candiecooper, Author at Candie Cooper

Lemon Orzo Soup Recipe

February 17, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Is the cold kicking your booty? Do you have a sore throat? Runny nose? Moi too.

I don’t know why I’ve been saying “moi” instead of me lately, but just go with it. This phase will pass. It’s probably because I’ve been trapped inside the past few days.

She’s loosing it, folks!

Anyway, I made this soup last spring and it was delish! It’s a light but filling soup and I’m ready to make it again so I thought I’d share with you fine people. You’ll especially love it if you’re a fan of broth-y soups like moi.

Lemon Orzo soup from Allrecipes.com

Bon Appetite, sweet people!

Filed Under: Food and Drink

Decorating Valentine Cookies

February 15, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

What a delightful Valentine weekend. I rode along with my sweet hubs to Ft. Wayne to pick up Valentine sugar cookie decorations on Friday (more on that in a minute). We also did a little shopping in the evening then attempted to have a romantic dinner, only to give up and go to Chick-Fil-A. Yep. We’ve been married for 2 years now and were perfectly content with Chick-Fil-A.

All weekend there were sweet treats and tokens of love. It was so fun! Pretty cards. A package in the mail. A package left on the doorstep. Cookie baking. Heart sprinkles. A big gift. A little trinket. Helium balloons bobbing around. Fondue.

I loved it all. Thank you, sweet weekend and everyone who decorated it with thoughtfulness. Especially to my hubs. I <3 you.

These are the cookies I made Valentine’s morning. My gram and grandpa came over and watched me decorate them. It was funny because usually I go to grams for seasonal baking (here’s the recipe we use), but this year with Tucson it didn’t line up. Yet it did. I’m thankful the Universe takes care of traditions in it’s own special way.

Are you loving these Russian doll sugar lay-ons? Do you need some of your own? Here’s a link to the shop I went to so you can get your own! Here’s a link to the wafer leaves too. Make sure you check out all the sugar lay-ons. There are some super cute ones! Confession: I didn’t know there was a technical name for lay-ons until about 2 minutes ago when I looked up the link. To me, they were sugar crispy things that you put on cupcakes. I also didn’t know that sugar sprinkles come in multiple sizes. Turns out, I’m a big fan of sugar crystals–especially metallic gold ones. I walked around the store with my mouth gaping, like what is this strange and mystical place (special thanks to the man chair they had for my husband). A whole new world! I’m excited.

To be continued…

For sure.

Filed Under: BAKING

Make a Pave Link Necklace

February 12, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Do you need a little instant-craftification? Stressed out? Need some sass in your life? Or maybe a present for your BFF? I’ve got it. Right. Here.
I found these cute pave links at Hobby Lobby along with the chain on the sides. Use two 12mm jump rings to attach the pave link to the sides of chain. This gives it a stronger and thicker looking connection.
This is a clasp I found in my Beadalon stash. Don’t get attached (no pun intended). I don’t think they make them anymore, but it never hurts to google “Beadalon Upper Clasp heart.” You just never know what ebay or etsy might have. There are thousands of cute clasps you can attach with single jump rings.

Yep. You’re finished.
Ahhhh. How about that!!??

This is a super cute necklace that would be great to layer with other beaded chains .

In other news, I just got back from a work trip that went from Jan. 31st to Feb. 10th. I worked for Jesse James Beads during the To Bead True Blue show in Tucson. It was a blast catching up with all my jewelry making friends!!

Needless to say I’m fried though. Blogging is good for the soul during these times because I can park my booty on the couch with the Hallmark channel on, edit pictures and write.

If you’re on Instagram and Facebook, follow me there to see more updates from shows like this and day to day fun. My handle is “candiecooper”

Tomorrow afternoon we are heading to Ft. Wayne to pick up some sugar cookie supplies because it’s VALENTINE’s DAY and I have to make sugar cookies. Have to. I’ve had this idea to make squirrels holding conversation hearts for a year now. This is why you should follow me on Instagram because I’ll post pictures of them. Everyone loves a squirrel sugar cookie.

I’m signing off for the night.

Sweet. Dreams.

