Crafting with LuLu

Nettle Polenta Lasagna-to the best of my memory

2011-05-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
Fresh nettles
Coarse cornmeal
Puttanesca sauce
Thinly sliced mushrooms
Thinly sliced zucchini
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Ricotta
Pesto

Pick fresh nettle leaves in early spring
Lightly steam nettles-set aside

Make Moosewood Polenta:
5 Cups water
1.5 cups coarse cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt

Bring 4 cups water to boil
Mix the remaining cup of water with the cornmeal
Add to boiling water with salt, mix until uniform
Simmer until thick and bubbly (10 minutes)

Assembly
Spoon 1/3 of the polenta into lasagna pan
Layer 1/2 puttanesca sauce, sliced mushrooms, zucchini, nettles & your choice of cheese mixture (I like mozzarella with pesto, pepper, parmasan, and ricotta)
Smooth next third polenta over the nettles, repeat saucy things
End with polenta, then mozz & parm

Bake 375 for 25-30 minutes
*Caution* Takes a little time to prepare! Best when shared with your favorite cousin and a bottle of red wine in a yurt. XOXO

Whitewater Power Bars (Improvised)

2011-05-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

1 C butter
1.5 C peanut butter
1.5 T vanilla
2 C brown sugar
1 C agave nectar
(cream together)

1 C sesame seeds
1 C pumpkin seeds
1 C sunflower seeds
1 C almonds
1 C coconut
(toast all)

Combine both mixtures
Add 2 C dried cherries or other dried fruit
1 C chocolate chips

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes
Yummy!

Sunny's Bliss

2010-08-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

The unauthorized (auto?)biography of Sunny Bliss... But first, I would like to know some things about Sunny. Like why some days she wakes up and lives each moment in a golden-hued dream then other days she can't drag herself out of the blues. Why do people tell her their secrets when they know she's a terrible liar? Why does her whole world come to a screeching halt when the muses sing their song? She will surrender all useful diligence of daily life as their magic mischief courses through her veins, letting them use her to produce obscure objects of whimsy and folly. Why is it that one day she may sit alone with her drink watching a rainstorm with glee, and the next the same exact scene will bring her to her knees? Where is the drug that brings out her sun? Who breaths the love dust upon her sleeping heart turning her dreams to soft and warm, pliable realities? Who is this Sunny Bliss? I want to taste her. Know her. Spend days and nights sprawled out on her velvet couch from coffee to wine, daydreams to fantasies. I want to wear her crown of daisies in amber oceans, listening to the wind whisper through each willowy stalk. I want to watch her cloud performance metamorphosis transform the circus in the sky.

Works-In-Progress

2009-04-15T10:07:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of my works-in-progress from the 'Beauty' workshop (playshop?) series currently underway. It has been creative bliss for me to work alongside such incredible women; muses. My mother. My aunt. My dancing friends. I peer across the table at the beauty that unfolds before them, created by their hands from images embedded in their souls. They paint. From their hands emerge stories delivered directly from their hearts. Stories they may never put words to. But the colors speak. The shapes and forms and skin tones whisper secrets to me. I comprehend this language. I am dazzled, honored, humbled. I offer little more than canvas, paint, a few brushes, some water. We paint. An alchemy descends upon us, transforming the space. We are safe. We laugh. We cry. We share. We hold some words in, maybe just a little longer. Sometimes we say too much. We continue to look toward our inner beauty and finds ways to allow that essence to make itself seen. Paint becomes a fluid, like blood that delivers our true nature to the surface. Together, we witness the beauty.

Baja Inspirations

2009-04-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

The more time that separates me from this amazing family journey, the more distinct and golden the memories become. I put this slide show together to catalog the artwork that I created this winter. As I gathered images, I stumbled upon photos that Woods took that carried similar themes. The images from our daily life, the sun, the mountains, the ocean, bright colors, flowers, people, trees. I like to see the subtle differences and similarities in how we see beauty and express it.

2009-03-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Revival: A Collective Clothing Experiment

Revive your spirit. Revive an old dress. Revive your skills. Revive friendships. Revive your creativity. Revival.

