Martha's Five Best Cookbooks

As my cookbook-author friends Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell once wrote, "No one really needs another cookbook." The best and most classic recipes have already been immortalized in cookbooks around the world. Many of the simplest recipes have even become part of our culinary vocabulary. Some, like hard-boiled eggs or baked potatoes, have been committed to memory, while heirloom recipes usually get written down on notecards or scraps of paper and are passed from generation to generation. Published recipes are now easily found online and are simply copied and pasted, texted, tagged or forwarded from friend to friend to friend. 

Still, there is something to be said for a collection of recipes printed on paper with beautiful photographs to look at, with special tips and hints from the experts. It's nice to have recipes grouped by theme or by season or by menu, all collected between two covers. I recently tasked myself with the challenge of selecting Martha Stewart's top five cookbooks. With more than two dozen cookbooks bearing the Martha Stewart imprint, whittling down the selection to five absolute essentials seemed like a sensible thing for a Martha blogger to do. So, below are THE top five Martha Stewart cookbooks that everyone needs, listed chronologically by publication date.  Not everyone will agree with my selection, of course, but that's what the comments section is for! [Following is a list of supplemental books that could bolster and complement the Big Five but that are not necessarily must-haves.]

The first is The Martha Stewart Cookbook. Published in 1995, it is a collection of more than 1,400 recipes from the Martha Stewart archives that had been published to that point. All of Martha's classic recipes from each of her previous cookbooks are featured in this one volume, making it, perhaps, the most essential Martha cookbook of them all. Recipes for every level of skill are featured, although most are quite advanced. Over 21 chapters, Martha organizes her recipes by subject and takes us through "The Basics" (stocks, doughs, pastry, etc.), "Eggs", "Vegetables" and so on, spanning more than 620 pages. Lovers of the lush photography that is usually featured in Martha's books may be disappointed since there are no photos to be found in this book - only how-to illustrations accompanying some of the recipes. This is very much a compendium, a recipe repertoire, a how-to tome, underscored by Martha's tips and notes for entertaining, setting a table and stocking a pantry. For the Martha Stewart completist, this book ought to be in your collection.

Her first book on the subject of appetizers is classic Martha: well-organized, ambitious in its scope, beautiful in its presentation and brimming with inspiration and information. Martha Stewart's Hors D'Oeuvres Handbook was published in 1999 and is probably one of the most user-friendly cookbooks I've ever seen; even the size of the book was considered to make it easy to fit in the palm of the reader's hand while in use! All of the colour photographs for the recipes are collected at the front of the book, cross-referenced with the page number featuring the recipe, allowing the reader to browse the imagery first to select which hors d'oeuvres appeal to them, visually. Grouped into chapters denoting the style of the hors d'oeuvre (layered and stacked, wrapped, rolled, filled, folded, stuffed, etc.) the book takes all the guesswork out of the selection process, even providing menu suggestions, wine pairings and a chapter on cocktails! Frankly, it's the best book on hors d'oeuvres ever written, in my opinion, making it a definite Martha must-have. 

The Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook contains the very best of the holiday recipes published in Martha Stewart Living magazine, from the first issue through to 2003, which is when the book was published. Included are Martha's favourite Christmas recipes as well as selections by her food editors: more than 600 recipes in all. Having the best of Martha's Christmas recipes in one volume is a reader's delight and it's one of our family's favourite books to use each holiday, even if we only make one or two of the recipes. Over ten chapters, each course is covered, from breakfast to dinner: Christmas morning essentials, hors d'oeuvres, main courses, desserts and cocktails. There are how-to illustrations and full-colour photographs to guide and inspire the cook, as well as menu suggestions and presentation ideas, even packaging ideas for giving food as gifts. It's a gorgeous, thorough collection of the best holiday recipes Martha Stewart Living has ever published.

