SHOP OF THE WEEK 9/24

Shop of the week is... Kiwi and Kiki!

Kerry makes BEAUTIFUL adjustable neck ties, bow ties, suspenders and more! If you haven't already checked out her shop, head on over there this week to browse all of her goodies! Make sure to let her know that Soft & Sweet Boutique sent you!

(FYI Photographers... Her items make amazing props for those newborn photo shoots!)  


Kiwi and Kiki's Facebook Page 

Kiwi and Kiki's Website


Thanks for helping spread the love! <3

Elizabeth

How To Soften Scratchy Yarn

Some brands of acrylic yarn (especially the more economic stuff), are not usually the softest yarns. However, acrylic yarn is great for many projects (especially blankets!)

Ever wonder if there is a way you can make that skein of scratchy yarn you picked up a little softer?

Well there is!

1. Remove all the labels from the yarn
2. Loosen up the skein.
3. Put in a lingerie bag and wash in cold water.
4. Once it is finished washing, toss the bag in the dryer on medium heat and dry!

Viola! Now you have softer yarn!

Elizabeth

WIP Wednesday

No work in progress this week.

If you remember last week, I was working on a new hat addition to my shop and apparently I wasn't paying attention when I was hookin' it because I totally messed it up. I ended up taking it all out with plans to start with another more fall-ish color, and never got around to it. I am hoping to get back to it by the weekend and have a new hat to share with you all by Monday.

Have a great day!

Elizabeth

Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cake

A couple of weekends ago we picked up a zucchini from a road side stand. I got about 6-8 cups of shredded zucchini out of it. It was one HUGE veggie! I used most of it to make bread, but after making 2 large loaves and 4 mini loaves of bread, I was wanting to use the rest on something else. 

That's when I came across this Chocolate Zucchini Cake recipe from Six Sisters' Stuff blog.

Photo Property of Six Sisters' Stuff

It has got to be the most delicious and moist chocolate cake I have ever tasted. I used canned chocolate frosting on the one I made instead of the one it called for in the recipe but it still tasted AMAZING!

If you would like the recipe, head on over to Six Sisters' Stuff blog and be prepared to fall in love with this awesome (and easy) cake recipe.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

DIY: Handprint Wall Art

I love pinterest. If you don't have an account and you're crafty, you should sign up for it. Even if you're not crafty, it's still awesome. But I warn you....you WILL get sucked in. You get on there planning to just look for a certain project or idea, and 2 hours later you are still sitting there pinning away, getting nothing of value done. 

One of my recent pinterest pins is this ADORABLE Family Handprint Tree Wall Art. 

Photo property of :http://naptimedecorator.blogspot.com

This is a super quick, easy, and inexpensive project to make, and it will have some MEANING. Not just a random picture on the wall. 

To see what you will need for this project head on over to Naptime Decorator's blog.

Happy Crafting!

Elizabeth

Foundation Single Crochet Tutorial

What is a foundation single crochet?

Basically the idea is, that you are making the initial chain row and the single crochet row at the same time. Another bonus is that the top and bottom row the foundation chain look exactly the same, unlike when you use a chain start. So it is a little easier to attach more crochet stitches.


To learn how to do a foundation single crochet, check out this youtube video.

Have a great day!

Elizabeth

WIP Wednesday

As you know from my last WIP post, I was working on a 2+ year old project I started back before my daughter was born. I am happy to say I finally finished it and now I am just looking for the right photo frame to place it in. Here it is finished. (Sorry for the bad cell phone pic)

This week's WIP is a new hat for my shop :) I screwed up somewhere along the line when working on it... I have to take out quite a few rows and back track to find my mistake. (This kind of thing happens when you're crafting on very little sleep and also when there is maybe an interesting t.v.show on that ends up taking  me away from what I am doing LOL)

I may just rip it all out and start new with a more fall-ish color. This bright yellow is more spring-y to me anyway. Oh well. I can never make up my mind, so you'll just have to wait and see what I come up with :)

Have a great day!

Elizabeth

Recipe: Pumpkin Bread

My favorite season would have to be fall. I love the leaves changing colors, taking the kids to pick apples and pumpkins, and making yummy breads, applesauce, and pies. I also love how good my house smells when I am making all of my tasty treats!

Last year I came across a Pumpkin Bread recipe ... (I don't remember where I got it from, so if it's yours, sorry I didn't give you credit for it! LOL)... any whoo... it is the most delicious recipe for pumpkin bread. It almost tastes like a pumpkin pie! It is SO very good and SO very moist!

