Friday, December 26, 2008

Mother Earth's Christmas embellishment

Mother Earth had her own decorating design for Christmas in San Clemente. This is the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. What a surprise when I was driving to my Pilates class and noticed this by the roadside.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas from Reina, too!


Thanks to digital cameras, quick uploads and photo sharing I am able to add a Christmas morning wish from Reina too.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

On Christmas Eve Ella and Kate were upside down with excitement!






After a good night's rest and Santa's visit we couldn't believe how generous everyone was.  I hope everyone's Christmas is filled with so much joy and love.
Merry Christmas to all from Denise, Whitney, Ryan, Ella & Kate

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas cookies


Christmas cookies
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Every year my friend Sue and I set aside one day to make our Christmas cookies. This year's finalists are: French chocolate bark, cranberry coconut chews, peanut butter kisses, chocolate macadamia nut chews, sesame cherries, gingersnaps and 7 layer bars. I hope you come by for a visit and some cookies this Christmas.

Kate's stocking


Kate's stocking
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Kate will get her Christmas stocking this year just in time. Little did I know when I started this over a year ago that she would grow to love cookies..or "DeeDee"s as she calls them...so much.

Stop and smell a rose if you can find one."Paul Bocuse" rose

In the middle of our winter weather this lovely rose had the courage to bloom in my garden. "Paul Bocuse" named after one of the finest chefs in France in the Lyon region. In 1982 I was dining in his restaurant and had the pleasure of his coming to my table for a hello and to sign my menu. I was on a weekend break from my studies at the Cordon Bleu school of Cooking in Paris. How could I not have this rose in my garden?

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Snow on the Saddleback foothills



We had an "artic" rainstorm here for the last 3 days. When I left work last night my temperature gauge read 40 degrees. This morning the local foothills were dusted with snow. The elevation is about 2000 ft. For those of you who do not know this area, the beach is about 4 miles behind me.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Let the games begin


Ella's Christmas cookies
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Every Christmas I make cookies with my friend, Sue, and my family. We make a LOT of cookies. Today was sugar cookies with Ella. She decorates them with her own expression. She did a great job and like most of us ate her share of cookie dough.  Kate was sleeping.  Maybe next time, Kate.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

poinsettia quilt


poinsettia quilt
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I made this quilt in 2006 from a pattern by Teri Christopherson of Black Mountain Quilts It has 460 pieces of machine appliqued petals, leaves & stamen.

poinsettia detail


poinsettia detail
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
This is one block of the Christmas quilt. The poinsettias are made from scraps of red, green & yellow cotton. The background is a collection of caramels. I could keep this quilt up all year.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Paper bead necklace



paper necklace
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
The end result of my paper beads. Also are felt beads, charms, glass beads and ribbons.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

snow partridge quilt


snow partridge quilt
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
This quilt is almost finished...just some handwork. The partridge is hand painted with acrylics then added to a hand dyed piece of felted wool. Additional embellishments: hand painted duck cloth, commercial batik and Kaffe Fasset cotton, hand dyed velvet, vintage gray beads, hand stiched and beaded. The last of the fall projects before Christmas.

Kate's purse


Kate needs a purse, too, for her hand-size toys.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Ponderosa pine cone



... from the timberland of the Sierra Nevada. This is a sketch I did about a year ago of a 12 inch pinecone. As I pull out my decorations for this Christmas I still love these pinecones. They give my southern California home a little wintery feel.

Symbols of Christmas


Symbols of Christmas
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Getting ready for Christmas. Today I sketched 3 items that appear in my home for Christmas: shiny ornaments for the tree, an adorned cheese spreader (especially for artichoke dip), and the center of the nativity-Jesus. Enjoy preparing for Christmas!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving Kate


Thanksgiving Kate
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner as much as Kate did. She is a joyful child and certainly liked her mashed potatoes, using them as a dip for her potato rolls. This sweet little smile was on her face all day. We are all thankful that Kate is here to bless us all.

potato rolls


potato rolls
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
This potato roll recipe has been in my kitchen for well over 10 years and it is a favorite. They are really yummy warm out of the oven but even better when you stuff them with left over turkey . Try them:
Ingredients:
2 small russet potatoes, peeled & cut into 2"pieces
2 1/2 tsps yeast
2 Tbs sugar + a pinch
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
6 Tbs butter, melted and cooled + more for bowl
4 tsps salt
5 1/2 + cups flour, bread or all purpose

