Cheekystitch

DIY Trunk Display: Turn an Old Trunk into a Portable Craft Display Case

 
I got an old trunk from my friend Emily B, the Trunk came before the craft show. I hadn't really thought of selling at a fair until then but when I got this lovely beauty of a trunk I decided to turn it into a portable display for some of my crafts.

I bought pretty wrapping paper and foam core at Blick art supply in New York. I got gold hooks at my local hardware store, and with lots of modge podge I created a pretty case. My boyfriend, Schuyler is coming over this week to add wheels!

Raven Burgos

My DIY Earth Day Project: How To Recycled Teacup Soy Candle, Natural and Eco friendly

Recycled Teacup Soy candle, natural and eco friendly

1 pound of Soy wax in flake form ([Lone star supply)]
1 Pyrex measuring cup ( or something similar to Pyrex)1-3 Recycled Tea cups ( went to Good Will )
1 pack of Candle Wicks
Rubbing alcohol
Double sided tape if your making your own wicks
2-6 knives/pencils/chopsticks ( two per container)
Wax Dye (not food coloring, it will clog your wick)
Candy Thermometer
Essential oil or candle Fragrance

1. Clean and dry all of your containers
2. Wipe down with Alcohol to remove grease and fingerprints
3. Using the pyrex container or a double boiler, melt the pound of soy wax, remove from heat
4. Using the thermometer, wait until mixture is cooled to 170-180 degrees.
   It must be at this temperature because if it is too high it will burn
   off, and if its too low it wont bind to the wax
5. A
   after it has cooled to 170- 180 degrees add 1oz of fragrance, One 1 fl
   ounce of fragrance oil scents 16 ounces of soy wax, or use 30-40 drops
   of essential oil. Mix well
6. Wait until wax is at 150 degrees Now stir 15-20 drops of wax coloring if desired
7. Place wick t the bottom of container, use double sided tape to secure it .
8. Place clean dry container on aluminum foil,
9. Remove wax from pan ( if you are using a Pyrex container then pour in)
   and pour in wax slowly until soy wax is about 1/2 inch from the top. 

     10. Place knives ( or whatever yo chose) on either side of candle to prevent it from falling at it cools.
         Don't touch it! Soy wax needs to cool completely
     11. Let cure for at least two days.

There are pictures for this step by step tutorial on

Instructables.com

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Diy day planner: Made at Church of craft at etsy

I made a journal at Church of Craft day at etsy, so grateful to live in Brooklyn and be able to attend

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Brick city, texture in bricks

I took this picture in Redhook, love the texture of brick streets. Purty

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Craft Planting in the city, Inspiration Plants at new yorks Union Square Market

Window Sill

New Ring

Basil Union Square

Plant life

Caracas Secret Sauce Recipe: Make your own Venezuelan Arepas

This recipe is a pretty close approximation to the one they sell at Caracas Venezuelan restaurant in the east village

look at my earlier posts for full instructions on how to make your own stuffed arepas., El pabellon style. Enjoy!

• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1 cup e.v olive oil
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 1/2 cup of yellow peppers
• 1/2 cup of mango
• 4  cloves garlic 
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon mayo
• 1 tablespoons oregano
• salt to taste

Put all ingredients but Olive oil in food processor one chopped, gradually mix in Olive oil until desired consistency.

yeah, its good i know.

ju like?

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DIY Marshmallows: Wedding guest or party giveaways

This recipe is really simple. The most difficult part is standing there with a mixer for 15 minutes, too much time to daydream

Marshmallows Are perfect gifts for your guests, they’re affordable
and surprisingly easy to make. Each batch yields about 40 lovely marshmallows,
experiment with food coloring and flavors like almond, orange and chocolate.

Homemade Marshmallows
3 envelopes of Knox gelatin, unflavored
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Put 1/2 cup of water in a large bowl, using an
   electric mixer, slowly pour in all three packs of gelatin, set aside
2. Line a 9 x 9-inch pan with plastic wrap and
   lightly oil it. Set aside.
3. Combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a
   saucepan. Bring it to a quick boil, and let boil for about a minute, you
   don't want to burn the sugar!
4. Get your mixer ready! Pour the boiling syrup into
   soaked gelatin and turn on the mixer high speed. Add flavoring and
   colorants at about 12 minutes add the salt and beat for 15 minutes. 
5. You’re almost done! Scrape marshmallow into the
   prepared pan and spread evenly, make sure your spatula is oiled.
6. Let mixture sit for a few hours to set
7. Sift equal parts cornstarch and confectioners'
   sugar.  Coat the top of the marshmallow loaf with the mixture until
   it is coats, tilt to remove excess Remove marshmallow from pan and flip,
   use the mixture on this side too
8. Use scissors to cut into equal parts, then dredge
   marshmallows in sugar

Packaging:

I use clear 4×6 bags from Sophie’s favors

Package
marshmallows, put two or three in a bag and tie with a ribbon or colorful
twist tie of your own. Viola! A wonderful sweet treat for your guests

Find clear bags at your local candy supply or craft
store 

Check out Sophie favors

Extra I poured the marshmallow fluff into a ball jar and gave it to my valentine.

Why the fuck do you have a kid makes you laugh and cringe simultaniously

Why the fuck do you have a kid explores the dark comedy that is Teenage pregnancy. Equal opportunity haters who post pictures without judgment, thats your job you mean fuck! Now VOGUE!

Why the fuck do you have a kid

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South American made easy: Simple Arepa Recipe

Arepas can be eaten any number of ways for breakfast lunch or dinner, this recipe will be perfect for all three! Gluten free and easy to digest Arepas hold a special place in the hearts of Colombianos and Venezuelanos alike. This particular recipe is a take off of the pabellon they sell in Caracas restaurant in the East Village. Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 cups of  Pre cooked corn flour  ( pan or Goya brand is good in the Spanish food section)
2 cups of water
A pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon of butter

Preparation

1. Warm the water in pot, add salt and butter
2. one melted and dissolved slowly add flour and knead with clean dry hands
3. If dough sticks to your hands add more harina, if too dry add more water
4. Form patties: take a fist-full of dough and form into ball, flatten to about 1/2 inch thick and 3-4 inches in diameter
5. make as many as your might need, save dough by putting it into an airtight container, you don't want loose the moisture use within three days
6.  Heat a little oil in a heavy frying pan and heat the arepas for about ten minutes or until the tops look slights brown and crispy. (should be no more than 10 minutes)

 Preheat oven to 250 degrees. When arepas have browned reduce to 200 and place in over side by side for 15-20 minutes

If you are stuffing it, when cooled a bit slice through the middle but not all the way you are trying to create a pocket not slices

Filling:  While your arepas are in the oven make the stuffing. I made mine with fresh white cheese, black beans, avocado and fried plantains. Follow the easy recipe below for the plantains and black beans its way easier than you think

Spanish Maduros: Easy Fried Plantain Recipe

Eat these stuffed inside Arepas, or central American style with sour cream, either way they make for a delicious treat

Ingredients:
3-4 Ripe plantains, they will look yellow and slightly blackened
Cooking oil

1. Chop both ends of plantain      
   
2.                       
   
3. Slice the ripe plantain down the middle and peel it should come right off                              
4. slice 1/4 in slices on a diagonal  
   
5.                    
6. heat up a little canola or vegetable oil on medium
7. once hot add ad many plantains that comfortably fit                     
8.                  
   
9. what you looking for is a brownish black color, they are really sweet so make sure that you watch them or they might burn
10. place plantains on a paper towel to soak up the excess oil. Viola Platanos!

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