Faux Ceramics

Ready for another craft project?

All this week, these alphabet cookie cutters are

showcasing their versatility. I got them at

a bargain price while treasure-hunting at

the Housing Works thrift store in New York.

Remember the holiday cards I made last year?

Enclosed is a heart-shaped ornament that can

be hung on a tree or around a door knob.

I made it out of salt dough and today,

I think it's time to play with salt dough again!

Here's how:

We'll need these ingredients.

Mix ingredients together until a dough is formed.

Add more water if the dough isn't coming together or

add flour little by little if the dough is too sticky.

Knead the dough on a floured board until it's smooth and elastic.

Roll out the dough with a rolling pin dusted with flour.

Roll until the dough is 1/4 inch thick.

Cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter dipped in flour.

Today, I'm using circles, 7 cm in diameter.

Then make indentations in the center with

your favorite letter {dip cutters in flour}.

Slowly take out the cutters.

I'm making small bowls with the letter

used as a monogram.

To achieve the "dome" of the bowl,

carefully transfer the dough circle to the back

of a small tart tin or the back of a muffin tin

{should be smaller than the dough circle}.

Make sure to grease the back of the tins with

vegetable oil so the dough doesn't stick to it

while baking. Also, the monogram should be

facing the back of the tin.

Put these on a cookie sheet.

Bake in a preheated 250 degree oven for 2 hours.

When done, allow to cool.

Here's what the mini monogram bowls look like. TADA!

I painted them in a metallic gold.

They're quite imperfect and lopsided, almost like a

beginner made them on a potter's wheel.

It clearly tells the recipient it's handmade.

This makes a thoughtful anniversary present

where the couple can rest their wedding bands.

It holds the jewelry you wear everyday and you can

take it when travelling because it's light & unbreakable.

Petit Gateau

Thanks for coming over today!

This week is all about these cookie cutters,

the latest treasure I found at the

Housing Works Thrift Store.

When I'm hunting around at thrift stores, I usually look for

books, things for the home and lonely objects waiting

for a blah to TADA! make-over. Cookie cutters like

these are unexpected and even surprising that

they're in good condition & a complete set at that.

Here's what I'll use my cookie cutters for:

I bought some ready-to-use rolled fondant.

It's easy to use with professional looking results!

If you've never worked with fondant, it looks &

feels like clay. Pull out a piece and roll it out with

this special rolling pin that has rings to control

the fondant's thickness.

Take out the cookie cutters & punch away.

Make sure to keep the excess fondant in a zip-top bag

or air-tight container.

Doesn't it lend a special TADA! touch to a home-baked,

home-decorated cake?

It's a personal cake for a lovely birthday girl named Zoe.

"C" is for Cookie Cutters

How was your weekend lovelies?

I hope you had one of the best ones yet.

Last Friday, I told you about my fab find

at the Housing Works Thrift Store.

It's this set of mini alphabet cookie cutters.

I paid only US$3.75 for it! The set was complete, there

were no deformed letters and they looked hardly used.

When you buy kitchen accessories like this, it's best

to give them a thorough cleaning before use.

I washed the cookie cutters in warm, soapy water

and scrubbed them by hand.

Then I let them dry with the help of a dish cloth and

some time under the sun {I'm afraid of rust!}.

This week, I'm figuring out different ways to use them.

Let's start with toast.

It's a tasty breakfast or snack but it can look so blah.

Before putting them in the toaster, spell out some words

like "Yum", "Cool" or your kids' names if they aren't too long.

Press them half way through & gently remove the cutters.

You just want to make indentations, not remove any bread.

Pop the bread into the toaster and...

TADA! Personalized toast!

Depending on your toaster and heat setting, the

results can vary. I would have wanted a darker piece

but I prefer my toast on the less crunchy side.

Have a mighty good Monday ya' all!

A Thrift Store in New York City

Whoopee, it's Friday!

We end our travel/shopping series today but I

hope to feature more markets in the future.

Today, we're in New York and instead of

a flea market, we're going to a thrift store.

This is just one of the many branches of the

Housing Works Thrift Shops.

