Qreative Quail

Feel Good Poster for Someone Special

2012-01-01T18:18:00.001-06:00

The last of the "Love" posters. My Niece just had a milestone birthday. 21! I remember when I turned 21, unfortunately, that conversation isn't appropriate for this blog. * wink, wink *

And here they all are, in their shining glory:

Yarn Wreaths

2012-01-01T18:11:00.000-06:00

I told you I made a bunch of these. And I wasn't kidding.

Here we have "The Peacock" (for my sister):

Winter Frost (for my sister-in-law):

Purple Plume (for my other sister):

Go Pack Go (for my mom, the biggest Packer fan I know):

Cozy Sweater (for my aunt):

Bird's Song (for my mother-in-law):

30 Things I Love (cont...)

2012-01-01T18:01:00.004-06:00

6. My iPhone 4S. How did I possibly survive for so long without it?

7. Mad Men marathon. I recently purchased seasons 1-4 at a very nice Black Friday discounted price. My last 2 weeks off of work have consisted of me squeezing in episode after episode between the mandatory Holiday shin digs. 'Shin digs', that's possibly a term I've never used before. I'll have to thank Mad Men for expanding my retro vocabulary (either that or Words with Friends).

8. Mozzarella cheese balls soaked in Italian oils. If you've never bought a tub of these. You should. They're delicious.

9. Speaking of food...here's a few things I love from Trader Joe's: angel food cake, potstickers, yogurt, orange chicken, chocolate croissants, mochi, wine, cheese, dried cranberries, their free samples, and friendly Cashiers. What do you love from Trader Joes?

10. Sleeping in until 1:00 P.M. There's not a lot of chances to do this but if you find an opportunity, do it! And please, don't feel guilty about it.

More to come in the new year.

30 Things I Love

2011-12-17T10:15:00.002-06:00

1. I love my latest incarnation of a "...Things We Love About..." poster.

2. That I get to keep making these posters (I have another one in the works).

3. Speaking of posters, I love my newest set of prints by Ryan Berkley, which I scored at the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair.

4. Christmas is coming. And I ordered a bunch of cool gifts on ThinkGeek...

5....this is one of them.

Size does matter.

6. ...

More to come later.

Happy Yarn Days!

2011-12-14T21:25:00.000-06:00

My house is covered in every color yarn that you can think of! Green, yellow, purple, red... my head is spinning just talking about it.

Some lucky family members will be receiving hand-made yarn wreaths this Christmas and I've been as busy as a St. Nicholas elf making them. My inspiration started with a quick Google image search for "yarn and felt wreaths" (try it and you'll see!). I attempted a yellow and purple one for myself first, and was impressed with the result.

This was quickly followed by a smaller, red version (which will be given away during the annual Holiday Ornament Exchange at the office).

Unfortunately, or fortunately for some, I'm addicted and have already made 3 more (with another 3 in the next couple weeks). My fingers have the hot glue gun scars to prove it. But, now I'm experimenting with different felt flower shapes, feathers, birds, and glass ornaments! I even found perfect 16"x16"x5" bakery boxes to store them in.

Stay turned until after the holidays to see the rest and in the meantime, make one for yourself, or a friend. You'd be surprised at how fun it is (aside from the burns)!

So you're serious about making a wreath, huh. Here's how to do it:
1. Gather a lot of inspiration images of other wreaths online. It helps to have something to go by the first time around.
2. Pick your color palette. Keep it simple at first. I did yellow and purple but added different shades of each for interest. Don't worry, your color palette can get "crazier" on your next couple wreaths.
3. Go to a craft store to buy your supplies. I started with a straw wreath because I liked the size and it was cheaper than the foam wreaths. And picked out the yarn color, as well as a few colors and shades of 8.5"x11" felt sheets, and some embellishments (picks, fake foliage, sprigs, pieces of garland, etc. will do just fine).
4. Now start wrapping your wreath with the yarn. (Tip: don't remove the plastic wrap from the straw wreath. Also, don't worry about keeping the yarn perfectly lined up. It looks more interesting when you have pieces overlapping each other and helps to cover the wreath better.) This step takes the longest. I recommend doing this while watching TV. You should be able to get through an episode or two of Dexter per wreath. Once it's completely wrapped tie the ends together and tuck to hid the knot.
5. Start cutting circles in your felt. All different sizes. The bigger the circle, the bigger the flower. Once you have circles, then start cutting them into spirals (with a wavy line). Confusing yes, so go here to see visual step-by-steps.
6. Plug in your hot glue gun because you're about to do some gluing. Per the instructions on the above link, leave a flap at the end of the spiral and glue to the back of the flower.
7. Once your flowers are finished, arrange them on the wreath, as well as the embellishment. Keep rearranging until you like what you see, then glue them down permanently (Tip: add an optional ribbon to hang it).

Cost of project:
Straw wreath - $3.99
4 sheets of felt at $0.30 each - $1.20
Embellishment - $0.99

Total - $6.18 (assuming you already have the hot glue gun and glue sticks like I did)

Time:
Wrapping yarn - 1 hour, 30 mins.
Making and gluing flowers, embellishments - 30 mins.

Total - 2 hours

Difficulty Level:
Easy

Impressive?
Yes! I guarantee you'll be proud of yourself, and everyone you know will want one.

Out with the gold, In with the cold

2011-11-18T22:12:00.001-06:00

Goodbye Fall. You'll be dearly missed. It was nice while it lasted but Old Man Winter is knocking on my door. Until next year...

