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Monday, July 05, 2010

a series of firsts

This weekend was one of many firsts.
On Saturday I prepared bezels, and poured resin ~ ALL DAY! 
Worked on cuffs and pendants.
Poured and poured, watched for bubbles and poured some more.

Part of the "family tree" became a bezel, which is a piece of a future class proposal.
But, the best part of the weekend happened yesterday,
as our grandson (and his parents =) came over to eat barbecue and watch fireworks.  
Later in the evening we took our lawn chairs over to our 
church grounds to watch the fireworks across the freeway.
But, first Alton had to visit our church's 
playground where giant bugs reside.

And, a wonderful world of slides exist.
 
 At first he thought the best way to go down the slide was backwards!  Why not, that's the way 
he successfully scales the stairs at home.

 
There was climbing walls waiting to be conquered.

 Yes, we did have ice cream before we left to see the fireworks.  
Would the Fourth of July be complete without it? 
I actually used our small Cuisinart ice cream maker
and made ice cream!  Hadn't done that in awhile.
Let me say, there is nothing like homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 2" piece of vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Combine cream and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add vanilla bean and heat until mixture almost boils, about 5-8 minutes.  Reduce heat to low.  Meanwhile beat yolks, sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl until light yellow and smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Add 4 tablespoons hot cream/milk mixture and stir until combined.  Gradually add egg yolk mixture to warm cream mixture, stirring continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling.  Cook over low heat until slightly thickened and mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.  Cool completely.  When cool, scrape seeds from vanilla bean and add to ice cream mixture.  Discard bean shell.  Stir until well combined.  Pour into freezer bowl, turn the machine ON and let mix until mixture thickens, about 20-30 minutes.  If desired, transfer ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer until firm, about 2 hours.  
*****
So, now I want to share the winner of the giveaway.  
Alton drew the name for me right away.

Here is what I did with the metal lens rings I found last weekend.  
Yes, more resin work from Saturday!
BTW...no butterflies lost their lives by me, 
as I gathered these off my husband's truck grill after he returned home 
from South Texas one weekend!
Janet Bernasconi please contact me.  
If you do, you will have something coming in the mail!
You will likey =)

28 comments:

Andrea said...

Congratulations to Janet! You're little one is so cute!! LOVE the "family tree" piece!!

stregata said...

Congrats to the lucky winner!
Love the butterfly wing on the lens!! And the vanilly ice cream sounds scrumptious!

Alice said...

The family tree bezel is beautiful, as is the butterfly wing.

I've been wanting to get an ice cream maker for some time now, but wondered if it would just be another gadget that got used once or twice then put away and forgotten. Your recipe sounds yummy!

Congratulations, Janet, on winning the contest! Lucky you!

connie said...

your bezels are beautiful!! however Alton...what a beautiful, beautiful, baby boy! that face...and what joy. thank you for sharing such beautiful moments.

The Joy of Nesting said...

How much fun you must have had Lady Dy!!!

I am so looking forward to a week with my little guy at the end of the month! :)

Ohhhhh I can't wait to see the final product results from the Great Weekend Resin Marathon!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Charlene said...

LUCKY Janet!!!!!! Love all the bezels you poured!!!! I need to spend a day doing that too. Those shots of Alton are adorable! Just needs a mustache! And I made homemade ice cream too. We had 2 of our GRANDS with us to eat burgers on the grill, corn on the cobb & ice cream. Then after the fireworks we played Monopoly until 11:30. Keep up the amazing work! LOVE IT ALL! Charlene

mairedodd said...

happiness and beauty! and congrats to the lucky winner... i am so in need of a resin day - just have to do all the prep work that precedes it! your pieces are gorgeous...

Diana said...

Oh, that vanilla ice cream sounds mouthwatering yummy. I have an ice cream maker that I haven't used for years. I am going to write down your recipe and get a crankin. Alton is a precious doll! Love how you are featuring your family in the bezels....way cool my friend.
Hugs
Diana

The Polka Dot Closet said...

The resin pieces are beautiful, but not as beautiful as the baby!

Carol

Cindy said...

Congrats to Janet!!
What a fruitful weekend...just look at all of the wonderful things you have to share with us! I've never made home made icecream before...now that would be a first for me!
Alton is getting SO big! Just look at his beautiful smile! Looks like a wonderful 4th was had by all!

Riki Schumacher said...

Hi Diane, fab pictures. Love the bezels, and the pics of Alton, so precious. Glad to hear your weekend was a blast! Love ya, Riki

Chris said...

LOVE the new resin pieces! Can't wait to see them in your work. Also in love with Alton~~what a cutie!! How sweet to share in your family fun! Have a blessed week gal~

Kari Wolf said...

What type of resin do you like best, I've never tryed it ether, I also made homemade icecream with my two girls one is 11 and the other is 10. That trip to the church play structure will be the beginning of many to come now that he knows theres such a cool place gramma knows of.....

Daryl said...

What a wonderful post ... all that baby love ... those cheeks ..

Barbara Lewis said...

What a beautiful grandson! The resin work looks wonderful!

Esther said...

congrats to the winner.; What a pretty baby!!! love all your pieces.. you can make a pizza's picture.. with tomatoes.. i will love it too..

Unknown said...

OMG! My mouth is hanging! I haven't been home and just found out I won..lol Thank you so much! I will post it on my blog this coming week to share with everyone.
XOXO
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Unknown said...

Diane,
I forgot to send you my e-mail address and my mailing address.
janetspillows@yahoo.com
Janet Bernasconi
P.O Box 17914
West Palm Beach,FL 33406
Thanks again! I love the giveaway and can't wait to see it in person.
xxoo

Kateyed said...

Congratulations to Janet!
I adore that family tree bezel, Diane. I adore that sweet face on your grandson even more...what a pure, handsome face!
Hugs,
Suz

Kateyed said...

Janet, congratulations!
Diane, your bezels are wonderful. I love the family tree especially. Your grandson has such a pure face. I'll bet you are having a great time being a grandma!
Hugs,
Suz

Karen said...

Diane, it looks like a fabulous time with your family and what I can I say, the icecream sounds delicious. It is 100 degrees here so I am going to make some :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog!!

I love (!) your family tree bezel. I hope(!!) that this is a class we can pay and download for those of us that aren't local to you. Fingers crossed!

Ps Your grandson is adorable!

Stephani Gorman said...

What a sweet little guy! Looks like he was a happy camper!:) More beautiful work. Love the family tree piece. Hugs, Stephani

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

I just signed on as a follower. I just think your jewelry is amazing and you inspire me. I redesign old jewelry as well and you raise the bar for me and make me want to design to your level. Wish I lived in Texas and could take a class. Connie

Laura said...

Your grandson is absolutely precious and I would love to watch you create your jewelry.
It's wonderful-

Laura

VS said...

OK, Friend...
Could your little sweet grandson be any cuter???
I don't think so, he's adorable & I want to nibble on his chubby cheeks!
These resin pieces are wonderful Diane...I really likey!!! :) I want to learn to make resin necklaces too, I love the look of old images inside them, so cool!
Big Smiles & a Hug..
Susie

Jen Crossley said...

Your bezels are just so beautiful,did you you Ice resin?
Alton is just such a cutey pie.

VS said...

Oh Miss Diane,
I just got my issue of Belle Amoire Jewelry & your article & cuffs is amazing!!! I'm sooooo proud of you friend!!!
Congratulations!!!
You so rock & you are a neverending inspiration to me!
Have you seen my last post?
Big Hugs...
Susie