Shop: John Derian Company

In Target not too long ago, I bought a stack of tan notebooks whose cover art imitated old Italian school workbooks. They were part of the John Derian line for Target and they inspired me to check out what else is available at the original shop in New York city. Though I haven't yet been, I will be stopping in the next time I'm nearby to check out the quirky mushroom consoles, decoupage lamps, paper ephemera, pottery from Astier de Villatte, Hugo Guinness' linoleum cut prints in vintage frames, vintage tees from Rogues Gallery and Moroccan poufs (any excuse to use the word "pouf").

Images: John Derian Company, Inc.

Shop: John Derian Company

In Target not too long ago, I bought a stack of tan notebooks whose cover art imitated old Italian school workbooks. They were part of the John Derian line for Target and they inspired me to check out what else is available at the original shop in New York city. Though I haven't yet been, I will be stopping in the next time I'm nearby to check out the quirky mushroom consoles, decoupage lamps, paper ephemera, pottery from Astier de Villatte, Hugo Guinness' linoleum cut prints in vintage frames, vintage tees from Rogues Gallery and Moroccan poufs (any excuse to use the word "pouf").

Images: John Derian Company, Inc.

Weekend Wrap Up Party -- What was YOUR favorite project of 2010???

I had such a wonderful time going through all of my projects from last year to find my favorites. And I know there are a lot of Favorite Project linkies going around this week, but instead of the usual Weekend Wrap Up Party this weekend, I thought it might be fun to have you link up Your Favorite Project from 2010.

I will go through them this weekend and do a feature post of my favorites with a special prize for my #1 favorite.

I will make the winner a custom Rolled Fabric Brooch in your choice of fabrics!!

I can't wait to see your projects!  

Thanks for being such wonderful bloggy friends and thank you for inspiring me every week with your wonderful projects by linking up to The Weekend Wrap Up Party!! 

Seeing your projects every week was my favorite part of 2010.

xoxo

My 5 Favorite New Year's Eve Party Dips {and printable}

Classic Spinach Dip

 

I can't resist this classic spinach dip. I love it served inside a Pumpernickle loaf of bread. Yum! I always make it with "light" versions of the Mayonnaise and Sour Cream. And if you want to mix things up, you can substitute marinated artichoke hearts for the water chestnuts.

Italian 7 Layer Dip 

Seven Layer Dip is always a crowd pleaser. But how about an Italian Twist? Add basil and Italian cheese and serve on Crostini for a different take on a classic. Grab the recipe at Ms. Adventures in Italy!

 Spinach & Artichoke Dip

 Have you ever tried Costco's Artichoke and Jalapeno Dip?? It is pure deliciousness. And so easy to make. Just pop a dish of it in the oven or microwave and you are ready for a party. But if you want to make something equally as good, The Pioneer Woman has made an amazing Hot Olive and Artichoke Dip that is heavenly.



Buffalo Chicken Dip

This tangy, creamy dip tastes just like buffalo chicken wings. I love those!! It's best served hot with crackers and celery sticks. Get the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip at TidyMom!

Tangy Queso

Here's a quick and recipe that is just like Chili's Queso Dip from Just Simply Cook!

And you can download these free printable place cards from The Knotty Bride and use them as recipe markers!!

Do you have a special dip recipe that you love to make?

xoxo

While searching for Earth friendly fabrics....

I have found Soybean fabric. Bamboo Fabric. Organic cotton & wools Plus Hemp fabric.  The Bamboo & Hemp are reportedly Inexpensive to grow in comparison to cotton & wool so WHY are they so expensive to buy?

That brought a little research on my end to understand a bit more of their backgrounds and now I have just another reason to be angered by greedy self interest government officials. I would LOVE to grow Hemp and make my own ropes, fabric,etc but NOOO. Instead all these foreign countries are reaping the benefits of our U.S government deciphering the 2 and claiming there is no market, so why waste tax dollars on legalizing the growing of Hemp? What I can not find is WHEN did it become illegal and why? {be sure to visit the Facts section below, to decipher the difference of the 2}.

During World War II, domestic hemp production became crucial when the Japanese cut off Asian supplies to the U.S. American farmers who grew hemp were even exempt from military duty. A 1942 U.S. Department of Agriculture film called "Hemp For Victory" extolled the agricultural might of hemp and called for hundreds of thousands of acres to be planted for the war effort.

US Department of Agriculture poster published in 1942 for the Hemp Production Board. That poster was part of the successful "Hemp for Victory" program in the all-out effort to win World War II. Throughout the war thousands of Hemp for Victory posters hung in Grange halls, post offices, and USDA Extension offices all across the Midwest.

{You can learn all about it and the history of hemp in America from "The Energy Caper" while cheering on the spunky characters as they search for love and meaning while trying to free the nation from the clutches of Big Oil.} OR this site which I found extremely interesting on their sharing of the history of Hemp's use going back into at least the 1600's

Here is a link to a movie from the Government during WWII supporting Hemp and it's uses:http://www.votehemp.com/history.html

Surely no member of the vegetable kingdom has ever been more misunderstood than hemp. For too many years, emotion-not reason-has guided our policy toward this crop. And nowhere have emotions run hotter than in the debate over the distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana.

The history of federal drug laws clearly shows that at one time the U.S. government understood and accepted the distinction between hemp and marijuana.

Vote Hemp: Take Action

FACTS:The THC levels in Industrial Hemp are so low that no one could get high from smoking it. Moreover, hemp contains a relatively high percentage of another cannabinoid, CBD, that actually blocks the marijuana high. Hemp, it turns out, is not only not marijuana; it could be called "anti-marijuana".

