crafting for kids: homemade carmel corn

Madolyn Oliver is back today with kid/teen friendly recipe and this one is and this one is delicious (I've already made a batch a it's a hit!

Every year around on Thanksgiving night we make our homemade caramel corn. We bring out the big pot, all the ingredients and we get together as a family and make caramel corn. We crank up the Christmas music, and carry out our yearly tradition. Making our caramel corn is always fun for me. I love how the sweet aroma fills the house,  how easy and fun it is to make, and most of all I love eating it! 



Caramel Corn Ingredients 


1 C sugar
1 C dark brown sugar (packed)
1 C butter
1 C light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1-2 cups of popcorn to be popped.  We use a popper with coconut oil.  
 
Put some sheets of foil on your counter to cover a space about 30" x 30" and pray the foil with cooking spray. If you don’t spray it you will have all of the yummy caramel sticking to the foil.


Place the other ingredients in a large, heavy pan with high sides. 


Cook over med – med high heat, stirring occasionally, until the caramel almost reaches about 245 degrees on a candy thermometer.



Pour over the popcorn and combine with a LONG wooden spoon so you don't burn your hands. Ask an adult to help you with this part so you don’t burn yourself. The caramel will be really hot!

Let it cool for 10-15 minutes (if you can wait that long) and enjoy!  This is so good!

You can fin Maddy here:

jeanneoliver.ning.com 

Creatively Made Kids (a free series)

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/creatively-made-kids

Study Hall Studio (back to school DIY)

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/study-hall-studio-back-to-school-diy

holiday photo chaos!

Growing up we didn't do the whole "family holiday photo on a Christmas card thing". To be honest until Lucy, I really didn't send out Christmas cards. But once this kid popped out, I've wanted to document and share as much as I possibly can! Like many of you out there we plan a family photo every year that we use on our holiday card. And as much fun as it is to have these photos, the entire process is a big pain in the butt and totally crazy! While there are only three of us, it's a wild experience, no body listens and there's more goofing off than posing for photos..but that's what it's all about right?!? The last two years, we've had terrible weather so taking photos outside hasn't been an option so I've moved the entire circus to my studio. Here is a peek into the chaos! 

backdrop from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

Special thanks to my brother for capturing our creative insanity on video!

While family Christmas photos are kind of a hassle, they are totally worth in it in the end. Here are a few of the best tips I can offer for the photo process:

Do something creative! No you don't have to paint a wall but try looking for a unique backdrop or setting for your photos. I love receiving quirky, interesting and creative photos in the mail from family and friends.

Save your money...don't hire a photographer! Just about all of the photos I take happen with my camera (or phone) on a tripod with a timer. It takes some time and work to get good photos but it is SO much cheaper than hiring a photographer. 


Be silly! I love funny photos so give your family permission to be weirdos! Make faces, jump around, wear strange clothing and don't be afraid to let loose for the camera.

The outtakes are always the best photos (at least in my experience). All those moments (in between saying cheese and sucking your tummy in), have potential to be those really special photos that can be used in your holiday albums.

Save a little money and make your own holiday cards! I know there is TONS of pressure out there at the holidays to spend money on trendy photo cards but printing your photos and making your own cards makes for a fun family project. 

wood burned holiday gift ideas

I love wood burning and over the years I have discovered that it's a really unique way to create affordable personalized gifts. All you need is a wood burning tool, a wood surface and a little creativity!

I use a Wood Hollow Creative Woodburner Pen. I have been using this tool for years now and I love it. While there are more expensive brands and tools out there, the Creative Woodburner is a really good quality all purpose burner that comes with 4 tips. You simply plug it in, let it heat up and start burning!

As far as wood goes, I will use anything from sticks to driftwood to blank wooden shapes, utensils and objects. We always have lots of wood scraps around here and I like playing around with different types of wood, shapes and size. Keep in mind that all wood will not burn in the same way though. Harder wood is more challenging and typically requires more time and precision while softer wood will burn fast and smooth. 

In my experience, there is no secret or short cut to burning designs into wood except for lots of practice and patience. It takes a lot of time to get used to the way it feels to draw with a wood burning tool but once you get the hang of it, there are endless ways to be creative!

wood burn from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:

1. LINES AND LOTS OF THEM- I like to use the tip of the burner to make all kinds of small lines- from chevron pattern to herringbone to shading and detail work, there are all kinds of ways to use repetitive lines.  FYI- Straight lines are easy- curved lines and circles are challenging.

