Holiday Baking... at last!

I have been home pretty sick all week long. Christmas continued to barrel closer despite my aching skin & hair, stuffed up nose, & high fever.
Instead of being at the store this week, helping customers pick out last minute gifts, I have been reading tweets & blog posts in between marathon nap sessions.  It seems like everyone on the internet has been talking non stop about making holiday cookies & showing off pictures of said cookies like they were newborn babies!

 

Tammy's Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
I dare you to click on the photo!

Around Wednesday the craving for peanut butter thumbprint cookies started twitching.  You know, the kind with the Hershey's Kiss on top.  Everyday I read about more holiday baking. Everyday I saw more cookie pictures.  My craving was growing. 

I went to bed last night excited to wake up & go to a dear friends home for Xmas pancake breakfast.  But I woke up feeling more congested & weak than the day before.  Determined to get some Xmas baking in...

I gathered up my strength & baked a batch.  Having no chocolate kisses in the house, I improvised with a few chocolate chips on top.  They didn't exactly come out thumbprint-y.  And they didn't end up with a uniform blob of chocolate in the middle.  They did however come out amazingly delicious! 

Pictured alongside my peanut butter darlings is one of my Orla Kiely mugs.  The styling of this photo was inspired by the delightful Caren of the Tea & Chickadees blog.

What's YOUR favorite cookie to make &/or eat during the holidays?

A very Merry Day to you all!

❤

-t

edit:
duh... it never occurred to me that people would want the recipe. I think it's a pretty standard recipe.  Although I grew up thinking it was my Grandma's special recipe... I see pretty much the same recipe everywhere.  It's funny...  I grew up eating these long before I even knew the word Gluten. haha 

Grandma's Gluten Free Peanut Butter Darlings

 (if making them for GF purposes be sure all ingredients are GF)

(Makes about 24 cookies)

1 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter (creamy works fine too)

1 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

1 Large Egg

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

1 Cup mini chocolate chips (chocolate kisses on top work too)

Mix everythig but the chocolate w/ a mixer on medium speed. 

if using chocolate chips, stir them in last. (if using kisses you will add them after baking, as soon as they come out of the oven)

Using damp hands, roll dough into tablespoon-ish sized balls

Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet.  (Be sure to leave 2 inches between each cookie- they grow!) 

Bake 10 -12 minutes (depends on your oven)

& then the hard part: Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before eating transferring them to rack to cool thoroughly. (they are very delicate when first out of oven. use a wide cookie spatula to transfer them)

To: Me, From: Me "Merry Xmas Tammy"

Isn't it lovely how well it suits my favorite winter cap?

My Xmas Gift to myself was this irresistible custom made cowl from My Girl Thursday! 

I met Thursday on Twitter.  I have no memory of how we came to be Twitter pals. But I do recall the very moment in time that I saw a scarf made from the above fabric in her Etsy shop. (Which is now closed for vacation. But be sure to sign up to be notified when she reopens in January)  

I recall thinking... "I knit, why in the hell would i buy a scarf made out of fabric".  But I couldn't stop stalking this scarf.  Then I remembered that i don't even like wearing long knit scarves. I am a cowl or triangular scarf type of gal.  I thought I had finally reasoned myself into NOT buying that scarf.

I begin tweeting a lot w/ @mygirlthursday & found her to be not only super friendly, but hilarious as well. That damned scarf in her shop kept haunting me. So I marched out on a limb & sent my new Twitter pal an Etsy convo.  Perhaps she'd have some of that dreamy vintage fabric left. And perhaps she'd be willing to make me cowl from it.  Of course she was a doll & asked me what details I'd like.  I was obnoxiously clear about what I wanted for my custom cowl; at least 4 buttons, a certain fit, lined with a coordinating fabric (as if she wouldn't have done that on her own), etc.   

I am in love with my new cowl. 

& I am grateful for the laughter & crafty friendship of @mygirlthursday.

What gift(s) have YOU given yourself this season?

Ninth Street Open Studios

Last weekend we had way too much fun...  

Come on down & see us in Berkeley!

We've got hot cider, yummy snacks, & lots of talented people!

