Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Wonder of Christmas Crack

Be warned this is a wonderful Salty Sweet, highly addictive Holiday Snack! Toffee, chocolate, nuts- what's not to like? I have yet to meet anyone who's said "eh no thanks". Easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in the house! I found the recipe on craftster.org
a few years ago and haven't looked back.
Are you baking this week for Hanukkah or Christmas?
PS-I'm in need of Hanukkah recipes so if you have any send them my way!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fantastic French Fries at Home



A tip I took from Rachel Ray took my fries from baked yummy to baked out of this world! Instead of using a sheet pan, bake them on a pizza stone! Crispy crunchy and done in 30 minutes!

These are just cut red potatoes with olive oil, kosher salt and Adobo. flipped them at 15 minutes and gobbled them up in roughly 2 minutes :)

I almost ate my DH's half.


Warning this will change the way you make french fries!!!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Hand Stamped Tags for Crochet Items

Finally a crochet stamp!!! When I saw this ball of yarn from cupcaketree on etsy that came customized I had to have it! Why should the knitters be the only ones to have yarny fun?!

I whipped up these tags last night with a Creative Memories punch and some of my existing stamps (my website stamp is from Creative Memories too). I love them and they'll be a perfect extra touch for my craft fair crochet goodies this season. First show is at the Plattsburgh State Field House- Saturday and Sunday 10-5 in Plattsburgh NY. Let the fun begin!


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Fingerless Gloves

As the weather starts turning chilly my crochet hook and I become best friends again.
Lately I've been working on these fingerless gloves.
For my fellow hookers these are just granny squares closed off (and a hole left for your thumb). It takes roughly an hour to whip up a pair and they are super cute if I do say so myself. The pairs you see in the pic are now at yellow boutique but fear not more are coming soon!

Monday, September 19, 2011

A Warmer Neck

I've been SLOWLY finishing this Cowl for what may be forever. Done on a Knifty Knitter with Homespun yarn I think I'll be a bit warmer this winter.

Materials:
Long rectangle Knifty Knitter (done on 1 side)
1 Skein Homespun Yarn
Crochet Hook (to join together the 2 sides)

Have you recently tackled any projects that found their way to the bottom of your list??

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

News and a Dressed Up Treat

Sorry for the lapse between blogs. A lot has happened since we last spoke- most importantly my husband and I are now expecting! We are 11 weeks along! Advice from any Mommies is VERY welcomed!


Speaking of Mom's - my Mom and I went to a Scrap Book Expo and saw a cute idea for dressing up Tic Tacs done by Stampin Up .



I think these would be great for a baby shower- put on some baby theme paper and decorate with cute baby buttons and ribbon. These just might be at my shower!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

New Favorite Thing

I've been drinking 2/3 bottles of water a day. With the plastic piling up and the water fountain at work not being a glacier spring I needed a solution. Intro the new Brita Bottle this little invention is WONDERFUL! Even my tap water (which I usual enjoy sans filter) is more enjoyable! I picked mine up at Target for 9.99 - do you have a favorite new invention?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Southern Eats - Sausage Plate

On our road trip we tried a sausage plate- my Brother in Law swears that they are the thing to eat in the south, and it was TASTY!
So I decided tonight to try my hand at a version.
Dill Pickles
Extra Sharp Cheese
Beef Polish Sausage Pan fried
Creole Mustard (Scratchamos- picked it up in New Orleans)
And home made deviled eggs (leftover from 4th of July)

In Tennessee it had dill pickles, a mild cheese, a slightly spicy sausage, crackers, a mayonnaise like dip, and pickled peppers.

Bon Temps!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Back from the Epic Road Trip


We are back from our super road trip and our favorite part of our trip was Sun Studio
Johnny Cash, Howling Wolf, Elvis, and sooo many more recorded in these walls. You can just feel the air change when you are in there. Almost as magical as New Orleans.....


Back to NY and back to our routine.... I'm off to work on some new products for yellow boutique (Saratoga is starting to swing already!).

Do you have any summer plans?



Monday, June 6, 2011

Road Trip!

The DH and I are about to embark on a very adventurous road trip.


Find it on Etsy Here
-Saturday we will drive to Nashville, TN and pick up DH's brother.

Find it on Etsy Here
-Sunday we will head to Memphis, TN and see Graceland and Sun Record Studios


Find it on Etsy Here
-Monday off to NOLA! (honestly can NOT wait to get back)
-Monday and Tuesday max and relax in the Big Easy
-Wednesday back to Nashville, TN to drop off the brother



Find it on Etsy Here
-Thursday back to Albany, NY
PHEW! Any roadtrip survival trips? Or amazing places to stop??

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day

A piece of the majesty that is the US. This is right outside where I grew up in Keeseville NY, the beautiful Ausable Chasm. Thank you to our Veterans past and present for defending everything we love in the States.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Upcycle Jewelry Boxes

Upcycle Jewelry Boxes! Super EASY!


My family amasses large amount of boxes with store brands on them- by switching them a bit they are perfect for using with my own jewelry line.


What you need:

Box

Glue

Paper

Paper Punch


(this is a scrap from my cricket, scotch glue stick, and the punch is a Martha Stewart Punch)



Trim the paper- and glue it on the box- DONE :) You can add ribbon, rhinestones, stamps, the sky is the limit.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

En Vogue



Did you ever put together an outfit you were just so darn proud of? I did! To the Left is a cute little number I put together out of my closet for my dear friend Danelle's wedding (also pictured is my other BFF Jocelyn). Belting may be my favorite trend ever and it saved me from a OMG I have nothing to wear moment. Have you had a style triumph lately?



