Giveaway Today Only

Hey everyone - Lets see what social networking can do - My friend is entered in a contest to win a dream wedding - she needs about 700 more votes to make the top 100 - It only takes a second to vote and spread some love: Here is the linkwww.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/160760 -
If you vote leave a comment here (www.facebook.com/pages/Itchin-Stitchin/108366859227175) and you will be entered to win a crochet handkerchief garland from my shop - Spread the word and I will give you TWO more votes. If someone says they voted because you made them I will give another TWO votes. Contest Giveaway ends tonight - go VOTE

Stamped Spoons

I tried out my hand at spoon stamping the other day. Afraid I was making too much noise for hubby trying to sleep before he had to go to work I only stamped one. It's not perfect but neither am I.

This weekend we are having a giant tag sale mostly to clean up the barn and get it ready for the shop. Perfect time to do more stamping while waiting for treasure seekers. If your in the Connecticut area and want to come email me and I will give you directions and I'll even make you a stamped spoon.

When things are tough

Just remember to:

Dairy Free Cake Recipe

Recently a friend asked me to make a cake for his girlfriend. I really like making baked goods and felt honored he would think of me first to make it. There was only 2 things that were a must for this cake ~ 1. It had to be dairy free as his girlfriend is allergic and 2. She loves Hello Kitty so of course that needed to be the theme of the cake.
After many trials with a couple of cupcake tests, many faces of horror, and children telling me they were too hungry to eat a cupcake I finally got the recipe right. So I thought I would share it with everyone - just in case you ever have to make a dairy free cake.

Yellow Yummy Soy Cake

2 2/3 cups of all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup room temperature soy butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large eggs

1 cup soy milk

Preheat oven to 325 degree F. Lightly grease your cake pan with spray vegetable oil or Crisco. *Completely optional but you can also put parchment paper at the bottom on the pan and grease the paper - this allows you to lift the cake out of the pan easily.* In a medium size bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt - set aside for later. In a large mixing bowl mix soy butter and sugar until creamed. Add vanilla and mix then add 1 egg mix well. Keep adding one egg at a time and then mixing until all eggs are gone and batter is smooth. Next step is add 1/3 flour mixture and 1/3 cup of soy to batter. Mix and continue adding 1/3 cup of soy milk, 1/3 flour mix until all ingredients are mixed. Add to pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until you insert a toothpick into center and toothpick comes out clean.

Yummy Soy Frosting:

1 cup soy butter

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extra or any other flavor you choose

2 teaspoons soy milk

Cream soy butter and add 1 cup of sugar mix well. Then add extra and another cup of sugar mix well. Add soy milk another cup of sugar mix and then finally add last cup of sugar and mix till completely rich and fluffy. Store remaining frosting in a covered container in the fridge.

These recipes are also great for us I want my cake and want to eat it too dieters out there. Enjoy!!

Happy Easter

When I was little I thought I saw the Easter bunny. He is purple, very tall, and fluffy. With one eye open I watched as he hopped across the dining room getting ready to place my basket in a secret location.

I did not want him to see that I was watching. Slowly I drew the covers over my head to keep myself from snickering.  Feeling his big fluffy fur right by my hand I felt him put my basket under my bed.

When I woke with sleepies in my eyes I looked under my bed for a big surprise. My basket was waiting for me with treats galore! Excited I ran into the other room to tell my mom all about my findings. Most importantly that the Easter Bunny is purple.

Hope everyone has a wonderful safe holiday!! Happy Easter.

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

I have been working on bunches and bunches of ideas. Filling the shop with lovely spring items including my handkerchief doily garlands that would look vintage chic at a wedding or even a spring tea party.

Being new to crochet (less than a year) I don't crochet very fast. Hubby says I have the granny thing down and all I need is a rocking chair and a porch. Fine with me if it comes with tea and quiet. So I have been slowly working on the Mina dress still. The funny thing is that after it is done it will not fit Aries. More likely to fit Odyn and he really doesn't need a dress. Maybe one of my lucky girlfriends who have daughters younger than Aries will get a sweet gift.

So What have you been working on? Anything new?

My Bad Habit

There is one thing that I do that drives my husband bonkers. It's my bad habit. Out of all bad habits I think it's pretty minor but it is so hard to break. As of lately I have been trying to catch myself and even I find myself saying "really?!". If your wondering what this habit is .... it's leaving the cupboards open. I have no idea why but when I cook, grab a cup for the kids, or need a plate I leave the cabinet door open.

Dear hubby often comes home from work to think our pantry was raided by a ghost. To tell you the truth I never even realized I did this. Often I see this look now on his face, he clears his throat, and sometimes nods his head in the direction of the open cabinet. I'm making an effort to remember to close those cupboards but sometimes I still forget. Do you have a habit that's hard to break?

Spring Has Finally Sprung!!

The rainy cold weather has finally gone away here. Sun shining, fresh air blowing, and the winter coats have been  put away for a time we don't want to think about for awhile.

Plans for picnics, BBQ's, backyard games, gardens, beach trips, and nice woodland walks have all entered my mind. Can't wait to sit outside on the bench crocheting while the kids play in the sandbox.

Buster has already been enjoying the new weather. We often do talk in his voice for him since all he can say is "woof". When the weather gets nice what do you like to do outside?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend full of sunshine!!!

Goodbye Miss Grumpy Pants

These last couple of days I have been miss grumpy pants. This is one reason why I haven't posted anything and stayed away from the computer. Blame it on the weather, lack of sleep, or two children that are sick - whatever it was it finally went away. I hate being cranky, it's just no fun.

