sunday dinners

It all started about 8 years ago. Every Sunday afternoon, my husband and I would get so caught up in complaining about not wanting to go to work, that we would end up ruining the last remaining weekend hours we had left. Something had to be done! So we decided we needed to get our minds off Monday and create a Sunday night tradition that we could look forward to. Sunday Night Dinners was born. Each week, we take turns making a fantastic dinner for one another. The rule is, it has to be something we have never made before. We've become much better cooks over the years because at least once a week we are trying new techniques and recipes. Whoever is in charge of cooking that week takes care of everything and at the end of the day, we're so busy eating a delicious dinner and drinking wine that we almost forget that the weekend is over.

In honor of our tradition, I'm going to share recipes with you on Fridays. Maybe you'll try one or two on a Sunday evening?

Cranberry Dessert Sauce
(Adapted from a recipe by Martha Stewart)

Ingredients
1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries. (You do not need to defrost the frozen berries.)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup cherry brandy
3 tablespoons of water
vanilla ice cream

Instructions
1. Put all the ingredients, except ice cream, in a saucepan and bring to simmer over medium heat.
2. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occassionally.
3. Let cool slightly, for about 10 minutes and keep warm.
4. Pour over servings of vanilla ice cream.

This is more delicious than you can ever imagine and perfect for the holidays. If you have leftovers, it may solidfy in the fridge a bit. It can be used as a jelly (perfect on leftover turkey sandwiches!) or just reheat it in the microwave and eat it with more ice cream!

nevermore

This is the last Halloween project (maybe)! For someone who claims to hate Halloween, I sure was busy this year!

I had the design of this pillow in my head for awhile, but I was having trouble getting to the fabric store. I finally did and spent a whole glorious day this weekend sewing.

The nevermore pillow is my homage to Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Raven. I made it as a pillow sham, so I can easily pack it up and store it.

I don't know what's gotten in to me lately, but I've been on a creative bender. I'm not complaining-I love it when the ideas flow, but it can be frustrating. I mean I just I want to craft and paint and sew all day and all night, but I can't. I'm carrying a notebook around with me at all times to ensure that I don't lose any of my ideas. Now I just need to find the time implement them...

cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes

I recently had the opportunity to play with Sizzix's new Scoreboard Dies. Designed by Eileen Hull, these dies cut and score chipboard. Eileen asked me to participate in the launch blog party of her dies and sent me some samples. I was thrilled to see that there are Cupcake Holder Ruffles in the line!

Here are the designs I came up with:

Big Daddy
I think this design would be great for a man's birthday or even Father's Day.

Sweetness
Little Girl's Birthday Parties and Baby Showers seem in order for this design.

Black and White
Complete with sparkling rhinestones, these would be great for a wedding, wedding shower or any black-tie event.

Which one is your favorite?

Check-out Eileen's blog on October 28 for links to see what other designers did with the Cupcake Ruffle Die! My Creative Newsletter went out today! There are a few more photos of the cupcakes in the issue and links to Halloween party ideas and tutorials. You can check-out the issue in the archives here. Don't forget to sign-up for the newsletter too!



Update! Here is a list of the other talented designers' blogs! Check-out what they did with the Cupcake Die!

Jenn Ellefson

Fabrizio Martellucci

Bonnie Bruns

Barbara Mattheisson

Denise Clason

Gabriela Delworth

Eileen Hull

getting lost in blogland

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get overwhelmed when I read blogs. It's almost too much inspiration some days. I usually read my favorite blogs in the morning while I drink coffee, so I use my laptop. I use Google Reader, so I read all the new entries on one screen. This ends up being a problem because, when I see a tutorial I want to try or a recipe I want, I tell myself I'll remember to go back to it. But then I'm on to the next blog and by the time I'm done reading all my favorite blogs, I've forgotten who I wanted to go back to.

So I made up a nifty form, that I keep by laptop, and whenever I see something I want to go back to, I write it down right away. I'm planning on filing all the forms in a binder so that when I need inspiration, I can just pull-out the binder and look at my notes. I'm pretty excited about it. It must be working, because this weekend, I already did 3 tutorials I saw on other blogs! (The other great thing about writing down information about where I want to revisit is when I blog about a project, I know exactly where I found the idea, so I can give proper credit to the originator of the idea!)

