“In My Kitchen” November 2018

Happy November all!  I cannot believe that we are now officially into the holiday season.  (At least we are in my book.)   Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and it’s time to start thinking about holiday gifts.   (Keep reading for a great DIY craft project.)

It’s time again to peek into kitchens around the world with “In My Kitchen.”   Welcome into mine.

I don’t really go in for the whole party shopping thing, but when a colleague held a “catalog party” I did feel obliged to buy a couple of items.   I really don’t need anymore kitchen gadgets, but I did purchase a ceramic egg cooker and a silicon bar cookie pan.

Bar pan with cover.

I haven’t tried the pan yet, but the egg cooker is very convenient in the mornings.

Microwave ceramic egg cooker.

I was hoping to pick some more jalapenos and make jelly (and take pictures to show you), but that hasn’t happened.  I am still hopeful because we haven’t had a freeze yet.  (Fingers crossed.)

I hosted a craft day for some friends last month.  It was a great excuse to get together, gossip and drink wine.   We made colored tiles for trivets (or art pieces depending on your talent).

Recipe for a Successful Craft Day

Debra

Design custom trivets for you kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ white ceramic tiles
  • Colored Sharpies (or other permanent markers)
  • Q-tips
  • rubbing alcohol
  • small paper cups (like Dixie cups)
  • Clear coat spray paint
  • self-adhesive felt pads
  • Wine

Instructions

  1. Lay newspapers out on your work surface.
  2. Provide your crafty guests with the following mise en place: 4-5 Q-tips, a small cup of rubbing alcohol, tiles, and markers within reach.
  3. Color your tiles any way you like, abstractly, realistically, artistically; anyone can do this craft.
  4. After your design is complete, use a  Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to create a water color effect. Simply dip the Q-tip in the alcohol and dab your design. You can drip, “paint,” smear, blend, etc.
  5. Let dry and then spray with clear coat.
  6. Place felt feet on the back.

Wine is optional but highly recommended.

These are a very economical craft because you can buy an entire box of 100 tiles for around $11.

We first learned how to make these at a Yelp event last year.  Here’s our very first creations:

Don’t judge.  I think I’ve gotten the techniques down a bit better.

I found these lantern-shaped tiles and thought they would be great for holiday coasters if you painted them like Christmas ornaments.

They’re a little pricier at about $2.50 a piece verses eleven cents for the square tiles.

If you’re in the U.S., enjoy the fall weather and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!

That’s it for November.   IMK is hosted by Sherry at Sherry’s Pickings.

It’s Dia de los Muertos!

Remember your ancestors and celebrate them with food and memories!

25 comments to “In My Kitchen” November 2018

  • mae

    I didn’t know they still had tupperware parties! Thought that went out with the 20th century. Shows what I know.

    The tiles look like fun. Actually, they do make good trivets.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    • Not sure about tupperware. This was a Pampered Chef party. The tiles are fun. I would like to create a bunch and just tile something….

  • A craft party…how fun! Those colored tiles are beautiful.

  • thanks for joining in debra! lovely to see you in IMK. i like the idea of the tile craft. so nice to have handmade items. well sort of handmade 🙂 have a great month. cheers sherry

  • Those tiles are a great idea for celebration activities I’m thinking. Like, baby showers, kitchen teas, birthdays, and then you get personalised souvenirs of the day. So fun!

  • I see nephew II was on my computer last night and now his website is on my post!!
    Gran

  • That Middle Eastern tile is an amazing shape and yes, perfect for a Christmas theme. I’m interested in hearing about how your bar pan performs. I’ve had mixed results with silicone. As the cakes are smaller, I wonder if they will have time to crisp on the outside?

  • Those tile coasters are adorable – what a fun little craft! I would love to get back into making my own stock but sadly we don’t have much freezer space atm. Hope to buy a new fridge and retire our current one to the garage for more space soon.

  • I love peeking into other’s kitchens too. Have never heard of a ceramic egg cooker. Need to look into that. What a great idea with the crafts day for your friends. Thanks for the peek!

  • I have some silicon items such as the ice cube tray and a set of muffin cups I haven’t used yet. Love that egg cooker!

  • Debra, I loved your craft “recipe” — sounded like a good time was had by all with cute, creative results. (Woohoo for wine, too!) One phrase that resonated with me from your post was: “I really don’t need anymore kitchen gadgets…” — I’m SO at that point, too. (I even debated whether or not to post this month, were it not for a last minute thrift store find and my hubby’s thoughtfulness. Please know that IMK involves SO much more than that. It’s a community of FRIENDS and your voice and input are valued whether you have a new “gadget” to display or not! Truthfully, I couldn’t have made it through the last six years without their support and encouragement, no matter what I posted or how infrequently. We’re here for YOU! Muse away… xo! 🙂

  • Hi Debra,
    I like the sound of the tile craft and yes economical too. Your egg coddler is pretty cool. It reminded me of a couple of egg coddlers I have for years and hardly use, so will have to dig them out to use.
    OOh look forward to your jalapeno jelly recipe, please give me a nudge when you have made it and blogged the recipe. I’d like to give it a go and will make an effort to seek out some fresh jalapenos

    • I will send you a link to previous recipes that I’ve posted. I was able to get one final batch made but we’ve had a killing freeze so that’s it for the peppers.

  • I have to look for the ceramic egg cooker here and see how it works!

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