Cinnamon Nut Granola

There is nothing better than making granola from scratch. This recipe comes from my best friend who is an absolute jack of all trades - he bakes, he cooks, he builds houses, he sews, he's a CPA, he cans pickles and jams, and he makes the best granola! Here's a delicious recipe that he developed several years back.

Ingredients
2.5 Cups Whole Oats
3/4 Cup Sliced Almonds (the thin wafer sliced)
3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
2.5 Tsp Sesame Seeds
1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Canola Oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients in large bowl with spatula or wooden spoon. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread granola evenly, keeping it away from edges of sheet. Bake for 19 minutes. Check on granola 1/2 way through baking time and redistribute if necessary.

Lotta love

Anyone else in love with Lotta Jansdotter? She does EVERYTHING right. Fabric design, printing & sewing projects, books...you name it and she does it with a style and ease that makes me swoon.

(Assorted Lotta print scrap bag? Yes, please! Available again here in September.)

I would love to take one of her workshops (mainly just to meet the one and only!), especially the porcelain design class. Lotta offers some online tutorials as well, which is something I see more and more of lately.

Here are two online workshops with rave reviews:

A Lovely Venture by Olivine's Charm School: $97 for a 4 week class on women in business

Home Ec by the girls at Freckled Nest: $50 for 26 sewing projects

What do you think...should we embrace this digital age of crafting or are we missing part of the fun when we do it on our own?

Assemble on the News!

Emily and I got up super-duper early today to come in to Assemble for three LIVE segments on the Q13 Morning News with Kaci Aitchison! We had a fun (and nerve-wracking) time showcasing the space and what you can do here. We'll be on again tonight with a different, taped segment at 5pm on Fox News, channel 13. Check out the video, and happy Monday!!

 

Southwestern Margarita Madness

My trip was a success! There were tons of dipping toes in rivers, s'mores, bike rides, laughs with family, belated birthday celebrations, mexican food and most importantly: margaritas. My new favorite margarita brand is from (I know, I know) Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives/Bethenny franchise. Don't give me any snark, I love those shows, they are my favorite escape into Crazy Town. Who else loves them?

Despite how you may feel about the television shows, I highly recommend a quick-like-a-bunny move to the liquor store for her Skinny Girl Margarita. This one tastes just like a natural margarita that you would get in a fancy restaurant in Mexico. A bit of tequila, some triple sec and natural lime, they are DELICIOUS, with about half of the calories of the sugary-fake margaritas you would get at Chile's and the like.



So far, I've only been able to find them in this little, ghetto-esque Liquor Shop in Ballard on 15th and 7th-? Give it a try. Trust me! OR, if you're feeling adventurous, give the recipe a try. I'm sure after a few tries, yours will be perfection.

While you're mixing that up, here are a few pictures of our Southwestern Colorado vacation to get you in the margarita mood:

If I knew you were coming....

I'd have baked a cake!

There are a few things I enjoy about this video: good music choice (Eileen Barton), stop motion done sweetly, and a craft idea for cupcakes. Thanks, Tiger in a Jar!

DIY Valentine's Cakes from Tiger In a Jar on Vimeo.

Recycled Tea Bag Box

I swear, if you like crafts and keep Mod Podge lying around the house. There are so many different things that you can do. Check out THIS post from Sparky & Marie, get yourself some Mod Podge, and find something in the house to repurpose!

Do you remember Multiples?

It was probably the late 80's in Illinois when the clothing line Multiples crossed my radar. I was in middle school, and fascinated by the concept. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the line consisted of layering pieces (in a variety of shapes, colors and patterns) that one could mix, match and layer to create a number of different looks.

For the past few years, I've been casually looking for some trace of Multiples on the internet with little success. Last month, I'm not sure how it happened, but I was able track down the designer who created Multiples - Sandra Garrett. Thankfully, Sandra is still working as a designer, and even better, she has a new line called Mod Box. Mod Box is very similar (if not identical) to my beloved Multiples. Now, I just need to decide which pieces to buy!

Tuesday Inspiration: Tulip Fields

I'm on vacation in Colorado at the moment, so this will be a quick post between margaritas, s'mores and bike rides.

I have been pretty obsessed with this blog post that Michelle wrote a while back on her Sparky & Marie blog. Can you even imagine that something this beautiful exists? Such an inspiration for a home, a craft project, etc. Take a look:

[Repost]: via Sparky & Marie blog

Tulip Fields Forever





You know how Google searches can sometimes lead you to the most wonderful online places? Well, I came across a blog called The Style Files, and while browsing the blog I discovered these amazing aerial shots of tulip fields from the Netherlands. I’ve seen flower farms in California, but not from such an awesome point of view. Can someone make me a rug using the colors and patterns shown here?

