How Does Your Garden Grow?

I am trying to resist the urge to give free reign to my green thumb during this time of year as Colorado’s weather is still in a fickle state.  However, I decided to go ahead and get my seedlings, and ….well okay I went ahead and purchased our tomato plants as well, which will reside in the studio (aka our sunroom) until Mother’s Day. 

Our crops this year will be comprised of:

• Tomatoes: Lemon Boy, Sweet 100, Mr. Stripey & Big Beef
• Squash: Yellow Crookneck & Zucchini
• Pumpkins
• Cucumbers
• Onions: Utah & Green
• Fruit: Cherries & Strawberries
• Herbs: Cilantro, Parsley and Sweet Basil

Our dwarf cherry tree, otherwise called “Little Cherry Seinfeld”, is in full bloom as well as the strawberry patch beneath it.  I am planning on retrofitting our 3’x14’ raised bed to 1.) support climbing cucumber & cherry tomato plants adjacent and 2.) protect the veggies and soil from our largest rodent….the dog.  Here’s a start to “the plan” and if there’s room I will invest in more ladder cages (1 shown below) for the other tomato plants in front of the vines:

The tomato plants & sweet basil have to sit tight, just 2 more weeks until they can stretch out in the bed:

 

Lastly, the babies (squash, onions & cucumber):

Here are 2 of my favorite garden recipes should you near the end of the harvesting season and get a little tired of eating the vegetables straight from the garden.

Fresh Picante Sauce (aka Salsa to anywhere other than the South):

• 2-4 Jalapeno peppers, seeded
• 1 onion, peeled, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 tomatoes
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• salt to taste

Process in food processor.  Seal in clean jars & keep in refrigerator.  Author: Berneice Jennings (my grandmother).

Squash Muffins

• 1 lb. yellow squash (4-5 medium)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup butter (yes…..1 cup)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Cut squash into 1” slices.  Cook in boiling water 10-12 minutes, drain well and mash.  Measure enough for 2 cups.  Combine squash, eggs & butter, stir well and set aside.  Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the center of the mixture.  Add squash mixture to dry ingredients & stir.  Spoon into greased muffin pans filling 3/4 full.  Bake @ 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Author: Emily Conley

Apron for the Crafty Kind

What do you get for the busy bee girlfriend that buzzes around the house doing EVERYTHING…..a craft apron of course.  These are pretty simple in nature, no fussy hardware, and have medium sized pockets to carry seeds, scissors, tape, bandaids, twisty ties, or really anything that the do-it-yourselfer needs around the house.  Here are my first two prototypes (I promise I’ll branch out from the Amy Butler, I just love it so darn much), they will hit the Etsy shop this week.

April Showers, Bring May Flowers

Not only did the Farmer’s Almanac get this statement right for April, but this statement also parallels my own journey as I’ve made some pretty significant changes in career paths in preparation for great things to come.  I’ve decided to take a step back from my career in Interior Design and focus on my personal venture….oh, what’s my new name, Creator!  This is a new beginning for me and I’m incredibly excited to move forward in this direction on the right path.  I, of course, have an incredible support system and cannot thank those enough that have been there for me to see me through.  That being said, I have a lot of items in production in the moment just waiting for their début.  I have been revamping the blog, studio and focus of KitchStitch, with the help of my wonderful Marketing Director (my husband).

So stay tuned for great things to come, back to the studio I go…….

The Vegetable Stand

It’s that time of year again….spring! I have several herbs started by the kitchen sink, however I know (Coloradoan) mother nature better than to transfer anything outside until late May. Nevertheless I can start planning out my garden and get the seedlings going. Here are some exiting new veggie appropriate items in the world of Etsy:

‘The Stand’ by Mischievous Marriage lets you create an edible sculpture garden from your harvest:

As stylish planter necklace Made by Colleen to wear to the farmer’s market:

I am always on the search for markers for my veggies, these copper plates could be used year to year for your staple vegetables by Dillybags:

Spring Wallflowers & Butterflies

A new mommy-to-be contacted me from Australia and requested a diaper bag in one of my favorite Amy Butler fabrics, Wallflower. The contrasting colors are so striking and unique, it can make the most simple creations a masterpiece. Here are more shots of the bag coming together, including an easy to reach cell phone pouch:

Since the temperatures rose this weekend (upper 60s) I came down with a mad case of spring fever. I couldn’t resist buying seeds for herbs to start at my sink window. This led to perusing the etsy shops for spring items and i came across this seller that creates beautiful wall-art butterflies. I guess I am a sucker for butterflies (a trait passed down from my mother, I’ve noticed) …..check these out by Simply Chic Lily:

Hugs & Kisses

Ahhh the holiday is just around the corner that is dreaded by the majority of male-folk and the basis of survival for most florists…..Valentine’s.  I was never one to get too involved or set certain expectations for V-day.  Maybe that stems back to grade school when the girls spent hours on their Valentine cards (or at least I did) pairing the perfect “quote” to the perfect person, then at the end of the day when I opened my box….I was always disappointed in the selection that was returned.  However, should this holiday make us stop and realize the loves that we have in our lives, shown in the most simplistic form, then it has served it’s purpose.  But should you still need inspiration, I found some great treats on etsy to make the perfect handmade package, enjoy:

Starting off with origami flowers by PoshMishMosh

Don’t forget the jewelry, typewriter key earrings by Haute Keys and handmade clay rose ring by Made With Clay & Love.

 

To top things off, these truffles are to DIE for and hard to resist, made by a little bakery in Milwaukee, L’Oven Bakery.

Kristmas at KitchStitch

At last, the ornaments are hung and the tree is complete, not a creature was stirring….except for little Azure at my feet. I couldn’t stop myself this year at just one tree. After not having a clue what to do for our centerpiece in our dining room, I pulled together some chicken wire, lights and some strips of fabric to make a total of 3 trees for our table top. I was pretty happy with the finished product….my little chicken trees.

I have been busy in the shop for final Christmas orders, here is a snap shot of a gift for my friend of a KitchStitch original tote and matching jakoozie (java koozie). The colors are pretty unique and modern, as you do not see too much fuchsia these days within the fabric lines. But I think the dandelion liner finishes off the bag nicely.

After treating Copper to some homemade treats I picked up at the farmers market, I have experimented with a new recipe shared by a fellow blogger. I received two enthusiastic paws up, and also the satisfaction of knowing all the ingredients going into this treats. Someone is getting spoiled this season.

Here’s the recipe (http://www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com) should you find the time to spoil your 4-legged loved ones:

Ingredients for Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups unbleached flour
• 2 tablespoons dry milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Directions for Pumpkin Dog Cookies

• Place all the ingredients in your bread maker and set it for the dough cycle.
• When the dough is done, remove it and roll it into 1/4” thick sheets.
• Cut the dough into shapes. The cookie cutters that I used for this recipe, shown in the photo, were bones. They are about 2 inces long by 1 inch wide—a good size for Copper (aka a “Texas sized Lab”). You can vary the size, depending on whether you have a large breed dog or a small breed dog.
• Place the dog cookies on a lightly greased pan, and let them rise for an hour.
• Bake the dog treats for 45 minutes to an hour, at 275 degrees F.
• Turn off the oven, and let the cookies continue to dry overnight in the oven. In the morning, they will be hard and crisp. And they will keep well, stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for about 30 days.

Enjoy the recipe!