In this beautiful volume, everything - and I do mean everything - you need to know about baking is included. Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook was published in 2005 and it is the definitive guide to the art of baking. By beginning the book with general baking tips and baking equipment, the book gives the reader a sense of confidence immediately. The book then progresses into Simple Baked Goods, then Cookies, Cakes, Pies, Tarts, Cobblers and Crisps, then Yeasted Baked Goods and finally Pastries. This is followed by a Basic Recipes sections where you'll find recipes for lemon curd, buttercream frosting, seven-minute frosting, meringue, etc. Interspersed throughout the chapters are helpful hints and how-tos, such as how to ice a cake, how to use a pastry bag, etc. The recipe selection is extremely delicious (especially the cakes!) and the photographs by Jonathan Lovekin are enticing and artistic with their consistent grey backdrops. It is a gorgeous book and especially a very helpful book for the novice baker and those who are more advanced. If you're up for the lesson, this book can teach you how to bake - guaranteed!

Baking has always been easier than cooking for me. I suppose it is the careful instructions and measurements that, if followed carefully, yields the ideal result. Cooking requires more finesse. It's more about instinct than design. Martha, however, being the astute teacher that she is, was determined to teach her readers not just what to cook but how to cook in her 2008 publication, Martha Stewart's Cooking School. In what is perhaps one of the best cookbooks ever written, Martha is determined to make the reader feel so confident, and so self-assured, that any culinary challenge can be met head on. She does this using her trademark step-by-step, instructional tone, leaving no question unanswered; from how to chop an onion to how to truss a chicken, this book is overflowing with lessons for the home cook. Grouped into chapters by cooking method (roasting, broiling, braising, stewing, sautéing, steaming and poaching) Martha provides a thorough overview of each technique and answers why this method of cooking works for the foods and recipes that follow. Using this book, the cook is never left to venture blindly into the unknown. It is highly recommended for anyone new to the art of cooking and because of its scope and attention to detail, I've ranked it as a Martha must-have.

COMPANION COOKBOOKS/RUNNERS-UP

If five Martha Stewart cookbooks is just too minimalistic for your bookshelves, I've selected some companion cookbooks from Martha's library that are certainly worth adding to your collection as complements to the Big Five, above.

THE BAKING SERIES
Each one of these baking books is a gem unto itself but when combined into a series of four you've got yourself a party. New Pies & Tarts, Cupcakes, Cookies and Cakes - every baked confection you could ever dream of is found in these volumes. 

EVERYDAY FOOD: GREAT FOOD FAST
This book is the perfect book for weeknight dinners that are fast and delicious. Divided by season, it has a back-to-basics feel with recipes that take less than an hour to cook but that don't skimp on flavour. You'll find everything here from starters and sides to main courses to desserts. (The macaroni and cheese is to-die-for!)

MARTHA'S AMERICAN FOOD:
Food snobs may scoff at the idea of a cookbook devoted to American food but this book takes you on a culinary tour, from coast to coast, celebrating the regions that developed some of the most iconic American foods that are enjoyed around the world, from hamburgers and French-fries to shoofly pie! (As a Canadian, many of the foods are familiar to me but there are numerous exciting regional differences that inspire. I loved reading the backstories to many of America's signature foods).

Martha Curates Recipes for Two Literary Classics

In a new book-to-table series for children, launched by Penguin Books, Martha Stewart will curate a collection of her recipes inspired by two literary classics, which are to be released this October: "A Christmas Carol: The Classic Novel with Recipes for Your Holiday Menu by Giada de Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart and Trisha Yearwood" and "Pride & Prejudice: The Classic Novel with Recipes for Modern Teatime Treats by Martha Stewart." Both books will include the complete novel, with illustrations, and themed menus of recipes from well-known chefs.

These will be the perfect gift for any youngster interested in reading the classics and trying their hand at some time-tested recipes that are inspired by the themes of the book. (We don't have either of these novels in our collection of books, so these will be going on my Christmas list!)

