Another Collage

My latest creation is done and not too bad for a beginner. Here is the piece I worked on this week and it is finally finished and hanging in our master bathroom. I tried to somewhat copy the collage that my friend the "First Grade Teacher" made with the word "RELAX" on it but I had a terrible time trying to find large letters to add. So I am still looking for them for future projects. These collages have been so much fun to make. I have been using the pre-stretched canvas frames that you can get at any craft supply store and painting them with a background color that I know I want to be a part of the finished collage. For example, in the piece above, I simply used leftover wall paint that I had from when we painted that bathroom a few months ago. In my laundry room, I used some of the acrylic paints that I used in that collage. For the piece I worked on at "A Fine Mess" in Ottawa, I colored the background black. It is totally up to you.

I then looked for decorative papers in the scrap booking section of the store in patterns and colors that I liked and then cut them into different sized squares, rectangles and a few triangles. I even tore some of them to get a jagged edge. I layed the pieces out on the canvas after the base coat paint dried and played with the pieces till I liked the way it looked. I then used "Mod Podge" and started to decoupage each piece onto the canvas. After all the pieces are decoupaged on and have dried, I looked at the colors in the papers and decided on which paint colors I would start to layer on some color. A stencil brush worked best for this. And I learned to "dry brush" the paint by dabbing it on a paper towel till almost no paint seems like it is left on the brush and that is when you start to dab the paint colors onto the collage around the edges of all the paper pieces you added. The paint softens the edges and it all starts to blend together. The key word is "layers".

You cannot do this wrong. You just keep adding layers...if you add a color you decide you do not like, simply add another layer of a different color over top. Just keep adding as little or as much as you want. But make sure each layer is dry before you add another one or they will blend into a mixed color that you might not like as well and the colors will be less distinct. I like the look of some of the paper peeking out of a heavy area of smeared paint. I might try smearing some plaster on a piece in the future. It can have a wild look or a cleaner look by using more or less paint and layers. Play with it and have fun. The last thing I added in the collage above were the swirls and some dots. These are a little "thicker" than I had wanted but I like them now. I'll have to get a thinner brush for the next time. The dots are so easy....just dip the top end of the brush handle in the paint and bring it down on the canvas. Come down straight and not on an angle and you will have a perfect "dot". I finished it all off with a coat of matte sealer. It is very "matte" and next time I might try one with more of a "gloss" to it. I am very happy with the end result and plan to make more. Oh my poor family and friends.

More Flowers. I know!

I picked up another beautiful arrangement from Ellen Ashley from Ellen's Flowers . I took my blue jug vase to her and exchanged it for this new arrangement in a duplicate blue jug vase. It is gorgeous. She grows all her own flowers in her many gardens. Saturday mornings you can find her gorgeous arrangements at the new mini Farmer's Market in Summerfield, NC. You can reach her at ellen_Ashley@bellsouth.net.


It is actually called the "Hillsdale Farmer's Market" and is open on Saturday mornings from 8 till noon and I love stopping by there to get my tomatoes now that my own personal garden was leveled by the deer. They have vegetables, breads, pound cakes, watermelons, and plants and Greek food like spanokopita and baklava. One week we found some nut butters that were so unusual and delicious. Fresh brown eggs and honey and last week organic red and white wines were sampled from Oregon.

Then there is the shop "Dwelling" that this all takes place in front of. It is kind of a "shabby chic" shop with lamps, things for your walls, and architectural pieces. The owner likes the idea of re-using and recyling and organic. It is such an unusual shop and it is lots of fun to browse. This is the market where I was going to sell my pickles. The owner wants to make sure that all the products sold there are grown or made from ingredients from this area, I guess with the exception of the organic wine from Oregon :) or made from organic or recyled material. This helps keep it unique and I hope it continues to grow. It is worth stopping by if you are in the area. (It's at the corner of NC 150 and Lake Brandt Road in Summerfield 336-298-4401

Chalkboards and Flowers

I had to share more flowers with you. These are from my dear friend "M" who gave them to me yesterday for my birthday. Gorgeous!!

