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Sticky Fingers - Organizing Edition

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope you are all enjoying this nice long weekend and have officially recovered from Christmas. If you're like me, down time means a chance to try and get a bit more organized and tackle some much needed household projects. This week's Stickyfingers edition is dedicated to just that, getting organized and ready for 2010. Enjoy and most importantly, go and make something!

First up is this clever use for simple jelly jars. Click here for simple instructions and how to make your own Jelly Jar Storage shelf.

Store bought drawer dividers just never seem to be the correct size, right? How about these pretty Boxes + Drawer dividers from Lovely Design? Click here for the full tutorial.

A pocket wall organizer is perfect for storing all your inspirations. Click here for the instructional slide show, compliments of Country Living.

Merry Christmas To All!

We're enjoying the time off and hope you are too!
{photo by Carrie Davis Photography}

Santa's List

Rumor has it I've been good...very good!

Babyology

Thanks Babyology!

Such a nice InkSpot Workshop shout out!
to read feature, click here

Super Sticky Fingers

Happy Sunday! Since I missed bringing you Stickyfingers last week, I have a super special issue, choc-full of firsts for me. In fact, everything I'm about to share with you was actually made by yours truly, today even. Roll up your sleeves because there is nothing is stickier than sugar and Karo syrup!

Each year my lucky neighbors get a little something made by me with love, directly from my kitchen. I say with "love" because baking is not my specialty at ALL. My mom got all the baking genes and as a result I can't fit into my own jeans! Click here to see what I made last year.

Can you think of a better way to say..."thanks for being such great people to live by and not having wild parties till 4am" or "thanks for not leaving your cars propped up on cinder blocks in the font yard" or "thanks for not getting your morning paper in your driveway in the nude"? Nope, didn't think so. It is just for these reasons I felt these great peeps needed a little something to sweeten their day, like some homemade hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows. Mmm, who couldn't love that?

Sure, you can go and buy some marshmallows from the store, but not me! Heck, if Whimsy & Spice and Mia Mallows can do it, why can't I? OK, here's the reason I will not be starting a 3rd Etsy shop to sell these buggers... it starts with the fact there is a candy thermometer involved and that just screams WARNING Black Diamond hill ahead.

Oh, then there's all the hand mixing of the hot sugar syrup into the egg whites. For goodness sake, I have a Culinary degree and I'm still using this $20 dinosaur and not a $300 Kitchen Aid stand mixer, what's wrong with this picture?

Awww, the finished product and not looking so badly after all. A little elbow grease goes a long way. PS. they really do taste as good as they look!! (if I don't say so myself)

Anything made with almost 100% sugar is doomed to be a sticky mess, so I strongly suggest a healthy dusting of cornstarch, not mentioned in the recipe, thanks Martha. Funny how it looks like I just carved up a side of beef - nice marbling.

Now that the treats are all cooked and cooled it's time for the fun part. I'm a complete and total sucker for packaging but since I didn't plan on making these goodies until today, I had to use what I already had on hand. Hot chocolate mix would have looked so much nicer in a glass container, but some super cute gift tags can dress up even the saddest of wrappings. Kim, over at The TomKat Studio was my inspiration for these designs.


I made layered hang tags for both the hot chocolate and the marshmallows. I like the off center look and made the circles 1.5 inches round with enough of a colored background to use a 2 inch circle punch.


Personalized tags always put a nice finishing touch on any gift, so guess what?? I am making them available for you today, all for free. Simply download, print and punch or cut. I hope you enjoy and most importantly.... go make something!
PDF Candy Cane Tags

Blogging

I have some exciting news to report! I was able to get into Holly Becker's Blogging Your Way, online blogging course! Yippee!! This means an even better InkSpot Workshop blog (The Spotter) improved just for you.

Holly Becker, a pioneer in the blogging community, was one of the first design bloggers with her blog Decor8. If you have never heard of her blog, then it's time to come out from under your rock:) I can hardly wait to see what I'll be learning, plus put my new present from Santa (will spill the beans later) to good use.

Now that I'm back from my little Virgin Islands getaway (will post later) and my mountain of orders has dwindled, I'm looking forward to a clear mind and some creative inspiration for InkSpot Workshop 2010.

The Pioneer Woman

Just wanted to pop out from under this pile of orders and share this with you, before I leave for my glamorous anniversary vacation. One of the coolest benefits of Twitter is all of the new people, blogs, places, etc.. I get to learn about from others. The best lead ever was when my Twitter peeps were talking about The Pioneer Woman, PW for short.

This woman will rock your world in so many ways. It's the only blog I've ever laughed and cried at the same time while reading. I won't spoil all of her greatness for you, so click on over and give her blog a read and while you're there checkout her recipes. She just recently launched her first cookbook and I along with several hundred of my new best friends waited for 4 hours at Borders, just to have her sign it. OK, truth be told...I waited that long so I could get a book signed for my mom, a big PW fan.

Here's me with PW's posse aka her sister and friend. They too have recipes in her book and seem to really enjoy the limelight.

Click here to buy you very own copy. WARNING she cooks with salted butter and LOTS of it:)

Don't be jealous!

I know, I know, I know... What the heck am I thinking?? Taking a luxurious vacation, right smack in the middle of the holiday season?

Well, truth be told my husband and I got married right here on St. John (US Virgin Islands) 5 years ago, December 11th. Sadly, we haven't been back since. But not for long...

On Thursday, we will be enjoying this FABULOUS sunset, straight from Cruz Bay,
where the drinks seem tastier.

This is where we got married and all of our guests stayed. Gallow's Point is walking distance to all the fun shops and restaurants in Cruz Bay and a short jeep ride away from all the famous St. John beaches.

As you can see, I'm a big fan of this place and have had the pleasure of turning many friends and family onto the wonders of St. John as well. If you are looking for a real island getaway, you must visit. Take my advice and skip St. Thomas, it's pretty much a dump, but you must fly in and out of there because St. John is only accessible by boat.

Ciao!

Buzzin' at The B-Line

Everyone who knows me loves my favorite earrings and necklace, made from clay,
compliments of the crafty Amy at The B-Line.

In addition to making gorgeous jewelry, she has a very informative blog. I've made several of her recipes and also feature her DIY tutorial projects, right here in Stickyfingers.

I'm doing a giveaway over at her blog, click here and join the fun!!

Cupcake Love Give Away

In case you haven't heard of Kim over at The Tomkat Studio,
her blog is a must for all moms who love to throw creative parties.

Just as much as she loves to plan parties, she loves, loves, loves cupcakes!
I'm hosting a little giveaway over there today, click here for the scoop!
Good Luck!