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Friday, June 12, 2015

FREE Father's Day Art Print + Dessert Table Idea

     
Cold Stone, hand lettered art print, orange & blue decor, peanuts, dad


Father's Day is fast approaching and I think it's always a great time to reflect on the relationships with our fathers, step-fathers or the father figures in our lives. It gives us a chance to let them know how special they are to us and what a difference they have made in our lives. I know some may think this day is silly as we should be celebrating our loved ones every day . . . to which I would respond 'that is true' . . . however, to have a complete day devoted to those special guys I think is pretty cool. So cool in fact that I was inspired to create a new hand lettered art print to celebrate the day along with you and this time I'm offering it as a FREE download! YAY! Not only am I going to share a simple way to celebrate all of the fathers, dads, pops or whatever endearing name you choose to call this person, but I'm also offering a gift that you can give, to show them just how much they mean to you!



ice cream cake, Cold Stone Creamery, oranges, blueberries, cake stand

fathers day art print, dad, wood frame, Cold Stone, hand lettering

ice cream cake, cake stand, father's day art print, special person to be a dad
orange slices, ice cream cake, blueberries, Cold Stone Creamery, art print 

I love simple celebrations. You know the ones. The ones where you can just grab a few things you already have around the house and turn it into something special to celebrate an occasion . . . those are my fave! 

For this Father's Day dessert table idea I knew I wanted to keep it on the 'masculine' side without a lot of frills but I wanted to add some bold colors too. I also wanted to make sure and add some of his favorite things to munch on plus aim for that perfect balance of salty and sweet on the table. 

  • For the background, I kept it simple using some kraft paper and for the  banner I used a roll of wrapping paper I had, cut it into strips, taped the tops down over some rope and done. A fun festive banner that took about 5 minutes! Simple but yet adds so much color to the overall table!
  • On the kitchenette table I used a few placemats to create a simple design, added a few dishes and cake stands, then made sure the layout looked good before putting everything in it's place. I always lay them out empty before adding the final food idea - keeps it easier for me.
  • My goal with the food was to incorporate a little salty with the sweet but not have a ton of food either. I decided on some shelled peanuts spilling out onto the table for ease of grabbing. Those delicious orange slice candies in a small dish as my candy item. Then I set some fresh oranges and blueberries out to enjoy as well since I had them in the infused blueberry and orange pitcher of water I made.
  • The centerpiece was our family's favorite ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery, called “Tall, Dark & Delicious”, with some fresh blueberries surrounding the base, because as I have told you before . . .it IS the best! Just imagine the layers of moist Devil’s Food Cake, Sweet Cream Ice Cream with Brownies & Chocolate Ice Cream with OREO® Cookies wrapped in fluffy White Frosting and cascading Fudge Ganache. Doesn't that just sound fabulous? This is WHY it's a fave in my house! This is my third time partnering up with my friends at Cold Stone Creamery and it's because we LOVE them! You may remember my "hero" themed dessert table I did last year in partnership with them. The best part of getting these cakes every year, is how simple it is to get . . .  I just order online at ColdStoneCakes.com and pick it up! Doesn't get much easier than that and have I mentioned the fact that there is always leftovers??!! Oh my YUM!
  • To keep the decor simple, I just added a few pieces like the lantern on the candlestick holder, some small decorative plates, added the drinking straws, dessert plates and napkins and you have an amazingly simple set-up all ready to celebrate the daddys out there!


ice cream cake, art print, peanuts, oranges, orange slices, infused water
oranges, infused water, blueberries, Pier 1 glasses, cake stand, woven placemat
hand lettered art print, ice cream cake, Cold Stone, peanuts, blueberries
father's day dessert, ice cream cake, Cold Stone Creamery, blueberries
Cold Stone, ice cream cake, hand lettered art print, Father's day idea

ice cream cake, cake stand, Cold Stone, dessert table ideas, Father's Day
celebrate Father's Day, ice cream cake, Cold Stone, art print, dessert
 


