Friday, December 31, 2010

Amy Butler Soul Blossoms 15% off! Today Only

Day 10 of 12 Days of Deals: Brand new Amy Butler Soul Blossoms cotton and home dec is 15% off today! (That’s $8 and $12.50/yard.) It’s a gorgeous and versatile group!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 10:16 am and is filed under Etc.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave a ReplyClick here to cancel reply.

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Our Favorite Cookie Recipe

I’m not much of a baker. I’m gluten-free for one, but really, I’m more of a savory kind of girl. Still, we bake a bit around here because the kids love it and it keeps them off the streets. Here is our very favorite cookie recipe. The dough is just right for even small children to roll and cut themselves and the icing goes on well and dries firm. And it’s a very forgiving recipe–not fussy like so many other Christmas cookies that require chilling and tempering and all that. We make them for Valentines Day and Easter too. So if you’re trying to keep your kids out of trouble in the next couple of days, try a batch! (Word is that they are delish!)



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Green Grocery Bag Challenge Ideas

I’m keeping this short because I’m putting the handles on the final 15 of my 27 grocery bags/wrapping bags tonight! I just want to remind you to check out the Green Grocery Bag Challenge Flickr page, where people are already posting their inspiring bag-related wrapping!



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Want to be an SMS contributor?

We at Sew,Mama,Sew! think 2011 will be an incredible year in sewing. We know we’ll be seeing lots of gorgeous prints and solids on a wide range of substrates. New and growing pattern companies will be offering a greater variety of sewing patterns. And we’re sure that the sewing community will explore different techniques and trends.

As always, we plan to celebrate sewing all year. We’ll bring you tutorials, contests, sew-alongs and all the other great content you’ve come to expect from us. As you probably know, one of the things that makes the SMS blog stand out among the sewing blogs is the wide variety of contributors that we gather together. We love the sewing community and are proud to be able to collaborate with so many great bloggers, authors, designers, vendors and sewists.

If you’d like to be a contributor in 2011, send us an email! kristin

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Share Your 2010 Reflections + 2011 Predictions

2010 was an exciting year for the sewing industry, with outstanding fabric collections, fun new patterns and the continued growth of a very creative and dynamic blogging community. We asked a few of our favorite quilters, sewists, designers and shop owners to reflect on the sewing industry in 2010 and offer some predictions for 2011. We’re excited to share their answers with you over the next two weeks as we welcome the new year. We’d also love to know your thoughts on the subject!

Answer any or all of our questions on your blog or in this thread in our forum, and share a link to your answers in the comments below. Your participation enters you in a drawing for one of five $15 Sew,Mama,Sew! gift certificates on January 15th.



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Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 Reflections + 2011 Predictions ~ Susanne Woods

We asked some of our favorite quilters, sewists, designers and shop owners to reflect on the sewing industry in 2010 and offer predictions for 2011. We’ll share their interviews as we look ahead to the new year, and we want to hear from you too! Answer any or all of our questions. Your participation enters you in a drawing for one of five $15 Sew,Mama,Sew! gift certificates on January 15th.

Today Susanne Woods tells us a little about her thoughts on the sewing industry in 2010 and 2011. Susanne is an acquisitions editor for C&T Publishing and Stash Books; you might remember her post about publishing your own book here at Sew,Mama,Sew! Read her ideas about the sewing industry from a publishing industry perspective!



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Holiday Harmony – Perfect Wine Pairings

With all the choices available, it’s not always easy to determine which wine might be just right for your holiday festivities. Whether you’re pairing wine to a selection of amazing holiday cheeses or to a table laden with a variety of flavors for the big meal, we’re here to help!

First off, know that the best rule to follow is to buy and drink wines that you like. Despite what you may have heard, wine is all about your own personal taste. Our second bit of advice: You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy really delicious wines. We’ve searched the world to find affordable, easy-going wines and we’ve selected our favorites for our Top Ten holiday wines

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The Romance of Fresh Herbs

I have a shelf full of tiny bottles of indeterminate age that are fine in a pinch (pun intended), but nothing makes a meal or engages the senses quite like the look, feel, taste and, certainly, the smell of fresh herbs.

I have a cutting board and special knife exclusively dedicated to chopping herbs. The board is wooden and bowl-shaped in the center and the knife is like a hand held pendulum that chops the herbs through a gentle rocking motion I now associate with warmth and comfort. I’ve tried new technologies over the years, including the loud, bone-jarring choppers that made my palm (and head) hurt and the overly elaborate electric food processor that felt like a messy and unnecessary escalation. In the end, I always return to my bowl and pendulum

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What’s Your Christmas Wish?

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Tips for Greener Holidays: Clean Up!