Au revoir! Auf Wiedersehen! ¡Hasta mañana!

Shot this fall while vacationing on Lake Winter. * sigh *

March of the Penguins

2011-11-18T21:42:00.001-06:00

Get your office talking about these dishes at your next Holiday potluck. Bonus: they are quick, easy, and impressive.

Penguins
For the body: Cut a wedge out of a large black olive. Fill with flavored cream cheese.
For the head: cut carrots into coin shaped slices. cut a small triangle-shape wedge out of each carrot coin. Poke the wedge into the tiny hole (not the large hole) of a small black olive.
For the base: Using the same carrot coins, cut the wedge even larger to create feet.
Assemble: stack the stuffed olive on top of the wedge, place the head on top and pierce with a tooth pick until all three parts are secured together.

This doesn't take as long as you may think. It's simple and also very delicious. Would go great as a sandwich side. And your friends/family/coworkers will be blown-away!

Marshmallow Snowmen
For the body: dunk the top of a marshmallow in frosting, and then dunk in your favorite sprinkles. (I used shredded coconut, candy-coated mini chocolate chips, nonpareils, crushed nuts, and crushed candy canes.)
For the face: Just use simple cake decorating gel or pipe frosting to draw the face. It's fun to show a variety of expressions and feel free to play around with different colors, too.
Assemble: Stick a cake pop/lollipop stick (found at specialty bake stores or Michael's) through the top and you're done!

The kids will really appreciate this one.

Word Warrior to the rescue!

2011-08-30T20:02:00.007-05:00

This post is one big shout-out to my friend, Aubre. I'm proud to announce that she's just launched her professional website, with me as her web designer and Aaron as her web programmer. I must say the three of us make a good team because her site turned out wonderful (I especially had fun creating the roll-overs; play around on her site and you'll see what I mean). It's been months in the making but it's now finished so all she needs to do is wait for the jobs to come rolling in. And I'd bet money that she's going to be a very busy woman!

Congrats, Aubre on the official launch of your freelance business. May the Force be with you!

Check out her site here, her blog here, and like her on Facebook while you're at it. Pow! Bam! Kaboom!

The Big 5-0!

2011-08-29T23:05:00.002-05:00

I would probably say that one of the most exciting projects for a designer to work on is a poster (especially a screen print). So when this little gem was presented to me a few weeks ago I jumped right on it. I don't even know Scott, but after designing this poster around him and all his amazing qualities, it made me want to wrap my arm around his shoulder, clink mugs of beer, and start singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow..."!

Words can not describe the fun I had with this, but can I just say, I fit 50 reasons on one poster! That's a lot of copy, and I miraculously got it to fit. Round of applause, please!

Oh, and a great big happy birthday to The Man!

Grandma Ruth

2011-06-30T20:46:00.005-05:00

Warning: this gets sentimental.

So it's hot outside (heat index of 90) and I decide to take a walk with Lola. She loves walks...and smelling every single tree, bush, and blade of grass along the way. Needless to say it takes us an hour to walk a block (slight exaggeration but you get the idea). Tonight was exceptionally pleasant as there were no other crazy people out walking in this heat. No other person besides the sweetest old lady I've met, and I only say that because she reminded me of someone I love. My grandma. Grandma Ruth passed away years ago but I still think of her often. Many of my summers as a child were spent at her house picking raspberries and chasing butterflies (no really, it's true). She didn't smell like old people. She smelled like Trident gum, lilacs, and plastic hair curlers. She'd sing to me while washing my hair in the kitchen sink. Every morning she'd wake me up to the smell of pancakes or my favorite, french toast. And buy me the latest shoes for my Barbie (it was hard to keep up with the trends). She was the best! So when this sweet neighbor lady's dog came running up to Lola, she came running after her dog. It's what she said that stopped me dead in my tracks. "Say, now!" What? My grandma used to say that to us when we were causing a ruckus. Did this lady just say this to her dog? I must meet her! So we chatted about her adorable lab and the tree she recently cut down. I was even offered some free wood. The whole time we talked I couldn't help but feel like we had been friends for years. She maybe didn't smell like my grandma but she had the same sparkly eyes and spunky energy. It's times like these that make me miss Grandma Ruth the most, always when I least expect it. If I could I would hop on the next hot air balloon and ride on up to heaven for a little neighborhood gossip while we exchanged the latest issue of the National Enquirer. Love and miss you Grandma! "Talk at cha later!"

Sweet, Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

2011-06-15T20:40:00.000-05:00

Everything is better when it's mini...and covered in frosting...and on a stick! I made this for a baby shower brunch this Spring. Super easy. Super cheap. Super cute!

You'll need:
One slab of frozen puffed pastry sheet (thawed)
Cinnamon
Brown sugar
Butter
Frosting
Candy sticks (found at specialty baking stores or Michael's Crafts)

How to make the mini morsels:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay the puffed pastry sheet on a floured surface. Cut in half the short way. Roll one half out slightly to help stretch and add more surface area. Set the other half aside to make more rolls later or use for another delicious baking adventure (see below for more ideas). Mix together about 1/2 cup brown sugar and about 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a bowl. (Really though, mix however you'd like. If you want sweet rolls, use more sugar. If you want a strong cinnamon flavor, use more cinnamon. Customize to your palette.) Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter until watery. Brush butter over puffed pastry sheet and then sprinkle some or all of the sugar mixture evenly on top. Roll the sheet into a log (tip: it's easiest to roll towards you instead of away). Cut up into about 1 inch pieces. Grease a mini muffin tin and place a cinnamon roll into each cup. This will help keep the roll small and tight instead of spreading out while it bakes. Pop in the oven for about 12-15 minutes or until tops are nicely browned. Remove and cool on wire racks. Once cool, top each candy stick with a mini roll and frost!

