Is Potato Leek Soup Crafty?

I hope so, because I was feeling pretty creative!  With summer well on its way, I’m getting into the fresh food groove and inspired to try some quick, simple recipes.

The bright hues of the vegies reminded me of a garden party, which in turn made me remember I need to sew a few summer table cloths.

I yielded some mad skills with my cutting tools.

Garlic can definitely be considered an embellishment.

Ok.  I’ve convinced myself its crafty, so lets get down to the how-to.

***In an effort to keep this as creative as possible, I’m not going to share exact amounts and ingredients.   I want you to live on the wild side and create without abandon!  If I say 1-2 carrots, you say 3!

1.  Thinly slice 4 leeks.  Its best to use the lower, whitish section of this root veggie. The photo below was taken after I finished slicing and had already added the leaks to the pot.

2. Slice 4 carrots

3.  Mince 2-3 cloves of garlic

In a medium stock pot, saute the garlic, carrots and leeks in a little olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add 3 cans chicken broth and a few dashes of both thyme and celery seed. You could use a few celery stalks instead of the seed, but since I was out, I got creative and improvised.  Such an artist I am.

Simmer while you cut up potatoes.  The carrots will need those extra couple minutes cooking.

Cut 3 large potatoes into small pieces.  I like to scrub them good and leave the peel for a bit more flavor.

Add the potatoes to the pot and simmer at a low roll for about 30-40 minutes or until you can easily poke the potatoes with a fork.

Finally, turn the heat down to low and pour in the best part…CREAM!  Add one cup of half & half and heat just a bit more.  You don’t want to boil the cream or it could curdle.

Although this isn’t the best picture of presentation, trust me it is darn good!  And pretty creative if I do say so myself.

I’d love to hear how you’d add to, take away or any crafty things you would do!

Crocheted Flowers Everywhere!

Love love love Shelly’s tutorial on how-to crochet flowers. And let me tell you what, they are HOT STUFF right now. While you perfect your technique, there are a few places you can find them already made for you!

Close to My Heart has a collection of embellishments called White Daisy Mini Medley Accents. With it comes 4 super cute crocheted flowers, in 2 sizes!

Check out Fancy Pants Posies! They have several different colors and styles of these fun add-ons!

Or what about My Minds Eye? Their crocheted flowers are so delicate.

Want to cut out the middle man? Head over to Etsy – “Your place to buy and sell all things handmade”, and search for crocheted flowers! Buy what you see or have them made to order. I loved the flowers created by SweetPea Toad.

Creating digi-art? Cindy Doerksen on Your Digital Designers has a beautiful crocheted flower layer that might be perfect for your project.

Whether custom-made or homemade, find a way to get crocheted flowers on your project today. Check out a scrapbook page and card I’ve created using this HOT trend.

Close to My Heart Daydream Level 2 Paper Pack, Good Times & Noteworthy Stamp Sets, White Daisy Mini Medley Accents, Classic Numbers Dimensional Elements

Close to My Heart That’s Amore Level Two Paper Pack & My Stickease, White Daisy Mini Medley Accents, Just Blooms Big Pinks Flowers

For daily updates, go to fancymelissa.blogspot.com.

Primitive Step Stool

Perfect project for testing out your primitive painting techniques.

Southern Handmade Gifts

When Cr8tive Living stumbled upon artist Meredith from Southern Handmade Gifts we knew we’d found a hidden treasure! The combination of unique crafts showcased within a tech-savvy site had us begging her to share tips with our readers.

Here are some of her favorites!

Crochet Tip ~ When purchasing yarn, make sure you have a reasonable, and by reasonable I mean one or two more skeins then you think you’ll need) to complete your project. Remember you can always eture unused yarn….but you can not always find more of the same dye lot! MAKE SURE you check the yarn “DYE LOT #”. This number is found on the skein wrapper. Some like certain RED HEART brands have “NO DYE LOT” meaning that all skeins are exactly the same shade. Others have dye lot 3…meaning all the skein with the same dye lot with match exactly. You may look and say “they look close enough” but TAKE it from me…..what looks right to you in a store will look totally different with crochet into a project…this is so important….solid colors could be just enough off that it looks like two pieces and in variegated yarn the way the colors change may be different…this may not seem like a big deal but take it from someone who has had to scrap more than one project because I did not buy enough of the same or did not check. this Blanket called Tequila Sunrise is a good example I had to buy many many skeins of the same dye lots to ensure that the colors where RIGHT ON.

Beading Tip~ Use good quality materials. I found when I first started beading that the saying “you get what you pay for” could not be more true. Now you can find deals..but you have to know you quality. For example a lower quality, all be it cheaper, beading wire will kink very easily. It would not probably make it through a nap with out getting kinks in it. You wan to get the best possible materials that you can find and afford…..and it will pay off with better quality, longer lasting and more durable handmade pieces. This Moonstone & Sodalite Necklace w/ Sterling ~Metaphysical Properties Healing & Stress Relief necklace here

is made with the most flexible wire I could fine, real gemstones, sterling silver and even sterling silver findings. Also because these gemstones have a little bit of weight to them I made sure I used wire strong enough…all wire should have a test pound weight and even recommended types of materials to use with them.

Last Tip ~ This I learned while building my site and it has been a total time saver…..Scan Your Jewelry instead of photographing. Granted this works way better on some pieces than other pieces but the ones it does work for are GREAT. Two tricks I learned (besides the fact that there are some great informative articles out there about it) is *Cover Scanner with dark blanket to block out light since it will the lid will not shut and * use a small ring box or I used a stack of post-it notes to prop lid to scanner open so it is not resting on jewelry and/or knock it out of place after you get it like you want it. Here is a great example of that a scanner can do Pink Leaves “Of Change” Necklace

I hope you enjoyed just these few quick tips and I look forward to hearing from you on my blog to Southern Handmade Gits

Meredith Crosby

craftyGAgal

Southern Handmade Gifts

Cr8tive Cupcakes

check out these amazing cupcakes that Field Editor Michelle Grant made…

“There is such a creative joy and satisfaction from creating cupcakes.. biscuits and all other scrummy treats! After all you can’t eat a scrapbook can you!

Share with us your edible creativity… and why not join us in our ‘challenges’ In February we want to share all things edible and love… goodies to create for your kids, loved one and even your hubbie!!”

Find more photos like this on Cr8tv

We’d love to see what cr8tive stuff you’re mixing up! Share photos, notes or recipes in the comment section and you’ll be entered to win this little cutie: