7.20.2013

New Blog! Update your RSS reader.

Hey everybody! It's been a long time coming, and a lot of work (with some help from a few friends), but my new website is live. With a beautiful new blog.

Head on over to www.curiousdoodles.com/blog to get there!


2.16.2013

On eating well: Spaghetti Squash With Creamy Avocado Sauce


I have been steadily improving my diet and getting rid of things that aren't helpful to my body and focusing on whole nutrient dense foods. This has not been an easy journey, but it's certainly getting better the more I stick with it. I'm trying not to eat any sugar, except in natural forms like fruit. This also includes avoiding starchy foods like noodles and bread. 

So with these guidelines, I have been forced to get creative with my cooking. I find cooking healthy and eating well to be very rewarding. I'm going to start sharing more of the healthy recipes that I love. 























With that said, I present creamy avocado spaghetti squash. Yum. It's so filling, full of flavor, and nutrient dense. I was inspired to make this recipe from this vegan recipe round up on Oh She Glows. Here is my spin on it. 

Roasting the spaghetti squash:

Start by cutting the spaghetti squash in half length wise.  One trick is to cut the stem and head of the squash off before you cut it length wise. Take out the seeds. Drizzle the squash with olive oil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes or until tender. 

While that is cooking you can make the sauce.

Avocado cream sauce:
1 avocado
2 cloves garlic minced
1 handful of spinach (optional)
2 -4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt 
1/4 cup cashews (soaked in water for a few hours)

Use a blender or food processor to mix this up. If you don't have either just mash it with a fork. 

I garnished with tomatoes because I love the contrast with the green.  Of course you should garnish with whatever you have around. 

Let me know how you like this recipe and if you have any that you want me to try let me know in the comments. 

2.07.2013

Coaster and Trivet Factory

We've been busy around here making new batches of coasters and trivets. I just loved the pattern they make when they are all laying out to dry. Aren't they pretty. 


Here I am sanding them so they are smooth to touch. I love this belt sander. It's the best. 






















If you are interested in learning more about these or want to purchase click here. 

2.03.2013

My Creative Space


This past weekend was all about cleaning, and organizing my life. Especially in my design studio. The intense holiday season took its toll on the studio. It was a total embarrassing mess. I found myself very uninspired and avoiding go in the room if possible with so many random piles and boxes everywhere. 

And it's amazing. After I finished cleaning, I felt like I had also cleansed my mind. I don't think I realized what a toll it was taking on me. 

One of my personal projects is to fill the walls of my studio with little pieces of inspiration and ephemera. I think its coming along nicely. Because everything is just taped to the wall, it's easy and grows organically. 






























My appologies for the crappy lighting in these photos. I don't get good natural light in this room. 

12.08.2012

Crafty Wonderland Today and Tomorrow!


Hi Portland, 

See you there. I'm running around like crazy getting ready for this one. Should be a blast. 


11.17.2012

CuriousDoodles Featured in I Heart Stationery


I Heart Stationery is chalked full of creative approaches to stationery and paper goods. I couldn't be more pleased to be featured in it. Yay! The book is written by Charlotte Rivers, a talented blogger and author of 16 art and design books. Wow! Purchase the book here







11.13.2012

Product Release: 2013 Matchbook Calendar

My new succulent matchbook calendar fits in your pocket. It features a detailed succulent paper cut on earthy paper. These are great stocking stuffers for loved ones that love plants, but always kill them. 

So, how does a matchbook calendar work? When you get to the end of a month tear or cut out the last month to reveal the current month in the front. Keep it in a pocket or on your desk. 

Stock up on the matchbook calendars here




11.10.2012

Laser Cut Wood Coaster Set: Succulent Garden

Adorn your table top with my new succulent garden coaster and trivet set. If you can't tell already, I have been obsessed with succulents for the past year or so. When I go on walks around Portland, I snap lots of photos of succulents and then come home and draw them. These drawing have been laser cut out of 1/4 inch birch plywood with beautiful lines and character. They feel very substantial and nice to use. They have a light polyurethane finish that helps protect the wood from moisture. Check them out here.



11.09.2012

Designer Crush: Marimekko

I have the biggest designer crush on Marimekko and you will too after watching this video. So beautiful.



via this is love forever

11.07.2012

Fall Food

I'm having fun making fall food from my CSA lately. Right now I'm obsessed with butternut squash curry soup, and roasting just about anything.




addictive squash seeds with olive oil, salt, and red pepper

potatoes and rosemary

garlic and roasted tomatoes




11.04.2012

My kind of Sunday...







so nice to have a fire going on the weekend
Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, and nuts 









11.01.2012

Product Release 2013 Tea Towel Embroidery Calendar Kit

My latest tea towel kit features a new urban botanical mash-up pattern. Each towel is made of 100% natural linen and is screen printed with water based inks. Everything is packaged up into one kit with love. Check out more details here.



















D.I.Y. TEA TOWEL EMBROIDERY KIT INCLUDES: 
• 100% natural linen tea towel
• 27" x 16" with a rolled hem
• 2 needles and quality red thread
• 6 in embroidery hoop
• Instructions and stitch guide



The hem at the top has a slot that allows you to easily hang with a dowel rod. 

I'm feeling extra crafty ever since the weather has changed. All I want is a fire, red wine, and a good project to curl up with on the sofa. 


























Product Release: 2013 Paper Cut Poster Calendar

Oh my, I've been in calendar mode lately. I'm excited to finally share with you my new wall calendar design.

This 2013 poster calendar combines screen printing and laser cutting for a very unique limited edition piece of functional art. A stunning stained glass effect is created if you place in front of a window. Also looks great simply taped to the wall or framed. For a pop accent, use a colored backer behind the papercut. You can purchase here







10.11.2012

Sweet Potato Fries





















These are one of my favorite treats. And, really easy to whip up. I just cut a sweet potato into slender fries. Rub them with olive oil and cook for about 30 minutes on 350 degrees. Salt and pepper to taste.



These are a little more burnt than they are suppose to be, but I don't mind the crispy parts. Yum!

10.07.2012

Working on new kits!

I'm working right now on my 2013 holiday products for the shop. I'm enjoying stitching on wood. Isn't it pretty?




















9.30.2012

Seconds Sale on 2012 Tea Towel Calendar Embroidery Kit

This is an excellent time to try a CuriousDoodles embroidery kit while it is heavily discounted at $12.00. Check out the sale here


9.17.2012

Prototype of 2013 Tea Towel Embroidery Calendar

The tea towel is coming soon! I'm in the final design stages for my 2013 Tea Towel Calendar Kit. It's so fun to see what it looks like stitched up. My weekend consisted of watching way to many episodes on Netflix while stitching this tea towel up. Pretty relaxing overall.