Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas and Many Thanks

Merry Christmas from Nelley Kelley studio
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.  Thank you to all who have taken the time to read my blog and support my artistic endeavors.  Your uplifting comments and enthusiasm for what I'm creating is so meaningful to me.  I am so appreciative.  I'll leave you with a few of my favorite images of the week and hope to see you all again in the New Year!
xo
Ellen
Liam's ornament (age 4) still hanging on the tree!

A little something from my God-daughter ...
Erin's ornament


Wishing a peaceful holiday season to all ...






Friday, December 17, 2010

Edible Homemade-Holiday Gift

Give a Gift from the Kitchen
A gift from the kitchen is always welcome at this time of year.  What could be better than a beautifully packaged container of homemade granola?  This granola is better than anything you can buy from the grocery store, it is relatively easy to make and it is absolutely delicious spooned over yogurt or eaten straight from the jar! 

You will need to make your way to your favorite cooking store.  For me, that means a quick walk to - 
The Concord Shop which is the place to buy your kitchen essentials.  There, I find great canning jars and sweet little scoops to tie onto my finished gifts.  The famous Concord Shop is the one place I can count on to have exactly what I am looking for.
Dried Fruit to be mixed into Granola
Gather your ingredients, turn up your holiday tunes and get ready to bake some delicious granola to give and to keep.
You will need:
1 lb. old fashioned oats ( I use Quaker Oats)
1 c. shredded coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)
1/2 c. slivered almonds and 1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. sesame seeds and 1/2 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. light brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. safflower oil
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. water
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. dried bing cherries
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots

(you can substitute whatever nuts that you prefer in your granola and you can add or subtract any type of dried fruit.  It is up to you and your taste buds!)

How to:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a bowl toss together: oats, coconut, almonds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, brown sugar and salt.
In a separate bowl whisk together: oil, honey, water and vanilla.
Stir wet ingredients into dry mixture.
Spread granola on to rimmed baking sheets.
Bake for 15 mins and take out of oven to stir granola and sprinkle on chopped pecans. 
Return pans to oven changing the rack position of your two baking sheets.
Bake for another 15 mins and stir the granola and change rack position of your baking sheets.
Bake for another 5 - 10 minutes depending upon how hot your oven is.
(once the granola is looking golden in color, you can remove from oven)
Mix in dry fruit once granola comes out of oven
Take baking sheets out of oven and mix in your chopped dried fruit.  Stir the granola and allow it to cool on the baking sheets.
Granola ready for packaging
Once your granola has cooled, scoop it into your canning jars or plastic bags. At this point, you can pull out the yogurt and scoop some granola on top and have yourself a well deserved snack break. 
Ellen's granola packed with Nelley Kelley gift tags
Tie a small scoop to the jar and add a little gift tag tied on with some twine or some ribbon and you've got yourself a wonderful gift that is sure to be a hit.  The granola will stay fresh in it's container for approximately one month from the date it is made. It is delicious spooned over yogurt or ice cream, great with cold milk in a cereal bowl or just eaten out of hand as a snack. For an added gift, print out the recipe onto a little card and tie it onto the granola gift jar. 

Enjoy and make some extra for yourself!

see you soon,
Ellen








Monday, December 6, 2010

Handcrafted Holidays

Limited Edition Ornaments by Nelley Kelley
Nelley Kelley Studio was featured at a Holiday Market home show last week - hosted by Valerie Thayer.  It was a wonderful event and got me thinking about just how special "handcrafted" gifts are.  Most often when you buy handcrafted - you are buying locally although there are some fantastic catalogs and online markets that offer up some truly inspirational pieces. (Sundance and Terrain are two of my favorites).  Consider adding some handcrafted items to your holiday shopping lists this year.  You will be supporting local artisans and you will be giving something that is unique and from the heart.  Here is a round up of some handcrafted items that I will be giving this year.
Shadyside Sweets
Cherie Langell of Shadyside Sweets is offering up some delicious toffees, brittles and brownies packaged to perfection. 
Sweet Stands by Nelley Kelley
Many of my readers know that my gift this year will be my vintage Sweet Stands.  Not only do I  use them for presenting candies, cookies and cupcakes but I also use the smaller stands as jewelry holders. 
Courtney Fraser of EllaBelle creations
The new line of leather belts that EllaBelle is carrying are beautiful.  Buy an extra buckle so that you can change the look of your belt and get more wear out of it.  Of course, the key rings and headbands make great little stocking stuffers too!
French Crystal Paperweights by Nelley Kelley
The other gift that I am giving comes from my new line of french crystal paperweights featuring my favorite destinations. They make a great hostess gift or stocking stuffer for our travelling friends and family.