Spring Issue of "Real Weddings"

As I've always said, you don't need to be getting married to read Martha Stewart Weddings. Anyone interested in fashion, flowers, cakes, stationery and entertaining will find the magazine to be a source of great inspiration. In this new special issue, one can add travel to that list. In the spring issue of Martha Stewart Real Weddings & Honeymoons, the editors take us from Hawaii to Italy and all across the United States, showcasing some incredible honeymoon destination options - which are also great locales for an anniversary trip, by the way! It's a gorgeous issue!

Martha Stewart Real Weddings is a supplement to Martha Stewart Weddings and is not part of the regular subscription. It is issued twice a year (spring/summer and fall/winter) on newsstands.

Martha to Auction Prop Studio Items

It's the kind of thing Martha Stewart fans and collectors dream of: going through the various prop libraries that are used to furnish and style those beautiful photographs in her magazines and decorate her television sets. For the first time, Martha will be auctioning off numerous items from the television studio prop library: hundreds of items that were used on the sets of Martha Stewart Living and The Martha Stewart Show.

From vintage glassware to antique dinnerware, from milk glass to woodware, hundreds of items will be up for auction through Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Massachusetts, beginning May 5th and ending the following day. Absentee (online) bidding is already open for the items listed and live bidding will begin at 10 a.m. on May 5th at the auction gallery at 117 Elliott Street in Beverly, MA. A portion of the proceeds raised from the auction will benefit the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.

I've highlighted some of the items below, to give you a sense of what will be on offer. Click here to see the full listing. So exciting!

A group of planters and vases.

A group of antique Yelloware mixing bowls, English Transferware serving pieces and dishes, and light-blue milk glass plates, bowls and teacups.

Frosted pink Fenton goblets.

An antique butcher block, reminiscent of the one Martha used at Turkey Hill.

Wooden pestles and mortars.

This is one lot of many featuring the cookbooks of the many chefs and authors Martha has featured on her show over the years.

Antique Limoges Beauvais dinner plates.

Copeland Spode Jewel Creamware.

A large, wood-framed print of a Martha Stewart Living magazine cover, measuring 55" by 43". There is a Martha Stewart Weddings print as well with the same dimensions.

This autographed toboggan is one of several signed pieces. Martha also signed a cutting board and a swivel kitchen chair.

Happy bidding!

Martha's Flowers - Deluxe Edition

In October, Martha will issue a deluxe edition of "Martha's Flowers" just in time for the holidays. Printed on high-quality paper, with a dust jacket and a new cover, the deluxe edition will not have any additional content but it will feature new design elements and be larger in size: the current edition is 9 x 11 inches and the new edition will be 11 x 13 inches. In a word, it will be deluxe! For Martha enthusiasts, or those who simply love flowers, this edition will be anxiously anticipated. Click here to preorder.

Martha to Star on "Chopped"

Several years ago, Martha Stewart appeared as a guest judge on Food Network's "Chopped Junior" television show, weighing in on how well the pre-adolescent contestants were able to whip up culinary creations using unusual ingredients. In the next season of "Chopped" (the grown-up version!) Martha has signed on to be a regular judge and will appear in each episode, taste-testing the final dishes and proclaiming whether they are or are not "a Good Thing."

I've never watched the show, but it seems like an interesting premise. The reality-based game show pits four chefs against each other in three challenges per episode; the aim is to make something fabulous out of a basket of surprise ingredients under the pressure of a countdown. Once complete, a panel of judges (this is where Martha will come in) tastes the dish and remarks on its success or failure. After a consensus is reached by the judges, one of the contestants is "chopped" - removed from the competition - with no winnings. The winning contestant receives $10,000, plus any bonus winnings earned during special rounds of the challenges throughout the series.

Martha is the most well-known host to have graced the judge's panel, aside from Chef Geoffrey Zakarian (a personal friend of Martha's) and cookbook author and restauranteur Chris Santos. Click here to learn more about the show.

