Clementine Art

Pomplamoose: Another Day

It is amazing what two talented people can do. So creative!

She might be my new fave.

Winter Clementines

my friend susanna from paper scissors oranges sent this today.

it made me smile. have you had your clementine today?

Clementine on the Daily Grommet

Most of the time, I am inspired and amazed by children. Sometimes, I am really inspired and amazed by them...

Imagine some old boxes sitting around your house. Mine would end up in the recycle bin. Some folks might jam 'em in a closet, or under the bed.

Here's what my dear young friend Audrey did with the old boxes at her house:

She used paper, scissors and glue. That's it.
The trees are folded - origami-style.

I love the walkways and her mix of patterns.

Don't the windows look cozy with the yellow paper behind?

I'd like to live in this neighborhood. Magical!

The Clementine Cookie

Recently, it became clear that we needed to thank all the lovely people we work with for all that they do for us, and with us, everyday.

Holidays are a good time for that, so I rolled up my sleeves to make a zillion clementine sugar cookies with citrus glaze. They are golden, light, and a little soft, with a refreshing, not-too-sweetness about the glaze.

Here's the recipe from Martha Stewart:

Ingredients: Makes 2 dozen
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons brandy, or milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies, optional

Directions
1. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; mix until light and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg, brandy, and vanilla; mix until well combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add reserved flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
2. Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
5. Decorate with Royal Icing, optional.

Since I like my icing a bit softer than Royal Icing, I skipped the meringue powder, and made my icing like this: 

2 c powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Annatto Paste for orange color (to liking)

The idea is to make it thick enough to stick, and thin enough to cover the cookie without having to spread each one. I just held the cookie upside down, over the bowl, and dipped/rolled until I got the coverage I preferred. You can make the frosting with water instead of lemon juice, but it's much tastier with the citrus hit.  

Here's how they looked while the icing was setting overnight:

My goddaughter Audrey took this shot. 

Pretty good eye for a 9 year old, yes?

Stacked tall in cellophane bags. A dozen to a stack. 

Add a handmade card and a ribbon. 

So many thank you's. 

Thank You!

Winter is Here

Brr. It's cold outside!You might be looking for a sweet winter art project to do with your children. This one is gooey, messy fun.

Make a Winter Snowperson to keep you company this season.

Start with some newspaper strips, Clementine natural glue, a handful of flour, and a bit of water. Make a thin paste (think pancake batter), and begin to dip and wrap the strips around balls of newspaper until you've got 3 balls, of various sizes. Let them dry.

Attach them together with skewers, or a hot glue gun. Paint them white, or lots of colors with Clementine natural paint.

Sprinkle with natural confetti or glitter, let dry.

Start embellishing. Add a jaunty hat, some button eyes, a dough nose, and some wooden bits for buttons. Add some arms made from outdoor twigs, and a broom if you like.

viola! your sweet winter friend.

Mod Fairy House

do you believe in magic and fairies? i do.

so does my friend audrey.

she made this incredible, mod fairy house using only natural materials; clementine glue, markers, glass beads, handmade paper, an inexpensive wooden picture frame, fabric and some unpainted wooden bobbles.