What sparks You? Katy Dill

There have probably been a handful of times when I have fallen asleep before Ryan in our 11 years of marriage.  Post-surgery and post delivering a baby are among those times.  Those few minutes that I truly have to myself, when I know our 5 girls are asleep and Ryan has just dozed off are packed.  That's when the blueprints for my projects are initially created--in my mind.  I imagine sewing details, how I'm going to construct something, what colors I envision it, the details right down to the buttons and handwork.  

ruffled bloomer tutorial

Once I have a clear vision of what I'd like to produce, it's hard to keep my mind (or hands!) on anything else.  If my hands aren't doing something, I fell unproductive.  Even sitting down to read a book, I'll think, If I could just listen to an audio book I could enjoy literature and be productive!  I've always been that way.  I used to crochet during recess in elementary school (that and play tether ball).

ruffled cLOVEr dress tutorial

Of course, not everything I conjure in my mind during those quiet moments at night come to fruition.  I have had my share of "failures".  Recently I started making myself a Maxi dress.  It was in white linen, and I could imagine myself and my 8 month pregnant belly in it, with photos on the beach and how I would cherish having those photos.  The further into it I got, the more I knew it wasn't going to work out...for me.

all in the details sundress tutorial

And it was disappointing, like seeing a beautifully photographed cake and attempting to recreate it, only to end up with a crumbly, bland mess.  So, I altered my plans and it turned out to be a darling summer dress for my oldest.  I think that's part of the creative process that gets overlooked sometimes.  We see other people's creations, the finished and polished projects and assume the road there was a straight and smooth one.  Creativity, like anything else worth doing in life, takes work, perseverance, and sometimes alternate thinking.

a biased skirt tutorial

I don't think I'll ever outgrow the need to create.  Once my five girls (and whomever I am carrying right now) are grown and gone...I'll have grand children that will need me to sew for them, right?

hand pieced and dyed lace skirt

Ryan and I are the parents of 5 girls with another little one on the way.  I don't have any formal training in clothing design, just trial and error and a couple of high school sewing classes.  When my hands aren't busy sewing or taking care of my family, I enjoy baking and playing the harp.  We hope to sell everything we own (except the harp and sewing machine) and move abroad one day with our baby Dills.

Katy Dill is the amazing blogger/mom/seamstress behind the successful blog No Big Dill. She is one of those women that inspires on so many different levels you just wish you lived next door to her so that you can suck up some of her creativity through osmosis.

Class preview: Stamp Carving

Just in case I haven't screamed it loud enough, I'M TEACHING AT SPARK!!!!

Finally, I get to teach stamp carving. I've wanted to teach it the last couple of years and it just hasn't worked out for one reason or another.

So this year, as a creative partner, I said, "By damn, I'm teaching stamp carving." And Margie said, "So let it be done."

I'm a wee bit passionate about stamp carving. It's so relaxing and rewarding.  It's easy enough to do with your kids. You can take it along on trips because the supplies are small. It isn't expensive.

So, if you are still sitting on the fence about coming to Spark, this is me, yelling for everyone to hear, Come! Please come! We are going to rock the cazbah. We are going to laugh and create and commune. 

You need this. Really. You do.

And I want to teach you to create your own custom stamps. 

Also, everyone needs to hop on over to Margie's blog today. She has big news. She needs some Sparky love. Let's smoother her.

today...

Today our one and only Margie Romney-Aslett was on Studio 5. She shared ideas for creating "Sparkish" garlands.

Check her out. Isn't she just too cute in her hot pink and glasses?

annnnnd we're back

The fourth of July brought about an impromptu blogging break.  Summer is so busy. The days are long and seem lazy, but there is so much to do with family and friends.  There is just too much fun to to be had. The beach needs going to. Snowcones need eating. Roadtrips beckon.

And then there are crafts to be made. With children. Without.

Margie sent me her new line of papers. Have you seen them? She is designing for a new company called Authentique. They haven't launched the website just yet, but you can get first glances on their Facebook page.

