A sweet friend recently shipped me some Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream all the way from Ohio as a belated birthday gift and end of summer treat. Three pints of different flavors showed up on my doorstep on top a slab of dry ice and made me one happy gal. Since its arrival, I’ve been hiding […]
Crafty
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Crafty: Spice up your invites with homemade envelopes
Photos by Frankie Schneckloth The summer party prep series concludes with instructions for making your very own lined envelopes. Even if you never plan to host a dinner party, you’ve probably been invited to someone’s barbecue or pool party. I won’t go all Emily Post on you, but handwritten thank-you’s are always correct and appreciated. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
On the table: Laid-back libations
Sticking with the theme of last month’s column, party preparation, let’s bring our attention to the main event: dinner and drinks. As a relatively social person, I’ve hosted groups of friends and family at my house for dinner, drinks and dessert numerous times over the years. Sometimes I get overly ambitious and attempt to make something I’ve never tried before with the world’s longest recipe in hopes of making our dinner a meal to remember.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Crown your guest of honor with a ring of blooms
Supplies floral wire (22 gauge) heavy wire floral tape assorted flowers and greenery (I used a variety of blooms in differing textures and sizes and selected one statement flower to be the focus. Alternatively, you could fill the whole crown with big, bold blooms for a very dramatic look.) sharp scissors small vase with water […]
Posted inFood & Drink
On the table: For your informaggio
I’m going to take a guess here: You probably haven’t ever made your own cheese before. It’s ok, you’re not alone. Up until a few weeks ago, I had never even considered venturing into the unknown territory of amateur cheesemaking. But then, over happy hour drinks, a friend mentioned her interest in trying her hand at it, and my ears perked up. Later that night, as I flipped through the pages of my latest Bon Appetit, I serendipitously happened to see a recipe for ricotta—the editors vowed it was a breez…
Posted inFood & Drink, Print Edition
Crafty: Eins, zwei, drei, apfelwein time!
On a trip to Germany a few springs ago, I fell in love with apfelwein—a traditional German apple cider. My travelling companions and I spent two weeks drinking delicious bottles of super dry apfelwein that the mother of our host made by hand. She had spent the previous fall pressing apples harvested from her family orchard and making apfelwein that fermented in her cellar over the winter. By the time the weather was warm, the apfelwein was ready to enjoy.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Make a bold impression with potato prints
I’m willing to put money down—you’ve probably done this project before. In elementary school. But don’t be fooled! Just because it’s super easy and simple enough for a child doesn’t mean it can’t yield great results. For a little refresher, read on, find yourself some potatoes and get stampin’!
Posted inArts & Entertainment
What a Load of Craft: Reigning DIY royalty to display their handmade holiday wares this Saturday
Chances are if you’ve lived in or been around Iowa City for a while, you’ve heard rumor of What a Load of Craft (WALOC)–our local, cutting-edge…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Green-thumb guidance for overwintering and propagating houseplants
Over the last few years I’ve collected quite a few houseplants, even though I am by no means a master gardener. I have the strange ability to bring…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: It’s never too late to be hip for a third grader
Photos by Frankie Schneckloth Before we get started here this month, let’s get something straight: I am by no means an expert on a wide variety of topics. I had never made pickles before July’s column. I don’t have an extensive background when it comes to fabric dyeing. I was curious about these projects, so […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: DIY Notebooks for the new school year
Photos by Frankie Schneckloth When it came time to shop for school supplies, I never chose the super splashy Lisa Frank folders and notebooks. Ever the organizer, I always went for plain colored folders and notebooks that color coordinated to make changing subjects a breeze. I knew if they ripped or I needed a replacement […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Ombre napkins are luxury for your lap
Like I mentioned in my last column, I can really get behind simple indulgences. Whether it’s flowers, stationery or items for the home, anything that elevates the ordinary to even slightly luxurious is right up my alley. I could make a list a mile long of the little luxuries I love, but it’s outdoor dining […]
