Be My Valentine

I thought I'd have a hearty (har har) feature today and showcase some of my many red and pink items in the shop. Besides Valentines Day, did you know February is American Heart Month?

Valentines is only a short week away, but there's still time to ship pieces that are in stock!
Check out my shop for more red inspired items here.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday How To - Now Let Me See Your Pumpkin Rolllll

Forgive my throwback title, I couldnt resist.

Does your family have a traditional holiday dessert? Every year I try to make one of my favorite seasonal baked goods - a pumpkin roll. If you ever use Libby's brand pumpkin puree, there is a photo of one on the can and a note to visit their website for the recipe. I've sent the recipe to people for swaps, too, so I thought that it would maybe help to document the process in case some people dont know what I'm talking about. I'm a visual learner myself, so pictures always help me when I'm trying something new.

To start, here's the recipe:

Pumpkin Roll

Cake:

3/4 C. Flour

1 Tsp Salt

3 Large Eggs

1 C. Sugar

2/3 C. Canned (cooked) Pumpkin/ pumpkin puree

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese

1 C. sifted confectioners sugar

2 TBS butter (softend)

1 Tsp vanilla

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees (F).

Then you butter and flour (well) a jelly roll pan. If you're not familiar with what a jelly roll pan is, it's about 12 x 17 and 1 inch deep. Essentially a baking sheet with sides.

Combine your cake ingredients in a bowl (dry first then add the wet), and mix until thick. Then pour your batter into the jelly roll pan and spread it out evenly, like so:

Sometimes if it's bubbly I lightly "tap" the pan on the counter to get them out.

Pop the pan in the oven for about 13-15 minutes, or until its springy (it might not take that long, depending on your oven).

 

While the cake is baking, prep a clean, dry, flat weave towel by laying it flat and sprinkling it generously with powdered sugar. If you want to buy one, they're usually labelled as "flour sack" towels.

Here's what mine looks like -

 Dont lie, I know you think it's hot :)

When you take the cake out of the oven, make sure you dont reach around the potholder and burn your thumb like I did (ouch). Pull it out, loosen the sides, and turn it onto your prepped towel, then dust the top with more sugar. My cake usually ends up sticking to the pan, but just use a long spatula and carefully separate it if the cake needs a little help.

Next is the most difficult part - rolling the cake. You need to do this while it is warm because it is easiest, and as it cools the cake will keep the "memory" of being rolled, and make it easier when you put the filling on it. Starting on the LONG side, carefully roll it up in the towel, like so:

Let it cool about 15 minutes. While you're waiting is a good time to mix up your frosting. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened, and that you sift your confectioners sugar as this helps keep the smoothest consistency for the filling. I usually forget about the sifting, but thats just because I dont have anything to do it with. Add the ingredients in a bowl and mix it up.

By now your cake should be cool, so unroll the towel and get to fillin'- I usually fill on the "under" side (that was in the pan), because then the nice top part is what you see when you eat it.

Then you roll the cake up again - leave the towel out this time, though.

Wrap it up in waxed paper or parchment, and pop it in the fridge. When its ready to serve, slice it up and make it pretty on a plate.

nom nom.


Happy Eating!

Holiday Indie Garage Sale 2011

Now that I've taken a few days to recuperate from the whirlwind that was the Holiday Indie Garage Sale, I thought I'd share the experience with you -

One thing I notice with every show I do is that my table displays get invariably better. With my latest line of ornaments I thought it would be appropriate to display on a christmas tree. Of course, toting around a live tree wouldn't be practical, and my first attempt using a fiber optic tree resulted in the ornaments just blending into the branches. On a visit to Hobby Lobby I found they had the perfect little tree - It matches my color scheme, and lets the ornaments shine (and I got it for 60% off).

I got the shelving units at Target - they were really handy for bringing my items up into view. Like these awesome new scale earrings -

They were really popular - I also found some nice bottles to display my wine bottle jewelry on -

The venue itself was amazing - I had only been to the train station once before a long time ago, but the interior is just lovely. Why cant public buildings have the same detail as they used to?

view from my booth

We were also lucky enough to witness the Polar Express ride. It was fun to see the kids walking around the station in their pyjamas, especially when their parents wore a matching set. There were "elves" singing carols, too, it's too bad the accoustics could be better in the building:

Of course I couldn't help but make a few purchases myself - I tried to get around to the shops I included in my Etsy treasury, here are a few things I came home with - 

A Zombie Dino Print (plus two others) from Our Secret Treehouse

Dumpling Animal Pins from Goats N Glory - I got the boston terrier, the narwhal, and a deer.

I also bought some gorgeous paper crane ornaments from East Knot West - They look great on the tree.

I wish I had been able to get around more and really shop, but I was there by myself and it was a crowded event! It's awesome that the show had such a great turnout - I love being in a community that supports local crafters and artists, and it is always fun to make new friends. The coordinators Rob and Alison always do a great job (even when there are setbacks they can't anticipate), and I know I appreciate all the effort they put in to make sure the show runs as smoothly as possible.

Now that there is only a week or so left until Christmas, I am busy fulfilling some orders and tweaking photos and things in my shop. After the holidays I'm going to give myself a little break to work on some side projects I haven't been able to get to, and then I'll get back to the workbench creating new pieces to ooh and aah over. I have a few more posts ready to go for the blog so stay tuned for those, too.

