PRIVACY WINDOW FILM

I am so excited to share this with you...and the best treat for me is I just stumbled upon it at Lowe's.  I have been bothered with a window I have in the basement.  You see, it is in the area where I have my clients change clothes.  I've had a decorative screen for them to step behind, but it still bothered me.  Really since my shop is in the basement, it's really not possible to see into the window....but it was a psychological thing for me; I want my clients to feel they have privacy.  Plus, being a basement window it has the ugly window well too.

The reason it's taken me so long to figure out what to do with it is I like the bit of light it provides, so I really wasn't too thrilled with putting up curtains or something else that was going to make it darker.  So, I did nothing.....until NOW!

This little discovery is the perfect solution actually.  It adds privacy, still lets in light and camouflages the window well.  EUREKA!!

The product is made by Gila.  As you can see from their website, there are all sorts of added bonuses with the product like UV ray reduction, and energy saving benefits.   They had several to choose from at Lowe's....I opted for the frosted glass look, although there were a couple others that were really pretty, including two that resembled stained glass.

before

Now I'm ready to add some pretty wood molding trim to add a nice finishing touch and minimize the "builder basic" look of the window and cover up the steel casings that are typical of a basement window.  (Although this make take some convincing with my husband, because I've been told the windows are designed to come completely out in the event of a need to "escape/evacuate" and you're not supposed to put anything inside the frame.  Really?)

I have to tell you, I was a bit intimidated with the whole thing....but, I just followed along with the step-by-step directions and it went really well actually.

    

the half-way mark

I purchased one package of the film and a bottle of the application solution.  I did not buy the other items they sold, which was the trimmer (I figured I could use an x-acto knife and I was right....it worked just fine).

I was able to handle this window on my own, especially since it was in two separate panels...but I could see if it was a wider window, a second pair of hands would be really helpful.  

I know there are many folks who have a garage window or bathroom window that present the same challenges I just described.  I would say this product could be the solution they've been looking for.  

The packaging says it takes several days to fully "cure", but I'm pleased with how easily it went up, how well it adhered and I don't have any air bubbles or slippage.  

I do have a lot of the solution and a fair amount of the film leftover.  Hhhhhmmmmm......I just may have to do the other window on the other side of the room. 

SNICKERDOODLE SCONES

I have to admit I've never been a real scone fan....those I've eaten have seemed dry to me.  But, I love me a snickerdoodle for sure.....so why not give the scone a second chance, especially if there's a way for it to taste like a snickerdoodle right?
Oh my gosh....these are absolutely fantabulous!!  Thank goodness the recipe only make 8 of these little suckers, because they are soooooo good, they will definitely set you back a few calories.

I need to thank Sweet Pea's Kitchen for the recipe.  I did notice that she adapted her recipe from Craving Comfort.  You'll notice mine aren't quite as tall....I'll have to try another batch because I'm not sure if it's the altitude or .... I wish I would have read Craving Comfort's instructions before I baked them, because her instruction about having the dough 3/4" high would have probably helped.   I know now my circle was too large.  So that's the first adjustment I'm going to make.

Also, if you're like me and don't have a food processor, don't worry.....I used my electric mixer with the bread blade attachment and it worked just fine.  I did add 1/4 tsp. of vanilla extract to the spiced glaze, but other than that, I didn't make any other adjustments.

These babies are scrumptious!  So moist and flavorful, unlike any other scone I've tasted.

You have to try these....really!, and it you think they're going to be difficult, with a lot of kneading and other bread baking techniques, you're in for a pleasant surprise.  They are super simple.

Enjoy!

LEMON POPPY SEED BREAD WITH LEMON FILLING

I'm giving myself an "A" for originality; an "A" for flavor; but a "B" for homemade goodness.  You see, I went about as easy as you possibly can by using some pre-made items I spotted on the grocery store shelf.

It was totally tasty though!  There are three items you need to purchase at the store.  Two packages of Martha White lemon poppy seed muffin mix and one jar of the King Soopers private selection California lemon fruit filling.

Follow the directions on the package and be sure if you are in high altitude to add the additional flour.  Fill the prepared pan ( I used cooking spray) with 3/4 of the batter. Spoon a layer of the lemon filling lengthwise down the center of the pan. I left some room on each side of the pan; really concentrating on making a nice yellow stripe down the middle.  I would say I probably used about 1/2 cup of lemon filling.  Pour the remaining batter over the top of the filling.  I only placed 1/2 the batter in the bottom of the pan on my first attempt and you'll notice that the filling sinks some while baking....that's why I'm recommending 3/4 in the bottom.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes.  When cool drizzle a powder sugar glaze over the top of the bread (powder sugar and milk).