2. DOTS- I love using dots in all of my artwork and they are super easy to to create with a wood burner. I like to use them to fill up space or add a decorative element to my lines.

3. CURVED LINES- Curvy lines and circles can be challenging, especially depending on the type of wood you are using and the grain of wood. It takes lots of practice (I'm still practicing my curved lines) to get good clean curvy lines and shapes but once you have it mastered the sky is the limit with burning patterns and images.

4. SHADING- I like to use the side of my tool to add shading. Shading is a little more subtle than a big dark line and can be used to fill areas with contrast.

There are so many fun ways you can put wood burning to use to create holiday gifts! Below are some on my favorite wood burned projects that I have created over the years!

1.wood burned ornaments 2. wood burned table top 3. wood burned blocks 4. wood burned bangles 5. wood burned buttons 6. wood burned earrings 7. wood burned spoons 8. wood rings 9. popsicle stick bracelets 10. wood burned frame 11. wood burned boxes

a new class and a GIVEAWAY TODAY!

My nest class Sketchbook Stories goes live on Tuesday, December 15th. And today I am giving away 10 free spots to this class! Scroll all the way to the bottom of this post to enter to win. 

I've also got a little pop up sale on this class that will run until Sunday- take $10 off Sketchbook Stories.

SKETCHBOOK STORIES
LIVE: December 15th
$30.00  SALE $20.00

As many of you know, drawing and sketching is a really important part of my creative process. I believe that regardless of your experience, drawing is a wonderful way to stay inspired. In this class we will be using basic drawing and sketching concepts as a way to capture a moment, document ideas and tell a story. I will be sharing prompts, techniques and ways to turn your sketchbook into a diary!

Check out all the details over in the shop HERE

ENTER TO WIN A FREE SPOT IN SKETCHBOOK STORIES!

Leave me a comment

Tell me your favorite things to draw

I will randomly select 10 winners and announce them in this post on Sunday.

****UPDATE WITH WINNERS!****

crafting for kids: homemade lip scrub

Today I am thrilled to announce a new contributor here on the blog! Please welcome Madolyn Oliver, daughter of my dear friend Jeanne Oliver. Maddy is a really creative gal who will be sharing kid/teen friendly projects here on the blog!

I love cosmetics! Lip scrubs, bath salts, bath bombs, body scrubs...you name a cosmetic and most likely I'll fall in love with it. Sadly, most of the time cosmetics can be really expensive so it got me thinking, "Why don't I just DIY it?". And that's exactly what I did!  

I have a very simple and easy lip scrub recipe. 

Ingredients and Supplies

1 1/2 Tbs. white or brown sugar (I used brown sugar) 
1/4 Tsp. olive oil 
2-3 drops essential oils (I used peppermint) 
Small container (I bought mine at the local natural grocers)

Mix the sugar, olive oil and essentials oils together in a small bowl until the sugar is coated.

Transfer the mixture into your smaller container and that is it!  So simple!

You can see more of Maddy here-

jeanneoliver.ning.com 

Creatively Made Kids (a free series)

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/creatively-made-kids

Study Hall Studio (back to school DIY)

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/study-hall-studio-back-to-school-diy

doodle ribbon

Want to customize ribbon for all that holiday wrapping? Grab your favorite supplies, some colorful ribbon and have fun doodling all over it!

a year of pottery and new pottery in the shop

Many years ago, I had a dream for the future of my family and business. My dream was to work alongside the people I loved. To collaborate on ideas and projects and live a life with love and creativity at the center. While my business is still evolving in all kinds of new and exciting ways, this last year I added pottery to the many things that we do over here. It was the best decision I've made. 

Over the last year, we have gathered together as a family and played, created and bonded over clay. My dad has shared his 40 plus years of knowledge and experience as a potter and has patiently taught us as much as he knows. Lucy went from being terrified of getting dirty to sitting at the wheel making  pots on her own. 

We've come together as a family to produce unique collections of pottery and out of all the wonderful things I get to do in my creative business, pottery has been the most profound and special. Each piece has been made with love, family and creativity at the center. While I won't be quitting my day job as an artist and teacher to become a potter, I am so excited for our future collaborations in clay!

pottery from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

We've got our last batch of pottery for the 2015 now in shop! Head on over to see the entire collection HERE

You can view my entire series of pottery post HERE