Photo-realistic Eye

February 12th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The Challenge

Laura challenged me to recreate a photo-realistic eye.  Yes, P-H-O-T-O-R-E-A-L-I-.. I’ve lost track of where I was.  You get the picture.  I am a guy who almost failed kindergarten because I didn’t hold my pencil properly, use paper space adequately, nor could I use scissors like the rest of society.  I still hold my pencil wrong.

 

What it should look like:

Eye by Mark Crilley

 

How it ended up:

How the hell do you shade?!

 

Lessons learned:

  • Honestly I was expecting to come away with a square looking circle and some lines.   While I know I’m no where close to the original, likely for lack of training, proper pencil weights, etc. I’m pretty happy with the outcome.
  • A kitchen table is no place for a cat
  • Automatic pencils are not the ideal sketching weapon of choice
  • I did this in an hour.  The original artist did it in a few hours.  I win!
  • Serious lesson:  Learn how to shade.

 

Update:

I started to get a little critical of something I shouldn’t be so I took a stab at another eye.  I’m expecting a call from the Louvre at any moment.

I think I figured out shading: Q-Tips!

 

Pink Owl Cake Pops

February 9th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The Challenge:

Dave thought he would try to catch me off guard with these balls of delight.  The original author sells these for a pretty penny.  Does the work justify the price point?

What it should look like:

Pink Owl Cake Pops via Vinalla Bean Girls

 

How it ended up:

Owls which got into the grapes perhaps?

 

Lessons learned:

  • Allow for four evenings of prep and work
  • Colours from the Bulk Barn are not as vibrant as you think
  • Old chocolate doesn’t melt.  That’s right MHS team, you got old chocolate! :)
  • Taste TOO good. Hard to give away.  Thanks again, MHS team!
  • Yes – these are worth every penny

Grilled Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken

February 6th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The Challenge:

It has been a busy week, hence the lack of posting.  It’s a Sunday and Laura was hungry.  She wanted something to eat that was tasty and apparently easy enough to make so I would do it.  I know her game.  Inspiration found here.

 

What it should look like:

How big is that fork?!

 

How it ended up:

Not bad - tasted great too! Bread is a nice touch!

 

Lessons learned:

  • How to spell ‘bruschetta’
  • Finding basil on Superbowl Sunday is impossible (notice the lack of green)
  • Laura isn’t allowed to make decisions when in the grip of an appetite.
  • Mozzarella really doesn’t have much of flavour.  Who knew!

Flowery Birthday Cake

January 29th, 2012 § 1 comment § permalink

The Challenge:

Laura challenged me to bake and decorate a cake.  A cake that even she thought would be difficult for her.  For those of you that don’t know, Laura dabbles in cake decorating – I do not.

 

What it should look like:

Cake by White Flower Cake Shoppe

 

What I thought I looked liked:

Buddy from TLC's Cake Boss

How it ended up:

 

Keep in mind I've never ever done anything like this

What I actually looked like:

Cats, unlike children, always find a way to piss you off

 

Lessons Learned:

  • Learn my way around the kitchen.  Every two seconds I was yelling to whoever would listen in a failed attempt to find stuff.
  • I was really REALLY good at the cleanup portion of this task.
  • I had to fend Laura off from taking control of “her” kitchen so I need to invest in a taser.  Better yet – build taser for next challenge??
  • Food colouring which looks orange is actually yellow…?
  • You will need every bowl, spoon and knife in the house.
  • Cake tops do not make a good Frisbee.
  • Cake, no matter how ugly, is still delicious!
  • Don’t ever do this again

 

Deer Painting

January 29th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The challenge:

While Laura is crafty (crafty like your grandmother) I decided to go a little far of left on this and give her a painting.  Laura is not a painter and this should easily end in disaster, or worse, a shameful display of kindergarten-like art.

 

What it should look like:

While no Picasso or Bosch i think it hard enough...

 

How it ended up:

Sweet baby Jesus this isn't the result I was hoping for...

 

I could not believe the results.  She did this during a baby nap time.  Sure I can nitpick this and that but she did this in about two hours with no previous exposure to the medium.  I can easily give credit where credit is due here:  Well done!

 

Lessons learned:

  • Laura is crafty.  Apparently that means if you put a tool in her hand it means she can likely figure it out.
  • I need to really get out of her comfort zone.  Like bathroom cleaning.
  • “A little acrylic paint goes a long way” –Laura

 

Side note: Laura has her challenge for me lined up and I will start on this tomorrow.  Where Laura’s challenge showed her obvious prowess my challenge to me will really drive me to tears.

Sculpey Balloon Dog

January 27th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The Challenge:

I gave Laura a rather daunting task this week so I’ve given her an extension on her challenge.  In the meantime Laura picked a quick challenge for me:  recreate a sculpey balloon dog as scene on Pinterest.

 

What it should look like:

The symmetry of these scare me.

 

How it ended up:

Left: First attempt. Right: Second attempt. It's like Play-Doh evolution! It looked so easy!

 

Quick note:  One of the rules states that we’re to recreate the image as best as possible.  These two pathetic attempts took me two hours to do.  In order to conserve energy (Greenpeace - back me up!) from baking it was agreed that a couple of attempts would suffice as it became quickly apparent that I would not improve much over time.

 

Lessons learned:

  • As you age your hands get bigger therefore working with clay gets harder. It’s a terrible fact of life…
  • As Laura used to sell Sculpey creations on Etsy I think it is easy to say that we should leave this domain to her
  • Never forget your ove-glove when reaching into the stove

 

Beef Wellington

January 24th, 2012 § 2 comments § permalink

The Challenge:

Dave to recreate a Beef Wellington as seen on Pinterest. Or if you watch Hell’s Kitchen, the second most made dish after risotto.  Seriously what the hell is risotto? Surely it is some form of pasta.  Those crazy Italians and their overuse of vowels.

 

What it should look like:

 

 

How it ended up:

Came out much better than I expected

Look at the colour!!

 

 

What it looked like before cropping:

Pre-crop

OK so it was a little more messy than I would have liked…

 

 

What didn’t get used:

UFO like Wellington which will likely land in the bin

 

 

Lessons Learned:

  • Pilsbury Crescent Roll’s do not work as a beef Wellington pastry.  AKA: Don’t take shortcuts!
  • Beef tenderloin is more expensive than daycare
  • I (Dave) have no idea what knife does what in my knife block.  It took me 3 knives to find one that would cut through meat. Burglar beware…
  • Plan side dishes.  Four cherry tomatos do not count apparently
  • When the instructions say ’30 minutes’ assume they meant ’60 minutes’

Toffee Crunch Cupcake

January 23rd, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

The challenge:

We came across the Toffee Crunch Cupcake via Pinterest.  Consider this our first pathetic attempt to become awesome in the kitchen.

 

What it should look like:

Toffee Crunch Cupcake (Credit: Bakers Royale)

How it ended up:

We had some obvious issues with the icing...

Lessons learned:

  • Follow instructions.  There is likely a reason for them
  • We need to work on our photography skills
  • Invest in proper lighting
  • Find a third set of hands to control the cat
  • Stop laughing – it just makes the icing job even worse
 
Update: These things taste as good as they look in the first picture!