Studio 524

524 Church

Tuesdays 3:30-5:30

Our focus this spring: Dance & Festival Costumes

April 7 Flowy Dance Sleeves

April 14 Tutu Skirts

April 21 Thigh-High Leg-Warmers

April 28 Flamenco Pants

May 5 Flamenco Pants

May 12 Flapper Dance Dress
*This will be the costume for our summer performances

May 19 Flapper Dance Dress

Fridays from 1:00-4:00 Open Lab for finish work

$10.00 per class
*Trading is welcome. Items and services I will trade for include: dance or exercise classes, childcare, massage, housecleaning, energy work, food, jewelry, art, tickets, sewing & craft supplies.

Supplies: The goal of Revival is to transform old clothing and fabric into functional, unique garments. You are encouraged to dig around for fabrics that can be reused. We will have a ‘free fibers’ bin at the studio for you to donate to and glean from as inspiration strikes. You will also need a sewing machine. I encourage you to bring in your aunt Jane’s funky old machine. The idea is to become acquainted with the tools that you already have.

I can’t wait to see you there!

Beauty Is Everywhere...

2009-03-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Multi-Media Art Workshop Series presented by Holly Walker
In Conjunction with Brietta Leader’s current dance series on ‘Beauty’

Studio 524

Wednesdays 3:30-5:30

March 25 Archetypes of Beauty
This playful painting project is designed to get you to start thinking about the way beauty has been an ongoing theme throughout history. You are encouraged to research a beautiful goddess, queen, or diva to be your subject. Choose a woman that has qualities you find powerful, beautiful, or inspiring. Bring one or more pictures to use for inspiration.

inspirational slide show

April 8 Exploring Our Hang-Ups
To fully embrace our beauty, we must explore our beauty hang-ups. We will look into what beauty means to us and identify our fears and doubts through journaling. Using a combination of words and found images, you will create a small box collage to represent being ‘boxed in’ by enemies and stereotypes of our beauty.

April 15 …It Runs in the Family
Our heritage can give us many clues to our perceptions of beauty both externally and internally. This shadowbox project will explore the legacy of beauty in your family. Bring a copy of a photograph from a pivotal woman in your family tree for this mixed-media project.

April 21 Queen for a Day
In this mixed media collage project, we will explore and celebrate the areas of our lives in which we reign (or wish to reign). We will use symbolic images from found photographs and objects to represent the unleashing of our divine natures.

April 29 Barbie Doll Body-Painting
The Barbie Doll represents a mixed-message about beauty that we have received since childhood. During this session you will have the opportunity to reinvent your image of the Barbie Doll using acrylic paint and embellishments. Your studio portrait will also be taken during this class to be used in the next session.

May 6 The Beauty of Self-Expression
Using our self-portraits from the previous session, we will create a final collage that combines all of the skills and lessons in this series.

May 13 Beauty is Everywhere…
As a culmination of this class, we will have a celebration at Studio 524 featuring the display of our artwork and a small reception.

“Let the beauty we love
Be the beauty we do”
-Rumi

$10.00 per session
Supply fees vary
*I welcome trades for childcare, dance classes, workouts, housecleaning, food, tickets, jewelry, and artwork. I trade dollar for dollar based on your hourly. Supplies can be negotiated separately.

To sign up, contact me at hollylu72@yahoo.com or leave me a message on Faceboo k .

My Tribe

2009-03-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

In many ways, this trip transports me through time and space when travel had more to do with survival than luxury and luck. Modern day survival for a white middle class mother from the States is another thing altogether. It has more to do with survival of one’s spirit, family, relationship, dreams, and senses, than food. It’s a soul-survival fueled by the sun and driven by an instinct that yearns to see the stars from a new angle. Of course, food will always be the medium that brings everyone together in the end!

I am teetering at the crossroads of a desolate desert landscape as it merges into the vastness of the Pacific; a place that echoes my insides and reminds me who I am with a thousand metaphors. I’ve been here for two months, slowly arriving as a push-pull of layers let go of their stronghold. I witness old habits dissolving while new ones emerge attempting to fill vacant spaces.

