Baked Creme Brulee French Toast

Home-Baked Creme Brulee French Toast

We were craving for the popular New York Style Creme Brulee French Toast.  Thanks to My Burning Kitchen Blog for sharing a recipe which comes close to what we were wishing for.  We were able to literally carve our sweet breakfast cravings.  It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

The only two things we changed from the recipe are the challah bread and baking time.  We used a loaf of 12-grain bread instead and baked ours for 40 minutes.  We loved the nutty taste from the grain bread and the crusty edges.  

Whip cream to top it off!

Enjoy.

Christmas Cookies

Shortbread Cookies with a Twist.

Macadamia Nut with a Hint of  White Chocolate.

My Homemade Christmas Cookies for the Tea Party.

DIY Packaging inspired from Intimate Weddings.

I added a little hang tag so they can hang it on their Christmas tree, 

perhaps for Santa and Rudolph.

Have you made some already?

How to Paint an Abstract Art

Fun foundation painting.  Work in progress.

Putting in the tiny details.

'Untitled' by Sherie Sloane.  Finished Painting - Detail.

Watercolor on Strathmore Cold Press Paper

Art should be fun.  Remember how fun it was painting in grade school? Laying the colors with our brushes without knowing the 'rules' of color combination, hues, focal point and subject placement.  All the tenets of art that seem to hold many emerging artists from fully expressing themselves.

With dull skies hovering the city in this cold autumn weather, I craved for punches of color on my paper. At the same time, I wanted to create something cheery and bright.  I happened to stumble on my boys' building blocks on my way to the studio in the wee hours this morning.  That was my starting 'block'.

One after the other, I painted squares in random sizes and colors, not thinking about any rules.  It was my time, in my own island of imagination and creativity.  Away (even for a moment) from the rigors of daily routines.  After the paper is filled with squares, I painted some of the squares with darker colors to bring out shapes to represent the subjects that developed in my mind during the process.  The difficult part is when to stop, especially when you're having fun. 

Maybe next time, I'll try circles.  So if you think abstract art is just for serious artists, think again.  You can do art and have fun too.  

'Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.'  

~Pablo Picasso

Feel free to share!  Send a photo if you decide to do this project, I'll be happy to see and share your art here.  Take care.

Eiffel Play

'Beneath the Tower' by Sherie Sloane. Detail. 

Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

'Beneath the Tower' by Sherie Sloane.

Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper

I was feeling the blues a bit today, and thought a play with color and imagination will be a good pick-me-up.  How about walking under the Eiffel Tower with the moon all aglow? That already gives me a warm feeling inside.

How was your day today?

One Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

One Minute Chocolate Cup-Cake

Five minute mug cakes are increasingly getting popular.  It's a quick sweet fix, convenient and easy to clean up.  We tried different recipes and although it only takes 5 minutes to cook it, making the cake mix still takes quite a bit of time.  I also found out that eggs in a microwave is not a good idea (just think salmonella).  I searched for a mug cake recipe using store bought cake mixes and didn't found any, maybe I just have to click past the 2nd page in the google search result.

After 3 burnt cakes in a cup, we finally got the perfect timing and mix right.  So, without further ado, we (me and our little man) present to you our 1 minute mug cake.  

:: Ingredients ::

microwaveable mug or cup

8 tablespoons of Devil's Food cake mix (we used Duncan Hine's)

1 tablespoon of water

1 tablespoon of oil

drop of vanilla extract

2 tablespoons of chocolate morsels (chopped up chocolate bars work too)

:: How-To ::

mix all dry ingredients

add wet ingredients

mix in the cup or mug

microwave on high for 1 minute for 1000w ovens

let sit for 1-2 minutes

top with nutella or whipped cream

sprinkle with nuts (skip if allergic to nuts)

Enjoy! 

Let me know if you made some and how you liked it.

Thanks for Leftovers

Crunchy on the outside, warm and soft inside.

 

 A post-Thanksgiving breakfast to look forward to.

Good morning!  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It's the morning after, ready to tackle the leftovers?  Rise up with this simple leftover stuffing recipe idea:

Thanksgiving Stuffing Cakes

::  Ingredients ::

leftover stuffing or dressing

panko bread crumbs

olive oil

sprig of parsley for garnish

::  How-To  ::

scoop some stuffing and form into patties

sprinkle and tap panko bread crumbs on both side

heat pan with oil or spray a non-stick pan

pan-fry patties until golden brown

serve hot and top each with egg

garnish with parsley

Enjoy!