1. Place potatoes in a medium saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to boil; reduce to simmer. Cook until knife tender (~15 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup liquid. Mash potatoes. Set aside.
2. Cool reserved liquid to 105 deg. In the detached bowl of your Kitchenaid, whisk liquid, yeast & a pinch of sugar. Set aside until mixture is foamy (~6 minutes).
3.Attach bowl to the Kitchenaid fitted with the dough hook attachment. On low, add remaining sugar, mashed potatoes, buttermilk, 4 Tbs butter & salt. Gradually add enough flour to make a slightly sticky dough. Knead dough until smooth (~ 2 mins)
4. Brush a mixing bowl with butter. Place dough in bowl. Turn once so that the dough is coated by butter on the top and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside until doubled in size (~ 1 1/2 hours).
5. Heat oven to 375 deg. Cover 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn dough out onto floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out 3/4" thick. Cut dough into 3" wide strips. Cut strips into triangles or squares. Place 1" apart on baking sheets.  Brush tops with remaining melted butter, cover with a buttered plastic wrap. Let rise until dough does not spring back when pressed with finger (~15min).
6. Bake until golden, about 18-20 minutes.. Serve.  Makes about 30 rolls.  This might last a day.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Reina and her shadow

This weekend I was in Seattle to visit Brad, Amber and Reina. Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day so we went to SAMs Oympic Sculpture Park. The views were spectacular. Our shadows were behind us everywhere. It was a great day to be outside and taking pictures. For more pictures check out Brad's family blog.  His photos are fabulous.

The Eagle at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park and the Olympics

Let's go for a walk


Let's go for a walk
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl

Family of three


Family of three
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl

cast of shadows

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Reina's little purse


Reina's bag
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I am going to Seattle on Friday to see my son and his family. Reina is now 14 months old and I think she will like putting her little things in this fancy little purse. It is about 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide. I hope you like your little purse, Reina!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Vintage dry goods


Vintage dry goods
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I found this lovely little pincushion at a quilt show in Williamsberg, Virginia about 5 years ago. It is filled with lavender and has a belt of vintage buttons. I found the same vendor of vintage dry goods at the Long Beach Quilt festival this summer and added to my collection. I try to add a vintage touch to each of my art quilts.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

partridge art quilt


partridge art quilt
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Finished partridge quilt 12" X 12". Partridge is hand painted with acrylics and is perched on a piece of Melaleuca leucadendron bark. The background is hand dyed wool bordered in hand painted, stamped and inked grafitti duck cloth. The cat tails are wool stalks with cashmere and velvet tops beaded and sequined. Added threads, vintage buttons and vintage gray rick rack complete this fun little art quilt.

partridge detail


partridge detail
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
a closer look

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Partridge in inspiration


Partridge in inspiration
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Transferred image, hand dyed velveteen, vintage ribbon and buttons, hand-dyed threads

Pear-nelope


Pear-nelope
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Art Quilt: Image transfer to cotton and painted with acrylics. Attached to hand dyed cotton batting. Embellished with beaded felt beads, vintage orange buttons, threads and charms from Artgirlz.com. The "cloud" in the corner is a hand painted cloth from an art university class sponsored by Cloth, Paper, Scissors. magazine. Pear-nelope makes me smile

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Partridge pair


Partridge pair
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Partridges transferred to high count white cotton and painted with acrylics. These will be part of an art quilt soon. I think I like painting with watercolors better but these guys are ok

French Oak Quilt


French Oak Quilt
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
This quilt is a good companion quilt to the rooster quilt. It is also a good size for the table. The design is also from Teri Christopherson and is a combination of applique and machine pieced. Some of the fabrics appear in both quilts. This one I made in 2005 but took more than 3 days

French Oak block

Look!  There may be a partridge in the border print!
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl

Friday, November 7, 2008

Les Chantecler


Les Chantecler
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I made this quilt on a quilt retreat (3 days) in North Carolina (Outer Banks) in February of 2005. The original pattern is Rooster Hollow by Teri Christopherson of Black Mountain Quilts. This retreat was a great group of women from Virginia whom I have come to know during my many visits there to visit my daughter and her family. If asked any of the retreat members are more than happy to lend an opinion or a hand. If you ever have a chance to do art in a retreat environment.....just do it.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Partridge, no pear tree


partridge
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Perched Partridge. I have been sketching pears lately. My mind wandered to partridges although I don't understand the connection. I have never seen a live partridge. I have never seen a partridge in a pear tree. I have seen a pear tree and remember that the pear I ate from that tree was the most delicious pear.

