April 2nd Spring Dream'n Soiree Event Sneak Peek #2

Deck them out in their Easter duds because we have a special Spring offering for you! During the Spring Dream'n Soiree event, mini sessions are offered exclusively with photographer Alli McLaughin, known for her artistic portrait playfulness by capturing a child's spirit through the lens. Perfect time to embrace a child's sweet smiling face from infancy to adolescence, or gather the family for a nice group portrait. Mother's Day is just a Spring breeze away, why not have Mom and kids photographed together?

$30 Mini Session (valued at $99)

One day only at the Spring Dream'n Soiree Event

Saturday, April 2, 2011

10am to 5pm

Hosted by us (Charmed By Artistudio) located in the hip digs of Double E Images Photography Studio at 210 N. 7th Street, Downtown St. Joseph (one block south of covered public parking)

Payment due at session, walk-ins welcomed

Please be dressed ready to go, props welcomed! (no live animals please.)

Call 390-8846 for details.

Hope to see you at the event!!

Sneak Peek #1

Sew Cool Lanyards and Key Fobs

Available at Spring Dream'n Soiree Event

Saturday, April 2, 2011

10 am to 5 pm

We are head over heels for the new line of fabs from our neighboring gal textile designer Tula Pink in Stewartsville, Missouri. Tula's fabric collection called "Parisville" is sew cool we had to make our lovely reversible lanyards and key fob's to match for our spring dream'n line. We will have a nice selection available for this event, maybe we can get Tula herself to sign one for us to raffle off?? :-)

Check out these lovely lanyards! And look below they are reversible!!!

and a Key FOB is a wrist strap key chain perfect for when you are walking the dog, have busy hands carrying the baby carrier or just really wanna look cool.

Available of course at the event!

Spring Dream'n Soiree Event!

That's right we have been Spring Dream'n and really after that last glorious warm day last week we are definitely dreamy-eyed. Please accept this cordial invitation and save the date for a you don't wanna miss event. I will be posting twice each week sneak peeks of the upcoming event.

Please note that if you Pre-RSVP the event by emailing to artistudiosales@stjoelive.com your intent to come we will reserve in your name a $5 off any Charmed By Artistudio item coupon to be picked up at the door and put your name at the top of the pile for the Delish Bakery 24 Cupcake Topiary giveaway.

I hope to see you all!

Best Wishes,

Lisa

On a personal note, I may seem frazzled when you see me in person but don't dispair it's just the afterglow of feverishly creating... I promise it will be all smiles at the event :)

Valentine's Is Right Around the Corner

That's right Valentine's is nearing and I am wondering what goodies can I send my dear Grandpa way up in Michigan to show him the love. I think this might be a fun thing to do with my kiddos, easy and gets the message acrossed don't you think?

I ran across this wonderful blog cakespy.com and their Tele-Graham Cracker just spoke to me. What a wonderful idea! I can tell my G how much he means to me, maybe throw in a few bags of his favorite (Earl Grey) tea and XOX send it on his way! (I hope I am not spoiling the surprise... Grandpa if you are peeking, there will be much more!!)

Any hoo, I feel the pressure is off, all I need to get is some Cinnamon Graham Crackers, cream cheese frosting and some little gel writers. What to say??? Miss you (yep), love you (uh, uh), U ROCK (cause he does- you should hear him play his organ).

I WON'T be sending this message, although I know he would find the humor in it since he is a really funny guy. (Yeah, this won't do). Umm, any suggestions? I do only have a 3 inch space to work with. If you come up with something clever please help a gal out.

Cakespy.com suggest wrapping in waxed paper with an outer layer of tissue, and packed in a kraft jewelry box ( perfect size and I have lots of them), but probably will send quite a few because I know he will share the love with his beloved dog Abby (she rocks too).

So what do you think? Do I have it in the bag or what?

Hope you all have a rock'n V-day with all your loved ones!

XOX,

L (Charmed)

Go Team, GO EAT!

You will find when I am not designing or creating, I like cooking. So if you happen upon this blog and like to eat, I will try to sprinkle in some cooking fun. I am by no means a great cook, but I have hopes to one day be :) So back to the game theme...

Whatever team you are rooting for– the one thing you can count on is a table load of probably not so good for you snacks. Ahh, but it's for one night right? And Monday is a new day!

So, after much debate on what to bring to the Super Bowl gathering I thought why not wontons? With so many different choices of things you can make with wontons I decided to concoct my version of the crab rangoon since my kiddo loves it so, and since their was a bizzilion wrappers in a package I decided I would use the rest to make taco bites. If you find you still have time before the game and want to do this here are the recipes:

OH! speaking of recipes and games, would you like to play a game with me? Email me your all time favorite game day snack recipes and I will post them all at the end of February in preparation for March Madness games. I will have my family choose three PLEASE MAKE FOR US NOW top picks and those chosen will get their very own favorite team custom charm. So, start sending those recipes to artistudiosales@stjoelive.com, deadline is February 24th, posting of our Game Day Recipes and Top Three Picks will be February 28th. Please indicate how you would like to credited along with your recipe ( Mary S. or Mary Smith or M. Smith) when we post on the blog.

Taco Bites

1/2 package of wonton wrappers

1/2 section of cream cheese block

1 pound taco seasoned meat filling (I confess I use veggie crumbles and no one notices, really!)

2 cups taco shredded cheese

Spray with Pam a 24 mini muffin pan. Place a wonton wrapper in each muffin hole, push down to make a shell.

Mix warm seasoned meat with 1/2 section of cream cheese, you can get creative and add sliced black olives or those spicy pickled green things. Spoon tablespoon portions into each shell. Sprinkle shredded cheese over each and bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.

Top with a dollop of sour cream (yes, we like our dairy) and your favorite salsa.

With the other half of the wonton package, I have made Crab Rangoon.

Crab Rangoon Triangles

1 block of Cream Cheese, softened

1 can Star Kist Lump Crabmeat

1 T. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Tsp. White Pepper

1/2 Tsp. Garlic Powder

20 wonton wrappers

Oil to fry

Egg white for sealing wrappers

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

Mix all the ingredients EXCEPT wonton wrappers in a bowl. Place a wonton wrapper and run with your finger on all edges with egg white. Place a bit more than a teaspoon of filling inside wrapper, fold over and seal edges to form a triangle. Place each made triangle between two damp paper towels on a plate. When done place in fridge till you are ready to fry.

Fry each about 2 minutes in a pan of hot oil till golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Walla, let the game begin!

Valentine's Quiz Winner!

The big winner of the Valentine's Quiz is Pat Ward of Ward's Printing here in St. Joseph, MO. We actually had a 3 way tie and drew Pat's name out of the hat. Congratulations Pat and thank you for participating.

Are you dying to know the correct answers ? They are as follows:

1. MEAT, my sweetie prefers steak over sweets.

2. ALL THE ABOVE, he sent them on all those special days.

3. BAHAMAS, my baby likes to feel the sand between his toes and the sun upon his face.

4. FLOWERS NIGHT BEFORE, he didn't want to forge

5. CARRIAGE RIDE, my life changed forever... really.

We will arrange delivery of your sweet charm necklace, thanks!

OX