Wild & Crazy Slab Bowl

This slab bowl was fun.  The first firing of it was pale and plain.  I was able to re-glaze it and I threw on tons of glaze:  literally cleaning out jars of glaze and throwing it on!  I wasn't sure what I would end up with, but I like it!

My next project will be the cat plaque!  I have the paints needed and instructions from a pro!

One bad thing, I had a huge plaque of the sun and moon I came up with.  When I went to pick it up to take in for it's first firing, it fell apart.  Darn it!  It was done with red clay.  I do have some pet bowls made out of the red clay drying.

I am still enjoying the process!  Each piece is a lesson!

Clay Class Projects (so far)

Clay Class Projects 

(so far)

Coil projects

A few of my projects have come back from being glazed and fired.  I still have projects waiting to be fired, glazed and re-fired.  Each piece is a lesson!  I have a lot to learn!  But I am having fun with it!  I have discovered a hidden treasure:  a ceramic shop in Fallon!  Yahoo!  I will be spending more time there for sure!

Coil projects:  Pot: needed to put the glaze on thicker.  My new pencil holder!  Spoon rest:  I love the glaze on this one!  This is now in use by my coffee pot.

Wheel pots

My first couple of throws on the wheel.  Again, a long ways to go.  I really enjoy working the other methods right now:  wheel will come later!

Pinch pots are fun:  The one on the left has a confetti glaze.  I tried to make the one on the right like a big flower:

Pinch Pots

Slab boxes.  The one on the right has every mistake that can possibly be made!  The one on the right has some cat and fish indentions.  The glaze came out interesting.  

Boxes (slab)

Strawberry Skillet Cake

Strawberry Skillet Cake

1 Cup Flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup brown sugar Plus 2 Tablespoons (divided)

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup sliced or quartered strawberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Generously grease a 9 1/2 inch cast iron skillet. 

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar over strawberries and gently toss.  Set aside.

Whisk together:  flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

In a larger mixing bowl, whisk 1/4 cup brown sugar and egg until smooth.  Whisk in the sour cream until blended, then repeat with the melted butter.  Dump in the flour mixture and gently stir to combine.  Do not over mix or you will have a tough crumb.

Scatter the berries over the batter and gently press down.  Drizzle any juices from the berry bowl.

Bake in the center of the oven until golden about 20-25 minutes.

Serve warm with some half and half, or whip cream!  Yum!

Beer Grain Bread

Oven ready

Beer Grain Bread

My husband brews beer.  When the brewing is done, there are a bunch of spent grains.  Here is a recipe I made using the spent grains.  My chickens will be missing out on 3 cups of spent grain this round.

The bread is heavy and grainy, but it is absolutely delicious!  The spent grains still have nutrients and flavor.  The grains can also be frozen for future use.

I had very good luck with this batch:  good flavor and good texture.

Ingredients:

3 cups spent grain (wet, straight from the bash tun)
1 1/4 cups warm water
1/4 cups sugar
4-5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 packet dry active yeast

Instruction:

Mix yeast, water and sugar in a bowl to activate yeast: Allow 30 minutes for yeast to activate.

Add Yeast starter, salt, egg, spent grain and milk in a bowl and slowly add flour (I started with 2 cups whole wheat then kept adding unbleached flour until it was the right consistency.  If the grains are wet, more flour needed).

Knead the dough until it is smooth and no longer sticky.

Place dough in a large greased bowl and cover it with a towel.  Let rise to double in size:  takes about 1-1 1/2 hours.  Punch the dough down.

Split your dough into the desired amount of loaves (I made two) you want and shape on a cookie sheet.

Cover with a towel and let the loaves rise again:  another 1/2 hour.

Bake at 375 for 35-45 minutes.  Bread should be a nice brown and a knife comes out clean after being inserted into the center.

Baked!

Pottery Projects

Cat plaque, spoon rest, bowl, box and coil spoon rest

I am taking a clay class through Rising Sun Gallery and Art Studio in Fallon, NV
Rising Sun Gallery & Art Studio

Here are some projects in the greenware stage:

Greenware (noun) is the term given to clay objects when they have been shaped but have not not yet been bisque fired, which converts them from clay to ceramic. Greenware may be in any of the stages of drying: wet, damp, soft leather-hard, leather-hard, stiff leather-hard, dry, and bone dry.

These will dry and then be fired in a kiln, then painted and fired again.  The 1 1/2 hours of class flies by!  These are projects done at home.  I am really enjoying it!

Clay Class

A couple of pots I am working on.  I am taking a clay class through our local art gallery:

Rising Sun Gallery and Art Studio  in Fallon, NV.

The art gallery is trying to raise funds to help provide the community with art classes for all ages.  Here is the link to help out.  Every little bit helps!