Across the arroyo is another mama like me. Her two little ones are crawling around in the sand, discovering bugs like mine. She found herself here too. Away from the comforts of home, from the discomforts of winter, to this strange land that calls us. As I begin to look around, they are everywhere. My tribe. To arrive at this particular spot on planet Earth takes intention, forethought, endurance, patience, strength, creativity. It takes other people like me!

Later, that same mama might stop by with her brood. The kids will form a band of gypsies searching for iguanas, or practice hitting the whiffle-ball hung from the palapa for young Jedi knights-in-training. Sunset will come, miraculous ice cold beers will be mined from the cooler, spontaneous dinner will somehow emerge, happy bellies will giggle.

At home another tribe awaits our return. With gratitude we cherish all.

La Buena Vida

2009-01-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

I’ve settled into something of a routine. Mornings find me on the edge of the desert greeting the sun as it creeps up over the Sierra de la Laguna’s. To the west sparkles the Pacific, patiently waiting for me to finish my coffee. Sleepy children with crusty matted hair emerge from their sandy beds to snuggle in our laps. Woods and I spend the rest of the morning trading off with the kids for surfing, running, yoga, or sometimes just ‘alone time’.

Each day consists of roughly one trip to town. Never more. Rarely less. The road is dusty, long, and jarring; best described as ‘Extreme Washboard’. I have a North Idaho advantage in the washboard category, so I have a higher tolerance than most. As a child brought up at the end of a long dirt road, I’ve come to relish a certain cleansing quality that comes when your brain gets rattled continuously. I’m thinking it could be the next big therapeutic trend…Something like ‘Mind Clearing Washboard Therapy’.

A trip to town can take half the day because distractions abound. The internet café is where all in one stop you can get an expensive organic smoothie, check your e-mail, let your kids do some social networking for you at the playground, load up on homegrown produce, and then post a quick blog all about it. Ha!

The return from town usually means it’s finally time to chill. We’ll spend the rest of the day at the beach in one variation or another. I’ve become resident den mom to any and all children of the beach. I relish this highly respected position in the surfing community. I take in urchins so their parents can grab a quick wave. I make sure they don’t wander off into the sea and in exchange they offer my kids a unique social life. One of these days I’ll be one of those moms in the water. But this break is a little more than a starter wave.

Everything depends on the surf. Everything. If the surf is big, the whole schedule seamlessly shifts to accommodate optimal time in the water with regard to winds and tides. When the surf’s up it’s like a big snow dump. It’s what everyone eats and breathes and lives for. Adrenalin is in the air. The vibe is good. They emerge from the water with blissed-out glows on their faces. When it’s not big, only the long boarders are still in the water. The rest wait.

There are plenty of things to do during the downtime. We are living here, after all. There is still laundry to do. Endless sand to eradicate from floors, beds, butts. Dishes. Meals to prepare, shop for, clean up after. Rats to untangle. Babies to nap. When enough work is done, there’s the hammock…We each do our daily dose of suspension therapy.

Evenings are easy. It’s beer, bathing, sunsets, and food. Not a whole lot more!

Don Pancho's

2009-01-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

I have found myself at the end of the road. Well, I guess it’s not exactly the end of the road. In fact, the road does keep going. I notice several trucks a day loaded with locals or surfers going past this place. It’s hard to imagine where it must continue, and I keep promising myself that one of these days I will go see. But for now, it’s the end of the road. This is as far out as I am going to get on this journey. At least, physically.

I am settling in to a routine of sorts. Mornings come early. I watch the light come through my bedroom window from my pillow. Usually a child or two has found their way into my nest, and together we watch in awe as the colors of the new day emerge. Woods will have been up already, coffee brewed, meditation in progress. But me, I must witness the unfolding of at least two, maybe three false crescendos before I tear myself away from the snugglefest to step outside and watch the rising sun at it’s peak. This moment can be elusive, hardly scientific. Earthy? Yes. Orgasmic? Almost…

