New Year, and New Directions!

Hello, I hope you are doing well, it's been so busy around here.  I live in Steeler Country so I need to get some of my inventory built up.  I'm sure with all of the playoff parties, and ....maybe Super Bowl,  there will be a rush for anything Black & Gold!!  Here are a couple of things that I make that would be great as a hostess gift or just fun to have to decorate for the party.

You can find all of these items on my website Crafts By Jodi and go to the "Everyday" page. 

I have also been working on some new and exciting new items.  I have been creating a whole new line of my own designs.  I am hoping to have the patterns for sale soon as e-patterns or paper.  I know a lot of you like to have your patterns instantly, so do I!  It's been a challenge but fun at the same time.  I will be sending out an announcement as soon as I have them ready.  I hope you are as excited as I am. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Jodi

Crafts By Jodi

Gifts for Sports Fans

   Hello, I hope everyone is staying warm.  It's been so cold here,   I took the day off from Christmas shopping and decided to stay home and get some work done.
   Here in South Western Pa,  The Steeler fans are all coming off of a great Sunday night game and everyone is talking "Playoffs... Playoffs"!!!  Our Pittsburgh Penguins are also on a hot streak so I made snowman ornaments that any Steeler/Penguin fan would love.  They have wire in their hats so you can bend it around a tree limb or door knob.  They are based on a pattern by Isn't That Cute.   Email me if you have any questions.
   I have them listed here on my website Crafts By Jodi

Have a great week!!
Jodi

Snowman ornie and a Recipe

Hi, I'm working on some more snowman ornies.  These were a big seller at my craft shows, I actually sold out of them, so I am getting a head start for next year!  They can be hung on a tree or they are perfect as bowl fillers.
I attached a tag that says " Wish I may, Wish I might, Make a wish on a Snowman Star Tonight."


I've also been getting ready for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I try to come up with new ideas to take to my parents house, but my brothers won't let me in the door unless I bring these Mushrooms! 
Here is the recipe.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Large Stuffing Mushrooms - Approx 36
1/4 Cup Onions
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Stick of Butter
2- 6 oz cans of Crabmeat, rinsed and drained
2-8 oz Chive & Onion Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup French Fried Onions

Clean mushrooms, remove stems.  Chop mushrooms stems and onions in processor.  Saute in butter.  Add garlic powder.  Drain but reserve the butter.  Mix cream cheese, crab and mushroom stem mixture together.  Pour butter mixture in bottom of glass baking dish.  Spoon cream cheese/ crab/mushroom mixture into mushroom caps. Place mushrooms in baking dish with butter.  Crush French Fried onions and sprinkle on top of mushrooms. 
Microwave for approx 5-7 min.  Depending on size of mushrooms. 
Serve hot, and Enjoy!
Enjoy your holiday!
Jodi

That time of year

Hi, it's been awhile since I have posted anything.  We just finished up our last show of the year.  It was great seeing everyone again.  We get to catch up with our repeat customers and meet some new ones!  Plus we get to chat with our crafting neighbors....when it slows down!  The shows were really busy.  I need to make sure I have more for next year, I sold out of a lot of items.

I took time out to get my house back in order, and now I'm anxious to get started on my inventory for next year.  We start early, but every year there seems to be the last minute rush before the shows.

Here are some pics from a couple of our shows.  The first one is from The Covered Bridge Festival in Mingo, Washington, Pa.   The second and third is from the Washington County Fairgrounds in Washington, Pa.
Thank you to all that came out to say hi!!

New handpaintings

Hello!  I wanted to share my newest paintings.  I have been working on things for my shows, and I came across a lady by the name of Maxine Thomas.  She is an amazing artist and she has several books and patterns out.  They really caught my attention because she uses acrylic paints and yet her paintings look like oil paintings.  I have been wanting to get back to my oil paintings, I really missed it, and when I saw these, I knew I found something special.  Below are a few of the paintings I have done.  I will have these paintings at the show this weekend, but after the show, I will be painting more to post on my website for sale. 

Don't forget this weekend I will be at the Covered Bridge Festival in Mingo Creek Park.  For more information check out my article.. http://craftinwithjodi.blogspot.com/2010/08/craft-show-dates-and-new-items.html

Here are my paintings!




Have a great week, hope to see you at the show!
Jodi

Craft show dates, and new items!

Hi !
It's almost show time!  Our first show is on September 18-19th at the Covered Bridge Festival in Mingo Park, Washington, PA.  For more info and directions check out this link
Covered Bridge Festival
We will be at the Ebenezer Bridge, in the same location, if you have never been at this show, we are located on the right side of the main bridge, in front of the first pavillion.

We have been working hard on some new items this year! We are also bringing back some of our best sellers!
Here are some pics of what we've been doing.

This is a prim doll bag holder.  I made this because I was tired of having all those plastic bags scattered everywhere!  It is based on a pattern by The Olde Country Cupboard.
The second pic is a sign I just finished. I hand painted it, based on a pattern from Maxine Thomas.
The third pic is a basket full of fall treats!

Have a great day!
Jodi
Crafts By Jodi

Homemade Salsa Recipe

Hi!  In just a short time I will have more tomatoes than I know what to do with!  I decided to start making salsa to use some of them up.  I have been making this salsa for a few years now.  I experimented with different combinations and I finally came up with this recipe.  My husband wanted me to can 365 jars of this so he could have a jar a day!!  If you prefer to blanch your tomatoes to take the skins off, you can do that also.  I also learned a tip to squeeze the tomato to get extra water out of the tomato, it makes a thicker salsa.  Enjoy!!
Jodi

Homemade salsa

7 cups diced plum tomatoes

3/4 cup jalapeno peppers, diced
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons cilantro
1 teaspoon reg salt
1 teaspoon hot salt ( I bought this in a restaurant you can just add a bit more salt and crushed red pepper)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 dash crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cans chilies, chopped
1/2 can tomato paste
3 cups onions (RED AND YELLOW)

1 Add ingredients as listed above. 2 mix completely. 3 I like to can mine. 4 I put them in jelly jars and process according to canning instructions (leave 1/4 inch head room and process for 15 minutes).