So go ahead and bake a few loaves... you won't regret it!

Pumpkin Bread

• 2 cups white sugar
• 
  
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 
  
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 
  
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 
  
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 
  
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 
  
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 
  
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 
  
• 1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch loaf pans.

Mix white sugar, brown sugar, and eggs in a large bowl; stir in pumpkin and mix well. 

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, cloves, and allspice in a bowl; add alternately with water to pumpkin mixture. 

Pour into prepared loaf pans.

Bake in preheated oven until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center 

comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes. 

Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Deal of the Week: Get FREE SHIPPING!!! - 9/10-9/14

Get FREE SHIPPING** when you order ANY size pumpkin or apple beanie this week (9/10 thru 9/14)

*Photo courtesy of J.Lynn Imagery

Both the pumpkin and apple beanies come in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, toddler, & child.

*Photo courtesy of J.Lynn Imagery

To receive FREE SHIPPING:
1.  Head on over to my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/softandsweetboutique
2.  Pick out an apple or pumpkin beanie ( or two :) and add to your cart.
3.  At checkout enter code "FALLFS"**

**Coupon code "FALLFS"  only applies to free shipping on APPLE or PUMPKIN beanies purchased from Soft & Sweet Boutique's etsy shop. This code DOES NOT apply to any other items in the shop. Free shipping is only valid on orders in the continental US. **

If you are outside the US and wish to place an order I do have a coupon code for you as well! You can use code "20OFF" to receive 20% off  your apple or pumpkin beanie order :)

Thanks for being such awesome customers!

Elizabeth

Bean Leaf Craft Project

If you have kids, then you know how hard it is to keep them busy during the day. Now that school has started that is no longer a problem for many of you. But this is a great project for the weekend or for anyone who home schools.

Next time they come to you with those dreaded words " I'm BORED", break out this craft. It not only will keep them busy for a while but will also give you some beautiful fall leaf art to decorate your home with!

You can find the instructions and templates for this craft via All Kids Network.

Happy Crafting!

Elizabeth

Magic Circle Crochet Tutorial

As I have been crocheting I have been seeing more and more people are writing patterns with a "magic circle" start vs the traditonal way. I have been asked how you do the magic circle and I can show someone how to do it, but I can't explain it very well. 

I came across this youtube video a while back. This lady does a wonderful job explaining it, so just watch this if you'd like to learn how to do the "magic circle"!

Have a great day!

Elizabeth

Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday

This week my current work in progress (WIP) is a counted cross stitch birth record I started for my 2nd child.

I actually started this project before she was born (over 2 years ago) and never finished it. I had no time after  we got home from the hospital to work on it and eventually it just ended up sitting in a cabinet. I came across it when I was cleaning out said cabinet and decided it was time I finished it for her!

(^ no I am not a slob.. I do keep my house clean but this is a....junk closet....so it's ok to only clean those out every 2 years right?? :P)

Most of the cross stitch was done already but I did have a few more things to finish: do the black outlining and stitch the words. I have been working on that the past few days and hope to finish it this week. I really dislike sewing of any kind, so I don't know why I even started the thing..lol.

Recipe: Vanilla Almond Granola

One of my favorite things to do (other than crochet :) is bake and cook delicious food for my family. I came across a vanilla granola recipe a few months ago and tweaked it a little. Here is the recipe for the granola I make for my family. I have 2 kids..one 7 year old and one 2 year old and they both get excited when they see me in the kitchen making this home made granola!

Vanilla Almond Granola

4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup, packed brown sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/8 t. cinnamon

1/3 cup oil

1/4 cup honey

2 T. sugar 

1 T. almond extract

3 T. vanilla extract 

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Lightly spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

Mix the oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a small sauce pan, combine the oil, honey, and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Pour the hot liquid over your dry ingredients and mix well.

Spread the granola on your prepared baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes, or until lightly golden.

This granola can be stored for up to two weeks in an air tight container or 6 months in the freezer.

**Added bonus: When this is baking it will make your house smell AMAZING! :D**

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

SHOP OF THE WEEK 9/4

Shop of the week is the Ohio Crochet Lady, Monica Marks!

She not only makes beautiful crochet and knit hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves, but she also sells some ADORABLE crochet patterns as well! If you haven't already checked out her shop, head on over there this week to browse all of her goodies! Make sure to let her know Soft & Sweet Boutique sent you!

Ohio Crochet Lady Facebook Page

Ohio Crochet Lady Etsy Shop


Thanks for helping spread the love! <3

Elizabeth