Van Life in Cal-Euphoria

2008-12-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

We coined the word Cal-Euphoria after spending two weeks meandering our way down the California coast in search of lonely driftwood beaches inviting us to keep them company, even if just for an afternoon. We vanned our way from the Northern Redwood Coast through Mendocino County, pit-stopping in Arcata and the Bay Area to see friends.There were countless funky thrift stores, wi-fi cafes, bead shops, surf shops, roadside places to pee, sunsets and rises, fern canyons, beach runs, steamy rounds of coffee. We ate a lot of curry. Bedtime came just after dark, usually around 7:30. The demands of parenthood never escaped us. There were no fewer poop disasters, fuss-fests, teething jags, sibling rivalries, time-out's. However; every drama is easier to forget when you are waking up to a new tide.

Something happens to a family when you take away the trappings of home and replace them with wide open spaces. There is more time, more space. Condensing a living space for four people into the size of a van is a constant 'stuff' battle. I am a stuff monkey. At one point I had to send three giant boxes of clothes home because I over-packed (as I often do.) Rather than enjoy the extra space I earned by weeding out my stuff, I chose to fill it right up again with more stuff that I found along the way. But how could I resist the pile of driftwood for my collages? And the meditation pillow? And the rainbow knit blanket? These things happily filled my empty spaces. My empty spaces happily allowed themselves to be filled. I struggle with empty spaces. Perhaps the biggest empty space I keep trying to fill is the great big one inside of me. Is that just the loneliness of being human?

2008-12-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

We followed a spontaneous photo lead and found ourselves at a Treesort called Out 'n' About in southwestern Oregon. We arrived at dusk to a fully equipped resort of, yes; tree houses. We wandered around the compound in a state of confusion looking for someone who might help us nestle our way into one of the cozy tree houses in time for night-night. But nobody was around. Not a soul. Just as we started to contemplate 'what-are-we-going-to-do-now' strategies (and about the time when I was beginning to get red-line hungry) we heard a strange sound emitting from the forest. It sounded like a golf cart. Before we could piece things together, out of the woods emerged three wild, bearded, screaming tree-loving humans. They were doing a little twilight zip lining. We found our way into 'The Peacock' (at left) and became indoctrinated into a whole new way of sleeping and "treesorting."

The next morning after a couple rounds of coffee and some good solid end-of-the-world conversation, we went for our own zip-line session through the old growth forest surrounding the complex.

I've Arrived

2008-12-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

I am huddled next to the fire in the sanctuary oasis of Amy’s yurt. For my birthday wish, I’ve been granted the opportunity to catch up on my blog. I have so much to tell you (my small yet devoted tribe) about my experience out here on the road. If you’ve found yourself this far into the story of my life, then you probably already know that I’ve been in the process of a huge transformation ever since ‘The Spring’. This trip is a testament to the process of going forward in life, forgiveness, letting go, and being present.

When I returned from The Mountain Experience I wasn’t ready to leave the safety of Sandpoint, my home, my friends, and family. I thought I needed more strength to pull off a three-month road trip with the family. But somewhere in the miles between here and there, something in me melted away. Kyle (from the Garden Company) helped me understand that it isn’t STRENGTH that I need to hold onto. It is strength that I need to let go of. Beneath my need to ‘hold everything together’ is the part of me that just wants to live and breath and love and be the wind. Free Spirit Mama. I tend to get so caught up in trying to be the GLUE that my energy gets diverted away from just being who I am. Authentic me, take it or leave it! Somehow I was able to overcome my fears and step into the process. I think I was trying to wrap up all of the loose ends in my life before I left so that I could set out unencumbered by my ‘stuff’. And I don’t just mean my material stuff. I learned that sometimes I have to set myself aside in order to allow the experiences in life to unfold. There will always be ‘stuff’.

We’ve spent the past four nights here; venturing to the sea, dipping into earthy hot springs, running by twilight to early evening stars and thumbnail moon. I am finding my groove. As to be expected, the culinary experience has been a multi-sensory delight. Thai basil chicken curry, Steamed clams dripping in butter wine sauce, jerk salmon, apple chronic cake dripping in fresh whipped cream. You get the picture.

