Shop Update | Sage Street Market

I’ve been keeping busy these days… sorting and slicing up my sheet stash. I feel pretty good about getting piles and piles of lovely vintage linens off my craft room floor and into new homes. How wonderful is it to think that these long lost bed sheets and pillowcases are now finding new life in quilts, buntings and crafts. It makes me smile. I wonder what people are making with them?

If you haven’t already, check out the new fat quarters in my shop…

 

Create Something | Nutella Rice Krispie Treats

I pinned this recipe a few weeks ago and was dying to try it. Originally it’s from Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy.

This was another thing I wanted to make for our kindly hosts, so after it was done (which took all of 20 minutes), I cut them into squares and wrapped them in cello bags. In the process I might have tried one or two… they were mind blowing. Seriously, the best thing since sliced bread. Next time I make these I don’t plan on sharing.

See the recipe below, or visit Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy for the original post.

Nutella Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1 package (10 oz.) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup Nutella
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Directions:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in Nutella until melted.

Add cereal. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until well coated.  It helps to spray a little nonstick cooking spray on the spoon to keep it from sticking.

Using a sheet of wax paper, evenly press mixture into a 13 x 9-inch pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cool and cut into 2-inch squares.

Create Something | Crispy Crunchy Granola

I’m assembling a care package for a very special family, to thank them for hosting us on our recent trip to Minneapolis. I wanted to put together something that they could enjoy (they’re really into sweets and treats) but that would last through shipping.

Granola immediately came to mind. The recipe below, is one of my favorites, but I strayed a but by just adding the nuts I had around the house (almonds, walnuts and pinenuts). The beauty of making granola is that you can’t go wrong. Add or subtract any ingredient that might work well in the mix and off you go!

If you end up trying this recipe, keep in mind, the granola gets crispy-crunchy after you let it cool. Then you can break it apart and store in an airtight container to enjoy throughout the week!

Ingredients

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds (I substituted these with pinenuts)
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans (didn’t add these this time around)
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil.
2. Combine the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, remove from stove, then pour the dry ingredients into the pot, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Cool, then stir in the raisins, cranberries or cherries before storing in an airtight container.

Mini Project | Fabric Wrapped Jars

I’m a jar hoarder. It’s true. I’ve saved almost every spaghetti sauce, baby food, and jam jar we’ve gone through. Not really knowing what to do with them, just knowing I couldn’t just toss them. I also happen to save tiny scraps of all my vintage sheet pieces. I’ll straighten up an edge here and there, and yep, save the stinkin’ remnant. It’s a sickness, I know.

Inspired by dottie angel, I turned a few pieces of junk into something worth looking at. It was a simple process (although a little messy), and very quick. All I did was water down some modge podge, cut up my fabric into strips, and start painting them onto the jars. Drying time took all night, there was a lot of podge.

I’m going to use them down in my studio for now. It needs a little sunshine these days.

Create Something | Fail

So, I had a sneak attack craving for a sweet treat last night. And with little to no ingredients in my kitchen, I decided to try making Pain au chocolat the quick and easy way. I used a tube of refridgerated crescent rolls and a bar of Godiva milk chocolate. It took my exactly 12 minutes to bake, what could be better! However, they were not as tasty as I remember them being in Paris.

My biggest complaint was that they didn’t have enough chocolate (my fault), and the crescent rolls had a salty flavor to them. Plus, they just weren’t as airy and flaky as the real deal. So all in all… Fail.

Next time I might try using a recipe like this one, from The Black Wok.

Furniture Finds | Re-do To-do List

I’ve been searching for a pint-sized table and chairs for my little lady for what seems like ages. I searched craigslist, garage sales and goodwill for weeks, trying to find that perfect little set that I could re-do. Nothing. I started ogling the images over at the Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids and Ikea, but didn’t want to spend the big bucks on something that would, no doubt, get lots of wear and tear.

Finally, an impulse visit to Salvation Army turned up this beauty. It’s a little rough around the edges, but I have some big plans for her. Stay tuned to see how I’ll turn this little table and chairs set into something that will fit into my playroom dreams.

My Favorites | Children Inspire Design

I’m really loving the website, Children Inspire Design, right now!

I bought this print for Emily’s nursery almost two years ago, and I still love it. It was the first thing I bought for her room, so it’s got an extra special place in my heart. CID has lots of fun prints, posters and stationery for children that also happen to be eco-friendly and educational!

I’m also on their mailing list and was sent this pretty (and free) download this afternoon. Very inspirational! I plan on printing it and hanging it on the refrigerator for awhile. Just as a nice reminder.

Create Something | Crème de Menthe Cookies

I love Andes Crème de Menthe candies. Enough said, post over.

Kidding. So when I saw that Andes was making baking chips out of their Crème de Menthe candies, I grabbed a bag and ran. I didn’t really have a recipe in mind when I bought the bag, but lucky for me, Andes provided one right on the bag! Those clever candy people.

Anyway, I followed the recipe to a T (is that how you write that phrase?), and the cookies came out perfect. I opted not to use green food coloring, as you’ll see in many recipes online. It just looks gross in my opinion.

So here’s the recipe, and they’re not lying when they say the recipe makes 4 dozen. My freezer is very happy this week!

Andes Crème de Menthe Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted butter – softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 package (10 oz.) Andes® Crème de Menthe Baking Chips
2-2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Blend butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed.
• Stir in Andes Baking Chips and then flour. Chill approximately one hour in the refrigerator.
• Measure out approximately 1 oz. of dough. Form a ball and slightly flatten.
• Raise oven rack one level above the middle and bake on non-stick baking pans.
• Bake at 350° F for approximately 8 – 10 minutes.
• Cool on pans for two minutes before removing.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Vintage Sheet Stash | Up for grabs

Have you noticed yet? I actually had time to sort, photograph and list some of my vintage sheet remnants. Take a look at Sage Street Market for the details. I’m sure you’ll find something you need!

Sewing | Vintage Sheet Quilt

I was supposed to have this done before Emmy’s brithday, as a little gift from Mommy. But I didn’t. Are you surprised? I had high hopes, but then the 1st birthday party planning took over and time just got away from me. Eh well, you win some…

                      

Anyway, It’s done now, after a much needed cleaning and tune up to my machine. It was my first time using the free motion quilting technique, and I’ll admit It’s not perfect, there are a few puckers here and there, but I love that about it. I think, once its washed a lot of those imperfections will softened up. All in all, it was a lot of fun thinking about the random arrangement, piecing each square together and finally quilting it. Well worth the 3 month delay.

All the sheets were found at the Salvation Army. It’s amazing how many abandoned pillowcases and sheet sets there are back in there. With the scraps I did end up making a string of bunting pennants, in time for the birthday party, which I’m going to try and find a place for in Emmy’s room, soon.

If you’re interested in any leftover sheets, let me know—I’m thinking about putting them up for sale on etsy.