Now for the Chalkboard talk. I saw a post on the Southern Hospitality Blog about the joys of chalkboard paint. And I actually discovered this on my own years ago . I forgot that I had made a chalkboard and it has been hanging in my kitchen for the past 8 years. Making it was easy. I had a picture in a frame that no longer matched any of the decor in my new house so it had been sitting up in the storage room. The light bulb went off and I decided to turn it into a chalkboard. The best part was that I still loved the frame.

I took some painter's tape and some newspaper and carefully taped off the frame I took a can of black chalkboard paint and sprayed over the picture till I had a nice and even first coat. I let it dry and then added a second coat. What a great and easy project. You can find white chalk for cheapness at the Dollar Store.

The chalkboard has been fun over the years to announce birthday's like my daughter did for me yesterday or for announcing what is for dinner. This is an EASY project.

Today's Menu: Take It or Leave It

25 of My Most Memorable Meals

Today is my birthday! No big plans...I am trying to fly under the radar on this one. I am taking the day off work and having lunch with a friend. Then I am going to do some shopping and later go out to dinner with my husband. As for gifts...hmmm, I think I would like someone to clean my house for me. Yes, that would be nice.

I have been thinking and laughing about My Most Memorable Meals lately and put together this list. In no particular order:

1. Poutine somewhere in Quebec, Canada in 2009 on the college girl's reunion weekend.

2. Shrimp and Grits at Ganache Restaurant in Greensboro, NC. I was a Shrimp and Grits virgin.

3. Buffalo and Stuffed Carrots at the Sweetwater Aboriginal Bistro in Ottawa, Canada in 2009 with same college buddies.

4. Flap Jack Shack at 2:00 am in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan when I was in college. Don't really remember what I had and I am sure the people I was with do not remember either but I know in my heart it was delicious.

5. Australian Lobster at Jameson's by the Sea in Hawaii on our Honeymoon in 1985 with my new husband dressed up as a Miami Vice/Sonny Crocket wannabe.

6. War Shu Gai (Almond Boneless Chicken) from Wing Hong"s Chinese Restaurant in Farmington Hills in the 1980's. It was later torn down. Have not had Chinese food as good since.

7. A Pork Chop at The Ember's in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. It was the nicest restaurant I had ever been to at that point in my life. My roomate Joanne's Dad treated us.

8. Surprise Birthday Dinner with friends at Country Epicure in Novi for my 30th birthday. I loved their Pasta Primavera with Crab and their corn bread. And yes I was very surprised.

9. Dinner at Morton's Steak House in Chicago when Jim and I were dating. We saw Shaun Cassidy in the restarant that night. Yes! David Cassidy's brother!

10. Carlos Murphy's on Northwestern Highway in Michigan for happy hour (I was single and poor and so the Happy Hour snacks were my dinner) when I was working for Sprint.

11. Spare Ribs from the Rib Burn Off in Strongsville, Ohio.

12. The Greek Salad and bread stix at Mitch's on Cass Elizabeth Lake Road in Michigan.

13. Dinner at Win Schuler's...I think my husband proposed to me later that night. You would think I would remember something like that? :)

14. Winning a $250 night at the Whitney in Detroit when I worked at ROLM. We had trouble trying to spend it all. How that was possible I can't say. Let's just say that wouldn't be a problem today.

15. Drinking Beaujolais with Jim and his roomate Pat at Bennigan's in Royal Oak, Michigan and being the only one who didn't call in sick to work the next day.

16. Prime Rib at Mountain Jacks in Michigan. Have never had Prime Rib as good as that since.

17. Dinner at the "Oldest Inn in Monteal". 4 hours and $400 (Canadian, eh) later.....enjoyed every minute of it.

18. Bonefish Grill in Myrtle Beach in 2005 for a reuniuon with my college buddies. I had Wolf Fish and it was delicious. Leftovers the next day....not so much. P. U.

