Urban Comfort

Vintage Carnival Halloween

Last night I was in Target and I happened to see the October 1 issue of Family Circle on the newsstand (earlier than anticipated) with a Halloween feature that I created almost a year ago. I'm not the most patient sort, so I've been looking forward to seeing the final version and I'm really proud of it. 

Last year, the editor asked me if I wanted to do a Halloween story, just after Halloween was over for real. I was, admittedly, a bit tapped out creatively and done with the holiday, but I have a hard time saying no to Halloween. It's just too much fun to design for. For several days I had nothing more than an image of a man looking through a magnifying glass. No cohesive theme, no idea what the magnifying glass meant, just this picture tickling the edges of my brain and driving me absolutely crazy. It finally came to me in the shower - vintage Carnival! - and I jumped out of the shower, dripping wet, furiously scribbling all of the project ideas that had just been sitting there underneath the visual of the magnifying glass. That's how it happens sometimes.

So here it is, the project that served as the genesis for this particular story. I urge you to buy the issue - they've given me lots of colorful pages - but you can also access the story online, where the art department has put together a fabulous downloadable project booklet with how-tos, printable clipart and resources. I love the magnifying glasses, but there's also a Carnival clock I made from a $4 aluminum pizza pan I found at Walmart, a black cat topper that I'm in love with accompanied by a DIY display stand, labels for treat bags, rub-ons for pumpkins...so many projects that I still love a year later and look forward to making again for myself.

And yes, it feels a little early for Halloween but I'm also the enthusiastic sort and I just couldn't wait to share! You can find the downloadable booklet of instructions here and you can purchase the issue on the newsstand until September 20. (Yes, you will have to register online to download the booklet, but it's worth it!) I hope you enjoy it because I had a whole lot of fun creating it.

5 to Inspire: Contemporary Southern Photographers

I'm a huge fan of Southern photography, drawn in by artists who manage to capture and distill the fleeting mystery and beauty that dance around the edges of life here, whether in a landscape or a portrait of wrinkled hands or children playing. It's an idealized viewpoint, I realize, but my love for the South has always been characterized more by a sense of longing than reality.

At night, when I need to step away from the day, I like to look at photographs. Black and white imagery speaks to me. In fact, it is the only way that I'm able to truly see. Color simply distracts me. In those moments of absorbing beauty and long forgotten stories, I can hear the faint buzz of a fading lightbulb, the cicadas in the distance, the air hanging heavy and sweet with the smell of jasmine, fire, earth, and water. I am drawn to images that are dark around the edges, untold tales lurking in the shadows. I am drawn to fire and light, faces of character, the pasttimes of youth. In those moments, held aloft in the capable hands of magical creators, I fall in love with the South over and over again. 

 

DAVID C HALLIDAY:

 

 

 

 See more of David Halliday's work here.

 

 

JACK SPENCER:

See more of Jack Spencer's work here.

KEITH CARTER:

 

 

See more of Keith Carter's work here.

 

 

DEBBIE FLEMING CAFFERY:

 

 

See more of Debbie Fleming Caffery's work here.

 

 

SALLY MANN:

 

 

See more of Sally Mann's work here

Stenciling

It's that time of year when I'm knee deep in Christmas assignments, so I've been making a number of trips to Michaels lately. Over the weekend, I happened to see the new line of Martha Stewart craft paints and a whole slew of stencils. Stenciling is hardly a new craft for me, but I appreciate easily accessible stencils with nature motifs and a clean feel (I tend to order most of my stencils from Europe which doesn't allow for much spontaneity). I particularly like the Cathedral Lace set (pictured above) and I see sofa pillows in my future.

But that got me to thinking about stenciling in general and I took a look around the web to see if I could find other interesting, sophisticated applications. I found a number of projects that called to me, but what they all had in common was a muted, neutral approach. I think it gives stenciling a timeless quality that bright colors don't allow for, and when I engage in a more labor-intensive project like stenciling, I want something with staying power.

