Handmade Chocolate

Chocolate making was one of my favorite things to learn in pastry school. Tempering can be a bit of a challenge but can be improved upon with practice.

So here I am. Practicing.

I made these chocolate bars.

I flavored them with dried mission figs, walnuts, cocoa-dusted almonds, and sea salt.

These ingredients bring different textures and flavors to a plain bar.

I wrapped each bar in foil to preserve freshness.

Inspired by beautifully wrapped artisinal chocolates like this one and this one, I chose to wrap my chocolate in a pretty print. 

This is scrapbook paper from my paper stash, but you can use giftwrap...there are so many pretty ones available!

Now that the bars are all neatly wrapped, it's time to make a label.

I'm using navy sticker paper and a white pen to write the name (I'm using "Handmade Chocolate" for now) and the ingredient list. It's also good to write a "Best Before" date.

Stick the label on! This is the front side.

And the back side.

Here are my chocolate bars, ready to be given away...TADA!

Crafty Uses for Old Postage Stamps

I am still a big supporter of snail mail. I enjoy selecting the stationery, writing a meaningful message, and choosing the perfect postage stamp.

Postage stamps are a story in themselves. They show a portrait of their country of origin. They could be patriotic or religious, show pride for their citizens, are lovers of nature, or have a sense of humor. Did you know that you can buy cancelled stamps in thrift stores and from on-line sellers?

Here's my little collection, cut out from Christmas cards and letters I've accumulated over the years. I keep them and use them for crafting. 

Curious? Let me show you:

I use postage stamps to wrap presents. 

A blah brown paper package. But when tied up with string and embellished with ephemera, washi tape, and rubber stamps, it turns into TADA!

Another version with just string and postage stamps.

Next is a ceramic catch-all dish:

This was a plain white sauce dish that I turned from blah to TADA! I used an air mail envelope, a cancelled postage stamp, and pages from a magazine to give it a new look. I attached these with glue and added a light coating of Mod Podge. 

It's a tiny tray to tidy up odds and ends like paperclips, tacks, and rubber bands.

I've got another idea:

Turn the postage stamps into fridge magnets...TADA!

Find the ones you want to use (I'm using an all bird theme).

Take a sheet of self-adhesive magnets.

Attach the stamps in a corner but make sure to reinforce with glue.

Then cut them into individual or duo magnets. Notice that I tried my best to keep the perforated sides for added postal charm.

Add a few drops of dimensional magic glue for a glassy and raised finish. Let dry for a few hours.

Now, you can use them on your refrigerator door...TADA!

And here's another one from the blog archives:

I found an empty plastic box and decorated the top with postage stamps. I carefully selected these characters from cartoons, comics, and story books for a touch of whimsy...TADA! 

And there you have it...crafty ways to turn old postage stamps from blah to TADA! 

Stickers for Snail Mail

I love stickers! I can spend a good amount of time at the sticker aisle in the craft store. I like to use them for card making and gift wrapping. 

I also use them to embellish envelopes for mailing.  

These are some stickers that I made recently. I turned a blank sheet of adhesive paper from blah to TADA! 

I used these rubber stamps with a vintage vibe.

I dug up other travel-themed stamps that I received as gifts.  

I used letter stamps to spell out words.

Luggage back then was very heavy and didn't have wheels. Whew! That would have been a workout. However, I do love the stickers that were attached to luggage at every new port. What a nice souvenir. 

And here's my adhesive page all filled up...TADA!

I simply cut out what I need to turn a plain envelope from blah to TADA!

The Summer of 2019

Today is Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. 

Sigh.

How did the season fly by so quickly? I'm feeling all sorts of blah because these carefree days are about to end. To turn this thought into TADA!, can I share some photos of my summer? 

Summer was all about traveling to new cities...

Hanging out by the water...

And being able to dip my toes in the sand.

Summer wasn't complete without cookouts...

And lots of frozen desserts.

Summer was filled with outdoor concerts... 

Movies in the park...

The kind where you bring your own chair and pack a picnic.

Plus bonus fireworks, too...TADA!

I also got to practice my art:

I took a hand lettering class led by the talented Miss Swetha.  

Inspired by Mother Nature, I made a few "Petite Paintings" using small scraps of watercolor paper.

I also took some floral design classes.

We used flowers like Huckleberry, Salvia, Solidago, Charmelia, Gomphrena, Celosia, Dahlias, Carnations, and Sunflowers.

Carefully placed in a darling mason jar accented with a raffia bow.

To make the arrangement last longer, I made this painting.

It's cover art for a greeting card...TADA!

Summer likewise required a visit to the farm...

And the farmer's market

And of course, I made a sketch of what I saw...TADA!

I hope you all had a relaxing summer!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Hi guys! I went to a delightful exhibit last week and I'd like to share with you what I saw. Come join me!

Have you seen the TV show, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"? It's a comedy series set in the late 1950's starring Rachel Brosnahan as the feisty Mrs. Maisel. She had it all -- a successful husband, two children, a close relationship with her parents, accessible childcare, a college education, and a large apartment on New York City's Upper West Side. 

She was living a very comfortable domestic life. Until she and her husband Joel decide to separate. She quickly finds a job at a department store during the day and as a stand-up comic at night.  

The show has won (and has been nominated) for multiple awards for acting, writing, directing, cinematography, music, set and costume design.

And these are the reasons why I love the show -- it's lighthearted, funny, and it takes you back to that period in time.

When it was announced that a "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" exhibit was going to open at The Paley Center, I made sure to attend! It showcases sets and props from the show:

The set of Mrs. Maisel's first TV show appearance

The set of Mrs. Maisel's first TV show appearance at the Arthritis Telethon

B. Altman Department Store where Mrs. Maisel worked during the day

The make-up counter at the B. Altman Department Store

The make-up counter at the B. Altman Department Store

The B. Altman Switchboard room where Mrs. Maisel also worked as an operator

Guests can wear the headset and hear dialogue from the show

Indeed Mrs. Maisel was a cheerful operator

The department stores back then also accepted items for mailing

The Stage Deli where Mrs. Maisel and her manager Susie shared lots of meals

Look at the prices from the 1950's

Guests can sit at the booth...a nice photo op 

A summer trip to the Catskills in Season 2 

The hair salon at the Catskills

The hair salon at the Catskills

Some scenes in Season 2 were shot in Paris.
This is Rose's pied-a-terre (Rose is Mrs. Maisel's mother)

Rose had a beautiful wardrobe that Mrs. Maisel borrowed from

Shoes to match purses and hats

Sketches, swatches and inspiration

And the best part -- some of Mrs. Maisel's dresses were on display:

I love how women were smartly dressed, I just had to make this sketch...TADA! 

By the way, there's also a theater to watch some episodes from the show.

I hope you liked our little outing today.

If you're in New York City, the exhibit runs until September 7, 2019 at The Paley Center. Entrance is free but you need to reserve a slot on-line. 

Have a good week, everyone!