Wednesday, June 30, 2010

SUNFLOWER

When I arrived home yesterday, this beautiful bouquet was there to greet me. Such a lovely and thoughtful surprise!

S.W.A.K.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

POETRY IN MOTION

Frannie's class had a poetry tea party. Here she is reciting two of her own poems.

(Frannie loves a microphone)

We made cookies to share at the tea party.
Here's the before.

Here's the after.

My very favorite filled Viennese Shortbread. I have been making these cookies since I was Frannie's age. Of course there were sprinkles!

Viennese Shortbread (adapted from Betty Crocker's Cooky Book)
1 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 Tsp. Vanilla (I use 1 Tsp.)
2 Cups Flour
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
Mocha Filling (Below)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Blend flour and baking powder; stir into butter mixture. You can use a cookie press if you feel like tormenting yourself. I prefer a pastry bag with a large star tip (Wilton #909). Press out cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet - about 1 inch apart. (If dough does not come through smoothly, add 1 to 2 tsp. cream). Bake about 7 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges. Cool. Put two cookies together with filling of your choice. Makes about 2 dozen double cookies.

Mocha Filling

Mix 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp. butter, and 1 tsp. instant coffee dissolved in 1 tsp. boiling water until fluffy. If too dry, add a few drops of water.

You can use any kind of filling you like. In the photo above I used chocolate ganache, which I had left over from a previous cupcake. You could also use Nutella or your favorite preserves, like strawberry or apricot. Maybe you'd just like to leave out the coffee part. Go ahead - the filling will still be delicious. If you don't have any instant coffee, you could also use left over morning coffee or espresso - just don't add any extra water.

These taste particularly good the next day.

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.

Friday, June 18, 2010

ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART

Spring Concert May 2010

(I have no idea who that man is)
Hello Kitty - Never Leave Home Without Her
(She's there, you just can't see her on the necklace)

I made bouquets for two special violinists

Zing went the strings of my heart.

On a lighter note... :)
S.W.A.K.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

LET ME SLEEP ON IT

Here's another one, but this does not have a contrasting pocket inside. I used a variegated cotton and crocheted a wider, more lacey edge. Of course, I hand-stitched a precisely measured blanket hem all the way around first - that's just the way I am. Fabric by Tanya Whelan.

S.W.A.K.

Oh yeah, there are more, I just haven't photographed them yet.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS

A while back I participated in the "On The Edge... Pillowcase Crochet Along". If you're interested, the tutorial is still available here. Now, I didn't follow the directions exactly, because that's just the way I am, but I think they turned out pretty darn cute! Thanks for the inspiration Cassie.

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - I didn't stop with just these two, oh no, not me.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

GOING TO THE CHAPEL OF LOVE

Not me - this purse!
This purse is on its way to merry old England, London to be exact, for a bride who is soon to be married. It was knitted with thousands of teeny-tiny off-white pearl seed beads. The interior has a silk lining and vintage gold braid trim. Hope she loves it!

S.W.A.K.