Fund Raiser

Leftover Turkey Soup

Leftover Turkey Soup

I took the turkey carcass, legs, wings, neck and covered with water in a big pot.  I boiled for about 1 hour.  I cooled it down a bit and scraped off all the turkey that was attached to the bones.  Actually the meat fell off the bones!  I strained the rest of the broth and used half of what I had (I got 16 cups of broth:  1/2 went to the soup, the other half will be frozen for a later time).

So the turkey went into the broth into a pot.

I added:

4 stalks of celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 carrots, chopped

4 red potatoes cut up

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons dried sage, crumbled

2 teaspoons crushed rosemary

salt & pepper to taste

The veggies are chopped into bite size pieces.  Add to the broth and turkey.  Bring to a boil and cook until veggies are tender.  About 10-15 minutes.

So tasty!  I served with sour dough roll.

Nutella Rolls With Cream Cheese Icing

Nutella Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
1 can Pillsbury Grand Biscuits
1 small jar Nutella
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350
Roll each of the grand biscuits out into a flat circle with a rolling pin, coat with sugar on both sides.
Spread a couple of TBSP of Nutella onto each rolled out dough.
Roll up each dough (like a jelly-roll)
Cut each rolled up dough into 3 equal pieces.
Place 3 pieces, with the cut side up, into each muffin tin slot (sprayed with Pam)

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.  Once cooked, let cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then remove and let finish cooling (or if you are like me and like them warm, then you won't have to wait long!)

For icing, beat softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar together until smooth.  Top each Nutella Roll with icing.


These disappeared fast!

Playing with Jewelry

I have been trying to learn jewelry making.  I made the turquoise necklace, bracelet and earrings, then made two more earrings.  The earring set on the right is still in pieces.

I am just learning and found that joining a kit of the month club was helpful.  What you see in the picture is 2 kits.  I actually have two more earring sets to make after finishing the one on the right.

To me it is a inexpensive way to learn.  The kit includes all of the things you need to complete some fun projects.  It is something that works for me.  The site for the kits also have videos set up for the projects, so you can see the items being made.

http://www.simplybeadskitclub.com/

Sopapilla Cheesecake Dessert

My husband found this recipe.  He is a cheesecake lover!  Today I made it for him!

Sopapilla Cheesecake Dessert

Ingredients:

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 (8 ounce) cans crescent roll dough

1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Beat the cream cheese with 1 1/2 cups sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough.  Use a rolling pin to shape each piece into 9X13 inch rectangles.  Press one piece into the bottom of a 9X13 inch baking dish.  Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture onto the dough in the baking dish, then cover with the remaining pice of crescent dough.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cheesecake.  Stir the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle over the top, along with the almonds.

Bake until crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown: about 45 minutes.  Cool completely in the pan before  cutting into 12 squares.


YUM!

Evolution of my Crochet Jewelry Experiment

Learning to crochet jewelry is a learning process for sure.  I did some without beads, but decided to try to do with beads.

The first one I used #10 crochet thread and plastic beads.  Basically I crocheted 3 single crochets, added a bead, three single crochets and tied it together.  It came out long!

The second one was with some yellow stretchy cord and plastic beads.  Same pattern:  it came out about half the size as number one!

The third one is black stretchy cord, plastic beads and same pattern.  I obviously crocheted a little tighter:  actually I think I stretched the cord as I crocheted.

Number 4 is my first one with wire.  Interesting process:  I used glass beads.  I crocheted 3 chains, added 2 beads (one after the other: two chains), then only 2 chain stitches in between the two beads.  Ending with 3 chains.  I added a clasp to this one:  it would not fit over my head.

Each piece used 40 beads.  It is fun experimenting and I really like the way the crocheting with the beads look.  I still will be practicing and experimenting!

Envelopes from Magazine Pages

While going through my desk drawer I found a folder with an envelope template and some envelopes I had made a few years ago!  Forgot how fun they were!  I guess I will have to start making some more!

I had stickers to put on the center of the front of the envelope for addressing the envelopes.  Might put a smile on some mail person's face to see these envelopes for a change!

Shell and Arch Trim Crochet Necklace

Top is Arch trim necklace, Bottom is Shell trim

Another project done!  These crocheted chokers were a challenge.  I have never used such a small crochet hook and such thin thread in my life!  I was excited to complete this project.  I can still use some practice, especially on the tension, but I will be making more!  I am not afraid to try that lacy stuff anymore!

The button can be worn in the front middle, on the side or in the back!

I got this free pattern from the following link:


http://www.themakingspot.com/crochet/pattern/crochet-necklaces

These were created by Carol Meldrum and she is kind enough to provide the pattern for free!

I am the queen of tweaking and did a little tweaking in the arch trim necklace.  I don't know enough about writing out crochet patterns (it is like a foreign language) to say what I did, but I did tweak!

Coffee Bean Necklace

 This has been a fun project.  I started out by making the coffee bean beads out of Chocolate colored Fimo clay.  The beads were rolled in a bead roller, then baked.  When cooled, I put on a coat of Fimo gloss varnish.  After it was dried, I strung the beads in three strands attached to magnetic clasp.