Filed Under: Jewelry

3 DIY Valentine Ideas

February 12, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

I’ve had this project in my stash for almost two years! It all started when Canson sent a box of their amazing printable papers.Definitely the watercolor paper is my favorite to print on, but they come in all sorts of papers.The first photo I altered in PicMonkey, adding the Polaroid frame. It came out distressed like this. So easy to mount with the Canson photo corners onto scrapbook paper. Then I added the XOXO embellishment. Sweet and simple.Same idea here except this time I punched holes around the edge and laced it with chunky yarn. Lacing. This simple stitched border makes my heart flutter in all it’s homemade-ness. Perfect for grandma!The last idea is a fave. My friend sent some scans of a little bug drawing by her daughter, Lily. I printed them and colored with Koi watercolor markers from Sakura.Your kids would have a blast coloring their own art work (obviously)!Because these were intended to be Valentines (and that I love layers and hearts and needed an excuse to add more), these little love bugs got a set of heart wings made from scrapbooking paper.Mount them on solid paper and you’re ready to rock, Valentine!

Filed Under: Crafting, Kids Arts and Crafts, Valentines

How To Decoupage with Gold Leaf Paint Tutorial

February 12, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This project is brought to you by Decopatch–fine decoupage papers with a French flair!Monograms. I love them. My husband found this one at Hobby Lobby on the clearance rack (I love that man) for $15. He was on an errand for me (I really do love that man!) for a paper mache’ deer head (they didn’t have it) and found this “M” instead. She needed a makeover, don’t you agree? I’m all for distressed, but….strung out? No. They had a ton them left! I love those big letters covered in Indian patchwork fabric that places like Home Goods and Anthropologie sell (but I can’t afford) so that was my inspiration.First, I brushed over the brown areas with a bit of white paint to even out the tone. I’ve never used the Decopatch papers before and worried that the dark areas might show through. Now, I’m convinced this step wouldn’t have been necessary.Then, I broke out the Decopatch papers. These are extra special papers that are strong, FLEXIBLE and brightly colored–SUPER for decoupage crafts. Check out all the colors and patterns here. So hard to choose just one.One side of the Decopatch paper is shiny and super smooth.The reverse has a matte finish, almost like a tooth that grabs the decoupage glue perfectly. Yes, these are the things that excite me. Well designed paper.Once I picked out my papers I cut them into strips and squares. There really was no rhyme or reason to my cutting. That would have made it “work.”I used a decoupage glue like Mod Podge to adhere the papers to the front of the M and sealed them with the same glue. Also very randomly, mixing and matching with a little layering. The company describes Decopatch papers as “painting with paper” and I’m going to agree. It goes on like butter on hot toast! A little addicting! When I finished, I was like a decoupage predator looking for innocent pray to be covered in pretty paper. A craft vampire of sorts.Once the decoupage glue was dry I decided to hit the edges with liquid gold leaf paint.I love this paint. You’ll need mineral spirits to clean it up, but so worth it. This stuff brought out the gold in the papers and really framed up my M beautifully. It’s also a little potent on smell–so take good care. We don’t need any crafters high on liquid leaf paint.Look how smooooth!!
I only used two papers because one set had tons of different patterns included on it. All in all this project took about an hour to complete. Saaanap!There she is! My decoupage glue was the gloss version so it made it a little tricky to photograph. Blinded by the decoupage light already.Pink and red are some of my favorite go-to colors.

I’ve propped it on top of this little cabinet in our dining room. My main new year’s resolution for this year is to clear out clutter and keep beautifying our home.

Now I need to re-work the inside contents of the cabinet.

Brick by brick.

Candie

Filed Under: Crafting

Being Brave and Loving Life

January 21, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

“Success is Loving Life and Daring to Live It”

I’ve worn this bracelet a ton since I made it in June. This picture was taken in the fall and it has made me pause and think tonight—kind of like reading an old journal entry. I remember loving that my shoes matched my turquoise mocs. Surface, I know. Deeper, I think about why that bracelet resonated/resonates with me. As someone who has dealt with her share of anxiety, I’m no stranger to making a decision based on fear or worrying myself sick. This is not success. Not at all. I find when you’re going through transitions, sometimes it helps to put a bracelet on that reminds you to grab the bull by the horns. Be brave. It works for me. I want to live life fully. Sometimes I get too caught up in my own head and looking at this quote snaps me out of it. Just another one of the many things I love about jewelry…

Filed Under: Uncategorized