A Baby Shower Treat! - Cookies on a Stick

For my Boss's Baby Shower I volunteered to make cookies, I wanted to make them nice and special and as it was my first attempt at being really creative with cookies I needed the right tools and ingredients to make the project work and make it work well, so after much research for the perfect recipe and some shopping and some help from a very talented friend for the tags that would go on the bag may cookie day began at 6.30 a.m!!

it took me approxomately 8 hrs to complete this project as I decided to vary the decorations with fondant icing, regular icing and chocolate..

Overall I was pleased with the outcome and had many, many satisfied receipients and requests to make more..

Homemade Sausage Rolls!

Craving this savory treat is something that happens alot in our household since moving to the USA from England in 2004! - We miss being able to drop by the nearest bakey and being able to pick up a sausage roll or two!

This is a simple recipe and one that satisfies the craving..

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package pork sausagemeat
1 (17.25 ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
tiny pinch of Rubbed sage for each one
1 beaten egg

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Unfold the puff pastry sheets, and cut along the fold lines of each sheet to form 6 equal squares for a total of 12 squares. Brush each square with mustard. Divide sausage into 12 pieces, and roll into small logs. Place one log on each square. Roll dough around the sausage, add tiny pinch of sage and seal with a bit of beaten egg. Place rolls onto an ungreased baking sheet, and brush the tops with the rest of the egg.
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the rolls are puffed and golden. I usually watch after 10 minutes or so to make sure they don't burn. These freeze (unbaked) very well.

Inspired Instinct

My first feature is a very talented graphic artist and friend of mine 'Inspired Instinct' - I have known Inspired for many years and I just love her creativity! - she is always very helpful and has an excellent eye for detail. I am proud of my store banner and thank you cards that were all made by this very talented artist! - it was also Inspired Instinct that first introduced me to Etsy, so I have a lot to thank her for!! :)

Please check her store out!

In her own words..

"Bio
As my Grandfather once said.. "I was born at a very early age" & grew up in Nottingham, England. I've moved around locally living in Derby for a short time (3 years - too long) but now find myself living back in Nottingham with my partner, I think it was a subconscious decision based on the realization that Robin Hood jokes are somewhat cleaner than sheep jokes hehe

I've always had a flair for art & design coupled with a creative imagination or as in the words of my father 'in a world of my own'... another symptom of this was present too... the very thought of Mathematics and Geography always sent me (and still does) cowering into the corner clutching a security cushion with a quivering bottom lip!

I've been along the ups and downs of conventional employment, tried my hand at quite a few different things but none have ever really seemed to gel, for this I blame the late invention of computers (when I was in school there was one 'BBC Model A' that the Headmaster had in his big scary office locked away hehe) and it was only when I developed an addiction for computers later in life that my design ideas started to emerge. I'm also sure that this was an indirect result of being made to share a ZX Spectrum with my brother, as children.

I taught myself most of what I know with my ideas, enthusiasm and determination (and the odd course thrown in for good measure). I still have a long 'to learn' list which I’m slowly working through and gaining experience in my design work.

At 34, I’m building an extensive portfolio which will eventually enable me to give up my day job and pursue my passion full time!

Thank you for reading my ramblings"

InspiredInstinct's Shop Announcement

"Welcome to Inspired Instinct Designs. I am a freelance artist, graphic designer, poet & all round creative being.

I offer you a friendly, personal service and produce designs to compliment your own ideas & creativity - A unique identity, which will give your store a professional & eye catching individuality.

Maybe Etsy is your first online store, or maybe you'd like an Etsy header design to match an existing website? Please convo me if you have any questions. I'm happy to discuss any ideas and requirements without obligation.

My services don't stop at Etsy headers. I design anything from CD Artwork to business cards & for any theme or image. I also design & build basic HTML starter websites and stores so if there's something you're looking for just ask away, I'd be happy to help!"

Etsy Buy Handmade InspiredInstinct

Etsy Rocks!

Ok I so I joined this new community at the end of July and I love it! - Etsy is a wonderful community of people who sell their handmade items, the place is full of so much creativity it is exciting! - I have had the pleasure of meeting and buying from some very talented artists over the past 3 months. I have decided that each week I will begin featuring a seller from Etsy, so watch this space..

My Etsy

Etsy Buy Handmade SilentWhispers