Dear hubby told me to start being more selfish. He often has a different take on things then I do - which is good. "Your doing too much for others, do stuff for yourself" is the little lecture I got the other day. So I took his advice and ordered the new pattern from Alicia Paulson, the Mina Dress. It's the first time I have done any type of crochet clothing.

The second thing I did for myself was start my art journal. I have been dabbling in a couple different things lately, mostly so that when the barn shop opens I have even more to offer people. At my last treasure hunt I found old books and when I spied this amazing yellow cover with purple font, in an instant I realized it would be my new art journal.

Working on these things that are just for me - not for the shop or a gift but just for my soul has really made the crabby lady with the crazy eyes disappear. I guess the lesson here was that sometimes hubby is right ... but let's just keep that between us!

Aislynn Blanket

I have decided to name the secret crochet project after the little one it was made for, Aislynn. My cousin Rene's baby shower was yesterday where I was able to give her this wonderful spring colored blanket I have been working on.

For the blanket I used the traditional granny square method, which I learned through this wonderful pattern. There are 56 squares all together that are 4 rows each, white always being the last row. I wanted this blanket to be really soft and cuddly for baby Aislynn so I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Pistachio, Grape, Sunshine, Orchid, and White.

For the edge of the blanket I framed it with 3 rows of white using the same pattern for the granny squares. Then a row of orchid yarn and finally the edging in grape. I used the same edge as I did with the good vibrations blanket. The wonderful Lucy from Attic24 came up with the perfect edging for granny square blankets - I just like to leave the last step, the scallops, off of my edging.

After making the blanket I put it in the wash and blocked it out to dry. I can't believe how wonderfully soft the yarn turned out to be. Aislynn won't arrive until the end of May but I can only imagine there will be lots of stroller rides, bedtime stories, and snuggles with this blanket.

Secret Project ... Done

Yes I am done with my secret project and overjoyed. It's not that I don't like the way it came out, actually the complete opposite, but the fact that I had to completely focus all on this project to make sure it was done on time - that was difficult. I am an all over crafter - always a million things going on at the same time. Usually they all get completed. 

While I was finishing up this secret item I kept dreaming about starting an art journal, making a sketchbook, and looking at others de-constructed books. So when I had a free moment (actually I took it) I went to a barn sale that was just down the road. Everything $3 of less except furniture was what the ad had promised.

The ad kept it's promise and I picked up some really old books, sheet music, milk glass hobnail pitcher, handmade owl crewel work in a frame, a beat up rooster salt and paper shaker, funky fabric napkins, and nice embroidered linens. Looking at other peoples finds I noticed that my pile did have a distinct style going on. Which made me wonder, if other people looked at my pile would they think it all went together? 

I almost forgot about the smelly, open and shut eyed, dressed in pink doll Aries got. It's definitely an outside toy not only because it has a smell like it's been sitting in a puddle for awhile but also because the oldest hates dolls. The way Damien acts when he sees a doll reminds me of Baron Bomburst from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang "Dolls! Dolls! I have hundreds of dolls!" - except Damien doesn't his sister does. So with all treasures in tow, do you know what I am most excited about? The books and sheet music!! Why? Because I have plans of turning them into something grand. 

So this weekend someone will receive the secret item I made, sheet music will be transformed, and the weather will behave enough for me to do some gardening. Monday I will share the secret project with you all and the how to's. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

The response from the Etsy article has been overwhelming this week and I just want to thank everyone for their lovely comments both here and on Etsy. The smile on my face hasn't gone away, so thank you thank you thank you!
There has been so much I have wanted to work on but for unknown reasons it's been a struggle. I have to finish up a lovely present I have been working on before this weekend (Plus I really can't wait to show all of you) and while I am doing it I just find myself in the zone. Not the good creative zone but the I want to cuddle up in a big fluffy blanket with a large bowl of buttery popcorn and watch a mind numbing movie zone.
Guess it doesn't help that this week I have jury duty smacked right in the middle of it. Yup - UGH!!! Tomorrow I have jury duty. But here are some things that I have been working on - or at least thinking about working on ~ that should count too:
* Finishing gift
* Starting an art journal
* Spoon Stamping
* Adding things to the shop
* Decoupage wreath
So What fun and exciting things have you been working on? I need the inspiration.

Honored to be Featured

I have been keeping a secret and one that I could barely contain! The lovely Christine over at Etsy asked me in the beginning of the week if she could feature my home on the Etsy blogs. Of course I said YES!!! Today the article came out and I can finally share the news (thank goodness). You can visit the feature here.

Also Katy from Winsome Hollow featured one of my vintage finds in her Saturday shopping post ~ you can see that here. But enough about me - I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

Artwork Kinda of Day

Watching many decorating shows all my life one thing stuck with me. The fabulous Ms. Genevieve Gorder said on many shows that kids make the most beautiful artwork. That you should show your kids artwork and that it should have a space.

We have such a space in our house - that is at the moment overflowing. Aries brought home the cutest art from school yesterday. She is in love with Buster, just as the other kids are, and I'm sure she insisted that she make him in art.

Her "Buster" inspired me. So I picked up a pencil last night and started to do a doodle. I even forgot that I was cooking strawberry muffins. They did survive but were a tad bit crispier than a muffin should be. So for all the people waiting on garden season - my doodle is for you.