[Bead Soup] Its the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014 Reveal Day!!!

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

Welcome to the 2014 Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.  

This is my 4th party and this year, I was paired with Peggy of Charm Barn.  I love the assortment of bright and interesting beads and findings.  She gave so much beads that I was able to make 3 pieces and have leftover beads for another project.

One of the focal bead that she sent is a "nest."  I've always wanted to have one and finally, I got it! This necklace is called "Nestled" and is a combination of the red creek jasper, pink stones and beads and wire.  The wire nest houses a stone and since it's Mother's Day, let me share my story.  My 2 siblings and I live in different countries and my parents are on their own.  The stone inside the nest signifies that no matter where we are, the 3 of us are safe and secure in our mom's heart.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014

One of the clasps she sent had crystals on it.  Very nice!  I like the combination of the pink beads against the stone.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party

Take a look at these cute silver spacer beads.  Is it a bird, a whale or a fish?  LOL.  I wanted to do something fun and colorful with it and since I had light blue and purple hemp cord available, I made a macrame bracelet with a sliding knot closure.  The ends were finished with a silver bead.  Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Macrame Bracelet
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 

And finally, I made this statement bracelet.  It started out with making a wire base using a thick gauge wire and then adding the rest of the beads.  I formed the base flower using Vintaj copper wire and filled it up with crystals and pearls.  Then the finished flower is placed and wired on top of the frame.  It sits on the wrist nicely and the pop of color shouts "Spring!"

Wire-Wrapped Floral Bracelet

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Please head over to my partner, Peggy of Bead Charm to see what she's made.  Click on this LINK to see the rest of the participants.  

I would like to thank Ms. Lori for all her hard work in making this party possible.  

Have fun!

♥ michelle

[Baking] Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Lava Cake

If there is one person who loves cholocate-y desserts more than me, that would be my husband.  It's his birthday and I thought of baking something extra special... just for him.  We have gained so weight in the past several weeks and it's mostly because of our physical inactivity, being sedentary most of the time.  Yes, I have been baking here and there but it's always "to share" with family and friends.  Well, this Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is served in ramekins, small enough for one person.  Talk about portion control.

There are many recipes online.  I did my research and came up with my own.

Chocolate Lava Recipe (serves 4, 6oz ramekins)
Ingredients:
2 large whole eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
3.5 oz Scharffen Berger Bittersweet dark chocolate, cubed
4 oz unsalted butter, cubed

Procedure:
1.   Preheat oven to 450C.  Line ramekins with butter.  The ramekins we have are 8oz and are wide rather than tall - I was able to make 3 portions.
2.   Place butter and chocolate squares in a glass bowl and melt in a double broiler (just because we don't own a microwave).   Mix well.
3.   Beat the whole eggs and eggyolks until pale yellow.  Add the sugar and beat until completely dissolved.  Add the vanila and salt.
4.   Pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and combine.
5.   Fold in the all purpose flour.  Mix.
6.   Gently pour the mixture into the prepared ramekins.  The cake will be baked in a water bath (baine marie) so place the filled ramekins in a deep dish filled halfway with hot water.
7.    Bake for 15 minutes.  Your cake is done when the sides are firm to and the center is soft (and jiggly).
8.   Take the cake out of the oven and gently run a knife along the side and place a plate and carefully invert the cake.
9.   Sprinkle powdered sugar and top with your favorite fruit (I used mangoes).

It was delicious and my birthday boy loved it!

Enjoy!  Happy baking!
♥ michelle