Cookie Review

Doesn't my title sound like a good vaudeville show? I would love to see some dancing macaroons right now. Leggy ones, preferably! Today is my favorite nephew's birthday.  E will be 13! The above picture happens to be my favorite although he was probably 8 or 9. I just love it though. Below is a more recent, more adolescent one. Typical middle schooler, right?

What better way to welcome him into his teens than with some sugar butter orbs in varying flavors? Plus I am poor and can bake moderately well. E said he didn't have any major aversions to typical cookie ingredients, so I thought I'd try three from sites online and then review them here. My three choices are:

Chocolate Chip Brownie Decadence
Thumbprints
Healthy Ginger Snaps

 Chocolate Chip Brownie Decadence

 This first one was a pin my buddy Tara put up on Pinterest. Beyond that, we don't know where it came from. But the recipe was attached with the pin lucky enough. To be honest, this was super easy! I even got Little Pea to help me. It's basically chocolate chip cookie, a peanut butter cup with brownie on top. I used mini muffin tins for mine which worked out just fine. I would say to use a tin with teflon like the one on the left since it was ten times easier to pop them out and keep their shape.

Recipe

Preheat oven to 350; smoosh 1.5 squares of break-apart refrigerated cookie dough into the bottom of each well. Place Reese cup upside down on top of cookie dough (or an Oreo!). Top with prepared box brownie mix, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 18 minutes.

The next two are from allrecipes.com, but I included the recipes for all lazybots.


Thumbprint or Rosenmunnar

This cookie requires only four ingredients, but I recommend making on a cool day as you can see the pool of jelly is more like a puddle. Or don't be as impatient as me and put refrain from sticking butter in the microwave to soften.

 

 

 

 

Recipe

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

2 cups all purpose flour, sifted

1/2 cup fruit jam or jelly

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add sifted flour, and mix well. Shape dough into 1 inch diameter balls and place on cookie sheets. Imprint your thumb in the center to make a 1/2 inch indentation. Fill with your favorite preserves.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. 

Ginger Snaps 

This one ended up being my favorite! It uses whole wheat flour and 1 batch makes several dozen.

Recipe

1 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup molasses
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 cup white sugar for decoration

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until smooth. Mix in the eggs, and then the molasses. Combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, heaping the measures if you like a lot of spice. Stir the dry ingredients into the molasses mixture just until blended.
3. Roll the dough into small balls, and dip the top of each ball into the remaining white sugar. Place the cookies about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the tops are cracked. Bake longer for crispy cookies, less time for chewy cookies. Cool on wire racks.

The package arrived at E's on his big day and his reaction was satisfying especially since he said thanks several times with no coaxing from his mom. 

 

While I was away

With it being the end of the semester, I have found the days rolling away and my to do it list growing. Still, I was being very crafty in my absence. Here's proof!

For Little Pea's Montessori School, I made a craft basket to be auctioned off. All the money went toward their scholarship program. I had hoped someone would bid on it not knowing if such a thing would be fancied, but apparently it was sought after plenty and a very enthusiastic bidder claimed it proudly! So what's in there and can you make them? Why of course!

On the left is a knitted washcloth

Then a duct tape wallet

Next was my favorite, crocheted baby corn

The pink napkin is actually embroidered from a published design, so sorry I can't share that one!

But behind it is a scrap fabric wreath

The winner also gets a free lesson to learn how to make one of these crafts. I'm looking forward to teaching the winner some new craft skills!

This is freaking awesome!

New tutorials and recipes are in the works, but while you wait...

You wanna piece of me?

Yes please!

Check out Scott Hove's amazing apocalyptic cakes. Recently I found a love for frosting tips, but this is awe inspiring.  Maybe for my birthday?

The work appeared through a craft site grapevine which I don't think I need to rundown especially when you can go directly to the source for more info.  I can totally see a goth couple asking for this one at their wedding!

Scott works in Oakland, CA and his exhibit, "My Own Private Apocalypse" sadly is in LA right now. Everyone I know in the northern California area should go check out his warehouse in Oakland called Cakeland just to make me jealous.

 Genius!

DIY Onesie Part 3: Cupcake Cuties

Now for my last and finale DIY onesie... a Twinklecraft original....can you tell these dots should be drum rolls?... Mini cupcakes!
 
   I am working out many little characters in a peeking collection. In fact, my very first one was for a onesie. Eventually I hope to learn enough about graphics so that I can sell them and give a few away. This was a good upstart to that process with a few girlie cupcakes. They look especially cute on the small 0-3 months size, don't they?


Transferring Image


You can download the images here.

  After you print the image out, I recommend going over the image again in a black marker like a Sharpie.  In a very well lit space, fold the onesie vertically and then horizontally to where you would like the top of the cupcakes to begin.  Unfold and dot this spot with a water soluble or air soluble pen. This will be the top of the middle cupcake.

   Next, cut out the picture and tuck it under front of the onesie on a very flat sturdy service.  Pin in place and trace out images.

