Who Woulda Thunk It...

I got an email from Renuzit today and thinking that it might have an attached coupon like they normally do, I get ready to hook up the printer and I open the email. To my surprise there was no coupon. Instead there was a link to a Renuzit site that contained.... CRAFTS!!!!!!! OMG, who woulda thunk it.... Here is the link to the RENUZIT Crafts page... GO HERE

Have fun browsing it, I did.

Only 1 day left to win a cute Chihuahua doll

Only 1 day left to enter this giveaway. It is open to everyone. Win Pink Chihuahua

Caramel Apple Bars

I have been searching high and low for apple recipes, that didn't take a lot of work on my part and that I wouldn't need to BUY a lot of ingredients. Well, I came across this recipe and I actually have all of the ingredients. For more apple recipes check out the website... Best Apples

Caramel Apple Bars
Servings:
Makes 16 Bars
Nutrition Information:
Protein: 3g; Fat: 9g; Carbohydrate: 32g; Fiber: .8g; Sodium: 113mg; Cholesterol: 41mg; Calories: 215.

For times when a little indulgence is deserved, this sweet and buttery, gooey and crunchy treat is just right.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and chopped
1 cup caramel candies, each cut in quarters
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Method:

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. In medium-size bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer mixture to pan and press in an even layer in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.

2) In same mixing bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 cup flour; stir in apples, caramels, and nuts. Pour over bottom crust. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly; cut into quarters lengthwise and crosswise to make 16 bars. Cool completely.

If I Don't Buy That Fabric I'll Surely Faint!

If I Don't Buy That Fabric I'll Surely Faint!

Few true sewers, quilters or fabric crafters need an excuse to buy more fabric. We are hooked on cotton. We obsess over silk. We daydream about calicos and ginghams and plaids. But just in case you need to explain to others why you have a million yards of fabric at home, but still need a few more fat quarters and just have to buy yardage of the newest prints ... here's a handy list of reasons you need more fabric! Copy this list and tuck it in your purse for quick reference! It is a patriotic duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops. "Oh, it's not for me! I'm buying it for a friend!" It's on sale. I need extra weight in the trunk of my car for traction on snowy, icy roads. This is important, even in Florida and Southern California, as you never know when the weather will change. It's non-fattening. Like dust, it's good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house. Because it's there. It's much cheaper to cover the floor with fabric than new carpeting. The devil made you do it. It's the only remotely artistic thing I have ever done. I can't live without it. I have new shelves for fabric storage. It will go with some I bought last year. It's so pretty, and I'll use it some day. I want my daughter to have a proper inheritance. Without fabric, I would have nothing to do with my rotary cutter and my mat and my sewing machine. It does not promote tooth decay. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes one feel good. If I don't buy it now, I may never see it again. A large fabric stash is the sign of a creative mind. I owe myself a reward for that half-pound I lost last month.

This is from my 501 Sewing Secrets email. ;)

After a couple of month's I think I have it...

I think I have come up with the name for my new product line. I didn't get very many people commenting to give me a lot of direction but I thank those of you that did. Those that did comment I will be attempting to contact you with a small gift.

So the name that I am thinking of is.... BooBoo Buddies.

It looks like we have a winner then. I just went and looked at the last posting and the comments listed and it looks like Missie from ALLthangsOLDbutNEW2U is the winner. Missie, I will get one created for you and sent out just as soon as I can.

I need your help...

I am creating a new product and I need your help naming it. The new item will be a children's hot/cold pad. It will be similar to a bean bag animal but will be filled with corn so that it can be microwaved or frozen depending on what is needed.

What I need from you is suggestions for names. If I choose your name for the product name you will be the first to receive one. So send me your ideas and don't forget to leave me a way to get a hold of you.

Thanks in advance,

Jennifer

ETA: I have a funky cat, frog and platypus in the works at this time.

I simply hate it...

