Message on the bottom Step #1: Clean bottom of glass PrevNext Moisten a paper towel with rubbing alcohol and wipe the bottom of the glass squeaky clean. Step #7: Verify that the etch is complete When the glass is completely dry, hold it up to the light and inspect the etch closely to verify that you haven't missed any spots.If there are flaws in the etching, simply reapply etching cream and rinse as in steps 5 and 6.Repeat until the etch is complete to your satisfaction. Wine Glass Candles Mothers day is here and I know it's a little late to post a tutorial about a mothers day gift, but my mom reads my blog, so I couldn't post this without ruining the surprise for her :) I made her these two cute pink candles and it was actually pretty easy to do: 1. I still had some wax left and wanted to try a different kind of candle. Pictures by Lana
How to Make a Watermelon Keg (And Agua Fresca, Too) This watermelon “keg” was our gift to Carleton for Father’s Day yesterday. That and some really dorky scones. The watermelon drink dispenser was totally simple to make – the hardest part was finding a tap, but I figured out a solution for that. Scarlet helped with scooping out the watermelon flesh, which we used to make some popsicles as well as the refreshing batch of agua fresca that we served inside the melon (can we get a what-what for hot pink juice that is 100% natural?). Of course, dad and I later used the aqua fresca to make Watermelon Mint Jalapeno Mojitos, but that, my friends, is another post. However, the watermelon mimosa that I shared on facebook, well that’s self explanatory. Find out how to make a watermelon into a keg/drink dispenser and get my super simple (every kid will love it, and almost every parent will love to spike it) watermelon agua fresca recipe…How to Make a Watermelon Keg & Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe It’s quite simple to screw off.
Etched Portion Control Wine Glass OK, confession: I’m on Weight-Watchers. And a major part of the program isn’t completely restricting what you eat and drink, but you DO have to watch and control your portions. This goes for wine, too. And since I do like a glass of vino now and then, I thought I’d made my own special glass to hold my five ounces of joy! I chose a stemless wine glass and measured out 5 ounces of water and poured it in the glass. I used plain ol’ painters tape along the line, and burnished it down well with my fingernail. I then applied the Armour Etch Cream (see my review of that here) to the bottom of the glass. Now, you could leave it here and you’d have done the job- now you know just where to fill your glass! I chose the flower head icon of the Songbird Cartridge (using my “j” monogram) for the Cricut and cut it out at 3″, using some craft vinyl. So there it is…my special, portion-control wine glass. <A HREF="
Inspired Entertaining: DIY Chalkboard Wine Glasses Last month I got an email from one of those "deal of the day" websites featuring a very cute set of wine glasses with chalkboard stems from a company called Chalkboard China. I've seen chalkboard glasses before, and always thought them to be a fun and chic way for guests to keep track of their glass throughout the night so you don't end up with mixed-up glasses or dozens of half-full glasses left around the house. But all the ones I've seen in stores feature a strip of chalkboard paint across the bowl of the glass, which I've always felt looks awkward and takes away from the beauty of the wine or beverage in the glass. What I like about this version is that the writing part is at the bottom on the stem and foot of the glass, so it doesn't compete with the beverage. I also like that the simple black foot on the glass is in itself an elegant design element, and would work just as well with no writing on it. So I figured, "I can totally make that myself!" Materials 1. 2. 3. Method Step 1.
K-Cup Cocktails You haven’t been using your Keurig to brew up boozy beverages? What’s wrong with you, man?! During these colder days, that little machine can help you concoct some seriously delicious drinks. If you want in on the action, here are some K-Cup Cocktails to get you started. Loosely based on an Apple Rye Punch, this drink ditches any hard cider and gets supercharged with some applejack. Apple Cider K-CupLaird’s Apple Jack BrandyMaker’s MarkOrange Bitters Cinnamon tastes great in hot chocolate, and this cinnamon happens to be booze-flavored! Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa K-CupGoldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps This is a play on some delicious hot buttered rum that you can make thanks to your trusty one cup brewer. Butter Toffee Coffee K-CupBacardi Gold RumCinnamon Sticks Classic Irish coffee in k-cup form. Donut Shop K-CupJameson Irish WhiskeyWhipped Cream This is a hot version of Bourbon Mint Tea. Pure Peppermint Tea K-CupKnob Creek WhiskyDark Brown Sugar Careful, this is gonna taste like candy.
Etched Super Hero Glasses Have any of you seen those Super Hero glasses at Target? They are a bit pricey. My sister bought the shot glass ones for her kids. Do you remember having a favorite cup or glass to drink out of as a kid? I searched for super hero logos on the internet and found 7 that worked well. We applied the stencils. I had never used etching cream before. We painted it on as directed, brushing up and down and then left and right. We rinsed off the cream before removing the stencil. And Presto! The boys have been loving them. Even my nephew was pretty excited to use them. I must admit I've even been using them myself because I think they are so fun :) Beverages taste better in a fun cup. Thanks for dropping in.
DIY: Make your own Halloween dinnerware So now you've seen my interpretation of a Raven themed dinner party, I wanted to show you how I made the dinnerware. If you are like me you probably oogle over the holiday themed dishes but quickly shy away since you don't want to shell out for a whole set just for one celebration. (I don't even have real china so I think its safe to say I won't be buying any themed kind either) So when this idea of making my own for next to nothing came to mind, I just had to try it. Obviously this interpretation is quite macabre but you could totally mix it up to make it your own - think nursery rhymes for baby showers, holiday song lyrics for christmas, bible passages for easter, dirty doodles for hen nights... I could go on and on. Start off with plain white plates of your choosing (available cheaply everywhere), a porcelain 150 pen, some blue masking tape and a small stencil (optional). Now on to the little plate. I added the 'nevermore...' under the bird and the hard work was over.
Kitchen Window: Leftover Liquor Finds New Life As Liqueur Eve Turow for NPR Years ago, on an overnight bus ride in Argentina, a waiter poked his head through the drawn curtains: "Whiskey or Tia Maria?" he offered as a post-meal drink. Unfamiliar with the latter, I decided to take a taste. He steadied himself on the rocking walls and poured me a serving of the almond-colored digestif. As the holiday season comes to an end, it's likely that you have reminders left behind — pine needles on the floor, a pile of dishes and, with any luck, a few bottles of unfinished alcohol. Eve Turow is a freelance writer in New York with a passion for travel, cooking, eating and writing about food. You can do this. Liqueurs have a long, rich history. The best thing about liqueurs is the versatility. These spiced spirits can be made with any alcohol base — rum, brandy, bourbon, even wine — though vodka and other unflavored, neutral grain spirits are most commonly used as a blank slate. Cocktail creativity is pushing the boundaries of how to use infused alcohol.
Etched Glass Bottles Some glass bottles are just too pretty and colorful to toss into the recycling bin. Instead of discarding them, I "etch" them for my own use and to give away as gifts. They're beautiful with flower stems tucked inside, and they make handy containers for bath salts and infused oils or vinegars. Materials: Contact paper—clear or light color Glass bottles or jars, washed, rinsed and completely dried Sharpie-type marker Craft knife such as X-acto Knife with new blade Wooden spoon Soft bristle brush Goggles or safety glasses An old long-sleeved shirt Rubber gloves or medical gloves "Armour Etch" Glass Etching Cream (Jo-Ann, Michaels and most other arts and crafts stores) Instructions: 1. 2. 3. perfection. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. —By Teresa Blackburn