Life with Zazuta

We have Moved!

2013-09-23T10:15:00.002-07:00

Goodbye Blogspot!

After years of awsomeness, I feel the need for something a little more professional.

You can now find me here!

Baking to beat the Monday Blues

2010-04-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of ripe fruit like apples and peaches lying at home. And I can only eat so much fresh fruit for breakfast. So I did what any smart girl with time on her hands would do. I made an apple and peach thin crust pastry-pie. Since I dont know what category it actually falls in .

The thing is I had batter left over from 2 days ago when I made muffins. I put it in the refrigerator. Finally had a way to use it today.

Step 1: Wash and dry the apples. Then peel and core them. I don't use exact measures. I just use as much of each fruit as I'd like.

Step 2: Once that is done, dice the apples. I like chunky pieces, so I don't really bother with fine chopping that much.

Step 3: Boil the Peaches. It's easier to remove the skin this way. Also makes the Peaches sweeter, I think. Be sure to let them cool before you handle them. Take off their skin, take out the pits, and chops them up.

Step 4: Line your baking tray with aluminium foil.

Step 5: Spread/knead/roll the pastry on the baking tray. Be sure not to leave empty spaces. I made a very thin crust as that's the way I like it. You can always go thicker.

Step 6: Spread on your fruit. I don't like to waste, so I was squelching the juice out of the peach skins to get in extra sweetness. I also drizzled a little Maple syrup over this spread before popping it in the oven.

Step 7: Ready to serve and Eat.....

Ciao~~

How is your summer going?

2010-04-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

Mine is mostly being spent gardening, reading, painting, and soon to come travelling. I love this year. It was been absolutely brilliant on so many levels.
This is my first year sowing corn. I love all things corn. Corn sprouts.

And of course lots of flowers!!
If you want to know more about what I do when Im not here....( and most probably why Im not here)... You should visit my veggie blog. Zazu's Garden

Sowing 25th april 2010

2010-04-25T03:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I planted mostly herbs. I plan to let them germinate outside in the heat, and move them indoors , on the window ledge so they don't burn to death in 43Deg C. Horrid weather. I have also placed a couple of pots on the kitchen window ledge- easy access.

These are what I sowed.

* Rosemary
*Oregano
*Sage
*Parsley

I also planted sunflowers and Zinnia (white), last evening

I had already planted a pot or two of rosemary and oregano , and am relieved to see them sprouting. I hadn't expected the herbs to do well at this time. Once indoors, the temperature is usually 22-25 Deg C, and with them on a sunny windowsill , i should have no problems. :D

I picked up some summer and monsoon flowers today.

Today I shall be planting:

* Zinnia dahlia
* Balsam Camilia
* Portulaca (single and double mix)
* Cockscomb (Jewel Dwarf Mix)
* Morning Glory (Ipomoea)

The instructions on the packages said the seeds will germinate and plant worthy within 20 days from the date of sowing. and another 70 days to flower. So I'm looking at a flower filled garden in about 3 months.

Here is a visual update on what was already in the soil.

The corn is doing really well. Im happy.

We Had our first pumpkin/ water melon seedling today. Welcome to the world!!

The tomatoes and chillies are also growing well and will need thining in another month of so.

I am still waiting for the Cilantro, Okra and Eggplant to show up.

What's in your garden?

2010-04-23T00:03:00.000-07:00

I lost a lot of seedlings and plants in the move to my new house. My greatest loss was my 2 year old celery, which has just started flowering. So wanted to collect the seeds for that.
I have been scrambling to sow whatever I can now, so late in the season. Below is what is finally starting to show its head above ground. That still leaves about 80% of the seeds in question. Sigh!!

I planted a lot of Tomatoes in plastic containers, maybe about 50 odd plants. Only 6 survived. I have recently sown another 40 odd seeds, lets see if they make it.

Rosemary or thyme seedlings. I forget which one I planted here. Should really get labels

spinach is finally sprouting.
Corn!! Lots and lots of corn. This is my first time ever with Corn and Im really excited to see how they grow.

More Spinach. I sowed 3 window boxes full of them. Should have enough Spinach for the next few months. Pureed and Frozen for soup. or just baby spinach leaves frozen as is... unwashed.

More later.

Ciao

Inventory

2010-04-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

is all I am doing today. Dull dull dull..... Tedious.... but must be done. After that, I can reward myself by shopping for more!!! :D

snippets from the new studio

2010-04-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

I managed to take these yesterday. I love the way the new studio is coming along. I am yet to paint the mural on the main wall. More later. enjoy these.

My basket of colourful wine. I am planning on using them soon. ;)

What jewelery artist would not have beads, I ask you.

Traditional Rajasthani embroidery on umberellas... hanging in the corner of the studio ceiling.

Yet to begin learning to knit.

Ciao...

A while and then some.

2010-04-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Moving house can be quite annoying. It's not even the packing up and the unpacking. It's the sorting out of trash you have been collecting for the last 300 odd years. And it can be embarassing... to say the least.
We just got the net installed in the new house, still running around to pay some last bills for the old house, plenty of bills as it is for the new house, including the exasperating orderal of finding out taps that carry no water, cabinets that dont function and blah blah blah/

The last few weeks has seen more people in the house( working) than friends or guests I have had in the old house for 2 years. Seriously.
I am glad though that I can now concentrate almost entirely on my studio and stocking and sorting. One last butterfly mural to paint on my new wall in the studio and I am done!

no pictures yet, I can't seem to find where I packed the Camera...

more later.
ciao!~

Tutorial Wednesday

2010-03-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, there's nothing official about it. But I liked the sound of Tutorial Wednesday.
I love seeing and / or using fabric as jewelery. These tutorials by Johanna ( from Stampington.com) show you how.