I used some of the die cuts to make soldered charms. And I made a little gift box to go along with it.

Everytime Margie releases a new line of products I think she has outdone herself again. She is ever evolving. She is full of Spark.

Sometimes when we are together I literally feel like I'm sitting next to a sparkler. Her creative spirit rains down on you like little twinkles.

Now, enough mush mush. Time for a bit of business.

Our Handmade Market is full! 

Overflowing really.  We are busting at the seams with amazing artisans. So, if you didn't get a chance to apply in time, try again next year. We will be showcasing all our vendors prior to the event so you know just how great it is going to be and you can start stashing away spending money.  This year the market will be open to the public on Saturday Oct. 22nd from 11-5 pm.


Happy Monday!

april

What sparks You? Cathe Holden

drapery ring lifesavers

I rarely if ever set the alarm to wake in the morning. Somehow, like many, I open my eyes from sleep about the same time every day. Then, if given the opportunity, I will close my eyes and lay in bed for about an hour as creative ideas flood my mind. How I wish I had a mental note pad, knowing that if I sit up to write ideas down, the lucid state of creativity will surely leave me. Often I can work out full design and craft concepts in my mind from beginning to end, troubleshooting, revamping, shopping for supplies, and displaying and photgraphing, all before leaving the pillow, working out all the kinks I can before I ever begin the actual project.

It’s a strange method I’ve learned to embrace. Creative ideas used to come to mind primarily in the shower or on long walks, when my mind was still from deadlines and duties. But I’ve discovered that early morning meditations are the most productive moments of my day.

I’ve always been a doodler. In high school, I found it was the only way I could absorb the information being spoken by the teachers. I bring a small sketchbook to church every Sunday morning in attendance and doodle page by page of ideas as they come to me, taking in every spoken word of the pastor simultaneously. 

custom paper tape

My sketchbooks are my journals. An addiction of sorts. They are my memory as my own begins to wane. I become disoriented if I find myself out and about without one tucked into my purse or car and available for jotting down ideas and concepts that find their way into my brain at any given moment as I know for certain they may be lost forever if not recorded. In the years since I began keeping sketchbooks, I have accumulated volumes of creativity, much long forgotten but occasionally revisited. I occasionally discover old ideas as if seeing them for the first time and at times I’m quite impressed.

I have a little notation system within my sketchbooks. As I sketch, (usually with a fine-point black rollerball pen), some ideas make more sense than others and are deemed craft-worthy, blog-worthy or book-worthy. Those get a "GI" (for "good idea") and a thick-lined doodled star. Then, whenever I hit a creative wall I can always turn to my sketchbook and find those GI-stars for previously scrutinized ideas to work with.

postage stamp perforations

Before beginning projects, I often pray, as ultimately, ALL of my creative sparks are the work of God in me. I have acknowledged Him always for my creative gifts and accomplishments, humbled by the fact that he would bless me in such a beautiful way. In return, it is my purpose to share those gifts freely with others, which in full-circle, enriches my life tremendously.

quilt jewelry

Cathe Holden is a graphic designer and an passionate crafter with a love of authentic vintage style. Her blog, JustSomethingIMade.com features her innovative craft projects & tutorials, creative inspiration and free digital downloads. She lives in beautiful Petaluma, California with her husband, Jeff, and three teenage children, ages 14-16.

a sticky situation

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

The first batch of taffy was cherry flavored and hard as a rock.  It went into the trash.

I followed the directions.  I did exactly what the experts told me to do.  It was frustrating, and when I could see where it was headed I cursed and stood in my kitchen with my fist on my hip trying to think where I must have gone wrong.

This is where I realized that baking candy is just like everything else in life.  If you desire to do something extraordinary, you must pay the piper.  There is a reason that most people buy salt water taffy.

In case you're wondering, the piper is paid with time and persistence.

