Archive for December, 2009

Happy Christmas

December 26, 2009

Merry holidays from My Heart Behaves.

We had a white Christmas!!! Can you believe is snowed here in Dallas? Today we went on a walk to burn some of those eggnog calories off and came across this festive snowman in Exall Park beside our home. His eyes and buttons are made from olives and his nose is a carrot. I love that whoever created him donated a witch’s hat that kept falling because of all of the wind, and a single red rose around his neck, for good luck perhaps?

I hope he never melts.

xo,
Kristina

Future confectioner?

December 23, 2009

Um, not likely!

But I did attempt to make the cake pops inspired by Bakerella this past weekend for a couple of holiday parties.

I’d say they are pretty labor intensive for a novice such as myself, but overall once you get the hang of it, it goes by really quickly. (I won’t even attempt to show you the first few I made. It was an embarrassment of sorts, to say the least.)

My take on candy-making? Read my suggestions below.

I used white cake mix and made cream cheese frosting from scratch. The combo was okay, but I will make them with chocolate cake next time. I had it my head that using chocolate cake AND the chocolate bark would be overwhelmingly, well, chocolate. But upon reflection, I don’t think it would be.

After you have mixed the cake and icing together, freeze your balls! I had left my out and they were not hard enough once I stuck them in the hot chocolate bark. Just pop them back in for as long as needed before you start the dipping process.

Speaking of the ole bark, I had never worked with it before before so I was not sure what to expect. The original plan was to buy white chocolate bark and use food coloring to make them red or green.

Once I added the color though, it turned the bark into a weird and unusable texture. Was this just me?! I still don’t know. I quickly realized I had to go with Plan B … the green and red sprinkles I randomly had in my pantry.

Also, everyone’s suggestions leaned towards microwaving a few pieces at a time, to prevent the bark from cooling too quickly. I stuck mine in for a couple of minutes, only to have them burn so badly my smoke alarm went off! I ended up using a double boiler, the old school way.

To give the pops their shape, I punched holes in an egg crate to allow them to chill as the bark dried.

In the end, they were a total hit. But be prepared! Once you make them, everyone will absolutely love them and quickly ask demand you make more … like my boss when he requested I bring more the following day and place some neatly on his desk before he arrives. I wouldn’t wait on that order …

The Off Season

December 21, 2009

Just checking in on the blog. My apologies for the absence. I’ve been here and there and back again the last month or so. And obviously we are days away from … what’s that called? Oh wait! CHRISTMAS!

I’ve had little-to-no-time to write or even read many blogs, as of the late. So I leave you with this, the only photo I’ve edited over the last 500+ I’ve taken at the many, many events and festivities I’ve attended the last few weeks.

This is Daniel and I, the only moment we snuck away from family, at a long weekend in New Braunfels earlier this month.

The river city is so much fun to visit in the off season! After celebrating his grandfather’s ninetieth (WOW!) birthday, we shopped at some funky antique stores in Gruene, which I highly recommend. Perhaps there will be a pause in my life to edit, upload and write a post to show you how quaint these Hill Country towns are.

I know you are tired of me ranting on my busy schedule, as I’m sure yours is as equally packed. So let the celebrations continue into the New Year.

To be continued, my friends …

You’re invited …

December 11, 2009

to take 20% OFF of the remaining inventory at Saucers & Milk!

Raquel and I are eager to clear out what we have left, so we can get new stands made and put in the shop. So stop by, pick out something for you or for a friend and celebrate the season with vintage flare!

And act quickly! I will be putting the announcement up on the shop Sunday, so MHB readers get to take advantage first. Don’t forget to mention the code HOLIDAZE09 to receive the discount.

{This stand pictured above has sold.}

Rosemary

December 10, 2009

I was in San Antonio celebrating multiple family birthdays this past weekend and I ended up at an HEB at some point, waiting for a cake from the bakery. I wondered over to the floral section to see what they had, and ran across this lovely “tree” of rosemary.


Isn’t it just yummy?


As pretty as it is, the smell is the best part. I’m eager to make rosemary potatoes with it. I’m eager to make just about everything with rosemary! AND it’s got me on a kick of getting more herbs to make a tiny garden on my balcony.

The whitest tree you know.

December 5, 2009

Can I just start by saying how hard it is to photograph a white Christmas tree in a dark living room? Yowzas!

Anywho, I wanted to share how I decorated my 4-foot-tall tree with you for only $17.50. (I’m cheap and I like to brag about my thriftiness, what can I say?)

2009 is is kind of nature themed, I suppose, with teals and browns, a ton of pine cones and a bird on top. Clearly all things that can be found in a forest, right? Well maybe not the shimmery peacock!

This year, I pulled my resources and used two different shades of ribbon I already owned as garland and pine cones I’ve been collecting through the years as a basic accent. I only purchased three inexpensive items this year.

Here’s the break down:
1. Flocked with Glitter Pine Cones • 10 for $1/each • Crate&Barrel
2. Holly Berry Stems • 10 for $.25/each • Michael’s
3. Peacock Tree Topper• 1 for $5 • Target

My paper has two options, the plaid you see above, which I snagged a couple of years ago on clearance and a solid teal from Paper Source. I grabbed a ton of super cute ribbon half off at Michael’s. I think I bought six different patterns for under $7. And I’m using the gift tags I designed for Creature Comforts, which you can download here. They add a punch of orange to the whole mix, which I love.

So the holidays this year are super simple, still chic and totally affordable. All good things in my book!

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PS: In the spirit of giving, I encourage you all to visit the Angel Giving Tree or give to a food pantry this season. Don’t know where to start? Click here for more info on the Angels. Everyone needs a little extra help this year. Please give, if at all possible, and change someone’s life.

67 Lewis Road

December 4, 2009

This is really just so lovely, that I had to share.

I was looking up other things related to Studio 67, my design business, because I’m working on getting a much better portfolio site together. It turns out Studio 67 is so popular! Kinda scary and I really wish I had actually done more research two years ago, but that’s neither here nor there, this late in the game.

In any rate, this piece from the Sussex PhotoHistory popped up and I fell in love. So timeless in design, to think that this was all created by hand really puts it in perspective to me. The craftsmanship behind each drop cap and gorgeous lettering is just so inspiring, such a treasure. I’d love to learn more and get better at my own hand lettering and calligraphy.

Plus how cute is it that you can get enlargements made in oil, water colour or crayon? Where’s that option at Walgreen’s?

Source: Sussex PhotoHistory

Holiday Lights Gift Tags by Kristina

December 2, 2009

Check out my feature, Holiday Lights Gift Tags by Kristina, on Creature Comforts today! As part of her wonderful 18 Days of Festive Freebies & Holiday Tutorials, these vintage-inspired tags include a free download and some suggestions on my favorite crafty tools. Head on over!

Big thanks to Ez for including me in such a special feature. If you aren’t reading Creature Comforts, add it to your feed pronto!

PS: In the spirit of giving, I encourage you all to visit the Angel Giving Tree or give to a food pantry this season. Don’t know where to start? Click here for more info on the Angels. Everyone needs a little extra help this year. Please give, if at all possible, and change someone’s life.