Oooo Shiny

I've yet to meet a girl that hasn't at one point said "oooo shiny". Something about shiny just makes a girl's head swivel (heck a lot of guys too). I get distracted by shiny every day! That might be why I love swarovski crystals. The way the light catches these babies is out of this world. Brides, movie stars, and my sister (yours too probably) have all worn these proudly. I came across this history of swarovski crystals at Fire Mountain Gems and thought it was a really interesting piece (I didn't know Josephine Baker wore them). Check it out

Wanna Scoop?

If you know me (or have read some of my recipes) I LOVE FOOD! And ice cream has been a special treat that my mom has always had a soft spot for. I've made my own rock salt ice cream at my great aunt's camp, eatten soft serve all over the north east, and am brought to my knees by Ben and Jerry's. Intro the ice cream earrings- Fat free :)

Do you have a sweet tooth?

I Love Lucite

Lucite is a weakness for me. My heart skips a beat when I see vintage lucite anything. So, when I saw these modern lucite mums I had to have some. Thus far they have become bobby pins and post earrings but I'm thinking of combining them with my glass pendants too. I have a new batch of them on the way to me and I can't wait to get my hands on them. Here are my favorite color gracing some silver plated bobby pins!


What do you think?

Latest Stitch

I'm currently being sidelined from most crafting- possible carpal tunnel in my right hand. But here is the latest project I completed before the dr's visit.

The pattern is Sexy Librarian from Sublime Stitching. I'm excited at how quickly I'm picking up embroidery.

Any other carpal tunnel victim's out there? How are you coping and continuing to craft?

Labor Day Freebie

A special deal for my friends and followers- every order from my shop between now and Monday will get a free polymer clay pie magnet. Just say Blog in the notes to seller.

Happy Labor Day!

Found a Giveaway

I just came across this giveaway from homeberries on one of my favorite sites craftster (great place for ideas and talking with other crafty folk). http://www.homeberries.com/2009/09/01/jungle-safari-pattern-giveaway-for-september/

The patterns look fun!

North Country Jelly

Crabapple Jelly is part of my childhood. My parents have a big tree in their back yard and my sister and I spent a lot of time throwing, eating, and all around enjoying the apples every year.
Here is an over-view of making jelly (detailed directions are in the pectin box)

Jelly is hard work I'm not going to lie but it is really fun too.
First go to town chopping up a bevy of crabapples. (plan a couple of hours to make this happen)

Measure it out and boil it down (Crabapples you need 5lbs of apples and 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer.

Strain the fruit pulp through cheesecloth or a strainer. For this jelly you need 7 cups of juice (easier said then done, it's a lot of squishing).
Boil it up and add pectin, boil it again and add sugar (this one needs 9 cups). Boil it some more (1 min).
Laddle the mix into jars, cap and band. Drop into a boiling water bath that will cover the jars for 5 minutes.
Let it set and you've got jelly!