Artist Extraordinaire!

                             It is my pleasure to introduce to you to artist Leslie Hackett!

I have purchased some of her creations at A Rare Bird Antiques in Minneapolis and started following her on Instagram this spring.

Leslie is the artist behind Myrtle Sletta.  Her business is the namesake of her beloved grandmother.  Leslie's earliest memories were of her grandmother encouraging her creativity.

One of Leslie's heart wreaths.

Leslie creates some enchanting items!

I asked Leslie to answer some questions for this blog.  Here are her responses.

What is your background?

I grew up moving every 4 years and loved it!  Born in Georgia, like many army babies, moved to Italy, Georgia, Minnesota, West Germany Florida, Berlin, Paris, New York, Ireland and finally Minnesota where both my parents are from.

I graduated from Parsons School of Design in the late 80's.  I attend 2 years in Paris and two years in New York.  I have lived in St. Paul for the last 27 years.   During this time my husband and I raised our two sons and I continued to work on various creative projects. 

I have been making art for as long as I could smear paint.  I feel very lucky to have had lots of encouragement and support.

(This is interesting, because one of the first comments I made on her Instagram page was that she couldn't be from St. Paul.  Her work looked more like it should be from Paris or New York, and she replied that she had live both places!)

 

Wouldn't you love to get a wrapped gift from Leslie?

What inspires you?

Beautiful materials and the thrill of combining them.   The idea of feeling joy a shift of perspective when you see something really beautiful.  Being part of a story or uncovering one.  I love fairy tales, folk tales, history, movies and books.  I love to garden, travel, take pictures an spend a lot of time just daydreaming.

How long have you been in business?

I filed the name Myrtle Sletta's (after my Grandother) 25 years ago.  I have worked under this name, trimming Christmas trees, invitations, event planning and merchandising, and finally making my own collections.   Before that, I mixed paints for a fabric designer, calligrapher, waited tables, ribbon buyer, store merchandiser and florist.

It is obvious that Leslie has a relationship with flowers.

What is your favorite item that you have created?

I'll let you know when I make it.  My mind is constantly racing with ideas.  To be fair, the Santos figure I dressed last Christmas, the crepe paper swags, heart pom wreath and ribbon cones.  I like to work on multiple items at a time and wait to address every detail exploring as many combinations as I can!

Where do you shop in the area?

A Rare Bird Antiques in Minneapolis, Wet Paint, Paper Source and Regina's for candy.  I make an annual trip to New York to shop in the garment district.

Current projects.  A charming witch hat, left, and an Halloween wreath!

To what do you attribute your success?

My father once said I was lucky that as a creative person I am very organized.  If I am successful in my art it's because I take the responsibility very seriously, I am tenacious and try to always improve.

 What is the fun part of your business?

Are you kidding?  Sourcing gorgeous materials and making exactly what I feel like making everyday and night, connecting with the kindest people looking for beauty, too.

What is the most challenging part of your business?

Technology.  I struggle to keep the website updated, edit photos to my liking and I still struggle to post on Instagram even though I enjoy the platform and have met so many great people. 

 

Because I love Easter, I love these projects that Leslie created!

If you could speak to your younger self, what would you tell yourself?

Just trust, everything works out, trust.  When you doubt yourself, get some sleep, it's a waste of energy. 

Source:  Rosemille.com

What do you like to do on your days off?

You know the saying, "when you love what you do...."  I don't take many days off.  Friday night I sign off early and have dinner with my husband.  I love to catch up with my family, garden, antique and look for beautiful materials.

Where can we find your creations?

On my website Myrtlestudio@bigcartel.com and a Rare Bird Antiques are the best sources.  Kelly and I have become friends, she is very supportive and carries a vast assortment.  I have somethings at Martha's Gardens in St. Paul, and La Rue Marche in Hudson.

Leslie hosts an open house at her home at Christmastime.

She also creates for most holidays and more.  There are ribbon wrapped sticks, pom pom wreaths, boxes and cards, to name a few.  The variety is endless!