Great for baby shower brunches, kids party snacks, or any day of the week. And if you want to get fancy, you can display them upright in a foam block, wrap them individually in mini cellophane bags and give as gifts, or rest them gently in mini cupcake paper wrappers.

This is only the beginning people! Try doing the same thing but with pizza fillings. Trust me, you'll never want to eat pizza the traditional way once you've had it mini, rolled, and on a stick. Donuts, cheesecake, and anything dipped in chocolate is also highly recommended to be consumed this way as well.

(Thanks to my husband for being such a wonderful hand model. Even though he was less than thrilled to hold this roll for 15 minutes while I ran him around the house finding the right lighting. All the poor guy wanted to do was eat one! Oh, the sacrifices we make for love...)

Beers with Hats

2011-04-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

If your beer could wear a hat, this is what I think it would wear.

(click on image to enlarge)

What do you think? I'd love to hear what beers you'd like to see wearing a hat. Leave your comments below.

Shark Attack!

2011-03-23T19:39:00.003-05:00

I've finally finished making the last baby shower gift for a while, well...at least until July when the baby bashes start up again. This gift may be my favorite though. Shark towel puppets! Perfect for making bath time with little Billy Bob (sorry Gretchen, I know you probably won't name him that!) fun and hopefully easier.

I started out by giving the expecting mama a clue a few weeks ago. Nothing but a cryptic poem and a bar of soap with a teethy bite carved out of it. She didn't get the final piece to her puzzle until last week when she opened her gift to find this, a family of sharks. Watch out Gretchen, they bite!

Go here if you're really digging these little guys and would like to make some for yourself. (Note: all I did was vary the size of the template to get a daddy, mommy, and baby shark.)

Handmade Nation

2011-03-23T18:52:00.005-05:00

The revolution in DIY (do-it-yourself) crafting is nothing new. Ever since blogging became accessible to the masses we've stumbled upon everything from political bloggers to culinary bloggers. From artist blogs to celebrity blogs. And you know what? I love it! I feel a thousand times more connected to the world. To be able to follow what one person is doing in another country or culture is facinating. Blogs provide a quick glimpse into many worlds. And my favorite land to explore is that of DIY crafts.

I recently came across Honestly, WTF, a site devoted to fashion (and all things cool). They have an amazing DIY section that tells you how to recreate high fashion on the cheap! I'm really looking forward to making these lace earrings. I'm telling you, anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can make this stuff.

Other worthwhile crafty blogs to check out: Instructables, Design Sponge, Craft, Craft Gossip, and Cut Out and Keep.

However, if you don't know what blogs or sites are best for you, then head over to Stumble Upon. It's like Russian roulette with websites. But prepare yourself, it's addicting!

And if you're just not a crafter, then you can buy anything and everything handmade straight from the maker at Etsy

Lace earrings from Honestly, WTF!

Put a Bird on It

2011-02-23T22:21:00.004-06:00

There's this new show on IFC called Portlandia. It's FANTASTIC! Starring Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (member of the all-girl indie rock band Sleater-Kinney, which is no longer in existence. Sad!). If you haven't figured it out already, Portlandia is a homage to Portland, OR and it's inhabitants. It's a must see on your already full schedule of weekly shows. Go here to watch skits from the show. My favorites are Put a Bird On It, Is It Local?, and Did You Read?. The Portland Dream of the 90's is a pretty awesome song too. And once you've watched Put a Bird on It you'll appreciate the rest of this post.

Put. A. Bird. On. It! For all my fellow craftsters, you'll totally get this. Birds are on EVERYTHING. I'm guilty of putting a bird on it (see my website name and header. Ha!) and so are these Etsy sellers:

Put a bird...

...on a coin purse. Chirp and Bloom

...on a tote. Naturwrk

...on a wall. Wow Wall

...in a frame. Mengsel Design

...on a necklace. Lulu Bug Jewelry

...knit it! Cheezombie

...on a wedding cake. Country Squirrels R Us

...on a key chain. Rubbish Tees

...in a bird feeder. Trash Bird Makes

...on a shirt. KSS Maternity

...on a pillow. Bark Decor

...wearing a sweater and scarf! Joo Joo

...on a dress. All The Numbers

...on a baby. My Swallows Nest

...on a mantel. Deanna Maree

New York City, Art Edition: The Met

2011-02-17T22:20:00.001-06:00

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC is one of the most amazing and impressively enormous art museums in the world. A must-do on my list of things-to-do while in NY. It was an all-day event and I only made it through about half the galleries. Shocker, I know! I fell completely in love with every piece of art within her vast walls and corridors. Here is a small sampling of some of my favorites:

Cow's Skull: Red, White, and Blue by Georgia O'Keeffe

Nine Jackies by Andy Warhol (Here's some interesting trivia for you, Warhol took this photo of Jackie moments before JFK was shot.)

Illuminated Gospel

Apartment Window: La Danse Des Fiancailles (The Engagement Ball). Cartoon by Luc-Olivier Merson, Executed by Eugene Oudinot

Venus, marble statue by Antonio Canova

Lucas by Chuck Close

Roses by Vincent van Gogh (The great Mr. van Gogh painted this while still in the asylum.)