How Do You Make a Difference?

When it was announced that Martha Stewart Living was launching a new environmental-awareness initiative called "Change the Day" (a new ecological theme and champion are highlighted every month in the magazine), I started thinking about the choices I have made over the years to reduce waste and cultivate a healthier, more eco-friendly life. As the old saying goes, 'Charity begins at home.' By making smarter, more-conscious decisions around the house and throughout our daily routines, we really can make a change.

It turns out, my husband and I are actually doing a pretty good job of things, considering. We're not perfect and we could certainly be doing more, but we've struck a balance and the decisions we make have, I believe, made a difference. From biking and walking most places (or taking public transit) to making sure we always bring our tote bags to the grocery store with us, we're keeping a car off the road and plastic out of a landfill. That's something! And if more of us did 'something' - anything, really - to reduce waste and conserve energy then the effect would be felt more widely, I believe.

Below I've highlighted some of the ways we 'change the day' by reducing waste, conserving energy and living our lives with a bit more awareness by making sensible choices at the grocery store. By doing so, we're supporting brands that help make a difference, too. Is it always easy and comfortable to make a choice that results in a bit more effort or costs more money? No, but when I consider the alternative (a planet laid to ruin by irresponsible choices in the name of ease and convenience) I can take it on the chin. Hopefully you'll find some of our tips helpful in your own home. Maybe you practice the same logic - and perhaps you might even go a step further! I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

SOAP AND WATER DOES THE TRICK:

My grandmother taught me this: almost anything can be cleaned with either plain water or a solution of soap and water. I keep these two bottles under the sink and use them every single day. When a bit of tomato sauce splashes onto the counter or the floor, I don't attack it with chemical-laden sprays and cleaners. There is no need. I simply spray it with water and wipe it up with a bar cloth and then rinse it out. Each night before bed, I wash down the counters, stove and fridge with a solution of soap and water: I mix about two teaspoons of Dr. Bronner's lavender liquid soap in about four cups of water to make the solution in a large spray bottle. Dr. Bronner's soap is all-natural, pure-castile soap, which is olive-oil based. For disinfecting, I use a vinegar and water solution (vinegar acts as a disinfectant, killing both the E. coli and salmonella bacteria) or one of the green cleaners mentioned below.

BUY GREEN OR MAKE IT YOURSELF:

For cleaning glass, I use a solution of white vinegar and water. It also works well on stainless steel sinks. It can also be used to unclog drains and clean coffee-makers. Similarly, lemon juice and baking powder can be combined to make a cleaning paste that's effective on numerous surfaces, including wood, copper, ceramic and stainless steel. Both lemon and baking soda are effective stain removers and deodorizers.

Get used to the idea, too, of using cloths and mops to do most of the dusting and wiping up. The aisles at the grocery store are packed with convenient housekeeping options that only result in more waste. We keep paper towels on hand but we rarely use them, opting instead to use washable cloths and old t-shirts that have now been relegated to cleaning rags. On our floors, we use a good old-fashioned mop with a removable sponge that can be washed and disinfected: no magical 'erasing' wipes or sweep-and-toss stuff in our house.

Does it require a bit more effort? Yes, it does. Does it cut down on toxic chemical use in the home, as well as the amount of trash we throw out? Yes, it does. To me, the results are worth it. (You also save money by not having to replenish disposable cleaning supplies - a vicious cycle - so it's a win, win).

DO YOUR HOMEWORK:

We do buy some commercial cleaners but use them fairly infrequently. We also research most of the companies we buy from to make sure they're on board with a commitment to reducing their impact on the planet. We buy method products, because they work extremely well and smell very nice. (Unlike Martha, I do enjoy cleaners that have a touch of fragrance. Nothing overpowering, but a little hint of something nice). This company's commitment to a cleaner environment was another big draw for us. All of their products are completely non-toxic. All of their bottles are made with recycled plastic, and are fully recyclable in turn. Its corporate offices are LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an environmental rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council), meaning they take extraordinary measures to reduce their impact on the environment through energy conservation and waste reduction. At method, employees compost on site. The company also works with its suppliers in implementing sustainability programs and renewable energy initiatives. Many of its products, such as its laundry detergent, are super concentrated, meaning the consumer uses less. And because they can be packaged in smaller containers, there is a reduction in the fuel and packaging needed to transport it to distributors.

