Sister

I love all my sisters.  Blood sisters and sister in laws alike but today I'm posting about my little sister.  She's really only 22 months younger than me but I can never resist the urge to call her my LITTLE sister ;)

Anyway, I know I've posted about her awesomeness before but seriously she has a really fantastic etsy shop as well so I'm singing her praises again!

Here are some my personal faves that are either in her shop now or have sold.

Antique Key and Lock Bracelet

 

Glacier Pearls

 Cream and Brass Lace Wrist Cuff

 Avocado Dreams

So there you go, you can see first hand some of the crazy jewelery making talent my little sis has!  She's also pretty good at those product photos too hey?

Hair Clips

 

Since I opened my new shop I've been slowly adding all the hair clips I've been making the past few months.  I really do love making them, there are so many ways you can go with them creatively.  The other thing I love about the kind of hair clips I've been making is that they use up the really small pieces of fabric I wouldn't otherwise have use for.  Now when I'm working on a project I save all the pieces big enough to make smaller projects like Tea Wallets in one spot and the pieces too small for even Tea Wallets I use for hair clips!  It's amazing how much less fabric scraps I throw out now and I get something pretty in the end.  Win Win!

 

my favorite by far.  I love this fabric and only have a few small scraps left.  Perfect.

Pineapple Chicken

 

I had a hankering for Pineapple Chicken the other night, which is kind of odd for me as I'm not usually a fan of cooked pineapple.  Whatever the case I had chicken out, a can of pineapple, and well the combo just sounded good so I went searching for a recipe.  I always go to Tasty Kitchen first when I'm recipe hunting and this time it certainly did not disappoint.

I came across a recipe by Jenna Laughs and I gotta say her photo of the dish is what first won me over.

So if you want to make some delish Pineapple Chicken, make this recipe here: Pineapple Chicken and make lots because it's darn good the next day too.

Couple things I did differently:

1. I omitted the celery (I'm allergic)

2. I substituted the snap peas for green peppers (it's what I had in the fridge)

3. I used canned pineapple pieces instead of crushed pineapple (again what I had)

Today...

 

there was some snuggling of cars

 funny faces were pulled

 

onions shoots peeked through the earth

 

baby girls said "hi"

 

beautiful eyes were captured

 

things were discovered

  

and mommy baked some yummy food

How was your Saturday?

Sunshine

We're fans.

NEW SHOP!

Well I finally did it!  I've been wanting to open a second shop on Etsy for a while now and I finally did it.  I now have one shop dedicated to all my Handbags, Pouches, and Tea Wallets and one dedicated completely to kids stuff!  The new shop is called Handmade Therapy Kids and I just now finished moving everything over from my main shop.

 

Little Girls Purse

I'm really hoping that having two shops doesn't cause me a whole lot of extra work.  I'm really excited about all the ideas for new products I have and that it's now a lot easier to see exactly what it is that I sell when someone new comes to one of my shops.

 

Billy Car Roll up and Play mat

So have a look at the new shop and let me know what you think!  And for a couple of weeks I'm offering a coupon code for 15% off everything (excluding shipping) in my new shop!  Simply enter the coupon code "newshop" when checking out to get your discount!

 

Magnetic Fishing Game Set

Also, what do you think of my new banner?  My sister in law Shelly, who has always done my graphic design made me up some pretty amazing new banners for both my shops and of course my blog too!  So thanks again Shelly, you rock :)

Mango Banana Muffins

I'll admit I was a bit leary of the idea of putting mangos in muffins, but I had a mango that really needed to be used so I figured I'd give it a try.  Of course I also had to add in some chocolate chips and I have to say they turned out so good!  A perfect summer muffin!

Here's what I came up with:

Mango Banana Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup of sugar or honey
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs
1/2 cup oil (or melted butter)
1.5 tbsp lime juice (you could use lemon, or just omit it all together)
1 diced ripe mango (the smaller the dice, the better)
2 bananas mashed
1/4 cup milk (I used soy milk but any kind of milk will do)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)


In a large bowl whisk together the flours, sugar, soda and powder and salt.  If using honey instead of sugar add it to the wet ingredients instead

In a smaller bowl mash up your bananas then whisk in your eggs.  Add the mango,  milk, and lime juice and stir well.  Pour wet ingredients into the dry ones, add your chocolate chips and stir until just combined.

Spoon into muffins cups and bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

In Store!

A while ago I was contacted to see if I wanted to wholesale some Tea Wallets to be sold in a store called Wicked Green in Red Deer, Alberta.  I jumped at the chance and yesterday the owner posted some pictures of the wallets in store!

Browsing through the album I noticed that there are several more items in store made by members of my Alberta Street Team!

 

Cards by Crafted By Lindy (she also has a fantastic blog)

 

 Soap by Maple Creek Soapworks

 

Crayon Caddy Coloring Wallet by Nana Browns

 

DIY Sock Monkey Kits by Bug and Bird

Anyway it seems as though this store is full of really amazing stuff and I'm totally happy to have my Tea Wallets displayed beside those other items!  If you live in Red Deer you have to go check it out and then let me know!!  I'm guessing there are more people I know who have stuff for sale there, and if I missed you, sorry!  I really hope to make it out to Red Deer this summer to go check out the store.

Shop Sale!

 I just realized I forgot to post about this but I'm currently having a sale in my shop!  Everything is 10% off (not including shipping or custom orders).  If you want to take advantage of this, all you have to do is put in this coupon code during check out: albertateam10  (Go to my shop here: Handmade Therapy)

This sale is part of the Etsy Alberta Street Team Spring Sale and there are a ton of shops participating!  Here's a full list of the participating shops as well as what their sale is:


Alberta Team Spring Sale April 29 – May 5
*Please check all Shop Announcements for Specific Sale Details*

Accessories, Bags and Purses
www.etsy.com/shop/barefootclips 15% off (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/frogprincessdesigns 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/j2studios 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/kabukikreations free shipping
www.etsy.com/shop/dearange 10% off excluding shipping (code teamsale)
www.etsy.com/shop/bumblebeeetuna 10% off
www.etsy.com/shop/everydaydiamonds 10% off (code albertateam2011)
www.etsy.com/shop/nanabrowns 15% off (code FIFTEEN)
www.etsy.com/shop/handmadetherapy 10% off (code albertateam10)

Art, Fine Art, Photography, Home Decor and Housewares
www.etsy.com/shop/jenndphotography 50% off (code SPRING2011)
www.etsy.com/shop/taibossigai 15% off all items (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/bellissimadesigns 15% off excluding shipping
www.etsy.com/shop/sandistone 15% off
www.etsy.com/shop/ljangphotography BOGO prints
www.etsy.com/shop/niknaksglass 20% off entire order (code ALBERTA20)
www.etsy.com/shop/glasscircus 15% off (code Alberta)
www.etsy.com/shop/Sybillinart 15% off excludes chains (code ABTEAMSALE15)
www.etsy.com/shop/j2studios 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/coconutpalmdesigns 20% off (code ALBERTASALE20)

Bath and Beauty
www.etsy.com/shop/Maplecreeksoap 10% off for the month of April (code Spring)
www.etsy.com/shop/KCSBathhouse 15% off (code ALBERTA15)
www.etsy.com/shop/Claracoco 15% off

Ceramics, Pottery , Glass, Crochet, Knitting, Needlecraft and Quilts
www.etsy.com/shop/thewickedpotter 15% off (code WICKEDSALE)
www.etsy.com/shop/sixbabygirls 20% off entire order (code teamsale)
www.etsy.com/shop/glasscircus 15% off (code Alberta)
www.etsy.com/shop/niknaksglass 20% off entire order (code ALBERTA20)
www.etsy.com/shop/kabukikreations Free Shipping
www.etsy.com/shop/ufer See shop announcement for details
www.etsy.com/shop/hdawnparratt 10% off excluding shipping (code abteam10)
www.etsy.com/shop/wickedpendants 10% off (code WICKED10)
www.etsy.com/shop/barefoottams 15% off (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/knittymaxx 10% off (code ABSPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/irishknitz 10% off entire order (code Spring10)
www.etsy.com/shop/hilaryshats 10% off (code alberta10)
www.etsy.com/shop/minibytes 10% off (code M1N1S)
www.etsy.com/shop/magpiequilts free Canadian shipping

