New! Crochet accessory hat with optional flower...available in many colors! Year round wear!

Featured today is one of my new handmade boutique custom crochet accessory hats. This hat was ordered in this specific color combination and was made to wear in a cooler climate, however, this hat could be made in any color and also with fibers suitable for summer wear.

While this winter version is stunning, it would be equally as lovely in summer colors.

Made is summer shades and paired with a beautiful summer dress or shorts set would really make a statement. The flower accessory can be added or not and can also be either stationary or removable.  It will soon be offered as a custom hat in my Etsy store. (You can find the link to my Etsy store and my contact information in the right hand column of this blog) I look forward to making one especially for you. Would look great made to match your Easter outfit! This would also make the perfect one of a kind gift.

Thanks for visiting my blog today,

Kassie

St. Patrick's Day.....Shamrock Bookmark

I hope you all had a very happy St. Patrick's Day. I wanted to share with you a handmade crocheted bookmark that I made as a gift for my youngest sister. It was fun to make and worked up very quickly. My sister, an avid reader, loved the bookmark and put it to use straight away. She plans to use it year round.
(Thanks you Kristen M. for sharing your pattern with me.)

 If you would like one too, it is not too late to get one.

I have one currently listed in my eBay shop. I will also take custom orders for this item (and others) if you contact me. You can find links to my eBay shop and my contact information in the right hand column of this blog.

May the luck of the Irish come to you!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Kassie

Let's go crazy for coconut cookies! Also, how to make your own BPA free coconut milk.

Do you go crazy for coconut?

Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.  Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many medical conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. 

With the above in mind, I have been trying to incorporate more coconut in my families diet.  Because of the way coconut milk is packaged by manufacturers, it is hard for one to find a pure coconut milk that may not have added BPA.
BPA is used in the lining of certain canned foods. BPA especially leaches into canned foods that are acidic, salty or fatty, such as coconut milk, tomatoes, soup, and vegetables. 

It is so easy to make your own coconut milk from fresh coconuts. By making your own coconut milk, you can be sure that your milk is free from additives and stabilizers. If you are interested, I have found a fabulous YouTube video on how one can very easily make homemade coconut milk. (My tip: Blanche the coconut flakes prior to blending. This seems to make the entire process easier.)


http://youtu.be/fpxPoizVT9c
Recently, for Valentines Day, my family and I participated in a kids cooking challenge to make something yummy with coconuts. We tried several recipes, but settled on this one to serve to a group of school children. The cookies were a big hit. The coconut cookies were definitely a kid pleaser recipe.

Easy Coconut Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening (half butter for flavor)

2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs 1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup hot water or buttermilk (I use fat free buttermilk)

1 cup shredded coconut

1 tsp. vanilla

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Directions:

Cream together butter and add the sugar gradually. Blend in well beaten eggs. Add the baking soda to the hot liquid and blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in coconut and vanilla, combining well. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and stir this into the coconut mixture. Beat 30 seconds with electric mixer. Chill thoroughly in order to make the dough easier to handle. Form into balls the size of walnuts. Flatten each into an oblong shape ¼ inch thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet and press lengthwise with the times of a fork. This dough also works well with a cookie press. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees. When cool, store in an airtight container.

*Cookies are ready in about 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting my blog today. :-)

Hop Into Spring with Cherrylane Boutique

For all you boutique buyers who are looking for items for your little ones for spring, just wanted to let you know that Cherrylane Boutique is having a HOP INTO SPRING boutique launch on ebay. It will last a week so click the picture and head on over to ebay to see what fabulous items the Cherrylane girls have designed. You'll be glad you did!

Here are some of the great items from ladies at Cherrylane. Ebay Search: Cherrylane

For this auction, I listed a boutique custom pair of crochet fluffy socks and a set of matching hair fluffy's or fluffy pony-o's. They can be made in many colors and all sizes. They make great gifts and great accessory items.

Click HERE to go directly to my auction.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

An Easter Bunny Purse....Ready to ship to your little chick!