Because we use natural cleaners most, these store-bought cleaners last us a very long time, reducing the need to buy more often.

It takes a bit of time, but doing some research on the products you buy really is a learning experience and can greatly impact your selection process. As consumers, we have enormous clout through our purchasing power. How we choose to spend our money influences the larger market forces. Spend wisely by supporting brands that actually care about the environment and we may see more companies jumping on the Green bandwagon.

IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM:

When it comes to laundry, we have opted to make choices that are beneficial to our personal health and to the greater health of our planet. We've opted to buy Canadian brands as much as possible, since we live in Canada. (Buying products that are produced and packaged in far-off locations increases shipping - fuel - and packaging). We buy eco-max lavender laundry wash, which is free of any parabens or sulfates and the solution is entirely plant-based. Again, the plastic used is fully recycled and recyclable. Instead of bleach, we use Soap Works Safe Bleach - a super-concentrated, environmentally-sound formula that is free of phosphates and is odorless. You only need one teaspoon per wash, and it's safe to use on dyed fabrics as a brightener. You can also use it as a whitener in other areas of the home, just as you would with bleach. Grandma's Garden is another brand we love. It is not only Canadian, but local to our city. Shown in the image is a linen spray made entirely of all-natural ingredients, made by Grandma's Garden. They also sell laundry soap, which we do occasionally buy as well. Buying local is another great way to reduce our carbon footprint and support the local economy.

The method dryer sheets we use (right) have naturally-derived, plant-based ingredients and are fully biodegradable. The box it comes in is made with recycled paper and is recyclable. The laundry bar is by Grandma's Garden as well and is vegetable-based. (Lemon, baking soda and vinegar can also be used in laundry as whiteners and fresheners).

IN THE KITCHEN:

One of the best things we did was to invest in glass storage containers, forgoing plastic entirely. There is no plastic in our fridge or cupboards at all. All of our food is stored in these glass containers with rubber lids. We have a multitude of them and have used them for over ten years without needing to replace them. They are easy to clean and don't leech chemicals into our food the way some plastic containers can, especially when they come into contact with hot foods. Additionally, it eliminates the need for plastic wrap completely - another item to remove from your grocery list (and the landfill) once you select a more permanent, eco-friendly option. These ones were made by a Canadian company called Anchor TrueSeal.

ON THE GO:

One of the biggest contributors to landfill mass is our convenience-based culture: plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic water bottles and soda bottles, paper coffee cups that, let's face it, get thrown into trash cans far more frequently than recycling bins. Americans throw out 58 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Yes, 58 billion! Each year! Again, there are options out there that can completely eliminate the need for disposable convenience packaging.

I've had my Swell water bottle for close to five years and it's still in perfect condition. Swell is another company committed to environmental causes and reducing consumption of disposables. I use the bottle every day for cold or hot drinks; I can't remember the last time I purchased bottled water, or bottled anything, while on the go. Also, get used to tap water. If you live in North America, you should be ok. Besides, it's been proven in numerous studies that commercially bottled water is no more 'sanitary' than tap water.

I am not a coffee drinker, but if I were, I'd probably get the Stojo collapsible coffee cup. Made of food-grade materials, and completely leak-proof, the cups collapse to be easily stored in your bag or pocket until the next use: a nice alternative to bulky travel mugs. And then there's the tried-and-true Thermos, which has been around for 110 years. It's perfect for any hot or cold beverage, soups or even hot cereals.