The Ginger Bread House
These sweet chalets come already assembled and await your decorating touch.  A bag of candies are included for you to put the finishing touches on your Ginger Bread house. Donna Thomas has custom chalets and castles for you to choose from. Another sweet idea for a hostess gift this year.

Bookplates by Nelley Kelley
A gift of bookplates to go with a favorite novel or cookbook is always in good taste. My cookbook gift for the season is Ina Garten's new cookbook, "How Easy is That?"
Made with Love by Nanny
My mother in law made me the beautiful vest that you see above.  I thought it was fitting to end this post with the real reason we buy handcrafted items - because they are made with love and that is something that can't be manufactured.

see you soon,
Ellen









Monday, November 29, 2010

I Love New York

New York Paperweight by Nelley Kelley Studio  

We were in NYC last weekend to celebrate our son's 14th birthday.  He brought along two of his best friends for the adventure.  For 14 year olds a visit to NYC is excitement enough but we were able to squeeze in a little surprise during our whirlwind adventure.
The guys walking through Times Square
The boys had a great time checking out the stores and walking through the crowded streets.
Times Square
Times Square was really hopping - it being the weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday.
The big surprise was yet to come ... 
American Idiot at the St. James Theatre
We surprised the boys with tickets to see the Green Day musical, "American Idiot".  If you love Green Day and what teenage boy doesn't?  - This is the musical to see.  It is different from everything else that is out there.  The set is awesome and that brings us to the next surprise ...
Stage Door at American Idiot
The boys were invited backstage to see the set and to meet one of the stars of the show, Mary Faber
(all this was arranged by our older son who is a good friend of Mary's - this was the icing on the cake).
The boys could not believe their good fortune and were so excited to be able to go onto the stage, check out the set and meet Mary and the other actors of such an amazing Broadway play. 
Taking a bow on stage at St. James Theatre
Mary and the boys get a chance to take a bow on Broadway.  

fun memories fill up NYC goodie bag
It was a great time for the boys and for us as well.  One that we will never forget.  Who knows maybe one of them might get a chance to take a bow on Broadway someday again.  

see you soon,
Ellen









Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Kitchen Gift for Thanksgiving

photos by Ellen McHale

I ran this post last November and thought it would be worth running again a week before Thanksgiving.
This chutney is absolutely delicious and makes a great little take home treat for your guests ...

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the pressure is on to find meaningful and creative gifts.  A gift from the kitchen is always appreciated and more so when you take the time to package your "kitchen creation" with flair. This Thanksgiving each of my guests will go home with my Cranberry-Orange Chutney in beautiful canning jars by The Concord Shop.  For those of you who don't know, The Concord Shop is a cook's dream.  They call themselves "a hardware store for the kitchen" and that couldn't be more true.  Anything you need for the kitchen can be found on their shelves.

photos by Ellen McHale
Presentation is everything and finding some vintage sauce spoons to tie on to my chutney jars is like the icing on the cake.  I found these gorgeous vintage sauce spoons at Thoreauly Antiques in Concord.  You can find similar spoons at your local antique store and they can be had for under $10!

Cranberry Orange Chutney Ingredients

Ingredients:
1 bag fresh cranberries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 lg. granny smith apple, cored, seeded, chopped
zest of one orange and the juice of the orange
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and thinly slivered
1 cup apple juice
1 cup sugar
4 whole cloves

To Make:
Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occassionally 5 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop and all sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Store and refrigerate in air tight container.  Can be made 2 weeks ahead.

Tags by Nelley Kelley
Display your kitchen gifts in a beautiful basket by the door so your guests will not forget to take one home before they leave.
Tea towel by Nelley Kelley
As a packaging alternative, wrap your kitchen gift in a beautiful linen tea towel.  I promise, you will make someone very happy.  

Enjoy - see you soon,
Ellen


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Nelley Kelley Giveaway and Good News

NK bookplates as seen in Daily Candy gift bags

Daily Candy, the super popular women's lifestyle email newsletter and website, included Nelley Kelley in their 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash Gift Bags! The goodie bag featured Daily Candy's favorites from the last decade and it's current must-haves including Nelley Kelley's own Cardinal Bookplates.

