Archive for May, 2009

Daring Bakers May Challenge: Apple Strudel

May 30th, 2009
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I have to admit, I wasn’t very excited about this recipe. I haven’t really been that excited about cooking in general, but it could just be laziness. I’m a little late in posting this, but here’s the strudel recipe.

Apple Strudel

I think the strudel turned out great, although my crust turned out more like a pie crust than a pastry crust. Either way, it won’t last long. It was a big hit around here! I topped it with creme fraiche and streusel and included blueberries in the filling. YUM.

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Head over to Make Life Sweeter for the full recipe.

The May Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Linda of Make Life Sweeter! and Courtney of Coco Cooks. They chose Apple Strudel from the recipe book Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague by Rick Rodgers.

Leaf Pattern Available to Download!

May 28th, 2009
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As I have mentioned before, I’m kind of on a pattern kick and last week’s leaf drawing was just begging to become one. Funny story, Chris and I have had our 24″ iMac for just over a year now, Chris has had the same background since then and wasn’t planning on changing it any time soon until he saw the palace blue leaf pattern. I feel incredibly special right now.

Here they are, all available to download in all the Spring 2009 Fashion Trend colors:

dark-citron-leaf-pattern fuchsia-red-leaf-patternlavender-leaf-patternlucite-green-leaf-patternpalace-blue-leaf-patternrose-dust-leaf-patternsalmon-rose-leaf-patternslate-gray-leaf-patternsuper-lemon-leaf-patternvibrant-green-leaf-pattern

Copy and paste any of these graphics onto your desktop and use this pattern for your blog, twitter, or myspace background! Links back to www.melissaesplin.com are always appreciated. If you’d like to show off what you’ve done with this graphic,  leave a comment with a link or image showing me how you used this pattern!! ALL IS•LY downloads are available for personal use only. ENJOY!

Super Lemon is my Favorite
I think the super lemon yellow is my favorite. ;)

 

Earth Day Winner #5: Let’s Have a Picnic!

May 27th, 2009
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Here’s a little info about our fifth winner, Brooke:

Favorite colors: yellow, but I also like green, orange and blue

Interests: I like doing things outdoors, especially if they involve the water. I also enjoy traveling, cooking, and sunshine.

Something that makes me, me: Hm. I love to laugh and to make others laugh, even if its poking fun at myself. :D

Paper Napkin Paper Rings

It’s funny, I had such a hard time coming up with something for Brooke, and we have so much in common! It was so good to spend so much time brainstorming ideas, though. I’m a little embarrassed it took me until this morning to figure out something that I could do that could be unique and fun and easy to ship. I have this huge pile of small paintings next to our computer, and I thought that it would be great to reuse them somehow, and here they are, as napkin rings.

_dsc0335I just took a couple of old paintings, ripped them in half (2.5″ x 7″) and added a snap! This way the rings can be shipped (or stored) flat and securly fastened together when in use. Perfect for a casual picnic in the park or at the pool (but maybe not too close to the water ;) ).

paintingsHere are the two paintings that gave their lives all for the sake of picnicking. I think I’m going to do this napkin ring thing again. Seriously. This idea would have come in handy for Penelope’s party. Too bad it took me this long to think it up!

Earth Day Winner #4: I Heart Giraffes

May 26th, 2009
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Here’s a little to know about Leah:

Favorite Color: This is a hard one. I love Deep Burgundy red, and rich deep purple and Rich Royal blue, and and and the list goes on, but I think those are the top though.

Interests: Well obviously crafting, and quilting. I also love photography, reading, biking, ultimate Frisbee,  being a mom and wife, nature and once again the list goes on.

Something that makes me me: I’d have to say Giraffes. I LOVE them and collect anything to do with them. I know it’s a little strange, but nobody that knows me can see anything giraffe without thinking of me. [and she’s never won anything before!!]

Giraffe Tissue Holder

I first thought the giraffe motif was particularly awesome when I went window shopping at Jonathan Adler in San Francisco and my friend showed me the most adorable giraffe lamp. So, when Leah emailed me about her affinity for the lurpy-legged creature, I knew I had to incorporate it somehow.

I’m not sure why I thought of doing a  travel tissue case, maybe because I saw it recently on Martha, but maybe in the back of my mind I thought, “Leah likes her kid, who might get a runny nose from time to time.” So there you go. I made the case.

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On the back side of the case, I stitched a little giraffe for her. I really like how this turned out, and I just enough vinyl to make another one. For me!

How to Make a Japanese Stab Bound Journal

May 25th, 2009
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Click here to download the Japanese Stab Bind Tutorial

Japanese Stab Bound Book

I was asked how I bound this book, and thought I would share it with all of you! The bind I did for Maggie is a variation on the Japanese Stab bind. I believe the stitching I did above is called a saddle stitch, going around the spine in basically a spiral, then doubling back to where you started & knotting with a square knot.

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