Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ventures in Steam Punk Jewelry

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Upon request from my good friend and freelance writer Tara Clapper over at tarawrites.com, I will be making her a steampunk necklace with ye olde typewriter keys.  Here are some pics of the stuffs I snagged at the Fremont Market earlier today:




So there they are!  I love the T.  It's my favorite one.  :D

Friday, February 26, 2010

New Rings for 2010! Stamped Domed Disks and Lampwork Beads

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I have been going a little crazy lately with the stamps.  It all started when I was asked to do a project for my friend Meredith over at Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumeries.  She was commissioned to do a project - Eos, the world's first carbon neutral fragrance line - for Blue Marble Energy in Seattle, WA.  I was asked to do hand stamped tags for the bottles, with both companies names on them.  Click on the Blue Marble link and see the tag!


However, I digress.  With this project came a reawakening of my old love of stamping sterling silver.  I just love it.  Love.  It.  So, after that project was over, I decided to buy myself some design stamps and play with them.  My first designs with them are the simple stamped disk earrings.  Now, my new designs are here!  I made some awesome rings.


Find them in my Etsy shop, and see my other work, too!


Without further ado, here are some pictures of them!  (They are not the best pictures ever, but they will do.  For now!)












Thanks for looking!  Please feel free to comment and ask me any questions!!


<3
Carolyn




~*~*~

FOTD : Green Challenge



Please forgive these pictures.  I was at school and trying to take them by myself.  I probably should have had my friend do it.  Anyway!  Here are the pictures, for now.  I can't exactly remember what I used but I think it's something like Trillium, Forget Me Not, Green Brier and Sweet Pea.

I will be redoing this look and then posting more (better) pics later.  Enjoy!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

FOTD: Chartreuse and Purple

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FOTD:  Chartreuse and Purple







This was done on Monday, when I didn't have class and I had time to put together a shopping list, get some make-up on and coordinate it with my outfit.  I needed something that would go with blue and chartreuse, so Ana (Lipsticks and Lightsabers) suggested purple!  I don't usually do purples, but this turned out pretty good. Not exactly the purple I set out for, but oh well!  

In this look I used the following eyeshadows:

Aromaleigh Angel Absinthe Rock
Aromaleigh L'Orchidee Jewel 
Aromaleigh Angel Anastasia
Aromaleigh En Pointe Elegie
Aromaleigh Hi-Fi Matte What's Shakin'

On inner lid, I used Absinthe Rock.
Next over most of the lid, I used Jewel.
Then, Anastasia went into the crease and outer vee.
I patted Elegie over the top of Anastasia because I wanted it's sparkles.
Then I swept a little What's Shakin' over Jewel because I wanted it to be a more blue toned purple.  

All this was over cream shadow (Bare Necessity) and Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Spinach, Ricotta and Pine Nut Ravioli

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Here is a recipe I picked up on the Whole Foods (click for original recipe) website while searching for ravioli recipes.  I picked up some wonton wrappers because they were on sale and decided I could make some ravioli from the baby spinach I got in my Full Circle CSA box this week.

I served this recipe with Sauteed Shrimp with Garlic and Leeks (recipe forthcoming!)

Spinach Ricotta and Pine Nut Ravioli

1/2 tablespoon olive oil 
1 shallot, chopped 
1/2 pound baby spinach 

2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper to taste 
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 
8 tablespoons toasted pine nuts 
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 
Semolina flour for dusting 
1 (12-ounce) package won ton wrappers 
1 egg, room temperature, beaten with 1/2 tablespoon cold water 



Chop shallot and garlic.  Heat olive oil in pan on medium.  Heat shallots and garlic until fragrant, but don't let them brown.  Add baby spinach, about 1/3 at a time.  Let it all wilt down, but don't over cook it.  Transfer it to a stainless steel bowl and spread it apart a bit.  Cool in bowl until room temperature.  (I put mine in the open window to  cool down to room temperature.)   Then, once cool, put it in the 'fridge for about 20 mins.  After that, take it out and squeeze the excess water out of the leaves of spinach.  Discard liquid.  Chop the spinach finely.  Put the chopped spinach back into the bowl it came from, then add ricotta cheese, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, and 6 tbsp pine nuts, mix well.  


Dust a clean work surface with semolina flour.  Also, take out a rimmed baking sheet, put down a layer of wax paper, and dust that with the semolina flour, too.  Get your egg ready and lay out 5 or 6 wonton wrappers on your floured surface. Using a spoon, put a dollop of the spinach ricotta pine nut filling onto the middle of each wrapper.  Then, using a brush, brush the egg mixture onto the edges of the wrappers.  Set the top wrapper onto each ravioli, then secure the corners of each first.  I press with fingers, then press with a fork, too for extra security.  Then, once the corners are secure, press down one side of one ravioli both with your fingers then with a fork.  Pick up the ravioli, press the wrappers together, getting the air out of the ravioli, and securing all sides.  Then use your fork tines to decorate and secure the edges.  Repeat until you run out of wrappers, or run out of filling!  Set these onto the floured wax papered baking sheet and keep making 'em!  If you won't be making them immediately, cover them and put them in the fridge for later.  You can also freeze them for later.  (I put the extras into freezer bags in 2 person servings - 4 raviolis each - so I can just pull it out of the freezer anytime.)


