TEMPTATION THURSDAY: Hello Gift Tags

One of my New Years resolutions for 2010 is to take more time to keep in touch with distant family. While the majority of my husband's family is here in the Midwest, my family is a bunch of drifters residing across the US from New York to Arizona. Our schedules get so busy that sometimes we need a reminder just to take the time to say HELLO!

GET YOURS HERE!

WEDNESDAY WANT: Ruffled Skirt

Can I just tell you how much I love ruffles? And yes, I have loved ruffles for a long time now not just because they happen to be the "thing" for this year. I am just a girly girl at heart so I can't resist anything with frill. Anyway, I have had my eye on this skirt for some time now as I love the peachy ruffles - unfortunately it is a bit small for me so maybe one of my readers could enjoy it. The shop is mandiesuee and if you like frilly things she has a variety of them!

GET YOURS HERE!

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Refuge Art Print

Being that my FT gig is freelance illustration - there is nothing I enjoy more than drawing and printing wall art - art prints. Stationery is fun but wall art is something that a person chooses to look at in their home and office everyday. I find it a huge compliment when my work is selected to be part of their home. With that said today I am featuring my favorite print to far - Refuge. This piece is printed in Papaya, Sage & Chocolate but I also offer this print in several other color palettes.

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Champagne Cake

It is time to welcome in 2010 already - can you believe it! Parties can be so fun but they are also a ton of work. When I ran across this super simple recipe for Champagne Cake I thought this would be the perfect addition to any party.

Champagne Cake

2-layer-size white cake mix
Champagne or sparkling wine
Few drops red food coloring
16-ounce cans vanilla frosting
Fresh strawberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour two 8x1-1/2-inch round cake pans; set aside

2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, except replace water with Champagne. Spread batter into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cake layers from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks.

3. Stir a few drops of food coloring into frosting to make a light pink color. Place one cake layer, bottom side up, on a serving platter. Spread with about 1/2 can of frosting. Top with second cake layer, top side up. Spread top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Garnish with strawberries. Makes 10 servings.

More recipes at Better Homes & Gardens

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to take a minute to wish all of my followers and friends a Happy Holiday. Whatever you are celebrating I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends and family.

Thank you for making 2009 a great start-up year for Sweet Harvey Letterpress LLC. Your support and kindness is greatly appreciated. I look forward to the New Year and look forward to getting to know you all better!

Happy Holidays!

WEDNESDAY WANT: Inspirational Stakes

This winter has been pretty white for us here in the Midwest and while I do love the snow I am quickly starting to miss spring. I ran across these stakes this week on Etsy by From Artisan Hands and thought they were so cute that I had to share them. For those of us caught in the snow - they could be used in our indoor plants for the winter! Happy Holidays!

GET YOURS HERE!

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Retro Thank You Notes

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent the weekend re-shooting the majority of my photos. This is one of the cards that I really like that has not gotten the attention that I feel it deserves. I think the old photo did not give it justice so here is the new photo. The design is a simple retro style leaf design - very stylish!

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Sun Dried Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta

I am one of the lucky ones whose family does the cooking at holiday time. If I do bring something along then it is usually something simple like an appetizer or dessert. This recipe is just a last minute idea for a quick and yummy appetizer for your holiday party or gathering. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Sun Dried Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta

1/2 (12-ounce) baguette, cut horizontally in half
2 tablespoon(s) refrigerated pesto
1/2 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1/4 cup(s) drained chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

1. Prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling on medium.

2. Meanwhile, brush cut sides of baguette with pesto. In small bowl, combine ricotta and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. Place baguette on grill, cut sides down, and cook about 2 minutes or until toasted. Transfer to cutting board.

4. Spread ricotta mixture on grilled sides of baguette; top with sun-dried tomatoes. Cut each crosswise into 6 pieces.

More recipes at Good Housekeeping

TEMPTATION THURSDAY: Robot Miss You

Tempting you with our adorable missing you robots! I am also trying something new with my photos using brighter camera settings and more interesting backgrounds - the brighter settings seem to take away some of the appearance of the impression but they seem more crisp and clear. - Let me know if you have any feedback on the new images.

Here is the old image to compare.

GET YOURS HERE!

WEDNESDAY WANT: Multilayer Scarf

Today's Wednesday want is just what I need to tackle this freezing weather here in the Midwest. I am totally in love with this multilayer scarf on Etsy by ThongbaiTatong. To me it looks pieced together which gives it such a personality. I was also very impressed by the photos in the listing because it shows a variety of ways to wear the scarf that I would never have thought of. This is definitely on my wish list!

