Candles Christmas Cards

It is not late to make a hand-made Christmas/New Year card with Svetlana's easy step-by-step tutorial.

First, lets make a candle. For one candle, you will need three to four  red paper stripes 5mm wide and 11" long. Using  a quilling tool, roll the stripe.

Knitted women slippers socks

These comfy slippers are wonderful to wear around the house. They are warm, practical and great as a gift!

If you want to knit  the slippers yourself, you can buy a pattern here. Instruction explains the basic of knitting this type of slippers. You can use solid color of the yarn, alternate colors for striped effect, or add an ornament
Skill Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Prerequisites: basic knitting skills

Owl Fingerless Mittens

Fingerless mitts are very practical but also make great fashion statement. These super cute mittens are great for many uses in a cold weather: driving, hiking, photography, or just walking around the town on a chilly day. Featured is a cable knit pattern that looks like and owl.

You can make  a pair of these fingerless mittens with a hoot owl on the front of each hand using my pattern. 

Russian Holodets

Last week I made holodets for small Russia party. Holodets (холодец)--it's one of Russian foods that Americans very frequently dislike :). It is a meat jelly with meat cuts and spices inside.

This dish’s name “holodets” is from the Russian word “holod”, i.e., “cold”- the final preparation step is to cool in a refrigerator for a few hours.

  Holodets Ingredients

• 2 lbs pig, cow or chicken feet (or use chicken legs as an alternative)

• 1 lb boneless meat (any kind of meat, for example chicken thighs)

• Water

• 1 onion, peeled
• 2 carrots

• 2 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp pepper

• 2 bay leaves
• 2 gloves of garlic

How To Make Russian Holodets

• Put all the meat, whole onion, carrots, salt and pepper in a large pot ( I use pressure cooker) . Add enough water to completely cover the meat plus an extra inch of water on top of the meat.

• Bring water to a boil and skim off the foam.

• Reduce heat to simmer, cover and simmer for 3 hours.

• Add the bay leaves and simmer for 20 minutes.

• Discard the onion, carrots, and bay leaves.

• Pull the meat away from the bones and discard the bones.
• Add two gloves of fresh minced garlic 

• Chop all the meat and put on the bottom of an 8×12 dish (or any size of dishes you want).

• Refrigerate the dish with Holodets overnight.

• Cut Holodets into squares and serve with horseradish or mustard.

 Приятного аппетита!

Lariats . Part 1.

Lariat necklaces are a great way to make a unique jewelry statement. A lariat necklace does not have a clasp or hook at the back of the neck like most necklace styles. Instead, you fasten a lariat necklace by tying a knot in the jewelry itself. There are several ways to tie a lariat necklace. You can choose from a variety of different knots, which each offer their own aesthetic. Lariat necklaces frequently have beads or tassels at the end.

Lariat necklaces tied with a simple knot in front are classic and elegant. Try this look with a formal black dress or dressy business suit. Place the necklace around your neck, with the ends draping across your chest. Place both strands of the necklace in one hand. Make a loop with both strands of the necklace. Pull the ends of the necklace through the loop to knot the necklace in front. The knot ends of the necklace should resemble the ends of a bolo tie.

  

Aventurine Jewelry Set: Necklace and Earrings

Yesterday I made this necklace. I really love this bright autumn colors.

The red aventurine gem chips are combined with mix of black seed beads, agate and crystal beads.

Total length is 19" (48cm).
Closure- silver button.
This necklace comes a pair of matching earrings with sterling silver ear wire.

Buy it here

Beaded Crocheted Necklaces.

July was a very productive month for me. I made 8 crocheted necklaces and several bracelets. Today, I finally get a chance to photograph all of them. First of all, I want to thank my friend Olena who taught me this technique. 
I bought a lot of  Matsuno Japanese seed beads, bead caps in FireMountainGems. I love those beads- they are perfect quality.

My first set is Orange Coral necklace. The tassel is removable, so if you want to wear just one rope for more casual look just slide it off!

Of course, I made a matching bracelet:)

 The next day after finishing this "carrot" set, I strung beads for the next project :)

Bubble Birthday Invitation

Today, Anya and I made  Birthday invitations for her Birthday Party.
We decided to make our own one-of-a-kind cards :) Anya was a designer, I was a supervisor and a photographer :)

All you need are:
- white card stock paper (or any thick white paper)
- food coloring
- straws
- bubbles (liquid) 
- small dishes 
- printer (optional)
- scissors or paper trimmer
1. Cover your table with old news papers to protect the surface of your table. Put on latex gloves. Pour small amount (1-2 table spoons) of bubble soap in small dishes. Add 4-6 drops of food coloring in each dish (one dish for one color). Mix the coloring with a straw. Have a separate straw for each color.

My first painting class

I did it! I took my first art (painting) class at Michael's. I choose this class long ago- Superstition Mountain in spring (where I hiked several times.)

So, how it was :)

Looks like a  winter time :)