Applesauce Cake

Craving something sweet on Sunday evening, I quickly mixed up this super easy recipe that I've made numerous times.  It always satisfies and keeps very well.  But you won't have to worry about that!

Applesauce Cake

2 1/2 cups flour (I have successfully substituted up to half of this with whole wheat flour)
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and beat well.  Add combined dry ingredients alternately with applesauce and water.  Beat until well combined.  Stir in raisins and walnuts.  Turn into greased 9" x 13" pan.  Bake in preheated 350 oven for 60 - 65 minutes.

Easy peasy!

3 New Scarves

Yes, I've been a knitting fool.  Knitting is my activity of choice while watching movies in the evening, Xena curled at my feet.  This new variation on a drop-stitch pattern has me slightly obsessed.  If I was capable, I would alter a sweater pattern to use this stitch.  I am so not capable of doing anything other than following an existing pattern.

These first 2 scarves are knit with Noro Cashmere Island yarn, in different colorways.  Both are yummy!

Using the same stitch, this last scarf was knit with a variegated blue alpaca yarn -- super soft!

Each of these photos is linked to the listing on etsy, if you simply must have one!

Butterfly Earrings

These earrings are simple, but have lots of detail and NO wire wrapping!  Amazing, right?  I needed a day without oxidized sterling silver wire, so I made a series of brass and copper earrings using many of the sweet charms and other elements I have in my inventory.  This pair is my favorite.

The two elements swing freely.  The contrast of the copper and brass is wonderful.  Click on the photo to go directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

Soap

I love me some handmade soap.  But I'm picky.  I don't like fruity or any super sweet fragrances.  I prefer earthy scents.  And, I like a decent sized bar that will last a while.  A couple of my favorite soap sellers have closed their etsy shops for reasons unknown, but a few remain.


Happy Goat Soap features goats milk, generously donated by Pricilla and company.  Here's one of my favorite soaps.  It is scented with sandalwood and is quite large.  Perfect for me.

Theraganics soap is wonderfully natural, using only essential oils.  I especially like this listing, as you can select any 3 scents you like.

Amethyst Soaps has some very yummy offerings.  This Kings Ransom soap is extraordinarily rich and luxurious.

Happy showering!

Funky Little Books

Following a tutorial in my (current) favorite magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors, I made these 2 little books.  I love the fact that the covers are upcycled materials: an old button card and a 6-pack holder.  The tutorial was so easy.  The only thing I needed to purchase to complete the books was some book cloth for the spines.  Of course, I could have used fabric scraps instead, but I didn't read that part of the article until after I ordered the book cloth.

The books are finished with a simple pamphlet stitch, which sews up really quickly.  Love that part of the project too.
I have lots of old button cards, but this was the only one with all of its buttons in tact.

This photo gives you a sense of how small the book is.  Cute, huh?

For this next book, I cut out the logo from a beer 6-pack holder.  I used the same thing for the back cover.

 Now I have people saving their 6-pack holders for me.  I think I'll try this project with Monopoly property cards, old postcards and maybe some game cards.  Any other ideas for me??

Garnets and Labradorite Earrings

Just listed in my etsy shop, these earrings are sleek and sophisticated.  I wrapped tiny rondelles of garnet and labradorite along the bottom edge of a hand formed sterling silver hoop.

The hoops swing freely from the earwire.  All of the silver has been oxidized and tumbled for a super shiny steel gray finish.  Click the photo to go directly to the listing.