French Silk Pie and a Pie Server

Hey! Hey! 

Today, we're making something to eat and something to give as a hostess gift. 

The recipe is from the book "Magnolia Table" Volume 2 by Joanna Gaines of the "Fixer Upper" TV series and Magnolia brand. I first made it during the pandemic and I've included it my repertoire of desserts. It's this delectable and easy to make French Silk Pie: 

French Silk Pie
from the book Magnolia Table Volume 2 by Joanna Gaines
Makes one 9-inch pie or tart

Ingredients:
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup (2/3 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 prebaked 9-inch pie crust (Chocolate Cookie Crust; recipe follows)
Whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate (optional), for garnish

Procedure:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs
    until well blended. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until
    the mixture reaches 160 degrees F and coats the back of a metal spoon.
    Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate and vanilla and stir until
    smooth. Set aside to cool for approximately 5 minutes.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on
    medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate
    mixture and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. In another large bowl, beat the cream on medium-high speed until it
    begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and beat on
    low speed, then gradually return to medium-high until stiff peaks form.
    Fold into the chocolate mixture.
4. Pour into the prebaked pie crust. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least
    4 hours or up to overnight.
5. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired.
6. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Chocolate Cookie Crust
5 ounces chocolate wafers
1/4 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Pulse the wafers on low in a food processor until they are the
    consistency of sand. Add the sugar and melted butter and mix well.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
    Bake 8 minutes.
4. Let cool 20 minutes before filling.

This French Silk Pie is not too sweet yet it's a satisfying dessert. Sometimes I serve it topped with granola, chopped walnuts, or chocolate chips for added crunch.

When there are desserts like pie and cake for sharing, this serving utensil should likewise be invited to the party. It's too bad that not everyone owns one. So I thought, this pie server makes a nice hostess gift or thank you token. Most kitchen stores carry them and they're not expensive at all. This one didn't come with a box. Not to worry, I'll make my own packaging.

I'm using some tea-stained fabric. If you're interested, you can find a tea-staining tutorial here. The fabric comes out with a faint antique look after it dries.

I folded the fabric in thirds and connected the two edges together on the sewing machine. I left the top open.

The pie server should fit inside this fabric pouch. 

I'm using an ink pad and stamps to decorate the fabric pouch. Fabric markers are also another option. 

I spelled out "sweetie pie" as a hint of what's inside. And of course the person getting this is a sweetie pie, too.

Here is my handmade fabric pouch all dressed up.

Put in the pie server.

Then decorate with some twine or ribbon. That is how I turned some fabric from "blah to TADA!"

This is ready to be presented to the host of your next party. Why not make him or her a pie together with this gift. That would be extra TADA! 

I wish you all a sweet week ahead and please subscribe here if you'd like my future blog posts right in your inbox.

Terrariums for Thanksgiving

Hello there!

Let's begin today's post with a few inspiring photos:

I saw these at a shop and I was so inspired how these jars were transformed from "blah to TADA!" They are terrariums made from dried objects like flowers, leaves, and moss.

In the past, I've made terrariums made from living plants. How encouraging that we can make other kinds of terrariums even if the summer turns into fall.    

And this is how my scavenger hunt began.

I chose an old vase. 

Then I went on walks in the park to collect nature's free bounty: pine cones, dried flowers and acorns. Sticks and leaves are good options, too.

I lined the bottom of the vase with some artificial moss.

I added the tiny pine cones.

 

And then some of the dried flowers for height.

And a few acorns to round out the arrangement. I can use this as a centerpiece for a coffee table...TADA!

Here is another version using a jam jar that I filled with dried flowers like lavender and dried leaves like eucalyptus making this a scented arrangement...TADA!

I added the word "grateful" that I made from card stock, crafts stamps, and an ink pad. I'll position this to each place setting at the Thanksgiving table. That way guests have a tiny table decor that they can take home as a souvenir...TADA!

Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I want to personally thank you, dear readers, for being here with me all these years. For that, I am truly grateful! Your presence has turned my life from "blah to TADA!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

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From Button-down Shirt to Pillow Cover

Hi guys! 

Many years ago, I repurposed an old button-down shirt into a pillow cover:

I kept the buttons as a closure mechanism as well as the pocket. But I felt it was looking quite blah. Here's how I tweaked the look:

I added some embroidery...TADA!

You can spell out whichever word you want or any design that you fancy. You can even go wild by using different colors of embroidery thread.

I kept it short and simple: no nightmares, just sweet dreams.

I inserted a pillow and it's ready to spruce up any room.

The pocket on this pillow is quite handy...to tuck in favorite plush toys.

Or beloved books.

And even little notes from parent to child (and the other way around).

With just a little embroidery, I turned a long forgotten shirt into something functional. And in my language, that's called "blah" to "TADA!"

Wishing you all sweet days and sweet dreams!

 If you want more "blah to TADA!" ideas, please subscribe here.

Salt Dough Gift Pendants

Howdy friends!

I'm a big fan of beautifully wrapped presents. It's a form of creative expression and shows the recipient that the gift was carefully chosen and wrapped. In the past couple of years, I've leaned towards eco-friendly wrapping like cloth pouches, Furoshiki, and wooden crates.

The same is true for gift embellishments. I'll make bows out of paper or gift toppers that can be used over and over again.  

I saw these gift tags at a shop. They come with a monogram pendant that can be transformed into a Christmas tree ornament. You can also use several to spell out a word (ex. "welcome" or "cheers") and make a garland.  

Let's try to make this, shall we?

In a previous post, I made these gift pendants. They're made out of salt dough clay and you can find the tutorial here.

I'm using the same salt dough clay technique but I painted them after baking the pendants. 

I put on several coats of acrylic paint, letting them dry after each coat.

With a pencil, I hand-lettered some initials. Some are plain and some with added flourish.

Then I traced over the the letters and designs with a permanent marker.

Here's what the gift pendants look like when added to wrapped gifts:

They add a simple yet personal touch.

And that's how I turned some salt dough from blah to TADA! 

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A Last Minute Halloween Costume

It's the end of October...how quickly time flies!

Do you have any Halloween parties lined up? Maybe you already have a costume. Something that you just bought or one that you've worn in the past?

But if you're needing a costume at the last minute, let me help you. Just look in your closet and be creative.

We're going Hawaiian! Start with a floral dress and a straw hat.

Or a tropical top and shorts...

Or you can go plaid, too!

If you have a ukulele or guitar, use them as part of your costume. I don't have any instruments so I made some using empty cardboard boxes and paint. A little crafty "blah to TADA!" doesn't hurt. 

Then complete the look with a store-bought garland or a lei made from a colored plastic bag. You can find the tutorial here. 

An instant Halloween costume...TADA! 

Have a memorable Halloween filled with treats and tricks!

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How To Wrap Gifts Without Tape

Hi there! 

Can you wrap gifts without using tape?

Yes you can! I've tried it several times:

I used a scarf and made a bundle by knotting the ends together. The Japanese call this technique Furoshiki. 

I used paper and mesh and tied the ends with ribbon to make this gift look like a giant piece of candy.

This gift was intended not to be fully wrapped. It's a reusable mug and I kept the eco-friendly theme by using a decorated cardboard coffee sleeve that's "wrapped around" the mug...TADA!

*****

The reason behind this no-tape gift wrapping challenge is that gift wrap can't be recycled unless you remove any tape that's left on the wrapper.  

Or maybe we ran out of tape just as we were about to wrap a gift. 

To prevent all of that hassle, why not avoid the tape altogether?

Here's a crafty solution I came up with:

They're really just embellished clothespins but they perform double duty: it secures the gift wrap and it works as a gift topper...TADA! 

Curious how I made them? Here's how:

Gather some wooden clothespins.

Find your preferred color of acrylic paint and a paintbrush.

Paint the clothespins with several coats and allow to dry for several hours. 

Now it's time to make the bow:

I used mesh because this is what I had on hand. But you can use ribbon or fabric scraps. Make them as big or as small or as fluffy as you want.

Here are my little mesh bows...TADA!

Attach the bows on the clothespin with a glue gun and let the glue dry for a few minutes.

Now for the accents! You can add buttons, beads, or pompoms.

Secure in place with more hot glue and let the glue dry.

Isn't it cute?

I use it to close the top of gift bags. It also holds the card in place and the bow completes the look. No need for tape whatsoever!

This is a gift bag that I made from recycled wrapping paper. I was able to give it a second life and make it pretty with my clothespin and a handmade tag.

My cousin packaged a gift in this paper bag. I was able to reuse the bag and the next recipients can keep reusing the bag and the clothespin...TADA!

Let's aim for sustainable gift wrapping if we can and please recycle gift wrap responsibly. You can find more information here.  

Subscribe here if you want more "blah to TADA!" ideas.

Forest Bathing Through the Seasons

Hi there! 

Have you ever heard of the term "forest bathing"?

I first learned about it in a book called "Kintsugi Wellness (The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit)" by Candice Kumai. Miss Kumai defines it this way:

"In Japan, the practice of walking slowly through the woods, taking time to contemplate, is known as forest bathing (shinrin yoku). Breathing fresh oxygen into your body, inhaling the natural oils released from the trees, and being able to touch, smell, and see something outside of your situation will help to open up a lot of channels that may have been closed off to you. It will open your mind to looking at things from a different vantage point." 

And since stumbling upon this term, I have come across many new books on the subject of shinrin yoku and the healing powers of communing with nature. 

A walk outdoors is certainly something that I love doing all year round. 

In the spring, my heart makes a somersault when I start seeing the flowers. 

Fresh blooms with the backdrop of a clear, blue sky...TADA!

The joy of sunshine and shadows. 

I am always at awe with the miracle of spring! 

When the daffodils are out, I know spring is in full swing. These are watercolor cut-outs that I painted and turned into a spring arrangement...TADA!

In the summer, I try to stay outdoors as much as I can. A walk in Central Park is good exercise and there's always something new to discover. 

A small park just beneath the Brooklyn Bridge -- not really a forest but being surrounded with trees feels like a refuge from the crowd. 

Waking around the tree-lined streets of Brooklyn is always TADA! The branches form a canopy that shield you from the sun. 

I always like to pick summer flowers and press them in a flower press or inside heavy books. It makes me happy when I accidentally find them between pages. 

In autumn, a short hike is peaceful and invigorating at the same time. 

The crunch of dry leaves...

...the cool weather, and the changing colors wakens up the senses.

Here I am feeling small against nature's glory. 

I picked up some leaves and acorns from my autumn walk and I made this watercolor painting...TADA!

In the winter, there are no leaves, no color.  

But we'll always find signs of life.   

We just need to keep walking and exploring until we become whole again.

This odd-shaped rock is one of my winter souvenirs. I drew some snow-covered pine trees on it...TADA!

If you're feeling stressed, anxious, or sad, why not try forest bathing? I promise you, it'll turn your day from blah to TADA!

And if you'd like, please subscribe here if you want my future blog posts delivered right to your inbox. Thank you!