If you find yourself at a fast-food restaurant or coffee shop, ask your server nicely if you can use your Swell bottle, travel mug or small Thermos for your beverage. Chances are, they'll say yes! They will simply measure the amount that is standard to your specific order and pour it into your container. At least that's what my barista does! And then you've avoided using a disposable cup, which you would have in your hand for an average of ten minutes, only to toss into the garbage where it will languish for years in a landfill. Click here for more insight about reusable bottles from the New York Times.

CONCLUSION:

In short, it's all about reducing how much and how often we buy by making informed consumer decisions about the brands and companies we choose to support. If we're doing our part, the companies we buy from should be doing theirs as well.

So, here is a checklist of some of the things you can do to make an impact:

• Buy local and/or support homegrown entrepreneurs and makers when possible
• Do your homework: do the companies you support care as much as you do about the environment?
• Buy less plastic: invest in a few good-quality, reusable containers for storage and convenience and you'll have them for years to come.
• Avoid disposable cups and straws: brew your coffee or tea at home and use your Swell bottle, Thermos, travel mug or Stojo mug instead for beverages on the go. (If you're at Starbuck's ask your barista to fill your container with the equivalent amount of a tall Pike Place roast, for instance, and you're golden).
• Avoid disposable dusters, wipes and brooms and use washable cloths and mops instead
• Avoid chemical-laden cleaning products and opt for greener choices
• Make your own cleaning solutions using water, castile soap, lemon, vinegar and baking soda.

Visit the Martha Stewart Change the Day site to learn more.

The Martha Stewart Collection Expands With "Food" and "Essentials"

The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's will be adding two new brand categories to its merchandising lines. Martha Stewart Food and Martha Stewart Essentials will be rolling out at Macy's locations and online at macys.com in the coming weeks.

Martha Stewart Essentials is an assortment of the fundamental products necessary to start a new home or complement what you already own. The line offers cookware sets, tabletop, textiles and bath items at an affordable price, made with high-quality materials and attractive design. Perfect for someone with their first apartment or home, the Martha Stewart Essentials line will tick all the boxes on the new homeowner's checklist.

Martha Stewart Food includes baking mixes, drink mixes, pantry staples such as olive oil, pasta and pasta sauce, as well as seasonal items for holidays, such as Valentine's Day, Easter and summer grilling. The recipes were developed by Martha's team of food editors to yield the best results, taste like they were made from scratch and help consumers cut back on preparation time.

Some of the food items have already begun to show up on store shelves in several locations. Martha Moments reader John Roberts spotted these Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates at his local Macy's in Detroit. Shop the Martha Stewart Collection.

Martha to Attend Newport Flower Show

Martha will be attending the annual Newport Flower Show in Rhode Island this June. She will be in attendance at the Opening Night Party and Reception on Friday, June 22nd, which you can buy tickets for. The following day, she will host a flower-arranging demonstration and will sign copies of her new book, "Martha's Flowers."

This year's theme is Cottages: Smart and Small, and Rosecliff will host a tiny house village with accompanying gardens, extravagant floral and horticultural displays, and plenty of unique shopping opportunities.

Tickets to the opening-night party with Martha Stewart are $175. Tickets to the Saturday Luncheon and Flower Demonstration with Martha are $125. CLICK HERE to purchase.

OTHER UPCOMING BOOK SIGNINGS FOR MARTHA'S FLOWERS:

APRIL 20: Book event at the Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show with Kevin Sharkey
MAY 11: Book event at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden with Kevin Sharkey
MAY 19: Book signing at Trade Secrets Charity Garden Event in Sharon, Connecticut

The New Martha Stewart Cricut Explore Air 2 at Michael’s

Last month, Michael's and Martha Stewart launched the new Celebrations line of party and event essentials: more than 300 new products to help you decorate a space for any celebration. You can read about the line here. To complement the new line at Michael's, Martha Stewart has released an exclusive DIY craft companion to help make your project ideas a reality. The special Martha Stewart edition Cricut Explore Air 2, in signature metallic Pearl White, will debut on Michaels.com April 6 and will be available in Michael's stores on May 4. It retails for $280.