Stitches

As you can see, I used a light and dark pink with a minty green, orange, light blue and a brighter blue, and a medium lavender shade with a butter cream yellow. Of course all faces were done in black. To make the wrappers, I used a stem stitch. A back stitch was used for the icing and little French knots were the sprinkles. For most of the faces, I used the back stitch in v shapes but used a daisy stitch for the circles. If you are afraid you'll make a teardrop instead of a circle, just go very slowly when pulling the thread and then stitch it down when you are happy with your circle. An extra straight stitch was used for the eye.

If this image is popular, I'll be sure to add other designs to my blog in the future with instructions all for free, so feel free to follow me!
Missed the first two? Click ruffle butt or easy applique

DIY Onesies Part 2: Easy Applique

For Round 2, I used a small section of printed material I got at a second hand store. The original use for this material was to fuse it to sweatshirts and add a lot of ugly fabric paint essentially losing a pretty paint by numbers vintage look the roses had. Tragic. Luckily fabric paints are so early 90's and vintage reins supreme!

 

     To make a similar onesie, you'll need some double sided webbing I referred to in my letter banner post. I just ironed the webbing to the backside of the fabric, cut out the image, pealed off the paper side of the webbing and ironed it all onto the onesie. Then I used the buttonhole stitch around the outside. I did not use an embroidery hoop though to keep the applique from potentially coming loose. You will just have to watch how tightly you pull your floss as you go. The result makes it pop nicely, if you ask me.


Last Onesie?  Cute embroidery designed by yours truly!

DIY Onesies Part 1: Ruffle Butt

 
     Being in my thirties has led to one certainty among my friends which is they have seriously begun to reproduce! With so many announcements on Facebook, I thought 2011 was the year of the baby. Now it looks like 2012 is vying for the spot. Last week I went to a double baby shower and there is another this week!  With so much talk about babies, I am beginning to feel pregnant! I kid.

     It wasn't until I had my very own little pea that I realized how magical babies are, so I can't help but work on handmade presents for said friends. Recently I have been doing a lot of embroidery, but I was getting restless knowing I needed to be sparked by a new goal only I wasn't feeling it until I came upon some ideas for DIY onesies. I had a pack of plain nice ones I bought unopened at a Goodwill some time ago thinking I could use them for future babies. This was my kindle for a bonfire of craft, people! Just googling "DIY Onesies" and clicking images set my thoughts racing about my abilities, cute factor and all around realistic chance of finishing some before this Saturday.  Now I will share these projects, views, links and pics to help inspire you.

Our first project fanning the flames? Ruffle Butts.

I found some tutorials that expected you to start your ruffles with a lot of scraps and extra sewing. I am too lazy for that, so upon further searching I came across this site. It's completely easy to understand and uses ribbon, knocking out a lot of extra time and work. The site is called www.skiptomylou.org and is what my blog wants to be when it grows up. So check it out!

    I do have a few things to say about the ribbon end of this. Organza is fine. Organza with glitter (I couldn't help myself!) is a bad idea. Also, I tried out ribbon with wire. I just cut out the needed length and carefully pulled out the wire from both ends. This does not work with all wired ribbon since some are too delicate I found. It just saved me a second trip to the sewing store.

 Next up?  Super simple applique!

Crochet Coral Reef = Mind Blown

This week was Spring Break at the Twinklecraft house. The weather was other worldly and demanded my small family get out and about as much as possible to soak up the sun and soak in every minute together. Doing so led us to the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA. Mainly we went because little pea is finally at an age where she can appreciate kid friendly environments if in small time increments. For a science museum in a small city, it's passable, a small scale Field Museum, if you want to get down to it with pioneer dress up and shop play areas, turn of the century living spaces, local history and fauna, and a nice collection of Japanese pottery pieces. I was pleased to see one of the great successes to the quad cities area was none other than Samual Heagy from Taneytown, MD, a town nearby my hometown. Represent!


It wasn't until we were nearly finished in the hands on marine exhibit that I found the gem to the whole place, a gigantic installation of coral reef made entirely of crochet!




At the time we'd decided to head out for lunch, so I was only able to snap a few photos and check where exactly the masterpiece came from, but of course I needed to know more and was convinced all of this needed to be shared with others. Made by science journalist, Margaret Wertheim and her twin sister Christine, the "Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a woolly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft, and a testimony to the disappearing wonders of the marine world." Upon further reading at home I found Ms. Wertheim gave a talk on her project for TED and you can enjoy the short lecture here! To visit the site dedicated to awesome installation, you can visit their site dedicated to the work, contributors and the many messages it has to offer.

Mind officially blown!!!!

Look what I got in my mailbox!

Isn't this stationary gorgeous? My wonderful sister-in-law, Ka is a master paper crafter! In fact, she inspires me each time I see her to keep my crafting dreams alive. Besides having her own blog with tutorials, recent projects and great info, she also has started a little business in her town which has kept her very busy. Can I say how proud and excited I am for her? So so much! It's always great to get together with her since we can bounce off ideas and get motivated. There is always something new I can learn from her too. So why don't you go check out her blog and if you like it, follow her too! http://shopsosmitten.blogspot.com/

Letter Banner for many occasions

Like most moms, I love all the holidays I get to celebrate with my little pea, but if I can help it, I'd like to restrict the amount of seasonal junk I have to store in our house. Thinking a nice set of letter garland might be versatile and take up little space, I began hunting down a good pattern with cute colorful results. Sadly, the amount I would have to put in making just one seasonal sentiment made all motivation fizzle. Bias tape and embroidery? Ugh. I wanted enough letters to make "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Whatever", not a 6 month project. Then I eventually got the gears turning and came up with this less exhausting but still cute result from a little tinkering on my part. I will even include templates for all the letters needed to spell any occasion.

