My First Treasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=92055

No kidding! It finally happened after four months of trying...Etsy's elusive open treasury! I actually had my finger on the correct mouse button to click on the title. I couldn't believe it.

I wandered around my favorites, but many were sold, so I decided which of the items I encountered would fit my title, "autumn chill"...Not an easy choice to say the least-there are so many that are worthy of this exposure.

I'm already starting to research my next treasury, which will showcase Newbie items, so stay tuned!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=92055

Making Laundry Soap Again!

Several months ago I decided that I'd see how well homemade laundry soap works. This was due to two things: 1) Money is limited and buying detergent from the dollar store didn't quite work well, and 2) I have  skin allegies to many fragrances and products.
I researched many homemade laundry soap recipes on the internet and now I pretty much use the recipe from http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm. It seems to work really well for my needs, doesn't leave clothing and towels dingy, and best of all, doesn't upset my skin!
Yesterday I made another batch to take me through the winter-just two in my home. I still use oxiclean in all the loads with the soap to help it along.
This soap is basically easy to do, most of the work is grating the fels-naptha bar. If you want to cut down on  the cost of expensive laundry soap, or want to see if your skin feels better while using it, make a batch for yourself. The recipe is in the link above.
Shopping list: bar of fels-naptha, box of arm and hammer WASHING SODA, not baking soda, and a box of borax. All can be found in the laundry isle except I had to go to a pharmacy chain to find the fels-naptha bar. One bar makes 3 batches, but you have many more in the boxes of washing soda and borax. Leaving this endeavor pennies a load! Try it and let me know how it went.

Pumpkin Spice Scones Anyone?

Since I have no organized place to store my recipes, I'm constantly looking through a huge stack of recipes. This shoebox contains clipped magazine recipes, handwritten cards and  print-outs. I have to remember which one a particular recipe is on to facilitate the finding of said recipe, which is getting harder as the years progress. As it is raining today, I had to find it and make these yummy treats!

I haven't made this pumpkin scone recipe in years and it's handwritten, so I have no idea where it came from. It is, however, similar to the ones found I've consumed at Sbux.
Here it is, you can try these yourself. Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Scones
1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teasp. baking powder
1/4 teasp. salt
1/2 teasp. cinnamon
1/4 teasp. nutmeg
1/4 teasp. ginger
1/4 teasp. clove
Mix these dry ingredients in a bowl and add:
4 TBSP. cold butter
Mix butter into dry ingred. with pastry cutter until particles are very small.
In a separate bowl mix together:
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
2-1/2 TBSP. half and half
Add to dry ingredients and mix just until batter holds together.
On floured board, pat dough into a long narrow rectangle and cut into triangles.
Place scones on a silicone lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees approx. 15-18 minutes.
Place on rack to cool. Glaze.

Glaze
1 cup powered sugar
pinch of each cinnamon and nutmeg
1 teasp. lemon juice
2 TBSP. milk
Stir until not lumpy, glaze must be firm but not thick like frosting. You may need to thin it a little.

Healthy To Take A Break!

I went to a Celtic music festival this weekend and had the best, refreshing time. I've been in a creative rut and overwhelmed with sewing and making jewelry. I realized I'd been focused on production and not on the creative, expressive side of crafting. In essence, I lost my focus.

At the festival I got to talk to some of the vendors who took a break from creating to travel to, set up, and interact with passers by. Some were then creating during the low time in their booths, and some were just enjoying just being there in a different environment and change of pace. But whatever they were doing - they were enjoying their time and the wonderful nonstop music.

The saying goes "This is the first day of the rest of my life..." I woke up today and chose to embrace a new view, and to begin a new season of creating. To refocus on the true meaning of crafting, which is to create - not just to produce something.

I challenge you to do the same...If you are a crafter or artisan, take a break, go for a walk in nature, then focus on the creative process. Refresh yourself. If you are not a crafter...focus on enjoy doing something, anything, that you enjoy to refocus and reflect on life, then come back and be "in the moment" in whatever you do.

Be... breathe...

Learning, Learning, Learning...

Well my project purse out of the wool skirt didn't quite turn out right. I definitely need to rework the pattern because the flap doesn't lay correctly. Still working and learning...

But in the meantime I completed another bag made from blue toille. This one has a lining made from an old linen skirt! I like the pattern of this bag. Guess I'll have to make one for me! 

I have also listed a couple celtic knot earrings in my Etsy store.

See more items at: EarthenTreasures.etsy.com

Getting It All Figured Out

While this site looks so bare right now, I know it will take a little time to get it all figured out. Yes, a newbie on the Blogger site!

My Etsy store is http://www.earthentreasures.etsy.com/. Please browse my store as I just added my newest purse. It's made from a ladies paisley jacket, repurposed into a shoulder bag. It's just one of my recycling projects.

My next bag will be made from a wool skirt, so stay tuned. New jewelry for autumn is in the works, too.