Second

Some more info on my new project - 1024.

My goal is to make a limited edition run of 10,000 flowerlettes. I already have a big pile waiting to be added to a project. They will all be made out of reclaimed sweaters including cashmere, lambswool, and other natural fiber. The flowerlettes will be used in cards and my new knit project; and, will be included in handmade embellishment kits for use in your own projects.

Now, for some extras and goodies. I'm starting a flowerlette fund. For each flowerlette sold, I will add 10 cents to the flowerlette fund. That's for every flowerlette, so, if a project has 3 flowerlettes, that 30 cents. I will keep a running total on my blog. Every time the total reaches a minimum of $20, I will donate that to one of my favorite charities.

Plus, I am going to have some giveaways. I have a lot of supplies I would like to clear out, starting with stamps and ink. I started using clear stamps awhile ago and found I don't like using wood mounted stamps so much, anymore. They've been sitting in my drawer, unused. Some are still new, in fact. The same with ink. I have a lot of ink pads I haven't used because I'm favoring a certain brand, right now, and that's all I'm using. My plan is to put together little packages of a stamp or ink pad and a few goodies and then have giveaway drawings for them.

Drawings will be free to enter, no purchase necessary. However, anyone who does purchase something from my shop will automatically receive two entries per listing purchased. I will have a drawing for every 25 flowerlettes sold and a special drawing with bigger prizes for every 100 flowerlettes sold. Anyone can enter for free, but, I will not hold the drawings until the 25th, 50th, 75th, etc., flowerlettes are actually sold. More details will be coming.

Both will start when the first flowerlette goes in the shop.

Next, I will discuss more about the cards and embellishment kits.

I lost a day.

Ughhh. I hate when that happens. I had all sorts of plans for yesterday, but, the universe had other ideas, so, I lost a day.

First, a pie...

This is my altered formula for a fruit pie. Today, I am making peach. I'm going to assume you know the basics of a pie. As in, get some pie crust, the fruit goes on the inside, lol, etc. I use Marie Calendar's frozen pie crust - love it - turns out perfect, every time. :)

To make this pie, choose your fruit and get enough to fill your chosen pie crust. It can be fresh or frozen, but, make sure it's plain without any extra sugar and stuff. You're going to need between 2 and 3 cups. Set aside. In a bowl, mix...

1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Add your fruit and stir until it's completely mixed and covered.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Pour your fruit mixture into the bottom crust and cover with the top crust. You can use your favorite method of top crust, just make sure you cut slits for venting.

Bake 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake about another 25 minutes or so until the filling is thickened. This is perfect for my oven - yours may be different, so, keep checking it.

Here is a strawberry pie I baked a couple of weeks ago.


It was super yummy. I don't like to put sugar or egg or anything on my top crust, but, feel free to do so.

Now, go make pie!

New things 3...shop renovation - sneak peek

I am finally getting started on the major project I have been planning for awhile, now. I will be adding a new line of products to my shop this week. As I have mentioned before, I am concentrating more on the paper side of paper and yarn. However, the paper project is based on a yarn project.

A couple of years, ago, I made a line of cards that included a small flowerlette crocheted out of cashmere, reclaimed from sweaters. I have a large number of leftover flowers. I also have a large amount of reclaimed cashmere, so, I decided to start a new project. I'm calling it - 1024 - pronounced 10...2...4 - as in 10⁴. That's 10,000 for those who do not wish to do the math. As in 10,000 flowers.

I am using these flowerlettes in all my new projects. Each new item in my shop will have a flowerlette incorporated into it. Even new knit items. I will be adding cards, embellishment kits, and a new knit item series.

Here is a picture of some flowerlettes and a sneak peek of a card not quite finished.





But, there is more to the 1024 project than just the flowerlettes. Come back tomorrow for another update...

p.s. all current items will be going into a sale category and will not be coming back.

New things 2...tiny houses

I have three new houses for my collection.



The small one with the green roof is from my favorite tiny house shop - the little red door. The "neighbor" house is from famous noodle and lou. I have wanted one of these little houses for a long time. The "true" house is from a new shop I discovered recently - humbleBea. I hope to get a couple more, eventually.

New things...

I've been meaning to do this for awhile, now. I'm adding a new feature. I love to bake and I have some favorite things I make both for dinner and desert. So, I've decided to start posting pics and recipes or links to things I'm making.

Sunday, we ordered pizza, so, nothing special there. But, I did make some of my cinnamon rolls for Father's Day.


The brown stuff is melted sugar.



This is my own adaptation of traditional rolls. It's very simple. My twist on it is to use this - http://www.pillsbury.com/products/rolls/Refrigerated/RecipeCreations.htm. I love how it's not sweet and so doesn't compete with the sugar cinnamon.

This recipe makes eight rolls.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. I used to use a pie pan to bake them in, but, recently I tried using a muffin tin and I like it so much better. So, get out your muffin tin and grease eight sections, really well with softened or melted butter - I like softened.

In a bowl, make up a mixture of equal parts brown and white sugar - I use about 1/4 cup each. Add about 1 or 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.

Unroll the dough onto a flat surface. Spread the dough with more softened butter. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly on top of the butter. Roll or fold the dough into a pinwheel - reverse the direction that you unrolled it.

Cut into eight equal slices. Place one slice into each greased muffin tin. Sprinkle any sugar mixture that fell out back onto the rolls. Bake for 15-18 minutes depending on your oven.

Icing - mix about 2/3 - 1 cup powdered sugar with enough milk to make a pouring consistancy - I add a teaspoon or so of softened butter, too. Pour over the warm rolls. Enjoy!