Holiday Shopping for Bay Area Arts & Crafts

The San Francisco Bay Area is very lucky to have SOOO many amazing Arts & Crafts Fairs/Sales/Bazaars/etc to choose from this Holiday Season!  (after the jump for a list of some of my favorites)   

PuNk rAwK pUrL will be selling her wares at::

The 9th Street Holiday Arts & Crafts Studio Sale in Berkeley

The awesome Jenny Hurth of Elbow Grease Designs is hosting an Arts & Crafts Studio Sale for THREE weekends in December!  There will be a rotating roster of several local artisans to make your holiday shopping a breeze!  

All Dates will be from 11 AM to 6 PM

at

Elbow Grease Designs
2743 9th St.
Berkeley, CA

• Saturday & Sunday Dec 4th & 5th  
• Saturday & Sunday Dec 11th & 12th
• Saturday & Sunday Dec 18 & 19

A collection of items made from Recycled Banners by Elbow Grease Designs

If you know of some additional Bay Area Craft Sales this season?  Please share!

How About a Sale?

Black Friday.  Cyber Monday.  Fred, Sally, Herman, or Joe.  Call it whatever you'd like.  PuNk rAwK pUrL is having a weekend Sale!  Sale applies to all in-stock inventory!  How does it get any better that that?!! 

Bonus: Tweet or Facebook this blog post between now & Monday to receive a surprise gift with your order placed during this sale!  To ensure that you get your gift, be sure to leave a comment here telling me that you have done so (tweeted or facebooked)!  (Coupon Code is below)

❤ 20% OFF Everything in The Shop! ❤
Starts with Black Friday November 26 and lasts Thru Cyber Monday Nov. 29th!
✄ Use Coupon Code CLICKNSAVE2010 

It's starting to look a lot like... a Technicolor Xmas!

Never having been a traditional gal in any sense of the word I have long adored Xmas decor in bright funky colors.   

I bring you the PuNk rAwK pUrL Winter Wonderland Holiday Cards: Brightly colored paper trees are festooned with colorful stitchy Garland & topped off with a shiny metallic star.  The first batch of cards have just landed in the shop. & will also be available at my upcoming craft sale appearances. (details to come)

Special Holiday Pricing:

$6 each ★ $10 for 2 ★ $15 for 3
Choose from Any of my
Listed Xmas Cards to Get Special Pricing
If you would like a larger quantity, just contact me for pricing.

  

Forever a Lover of the aqua & chocolate (chaqua-late?) combo I have whipped up a forest in that combo. 

 

  & my current color combo crush... HOT Pink, Orange, & Golden Mustard. (I even snuck teal into a few of these).    

 There is just something about a Springy Green coupled with Happy Orange & a dash o' Chocolate Brown that makes me miss my mother's Tupperware laden kitchen! 

I Have Been Treasured!

I am squirming with the giggles that my little Oliva Owl Notecard has been featured in an Etsy Treasury by one of my super cool Twitter friends, Jenifer from KusalaKnits! 

Thank you Jenifer!❤

 

One of my faves from amongst this treasury are spillyjane's Gnome Sock Pattern.  Check out her entire shop of patterns, they are amazing!

clickity click the pic to go buy this!

Another fave is from Kala from Vegancraftastic. Squirrels, 

Owls, Trees AND birdies all on one project bag... who could resist that?!

I have been Twitter pals w/ Kala long before i had my own shop. She has the BEST taste in fabric & shows it off with her super rad project bags & pins! Check 'em out, you won't be disappointed.  

clickity click the pic to go buy this!

We Have a Winner!!

YAY!  Using a random number generator a winner for my first Blog Giveaway has been chosen!!  The winner is Michelle & has been emailed.  Congrats to you Michelle!

Michelle has chosen her colors & I am super excited to get started making her custom prize!

Big hugs & thanks to EACH of YOU who entered!  I truly appreciate your feedback & participation.  More Contests & Giveaways coming soon, so keep checking back!

Raise Your Right Hand...

I took the Buy Handmade Pledge as myself, Tammy George it seems like eons ago.  I have recently taken the Pledge as PuNk rAwK pUrL, my business entity.  And I am encouraging everyone who reads this post to consider taking the pledge to buy from & support independent businesses & craftspeople! 

Click the big button at the bottom of this post to take the pledge.

I am also asking that you pass the word along.  Tell your friends, family, & coworkers about the pledge, and they'll tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends, and so on.  (If you are under the age of 35 that last bit might not have been so funny to you, but trust me, it was mildly chuckle worthy.)

