Work with Pages and understanding Art Journaling

December 20, 2010

Perfect Waffle Batter



Okay Girls, looking for ideas for nice breakfast for this holidays season...well I'm planning to give you three nice receipts this week. Lets start with a basic one, this one you can combine it with any fruit combination of your choice..this was done with blueberries, but you can go wild... mango/strawberry! Pomegranate/Raspberry ...oh well your choice


Best Waffle Batter

Description:
A moist and slightly sweet homemade waffle batter
Yield:
4-6 servings
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour*
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions:
1. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, beat wet ingredients and then add to dry, stirring just until moistened.
3. Cook on pre-heated waffle iron until waffles are browned and test done. I like to set a timer so I don't have to keep checking, or risk forgetting to take the waffles out on time!

Cheers,Jackie :)

December 16, 2010

Shopping for a new Camera?

It is that time of the year when we take a look at what DSLRs, Point and Shoot Cameras, Lenses and Digital Camera Accessories have been popular with our readers over the last few months (October/November of 2010). The following is a compilation of the most purchased gear on Amazon – by our community.

Popular DSLRs


As usual over the last quarter we see Canon and Nikon battling it out in this category with sales between the two brands almost equally split between the two. The Canon T2i (pictured left) remained in the #1 spot with it’s predecessor, the T1i holding up #2 position. The Nikon D3100 was a clear third.



Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR
Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR
Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR
Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR
Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR
Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera


Popular DSLR Lenses
Similarly – Canon and Nikon dominate this category with their respective 50mm f/1.8 lenses heading up the list. In fact this month the top 5 lenses are all prime lenses – only 3 zooms even feature in the top 10 (dPS readers certainly love their Primes).



Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens
Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens

Popular Point and Shoots

Canon regained the #1 position this report after Panasonic hit it for the first time last time around. In fact Canon took back the first two spots with their popular SD1300 and SD1400 point and shoots.



Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
"Canon PowerShot SD1400IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon PowerShot SX210IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 14x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Popular Four Thirds Cameras



I decided to add this category of cameras last quarter in as it continues to gain popularity. There isn’t a lot of cameras to chose from but here are the 3 that we saw sold. The Panasonic outsold the Olympus PENs by 3:1 (I have one myself).
It will be interesting to see what impact the Panasonic GF2 has on sales of the GF1 in the next report.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Olympus PEN E-P1
Olympus PEN E-P2

Popular Accessories

This section is always fun. This quarter many of the most purchased accessories for digital cameras came from our 15 Must Have Photography Accessories Under $25 post.
The list is a perfect place to look if you’re starting to look for stocking stuffers for Christmas for a photography enthusiast.

LensPEN Lens Cleaning System
Opteka Hot Shoe Two Axis Double Bubble Spirit Level for Digital and Film Cameras
Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large
Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter
Mennon Set of 2 Gray Card’s size 6″x8″ and 8″x10″, 18% Gray / 92% White
Adorama Filter Wrench. Set of 2. Fits 46-58mm Filters
Opteka RC-4 Wireless Remote Control for Canon EOS Digital SLRs
Interfit Strobies Small On Camera Diffuser
Kingston 4 GB Class 4 SDHC Flash Memory Card SD4/4GB
Lowepro SlingShot 202 AW

Popular Digital Photography Books



Among the biggest sellers with dPS readers are digital photography books. We see literally thousands of them bought every year. Here are the most popular ones from the last quarter.


Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera
The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos
How to Take Great Photos with the Canon D-SLR System
The Digital Photography Book
Capturing Mood, Ambience & Dramatic Effects: The Dynamic Language of Digital Photography
Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, and 3
Photo Trekking: A Traveling Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Moments Around the World
Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories
VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography
Wedding Photography Unveiled: Inspiration and Insight from 20 Top Photographers Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/popular-digital-cameras-and-gear#ixzz18I8RQ0Lf


Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas to all!

