Felted Flowers

Felt flowers
A few wild flowers from the felted flower class Wednesday night.  If you missed the class, you can find a version of this flower in my book, Felted Jewelry (Lark Books, 2007).  The felt-o-sphere has some amazing inspiration–get ready— click here.  

My weekend is going to consist of planting flowers in pots and in the ground.  Wild flowers and more.  I. Can't. Wait.  Wishing you the best weekend.

Mod Podged Candle Votive

Candle

We've all seen the glass votives at the dollar and thrift stores.  Mod Podge some paper on them already!  Can we say cheap entertainment?  I made this one a couple years ago with dictionary paper and a sticker.

Table
It's getting warmer in the evenings and we got to have our first outdoor dinner last week,  Thank you, Spring!  

CageBirdcages with votives make for a sweet lantern (I know I've shown you this before, but I love this birdcage so much).

Swing

The boys managed to catch a couple fish before dinner.  Again, thank you Spring.  We're still waiting to find a mushroom (or 30).  I'm off  to class tonight—hoping I come home to a plate of morels.  We'll see.

Candie Cooper Jewelry Classes

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Click on titles for Info:

Felted Flowers: March 27th

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Felt and Metal Earrings: April 23rd

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Vintage Spoon Necklace: May 3rd

Please feel free to email me with questions!  candie AT candiecooper DOT com

Thanks!

DIY Rings

Ring bling

Do you love big rings?  Or need some ring blanks that you can glue buttons and old clip on earrings to?  The Ring Bling line by Plaid has it all.  See my guest post here or check it out in person at JoAnn Fabrics.  Make a bunch because everyone will want one (I speak from experience, people).

The Great Camp Out…

Tent

My new tent is so sweet.  It's a snap to set up too.  Not at all like the ol' green canvas tent (or was it blue?) we used to take to Florida on Spring Break when I was a kid.  That thing had a million alluminum poles and a few leaks if I remember right.  Remember, Nis?  I'll never forget the time we found a snake sunning itself in it.  Oh, the great outdoors.  Cost nothing and always interesting.

Orchard
It rained and rained from about 4 am onward and the tent never leaked a drop.  Probably because my hunkie boyfriend told me to spray it down with water repellent before hand.  Snap!  He's the brains. Sunday morning after breakfast we walked around McClure's Orchard.  I love the shape of the trees.  It makes me think of that wild scene in the Wizard of Oz each time I really look at one.  You know the scene right, where the tree starts throwing apples at Dorothy?  

Lettuce
There is always something to see and ponder at the orchard—like baby lettuce sprouts,

Crates
or a crazy tall stack of apple crates still vacationing after Fall,

Cat

and Clara the cat who is indeed a boy cat as a matter of fact.  It happens.

Bee 2

My favorite thing—colorful bee hives with a few bees buzzing around waiting for blossoms. I guess, we're all just waiting and watching this crazy Spring we've been having.  

Bee boxes

This row of hives makes me think of a bee apartment complex of sorts which then reminds me of China and all it's cracker box apartments.  Someday, I want a couple hives of my own (do I make it sound like children?).  I'm lucky I have some friends who let me enjoy theirs until that day comes (the answer to the last question would be…yes).

Truck
More plotting and planning for Spring in the background.  The Apple Blossom Fest is coming up on April 28th and this year there is even a 5K run.  We are going!  I will not be running!  It's always a good time at McClure's orchard.  Apple dumplings, nature and friends around a campfire makes it extra lovely.  The orchard is open on the weekends if you are looking for a fun family outing…or just want a really, really good apple dumpling!

Peanut Butter Cookies with Oatmeal

Pb cookies 2

I whipped these up just because.  Cooking and baking have sorta turned into my relaxation time since my job is creative.  I like the simplicity of reading the instructions and making the dish. The cookie recipe is from the current issue of Martha.  I love oatmeal and in this recipe you get to toast it before adding it to the batter.  Toasted oatmeal?!  You had me at hello, Martha.

Pb cookies 1
We ate a few outta the oven and then packed the rest in a container (of which I thought I forgot to send to work the next day, but then got a surprise text saying they were completely consumed by 9:30 AM—this made me laugh).  For the first tray I forgot to add the brown sugar to the batter so they were really puffy and dry (those are waiting to be crumbled over vanilla pudding).  I've learned that you can't talk on the phone and read a recipe.  At least I cant.  Here are some search hits for Peanut Butter Oatmeal cookies or you can get the Martha Stewart Living mag with the eggs on the cover.

Egg in a Frame

Egg in a frame 1

 Egg in a frame everybody! (and the crowd goes wild)  If you know me, you know I learned how to make these in Mrs. Gallahue's Home Ec class in 6th grade.  Oh. Yeah.  It's pretty much the magic trick of cooking eggs.  Just buttah your bread, cut out a shape, throw in a warm lightly greased skillet, crack your egg in the shape and let it cook until the bread is golden brown and the egg is secure, then hold your breath and…….flip it.

Egg in a frame 1

 As it's cooking you can toast the center piece on the side—this part goes quick so watch it close.  I tried a flower and a star for the center of the frame and the star worked better.  But, the flower cut out was pretty cute toasted so I slathered some peanut butter on it and stuck an M&M in the middle.  Not the traditional sunny side up, but definitely one happy egg.