Stitching Update: Cross Stitch Teacup Pincushion

Submitted by Linda

You may remember that I wasn't a fan of cross stitching compared to embroidery, but after trying a few small projects (and NOT using the waste canvas like I did on the PETIT POINT NAPKINS), I'm finding that I enjoy it more than I ever expected to. My mom and I discovered cute (and small) project patterns in crafting magazines at the local Barnes and Noble store. 

One idea my mom and I both fell in love with is this teacup pincushion. I do have lots of pins floating around, for tacking down my ribbons and such, but did I really need another one, especially since I'd already made this other PINCUSHION, which is one of the cutest pincushions ever? Well, I decided one on my dresser might be nice, for safety pins and other pins one might need whilst they are getting dressed.

I bought the teacup years ago in Solvang, on a girl trip in the 90s. I never use this cup for drinking, so now I get to enjoy it as a pincushion! Next I'll be back to embroidery for a bit, since I need a break from all that counting and paying attention to a pattern!

'CASE'd Card' #4: Happy Father's Day!

 Submitted by Linda

Yes, while I was in LQ we also CASEd a manly card for Father's Day. I am certain that my father won't be looking at our blog, so it's safe to show it off. Our inspiration this time was from SU demonstrator Michelle Vanwiggeren and you can check out her blog HERE.

 To make ours more masculine, we said 'adios' to the flower and substituted an orange corduroy button. Every piece of cardstock and paper is distressed and aged with a sponge and some chocolate chip ink.

Thanks for looking, and stay tuned....

'CASE'd' Card #3: Happy Mother's Day!

  Submitted by Linda

Here's another card inspiration, this time from the 'Sew Sweet' stamps and papers. The photo and project ideas are from Monica Gale.  Though they are all so sweet, I chose to copy the one on the bottom right.

 I had purchased this cute contraband stamp set of cross-stitched sentiments, and decided that the sewing stuff would fit perfectly with Happy Mom's Day.

 And here it is!

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned.....

'CASEd' Card #2

Submitted by Linda

Here's the second card we worked during my LaQuinta getaway. This cutie with the polka dots and woodgrain background was our inspiration.  The  card designer is Debra Currier, and her blog is full of cute stampin' ideas.

We didn't have exactly the right supplies, so Michelle tweaked it a bit, substituting the dots from the Sunshine and Sprinkles paper (only available through May). We love that beehive embossing folder, so she used that instead. There's something clean and fresh about that white background!

Thanks for looking!!!

'CASE'd Card #1

Submitted by Linda

Several weekends ago I made it to LaQuinta for a belated birthday visit, and I had gone onto Split Coast Stampers to print out card ideas, so that we could 'CASE' them (copy and share everything)! Here is our first inspiration: This card was made by Sharon Cheng.    Stampin' Up is currently selling the die for this cute dress form, however,  I don't want to purchase the (expensive) die since I don't think I'd use it a ton.

Instead I busted out my 'contraband' dress form stamp, stamped it on the back side of the  newsprint paper, and did a 'fussy cut' (cut it out carefully), and Voila! A dress form! I used a different greeting and punch (that's the new tiny scallop), but copied Sharon's colors and used the same asymmetrical embossing folder!  I'm happy with the result!

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for 'CASE'd Card #2!

Mary Had a Little....Chicken?

 Submitted by Linda

 On my final weekday of my Spring break, my pal Liz took me on a fun filled shopping trip which included tea at the Four Seasons Tea Room in Sierra Madre.

Just look at this gorgeous plate of finger sandwiches and edible flowers!

 You probably know by now that we love all things Susan Branch and recently she was showing the cutest vintage lamb vases to fill with flowers during springtime.  So I was keeping my eyes pealed for a lambie vase, when I stumbled upon this chickie vase (actually I think she's a creamer). Either way, when I saw her bonnet with ribbon ties I quickly decided that birds and chickens do just as well for spring decorating, especially when she is sporting such a cute hat! 

Yes, you see sweet peas in there. My sweet peas at home, sadly,  are not doing well, but fortunately they are blooming beautifully in my 'kinder-garden' at school.

In the spirit of chickens and other fowl, I must share the cross-stitched Easter card my mom made for us. She must have been stitching on the sly, since I never saw her working on it during our stitching nights. Just ducky, right?

Pesto 101

This recipe was originally posted by Michelle on 12/9/08, but I (Linda) am reposting it. I just made this pesto and it is so fresh and easy to make. I got my "farm fresh to you" box yesterday, and one of my surprises was a bunch of basil. What else could I do but use it up?

Submitted by: Michelle

Three years ago I had a student in my class called Celeste. When I met her she subsisted on fries, chicken nuggets and anything sugary and sweet. She was a very special student whose story I will tell someday in another blog entry, but for now, let me say how glad I am that I have converted her into a full fledged foodie. I regularly see her at school and she often comes to stay with me and David on the weekends. One of her favorite things to do is cook with me! And one of her favorite meals is pasta with pesto.

This past weekend she was visiting and after we took a short journey to Beaumont to meet up with Linda we decided to whip up a batch of pesto using some basil I bought that morning at the Farmer's Market.

It starts with a few simple ingredients: basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil and freshly ground pepper.

The pine nuts need to be toasted and a few minutes in the oven usually does the trick. You can also toast them in a skillet on the stove. My best tip for toasting nuts is: use your nose! You will smell the nutty scent before you actually see the nuts turn brown. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. I toasted extra pine nuts because Celeste likes to eat them as we cook.

Next, put the pine nuts, basil, garlic and pepper into a food processor or blender and whirl away. You are trying to create a coarse paste.

With the food processor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream. Mine is a little loose because the Parmesan that I am going to add next will thicken it up.

Mix in the parm and...

viola! Pesto!

This was Celeste's dinner on Sunday night. I simply tossed the cooked pasta with a few tablespoons of pesto and grated some Parmesan over the top.

Celeste loves farfalle (bowtie) pasta, which is fun to eat and fun to say! (And much better for her than a chicken nugget with barbecue sauce.)

I've made pesto many times so I don't measure anything but I know my non-cooking friends might like some guidance so here is a simple recipe from Giada De Laurentiis. You can adjust the measurements based on your taste buds.

Basil Pesto
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt*
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup (about) extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

*I don't usually add extra salt since Parmesan is a very salty cheese.