As I mentioned, I was inspired to design a hand lettered FREEBIE for you to download, so you can gift it to your dad this year. The 'anyone can be a father but it takes a special person to be a DAD' hand lettered art print! It's very simple to download, simply click on this FREE Father's Day Art Print link, print and then frame it up and you have a nice gift to hand to your pops this Father's Day! I have also made it easy for you with two different sizes I am offering in this print: a 5x7 Father's Day art print or the 8x10 Father's Day art print! They are both created using the same colors of navy with a touch of orange but come in two sizes.

So go. Print this off so you can check off a gift for the pops from your 'to-do' list and make sure to visit Cold Stone Creamery for your dessert so you can enjoy a slice of heaven this Father's Day!

peanuts, Father's Day art print, dad, orange candy, ice cream cake
hand lettered art print, hand lettering, anyone can be a father but it takes a special person to be a dad




slice of ice cream cake, Cold Stone, dessert table, dad, fathers, pops
sliced ice cream cake, Cold Stone, oranges, blueberries, dessert ideas

slice of ice cream cake, Cold Stone Creamery, dessert plate, white plate





Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there and the people who step in and play the part of 'dad'. We need you. We love you. We celebrate YOU!


free download, free art print for fathers day, hand lettered art print for dad

Make sure if you are on Instagram to tag Cold Stone Creamery with you and your dad eating that slice of this yummy cake! They would love to see it! Or tweet Cold Stone if you prefer and let them know what you think of this amazing treat!

What will you be doing this Father's Day? Let me know below . . .


** Thanks for helping me support the companies that help make this blog possible. This post was sponsored by Cold Stone Creamery but all opinions were my own. I truly only share with you, companies and products that I use or enjoy simple because I know you will love them too.


Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 
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Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

Saturday, June 6, 2015

RECIPE :: Peach Pie Pockets

pie pockets, peaches, how to make a peach pie, perfect pie dough
   

Peachy Keen

Hello! Kimberley here and as summer approaches, the farmer's market brings beautiful local fruit. In anticipation of peach season, I couldn't resist making these little Peach Pie Pockets with my kids. A perfect summer treat that's easy to make with the kids. It all starts with perfect pie dough, and then fresh peaches (or other in season fruit), and a simple technique to make perfect pie pockets every time. Experiment and let me know how they turn out!



Peach Pie Pockets

(makes approx 12, depending on size of cutter)

Perfect Pie Dough

- 3 cups all purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 Tablespoon sugar

- 1 1/2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch pieces

- 1/2 - 3/4 cups ice cold water

- heavy cream for brushing on pastry


- blend dry ingredients in food processor or large mixing bowl

- add cold butter and blend to crumb texture (or cut in using two knives or hand pastry blender)

- slowly add ice cold water until dough comes together; do not allow it to get sticky

- turn dough onto lightly floured surface and make two rounds, approx 1 inch thick

- wrap in plastic wrap and place in fridge while making filling

peaches, plate of peaches, fresh peaches, peach pie recipe


Filling

- 4 ripe peaches (or 2 cups any fresh fruit that works well for pies, such as blueberries), peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces

- 2 Tablespoons corn starch

- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on sweetness of fruit)

- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted

- juice of half a lemon


- in a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together and let sit at room temperature



Baking

- preheat oven to 375 degrees
- line two baking sheets with Silpats or parchment paper
- roll one round of dough onto a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick and 
cut with round or square pastry cutter (I used a 4 inch cutter), in even numbers
- place bottom pastry pieces on baking sheet, 2 inches apart, and brush edges 
with heavy cream
- place 1 to 2 Tablespoons filling in centre of pastry
- place lid pastry on top

- crimp edges with a fork and brush tops with cream, slice 3 vents in top of pastry
- repeat with remaining round of dough (depending on the size you make you may have a little bit of leftover dough)

- chill pies in freezer for 15 minutes
- bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown
- cool on wire rack before serving; these are very hot inside so be sure to cool before serving
- serve with whipped cream or ice cream or wrapped in a small parchment paper wrapper

Enjoy!

peach pie pockets, how to bake a peach pie, fresh peaches



Guest Contributor: Kimberley Mulla




My Mom gave me my first cookbook when I was six years old. I have been baking & cooking ever since.

