Category Archives: Armelle

best of 2010 …

January 4, 2011

happy new year!

i hope your holidays went well.  i took a little break for the holidays around here, and it looks like i’ve been enjoying it since i’ve been a little absent.

i thought my first post for the new year would be a little look back at 2010.  some favorite posts from the armelle blog, and a few things i was able to accomplish.

here goes nothing..

:: my first homemade fruit tart.  i’m drooling right now… ::
::  finishing our basement, and my own studio… a peek at my stained concrete floor ::
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::  wall-papering for the first time.  birds and butterflies wallpaper for my studio ::

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:: i finally picked out two new desks for my studio ::
:: made this awesome risotto.. seriously so good! ::
:: participated in many handmade shows, including the bijou market in an orchard ::
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::  made lots, and lots, and lots… of new jewelry for shows and the shop ::
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::  made some fun DIY freezer paper stencil shirts ::
::  i made zucchini bread for the first time ::
wow!  what a fun year!!
i feel very blessed to have accomplished so much, since i really was wondering what in the world i did with my creative self this past year.   so, i hope you enjoyed the armelle blog in 2010!  and, as always thanks for reading.
i’m really looking forward to 2011! 
here are a few things i already have in the works for 2011 that i hope you are looking forward to with me…
* ezra and baby brothers big boy room/ nursery. {painted up a few things over the holidays i hope to share soon!}
* finishing touches to my studio.  hopefully, a big reveal, and lots of organization…
* a new baby boy!  due april 4th!
* new jewelry designs.
* cross my fingers… finally get my upstairs family room and kitchen decorated..  big plans made… need more money to accomplish all of it… {new kitchen table/chairs, rugs, entry way table, pillows, couches [i wish..], etc..
* lots of baking with my new kitchen aid mixer!
* put together our new workout room.  {mostly done!}
* put together our guest room and get the junk out of there.
bring on the new year!!

italian sausage + mushroom stuff puff pastries …

December 30, 2010

With New Years coming up tomorrow, many of us are thinking of just the right little something to add to the table.
These little savory puff pastries just might be what you are looking for.  They are very simple to make, but will grace any fancy New Years table with style.
The Italian sausage and mushroom combination is dreamy.
Read more for the recipe.
{Italian Sausage and Mushroom Stuffed Puff Pastries}
makes 36
4 sheets [2 boxes] pre-made puff pastry dough sheets
1 1b italian sausage, browned and drained
2 cups sliced mushrooms [I used baby portabellas, but white mushrooms are fine too]
1 8 oz brick cream cheese
1/2 onion, diced small
1 tsp garlic powder
4 shakes paprika
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Open packages of frozen puff pastry and lay out on counter for 40 minutes to thaw.
After thawed for 40 minutes, cut each sheet into nine square pieces.  Place squares into MINI cupcake pans. {make sure they are the mini cupcake forms}
In a medium frying pan, heat 2 tbs olive oil over medium heat.  Add diced onions and cook stirring for 5 minutes.  Add sliced mushrooms, and saute another 5 minutes until mushrooms and onions are cooked.
In a large bowl, place browned italian sausage, mushroom and onion mixture, cream cheese, garlic powder, and paprika.  Blend ingredients together well.
Add mixture 1 tablespoonful at a time into mini puff pastry pans.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown.
*If you have left over meat mixture and mushrooms, just clean the mushrooms, and snap off the stem and place mixture in mushrooms and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until mushrooms are cooked through, and you have a great stuffed mushroom!
Enjoy!

chocolate cookies with candy cane kisses …

December 23, 2010

what kind of cookies are you going to leave for santa claus this year?

i just love these festive looking chocolate peppermint cookies with candy cane kisses.

we made a few batches of these, and even saved some for santa claus!

If you are still looking for a great holiday treat to make, or a festive cookie to share with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, look no further.
I just love the look of these cookies.  They just scream Christmas to me.  And, I love that the cookies are chocolate peppermint cookies.  A great combination.  And, of course the candy cane Hershey’s kisses just tops it off!
{Chocolate Peppermint Cookies with Candy Cane Kisses}
makes about 40-50 small cookies
1/2 c butter
1/2 c shortening
1 c sugar
3/4 c dutch processed cocoa powder2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
2 tbs milk
1 tsp pure peppermint extract
1 1/2 c flour
1 package hershey’s candy cane kisses
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine butter and shortening and stir for 30 seconds.
Add sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder and mix well.
Next, add egg, milk, and peppermint extract.
Add flour a little bit at a time.  If the dough gets too tough for the beaters, use a spoon.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour covered.
Form the dough into 1 inch small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Immediately after taking out of the oven, press in a candy cane kiss, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!

here is how i packaged a few of them up  …