I want to watch this over and over...

I am totally mesmerized by this video. I love the music, the idea and execution!

Her Morning Elegance / Oren Lavie

My quick little design project

I haven't been able to work on my fabric designs for a while. The kids, the house and various errands and tasks have been on my priority list. And I have missed those creative sessions ,as I call them, SO much! Today was as busy as usual, plus my daughter didn't go to day care as I felt she was coming down with something. Anyways, once they went for their day nap today, I HAD to do something... So here it is - my latest 2-hour creation ;)
This design happened very quickly, but I love how it turned out: sweet,  fresh and kind-of-wintery.
Up for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NewMomDesigns

Detail

Quarter Yard View

How to make crepes - step-by-step instructions.

I love crepes, or as we say in Russian, Blinchiki!! I grew up eating crepes on a regular basis, and my mom's crepes are Delicious! When I started cooking I have made numerous attempts to re-create them according to my moms verbal instructions and eyeball measurements (in our family recipes are never written down, they are just passed from generation to generation, and learned through simple observation and practice until you get it right, perhaps even with your own little twist) 

Anyways, I have made pretty good tasting crepes, but the process would always take me much longer than my mom. She would whip them in minutes, while I kept adjusting the crepe mix, adding and tasting, until I recognize a familiar deliciousness. And while I love crepes very much, every time I needed to make them, I had to prepare for a long and tedious process and little outcome, as half of it would end up eaten by me during trial/error process ;)) 

Well, I had to put an end to it - and I finally did it! 

Just last week I started making the crepes, while writing down all of the additions carefully measured . No eyeballing this time! I took out all my measuring spoons and everything! :))) 

I was prepared for my regular adjusting routine, but I was trilled when the very first crepe came out PERFECT! Salt, sugar, texture, elasticity - everything was just right! 

So I present you with this easy, fool-proof step-by-step recipe that you can use anytime you feel like eating crepes, please note I like my crepes on a savory side, so you need to add more sugar if you like them sweet and would be serving them for dessert ;)

Crepes - approx. 16-18 pcs


2 eggs
1 cup of whole milk
1 cup of water ( I prefer bottled or cooled boiled water)
1/8 cup of sugar ( put more if you like them on a sweet side)
1 cup of flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp neutral oil ( corn, vegetable )

"The Crepes"  starring eggs, flour, sugar, salt, neutral cooking oil, milk, water. That's it!

Start by placing a non-stick pan ( I use 10", but the bottom is actually 7") over a low heat for pre-heating.


To prepare the mix (or crepe batter):


1. In a large bowl whisk the eggs until mixed well.


2. Add 1/2 cup milk+1/2 cup water, mix well.


3. Add sugar, salt, oil, mix well.


4. Sift all of the flour into the bowl.


5. Mix well, breaking up all the clumps. You should get a thick liquid lump-free.


6. Add the rest of milk+water. Mix well.


7. Turn up the heat to medium and wait until pan is very hot.

Preparing the "Golden Liquid" :)

The consistency of the batter is sort of like heavy cream.

To make crepes:


1. Take the pan in one hand and start pouring 1 ladle of the liquid  in the center of the pan, while carefully tilting the pan in different directions ( sort of circular motion) so that the liquid spreads evenly and covers the bottom of the pan completely. Greasing of the pan is unnecessary as we have our oil in the dough + pan is non-stick!


2. Give it a few seconds ( 5-7 ) and then score the edges with a flexible spatula, all around the pan.
 ( basically free the edges from contact with a pan) This will make it easier to flip the crepe and prevent from burning the edges.Give another few seconds... it all depends on how you like your crepes: light and soft, or golden and more crispy around edges.. adjust time per your liking..


3. Then carefully lift the crepe with the same spatula and flip! You get a pretty, golden-colored crepe starring back at you :)


4. Second side cooks faster and will always be lighter with golden dots all over, so keep an eye on it. When done - just slide onto a plate nearby.


5. Repeat the steps 1-4 :))

Making crepes (love the bubbles in a pan, don't you?)

Now, we can part ways, and you may dress your crepes any way you like: pour sauce on top, sift powdered sugar, wrap fruits in it, whipped cream, fruit puree, etc.... But I like it simple: BUTTER!
I take a stick of butter out of the fridge, and unwrap the top portion. Once the newly made crepe hits the plate, I give it some butter love ;) Oh, and did I tell you the best way to eat them is right then and there?? Yes, when I make crepes, I eat them by the stove :)) They simply melt in your mouth.... Or try them with sour cream - also very tasty!

Buttering of the crepes! ( My thighs, please forgive me!)

However, sometimes I make them with savory filling, and they become a great addition to the soup. This combo makes a perfect lunch or dinner. 
I take a whole chicken, and make a big pot of soup. Then take half of the cooked chicken, and shred the meat ( no bones!) into a large pan with sauteed onion. Some salt, pepper, cooked rice and a few minutes later, you have a great filling! All you have to do is wrap it into crepes, see photos below ;)

Wrapping the filling

All wrapped up!  Enjoy!


P.S.    If you have reached this point - you deserve a chance to win a free gift - CALENDAR 2011 designed by me - giveaway ending Feb 03, 2011: http://manylittlethingsmakemehappy.blogspot.com/2011/01/first-giveaway.html

Calendar 2011

My new fabric design is actually a wall hanging calendar 2011.
Also, I am glad to report that this is my second Illustrator involved design ( Big Thank You to a friend of mine who helps me with learning this software!)

Pretty mistakes :)

My latest fabric pattern designed for the "Woodland Creature" contest. It was the first time I used Illustrator to lay out and color my base line work. It was tricky at first, especially fill/stroke option. Quite a change from Photoshop. While I know it is wrong, and even weird to render them the way I did, I kind of liked it. I got sort of a geometric/abstract monochromatic shapes that gave the woodland creatures a new modern edge. Here is the final result used with a mirror pattern:

Fat Quarter Preview

Full Yard Preview

Detail Preview

My sample kit has arrived

Finally, my sample kit that includes 12 of my designs has arrived! I still have to tweak a couple of colors and scales, but in general I am happy with the way they came out. Today I spent some time taking pictures for my future Etsy shop.

The course of life

Yesterday my grandfather passed away. I am now grandparents-less.
We had a funeral today, and it is just kind of a sad day all around. This was my first funeral ever, and I could not imagine a more depressing environment than a memorial home.
My grandfather was a tough cookie. Straightforward, responsible, honest to the bones and very disciplined. I remember living with him and grandma for almost a year, my family moved and switching schools in the middle of the school year was problematic. So I stayed with them to finish it. I was in a 2nd or 3rd grade, and at that time I remember him as a strong, powerful, tough man with sharp mind and memory. He helped me with my homework a lot, and disciplined me, taught me to be neat and organized - qualities that he possessed until his last days.They  immigrated to America when I was 12, and the next time I saw him was in 5 years. He looked aged, of course, but I immediately recognized that same steel spirit and sharpness.He seemed a lot more approachable and softer (?) , or maybe it was just me, all grown up, having an adult conversation with him. A few years after we settled in, it was me helping him with his paperwork, making phone calls and resolving issues with whatever. But not that much. He was totally independent, and refused to ask for help, unless it was really necessary. His mind and memory never left him, ( well over 80!) he never forgot anyone's birthday, names of our spouses, children, etc.
He was my grandpa, a root that started this family, that started me, in a sense.
I hope he is in a better place now, reunited with my grandma somewhere up there. We will miss you both.