Dinner Diary

 

I recently saw a manila file folder turned into an album on Pinterest. I'm a sucker for manila.  I decided to make use of this concept for a dinner diary.  You know, to keep little mementos from special dinners?  Which just happened to coincide with my husband's birthday dinner on Saturday. 

Here are the easy steps to convert the file folder.  A used folder works just fine, or you can start with a new patterned one.  Lay the folder out flat; fold up a pocket 2" deep across the bottom, or deeper if you prefer;  fold the front of folder in to meet the center seam; then fold the back of the folder in to the center seam.  Press all fold lines with a bone folder.  I laid the folder flat again; then covered the outside and inside with wrapping paper, because I thought thin paper would work best.  I used my standard The Ultimate glue to affix the papers.  Don't neglect to distress ink the edges!  Now decorate away. 

I'm going to complete each section as I celebrate a special occasion.  This way I can use a color scheme and papers to compliment the restaurant.  For this particular dinner the mood was very romantic with dark red and black decor. I've saved the receipt, and on the back side of the tag I've pasted a pic of the outfit I wore...to help me remember to mix it up!  Pockets can be added to the outside of the folder, too.  Perfect for birthdays, anniversary, family picnics, holiday dinners, etc. 

Pantry Dinner

 If you know me, then you know that I am happiest at home.  I really do not like to leave the property unless forced to do so for provisions, or to visit Mom.  My hubby has become quite the CostCo and Target shopper so that I don't have to go.  SO, it's Mother's Day (sort of a holiday...or at least cause for a bit of celebration even though I don't have children of my own); I haven't grocery shopped for over a week; I don't WANT to drive to the store, but what to do for dinner?   Keep a well stocked pantry, gals, and you can craft instead of shop.  While I don't like to go to town, I do like to cook and eat.  I pulled a packet of tortellini out of the freezer, a can of fire roasted tomatoes from the shelf, snipped some basil from the garden, mix in some good wine and rosemary bread...dinner. 

 I glazed some mixed nuts to top our salad.

 I don't often make desserts, but Hey! it's a holiday!!  Did I have a can of pineapple in the pantry for upside down cake?  No.  However, I did have a can of whole apricots in syrup.  I mixed up a cake with my last 2 eggs, last 1.5 sticks of butter, a splash of this and that...

plus some fancy maraschino cherries that I can't resist eating from the jar once opened.  Happy Mother's Day to me.  Now I've got time to craft.  WooHoo. 

French General Make & Take

Kim Caldwell offered a bonus day of shopping as an add-on to Enchanted Affaire.  One of the stops was a reception at French General just for us.  Yeah!  However, first on the tour was a fabric warehouse, the Santa Monica Flea Market and a shop in Venice called Bountiful.  I didn't know anything about these shops, but I've certainly heard of French General owned by Kaari Meng https://www.frenchgeneral.com/.   I gotta tell you, getting to the FG, at the end of our shopping day, was a lllooonnnggg process.  A few of the women on our bus tour were frenzied in their purchasing.  It was frankly disgusting to observe a couple of these gals, one in particular, who literally was taking things out of the hands of others waiting in line so that she could add yet more stuff to her pile.  It sure wasn't pleasant to be behind her in line either, as I found myself at the flea market.  After waiting 30 minutes as she grabbed more and more, while she was checking out, I finally walked away.  We did have a deadline to get back to the bus after all.  YET, another gal held us up by 30 minutes; when she finally got on the bus she offered no apology.  Whoa.  Kim kept her cool and really I didn't hear any protests, except the words coming out of my mouth.   Really?  Hold up a bus for 30 minutes?? 

 After a hideous bus ride through stop and go LA freeway traffic, we arrived at the French General almost 2 hours late which was sad for Kaari and her assistant.  However, there she was standing out front to greet us with a huge smile.  Now that is gracious.  Kaari offered a much needed wine spritzer and snacks, a shop full of wonderful merchandise and a pretty little make & take kit.  Shown above is the kit; a 3 petalled flower cut from wool felt, embroidery thread and needle, a nice button and pin back to complete the corsage.  After I sucked down a spritzer, or two three, I was ready to shop.  The top photo is my haul.  OH, I forgot the best part.  I had won a $25 gift certificate to FG during the Affaire.  Shop on! 

I think this little corsage is so cute.  It was relaxing to embroider the blanket stitch all 'round the petals.  I added a bit of lace and a charm.  Thank you Kaari.  That Lillet spritzer was new to me and definitely a keeper; fill a glass with ice, add an ounce of Lillet, squeeze in a slice of orange, fill glass with San Pellegrino or Aranciata.  Delicious.   So, uh, would I go on the shopping tour again?  Good question. 

Lace & Wire Bracelet Tutorial

 During Enchanted Affaire, Denise Hahn of http://inmyblueroom.blogspot.com/ taught a "make & take" of this charming wire and lace bracelet.  I just loved this project.  Denise was generous enough to allow me to share it with you.  THANK YOU, Denise. 

 Supply list is short, and you may already have most of this in your stash.  For the foundation wire, Denise used "rebar wire from Home Depot".  I first used coat hanger wire before going to my local hardware store for the rebar wire (which is 16 gauge wire).  Then tickle your fancy with an assortment of 14" strips of narrow lace, ribbon, seam binding, torn fabric strips.  I like a variety of textures; Denise supplied a length of velvet ribbon with each kit and a pile of laces to choose from. 

