Spoonflower

Feeling crafty? I’m not talking in a shrewd or devious way (although I can do a mean Mr. Burns impression from The Simpsons). I meant making something of your own, as in arts and crafts.

Create your own image or design and upload it to Spoonflower. They will digitally print it on fabric for you. The fabric is 100% cotton and can be washed normally or drycleaned.

So upload a picture of your cat, your child’s recent doodles or whatever else you like. Three weeks later, you’ve got it on fabric.

Now if only you could sew…

Spoonflower

Paper and Cake

Next time you're planning a party, where's the first place you'll go? Don't say the party store. Or even Oriental Trading Company.

You're better than that. (I mean, you read Snackworthy, for goodness sakes!)

Especially when there are sites like Paper and Cake. They offer downloadable tablescapes on the cheap. Sure, you have to do your own printing. (It's not that bad - point, click, take off printer. Calls for a drink.) For only five smackeroos, you get PDF templates of invitations, menus, flags for cupcake picks, napkin rings, wine glass tags, etc.

They’re creative, colorful and a way to avoid generic party decoration shame. Martha Stewart would be proud. (Well, maybe...)

Paper and Cake

Veer

You might know of Veer as a site to buy fonts, photo images or illustrations. But they have fun merchandise as well.

A couple of months ago, they sent me a little notebook titled “The Very Secret Order of Creatives Understanding”.

Every couple of pages, there are little creative challenges or quotes to inspire you. For example, one whole page is filled with dots. "Connect the dots" is the note at the bottom of the page. Another page describes a book that was written without ever using the letter E.

It sure helps pass the time when you’re stuck in those endless days of meetings. Everyone thinks you’re taking lots of notes, but just between you and me - well, we know better.

Be sure to check out their clothing too - especially the swashbuckle (belt buckle). Very clever.

Veer

Landmark Series - Part 2

Voscher Home Collection recently expanded their landmark series by crossing the bay to St. Petersburg.

I love the style of these images, inspired by vintage French travel posters. Each one features simple color palettes and large graphic type faces.

They’ve added seven new posters featuring iconic images and structures from around St. Pete. Images of the pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, the beach and shuffleboard courts.

This poster is my favorite in the St. Pete series. Who doesn’t love shuffleboard? It’s a sport that involves pushing a puck. Kind of like bowling, but without the heavy lifting.

Voscher Home Collection

Peanut Butter Pie

And to finish out the two great things that go together week - peanut butter and pie.

Who really wants to chop, stir, roll, boil, bake, cook. I just don’t appreciate four letter words like those. I like recipes that require as little work as possible, you know what I mean? (Plus it’s harder to screw up after a few drinks.)

And while everyone seems to have their own recipe for peanut butter pie, I like this one the best. It’s simple and can be prepared quickly – so you can get back to surfing Facebook. So, make a pie this weekend and relax. You've worked hard enough.


Chocolate pie crust from the grocery store (you could make your own, but why bother...)
8 ounces of cream cheese - softened
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon butter - softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
Chocolate bar
Chocolate peanut butter cups

Mix all but heavy cream until smooth, then fold in cream. Grate chocolate on top, cut up peanut butter cups and place on top. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

(I told you it was easy.)

Origami Sticky Notes

Let’s continue with the theme of combining two great things. (You do remember Monday’s post about Baconnaise, right? No one will ever forget that.)

Sticky notes and origami.

Sticky notes are great because they keep me organized. My sad little brain is often too taxed to remember anything for more than five minutes. So, I continually reach for my trusty little note pads.

Now, when I’m finished with the sticky note, I can make it into something fun – instead of just throwing it away.

Better hurry, I’m about to buy out their entire stock.

The Curiosity Shoppe

Baconnaise

Two great things that go great together. You’d think I’m talking about peanut butter and chocolate. (Don’t get me wrong – they do belong together).

But today, I’m talking about bacon and mayonnaise. These two addictive ingredients were brought together to make Baconnaise by Justin and Dave, who also dreamed up bacon salt and bacon lip balm (don’t judge – it might just be great).

Frankly, I’m surprised these two guys haven’t been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or something.

Check out their site and learn how Dave’s three year old son helped with the financing of their fledgling company. Also, check out the many recipes using bacon salt and Baconnaise. I think my Bacon Swiss Dip would taste even better with Baconnaise.

Baconnaise