52 Projects is an adventure in discovery. Every week, for 52 weeks, do something. Something you’ve never done before. Something you’ve always wanted to do. Something that scares you. Something that inspires you. Something that inspires others. Something that tickles your fancy. Something that caught your eye. Something that just popped into your head. It can be big. It can be small. It can be whatever you want it to be. Find out how doing something can lead you to discover things about yourself, your world, your God. Then, come here on Sundays and share it with others. I'll write about mine here, you write about yours on your blog, then use the tool in my post to link to your something. Please feel free to jump in and participate anytime throughout the year!

Jane


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Week 46: testing silicone bakeware and decorating ornaments

This week I decided to feature two projects. We're hitting the holiday season after all so why not throw in a little extra fun.

Project #1: Testing silicone bakeware

I've seen silicone bakeware for quite some time but never bothered to purchase any of it. I'm kind of an old school kitchen girl and just the word "silicone" drove me away. Maybe it's because I associate silicone with breast implants gone horribly wrong. But on Friday when I was shopping with my mother, we saw a brownie bite pan made out of silicone. I make brownies quite often for the kids and I liked the price of the pan at $4.99. My mother bought it for me as a little gift. So off I went to the grocery store for a box of brownie mix.

I mixed up brownies as usual this morning. I then followed the directions on the packaging for the brownie bite pan and washed it well before using. With silicone, you still put it on a baking sheet when baking. I filled up each little brownie compartment, set the oven at 350 and baked them for about 28 minutes. Success.

Once the pan was COMPLETELY cool, the little brownies popped out pretty easily.

To be honest, I'm still on the fence about silicone bakeware. Usually when my brownies are baking, the kitchen is filled with the scent of warm chocolate. With the silicone, the usual smell was mixed in with a faint smell of burning rubber. Maybe by the time I'm 90 and my hair is falling out, I'll find out that silicone was not meant to cook with. But for now, I'll take my chances and finish the batch of brownies.

Project #2: decorating ornaments


I'm pretty sentimental when it comes to Christmas tree ornaments. I continue to hang every ornament that my kids ever made. Very few are store bought and most were gifts or handmade at some point or another. When I was standing at the check out line at Joanne Fabrics on Friday, I spotted a shelf with clear glass ball ornaments on clearance for $1.99. Six large globes for $1.99; how could I refuse?

So this morning I took out my paint pens and some colored tissue paper and went to town. I pulled the little tops off of each one and filled them with some shredded tissue paper. The painting part was easy.




Remember those Adirondack Inks that I used on white tiles many projects ago? I decided to apply drops of ink to the glass. I like the effect.
Reminds me of stained glass.


Next weekend we will pick out a tree and I can hang these ornaments.

What did you do this week?

7 comments:

  1. ~i haven't had brownies in so long...love the little bite size bits...i used to have silicone cupcake holders...used them for awhile but eventually i fell back to the traditional metal...the very last ornament jane is gorgeous!!! i absolutely love the effect that happened and it does very much look like stained glass...the others are cute too...i can only imagine your painted house tree!!! nothing like the sentimal feelings that stem from re~opening ornaments made from the past...happy tree hunting...warm wishes and brightest blessings~

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  2. I love brownies and especially brownie corners, so those little bites look yummy. Although the note about the smell of silicone really gave me pause. But you did answer my old question about those floppy things -- you put them ON cookie sheets. Now it makes sense.

    The ornaments are beautiful! I still have the inks I bought (but never used) after your gorgeous painted tiles post went up, so its great to see another use for them. Except e don't celebrate Christmas. Well, maybe presents...

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  3. I just posted my 43rd project. Unlike you, Jane, I am a "do as little as possible for maximum credit" sort of person and have been since 4th grade, unfortunately. I list every little creative thing as a separate "project" in an attempt to make my 52.

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  4. I love the ornaments. I share the same preference for bright colors. ! Your photos are amazing!

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  5. I gather it's over, but I'm still trying to get to 52! (Ignore me... )
    But thank you Jane and everyone who contributed for their support and inspiration.

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  6. Nice post. I have been searching for articles about valves and actuators and your post really helps. Thanks a lot for posting this.
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