Sneak Peek of a Future Paper Lab's Upcoming Funness :)

Green Eats: Oven Roasted Green Beans

 

Oven Roasted Green Beans

Preheat oven to 350.

1 pound of fresh green beans (frozen work ok too)

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Wash and clean the beans, cutting off the ends. Dry them.

2.  Spread the beans out in a single layer on a sheet pan.

3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes to roast.

5. Pull them out and sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese.

6. Roast for 10 more minutes to get thet cheese melted and toasty brown.

Enjoy!

These are a delish side dish -- I like to think of them as green cheese fries! :)

NEW! Origami Stationery and a Mother's Day Concert

So with some experimentation and fun conversations, I have started making origami stationery.

Here's a sneak peak of a set that I am donating to the Women's Chorus of Dallas fundraiser silent auction. I met one of their members at an Earth Day event and we got to talking and voila!

They are focused on butterflies and pink.

Their next event is on Mother's Day at Fair Park and all the details are available here.

The idea of stationery has been floating around for a while but after my conversation with Frida,  I had to take action! Available in my Etsy shop later this month!

Earth Day Event in Fort Worth

At a recent corporate Earth Day event, I made some fun discoveries - vendors, ways to serve up flatware and some new friends.

 

The event getting set up.

 

Ranchman's Soapery table.

I was really lucky to have Ranchman's Soapery as my vendor-neighbor. They were really nice and added a delish fragrance to the event. I think people were naturally drawn to their yummy smelling table of soaps. You can check out all their goodies for yourself here.

 

The product that seemed to get the most comments was a soap bar called "Stinky Dog". It can be used to wash dogs or humans. It got lots of giggles and was really popular. I chose a soap -- cucumber. It's a very mild fragrance and very rich and creamy -- and a gorgeous color. Can't wait to try some of their other fragrances too!

 

Flatware dispensery.

This facility had some really cool green accessories. I love their very "Sheldon Cooper friendly" flat wear dispenser - one of my faves. It keeps things clean, tidy and recyclable. You just press the handle on the right and one piece of flatware at a time is dispensed. Clever! 

Still Celebratng Earth Day: water

Spring Time Fun and Cute Creatures

Some lucky person will be receiving these cuties in the mail this next week! (I'll keep the person's identity a secret for now -- I love planning sneaky fun surprises.)

These hedgehog nail brushes melted my heart when I saw them. So cute, so useful and colorful too! Can't wait to put them in the mail as a little Springtime surprise package!

Texture Tuesday

It's finally here! YAY!

Green Eats for a Green Month

I was recently generously given an over abundance of green beans by a friend and this recipe. Try it out! You won't be sorry! The beans get a little crispy on the outside and the cheese makes them a little salty -- ooh yummy! I wish I got a picture but they were devoured before I had a chance!!

Preheat oven to 350

1 lb fresh green beans
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper, a sprinkling
1/3 c shredded parmesan

1. Put everything, but the cheese, in a bowl and coat the beans.
2. Spread on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 10 minutes.
3. Use a wooden spoon to move around the beans and then sprinkle on the cheese.
4. Cook for 10 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Texture Tuesday

Texture Tuesday

Count Down To Earth Day: water

Texture Tuesday

Count Down to Earth Day: dispose safely

An Early Spring Visit to the Trinity River Audubon Ctr

Check out their upcoming fun and events here.

Texture Tuesday

Count Down to Earth Day: water

Seasonal Fun With Origami

Curious About My Processes?

Well, you are not alone. Brett from IAMTHELAB did a fun post on my work in progress. Pop over to his blog and check it out. There are some exclusive behind the scenes sneak peeks!

Give Me A Fracking Break!

So, fracking has been swirling around in the news for a while now. The fact is, it's going on here in DFW. *Sigh*

I don't know if you've read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring but there are some disturbing similarities between what she talked about and the process of fracking. In her impactful book, Carson discusses the notion that pollutants that are dumped into waterways have the potential to mix with another pollutant to create yet a third pollutant. Since the publication of her book many policies have come about to prevent such pollution in our waterways. However, it seems that fracking is bring this concept back to the surface.