Images from The Style Files

Embroidery accessories gone adorable

I stumbled upon these embroidery floss holders and fell in love!

Now, don't get too excited--the designer Pie for Blackbirds is currently sold out. But maybe if we all shout really loudly, she will create some more :) Alas, I was on the hunt for more special embroidery floss winders and was not disappointed!

Twine Troopers by My Friend Amy (ok, maybe not floss winders, but close enough!)

Jack the Terrier and Henry the Hedgehog by Giggle Snort Society

Wild Olive has a downloadable pattern you can print on cardstock, cut and wind! Available in both original and jumbo sizes.

(All photographs courtesy of the original designers' shop pages.)

Gotta Get Down on Friday

Yes, I did just quote that horrible/wonderful song.

I'm about to set out for my vacation to Durango, Colorado, (where my parents live) and I'm making lists of tasks to complete and whatnot. Vacations seem more fun to me when they are about to happen or are already over--when you can go home and think about all of the fun things that you did and look at pictures. What do you think? Regardless, here are some fun things to help you in your summer vacation preparation!

Photo courtesy of A Paper Proposal.

Pack This! pad from Knock Knock. Get all your ducks in a row, people!

Covering All the Bases Before Vacation

Make sure to read through these housesitting basics.

Let Design*Sponge help you sew up your own luggage tags.

Motherhood Mondays: Ten Tips for Traveling with a Baby

AND tips for traveling with your pup from Sherry & John of Young House Love, with their little chihuahua, Burger.

See you all soon!! Have a great weekend.

PB & Chocolate Cravings

photo by Smitten Kitchen

You've GOT to try these recipes featuring two of my favorite ingredients:

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake from Smitten Kitchen

2. Peanut Butter Buckeyes from Blissfully Domestic

3. Skippy PB & Nutella Cookies from Delish

PS--Can you tell I'm sitting on the couch with a king size package of Reese's? :)

Craft Project - Paper Wreath

Fiskars featured THIS paper wreath craft project on their crafty blog. The difficulty rating is "beginner" and the supply list is very simple. I punched all of my pages while watching the movie Parenthood, and assembled the wreath while watching The Darjeeling Limited (all in one night - double movie night!).

Farmer's Market Goodies

Anyone else excited about the fruits and veggies finally sprouting in your yard?! Our apple tree is getting heavy with apples, our pickling cucumbers are plumping nicely, and our neighbors are sharing their green beans by the bushel. Even if you aren't growing your own produce, the farmer's markets are brimming with ripe nectarines and all sorts of things to make your mouth water. Seems as though I'm not the only one with harvest on my mind...

I want every single one of these market inspired calling cards by Rigel Stuhmiller.

Check out these reusable produce bags by Wonder Thunder.

And when those apples of mine are finally ripe, I'll be ready with a recipe for old fashioned apple cake by Smitten Kitchen.

This Is Neat: PataPri Happy Textiles

Has August been a whirlwind for anyone else? I swear, I haven't sat down without some work or project in my hands all month! I'm not sure I have been sitting at all! What are you guys working on? We would love to see your projects and ideas.

But what calms me down? Yes, packaging. I know that sounds a lil kooky. Here is a new line from Tokyo designer, Yuko Uemura. I want these towels with their little red strings all over my kitchen, bathroom, etc. She also makes paper products and bedding. Wee!


Quick side note for your Monday morning: Assemble Gallery & Studio is having a great summer sale with items from 25% - 50% off. Take a look at just a small selection of the sale items below:

An Art-Filled Weekend: Seattle

We have got a lot going on in the next week, but first up on the list is Friday's special Summer Streets ArtWalk event in Phinney Ridge & Greenwood. The streets will be shut down to make way for walkers, bicyclists and other foot traffic.


If you're in the Seattle area around 6-9pm, definitely stop in to see marvelous new art work by Joetta Maue, showing through the first week in September at Assemble Gallery & Studio. Her new collection of work, entitled, You Are Home To Me, explores her connection to her husband and child through fibers. Take a look at one of her installations in process here. I love that her cat is using it as a lounge-spot.


And for some Friday fun-times, check these out:

The London Sky Orchestra. I might have cried if I were there.

Have you read Room by Emma Donaghue yet? PHEW! Creepy.

