Last night, I came across a great deal on carving pumpkins at our local Fresh Market. I was able to get a large pumpkin for only $3.40, with tax! So, if you have one in your area, you might want to check them out soon for a great deal.
Of course, as we pulled into the parking lot and I saw that glimmer of orange, I gasped in delight. My boyfriend then sighed, because as he claims, I have an utter obsession with pumpkins. I don't deny it. I love them. I have no idea why...but they make me happy and I giggle like a child when I see them displayed.
The pumpkin now has a prominent place on the coffee table, away from the pets so it does not get chewed on for now. I have to protect it...it wants me to protect it.
Now that I have started to get into the spirit, I pulled out all of the Halloween and fall decorations today and began to arrange them around the apartment. After finally sitting down for the evening, I decided I should actually work on my jewelry. What better than to use my new coffee table centerpiece for my inspiration?
I carved this pumpkin pendant out of polymer clay. I love the detail that showed up in the vine. After I baked it, I painted it very carefully with several coats. I am very pleased with the finished product. It has a vintage look to me...
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, no matter what you chose to do!
I planned absolutely nothing, and was able to focus on my jewelry and cooking the entire weekend. I spent most of Saturday working on redoing almost all of my photos in my Etsy shop (check them out!) While redesigning and uploading my photos, I started making connections through the Etsy forums and Facebook fan pages, which has been a great amount of fun!
Sunday, I spent the day working on a few sets of earrings and then creating a couple of polymer clay pendants. One set of earrings I posted on Etsy (Time for Tea Too). I also redesigned my Etsy banner and attempted to make my first clay cane. It didn't turn out that well, but it isn't horrible for a first attempt. The blue cheese-beer-bacon bread I made from scratch did turn out fabulously well, so the day wasn't a total loss on the creativity side. :D
Today, we smoked a pork shoulder and cornish game hen, and I made brownies from scratch for the very first time. f you are going to attempt it, I highly recommend the Hershey's Kitchen brownie recipe:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (I did only about 1/8 of salt)
1/2 cup chopped nuts(optional)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Add eggs; beat well with spoon. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in nuts, if desired. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. About 16 brownies.
Now, I am just checking through the Etsy forums and glazing my polymer clay pendants...delaying going to bed. I'm so glad it's a shortened work week, how about you?
Also, welcome to my new followers and the new people perusing through my blog!!! I hope you enjoy!