If you investigate the process of fracking it involves drilling down through the layers of earth to a determined depth and then drilling parallel to ground level to the desired location. Then chemicals are blasted through this drilled path to increase it and release the desired gases, liquids and solids. The really scary thing about it is that this process drills though many layers of the earth freeing different elements to mix together -- add to that the chemicals used in fracking -- we are creating the potential for a big nasty chemical stew.

Consider the disturbing notion that companies want to set up fracking sites closer and closer to communities -- colored me scared. What if there were an accident or explosion on a site close to where people live or go to school? It just doesn't seem worth the risk. That added to the potential chemical stew makes me want to run away and hide.

We have experienced more and more earthquakes here in Texas since the start of fracking. I'm no geologist or scientist but there has to be a connection between messing with the earth and later it's spontaneous shifting.

Please go view this video about fracking it's very informative. It very clearly explains the process of fracking and how it affects the areas around it. Then if you agree, please scroll to the bottom of the page and send your legislaters a note to let them know what you think. (Don't worry, there's a templated letter too.)

This post is linked up over on the Green Sisterhood Reading list.

Texture Tuesday

Dream Box

The Dream Box Kit that I won during the #RBBIZ Summit is finally complete. It came with a cute little booklet that asked questions to inspire what you decoupaged on the box -- very cool and really fun. (it also came with the cutest little bottle of modpodge and a tiny foam brush)

I'm still doing some work on the cards that go inside. I thought I'd share how it turned out. So excited about it! I love having it on my desk while working. If I stumble on a decision -- all I have to do is consult the box! :)


This was a great experience for me -- I highly recommend it! Have you done a dream box? How did it turn out?

I want to shout out a big THANKS to Jennifer Lee for the box and the #rbbiz conference. I really got so much out of it all! 

Props to the Paper Prince: Robert Sabuda

This past Friday, I went to a lecture on paper engineering given by Robert Sabuda. In case you don't know his work, he has done a collection of wonderful pop up books. His books delight kids and adults -- for real! ;)

My adventure started with a thirty minute wait in line to be sure I got a seat. (Totally worth the wait.)

He started his lecture with a quick demo of how to create a very simple pop up. It was very cool to see him in action. It's obvious when he speaks about what he does -- that he has the perfect job for him. He shared that he doesn't have creative hobbies because he is so absorbed in his work on pop up books.

He happily revealed that much of what he does is trial and error - sharing that sometimes the paper squeaks or doesn't move right and that he has to get in there and "fix it". Paper mechanics. Wow.

He showed us images of the Wizard of Oz pop-up book in progress, from prototype to completed pop up with green spectacles. Epic. He shared that pop up books usually take about a year from beginning to available on the shelf. (Wow, he has much more patience than me.)

Did you know that pop up books are still hand assembled? (Not by him but by teams of humans that do this for a living.) They are. Machines aren't nimble enough to do what human fingers can do. Each worker is assigned one task in the pop up and do it over and over to become and expert in it and then pass it on to the next worker to do their bit. Wow, talk about nimble fingers!

He shared what his next book will be -- The Little Mermaid -- it will be available this Fall. Can't wait to see it!


I had the opportunity to ask a question -- so I asked' "what fuels your imagination?" and he replied, "chocolate". Given the opportunity, I think we could be great creative friends. But for now, I am still a huge fan and admirer of his work.

What fuels your imagination?

Texture Tuesday

Count Down to Earth Day

Starting today, I'll be posting a tip a week to count down to Earth Day! If you have tips you'd like to share, please post them in the comments.

Texture Tuesday

Texture Tuesday

More Food Discovery

I just started reading this book. Lots of cool stuff about food. More knowledge to add to my brain after the Wheat Belly read.

Lots of new recipes are being created in my kitchen these days. When I get happy with them I may start sharing them here. I've been trying really hard to consume more protein and to be eco about it.