I appreciate the versatility of the craft. You can stencil furniture or fabric, walls or glass, ceilings, floors, mirrors, doors, stairs, paper...and anyone can learn how to do it. Talent and experience play a part when you're looking for a patinaed finish or multiple hues, but at it's most basic, it really is an easy craft.  And in the end, it really does transform.

 

I'm completely taken with this floor treatment found on My Marrakesh. Though it was designed for a child's room, the color palette keeps it from looking precious.

I have been looking at these Moroccan stair risers from Modello Designs for months now. It's such a beautiful and unusual way to use stencils and I feel I would never tire of this.

 

A super easy project to tackle in an afternoon. You can find stencils like this in office supply, craft, or artist supply stores. Just make sure to use enough adhesive to get a tight seal. If you look closely, you can see the textured look of the paint, which comes from stippling or pouncing. via Savvy City Farmer

I love, love, love the streamlined feel of this wall clock from Martha Stewart Living. Template and directions available here.

 

The ceiling medallions in my home are long gone, but what a great way to create the look without the bulk of an actual medallion. From Cutting Edge Stencils

 

 

I like the faded quality of this wall from Country Living. A pattern this ornate would look very busy in an opaque or bright color.

 

 

Another quick and easy afternoon project that elevates a piece of not-so-special furniture. Found on Design Sponge.

 

Also from Design Sponge, a DIY stencil for botanical themed table linens. Another easy afternoon project.

 

Also from Royal Design Stencils, I like the graphic pop of this cabinet, though this color scheme might be more of a short term love.

 

Stencil Resources:  (Click links for websites)

Royal Design Studio

The Stencil Library

Cutting Edge Stencils

Modello Designs

Designer Stencils

Jan Dressler Stencils

 

*Title image from Martha Stewart Crafts. Stencils found at Michaels.

Pancake & Waffle Party

It's the last week of summer before school starts here, so per my son's request we had an impromptu pancake and waffle party Monday night. It's the first time I've had a breakfast party in the evening, and as far as entertaining goes, it was one of the easiest ideas to execute. I was in charge of pancakes, my husband manned the waffle maker, with the batters prepared beforehand and the meats cooked and kept warm in a 150 degree oven.  Kids had milk and there was a variation of a bourbon milk punch for the adults, also batched beforehand and served from a punch bowl. 

My son had requested that guests bring their pajamas "just in case," though we weren't sure exactly what that meant. A few guests took it a step further and showed up in their pajamas, which I love. Add a few board games to the mix and you've got a party suitable for all ages. 

Below is the waffle recipe my family has used my entire life (courtesy of my grandmother):

Maryland Cream Waffles 

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 3/4 cup milk
2 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup melted butter                                                        

1.  Mix and sift dry ingredients together.

 2.  Add milk, which has been mixed with beaten egg yolks.

 3.  Add melted butter; beat until all lumps have disappeared and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

4.  Fold in beaten egg whites.  Put in small amount of batter and bake 3 minutes or until steam has stopped.

 

Kentucky Praline
This is my husband's reinterpretation of a classic New Orleans brunch cocktail, the bourbon milk punch

1 1/2 ounces bourbon (we used Maker's Mark)
1/2 ounce Rittenhouse 100 Rye
1/2 ounce Sazerac Praline Liqueur
2 ounces half-and-half
1 ounce demerara syrup
Fresh nutmeg

Batch all ingredients except nutmeg and chill. Can either shake with ice before serving (strain it into a glass and serve neat), or put it in a punch bowl with an ice ring. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Demerara syrup - Put equal parts demerara sugar and water in a saucepan; bring just to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and cool before using. 

 

*You can find my favorite pancake recipe and syrup variations here. 

Title image via

Edible Designs

It was my son's birthday this weekend and I had a bit of a last minute panic with his cake. We had a bowling party at a local bowling alley and originally we'd planned to have a bowling themed cake that I would pay someone else to make. Unfortunately, my son couldn't make up his mind which cake and cake design he wanted, only that he wanted it to be one of my recipes. I bake cakes - I don't decorate them. Before I knew it, it was Thursday and too late to order a cake. 

