Wow - It's been 9 months!!!

Wow - It's been 9 months since I have last updated my blog. That is horrible. Not much happened the last 5 months of 2013 - so you didn't miss much there. However, 2014 is looking to be a whole different story! Which will hopefully mean many more posts this year. YAY!

Since February I have started a new business (where most of my time is currently being spent). I guess it really could have fallen under a "Coco's Creations" sub-business, but I really wanted it to have an identity of its own. Introducing Beads and Butter! All kinds of earrings and necklaces made out of polymer clay, all shaped by hand, by me. It's so much fun and I'm loving it - though, I wish I had more time to devote to it. 

Some examples of my Beads and Butter products

2014 is also my "Step-it-Up" year for my photography. I have always had an interest in photography. (Thank you, Great Grandma Moe!) I started taking my photography to an artistic level back in 2001, but haven't done much with it since circa 2009 (with only one session in 2010!) (You can see some of those photos here and here... oh and here) But that is all about to change. I'm stepping up my studio game with some new toys and have a few more pieces on their way to me. I will definitely be doing more shoots before 2014 is over.

New softbox and backlight stand

Lots of new toys!

Some other projects I have planned for 2014 are 1) working on our backyard and creating some hand-made decor for it, and 2) working on my studio. Posts on these projects, and more, are forthcoming, so stay tuned. Here's to a creative year! *cheers*

The Stork's Gift

This is a baby shower gift I made for my soon-to-come cousin.

The Stork doesn't just bring the baby in the blanket, with this present he brings the gifts as well!

All the gifts going inside,
including the blanket it will all be wrapped in.

All the gifts wrapped up in the blanket,
the book is the card.

Draw out the Stork on a piece of cardboard & cut out.

Add colored foam & googly-eye to make the Stork.

Attach the Stork to the package so he can
"fly it to the party!"

Solstice Volume 1 by Kue

Happy Thursday!

This week I completed some artwork for Kue's newest mix using one of my own photos. Check out the artwork below and click on it for the mix. Also, check out Kue's website for even more music!

6 Awesome Gifts for Completing 6 Awesome Years!

My niece completed her 6th year of school this year, marking her move from Elementary School to Junior High. I'm so proud of her accomplishments and her great academic success thus far. I looked all over the Internet for a gift idea for an elementary graduation/promotion, but everything I found was too over the top for a 6th grade promotion and more fitting for high school. 

So as I was walking through my favorite store... Target, :) , it hit me!

6 Awesome Gifts for Completing 6 Awesome Years!

6 items I knew she would love:
Nail polish set, Just Dessert! Notepad,  The Journal of Awesome, Mini Color Pencils, Money, and her favorite candy - Skittles!

Turned the money into graduation scrolls...

Found the cutest "Giant Mason Jar" 
(also from Target)
and decorated it with graduation stickers...

Stuffed all the goodies inside with 
colorful tissue paper...

... and added a construction paper 
graduation cap to finish it off!

At her party last night she told me she wasn't going to open it until the end, so she could "save the best for last!" (Yeah, she melts my heart) :)

Turkey & Eggplant Enchiladas (Dairy Free)

Played around in the kitchen tonight and came up with this yummy dinner! Turkey & Eggplant Enchiladas. 

They are dairy free and low-carb!

Ingredients:

1 Can Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce

1 Med. Eggplant

1 Pack of Jenny-O Ground Turkey

1/2 Pack of Go Veggie! Dairy Free Cheese

Directions:

• Cook turkey meat in skillet (flavor as preferred).

• When turkey meat is brown, add sauce to cover & simmer while you prepare the eggplant.
• Wash & dry your eggplant and cut thin slices.

• Lay half the eggplant in bottom of glass baking dish.

• Cover with the turkey & sauce mixture.

• Cover with the remaining eggplant.

• Generously sprinkle the "cheese" over the top.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

(Nutrition facts created from www.myfitnesspal.com. Click to enlarge photo.)

Shrimp and Avocado

As requested, here is the recipe to my latest creation,tonight's dinner!

1/2 package of bay shrimp
1 avocado
Just a tad of mayonnaise
Sriracha to taste
Lime juice
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Red pepper flakes

mmmm!!! It was quite yummy if I do say so myself! ;)

Fran's Dress

"Fran's Dress" is my newest project, it was inspired by all of the wild and crazy - but beautiful, dresses worn by actress Fran Drescher during her time on the 1990's series "The Nanny!" 

It is made with duct tape and marker on recycled canvas.