For regular batteries, please recycle them instead of letting them end up in the landfill. You can find info on how and where to recycle at earth911.com.Did you get a new computer or other electronic equipment? Donate your old stuff! Here in Central Texas, Goodwill has a great program where they take all electronic equipment and try to reuse it

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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Rate this Recipe: Cranberry-Walnut Muffins

Are you a fan of cranberries? I usually like cranberry juice and cranberry with turkey. I also like dried cranberries on my salad.

This recipe is from the Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Washington State; you can even read the site's Historical Handbook. They have a list of Pioneer and Indian Recipes.

Recipe: Cranberry-Nut Muffins

Tweaks to the recipe:

I put out the margarine to let it come to room temperature. I bought the walnuts already chopped. I used cupcake pans and cupcake liners instead of muffin pans because that’s what I had on hand. Since the size of the muffin is smaller, I cooked it for 25 minutes.

Cooking Experience:

It took about one and a half hours total. It made 14 cupcake-size muffins.

Since I’ve never cooked with fresh cranberries before, I wasn’t sure how to pick a ripe package. I just made sure there was no mold.

I found it interesting that there was no sugar in the recipe

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Holiday Fire Safety

As I was traveling this weekend I saw so many cars transporting Christmas trees home. This is supposed to be a joyous time of year, but according to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage each year.

I don’t want to be one of those statistics.

Here are some things we can do to avoid a holiday fire:

Before you buy a tree for your home, be sure to check and see if the tree was freshly cut. The needles should be green and the trunk should be sticky to the touch. If the needles are falling off the tree, it’s already dried out and is a fire hazard. When you get your tree home, keep it away from heat sources like fireplaces and heat vents, and keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Check your holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and any other damage. Don’t link more than three light strands and don’t overload your electrical outlets.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends you decorate only with nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations and, like the tree, keep them away from open flames and heat vents.

Fire safety professionals always recommend against candles. You can get electric candles now, and I hear that you can even get an electric Menorah. Whenever you use real candles, make sure they’re in stable holders and put them where they won’t be easily knocked down. It’s a good idea to stay close to your lit candles just in case there’s an accident.

Keep fire safety in mind, and have a safe and happy holiday season!



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City Weekend by Liesl Gibson 25% off! Today Only

S. Beautiful prints in both cotton and knit.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 9:53 am and is filed under Etc.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. 2 Responses to “” Kristina responds: Posted: December 18th, 2010 at 12:34 pm →

Interesting patterns.

Tamiko responds: Posted: December 18th, 2010 at 1:29 pm →

pretty good deal

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All Purse and Bag Patterns 25% Off! Today Only

Day 7 of 12 Days of Deals: All purse and bag patterns, including both paper and PDFs, are 25% off today only. Nearly 100 patterns to choose from. Need a last-minute gift? Get a PDF today!

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 11:40 am and is filed under Etc.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave a ReplyClick here to cancel reply.

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Little Girls, Big Style Book Tour

Little Girls, Big Style: Sew a Boutique Wardrobe from 4 Easy Patterns by Mary Abreu encourages home sewers to mix four basic wardrobe staples to create hundreds of outfits. It’s beginner-friendly approach to sewing “boutique” clothing guides readers through all the basics, from finishing seams to gathering, hemming to shirring and more. Mary uses her experiences as a sewing teacher to create a practical guide any mom, grandmother, aunt or big sister can find useful. We’re happy to share a little more about Little Girls, Big Style with you today as a stop on Mary’s blog book tour. You also have a chance to win a copy of the book by commenting on this post!

Sew, Mama, Sew!: Your book is dedicated to your late mother, whom you call “the original craft addict.” What kind of influence has she had on your sewing?
Mary: I remember wearing so many things my mom made when I was a little girl: Halloween costumes, wrap skirts, T-shirts — you name it, she made it. I was just in awe of what she could do because it seemed like there was no end to her talents. After my sons were born, she sewed for them, too, and I loved seeing that connection with my childhood. My daughter was born almost three years after my mom died and I didn’t want her to miss out on all that mama-made goodness. I’m not as precise as mom, or nearly as fast, but I think I sew with as much love.



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Giveaway Day ~ Handcrafted Item(s)

Knitting Supplies/Materials. Giveaways should remain open until December 17th.

Participants are listed in alphabetical order with international shipping first, and host country-only shipping second. If you don’t see your giveaway please check all three lists first, then contact us (beth

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

ALL Alexander Henry 25% off! Today Only

Day 4 of 12 Days of Deals: All Alexander Henry fabric is 25% off, including the brand new collection, Larkspur!

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 10:25 am and is filed under Etc.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave a ReplyClick here to cancel reply.