We’ve now started referring to ‘Home School’ as ‘Road School’. Della begs for Road School several times a day. I’m learning how to teach her as we go. We’ve been drawing letters in the sand, making the alphabet out of sticks, learning the colors of the rainbow in our tree drawings. We hiked in a mossy old growth forest that took us behind a waterfall. As we walked, we made up fairy tales that Della later retold as I faithfully wrote. It became a beautiful storybook complete with drawings.

Now we set off onto another chapter of our trip. We leave the safety of Amy’s sanctuary in search of more havens. They will appear. We’ve already begun to meet our road tribe. They are out here too, seekers of inspiration, truth, sunshine, and surf. I will keep you posted.

Sandpoint Transitions Sneak Peek

2008-11-14T08:04:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this week creating these two pieces for the 'Sandpoint Transitions Initiative' to be exhibited this evening (Friday, November 14) at Stage Right Cellars. I was asked to participate in this event because my artwork consists of mostly recycled and reclaimed materials. The Transitions Initiative aims to transform Sandpoint into a sustainable community through a network of actions and implementations.

As an artist, I feel it is my responsibility to create images that invoke positive emotions in my viewers. My intention is that this work will inspire people to ignite their own abilities, talents, and skills; finding unique qualities that can be shared with our greater community in this time of transition.

Working with the theme of community was new and challenging for me, but felt like something that needed to come out of me. Being a third generation native of the town of Sandpoint has given me unique perspective of the changes underway. I want to embrace the changes while keeping a keen eye on the road ahead. Like this tree, I feel rooted in our landscape and in the lives of the people around me. This grounded strength allows me to reach tendrils outward; sharing, giving and connecting to those around me. The small hands are those of my daughter's, from a pea pod she grew in our backyard. The image symbolizes one simple way we can instigate change; by growing more of our own food. It also represents the idea that we hold our solutions in our own hands, with an underlying sense of the immense work that we must come together to do.

I am constantly in the process of gathering materials, much like a bird gathering supplies for her nest. The Clark Fork Delta driftwood yard has provided me with the bases for most of my current work. The Tree collage base is salvaged from an old five panel door. Tidbits and scraps have been collected over time from thrift shops, junk piles, and yard sales. All photographs within the artwork are taken by Woods Wheatcroft.

Garden of Earthly Delights

2008-10-27T11:57:00.001-07:00

Meditation Tablets

2008-10-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pieces from a recent series entitled 'Meditation Tablets'. I learned a new type of meditation this summer based on five ancient Tibetan syllables that focus on each of the chakras. During my introduction to this practice, I came up with the idea for the first tablet 'Bliss'. I gathered driftwood for the base and used found images and cut paper to form the collage. It's a visual representation of the open-hearted way of being that I strive to access within myself. It also acts as a visual focal point during my mediations.

I then created personalized tablets for people close to my heart using images and symbols that relate to their stories. I have given most of the tablets away without taking any photos, and these are what remain.

Yurtopia: The Art of Food and Family

2008-10-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

It was about food, mostly.
Food. Wine. The Earth. Men. Food. Money. Our girls. Motherhood. Love. Food.
We both agreed that we were probably nomads in our past lives. Perhaps sisters of a traveling tribe. Although we live quite different lives from one another now, neither one of us quite fits into the mold of our very sedentary modern world. At least Amy lives in a yurt, a constant reminder of the nomadic existence that feels so true to our blood. Even so, it is a struggle for her to live within walls day in and day out. The Mongolians at least packed up camp from time to time. As for me, trips like this are exactly what keeps my ancient spirit alive. Without being able to reach out and immerse myself into the fabric of the greater world, I don't know who I would be. Something inside me needs to go out there and connect and feel the thread that runs through each of us. So much mystery, so much beauty. Everywhere.

