macaron notes

Here are the things I did different in this latest macaron experiment:

• used fresh egg whites instead of the "Just Whites" from a carton
• let egg whites warm to room temperature before whipping
• used the copper-lined pot
• whipped egg whites to stiffer peaks
• used silpat instead of parchment paper to bake on

Here are the things I learned:

• getting stiff egg whites is the key to averting flat macarons
• macaron biscuit is a bit too sweet
• raspberry cream filling is too liquidy
• bottom of biscuit is empty.  might need to cool completely before pulling it off.

Things to experiment with in the future

• pulverize powdered sugar and almond meal mixture in food processor.  will it give smoother texture?
• let egg white "age" for a day or two before whipping
• try different filling recipe
• try less powdered sugar so biscuit is not so sweet
• will letting it cool completely before pulling it off keep it from being hollow on the bottom?
• how to get more uniform shape? - mold?
• how to get the smooth surface like the one's from Paulette's?
• how to dial it from airy to chewy?
• can I add flavoring to the biscuit without changing the chemistry of it too much?
• if putting a glaze on the outside, when should it go on?

macarons with raspberry buttercream filling

Behold!  My first successful batch of macarons!  Michael was such a great help and these turned out so much better than last time.

macaron batter piped onto the silpat.  (with a few fun shapes)

the macaron biscuits baked

 

close up on the macaron biscuits

Can I interest you in a delish little macaron? 

I'm ridiculously happy with the results right now.  Will post what I've learned from this time soon!

Self-imposed screen writing homework

In an effort to understand how my favorite animated movies construct interesting scenes and plotting, I'm going to rewatch some of my favorite animated movies this weekend and write out how they're plotted.

Here's what's on my list of candidates so far:

• Lion King
• Castle in the Sky 
• Paprika
• Howl's Moving Castle
• Wallace and Gromit - Curse of the Wererabbit
• Wallace and Gromit - The Wrong Trousers
• Coraline

I'll post my findings when as I go through this list :)

elbooga's art and plushies

Found her on musthavecute.com.  She makes some really charming plushies and portaits, that's a much more refined version of some of the doodles I do.  So cute!  She's currently not taking anymore commissions, but may again in the future.

elbooga's deviantart site

new earring holder

I just made myself an earring holder :)  It's not too far off from the earring tree idea I had a while ago for Eu Care.  One thing I learned is that to maximize the usage of space, the longer earrings should dangle off the bottom and the smaller earrings can go on top.

Here's what it looks like with out the earrings.  It's just a linen-like fabric stretched over a wood frame and glued in place, and I'm just punching the earrings through the fabric.  (I got it for $3 from Michaels.)

Here's what it looks like from the back.

results from last night's sketch session

Some sketches I did last night (and inked in today).  Based on a budding idea for a screenplay.  The premise of sketches is the mixing of the realistic with the graphical and each girl having her own way of rendering their hair.  I'll get around to cleaning them up some time.

year in review and the year to come

Yay!  It's a new year and a good time to review my existing project list, add new projects and check some off.

Projects:
1. Eu Care - doing good :)  We made great progress this year and here's to even more effectiveness in 2011!
2. Comics (with working titles) - didn't get very far, but still dreaming
3. Screenplay/Storyboard - have most of my plotting done.  will make a concerted effort to finish it this year and submit the pitch :)  Shawn offered to give feedback, so I'm excited for how the constructive critique will help refine it.
4. Programming - didn't get very far
5. Facebook Apps - nope
6. Personal Web Site - :( nope, another year of paying to sit on my domain...
7. Sewing - fell off on aprons, but I want to get back into it.  at least to use up all the adorable fabrics I got.
8. Give Matt hair - started :)  and will continue
9. Wall art - didn't get very far
10. Giclee printing - found the printer I want, but still haven't gotten it yet.
11.  (new) macarons!  - that's gonna be the new hotness this year.  I'm planning to master these little treats.  And I had a bright idea!  Two words: Totoro macarons!