How to Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Around this time of year, it seems like everyone is looking for an easy recipe for this delicious snack. Here's instructions on how to make roasted pumpkin seeds.

What you'll need: 

• Pumpkin seeds, separated from strings and pulp
• 1 teaspoon Canola oil
• Salt (for seasoning)
• Cookie sheet

Thoroughly wash the seeds and make sure they are completely dry. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Toss the seeds with the canola oil and spread the seeds in a single layer on the cookie sheet. 

Season with salt and cook for 10-20 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to watch them so they don't overcook. 

For spicy seeds; sprinkle with cayenne pepper, thyme, salt and pepper

For sweet seeds; sprinkle with cinnamon, sugar and a dash of ginger

Experiment with your own ideas to make any number of variations on this crunchy, yummy snack!

Autumn in New England

In between a lot of baby prepping, I've been trying to get some projects done for my upcoming craft fair in November. I promise to post tutorials and updates soon! While I'm busy doing all this, I'd like to share some pictures from our latest trip to Stowe, VT. There is nothing quite like Autumn in New England!

How are you enjoying the Fall season wherever you are?

Knit Sweaters Needed for Penguins

In New Zealand, a knit shop has put out a call to knitters to knit sweaters for wildlife that has been affected by the oil spill. The idea is to keep the penguins warm until they can be scrubbed down and to prevent them from ingesting the oil while they preen.  

If you are interested in knitting a sweater for a penguin to donate, please click on the link below. (I wish I knew how to knit but it's on a long list of crafts that I don't know how to do)

Sweater Knitting Instructions and Dimensions

to Help Affected Penguins in New Zealand

(Photos from MSNBC - Today Show)

Beautiful Baby Card from A Fellow Blogger

One of the best things about writing a blog and maintaining a social presence for my craft hobby is all the wonderful people I've met and talked to. One of my favorite fellow bloggers is Rachel from Prescription: Craft Often. Not only was she kind enough to send me a congratulations package when I announced my pregnancy but she recently sent me this adorable, handmade card for my little guy. 

Be sure to check out Rachel's blog - she has some amazing tutorials, like How to Make Paper Rosettes. 

I was excited to have an outlet for my craft projects but I never imagined how much I'd enjoy meeting new people and sharing in their crafting fun as well.

Crafty iPhone Apps

When upgrade time for my phone finally came around, I was able to convince my hubby that I needed a new iPhone 4S. No, we didn't run out and pick one up last Friday; I pre-ordered it so it would be delivered to the house this week because, well...frankly, I work from home and couldn't be bothered to fight the crowds. So I will wait a few extra days to get it but in the meantime, here are some fun, crafty apps that you might want to consider downloading! 

• Disney FamilyFun's Craft Finder Application
• find crafts by age, time and season
• shopping list generator
• step by step how-to guides
• share your crafts via Facebook and Twitter

•  Stitchminder (for knitters)

• track rows completed
• pattern rows, increase and decreases
• counters can be configured to count upwards or downwards
• counts are always stored when you close the program or get interrupted by a call

•  Coolibah (digital scrapbooking)
• create scrapbook pages on your iPhone, using camera phone photos or other imported images
• save your pages and work on them later
• with upgraded app, you can export high resolution images to use on your home computer or to print
• Free version of the app includes the Coolibah watermark - semi bummer

•  Etsy Addict

• browse the Etsy site, search, browse by category and add favorites
• keep tabs on your stores feedback and sales count
• don't miss out on Etsy shopping opportunities, no matter where you are!

What are some of your favorite crafty apps? 

Halloween Decorated Cupcakes

A couple of years ago, my parents bought me a (literal) tool box full of Wilton cake decorating supplies - frosting tips, bags, food dye, etc. Since the opportunities to make cakes doesn't come that often, I thought I would flex my baking and decorating skills with these cute Halloween cupcakes - 

I used the thin, flat tip for the mummy heads - those might just be my favorites! What kind of scary desserts are you planning for the upcoming Halloween holiday?

Happy Anniversary Card Tutorial

In honor of my third anniversary with my wonderful husband Chris, who I affectionately refer to as Bunch, I wanted to share this fun tutorial video on How to Make a 25th Anniversary Card from Craft Junkie Too.

I also want to include some pictures from our wedding, on Oak Bluffs beach on Martha's Vineyard. It was sunny, warm and the perfect day to get married!

 

Hawaii 5-0 Party Weekend

This weekend left little time for crafting around here. Between baby preparations, appliance shopping and birthday celebrations - I was exhausted! 

Here are some pictures from my uncle's 50th birthday party this weekend. You can see that I am sporting one serious baby bump too...

Gorgeous tropical handmade centerpieces

Live entertainment including Hula lessons and fire dancing!

Tiki cake - pineapple flavored, of course

And finally, me & my honey and our bundle of joy

We've just hit the six-month mark in this pregnancy and it definitely feels strange to see myself looking so different! But I've been feeling great and I'm sure the next 3 months will fly by with the holidays and all, so I'm trying to enjoy it. We had a wonderful time celebrating with family this weekend. I'm hoping to get back to crafting this week...I do have a craft fair coming up and all. Yikes! :)

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

The theme of this weeks Crafty Links is Halloween! Ok, so it's only the beginning of October but everyone is already looking for ideas. Hopefully some of these will help you...click on the title for the full tutorial, if available.

Pregnant Skeleton Costume by MakeIt-LoveIt

Dwight Schrute from the Office kids costume by Creator Unknown 

(no tutorial for this unfortunately but you can put it together easily enough)

Dot Candy Costume from Prudent Baby via Jennifer Wells

Candy Corn Costume by So You Think You're Crafty

I know most of these are aimed at the little ones (what can I say? I'm on a baby kick) but they can be easily created for grown-ups too. Happy crafting!

Apple Pastry Bars

The chilly temperatures outside tell me that Fall is officially here! One of my favorite things to make (and Bunch's favorite things to eat) are these Apple Pastry Bars. They are easy to make and are a great excuse to do a little apple picking in preparation.

(recipe and picture from MidwestLiving.com, slightly adjusted)

• 2-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 egg yolk
• milk
• 1 cup cinnamon Cornflakes
• 8  to 10 tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced (8 cups)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons  milk

1. In a large bowl combine flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a liquid measuring cup, beat egg yolk lightly. Add enough milk to make 2/3 cup liquid. Stir well to combine. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture with a fork until combined (dough will be slightly sticky). Divide mixture in half.  

2. On a well-floured surface, roll half of the dough to a 17x12-inch rectangle. Fold dough crosswise into thirds. Transfer to a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and unfold dough, pressing to fit into the bottom and sides of the pan. Sprinkle with cornflakes. Top evenly with apples. In a small bowl combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture over apples. Roll remaining dough to a 15x10-inch rectangle. Fold dough crosswise into thirds. Place atop apples and unfold dough. Crimp edges or use the tines of a fork to seal. Cut slits in the top. Brush top with beaten egg white. 

3. Bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 50 minutes or until golden and apples are tender, covering with foil after the first 25 minutes of baking time to prevent over-browning.  

4. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar and 2 to 3 teaspoons milk to make a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm bars. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.