It was a fun project and I love working with the clay and beading.  I need more practice with crimping the strings to the clasp!

This is a simple necklace and a good start to a new hobby!

Beef and Black Bean Taco Casserole

Beef and Black Bean Taco Casserole

1 lb lean ground beef

1 can black beans-drained and rinsed

1 jar salsa (16 oz)

1 package taco seasoning mix

2 1/2 cups coarsely broken tortilla chips

1 bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 Medium Tomatoes, chopped

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced olives

1 cup shredded fresh spinach leaves

Heat oven to 350

In a skillet, brown the beef then drain.  Stir in the black beans, salsa and taco seasoning mix.  reduce heat and heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

Spray a 9X13 inch cake pan with olive oil.   Put 2 cups of the broken tortilla chips on the bottom of the pan.  Top evenly with the beef mixture.  Sprinkle with bell pepper, onions and 1 cup of the chopped tomato, the cheese and the olives.

Bake uncovered 20-30 minutes:  should be hot and bubbly and the cheese melted.  Top baked casserole with the spinach leaves, the rest of the tomato (about 1/2 cup), and remaining 1/2 cup of tortilla chips.

Loop Fringe Crochet Choker

Loop Fringe Crochet Choker

This is my latest experiment.  It is a crocheted choker!  I saw the idea and discovered I had some  "grab-bag" yarn that I had bought a while ago that would work perfect.  The yarn is a mixed fiber with thick and thin parts (machine washable!).  I was pleased with the turn out.

I am going to try doing it again, but adding beads to the bottom loops.  It is a quick and fun project!

Here is the link for the inspiration of this project as well as free directions:

http://www.favecrafts.com/Accessories/Loop-Fringe-Crochet-Choker-from-Double-Stitch-Twins

August Quilt Blocks

Ohio Star Block and Double Star Block

August quilt blocks are done!  I really like the Ohio Star Block.  The Double star block was a little more difficult:  lots of little pieces.  I should probably do a "do over" on it.  It just didn't come out as good as I would have liked.

The block of the month I am getting these blocks from is craftsy.com
They offer a lot of online courses.  This block of the month is a free course.

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

This cake is super fudgy,  decadent,  and rich!  It could be classified as sinful!

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

1 Cup + 2 TBSP cocoa powder

2 Cups + 2 TBSP Granulated Sugar

2 3/4 Sticks of Butter

1/2 Cup Seedless Raspberry Jam

4 Large Eggs

1 Cup Flour

1/4 tsp Salt

1 Tsp vanilla

Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter and flour a 9" round cake pan or spring form pan.

In a large bowl, mix the cocoa and granulated sugar.

Melt butter and jam in a saucepan over low heat.  Pour over sugar and cocoa mixture and stir until well combined.

After cooling about 5 minutes, add one egg at a time to the mixture and blend until smooth.

Add flour, salt and vanilla and blend until combined.

Pour Batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 325 and continue baking for another 45-60 minutes.  Toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Allow to cool in the pan for 1 hour.  Cut around edges and turn out unto a plate.  Cake is very moist and fudgy in the middle.

Let sit another hour, out of the pan and it will firm up and be easier to cut.

Warm 1/2 cup more jam and brush the cake.  Top with fresh raspberries, dust with powdered sugar.

Spirited Cherries

Finished Product

   I had a surplus of sweet cherries.  I started paging through my            Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving book to get some ideas     of what to do with them.

   I came across a recipe for Spirited Fruits!

   Here is the recipe for Spirited Cherries

   1 cup granulated sugar
   2 cups water
   5 cups cherries with pits, washed and drained (use 7 1/2 cups if                     you prefer to pit them)

Sweet cherries    

 
   Per Jar:  1 TBSP rum, brandy or vodka
 
    Prepare canner, jars, and lids

    In a large stainless steel saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water.  Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Add the cherries, stirring constantly and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes

Canning process

     Using a slotted spoon, pack cherries into hot jars to 1/2 inch of top of jar and add the spirit of or your choice.  Finish filling with the hot syrup.  Remove air bubbles and wipe the rims.  Center lid on jar, screw band down to finger tight.

     Place in canner and ensure the jars are completely covered with water.  Bring to boil and process 10 minutes.  Remove from canner.
 
 

Finished product

Ready to add the spirit

July Quilt Block of the Month

Traditional Dresden Plate Block and Modern Dresden Wheel Block

Yahoo!   Finished July before July was over!

These blocks scared me!  They look very complex and I was always in awe when I saw a quilt done with this pattern.

Ha!  This technique is so easy!  I could see doing a whole quilt using scrapes!  

I did zig-zag machine applique, but other options are blind stitch or straight stitch.  I have learned so much from this block of the month series.  It is at:

craftsy.com

This course was a free block of the month course that includes a video demonstration along with patterns you can print out.  This course has really kept me going.  I love learning the cool techniques!