Thank you!

This is super cute!  You did an amazing job!  Love the fun and cheerful fabric!

AHH!  This is beyond awesome!  I can't believe you've never embroidered before.  You definitely have a natural skill, my dear.  What a work of art!  Stellar job.

This is so sweet!  I can think of a couple of girls who would love this!  I'm definitely going to try and make some little books.  Thanks for sharing!

Hi everyone!  My name's Stephanie and I'm from the suburbs of Chicago.

I'm a baker, a painter, and a crafter -- I love to create.  Super excited to share recipes, swap craft ideas, and get nerdy with you all! 

Happy weekend!

Hi there!  I'm new too!

Excited to see your clothing craftiness!

This is so cute and looks super simple (I'm a total novice sewer) -- I'll definitely have to give this one a go!  Thanks for sharing!

Triple Chocolate Banana Bread

Recipe adapted from BunsInMyOven.com

Makes four mini loaves or one 9″ loaf.

You will need:

1 and 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. oil
2 T. chocolate spread (I used Nutella)
3 bananas, very ripe, mashed
2 T. sour cream
1 t. vanilla
2/3 c. walnuts, toasted and chopped (to toast, place walnuts on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper or foil and bake at 350 for about 8 minutes — they’re done when you start to smell them)
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a loaf pan(s) with cooking spray.

2. Stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.  Set aside.

3. In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat together the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy.  Drizzle in the oil, then add the chocolate spread.  Beat in the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla.

4.  Fold in the dry ingredients, then the nuts and chocolate chips.

5. Pour into loaf pan and bake 45 minutes to an hour (if you’re using mini loaf pans, check on these at 30 minutes — mine took about 40 minutes).

The Best Homemade Brownies

Recipe adapted from Buns In My Oven

You will need:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

2 and 1/4 c. sugar

4 large eggs

1 and 1/4 c. cocoa powder

1 t. salt

1 t. baking powder

1 T. vanilla

1 and 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 T. chocolate spread (I use Nutella)

2 c. chocolate chips

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9×13″ baking dish with foil and grease (I usually use cooking spray, but butter or margarine works just as well)

2. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter completely.  Stir in sugar and continue cooking 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly — do not allow sugar mixture to boil.

3. Pour butter mixture into a large bowl or stand mixer, beat in cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

4. Stir in the flour, chocolate spread, and chocolate chips until well combined.

5. Spread into prepared pan (batter will be very thick and sticky) and bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. The edges should be set and the center should still look slightly moist, but not uncooked.  Cool completely.  Slice into bars and store in an airtight container.

Those are adorable!  I need to think of a theme cake I could make these for.

Thanks for sharing!