{Candie Cooper's Journal}

Sweet Potato Recipes

I was just reading about the health benefits of sweet potatoes.  You probably already know this, but they are so good for you!  Recently, I made sweet potato salsa that was featured in THIS month's issue of EVERYDAY FOOD.  

I loved all the chopping ahead of time and it looks like this when it's finished.  I served it with couscous and the next day over a salad---super fresh and awesome on a brisk night.  Ok, there are a couple slices of bacon in there too (which aren't so good for you, but I'm focusing on the positive).

A couple nights ago I tried this recipe---Sweet Potato Fries with Rosemary.  AWESOME!

Spicy Coconut and Sweet Potato soup is a fav too!

With Thanksgiving on our heels, I can't leave out Sweet Potato pie of which I use a pre-made crust that I'm not apologizing for.

I hope you're having an incredible Fall!

Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop: DIY Flower Brooch

Sizzix has always made me so happy.  Fifteen years years ago, I was a student aid using the Ellison machine to cut letters for the bulletin board.  Eight years later I got the original Sizzix machine---the red one with the handle that went up and down.  And just this year I got the Big Shot!  Rolling in style, right here!

Many thanks to sweet Eileen Hull who asked if I wanted to do the Fresh Blog hop.  I was thrilled!  For my Fall Poppy brooch, I used the Sizzix #9 Flower die.  This die punches three different flower shapes that you can stack or use alone.  It's pretty much a party when you cut your fabric.

If you want to make your own Fall Poppy brooch, you will need:  fabric, buttons, Katiedids, Mod Podge, bicone Swarovski crystals 4mm, and of course the #9 Flower die.

Cut four different fabrics into flowers--I ran the die through twice per pattern for a total of eight passes (24 flowers) and yes I had a few extras (yay!).  Coat each flower front and back with Mod Podge.  Lay them on plastic to dry.  This basically gives you oil cloth flowers.  Are you excited?  You can make your own oil cloth with Mod Podge!!  I'm excited!!!


Stack your flowers small on top to large on the bottom.  Did you notice I was sneaky on the bottom two pattern layers?  I clustered the flowers around versus putting them directly behind to make the poppy bigger.  Once you have them situated, glue or stitch together.

Lastly, string a row of crystals on nylon and attach to the outer ring of the Katiedid component.  String a second row of copper beads and tie around the outside of the Katiedid.  For times sake, I glued the pieces onto the flower and inside the component.  I also added a few pieces of chain that are tucked in between the flower petals.  I hope you like this and make some for head bands, purses and cake toppers!

For a chance to win your own die, go to Oh My Crafts! 

To hop to the next blog, click on the "hop forward" Sizzix button on the right side of this page.  Thanks for visiting and happy crafting.

Fall Craft Activities with Children

If you like this little Pine cone Pumpkin idea, check out my guest blogger post over on the Plaid Kids Blog for how to make them and more fun fall activities to do with your kiddos!  I heart Fall!

Glow in the Dark Halloween Craft

 

(Picture me with a flash light under my chin in the dark)  Oooooooooooo, there are tons and tons of inexpensive Halloween wood surfaces at the craft stores right now!

Grab some creepy green paint and glow in the dark Mod Podge or Glow Away and let the kids go to town!  

Happy Weekend Crafting!

Dusty Miller

I just want to show you the most amazing thing ever.  This is what happens when you plant a dusty miller in a regular flower pot and water it all summer long...  It's nice, no?

And this is what happens when you plant a dusty miller in a hollowed out log.  You get a shrub!!!  Is that not AWESOME?!?!  That's State Fair entry material (in my opinion). ;)

Mod Podged Necklace

I heart Mod Podge.  This is a necklace I made with decoupaged fabric this past summer.  Hello, Hot Pink!  But you can tone it down with cooler colored fabric, right?  Here's a detailed tutorial for how to make this little gem.  XOXO.

Birdcage Lanterns

I love birdcages.  Period.  I especially love them lit up.  Above is a chandelier I made for my birthday bash in May.  This one had ribbons and a hunk of lights hanging in the middle.  Clip a butterfly on top as a finishing touch.

Here is a completely different version for Fall.  Hang the cage, drop a few leaves and a candle in the bottom.  VERY pretty at night!  And better yet....SO SIMPLE!

Wishing you a good start to your work week, I am.  Sweet dreams.

My Mom's Cheeseball Recipe

I can't decide if it was more fun eating the above or listening to my mom explain how she made it so I could tell you lovely readers.  My mom doesn't measure so much.  We all know this and that is why she gets assigned food at family gatherings.  There is no questions, because you already know ahead of time that she makes a mean cheeseball, loaded veggie tray, or beautiful salad.  She also comes up with super fun group craft projects.  Those are your options and we love her for it.