 Start by making a closed loop at one end of the rebar wire; shape the wire around your wrist to check the fit...but allow extra room as the laces add bulk to the diameter; cut off excess wire if necessary; then form a hook on the opposite end of the rebar wire.  I've found that a 9 1/2" to 10" length of rebar wire works for most people.  Straighten out the rebar wire before continuing.  "Tie" on your strips of assorted lace by making several tight wraps around the looped end of rebar wire with the narrower wire.  I find 22 gauge works well.  Make sure to leave about 1" of the laces hanging over the closed loop. 

Now, holding the whole shebang in your left hand, twist the narrow wire around and around to attach the laces to the rebar wire.  This is so easy, don't overthink it, just hold and twist and you will see it binds nicely with no rebar wire showing.  I make around 8 loops for this binding.  Try and try again to get the effect you want, whether tightly bound or more loosey goosey.  This is meant to have a Bohemian flair, not an exercise in perfection. 

 When you reach the end with your binding twists, tightly wrap the narrow wire a couple times, then start binding the wire back up the bracelet, this time attaching your embellishments as you go by stringing the beads, etc onto the wire.   I make about 8 twists in this direction, adding beads, buttons, charms etc, with each twist.  The more the merrier. 

 When you reach the end of the bracelet, just before the rebar wire loop, wrap the narrow wire several times tightly to secure.  Tuck in the cut end of the wire and/or tie a small piece of lace around it.  Tidy up the ends of laces/ribbon to the length you desire and...

 You are done.  I find it unnecessary to hook the ends of the rebar wire together.  The wire is just the right strength to hold its shape as you slide it on and form it to your wrist size. 

These are so pretty, using color schemes of your choice.  I made 3 for Mother's Day gifts.  Go on...try it and let me know how much you love it.  Also, if I've been totally unclear with my directions, I shall try to explain better. 

Enchanted Affaire II

 Since returning from the bliss of Enchanted Affaire, I have been under the weather, way way under the weather, with a cold.  Thus my silence about the wonderful time I had.  I want to share!  Above is a stunning mannequin that greeted us at the entrance to the workshop room.  Along with the bottles of bath salts with the most gorgeous metal and enamel stoppers, which was a gift to each of us. 

 Each work table was set up with more gorgeousness.  Under the centerpiece dome is a crown on a pillow, resting atop an aged brass pedestal.  Who knew these centerpieces were for sale?? except the smart veterans who snapped them up.  Each place was also set with a glass box holding a velvet heart; a crown topped frame with our name tag, a glittered apple also used as a placecard, and a lovely brass, glass and crystal plaque tied to the back of each chair.  And so much more. 

Kim had quite a few sponsors who gifted us with an array of goodies.  Many of these were contained in a linen tote printed with a crown image and topped with a flower corsage.  You can get a peek of one of these bags hooked on to the back of Kerry's chair, above right.  Kerry was at my craft table, #2 and here we are hard a work. 

 As you know by now the theme of the Affaire was Snow White.  Karla Nathan painted a most beautiful mural...no photos do it justice.  One of her loveliest elements was a fairy tale castle, set in the distance so therefore only faintly visible.  Awesome!  Here is Karla and me acting silly. 

 

I didn't know anyone at the Affaire, except for Karla via the Internet.  I was lucky enough to have Karla and Nora at my craft table.  Karla went off course with each of the craft projects, with stunning success.  I'll save the projects for another post.  Today, I want to relish the memories of the venue and some lovely ladies I met there. 

Enchanted Affaire Swaps

 In the weeks prior to Enchanted Affaire I was busy working on projects for the 2 swaps I signed up for.  I couldn't share them here in order to keep it a surprise 'cause you never know whose gonna visit your blog.  Above is the locket I made for Nora.  Nora gave a hint that she likes pink and a romantic theme.  You know I fretted and dithered on should I use this, or that, or these?  I ended up using elements from Michaels along with beads I strung together, an old dangle from Gramma's earring and an image from an Alpha Stamps collage sheet. 

 It so happens that I drew Nora's name for the photo album swap, too.  This project is intended to make it easy for us ladies to put all of the pics from the fab Enchanged Affaire into a pre-made photo album.  Finding an album as a "blank canvas" took a little shopping.  I think I found it at Joanne's.  Then the hard part fun began.  I wanted to use pink colors, the overall theme of royalty, with a vintage feel.  I decided to use pages from my old French encyclopedia for the background.  Just my bad planning luck,  the album had of course the front and back covers, but also 2 plain white front and back pages before the photo sleeves; meaning I needed to actually cover 8 sides. 

I incorporated fabric in a number of areas.  On the front cover, is a bit of special heavily embroidered lace netting I found on eBay.  Here is some ivory cut-work embroidery, bordered by old crochet and a strip of old lace to form a pocket. 

 Here I altered an old prize ribbon with an image from Alpha Stamps, a piece of old handkerchief and roses. 

 I just had to get in this "I like to cut and paste stuff" sentiment (from MaryAnn Moss) since this is near and dear to us paper crafters.  I printed it out on an inkjet fabric sheet, then sewed it onto the old hanky.  There are more pages, but you get the idea. 

 OK.  Now I'm on the receiving end.  My locket was made by Teresa Young, shown nervously hovering as I opened it.  She was truly nervous, bless her, yet this locket just blows me away.  I TOTALLY love it.  She packaged it in an old cigar box, with a crochet doily, ribbon and an old photograph.  Awesome. 

 

 

 Close-up of the locket.  Do you see what I mean?!!! 

My photo album was made by Julie Weller, and it is just lovely.  She used the snow white theme that was the backbone of Enchanted Affaire.  It is done with so much love and imagination.  I learned later that Julie is going through a health crisis, which makes it all the more precious because she did not let that get in the way of her joy.  Come on back because there is lots more to share.