New on the Etsy Front

Big news for Etsy lovers!

Etsy is now offering gift cards! They work site-wide with any vendor who accepts credit cards (of which my shop is one)! 

A great gift for anyone on your holiday gift-giving list! 

You can learn more about the Etsy gift card here: Etsy

 

While checking that out, please don't forget to swing by and check out what is going on in my shop! The Prince & The Papier! 

The Prince & The Papier  

Jam of The Day

I've been really feeling this song today. Hope you enjoy this little gem from Mr. Bird. 

National Coming Out Day

Okay all... I am not, by any means, posting this as an attempt to make a political statement, or force you into anything, OR cause a commotion. I simply believe that life is short, and at the end of the day, everyone has secrets and/or things they are scared to share with others. We all tend to disagree with those around us on so many things in life. Support and solidarity can be rare, and when it happens, it's a pretty great thing. So... participate if you feel so inclined, and if you don't, then that's okay too. 

Anchor Takes A Stand

A news anchor stand up to a bully on air. I absolutely love this, and would LOVE to use this or interview her for my show. 

Use the link below to check it out. It's worth it, I promise!

http://www.upworthy.com/bully-calls-news-anchor-fat-news-anchor-destroys-him-on-live-tv

And just a reminder: you are all beautiful, brave, inspiring, and amazing in your own right. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Shortcuts

I really could have used this handy visual when I was generating custom rubber stamp and embosser proofs! Oh well... still a handy thing to have. Hope it comes in handy for you as well. Found it while browsing online, and figured it was worth a share.

DOWNCAST LASHES- The Illustrations of Karin Lekan

So... I hate to brag, but I do have some seriously impressive, talented friends. My friend Karin is, most certainly, no exception. She produces stunning illustrations. She's also just a genuinely stellar, kind, all-around awesome gal. So... if you're in the Chicago area this week, you should swing by and check out her opening reception at Ravensgoods!

Poster with details below. Show your support for this amazing lady. 

Adventures in Canning- 1st Time

When I was a little girl, I remember visiting my Grandfather at the house he built with his own hands, on top of a mountain in New Hampshire. He had amazing gardens. He would harvest the glorious foods from his gardens, pickle them, can them, and his basement had a large section of his famous homemade pickles, and so on. It wasn't until I got older that I realized the hard work that went into those rows and rows of beautifully jarred delights, and exactly how beautiful it was.

I'm now finding myself experiencing a strong desire to grow, preserve, can, jar, and put more of myself into my food, and more of my own food into my body. If I grow it, cook it, and can it, I know where, exactly, it's coming from, what is in it, and so on. I also need simple, thoughtful gift-giving ideas, and frankly, I can't think of anything better to give someone than something that you made, put love into, and sealed and labeled yourself.

I recently purchased my first book to help me learn recipes as well as the process of canning. The glorious process of putting food in jars. This book, is in fact, called Food in Jars- Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round. 

 Today, I made my first attempts.  First up, I started very simply with Rosemary Sea Salt (Rosemary from my balcony Garden):

Next up was Rhubarb Syrup (Simple Syrup): I cut this recipe in half to try it out, and see how it tastes, etc. I think I'll be trying to make Italian Sodas with it this evening. I wish you could see the color in person, and smell it! Glorious!

I ended today's adventures by making Strawberry-Rhubarb Butter: The recipe in the book is for Orange- Rhubarb Butter, but I used lemon juice in place of the orange juice, and rather than using all rhubarb, I used half rhubarb, half strawberry.

I'll have to report back on how everything turned out! If I could tell on aroma alone, I'd say it was a successful 1st attempt! I'm hoping to make Grampy proud!