Jackie :)
Ref.
Digital Photography School
Popular Digital Cameras and Gear
by
Darren Rowse

December 05, 2010

Food for the Holidays!- Maple-Walnut Apple Cake


I’ve decided that my baking repertoire includes far too few upside-down cakes. Apple cakes? A few solid options there, but none of the decidedly easy and homey upside-down variety.

I found myself last weekend struggling to close our crisper drawer, due to the fact that it was bursting (literally) with apples from our fruit share. Not that that’s anything to complain about; little A is an enthusiastically devoted fan of my homemade applesauce, but since she’s also just begun walking(!), my prep time to peel a whole boatload of apples is somewhat limited (that girl will find the one thing I don’t want her to touch in the blink of an eye.) So when I put her down for a nap, I had in my mind that I’d throw together an apple cake, and I set out to make this recipe from David Lebovitz’s new book* Ready for Dessert. His version uses pears, but what apple doesn’t love maple and walnut flavors?





About an hour later, a lovely, homey, maple-syrupy-sweet-and-moist cake emerged from the oven, punctuated by crunchy bits of walnuts. And it’s absolutely delicious, though not perhaps the prettiest on the plate (and I was a little dismayed to see that my pretty arrangement of apple slices was completely hidden underneath the walnut topping.)





Happily, it’s even *better* the second day, after the sticky maple syrup caramel has seeped into the cake. So, upside-down cake, please consider yourself added to the repertoire.



(I have my friend to thank for the book – hi Maggie! – and I only wish she lived closer so I could have shared a piece of this cake with her.)
___________________________________________________________________

Maple-Walnut Apple Cake
Adapted from Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz

The original recipe uses 3 ripe Bosc pears, which would be equally delicious. I love Grade B maple syrup for its deep maple flavor.

Ingredients
Topping:
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
3 apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices

Cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F.

Make the topping by combining the maple syrup and 1/4 dark or light brown sugar in a 9-inch cake pan or cast-iron skillet. Set the pan directly over the heat on the stovetop until it begins to bubble; simmer gently for 1 minute, stirring often. Remove pan from heat.

Sprinkle walnuts evenly over maple mixture in the pan, then arrange the apple slices decoratively over the walnuts (i.e. an overlapping pinwheel pattern.)

Make the cake: in a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt.) In a stand mixer or by hand, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup light brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Gradually mix in half the flour mixture, then stir in the milk, then add the remaining flour mixture. Mix just until combined.

Scrape the batter over the apples in the pan and carefully smooth into an even layer. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in the pan.

Run a knife around the sides of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert a serving plate over the pan, and using oven mitts, grasp both the pan and the plate and flip them over together. Carefully lift off the pan and gently rearrange any walnuts or fruit that have gone astray.

Cheers,
Jackie :)


Reference:
Maple Walnut Apple Cake
NOVEMBER 6, 2010
by eggsonsunday

December 04, 2010

Rocking Christmas!

Here some LO's just to share some of the greats Digital Kits available at JessicaSprauge store!






Credits:
Rocking the Tree
Pattern Papers and elements by Carina Garner Studio-
Santa Sleigh- Holiday Notes
Santa Sleight- Christmas Basic

Artwork by Bethany



Cheers,
Jackie :)

Is that Time of Year! Enjoy!! HOT CHOCOLATE!


Today I’ve got something very special for you. The weather’s turning cold, and it’s getting to the point where folks want to spend their evenings inside, curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace or a good movie. And what’s the perfect drink for nights like this? I’ll tell you what: hot chocolate.

A big, steamy cup of chocolatey goodness is the ultimate comfort. There are billions of kinds of hot cocoa out there, from cheaper grocery store brands to expensive chichi varieties that will cost you almost as much as a bottle of wine. But what about the lost art of making cocoa yourself, over the stove, like our grandparents did before you could pick up a box at the grocery store?

Well, today I’m reviving the art of making hot chocolate recipes from scratch.

