Under a Blue Moon

I did a super easy crafty thing last night that I wanted to share.  But then something weird happened.  

So I found this image via Pinterest and followed it to the blog Heavens Walk that had the step by step instructions for creating an image on a painted pot.  My intention was to just show my pictures and then link to the original inspiration.  I try to give credit for inspiration when I find it – and her pictures were way better anyway.

However – when I started this post and tried to go to her blog to get the link it says it has been removed.  I was just looking at it last night! I'm hoping that it's just a temporary glitch and she'll be back up and running soon.  In case she does here is her old URL:  heavens-walk.blogspot.com.  Oh whew!  She is back: Heaven's Walk

Anyway I'll try to describe the steps but keep in mind this wasn't my original idea or anything.  

I took a terracotta pot and painted it white.  Then I sponged on some light grey and grey-green paint to give it a slightly mottled, aged look. Nice thing about painting terracotta is that it dries super fast.

Then I took an image of vintage French label from the Graphics Fairy website (love her!) and flipped it so it was a mirror image and printed it on regular old printer paper.  I cut out the image and applied a thin layer of Modge Podge on the printed side.  

I applied it to the pot (printed side towards the pot) and smoothed out the paper.  Then I let it dry over night.  When I got up this morning I dampened the paper and began rubbing it until it rolled off in little bits.  What was left is the image.

Seriously I hope her blog comes back up because she had step by step, photographed instructions.  If she doesn't then maybe I'll to it again on a larger pot and do another post.  I just don't like finding a great project and then have it look like I am trying to pass it off as my own.

When I do it again I think I will pick a more open graphic – not so heavy with the ink.  And I'll print with dark brown, rather than black. My inkjet printer black ink tends to look slightly blue (like a tattoo) when it gets wet.  

We are coming to end the of the apples on our trees.  I had Rick drag out the ladder for me so I could pick some to make one last batch of apple butter and an apple cake.

He dutifully set up the ladder for me and then looked all alarmed when I was repositioning it and ended up picking the apples for me.  I swear that wasn't my intention at all….

This cake smells heavenly when it is baking.  It is from Gywneth Paltrow's Goop newletter and was part of a Rosh HaShanah feature. I realize that I am over a month late and not Jewish but this cake shouldn't be reserved just for one celebration during the year.  Apple and Honey Cake. 

I lined my pan with a circle of parchment paper and I think it might have been a mistake because the sugar and apples on top didn't carmelize the way they should have.  The cake is still tasty but I think it could have been that much better.   And it should be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I know I have said this before but it is so satisfying to bake something with apples from your own tree and eggs from your own chickens. 

 

 

Round about the caldron go;
In the poison’d entrails throw.—
Toad, that under cold stone,
Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter’d venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’ the charmed pot!

 

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!