Truffalope

A lazy summer afternoon…

Holly — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:26:50 +0000

Everybody say…

Holly — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:42:30 +0000

Cheese!

Excited about my recent venture to follow my goals, I decided to treat myself to a cheese making class for my birthday, where I learned how to make several different kinds of cheeses. From there, I got some raw cow milk (the class was on a local farm, an added bonus) and set about making some ricotta cheese. Truly, everyone should do this. You can make it from store bought milk, and it is incredibly simple. And the result? Squisito! (loosely translated to lovely, exquisite, delightful, and/or delicious in Italian) So good!

Method:

I heated half a gallon of whole milk to the point just below boiling (190-195 degrees), stirring often to prevent scorching. Once the milk was hot enough, I added apple cider vinegar. I started with 1/8 cup and ended up adding 1/4 cup. From here, I brought the temperature back up (I let it get to 200 degrees), then turned the heat off and left the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes. I then gently scooped the curds into a cheese-cloth lined bowl and tied the cheesecloth, letting the mixture drain for 30 or so minutes. After adding a small amount of salt, it was done. Easy! It was delightfully creamy, and when mixed with some pasta, tomatoes, and basil… delicious! I’m looking forward to making more ricotta (mmm, lasagna) and eventually experimenting with different cheeses. Next up, chevre. For now, I’m off to enjoy my homemade ricotta cheese!

Day Zero Project

Holly — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:31:47 +0000

A lovely lady recently directed me to an online project motivating people to follow their dreams (thank you, Laurie!). The project is here, and it asks you to list 101 things you would like to do in the next 1001 days. From there, you simply check things off once you’re done and it tracks your progress. Sounds easy. And remarkably, it is. I found that, while initially daunting, compiling the list was quite fun and came together quickly (I’m still adding to my 108 +). I pushed all reservations aside and listed things that I’ve always wanted to do, but somehow always put off. And some of the things that came to mind surprised me, as I hadn’t consciously thought about them before. I made the list 40 (or so) days ago and have crossed four things off, with several others in progress. It’s amazing what the list has already done for me. I find myself more open to ideas that I normally wouldn’t take on, whether or not they are on the list. And I find that the list has reminded me of the impermanence of our lives. With fleeting moments and never ending to-do lists, it’s easy to forget to truly live. In the spirit of the Goonies, I am making the conscious decision that my time is now. And so with four things crossed off (and more to come), I begin my journey to the next 1001 days with optimism and confidence. You’re welcome to follow my progress here. I’m looking forward to sharing more in the days to come, and would love to hear about your lists, too. Here’s to following our dreams!

Spring!

Holly — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:47:04 +0000

Spring is here, and it’s once again accompanied by wildly unpredictable weather patterns.

Our family is often rainbow hunting this time of year, and while that provides smiles all around, it’s also this time of year that I really start itching for more than that tiny glimpse of sunshine. As we prepare the ground for a fresh batch of crops, I look around at the new buds and breathe it all in, feeling excitement and anticipation for a season full of growth, new beginnings, and a healthy dose of vitamin D. Here’s wishing you the same as we enter another spring overflowing with the promise of new life.

Tree branch buttons

Holly — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:16:46 +0000

Before I begin, I will make the admission that I’m fairly new to the craft of button making. My experience has been limited to those wonderful fabric-covered buttons that come together between a piece of rubber and plastic. As fun (and oh so cute) as those are, I’ve been yearning for something a bit more organic. It’s been a while since I’ve worked with materials found in nature, and I love the imperfections that natural materials possess, giving each piece a unique personality. With this on my mind, I’ve spent the past few weeks wandering the neighborhood, enjoying the emerging spring, and have happened upon numerous fallen branches. Having seen beautiful buttons made from tree branches, I was inspired to try to make them myself. It was much easier than I anticipated, and they are all imperfect, unique, and beautiful.

Tools and materials used:

jigsaw (or other saw with a fine-tooth blade)
drill
C-clamp
fine grit sandpaper
skewer
coconut oil (or other finishing oil/stain)

In my haste, I failed to wait for the dry season and plucked a somewhat wet piece of wood from the ground. In hindsight, dry wood is definitely preferable, as the wet was a bit tricky. If the wood is slightly wet, cut pieces can be dried with a hair-dryer on low setting. This should be done before the holes are drilled.

The branch I used was about an inch and a quarter in diameter, as I like larger buttons for a more dramatic effect. I found my branch with a thin layer of bark that had partially been carved by forest creatures (personality!). Others I found had thicker bark that peeled easily, or the bark could be left on for a more woodsy look and feel.

Ideally, a table would be used for the cutting. However, I chose to use a chair, and clamped my branch to it for stability, while placing a piece of felt in between the clamp and the branch to protect the wood.

As I like the organic look, I chose not to measure the cuts I made. I found some great information on how to safely and properly use a jigsaw here. Watch your fingers and toes, ladies and gentlemen!