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Baked Potato Soup

We had a huge snowstorm this week which made going outdoors a very bad idea. When the weather gets cold I simply crave a warm bowl of soup. My personal favorite is potato soup sprinkled with some bacon and chives. Here is a recipe I found that looked both delicious and simple! Let me know what you think!

Baked Potato Soup

4 large baking potatoes (about 2-3/4 pounds)
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
6 cups milk
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1. Bake potatoes at 350° for 65-75 minutes or until tender; cool completely. Peel and cube potatoes.

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; whisk in sour cream. Add potatoes and green onions. Garnish with bacon and cheese. Yield: 10 servings.

More recipes at Taste of Home

FRIDAY FEATURE: Sharma Designs

Finally - the Friday theme presented - missed Friday completely last week for my blog theme posts. Anyway, Friday will now be FEATURE FRIDAY and each week I will feature an artist whose work I fancy. Hopefully you will find some new favorites as well!

My first Friday feature is the lovely jewelry by Sharma Designs on Etsy. What attracted me to her work was her use of pattern which you don't see often in jewelry as a focal point. I love how she mixes up wood metal and pattern so elegantly in her work. There is a soft elegance to her pieces that is just so beautiful.

Her offerings include necklaces, lariats, bracelets and earrings. Be sure to check out her shop!

SHARMA DESIGNS

TEMPTATION THURSDAY: Vintage Holiday Tags

I have listed many items over the past few days trying to reach my goal of 100 items in my shop so it was a tough decision today as far as what to feature. I decided to with these tags because I just love them - they are so lovely. Hope you enjoy them as well!

GET YOURS HERE!

WEDNESDAY WANT: Tutu Set

Well, not for me of course! My sister-in-law just had a baby - Zoey - in September and she is my little angel of sweetness. I am just waiting for her to get big enough for this set! I am totally in love with this three piece set by Bella's Bowtique. For all of you ladies out there with girlie-girls this would be the ULTIMATE Christmas gift. I would have loved this when I was a girl!

GET YOURS HERE!

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Hello Robot Notes

As you all know I love my robots - they are my favorite to draw. These note cards feature one of my favorite oval head robots saying hello to your recipients. Reasonably priced at only $18 for a set of 10 with matching papaya envelopes!

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Red Velvet Cupcakes

This weekend for my husbands birthday we visited the Cheesecake Factory and I had this amazing Red Velvet cake layered with Cheesecake and I thought - heaven! It was a huge piece though so the calories were probably outrageous. So I went looking for a recipe for a mini indulgence and what works better than a cupcake! Enjoy!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

1 pkg. (2-layer size) red velvet cake mix

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

1 square BAKER'S White Chocolate, shaved into curl

1. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, blending dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Cool.

2. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small corner off bottom of bag. Insert tip of bag into top of each cupcake to pipe about 1 Tbsp. frosting into center of cupcake.

3. FROST cupcakes with remaining frosting. Top with chocolate curls. Keep refrigerated.

TIP:

Poke hole in top of each cupcake with handle of wooden spoon before filling with frosting!

More recipes at Krafts Foods

TEMPTATION THURSDAY: Elephant Love Announcements

Back for the second in the Temptation series. Today we have cute little mama and baby elephant character announcements. These are size A6 and available in blue, pink & green for girls, boys or unisex. Super cute, right?

GET YOURS HERE!

WEDNESDAY WANT: Porcelain Cupcake

Sorry this is so late in the day - it was house cleaning day so all fun was delayed til that terrible task was completed. Anyway, next on our new blog schedule is Wednesday Wants - each Wednesday I will show off a product on my personal wish list. Hope you enjoy them as well!

The first item being featured is this adorable porcelain cupcake by kg + ab. Can you think of another cupcake that would be as perfect? No calories, you can have it everyday and it can even store your goodies. I am fascinated by it - there is a fun ice cream cone as well but the cupcake just calls to me. Someday it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine!

GET YOURS HERE!

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Birdie Mini Cards

Moving along on the road to my new blog schedule I have decided that Tues & Thurs are going to be my promotional days - each of those days I will feature a new Sweet Harvey Letterpress product to temp you with - Temptation Tuesday & Temptation Thursday. The rest of the week will be dedicated to other fun stuff but I have to promote sometime ;-)

Today's temptation are these adorable Love Birds mini cards! Printed in sweet strawberry they are sure to spread a bit of love anywhere you send them. These tiny 3 x 2.5 business card size mini cards include small matching strawberry envelopes and are just the right size to add to a gift or leave as a hello on someones desk!

GET YOURS HERE!