on the way out.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


From my house to yours...
Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I can't believe I made this...

I'll say it again.  I can't believe I made this.  It was easy and it looks bee-you-tee-ful!  Normally I would put it on a pretty plate, but I am taking it to work tomorrow because it is our Thanksgiving dinner and employees "potluck" the desserts.  It was rated the No. 1 pumpkin dessert by Taste of Home.  (I have a hard time believing it beat Paula Deen's Aunt Trina's Pumpkin Crunch Dessert.)  Here's the recipe:

Pumpkin Torte
1 package yellow cake mix - regular size
1 15-ounce can of solid-pack pumpkin, divided
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1/3 c. canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 16-ounce carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted (I used almonds)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup of pumpkin, milk, eggs, oil, and 1 tsp. of the pumpkin pie spice; beat on low for 30 seconds.  Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire cooling racks.
Cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy.
Add the confectioners sugar and remaining pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice;
beat until smooth.
Fold in whipped topping.
Cut each cake horizontally into two layers
Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/4 of the filling.
Repeat layers three times.
Drizzle with caramel topping; sprinkle with pecans.
Store in the refrigerator.

Nutritional facts:  You don't want to know.

Enjoy!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Maylyn's Frame

You have seen multiple frames I've made as gifts, usually baby gifts.  My friend, Cindy, recently made this very sweet frame for Maylyn...
The letters were covered with silver glass glitter and they really made the frame.  The colors being used in Maylyn's room are gray and pink, and this frame was made to fit right in.  These frames make such great gifts and I have had many requests to make them.  They all start with a $1 frame from Michaels.  From there, it is anything you can imagine.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Art Festival?

I can't remember the exact name, but my friend, Maggie, treated me to a morning at the artist festival at Phoenix Convention Center - a place for people to sell their homemade "wares."  And there were "wares" of all kinds... dips, ornaments, clothes, photography, jewelry, pasta, sauces, candles, lotions, a lot of different gift ideas.  It was a lot of fun.  I am hoping next year I will remember to put it on my calendar...
They said no photos could be taken, but I did take a few - with permission.  I love these necklaces made from old watches.
This charm bracelet was amazing and it was put on something similar to a stretchy watch band.
I really love these hats made from discarded sweaters - definitely something you would see at Junk Bonanza.  Maggie ended up buying this one.  There was quite a bit of talent in that room.  I think many of these vendors also attend the Tempe Arts Festival which is scheduled for November 9, 10, and 11.  I may try and catch up with a few of them there.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Very Cool Paper Art

My boss recently shared these photos with me and I was very impressed with this Canadian artist who does a special kind of paper art...  My favorite is the porcupine.
 

By Canadian paper artist, Calvin Nicholls. 
There is nothing simple or ordinary about his paper art.
Where we would simply use a piece of paper and a pair of scissors, Calvin uses everything you could possibly think of to carve, cut and rip perfect details onto his creations.
The motifs are all wildlife, and that must be one of the hardest categories of things to make with paper since there are sometimes impossible details on animals.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Tea Time

When we were in NYC this last summer, we went to two different tea shops - David's Tea and Alice's Tea Cup.  We were walking and just happened upon David's Tea and we really enjoyed it.  I think the next day, we actually had breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup.  At Alice's they used these special spongey things that keep the tea from dripping down the spout.  I was intrigued by them, so I had to bring one home for both my sister, Susan, and myself.  Susan is a big tea drinker.
Kimmy made this teapot for me, by the way.   See that contraption on top?  It hooks onto the handle and then is pulled across the top (using elastic).  The piece on the other end is a sponge which collects the "drip."
A closer view...
It worked.  The tea did not drip on the counter.  Kind of a nice little thing to have, but probably could have survived without.  It will make me think about NYC, though, every time I brew tea.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

12-hour Crop

I attended a 12-hour crop at Paper Vineyard Scrapbook Store and the theme was Halloween.  During the crop we made three projects - all Halloween, of course.  These are items that are designed by Grapevine Designs.  This minibook is so cute - shaped like a coffin...
This last photo is my work station, showing works in progress.  As you can see, I worked on a Mickey Mouse minibook.  We had a great time and I heard Adriana is trying a 32-hour crop in January - I don't think I could be nice that long.  I mean without any sleep.  I would want to curl up on a couch with the lights out.  But I hear she already has people who have signed up.  Whew hoo!