I love the extra lemon flavor and the ooey, gooey goodness in the center.  I've enjoyed it at breakfast and at dinner with a salad.  My husband just had a slice with ice cream on top!

However, you try it ..... just do.....it's yummy!

WEDDING GOWN SASH

Yay!  Another first....that's always fun for me.  I had a bride contact me to get a quote on a bridal sash.  She sent me a picture of herself at the bridal shop in the gown she selected with a beautiful rhinestone sash attached.

She told me the shop wanted close to $400 for the sash.  Wait, What?  I was able to make her sash for under $100....and I found a rhinestone trim that was almost an exact replica of what she had on in the store! She was looking to have the trim on just the front of the dress (from side seam to side seam), the ribbon would then just tie in a bow at the back with the tails cascading down the back of the gown.  Easy enough.

I asked the bride for a snip of fabric from a seam allowance of her dress so that I could match the color (she was in Wyoming)..there are so many subtleties in wedding gown colors, I wanted to be sure the ribbon was a good match.  I wasn't able to find a good match on ribbon (maybe I'm way too picky), but I did find a luscious satin fabric which was just perfect.  She described the color as pearl...and that is an absolutely perfect description.

The trim itself was 1 5/8" wide at the widest point, so I made the sash 1 1/2" wide.  Because the trim was pretty heavy due to all the stones, I chose to give the the sash some additional stability by using horsehair braid in between the two layers of fabric for only the length of the trim, the rest of the sash was just the fabric to allow it to drape nicely.

The trim could be sewn by hand onto the ribbon, or ironed on.  I chose to do both; I stitched it in several places, and then used a hot (no steam) iron and pressed it with the trim face down.

I actually purchased extra trim and fabric so that I could make an extra to try to sell in the future. I made a couple minor changes so that each sash was unique; that's the beauty of custom made items right? I so enjoyed making these that I made another sash using an organza ribbon and a wider crystal beading trim that was a leftover from my daughter's gown.  I added some additional rhinestones and pearls to make it truly unique and hand sewed it to the ribbon.  So pretty!

Once I got going, I couldn't stop.  I decided to order several different colors of grosgrain ribbon, and some rhinestone appliques and made one in an oatmeal color and another in a beautiful shade of pink.

I love this trend ..... what a lovely way to enhance the gown and accentuate the waistline!  So BEAUTIFUL!!

JUMBO CLOTHESPINS

I was so happy to find these little suckers at Michael's recently.  I snatched up three to use in my sewing/design room. What the heck am I going to use them for, you ask?  Well, let me tell you....and show you.....

There are times when a client shares with me a picture of something they want me to make for them...a "knock-off" if you will.  Now, I don't mind making a "knock-off", but it's more fun for me when I'm allowed to use my creativity to incorporate some unique elements to the existing design to make it a couture design.   In either case,  I'll print out the picture(s) which are sent to me via facebook or email and print them.  I decided it would be nice todisplay them as I'm working on the project versus scattering them about on my cutting table and then burying them with the fabric, trim, etc. as I go along.  Can you hear the frustration?

Being able to display the front and back views, as well as other perspectives makes it easy to refer to the pictures throughout the entire process.   So that's where the clothespins come in.....Now you know me by now...I couldn't leave them just bare wood!

So, since it's been awhile since I broke out my trusty ModPodge I decided to use it and three different color coordinated napkins that I found at the party store.

The first thing I did was remove the hinge so I wouldn't have to work around it.  Then it was simply cutting out the patterns I wanted to highlight from the napkin and laying it down on the wood that I had coated with ModPodge.  Once I had finished covering both pieces, I let them thoroughly dry and then added two coats to finish them off; letting the first coat completely dry before applying the second coat.

I can see using these as a fridge magnet to hold reminder notes, pictures or a grocery list....actually, there are lots of ways you can use these around the office or home.  And....there are plenty of ways to finish them, including hand painting, glittering (I glittered several of the regular size pins and used them to hold a banner at my daughter's wedding), you name it.  Let your creativity guide you.....

I'm getting ready to start on a ballroom dance dress for a friend who competes with her husband and this is going to be so cool to have the pics posted!

SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SMOTHERED CHICKEN

I made a recipe this past weekend which is definitely a keeper.....and it's also a main dish recipe!   If you've followed my blog at all you'll notice I tend to share more dessert recipes than anything else.  Yep, I'm the one in the family with a crazy sweet tooth.

This is a chicken recipe with mushrooms, spinach and cream cheese that is so good, I just had to share.  I made a french loaf and some veggies on the side (oh yeah...a glass of white wine) and savored the flavors.

CREAMED SPINACH

1 large bag of spinach leaves

4 oz. cream cheese (I used the low-fat version)

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp. red onion

1 clove garlic

2 Tbsp. olive oil

salt and pepper 

SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

8 oz. package of mushrooms

1/2 stick of butter

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup white wine

salt and pepper to taste

CHICKEN 

4-5 boneless chicken breasts

8-10 slices of mozarella cheese 

salt and pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Season the chicken breasts with salt/pepper.  Bake for 16 minutes. While the chicken is baking, make the creamed spinach.  Over medium-high heat, sautee the onions for 2-3 minutes in the olive oil.  Add the spinach and garlic (the spinach will shrink like crazy). When it's cooked through, stir in the cream cheese and the parmesan cheese.  Continue cooking and stirring until the cream cheese is melted.  Remove from heat.

For the mushrooms, melt butter and olive oil in a skillet.   Brown the mushrooms; de-glaze the pan with the wine.  Add in the seasonings and cook until most of the wine is reduced.  

Flip the chicken pieces over.  Divide the spinach and mushroom over the top of each breast.  Lay two slices of cheese over each piece of chicken.  Cook another 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is browned and the chicken is done.   This recipe called for double the garlic in the creamed spinach; additional in the mushrooms and garlic salt as seasoning on the chicken; I like garlic, but I don't like it to overwhelm the dish so I cut it way back and was happy with how it turned out.

I'll also tell you that when I went to make the dish the first page of the recipe was missing.  So, I didn't realize the chicken was to be baked.  I made the entire dish in the same skillet I sauteed my mushrooms.  Now that I know it's supposed to be baked, I'm looking forward to making it again.  I know that cheese is going to taste even better with it being slightly browned and crispy on the top!

Enjoy!

Adapted from....baconbuttercheesegarlic.blogspot.com

HEADBANDS AND CROWNS

This project was for a styled shoot that I collaborated on with my daughter.   The theme was "Mommy and Me".   To make the photo session(s) atypical and really special, we "styled" the shoots to add some fun for both Mom and child.  We wanted to create a storybook setting unlike any other photographs they had ever taken.

We used the beauty of the outdoors and created an intimate picnic type of setting, including props (e.g., hairbands, crowns, boas, hats, mustaches) to offer some variety in the pictures; a pseudo outdoor photo booth if you will. We also put together a backdrop using long strips of fabric....as you can tell we were going for a mostly neutral color palette for the day; just a hint of some subtle yellow, pink and blue.

I'm sharing with you some of the hair accessories that I made.  My daughter had purchased a couple of fabric covered hairbands and asked if I could make some embellishments for them. She showed me a couple of pics of what she was thinking and I raided my fabric/lace/trim scraps to come up with something unique.

For the fabric flower....again, I used several different fabric scraps and made a flower that I hot glued to the headband; this was a larger version of the lapel pin that I made last year.
We also made some crowns of varying sizes and shapes.  My daughter came up with the idea of using lace for the crown itself; she coated the lace with a couple layers of ModPodge to make the lace stiff (very clever!) and then handed it off to me to add some "jewels".  These were a combination of assorted buttons she had purchased and some pearls and rhinestones I already had on hand. Those were a true "tag team" effort and are oh so cute!

Finally, I made a flower wreath....all but two of the sessions was Mom and daughter(s), so we went heavy on the fru fru.  But our little boys had their own kind of fun that day--all kids find a way don't they?
Making the hairpieces was a kick in the pants since it was just a potpourri of goodies blended together to make a vintage inspired look.   The shoot itself was so much fun.   I played stylist that day while my daughter snapped away capturing one-of-a-kind images that every Mom would cherish!

This is the third styled shoot we've collaborated on.....and we get so excited, we're generally talking about what to do next while we working on the current version; the creative juices are just flowing.   In fact, we've already got the next idea formulated for November!  Be sure to check out KB Digital Designs facebook page in the upcoming days to see some of the pics from the day.