Here is what you will need:

Any kind of flat felt in your favorite colors

Scraps of fabrics 3 inches by 3 inches or more

Double sided webbing (I used Pellon #805 Wonder-Under)

Iron and board

paper scissors

fabric scissors

pins

sewing machine (only basic stitches will be used)

invisible thread

Cotton string to hang your letters

tapestry needle or safety pin to string letters together

A word about measurements

Here is a guide to help you if you decide to follow my plan exactly

3 by 3 inch scrap fabric

3 by 3 inch webbing

4 1/2 (length) by 3 inch felt pieces

First, download and print out the letters here.

I calculated I would need to make about 37 letters to make most of the yearly holidays. Below is how I broke them down. Call me traditional but I had to make sure I used Christmas colors (red, green and white) for the Merry Christmas garland.

I've included those letters with an asterisk if you would like to do the same.

A 2 (1*)

B 1

C 1*

D 1

E 2 (1*)

F 1

G 2

H 2 (1*)

I 2 (1*)

K 1

L 2

M 2*

N 2

O 1

P 2

R 3*

S 2*

T 2 (1*)

V 1

W 1

Y 2 (1*)

Next, cut out letters and choose the fabrics you would use for each letter. I recommend cutting along the outer edge.

Once you have your template letters cut and fabrics chosen, cut out your double sided webbing. If you cut each 3 inches by 3 inches, you will have enough of space for each letter. Cut your scraps using the same measurement or larger. Heat your iron to a medium to hot setting. Place the fabric wrong side up and put the shiny textured part of the webbing down so that the paper side is facing you. Iron for 3 to 5 seconds or until the webbing is fully secure. Next, turn the fabric so it is facing you and pin the chosen letter to the fabric.

Cut out the letter. Next peel off the paper from the letter and place it closer to the bottom part of your piece of felt. Iron for about 5-10 seconds. Start with 5 seconds especially if you are using cheap felt.

Repeat all these steps until you have all the letters your heart desires.

Your next step involves your sewing machine. When I first began pondering how to go about choosing thread, I was overcome with dread of how I wanted to color coordinate but only saw the endless task of bobbin threading in front of me. Then I had an idea. A while back I had purchased some transparent thread for a different craft project. Would that work? Yes, and perfectly too, I might add. You can't see it and there's no need to change your bobbin. Fold down the top of your felt half an inch and pin. Then sew and reverse to secure both ends. You can continue adding more letters so it becomes one long string of letters. Trim where needed.

For your last step, cut a piece of string long enough to fit in the space you would like to use for your letters. I like using cotton string because the felt won't slip around. Thread the letters you want through the string using a tapestry needle or a little safety pin. Then tie loops in both ends of the string. Hang using tacks, nails, fixtures, whatever would work best for your home. I have two IKEA wall lights with screws on the outside that my string could fit snugly into. You can then easily move the letters to be better spaced. Stand back and enjoy!!!!

A word about storage

Once you have made enough or your first celebrated holiday is over, it may be time to take down your letters until the next special day approaches. Since one of my goals this year is to be more organized, I found a kid's sized shoe box was especially helpful to store my letters in alphabetical order.

Hopefully if you do this project, your garland will keep the mood festive anytime of year!

First post!!!

Welcome!

I'm Jenevieve and this is my craft blog. Since this is my very first entry, there isn't much to browse just yet, but expect free patterns, craft advice, recipes, stories and the like as I develop a site of crafty goodness.



Poor Man's Caprese Salad

In the summer, it's easy to make a gorgeous mouth watering salad I could eat all day just by going into my yard to get some tomatoes and basil and stopping by Aldi for their cheap fresh mozzarella. But in the winter, it's a totally different story. Here in the Midwest, the produce is sad in your average grocery store, and the fresh herbs are already wilting on the shelves. But with a spark of ingenuity, I give you this recipe even a college dorm dweller can handle on a budget. Mind you it is not comparable to the warmer season's results, but I bet you'll want a second helping!

Poor Man's Caprese Salad

3 tbl extra virgin olive oil
2 tbl balsamic vinegar
2 tbl basil pesto
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper
a pint of cherry or grape tomatoes (I like organic, but this is a poor man's recipe!)
3 or 4 mozzarella sticks (if you can swing it, fresh mozzarella can easily be substituted)

Put the first five ingredients into a dressing carafe or plastic container with a lid. Set aside. Unwrap cheese and slice in "hot dog" style bites. Cut tomatoes in any bit size pieces. Arrange on a plate. Secure top of container with dressing and shake! Pour dressing over cheese and tomatoes and eat!

I must confess this is not as beautiful as the original, but when you are pining for warm days, it gets the job done. Enjoy!