Dance Bag

We recently signed our daughter up for ballet class, so I wasted no time in making a dance bag for her. Of course it had to be purple and this angel print had a ballet look to it so this was our choice.

I used a pattern from a book I have had for about 8 years from Cindy Taylor Oates, called Easy to Make Totes with Zippers. It is a type of duffel bag and will be perfect for class.

The great thing about using patterns from time to time is you can relearn a technique or apply a different technique based on your skills. I made a few modifications to the pattern and my 5 year old and myself are very happy with the results.

Christmas Bulb Garland Packaging

I recently snagged about 10 packages of strung mini Christmas bulb garland, the kind you might put on a mini tree.

I have just about 90 yards of bulbs, oh the possibilities!

I found them at an estate sale and got the lot for $1.00 I sort of figured I might use them for packaging gifts but added them to my Christmas gift bags to keep them contained in their displays for local shows.

Cute, right?

I love using different items to pack up my items, they make an eye catching display and I think give a fun look to my products!

Grilled Vegetable Pizza - Yes it is Grilled

This has been on my list to try for years and FINALLY tried grilling pizza. Inspired by the market down the street that had BOGO pizza dough special we fired up the grill for grilled veggie pizza.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough - I used one pound prepared
  
• Olive oil
• Vegetables - asparagus, red peppers, onions - or whatever you like
  
• Ricotta Cheese
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese - optional
• Seasonings to taste, salt, basil, Italian, garlic, etc.
  

Prepare grill to medium / hot

Cut vegetables and grill with olive oil 5-7 minutes until cooked tender. Remove from grill.

Divide pizza dough in half and stretch / roll into 2 oval shapes, oil both sides. Grill for 3-5 minutes until browned, remove from grill place grilled side UP to finish prep.

Ready to go back on the grill

Spread Ricotta cheese on grilled side of dough, then arrange vegetables, I then sprinkled sea salt and basil then layered cut up pieces of the Mozzarella.

ENJOY!

Picture Frame Displays

When I do local shows and events I often have blanket pricing of my items. After a few trial and error attempts and pricing I have settled on these little picture frames. There are small and perfect for pricing and for packing away in a small space.

I managed to collect quite a few that were in purse shape, and a few that are simple rectangles. They were about $3.00 each and you can find them most places you can get regular picture frames.

Nice thing is I have made up cards for my products and can replace them as my product mix changes, save the cards in a coupon organizer so I am not always reprinting.

Garlic Croutons

In the fun with baguette theme, I thought I would share my super simple recipe to make your own garlic croutons.

Ingredients:

• Bread or baguette, I used Salted Ciabatta loaf, artisan or crusty loaves work best
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, if other cooking you are doing calls for a higher or lower temp, that is fine too.

Cube bread 1/2 - 3/4 inch cubes using a sharp serrated knife.

In skillet use about 1 TBLS per slice of bread you have cut up, melt in pan with garlic, I used about 1 TBLS for 4 slices of bread.

When butter is melted add bread cubes and mix to coat thoroughly, then let the bread and garlic brown up a bit.

Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt or other spices put in preheated oven for 20 minutes, if you are able turn once during baking. Croutons should be crisp.

Additional add ins:

• Cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, sprinkle when going into the oven
• Basil, Parsley - if you are using in cooking or in salad dressing as a nice compliment add to your croutons
• Rosemary - again depending on the salad or dish, makes a nice compliment to pork

Great for snacking or as a side dish, my 5 year old LOVES these, in fact of this meal of chicken nuggets and grapes they were the first to go!

Brown Paper Bag Labels

Getting ready for some off line events means I need to price some items. I love crafting with brown paper bags and wanted to use them some how in my pricing. I figured my re-usable shopping bags and produce bags were the perfect place to add some brown bag labels.

I cut up a shopping bag, by removing the handles, and the bottom. Next each bag has a seam, cutting at that point either on a side or the middle back. So I had one large piece of brown paper.

I then ironed just to remove some of the biggest creases, or flatten a little more, you can't really remove creases but you can manage them more.

Next, simply cut into 8.5 x 11 inch sheets, I was able to get 4 from a single bag. I was able (with the consent of my husband) put these through our laser printer.

I just used Word to create my labels, print, cut and use a staple to attach to my items.

Be sure to recycle what you don't use or save for another crafting project!