I am so far behind in everything. I have taken on another show. I now have 2 shows one weekend after the other. Steve told me that means I need to start working. LOL he means getting stuff made and he is right, I have been lazy since I stopped working and the just is not like me. So I will get lots done before I start these shows. The first one is this weekend in Greenville, MI I really can't wait just wish I wasn't such a procrastinator.

I know, I know, I know

It has been a long time since I blogged and I am sorry, really truly I am. I have been wallowing in my own self pity and I need to stop that. I left my job because I wanted to make my home based business work and I seem to have forgotten that it is WORK. So I have designed a couple of new items and even sold several of the neck/shoulder ones. Looking to really make a killing with the new lower back one. I need help taking better pics of that one though. It is hard when I am the only one here. lol I also have a craft show this weekend that I JUST signed up for today. What was I thinking? Oh well, I need cut the chain that connects me to this computer and get my but in gear.

Off and running...

Well I was supposed to have gotten a bunch of new stuff done up for this Expo that my future mother in law is going to be at and she is so graciously allowing me to put the new stuff in her booth. So I am behind due to a day job that I had. I now have 22 back/shoulder pads cut and ready to sew and 11 eye masks cut and ready to sew. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get one of each pattern sewn and ready to treat. I have to hit the fabric store to get thread for the serger and the sewing machine that will better match the fabric. After further figuring it looks like the back/shoulder pads are going to be $30 and the eye masks still not sure. I will post one of each as I get them done in my shop.

Coming soon to a shop near you...

Well, we have a new item that will be appearing in our shop VERY VERY VERY soon. Keep an eye on my shop for these great new back/shoulder heat pads they will be selling for $25 I think, I do have to do some more figuring.
These are some of the fabrics that I have available. I will be making at least one in each of these fabrics. If you are interested please feel free to contact me either in my shop or in the comments here.

Super Econimical Posting

I received this money saving recipe for free and I thought I would pass it along to all of my readers. In these hard times we can all use some money stretching ideas. Please check out the notes at the bottom as well.

Liquid/Gel Laundry Detergent

Use 1/2 Cup per load

Ingredients:
Borax (located on top shelf in the laundry aisle)
Washing Soda (I use Arm & Hammer, located by the Borax)
Ivory Bar Soap or your favorite bar soap
Bucket for your detergent - I use a 5 gallon bucket w/ a lid - you want to have a lid
Optional Ingredients: 1/2 to 1 oz Essential Oils for fragrance (found at your local Health Food Store, such as Harvest Health)*** I do not use these because if you dry your clothes in the dryer the scent will dissipate in the heat.

Step 1: Shred or cut up bar of soap, I use 2 bars for my 5 gallon bucket but 1 works just fine.
Step 2: Dump shredded soap in your biggest pot of water (I usually get mine boiling, or just about there)- stir til melted.
Step 3: Add 1 Cup Borax, stir til dissolved.
Step 4: Add 1 Cup Washing Soda, stir til dissolved.
Step 5: Dump hot mixture in bucket after it is all dissolved together. Then slowly add warm water to fill the bucket. Stir periodically til it cools down. Sometimes I just dump cold water in and stir it well and that works just fine but the soap is more likely to form a thick gel layer on the top when I do that. A layer of gel on the top is fine, it still cleans great but I think the bucket lasts longer when I let it cool naturally and stir it periodically. Either way, you've got a very effective laundry soap that will clean your clothes. My initial investment was $12 for the borax, washing soda and 12 bars of Ivory soap. I probably got 25 gallons of soap out of that over time. This is the way many of our grandparents/great-grand parents cleaned their clothes. If you want a little extra whitening power - toss half a cup of baking soda into your wash. A great natural fabric softener is white vinegar, poured into the rinse water. Once your clothes dry they will NOT smell like vinegar.

~The finished soap will not be a solid gel. It will be more of a watery gel that has been accurately described as an "egg noodle soup" look.

~The soap is a low sudsing soap. So if you don’t see suds, that is OK. Suds are not what does the cleaning, it is the ingredients in the soap.