Recipe: Carrot Cake Muffins

*Ingredients*
1 box Carrot Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1.5 C (or handfulls rather) pre-shredded carrots (buy in bag) - *leave as long strands
1 C of Trader Joe's Frozen Pineapple Chunks (defrosted) - *DO NOT DICE
1 C Raisins (big fat ones!)
~1/2 C Ikea Vanilla Sauce (not exactly sure as I just tossed it in)

Optional: 1/4 to 1/3 C extra fine flour (cake) -- this would have helped them to rise and be a wee bit more puffy. Only add dashes of flour... just in until the batter is a smidge less than runny.

Mix all of the above together.
Oven to 350 (follow box mix instructions).
Line cupcake pan with papers (this is a gooey result so papers are a MUST!)
Fill papers 2/3 full. Seriously. Otherwise you end up scraping half the tops off.
Bake ~20 min. Keep your eye on things. Usually with my oven, it's done if I'm smelling it.
Bake longer if you don't want them so gooey. Turn down the oven a bit at the end of the baking cycle if you're baking longer.


OPTIONAL!
Instead of cupcakes, make a single layer cake in a round spring form pan. Highly recommend flouring the pan before putting in the batter.

Now, instead of mixing in the IKEA sauce, pour the batter in the dish and pour IKEA vanilla sauce on TOP as a thin layer. DO NOT MIX. Place in oven for Box Mix duration (approx 35 - 45min).
You will have a yummy crunchy/gooey top. It's like the consistency of a chocolate crisp.


Yum! Yum! Yum!

Cupcakes & Single layer both serve ~12 ppl.

Back to the Drawing Board

Ok. It was fun to take these photos. I'll admit.
But, the more I look at the "hood" piece, the less I like it.
I want something that doesn't "cling" to the head.
I know some of it I'll have to get by using a fabric liner.
But I really want the effect in the hood itself.

Still trying to acheive the "look" of my first sketch.
This means a much more "shaped" piece. Hmm... fun to create! :)

Latino Horsey Fun @ the Spring Fair

Wow! The Puyallup Fair is finally branching out and bringing some amazing entertainment! Hooray for the Horse Dancing Event which was part of "Fiesta Mexicana". You guys were amazing! I had no idea horses were even capable of moves like this.

And definite cheers for Mariachi Ayutla, who provided the music. Wow! Fab!

And it was all at the Spring fair no less. Normally that's a smaller and shorter fair event. Keep bringing in more like this Puyallup Fair! So refreshing and entertaining.

Twitter & Sabrina Tunic

I've joined Twitter. I broke down.

You know, when your mom tweets before you do
that it's probably time to join. ;) Go Ma!
You can now follow me or just catch up here on the blog.
If you follow me, I'll follow you.... ;)

The images above aren't so great - late night self portraits.
But, they do depict the Sabrina Tunic I just finished.
It's made of Batik quilting cotton & Velvet ribbon.
I am in LOVE with it. I've worn it 2 days in a row.
Very comfy, looks great for work (coverage keeps the modesty).
Abs Fabs with a black cardi. Can't wait to make the next one.

Playing: Acrylics, Ink, & Pastels

These three pieces have been in the making for more than a year.
I'm still working on them. But they've been fun to add bits and pieces to here and there.
The Sacred Heart piece is on hold for someone.
The Skully Girl may or may not be a gift.
And Autumn the Dancer is still defining herself.

The Spring Flu

Launch of my first comic.
Loosely based on my own life experiences.

Backyard Springspiration

I'm going to have Raspberries this summer!
I'll carry on the family tradition of being a berry farmer!

And while I'm not fond of pulling the dandy-lions from my garden,
they make a beautiful field this spring!

Egg-Kitch-spiration

Aren't these Farm Fresh Eggs beautiful!?

Inspiration Freeway

A double rainbow (you can't see it in the photos, but it was there!), a barn, and high speed photography. Ah... inspiration comes in many forms, does it not?

Designing Curtains

I can't stand the curtains I have ANYMORE!
I've had these since my Pirate party (OMG - 2006!) and it's time for a change.
I've been dreaming of the circus, moroccan architecture, and something cheerful.

Emerald City Comic Con 2009

What a blast! Totally looking forward to next year!
Now, what costume to design... ?

Designing Kniting Patterns

I've always been inspired to create real costumes from my wild cartoon pin-ups and random post-it sketches. Often, I'll get a costume idea and I express the design through cartoons. It's really fun.

In fact, my knitting circle saw me ditch my current project for my markers one knit night at Starbucks. That's 3 hours of color work (or knitting avoidance as some might say)!!! I had so much fun I'd wave my hands about, giggle, and exclaim things like, "oooo... this is so cool!" To which, various knitters had to 'check out' my work. The 'boys in blue' frequent our Starbucks (I think it's a regular cop hang out) and I caught a few of them checking out our "discussion/project work/my artwork". Woot! Woot!

I'm working on 2 designs at the moment: Pucker & Stripe and Lamplighter.
The images above are showing Lamplighter sketches and below is my handspun yarn and fabric sample for this capelet/hoodie. Both designs feature small amounts of handspun, drop spindle yarn. I learned to spin in October of 2008 (~6 months ago) and I'm in love. It's relaxing and so inspiring. I like that I can talk and spin and not "lose my place".

But, with a drop spindle, I don't often want to make 'LOTS' of yardage. I want quick spinning projects that are colorful and exciting. Hence, I also want a pattern to make something with my lovely handspun, otherwise I personally feel like it's a "waste". Others disagree and just enjoy 'looking' at their yarn. I'm on a "use whatcha got" in your stash kick. So, I'm inspired to create wild patterns with small amounts of fiber.

Thus... Pucker & Stripe and Lamplighter were born.

I will be offering both patterns on Ravelry where you can also watch my progress. So, stay tuned for more.

PS. School started again for spring quarter (one more quarter left!) So, like the last 3 months, my posts will be fairly sparse. I apologize. Bear with me though and this summer/fall will bring a bountiful harvest!