Bluebird Microcreamery is setting up shop two doors down from us. Do you think they'll be open in time for the Summer Streets event tomorrow? I hope so!

A new blog column by Jan from Poppytalk: Wednesday's Wonderful Vintage Finds.

Have a great weekend and make something pretty!

Jon Boy Caramels

You all absolutely MUST try these caramels. I found them at a Seattle wine and specialty cheese shop called Picnic. You can choose from Fleur de Sel or Absinthe with Black Sea Salt--amazing! I give them to all of my out-of-town guests, and not one has complained. At $11 a box (about 10 pieces) these caramels are worth the indulgence.

GIVE: Gifts under $25 - Buy Gold!

1. Chilewich Dahlia Gold Placemats - $7.95 /each - I love the delicate feel of these placemats. This could be a lovely compliment to a white ceramic vase filled with orange dahlias.

2. Gold Painted Stripes Stationery by Rifle Paper Co. - $18 for boxed set of 8 - I love stripes and I love the combo of gold foil stamping on white supple paper.

3. Alfabet Earrings from By Boe - $20/each (individually sold) - One of my all time favorite jewelry designers. I'm still weeping over an earring mate from a pair of By Boe earrings that I lost on a trip about 4 years ago. While I was sleeping on an airplane, one must've slipped out of my ear. BOO! Anyways, her stuff is so simple and lovely.

Hydrangeas

Anyone else love the hydrangeas blooming right now? My husband and I moved into our new home last fall with a light blue hydrangea bush in the backyard. But by spring it was nothing but a tangled mess of dead branches. So I did some research and creative pruning....this year it bloomed in shades of bright blue and purple!

Turns out these plants are relatively easy to care for and surprisingly change color based on the soil composition. Acidic soil produces blue flowers and alkaline soil will turn the blooms pink. Fun! Remove dead blooms and dry branches as needed, no need to prune (but good tips here if you do).

And here is our bush, nursed back to life:

Summer Cuisine & Weekend Hob-knobbing

Photo via a beautiful photo spread from The Soho.

There is something about summer that makes me want to sip Mint Juleps and eat fruit tarts and raw vegetables all day. So..that's pretty much what I've been doing. However, my nightly runs have inevitably been diminished to a mere slug's pace due to all the alcohol and sugar. In spite of this, this weekend, I will be traveling to Boston to be the maid of honor in my dear friend's wedding. I can't wait for the food, because I'm fairly certain that I am in for a New England/Southern fusion. Could anything sound more delicious? I'm hoping I come across a crawfish with a Boston accent. Speaking of, definitely take a look at local chef, Lisa Dupar's brand new cookbook, Fried Chicken & Champagne. I could not be any more in heaven.

This weekend, have a Mint Julep or an Old Fashioned and sit out on the front porch, watching the sunset. Ahhhh, summer.



Mint Julep: Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 24 mint leaves, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
* 2 cups finely crushed ice
* 1 cup bourbon

Combine sugar, lemon juice, and mint leaves in a pitcher. Crush well with a wooden spoon. Add ice and bourbon, and mix well. Pour into silver tumblers, garnish with mint sprigs, and serve.

Bows

Cute and sophisticated--the bow trend will be around a bit longer. Here are two of my favorites:

Cream/red bow printed silk blouse by Tara Jarmon

Double bow hinged bangle by Kate Spade

What do you think? Should bows be around through another fall-winter season? The way Kate Spade does it, I say YUP.

Making Jam

I enjoy this time of year in Southern California when various different berries are ready for picking. Recently, I canned some strawberry jam using THIS easy recipe from Epicurious. Yum! If you're looking for more information on canning, the website Pick Your Own goes into pretty great detail on how to do it.



When all of your jars have cooled, you can dress them up with a fun tag, a fabric square, or even some chalkboard paint like the one shown above from The Style Files blog!

I scream for...School House Craft & ice cream

Mark your calendars! The School House Craft conference will be in Seattle September 23rd - 25th. Assemble is excited to be participating this year on a panel discussion about the business of crafting. There will also be an ice cream social at the conference on Saturday afternoon with treats by Half Pint Ice Cream!

In the ice cream spirit? Check out Assemble's current window display:

The shop is located just up the street from the conference (held at the Phinney Neighborhood Center) so plan to stop in during that weekend. Assemble is expecting new neighbors on the block--Bluebird Microcreamery is opening any day now! They offer local flavors such as Caffe Vita Coffee or Olympia Marionberry as well as vegan options such as Coconut Caramel.

What a fun summer!