A Classic Stunning Clutch by sewlola
Chic and Modern Wristet by EightSeasons
A Sweet and Precious Clutch by Ikestaedt
A Little Coin Purse with an antique flair by moxieandoliver
Monday, August 3, 2009
Poppy Lovers, behold!
I'm definitely a sucker for anything poppy related! They just look so simple and yet so feminine and happy! Ready to daydream a little bit and let these poppy delights brighten up your Monday morning? Enjoy!
A Classic Stunning Clutch by sewlola
Chic and Modern Wristet by EightSeasons
A Sweet and Precious Clutch by Ikestaedt
A Little Coin Purse with an antique flair by moxieandoliver
A Classic Stunning Clutch by sewlola
Chic and Modern Wristet by EightSeasons
A Sweet and Precious Clutch by Ikestaedt
A Little Coin Purse with an antique flair by moxieandoliver
Friday, July 31, 2009
"Banh xeo"
"Banh xeo", pronounced pronounced bahn sow, is a a delicious crunchy chewy crepe that is dear to the heart of all Vietnamese Southerners, including myself :). The word "banh" means "crepe", while the word "xeo" describes the sound of the crepe when it hits the hot skillet. Its vibrant yellow comes from a sprinkling of turmeric, and the filling is a combination of pork and shrimp, scallions and bean sprouts. Every savvy "banh xeo" lovers takes pleasure in wrapping chunks of the crepe up in lettuce leaves with herbs and dipping them in "nuoc cham", a special dipping sauce made out of fishsauce / nuoc nam and other seasonings.
Here's a wonderful recipe that you can easily follow and make your own delicious "banh xeo". Don't hesitate to give it a try!
(From left to right, top to bottom: flour mix, shrimp and pork filing, Mung beans, bean sprout, "banh xeo" being cooked, dipping sauce)
Banh Xeo Vietnamese Crepe
makes 2 crepes
Crepes
1 cup rice flour (Thai versions are fairly easy to find)
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
pinch of salt
vegetable oil for frying
Filling
4 ounces small shrimp
4 ounces sliced roast pork
4 scallions, sliced
2 cups bean sprouts
Wrap
leafy lettuce leaves
fresh herbs such as mint, Thai or Vietnamese basil (optional) and cilantro
dipping sauce (see below)
In a bowl mix the rice flour, water, turmeric and salt.
Heat a little oil in a 10 inch non-stick pan and cook the pork and shrimp. When cooked through, add the scallions. Add a little more oil, you may need a tablespoon or two to make the crepe very crisp and chewy. Pour in 1/2 cup batter on top of the fillings and tilt the pan to spread the batter into a crepe. Top with bean sprouts and cook for several minutes until the bottom of the crepe is beginning to turn brown and very crunchy. Fold the crepe in half and drain on paper towels. Serve with lettuce and herbs and dipping sauce.
Nuoc cham dipping sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon chili paste or a chopped red chili
2-3 Tablespoons fish sauce
1-2 T lime juice (or lemon juice)
1/4 cup water
1 clove garlic, minced
Mix all the ingredients, taste and make any adjustments you like.
Voila! Here's your finished products! Yum!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday's "Hidden Gem": AngelinaFongDesigns
I don't know about you, but I do look forward to featuring great Etsy artists every Wednesday and Saturday not just because of the "warm and fuzzy" feeling of supporting the creativity and talents on Etsy but also because I always learn so much from them!!! So, are you ready to meet another great Etsy Artists?
Today, let's forget IKEA for one day and focus on the contemporary art and Home accessories (pillows, acrylic paintings, etc.) of Angelina Fong of AngelinaFongDesigns. Angelina is originally from the Bay Area (California) and live there currently. Her shop recently joined Etsy on April 9, 2009.
Here's our pocket interview with Angelina of AngelinaFongDesigns.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Creative. Ambitious. Outgoing. Sincere. Outspoken.
#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
Colorful, contemporary art and accessories for the home-- ranging from decorative throw pillows to original canvas paintings.
#3. How was your shop started?