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Chestnut and Wheat Berry Salad

Add the wonderfully rich flavor of chestnuts by either roasting your own or picking up a jar of roasted ones in our stores. Wheat berries offer a delightfully chewy, satisfying texture. A simple mixture of apple cider vinegar and tamari contributes a balance of tanginess and saltiness, while raisins and carrots add gentle sweetness. The fresh, bright flavor of mint provides the finishing touch. All in all, this is a delightful combination of flavors that deserves a place on your holiday table. And better yet, this salad can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature, so it’s a perfect choice for entertaining.

Other than remembering to plan ahead and allow time for soaking the wheat berries, it’s a very simple recipe. Here’s what you do:



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What’s for Christmas Dinner this Year?

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Have you decided what to serve your guests for Christmas dinner? While Thanksgiving pretty much always leans toward turkey, Christmas opens up the possibilities to many other types of entrées. Many families create their own traditional Christmas fare that they serve every year. Here are a few suggestions for crowd-pleasing main courses. What will you be serving? Happy feasting!

Click on the recipe image to go to the recipe page with the full details.



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Whole Trade Lilies from Plantas y Flores

lilies are grown at Plantas y Flores, a floral farm in Costa Rica that I was honored to visit along with other Whole Foods Market team members in early December.

Plantas y Flores is located high in the mountains above San Jose near the Irazu volcano. The terrain is lush and steep, and the roads wind around the sides of the mountains. The elevation on the farm is around 2,100 meters, which is 6,600 feet above sea level, and on a clear day you can see the Irazu volcano. The weather was cold and rainy and we were all wearing jackets to keep warm in Costa Rica!

We started our tour in the packing house where the flowers are received, hydrated and packed. We watched our Whole Trade lilies being packed with their Whole Trade sleeves and stem tags. In addition to meeting our Whole Trade guidelines, Plantas y Flores is also Rainforest Alliance certified. We then moved out to the green houses to witness the harvesting of our lilies. The tour was led by Juan Pablo who is the farm’s Production Manager

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Green Holidays: Gift Wrap

that’s 25 million extra tons of garbage going to the landfill. The Whole Foods Market Green Mission Team has gathered our favorite tips to feature on this blog throughout the holidays to help us all reduce our load. Our customers are some of the greenest folks around, so please share your tips with us too. Hopefully we’ll help each other discover new and creative ways to live lighter on the planet this holiday season.

Gift Wrap



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Top Five Money-Saving Tips for Shopping

at the best prices possible.

1. SHOP THE SALES

More than 1000 items are on sale in our store right now. Sign up for our e-newsletters for what’s on sale, and in the store look for the sale signs to save!

2. GET YOUR VOLUME DISCOUNTS

Get discounted pricing on many items when you buy a full case or more than a certain amount at once, including cases of party favorites like tonic water and our Top 10 Holiday Wines in most stores. Get the details at Customer Service.

3. PLAN YOUR MENUS

Create full menus and shopping lists for all the meals you’ll need, especially when you’re expecting company so you don’t overshop when the time comes. Make it easy with our iPhone recipes app and online recipe-box and shopping-list features.

4. REMEMBER MEALS BETWEEN

You won’t be eating at parties every meal this month! Keep simple meal makings on hand to avoid budget-busting takeout.

Buy a big bag of individually-quick-frozen chicken breasts (they don’t need thawing before cooking).Try

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Hearty Winter Squash

F. Rinse your squash of choice and slice in half. Sometimes the rind can be thick, so be careful when slicing. Scoop out the seeds and place the squash, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet, roasting pan or jelly roll pan. Add enough water to reach about half an inch up the pan and carefully place in the oven. (See why you need the rims?) Alternatively, if you like a little more caramelization on your squash, skip the water (and the rims) and place your squash face up on the baking sheet. Cooking time will depend on the size and variety of squash. Check periodically to make sure that there is still water in the pan. If not, add more. The water will add moisture to the squash and protect it from burning as it bakes. To test for doneness, poke the skin of the squash with a fork or knife. If it pierces easily and the underlying flesh of the squash yields to the fork, it is ready!



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Support Local Artisans

Cookies by Shar

Davie, Florida

Sharmila Melwani, a financial advisor, has all the right ingredients for a successful baking business: a substantial sprinkling of business savvy, a dollop of creativity and a heaping helping of love that she pours into each of her creations. Shar began creating personalized cookies in her kitchen for family and friends. As the business has grown, so has its reputation and reach. Her delectable delights have been shipped as far as Kuwait.

Perfectly Sweet

Alhambra, California

As a child, Mary Aqleh watched her grandmother bake all sorts of sweets. She began making desserts and baked goods as a hobby in the 1980s, crafting custom cakes and gift baskets for friends. Now she and 26 employees keep this bakery running 24 hours a day to turn out delicious cakes, pies, cookies and confections. Mary visits the local produce mart three times a week to pick up fresh ingredients from local farmers, and she prides herself on her open bakery, where customers can watch her bake while enjoying a sweet treat.



