Retro Revival

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Super Deep Fried Super Bowl Sunday

Ever get an idea and then really go crazy with it? Captain Project wanted to try making his delicious fried chicken in the turkey fryer on Sunday. When putting together the grocery list, we kept adding things that we wanted to fry (previously, we'd only used the turkey fryer for, well, turkey!).

I present you with pictures of "Paul and Cindy's 1st Annual (because we'd die if we ate like this all the time!) Super Deep Fried Super Bowl Sunday!"

Corn on the cob and Brussels sprouts:

Made Paula Deen's recipe for hush puppies:

A few wings:

And finally the chicken that started this whole, crazy idea:

For dessert we wanted to try something I found on Pinterest ~ deep frying Little Debbie Strawberry Cheese Cake Rolls but our grocery doesn't carry them. Instead, I mixed together some cherry pie filling, raspberry jam and cream cheese and rolled them with wonton papers:

I popped them in the freezer to keep while we started the "fry fest" and they stuck together like glue. Could NOT get them apart without tearing the wrappers and ruining them!

Just as well because we realized deep fried berry desserts in peanut oil would be pretty gross. I suggested we both just pop a Lipitor for dessert!

It was all delicious! And as I type this I swear I'm still full! And getting ready to hit the gym. Obviously.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Whimsical Art by Felice Kite

I want to introduce you to Felice Kite!

Felice has a beautiful family ~ husband John and two gorgeous and bright teenage daughters. She has a BS in Interior Design from Virginia Tech. In addition to her interior design work, she began painting about five years ago.

Felice and I knew each other in high school and recently reconnected through Facebook. Long story short, I commissioned her to paint a piece for my studio. Here it is:

Isn't it awesome?! It's SO me!

Then she transformed this cabinet:

...into this!

I love them! So colorful and fun ~ I smile every time I walk by them!

Felice is such a doll, so cheerful and sweet. And so thoughtful! Look what she surprised me with when I went to her home to pick up the wall art and cabinet:

Eke! The (doggie) love of my life! Felice expertly and beautifully captured exactly what Twyla looks like. Look at the painting next to the photo she used as inspiration:

And I absolutely love how she framed the portrait.

I could go on and on about how much I love the pieces she made for me. Seriously. But I'll move on and show you some of her other work...

She really enjoys creating word art like these pieces:

Painting pet portraits is a fairly new endeavor for Felice. Since painting her first one about a year ago, she's sold over a 130 of them. Look at these cuties:

Felice also shares my love of the ocean and finds lots of inspiration at the beach. Her mermaid paintings are quite popular:

In the summertime, in July, you can find Felice at Carolina Beach Farmer's Market on Saturdays and at Kure Beach Farmer's Market on Tuesday. A beach trip AND art ~ perfect!

Felice counts her wonderful family (including her parents and sister) and friends as wonderful supporters of her art and business. She says, "How did I get so lucky? I will chase this dream forever. It is a great life!"

I feel very lucky to have reconnected with her!

Please head over to Felice's Facbeook page and give her a like. And if you'd like her to paint you something special, just FB message her!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Vintage Fabric Valentine Aprons

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift that'll last longer than a box of chocolates?

And longer than a dozen roses?

I made these aprons from vintage fabrics that have stood the test of time! Most of the fabrics are from the 1950's and they're still in excellent shape and very vivid with color.

I've also stitched up several made with new, retro fabrics:

They're all available in my Etsy shop if you want to take a closer look.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year {and a New Years Wreath}

Happy, happy New Year, my friends!

I made this wreath after seeing similar ones on Pinterest. It's so sparkly, colorful, and fun! And easy to make using these inexpensive goodies I found on sale at a party store.