So I picked up a "cake tattoo" from Michaels and hoped for the best. Admittedly, I was a little nervous, but I found the edible sheets really easy to work with. While my finished cake wouldn't have made the cover of a magazine, my son was happy and his friends oohed and aahed over it, which also made him happy. What made me happy was that it didn't taste like anything and that it didn't change the texture of the cake or the experience of eating it. A win-win. 

I started researching edible designs, wanting to see if there were more sophisticated or modern designs that I liked. Mostly, no. I think the edible design transfers are more appropriate for kid parties or baby showers and some holidays like Valentines. But I did find the edible butterfly designs shown above, from Sugar Robot on Etsy. I think they're gorgeous and I wouldn't hesitate to use them for adult cakes and cupcakes. Even better, they're available in a range of colors.

I found a number of other DIY cake decorating options while I was in Michaels, including edible paper and special punches (similar to regular craft paper punches) to create borders and other designs for cakes in solid papers. Then there are stencils, die cuts for cake designs...it overwhelmed me at the time, but some interesting possibilities to think about in the future. 

 

Valentines is one of those holidays when I don't mind cute. I like this particular set from Lucks and I think the designs would also make good cupcake or cookie toppers (edible designs like this can be cut with scissors, so you're not limited to using them for cakes).

Cupcake toppers from The Frosting Gallery on Etsy. 

Carnival minis suitable for cupcakes or cookies. Can be purchased from King Arthur Flour.

My cake. The edible cake tattoo from Duff Goldman can be found at Michaels and Party City.

Green Apple Sorbet

Last night we made Hot-and-Crunchy Chicken Cones for dinner, one of my favorites, and I wanted to balance our meal with a dessert that was summery, bright in flavor and wouldn't weigh us down. We finished off with Green Apple Sorbet, which is easy to prepare and so good!  If you don't have an ice cream maker, use this recipe to make popsicles instead.

 

Green Apple Sorbet

2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
1 (1000 mg.) tablet Vitamin C
2 2/3 lb. Granny Smith apples, cut into 1-in. wedges (no need to peel or seed apples)

 

1.  Simmer sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat. Set aside to cool.

2.  Crush the vitamin C tablet to a powder with a morter & pestle or the back of a spoon and place in a 1-quart container that will fit under the spout of a juicer.

3.  Using an electric juicer, juice apples into container.  Spoon off foam and stir in sugar syrup.  Chill, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour.  

4.  Freeze in ice-cream maker.

Makes 1¼ quart

 

Just a Glass

I have long had a love affair with glassware. It's just one of those things and I've confirmed that I have cousins and siblings with the same obsession, so I'm simply going to chalk it up to heredity. At any rate, yesterday I received a surprise delivery from my New York trip, the glassware I ordered from John Derian. It took a month, but they were worth the wait! 

I found a photo of this glass in Food & Wine's Cocktails 2011 just before I left for New York and it's the primary reason I visited John Derian's shop (which I'm so glad I did). Made by Bollen, they're delicate, handblown glasses that are simple yet graceful. I love them, so I thought it only fair to share. (They can be ordered by phone.)

And if you're in the mood for a cocktail, the recipe for the Ginger Rogers, pictured in this glass, can be found here.

Photo by Tina Rupp

In Pursuit of Beauty

Normally my attention is focused on home or craft projects, but lately I've been on a real beauty kick. Maybe it's the realization that I'm getting older (use it or lose it) or that my son's old enough now that day-to-day parenting isn't so all-encompassing. Whatever the reason, I've been having fun. Lots and lots of fun.  

First the hair, cropped in a pixie cut, which has made me happier than any haircut I've had in the last fifteen years. Then the color, darker and more dramatic. This led to the discovery that really short hair draws attention to features like eyes or lips, which led to my dabbling in eye shadow for the first time in my life. (I've also developed a new obsession with earrings as a result, but that's another story.)