Very few people fall into success.  Very few.  Some would have you believe that it was easy.  They don't admit to toil and strife. But I'm here to say that everything I've done in my life that has brought me  big rewards has cost dearly. The piper has grown rich on my exertions.  I think he has plans to retire to Dubai.

So I tightened my apron strings and went back to work.  This time I cooked the candy slower.  I made sure the sugar crystals were all melted. I enlisted the Sugar Daddy to help pull the candy.  It was pineapple flavor.

And we made taffy. And it's delicious.

But still, it is a little stiffer than what I want. It's dangerous for dental work.

So I will try again.  I will gather up the experience I have gained and put it to use.  I will try to be patient and persistent. Hopefully I will be rewarded.

I think the next batch will be apple.  Or maybe watermelon.

I wish all of life's problems could be so sweet.

~April~

what to have for dinner

Yesterday was the first offical day of Summer. Which means kids are on break, moms are not.

For me, it is a chore to try to come up with something for dinner that can be made quickly. In the Summer we are usually getting home from the beach or an outing right before dinner time. The kids are tired and cranky and I want something healthy that I can prepare in less than a half hour.

 Today we are giving you a spark of inspiration for what to have for dinner tonight.

And you don't even have to turn on the oven to make this meal.  Grill the peaches after dinner so they are nice and hot.

Tortellini with Pesto Sauce

Mixed Green Salad with Parmigiano Crisps

Grilled Peaches and Cream

 All the ingredients to make these dishes can be bought at Costco or your regular super market.

Do you have a favorite Summer meal idea? Please share! 

class preview: Felting

Good Monday Sparkers!  Do you know Emily Falconbridge? You should.

Everyone should know someone like Emily. Margie and I consider her our own personal "Earth Maiden". She is so easy going and the creativity just oozes out of her.

Em will be teaching a super fun class using felt.  Here's what she has to tell you about her class:

Wet-felting is an artform that can be enjoyed by all ages and is my newest crafty-love! You can take natural wool roving, agitate it with water and soap and you can create on so many levels - check out this felt dress!

Sadly, we won't be making that at spark this year, but you will still enjoy dipping your hands into bowls of warm soapy water and felting a simpler project - felt soaps! They make gorgeous gifts and are much more fun to wash yourself with than with a boring old bar! 

There were some amazing felted scarves and beads made at spark last year and i can't wait to see the wooly creations this year!

Yep, we promise a party for all your senses in this workshop = see the beautiful colored wool, smell the yummy handmade soap, hear em's delightful aussie accent, feel the texture of the wool felting between your hands, taste the sweet success of your finished creation!

the big announcement

Margie has a huge announcement today! It's a little secret she's been keeping for sometime now. She's been working so hard and I'm so excited for her.

I want her to be able to tell you all about it so jump over to her blog and take a look!

What sparks you? Lindsey Johnson

My best ideas come to me in flashes.  I wake up each morning and go to sleep each night thinking about recipes, ingredients, flavors and textures.

My mind is organized into slightly chaotic file folders, not too different from the recipe binders and manila envelopes filled with magazine clippings that I store the drawers of a dresser in my family room.  I know where everything is, but don't ask anyone else to go looking for a recipe or we might have to send out a search party.  An idea or flash might get filed away for later, or I might place a mental sticky note on top so I can revisit it as soon as possible.

I thrive on creativity in the kitchen, particularly those flashes and ideas.  I think about pairing different foods together in new ways. I try to visualize flavors and textures.  These things get me into trouble sometimes when my more creative recipes are just a tad too "creative."

The idea for Smore's Ice Cream Sandwiches crept into my thoughts one day a few summers ago.  I had a bee in my bonnet and I contacted a blogging friend to ask her opinion on making frozen marshmallows.  We e-mailed back and forth and I spent a few weeks trying out my idea.  They were a delicious few weeks to be sure.  My kids, my husband, and I didn't seem to tire as we tasted each batch of perfect and not-so-perfect frozen marshmallow attempts.  Alas, I gave up my efforts as the summer heat gave way to cooler autumnal days and baking took over my ice cream making.