The Cricut makes party customization a cinch. With its Design Space software and state-of-the-art cutting machine, it cuts more than 100 different materials - from paper to cardstock to vinyl to leather - to quickly create one-of-a-kind cards, banners, gift tags, artwork and anything else users can imagine. What's more, the Martha Stewart Cricut Air 2 comes with 25 free Martha Stewart Projects for truly inspired events. You can shop the new Celebrations line by clicking here. You can watch Martha demonstrate how the machine works and showcase many of the new Martha Stewart Celebrations products at this link to Facebook Live.

When you order the Martha Stewart Cricut Air 2 Bundle online you will receive free shipping plus 25 ready-to-make Martha Stewart projects, as well as a complementary Martha Stewart Basic Tool Set, including Tweezers, Weeder, Spatula, Scissors, and Scraper.

Details:

• Pearl color
• Up to 2X faster
• Embedded Bluetooth® for wireless cutting
• Cut 100+ materials from vellum to leather
• Smart Set dial for easy material settings
• Double tool holder for cutting and writing or cutting and scoring in one step
• Upload your own images for free (.svg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .dxf)
• Works with Cricut cartridges
• Integrated storage compartments

Contents:

• Cricut Explore Air 2 machine
• Built-in wireless Bluetooth
• Cricut Design Space™ software and app
• German carbide premium blade
• USB cord and power cord
• Accessory adapter
• 100+ free images
• 50+ free project ideas
• Getting started guide
• Pen and cardstock sample
• Cricut 12" x 12" StandardGrip cutting mat
• Basic Tool Set that includes tweezers, weeder, spatula, scissors and scraper

Below are some examples of projects completed using the Martha Stewart Cricut Explore Air 2:

Create gorgeous, one-of-a-kind birthday cards with three-dimensional motifs, or paper party hats, or cupcake papers!

A paper butterfly bouquet with paper fern-leaf accents would look beautiful in a nursery or as part of a spring celebration table setting.

Create a beautiful pattern and print it using iron-on adhesive material to embellish an apron or any garment.

Martha Stewart Weddings Japan

Quietly last summer, Martha Stewart Weddings launched a Japanese edition of its magazine. There have been three issues published so far, including a special celebratory launch issue that came out last fall. This is not the first time Martha Stewart has had a magazine published in Japan. In 2001, Martha Stewart Living formed Martha Stewart Japan Inc., a publishing group that created the first non-English version of Martha Stewart Living magazine. Issued 14 times over a two-year period in Japan, the magazine called simply Martha, ceased publication in 2002.

This is the cover of the second issue of Martha Stewart Weddings Japan, currently on newsstands there.

There have been two other issues published to date: the first issue, shown at left, and a special issue, shown at right.

The magazine uses mostly previously-published material with Japanese text, however there is some editorial content geared specifically to the Japanese market. Its website, too, is largely focused on Japan-specific content. To learn more about the many other international Martha Stewart publications, click here.

Special Deliveries: Martha's Planters

QVC viewers (and Martha fans) from all over the United States have begun to receive their orders of Martha's faux-bois planters. By all accounts, the quality of these planters is excellent and everyone I've heard from has been exceptionally happy with the product. Below are some of the faux-bois planters received by Martha Moments readers.

Dennis Landon ordered an enormous amount of the faux-bois planters! He intends on giving his delivery man a very big tip next time he sees him!

Dennis was very happy with the quality of the planter and he can't wait to start planting it for spring.

Collin Patrick Eastland also loves his planter. He plans to use his indoors and has filled it with birds-nest ferns.

Jeremy Lambertson is happy with his 14-inch faux-bois planter: the first of a series to arrive.

The rest of his order arrived shortly after!

