Latest Zazzle Designs

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The reason I haven't posted recently is because I have been busy producing artwork for Zazzle. Here is my all over print Wooden nutcracker tote bag, ideal for Christmas.

Wooden Nutcracker Christmas Tote Bag
by cantaloupearts

This is my range of ladies leggings, T's and trainers.
Awesome Leggings and Ladies Clothes


I have a passion for drawing dogs and have created many products, this is my collection based on pets I have known or owned. They include German Shepherds, Black and White Collies, Labradors, Jack Russells, and Rough Collies.

Dogs

Dogs
by joanna fell


Golder Retriever Poster

If you would like to view my store, click on the link.
Cantaloupearts
Browse other gifts from Zazzle.My Dog Collection
Browse other gifts from Zazzle.

A Good Low Carb Substitute for Pizza

I have been following a low carb diet since April after putting on over a stone and a half, which had gradually crept up after I stopped weighing myself. I chose a low carb diet because I enjoy low carb foods and find it easy to follow. It is a slow way to loose weight, but if you adopt the diet as a lifestyle choice it is easy to keep to. I have now reached my target weight and retrained my eating habits, so I am confident I will be able to maintain it. 

The one food I missed the most was pizza, and after several attempts to find a substitute I have found a delicious alternative which I will share with you. First it is necessary to find something to use as a base, I have found marrow slices are perfect. The slices can be topped with a small amount of tomato pizza topping, then cheese and any other low carb topping of your choice. I prefer to use chopped mushroom, onion, black olives and anchovies, delicious!

Here are the instructions

Pre heat the oven to 180, and add some olive oil to an oven proof dish, season with salt and pepper, and add some thinly sliced marrow. Put in the oven for 5 minutes, then take out and turn the slices, put in for a further 5 minutes.

Take out and smear thinly with tomato based pizza topping sauce.

Now the fun part add cheese, I prefer Mozzarella with cheddar. Thickly spread the cheese over the marrow and add your toppings.

Sprinkle the toppings evenly over the cheese. 

I put the mushrooms and onions on first, then add the olives and anchovies.

Put back in the oven until the cheese is bubbling and the marrow is tender, about 20 minutes in my oven

Serve with salad and coleslaw and enjoy!

I actually prefer this version to a bread based version, and since I have cut out bread products I have never had indigestion.

Decorate a Keepsake Box For Valentines Day

If you are a crafty type of person, and enjoy small projects you may like to make your own keepsake box for Valentine's day. It makes a lovely gift, or a handy box to keep small trinkets in.
This is my finished box, it took a few hours to make and was quite cheap to put together.

First you need to buy a small cardboard two piece heart shaped box. These are easy to find in most art and craft shops.

The size is down to you, my box is 5 cm in length.






Next you need to cut out 2 heart shapes from red felt, slightly larger than the box lid. I was lucky enough to have some ready cut shapes of the correct size. I sewed the edges of the hearts together, and then padded the heart with a little cotton wool.

I had some stick on red "gems" in my craft box which I glued on the padded heart.

This added some sparkle and interest.

I thought the heart need something to edge it with and thought black lace would make a good contrast. I found some in my hat making supplies and sewed it around the edge.

This is the heart from the underneath.

I tidied up the lace and the heart was ready.

I had some black ribbon, which I glued around the edge of the lid

before gluing the finished heart on top.

I then had to think of an easy way to to decorate the sides of the box and found some two tone black and red ribbon which I glued to the outside. If you have time you may prefer to paint the box inside and out either red or black.

I added the decorated lid, and decided to add a few more "gems".

There are many more ways you could decorate the box, for example by painting it, decoupage, covering it in dried flowers, all you need is some imagination.

                       
                           


Happy Crafting!

Mini Hats For February

I have come up with a few ideas for February, a red and wicked mini Valentine's hat, and a Mardi gras, carnival mini top hat. They are in my eBay shop hatsbyjoanna.

Valentines Mini Top Hat

Mardi Gras Mini Top Hat

Latest Zazzle Designs

My artwork has been taken to a new level with an iPad Pro and an Apple pencil.  I am one lucky lady to have been given these as a Christmas Present. They have given my creative juices a new lease of life and inspired me to design a Valentine's Day Card, and some products especially for Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras Mask and Fleur de Lis Design Shirts by cantaloupearts
Shop for custom t-shirts online at Zazzle

Men's Valentines Card by cantaloupearts
Browse more Men's valentine's Cards

Here are some more ideas for Valentine's Day gifts

How to Make A Poncho From Knitted Squares

My elderly mother rediscovered knitting a few weeks ago. She used to love to knit but has suffered from poor eyesight and short term memory problems in the last few years, so she is now restricted to knitting squares, or rectangles as she can no longer follow a pattern. 

These can turn out very random in size and consistency. I have been buying her multi dyed wool to make it more interesting for her and was amazed when I found that she had knitted hundred of "squares" in the space of a few weeks.

They looked so amazing that I wanted to find a good use for them and after looking online I found an idea for a poncho, which was basically 2 rectangles sewn together. I thought that from the assortment of shapes and sizes it might be possible to make one.
We were taking my mother away for a two week vacation, and I included packing the squares, matching balls of wool, knitting and sewing needles into the car. In the space of a few days we jointly put together this poncho, it was a real team effort and it was lovely to be able to make something between us.

The result was better than I imagined, to read how to make your own poncho click on this link Poncho Instructions

An Automatic Way to Water Your House Plants When on Holiday

I love plants both indoor and out, and have a penchant for the more unusual and exotic types. I have a giant Agave grown from seed which is thriving in a South facing position, together with Oleanders and Prickly Pear.  In my conservatory is a Coffee Plant, and my prized Patchouli plant. These are just a few plants in my indoor collection.

I was due to go away for a few weeks in the summer, and couldn't find anyone to water my plants, then I stumbled upon this easy and FREE way by accident. As it was so successful last time I decided to try it again this winter.

I have just returned from a 3 week break during very hot weather and have found all my plants thriving. The system I use allows each plant to take up just the amount of water they need. In the ones that require a small amount of water, the reservoirs are nearly full, in the other more water dependant plants, the reservoirs are almost empty. Magic!




Here is a photo of my plants on my return, perfectly healthy, to my relief.










To view instructions click this link An Automatic way to Water Your Plants Instructions