What I've also discovered is that makeup experimentation can get pricey pretty quickly. So I've been gratified to find a few companies that provide generous samples with a small price tag. Now I can play to my heart's content, until I inevitably settle into a routine with my favorites. More bang for the buck. Just another reason to feel good about yourself.

 

Pure Luxe Cosmetics

I am mostly in love with their extensive eye color collection, the bulk of which can be sampled for a dollar. Beautiful, wearable shades that aren't too heavy or frosty looking. Quick delivery and reasonable shipping costs.

 

Everyday Minerals

If you're new to mineral foundations and want to try them out or you're still looking for your perfect mineral makeup, there are samples galore here. Choose from four different formulations and lots of colors. You can sample each color/formulation individually or try one base kit (5 colors/4 formulations) free anytime. Customer service is great and there's a nice range of shipping options.

 

Alima Pure

I love that just about everything on this site comes in a sample size (except for lip colors). My only gripe is that you have to choose Priority shipping, which can mean that you spend as much on shipping as you do on samples. But it's a small gripe.

 

Hair Inspiration:

Ginnifer Goodwin

Eye Inspiration:

Get details from Nihrida

Get details from Nihrida

Get details from Padmita's Makeup

I'll get back to crafting, I promise. But first, I have to go paint my face... 

 

 

Creating a Silhouette with Photoshop

Vana Chupp, author of Silhouette Art, approached me about doing a feature on silhouettes for Family Circle. It's a solid trend that's really held on and with good reason. After using Vana's instructions to make a classic paper silhouette, I decided to branch out and use a variety of materials. For the feature (Shadow Play, in the September issue of Family Circle), I made silhouettes from matte adhesive vinyl (found on Etsy), cardstock covered posterboard, acrylic craft paint, and iron-on transfer paper.

They were all easy to work with, but sometimes the finer details of crafting are left out of magazines due to space considerations, so I wanted to expand on the topic of creating a silhouette for iron-on transfer paper. You can start with a photo or illustration, just as you would with any other material, but what you see on your computer screen is what will print on your iron-on transfer paper, so if you want a true silhouette you'll have to color and fill in your illustration using a program like Photoshop, and eliminate the background as well.  

I am by no means an expert in Photoshop, and it was an easy enough task since I was able to complete it. But since I'm not an expert, I sought out some tutorials to walk you through the process. I've also included some mushroom illustrations from Vintage Printable. You can start with something like these and end up with silhouettes like the ones shown above. Also, if you know some of the basic commands on Photoshop, you can flip your images or move them around to create your own unique images (for instance, the mushroom grouping on the cream colored pillow started out as a trio, but I added additional mushrooms to fill out the design).

Mushrooms may not be your thing and you might not care for a pillow, but this basic technique is suitable for all kinds of subjects and fabric applications. Use your transfers for T-shirts or tote bags, book or photo album covers, cloth storage boxes, etc. And if you want a fresh interpretation of a classic, your silhouettes can just as easily be printed in color instead of black. 

Without further ado, here are the tutorials.  There are different ways to achieve the same result, so I've included a few and you can choose what's easiest for you.  Just keep in mind that you'll be printing your finished digital design on iron-on transfer paper and you'll want to flip the image horizontally before printing (you'll be placing your iron-on transfer face down on your fabric).  Have fun!

 

How to Create a Silhouette with Photoshop:

Positively Splendid

Project Woman

Make Use Of

More Ways to Waste Time

 

Mushroom Illustrations from Vintage Printable (more available on their site):

 

 

 

*Another good source for illustrations and silhouettes is Clipart.com.  You can get a 7-day subscription for $15 (unlimited downloads), which is a good deal if you have multiple images that you're looking for. You can also browse their site before you commit to a subscription, so you can make sure they have what you want.

 

Title photo by Wendell T. Webber for Family Circle