Anthony Picozzi returned home to find his planters waiting for him.

Once unboxed, Anthony was very pleased with his haul!

Julio Torrado, too, invested in several pots, including the faux-wicker variety.

Easter Photo Review

As promised, I've highlighted many of the Easter photographs submitted by Martha Moments readers this weekend. As you can see, below, many of them followed Martha's example of celebrating and entertaining in style, often taking a simple idea and elevating it to new heights of whimsy. I hope you enjoy these Easter photos and I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend!

Anthony Picozzi, in Massachusetts , hosted his family for Easter. He used a robin's-egg blue linen tablecloth to set the theme.

I love the restricted colour palette Anthony used: the faded blue is almost a chambray and the pale green plates are nicely offset with the eyelet of the milky dessert plates. Silver napkin holders hold napkins with pussy-willow and birds nest imagery. Two topiaries and a beautiful tureen create a simple, elegant centerpiece.

On the bay window seat, Anthony created a beautiful moss arrangement filled with ferns, live mushrooms, false butterflies, birds' eggs and taxidermy ducklings. On either side of the arrangement, Anthony made two twig 'trees' where he nested several bird ornaments, inspired by the cover of the April, 2000, issue of Martha Stewart Living. On the chandelier, he continued the motif by arranging butterflies around its crystals.

Here are some of the details on his moss arrangement. So pretty!

As his main course, Anthony served a gorgeous leg of lamb.

For dessert, it was homemade carrot cake, served on a Martha Stewart Collection cake stand.

Jeffrey Reed baked Martha's Easter cheesecake for his dessert. It's a simple but delicious recipe. You can watch Martha making it by clicking here.

Sharon Taves celebrated Easter with her sister. This is the cake her sister baked!

Melissa Smith Knerr made a three-dimensional rabbit cake for her Easter dessert this year.

Jase Kingsland made these scrumptious-looking chocolate cookies filled to brimming with Cadbury mini-eggs.

Twine-wrapped eggs in a bird's nest from the home of Allan in Scotland.

Allan also made delicious-looking fudge for his Easter celebration.

Cory Birchard Weissman made Easter cookies with his husband this year.

The end result, all decorated, looks festive and delicious!

Antonio Valente, in Toronto, always organizes an outdoor Easter egg hunt for the kids at his Easter gathering. The games begin at a table decorated with hyacinths and an arrangement of twigs decorated with glittered eggs.

Rox-Ann Henderson, in Ontario, Canada, dressed in a Lily Pulitzer dress for her Easter celebration last year. She used the colours of the dress to inspire the colours on her table.

JoAnn Gilbert set a pretty table at her home this year.

Tihanyi Agnes in England kept her table simple but bright.

Matt Lara in California was inspired by the images of Kevin Sharkey's Easter baskets that were showcased here in a previous post. He decided to make his own basket this year and how pretty it is!

Matt also made this vegetable tian from Martha Stewart's Quick Cook.

Bernie Wong loves Easter - especially eggs! He has quite a collection of blown-out eggs, ceramic eggs, marble eggs and alabaster eggs. He places bowls and trays of his favourites around the house at Easter for display. His collection of antique eggcups is also quite impressive!

Egg-shaped cookies at tea time, from the home of David Pantoja in Pennsylvania.

Jeremy Lambertson used his collection of ceramic bunnies and decorated eggs to create holiday vignettes around his home.

He made colourful egg-shaped cookies - one for each of his guests - and created a large Easter basket for his godson, filled with his favourite treats.

A rabbit-shaped cake for dessert at Jeremy's house!

And a coconut layer cake to boot!

Easter is one of my mother's favourite holidays. This cast-iron bunny was on her stoop when we arrived, holding a collection of hand-painted eggs. The Easter table was simply set in silver and white with my great grandmother's antique table cloth and an arrangement of fuzzy eggs in my grandmother's crystal fruit bowl. Happy Easter, Happy Spring!