Please don't mistake this as a plea from me for you to shop exclusively from me.  There is an entire world chocked full of immensely talented  artists & craftspeople... including yours truly.  There are numerous websites which support these people.  There are also local craft fairs/bazaars/markets, especially during this time of the year.  Ask around & you will be surprised at what you find.  One of my favorite local Craft Sales is held monthly at the very cool knitting & craft studio in Berkeley, Knit One One.  How do you like to shop for Handmade? Online? Locally at markets & fairs? Share your favorite places to shop for handmade in the comments here. 

My First GIVEAWAY! Will You Be The Winner?

When it comes to hair accessories, what kind of hardware do you guys prefer?  For my crazy curly hair, I like the single prong alligator clip (w/out the chompy teeth).  I like these because i can also clip them on to a lapel of a jacket or the brim of a hat.  Several of my friends with baby fine hair cannot even get most hair accessories to stay in their hair.  

What about YOU?  Do you like Alligator hair clips... with or without teeth?  Perhaps you like the double prong alligator clips. Or do you like the french spring loaded barrettes?  Maybe you like combs or headbands.  Or do you hate wearing stuff in your hair altogether? I have an inquiring mind & i want to know!

    

So, Dear Reader, as you have probably figured out by this point, I have been designing & test running some hair accessories. I adore these sweet little machine stitched felt flowers.  I began making them as pins about a year ago, which are sold in a local boutique & continuously receive rave reviews about them.  Since I love wearing pretty stuff in my hair it was a natural progression to turn my felt garden into adorable adornments for my mane.  

 
Did someone say something  about a GIVEAWAY?!  You bet your sweet bippy I did!  The winner of this momentous & maiden PuNk rAwK pUrL giveaway will receive a custom made Felty Flower Hair Clip & matching Lapel Pin.  YES, I DID say custom made, as in I will make it just for YOU... the winner.  What a prize!  The giveaway ends Friday November 5th, 2010.  I will announce the winner on November 8th, 2010.        

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment here on the blog telling me your thoughts on hair accessories.
2. Want a 2nd entry?  Tweet on Twitter OR Share on Facebook this blog post & then come back here to the blog & leave a comment w/ a link to the tweet OR FB post. (You can use the links in the white boxes at the bottom of the post to tweet/share... or use your own method.)  
3. If you would like a 3rd entry; Follow me on Twitter OR "like" my Facebook page ( & then come back here & leave a comment to let me know)

Good Luck!  & if you have any questions... shoot me an email. ❤

New Items in The Shop

I am super dooper excited to announce that 

The Sew & Sew Owl Note Card line has landed in The Shop

This is Oscar

I have created these little guys & gals using vintage buttons from my Grandmother, colorful papers, threads, & lots of love. I cut all of the paper pieces by hand & arrange them according to color & texture. Then the extra-super-fun-for-me part begins... I use different colored threads to stitch it all together. The final detail in cuteness is applied when I hand sew the button eyes on. Depending on the mood of the individual owl, sometimes the eyes match; sometimes they are adorably wonky.
Although I can recreate similar Owls, no two Sew & Sew Owl cards are the same.

Presenting Otto, Ogden, & Orlando

  Orson

 Are your walls a little bare?  Or just lacking in over the top adorableness? 

You can request any of my cards to be framed.  Most of my A2 sized cards can be purchased for just $20, which includes the card & the frame.  They make awesome affordable art!

& let's not forget Sweet little Odessa ❤

Under Construction...

Late last night I had the bright idea to overhaul my blog template. It's not quite what I had in mind... yet. So please bear with me over the next few days or so, as i tweak & rearrange things. Feel free to share any thoughts, feedback, constructive criticisms. I am always open to feedback!

If you are savvy with coding & all that jazz & are feeling generous, please contact me . I would love to step outside of the templates a little further & make some bigger changes. But alas, my inner geek is fairly limited.

hugs & kisses

- t

p.s. I don't like posting w/out photos... so here is my chief Snooper-Viser, Rosco P. Coltrane

Rosco

I am Over the Moon

I was having a hectic day yesterday, not a bad day, just hectic.  Lots of errands, & a visit to a government office, not as much fun as I pride myself in striving for daily.  Mid afternoon I peeked in on my etsy shop... yes, to count how many item views & shop hearts I have tallied since the day before.  (I know, I know, a watched shop never boils.)  As I was poking around, thinking about rearranging some items, plotting out the items that were awaiting my camera to be listed next, I noticed that I had new feedback.