Proceeds from shop sales go to New Yorkers

affected by homelessness and HIV/AIDS.

Isn't that TADA!?

All merchandise are donated and I visit

as often as I can because there's

always something new!

Recently, they arranged their books by color.

Lots of records, CDs and DVDs.

They have awesome furniture, too.

I would have loved to get that school desk and

matching chair and possibly add a fresh coat of paint.

They also have a nice selection of

clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

I like to spend extra time in the houseware section.

This is what I found in my latest visit:

An alphabet cookie cutter set.

All 26 letters complete!

You'll have to tune in to see the many ways to use this set.

Have a fun weekend everyone!

Flea Markets in London

I'm not crafting this week, but that doesn't mean

I have no nifty ideas to share.

I hope you've been enjoying our trips to the flea markets.

Fancy a visit to London today?

London has many remarkable flea markets.

Here are three of my favorites:

The first, of course, is the one located on Portobello Road.

This sign shows how extensive the market is.

There are stalls open during the week, but it's best to

come on Saturdays when all the fabulous vintage

treasures and one-of-a-kind antiques come out.

Something will surely catch your eye here.

Make sure to step inside the independent boutiques

in the area if your preference is "brand new" -- clothes,

cookbooks, ceramics, travel guides or jewelry.

Another market, though smaller in scale,

is Bermondsey Market.

It's open on Fridays from early morning to noon.

They sell smaller items like silverware, glassware, China and

other interesting curios that are easy to pack in your suitcase.

Lastly is the Old Spitalfields Market.

I like it because it has old items, handmade products like

clothes & bags, plus there's food {if you need a meal

right after shopping} all under one roof.

The neighborhood also has a youthful energy.

Okay, so here's what I bought:

Care to guess what it is?

It's a toast rack where you'd display freshly toasted bread

and put it directly on the dining table.

Trust the British to add pomp & circumstance to

everyday items. I've never seen this used elsewhere,

I just had to have one! And a vintage one at

that {I chose a more modern style}

for less than US$10.

The bottom slides off for easy crumb clean-up.

But because in my house, toast is consumed

on a eat-and-run basis, here's what

my flea market find looks like now:

It's where I organize all the postcards I've received!

TADA!

A Flea Market in Rome

I'm reliving my previous travels, specifically to flea markets

in different parts of the world. I'm also showing off

some of my second-hand souvenirs.

Today, it's off to Rome, Italy!

This is the Porta Portese market in the Trastevere quarter.

It's open on Sunday mornings and gets crowded as

the day progresses.

Here you'll find new and used Italian goods...

...as well as not-so Italian items.

This is what I remember that trip by:

It's a metal tray that can be hung as art.

It's tarnished and has a few difficult-to-remove stains.

It has seen better days but I felt I had to buy it.

These days, I use it with my Moroccan glasses

when I serve homemade mint tea.

For the summer, the tray is an appetizer platter

brimming with gazpacho and crackers.

I can't wait to use it for dessert, too!

A Flea Market in Chicago

This week, I'm showing off some flea market finds.

Selling and buying second-hand goods are a form of

recycling too -- somebody else's junk can be

someone's jewels, right?!

Today, Chicago is where we're at.

This is the Chicago Antique Market/Randolph Street Market,

held on a selected weekend once a month. There's an

outdoor section {I recommend wearing a hat} and an

indoor market as well.

They have everything from furniture, clothes,

accessories and collectibles.

There's also the Indie Designer Fashion Market inside the

premises with products created by local talent.

You can easily spend a few hours here.

Let me show you what I bought:

A vintage teacup & saucer, one of the

very first in my small collection.

Apart from the pink roses, this is what

sealed the deal:

It had my name printed on the bottom!

It was meant to be mine and I paid less

than US$10 for it.

Here's another adorable find:

A small dish which is meant to hold a pat of butter

{all you need is a basket of dinner rolls}.

I bought it for US$3.

On some afternoons, I opt for "tea time" instead of

a coffee break.

I take out my tea cup & saucer and use the dish

to hold my tea bag.

Even if my tea and cookies are of the supermarket variety,

this tea service is still fit for a queen.