So last Friday, I hosted a birthday party for my friend.  It was a lovely night!  The next day, I was nibbling on leftover chili and cheeseball and thought, I need to take a picture of this cheeseball for the blog.  You see, if you were to turn that cheeseball around you would see half of it is gone. Ravaged, really.  I now know why these are only made for celebrations because I would eat the whole dang thing myself.  I found a similar recipe here  or you can read on to see tidbits from the phone call to my mom, Jean.

*adding my mom's comments in ( )

• 1 pkg cream cheese (I don't use generic for this--I get the real Philly kind.  Of course it's a lot easier if it's softened.  I just set the cream cheese out and worked on gluing some magnets for Kid-O-Rama (a big kids creative event happening the next day that she helps with).)

• 8 oz finely shredded cheese (The mixed one, cheddar and..she or I can't remember.  The finely shredded cheese is the nuts!  We used to have to shred it by hand.)

• minced onion (But I had some left over green onions from the salad you made the other night at our house so I used those. That's what made it really good.)

• 2 tbsp milk (But, I didn't have any milk, so I used a little water.)

• Worcestershire sauce (I'm not sure how much---a few shakes.)

• Chopped pecans

Put the milk and minced onion in a bowl and let it sit until onion is softened.  Add cream cheese, cheese and Worcestershire sauce and mix.  Put mixture on a bed of saran wrap and form into a ball.  Sprinkle with nuts. Refridgerate.

Me at the end, "That's it?!?"  She says, "wellll, you can add some chopped ham if you want.  Sometimes I do that."  I guess I don't get out much when it comes to making cheeseballs.

That's me and my mom with our spiced cider.  We love spiced cider.

Wishing you a Happy Tailgating and Party Season!!

Acorn Clothespin Fairies

Hello there!  We're Ginger and Bobby, friends of Candie's.  She asked us to pop by and tell you she's still writing her new jewelry making book for Lark Books.  We've seen the projects for it.  We're a little biased, but they are pretty great! 

Let us entertain you with our moves from Acorn du Cirque until she comes back.

By the way, Candie and her Mom, Jean, made us for the Plaid Kids Blog.  If you want to make some friends of your own, check out the Acorn Fairies tutorial there.

Nesting Boxes

This is a little project my mom and I whipped up for the Plaid Kids Blog.  I love them.  Check out the tutorial here.  I'm still writing, writing, writing for my book with Lark Books.  My classes at Manchester College started too.  Lots of neat projects in the works and I'm so happy to be busy with my art and work.  Am I rich monetarily?  No.  But, I have a pedal to the metal on life, and stopping to smell the roses with friends and family.  How awesome is that?

Sunday Breakfast

Just another picture of food...sorry.  I was sitting down to eat and thought, I love this kind of breakfast.  Yogurt.  Dry cereal.  Fruit.  Done.  I also love bacon, french toast and scrambled eggs, but it's not that kind of morning.  You have to plan for that kind of breakfast.  Last night I grilled fish for dinner and that pretty much did me in on planned meals. ;) 

I prepped some photo things this morning for my new beading book, next it's over to church to hear a friend sing and back to the photographing.  It's gloomy here and Rocky has been lazy all morning. Dogs really know how to live it up on these sort of days.  I'm a bit envious. Couch.  Curled up.  Sleep.  Done.  I just heard him let out a big sigh.  It's like he knows I'm typing about him.

I'm reading The Alchemist finally thanks to a good friend putting it in my lap.  I haven't read in forever (other than magazines).  It's such a small book, but 50 pages in and already giving me so much to think about.  I love that.

I hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are doing whatever makes you happy!

Baked Apple Recipe

Oh Fall, how I love thee.  September 23rd is the official first day of fall, but I am enjoying the cool mornings and evenings.  I think I've already said this.  This summer has been long, productive and hot.  Lots of growth in so many forms.  Thank you, World.  And thank you Fall for coming along and cooling things down.

On Monday, I spent the evening with friends.  Stir fry and baked apples and laughter and even some coloring.  It was so cozy and nice.  Again, thank you, World.   Here's a link to a baked apple recipe if you get the itch. Don't forget the vanilla bean ice cream.  

On a final note, I've gotten so many emails from readers looking for the pencil torch in my book, Metalworking 101 for Beaders.  I'm so very sad to say Bernzomatic stopped making them.  I know. (sigh)  I can't believe it myself.  If anyone wants to start a petition, begging them to make them again, consider my name added to the list.  Until then it's back to acetylene and air or a little butane torch for us, kids (or at least for me).

Labor Day Weekend Fun

I remember as a kid that Labor Day was kind of the "last hoorah" of summer.  We always spent it at the lake.  I'm just throwing this little idea out to you kids of all ages--- if you have an extra $10 in your pocket, pick up a *bubble machine and some bubbles for this weekend.  Make it a surprise for your kids, your college roommates or even your spouse that you've been married to for 40 years.  Everyone likes bubbles.  