Leslie's workroom:

To see more of her creations on Instagram, use this address: www.instagram.com/myrtlesletta

To visit her website use this address: https://myrtlesstudio.bigcartel.com

All photos were by Leslie, with her permission.

Thank you Leslie, for letting me share your amazing creativity!

EVERYTHING'S PEACHY!

                                                           

                                     

We all love peaches.  Well, I haven't eaten peaches until this year, but I have found some wonderful peach recipes that I want to share with you!

They say that peach is the most flattering color that a woman can wear.   My husband and I had a peachy coral bedroom for years.  Fung Shui said it was bad luck, but I think it was gorgeous!

Okay for some recipes!  How about Peaches and Proscuitto? 

At: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/summer-salads#slide-5

Or Bacon Peach Jam:

https://stripedspatula.com/bacon-peach-jam/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=292053222_5505285_154964

Or Blender Peach Ice Cream:

https://www.lifeloveliz.com/2015/06/17/peach-ice-cream/

Or Peach and Brie Tart:

https://www.cookswithcocktails.com/puff-pastry-tart/

Or:  Honey Ricottta Peach Peach Crostini with Crispy Panchetta

https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/honey-ricotta-peach-crostini-crispy-pancetta

Or how about 3 ingredient Peach Sorbet:

https://www.aheadofthyme.com/3-ingredient-peach-sorbet/

Or Crostini with Peaches, Blue Cheese and Honey

https://bevcooks.com/2013/05/crostini-with-peaches-blue-cheese-and-honey-a-giveaway/

Or how about: Grilled Peach and Mozzarella Salad:

I think these bacon wrapped peach slices look good, my husband disagrees!  He thinks they would be messy.  Of course all he likes is Peach Crisp or Cobbler.

From Food Crush

These Peach and Brie Quesadillas with Lime-Honey Dipping Sauce also look good.

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peach-brie-quesadillas-with-lime-honey-dipping-sauce

We made these the other night and I loved them!  My husband used smoked chicken instead of cooked chicken. Pepper Jack, Chicken, and Peach Quesadillas.  We had chopped cilantro and sour cream with them instead of basil and onions.

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pepper-jack-chicken-peach-quesadillas

Of course you have to have some cocktails with peaches, too.  Not just bellinis.

Frozen Peach Margaritas

https://cookingwithcurls.com/2016/07/07/frozen-peach-margaritas/

or Peach and Prosecco

http://www.willcookforfriends.com/2014/08/grilled-peach-rosemary-prosecco.html

The newest recipe that peaks my interest is this salad:

A bacon wrapped peach caprese salad.

This photo doesn't show the bacon wrapped peaches that they top this salad with but they show it on instagram and in the recipe.  Tastermade.com

INGREDIENTS

Caprese:
One bunch fresh basil
8 ripe yellow peaches
4 ripe tomatoes
8 strips bacon
3 large fresh mozzarella balls
Sea salt
Black pepper
Balsamic vinegar reduction:
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup honey

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the balsamic vinegar reduction:

2. In a small skillet, combine vinegar and honey and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has reduced and thickened. Set aside to cool.

3. For the caprese:

4. Halve four peaches and wrap each half in a bacon strip. In a cast-iron pan, cook bacon-wrapped peaches until bacon is cooked and peaches are tender. Set aside to cool to room temperature while you assemble the salad.

5. For the salad, thinly slice the tomatoes, the four remaining peaches and the mozzarella. Layer all the peaches, mozzarella and tomatoes in alternating order, then top liberally with balsamic reduction. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Then you put the bacon wrapped peaches on the top, in the center.

Of course, dining with a peachy table setting and a peach colored floral arrangement could enhance the enjoyment of these dishes....so could dressing in peachy tones!

Image from :weddingforward.com

Image from Bella Mint photography

M.lulus.com

polyvore.com

etsy.com

handbagdejour.com

I really like this!

polyvore.com

Well, I hope you enjoy this tasty blog!

CHIC AND YE SHALL FIND: This Focaccia Isn’t Your Garden-Variety Flatbread ...

CHIC AND YE SHALL FIND: This Focaccia Isn’t Your Garden-Variety Flatbread ...: Link here:  https://www.momknowsbest.net/2020/02/how-to-make-focaccia-bread-flowers.html My personal favorite below (I ...

This Focaccia Isn’t Your Garden-Variety Flatbread Anymore!

Link here: https://www.momknowsbest.net/2020/02/how-to-make-focaccia-bread-flowers.html

My personal favorite below (I am not a huge vegetable fan!)

I like this one, too!   Recipe here: https://danbeasleyharling.com/bread/focaccia/

 Created by Terri Culletto.  Before baking

Created by Terri Culletto.  After baking

For several weeks now, I have been seeing these beautifully decorated focaccia, dotted with vegetables on my Instagram feed.  

I am fascinated by this pheonomin!  You already know that I like beautiful food...plated or prepared and these works of art are beautiful and creative!

I quote the New York Times article which was published April 24th by Amelia Nierenberg

·         Read the whole article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/dining/focaccia-bread.html?smid=ig-nytcooking&utm_source=curalate_like2buy&utm_medium=curalate_like2buy_gnauQ5q1__85c57964-581f-41a6-8ae6-ca60659ba09c&crl8_id=85c57964-581f-41a6-8ae6-ca60659ba09c

"In kitchens across the world, focaccia gardens are blooming. On top of the flatbreads, cherry tomatoes open like petals, with long scallion stalks for stems. Yellow-pepper sunflowers stand tall with Kalamata olives at their center. Red onions bud in bushes made from fresh herbs.

As pandemic activities on social media go, this one might just be the prettiest. Home bakers decorate their focaccia with bouquets and swirls: The flat, white dough is an easy canvas, and just as simple to prepare. During a spring when so many of us are confined, decorating them allows many bakers to bring the outdoors inside by tending these edible gardens.

“It’s cathartic and therapeutic,” said Teri Culletto, a home baker in Vineyard Haven, Mass., who is thought to have started the trend. “If we had dinner parties to go to, you’d want everybody to have their socks on, because you’d knock them off.”

Ms. Culletto, 56, posted her first focaccia garden on Instagram in February 2019. Soon after, other bakers were making their own versions. They now poke around one another’s accounts, sharing decorating tips."

"Raw vegetables, for example, are tricky, because they have different water contents. Thicker pieces are better, as thinner ones might burn. Purple potatoes are excellent for the blue, indigo and violet parts of the rainbow, said Hannah Page, a 36-year-old high school teacher in Raleigh, N.C., who posts under @blondieandrye. Ms. Culletto discovered that dipping fresh herbs in lemon water might keep them greener in a hot oven"

My favorite ones are from  @blondeandrye in Instagram.   

The Bored Panda writes "This chef, who's behind the Instagram account Blondie and Rye, makes the most mesmerizing, meticulously-crafted, crispy snacks that are simply a feast for our eyes. Hannah—a North Carolina-based baker—has over 100k Instagram followers with whom she shares before and after pictures of her intricate, flour-covered creations. Some of them are scrupulously carved, while others are decorated with fruits and vegetables. Nonetheless, Hannah's audience continues growing as more and more followers are keeping track of her eye-catching pastries. "I’ve never felt so excited and inspired by bread!" one woman comments on one of Blondie and Rye's Instagram posts. "The most beautiful loaves I [have] ever seen!" another person noted."

https://www.boredpanda.com/carved-blondie-and-rye-bread/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Here are some of hers:

 These are before baking.

These are after baking 

Blondie and Rye can be found on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.  I would say that she is famous now!  She does share recipes.  This one was on The Feedfeed:

https://thefeedfeed.com/blondieandrye/mixed-cheese-and-scallion-fougasse

She also carves bread like this, but that is a whole other blog!

For more ideas from other bakers, follow my Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/dailyelegance/bread-stuffs/