Part 1

Part 2

This week is going to see lots of fabric jewelery crafts and tutorials so stay tuned!

Another felt flower tutorial

2010-03-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

I found this felt flower tutorial on Koala Brains ( love the name).

I just loved the blog as well. Check it out. She has a whole lot of other tutorials on lots of other stuff as well. You can find them here.

Felt Flower Tutorial - CraftStylish

2010-03-30T02:12:00.001-07:00

Felt Flower Tutorial - CraftStylish

Posted using ShareThis

Children can decorate and design seed packets to give as gifts.

2010-03-30T00:14:00.001-07:00

Children can decorate and design seed packets to give as gifts.

Posted using ShareThis

Easter Felt Crafts

2010-03-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

I came across this tutorial the other day on how to make easter crafts with felt. Yeah, I know I'm obsessed.

Friday's Fabulous Feature

2010-03-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

This Friday's Fabulous Feature is Laura from "Bugs and Fishes by Lupin". The features section has moved to its own space now. You can see them here.

Papermania Ornate Stamps

2010-03-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

How many of you are currently using these? They're amazing!! Here's a tutorial on how you can use these stamps.For more information, go to Doc crafts where I got this tutorial. They have plenty of other crafts to keep you comin' back for more. :D

Easter Tutorials

2010-03-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Here are the Easter craft tutorials I promised. Again, these are not mine... I found them on You Tube. This first one is a really pretty and simple to-do tutorial . I think you could even make the slots from chipboard.You can visit Total Class Creative for more information and crafty ideas.

The Second tutorial is an Easter Egg wreath. Yup... you heard right. Really easy to do . And also a really simple Easter Egg Tree. :D
Visit the website for more information.

PLUS, a tutorial I found on embossing and stamping. See here for more.

Hmmmm...

2010-03-26T07:44:00.001-07:00

I'm afraid with moving house and a flurry of unforeseen activity, I will have to post my Friday Feature on Monday. Is a shame really. I had an amazing feature picked out for you guys. Actually a couple of amazing features, but I guess you'll just have to wait. And that too on Felt. My so current obsession.
However, I will be posting a couple more tutorials here on easter crafts later in the day. So check back after a couple of hours.

XXX

Weekday Blahs and flower tutorials

2010-03-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

This week has been particularly lazy and the heat isn't really helping. It's 39 Deg C. can you believe it? That is HOT!! And also family reunions almost every night since last Friday. Whew!
But I'm feeling better now, rested and well ... not so lazy.
Seeing that I am still in the scrapbooky, felty ,flowery phase here are some tutorials I embeded from You Tube. All 3 tutorials shown here are from Rosanne . You can visit her site here.

Flower tutorial part 1

Flower Tutorial Part 2

That's it for today Folks,
more tomorrow.

XXX

Tips on selling your jewelery

2010-03-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard of David Weiman, you're missing out on the great advice he gives on selling handcrafted jewelry. These are a few of his videos/ tutorials on selling in bad economy. It's worth a listen if you're figuring out a way to boost your jewelery sales. Visit his website here.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

And if you're still watching, another one on selling your handcrafted jewelery in a bad economy..( which we are still in)

How do you package your jewelery?

2010-03-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

I came across this tutorial a long time back and often refer to it when I need to think of something new. You can see more of Sheryl here.

I have been following her site for a year now and love her style. Her jewelry is innovative, quirky and fun!
This is her tutorial on packaging jewelery. Innovative and fun.

Polymer clay beads and jewelry technique

2010-03-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have been wondering for a while if I should get into Polymer clay... Because some of the stuff I have seen, has been mind-blowingly , fantabulous! So I was looking up polymer clay tutorials for beginners... ('cause I don't know much about it) and came across this one. Thought I'd share it with you.

It's by Cathie and Steve ( cute!).
Note: again... these are not my tutorials.

They also have a really nice site. you can visit them and learn more here.

Felted flower Tutorials

2010-03-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

I have recently fallen head over heels in love with felt. Everything felt.
Especially, felt flowers. I was browsing through You Tube and came across some really easy to follow, creative tutorials. Thought I'd share them with you.
Please note, the tutorials are NOT mine, I have posted them here from You Tube.

The first tutorial is really easy , and perfect if you've just taken a fancy to the craft as I have. Also , using recycled sweaters... very cool!! This tutorial was made by Craftside.

The second tutorial is a butterfly tutorial that I really liked. This tutorial is in two parts, but it's worth it. Its not a felt tutorial, but if you're crafty, you really shouldn't miss this.You can see more here, on her blog. Her name is Rosanne Carrillo and she has some brilliant tutorials on her blog. Go see ......... NOW.

Here we go, Part 1.

Part 2

Check back for more features and tutorials!!

Weekend Craft

2010-03-16T08:14:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to the weekend. I shall be crafting after ages. Can't wait!!

I can however, give you guys a hint. :D
Am so ready for spring!!

Pictures!!

2010-03-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Finally, here are a few pics to show you what's happening in my garden.

The Celery is really doing well. I have a whole bed full of them.

Tomatoes have sprouted.

Fennel seems to be doing well

The spinach is flowering. I dont mind though. Im thinking of harvesting the seeds.

And after waiting for 2 months.... no thanks to the smog, my Nasty's are flowering.

I would write more... really I would. But 'Phantom of the Opera ' is showing and I do not want to miss it.

More tomorrow :D

Update

2010-03-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Gallery and contact me pages are up.