Are you reading anything inspiring and healthy this year? What changes are you making?

February 14th

2013 Changes - Updates

Well, since my wheat free proclamation I have been feeling loads better. I've been trying veggies in different ways, have a new perspective on meat and seasonings.

I was recently faced with a weird situation at a show where I had gone through my happy healthy snack and was still hungry and unable to leave to get a meal. The group of vendors ordered pizza and I ate a little bit thinking that this was better than getting that ugly grouchy low blood sugar dip. OMG, what was I thinking? I was clearly not making good decisions!!

Since the last week of 2012, I have been wheat free. I have been feeling fab and had to idea what a SMALL wheat relapse would result in! The next morning I woke up fuzzy brained, exhausted and thirsty. My joints ached, my head ached and I felt like a total grouch!! (Quite honestly, I wondered if I had the flu.)

Well, it was the wheat flu. My body was asking in all it's aches and pains what the heck I was thinking putting wheat in my system after getting it all sparkly clean and happy. Clearly, I was NOT thinking, I was hungry.

New proclamation, don't go anywhere with out at least three snacks!! *sigh*

How are your new year eating changes going?

Hold On To Your Tastebuds!!

At a recent show, I had the pleasure of meeting Marcey of Austin Mason and sampling her delish handmade toffee. It is available with or without pecans -- both delicious! The salty and sweet bounce around your tongue and the chocolate and nuts help you get centered for the next bite.

As the party in my mouth continued, my eyes were delighted by the sweet little Valentine banners and succulent planters too! Wow, what's not to like?

As it turns out she is from Austin and I met her here in Dallas at the AIGA Creative Flea. Her yummy goodies are available on Etsy. Stop by and have a look around and send some sweets to your sweetie. 

Who wouldn't be delighted to have English toffee pop up in their mail box for Valentine's Day or any other occasion?

BE sure to check her out on Facebook too and meet her mascot! ;)

Fun Read With Good Info

A friend recommended Jane Goodall's Hope for Harvest: A Guide to Mindful Eating and I'm so happy she did. I'm suggesting it to you too as a nice read that's educational too. (Jane does have a great English sense of humor.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book -- it had a little bit on the flavor of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring only about food. It tickled my fancy that she also shared an average day of what she eats. (Not what you'd expect.)

I think the more we learn about where our food comes from and how it's cultivated to more wisely and thoughtfully we can consume. The research that she shares about how animals given the choice between GMO and Non-GMO food always choose the Non-GMO food option.

I so wish there was an app for that! Aim your phone at a food, take it's picture and see where and how it was cultivated to decide if its' consumption is a good idea for you or not. Not sure if that app will be a reality anytime soon but it sure would be helpful.

Thoughtful consumption is an idea that translates nicely into other things we consume as well. Supporting local businesses and farmer's markets has become a large deciding factor in so much of what I consume.

I absolutely love that the lady that I buy my carrots from at the farmer's market can tell me that they were grown without chemicals, picked last night and that she's been roasting them in the oven with balsamic vinegar. Fresh and healthy, lovingly hand grown veggies and recipes to boot – what more could we ask for? I can totally tell the difference between a farmer's market carrot and the dried up ones from the grocery store.

This post is linked up over on the Green Sisterhood Reading list.


Have a read, let me know what you think. Please leave and earth friendly reading suggestion in the comments as this is meant to be a conversation! :)

Quotables

“I always tell people that I became a writer not because I went to school but because my mother took me to the library. I wanted to become a writer so I could see my name in the card catalog.” -Sandra Cisneros

Adventures in Shopping: Mint

Ok, I confess, I shop in more than one place for food. I shop twice a week and go to the Farmer's Market whenever it's open.

Today I went to pick up some fresh things (they go fast) and mint was on my list. When I went to check out, the clerk who was very young. He looked at my beautiful bouquet of fresh mint, smelled it and then asked, "What's this?"

To which I replied, "It's Mint."