I thought I would share my form with you! I call it Blog Breadcrumbs because I feel like it helps me find my way in the "forest" of blogs I read! Feel free to download it here and start keeping track of your inspiration. All I ask is that you only use the form for your own use. It would also be nice if you used my nifty Blog Breadcrumbs button on your blog. Just right click on the button below and then link to this blog post. Be sure to tell you friends!

P.S. While I was feeling all organized and Martha Stewart-like, I made up a calendar similiar to the one she has in the front of her magazine. You can check it out by clicking on the "What is katydiddy doing?" button in the sidebar. I thought that, by writing down all my great plans, I might actually do them!

Halloween Sale

There's still time to get your Halloween Paperie Party Packs! I've marked them down and am offering free shipping in the USA! Check-out the goodness here.

thousands of Sicilian grandmothers can't be wrong

My husband is always dragging home fresh vegetables. He then lets them rot in the fridge until I throw them out. Tired of this game, I decided to create new rules. I try to look at his vegetable finds as a challenge. Each week, I see what he has stuffed the produce drawer with and then I challenge myself to find a brand new recipe to make with it.

The vegetable of the week was cauliflower. While not an exotic veggie, I've only seen it made a couple of ways: steamed, with cheese sauce or that god-awful recipe for faux mashed potatoes in the South Beach diet (yeah right-I don't miss mashed potatoes with sour cream and butter at all when I eat those!). So off to the cookbooks and cooking websites I went. And one recipe kept coming up. Cauliflower with pasta. Apparently a traditional dish in Sicily, but I just couldn't get my head around the idea of so much...well...white. But after reading comments about how it is such a great comfort food and every one's Sicilian grandmother made it, I gave it a try. And it was fabulous! Delicious! Yes, it is a very white dish, but it is also a very delicious dish. I made up for the color deficit by using brightly colored plates. I've made two versions of the recipe so far, and loved both. And they were quick and easy to make too. Here are the recipes I tried:

Pasta Col Cavolofiore

The second recipe I tried is from Martha Stewart's latest magazine issue, on one of those pull-out recipe cards. Go to the store and get the issue, because that recipe is well worth it! (The photo above is of Martha's recipe.)

And, obviously, great minds think alike because my favorite food blogger, Smitten Kitchen, just posted another cauliflower recipe today. I'll be trying it soon.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes or if you have a great cauliflower recipe to share.

make-up cases

You know those free gifts you get with purchase when you buy fancy make-up? I don't know about you, but I have about a million stacked up under my bathroom sink. As I was organizing my bathroom the other day, I came across them and decided they needed to be dressed-up. (Thinking I might actually find uses for them if I personalized them a bit.)

I had some scraps of oilcloth laying around, so I cut-out bits and pieces of the pattern from the material, then I glued them onto the make-up cases using tacky glue. I used oilcloth because I wanted to have a material that's easy to wipe clean, but if you can also use regular fabric as well.

I think it really dressed up the boring cases. Adding cute zipper pulls would really take these over the top. I'm planning to fill them with nice bath goodies and give them as gifts. I also might use a couple to keep my colored pencils in.

poison apples

A lot of readers requested that I share the "recipe" for the poison apples my little witch was passing out this past weekend. (Naughty little witch!)

I made the fabric apples using Tone Finnanger's pattern in her book, Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle. I love, love, love her books and highly suggest you purchase the Christmas book. It is loaded with ideas and inspiration and the photos are spectacular.

If you really want to make the apples now, you could also just surf the net and find a fabric apple pattern. Here's one that I found. It has more of a patchwork look, but you could play with your fabric combinations to make a fabulous poison apple! Heather Bailey also has a fabric apple pattern in her online shop.

If you have Christmas project books, I recommend brainstorming on how you can use the ideas for other holidays. Most projects are easily translated to another holiday by simply changing the colors or theme. It's a great way to stretch your creative library.

Now for the winners of the poison apples:

Autumn of Autumn's Antics
Chelsea of Room to Inspire
Deborah of Midlife Poet

Email your addresses to laura (at) katydid-designs (dot) com and I'll get those apples off to you as soon as possible. Thanks so much for visiting my Halloween Party!

flower clips

I feel like I stepped out of a Mary Englebreit illustration! I saw a tutorial on Craft Gossip the other and day and couldn't resist making some felt flowers for myself and my daughter. It's super easy and a little addictive. I ended up making about 10! I couldn't stop once I started.


I love how they look all together in my hair. I also made a few headbands with them for my daughter. I just glued a flower to the headband and added some fabric yo-yos and buttons.

(By the way, if you want to drive yourself into a creative frenzy, subscribe to Craft Gossip's Newsletter. I get TONS and TONS of inspiration everyday from it!)

A Halloween Party

"Come in, come in", whispered the littlest witch. "I love visitors! Welcome to my witch's studio. My mommy witch is away, but I am happy to play hostess."


"Have you met my darling pet crow? His name is Alexander Edgar Poe. He loves it when I pet him and can even talk, although, for some reason, he only says, "Nevermore".

"Would you like something to drink? Perhaps a slurp or two of my special Witch Hazel?"

"May I interest you in something to eat? A poison apple? My mommy witch made them fresh last week. Oh! Are you full from visiting the other parties today? Would you like a poison apple to go? If you would, please leave a comment and my mommy witch will draw three names on Tuesday, October 20. Each winner will receive a poison apple of their own." (The apples are handsewn and made from fabric!)

"Now go visit the other parties (you can find a list on Vanessa's Blog!). Have a magical Happy Halloween!"

To read more about adventures of the Mommy Witch, the Littlest Witch, the Nana Witch and the Grandma Witch, visit this post. For more Halloween Party Ideas, visit this post.

it's nothing new

I'm reading Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg right now. I love Fannie's books because part of me longs for the "good old days" and I sometimes secretly harbor the wish to live in small town. Of course, I realize that the "good old days" had their share of problems and I know I would get bored in small town, but I do get nostalgic sometimes.

While reading, I came across the following passage:

In the late 1920s and early 1930s,...the long lonely days of isolated farmwives...were suddenly filled with warm and friendly voices. They were the voices of other women coming into their homes via the radio. As early as 1924, women all over the Midwest known as "radio homemakers" began broadcasting, supplying wives with new recipes, tips for raising children, household hints, gardening advice, local news, and entertainment, but most important, a daily visit with a good friend.

Um. Hello. It was creative blogging, only on the radio. (A shout out to the podcasters in the world who are keeping the tradition alive in its fullest sense!) The book talks about how the female characters would take a break out of their busy day, to sit with a cup of coffee and listen to their "favorite radio homemakers". I don't know about you, but that's pretty much what I do when I read my favorite bloggers.

Just goes to show you, we have been sticking together for a long, long time. No matter where you are, or how isolated you feel, remember the "girls" are out there for you. We have been for years.

Ecourse Winner!

The winner of a free seat in my Creative Marketing Ecourse is Lisa! The ecourse begins tomorrow, so sign-ups are now officially closed. I'm so excited to get started. We're going to have so much fun.

Craft Fairs

This morning, my October newsletter went out. I have a few tips on hosting a craft fair in your home. I've been doing it for a few years with this group. It's usually the most successful craft fair I do too! To get my top tips, read my newsletter here.

Do you do craft fairs in your home? What works and what doesn't? Any fun stories? I'd love to hear them.

A guest

I wanted to introduce you to one of my star students. Robinsunne took my Multiple Streams of Income ecourse and I asked her to take a moment to tell everyone about her experience. I thought it would helpful to those of you who are debating about taking my Creative Marketing Ecourse. Here's what Robinsunne had to say:

1. What did you think of your ecourse experience?

I really enjoyed this class. I was introduced to ideas that I hadn't thought about before, and it was all presented in an exciting, challenging way.

I am a fiber and mixed media artist. I have been trying to figure out the balance that keeps me sane between my job as a mom and my vocation as an artist. But in that balance I had never considered the possibilities of concurrent, multiple incomes. It makes so much sense - but I hadn't thought that I could be a single parent and figure out multiple sources of income. Kind-of brain overload, you know? But the way that you organized the class had all of the ideas and homework flowing nicely from one to the next.

And the best part is that some of these incomes can be passive: once I have set them up, they will "run themselves" to some extent. We are getting really excited about blossoming independence here in our young teenage house! It is fabulous to think that my artwork can do the same.

