Instead of party hats, I made all the kids superhero masks using this pattern. They also doubled as a party favor….All you need is some felt, hot glue, a sewing machine and some thin elastic.

Felt is in credibly inexpesnive, and I was able to fit three masks on one sheet. I purchased about a yard of elastic on etsy. I didn’t do them double sided, like she did in the pattern; I just used hot glue to affix the different colors and used my sewing machine to sew on the elastic.
These were great for all ages – we had babies wearing them, all the way to teenage brothers and parents!

First up: Comic book bunting.

I went to half price books and bought six comic books for 25 cents each. I also spray mounted comic books on the back of the invitation.  But for the bunting I just cut out a bunch of triangles, folded them over some yarn and used hot glue to keep them in place. We hung these from the ceiling above the tables and they made the perfect decor. It was super easy and inexpensive and something you can whip up in no time!

Ever since I have seen this post, my mouth has been watering and I have been determined to buy a normal size donut pan. We bought a really big carton of strawberries, and they were getting a little wrinkly faster than we could eat them. It was a sign that these donuts must be made!

I have been looking for a reason to make this coffee cake from vegan brunch, since I bought the book a few years ago. I specifically stayed away from it beause I knew if I was left with this in my house, I would EAT IT ALL. I definitely have a soft spot for cinnamon crunch cakes. I was headed to a clothing exchnage with a pot luck brunch so I knew this would be the perfect thing to bring. It made just enough, and was a hit! There are all kinds of variations in the book, and I’m definitely looking forward to trying them all.

The recipe is:
Topping:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tspn ground cinnamon
1/4 tspn ground nutmeg
1/4 cup canola oil

Cake:
3/4 cup almond or soy milk
1 tspn apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 tspn vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
2 tspns baking powder1/2 tspn salt

Preheat oven to 375. Grease an 8 inch round springform pan (or a 8×8 baking pan). Combine the milk and the apple cider vinegar and allow to curdle. Begin preparing the topping while this is happening.

In a small mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar and spices. Drizzle the oil by the tablespoonful or so; use your fingers to mix it up really good, until it all turns into a crumb like mixture. Now its time to make the cake.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the milk mixture, sugar, canola oil, and vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until smooth. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and evenly sprinkle the crumb mixture on top, patting it down just a bit.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean.

I had some really over ripe bananas so I made some baked donuts! Baked donuts are definitely not the same as fried ones, but I’m scared to do all that deep frying in my kitchen ,so these will have to do for now…

• 1 cup Mashed Ripe Banana (Roughly 2 small bananas)
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1/2 cup soy or coconut yogurt
• 1/4 cup earth balance, melted
• Egg replacer for two eggs
• 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips (I used cocoa nibs)

So since we have a new puppy, I’ve been looking for ways to keep her busy. I was at Krisers this weekend, talking to the girls there getting advice on things for our dogs to chew on, keep busy, etc. She showed me these dehydrated sweet potato treats. They wanted $20 for about 12 of them. They were thicker and denser than the ones pictured here, but it made me thinking that I could probably make something simliar on my own, for a fraction of that price!

So i went home and sliced up 2 sweet potatoes. I rubbed them with olive oil and baked them at 175 for a total of about 8 hours. I did it for four hours, went to bed, and left them in the oven (with the oven turned off) and then woke up and baked them for about 4 hours more. You definitely want to keep your eye on these. It all depends on how thick you cut your sweet potato. Mine were a little on the thicker side (maybe about 1/4 inch) but i bet if you used a mandolin slicer you would not have to bake so long.

These were a hit with both our dogs. And its an all natural-treat, so they are guilt free!

She is mainly the reason for my delay in postings…We got a new puppy a few weeks ago….Miss stella stinky pants! we’ve been spending alot of time with her and sticking around home when we can getting the yard ready for spring. I’m also running my first 5K in June, so i have been running when I have some free time – I’m headed to California next week, but when I return I hope to be back with lots of new things to create and share with you! Milo’s birthday is around the corner, and its super-hero themed, so there are a few DIY projects I have been working on for that… Hope you are enjoying your spring so far!

I was asked by Lauren of Peerless charm to come up with a new logo. Lauren is a jewelry designer who creates ethically sourced jewelry for socially concious women. I’ve watched her business progress and I was honored she asked me to redesign her identity. I’m also thrilled that she has taken this more ethical approach to her business and stands up for what she believes in.

Her old logo included a flower, and used the turquoise color.  She didn’t really have many requests or limitations on what I could do – just to keep the color pallete the same. This is the concept she chose and I think its a nice, clean update on what she previously had.

So take a peek around her site, follow her blog, and consider her jewelry next time you are in the market for something new!

I feel like I know ALOT of pregnant people as of late. So i got a head start on some baby gifts and crocheted this adorable little kitty hat in no time, plus I needed a break from blankets. (sorry granny stripe) The pattern is found here and its really easy to do! Pretty sure I’m going to need to do a boy version too. I didn’t use very much yarn, maybe a 1/4 of a skein? So this is a great project to use up random balls of yarn colors. Get to it!

I’ve said it before, but something about the holidays (especially easter!) makes me want to make pie. Last year I made a delicious chocolate pie; and this year its this frozen grasshopper pie (found here). This pie is crazy good. and its made with avocados and marshmallows. Yep. Avocado and marshmallows. Dont knock it. Try it and you’ll see how crazy good it is.

Chocolate Crust:
15 trader joejoes or other chocolate sandwich cookie
4 Tablespoons Earth balance, Melted

Mint Filling:

1 Cup Pureed Avocado (From About 2 Small, Ripe Avocados)
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/4 cup soymilk
1 10-Ounce Package Dandies Marshmallows
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Begin by combining the cookie crumbs and melted margarine in a large bowl, and stir well until there are no dry spots. Transfer this mixture to a 9-inch round pie tin, and use your fingers to press it evenly across the bottom and up the sides. Place the crust in your freezer until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, you can start preparing the filling. Puree your avocado using a blender or food processor, along with the lemon juice and soymilk. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically ensure you have no lumps of avocado. Set aside.

Place all of the marshmallows in a medium sauce pan, and set it over moderate heat. Stir continuously until the marshmallows have completely melted, and quickly transfer the marshmallow goo into your food processor or blender. Pulse to combine, and add in the salt, mint, and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides once or twice between pulses, until the mixture is homogeneous. Pour into your frozen crust, and return the whole thing to the freezer. Let freeze for at least 4 hours, until set and sliceable. If desired, top with chocolate shavings, curls, or ganache. (recipe to follow)

Ganache
1/4 cup soymilk
4 oz choc chips
2 T maple syrup

In a small saucepan, heat up soymilk until its a rolling boil; remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and syrup. Top pie with it, and put back in the freezer to cool.

* I made my pie, and put in the freezer for about 2 hours, then made the ganache, topped the pie with it and put it back in the freezer for another 2 -3 hours before serving.