I've always loved to create beautiful things through a variety of creative mediums -- sewing, knitting, crochet, painting. Friends and family have been telling me for years "You could totally sell this stuff!" but I always thought they were just being nice. After receiving more and more requests from friends and coworkers to buy my work, I decided to go full force and turn it into a business!
#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My shop features items that are both stimulating to the eye as well as to the touch. With my pillows, I incoporate a variety of fabrics to create a unique mix of patterns, colors and textures. You will also see a lot of bold colors and textures within my paintings.
#5. What or who inspires you?
I draw much of the inspiration for my work from various elements of the Asian arts, jazz music and nature.
#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Lavendar Jazz. This is a piece that I was conceptualizing in my head for a long time before actually putting paint to canvas. It incorporates several loves of mine --jazz music, art and the color lavendar! In this piece, I tried to capture the essence of jazz music broken down to its most basic elements and the ways in which jazz simultaneously exudes simplicity and complexity in its form.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Beside her wonderful shop , Angelina also has a blog (www.angelinafongdesigns.blogspot.com ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!
That's all for today's Hidden Gem. Our new artist and I would love to hear from YOU, so feel free to share your comments and ideas. Do you have a favorite Etsy Artist? Why not suggesting him/her to be featured on this blog? Just let me know!
Does this darling put a smile on your face like it did to me? If yes, then don't forget to come back next week to meet the great mind (and hands, lol) behind this and lots of other incredible pottery, JudyBFreeman. Until then, Au Revoir!
___________________________________________________________________
For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!
Today, let's forget IKEA for one day and focus on the contemporary art and Home accessories (pillows, acrylic paintings, etc.) of Angelina Fong of AngelinaFongDesigns. Angelina is originally from the Bay Area (California) and live there currently. Her shop recently joined Etsy on April 9, 2009.
Here's our pocket interview with Angelina of AngelinaFongDesigns.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Creative. Ambitious. Outgoing. Sincere. Outspoken.
#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
Colorful, contemporary art and accessories for the home-- ranging from decorative throw pillows to original canvas paintings.
#3. How was your shop started?
I've always loved to create beautiful things through a variety of creative mediums -- sewing, knitting, crochet, painting. Friends and family have been telling me for years "You could totally sell this stuff!" but I always thought they were just being nice. After receiving more and more requests from friends and coworkers to buy my work, I decided to go full force and turn it into a business!
#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My shop features items that are both stimulating to the eye as well as to the touch. With my pillows, I incoporate a variety of fabrics to create a unique mix of patterns, colors and textures. You will also see a lot of bold colors and textures within my paintings.
#5. What or who inspires you?
I draw much of the inspiration for my work from various elements of the Asian arts, jazz music and nature.
#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Lavendar Jazz. This is a piece that I was conceptualizing in my head for a long time before actually putting paint to canvas. It incorporates several loves of mine --jazz music, art and the color lavendar! In this piece, I tried to capture the essence of jazz music broken down to its most basic elements and the ways in which jazz simultaneously exudes simplicity and complexity in its form.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Beside her wonderful shop , Angelina also has a blog (www.angelinafongdesigns.blogspot.com ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!
That's all for today's Hidden Gem. Our new artist and I would love to hear from YOU, so feel free to share your comments and ideas. Do you have a favorite Etsy Artist? Why not suggesting him/her to be featured on this blog? Just let me know!
Does this darling put a smile on your face like it did to me? If yes, then don't forget to come back next week to meet the great mind (and hands, lol) behind this and lots of other incredible pottery, JudyBFreeman. Until then, Au Revoir!
___________________________________________________________________
For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Extreme makeover for your shoes!
Dreaming of a new pair of shoes but running out of cash? I'm here to help. Here's some great ways to transform you "blah" basic black or white shoes into a new flirty and fancy pair of shoes. Get some help from these adorable Shoe Clips from talented Etsy sellers!
From TwistedCrystals
From BmdJune15
From Gemmersen
From BrimsandTrimsStudio
From TwistedCrystals
From BmdJune15
From Gemmersen
From BrimsandTrimsStudio
Monday, July 27, 2009
A cure for your Monday Blue!