Happy Birthday, Ryan


Happy Birthday, Ryan
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Saturday is my son-in-law's birthday. I was so inspired by the lovely red velvet cupcake I had the other day that I wanted to see it again. Today I will go to SusieCakes and buy him some real cupcakes. No watercolor cupcake substitute for him.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Red velvet cupcake


Red velvet cake
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
On election day a "NO on prop 8" supporter brought these beautiful red velvet cupcakes from Susiecakes to us poll workers at 6am. They were absolutely delicious and a good pick-me-up after hours of working. The donor's interest was defeated but like all of us had the freedom to express his personal opinion no matter how controversial or unpopular. This is a great democracy

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Butternut


Butternut
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Butternut squash soup:
3 Tbs olive oil or butter
3 cups chopped onions
3 cups baked butternut squash
6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 Tbs curry powder, lightly toasted
1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
1 Tbs honey
1 cup Greek yogurt, plain (or cream)
3 Tbs dry sherry
Sautee onions in olive oil. Puree onions and squash. Transfer to large saucepan and add stock, curry powder, nutmeg & honey. Whisk to combine & bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in yogurt & sherry & season with salt & pepper as needed. Garnish with toasted seeds or slivered almonds.
Try adding sauteed mushroom for a heartier soup.
Toasted squash seeds:
Wash fresh seeds with salt water to separate from pulp of squash. Pat dry with a paper towel. Place seeds on a baking sheet; salt generously and toss with a little olive oil. Place in 250 degree oven for about 1 hour. Eat as a snack or a garnish for this yummy soup

Saturday, November 1, 2008

peppertree


peppertree
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
When I was a child we had a huge peppertree in the back yard with a canopy that spanned at least 40 feet. Each summer my brother, David, and I would build a new treehouse. When we had a "solid" floor and a couple of walls our parents would allow us to sleep in our creation. What fun! Now in both my neighborhood and my city the pepper tree is a major landscaping tree. I am reminded daily of my funfilled summers in construction. Today the tree became my scribble inspiration. Today is David's birthday.

Bumble Bee Reina

Reina went Trick or Treating as a little bee.  I think she put her wings on outside.  She went to the zoo with her friends and had a honey of a time.  Bzzzzzzzzzz  Nana loves you, Reina

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Embellished


Embellished
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Thank you for embellishing my life. A thank you note to a friend. The inspiration is a grey T-shirt that has been embellished with crocheted flowers, ribbons and lace.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

pear & persimmon


pear & persimmon
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
One more look at persimmons through the pear's eyes this time. This ripened Hachiya persimmon was ready to be eaten so I cut it in half and scooped some out. I have eaten many of the Fuyu variety but this is the first Hachiya for me. Delicious!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Persimmons


persimmons
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Do you see why I love this fruit? They are gorgeous! The small flat cube shaped ones are the Fuyu variety. Eat them like an apple (peel or not). The larger "acorn" shape are Hachiya and must be really soft in order for the bitterness to be gone. Both are available in our local Farmers' Market. I hope you can find them.  Next stop: figs.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Salad of persimmons, pears and pomegranates with grape vinaigrette

from Alice Waters' "Fruit"
As you know by now I am on a persimmon frenzy. The ingredients are simple: Fuyu persimmons, pomegranate seeds, ripe pears, grapes (if you can find wine grapes, even better) frisee & radicchio The dressing is not so simple but really tasty: 1Tbs sherry wine vinegar & 1/2 cup grapes mashed together; season with salt and let stand 5 minutes. Then add pepper and 1/4 cup olive oil; blend all together and add to the mix of fruits and lettuces. Enjoy!

Pear-nelope Cruz


Penelope Pear
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Today was the first of a series of 6 classes on Art Quilts, taught by mixed media artist, Jane LaFazi0: janeville.blogspot.com/  Jane teaches through many media including online classes and an upcoming art adventure in Italy! Visit her blog. Today we were to find a picture of a simple image and then using a light box transfer it to high count white muslin. I chose a magazine photo but in placing the page on the light box there were lips in the middle of the pear. The image from the back of the page made it difficult to see the pear. I decided that the lips had to stay along with Penelope Cruz' eyes. Well a blue version.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Garden light


Garden light
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
When I moved to my home 7 years ago I decided to design my backyard space ( 8 ft by 40 ft ) as a Zen garden. Brad gave me these garden lights to illuminate the garden elements. This one is nestled in an area where mint is growing.