2. Have you already applied some of the things you learned in your business? If so, what?

I will say that I feel more solid in my plan to be a writer of books. I had already started that plan: I have self published two picture books and one craft, how-to book with another in progress.

(Photo courtesy of Robinsunne)

All are available at my website: http://robinsunne.com. Your course in Multiple Streams of Income has helped me to see that the quiet, private work of writing can be balanced by my social hours of teaching, that in between the thrilling work of book promotions are the gentle conversations on my blog.

3. What was your favorite part of the ecourse?

I really liked the interviews with your guest experts. They were all very inspiring, and I got something out of each one of their stories - even if I am not choosing their income paths just now.

I know that though the class is over, as I have been re-reading the materials that you gave us, I am continuing to find even more inspiration, and that the benefits of the class will continue to unfold.

What makes me happiest about this interview is that Robinsunne has confirmed that I am accomplishing my purpose in life-to help other women achieve balance in their lives.

There's still time to sign-up for the Creative Marketing Ecourse. I'm extending sign-ups until Wednesday, October 14. The course begins on October 15. You can sign-up here. There's also still time to win a free spot! Visit this post to learn more.

I hope I'll "see" you in class!

julia child wisdom

I'm reading My Life in France and have a highlighter by my bedside for emergency marking of quotes. If you thought Julie & Julia was full of little bits of wisdom, you'll love My Live in France.

The other day, I read this quote in the book:

"No one's more important then people! In other words, friendship is the most important thing-not career or housework, or one's fatigue-and it needs to be nurtured."

Julia was talking about how she and her husband were thinking of cancelling a trip to see friends because she was too busy writing her book. They went on the trip. And guess what? Julia still had her cookbook published! The world didn't end!

This really hit home for me. Lately, emails and phone calls are being left unanswered and when I do answer them, I am always saying things like, "Sorry, things are crazy around here!" and "I'm so busy!" and "I don't have time to go out!". I'm thinking about how annoying I must sound. As if I'm so important and busy that I can't find the time to pay attention to the people who care enough to write to me or phone me or want to spend time with me. No one likes someone who is flying around, yelling the sky is falling!

So I'm really trying to prioritize. I'm also trying to stop saying I'm so busy. (Even if I am.) And, in order to make it up to my friends, I've sent off a large number of letters and a few packages (in the regular mail!). It's my little way of telling them (and the universe) that I'm sorry. That I know people are more important than anything else. That I'm never too busy to care about them.

P.S. Guess who's camera is home? Safe and sound and fixed? I'm celebrating by taking photos of everything-hence today's photo!

a good witch

I'm decorating for Halloween. As you know from this post, I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but my daughter is, so the decorations must go up. The living room is being decorated as a witch's studio. Not too scary though as my daughter is only four. Just a few ravens and a general gothic feel is what we are going for in our witch's studio.

I loved Vanessa Valencia's idea to create witch's potion jars and then I found some downloads by Stampington for some vintage labels and I decided to give the project a whirl. (Want to know what's really scary? I have so much stuff packed into my little studio, I can pretty much do any project without having to run out to the store get supplies!)

First, I made some Witch Hazel. Using Mod Podge, I glued my label onto a plain bottle I had laying around. Then I filled it with golden glitter, clear corn syrup and a little water to make a glittery concoction. (If you want to know how I made it, visit my Glitter Globe tutorial here.) Once it was filled, I corked the bottle and poured some melted beeswax over the cork and let it drip a bit down the bottle.

Then I created a Insectodeth bottle. This time, I followed Vanessa's directions to glue a dry, used, coffee filter over the lid. I filled this jar with dead geranium flowers and a few glittery spiders.

My daughter was in the studio with me while I worked. Because of the hot wax, she had to sit on the other side of the room, but I told her we were making witch's potions and would need to go into the yard together to gather our ingredients. At first she was excited, but then a concerned look came over her face. "But, Mommy, let's not make any potions that could hurt people, okay?" I assured her we were only pretending and that our make-believe magic could only cast good spells. What a good little witch I have!

you have a dream don't you?

A dream to make money from your arts and crafts?

A dream to be a well-known artist?

A dream to generate more sales in your online shop?

A dream to stop being the best kept secret in the arts and crafts world and finally reach the goals you desire?