PS- this pic was taken by the very talented Kristy Akey from Kristy Mae Photography if you need photos in the north country she is your lady. She has a super discount for a lucky bride on her facebook page right now too!

Friday, May 13, 2011

My 1st Rubberband Ball

My desk was piling up with rubberbands after cleaning out a file so I started my 1st rubber band ball. What do you do with extra office supplies?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Latest Book to Bite Me

Have you been bitten?



I'm a sucker for a vampire read and the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series is out :) Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris's books are like candy sweet, not too long, and fun to enjoy. A little harlequin meets sci fi. These books are also the series that the HBO show True Blood is based on.




I'm a few chapters in but it won't be long until I'm done!




What are you reading?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo?

The DH and I are pretty low key, maybe we'll sneak off to Moe's for lunch :) Or I'll make tacos for dinner....decisions....


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Under the Weather Wednesday

Hot tea and tissues- allergies/cold whatever it is.....it sure is kicking me.

I plan to be right as rain by Sunday though! Are you coming to the Little Gems party? 12-? at my place. Come on over and have a snack and look at all the baubles!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Shall we start Celebrating?

Free Gifts it is! Any purchases made in my shop from now until 12 EST tomorrow come with a free gift! Happy Shopping :) The Shop

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Pre- Birthday Delights

Every year my mom makes homemade german chocolate cake for my birthday. Let me tell you it... is.... magical! The family came up this weekend to celebrate and this forkfull pretty much sums it up. How was your weekend?

Friday, April 8, 2011

Help me Celebrate

I turn the big 2-8 next Wednesday, and I want EVERYONE to be on the festivities. Hop on over to my facebook page and vote on what kind of deal you'd like to see on 4/13. Little Gems FB Page HERE

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sunday WIPs


I inherited a number of boxes full of beautiful costume jewelry formerly my Grandmother in Laws. A few pieces were broken so I decided to work with those beads today as well as a few things I had on my board already (the necklace to the left being one of them).

So far I have 7 beautiful bracelets, if I do say so myself.
What are you working on today?

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Quirky


Since I was very little I've been obsessed with hats. My mom used to bribe me with promises of trying on hats if I was good. Not much has changed.

When I pop one on I just feel different.

So, when prepping to take photos for my shop tonight I threw on a hat and clipped on a flower. Try it next time you have a task to do. Vacuum in a tiara, do the dishes in a beret, I think you'll like it.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Hip to be Square


I should probably say hip to be rectangle.
This little guy came out of my imagination one day, the hardest part was finding safety eyes! I whipped him up during Celebrity Apprentice last night and I'm calling him Oscar right now. Any thoughts on making him better? Is he already perfect?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Shape Up or Ship Out


Shape up or ship out! Ok well maybe not that extreme but something had to be done my clothes were starting to get tight and I refuse to go up a size again. The DH and I joined a gym and while he is going 4 times a week I've decided on 2, mostly so I don't give up :) I also downloaded a free app called myfitnesspal. It is a super calorie counter and helps me make decisions through out the day (should I grab that soda? ooo those cupcakes look good...but then I can't have). I've already lost 2 lbs! I don't intend to be Jane Fonda but I do want to look good for my 10 year high school reunion.
Anyone else get bit by the fitness bug? Any tips?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Discount Days


Discount code for my followers! 10% off anything in the shop now until St. Patrick's Day- Enter IRISHEYES when you check out :) May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Giving Something Back

Lent usually brings up thoughts of giving something up, but what about giving something back?

I crochet/knit with a lovely group of women and make shawls and blankets for the sick and for new babies being baptized. They put me to SHAME at how quickly and wonderfully they whip through projects. To the left is the project I'm currently working on. And a few hours of my time brings a smile to someone's face. There are tons of non profits looking for crafters to help their cause but if you aren't the creative type there are still ways to help your neighborhood. Maybe it is as simple as holding a door for the person behind you, saying please and thank you at a check out, smiling kindly at someone, the list goes on.

What can you do today or anyday to make someone happy?

Wordless Wednesday- Crochet WIP


Monday, March 7, 2011

Book Addiction


Hi I'm Kari and I've always been addicted to books.

I just finished reading The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch, which is a fun piece of historical fiction. But it is rare to find a book that leaves me desperate to know what is happening next.

The following book on my reading list was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I started it yesterday and am 70% of the way through. I'll be finished by Wednesday if not sooner. Now this is that oh my I can't leave these characters alone kind of book. I hope the movie does it justice!
What's on your night stand? Any super page turners that I should pick up?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's about Time!


That Little Gems by Kari got a facebook page! Join me for more rambling won't you?? Find it HERE
See you over there :)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Hash Brown Bake


One of my dearest friends came over a few weekends ago for a slumber party. Since she is the Pugancious Vegetarian I wasn't about to serve meat for breakfast!

Intro a twist on my Mom/Grandmom's Hash Brown Bake:
1 26 oz frozen hash brown potates
1 stick margarine melted
1 can cream of mushroom soup (Non-Vegetarians can use cream of chicken)
80z of sour cream
16 oz of Shreded Cheddar Cheese
Onion powder
Adobo powder (optional)
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper

Mix together and cook at 350 uncovered for 1 hour. You can make the night before and pop in when you wake up (great for busy holiday mornings too)!


I served it with Maple flavored Morningstar Sausage. Enjoy!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Love is in the air at yellow


Check out these great corsets- fun Valentine's Day attire! I'll be set up at yellow Boutique this weekend (491 Broadway, Saratoga NY). If you haven't been to yellow yet run to your car and drive there asap! Or come say hi this weekend :)