Easter will be here before we know it. I am currently participating in the Easter launch with Boutique Pink and Company. I decided to make another one of these bunny boutique crochet handmade purses again this year since it was so popular last year. I may not make another one this year, so better snatch it up if you are interested. This one is crocheted and can be used as a purse or small tote. Could easily be used for an Easter basket too. It is stitched with precision and has lots of extra added touches done with hand embroidery. Bunny is accented with a flower on her head and her trusty carrot nearby. It is a great accessory item or gift and would be great for little girls and big too. Pageant girls might like this one too. You can find this one in my Ebay or Etsy listings. (You can find links to both on the right hand column of this blog.) If you are interested in this bag as a custom made to match item, contact me about a custom in colors made just for you.
Happy Easter & happy shopping!
Thanks for visiting my blog today,
Kassie

Boutique Pink & Company is having a launch: Bunnies & Bugs..Search: PinkCo

Today I have some exciting news to share...Beginning today, February 2,
Boutique Pink & Company is having a launch themed Bunnies and Bugs. The members of Boutique Pink make some absolutely exquisite items, as I am sure those of you who
are familiar with the quality of their designs know. You may search for their listings on
both Ebay and Etsy beginning today. Keep checking back for new items to be listed.
I am sure you won't be disappointed! Their work is fabulous! Remember to use the search term: PinkCo

Thanks for visiting my blog today,

Custom Crochet Baby ensemble / Coming home set for baby Myelea Rose

Soon to arrive baby Myelea Rose Thornton is set to make her debut on May 1st, 2012. Her family is thrilled to be welcoming a baby girl into the family as Myelea will be the first girl to join her eleven male cousins. The Thornton's ordered a boutique style handmade custom crochet 6 piece coming home baby set from me months ago. They also ordered digital announcements, shower and scrapbooking items from Pixie Paint Studio. ( I sell photo and digital items from my sister site, Pixie Paint Studio.

Click HERE to be taken to my Pixie Paint Studio blog.)

Myelea's nursery is done in a rose pink and mint green theme and is decorated with rubber ducks. (Daddy's Favorite) The baby shower was done in a matching theme. The Thorton's saw a past nursery set I had done and ordered one like it  (made to match) but added orders for a few additional items. Baby Myelea will be going home in style in her one of a kind set.

If you are interested in ordering custom made baby items or other custom crochet items, please contact me to discuss a custom order. I look forward to hearing from you to talk about what I can create just for you.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Crafts for Kids: How to make "Crayon Painted Rocks"

If you have children in the house, like I do, you are more than likely always looking for new and fun arts and crafts to keep those little darlings busy. Hardly a day goes by without some type of crafting going on at our house. Recently, I found directions online for a craft that turned out to be a lot of fun and was a great way to use up those little pieces of broken crayons. We didn't have to run out to buy anything, so I consider that an added plus.

We call this one "Crayon Painted Rocks"

The kids gave this craft 5 stars. They loved it and created some pretty rocks.

 

 

For this craft, you will need:

 crayons.

Those little broken pieces work well!

Glittery crayons look especially pretty.

 

Next, you will need:

 some rocks.

The kids just gathered some from outside for this craft.

Smooth rocks or rocks with a flat surface work best!

 

Aluminum foil and a baking or cookie sheet.

A couple pot holders and a warm oven.

 

Directions:

1. Wash the rocks, if needed.

2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and heat the rocks up in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

3. While the rocks are heating, have the kids tear the paper off the little pieces of broken crayons that they plan to color/paint on the rocks with.

4. Remove the rocks from the oven...(use potholders) and place them on a protected work surface.

(We used a cool tray with aluminum foil on it)

5. "Paint" the warm rocks with crayons. The crayons melt when touching the rocks and the resulting color is very vivid.

Kids love drawing pictures and shapes.

Don't be surprised if you are asked to repeat this craft at another time.

 

The kids set the rocks proudly on a shelf for display and gave some for gifts. They make lovely paper weights and make great "teacher gifts" too.

 

The picture shared above was featured on http://blairpeter.typepad.com/ . This is also where we found directions for this fun craft. This is a great blog. We love visiting it and have found some great ideas there. 

* I offer many custom made and/or made to match accessory items available by custom order. They make great gifts and they look great! I specialize in crocheted and hand painted items, but don't stop there. I do other crafts as well...and if you are looking for something I cannot provide, I have many friends who specialize in handmade boutique quality items. Just ask! You won't be disappointed.

*I invite you to stop by my Etsy or Ebay store to peruse my listings. You just may find something you like. You can click into my store from the right hand side of this blog page or you may click this link

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.