Devyn Larson Designs

Friday, August 10, 2012

Time Out

Crazy describes life most days, so a day at the beach was just what we have been needing. It was nice to unpack the watercolors and doodle for the first time in AGES. My kids even treated me to a sand spa! ") Later the tide cooperated and we were treated to some epic tide pool investigation. A great day.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Easter Cookie Time!

Our house is under construction so I am doodling on cookies instead of paper.
(All my art supplies are buried.) My husband, as my main taste tester, has been thrilled!

Sugar Cookies

Cream:

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

Add:

2 eggs

1 T vanilla

Mix then add:

2 1/4 cups flour

1 t baking powder

Bake @ 350 for 8-10min

Royal Icing

3/4 cup of warm water

5 Tablespoons Meringue Powder

1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar

1 kilogram (2.25 lbs.) Powdered Sugar

*** Note; if your meringue powder has no vanilla flavor (vanillin powder) in it, add a teaspoon of clear vanilla to this recipe. (I used regular vanilla and the white turned out fine.)

Directions:

In mixer bowl, pour in the warm water and the meringue powder. Mix it with a whisk by hand until it is frothy and thickened…about 30 seconds.

Add the cream of tartar and mix for 30 seconds more.

Pour in all the icing sugar at once and place the bowl on the mixer.

Using the paddle attachment on the LOWEST speed, mix slowly for a full 10 minutes. Icing will get thick and creamy.

Cover the bowl with a dampened tea-towel to prevent crusting and drying.

Tint with food colorings and thin the icing with small amounts of warm water to reach the desired consistency.

Happy baking! ")

Monday, July 25, 2011

Currently working on . . .

A watercolor done in the style of Mexican Folk Art, for my Mom.

I am totally hooked on exploring all types of folk art these days. Swedish, Polish, Cuban . . .

. . . not enough hours to doodle. Sigh . . .

Below are doodles for a new project. Needless to say, VERY excited to see how this turns out.

Hint . . it's up there with getting published in Vogue Knitting, only better.

More to come . . . ")

Monday, May 23, 2011

Psalm 86:12

Back at it!

It has been a crazy year so far, but with lots of good to report.

Our little one is doing much better and is back to her normal bubbly self. I still have moments of panic if she gets too tired or is not eating with her normal gusto. But the 4 year old is training her Momma well. She is such a trooper, and is way too patient with me. We went in for a blood test last week and she barely batted an eye. Too busy making sure all the nurses had a piece of bubble gum.
My hero.

I haven't had a whole lot of doodling time, but managed a late night and whipped out 3 new designs that will be posted shortly. Other ideas are creatively percolating, until I can get my hands in some paint for an extended bit. Lots of inspiration from a recent trip to Hood River, OR. Best hiking ever!

My favorite moment in these last few months was on Mother's Day. I sat outside, between hail storms, drinking my coffee and enjoying the garden, when I heard the girls giggling and laughing inside.
Best sound ever. ")

Hope you all are doing well!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Thankful . . .

   My youngest little gal has been ill and was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It has been a long last 3 months. (Thus the lack of blog updates.) There have been a lot of sleepless nights, procedures, tests, "yucky" meds and just feeling rotten.
   In all the "yucky," we have been trying to focus on the positive and trust God with the details we can't control. In the midst of it all, we have a lot that we are tremendously thankful for:
   1) Our pediatrician, who gave us a speedy diagnosis, his desk number for emergencies and who got us hooked up with a great specialist right away. We love you Dr. Dean!!
   2) Dr. Marshall (mentioned specialist) who has run herd on two shell shocked parents, keeping us sane and optimistic.
   3) Family, who we would not have survived without! Thank you for listening, your prayers, giving us breaks to process and recoup. You are invaluable and adored!
   Our daughter is now on the road to recovery. She is two weeks away from being off the steroids. They have been hard on her, but we are thankful they got the flair (symptoms) under control.
   To everyone else . . . never give up hope. There is a God who will meet you right where you are, and bless your socks off in the process. He has heard plenty of my rants and sobs lately, and I am thankful that he takes me just as I am, runny mascara and all. ")
Looking forward to getting back in the saddle and sharing more art with you soon.
Have a wonderful holiday season!