Sewing Crafts

This month’s blogger of the month is NICO Designs. When I first started on the Etsybloggers she was around lots…and still is. Her creativity keeps bringing us new things. She still makes her fabulous diaper bags, but is also adding some more home decor and dolls. Before I show off some of her pretties – a quick excerpt from her bio:

Now for the pretties…

Special Delivery – Mouse Pincushion and Mailbox

May the Merry Widow Doll

Austin Ave in Fresco Diaper Bag Set

...includes Blankie & Burp Cloth

Don’t forget to check out her blog and Facebook Fan Page. And like myself, she is part of the One World One Heart carpet ride…be sure to stop over for a visit…you may even win a prize

As promised, part two of my “snacks for the Super Bowl” series. (Can it be called a “series” with only two?) This time: popcorn.

how to make “popcorn” cookies you will need:*
dough
frosting
mini circle cutter
frosting colors (black, white, yellow)
3 frosting bags
3 couplers
3 decorating tips (2 of size “3″, 1 of size “4″)
3 rubber bands

*Find the above at any craft store in the baking aisle. I used a 1 1/4-inch circle, but you can use any in the 1 to 2 inch size. You can find concentrated paste coloring in the craft store, but I use Americolor soft gel pastes (harder to find, but click the link for tips on where to buy, also available at amazon.com. Here, I used Super Black, Egg Yellow and Bright White).

step one: bake your cookies
Make and chill cookie dough according to recipe. Roll out and cut out circles. Pinch the sides of the circle (towards the top, not right in the center) and flatten back in shape with fingers if needed. Bake on a parchment paper-lined tray as directed by recipe and let cool.step two: prepare your frosting
Prepare frosting according to recipe and make three colors: black, white and light yellow. Prepare three frosting bags and fill with each color, using “3″ tips for the black and yellow and a “4″ tip for the white. Tie closed tightly with a rubber band.

step three: decorate your cookies
Outline shape with black frosting. Let set about 15 minutes (or by the time you outline all of the cookies). Pipe highlights with the yellow and let set. Fill the rest of the popcorn by piping with the white frosting. Let dry overnight at room temperature before packaging or handling.

I make this every Christmas, in double or triple batches, and it always goes over really well. It isn’t just a seasonal recipe though – I’m planning on making some for our Super Bowl party. The original recipe called for Shreddies, pecans & almonds, but I’ve added to that to make it a bit more interesting.

These gorgeous shawls are made with handwoven cotton & silk fibers and edged with a fine crocheted point lace. I can’t decide whether I prefer the red or the white. Which colour do you prefer?

I spotted this breath-taking watercolour by MaiAutumn on the front page the other day. I love its ethereal feel!

Our host this month is Alicia Mae.

We were to chose one of these two topics:
1) Snowflakes – your favorite way to make them or your favorite item on Etsy featuring them
2) Favorite winter time activity/how to keep kids occupied during snow days (indoors or outdoors)

I did a mini combo. My favorite snowflake…a melted one. But I think I found some great pretties on Etsy. As for a winter activity…anything that keeps me inside. I get LOTS of reading done this time of year. I think I am on my 6th book this month. (You can double check me on my left sidebar…I am keeping track). Now if only we had a fireplace…it’s 6*F outside right now. What is it in Celsius? Who cares..it’s below freezing – ‘nuf said. Now onto the pretties…

Dancing Snowflake Leggings by Dye Diana Dye

Pink Snowflake Earrings by Sabi Krabi

Nuno Felted Snowflake Scarf by Purple Platypus

Pink Ice Brain Squid by Sock Society

I tend to put question marks after things I don’t understand. Like football events. My only real connection to the Super Bowl is via my football-watching husband or via cookies (historically, I’ve always known what teams are playing based on hundreds of helmet, player and cheerleader cookie orders at the store). But I do know snacks are served at Super Bowl parties, so here is part one of my two part snacks series: pretzels.

how to make pretzel cookies

you will need:*
dough
frosting
mini pretzel cutter (actually a linzer cutter)
food coloring (brown)
white sprinkles
disposable frosting bag
coupler
decorating tip (size “5″)
rubber band

*Find sprinkles, bags, couplers, and tips at any craft store. Use a chunkier sprinkle, I used Wilton’s White “sparkling sugar.” You can find concentrated paste food coloring at the craft store, though I use Americolor soft gel pastes, Chocolate Brown (click on link for tips on where to buy). I found the mini pretzel cutter at Sur la Table. It’s a linzer cookie cutter, but it worked great for rolled dough.

step one: bake your cookies
Prepare dough and chill according to recipe. Roll out about 1/4-inch thick. Use the linzer cutter to cut out pretzel shapes. Bake according to recipe and let cool.

step two: prepare your frosting
Prepare frosting according to recipe and mix about a cup (depending on how many cookies you make) of it brown. Prepare a frosting bag with size “5″ tip, fill with brown frosting and tie closed with a rubber band.

step three: decorate the pretzels
Pipe frosting on the pretzel with the brown frosting fitted with a “5″ tip. No drawing necessary! Just fill the shape of the cookie. Immediately sprinkle with white sprinkles. (Work with one cookie at a time so the sprinkles stick to the wet frosting.)