A smashing Giveaway!

The Cleveland Team on Etsy has announced another giveaway on ClevelandHandmade.com!
Smashing makes these gorgeous hand-crafted oxidized sterling silver and fused glass earrings and has donated a pair for you to win.

Enter by June 3rd (2009). Visit ClevelandHandmade.com for contest details and more!

Win a Cool Bike!

MADSEN Cargo Bikes

White Hot

I've envisioned making a flirty little white cotton shrug for summer...soon. Currently, I'm finishing an order for black and cream. I liked how the long-sleeved mesh shrug turned out. The cotton blend is perfect. I want to make a cap-sleeved version that's not so open, with a twist. We'll see.
What do you know? A Style.com newsletter states that white is the new black...even into Fall! View their fashion slide-show.
I was a bit disappointed not to see any soft, knit accessories. Angora white is exquisite!

I don't know why I like these pants, but I do. Check out the white...and black slideshow on MarieClaire.com.

Sunny Days

treasury, originally uploaded by lazytcrochet.

Fresh designs from Cleveland Handmade!

She's a Winner!!

Sarah sang "I Can Hear the Bells" for the Garretsville Idol semi-finals today and she won! She made it to the finals. We found the perfect dress and had her hair teased with lots of Hairspray!! She did all the work and did a wonderful job singing. We are so proud!
There's a short video clip on Flickr if you'd like to hear... http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazytcrochet/

Sweet Promoooootion!

Thanks so much to Kathy smashing.Etsy.com for creating these cool Cleveland Handmade promo postcards! They really turned out nice and I am so looking forward to spamming people with them! Cleveland Handmade rocks! Visit ClevelandHandmade.com to vote for your favorite in the May flowers challenge.

Fresh Lemon Balm

I had two bake sales and a Girl Scout camping weekend to bake for last weekend. I was quite surprised when my daughter requested lemon balm cookies. The lemon balm is the only thing up in the garden so far. It's been too wet to plant anything else yet. Lemon Balm is an herb, similar to mint. While I don't remember my grandmother baking with it, I do know that it's been used for teas and other herbal recipes for years.

I like to chop it finely and add it to a basic butter shortbread cookie recipe. Here's one for you to try. These were a bit hard because I used butter-flavor Crisco instead of real butter. They make great dunking cookies though!

Old-Fashioned Lemon Balm Refrigerator Cookie Slices
Mix together 1/2 cup soft butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Add 1 egg and mix well. Add 1/4 cup minced lemon balm and 1 teaspoon lemon flavoring (or 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest if desired), and 2 cups flour.
Shape into a log and roll in waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Slice cookies and bake at 350° until lightly browned.

Peas please!

Thanks to Lydiasneedle.Etsy.com for creating such a fun and timely treasury!