Taking the Plunge

It's been a long long time since I did a craft fair/event.  My past experiences have been ok nothing to write home about.  This year I decided to give them a try again well 2 be exact.  I will be selling/showing at the following events this fall

September 28, 2013

Made in Monmouth County  this event is designed to showcase businesses and products made in Monmouth County NJ.  It's being held at the Mac Center at Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ.  


December 7 & 8, 2013 

JLMC's Home for the Holidays this event is in it's 6th year.  It's held at the Rumson Country Day School

If you live in NJ in or near Monmouth County come visit me!  I plan on having lots of ready to ship items, holiday items ect.  I will also have a look book for my wedding cake toppers along with some examples so if your a bride getting married next year here's your chance to see them in person to get an idea of the craftsman ship, size and ask questions!

Now to figure out a cute and inviting display but most importantly build inventory!

Monday Matinee

The original Father of the Bride.  Steve Martins version is good but you have to the see the original with Spencer Tracy!

Staring.......

Spencer Tracy........ Stanley T. Banks

Joan Bennett...........Ellie Banks

Elizabeth Taylor.....Katherine "Kay" Banks

Don Taylor.............Buckley Dunstan

Plot:

Proud father Stanley Banks remembers the day his daughter, Kay, got married. Starting when she announces her engagement through to the wedding itself, we learn of all the surprises and disasters along the way - Courtesy IMDB

Images courtesy google search

Happy Monday.....

Matinee Monday (Sunset Blvd)

One of my favorite movies Sunset Boulevard and this Monday Matinee Movie.  netflix used to have it streaming but now it's not available.  You may still be able to get it by mail or try redbox

On to the movie

Sunset Boulevard

Staring:

William Holden ........ Joe Gillis
Gloria Swanson.........Norma Desmond
Nancy Olson..............Betty Schaefer
Erich Von Stroheim...Max Von Mayerling

The Plot:

The story, set in '50s Hollywood, focuses on Norma Desmond, a silent-screen goddess whose pathetic belief in her own indestructibility has turned her into a demented recluse. The crumbling Sunset Boulevard mansion where she lives with only her butler, Max who was once her director and husband has become her self-contained world. Norma dreams of a comeback to pictures and she begins a relationship with Joe Gillis, a small-time writer who becomes her lover, that will soon end with murder and total madness.

Enjoy!  Happy Monday

C is for Chocolate Chip Cookies (Foodie Fridays!)

With the cool weather we had this week it got me in the mood to do some baking.  I decided to make some Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies from this recipe.  They are the best low fat cookie i've made.  You can't even tell the difference.

Hershey Dark Chocolate chips

Parchment Paper...highly recommend no need for any

cooking spray and the cookies slide right off.  I use

this also when making homemade pizza

Melon baller another must have.  Easier than a spoon

and you get the perfect size cookie with no mess

Skinny Low-fat Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line two cookie sheets with non-stick silicone baking liners such as Silpats (I highly recommend for best results), parchment paper or lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. 

Makes 2 dozen cookies. Per cookie: 61 calories, 1.5 g total fat, less than 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 11 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 9 g added sugar, 2 g protein, 37 mg sodium, less than 1 g cholesterol.

 I haven't made these in a while.  I like a chewy cookie.  Today mine came out a little crispier than I like but still good.  I recommend baking 8 minutes for a chewy cookie and 10 min for a crisp cookie.


Happy Friday!

Show and Tell

I really love when I get a request for something other than the traditional Bride and Groom.  I was recently contacted by a lovely bride and groom to create 2 of their favorite characters from the tv show Adventure Time.   Princess Flame and Finn.   This one was so exciting to do because I got to try my hand a combining clay with my wood kokeshi dolls.

Princess Flame has some crazy hair that sticks up.  I used paper clay to sculpt and recreate her "do"

Finn looks to wear a hat with little ears

I'm happy to report the client was thrilled.  I think they might make an appearance in the shop. I get a lot of character request I'm toying with going in that direction.  Offering more Tv, Cartoon characters

We'll see!

Happy Thursday

Matinee Monday

I really love classic cinema.  Anything from the late 30's to early 60's, mostly black and white.  I think it started when I was about 11 watching re-runs of I Love Lucy (my all time favorite tv show) and Sunday mornings watching Abbot and Costello movies on channel 11 here in NJ/NY.

I thought it would be fun to start a weekly feature called Matinee Monday's on the blog.   Each week I'll choose a movie to feature.  All types of genres probably not horror though.  Not a big fan.  Even though I know their fake but they give me nightmares.

This weeks movie is Charade....

