Month: June 2011

3 cool things to kick off the week…

1. I’m making room for new classes, and so I just uploaded some super VALUE kits (Seriously GREAT deals all under $30) – it’s class extra supplies and they’re up in my etsy shop as well as a few more altered book class kits.  Supplies limited!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/mayflaumdesigns

 

2. Working hard on my kits & class projects for this month’s day ‘o classes at Scrapbook Island in San Jose, Ca. I’m SO excited to see some familiar faces + meet new people too. I’ve heard so much great stuff about Laurie and her store, can’t wait to check it out. And yes, I’ll be taking photos! If you can’t make it to class and you want me to send you any of the kits just let me know – if you do so BEFORE the day of class (Sunday 26th) I’ll ship it free.

 

3. I’ve got a new article up at Scrapbook Update – all about American Crafts POW! glitter papers. Link: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2011/06/13/review-american-crafts-pow-glitter-paper

 

Before I head off to work for the day, let me also add that this week is gonna be FABULOUS. The sun is out, I hear there are prizes, projects, and more on the way, and it just feels like a great start to a new week…

THE damask tattoo.

A few years back I had this weird dream – there was a damask tattoo running down my right shoulder and it was AWESOME. I woke up wanting to run out and get a tattoo – something I’d not previously considered. I thought about it for a long time (I was in my 20’s when I thought of it, 32 now that I actually got it)…

I took my favorite damask designs down to the shop and this is what the artist came up with – I LOVED it – it combined my favorite elements from the inspiration pieces I had given him, and so we set a date.

What is the meaning of it? Well… it’s damask. A pattern found in so many things, and one that has always been a signature “May” pattern too. From clothing to home decor to craft supplies – it’s my #1 favorite and I LOVE the idea of having it as a tattoo as well.

At NO point did I mistake my time there for a trip to the day spa… but I was also never even close to crying over the pain either. For me a key is not focusing on the pain, but paying attention to what’s going on in the shop, talking, etc. so you’re distracted. I was there for about 5 hours (about 4total hrs actual tattoo time). The most painful bit was the dots. I was sure he was drilling holes in me with those puppies. Some of the parts I didn’t even feel, and usually as soon as I had that thought I’d get a whammy of an “ow”. (of course).

Here’s the real truth about any tattoo if you’re thinking about it: it’s not “oh I don’t know if I could deal with pain of getting one” that you should worry about. it’s the days AFTER that hurt. You think getting one hurts? Think about if you’ve ever scraped yourself up real bad or gotten a super nasty sunburn. It’s like that for a few days, and there’s nothing you can do to “undo” at that point!

I figured it’d be no big deal – last time I got a tattoo I was working out the next morning and feeling good! Yeah. My ankle tattoo? cake walk next to this sucker!!

I’m trying REALLY hard not to whine, whimper, or fuss when I have to apply lotion to this or when Becca pokes it. I wanted this. and it’s even more kick ass than I thought it would be.

Design & Tattoo by Angel – owner of Tatt Magic in Fairfield, CA.

THE Chocolate Cola cake

I was just introduced to the southern delicacy that is Chocolate Cola cake (aka coca-cola cake) while visiting Charleston, SC early this spring. It was a spiritual experience. It is all that is good and that I hold dear. I’d marry it if I wasn’t already married… seriously. amazing stuff. I loved the piece I had (pictured above) at Jestine’s so much, that I bought and carried a small one home (via airplanes and much hassle) to my husband to share so he could know the glory of it.

then I scoured the internet for a good recipe… but none seemed right.

Then I was using my home-made binder ‘o recipes from various magazines over the years and I discovered that years ago I cut out a recipe for this very cake… and the recipe listed looked exactly like the cake I wanted to replicate.

Naturally, when we had our first BBQ of the season I simply HAD to make one. I’m gonna tell y’all how I did it:

preheat oven to 350, and grease up (I like Crisco) a 9×13 (or so) pan.

mix:
2cups flour
2cups sugar
1/2tsp salt
1tsp baking soda**
1/2tsp cinnamon

** note: I have made this with baking powder or soda – Either way works. “powder” is what was listed in the recipe I got it from, but soda is slightly better results.

in a saucepan over medium high heat stir this up good until it boils:
1 cup butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup coca-cola (from bottle is my preference!)
1/2 cup buttermilk

now take off heat and add that to the flour mix & whisk until combined.

Then add:
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla extract

mix, put in pan, bake it for about 30minutes. Yes, it’s a quick bake. Don’t over-bake it!

when cake is nearly done make the glaze by mixing in saucepan:
1/2cup butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup coca cola

once that boils, remove and slowly stir in 4cups of confectioners’ sugar until nice and smooth. Then add in about a cup of chopped pecans, and give it a stir.

once cake is done and out of oven (toothpick should come out clean), pour this warm glaze right over the top of the hot cake!

wait.

let it set… let it cool for a few minutes at least…

enjoy warm or cold. (next day/etc. feel free to microwave for a few seconds to warm it up… so good)

How did mine come out? Let’s just say, it was PERFECT!!! Not quite the same as Jestine’s, but close… and sooo good. I strongly recommend it. Plus? it’s an EASY cake. Truly. Nothing complex, no mixer needed. Just a bowl, wisk, and medium sauce pan…


crepe paper + kraft wrap

I’m obsessed with using brown bags to wrap stuff right now. Mostly? Because I’m trying NOT to buy new wrapping paper. And yes, the wrapping paper I do have seems to be inappropriate every time I have an occasion to wrap something!!

I’m experimenting more with gift wrap lately, you see I want to MASTER the art of giftwrap. I’m more of a “sometimes it sucks, sometimes it rocks” girl right now. Today I played with crepe paper on a shopping bag to wrap a gift…

I also punched stars from patterned paper and scattered them to add more color & fun… but the part I am VERY happy with ont his project was for sure the crepe paper. I’ll be doing this technique a LOT in future. Just stick some in the sewing machine:

I used a big straight stitch and then keep feeding it so that it’s ruffled/bunched. I got in a nice feeding-the-machine groove and it went super fast. I *LOVE* how this looks, and I’ll be doing it again ASAP.

I used crafty power tape by Scrapbook Adhesives – it’s a great super strong double sided tape that worked to hold this in place.

I think this could be REALLY cool done at the top of a gift bag (where you stitch the crepe paper directly to bag) – and I’ll be trying that and sharing for sure!

Who knew that my scrapbook stash + party supplies could = gift wrap?!