Pillow Talk

Is it a notebook or a pillow?

Handpainted Gift Tag by our Little Man

A little Thanksgiving Gift

It's Thanksgiving Week!  Time to say 'Thanks' to all the special people in our lives.  Instead of writing on cards, why not make a pillow notebook to write on - just like we did!  

:: Materials ::

plain fabric

bunting

sewing machine

thread (blue/ teal and red)

fabric markers

:: How To ::

- cut 2 pieces of fabric in either square or rectangle

- layer first fabric on top of bunting and pin in place

- sew horizontal straight lines using blue/ teal thread

- next, sew vertical line using red thread

- write your message using fabric marker or pen

- with right sides facing each other, sew both fabrics together

- leave about 5 inch opening to insert pillow stuffing

- reverse/ flip to right side 

- insert pillow stuffing

- sew opening to close

Now, bask in the joy you'll see from your special one.

And Huge Thanks for stopping by and being my friend here in the blogosphere.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Toasty Mittens

Are you snow-ready yet?

Cozy Moment

...on a cold autumn night, with my favorite cup of tea on the side.

Instant Oatmeal Pancake

One egg left, no more pancake mix & little time for breakfast.
Instant Oatmeal to the rescue!

:: Mix ::

1 egg

4 packs of instant oatmeal (1 serving packs)

3/4 cup whole milk

2 drops vanilla extract (for plain oatmeal)

Heat skillet then cook how you'd normally make pancakes. 

Makes 6 pancakes. I topped ours with caramelized nuts. 

Enjoy!

Modern Crafty Wreath

Handmade Wreath

Two White Birds :: For our Two Boys

Bird Detail :: Handpicked by our Little Man at a local craft store

Leftover Yarn Detail :: Randomly Wrapped by our Boys

Tweet! Tweet!

Hello there.  Today I want to share with you the wreath we made with our boys.  It's a super simple project you can do with your kids, in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

:: Materials ::

12 inch round styrofoam 

fabric scraps, cut lengthwise

stray yarns

raffia (or ribbons, if you prefer)

birds, or choice of accents

:: How To ::

wrap fabric scraps around styrofoam (pin or glue to secure)

randomly cross over some yarn

tie raffia or ribbon and make a bow

hook or tie your choice of accents

:: All Done! ::

Now step back and enjoy your one of a kind, handmade wreath.

Style Saturday: DIY Skinny Jeans

Eye Candy: PRPS Skinny Jeans from Italy, $617.

My eight-year old $7 flare jeans turned skinny!

 

DIY Skinny Jeans

Hello friends. It's Saturday and that means I get to have a little time to pull up my feet, relax and browse through some designer eye candies.  Today, I was into skinny jeans! 

For some of you who have been following this blog, you know by now that I'm huge on 'do-it-yourself' projects.  I've been a fan of designer Donwan Harrell for quite some time now, and the way he re-engineered the must-have jeans.  Harrell's PRPS (short for 'purpose') jeans are understandably pricey because each one is 'rare and premium' and designs run in limited editions.  A true wearable art!  That inspired me to re-design one of my old forgotten jeans, instead of breaking the bank.

I wish I took photos in the process, but it was a bit tough with two energetic toddlers ready to conquer the weekend fun.  It's actually pretty simple if you have a little experience in sewing.  There are a lot of videos you can watch out there on how to turn any pair of jeans into a skinny one.  The one I found the most helpful is by ModCloth.

It took me twenty-five minutes to finish mine, and very happy with how it turned out, especially the fit.

There you have it!  If ever you decide to alter your own jeans, share your photo.  Have fun! And thanks for stopping by again, and thanks ModCloth for the video.

Angry Birds Handmade Costume

We're celebrating!  Finally finished these birds and so pleased with the results.  Each piece was patterned, hand cut and machine sewn.  Our boys wanted Angry Birds for their halloween costumes this year.  And I thought, why not make it ourselves!

For those of you wondering what Angry Birds are.  It's the number one iPhone app/game in 60 countries.  Here's a quick trailer:

What are you going to be this Halloween? 

Falling for Autumm

How are you spending this warm fall weekend?