When you are ready, bring a pot of water to boil.  Add ravioli 4-5 at a time (or if you have a large enough pot, add 10 at a time), making sure they don't stick to each other.  Drain, and serve.  Enjoy!


Filling for Ravioli


Frozen, Finished Raviolis




(Add link to Sauteed Shrimp with Garlic and Leeks)


Shrimps Sauteed in Butter with Garlic and Leeks, Served alongside Ravioli




(Add link to Pear Pie Recipe)




Love,
Carolyn


~*~

Friday, February 19, 2010

Look Forward to:

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Hello again!

Look forward to the following things this weekend:

1.  A purple and green look from earlier this past week.

2.  Some new outfits I bought about a week ago!

3.  Valentine's Day look/outfit.

4.  Recipes!


If there is anything you would like to hear about, please let me know!  Sometimes I get very caught up in what I am doing when I am working (i.e. making jewelry, not answering the phone) and so I don't always get photos of my process... But if you want me to, I can make a concerted effort!  :D

Also, readers, if you read my blog, but aren't a "Follower," I would greatly appreciate if you did follow me!!  Thank you!

Here is a sort of funny looking picture preview of the 'look' I did on Monday.  I had to put on make-up to go to the grocery store!  (Thank you Ana from Lipsticks and Lightsabers for the suggestion of purple!)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

New Event - I Heart Indie Crafts - March 7th - Kirkland, WA

"I Heart Indie Crafts is Kirkland's newest cutting edge urban craft experience!

Located in downtown Kirkland's Lake Street Bar & Grill @ 15 Lake Street.

Join IHIC Sunday March 7th!

IHIC features 25+ of the Pacific NW's most innovative indie designers and urban crafters from 12-4pm the first Sunday of every other month.

Enjoy music from our live DJ, while having brunch, drinks, and shopping the best in urban crafts and functional art!

Our special guest for March is Happy Delusions

IHIC always has the latest and greatest in urban craftstars!

The first Sunday of every other month 12-4pm

Lake Street Bar & Grill15 Lake Street, Kirkland, WA

http://www.iheartindiecrafts.com"









I will be vending at this lovely, awesome event on March 7th, in Kirkland, WA.  (If you hadn't read that enough times already, or something!)


I have special pricing, just for shows, which includes multiple item discounts and tax-included.  I also do custom work while you shop, which means no waiting for a week! (Unless it is a large order, of course!)  


Come see me on Sunday, March 7th, in Kirkland!  (That is also my mom's birthday, so help me buy her something nice!  She can only wear GOLD jewelry.  Sheesh!)




<3Carolyn

Chicken Adobo and Caramelized Celeriac

Picture Via: OrganicToBe.org Puree of Celeriac Recipe

Tuesday night I made up some chicken adobo from this recipe on AllRecipes.com.  I changed it a bit, added some things and did a few things differently, as I usually do in order to fit my tastes (and Jeff's) and what is in my kitchen at the time.

If you don't know, Filipino adobo is really really good.  The End. No, really.  It refers to slow cooking with vinegar, which inhibits bacteria growth.  I use less vinegar because I don't like it TOO vinegary, but you can use as much as you want!

Chicken Adobo
4.5 lbs chicken drumsticks (12 drumsticks)
2 cups water
1.5 cups chicken stock
0.5 cups apple cider vinegar
0.25 to 0.5 cups low sodium soy sauce (depends on taste)
1 tbsp brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, chopped (umm, we love garlic!)
half of an onion (doesn't matter what kind, I use yellow)
1 tsp freshly ground peppercorns (I buy the whole ones in a grinder thingy)
2 large bay leaves, 1 small bay leaf (I like bay leaf)
1 tsp ginger powder (or fresh ginger)
Rosemary Salt to taste (from EllieBlueBell)

Put chicken into a large pot. (I have no idea how big the pot I have is, no it isn't stamped on the bottom.)  Combine liquids, sugar, garlic, pepper, ginger, and salt together and mix (in a bottle, bowl or just throw it all in the pot and stir together).  Pour over chicken.  Turn the heat on to medium high.  Add bay leaves.  You want to boil it for about 5 mins, then turn it down to a simmer and simmer until the meat begins falling off the bones.  Serve over rice, with some of the liquid to flavor the rice with the tasty goodness of adobo.


Caramelized Celeriac
1 - 2 celeriac (celery root), cut into bit size pieces, with the outer skin removed/peeled
1/2 yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
Rosemary Salt (to taste)
Olive Oil

Heat the oil until 'shimmering.'  Cook the onion and garlic a little, then toss in the celeriac.  Toss until all pieces have oil on them.  Cook for about 30 mins or so, turning every once in a while, allowing all sides and pieces to get that lovely brown caramelized goodness on them.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Shoe Frenzy!


