CabbyCraft: Challenge

Showing posts with label Challenge. Show all posts

Thursday, September 25, 2014

[Challenge] "Miniature Sweets for My Sweet"

"Sweets for My Sweet"
Philippine Polymer Clay Guild Miniature Food Challenge

The latest challenge of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild was "Food for your Eyes" where they asked us to make miniature models of our favorite food. I immediately knew that I wanted to make a dessert spread. I made a croquermbouche drizzled with chocolate, Orange chiffon fondant cake and assorted cupcakes.

Whenever I make my crafts, I keep the computer one while I watch different TV series or movies. The latest series that I watched is MasterChef USA where in Episode 4 they were challenged to make Croquembouche which is a French dessert made of choux pastry, creamy filling and topped with threads of caramel. I love profiteroles or cream puffs and this is the mother of it all.

The next is Orange Chiffon fondant cake and vanilla buttercream decorated with purple flowers. Yum!

Finally, I made an assortment of cupcakes: Purple yam, Vanilla and Caramel cupcakes. Decadent!

So, who's ready to party?!

♥ michelle ♥

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

[Challenge] Phil. Polymer Clay Guild "Merry Month of May 2014: Polymer Clay Flowers"

The challenge of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild for the month of May was ti create something new using polymer clay flowers. I've been making a lot of floral themed pieces, mostly daisies or simple flowers with 5 petals and I didn't know what to do for this challenge. Then one day, while I was cleaning my craft room, I found a tutorial about "Orchid Pin or Pendant" that I bought from Ms. Penni Jo Couch during the 2013 Lone Star retreat. The tutorial was simple, well written and well illustrated.

Polymer Clay "Rhoda Orchid" Napkin Ring

This is my "Rhoda Orchid." I named it after my mom who loves and grows orchids back in the Philippines. There are several varieties of orchids but the color combination that I used in making this one are probably non-existent. It's more of like a fantasy orchid, if you could call it that.

Polymer Clay "Rhoda Orchid" Napkin Ring

This project made use of Premo sculpey clay. I also used Ranger alcohol inks in Sunshine Yellow and Butterscotch to add color to and specks on the white petal. I like how it turned out - very rustic. I'm planning to make "real life" orchids in white like Cattleyas and green Cymbidium. They will make pretty sets of napkin rings just like this one for weddings or intimate dainty parties. Stay tuned for that.

Oh, did I mention that it is National Clay Week? Yes it is!

See you soon!

♥ michelle

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

[Challenge] A Whimsical Eggciting Birthday!

Today is an "Eggciting Day" for me and the blog because it's my birthday! Wooohooo. Thank you for all

your love and kind greetings. Early this morning, we were able to catch the first of the Four Blood Moons - NASA says that seeing four complete lunar eclipses in a row is very rare and we will have one every 6 months until October 2015. We have never seen one so we stayed up late for it and it was amazing! We just stood in awe at how great and might God is - He who created the heavens and the earth.

This project is part of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild's "Something Whimsical Challenge" and Martha Stewarts "marthasgoodeggs" intsagram post. The first challenge for me was to figure how to remove the contents of the egg while keeping the shell intact. So, I did some research and ewwww... it was totally gross! Let me be graphic here: make 2 holes on both ends of the egg, burst the egg and mix it up with a needle tool and finally blowing the contents out. Now don't tell me I didn't warn you. Anyway, after cleaning and drying the eggshell for 24 hours, I got to work on it.

Friends, meet "Mini-Me." Oh, isn't she cute? She's having a wonderful time strolling with her yellow birthday balloon, enjoying the sight of bluebonnets and other wildflowers.

This is made from 100% Premo sculpey polymer clay using the applique technique which is a very tedious and meticulous process that takes a lot of patience, gentle hands and the ability to hold your breath for a long time. The latter helps to concentrate in order to be precise in putting the components in place. Whew!

May your days be blessed!

♥ michelle

Monday, March 31, 2014

[Challenge] CF Originals Mica, Chalk Powder and Glitter

CF Originals Booty Call

Ms. Christi Friesen challenged the followers of CF Originals to a contest from 3/18 to 3/31/2014. She wanted us to create works of art using chalk powder, glitter and/or mica powder. This brooch/pendant was my entry that I submitted yesterday... oh yes, the day before the deadline. I used a beautiful texture plate and added shades of red, blue and green mica powder. The geometric lines, curves and wiring makes the piece visually interesting and sexy (in my opinion).

Can you believe that it's the last day of March? More to projects come next month!

Happy crafting!

♥ michelle

Friday, January 3, 2014

[Health] 30 Day Plank Challenge

It's the 3rd day of the New Year and it's time to do a reality check.

Did you a lot of food with empty calories? - Check

Did you exercise regularly and consistently? - No

Did you eat enough vegetables? - Check

Did you avoid eating fried food? - No

I could list a lot of things that sadly, hurt my body. Well, there is hope.

With the New Year comes New Goals.

So, to kick off the New Year, I will do the 30 Day Plank Challenge. It is a great way to tone up your ab and core muscles whether you are at home or at the gym. The challenge is to start doing a 20 second plank on day one and gradually increasing the duration on the succeeding days with rests on designated days.

Check out the chart below for reference... ladies, don't be distracted.

[via]

It is important to do the form correctly. This blog has a nice illustration and description on how to do it.

[via]

As you go through the challenge, take note of the changes. Kelly of this blog recommends doing an evaluation to monitor the development and improvement of your core strength. If you can complete the test fully, you have good core strength. If not, then you need to practice three or four times each week until you improve.