Today’s recipe is one I’m totally in love with. My favorite flavor combination in the whole world is chocolate and peanut butter. When my grandma would take me to the ice cream shop when I was a kid, I always asked for the same thing: chocolate peanut butter. Whenever my mom would make cookies, I would have the same request: chocolate peanut butter. When my dad would take us to store and let me and my brother pick a single candy bar from row after row of colorful wrappers, what did I grab? Chocolate peanut butter. This sweet, salty and creamy melding of tastes and textures still transports me back to the happy moments of my childhood.

So, today I’m going to give you a little glimpse into my chocolatey, peanut buttery dream-world.

This recipe makes a very thick, very rich drink. So rich, in fact, a full 8 ounce cup may be way too much for one person. I like to serve this cocoa in small, espresso-type cups, because they’re the perfect size to sip from and you can have more than one if you want.

As far as the peanut butter goes, you can use whatever kind you have in your cupboard, as long as it’s creamy. I personally prefer to use a non-salted variety so that I can adjust the saltiness myself, but if you’ve got a bottle of Jif or Skippy hiding somewhere, go ahead and use that. I don’t recommend using chunky peanut butter, which makes for a bizarre texture that doesn’t lend itself to slow sipping.

This recipe was adapted from a drink I used to enjoy at the Bittersweet Cafe, but they’ve discontinued their peanut butter cocoa. Sheer madness, I tell you. If I could marry this hot cocoa recipe, I probably would (sorry, honey).

Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

My chocolate favorite peanut butter dream drink!

Makes half a gallon of cocoa, which will easily go in one evening! LOL

Ingredients:

4 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup half and half
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter
Salt to taste
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

In a small medium saucepan, heat milk and half and half to 165°F, or until you see foamy bubbles begin to form around the edges. Do not bring it to a full, rolling boil.
Pour in chocolate chips and stir constantly until all of the chocolate is melted.
Add peanut butter and brown sugar, again stirring until completely melted and combined.
If your cocoa is not smooth or has chunks of peanut butter floating around that simply will not melt, run the cocoa through the blender and reheat again before serving.
Salt to taste and serve with an optional dollop on whipped cream.

Cheers,
Jackie :)

Ref:
Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Recipe
by Stephanie Stiavetti in Beverages,Desserts,Gluten Free

October 29, 2010

How and when to take the Best Photos, now that Fall is here!

12 Fantastic Fall Photo Tips
12 Fantastic Fall Photo Tips

Fall has up and arrived – kamikaze leaves crash down on unsuspecting passersby, leaf peeping is a thing again, and reports of rumbles coming from the Great Pumpkin have spread throughout the nearby towns and villages.

Any time of year is a great time to snap a photograph, but Fall is, of course, at least twenty times more so. (IOHO, of course.)

And since last year we wrote about how to get those perfect Halloween shots, this year we’re tackling Fall. We’ve jam-packed this edition with tips for photographing our leafy friends and fun ideas for fresh-new Fall shots.

Grab your camera and enjoy this Autumnal Equinox to its fullest!


Most people head out to take photographs in the Fall because of one reason: the changing of the leaves. Ordinary greens turn to shockingly vibrant reds, oranges, and golds…. Plus the leaf throwing, leaf crunching, leaf gathering – who can resist snapping a few shots during this fun Fall season?

Here’s some tips on how to get the best of it:

THE BEST TIMES TO PHOTOGRAPH IN THE FALL

Photo by  Lorrie McclanahanWhen we were growing up, we often heard that the early bird gets the worm. Well, we’re not big on worms, but the adage does apply when you’re trying to get the perfect shot of autumn foliage.

(1) Photograph around sunrise and sunset for the best light and color.

The first and last hours of sun during the day (the times right around both sunrise and sunset) have a brilliant quality to the light that can yield great photos. Movie people call these times “Magic Hours” – at least for the morning one, we call it doggone early. But there’s just something about the soft, golden light around this time (which brings out the reds and golds in your photos) that you can’t help but love.

Other quick tips:

  • (2) Photograph outdoors when your shadow is longer than you are, usually in the late afternoon. (That one’s from professional photographer Susan McCartney, BTW.)

  • (3) Don’t overlook overcast days. They can often be wonderful to shoot on because the sun isn’t drowning out the colors and the shadows are softer.

TECHNICAL TIPS

Photo by Richard Lo

  • (4) Use a tripod. Especially when shooting with dusk encroaching, tripods really, really help. (Don’t have one? Make one with a soda bottle, or buy one of the nifty Gorillapods and attach it to a tree branch.) Turn off your flash, set your ISO to 100 to minimize noise (sharper detail!) and start shooting. Experiment with your shutter speed -– a 1-3 second shutter can do wonders, stilling the foliage and the colors, while letting the rest of the world turn into a blur.

  • (5) Polarize your lens! Got an SLR? A polarizing filter can increase the contrast in your photos and make your colors richer, to the point where you’ll feel like it’s the 1950s and Technicolor just hit. If you don’t have one of these, or you have a point-and-shoot, no problem. (6) Underexpose your shots slightly (which most cameras, even point-and-shoots, will let you do) to deepen the saturation in your colors, then use your computer’s photo software (iPhoto, Picasa, or Photoshop) to increase the contrast and play with the color saturation to warm things up slightly.

  • (7) Experiment with your white balance settings. Don’t be afraid to take your camera off Auto mode and play with those settings. Increase the little numbers manually, or select a white balance setting like “cloudy”.

  • (8) Try a macro lens or macro mode. For those expert-looking close-ups of leaves, a macro lens is indispensable. No macro lens? Set your camera to macro mode and get really close -– that works too. Tripods are handy at this point so that you can really focus on the leaves without worrying about blurring your shot.

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH

Michelle ZlimenSome seasons only give you a few possibilities for how to frame your shots outdoors –- not so with Fall! Get up close for detailed leaf shots, or take a step back and take in a technicolor landscape. There’s so much change come Fall that the only thing you need do is look around you (or look up!).

You might also want to try:

  • (9) The Panning Technique – “Switch your shutter speed to around the 1/8 mark, zoom in on a part of a tree’s foliage (try to frame it with some nice blue sky in the background), as you hit the shutter speed pan your camera up and down or side to side. The results should be some lovely movement blur that give the impression that the leaves are moving in the wind.”

  • (10) Make-Your-Own Leaf Studio – Too windy to get those up-close macro shots of leaves to work? Try bringing some leaves home. With some good ol’ Scotch tape, stick the stem to a large open window that has some natural light coming through it, so that the leaf lies flat against the window. Now set up your camera and start snapping. Voila, brilliant leaf close-ups!

MORE CREATIVE IDEAS

Photo by Heather Robinson

  • (11) Take leafy portraits. While you’re busy raking those leaves up in the backyard, don’t forget the leaf fights, leaf forts, leaf heaps… they’re fun and the spontaneity will give you opportunity for dynamic portraits like this one by reader Heather Robinson.

  • (12) Capture a tree-changing time-lapse. As our very own Alicia Kachmar suggests, try taking a photo of the same tree, from the same spot, once every day for the next month. Take the shot around the same time every day if you can, and watch as the tree slowly transforms before your eyes.

  • Leaves and trees aren’t the only thing to photograph in the Fall. Visit a farmer’s market and snap some of the beautiful colors and shapes of Fall fruits and veggies. Go apple-picking or stop by the pumpkin patch.

THE STAR OF FALL: LEAVES, LEAVES, LEAVES

While we were thinking about how best to photograph leaves as they change color this time of year, we began to wonder why, exactly, they change color.

Photo by Heather RobinsonSo to find out, we called up Mr. Pederson, our former Junior High science teacher. The short story: leaves don’t change color! Instead, during the Fall the chlorophyll molecules in leaves start to break down. Normally, these chlorophyll molecules absorb almost every color in the sun’s light spectrum and only reflect green back to our eyes. But once the chlorophyll starts to go, and the Carotene in the leaves progressively takes over, our eyes see less of the green and more of the yellows, reds, and oranges in the sun’s light spectrum, reflected back to us from the leaves.