I wish you all a warm and Happy Holiday

Hope To See You There!

Valley Health Services Holiday Bazaar 2011

Since the first big hurdle of my holiday season is over I thought I'd share a little recap of my last events. I didn't get any photos from the house party I did, but it was a big success. I am a tactile shopper myself, so I love being able to actually show my items to people so they can see and touch it for themselves. I also tend to tease that the more they hold onto something the more they must want it. Sometimes it even works! I hope to be able to do more private shows in the coming year and plan to develop that more too.

The monday after that was the Holiday Bazaar that My moms workplace holds every year to support their Residents council, and this was my second year in attendance.

(I didn't think you'd want to watch Days of Our Lives)

My new banner I ordered from Vistaprint showed up the week before, I could not be happier with it! I am so happy that now people will be able to come around and actually "know" who I am. Especially next month since the Indie Garage Sale is supposed to have around 100 vendors, it will help people find me.

My table is always a work in progress - I am planning to get some new things this week to help give my displays an even more organized and chic look. It is slowly coming together, though.

My ornaments and wine charms have turned into popular items - I plan on making a lot more, but I'm trying to brainstorm how to effectively display those, too. I can't exactly have a christmas tree crowding my table, as pretty as it would look.

I've already sold out most of my sets, so I think its a good idea for me to get a move on finding more charms to make more. I should probably specify that individuals can be mixed and matched for sets if people so desire.

The Bazaar was a lot of fun. I was glad my boyfriend was able to be there to help me carry things, and since my mom works there she is my best advertising. I wish I could have won a few of the raffles I entered, but then again my luck is not always the best. It's a good thing I rely more on my skill :).

In Two Weeks I will be vending at the Indie Garage Sale! I am excited and a little nervous. I did well at the show last year. I wish I had this weekend to work on items for it but I am going on my yearly NYC trip, so I will have to squeeze in Shop time after work and as I can manage. It might get a little rough, especially with "normal" holiday planning and shopping. At least I managed to grab some good Cyber Monday deals to fill peoples stockings with. Hope your holiday season is going well too!

Just for YOU, my readers here, 25% OFF in My Etsy Shop with coupon THANKSFANS25

Etsy is free to join and shop - I use Paypal for checkout which is a secure method and you can use your credit or debit card without having to open an account there. Or you can simply email me with a purchase request and I can send you a Paypal invoice.

Happy Shopping!

Happy Halloween!

Handmade Holidays

While the stores no longer wait for Halloween to put the Christmas decorations out, after tomorrow holiday marketing will certainly be getting a push to consumers. Personally I have always preferred gifts and decorations with a handmade quality to them - and honestly I'd rather put less money in the pockets of the big box stores. There's something rewarding to seeing items around your home or watching a loved one open a gift that was handmade with care. 


I know not everyone has the time to spend on handmade gifts, and that some are convinced they dont have an artistic bone in their body to make things. With the growing community of Etsy at your fingertips, that doesn't have to be an issue - You can quickly and easily search and find unique, handmade, creative gifts for your friends and loved ones. Even better is that you can help support local artists, many of whom supplement or depend on their income from their shops. I wanted to highlight some of the Etsy members I've had the pleasure of interacting with, both online and at craft fairs.


Waterfall Designs specializes in personalized glassware - perfect for weddings, bachelor/bachelorettes, birthdays and other holiday gifts. Her mustache glasses are especially fun.

   

Originals by Lauren makes hand sewn housewares, such as potholders, aprons, oven mitts, lunch and sandwich bags, and more - She uses all sorts of fabulous fabrics and even has a line of saucy pin up items, for guys and gals. She also has another shop that features dress-up items for kids.

  

Serenity Lane Designs  - makes hand made paper crafts, tile coasters, pendants & cards  

      

Gingers Vintage Room has some awesome paper flowers, holiday gift boxes, and altered poker chip necklaces.

   

Nikid - Nicoles Homemade Treats creates awesome chocolate sweets and treats, if they dont make your mouth water, I'm not sure what will!


    

Pretty Pear Designs for fabric backed stationary paper goods, gift tags and boxes that will give your correspondance a "touch and feel" quality.

   

Dew On A Petal - I dont know about you, but the holidays always make me think of certain smells, and these soy candles from Dew On A Petal will certainly help you get in the holiday mood!

   

PURE Natural Minerals - Natural mineral makeup - soaps, lip balms, eye shadows, and more. 

  

TangBaby has been especially popular for fun Cake Mail items

  

Spongetta - Unique handbags and creative Christmas stockings.

   

WoodCastle Studio Custom Woodworks & Turnings Unique Pepper mills, Wine Stoppers, Pens

 

I'm sure I dont have to remind people about my own shop - but here's a gentle hint ;)

One of the best things about the fact that these are local, handmade artists is that you get personable, responsive custom service! No automated messages, robots or "press 1 for customer service" to deal with. Many of them are also willing and able to do custom items - Not something that you can get at that big smiley face store!! But you have to be quick - because remember, these are REAL PEOPLE, not machined, and they dont work in sweatshops - so if you do want a custom order get it in fast, so you'll have it ready for the holiday!

Well, what are you waiting for? Go do some shopping!

**This post was not sponsored or requested by Etsy or any of the featured artists - I simply want to do my part to help promote fellow local artisans and crafters**