We are so excited to have been included and in honor of Daily Candy's 10th birthday - Nelley Kelley is offering the same Cardinal Bookplates to the first 10 people who post a comment in this blog's comment's box.  Happy Birthday Daily Candy - here's to another amazing 10!

Ina Garten and Ellen McHale

Last Friday I met one of my favorite Cooks and TV personalities, Ina Garten, also known as The Barefoot Contessa.  The Natick Mall was abuzz with people waiting online to get their opportunity to say hello.  I met up with two "foodie" friends of mine and we proceeded to wait in line for hours just to see Ina.  New friends were made while we waited for our glimpse of our favorite Food Network star. It was amazing to see how many people turned out to get their 7 seconds or so with the Barefoot Contessa.  Not missing an opportunity to thank her for her years of bailing me out of "what to make" for my dinner parties, I presented Ina with a gift from the Nelley Kelley studio.  The exciting thing was that she accepted it! Notice on the table the Nelley Kelley craft paper box with a lovely little "Eggs in a Nest" night light nestled inside.

Val, Ellen and Ellen wait online to meet Ina

New Friends, Vic and Marylou with Val and Ellen


Paperweights by Nelley Kelley


Be the first to check out my new Travel Series Paperweights by Nelley Kelley.  Paris, London, Venice, Boston, NYC and my personal favorite - The North Bridge in Historic Concord.  Check out the Nelley Kelley website for more information.


Paris Paperweight
London Paperweight
Venice Paperweight
Boston Paperweight
New York Paperweight
Old North Bridge, Historic Concord

I hope you enjoyed this week's posting.  Don't forget to be one of the first 10 people to post a comment to this blog and I'll send you a package of Nelley Kelley Bookplates just like the one's featured in Daily Candy's 10th Anniversary Gift Bag.

see you soon,
Ellen

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Before and After: A small guest room gets a makeover

Welcome to a "bird's eye view" of the metamorphosis of a small room in my house.  We all seem to have a room in our home that is in need of a makeover.  The room I chose needed a new identity.

This is the photo of the room before we purchased the house 6 years ago.  It was being used as an office and really had no personality.

When we bought the house, I decided to keep using the room as my office but I quickly grew out of the space.  My business launched and I realized that I needed studio space because this tiny room was overflowing with my supplies.  (only you can't see the closet behind where everything was jammed in)
Secretly, I was only too happy to re-imagine this space and my color choices!

What I really needed was a guest room and even though my space is not very big (9 x 12) it would be the perfect size for a guest bedroom.  So come on down the hall ... it's the first room on the left.

I painted the room a lovely cafe au lait color (it was custom mixed - actually it started out as a big mistake and with the help of Philips Paint in Concord we were able to add a little of this and a little of that to come up with a pleasing shade) and we brightened up all the trim and mouldings with White Opulence by Benjamin Moore.

 Our builder installed bead-board to the back wall to give the room some much needed architecture.  The bead-board also became a headboard of sorts for the bed.  The bed is a regular queen sized bed but appears much larger because we had a custom bed-frame made years ago in London. The bed-frame has the bed sitting much higher - it's kind of like being in the story of "The Princess and the Pea".

Over the bed I installed my new "Egg Series" by Nelley Kelley.  The frames are so sweet - I'm thinking that I will begin to offer select artwork in frames on my website.  The frames are antique white with a gold frame surrounding the artwork.  

The antique mirror on the left is a vintage frame that I found during one of my treasure hunting sessions. When you find old frames (I think the more beat up the better) you should pick them up, refinish them or not and then have your local glass company install a mirror in the frame.  Then you have a custom - one of a kind mirror for your home.  My favorite places to hunt down vintage frames are Nesting on Main in Concord, Ma. and the. Brimfield Antiques Market.

Dont' forget to add some greenery somewhere - it makes the rooms feel so much more alive and welcoming.

Remember it's a guest room.  Don't forget the night light so your guests can see where they are.  I'm using one of my Nelley Kelley "eggs in a nest" night lights.


Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the tour and the makeover.  I have to say that I love seeing this room each day that I pass it by.  It is now snug and warm and helps to make the house feel finished.

sneak peek of next week's blog on new products and art


See you next week,
Ellen