Serena Pulitzer Lederer by Gustav Klimt

Marguerite by Henri Matisse

Model in Kimono on Green Bench by Philip Pearlstein (Love, love, love this one!)

Richard Humphreys, the Boxer by John Hoppner

The Birth of Venus by Alexandre Cabanel

Roses and Lilies and Roses in a Bowl by Henri Fantin-Latour

Reclining Nude by Auguste Renoir

The Massacre of the Innocents by Francois-Joseph Navez (This painting takes my breath away. So deep, so emotional. I stared at it for what seemed like hours.)

Two Dancers by Edgar Degas

The Storm by Pierre-Auguste Cot

Now, run along to The Met. It's amazing in more ways than I could possibly express. Words don't do it justice. For a lasting impression and the best history lesson of your life, The Met has you covered.

Babies, Babies, Babies

2010-12-14T17:24:00.000-06:00

I've got lots of baby showers to attend this winter so I've been busy hand-making all my gifts. Here are just a few I've done so far: pacifier clips (find tutorial here), bib and burp cloths (inspired by a craft I saw at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago this summer, wish I could remember which vendor it was!), and my first ever quilt.

DIY Halloween Dress Recon

2010-12-14T17:05:00.003-06:00

I love a good t-shirt recon but what about a dress recon? Whether it be a prom dress, brides maid dress or just that ugly, outdated dress you've had in your closet for the last 10 years, it's fun to see how creative people can be with their old dresses (click here and here to see some of my favorite recons). And what better piece of clothing to use but a dress. You've got lots of fabric to work with and the need to open up some valuable closet space. I've had just the old dress taking up way too much of my precious closet, and finally an excuse but, more importantly, a brilliant idea of what to do with it. For Halloween this year I wanted to be the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland, mainly because my husband would make a perfect Mad Hatter. So I grabbed "the dress" and got to work. Here are the before and afters along with a few shots of my Mad Hatter partner-in-crime (which I also crafted and pieced together).

Before

After

New York City, Food Edition: The Main Dish

2010-09-24T23:29:00.001-05:00

I LOOOOOVE food, about as much as I love NYC. So when I had my first opportunity to visit the Big Apple a few weeks ago, I dove right into the food scene. I had everything from massive meat sandwiches to exotic Asian fruits during my trip. So join me in a tour of all things edible found in the heart of NYC: Manhattan!

I'll just say it right now, pizza was by far my favorite NY food. I could eat it every day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even now, I still crave it. Some day I'll be back to get another slice of pie, but until then here are some of the best foods I had while hiking through the urban jungle.

This little slice of heaven was my first meal of the trip (not counting the cupcake). Ray's Pizza has a huge presence in the city so it was hard to miss it. Plus there was one just a few blocks from my hotel. It was destiny, as was this delicious slice of margherita pizza.

Stage Deli is located near the Broadway district and Times Square and also serves some of the best pastrami sandwiches in the world. I opted for this behemoth of a pastrami reuben topped with a ridiculous amount of cheese and an over-sized plate of fries. Luckily, my brother was with me and ate the other half. Be warned, these sandwiches are enormous, but also expensive (about $20 each). Clearly, they're meant for sharing. BTW, notice the deli mustard on the left. That's right, no yellow mustard here, only the good brown stuff with a bit of a kick.

Curiosity got the best of me so the following day I headed over to Carnegie Deli (Stage's rival, and only a block away) to give their pastrami a taste test. I had to find out for myself who had the best. Well, sorry Stage, but Carnegie wins this round. Sure, the plain pastrami sandwich doesn't look as amazing compared to the cheese and kraut covered 'wich from Stage, but their meat was insanely good and of better quality. Maybe it's in the meat making process, or the hundred's of celebrity photos staring back at me, but I was in pastrami bliss with this big guy.

When in Chinatown, dim sum is a must. These dumplings were teamed up with a few deep fried morsels as well, and a tall glass of sauvignon blanc. There's a lot of places to get your dim sum; Jung Fong, Golden Unicorn, Oriental Pearl, but these little pearls were consumed at the award winning Ping's Seafood.

If dumpling's aren't your thing, or you're looking for something a little more adventurous, I highly recommend ox tail curry. Instead of a side of rice, it comes with little mini fried bread loaves to soak up the juices. Boney and fatty, ox tail becomes a very tender and juicy meat in this unique dish.

Back for more pizza. I tried to get as much as I could before leaving. This time it was a slice of Hawaiian.

One last dinner before heading out so we decided to make a quick stop at Roxy Delicatessen at Times Square. I ordered a simple knish, but my travel companion, Kevin, opted for this hefty stuffed cabbage. It looked amazing and tasted just as good.

New York City, Food Edition: Sides and Snacks

2010-09-24T23:28:00.003-05:00

Bagels are a must eat when in NYC. And if you can, grab a spot near Central Park, like right outside the Apple Store, and do a little early A.M. people watching.

When at the Carnegie Deli, instead of a basket of bread, I was given a plate of large pickles before my massive meat sandwich came. Yesss! Spicy and mild, they went great with the pastrami. And yes, we cleaned the plate.

I've never heard of a knish before, but I did notice it on many menus and at numerous food carts during my visit. I finally broke down and got a potato knish at Roxy Delicatessen. If I hadn't eaten so many meat sandwiches, I'm sure I would have gone for the meat knish, but the potato was substantial enough. With a side of sour cream, it was the ultimate comfort food.

After breezing through Toys R' Us in Times Square we stopped at the Candy Land candy store, and what is the one thing my brother manages to comes out with? Mexican Spice larvae and Salt and Vinegar crickets! Gross. I choked down a larvae, but that's where I draw the lines. Kevin, those crickets are all yours!

New York City, Food Edition: Bottoms Up!

2010-09-24T23:28:00.000-05:00

All this walking and eating sure is exhausting. Rehydrate with a Brooklyn Lager from NYC's very own micro brewery, the Brooklyn Brewery.

Then, when you're in Chinatown stop in one of the many bakeries (there's practically one at every corner) to try a mango bubble tea. It's basically a mango slushy with large black tapioca on the bottom that you get to suck up through a jumbo straw.

If the idea of swallowing large, chewy, black balls freaks you out then reach for the lychee ice. Lychee is a super sweet Asian fruit that is a-ma-zing! Mmm, I'm feeling better already.

New York City, Food Edition: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

2010-09-24T23:27:00.001-05:00

The moment I arrived in the city I bee-lined it to Magnolia Bakery, known for their yummy cupcakes. Some people call them the original cupcake trend-setters and credit them for starting the "cupcake craze" in the 90's. Some call them famous after their cupcakes and store front made an appearance on an episode of Sex and the City. I call them brilliant! Thank you Magnolia for giving me this chocolate cupcake, topped with the most luscious and fluffy frosting known to human-kind. This was a very good start to my four day food binge.

Macarons! The real deal straight from France. I nibbled on these sweet pastries at La Maison du Chocolate in the Rockefeller Center. The selection was vast but I somehow narrowed it down to the classic chocolate and a decadent caramel. Good 'ol chocolate is still my favorite.

You may be asking yourself what in the world is that in my hand. I'll solve the mystery now by telling you it's a tropical fruit called a rambutan and it's native to the Asian countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Where do you get these exotic little curiosities in such a faraway place as NYC? Chinatown! You'll find many a fruit and fish (both dried and fresh) markets in this exciting neighborhood. How did I eat it? Well, peel off the red spiky skin to reveal a juicy, white, fleshy fruit underneath. Then bite into it raw, it's the best, and only way to eat them. Just be careful of the pit in the center. How does it taste? Like a mild grape. Not too sweet, soft, and slightly chewy. More please!

While in Chinatown, you may as well head over to Little Italy since they are neighbors. It's amazing how one minute I feel as though I'm in Shanghai, then walk a block and I'm in Naples. Talk about high-speed travel. While in Little Italy you will be surrounded by the most delicious smelling cafes. It was hard to resist all the garlic and butter wafting in the air, until I came across a vendor selling cannoli's from her food cart. There's lots of characters and personalities in this neighborhood but this cannoli woman was my favorite (I love a bit of attitude with my afternoon treat). I insisted on the pistachio and immediately approved my decision with every bite I took. No regrets, except for the deep-fried calories I was packing onto my thighs. Eh, still worth it.

Well, I saved the best for last. New York style cherry cheesecake from none other than the famous Carnegie Deli. Words can not describe the heaven this cheesecake took me to. So, I will leave you to gaze at the image so you can indulge in your own fantasy. Love. *sigh*

Travelpology

2010-09-20T19:33:00.002-05:00

Taking a vacation anytime soon? If so, Travelpology is a must stop blog before you take off. Everything from travel tips with Travelpology 101, to Travel News for up-to-date travel info, to Don't Miss Desserts in your favorite cities, and much MUCH more. And the best part, I designed all their web graphics!

Don't forget to friend Travelpology on Facebook and sign up for their twitter updates. You wont regret it. And even if you're not traveling anytime soon, you may still find something about your own hometown on there. I say this in a good way - Travelpology, you get around! *wink, wink*

Summer Meets Autumn Dessert

2010-09-20T19:01:00.000-05:00

September is the month that summer says "good-bye" and autumn says "hello". During this transition I always feel a bit culinary confused. Are the apples ripe yet? Can I still order that asparagus soup? How many more avocados can I get before they're out of season? When are the pomegranates going to arrive? To answer all of my questions I've decided to look at September as the perfect month to try out some new recipes by fusing both seasons. This is how my Summer Meets Autumn dessert was invented.

My last visit to the farmers market proved that autumn is knocking on summers door. Less produce and more baked goods, squash, pumpkins, and meat. I picked myself up some angel food cake from an Amish stand, fingerling potatoes, a large sweet potato, and a handful of leeks. Potatoes and leeks to come at a later date. Instead I focused on the angel food cake. Here is how you make the Summer Meets Autumn dessert:

1. Break angel food into small chunks.
2. Top with late summer rasberries.
3. Poor maple syrup over angel food and raspberries.

That's it, dig in and savor the flavors of two of most wonderful seasons in one. And if you're looking for something a little more sinful, try adding hot fudge, rum, or a variety of berries such as strawberries, or better yet, chin-dripping peach slices.

Enjoy it while you can because winter will be here before you know it.

