Life is Like a Box "MADE" Out of Chocolate..I'ts ALL GOOD!

I confess...I may have gone slightly overboard.  My son's 2nd Grade teacher is truly spectacular.  Seriously, I can't tell you how many Friday nights my son has begun telling me what he's going to do the next day at school--and I promptly tell him he's an adorable dork and that it's Saturday tomorrow!  Or how many Saturday mornings he has awoken to ask for help choosing his school clothes out!  "GO BACK TO BED!  IT'S SATURDAY!  (you dork ;-)"

As Valentines Day is the opportunity to show a bit more love and affection than normal, I chose a gift I felt would equal her charms.  I knew it was going to take time--which is something I have less and less of these days, so I put aside a Sunday afternoon (and evening), dedicated to this very real, Labor of Love.     So, although I have only made this box 3 times now (the last one was for my husband about 5 years ago), The time had come, to commit myself to this project.

Anyway, I thought that I was going to make a very professional tutorial: "The Making a Chocolate Box."  I had visions of a Martha Stewart composure and Eye popping photos that could grace the covers of Bon Appetite type magazines.  However, things quickly turned into, "How NOT to Make a Chocolate Box" and I was fretting til the very end, very tempted to shatter the entire concoction on the floor and stomp on it in fits of tantrum.

Patricia Lusanda's book "Ultimate Chocolate", displays prominently in my kitchen on my equally prominent recipe stand.  I picked this little treasure up whilst living in the U.K.  Inside is a picture of a chocolate box with white chocolate marbling.  OH!  It looks so Awesome and simple--and it really would have been, had I started right....

It all began in the wholesale warehouse the night before.  I went looking for the over-sized slab of Ghirardelli melting chocolate that I had picked up at Christmas time.  Turns out it was only a Christmas type item, and they didn't have it anymore.  Not wanting to drag my very patient husband through yet, another shop, I settled for a ridiculously large bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips.  I took it home and melted it with about 2 cups of left-over milk chocolate chips.  

Everything was going great.  I smoothed this giant pot of melted chocolate onto the parchment, cut out my box pattern and waited for it to slightly harden before I added my melted white chocolate.  Only my white chocolate would not melt--and instead turned into a nasty looking paste.  Not Good.  

The actual taste is a perfect mixture of chocolate blends, but without using the marbling affect, when fully formed and hardened, it looks...well...a bit weathered.  I do like the weathered look--on furniture and such--but it does not do well for an appetizing chocolate box.  (When marbling, you drizzle the white over chocolate slab while still soft and swirl it around with a toothpick).

What to do next.  Think...think...think....  It would look far too plain without the white marbling...and I knew the chocolate would harden too quickly for me to run out and find reliable melting white chocolate.  I decided it would have to be decorated.  Thankfully the 'Valentine Exchange' day wasn't until Wednesday right before our intercession break.  Off I went to (the hobby store starting with a 'J' -- where I always forget my 50% off coupons..sent every month in the mail...and I always wonder why they can't just sell the *&#$ stuff for 50% less.  I'm usually there for the fabrics and notions, but turns out there is quite a large 'chocolate melting section'.  There were so many molds and chocolate colors to choose from, that I felt I might have a melt-down myself, as you become spoiled with choice and it can become difficult with what to choose.  (I truly feel this shop needs a separate section/area called (Ready to Breakdown).  Anyone who's ever been in there for longer than an hour will understand completely.

In the end, love always wins (because even if you make mistakes, you can still fix it --and sometimes it turns out even better than you had anticipated;-).  Finally completed, my son and I chocolate-glued our chocolate forms onto the box and dipped large and delicious strawberries in the re-melted pieces. The place that starts with a "J" had very reliable white melting chocolate, so I scribble a bit over the strawberries for a nicer look.  And there you have it.  A Completely Edible Gift of Love!

I'm Catching Up!

Hello Everyone!

Traffic is very high on Etsy (no complaints--just need a breather) so I closed my Etsy Shop for a few weeks or so.  If you really need something, please visit my Artfire Shop.  If you still can't find what you're looking for, contact me through Artfire and I will try and list the item for you.

Thanks!

Boys Peterpan Collar Shirt with Old Time Circus Clown Applique

Boys Peterpan Collar Shirt with Clown:

Sometimes I just close my eyes and images appear.  My day had unexpectedly received some sad news.  Hubby consoled me, and as usual, encouraged me to sew.  Sewing seems like a funny word at times -- as in my mind I am just 'Creating'.  And as my family knows, 'Creating' makes me happy.  This little clown has been hanging around for quite some time -- and I think he was talking to me -- telling me it was his turn.  As I recalled the recent image in my head for a boys shirt - I picked him up and placed him on a crisp white piece of kona cotton.

I love how solid color fabric brings our attention to detail.  I laid a piece of blue piping next to my little friend and that's all I needed to get me going.  I felt this would make the perfect little shirt for Circus themed parties -- or just a nice visit to town.  With it's completion, my gloom was gone. 

Isn't it wonderful being human?  I don't know any other species on earth that can create an image in it's mind, then see it come into reality.  What a blessing.  What a wonderful world.  I'm enjoying my time here.


Have a wonderful Sunday.  You can find this shirt here.

Crawling with Caterpillars! The Very Hungry Caterpillar - New "LOLA" Dress

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 'Lola Dress'

The Lola Dress:
 
New Years Day and the weeks following, startled me with several unexpected orders on Etsy.  I thought life would slow down a bit after the holidays--but thankfully, it's been the shortest winter of my life, due mainly from my many, wonderful customers and their Very Hungry Caterpillar purchases.  I have truly enjoyed working with Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric.  The designs are put together in the same fashion his abstract work is -- Bright and Delightful.  

I can't tell you how important it is for me to enjoy the fabric I work with.  I find it simply impossible to make anything from Mr. Carle's line and not like it.  Everything always fits together so perfectly and the mix of primary colors are constantly pleasing.  When I was reading his book to my now, grown son, I had no idea how his favorite story would continue to stay with our family.  

My reversible Caterpillar/Butterfly dress was selling so well-- but not all customers prefer the reversible option.  I felt inspired to design a simpler version, in the peasant dress style.  As I placed the finished product on the dressform, our 6 year old son complimented me on how great 'Lola' looked.  Lola, is the name of my 12 month dressform.  Our son names all my dressforms -- with his great imagination, they have become his little brothers and sisters. 

I'm so thankful for my family.  My husband has brought home countless 'to go meals' and he and my children are so encouraging when it comes to my work.  They are my happiness.

Bunny and Trellis Dress

While searching for the designer of this bright and cheerful fabric, I came to discover she was fellow Etsy shop owner Laurie Wisbrun!  I explained how I came across her design, but could not find it available anywhere.  The reason for that, she explained, was because her 'Whimsy' line had been picked up, by fabric manufacturer, Robert Kaufman -- and was due to come out in February.  As soon as the fabric was available I purchased a few yards.  I was twice as happy to discover it was organic!

With so many Hungry Caterpillar orders, it took me awhile to find a moment to make this Bunny and Trellis Jumper.  I'm pleased with the results.  The cotton is of very good quality, yet soft enough to flow and hang just right--something organic cottons tend to do.  The fuchsia bunnies against a deep, butter yellow--then framed with a summer green, makes it all the more endearing.  I especially love the sprinkle of white flowers between the trellis.  It's funny how a bit of white can really help balance a design and soften and center boldness.

This is a great look for spring and summer. The jumper looks great as is, or I can see it with a lovely white peasant blouse underneath.  As soon as I find the time to make one, I'll pair it up and present it....or perhaps someone will order a top and force me to do it sooner!

Ellie Dress

The "Ellie Dress", came about after I stumbled across the fabric while on Spoonflower.  Created by artist, Endemic, I found the Elephant March to be irresistible.  There's a shared love for Elephants between my daughter and her Uncle Renny.  17 years ago, he gave her a stuffed, white elephant for her first Christmas and we now have its' remains stored safely away.  "Ellie" was with us for years, and like a "Where's Waldo" book, she can be spotted in most, if not all family pictures.  Ellie and our little girl were inseparable.  She shared every part of her childhood with her.  If you were a stranger to our home, you would soon be introduced to a straggly white elephant--and even now, thinking of her, I find it endearing, how an inanimate object can come to feel so real by the devoted affection of a little child.

This fabric is specially printed just for you upon placement of your order. Because of this, please allow up to 3 weeks for processing (but in many cases completed in 2 weeks).

Peasant dress in short, sheered sleeves and tie backs. Elephant March design by textile artist, Endemic is made from 100% Cotton and is BEYOND adorable.

If Ellie's (as we call them) put a soft spot in your heart, you will probably love this fabric as much as we do.  I wish our daughter were still small enough for this dress -- and that Ellie was still bright and new...sewing I can do--turning back the time...not so good at.

You can find the "Ellie Dress" here.

Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress

When the occasion calls for sophistication with a twist of retro and a touch of now.  I named this the Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress because it reminded me of the naïve, eccentric girl played by Audrey Hepburn in the same movie's title. 

I love the way a small bit of white can "classy up" a little black dress.  I knew I wanted to create this effect, yet keep the innocence of childhood in it.  I came across a rabbit cutout --- and decided it would be just the right touch to soften the sophistication with a bit of playfulness.

The standout color is perfect for springtime and many formal occasions.  I once coordinated my family in black and white for Easter.  We all love the bright colors of the season -- but it's nice to have a distinct and crisp look too.  Black and white can many times be far more eye catching then the fanciest flowered fabric out there.

Dress is made of 100% kona cotton in black with white covered buttons and piping. Fleece applique has black and white bow. Fully lined and Made to Order is Sizes 6 mths - 5/6 Years. (I'm seeing a lovely pair of white gloves right now).

You can find the Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress here.