Sweet Tooth! A Collection

Sweet Tooth!

Curated By: PooLouDesigns

ArtFire.com

I am addicted to anything sweet.  I wanted you to see what amazing products some of our fellow artisans make.  Some of them are edible and some just look good enough to eat!  Enjoy!  Handmade Gifts

Simple Pumpkin Muffins

I was in the mood for something with pumpkin in it today, so I searched for a pumpkin recipe.  I adapted this recipe from here http://pickycook.com/breakfastandbrunch/pumpkinmuffins.aspx.  These are so yummy and my kids loved them!

Here is my recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15 ounce can)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon plus some for tops

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2-3 Tablespoons granulated sugar for tops

Butter for tops

Line muffin tin with baking cups.  Using a mixer or by hand, mix together pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, oil, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Mix until smooth.  Then gradually add the flour and mix just until combined.  The mixture will be thick!  Put mixture in muffin tins, about 3/4 full.  Makes 12 large muffins.  Cook 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

While muffins are baking, put 2-3 Tbsp. granulated sugar on a small plate and sprinkle with cinnamon.  When the muffins are done and still hot (be careful!), rub the tops of the muffins in butter and sprinkle with the sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Put on a wire rack to cool.  Enjoy!

They look like mini mountains!

See the dark brown spot at the botton right?  It is brown sugar that didn't get mixed it, but it sure is yummy!

Let me know if you use this recipe and if you make any changes.  I love trying/perfecting new baking recipes!

Feedback

Hi!  I am hoping you can help me out a bit here.  I want 2011 to be the best for PooLou Designs!  I mean, who doesn't want that for their business?  What I need from you is feedback.  What can I do to improve my business?  What can I change?  I have been brainstorming, but sometimes a person on the outside can see everything clearer.  Even if you have no direct experience with my business, I welcome you to help me out. Please leave a comment here or you can email me at klkestner@yahoo.com.  I hope to hear from you!

Kristen

Honey Face Cream

I have been making my own face cream for 3 years now.  I also make it for my mom, mother-in-law and a few others.  Everyone who has tried it, loves it.  Well, I am finally going to try and sell it!  I ordered some labels, which I am in love with.  I hope everyone likes it as much as we do!

I wanted to incorporate some honey in the pictures.

What do you think about the labels?

This is a big step for me!  I never planned on selling it, but it is worth a try.  If they don't sell, I will have great gifts!

There are 3 main ingredients in the face cream that make it so amazing!

Honey ~ Honey has the ability to attract and maintain moisture. The skin's ability to stay moist is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity.

Shea Butter ~ Shea Butter is known for its softening and restructuring virtues. It also aids in the prevention of stretch marks and delays aging. It is a natural sunscreen.

Vitamin E ~ Vitamin E is an antioxidant that prevents radical damage to skin tissue. It also conditions and moisturizes the skin.

I am having a Holiday Sale in my studio now.  You can find the face cream listing here http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2417483.

Enjoy!

Friday Feature ~ Diane's Dangles

Meet Diane of Diane's Dangles!  Diane began her crafting journey through making beaded earrings.  She realized it was a great stress reliever from her day job.  Diane creates jewelry that really "pops" and has lots of color.  I love her studio!  It is so bright and welcoming.  It is very hard to choose just a few favorites!  Visit her studio and you will see for yourself!  From her gallery of personal pictures on Artfire, I can see Diane travels quite a bit.  She probably draws a lot of inspiration from these adventures.  I know I would!

Square Hematite Gemstone Fine Silver Dangle Earrings ~ I have never seen a pair of earrings quite so unique.  Add these to my Christmas wishlist!

Brown Tiger Eye Large Gemstone Sterling Pendant ~ This necklace is AMAZING!  It is so rich in color and the sterling silver really brings it out.

Square Seraphinite Gemstone Sterling Silver Ring ~ I love how this ring looks like it has the ocean in it.  I get a calm feeling while looking at it.

Bold Sterling Silver Hammered Cuff Bracelet ~ Can you believe this is handmade?  It is beautiful!  I wish I could make things like this!

I hope you will visit Diane's studio at http://dianesdangles.artfire.com/.  I have enjoyed looking through her shop and finding some amazing jewelry!

Product Images: Copyright dianesdangles 2010, All Rights Reserved

Girl Burp Cloths

Ok, I know this is not my usual thing...I had a double baby shower to go to last night.  Both women are having girls!  I got the idea from a friend to make burp cloths for them.  It had never crossed my mind to make them something.  I was going to go to the store and get something everyone else had.  I can't believe I was going to do that!  I am creative.  I can make gifts instead of buying.  Handmade is so much better!  More personal.  Here is what I made for them.

I was going to give the burp cloths to them matching, but variety is good!  They have 2 different patterns.

The pattern fabric is cotton and the pink fabric is flannel.  Absorbent and it stays put!

Showing off the back with my labels :)

The whole front and back...

Up close...My sewing is pretty good, isn't it?

Folded and ready to go into the baby gift bag.

Unfortunately, one of the ladies was sick.  She will get her gift next month.  The other lady loved her burp cloths!  She said they were too pretty to use...awwwwww :)  Everyone said they were her "going out" burp cloths.  I guess they were a hit!  Now I want to make some boy ones ;)

Friday Feature ~ Charmed Design 1012

Meet Lori, a former lawyer turned crafter!  She wasn't happy being a lawyer, but now loves making jewelry!  She makes these very unique wrap charm bracelets (and most of them double as a necklace)!  So chic and stylish!

Silk Ribbon Wrap Bracelet with Labradorite Briolettes ~ I love the richness of the blue ribbon and the contrast of the brioletes.  This can also be worn as a necklace!  Two pieces of jewelry for the price of one!

Silk Ribbon Wrap Bracelet with Heart Charms ~ This would be the perfect bracelet to wear for Thanksgiving!  Perfect fall colors.  The gold heart charms really brings it all together.

Evil Eye Red Braided Wrap Bracelet ~ Fun and colorful!  I love the braided red cord.  This bracelet will really pop and be the talk of the party!

Peace Sign Charms Burgundy Wrap Bracelet ~ The bracelet looks like several bangle bracelets.  I just LOVE the knotted design of this!

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Lori!  You can visit her shop here http://charmeddesign1012.etsy.com/

Product Images: Copyright charmeddesign1012 2010, All Rights Reserved