A blessed month

     I just wanted to share some of the great things that have been happening to me this month. One of my lines was picked up by The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis, Mass. I also designed a completely new line made out of a recycled chandelier and vintage jewelry for Shift in Hyannis. Both these stores are so awesome and different. It was so much fun to work with both Jen and Amanda.

     I also did an interview for an on-line news paper called Patch.com which was so very flattering and fun to do. And last but not least, I am going to be participating in the Hyannis Artist shanties next month from September 10th to the 16th. These are little shanties made into artist shops right on the harbor where the boats come in from the islands.

     I have had a very blessed month and am so grateful to all those who have helped me. I am hoping this is a start of something even more to come.http://barnstable-hyannis.patch.com/articles/made-in-barnstable-d-r-designs

Lemon yogurt blueberry cake

I made this sour cream inspired cake for a play date the other day and it was a hit with the moms and the kids alike. It has protein and fresh fruit so how bad can it be,lol. No really it is awesome and needs no frosting, a great dessert for any time of the year.

     I am sure that if you are so inclined you could use any fruit and maybe any flavor yogurt you want to change it up. It is super moist and everyone will ask for the recipe.
Enjoy!


Ingredients:


1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup spreadable butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 eggs
2 cups blueberries
1/2 cup Greek lemon yogurt (with zest- best is by Chobani)
1 Cup cold water

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour a 9 x 13" pan. Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a mixer bowl beat butter about 30 seconds then add the sugar and beat  well. Now add the lemon juice and beat well. Add eggs one at a time beating 1 minute for each. Stir in the Chobani yogurt and beat for 30 seconds. Now add the dry ingredients alternately with the water mixing well in between. Turn into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until knife comes out clean. Cool and cut into squares. Serve with ice cold ice tea for a terrific summer treat or with hot tea in the fall and winter. You can not go wrong with it anytime of the day. We even had it for breakfast one lazy morning.

Over the Rainbow Treasury

   
   Just wanted to share a new Treasury I made on Etsy so you could check out just some of the many talented moms that inspire me.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTU0Mjk4N3w0NjU0OTE1MTU/somewhere-over-the-rainbow?ref=pr_tr

Peanut Free Granola Bars-Inspired by King Arthur Four

    These granola bars are fantastic and totally peanut free. My son who has a severe allergy to peanuts loves them and can help me choose what types of fruit we use.
   
     Make it different every time if you want. We have made straight blueberry, and tropical ones and have enjoyed them very much. Get the kids involved for a fun time.



Ingredients....
1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 cup dry fruit(total of 10-15 ounces)
1/3 to 2/3 cup soy nut butter (optional, we didn't use salt when we used the soynut butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon water


Directions.....


Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
   
      Line an 8x8x2" pan  in one direction with wax paper so paper goes over the sides a bit
lightly grease paper and exposed pan or coat with nonstick spray.Stir all dry ingredients together including dry fruit.In separate bowl whisk together vanilla, melted butter, honey or syrup and water.

      Toss wet and dry ingredients together and add the nut butter if using it, until crumbly.
Spread mixture into the pan and press firmly with plastic wrap to get a good press and protect your hands.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until the edges are a bit browned. They will be soft until they set. Cool on a rack in the pan. remove once cooled and place in freezer for 30 minutes to completely set them and them cut with a serrated knife into personal size bars. Wrap individually and place in fridge in an air tight container. They can also be frozen.
 
   Enjoy!

Reverse image T-Shirt Painting Inspired by Disney's Family Fun, Kids Magazine

     I saw this project in the Disney's Family Fun, kids magazine and made it with my son.
     We simplified it by just using painters tape instead of a stencil cut from contact paper and it came out so neat I made one for myself using the puffy foam stickers.
      It is messy so prepare your area and yourself and child with covers. We wore plastic bags with holes cut for the arms and head and did it on the porch with more plastic and card board to protect the wood. You can also clean it up with soap and water.





List of supplies.....
Fabric paint
small spray bottle
painters tape or puffy stickers
white cotton shirt
Cardboard( to prevent bleed through)
Plastic to protect surfaces and yourself.

Directions....
First place cardboard into shirt to prevent bleed through and then using painters tape or stickers make a fun design, remember this is where the paint will not be.

       In spray bottle mix one part fabric paint and two parts warm water and shake the heck out of it till it mixes well. I used a travel size bottle for 1 toddler shirt and one adult shirt. Now just spray away, It is ok to get heavy handed in some places and not in others, it makes for a more interesting look.

Let this dry a bit before you remove the tape and then hang it to dry. Then follow the paints directions for setting the paint. If you want to do the other side go for it!

Enjoy and get messy!

Charm Bracelets made with my homemade chain stabilizer

    Here is an update from my last post on the charm bracelet hammock inspired by the Chain Sta Stabilization Solution.  I made a few new pieces with it and wanted to share them with you.  I made two copper bracelets.

 

This bracelet is made with 10mm puffy fish charms, 10mm double sided Abalone shell, and alternating colors of Swarovski crystals.

This bracelet is made with 15mm Starfish charms, 10mm turquoise magnesite and 8mm brown gold stone beads.

 I am very happy with the way they turned out, it made it so easy to do the placement and spacing. I am looking forward to having time to make a much more complicated piece soon.  

How to Make a Charm Bracelet Hammock (Inspired by Chain Sta Stabilization Solution)

I have seen these for sale from many jewelry suppliers but they always seem to flimsy for my needs, so I asked my very handy husband to help me come up with a design that was colapsable and easy to make, and of course as inexpensive as possible. I hope you like it. It has made it much easier for me to work with charms and bead placement as well giving me a portable work shop that I can virtually set up any where, including at my art shows. This brings lots of traffic to my booth and a way to open the communication to the customers. I Love it!






List of supplies you will need.....
1. A scrap piece of 1x6 atleast 12" long
2. 1/4" wing nuts(4)
3. Copper wire 20 gauge ( you can use heavy paper clips-2)
4. 1/4" thread rod 3ft long
5.  2 1/2" C clamps (2)
6. 1x1/4" washers (4)
7. 5/8x1/4" washers (4)
8. 220 grit sand paper
9. Small felt sticky back dots (optional)

You will also need a measuring tape, a pencil, speed square, hack saw, regular saw or power saw, 1" Fostner or spade bit, 1/4" drill bit and a drill press or hand drill. Keep the band-aids close to, just in case.

Cut 2 pieces of the wood to 5 1/2" to make squares. Then using square mark the center on both. 

Using the 1" drill bit drill half way through the wood making a counter sink. Then with the 1/4" drill bit go all the way through so you can thread the rod.