Lola's Island of Misfit Toys

2010-09-19T11:42:00.003-05:00

Puppies chew...a lot. Which is understandable. Up until they are about one year of age, puppies are teething so they need lots of things to chew on, preferable not hands, toes, furniture, or cats. Lola is just over 4 months old now and her prime teething time has only just begun. So I provide lots of plush toys for her to take her teeth to. Most of the animals do not come out unscathed from this. Some actually lose their lives. But I do what I can to keep their heart ticking. Everything from face transplants to ear removals. Whatever it takes to keep both Lola and her stuffed friends going. Because of this, my house has turned into the Island of Misfit Toys. Meet it's inhabitants:

Red Horse and Mama Koala with a full face removal, and her little one, Baby Koala, with a brand new face (hope is in sight). Blue Ardvark with a new mouth and nose. Elmo with an eyeball bandage, Raccoon with a missing ear, half a nose and a full removal of all squeakers.

I'm sorry to say that shortly after Baby Koala's full face transplant, Lola swiftly took her life in a game of "chew face". Baby Koala, you will be greatly missed.

This I also needed to share with you. Lola being a sassy puppy, again. She discovered how fun it is to tear apart delicate things such as toilet paper. Well, at least it's better than grabbing the snotty tissues out of the waste basket. Who says puppies aren't like 2 year olds?

"The Suitcase"

2010-09-10T16:39:00.007-05:00

Did anyone watch Mad Men last Sunday? O.M.G.! Best. Episode. Ever! Dare I say, best hour on T.V. ever?! It was better than last seasons season finale even. Don vs. Peggy. Peggy vs. Don. It was a highly emotional episode between two main characters who have had a strained relationship for years. Both experiencing life's ups and, at the time, downs. While feeling the pressure to come up with a winning campaign for their client, Samsonite, they've hit a crossroads with each other and the end result was a beautiful conclusion. What I found interesting was the time period in which this took place. Yes, we all know it's set in the 60's but this episode is set specifically during a time when civil rights was in full swing and Muhammad Ali (still being referred to as Cassius Clay on Mad Men) just won the boxing match against Sonny Liston with his quick "phantom punch" knockout. I couldn't help but notice how this famous and historical boxing match was a reflection of Don's life at the moment. Bravo to Matthew Weiner and all the people involved with creating this fantastic show. Everything about it is so impressive right down to the smallest of details. And if Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss don't win Emmy's next year for their performances, then they have better get a nice, well deserved pay raise.

Also, don't forget to vote at AMC for your favorite Mad Men style submitted photo. The winner gets a walk-on role on the show next season. Or enter your own photo for a chance to win. Why I didn't enter is beyond me, but I have had fun and been inspired just browsing the entries so far. Carly Simone from Phoenix, AZ (love the yellow shoes) and Nick Savine from Fayetteville, AR (you remind me of Paul Newman in The Hustler - minus the cig), you've got my vote!

And, if you're looking for a laugh, check out FunnyorDie.com for some genius Photoshoping (#2 is my fav). During last Sunday's episode, Don breaks down and actually sheds a couple tears. The blogging community decided to take full advantage of this, in a funny way. If you're a Mad Men fan, you're going to LOVE this. If you have no idea what Mad Men is (ah, crazy!) you'll still really enjoy it.

By the way, did anyone notice the look on Pete's face when Peggy and Trudy walked out of the bathroom together? Priceless!

Her name was Lola. La, la, la, la, Lola...

2010-09-10T16:02:00.002-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of my family. Lola! She's a smart and spunky Australian Shepherd who's quickly found a place in my heart (don't you just love her pink nose!). And also my reason for slacking on posting to Qreative Quail. Who knew a puppy could be so much work. She's now 4 months old and FINALLY potty trained, which means more time for me to put some focus back on QQ.

These last couple months have been exciting and I've got a ton of stuff to share. Along with the new puppy, I also ventured into a renaissance faire, took a trip to NYC, worked on some fun freelance projects, and have plans on attending the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago this weekend. Oh, and I cut my hair and donated about 12 inches to Locks of Love, yay!

So except lots of new posts in the coming days/weeks. And a post on Lola every now and then. She's so cute I just can't resist!

Shop New Glarus

2010-08-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

Also known as America's "Little Switzerland", New Glarus is located about 30 minutes south of Madison, WI. Located among the rolling hills of Green County, it's the perfect weekend get-away no matter what time of year. My last visit happened to be during their annual Heidi Festival, in which the town celebrates their Swiss heritage and crown the Dairy Queen and Princess. There are many reasons to explore New Glarus, but this particular visit was devoted to shopping, and of course, beer.

Where to Shop and what to buy:
• The Bramble Patch - Stock up on soy candles, maple syrup, and Polish Pottery.
• Brandi's Bridal - Buy your wedding dress here.
• Edelweiss Bath and Body - Soaps, soaps and more soaps!
• Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate House - The name says it all. Yum!
• New Glarus Bakery - Authentic Swiss bakery.
• New Glarus Brewing Company - Fill your fridge with this delicious beer (only sold in Wisconsin) and while you're there, stay a while by taking a self-guided tour while sampling their many award winning beers.
• Roberts European Imports - Tons of Swiss, German, Austrian, and other European nation imports. Where else can you find Lederhosen, nutcrackers, cow bells, and fondue pots all in one place?
• Sugar River Shoppe - They have something for everyone here so start your Christmas shopping early.

Where to Eat:
• The Glarner Stube
• New Glarus Hotel Restaurant
• Puempel's Olde Tavern

Where to Stay:
• Chalet Landhaus Inn

What Else to Do:
• Attend one of their many festivals (I think eleven in all!)
• Eat, eat, and then eat again.
• Wash down all that food with lots of beer in one of their many European taverns.
• Visit their historical museums.
• Hike around New Glarus Woods State Park.
• Taste wine at the Primrose winery.
• Relax, and get a massage at Touch of Massage and Spa.
• See how many painted cows you can find around town (you'll know what I mean when you get there).
• Visit the New Glarus website for more ideas.

