Christmas Break

Our Christmas cactus is blooming, a reminder to me that it is time for a break.

It's been a good year full of home renovations, great vacations, and new growth in our business. I tackled the most challenging upholstery projects I ever attempted and did the worst craft show ever. This time of year is so nice to relax, eat some chocolate and reflect on the things we did all year long while being surrounded by family and good friends.

I hope all of you out there have a great holiday break and get the rest and rejuvenation you need.

Thanks to all of my customers, friends, family and business ladies that help make the year manageable! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Cooking

I am trying to squeeze in some baking this season. It is important to me to at least make some cranberry bread and a few cookies. I can't go too overboard since we are still working on furniture around here....

I had to get a picture of these loaves, they we so warm and cozy in there. This is the same holiday bread that my mom makes every year -minus the nuts thank you! For as long as I can remember, I have watched this stuff rise and brown in the oven. Yummy.

Now, back to this chair that is staring at me in the studio. And one more (maybe not the last) trip to the post office for my rush orders.

Chocolate Crackle-Tops

I was given a cookie cookbook one year as a Christmas present from a good friend who loved baking. I have used this book over and over to make the best cookies ever, hands down. The recipe in this book for roll out/cut out sugar cookies is better than my mom's. The lemon shortbread recipe is to die for. I have tired fancy cookies that looked too hard for me to even attempt, and those came out beautifully! So when I saw this recipe, it was one I had to try.

These chocolate cookies are one of my favorites for the holidays. They are pretty, fun to make with my daughter, and delish to boot. The better quality chocolate you use, the better the taste. The trick to this recipe is to keep the cooking temperature low at 325 as to not melt the powdered sugar coating.

7 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
scant 1/2 unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
scant 2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for coating

1. In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate and butter together until smooth, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from heat, Stir in the sugar, continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla.
3. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir into the chocolate mixture in batches, just until blended.
4. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least an hour, until the dough is cold enough to hold it's shape.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, Grease baking sheets. Place confectioners sugar in a small deep bowl. Using a round teaspoon or small ice cream scoop, scoop the cold dough and roll in to balls between the palms of your hands. Roll 1 1/2" balls.
6. Drop each ball into confectioners sugar and roll until heavily coated and place on baking sheets.
7. Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, until the tops feel slightly firm when touched. When slightly cooled, move the cookies to a wire rack with a spatula to cool completely.

Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

PeeWee Herman has been a marketing machine lately. He's on Twitter, Facebook, the Conan O'Brien Show, etc. He launched a great website, too, which I have been enjoying with my daughter! It may not be 100% appropriate fora 4 yr old, but it is so fun, I had to share.

The best part is, we have watched clips and even the whole episode of the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special the on his website. The brings back memories of my 1980's childhood. so strange, so cool, so weird and funny. I have to admit, I love Pee-wee Herman!

Marry Mart at the Creative Alliance This Sunday!

Sun Dec 6, 11am-5pm.
Free! Cash bar. Lunch for sale catered by Water for Chocolate.

Avoid manic mall madness! Do your holiday shopping at The Patterson. 35+ fab local vendors with the best in regional crafts, arts, and gifts! Coordinated by Allison Dickinson, founder of Paper-Rock-Scissors Gallery.

These fellow BEST member swill be vending:

DesignByNight

JillPopowichDesigns

AtelierBeads

Buttons For Babes

Tigerlillyshop

Dangling Ponies

The monster blue chairs are gone. It is time now to focus on the holiday selling season and our own family Christmas preparations. This year seems more daunting than past years with the New York show looming in the near future.

It is easy for me to loose sight of the little things every day that make for a happy family and happy life. I promise myself this year to stop and have some fun during this chaotic time. Even if it means having to work extra late some nights or spending money I don't have. My goal is balance this season, it may be harder to achieve than I expect, but I feel with the right mind set, I can do it.

I will enjoy this season, I swear it.

Closed for the Season, aka Burned Out

Image from daveelmore on flickr.
This is how I feel! LOL. So, time for some relaxation and real family time.

After filling countless wholesale orders and doing 11 shows since September, I need a break. Brett and I have worked our poor fingers to the bone. But I must say it was all worth it. Lots of connections were made ie: possible NPR online selling for Mother's Day, a few boutiques and galleries in Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and the Alt Craft section of the American Craft Council's Baltimore show is just around the corner in February! We are in pretty good shape going into the new year.

Thank you all out there for your support. I appreciate each and every customer and the network of friends who have helped me this year. The Baltimore Etsy Team totally kicked ass this year, you guys are amazing!

Happy Holidays and have a great New Year!

Chocolate Raindeer Cookies, Fun and Delicious Holiday Recipe!

My daughter made these with our wonderful caregiver yesterday! They were so cute and tastey, I thought I'd share;)

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
72 small pretzel twists
72 candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
36 small red gum drops

Directions
In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.
Divide dough into 6 equal portions. Wrap portions in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill for 3 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into a circle 6 inches in diameter. Using a knife, cut each circle into 6 wedges. Place wedges 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
For antlers, on each triangle lightly press a pretzel into the upper corners. Press in chocolate pieces for eyes. For a nose, press a red gumdrop into the dough triangle about 1/2 inch from the point.
Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are firm. Do not overbake. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Makes 36 cookies.

Little Girl's Tree

Made with swirling beaded garland and berries, lots of decorations. Punctured paper, foot prints and silly valentine hearts left over from last year. We did collaborate a little, but she told me what she wanted me to draw -some of the leaves...

Such vision! I love it! LOL.

New Christmas Tree Pins, Plushie Vinyl Cuties

These little 3 inch vinyl cuties will be up in the shop and for sale at Merry Mart and Bazaart. Had too much making these!