Tag: craft

12 Day of Crafting, Garden, Mixed Media

12 Days of Crafting: Day 6

lauraleeimhoff

image4Day 6: Thanks for Helping Me Grow!

I cannot believe I am half way through my 12 days of crafting. I’ve really enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, dreaming up new projects, planning my posts, and the most important part of doing these daily blogs is that they are forcing me to finish a few projects!  I am the queen of having little projects that are almost done and just need the finishing touches.  Thank you to all of you that have put up with my posts, clicked on them, even read them, or liked them.  It’s nice to know I have your support.image3

Now down to todays feature: Succulents in Mason Jars.  I love gardening.  Unfortunately, apartment living is not conducive to having beds beyond beds of billowing blooming beauties.  Despite my green thumb, potted plants don’t always seem to cut it on my tiny balcony.  The one thing that I seem to have the most luck with here in Texas are succulents!  They seem to be resilient and able to roll with the punches of daily temperature swings, a day of missed watering, or my neighbors cat chewing on them.

image2Throw a tiny succulent in a mason jar, you’ve got yourself something pretty alright.  Throw a tiny succulent in a painted mason jar and you’ve got something pretty damn cute! It also makes the perfect gift or centerpiece.  *Hint, hint, wink, wink*

Come on by the Bluebonnet Bazaar next Saturday, December 13th from 10 AM – 3 PM and pick one up! I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

12 Day of Crafting, Before & After

12 Days of Crafting: Day 2

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_0010Day 2: Lost & Found

I have a vivid memory from my childhood of cobalt blue glass bottles lined up on the sill of my mothers office window at the house I grew up in. I remember how the light looked shining through during every part of the day.  I asked my mother why she had all these bottles with nothing in them.  Her response was simple.  “I love them. I just do.  Look at how blue they are.” I never felt that it ever needed any other explaining.  Twenty plus years later, I am just like my mother, collecting bottles just to see the light twinkle through the blues, greens, and aged clears.

A while back a friend had stumbled across a collection of old, dusty medicine bottles that were stacked along an old mans barn.  I think he got 3 or 4 cases of these bottles. Well, being my mothers daughter I jumped on the chance to get my hands on a few of these these.

These lost bottles have now been found and given a home. I have a few scattered around my living room and bedroom, but admittedly there were a few, particularly the darker brown bottles, that I wanted to give some character and color to, since they didn’t go with anything in my apartment.  I decided like any crafty girl to add some ribbon, I held back on the glitter, and to stick with the old theme, I added some dried babies breath and miniature roses. On the brown bottles, instead of adding ribbon, I tied antique lace that I had acquired from an estate sale. Simple but definitely brightens up these little bottles and adds a feminine touch.  IMG_0016

12 Day of Crafting, Canning

12 Days of Crafting

lauraleeimhoff

 

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It’s December 1st! Bust out the Christmas tree, deck the halls, get ready to roast some chestnuts, and so on.  I can hear the carols playing already. Although, I’m not as gung ho as my dear friend, Lindsey of Sweet Tweats, (you should totally check out her page, by the way), I have been putting a splash of eggnog in my coffee for a couple of weeks now and I am definitely looking forward to seeing my family for a White Christmas in the Northeast.

But what’s got me the most excited about the Christmas season this year? Crafting!   I will be participating in my first craft fair!  This is something I have always wanted to do.  Admittedly, it has always seemed a little far out of reach and intimidating, but I’m doing it! I will be a vendor at the BluebonnetBazaar!IMG_1368

This little market will be taking place on Saturday, December 13th in South Austin.  Everyday leading up to the Bazaar, I will share a post highlighting an item that I have made and will be available at my booth.

IMG_1370This post is dedicated to Day 1 of the 12 Days of Crafting: Blackberry Bourbon Jam! This jam is the perfect blend of tart, caramelized, spiced goodness.  My apartment now smells like a bourbon distillery after cooking the jam down for a few hours.  I even had a neighbor know on my door to let me know how great it smelled!

For more information on the Bluebonnet Bazaar, check out their Facebook Event with updates and other links: Bluebonnet Bazaar Facebook Event

 

Cocktails, Recipes, Uncategorized

Last of the Season: Melons & Margaritas

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_0258Summer is slowly coming to an end, which in Texas, means cooler weather is rapidly approaching. In fact, we actually got some this weekend, but I’m not holding my breath as this weeks forecast is back up in the nineties.  While we are all itching to bust out our sweaters and scarves, This particular seasonal crossover allows for glorious finds at the farmers market. The last cucumbers, melons, and peppers are still making an appearance, but the fall favorites are starting to show themselves too. Although, I am eagerto be able to walk outside without my make up sliding off my face, I am not quite ready to let summer slip through my fingers. Reflecting on these last few months, I definitely got in my vacation time, hiking, swimming at the springs, but the one thing I did not get my fill of are summer fruit and margaritas. Now, in most cases, they don’t have to be combined. In this instance, I went for the most bang for my buck. Inspired by Rio Rita’s Honeydew Thyme infused tequila, I grabbed a cantaloupe and jalapeños from the farmers market. I’ve dipped my fingers into infusing many a time (yes, the rumors of bacon infused vodka are true), but for the sake of quenching my thirst, the juicer came out!

I’m looking forward to drinking this Jalapeño Cantaloupe Margarita next year, all summer long.

Jalapeño Cantaloupe Margarita

  • 1/2 cantaloupe, cubed
  • 1 jalapeño (seeds removed)
  • 1 lime- tequila of choice-triple sec (or Cointreau)
  • ice
  • agave (optional)

Put cantaloupe, jalapeño, and half of the lime through the juicer. In a glass, pour 2 parts tequila and 1 part triple sec over ice, top off with melon pepper mix. Garnish with lime wedge.

Note: I find margaritas are very personal, just like coffee in the morning. Some like them stronger, sweeter, or more sour. I dissolved a little agave and shook it in with the mix and tequila. However, you like your margarita, this one is delicious! Enjoy!

Uncategorized

Embroidery At It’s Best

lauraleeimhoff

IMG_0020_2A year ago, a couple girlfriends and I took an embroidery class at a small sewing shop, appropriately named Stitch Lab.   Embroidering was something I always wanted to pick up, but the thought of needle and thread, or any needlework craft, seemed very intimidating.  My Grandmother is incredible with a needle and thread.  She could sew anything. Her embroidery and cross stitch work, all done by hand, looked as perfect as if it were done by a machine.  I felt like I had a lot to live up to.  I realize when you are learning something new you have to be very kind to yourself.  Even thoughI know this, when I get in front of people, I immediately feel as if I have to get it right, and perfect, on the first try.  I will say, it was a humbling experience. French knots and the stem stitch were the only things standing in my way from my first timer perfection.

Immediately after taking the class, I became an embroidery fool.  Sitting and impatiently waiting at the Doctor’s office, I would bust out my needle and hoop.  Every time I send off a gift basket of jams & jellies, I would throw in a towel.  It is therapeutic and relaxing.  It forces me to slow down in a wold that is constantly go, Go, GO! The best thing I have gotten out of embroidery is the bond that has been created between my Grandmother and I.  Whenever I start a new towel, napkin, bag, etc. I always think of my Grandmother.  Would this be something she would want in her kitchen? On her table?  I have been completely in love with embroidering flour sack towels with herbs or produce.  I have gotten the Nettie Stamp of Approval.  Now, I’m not quite to her level of mastery, but I think I’m on my way!