In other news, I'm up to my ears in instruction writing and shooting how-to photos for my new book.  Things are moving right along and I can't wait to show it to you!!  Yay!

 

*I got the bubble machine at Walmart ($6.28)

Soup Recipe Book...

I've been gone approximately five weeks out of this summer and I think this blog kind of reflects that.  It's been go, go, go with so many things....  I was teaching in a retirement home last week and my friend brought me this little batch of veggies.  I put the peppers in stir fry and ate the tomatoes like popcorn.  Oh! So good! 

With the cooler evenings, I can't help but gear up for soup season.  It's my favorite food to make and so to honor that, I picked up this book.  It's supposed to be here tomorrow!  Chop. Saute. Stir. I'm excited.

FaveCrafts

Waves to all the people who came over from FaveCrafts!  Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO, Candie

Breakfast at Tiffany's Charm Bracelet

Charm bracelets are still a favorite of mine to make.  This one was centered around our girl, Holly Golightly, in Breakfast at Tiffany's.  I like to pack as much in per link as I can.  This project is featured in the Wristwatch section of the new Everyday Bracelets eMag publication by Interweave.  There's a little video of me talking about my love for making charm bracelets. Check it out here!

Felted Purse

This is a little pocket purse I made years ago.  I felted objects between the layers of wool---a bottle-cap and piece of stainless mesh.  It was pretty plain, so I added some red stitching around the edge.....

some dangling jewelry elements....

a ribbon and button tie closure.....

And donated it to the Women's Clubhouse fundraiser here in town.

The thing I learned is that we really do get better with age.  Surfaces become richer and the tiny details become more important.

Salmon with Rosemary

The distractions of summer are alive and well.  That coupled with a lot of crafty work makes for multi-tasking.  Last night I made this dinner and in between bites I painted a board for a future post on the Plaid Kids Crafts blog.  Did I tell you I'm blogging over there once a week?  Check it out for all sorts of fun ideas to make with your kids.

Like the looks of my plate?  This is the recipe I used.  For the first time in my life, I walked down the stairs with kitchen scissors and snipped off a sprig of rosemary to add to my marinade.  Love.  It is the little things.

Bead and Button Show...

Quick note to say I'm off to the big dance!!  Super excited!!!

Metalworking 101 for Beaders book WINNER!

Congratulations to commenter #5!  Mary Ann Beckley!  This is a screen shot of the random comment generator page.  If you look closely you can see I had to google "screen shot on mac" because I had no idea how to do that.  Off to send Mary Ann an email to let her know...  Have a great Tuesday!  I ship out for the Bead and Button show tomorrow and I'm excited!!!

Apartment Therapy Book

This book changed the way I think.  It's called Apartment Therapy--the eight step home cure by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan.  Apartment Therapy is brilliant!  You know this.  The book is AMAZING!  If your home does not feel like a sacred, comforting space, then truly, I think you'll find relief and answers on these pages.  A place to hang your hat?  What to keep.  What not to keep.  Something is broken?  I learned so much.  You don't have to live in an apartment either.  This is all basic info that can be applied to a tent or a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. 

 

Thanks everyone for commenting on the book give-away!  Sigh of relief!  I worried I was going to be like the Maytag man sitting here waiting for the comments to come.  You all saved me!

So keep em' coming.  Contest ends this Sunday @ Midnight EST!

Just something I stumbled upon...

Being the dork that I am....

and single....and absolutely hooked on my MacBook that came with Photo Booth...

Ok, I don't know what single had to do with it, but...

because I've been doing this series of self portraits every week or so since New Years Day to see how I change throughout the year... I know, it's a bit strange.

My Picasso phase...

Fishy face Warhol?

Mmmmm...not really sure.

Sepia tone vortex.

Mmmmm.....not really sure in sepia tone.

Because what's another effect at this point?

Metalworking 101 for Beaders GiveAway!

Hello, lovely people!  In honor of my guest curator spot on Crescendoh, next week is Bead and Button, my birthday was May 21, I'm teaching two metalworking classes next week, and I'm filming 2 segments for Beads, Baubles and Jewels at the end of the month..... 

I AM GIVING AWAY A COPY OF MY BOOK METALWORKING 101 FOR BEADERS! 

OK?

This is terrifying to me because what if nobody comments?  So here goes, I'm counting on you, folks.  Leave a comment answering "what is good about your life right now..." 

Did you water the flowers this AM?  Your kid graduated from H.S.!  You paid off your credit card bill!  I want to hear.  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors!  Entries are over this Sunday--June 5th at midnight EST.  Until then, tell me what's great... please! :)

Vintage Jewelry Book.