After loading up with fresh veggies at the Saturday Market in Eugene, we headed home for an onslaught of amazing food experiences. Her garden had produced quite an abundant crop which made it delightful for me to prepare meal after meal of incredible food. I sliced homegrown potatoes, onions, and fresh cauliflower into a cheesy gratin. I cracked fresh eggs from her chickens into a spinach, feta, and olive Greek fritata. There was a fried apple number with apples from my dad's orchard that I carmelized over ice cream. Oh, yes and the unbelievable green salad with the candied walnuts...Let's not forget the buffalo tacos or the chicken, red pepper, & cauliflower curry I whipped up just before leaving. All we did was eat! After we ate, we made a few batches of huckleberry jam and crabapple butter. It was our own celebration of food we had planted together months ago on my last visit. Food Amy had cultivated all summer long. Food grown on my family farm. Tastes that I've tasted each fall of my life. The planting, watering, harvesting, preparing, eating, and preserving of FOOD!

The Rooster

2008-10-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

We had to bid farewell to the mysterious rooster that Amy and Ahlya found wandering around the forest. We took him to a nearby goat farm that had a nice flock of free range chickens. Unfortunately, the flock already contained four roosters (which is about three too many for a flock.) It was heartbreaking (yet Darwinian) to watch in disbelief as our sweet early-riser became initiated into the pecking order. I suppose all is fair in love and war.

Lotion Recipe

2008-10-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Luxurious Lotion

1/2 Cup olive oil
1/8 Cup sweet almond oil
1/8 Cup jojoba oil
Combine oils in 2 cup pyrex
Measure:
1/2 oz. shaved beeswax
1 T shea butter
Add beeswax and shea butter to oil
Fill small saucepan half-full of water
Set pyrex in water to melt beeswax
When thoroughly combined, set aside to cool
Allow to cool just until film begins to form on surface

Meanwhile...Measure these ingredients into blender:

1/2 cup aloe water
1/2 cup hydrocortisol rose water

Slowly pour oils into waters through funnel in the top of blender
Blend consistently until lotion emulsifies!
Then add 25 drops of essential oil for fragrance.
Do not double the recipe!

Dreaming of Baja

2008-10-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

I created this series in a makeshift outdoor studio on the porch of our solar powered casita in Todos Santos. The materials I used were both man-made and from nature. I scrounged many of the objects from the grounds of the ancient ranch our casita was nestled amidst. Nails, bottle caps, tiles, pods, wood scraps. One theme that I am continually drawn back to is the spiritual dimension of a culture. I am fascinated by the religious beliefs held by people of the world, and the visual ways in which their beliefs are depicted. The repeated use of symbols in my work helps me tell my stories. Each of the wood tablets acts as a platform for a different aspect of my life that I have reverence for.

We are gearing up to make the migration once again this winter. This time we intend to spend three months away. We are hoping to ski-lease our house, and I am putting together a home-school curriculum for Della. Needless to say, it will be rich in art, culture, and nature. I envision attracting a small tribe of children for art experiences in nature. Perhaps some free spirited adults as well...

Bittersweet

2008-10-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

I made this cake extravaganza for the party we held at Woody's studio in honor of Chef Paul's life. He would have noticed right away that the mini cupcake tortes were the real deal, and the big glossy heart was from a box. Only one other person (Kester) detected my bluff. The mini-tortes are from my gluten-free recipe collection. The flowers; from my garden.

Felted Flowers

2008-10-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

These are a few felt flowers I found at a fun shop in NYC called M & J Trimmings.

Coffee & Crafts: Embellishment Series

2008-09-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Mornings 10:00-Noon

Red Shed Studio

October 7, 14, 21, 28

As the leaves turn, come join me in my studio for Coffee and Crafts. We will focus on creating embellishments out of wool felt, beads, and more. The sessions will be free of charge, and there will be no specific assignments. My studio can accommodate around 6 comfortably. Feel free to bring works in progress, or simply come ready to be inspired.

I am working on a series of felted flowers inspired by my recent trip to NYC. I am also trying to teach myself how to crocheted flowers (hopefully Yvette will be able to come and demonstrate!) I am setting this time aside for myself to experiment with new techniques, and I m excited to share with like-minded crafters.

Banana Bread

2008-09-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

Preheat oven to 350

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 C gluten-free baking mix
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 C Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well.

Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Blend well. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla. Stir well. Pour into prepared baking pan(s).

