Archives for January 2011

I have been so impressed with some of the beautiful, yet simple, wreaths out in blog land.  So…I thought I must make one of my own.  I decided that my material of choice would be…

…you guessed it, burlap.  I know, I know.  I just love the stuff.

What you will need is…

• Burlap (the amount varies depending on the size of your wreath base.  I used about 1 1/2 yards.)
• Wreath base (I used a 12 inch ring)
• Hot glue
• Spray paint to match the color of your burlap.

1.  I spray painted the ring red so that the overall color of the wreath would be uniform.  If you leave it white there is a chance the white will show through the burlap.

{Funny story…notice the tape?  I broke the wreath when I gently  tossed it on the ground to paint it.  Be careful, those joints break easily!!}

2.  Cut burlap into 5 inch squares.

3.  Fold burlap  in half and then in half again.

4.  Holding the folded corner, round off the top of the square.

Your burlap will then look like this…

5.  Grab the center of the burlap and gather to look like a flower.

6.  Snip off the folded point of the flower.

 

7.  Apply hot glue to the tip. {Don’t you just love the red fingers?}

8.  Glue to the wreath base.

9.  Repeat until your base is fully covered and looks like this:

Now I have something lovely to put on my door for Valentine’s Day!! (Shhhh! It’s good for Christmas too.)

{Update}  Many people have been wondering where I purchased the red burlap.  I found mine at Hobby Lobby.  Sorry Vegas friends…I bought what was left on the bolt!

Right before the holidays, I was super busy with some fun family photo sessions that I have been meaning to share.  Here are a few of the shots that I LOVE…

Aren’t they fun? Email me heather@whipperberry.com if you are interested in scheduling a photo session.

I am one of those girls who, early on, loved to hate Valentine’s Day.  All-the-while secretly wishing I would be bathed in rose petals on that blessed day.  Now, I can openly LOVE, and create, all I want for that day! 

Here are a few things that I have found recently that have gotten the creative juices flowing.

Click on the images to visit the original post…

Crocheted hearts…Between the Lines {LOVE THIS BLOG!!}

Clothesline book page hearts…The Artist Bride.

Raspberry meringue hearts…Woman’s Day.

“You Have My Whole Heart For My Whole Life” board…House to Home.

Love sacks…Crafty Sisters.

Heart felt wreath…The Idea Room.

What are your ideas for Valentine’s projects?  I would LOVE to hear about them!!

I’ve always loved the idea of brunch; spending time with family and friends over a leisurely late breakfast. And to me nothing says “brunch” like a delicious scone. Seeing as they have been around for centuries, its no wonder there are numerous flavors and recipes for this wonderful quick bread. I’m also a huge Ina Garten fan, so I decided to let her take on scones inspire me. But of course I did my own spin on them, because everyone loves a personal touch. And among the changes, I added banana. Instead of mashing them up however, I diced them so you would have a nice warm chunk of maple flavored banana as ate your scone (take that banana bread!). And unlike many scone recipes you’ll find, these are neither dry nor lacking in flavor. Give these a try, they make the perfect on-the-go breakfast.

Banana Maple Oat Scones:
(This recipe can easily be doubled)
1 and 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup Quick-Cooking Oats, plus some for sprinkling
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Sticks Cold, Unsalted Butter diced. (you want this really cold. I put mine in the fridge while gathering other ingredients)
1/4 cup Buttermilk
1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
2 Medium Ripe Bananas, diced in small pieces (the riper the better)
2 Extra- Large eggs, plus one for egg wash(1 egg beaten with 1 Tb. milk)

Glaze:
1 Cup Confectioners Sugar(use pure confectioner’s sugar, other brands have cornstarch added and can change the flavor)
1/3 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the first six ingredients. Add the diced, cold butter and mix on the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-size pieces. Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup and eggs together and add quickly to the flour-and-butter mixture. Add diced bananas and mix until just blended. The dough may be sticky.

Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is combined. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough about 1 inch thick into a circle shape. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut like you would a pizza and make eight pieces. Carefully place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and the insides are done.

To make the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. When the scones are done, cool for 10 to 15 minutes and drizzle each scone with 1 tablespoon of the glaze. I like to sprinkle some uncooked oats on the top, for garnish. The warmer the scones are when you glaze them, the thinner the glaze will be.

Enjoy and Happy Baking.