Chicago in 3D

'Filipinos in Chicago: Then and Now'

48 x 59 x 10 inches

Mixed Media 3D Display by Sherie Sloane

Two weeks ago, I shared with you the large sky painting I was working on.  Here's the completed art installation, currently displayed in Chicago Pedway, below Daley Center as part of the month-long Filipino American History Month and Chicago Artists Month this October.

This display is actually comprised of eight individual paintings layered and assembled together to create a three-dimensional effect.  It's a time capsule depicting the historical beginnings of Filipino migration to Chicago dating back to 1906 to present time.

Here are some photos from the Opening Reception of Pedway Art Exhibit:

Unveiling of 'Pinas Sining: Philippine Arts at a Glimpse' Art Exhibit.

Participating Artists and Guests of Honor during the Opening Reception

If you ever happen to be in Chicago, I invite you to stop by at the Daley Center to see the other artworks on display in the Pedway Window Art Boxes.  The exhibit will run until October 27, 2011.

Thanks again for stopping by and appreciating my art.  

Late Night Painting

Here's what I've been being busy about the past few days.  We've been sick and had to keep my mind off from it.  I painted late nights when all the kiddos were sound asleep.  We're getting better and that's a great thing.  Hubby took these photos when he got up one night and wondered where I was.   It wasn't hard for him to guess.

Stay tuned for updates on this project.  Thanks again for stopping by and appreciating my art.

America Rising

Today, we celebrate the 10th year anniversary of 9/11.  We remember those who lost their lives, their families, loved ones and the brave souls who unselfishly helped their fellow Americans.  I recently traveled to New York with my husband to visit Ground Zero and took these photos.

Ten years after that fateful day in September, America is standing stronger.  

9/11 Memorial Photo File

'Standing Tall' by Sherie Sloane
(Ten years later)

9/11 Memorial File Photo

'Freedom in Progress' by Sherie Sloane
(Ten years later)

9/11 Memorial File Photo

''Towers Rising' by Sherie Sloane
(Ten years later)

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Were you in the yard with your wife and children

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke

Risin' against that blue sky?

Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue

And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself and what really matters?

-Excerpt from 'When The World Stopped Turning' by Alan Jackson

God bless America.

Renaissance Man Art Show Paintings

'Jose Rizal'

Acrylic on canvas. 18 x 24 inches.

by Sherie Sloane

'Maria Clara'

Acrylic on canvas. 18 x 24 inches.

by Sherie Sloane

'Sisa'

Acrylic on canvas. 18 x 24 inches.

by Sherie Sloane

Here are the three paintings I made for the Renaissance Man Art Show.  Click on the title links to learn more about the stories behind these paintings.

For those of you who were not able to attend the Opening Reception of our Renaissance Man Art Exhibit in Daley Center last Monday, the show will run until August 24.  So stop by and see all twelve paintings in this one of a kind historic collection.  Photos don't do justice to the details and textures of the artworks.

If you do stop by, let me know how your visit went.  Enjoy the show!

Philippine Renaissance Man in Chicago

Rizal: Beyond The Stinky Fish!
32" x 40"| Oil on Canvas| Fabie de Silva

The Duality of Rizal
26" x 52" Diptych| Oil on canvas| Bueno Silva

This year, we're celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Philippine's National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.  And if you'll happen to be in Chicago on August 15 to 24, stop by at the Daley Center to view The Philippine Renaissance Man: Jose Rizal Art Exhibit.  Twelve new paintings on canvas and paper depicting the life, works and inspiration of Rizal will be presented.

I'm honored to be part one of the seven Filipino-American artists in this show.  Renowned Chicago-based artists Fabie de Silva and Bueno Silva will once again show their masters' touches in this one of a kind show.  

Opening Reception will be on August 15 at 4:00 pm at the East Lobby of Daley Civic Center, Chicago. Admission is free.  

Hope you can come, we'd love to see you there. 

P.S. I'll be posting some photos of my paintings for soon, so stay tuned.

Kid's Craft: Birthday Balloon Card

'Birthday Balloons' Card.

Birthday Balloon Bag.

Ready for Gift Giving.

Wondering what to do with all those kids' artworks piling up?  Here's an awesome idea for you.  My boys recently made these for their uncle's birthday.  I helped them with the cutting and they used double sided tape to adhere their balloon paintings and yarns.  The balloon paintings were actually cut outs from their free-form painting and scribble on letter-size paper.

What do you think?