19. Tony's off of I-75 in Birch Run, Michigan when I was pregnant in 1990. The 3 Lisa's from ROLM took a road trip. Never saw so much bacon in my life. Oh the grease and the smell of it.

20. Rib-Eye Steaks and Crab Legs at the house in Myrtle Beach that we were guests of and had our own private cook for the week. Can you say spoiled rotten?

21. Yum Yum's in Greensboro, NC. On the UNCG campus in Greensboro. The hot dogs are red and they top them with chili, mustard, onions and coleslaw. They also make their own ice cream. It is in a dive of a building and looks exactly like it did some 60 plus years or more ago.

22. Boiled Peanuts at a neighbor's house in Greensboro, NC watching the Georgia Bulldogs game.

23. Taking the kids to Leo's Coney Island in Michigan last summer and watching Joe Dumars from the Detroit Piston's (back in the 80's) eat his breakfast.

24. Not eating a Deep Fried Turkey while visiting friends in Morristown, Tennessee because the men lost track of time and incinerated it. Talk about "blackened".

25. Eating shrimp steamed in beer and "Old Bay" everytime we go to the Outer Banks in N.C.

Mon Collage de Paris

After learning how to make a collage at "A Fine Mess" in Ottawa, Canada last week when I was visiting, I came home with the bug to try my hand at making more. Here is what I finished this weekend and I am thrilled with it! It is proudly hanging in my "almost finished" Laundry Room. You will now find me prowling around Michaels' and A.C. Moore with my 40% off coupon in hand in search of decorative papers and canvases so that I can make more. I am already working on another bigger one for my Master Bath and will post it after I finish. In the meantime, I added a valance to the window in my laundry room and can now consider that room done. I may pick up some more artwork or make it :), and may add a shelf on the opposite wall later...but for now...it's done!

Marinated Shrimp Salad

Now I know why I don't make this salad as often as I should. It is kind of a pain to make but incredibly good. There is the peeling and de-viening of the shrimp and then there is the dressing with a thousand ingredients but oh is it worth it when it is time to eat it! There is something about Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar that makes this even better and it is worth looking for at the market. I like "Four Monks" brand of Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar. It really is worth every minute of effort you put into it. It is pretty to look at and impressive to serve at a party. But we just wanted something tastee today so this is what we had. (This recipe is from the Coastal Living Cookbook)

Marinated Shrimp Salad

(This recipe is "party sized". I usually cut the recipe in half.)

2 quarts of water
3 to 4 lbs. unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
1 cucumber, peeled, cored, sliced into quarter and then chopped into small pieces
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar ( I like "Four Monks" Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp ground red pepper flakes 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 (3ounce) jar capers, drained
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

(variations: today I added 1/2 of a green and a red pepper, and added some corn.)

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil; add shrimp, and cool 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well; rinse with cold water. Peel shrimp and de-vein if desire.

Combine shrimp, cucumber and onion in a large bowl; set aside

Combine vegetable oil and next 7 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Let cool. Stir in capers and remaining ingredients. Pour over shrimp mixture; toss. Cover and chill. ( up to 8 hours) Serve chilled. Yield: 6 to 8 appetizer servings.

Flowers from the Farmers' Market

I picked up these gorgeous flowers at the mini Farmer's Market here in Summerfield. It is a beautiful arangement and I love the vase container it came it. I love any kind of colbalt blue pottery and this one is pretty. Ellen's Flowers by Ellen Ashley in Summerfield, NC did the arrangement and I got her card. Her card says "Custom Flower Arrangements Fresh from the Garden". She will even arrange her flowers in a container or vase that you bring her. I'll be back with my new blue vase next week for more. (Contact Ellen at: ellen_ashley@bellsouth.net)