After cutting, I lightly sanded any rough edges.

I initially drilled into the branch before making the cuts, but the holes got clogged up with sawdust in the cutting process, and I found it just as easy to drill after cutting. Once I got the hole placement where I liked it, I stacked buttons in order to line the holes up, placing a scrap board underneath.

I then dusted them off and liberally rubbed coconut oil on all sides. The oil started out somewhat solidified and softened as I coated the buttons. I used the skewer to free the holes of any excess oil, and stepped back to enjoy my work.

Lovely! I had fun experimenting with different drill bits and hole sizes. Next up, four holes! I’ve started setting aside several different types of wood to play with once they dry out. I’m feeling the beginnings of a crafty addiction here…

These were so easy and instantly gratifying. All that was left was to put them to use. I chose a favorite and sewed it onto a recently finished cowl. And, I’m in love…

Ye old foe

Holly — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:45:57 +0000

Unfinished projects. So many of them lurk in corners and nooks and crannies, calling out to me from time to time … Finish me! I’m so close! And so it was that today I found myself in search of answers while pondering these many unfinished projects. Why did I not finish them? Was it a time management issue, or a motivational issue, or did I just become uninterested in the process? Perhaps my heart was never in them to begin with. And sure, there are those that I simply got bored with, that never fully captured my interest despite my efforts. Then there are those that I find myself gazing at longingly, those true labors of love, and that’s when I catch the scent of something else … a sense of impending failure. Every single one of my abandoned projects hit a point at which I didn’t know what to do. A painting that I labored over and then stopped when I couldn’t imagine painting over the beautiful background. A tote that I appliqued and then left when I ran into construction issues. A pair of gloves banished to a basket because I couldn’t figure out the thumbs. And so these projects were all set aside for later, which led to eventual abandonment. I think I was afraid that by moving forward into the unknown, I would somehow tarnish the beauty of what I had already done. (What if I finish and realize I don’t like it?). And there it is…my fear of failure. I hadn’t even realized it was so strong until I assessed my pile of evidence. And in simply admitting this fear to myself, I oddly feel empowered. Looking around with new eyes at all of the projects I have finished, I realize that my fear only becomes truth when I let those projects die. And so, armed with a fresh bout of confidence, I am ready to move forward again and finish that painting. That tote. That pair of gloves. And that is just what I am off to do.

There is only one real failure in life that is possible, and that is not to be true to the best one knows.
- Frederic William Farrar

Please forgive me, Shel Silverstein

Holly — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:24:07 +0000

I’ve always been intrigued by origami. Intrigued, and a bit overwhelmed. The instructions are sometimes maddeningly cryptic, and I’m often left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. These admittedly inadequate feelings are just why kusudama origami is so appealing to me. It’s easy enough for a beginner to enjoy and the results are beautiful. Kusudama is created by stitching or gluing together individually folded works of origami in order to create a ‘ball’ or similar sculpture. I made several of these when I was pregnant with my girls, and have been wanting to revisit the experience while experimenting with different types of paper. I’ve been saving a borderline decrepit copy of one of my favorite books, ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’, for years. Love, love, love this book. However, in its sad state, it had fallen apart and was prone to losing several pages every time it was shuffled from one place to another. So I decided to make art with art. I will say that it was incredibly difficult cutting into the first couple of pages, but once I got going, it was more than fulfilling. I had such a good time rereading the poems and looking at the oh-so-fantastic pictures. It took me back to my childhood, and also reminded me to cherish the time that I have with my own kids. Many giggles were shared as we recited the poems while I pieced the ball. And I like to think that in giving these pages new life, there is new appreciation for the book in a beautiful form that will be enjoyed for years to come. And perhaps even Shel Silverstein would approve of that.

If you’re feeling inspired to make your own kusudama origami, you can find detailed instructions here. I love that she used a recycled map for hers! The type of kusudama I made here is called butterfly kusudama, from the book Kusudama Ball Origami, by Makoto Yamaguchi. This is a wonderful book with instructions for many different styles of kusudama, sure to keep you busy for a while. There is an easy to follow video on the making of a butterfly flower here, and I recommend checking out the website on the video. While not in English, she showcases some beautifully intricate paper designs. And there are, of course, many more resources on the web to help you along.

While worthwhile, this project was time consuming. The cutting and folding took me three nights, while the gluing took an additional night. Thankfully, the tediousness of the folding was eased by some of my favorite records and podcasts (CraftyPod, I heart you). Given longer stretches of time, I could see finishing this project in a weekend.

And I can’t end the post without mentioning that I absolutely adore books and would generally cringe at the thought of destruction such as happened with this one. However, this one had indeed seen the end of its days, and I’m so glad I was able to salvage what I did and turn it into something beautiful. As it was, the book was a difficult medium to work with. The paper was brittle and often tore on the folds. And if I find another book in need of saving, I will gladly set it aside for the next round of kusudama goodness.