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 […]
DIY
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 inFood & Drink
Crafty: Homemade Doughnuts are the perfect cold-weather breakfast treat
Sunday is the best day to tackle a crazy recipe, right? I love a good doughnut and I have wanted to attempt a batch at home for some time. When I finally decided…
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 inCommunity/News, UR Here
UR here: A traditional spice takes center stage
As autumn segues to winter, my seasonal spice shifts, too. Since September, it’s been all about nutmeg for me, the one essential ingredient to my apple crisp (aside from Wilson’s Orchard apples, of course). But as Thanksgiving passes to Yuletide, nutmeg yields to cardamon. Oh sure, I’ll still sprinkle a little nutmeg on the old […]
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
Art for everyone: Eastside Artists’ Holiday Show and Thieves’ Market set for this weekend
The Iowa City Eastside Artists’ annual Holiday Show will be held this weekend at the Masonic Lodge, located across from the Iowa City Public Library…
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 inFood & Drink
Crafty: Pickling 101
Every year, I dream up elaborate plans for my summer vegetable garden. And each year, at about this time, I start to lose steam. The constant weeding and watering are too much for me and I can never seem to battle the bugs and pests in an effective way. I tried to keep it in check this year and scale back a bit on planting. I selected things that we truly like and actually eat, and that also are relatively easy to care for. I planted, among numerous other vegetables, three tiny cucumber plants.
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 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
On the Table: A visit with Iowa City herbalists Wild Rose Apothecary
Most people go to great lengths to rid their yards of plants they deem to be “weeds.” These so-called weeds are invasive and unattractive and might as well just be wiped out, right?
An Iowa City herbalist group, Wild Rose Apothecary, is looking to change that perception; it’s their mission to inform weed-haters that wild-foraged herbs like dandelions, cleavers, plantain and chickweed actually have a place in our homes.
