Friday, February 28, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
orange chicken
If there is one thing in this world I crave more than anything it is orange chicken- preferably the unhealthy fast food kind! So in my on going quest to fulfill my cravings but in a healthier way, I have been making myself homemade orange chicken- minus the unhealthy ingredients! Orange chicken is actually really fast and easy to make!
CHICKEN PREPARATION: There are a number of ways to prepare the chicken but I like to simply cube around 4-5 chicken breasts or cutlets and bake them in the oven or a pan. An alternative is to make crispy chicken by breading it and frying or baking it.
ORANGE SAUCE:
1 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup of soy sauce
3 tablespoons of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of sambal or your favorite spice (if you like spice)
1-2 minced garlic gloves
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
While the chicken is cooking add the ingredients to a sauce pan.
Bring to a simmer.
The last step is to add the cornstarch (I mix it with a little bit of water first to prevent lumping) to the sauce and bring to a boil.
Heat until it is thickened.
Remove from heat and lightly toss with the chicken.
I like to sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions on top of jasmine rice.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
sunset gallery wall
If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I have a little sunset project going on. For the last 6 months I have been taking a photo every evening of the sky. We've had an unusually dry fall and winter which means I've been table to capture some really amazing sunsets. But even the days that are grey and overcast, I still take time to snap a shot. This practice of making time to capture the sky every single day has really made me appreciate and look forward to such a simple pleasure!
The result of this little photography project is a collection of all kinds of beautiful photos that each have very special meaning! So I decided to gather my favorites and create a gallery wall in our entry way. My plan is to add to the collection over time.
Since I have so many photos to display, I didn't want to spent lots of money on framing so instead I used wood painting panels.
Using Mod Podge, I mounted the photos to the blocks and then hung them all over the wall.
Monday, February 24, 2014
shop update and new online classes!
I've got some new goodies in the shop and more coming in the weeks and months ahead!
I am so excited to have art prints available HERE by my crazy talented husband Andy! Made from his original ball point pen and pencil drawings these prints are printed professionally on archival paper, matted and ready for a frame!
A big part of my creative business used to be making one of kind handbags from my canvas paintings (and then I had a baby)! Now that I have a little more time in my schedule for sewing, I will have pouches and bags available in my shop. I've got a handful of messy pouches HERE that are perfect for storing supplies. Canvas bags always sell out quick so em' while you can!
After my post a couple weeks ago on making wood rings I received so many emails about purchasing rings that I decide I might as well make a big batch (available HERE). Make from wood that has been burned by hand with my own designs these rings are so unique and pretty- I'm attached to each and every one of them (its gonna be hard to say goodbye)!
And last, it is time to announce my spring/summer online classes. I've got four new online classes HERE that I am super excited about (even one that I will be teaching with Andy).
class goes live March 28th
$30.00
Spring is the most inspiring time of the year- it's when the world begins to come alive after months of cold weather, the sun begins to peek through the rain, the air begins to smell delicious and the days begin to feel longer. Its is also a wonderful time to pull out your sketchbook and capture the season. I've put together another fun online class that captures the season! Just like Summer Sketch and Create Daily, Sketch Into Spring is structured to fit into a busy schedule. Join me for drawing and doodling prompts, ideas, techniques and ways to turn SPRING into inspiration and subject matter for your sketchbooks and art journals!
Sketch Into Spring is a "mini class", it is structured in 30 small but inspiring posts. The concept is that that you have one simple idea, prompt, inspiration or technique to work throughout each day for 30 days!
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUPPLIES: This class like all of my classes, does NOT have a required supply list. Instead I will be sharing the supplies that I like to use and then give you a variety of options and inspiration to use supplies that work best for your process and your budget.
class goes live May 23rd
$30.00
I'm obsessed with flowers, they are colorful, beautiful, full of details and are the perfect inspiration for any creative medium. I love flowers so much that I decided to dedicate an entire class to flowers! From finding inspiration to drawing to doodling to painting, (even a little bit of crafting) Flower Power is a fun little class that will focus on using flowers and all things floral as your subject matter.
Flower Power is a "mini class". It is structured into 3 large lessons.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUPPLIES: This class like all of my classes, does NOT have a required supply list. Instead I will be sharing the supplies that I like to use and then give you a variety of options and inspiration to use supplies that work best for your process and your budget.
class goes live July 25th
$30.00
I am teaming up with my UBER talented husband Andy to bring you a class that is all about bringing your art to life. From drawing people to painting abstract to doodles and pattern, we have put together a class full of our favorite tips, shortcuts, techniques and inspiration for breathing life into a variety of subject matter.
Bring IT to life is a "mini class". It is structured into 3 large lessons.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CONTENT: This class is focused on tips and tricks for bringing all kinds of subject matter to life- not on how to draw and paint specific subject matter.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUPPLIES: This class like all of my classes, does NOT have a required supply list. Instead I will be sharing the supplies that I like to use and then give you a variety of options and inspiration to use supplies that work best for your process and your budget.
Class goes live August 22nd
$50.00
While I had been making and selling art since I was a kid, my life changed back in 2005 when I decided to rip a canvas painting off the stretcher bars and sew it into a purse for a wedding I was attending. This moment completely changed the direction of my creative career. Suddenly I discovered a new process- painting canvas and remixing it into all kinds of fashion accessories. Through this process, I learned very quickly that I loved finding new ways to redefine creativity (heck its the concept that my entire business is built on)! Everything from using alternative supplies -to making art on unique surfaces- to finding ways to break the rules I have been on a non stop mission to get creative in unconventional ways.
This class is all about finding ways to redefine YOUR creativity. I will demonstrate all of my favorite techniques and concepts- from working with canvas to drawing and painting on unique objects and things to using simple supplies to make beautiful art to using mixed media to decorate your surroundings, I have created a totally unique class that walks the line between art and craft. Get ready for lots of techniques, art/craft projects and tons of inspiration to redefine your own creativity.
In addition to the new line up of classes I am also offering another season pass option. This pass will include all four spring/summer online classes. The price of the season pass is $110 (compare at $140 for all four classes seperately) a savings of $30 or the cost of one small class! If you are interested in taking all four classes, this is the option for you!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
a peek inside my sketchbook- stories for lucy
I've been drawing pictures for Lucy since the early days but now that she is getting older I have been making time to start illustrating stories for her. When I was pregnant I would daydream about all the ways I could incorporate creativity into being a mom and my biggest dream was writing and illustrating books for my daughter. Now that she is two and loves and understands how much fun books are, it is time to put those daydreams into action! Slowly but surely I have been picking away at the first (of many) books for her- it is based on the stories I tell her at bedtime about a little girl who has adventures with all kinds of animals. Here is a little peek into my initial sketches.
