Sweet Ninja

Work it Rosie!

Finally! With out further ado...a new item in the shop. "A Robot's Busy Week Dishtowels."
 

Hand silk screened with an original illustration depicting just how much work robots really do. These have actually been ready for a little while but I finally got around to taking picts and posting them. Although robots apparently work very hard ...I don't.

And some of that wool got put to good use today. I invited my nephew over to go in my community's pool but sadly it was closed. We made a little craft instead that was all his original design. This little owl, whom he named Hoot, didn't take too long to complete. With teamwork we got it done in just enough time before his attention span wore out. He even forgot about the poison ivy on his face...and elsewhere...for a minute.

Tree Huggin'

Two new items in the shop...in plenty of time for Earth Day!

A cotton market tote for all your shopping needs

and a bright green tee to show your love for mother earth.

Veggies and Stamps

Yay! I ordered a custom rubber stamp from RubberStamps.net (very reasonably priced) for the Sweet Ninja Shop. My plan is to use it to stamp the backs of cards and I'm sure it'll prove handy for other things too. Here it is:

Maybe not the cleanest image but that's because I dug up a crusty old stamp pad to try it on. I'll have to upgrade.

Also, I was inspired by my friend Marie to bake a vegetarian loaf. (Like meat loaf but with no meat = obscenely healthy) I made some spinach,mashed potatoes and an awesome mushroom gravy to accompany it. It was all very tasty and total comfort food in a don't feel guilty afterward way.

So the potatoes are the biggest pile on the plate! So what?!? Just look at those lentils peaking out of the loaf :)

Pretty Bird

New cards in the shop today!

Thanks to my Gocco this little bird came out pretty sweet.

And if you take a close look at the tag you'll see there is a change on it's way for Sweet Ninja.

On this Eve of Super Tuesday

Well, tomorrow we vote here in NJ and as of right now I'm not sure what I'm doing. SO.... I'm currently watching last weeks Democratic Debate that we DVRed. Hopefully by the time it's over I'll feel completely informed and ready to cast my ballot! I'm not big on talking politics though so onto more important things...

Gocco! I'm working on my second print and I'm pretty please with the what's happening. Here's a sneak peak of some note cards that will be popping up in the shop real soon.


(Spoiler Alert) Also if you are part of 62cherry's mix swap you may see something similar on the cover of my mix.

I'm really enjoying experimenting with the Gocco. I also mentioned before that I enrolled in a silk screen class at School of Visual Arts. I've only had two classes before but it's pretty safe to say I'm already hooked. Stay tuned for some larger silk screened prints and items in the shop in the near future.

Also, let me share with you a delish little dip I made yesterday for Superbowl Sunday.

Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip

Here's close-up looksy before it's coated with shredded mozzarella and baked. The recipe is a little more specific, especially in the order to mix things, but here's a quicky slap it together run down of what to do.

mix together:
2 softened sticks of low fat cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup Parmesan
1 pack chopped frozen spinach (thawed and strained)
2 cans artichoke hearts chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbs garlic powder
2 Tbs dried basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

spread it in a pan and cover with shredded mozzarella
bake at 350 for 25 min (or microwave until cheese is melted if you are in a hurry)
sprinkle on chopped tomatoes and serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or bread (I went with chips)

Tastes awesome! Enjoy!

Nerd Alert

Some productivity has been reported. More to come!

These came from some of the supplies I posted about yesterday.


This set of three bookmarks has made it's way to the shop and one lucky friend of mine (future librarian, might I add) will be receiving the one that says "stop looking at what I'm reading!" since she inspired it.
Coincidentally she also has a blog all about vegan delights that you can visit here.

I also was inspired today to whip up this tasty little treat.

I was watching everyday Italian on Food Network today and Giada rolled smoked mozzarella in filo and fried it. Then she topped it with honey, figs and black sesame seeds. Back peddle...I went to Downing Street Wine Bar in NYC this past Tuesday and I has toast with Manchego cheese and Mexican honey on it which was pretty awesome....fast forward...I had some of the ingredients that Giada used and a craving for cheese and honey that wouldn't subside.

So, I wrapped some Assiago we had laying around in filo, which I surprisingly had laying around, and fried it. I topped it with honey, raisins, a touch of spiced apple cider and black sesame seeds. The whole thing took maybe five minutes and was one of the  best dishes I've had in a while.  Now my mind is reeling with other combos I can wrap and fry up. I think next will be a Brie medley. Maybe with nuts involved. The little cheese logs fry up so fast that I think maybe a softer cheese would be better even though the Assiago  did melt slightly. If you try it let me know what combo you whipped up!

It's a Two-fer

First....long anticipated...the super sweet deer head from my friend Meg. You may remember it was a wedding gift I was eagerly waiting for and here it is installed. I love it so much! I just need to accessorize the mantel appropriately now. I'm also contemplating painting a darker color behind the deer to make it pop more but let's start with the mantel.

And secondly...(although this isn't the clearest picture) a really cute Valentine's Day garland. There is a version of this garland in the shop now. I'm especially happy about it because it gave me an excuse to buy a big circle hole punch!

And then there were three

Eloise the owl was lucky. So far two more birds have flown in to join her.

They are available right here at the shop.

I should point out that this is the first time I've officially used my married name (even though I haven't actually changed it yet....soon though).

Well, gotta run. The new American Gladiators is on. I know...I'm a looser.