Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!


Happy and safe Halloween to all, and lots of treats and no tricks. Have you carved your pumpkin yet? Below easy pumpkin seeds, and tips to have them ready to snack asap.

After cleaning your pumpkin wash and clean out as much of the pumpkin pulp and strings as you can, strain. Then put seeds in an absorbent towel and ring as much excess water as you can. Seeds wont be dry but should be a lot less wet.

I made two varieties and used the following ingredients:
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Butter
  • Seasonings, I used cinnamon and sugar for one batch, and Penzeys Shallot Salt for the second batch. You could use garlic and onion powder/salt as a stand in.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Melt butter, enough to coat seeds thoroughly, I used about 1/2 stick for seeds from two medium-large pumpkins.

With seeds in two different bowls I drenched with the butter and added seasonings.

Cinnamon Sugar: I added about 1/4 tsp cinnamon, tsp of sugar and 1/4 tsp salt, mix to coat.

Onion: 1/4 tsp Penzeys Shallot Salt and 1/4 tsp sea salt, few shakes of Worcestershire

I lined cookie sheets with foil and spread seeds in a single layer, bake at 275 45minutes to 1 hour.

Store in air tight container, if you have any left.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Yellow Door: I AM DONE!!!!

It was just about six weeks ago that I signed onto Yellow Door, and today all the hard work and planning is in my "shop". Just a few pics to share with my products and displays. Soft opening is tomorrow October 28th, with grand opening November 13th.

My wall decal from BluestreakDecals on Etsy


Purses and more purses

Wall of Wristlets, love this feature!

Produce, grocery bags, comp books, boxed sets

Table FULL of accessories

Mini Coin Purses

Piano Bench with Mirrors and Cosmetic Pouches

Carabiner coin purses, sorry a bit blurry

Metal shelf with 3/12.00 accessory set, I have another of these I will most likely add later.

In Metro Detroit, stop by and see me and over 60 Michigan artists, authors and food selections
3145 West 12 Mile Road
Berkley MI 48072
248 414 7222

Hours:
M-Tues, Weds, Fri 10-6pm
Thursday 10-8pm
Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 12-5pm

See you at The Yellow Door! ! !


Friday, October 22, 2010

Custom Order Info


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Black Bean Chili


This was originally a Weight Watcher recipe that I have adapted several times over the years. I used to call it "Pork Chop Chili" but since my 5 year old loves black beans it is now "Black Bean Chili". The original called for boneless pork chops, but I upped it to pork tenderloin, the results are a very tasty yummy crock pot chili.

My version:
  • Pork tenderloin, I use 1-1.5 pounds, cut to bite size pieces
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 15 ounce cans black beans, undrained
  • 2 yellow peppers cut
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1/2 package chili season, hot or mild to taste
Layer in crock pot in order above. When the beans, peppers, onion and seasonings are in crock pot I give it a stir to mix.

Cook in crock pot on High for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, or so.

Variations, you can replace the tomatoes with a favorite salsa, add mushrooms, or other favorite beans. The original did call for a full packet of chili seasoning, but we found this to intense.

Serve with crackers, sour cream or cheese.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Forum Challenge Harvest Crafting


I happened onto a fun etsy forum thread, the challenge was to create something new in a harvest or fall theme.

I was originally going to do a string pieced item, but while digging through some scrap fabrics decided upon a simple pieced coin purse. I added a carabiner to the side to make one of my handy accessories.


I always save trimmings and small pieces in a basket for small projects, keep them in sight so they have a better chance of getting used...someday. When the basket gets too full, I move them to color coordinated bins.

Dump the basket and dig for colors I need, this time browns, rust, yellow, red and greens.

Narrowed down to these choices, iron and cut as necessary.

Each side is made up of a chocolate swirl each accented with an orange, yellow and green block, each side has 3 different blocks. finished with a yellow carabiner.

Happy Fall!

This fall inspired gem is available here for $8.00 plus s/h. I have lots more carabiner coin purses in two sizes in my etsy shop Midnight Creations.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Etsy Shop FAQ: Is this item made?


There are lots of listings in my etsy shop Midnight Creations, I try to keep above 125 items listed at all times and sometimes as many as 200 listed items.

With this many I am often asked how long it will take to make and ship. My answer is simple, all items are made and ship within 48 hours, most times same day or next. I am able to ship pretty much everyday so you can have your goodies faster.

Since creating my items is my full time job I am able to keep my shop freshly stocked with new items every week. Come see, there is usually something new!

Where do I store all these creations? I am lucky to have a large "guest" room, or should I say closet, with its on walk in closet. The closet is pretty much entirely my purses, they are hung on hangers as shown above.

Lots and lots of coin purses

Wristlets

and...accessories

and more...accessories
Smaller items are stored in baskets, or drawers, right now you can see they are in baskets as they are being staged and prepped for fall shows.

When orders are placed I simply pull them and send them on their way!

Yellow Door Progress

My "shop" is starting to take shape at Yellow Door, we spent several hours over two days to get it ready to go. We finished painting and touch up, moved in the bigger furniture display pieces into place which included; table, headboard and piano bench. All my purse hardware has been put up along with my shop name decal, custom made for me by BluestreakDecals on Etsy.

Of course as these things go there were a few catches, the headboard did not fit by about an inch, luckily April was willing to let us remove the base boards and it fits, it almost looks like it was custom built to go there. When hanging the purse waterfalls we hit cement, which meant they could not be properly hung so we had to reposition them and then do some patching. I have three more single bag hooks to install, not wanting to run into the same issue I have opted for adhesive hooks in a faux copper look to compliment the brown trim and my decal, the hooks will be below the decal.

Left side headboard with baskets, above wristlets and carabiner coin purses

Looking into the left, purse waterfalls, this will hold 25 bags

My custom decal, there will be 2-3 hooks installed to hold single bags underneath

April and I check out the space

For more of my looks be sure to visit my online etsy shop, Midnight Creations, see you soon!
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