You may not know, but I do love me some shoes.  Oh, yes, indeed I do.  Here are a few of my most recent catches.  


I bought two pairs of shoes from www.6pm.com, which is kind of like Zappos.com, at least in the way that they sort and search, and the pictures.  I was inspired by Miss K's shoelust on Tumblr and was looking for cute shoes that I liked, and fit my specific needs/wants.  


I found a pair of Killah brand flats with a tweed/houndstooth design over a red polkadot.  Which I didn't realize at first, but I think it's really cute!!


Next are my own pictures.














These are just so cute.  The inside is metallic red, and the little cameo thing is a clip on, which I can't wear (yet) because it rubs my toes.  The shoes have cute ruching, red suede on the heel and red patent trim.  Super cute.  The only thing I do not like is that the bottom of the shoe has NO traction, whatsoever.  AT ALL.  Ok people, I live in Washington (the state), very near Seattle.  In case you live somewhere without stereotypes, you know that I see quite a lot of rain.  And rain means slippery.  Traction is a must.  Anyway.  I am just sad I have to mar the cute design on the bottom, but I must do what I must do.

Next up is the super cute grey pump.  This heel is less than 2 inches, which is to say it is the perfect height for me.  I am short and plump with knees that sometimes get very mad at me sometimes, so high high heels are simply out.  Not to mention my center of gravity is pretty low, and if I wear heels too high, that just messes everything up.  Anyway.  Onto the cute pictures!  

 No flash.
 With flash.

And yes, I did partially get them because they have a sexy pink leopard print on the inside.  My boyfriend said "I don't know if I like them.  The color is sort of old-lady-ish."  I promptly reminded him grey is a neutral and that he doesn't know what he is talking about.  I happen to think they are cute, and they were an amazing price. So there!! 


The final pair was the least expensive of all of them.  I paid $13.13!!!! They were on clearance at Sears, I was meeting my Dad so we could get me some new glasses.  Anywho.  They are an amazingly perfect pair of pumps/heels, with black and white tweed, black patent details and a hematite-color button.  They are perfection.  Also, they are about 2" tall, so are again the perfect height.  Anything high and I can't bend my ankles.  






So, what do you think of my new shoes?  Thus far I have worn (out of the house) the black/tweed pumps.

Valentine's Day - My (Small) List

Found this on Flickr: Annete's Art 

1.  I just want one of these.  Just one rose.  I do not need an entire bouquet.  Just a single rose is perfect for me.  Or even a dahlia, however, those are hard to find this time of year.


2.  Vanilla Bean.  Yes, I want vanilla pods.  Or just one.  I won't try to be too greedy.




image courtesy IHeartVanilla.com




3.  A really cute card made/designed by Jeff.  Like he did for Christmas, which I will post later when I get home.  



4.  Salted Caramels.  Yum.

 
That is my Valentine's wishlist. :D 

What do you hope to get for V-Day?  (Even though it is stupid and overdone by Hallmark.)

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Super New Jewelry!!



I LOVE stamping.  It is so very very fun!!  I also have a love for quails, and cute little dinos.  Also, I have always felt the Ohm symbol is beautiful and has wonderful meaning.  

Thank you to my friend Miss Tat at Closed Eye Typing blog for the amazing Rawr!! idea.  

I have been wearing the ring with the quails all in a row (it says "Wark!!" inside the band) all weekend and have gotten compliments and questions about it.  My boyfriend is a Final Fantasy 7 geek, and I thought in my Friday caffeinated insanity that the quail could kind of look like a chocobo from the game(s).  They say "Wark!!"  in the game, and my boyfriend does the most awesome impersonation.    This is what an artistic rendering of a chocobo looks like.  Yes, the stamp is a quail, not a chocobo, but I was using my imagination.  :D  

The Rawr!! pendant is up for sale on my Etsy site.  I have plans to make rings with stamped initials/letters, dinos, quail, owls, Ohm, and skull and crossbones, too.   (And any other stamps I get in the future!)

Please feel free to convo me on Etsy if you are interested in custom orders.  Or you could email me:  carolyn {dot} buss {at} gmail {dot} com .  

Friday, February 5, 2010

FOTD: Neutrals! Aromaleigh Fox, Cascade, Persian Kitten

I did this look Wednesday at work when I didn't have time to do it at home.

Over Bare Necessity and Pixie Epoxy, I used Fox on my lid, Cascade in the crease and outer V, then Persian Kitten on browbone/as blender color.  Here are the pics.

Please ignore the leftover blue on my lower lid...  >.>



Tuesday, February 2, 2010

FOTD: Fyrinae A Darling Mystic Misfit was Curiouser and Curiouser, so much so, she became a Farseer



 (More after the jump!)

Fyrinnae Haul!

Fyrinnae.  I always spell their name wrong, usually I spell is with an extra "r."  Silly.  Anyway.  Here is what I got today!







I also got some Velvet-Gel Silica Primer, but I didn't get a picture of it specifically.. Except for underneath the shadows... Up there.  The black cap.  That's it!  :D

I love Fyrinnae!  You should, too.  :)  Free shipping on order over $20.