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Favor Fennel

Fennel has been around for eons, dating back to ancient Greece. The slightly sweet, crisp bulb is delicious raw in salads, and is also wonderful when sautéed, braised, roasted or grilled. The leaves (or fronds) look similar to dill. Fennel stands well on its own or pairs beautifully with other raw or cooked veggies, fish and meat. It occupies a unique and important role in cooking among many European countries, especially Italy and France. I first learned to when I had it with fish. Since then, I have prepared it in many dishes from raw salads to stir-fries. You’ll find fennel’s flavor most intense when eaten raw, but don’t be shy about cooking it, too!

Adding fennel to your menu helps keep you fit with flavor and lots of good benefits:

Low calorieFat freeVitamin CPotassiumTaste bud joy!

The bulb is the most edible part. The stalks are crunchy and delicious, but sometimes a little tough. The leaves are great as garnish. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy fennel:

As tea from the seeds

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Tips for Greener Holidays: Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees
More than 50 million trees are sold each Christmas and it’s estimated that 30 million of those end up in our landfills. This year, make mulching your mantra.

Simple changes with big impact:



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Holiday Bake-Off

In their own words, Made Just Right is a community where like-minded people can share recipes, photos, cooking advice, product reviews, food news and lifestyle tips. Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free or someone who chooses to use only natural, non-GMO products, you’ll find flavorful and delicious recipes and tips that jive with your diet.

Made Just Right is featuring a different holiday baking category each week in December. All you need to do is go to their site and submit your favorite original dessert recipe (and a photo!) for the week’s category, using one or more Earth Balance products.

Winners will receive a year’s supply of Earth Balance and a $400 Whole Foods Market gift card. Two winners will be chosen for each category and you can submit multiple recipes in any of the categories. Here are the entry periods for each dessert categories:

November 29

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Tips for Greener Holidays: Lights

Holiday Lights
Yes, we know that lights are festive, but you can find ways to save money and energy while turning on the twinkle.

Trade in your conventional strands of lights for energy efficient solar or LED lights

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Monday, December 20, 2010

Help Justin’s Nut Butters Feed the Hungry

Conscious Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding those in need in the U.S., particularly people living in impoverished American Indian communities. Since 2002, the Conscious Alliance has collected and distributed over 1,000,000 pounds of non-perishable food donations, all from the collaborative efforts of individuals, companies and musicians. They continue to follow their vision of not only providing emergency food relief and services but also facilitating sustainable economic development of American Indian communities. With food drives as their medium, especially at concerts and music festivals, they’re working to raise awareness that hunger and poverty still exists in America and they hope young people will be inspired to engage in some community participation.

The Whole Foods Market and Conscious Alliance partnership goes way back:



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Celebrate the Latest Issue of The Whole Deal

recipes you’ll dazzle your guests for fewer dollars.  Take a look!

Coupons

Celebrate the convenience of online clipping! All of the vendor partner coupons featured in The Whole Deal in-store value guide are also available online. Print the coupons you want, when you want.

 

Appetizing Small Bites Recipes

Take a big bite out of party costs with

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Tips for Greener Holidays: Cards

This season, we’re sharing a few favorite tips from the Whole Foods Market Green Mission Team to help us all reduce our holiday waste. (Check out our posts on greening your Christmas trees and lights.) We know our customers are some of the greenest folks around, so please share your tips with us too. Hopefully we’ll help each other discover new and creative ways to live lighter on the planet this holiday season.

Holiday Cards

Did you know that over 2

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Not Your Everyday Baking Basics

Natural buttery spreads free of  trans fats,hydrogenated oils and artificial ingredientsVegan and organic optionsSeveralvarieties to suit all your cooking and baking needs:Whipped Buttery Spread, Buttery Sticks, Soy Garden Spread, Shortening, Soy-Free Buttery Spread and Original Buttery Spread

Want to win a year’s supply of Earth Balance products and a $400 Whole Foods Market gift card? Then enter your original recipe in the Earth Balance Holiday Bake-Off. Visit Earth Balance’s Made Just Right website for contest details.


365 Everyday Value

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World Christmas Party

so Putumayo has assembled some of our favorite upbeat seasonal songs to get you rockin’ around the Christmas tree. So get ready to deck the halls with a !

(Read on for a chance to win a CD collection of Christmas music.)

I’ve always enjoyed looking out for compelling versions of Christmas music recorded in other parts of the world and how different cultures celebrate Christmas. On a trip to New Zealand last year, I found one of my favorites, a Maori recording of

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