I'm offering one last ecourse this year called Creative Marketing. In the course, you will:

-Learn how to figure out who your target market is.
-Learn how to create electronic newsletters (ezines) to increase your business and get return business.
-Learn how to create a blog that attracts readers and gives you exposure.
-Learn how to harness the power of Facebook as a marketing tool.
-Learn how to use traditional networking techniques to generate business for your online shop.

The course is a huge deal because you get TONS of extras! Here's everything you'll get:

Five Marketing Lessons on:
-Finding your Target Market
-Electronic Newsletters (Ezines) with Laura Bray
-Blogging with Diane Gilleland of CraftyPod fame.
-Facebook & Social Networking with Tim Adam of Timothy Adam Designs.
-Offline Networking with Laura Bray

Copies of the ebooks:
-The Target Market Worksheet by Laura Bray
-Easy Ezines by Laura Bray
-Facebook for Handmade by Tim Adam
-Making a Great Blog; A Guide for Creative People by Diane Gilleland

And! A one-month membership to the katycourse forum. A forum that allows you to interact with other students and alumni of my ecourses and teleseminars.

I'm only charging $49 for the ecourse. The ebooks alone are worth more than what I'm charging for the course!

My last ecourse was a huge hit. Here's what a couple students had to say:

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know Laura the past few weeks while taking one of her online e-courses. All I can say is WOW! Laura really knows her stuff! If you are ever in need of one of Laura's classes, I can tell you firsthand that Laura is an awesome professional! She doesn't just take your money and toss you a to-do list. She truly puts a lot of thought and care into her program, and I can see why her customers keep coming back for more.”
-Linda Barutha, My Altered Life

"Laura knows what she's talking about."
-Alesha, Starry Eyed Studios

To sign-up, just click on the Paypal below. The cost is $49. Once you sign-up, you will receive confirmation, information about the ecourse and the ebooks by October 15.

Of course, I'm also giving away a free spot! Just tell your blog readers about this ecourse, link to this post or my website at www.katydid-designs.com/Workshops___Classes.html and then come back here and leave a static link in the comments. I'll draw a winner on October 14. If you sign-up now, and then win, I'll reimburse the cost of the ecourse to you. Good luck and I hope to see you in class!

fancy laura

Fancy Nancy's "mom" thinks I'm fancy!

My daughter and I love the Fancy Nancy books. The stories are great, but the illustrations are my favorite. So many details and great ideas. I've been inspired many times to do crafts based on ideas I have found in the books.

Yesterday, we went to the Orange County's Children's Book Festival and the Fancy Nancy illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser was there! She looked resplendent (that's a fancy word for gorgeous) in her pink diamond tiara and hot pink feather boa. (What a job, huh? That's quite a dress code!) Once we got to the front to get our book signed, my daughter jumped on her lap and told Robin she loved her tiara. I was wearing my crystal-encrusted, cat-eye sunglasses and Robin, said, "Well, I think your mom is pretty fancy too."

All I can say is that I am still feeling fancy this morning. What a great day. Even if you don't have children, check-out a Fancy Nancy book or two, you are sure to be inspired. Click here to see some of my favorites.

for the servantless American cook

In Julia Child's opus, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, she writes in the forward;

"This is a book for the servantless American cook who can be unconcerned on occasion with budgets, waistlines, time schedules, children's meal, the parent-chauffeur-den-mother syndrome, or anything else which might interfere with the enjoyment of producing something wonderful to eat."



Timeless words that still ring true today. They also inspired my latest creations. Retro-looking & hand-embroidered tea towels, French Press cozies, velvet strawberries and pillows.



They'll all be for sale tomorrow at the Laguna Niguel, California Fall Craft Faire. Come and visit me if you are in town. Here's the information:

Fall Crafts Faire
Saturday, Oct 3
10:00am to 3:00pm
Crown Valley Community Park
29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel

If you stop by and tell me you are a blog reader, you just might get a discount!

sometimes she calls me mama

Most of the time it's "Mom" or "Mommy", but every once in awhile she calls me "Mama". And I'm transported back to the days when she was just learning to talk and I was her world. I'm so glad she is growing into a sweet & independent girl, but I do sometimes miss the days of just the two of us. I know, I know, one day it's going to be "Mother!", and it's not going to be said in a very nice tone. I'm enjoying our time until then.