Bake 1 hour.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-09-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
3/4 C peanut butter
1/2 C applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C rice flour
1/4 C tapioca flour
1 tsp zanthan gum
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 C flax seed meal (optional)
2 cups whole oats
chocolate chips

Bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes
Allow to cool a bit before removing from tray.

OMG Chocolate Torte

2008-09-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

OMG Chocolate Torte

1 lb. semi-sweet Chocolate
1 T sugar
4 eggs
5 oz. butter (1/2 C + 1T)
1 T rice flour mix

Melt chocolate with butter in double boiler until just melted. (Or if you're like me, and you don't have a double boiler, just melt it over very low heat.) Set aside. Beat eggs and sugar in another double boiler (who's actually got TWO of these things?) until sugar dissolves and mixture is lukewarm (do not overcook.) Remove from heat and whip until quadrupled in size. Fold rice flour mix into eggs. Stir 1/4 egg mixture into chocolate; then fold into the egg mixture. Bake in 8" floured, buttered, and papered pan in 425 oven for no longer than 15 minutes. (Cake will be liquid in center.) Freeze, preferably overnight before removing from pan. Carefully dip bottom of pan in hot water to unmold. Frost with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with fresh berries on top. OMG.

-Original recipe came from Janet Simmons.

Grandma D's Pumpkin Bread

2008-09-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Grandma D's Pumpkin Bread

preheat oven to 350

1/2 C vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/3 C water
1 can pumpkin puree

1 2/3 C rice flour baking mix
1 1/4 C sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine wet ingredients in large bowl. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until spices are well integrated. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour.

Gluten-Free Recipes

2008-09-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

Finally I am getting to the gluten-free recipes that everyone has been asking me for. I found the recipe for my gluten-free baking mix online about a year ago and I started substituting it for wheat straight across. I've been tinkering and adapting the recipes as I go, and I am only sharing the ones that receive the most compliments. I've discovered that the less gluten my body has to process, the happier it is. So when I have the luxury of time, I bake gluten-free treats and pop them in the freezer for when I have a serious gluten-ous craving. Here is the multi-purpose baking mix for starters:

2 cups brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp. zanthan gum

*All of these ingredients can be found at your local organic market in the baking or bulk section. The tapioca flour and zanthan gum are added to rice flour to achieve a semblance of the fluffy texture we so love in regular flour.

*For the real go-getters, you may also grind your own rice flour. I have a Cuisinart Mill that works great; but I usually just use rice flour from the bulk section.

Sewing Class FAQ's

2008-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

What should I bring?

You will need:
Pins
Scissors
Large, medium, & small safety pins
Seam Ripper
Notebook/pen
Measuring tape
An assortment of polyester thread
(Recommended colors: White, Cream, Black, Navy, Brown, Green Baby Blue, Maroon, Tan)
Extra bobbins
Buttons, zippers, spare elastic

Sewing Bag from Fall 2007 class

Should I bring my sewing machine? Even if it's old?

Bring your sewing machine and your instruction manual. Give yourself five extra minutes to set up and take down your machine. On Thursdays, Stitchin' Sisters has a sewing machine repairman in the shop all day. If your machine needs a tune-up, drop it off in the morning. Stitchin' Sisters also has several machines for our use, but I recommend bringing your own so that you can get used to it.

Will I get hungry?

Stitchin' Sisters also has a nice tea and coffee set-up; bring your favorite tea or coffee to add to the stash (or a little bit of money to add to the pot.) I would also like to suggest that we take turns bringing treats once we get a general idea of who is in the class.

What about trades?

I have been known to accept trades in leu of cash. Please ask me if this is something you are interested in. In the past, I have traded for housecleaning, jewelry, personal training sessions, and dance classes. I am interested in trading for childcare, other classes, massage, fabric, arts & crafts, and food. Just ask!

Where is Stitchin' Sisters located?

Stitchin' Sisters is in Ponderay. If you are headed N. on Hwy 95, take a right just before the Super 8. Take the first left and you will see the store on your right. 400 Schweitzer Plaza Drive. Phone number is 265-9633.

Can I stay late to finish a project?