Staring:

Cary Grant...............Peter Joshua
Audrey Hepburn......Regina Lampert
Walter Matthau.........Hamilton Bartholemew
James Coburn...........Tex Panthollow
George Kennedy......Herman Scobie

(images courtesy of google search)

Plot Summary

(courtesy IMDB)

Regina Lambert returns to Paris from a ski holiday in Switzerland to find that her husband has been murdered. She is later told by CIA agent Hamilton Bartholemew that Charles Lambert was one of five men who stole $250,000 in gold from the U.S. government during World War II, and the government wants it back. The money was not found among his possessions, and Regina can shed no light on its whereabouts. Later that day she is visited by Peter Joshua, whom she had met briefly while on holiday. When her husband's former partners in crime, who were double-crossed by Charles, start calling her looking for the money, Peter offers to help find it. Thus begins an elaborate charade in which nothing is what it seems to be. Written by filmfactsman

Curl up this week/weekend and give it a try.  Netflix has it on demand.   If you like suspense I think you'll enjoy it

Tiny House

My obsession......

I love my life and home but I often dream of shedding all the possessions that tie us down and living a simple tiny life just my daughter, husband and dog.  Just living with the basics.  

What is your current obsession?

Enjoy your weekend!

Raising a Daughter.

This morning while my daughter napped I often think what kind of girl, teen, woman she will become.  Will I raise her right? Will she listen to my advise?


I've had a pinterest account for a while.  When I first signed up I was a pinning fool.  The newness passed and I took a break.  I'm back to being addicted.  I found this great pin from another pinner... 100 things I want to teach my daughter.  I actually cried reading it.  It sums up everything I want her to know/do/become.  If you have a daughter take the time to read this you'll be glad you did

Happy Thursday!

XO

Mini Dessert Stand!

 

I'm giddy over these new mini dessert stands (I'm a geek I know) silly how something so simple can make someone so happy.  I think their perfect to display any tiny dessert or topper.  I used to have some faux cupcakes and I wanted to do a photo with one of them on the stand but of course I can't find them.  I think in my office cleaning purge I accidentally threw them out.  Aahhh!  I'll have to order a new one or two soon

Let me tell you about these stands.  They measure 3" in diameter and about 2-2 1/2"H.  They could perch on top of a cake or display them in your kitchen with a faux dessert cupcake, mini cookies or candy or a real the real thing for that matter.   I'll be making lots of different colors and patterns.  Those will be ready to ship in my shop , well that's the plan anyway.  

I'm getting closer to starting my holiday inventory.  That's always exciting but stressful at the same time.  Especially when your trying to complete orders in between.  

What do you think of our little dessert stands.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

XO,

K

Holiday Ordering Deadlines

I've been thinking of the Holidays lately(I know it's too early) but when you run your own small business it's never too early.  I come up with my ordering deadline for U.S. and International orders.  These dates are the very last date to order items and have them guaranteed for Holiday delivery.

Thanksgiving...... 
U.S.A.......Nov 1, 2013

Christmas..... 
U.S.A....Dec 1, 2013
International........Nov 25, 2013 

I'm hoping to start some stock inventory for the up coming season.  Popular items that will be ready to ship 24-48 hrs after purchase.  Customs should be ordered early to assure holiday delivery.  I plan on taking the month of December off to enjoy with family.  The shop will remain open but only with in stock ready to ship items.  Wedding/Bridal toppers will be available but will not be worked on until the 1st of the year so if your getting married in January order before Dec 1, 2013

Be sure to follow me here, Twitter (knottingwood) and Instagram (knottingwood) I debut most of my new designs there first before putting them in the shop.  You'll also be privy to secret sales if you follow!

Happy Sunday

K

Chicken Zucchini and Potatoes

We eat a lot of chicken in our house.  Sometimes it can get boring making the same things and hard to find something new. I mean how many different ways can you make it?  I also like to try and make things in either my crock pot or the oven, you know all in one dishes.  It's so much easier when you have a little one.  A little one who's determined to walk.  Crawling and pulling herself up on everything but that's a story for another day.

I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com  it's my go to site.  I always find a great recipe.  Haven't had a flop yet.  It didn't call for chicken and really is a side dish, but I plumped it up with chicken to make it a main dish.  You really could make it with a bunch of different veggies for a vegetarian main dish.

 

Chicken, zucchini, potatoe bake........

NGREDIENTS:

2 medium zucchini, quartered and cut into large pieces 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 clove garlic, sliced 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs 1/4 cup olive oil paprika to taste salt to taste ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.	In a medium baking pan, toss together the zucchini, potatoes, red bell pepper, garlic, bread crumbs, and olive oil. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
3.	Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and lightly brown.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour

Ready In: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Servings: 6

I omitted the paprika also added....

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into chunks

3 Italian long green peppers instead of red peppers because I didn't have any

1 cup of parmesan cheese

Other suggestions which I may try next time is 

1 packet of dry onion soup mix

variety of seasonal veggies 

sweet potatoe mixed with the white potatoes.

My husband and I really enjoyed it.  Nice flavor not too bland and not over powering.  Great fall/winter dish.  The zucchini almost takes on a cheesy texture.  Really yummy.  This one will be in the recipe rotation.

How do you keep dinner exciting?

Have a great weekend, 

K