Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Cupcake Crib Tees



I'm proud to share with you my new line of kids' apparel featuring two of my Cupcake Designs.

Tomorrow, June 1st, will be the official launch of my new design studio 'Cupcake Crib' dedicated to all things cupcakes.  So hop on over to the Crib Blog, leave a comment, be a friend on Facebook and follow on Twitter for a chance to win one of Cupcake Crib's tees.

See you there at the Crib!  Remember, stay sweet.  And thanks for sharing the word.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Recycled Bottles Wall Art


How cool is this?  
Recycled perfume bottles turned wall art.
by Peter Fernandez and Jim Quinones


A former colleague of mine had this awesome idea to turn his collection of empty perfume bottles into a  wall art.  His nephew built the frame, primed and painted it before assembling the bottles as a glass collage.

Who knew, right?  Love the ingenuity of this project!  I'll never look at perfume bottles the same way again.  Thanks for sharing it with us guys!



Friday, May 27, 2011

Friday Feature: Tracey Capone Photography


by Tracey Capone

Smoke
by Tracey Capone

Wearable Art
by Tracey Capone

I love photography and how it allows us to capture special moments, places and people.  Taking great photos isn't just about clicking the shutter on a right angle or with perfect lighting.  Composing the right shot, knowing when to take it and how is an art form by itself.  And this is where my fellow Chicago artist and photographer, Tracey Capone excels.  Not only do I love her photographs, but I love her story.  A self-taught photographer who followed her passion after spending a good amount of years plugging away in the corporate world (just like me).  Her works and story are outstanding reminders that it's never too late to chase your dreams and the endless possibilities that will happen with it.

To learn more about Tracey, please visit her blog 'Life Through a Lens'.

If you want to be featured in The Morning Artist Blog, please drop me a note. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Crustless Mini Quiche Recipe


Here's the recipe for the mini quiches I made yesterday.  

The lack of crust makes them easy to make in less time.  Make a batch for freezing and re-heat for quick, hot, breakfast bites. The individual portions are great for portion control too.  Enjoy!

What you need:

2 whole eggs
  • 3 egg whites
    3/4 cups organic 1% milk
    1/2 cup skim milk
    1-1/2 cups asaparagus, finely chopped
    1 cup chopped onions
    1/4 cup leeks
    3/4 cup grated gruyere cheese (or your preferred cheese)


    Make It:


    PREPARE asparagus filling. Sautee chopped asaparagus, onion 
    and leeks in lightly oiled pan until asparagus is slightly soft and 
    tender.  Let cool and set aside.

    PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Beat eggs and milk with wire whisk 
    until well blended. Stir in cooled filling and cheese until well 
    blended.
    LIGHTLY spray muffin pans with cooking spray.  Put a pinch of 
    grated cheese in the bottom of each muffin cup. This serves as a shell 
    for the mixture.
    POUR mixture into muffin pans.
    BAKE 30 minutes or until center is set and crust is lightly browned. 
    Let stand 10 minutes before cutting to serve.
    GARNISH with tarragon (optional), or your favorite herb.
    Did you made this?  Share your photos, I'd love to see it.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Crustless Vegan Mini Quiche




Crustless Vegan Mini Quiche. 

Roasted asparagus and onion with gruyere cheese and tarragon garnish. I put my muffin pans into good use, aside from making cupcakes.  My own recipe was a success!


Quiche bites for our little boys. 
Tiny versions of vegan roasted asaparagus and onion quiche.

Perfectly paired with home brewed mango peach iced tea. 
I'll post the recipe tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Little Photo: Giant



Have you taken a look at things differently?


'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Caramel Latte Laptop Sleeve




Fresh from the studio - Caramel Latte Laptop Sleeve.

Do you like this color?

Little Photo: Handmade Train



Handmade wood train built by one of our neighbors for his grandchildren.
My boys loved it!  Me too.


The rustic metal bell detail makes this handmade chugger even more interesting.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Little Photo: Breakfast Blossoms



Fresh cut blooms in our breakfast table.  

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Sleeve Swatch



Crazy for neutrals or not.  How about brights and darks.  Now you can build your own gadget sleeves in your choice of color.




Friday, May 20, 2011

Little Photo: Road Two




Taken today when I unexpectedly changed course.  It was the serene skies like this that inspired me to try watercolor the first time eleven years ago.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Real Life Comedy

  

This was my first post in Facebook yesterday morning - Monday, the first day of the week. I know you're thinking 'what a way to start the week!  I should have held back on my last sentence on my status post.  For indeed, things kept rolling for me.

Here's the rest of the day:  While putting baby to sleep, he decided to give me a kiss but his forehead hit my lower lip (so hard blood spattered from a nasty cut).  While running to get ice to give myself first aid, I 'slightly' (thankfully just 'slightly') hit my head on the kids' bunk bed corner.  That's when it 'hit' me, literally right?  This day is funnier than a good comedy!  I can either swear at the events unfolding or laugh at it.  I chose the latter.  Hubby always say 'When stuck between the two, choose humor'.


'Little Brother'

Finally nap time came.  I geared straight to my super multitasking mommy mode.  I dialed the tech support (while browsing Etsy) for the CAD (computer assisted design) architecture software we're using for the family business (Yes, I work too. Although most of the times, I wish I can just stay in the studio all day).  After almost two hours of geek talk, they still have not solved my dilemma.  All of a sudden, we (tech guy on the phone and me) heard a shriek louder than my alarm clock.  Baby's nap time is over.  I calmly excused myself and said I'll call back.

Now, baby on my lap, I dialed back in.  This time, I'm on a mission to get a solution.  I spelled my 'mission' to Gary the Tech Guy and asked him what he can do to simplify the rest of my problem.  He said, look for the installation CD and click 'Crystal Reports' file.  All those time, three hours, and he held back that shortcut! Okay, let me do that and call back I said.  Because I need to change a poopy diaper I told myself.

Diaper change - check!  Trains and toys on the floor for baby - check!  Check big brother who was still napping (thankfully) - checked!  Back on the phone with Gary.  The shortcut didn't worked because the laptop where the software was installed was out of memory.  I feel you computer!  I'm almost out too.  I finally gave up with the tech issue and decided to rest for a while.  My lip was still bleeding. I played with my baby for few minutes and I felt better instantly.  Ah babies, my ultimate resolve to keep me in perspective.

I wish I could say that the rest of the day went smoothly but it did not.  But I'll save the rest of the story for another day.  Beside it's just Tuesday.  Here's my recent post:

Nothing beats a good book on a rainy morning...while boys are sleeping.

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing my morning.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Ripples





Mixed Media on Paper. 8 x 10 inches.

Inspired by the interesting water movements seen in the Chicago Lakefront this week. Relive the playfulness of throwing pebbles on the water and seeing the ripples it make.


Thanks for stopping by and appreciating my art.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

DIY Handpainted Envelopes




DIY Handpainted Envelopes

This is a fun project you can do with your kids indoors on a rainy or cold spring day.

As I was finishing the thank you cards for our son's first birthday, I realized I ran out of envelopes.  Instead of packing all the kiddos to drive out in the 40 degree weather just to pick up some, I thought of making our own since we only needed few.

I used an old envelope as a template, cut and glued the sides.  And the fun part began.  Both our toddlers, 1 and 3 year olds had fun painting to their heart's content.  They didn't have to paint all the envelopes, I taught big brother to press other envelopes on the ones he already painted to make prints on the rest.  The result were one of a kind, colorful envelopes.  

The hardest part was making my boys stop.  Make your own too, and have fun!