The sun is shining on my little table this morning.  I love, love, love this book.  It's called Vintage Jewelry Design by Caroline Cox (Lark Books 2010).  For some reason I associate the word "vintage" with the 20's and 30's, but this book starts with the 1900's and ends with 2008.  That's quite a range and the book illustrates it wonderfully!  I'm not kidding.

The text is small and the pictures large so it's information and visually PACKED!

 

For all the metal lovers out there...

 Fashionistas will love it as there are many fantastic full page photos of clothing and adornments working side by side for full effect.

224 pages. Picture book.  Reference book. INSPIRATIONAL front to back!

DIY Garden Chandelier

1 Egg basket...

Wrapped with 1 strand of white icicle lights...

and filled with clear glass ornaments...

equals a very sweet and easy garden chandelier to light up your summer evenings.

Journal project...

This is a project I designed for the John Bead Corp to be shown on Beads, Baubles and Jewels.  It's one of my favorite things.  I'm a little anxious about writing in it, but I will because life's too short to worry about scribbling on a page and burning pretty candles for that matter.  You can find the instructions here.  I'm not sure if Hobby Lobby still has the leather journals, but any journal loves flat back crystals.  Promise.

Check here for your local TV listings to see when Beads, Baubles and Jewels is on in your area.

Felting Workshop

I started felting back in 2004 focusing mainly on jewelry.  However, the past two Monday nights I've been teaching how to make a flat fiber collage using wool, water, soap and some found materials.  The workshops were at the Honeywell Center.  It's been a blast and the class participants have been awesome!  I heard so many of them say, "this is fun!"  It is fun to make sudsy messes and end up with art.  More playing equals less stress---all you have to do is find the time, right?

I brought in a bag of wool in all different colors.  I loved watching people hunt and peck through it.

The next step is to lay out your wool design.  It's really an easy project.  Last year I taught around 700 kids, ages 3rd grade through high school, how to felt through my artist in residency programs at the Honeywell Center.  We talked about what an ancient process it is and how they found felt on mummies and such.  Kids love it.

I added a little warm water and soap and away they went agitating...

RINSE.  EMBELLISH. STITCH.  SMILE.

 

 

 

LAUGH with your friends, new and old, while you create....and then go home.  It makes me happy to see them happy!

Prom Jewelry...

Prom jewelry---it's all about sparkle and glam!  This is a piece I made for my pal, Bonnie's beautiful royal purple dress.  It had a waste-band of tiny crystals and sequins.  Very pretty!  I was happy she was all for the gunmetal chain because I love the vintage look.

Disco ball earrings with gunmetal bead caps.  I used leverback earring findings just in case things got crazy on the dance floor.  I didn't want those things to fall out.  I lose earrings with French hook wires all the time just working around the house.  Isn't it such a downer when you lose a fav?  Now I pretty much wear the little plastic backs so they CAN'T fall out. 

I'm off to do some writing and work on some new book projects.  It's Monday, let's start ticking things off that list!

Vintage button necklace...

This is what you get after watching a night of royal wedding coverage.  I'm serious!  It all happened so subconsciously.  A pretty vintage button, a few crystals, some nostalgia and blingo!  And besides, anything to use a vintage button for jewelry, right?  To make this I used a large Katiedid component, Beadalon gunmetal chain, button with round shank on back, Swarovski crystals, 3mm coral beads, and a Vintaj Arte metal leaf charm. Also, I sanded the Katiedid and put a coat of liver of sulphur on it....to antique it a bit, you know?

The button with a round shank on the back made it so I could string it just like a bead with the same head pin it's hanging from.  Use a touch of tubing on both sides of the shank to center it---no adhesive required (jic you want to use your button for something else later on).  Ok?

I've always loved vintage.  If I was going to prom, I would wear this little gem.  Or the Royal Wedding for that matter.  Hey, a girl can dream!

Dragonfly necklace...

I hope you had a great Easter!  I've heard lots of good stories from others who had wonderful weekends with their family.  I love that.  I helped with an Easter event on Saturday, had dinner with friends, family all day Sunday.  I came home wound up from Easter, so I started cleaning my studio and painting.  It was great!  Dare I say a never ending weekend!  That never happens...ok, it does from time to time.

This is my Evolution necklace.  I actually made it back in college, but it looked much different than it does now.  Very shiny, two chains on either side and that's about it.  I re-did it last year because, well, I didn't like it anymore.  One of my favorite things about creating is seeing the change over the years.....our objects we create are a journal of sorts documenting what appeals to us at that particular time.  It's astonishing to me that even as adults, we can grow and change.  The dragonfly is actually cast in sterling from a real (but dead) dragonfly I found on the way to class one day.

Here's a detail of the chain.  It's a loop in loop chain.  I learned from this book (I'm 90% sure) and the process itself is really interesting.  If you like chain maille, I know you'll lovvvvvve this!

Ok, it's back down to the studio I go.  I'm knee deep in project creating for my new book.  Excited!!