I haven't been everywhere in New Glarus so please feel free to add to my list in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!

Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce

2010-07-25T20:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the start of Mad Men's season 4. And to kick off the season I'm making a buffet of popular cocktails from the 1960's. Say hello to my little friends Old Fashioned, Vodka Gimlet, and Dirty Martini!

The Old Fashioned

Ingredients
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• ½ tsp sugar dissolved with a splash of water
• 1½ oz of bourbon whiskey (or brandy)
• 2 cherries
• 2 orange slices

Directions
Muttle cherry, orange slice, sugar, water and bitters at the bottom of the glass. Fill glass with ice. Pour in bourbon. Garnish with cherry and orange slice.

The Vodka Gimlet

Ingredients:
• 1½ oz vodka
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ginger ale
• 3-4 lime slices

Directions:
Pour vodka, lime juice, and a slash of ginger ale into shaker, shake and strain into glass. Add 3 to 4 slices of lime.

The Dirty Martini (my favorite)

Ingredients:
• 2 oz vodka (or gin)
• 1 tbsp dry vermouth
• 2 tbsp olive juice
• 3 olives

Directions:
Pour vodka, vermouth, and olive juice into shaker, shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with olives.

Dear Mom and Dad,

2010-07-14T22:21:00.001-05:00

On behalf of myself and my four siblings (Anne, Cheryl, Kevin, and Matt), along with the numerous dogs, cats, birds, lizards, hamsters, gerbils, snakes, and fish. I wholeheartedly apologize for putting you through decades of chaos and destruction. Luckily, all children survived what is considered the most dangerous and, frankly, idiotic times of our lives...adolesence. Besides a few gray hairs, you both seemed to come out okay as well. However, the house, well that's another story. But in our defense, and considering all the parties and science experiments performed while you were away, the house is, after all, still standing. That in itself is an accomplishment!

Oh yes, remember the time Anne spilled the container of Seamonkeys down the back of the TV? I'm still amazed we didn't burn down the house. Or that one Easter when Seabear got into the box of Cadbury Eggs and left a number of large juicy bombs all over the house? Thankfully our great big dog survived. And the time when Kevin, Matt, and I got into the locked gun cabinet, pulled out the BB gun, and decided to pump a few rounds in our bedroom? Amazingly, no one shot their eye out. (I'm still not sure how we managed that feat, but take note all you parents out there, NOTHING is truly childproof. If there's a will, there's a way.) I could go on and on but I don't want to worry you with any more stories that you may not have known about (Ahhh, what BB gun???).

Again, what I want to say is sorry, from the bottom of our hearts. You did an amazing job raising us. The house on the other hand, has been left with more than just bruises (more like broken bones) and has seen better days. Now that we're all grown up and moved out you've finally been able to start investing back into the house. And I must say, the new roof, siding, side door, and bathroom look amazing! I can't wait to see how the kitchen turns out.

You deserve to treat yourselves for once, and the house will be as happy as the day I moved out. Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting us be kids back when it mattered...when we were actually kids!

Love to you (and the house)!

Sincerely,

Paula, Anne, Cheryl, Kevin, Matt, and the jungle of animals you've taken in over the years.

Bathroom Before

Bathroom After

Travel to Aruba

2010-07-14T20:48:00.003-05:00

My trip to Aruba was, well, GREAT! White sand beaches, snorkeling, Dutch/Spanish culture, gorgeous sunsets, off-roading, wild donkeys, butterflies, fresh seafood, and delicious pina coladas made with native coconut rum. There are many reasons to love Aruba but the best part was the ocean. It's a small island so no matter where you are, or in what direction you look, you'll probably see it. The water surrounding this Caribbean island is clear, warm and therapeutic. I could have floated in it all day. But don't take my word for it, instead take a look at these pictures and I dare you not to book your flight today!

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Amazing beaches surround the island, as well as an entertaining marina where fishermen, pelicans, iguanas, and crabs reside. I highly recommend renting a boat to fish the fertile waters. Even if you don't catch anything, although you will and it'll be a huge fish, it'll make for a peaceful cruise. The best part is you can keep a portion of your catch and bring it to a nearby restaurant to have it cooked up for you, and 20 of your friends since you're bound to leave with bags full of fresh fillets.

Find a relaxing spot on Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, or Baby Beach. Dig your toes in the soft sugar sand, crack open a can of Balashi beer (Aruba's very own award-winning microbrew), and lavish in the beauty of paradise.

Looking for adventure? Go on a Safari in this desert-like island. You'll be surprised at what you'll find both on land and in sea.

Aruba was originally settled by the Spanish but eventually ended up in the hands of the Dutch. There's a strong influence from both cultures evident in the beautiful and distinctive architecture (historic and modern).

Here A Cluck, There A Cluck, Everywhere A Cluck-Cluck

2010-06-27T23:35:00.003-05:00

I'd like to think that Old MacDonald had, not just any farm, but an organic farm. At least I know Old Farmer Richard at Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin does. And he not only keeps chickens and cows like the farmer we grew up singing about, but he also has goats, pigs, zucchini, peas, and strawberries too! What's the big hype with organic farming anyway? Well, I'll tell you. There are many benefits to eating organic. Let me count the ways...