I specialize in artisan marshmallows & confections. I want to sell a product that I would feed my children. The ingredients are simple, often local, organic & fair trade as well. 



I love making marshmallows. Every single one. It brings me so much joy to create something unique, tasty, and delightful.





You can follow Kimberley





Monday, June 1, 2015

TOP POSTS :: Best Of MAY

     



Summer, summer, summertime! Can you believe it is June already & summer has arrived! My daughter is out of school already and we are ready to start enjoying some fun outside!

So lets take a look back over what you all were reading in May & viewed the most. I would also like to say THANK YOU to all who stop by to read, comment from time to time & send me emails. I SEE IT ALL! So thanks again. xoxo




So now you are all caught up on some of the most read posts here on my blog. Hopefully you will just add me to your BlogLovin feed so you don't miss any posts. =) You can find it on the top right sidebar here - super easy to do!
See you next time!









Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 


Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!


Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop
 
Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

Saturday, May 30, 2015

FREEBIE :: Summer Bucket List

   
2015 summer bucket list, red white and blue, schools out, free download


It's officially SUMMER BREAK here in my house, we have completed the last week of school and I officially have a kid in junior high starting in the fall! (sigh) So for now, we are going to focus on all of the FUN we can have this summer. 

Something we started doing EVERY year, a few years back, is one of tradition: a Summer BUCKET LIST. It's the perfect way to have your kids list the things that they would "like" to do, plus I love seeing what creative things they come up with every summer. Does it mean they get to do it all? Well no, but it's a good opportunity to share with them how to come up with creative ways to maybe hit most of them. Take my advice . . . make those memories happen the best that you can for the summer, take whatever time you can to make it happen, enjoy it, be in the moment and ENJOY as they will LOVE spending the time with you and never forget this tradition every summer!


water looking type, red and blue, dots, stripes, free download, freebie


Like I mentioned, a few years back when I designed this freebie, I was looking for something that was 'blank' that my kid could write down her own things to do.  Most of the freebies out there list suggestions or activities to do with your kids, which are great too but I found NOTHING that was blank. So alas . . . I created one and a new updated FREEBIE for you was designed for your items on your Summer Bucket List for 2015!! Here you go, enjoy your summer with the kids! ;) 



bucket list 2015, summertime list, red pen, red stripes, schools out

summertime, fun in the summer, 2015 summer bucket list, freebies




This print is sized at 8 x 10. Print it out at home or take it to a printer for a larger size.
Just download your "SUMMER Bucket LIST" & Enjoy!!

 
**by clicking & downloading this subway art you ARE agreeing to the RULES & copyright guidelines below! 
 
 

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RULES for FREE DOWNLOADS:


  • Eye Candy Creative Studio's printables are designed for your PERSONAL USE only. Please do not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.
  • I encourage you to share with your fans, friends, on your blog and all I ask is to PLEASE, {be kind} & post/ tag a link back to this website so I know who's enjoying them. Thanks - I appreciate it! =)
  • And PLEASE do NOT remove the copyright mark - thanks!

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red and blues, red stripes, summer, bucket list 2015, free download
 



So HOW will you spend your summer? A couple things on OUR list to do this year are: hanging with her new school friends at the pool, planning her dog's birthday party, all day crafting marathons, planning her annual back-to-school party with her friends, sleepovers, to simple things like . . .  flying a kite, and a picnic in the park.

What is something on YOUR list? Please comment below . . . .




Are you loving the "eye candy" here?

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!



Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop


Looking forward to seeing you again! :)