He proceeded ring up the rest of my basket and to tell me that the only way he had ever tasted mint was in gum. Oooh that made me feel sorry for his taste buds. I love to put it on my fresh fruit salad, in lemonade, in herbal tea, in desserts, in yogurt to make sauce and on Thai inspired salad rolls.

How do you use your fresh mint?

Making Changes for 2013

I started about a week before the new year by removing wheat entirely from my diet. It's only been a few weeks and I feel so much better. I thought it would be more difficult and that I could never accomplish this...I have given up bread!!!

This is a pretty big change, so you may be wondering, what brought this on? I read a book by Dr, Davis called Wheat Belly. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It starts with a mini history lesson on what has changed with wheat since the sixties and the effects it is having on the human body. It ends up explaining about how our bodies work and why wheat may mot be the right choice for everyone.

 I have proclaimed myself wheat-free. Have you made any health proclamations for the new year?

In Honor of Patricia

 

I met Patricia at my first handmade show. She looked at my items for sale and said in her teasing Argentinian accent, "...you must have a lot of patience...".

Patricia constantly crocheted, made resin jewelry and loved telling stories about her cat, Sam. I truly got know her at a later show that we labeled a "dud". Neither of us made a single sale and I think it was because the event was not advertised well but that's a story for another time.

Patricia and I had a whole afternoon to chat. She told me about living in Argentina and how she used to have a cat that would do tricks. We compared notes about different handmade shows and had to chuckle at the fact that we had signed up for this show (that was not such a good idea). It was a peaceful chatty afternoon and we ate lunch together. If we hadn't arrived ready for a handmade show, it would have been just that — a nice lunch and afternoon chatting with a friend.

Last week, Patricia sadly lost her battle with cancer. She will be missed — her directness, her insights, her sense of humor and her chuckle. I will miss seeing her at shows and watching her crochet while she talks to people. I'll miss seeing her eyes light up while hearing about Sam's latest adventures.

In honor of Patricia, please do something kind for a stranger this week. She put me (at the time a stranger to her) at ease with her observation when I first met her and I will never forget that. (I was a nervous hand maker at my first show not having any idea what to expect.)

Quotables

“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” -Atticus Finch

Mark Your Calendar

Stop by and check it out! 

AIGA DFW’s Second Annual Creative Flea takes place February 2, 2013 from noon – 5pm at Life in Deep Ellum. Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the door for members and nonmembers. AIGA DFW will be donating half of the proceeds of admission to a local charity – to be nominated and voted on by YOU and all Flea attendees.

We'll also be collecting shelter and canned food donations for admission as well. 

When: February 2, 1013, 12p-5p
Where: Life in Deep Ellum
2803 Taylor St, Dallas, Texas 75226

 

Quotables

“Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.” -David Hume

Quotables

“I knew that I had come face to face with some one whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself.” -Oscar Wilde

Start 2013 Green

It's a new year with a clean slate and time to do the green thing. Here are a few thoughts to start your year off right;

Mulch Your Christmas Tree
Yes, it's still January and many of us still have our trees up. It's ok, I know a couple families who wait  until Valentine's Day to take 'em down. Whenever you take down the tree, be sure to check with your city to see where you can mulch it. Many cities then use the mulch in their parks and community areas.

Re-examine Your Eating
In the new year, we all want to try new things. Take a look at what you've been eating. Do you grow it? Is it grown locally? Although it's difficult to grow everything we may need, Farmer's Markets are a great way to fill the void. The majority of farmer's markets have a nice variety of fruits, vegetables, honey, herbs, bread and natural home goods. Find one near you with your zip code here.

Recycle Your Electronics
So many people got new electronic gadgets for the holidays. What will you do with your old gadgets? If they are in working order, passing the on to a family member or friend that would enjoy them. If they are no longer working, check with your city to see where you can dispose of the safely.

Quotables

Deeply appreciate and give thanks for everything.
        
- Mama Gena

Short Hiatus

This blog will be on short hiatus starting today through the first week of January. After that, things will start up again with regular posts and interviews with fun artists.

