Julie Picarello Polymer Clay Method

As I mentioned once before, Julie Picarello has a wonderful book out showing her method of Imprinting and accenting beads.  Her book is called "Patterns in Polymer" and you can purchase the book at your favorite clay store or on Amazon.  Here is a link to her
 flicker photostream  so you can see some of her fun designs.  And below is my first attempt at her technique.  I have a way to go, but it was fun trying.

Refreshing Lemon Jello Cake

I'm mixing up a recipe but it's not the polymer clay color kind.  This is a  recipe for a delicious Lemon Jello Cake.  This recipe is not new.  I remember having some back in the 1960's, and was delighted when I recently enjoyed it at a party I attended.  It only has a few ingredients, but the flavor is wonderful.  Yum!

Lemon Jello Cake

1 box of Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake mix (or any Lemon Cake Mix)

1 small box lemon jello

4 eggs

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup oil

Mix these together until smooth

Pour into 13" x 9" oiled and floured cake pan

Bake at 350 for 35 min.

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice (or more as you like)

(You can also add some lemon zest if you like)

Mix this together

While the cake is still warm, make holes with a fork and then pour and spread icing on top.  Cool and serve.

My Artfire Collections

As we near the birthday of our Nation, July 4th, I thought it would be fun to put together a collection of items from some of my fellow vendors on ARTFIRE showcasing their work.  You can see  this collection here and then click on the pictures to visit the individual  shops.  

  

I'm Back!!!!!

I am back from a fun filled vacation in Oceanside with my daughter and her family.  The weather was a lot cooler than our 108 degree average here in the Coachella Valley.  We did lots of interesting things like watching the start of the "Race Across America"; bicycle fundraiser for different charities.  Getting in an auto accident (no one was hurt).  A fun filled day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and riding the Coaster train to watch the Padres win at Petco Stadium.  We also entertained lots of good friends while we were there. 


Our weather is "HOT" here in the Palm Springs area, and my daughter was really good at finding an item at the Del Mar Fair that I am thoroughly enjoying.  It is called a Mr. Cooley Towel.  You wet it, wring it out and then shake it a couple of times, and you have a towel that feels cool, but does not leave you or your clothes wet.  It brings your body temperature down so that you feel refreshed even in the heat.  Here is Mr. Cooley in pink or blue, and you can order it at http://mrcooleytowel.com/.  You Ladies that have hot flashes will LOVE IT!!

Vacationing in Oceanside, CA

I probably won't be blogging much this week as I will be vacationing in a sleepy little beach town called Oceanside.  It's not too far from San Diego, and the Camp Pendelton marine base.  I get to spend lots of time with family, shopping, eating, walking on the beach, visiting with friends, so you can see where I won't have much time to blog.  We will also try to take in a Padres game, hopping on the Amtrak for the short ride down to San Diego.   Hope you are all having a fun start to the Summer too!

ONCE UPON A TIME

Today is the Reveal of the beads and finished pieces for our Fairy Tale Bead Swap, produced by Lori Anderson.  Check out Lori's blog to see who else is participating in this fun swap.


 My partner is Dana and these are the beads that she so generously sent me.

I love the little Fairy pendant that she sent me.  It even has a cool one cent stamp picture on the back.  I'll show that later, as my batteries died in my camera so will need to  go get some new ones.

Hear is my reveal of what I did with some of Dana's bead assortment.  I am still working on more.

Here are a couple more shots after I was able to replace my batteries.

This is the back of the Faerie Pendant.  You could wear it either way.

Hop on over to visit the rest of the Bead Swappers

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul, Beads By Breul 

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta   you are here

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterity Art

Joanna Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found 

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shaia's Ramblings

Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

The Traveling Bead Box

Lois Moon is ready to pick the new recipient of the

"Sisterhood of the Traveling Bead Box"

 Have you registered yet?  Check out the rules and enter at this site.  You must register by June 1st.

Artfire Shops

Are you an Artist or Craft person that is interested in selling your products online?  Artfire has just what you need.  Some of the reasons I like having an Artfire Studio is:

1.  There are no listing fees.
2.  No Commissions to pay
3.  You can design your own studio
4.  Your items never expire
5.  You have access to an Artfire Facebook Kiosk

Check out this link for all the information to get started.  Artfire

You can visit my studio at Loretta's Boutique

Thanks for looking!

 

Clay Classics

I just purchased a new book for Polymer Clay enthusiasts called
 "Clay Classics" by Julie Eakes. and Suzanne McNeill.  It has some interesting carving techniques and cane work that will spark your creative juices.  I bought mine online at Amazon.  You will enjoy!