And that, in a nutshell, is why leaves “change color.”

Cheers,
Jackie :)

Credits: Photojojo

October 23, 2010

Sunday Perfect Breakfast!


























Today is Saturday! I know.... but since this morning I'm craving French Toasts!! So I started to look in to my stack of recipes..as I wanted to eat Nice, Good and Toasty French Toast..but didn't want to spend all day in the kitchen or buy half of the supermarket on crazy ingredients! So I was able to find one of my old recipes..but now I made it more simple and delish!! Try it!! and let me know!

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 8 large croissants, halved (or country loaf, brioche or challah)
  • 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 6 ripe bananas, halved crosswise and lengthwise
  • 1 teaspoon rum extract

Directions

In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, cream, and cinnamon. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Dip 4 croissant halves in egg mixture to coat both sides. Using a fork, remove croissants from egg mixture, letting excess mixture drip off. Place croissant halves in hot skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Repeat procedure with remaining butterand croissant halves. Set aside and keep warm.

In a large skillet, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, maple syrupand pecans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add banana halves and rum extract. Coat with the syrup mixture, and simmer 1 minute. Spoon over French toast. Serve immediately.

Cheers,
Jackie :)

October 22, 2010

Start a Family Tradition this Year!

Start a Family Tradition this Year!
Is that time of the year when everything about traditions, family, and friend

Every year one of my resolutions is to start a new Family Tradition, something that we all enjoy and can do tougher. But every year is more and more difficult as the kids are getting bigger and with that more "busy" or more "teen"

So this year I'm determined to create a new Family tradition, so I started by looking on line some ideas, for my surprise, I was able to find lots of good ideas and also found out that I'm not the only one with the same dilemma..Go Figure!!

So let me share my finding..hopefully they will help you create some new traditions for your family!
Finding these new ways to bond with your family is particularly important today because we live "in an age where we are growing 'super children' with sports and activities taking precedence over family time

According to family traditions expert Meg Cox of Princeton, New Jersey, author of The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everyday, creating new family traditions is a way to generate memories and experiences that children can share. She suggests that families start with what they identify with most. "If you're a musical family, put on a holiday concert. If you're an outdoorsy family, plan an annual rafting trip," she says.

So get busy and start thinking! So ideas could be Family Game Night and Pasta, Friday Movie Night, Lets get Lost (this one I particularly enjoy) we get in the car get drive through roads we never drive before and if we find something interesting we stop, take pictures, eat and play some simple game)

A good one a Year Tradition

A Birthday Party at Christmas
As much as adults enjoy celebrating holidays, a special day is sometimes less meaningful to young children who don't understand the significance of the event. That's why every Christmas our family, bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles. "When the kids were younger it was an easy way for them to understand what Christmas was about. Now, it's tradition and even as teenagers they still insist on having a birthday cake".

Cheers,
Jackie :)

October 20, 2010

Are you Ready For Brunch!! here is a great recipe!!

Cheese Sandwich Souffle


On Saturdays we normally wake-up mid-morning and the best thing is to have a nice brunch...Here is a recipe I often make for my Family

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 slices homemade-style white bread, 3 to 4 inches square, crusts removed
  • 1/4 pound thinly sliced cheese (Muenster, provolone, fontina or Gruyere)
  • 2 ounces prosciutto or boiled ham, thinly sliced, optional
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS

Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish and arrange 4 slices of the bread flat on the bottom. Cover each with equal amounts of cheese and ham, if desired. Top with the remaining bread.


Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl and pour in the milk. Season with the salt and blend well. Pour over the sandwiches, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the sandwiches, uncovered, until lightly browned around the edges and set in the center, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve hot.


ENJOY!!
JACKIE

Some New LO's to Share

Hello My Darlings

This pass weekend was fabulous!! I was in Puerto Rico for a Mini-Vacations with my Hubby. He was invited to a Church Event were the gave couple of seminars! He was great and I was sooo proud of Him!! In the mean time I manage to create two LO's for Jessica's Store!! Check this out!