1. Organically grown food has a higher nutritional value because it uses and fosters the life of the soil.
2. And because it's grown in this balanced soil, organic food is able to resist most diseases and pests.
3. Because of the natural growing process, the cellular structure has been preserved which results in food that keeps longer.
4. Organically grown plants are more drought resistent.
5. Higher quality produce equals higher sugar content which means tastier fruits and vegetables.
6. Organic farming produces less greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Pesticide/fungicide/herbicide-free food makes for healthier people. After all, you are what you eat.
8. Organic farmers do not use soluable fertilizers on their crops (which are those nasty chemicals that get washed into the groundwater which then becomes unfit for drinking). Soluable fertilizers are pollutants that are harmful in many other ways too, affecting everything from our oceans to reproductive problems in humans.

Now I'm sure I've freaked you out enough to never want to eat a big box grocery store tomato ever again. Let's be realistic though. Eating all organic is expensive and almost impossible for the average family to afford what is considered a "luxury" item these days. Have no fear though, organic farming is becoming more and more popular and having access to these foods is increasing every day. If you're serious about eating better but can't justify the added expense here's some other ways to go about getting your hands on organic food in a more affordable way:

1. Start your own garden at home. Even if you live in an apartment, anyone can grow a variety of crops in a patio garden.
2. Consider renting space in a community garden. Plot too big? Split your area with a friend, relative or co-worker.
3. Barter at your local farmers market.
4. Use coupons when buying brands that make natural foods. Companies such as Amys Kitchen, Annie's Naturals, Stonyfield Farm, Kashi, Muir Glen, and Cascadian Farm.
5. Join a CSA. Still too expensive? Split the CSA with another family.

The key is to start out small. Buy organic when you can and, even more importantly, buy local!

(Photos all taken at Harmony Valley Farm during their Strawberry Days)

Easy-Schmeazy Cherry Potstickers

2010-06-23T22:04:00.004-05:00

I'm not kidding when I say these are easy. And the best part is, they're ridiculously delicious!

Take round potsticker wrappers and place a dollop of pie filling in the center. Wet edges of wrapper with water, fold in half and pinch edges together to seal. Place in greased hot pan (set at medium heat) for about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let cool. Pipe frosting onto each potsticker. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

I dare you to eat no more than two!

(Note: If you have left-over pie filling and frosting from your Death By Chocolate cupcakes, like I did, this is a perfect recipe to help use it up.)

Death By Chocolate

2010-06-18T17:21:00.007-05:00

As far as I'm concerned June is vampire month. Last weekend was the season 3 premiere of True Blood (love, love, love) and, come June 30th, Twilight Saga: Eclipse (guilty pleasure) opens in theaters across the U.S. Am I vampired out yet? Yes, absolutely. Let's face it, we're being bombarded with blood suckers every day. With TV shows such as Vampire Diaries and The Gates, in addition to a few vampire movies, werewolf spin-offs, and a plethora of new vampire novels (House of Night series, Vampire Academy series, etc.) hitting bookshelves everyday it's hard to avoid it. So...I've decided to embrace it. Love it. Devour it - literally! Here's my take on, what I call, Love At First Bite cupcakes.

(click on image to enlarge)

Warning: This next image is graphic. I apologize, but things just got out of hand. Unfortunately, one of the cupcakes didn't make it.

True Love

2010-06-13T20:04:00.002-05:00

True Blood season premiere is tonight and I'm bloody excited! The old gang is back: Sookie, Bill, Eric, LaFayette, Sam, Tara, and my favorite Jason Stackhouse! In honor of this very vampy occasion I cooked up a batch of blood red soup. (see recipe below - fangs not included)

True Blood soup

2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 green onions (chopped)
1 clove of garlic (finely chopped)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 can coconut milk
3 beets (cubed)
1 large carrot (cubed)
1 celery stick (chopped)
5 red potatoes (cubed)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan saute green onions and garlic in olive oil on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, coconut milk, beets, carrot, celery, potatoes, parsley, basil, salt and pepper and continue to boil for 20-30 minutes or until beets are softened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add to blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with slices green onions and a dash of salt.

Note: This soup has a strong beet flavor so if you are not a fan of beets you can substitute 1-2 beets for 1-2 red potatoes.

Enjoy the show and your bowl of blood!

Weddings, Sunsets, and Aruba

2010-06-06T09:43:00.006-05:00

These three things go hand-in-hand when you're in the Caribbean. For the last week I've been living it up in paradise, but what brought me to the specific island of Aruba? My cousins beautiful sunset wedding. The happy couple requested no gifts (our presence was our present), but I insisted on making them one of my books. Taking inspiration from their wedding colors (bright pink, light pink, gold, silver), her wedding dress, and the sandy beaches and tropical flowers, I came up with this:

The flower-patterned paper is a delicate Japanese paper I found at Paper Source in Chicago (my favorite store in the Windy City). It even has a soft feel to it, not to mention the color palette is perfect. Gorgeous!

The wedding took place at Tierra del Sol Country Club on the northern side of the island. This last photo was taken on the terrace overlooking the groomed landscape with a perfect view of what turned out to be the most beautiful sunset during our stay.

Congratulations Maria and Fred! Your wedding was the highlight of the year (not to mention a feature in Aruba's very own newspaper!).

Collage 7: Vintage Vacation

2010-06-03T08:00:00.008-05:00