One of the ways to get motivated in doing a challenge is to do it with someone. I'm proposing this to Mr. C so we can start doing it together tonight. I am also joining one of my friends from our guild so we can keep track of each other. Why don't you join me too?

There you go.

Ready.

Set.

Plank!

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Oh, and don't forget to smile while you're doing it. ☺

♥ michelle ♥

Thursday, January 2, 2014

[Challenge] Scharffen Berger Chocolates: A Sweet Welcome to the New Year

Today is the deadline for Scharffen Berger and Tuttifoodie's

"The Chocolate Adventure Contest"

I am a fan of good chocolate, and I love Scharffen Berger's 70% cacao bittersweet and 62% cacao Semisweet chocolates. So of course, I joined. At the last minute!

70% Cacao Bittersweet Dark Chocolate
[via]

62% Cacao Semisweet Dark Chocolate
[via]

The theme was to create a recipe for any type of BAR: baked or no-bake bars like brownies or cookie based bars, ice cream bars or chocolate bark.

The challenge was to combine Scharffen Berger chocolate with one or more of the designated adventure ingredients as follows:

Bourbon
Oat Flour
Turbinado Sugar
Carrot
Pomegranate
Hibiscus
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Peppercorn (Black, White, Green, Red—any type)
Pandan Leaf or Pandan Leaf Extract
Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, Coconut Butter or Coconut Oil
Sesame Seeds (Black or White)
Fresh Croutons or Crostini

Here's their inspiration board:

[via]

Yummy, huh?

So what did I make? Let's keep it a secret for now and hope for the best, ok?

Well, to give you a hint - I bought a Wilton Delectovals Mini Cake pan especially for the contest.

Do you know why I want to win?

I promise, it is not for selfish reasons.

Well, our church is going to the Philippines in June 2013 for a Mission trip to help those who were devastated during Typhoon Haiyan. My husband and I don't have extra money to spend for airfare and other expenses hence, it would be a huge blessing if I win the cash prize.

This is the first time that I entered a recipe and I am super thrilled at that so don't worry if I don't win. I will still bake and share my stories with you.

Have a sweet day!

♥ michelle ♥

Friday, December 27, 2013

[Flashback] June and July 2013: Service, Sports and Recreation

Part of the group from our church

We are looking back on June and July today. Wow.. time flies, huh?!

The month June brought us another opportunity for service through "L♥ving Houston."

Our church was among those who volunteered and we were assigned to clean Olivewood Cemetery which was the first black cemetery in Houston.

There no burials there anymore, the last was in the 1960's. It is poorly maintained and seems to be neglected. The area was huge with only 1 caretaker and limited equipment and resources. He was a nice man and he felt so blessed to have people come and trim and clean up whatever we can.

July was the start of Mr. C's volleyball tournament. Saturday after Saturday, we rallied and cheered their team. It was their first tournament and they won 1st runner-up. They did really well in competing with other teams who were very good as well.

It was this time that I learned how to cook (and not to cook) Rice congee or Arroz caldo. LOL. We used 12 cups of rice and a lot of water / broth which still ended up sticky. It was a blessing though because I was able to "re-do" the soup the next day that served more people after the church service.

It was also in July that Mr. C volunteered to be a teacher in our Vacation Bible School. Oh, he had fun with the children.

My craft room was busy this month. The Philippine Polymer Clay Guild had our challenge on Mosaic where I made a "Hope frame." I also joined the Challenge of Color for BrandiGirlBlog (green rectangle pendant). There were other challenges this month such as the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop and Studio Sublime's Focus on Life.

See those round pendants? Oh yes, I got a bit obsessed with fabric. LOL.

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for visiting Cabby Craft.

♥ michelle ♥

Monday, October 28, 2013

[Challenge] P3 September 2013 Challenge: "Under the Sea"

I am a member of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild where we have Challenges every now and then. Last September 2013, our challenge was: "UNDER THE SEA." The challenge was to create a project inspired by the sea and participants were given a choice on using 100% polymer clay or mixed media.

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild

This was what I made:

"Pearly Shells"

This pearly shell from the ocean focal piece measures 3 inches. I made use of the silk-screened background of sea shells that I did during the Lone Star Retreat(c/o Ms. Karen Wood). I added sculptured corals, Mr. Crabby, barnacles, bubbles and a treasure chest filled with gold and pearls. What lies under the sea is a mystery and to echo Ariel, it's a whole new world.

This focal piece was made from 100% Premo Sculpey clay.

See you soon!

♥ michelle ♥

Saturday, August 3, 2013

[P3 Guild] Mosaic Challenge 2013

The Philippine Polymer Clay Guild recent;y concluded their Mosaic Challenge. You can read about it HERE.

My entry was #12 - I made a 4x6" frame with the phrase: "Hope Springs Eternal" by A. Pope.

It was my first time to make a complicated mosaic. I started by drawing the design on a graph paper and placing it under the 4x6" glass that came with the frame. The mosaic tiles were assembled and baked on the glass.

I used the Rocky Path technique to make the bottom layer, to make it appear organic.

The orange and yellow flowers were made from polymer canes. These were layered accordingly.

I like the finished product - it looks like a backdrop of a cascading water fountain.

Thank you for visiting the Guild's page and this blog.

Have a wonderful day!

♥ michelle ♥.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

[Philippine Polymer Clay Guild] Mosaic Challenge 2013

Welcome back!

Can you believe it? It's the last day of July - yay or nay?

I am part of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild and we recently had our Mosaic Challenge. There were 28 entries with different themed projects. You can visit our Facebook page to vote for / like your favorite. Deadline for voting is on August 3 and prizes await the lucky voter.

Check out these photos: