DIY Cork Crafts for Winos

Hi. My name is Julie and I'm a wino...and if you're one too, you probably have tons of wine corks gathering in your kitchen junk drawer or collecting in a box somewhere, right? And you're saving them for a special wine cork craft project, except you don't have any ideas of what that project will actually be...you just know that you don't want all of those corks going in the trash. Well, my cork stash is beginning to overflow and it's time to get crafty and turn them into something creative! I the searched the Internet high and low for unique DIY ideas from fellow winos and found some really fun (and easy) projects. I might try out one of these over the weekend...but we'll see if I'm still feeling motivated by then. Do you have any of your own wine cork craft ideas? Please share!

Cork Memory Board - details on how to make this fun work of art found here

Wine Cork Rubber Stamps - Love this idea! Details on this project here.

Wine Cork Clock - Make your own or purchase this one on Etsy (and tell your friends you made it :)

Wine Cork Journaling - make memories out of your corks by jotting down the date and who you shared the bottle of wine with! Display them in a decorative bowl and take a walk down memory lane every now and then by reading through the corks, triggering happy memories of good times and good wine. (Note to self: do not "journal"each time I've enjoyed a bottle with myself...that could be depressing. Ha Ha !). This fabulous idea came from the blog Mintage Home.

Recycled Wine Cork Keychain Favors - learn more about this project here

Wine Cork Wreath - Craft a wreath with painted corks! Details on this project found here

Wine Cork Trivet - learn more about this project here

Recycled Wine Bottle Torch - I couldn't resist sharing this DIY project with you! What and awesome way to re-use those empty wine bottles! Discovered via Design Sponge; details found here.

You're Invited to a Wine Tasting

A little off the topic of design today, I'm inviting you to a virtual wine tasting and mini-lesson on some of the most popular wines of the West and what foods to pair them with. I'll be the first to admit that I love my wine! I especially enjoy pinot grigio but am no expert when it comes to matching the right wine with the right meal...so, I copied these tips and suggestions straight from Sunset Magazine's article Wine Pairings: 101. This article especially comes in handy for those of you who enjoy summer entertaining with friends and family! Enjoy your "tasting" and let me know which wines you enjoy best and if you have any additional tips on what to serve them with!

Sparkling Wine

"Swirl and taste: Apple, lemon, lime, pear, strawberry, and cherry flavors with a pleasant yeastiness (like brioche baking) and earthy minerality. Bubbly's great acidity makes it an excellent food wine (not just a sipper for celebrations)."
Pair with: Caviar• Smoked salmon • Cheeses • Fish and shellfish • Cream sauces • Potpies, savory turnovers • Asian dishes of all kinds • Sausages ― especially poultry, pork, and Polish • Tangy, fruity condiments • Salty foods • Deep-fried foods • Potato chips • Popcorn

Chardonnay

"Swirl and taste: Green apple, pear, melon, creamy lemon, and sometimes pineapple, rounded out with butterscotch and vanilla."
Pair with: Sweet shellfish * White-fleshed fish ― halibut, black cod (sablefish), sturgeon, mahimahi, tilapia * Chicken and turkey * Pork * Veal * Legumes * Winter squash * CornNuts *Risotto and pasta *Cream and butter sauces * Mild Caribbean dishes with tropical fruit flavors

Dry Rosé

"Swirl and taste: Strawberries, cherries, citrus, flowers, herbs, and spices.
Find your style: Dry rosés made from Pinot Noir (often called vin gris) have delicate red fruit and warm spices; those from Syrah and Grenache (traditional in France) come with wilder berries and herbs; rosés made from Merlot are darker and heavier."
Pair with:Fish and seafood * Chicken and turkey * Pork * Spicy or garlicky dishes * Sandwiches, picnic fare * Thanksgiving dinner * Southwest flavors * Chinese food * Indian food * Cheese

Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio

"Swirl and taste: Pear, lemon (sometimes leaning toward lemongrass), melon, and sweet spice flavors often come with a flinty edge ― imagine wet stones."
Pair with: Richer fish ― tuna, salmon• Shellfish• Chicken• Pasta• Fresh herbs• Simple but rich sauces• Mild Asian dishes• Coconut milk–based curries• Some cheeses ― Grùyére

Riesling

"Swirl and taste: Delicate white peach, green apple, and lime flavors ― or riper apricot, nectarine, and mandarin orange. Riesling often has a pleasant minerality akin to wet stones and a haunting diesel-like aroma (if you can imagine that as a good thing)."
Pair with: Shellfish • Pork • Ham • Salads and vegetables • Egg dishes • Sausages, salumi, and charcouterie ― especially cured pork products • Barbecue • Asian dishes ― Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese (sushi!), Indian• Southwestern foods.

Happy Friday!

I'm a big fan of wine and wanted to share with you a new brand that was launched last early last year. It's called Hope Wine. This company donates 50% of it's profits to three diseases: AIDS, Autism and Breast Cancer. By donating 50% of profit they look to aid in the fight to educate and find a cure as well as spread awareness for these causes. It all comes down to spreading a message of HOPE. They are soon going to expand nationwide but are currently stocked at various stores only in California. I've sampled all three wines they offer and they are wonderful - I especially like the Chardonnay. Visit their website for more information. Cheers!