Having Fun...

Having fun with my new iPhone apps, polarizer and quad cam.

A Bedtime Activity

The girls always want a project, but its especially important on nights where its just them and me. Tonight we did a quick painted chocolate project that was lots of fun and none too messy!

By using white coating chocolate, chocolate dies and a plastic mold, the girls created these pink and yellow painted bee chocolates, which are absolutely adorable!

Clean up was minimal and we even got out the paint brushes!

Open Studios at Arts Benicia

Open Studios at Arts Benicia was great!  I had a table set up so people could make Artist Trading Cards or ATCs... of course, the kids always have the most fun!

Emma made several ATCs with her friend Chloe.

Check out my new class on book making this summer at Arts Benicia.

I will be demonstrating at Open Studios in Benicia from 10am -1pm. Demos will be held at Arts Benicia located in the historic arsenal area on the water in Benicia. I will have a table set up for making Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) but there will be lots of other art events going on for adults and kids. Hope you can make it!

A Day in the City

Had a day off with Aaron and we decided to spend the whole day walking around in San Francisco. Any trip to Sf requires a stop by Miette, our favorite sweet shop for some chocolate and les macarons.


We also tried out the new Crown & Crumpet teashop in Ghiradeli square. It was fabulous! Just the right mixture of old time British charm with pink polka dot sass. They have over 35 different teas to choose from and a delightful lunch and cocktail menu too!

Natural Easter Egg Dying Workshop

The day before Easter I taught a workshop at Maison Réve in Mill Valley on natural egg dying. There were toddlers, teens, parents and great aunts all assembled to learn how to create these beautiful naturally died eggs. The dying was easy, but the distillation and preparation of the dyes before hand was very time consuming.

After researching and experimenting I decided I liked the red cabbage dyes the best, which created this beautiful French blue hue (shown below). Boiled tumeric produced a sunny yellow, and red onion skin produced an olive green. The crazing effect happened all on its own.

For best results on creating natural egg dye, boil 6-8 cups water with 1 head chopped red cabbage for about 10 min, then simmer for another 20. Strain and allow cabbage water to sit for about 2 days before use. When using tumeric or red onion leaves, follow the same process substituting cabbage with the skin of 5 onions and 1/4 cup tumeric respectively. For all dyes, add 2 tablespoons alum (found in the spice aisle) to the water mixture. Alum is a mordant that will help the dye adhere to the egg shell. Allow the eggs to sit in the dye awhile. When you remove the eggs, allow them to dry so that the color will stick to the egg. Try not to touch the egg too much or wipe off the dye. You should have beautiful naturally died eggs great for egg and hunts and Easter decorations!

New Wallet

I made the duct tape wallet on the left 3 years ago just before I left on a trip for Ireland. It once looked shiny and new like the one I just made (on the right) yesterday. I think it was definitely time for a new one!

I used paper as the base for the construction and pieced it together bit by bit.

I have about a dozen library cards and an address book and a million bits of paper and such that for some reason I feel I must have in my wallet, so I need something pretty large. This wallet has a three tiered section for all my cards (below) and a large pouch opposite for my address book, receipts and cash.

I love the way it turned out! The great thing about duct tape is it lasts forever and is easy to repair!  Eat your heart out Kate Spade!!!