I hope you'r holidays are fab!

Pantone 2013 Color of the Year

Quotables

In order to take a rightful seat at the head of the banquet table of our lives, we have to accept the rightness of our feelings and desires and act on them strongly. - Mama Gena

Quotables

Each of us can add a little fun to our lives, even in small ways, and the result can be a hugely entertaining life. - Mama Gena

Thoughts on Wrapping it up Green

I love wrapping presents. It gives me time to think about the person the gift is for and how to wrap it to reflect something about them.  It's also a creative challenge to repurpose things around the house or studio into pretty eco-gift packaging.

Make the effort, it's worth the time to have a unique looking package. Gift bags are a cop out. There, I said it! They are the drop and run solution for people who think they are all thumbs at gift wrap. Give gift wrapping a try, you may surprise yourself. Here's a quickie tutorial on how to wrap a present, so you can keep those corners neat.

One of my fave papers for gift wrap is brown kraft paper. If you have a few brown paper bags lying around -- try it -- it looks fab -- and you can dress it up any way you like! Just cut the bag at the seams and flatten it out. It's fun to draw on the inside of the bag first or after you've wrapped your package. Try gluing on a picture of the recipient as a kiddo or a picture of a place you know they'll like.

If you have an herb garden, have a look and see how you can work some herbs into your gift wrap. If your gifteé is a foodie, maybe wrap their present in a lovely dish towel and tie a little bunch of herbs on top. It will look pretty and smell good too.

More odds and ends and ideas...

You know those little white doo-dads that you pull out to open a carton of milk or juice? You know, the ones that you can't recycle? Wash them off and save them up -- they look fun on packages too! I like to investigate my tiny junk drawer. The gold baby from the Mardi Gras cake could make a darling gift topper. You're sure to find all kinds of hidden treasure in the junk drawer! :)

For the kiddos, I love to wrap things in cartoon pages from the newspaper. It's colorful and fun and kid oriented.

I enjoy adding texture too. On one package I cut a little strip of bubble wrap I had lying around to add a little texture and color.

I hope all your packages are beautiful!

Quotables

Always remember: your feelings are right. Your passion is part of your genius. - Mama Gena

Getting in the holiday sprit!

Today I stumbled across some of the cutest holiday wallpapers I have seen in a long time. Best thing about them? They're free! Hop on over to West Elm to see and download them for yourselves! There are sizes for all your gadgets – desktops, tablets & mobile.

I hope you're getting in the holiday spirit too!

Food Trucks in Dallas

 The food truck trend has exploded in Dallas.There seem to be all kinds of trucks – everything from desserts to exotic entrees. This is not the roach coach of years past. These modern food trucks are serving up original fresh, yummy satisfying foods.

During my week downtown last month for a conference, I had the opportunity to try a few out. My fave hands down was Rock and Roll Taco. The people in the truck were super nice and the food was fresh and delish. Check out the truck schedule here.

I appreciated that the tacos were small -- more opportunity to try flavors. One could easily have two or three as a meal and not feel overstuffed or like you missed out on anything.

Do you have food trucks in the area where you live?

Eco Finds

Eco Friendly Plush Doll by mypetmoon. Cuteness!

Quotables

Nothing is difficult to those who have the will. ~Motto of the Dutch Poets' Society

Klyde Warren Park - New in Dallas

A new park recently opened in the Dallas downtown area. I had seen pictures and drawing and it looked great. That was nothing compared to actually checking it out in person!

I checked out the park last weekend after I went to the Nutcracker Ballet with friends. It's beautiful! There's a dog run, putt-putt golf, a stage, ping pong, a mini playground and the food trucks were there. It was walking distance from the new Winspear Opera House.

The mini playground was recently yarn bombed by a group here in Dallas. It looks like a happy party. I don't know how long that will be up but it's really pretty and colorful!

With the 80 degree weather this weekend, it's a great time to get out a see it all. Check out a list of events here.