Sprouts is going green...

As some of you may know, I have a couple of shops on Etsy. One of which had an identity crisis, and became the hub for random vintage and handmade items. This shop has now become more focused on bridal, and special occasion. I have taken out some of the random stuff and have added a few things items for Valentines.

My second shop was getting very much neglected, but now is very much the shop I want to invest more time in. Sprouts maternity now has a slightly greener appearance and will mainly feature maternity clothes made from organic or upcycled materials.

Here is the new banner and avatar to my sprouts shop I just made today. I was going for something more a little bit more organic and simple. I really like the concept of "sprouts" featuring an organic brand name to go with the organic clothing. I can't wait to get started.

What are your thoughts... ideas?

The Lost Season 5 Premiere Party...

As many of you know last Wednesday my husband and I hosted a Dharma themed party in honor of the premiere to the 5th season of our favorite television show, LOST. Here are some fun picts of the evening.

("Dharma" on the front door)... could this be another mysterious hatch?

Luggage scattered all over the room with various Dharma food, clothing and medical supplies.

Attached to the luggage around the room were Oceanic airlines luggage tags for the "Oceanic 6."

Snack foods and beverages were decked out with Dharma initiative food labels.

Dharma chili and Dharma chips were served for dinner...

... and for dessert, the ocean full of Oceanic 6 survivors :)

What a fun evening it was. We can't wait for the next episode this Wednesday!!!

Throwing a Lost Season 5 Party...

Next week my husband and I are throwing a Lost party for the season premiere of Lost Season 5 (one of our favorite shows).

This year I think we are going to do a themed cake, serve yummy snack foods, and of course have lots of foods and props with Dharma Initiative labels.

I am looking forward to planning it all out this week.

If you have any suggestions, they are welcomed and very much appreciated. Thanks! :)

A Sneak Peak At Kathrine's Dress...

My friend's wedding (who I was making the wedding dress for in a previous post) is just around the corner, so I thought I would show you a sneak peak before the big day...

These two photos show the lining, crinoline and bustier (with boning).

Here's the bridal satin layer on top of the lining/crinoline/bustier layers. More layers to follow :)

Stay tuned to see the final wedding dress...

Bridesmaid Dress Alterations...

A couple weeks ago I was working on some bridal alterations for an old co-worker of my husbands. She was a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding and in her sister's wedding. Here is the dress for her friend's wedding. With this particular dress I hemmed what was once a calf length dress to make it a tea length dress, and needed to be taken in on the side seams.

For these kind of alterations I would typically charge between $25-$35 to hem the dress depending on the type of fabric, and $20-$40 to make any other minor alterations to the dress.

This particular dress had boning in the side seams, so it required a little bit extra work. In the end, this dress cost about $60 to alter.

This is the third referral from my friend at church who used to do this kind of thing, but is now too busy with school and work.

Aprons make the perfect gifts...

Over the summer I gave my friend one of the children's aprons I made earlier this year for her bridal shower. Her friends liked them so much that they requested them too.

These 100% upcycled women's full length aprons are values at $30 each or $50 each for full length reversible.


Aprons make the perfect gifts for those family members or friends who enjoy baking. Check out my etsy store www.jnsweeney.etsy.com for more aprons. (Childrens full length aprons (for $20) and Mommy and me sets (for $40-$50) are also available.)

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Mixes in a Jar...

Publish Post

This year my husband and I have decided to make cookie mixes in a jar to give as gifts. We were able to find inexpensive or free quart sized wide-mouth mason jars as yard sales (in about August or September) and asking some of the women at our church who don't do canning any more if we could have their jars. One of the recipes we decided to go with was a basic Chcocolate Chip Cookie Mix. You will need a tamper for each layer to achieve maximum results. Here is the Recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
2 1/4 cup flour (cut in half)
1 Tbls Baking Soda
1 Tbls Salt
3/4 Cup brown Sugar (Cut in half)
3/4 Cup Sugar (Cut in half)
1 Cup of Chocolate Chips (Toll house) (Cut in half)

(Picture shows up to layer 7 with tamper)

Layer 1 - Scoop half of the flour in the bottom of the jar with the baking soda and salt, tamp with tamper.
Layer 2 - Pour in half of the chocolate chips, tamp with tamper.
Layer 3 - Scoop half of the brown sugar, tamp with tamper.
Layer 4 - Scoop half of the white sugar, tamp with tamper.
Layer 5 - Chocolate Chips, tamp.
Layer 6 - Brown sugar, tamp.
Layer 7 - Sugar, tamp.
Layer 8 - flour, tamp and put the lid on and secure tightly.

Then you can either write by hand or print the recipe card that will be attached. Recipe card:

Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 Jar of Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Cup Butter (softened)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs (Makes 1.5 dozen cookies)

Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Beat butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl, add eggs one at a time.
Gradually mix in cookie mixture with a wooden spoon.
Drop by round tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 min on wire rack.

Enjoy!