Credits: Cosmo Criket-Mr Campy QP Hoot (MISM)


Credits: Elle's Happy Halloween QP2/ Monogram Tags HH/ and paper Papers Happy Halloween Kit




Cheers
,Jackie :)

October 11, 2010

Coconut Flan (Custard)


Hey My Darlings just want to share with you this new recipe I just tried over the Weekend!! Even I was surprise on how good it was....the taste of coconut is delicate and smooth...the Flan bakes beautiful and it is not super sweet...which I love..as I like to have a big piece and when deserts are tooooo sweet is just not possible as it overwhelm your pallet and your conscience! ;o)

Try it I think you will love it 2! And is very very easy

Ingredients
1 Can of Cream of Coconut
1 Can of Condense Milk
1 Can of Milk of Coconut
2 Cans of evaporated Milk
12 Eggs

For the Caramel
1 cup of Brown Sugar
3 tbs of water

Directions
  • Heat the oven to 300 degrees
  • Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl (make sure you blend well the eggs!)
  • Create the caramel
  • Poor the Caramel into a Soufflé Dish (or a tall baking dish..)
  • Wait 3 o 4 min and poor in the Mix dish
  • Place in the oven on "bano of Marie" (put the Soufle Dish inside a bigger bowl fill with 1" water)
  • Cook for 1hr or until the flan is set

Cheers,
Jackie :)

September 30, 2010

How to Make Artist Trading Cards: 11 steps (with video)



Hello Friends!

Have you ever wonder how to create an ATC??? I think this article and video will be able to help start it!!

Artist trading cards, or ATCs, began in the tradition of business cards, but with a personal, artistic twist. Most ATCs are created on paper, but they may also be any other medium that can be worked in a suitable size. ATCs are traditionally the size of baseball cards and other trading cards. They're a fun way to exchange your own one-of-a-kind artistic flair with other artists you meet. You can also use them as business cards.



Here some easy steps ..so you can create your ATC's

1. Start with the size in mind.
Artist trading cards are generally 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. This is the size of playing cards and other trading cards. You
can even start with mismatched playing
cards as a base for collage or altered item artwork.





2. Cut the background material to size









3. Choose your media. You may start by cutting card stock or heavy paper to size. If you work in another medium, such as leather or fabric, you may either cut it to size or work so that the finished result is the correct size.













4. Express yourself or show your style, using your preferred medium or media. If you can do it inside of 3.5 x 2.5 inches, you can make an ATC

Note:
Drawing and painting are easily done at this size, but so are plenty of other arts, including quilting, photography, crochet, leather work, metal work, and collage.






5. Work somewhat quickly. You don't need to be careless when making an ATC, but there's no need to work your masterpiece in miniature, either. ATCs should be simple pieces that you're
willing to give away when you're done.














6. Make lots. You'll need a selection of cards. Remember that you will be giving your cards away. "Lots" can be relative. It could be half a dozen or a few dozen, depending on how many
you expect to trade.




7. Share. The whole point of ATCs is to trade with other artists, so once you have a selection of cards, trade them.

  • Find artists or groups in your area that trade cards.
  • Attend gatherings of artists in your area, and remind them to bring ATCs to share.
  • Carry them with you as you would business cards, so that if you find an occasion to trade or give away a card, they are with you.
  • Spread the word. If your local artist community is unfamiliar with artist trading cards, you may have to give away a few cards or offer them with a request for one in return before you get many back.
  • Organize a gathering to swap ATCs. Let people know what ATCs are about, and get together to try trading some.
  • Look on-line. There are on-line groups that will match you up with others the world over who can mail cards in exchange for yours.
8. Collect others' ATCs. Because they are the size of other standard trading cards, most will fit in trading card sleeves. ATCs should be as unique as the artists who create them, so enjoy the selection. Start a collection of atc's and try to get as many as you can.

Here is a video !! Hope you like this art and create some ATC's



Cheers,
Jackie :)

Credits: Wiki-how

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