Happy Monday, everyone! So, many of you probably do not know that I'm taking hairdressing class right now. I actually finish the basic training, i.e. basic hair washing/blowing, coloring, perming, cutting, and I do enjoy it very much. Can you tell I'm all about making women look their best :)
So, I thought it would be fun to share with you guys an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to create loose waves with your curling irons:) It's the most helpful tutorial I can find. I tried it, and it worked!
Have fun!
So, I thought it would be fun to share with you guys an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to create loose waves with your curling irons:) It's the most helpful tutorial I can find. I tried it, and it worked!
Have fun!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday's Featured Artist: Sosorosey
Hi friends, are you enjoying the last few days of July(By the way, there's only 2 more days to participate in Papillon Jewelry's Monthly Giveaway)? Today, we'll visit one of my favorite home accessory shops on Etsy, where you can find incredible upcycled fabric crochet items like these colorful and stunning coasters below! Let's give a loud round of applause to Jennie of Sosorosey! Jennie is from Manassas, Virginia, and her shop joined Etsy community on Nov 22, 2007 and have has 460 sales thus far.
Let's pick her brain! :)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
creative, sentimental, perceptive, thinker, old soul
#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
I call my shop an “Elegant Eco-friendly Crochet Boutique “. I design and create functional treats for the home, baby, and soul including many unique, upcycled fabric crochet items.
#3. How was your shop started?
I discovered Etsy in November of 2007, and was a buyer only for a couple of months. I quickly became addicted to the community and decided to dive in and see if others would appreciate what I have to offer.
#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My shop is uniquely “me”. From the banner, to the photos, to the props and descriptions I take great pride in every detail. I love popping into my shop and strolling around! Customization is a special and super enjoyable process with me, and each item is always presented beautifully and lovingly to its recipient.
#5. What or who inspires you?
Besides the many amazing artists that inspire me every day on Etsy, my main inspiration comes from fabric and vintage colors and patterns. I walk out of every thrift store with tons of new color combinations that I want to try out!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Beside her wonderful shop , Jennie also has a blog (http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/ ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!
That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next Saturday, we'll meet Jeanette Lin from Singapore, and her shop. Here's a sneak peak at these amazing felt food and toys that you can make using pattern/tutorials from her shop! Yum!
For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here
Let's pick her brain! :)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
creative, sentimental, perceptive, thinker, old soul
#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
I call my shop an “Elegant Eco-friendly Crochet Boutique “. I design and create functional treats for the home, baby, and soul including many unique, upcycled fabric crochet items.
#3. How was your shop started?
I discovered Etsy in November of 2007, and was a buyer only for a couple of months. I quickly became addicted to the community and decided to dive in and see if others would appreciate what I have to offer.
#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My shop is uniquely “me”. From the banner, to the photos, to the props and descriptions I take great pride in every detail. I love popping into my shop and strolling around! Customization is a special and super enjoyable process with me, and each item is always presented beautifully and lovingly to its recipient.
#5. What or who inspires you?
Besides the many amazing artists that inspire me every day on Etsy, my main inspiration comes from fabric and vintage colors and patterns. I walk out of every thrift store with tons of new color combinations that I want to try out!
#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why? I REALLY enjoyed making the Love Your Mother rag rug. It was created for an Earth Day team challenge, and I had a great time dreaming up the concept and putting it all together. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23295759 #7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy? Etsy can be a lonely place, and it can be hard to keep the faith in your work when you first get started. Hang in there! Stellar product needs to be backed by phenomenal customer service and excellent communication. Always consider your shop a work in progress, always be willing to listen to suggestions, never underestimate the value of your time and effort, and never say anything in the forums that you wouldn’t want plastered on the front page of a newspaper! |
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Beside her wonderful shop , Jennie also has a blog (http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/ ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!
That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next Saturday, we'll meet Jeanette Lin from Singapore, and her shop. Here's a sneak peak at these amazing felt food and toys that you can make using pattern/tutorials from her shop! Yum!
For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