Children and Toys
www.etsy.com/shop/barefoottams 15% off (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/barefootclips 15% off (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/handmadetherapy 10% off (code albertateam10)
www.etsy.com/shop/Maplecreeksoap 10% off for the month of April (code Spring)
www.etsy.com/shop/littlejumpingbeans 10% off (code maysale10)
www.etsy.com/shop/thebellefleur 15% off excluding shipping (code SPRING15)
www.etsy.com/shop/mamaswoodshop 15% off (code spring15)
www.etsy.com/shop/minibytes 10% off (code M1N1S)
www.etsy.com/shop/piggyandbear 10% off (code SALE10)
www.etsy.com/shop/coconutpalmdesigns 20% off (code ALBERTASALE20)
www.etsy.com/shop/bennyandboo 10% off (code Springsale)

Jewelry
www.etsy.com/shop/jewelsbyjasmin 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/bellissimadesigns 15% off excluding shipping
www.etsy.com/shop/dearange 10% off excluding shipping (code teamsale)
www.etsy.com/shop/rozzie 10% off (code ABSPRING10)
www.etsy.com/shop/tinged 10% off (code SPRINGFEVER)
www.etsy.com/shop/wickedpendants 10% off (code WICKED10)
www.etsy.com/shop/kabukikreations free shipping
www.etsy.com/shop/stonewillowjewellery 20% off (code SALE20)
www.etsy.com/shop/overtherainbowbridge 10% off (code SpringSale)
www.etsy.com/shop/heretodaybeadworks 20% off (code TeamAlberta2011)
www.etsy.com/shop/sixbabygirls 20% off entire order (code teamsale)
www.etsy.com/shop/niknaksglass 20% off entire order (code ALBERTA20)
www.etsy.com/shop/glasscircus 15% off (code Alberta)
www.etsy.com/shop/bumblebeeetuna 10% off
www.etsy.com/shop/junquete 15% off (code sale15off)
www.etsy.com/shop/3urbanmonkeys 15% off excluding shipping (code Spring15)

Paper Goods
www.etsy.com/shop/mygrandpaspen 20% off (code springsale20)
www.etsy.com/shop/hdawnparratt 10% off excluding shipping (code abteam10)
www.etsy.com/shop/craftedbylindy 10% off excluding shipping (code SpringSale11)
www.etsy.com/shop/ljangphotography BOGO prints
www.etsy.com/shop/j2studios 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/stampedtreasures1 15% off excluding shipping (code Spring15)
www.etsy.com/shop/irishknitz 10% off entire order (code Spring10)
www.etsy.com/shop/kojozo 10% off (code ALBERTA10)

Supplies, Vintage and Wedding
www.etsy.com/shop/squirrelstock 10% off (code abteam10)
www.etsy.com/shop/MyGrandpasPen 20% off (code springsale20)
www.etsy.com/shop/tooaquarius 20% off (code Spring1120)
www.etsy.com/shop/claychicks 20% off (code Spring1120)
www.etsy.com/shop/sixbabygirls 20% off entire order (code teamsale)
www.etsy.com/shop/cestlaviedigital Get 4 digital kits for the price of 2 (see announcement)
www.etsy.com/shop/j2studios 10% off (code SPRING)
www.etsy.com/shop/junquete 15% off (code sale15off)
www.etsy.com/shop/suzie2q 10% off (code ABSPRING10)

First Day At the Range!

We FINALLY had weather nice enough this spring to make it out to the Archery Range!  It was so awesome to get out there again, shoot some arrows, shoot some pictures, and just hang out as a family.  I can't wait for more weekend days spent out there, it's just so relaxing to be outside and have no distractions from just playing with the kids and talking with the hubs.

I've also been itching to get out there since I got my new camera last December.  It's the perfect place to play around and I had a great time getting to know my camera a little bit better.