ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Perspective

PERSPECTIVE: a mental view or prospect. My perspective in life is generally a view from the clouds with my best friend.

FRIDAY FEATURE: Love Nostalgic Whimsy

If you love vintage luggage like I do - this weeks shop feature is going to be a super huge treat for you! Even if luggage isn’t your thing you have got to give this artist kudos for upcycling and re-purposing Did I say that I just love this shop?

Love Nostalgic Whimsy is full of fantastic upcycled vintage goodies. The main focus is vintage suitcases which this artist has cleverly turned into end tables, chairs, kitty beds, medicine cabinets and jewelry cases for starters. This shop is a must see for sure!


Love Nostalgic Whimsy - right HERE on Etsy!

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Etched Flower Pendant

Sorry for missing Monday Munchies this week - I have been super busy the last few days. Anyway, I didn't want to miss Wednesday Wants and it just so happens that I have a want this week! The designs of jewelry artist Linda Trent are just divine. This etched pendant is my favorite but there are many more lovely goodies in her shop!

GET YOURS HERE!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Propagate

PROPAGATE: to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.

This is my first Illustration Friday for a long while. Now that my letterpress business is off the ground my intention is to get back to illustration so you will see me here more often!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with my work - I currently work 2-4 color and in either line art or block color as my illustrations are created with the intention of being letterpress printed. Once my design is final a press plate is made for each color of the design. Then I individually print each color on my 705LB vintage Vandercook Printing Press.

Letterpress printing is amazing because it allows me to turn my digital work into a completely handmade product. If you would like to see some of the prints that have already been printed from previous illustrations - be sure to check them out HERE in the Art Prints Section!

PS - this print will more than likely to to plate in the next few weeks so check back to see the transformation from image to letterpress print!

FRIDAY FEATURE: Jane Joss

For those of us without a green thumb it can be hard to keep lovely plants alive! I have never been much of an outdoorsy person and plants might sense this because I can’t keep them alive to save my life.

When I ran across this unique shop on Etsy specializing in fabric plants - what a joy! They are lovely and fun and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. And how easy are these? No watering, no pruning - nada - just set out and enjoy!

GET YOURS HERE!

New Music Love: Michael Buble

I had heard that the voice of Michael Buble was today's Sinatra but I was not a believer until I heard this amazing tune - Cry Me A River. As an added bonus he is very easy on the eyes!

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Vintage Train Case

I am just in love with vintage luggage right now! I found this piece and am just ga-ga over it. I am not sure what I would do with it as I don't do much traveling but I love it just the same. Be sure to check out the rest of the shop for more great vintage finds!

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Peach Fuzzies

Sorry for the late post - I had some trouble figuring out what I wanted to share this week for Monday Munchies. I was looking for a good appetizer since I had not had one of those to share for a while when I ran across this great drink recipe and thought - we have never done one of these and drinks are a GREAT appetizer! Hope you enjoy them!

Peach Fuzzies

1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, slightly thawed and divided
3/4 cup vodka, divided
3/4 cup water, divided
4 cups peeled and cubed fresh, ripe peaches (about 6 large), divided
Crushed ice

1. Process half quantities of first 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.

2. Fill blender with ice to 5-cup level, and process until smooth. Pour into a pitcher.

3. Repeat procedure with remaining ingredients. Garnish, if desired.


More recipes at myrecipes.com

FRIDAY FEATURE: Amelia Kay Photography

The fact that I have failed to successfully learn the art of photography just makes me admire accomplished photographers even more. Photography is one artform that I just cant get a grasp on. This photographer is one of my favorites on Etsy - I just love her work and find myself amazed by the way she makes it look so easy.

There is a softness in the work - both the actual visual feel but also the tones used. I love the use of asymmetrical compositions and the close up view of the subjects. She really has a way with the camera to offer a lovely representation of her subjects. Be sure to check out here shop for a wide variety of subjects as I just focused on the nature pieces in this feature!

Amelia Kay Photography - right HERE on Etsy!

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Colorful Cocktail Ring

I love the work of jewelry artist Taylor's Eclectic on Etsy. The bulk of her work has a beautiful stained glass look which is awesome. My favorite part of this piece is bright vibrant colors popping off of the black linework - amazing. You must check out her shop to see all of her wonderful work!

TAYLOR'S ECLECTIC

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Mini Heart Cakes

Valentine's day is right around the corner, in fact this is the last Monday Munchies prior to big day so I figured I better get something together for you to share! Valentine's day or not we all all super busy so I thought these No Bake Mini Heart Cakes would be perfect for an office potluck, to send with your kids in their lunches or just to munch on. Enjoy!

Mini Heart Cakes

One 16-oz frozen poundcake, not thawed

ICING
51/4 cups (about 11/2 lb) confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
2 tsp almond or vanilla extract
Red liquid or paste (icing) food color

OPTIONAL
Red, Pink and/or White Icing in prepackaged tubes
Candy Toppings or sprinkles

1. Have ready 2-in. and/or 21/2-in. heart-shape metal cookie cutters.

2. Using a long, sharp knife, trim rounded hump off poundcake so top is flat. Trim crust off sides. Slice cake horizontally in half. Cut hearts from each half.

3. Put hearts 11/2 in. apart on a wire rack set on wax paper to catch drips.

4. Icing: Stir ingredients, except food color, in a bowl until smooth and as thin as maple syrup. Divide between 2 bowls; cover 1 bowl with plastic wrap. Tint icing in other bowl pink.

5. Spoon pink icing over half the cakes, completely covering tops and sides. Stir drips on wax paper into icing in bowl; cover airtight. Let icing set 30 minutes. Meanwhile repeat with white icing on rest of cakes.

6. Thin remaining pink and white icings with a little water as needed; give cakes a second coat. Let set at least 1 hour.

7. To decorate: With decorating icing, pipe designs and words on cakes as shown, or create your own designs. Add red sugar and candy hearts.

More recipes at womensday.com

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Tweed Hoodie

So I have been wanting an new hat and scarf this winter but never did get one. I found this piece which I just think is awesome so I had to share! Look at that - it is a scarf and hat in one! This great shop called Afra offers a variety of super cool thickly crocheted items - this hoodie in particular is offered in several colors. Their shop is a must see!

GET YOURS HERE

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

There hasn't been a soup featured in a while and let's face it - for most of us it is still soup weather! I am hoping for spring but in the meantime here is something to keep you warm!

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking wild rice
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato
3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
10 ounce light processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta Light)
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Cooking spray

1. Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

2. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth and potato; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until potato is tender.

3. Combine milk and flour, stirring well with a whisk. Add the milk mixture to potato mixture; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in rice, chicken, pepper, and salt. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

More recipes at myrecipes.com