Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Sketchbook Doodles: Sing it Sister!




So we get a few days of "nice" weather,(sun and everything!) and I start craving spring. Now my head is full of shedding the winter coat, cherry blossoms, bright green buds, fun new things at the farmer's market, warm sunshine in the park, and it being light out when I get out of work. I know, I know, delusions!

I've been a busy bee, sketching away for an upcoming show next month at Fuego 718, in Williamsburg. More details on that later. Hooray!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Sketchbook Doodles-I Wear My Sunglasses at Night





Well, I totally would if I didn't have regular glasses. Or if they were prescription sunglasses (I'm blind as a bat!)

Happy friday everyone! Helllooooo long weekend! I have big plans of things I want to accomplish this weekend, and fingers crossed that I don't pull the lazy or procrastinate card. Peace!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Daring Cooks-January Challenge-Tofu Satays



The January 2010 DC challenge was hosted by Cuppy of Cuppylicious and she chose a delicious Thai-inspired recipe for Satay from the book 1000 Recipes by Martha Day.


I made mine using tofu and it was *super*duper yummy. I let it marinate for 3ish hours and then grilled it up on my cast iron grill pan. I also made a yummy peanut sauce for dipping.

Marinade:
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 T ginger root, chopped (optional) (2 cm cubed)
2 T lemon juice (1 oz or 30 mls)
1 T soy sauce (0.5 oz or 15 mls)
1 tsp ground coriander (5 mls)
1 tsp ground cumin (5 mls)
2 T vegetable oil (or peanut or olive oil) (30 mls)

I buy homemade tofu from the little asian grocer near me, but I used the equivilent to one and 1/4 of a container of tofu. All the marinade was soaked up during cooking, so you'd be fine with just one container. Blend the Marinade until smooth and then let your drained and cubed tofu sit in it for a few hours, in the fridge. Put them on the grill or a grill pan until most or all of the marinade is soaked up and there are some sweet grill lines!

Peanut Sauce
3/4 cup coconut milk (6 oz or 180 mls)
4 Tbsp peanut butter (2 oz or 60 mls)
1 Tbsp lemon juice (0.5 oz or 15 mls)
1 Tbsp soy sauce (0.5 oz or 15 mls)
1 tsp brown sugar (5 mls)
1/2 tsp ground cumin (2.5 mls)
1/2 tsp ground coriander (2.5 mls)
1-2 dried red chilies, chopped (keep the seeds for heat)

1. Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl. Add soy sauce and lemon, mix well.
2. Over low heat, combine coconut milk, peanut butter and your soy-lemon-seasoning mix. Mix well, stir often.
3. All you’re doing is melting the peanut butter, so make your peanut sauce after you’ve made everything else in your meal, or make ahead of time and reheat.


Sketchbook Doodles-Looking Sharp

Looking sharp!
Before/after pen colored in Photoshop

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Inspiration: Ceramics

I'm a big fan of all things clay, and highly covet a workspace, sometime in the future, where I could accommodate a wheel for throwing. Someday! For now, I shall covet and admire some of my favorite artists who work with clay:


Rainbow Factory by Pearson Maron


Mook with Bear Mask by I Love Grey Skies


Bunny Vase by Pretty Random Objects


Small Sized Lovebird Teapot by Ninainvorm


Owl Family by One Gift One World


Vegan Wonky Small Bowl by Vegan Dish


Plaid Mini Baker by Just Mare


Cute Tiny Ghosties by Ooty


Single Cup Coffee Maker by Mudstuffing

Sketchbook Doodles

Hey there! I'm working on some lovely valentine's day goodies, but for now, here is a "before/after" of a sketchbook doodle colored up.

Remember back in gradeschool, when the teacher made you give a valentine to everyone in your class? I was thinking back to how I used to painstakingly pick out my favorite cards for my favorite people and least favorite cards for my least favorite people...haha, so cruel. Ohh school valentines. Do they still do that in gradeschool??


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Inspiration: Fave Necklaces


PiƱata Necklace by Spin Thread



The Beatrix Necklace by Cosmic Girl


Suppertime Necklace by Crumpet Cake


Silver Tree Pendant by Bethtastic


Dark Wood Drop Necklace by Dores


Lucky Seven Pyrite Chunk Polyhedron Necklace by Ball and Chain


Boop by Lucky Duct


Faceted Necklace by Brooklyn Rehab


Green, Black and Fluo Wave by Color Blind Smarties

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Hoot! and crossing things off my list!


So I have been working on my list of fun goals that I posted, just not so good on the regular blogging thing. Ahem. Anyways, I have been daily sketching and I'll start sharing more (Hoot being the first). ALSO! I booked my trip to Peru finally!! I'm going in April, with two of my fave pals, Nate and Kristin. We're going for 12 days and are planning on doing the full 4 day, 3 night Inca trail Hike to Machu Picchu. We are still planning the rest of the trip, deciding between some Amazon jungle fun, Lake Titicaca adventures, or maybe going to Colca Canyon. I'm super-investigating eating vegan in Peru, but I think I should be fine. If anyone has any tips, I would LOVE to hear them! I hear there are lots of veggie restaurants in Lima and Cusco, so it should theoretically be easy. I'm sooo freaking excited!!

Here's a recent tester recipe for Joni's and Celine's book of Vegan Substitutions, Graham Wannabe Teacakes. Sooo goood! I made it for New Year's Day Brunch and it was a super-yummy first meal of the year, all warm and slathered with Earth balance. This book is gonna be soo good!