Industrial Hemp is grown quite differently from marijuana. Moreover, it is harvested at a different time than marijuana. Finally, cross-pollination between hemp plants and marijuana plants would significantly reduce the potency of the marijuana plant.

It is the current refusal of the DEA and ONDCP to distinguish between an agricultural crop and a drug crop that is sending the wrong message to children.

The market for Industrial Hemp products is growing rapidly. But even if it were not, when has a crop ever been outlawed simply because government agencies thought it would be unprofitable to grow?

How nice would it be if only our Government would recognize how much of Hemp products are IMPORTED to our country due to the great demand of it's Earth {& potentially wallet} friendly uses.

Instead we continue to import from other countries due to the greed/neglect/misunderstanding of our Government. HEMP IS NOT A DRUG and IS NOT the same use as MARIJUANA!

Anger moment over...for now.

Interesting read about how almost everything is getting people arrested {including a 13 yr old boy for passing gas in class}

Sweeter Dreams,

~Tammie

Guest Tutorial -- Make Sparkling Cider Cupcakes {with free New Year's Eve printable}

Hey everyone!  We are so excited to be here today to share this project with you!  

We are friends, Julie and Tara from Crae's Creations and Co.  

On our blog you will find a variety of projects - 

sewing, holiday crafts, home decor, baking ideas, remodels, re purpose and more.  

We have a love for making cute things, especially CUPCAKES!  

And today we are going to share one of our cupcake creations with you!

Now,  each one of you can make a cupcake... but have you made a gourmet cupcake?  You know the ones I'm talking about.  The cupcakes that are $2-3 each!  Well, this recipe will make your mouth water and your lips... Oh. So. Lickable!  The next best part?  You don't have to spend insane amounts of money to eat this delicious cupcake!

Sparkling Cider Cupcake



Yes, you read it right!  Sparkling Cider is the main ingredient in this yummy cupcake.  

A perfect cupcake to RING in the New Year!

The center...

Are you ready to eat this cupcake now?  GOOD! 

Ingredients:

CAKE

Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix

Bottle of Sparkling Cider

Apple Pie Filling

Cinnamon

Eggs

Oil

(Just imagine the box that says "Fudge Brownies" really says "Yellow Cake Mix." I forgot to take a picture of the box before I threw it away...oops!)

FROSTING

Confectioner's Sugar (2 lbs)

1 Stick Butter (not the fake stuff!)

Sparkling Cider

Directions:

CAKE!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake tins with liners.

2. Make the cake mix as directed BUT replace the amount of water used with the Sparkling Cider. 

3. Add 2-3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. (or more if desired). 

4. Pour cake batter into lined tins filling 3/4 full.

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

6. Allow cupcakes to cool.

7. Cut out a small cone shaped hole in the center of the cupcake using a paring knife.

8. With a small teaspoon, spoon apple pie filling into the center hole.

FROSTING!

1. Beat softened butter until smooth.

2. Slowly add powder sugar, little amounts at a time alternating with sparkling cider.

I used the entire bag of powdered sugar and maybe 1/2 cup of cider.  I didn't measure, I just added here and there until the frosting was the consistency I like. 

Frost your gourmet cupcake with a pastry bag and large tip.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar or maybe top them with these?

FREE PRINTABLE CUPCAKE TOPPERS!

Print out toppers then cut out using scissors or use a scrapbook punch.  Attach to a sucker stick and insert into each cupcake!

Your cupcakes will definitely be the talk of the party!

(Have you checked out Summertime Designs?  If you haven't you should!  She has amazing digital scrapbook kits.)

We like to use cupcakes as the main attraction.  Put them front and center and let your cupcakes be the centerpiece.

(Three Tiered Dessert Stand Tutorial Here)

Welcome Two Thousand Eleven!

Wishing you all a fabulous New Year filled with much happiness and lots of cute crafting!

 

Thanks Julie and Tara -- those cupcakes look delicious. 

Perfect for New Years Eve!!! 

Here are some of favorite projects from Crae's Creations:  

{DIY Piano Bench Project}

{Fossil - inspired Scarf from an old sweater sleeve}

 

 {DIY Reclaimed Headboard}

And you really must check out their cupcakes.

Talk about delicious!!! 

Yum! 

{Cupcakes}

Be sure to head over to Crae's Creations and say hi!!

xoxo

Looking back at 2010 {my 10 favorite projects}

 

2010 has been so fun!! 

I have met so many great friends and really feel so blessed. 

The year started off with this Burlap Wreath.

Then I went a little crazy making Valentine's projects. 

Starting off with this Cupcake Wrapper Wreath.

This Valentine Subway Art project started my subway art obsession - lol.

I made some Playing Card Coupons for our Valentine's dinner.

In the Spring I combined my love of burlap AND ruffles with a Flirty Runner.

We had such a fun time making Giant Bubbles this summer!

When the weather got better I got outside and made a DIY Bench out of an old crib for our porch.

I spent the summer working on my Beachy Laundry Room

And my Board & Batten Bathroom

I loved making frugal clothing refashions this year like this 

$4 Dollar Store Anthro knock off

I am so excited for 2011!!!

Some projects that will be starting soon are: 

Kitchen Cabinets painted

Entertainment Unit DIY makeover

Family Room Nook makeover

and maybe I'll finally finish my Master Bedroom - I hope so!! 

Thank you so much for all of your love and support this year.

I feel so lucky to know you!

xoxo

I'm linking up to Rhoda's Top 10 Projects party and 

The CSI Project's -- Project of the Year Challenge. 

Come over and see the amazing ideas!!!