When April asked me if I'd pop over and do a guest post, I knew this was the recipe I wanted to resurrect,  perfect and share with you.  So I dug out my notes and got to work.

Creativity can be work sometimes, can't it?  Nothing sparks my creativity more than working hard and opening the channels in my brain.  Sometimes it feels like I figuratively dump all the mental file folders on the floor, but eventually I pick everything up, reorganize and once again feel the energy surge. Like I said, I thrive on it.

A quick Google search on "frozen marshmallows" and "marshmallow ice cream" led me to a few posts that were written recently.  I added them to my notes and went back to work.  Eventually I settled on an idea I found here for Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream.  I abandoned my frozen marshmallows for the time being.  I took the new recipe a step further by making homemade marshmallows, a favorite treat for our family.  And there it was--perfection.

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe was much as my family has.  It may seem like a lot of work, but the result is so magical it's worth it--a surprising, fun treat for an afternoon or evening 4th of July BBQ.

Smore's Ice Cream Sandwich Bars
recipe from Lindsey Johnson of Cafe Johnsonia


1 Recipe Homemade Graham Crackers*


1 recipe Homemade Marshmallows

1 recipe Ice Cream Base (recipe follows)

1 recipe Chocolate Sauce (recipe follows)


Ice Cream Base

10 oz. homemade marshmallows (about 3/4 of the recipe; can use store-bought)
1 cup whole milk
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups light whipping cream

Preheat oven broiler to high.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Lay half the marshmallows on the baking sheet and toast under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching very carefully so they don't burn. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow to cool slightly.  Scrape the toasted marshmallows into the bowl of a food processor.  (You can also use a blender.)

Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and sugar together until thick.  Heat milk in a saucepan until very hot, but not boiling.  Gradually drizzle the hot milk into the egg/sugar mixture while whisking.  After all of the milk has been added, pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over medium-low heat until thickened and is 170 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.  Pour the hot custard into the food processor or blender and turn, pulsing on and off, until well combined.  Add the cold cream (if you are using a blender, it might not all fit, pour it into a bowl) and pulse again.  Pour the mixture into a clean bowl and chill in the refrigerator until very cold.  Because of the gelatin in the marshmallows, the custard will set up a bit.  Whisk to loosen it before churning in an ice cream maker.

Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer directions.  Transfer the ice cream to a freezer proof container.  Place a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap against the surface of the ice cream and allow to harden in the freezer for about an hour before assembling ice cream sandwiches.

Chocolate Sauce

1 package semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips
4 Tbsp. butter

Place the chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted.  Set aside until ready to use.  (If the sauce sets up too much or gets hard, heat gently in the microwave on 50% power until melted again.)

To assemble:

Place the graham crackers upside down on two wire racks placed on rimmed baking sheets.  Top each round with 1/4 cup of the ice cream.  Use a knife or spatula to press it down a bit.  Place the baking sheets in the freezer and allow the ice cream to get firm, about 15 minutes.

Spoon a good amount of the chocolate sauce over the ice cream and top with another graham cracker round.  Gently press down.  Place baking sheet into the freezer for another 15 minutes or so.  Wrap each ice cream sandwich in waxed paper and store in freezer until ready to serve.  Will keep for 2-3 days.

Makes 16, 3" sandwiches.

*This is my favorite recipe for graham crackers.  I use half whole wheat flour and only bake them for 10 minutes when using them as cookies for ice cream sandwiches.  Roll dough out to 1/8"- 1/4" and use a 3" round cookie cutter to get 32 rounds, enough to make 16 sandwiches.

Lindsey Johnson writes the food blog Cafe Johnsonia.  She lives in Utah County with her husband and three children.  She has been featured on Design Mom, Cafemom's The Stir, was named one of Babble.com's Top 100 Mom Food Bloggers 2011, and contributes monthly to Make and Takes.