Stitchin' Sisters usually closes at 5:00 p.m. . They have been kind enough to let us conduct our class an hour after closing, so it is important not to stay past 6:00. I will offer make-up classes in my home studio upon request.

Nature Crafts for Kids

2008-09-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Nature Crafts for Kids

All things found in nature will be the focus of this crafty group. Here are some of the projects in store:

Pressed Leaf Collage
Leaf Prints
Painted Rocks
Driftwood Collage
Tree Sculptures
Clay Nature Impressions

The Red Shed Studio is a happy and inspiring place for people of all ages. I am providing this class for my daughter and a small group of her contemporaries to enrich the art and nature experiences in their lives. I am excited to share my space and skills with this lively group of children. I am also accepting childcare trades (hour for hour) instead of the class fee.

Wednesdays 1:30-3:00

Fall Session
Sept. 10-Nov. 12

$7.00 per class
(supplies and a snack included)

Ages 4-6

e-mail hollylu72@yahoo for more information

Fall Sewing Class Descriptions

2008-09-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Fall Sewing Series
with Holly

@ Stitchin' Sisters
http://www.idahostitchinsisters.com/

Mondays

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
$15.00 per class

Calendar

Sept. 8
Sweater Skirt & Shrug or Arm Warmers

Expect to go home with a totally hip and unique shrug and skirt from this session. We will revamp an old sweater into something fun and new. I will empower you with the idea of transformation, and you will see your closet (and the thrift store) in a whole new light.

Check out this fun how-to video for some fresh inspiration.

Materials List

One or two old sweaters (A large wool sweater works great)

1-2" elastic for waistband

Wool felt, beads, or buttons for appliques (if desired)

Coordinating yarn or embroidery floss, large needle

Sept. 15

A-Line stretch skirt

You will not believe how fun and easy this skirt comes together! I guarantee you will go home with a finished product by the end of the evening. I will bring in my serger for a cute, quick, lettuce-edged hem. A 'one-size fit's all' pattern will be provided. Make sure to purchase your fabric ahead of time, we will use every second of this session.

Materials List

1 yard of pre-washed stretchy fabric

coordinating thread

1.5-2" for waistband

Sept. 22
Adult Lounge Pants or Kids Fleece Pants

Once you learn the basic idea of how to sew 'pants', your mind will be bursting with new possiblities. Expect to get your pattern cut, pinned, and basted during this session. You may need to hem the cuffs and complete the waistband on your own time. I will walk you through the process step-by-step. Take-home instruction sheet will be included. I will supply a variety of patterns, in children's sizes (2T, 3T, 4T & 5T) as well as women's small & men's large.

I will also offer a 1/2 hour mini-course from 4:00-4:30 on how to knock off a pattern from your favorite (no zipper) pants. (This will cost $5.00 extra)

Materials List

1 yard fleece for kids project, 1.5-2 yards fabric for adults project

1-2" thick elastic for waistband

Sept. 29
Weekend Bag

Inspired by Amy Butler's 'Weekend Bag', I have developed a unique pattern that I can't wait to share! This will be a technical project; come prepared to get started with a possible make-up session at the Red Shed Studio.

Materials List
1 yard pre-washed durable cotton fabric in a bold print
1 yard pre-washed contrasting durable cotton fabric for inside of bag
1/2 yard pre-washed coordinating fabric for piping and accents
2 yards cotton piping 1/4"
12" Heavy-Duty Metal Zipper

For the quick learners, there will be patterns available for cute accessory bags to make out of your scraps.

Oct. 6
Skirt from a Dress
Bring in a dress that you want to convert into a skirt, and I will show you just how easy it will be to tranform! The skirt show here was made from a dress that was too small for my daughter. I loved it too much to let it go, so I cut off the top, put in an elastic waistband, and added some pom-poms. Voila! This is a quick class, you will go home with a finished product.

Materials List
A dress to transform
1/4" to 1" wide elastic for waistband

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Details for these up-coming classes are on the way...
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Oct. 13
Bathroom Caddy

Oct. 20
Quick Duvet Cover

Oct. 27
Zippered Cushion

Nov. 3
Market Bag

Nov. 10
Laptop Cover and Cell Phone Purse