My hectic day had instantly become one of my favorite days of all time.  My first customer, that is my first customer whom I didn't already know, had left me the most truly amazing review/feedback.  I mean this is primo praise!  I actually got watery eyes while reading it.  I truly do enjoy creating things that people will love, that will bring them joy.  And with her permission I will share it with you now:

"Incredibly proud and pleased to have been Tammy's first customer, and an international one at that! Tammy is extremely friendly, lovely and eager to help you create custom designs. I'm over the moon with my custom Lotería card, which Tammy very kindly created in custom colours for me to match my wedding colours as this card is intended as a wedding anniversary card for my husband. The card is beautifully made, excellent quality and the mix of textures are both pleasant to the touch and the eye; so much so that I'm very tempted to have it framed afterwards! I can highly recommend these cards to anyone wishing to make a purchase from this shop, you won't be disappointed! It's been a real pleasure purchasing from you, Tammy, thank you ever so much for patiently communicating with me and creating something very special! I can't wait to purchase more cards from you in future, and thank you ever so much for the early anniversary wishes in another of your splendid cards! I wish you all the best with your endeavors :)"

Thank you Nina for being an amazing first customer! & thank you for using one of my favorite phrases... I too am over the moon! ❤

 

a quick iPhone shot of WHOOOO is coming to the shop next.

 

Monkey Wrenches... Not as Cute as They Sound.

So I had a wee setback in my master plans for the the first half of the week.  I started feeling a little low energy Sunday afternoon.  Late that evening I was doing my best impression of Linda Blair... circa The Exorcism.  The 24 hours following that... let's just say that my boyfriend is a flippin saint for sticking around to take care of me.  It's Wednesday & my energy continues to go up, but my body is a little weak still. 
But I am strong enough to blog... which is saying a lot for me... having not blogged regularly in EONS.  I really do enjoy it.  & I really did miss it.  & I was really quite good at it. (please don't go by this post, remember... I am still recovering from violent illness). 

Speaking of blogs... and scary things.... check out BuNnY MoNsTeRz blog to win one of these SUPER adorable  scary zombie bunnyz! 

And whilst still on topic of blogs & not having used one in a very very long time, I realized just how outdated & ridiculous this one is... the appearance & link content.  Being somewhat limited in my techno-bilities I did some stripping away of old buttons & links that weren't really pertinent to me or what I'm literally selling these days. The next step on operation blog-over is to replace the banner... & fix the issue with the body of the blog shifting to the right of the screen... this however will require some assistance. I am actually looking to build a website that will link to the blog... among other cool PuNk rAwK pUrL links.  Soon my pretties... soon. Oh... also talking about a change up in the colors.  sooo darned exciting.
 

PuNk rAwK pUrL Goes All Etsy & Stuff!

It took me ages longer than I had planned. And, it doesn't yet look quite how I had envisioned it. BUT... I have FINALLY opened my Etsy shop! I am very open & eager to receive critiques & feedback.

There is only one line of note cards in there presently, the Loteria Line (read about them below). More note card styles are coming very very shortly, like next week. AND... I will also be announcing some options to purchase them framed. I adore doing custom orders, so convo me on etsy!

Loteria note cards in a picture frame... instant & affordable art.

What else will she be whipping up for us besides note cards, you may be asking yourself. Boy oh boy, I am so glad that you asked that question! Atop my giant craft table I have been watching some super adorable hair accessories, & pins duke it out to debut in the next spot in the shop. A little further down the road you can look for pillows & some other home decor goodies.

Birdie & Arrows Cards

The Loteria line is created using actual pieces from the game. No photocopies here, no siree Bob! I hand cut all of the pieces, & then arrange them according to color & texture. Once I am happy with the layouts... the super fun-for-me part begins. Using different colored threads, I continue my story of color & texture by stitching all of the pieces together.

Oh Deer! & High Five Cards

Day 33

Day 33, originally uploaded by PuNk rAwK pUrL.

news:
- etsy store is actually going to happen very soon here. i am photographing product & writing the item descriptions this week. & planning to get the actual uploading into the shop this weekend!

- still having fun being a goofball with my self portrait project on Flickr.

Day 15: The Bangles

Day 15: The Bangles, originally uploaded by PuNk rAwK pUrL.

Day 15 of my 365 day self portrait project.