Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Ours was filled with way too much food, lots of family, and some frantic crafting. So sorry I've been MIA recently. Here's reason #1:

Craft Show Craziness! It's been a fun and wild season...I did four craft shows this year (and of course I post a pic of my worst set-up. Ha! It could only go upward from this one!). Had an awesome show in Northwood, NH, and another really fun show in Manchester, NH. I must say, I am glad to take a break from the shows...it can be pretty wild to pull one together!

Now, I am selling at a really amazing pop-up holiday store in Concord, NH. I'm really excited about the whole venture and to do a post on this next!

Toadstools

I love finding inspiration on walks! In fact, a lot of the crafts I've been working on this fall were either found in or inspired by nature. Here are some little toadstools I found begging to be re-created...somehow, someway (clay, felt?)! In the meantime, I'm sure they served as some comfy seats for fairies along the way. At least, that's what I told my girls!

Craft Shows!

I've been craft showing lately! Here's a bio I just posted for THIS upcoming craft show that I am really excied about:

http://www.notyourgrandmascraftfair.org/

Hi! My name is Melanie, and I have been crafting ever since I was allowed to hold scissors. I'm a hand-sewer and painter. I'm currently obsessed with heirloom quilts (some made with vintage fabrics and velvets!), stuffed owls and birds, felted acorns, and getting back into painting. Having two babies of my own (2 and 1), I'm focusing on items they enjoy as well, such as jingle blocks. I'm also making pine cone people for the holiday season. My crafts are reasonably priced...hey, I sell to support my crafting habit! I create what I want and would buy and what inspires me. I blog at The Magic Nest (http://themagicnest.blogspot.com/), and will hopefully be getting some tutorials up soon.
My biggest challenge now is getting the owls and bunnies out of the house without being seen...my girls practicallly tackle me for them! I'm so glad to be back in the crafting world, and looking forwward to meeting you all soon!

Me:

And some of my crafts:

Mocha-licious

Maybe you are like me, and addicted to a special caffeinated drink from a certain place...

Its a rare treat, but whats not fun about it? Paying almost $5 a pop. So, I make my mochas at home! It's crazy easy. Brew up a pot of strong coffee, and add a generous scoop of hot chocolate to the bottom of your mug. Pour in hot coffee and stir, stir, stir. Add some milk and you're done. Not QUITE as nice as someone making it for you...but close.

Oh, and you can skip all of that and pour some chocolate milk in if pressed for time, and/or lazy like me in the morning.

Recipe: Texas Caviar

This is my favorite party recipe. It's also incredibly handy to make a big batch when the power may go out as its very forgiving and delicious at room temperature (hello, Irene). Plus, the dressing...I use it ALL THE TIME on my salads its so good (oh, and easy!). This salad is also AWESOME to make a big batch of and take for healthy and easy “work lunches” during the week. You can't go wrong!

TEXAS CAVIAR

Ingredients:

1 can of black beans

2 cans of black eyed peas

1 bag of frozen corn

2 chopped red peppers

1 chopped red onion

1 bunch of scallions, chopped

1 container of baby spinach, finely chopped

Dressing: ½ of a jar of hot pepper jelly, and ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and a couple tablespoons of sugar (to taste).

Make dressing: whisk jam and apple cider vinegar together, salt, pepper and sugar to taste.

Defrost corn. Combine all and enjoy with tortilla chips

Optional ingredients: chopped cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, chopped avocado or whatever you have on hand!

Laundry Soap

Laundry...not exactly one of my favorite chores. The washing part is okay, its the folding that gets me every time! I've been know to leave a basket (or two) sitting arund for days before I can get to it. Then, it has to get put away. Then, the whole process starts again - I get tired just thinking about it. And really, I probably spend more time thinking: oh man, time to fold the laundry AGAIN than it actually takes to do it. Well, one thing that makes laundry a lot easier to take, is saving a bundle by making your own detergent. I saw this recipe and thought, no way...point the way to the laundry aisle. But after looking at the increasing cost, I bit the bullet and gave this a shot. It was WAY easier than I thought it would be and...it actually WORKS! Just like its supposed to. The first batch I made was over 3 months ago, and I just made another today. Give it a try...the supplies are literally enough to last you for a couple of years of laundry detergent or more!

Recipe for Making Your Own Laundry Detergent:

1 cup soap flakes *
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix the soap flakes in a pan with 3 pints of water (6 cups) over medium heat, until it all dissolves, roughly 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the washing soda and Borax. Mix until everything thickens, another 3 minutes or so, then remove from heat. Put 1 quart (4 cups) of hot water in a 2 gallon bucket, then add the soap mixture you just made. Mix well.

Now fill the bucket with the mixture with cold water. Stir until well blended. It will thicken and separate as it cools. Now add some perfumes and/or essential oils (my favorite combo: peppermint and rosemary). Stir or shake well before using. Use 1/2 cup for each load, or more for very dirty items.

Finding Time

Why is finding time so difficult? I tell myself to blog, and I know I NEED to blog, but yet...finding the time to do this can be such a challenge. I have a lot to say, and just getting it out there is how I need to start. The challenge of being at home is that i never know exactly how my day is going to go. Just getting on the computer requires an intricate dance of sippy cups, bottles, diaper changes, puzzles, and my favorite, Elmo! The small freedoms Elmo has given me is a whole complete post unto itself. Back from vacation to New York, I feel renewed, I feel ready, and I WILL do this! Okay, here we go...