Book Review- Witch Craft

I recently received the new book Witch Craft, Complied by Margaret McGuire and Alicia Kachmar. Witch Craft is a Halloween DIY book with over 25 projects in it, and the cover reads "Wicked Accessories, Creepy-Cute Toys, Magical Treats, and More!" and it does deliver all that and more in it's 96 pages.

This sweet little hardcover book is chalk full of crochet patterns, recipes, plushies, jewelry, and accessories. There is a really nice section in the back of the book about all the "witch crafters" in this book, and even gives the artists blogs and etsy sites. There were even a couple projects in here from a personal favorite of mine, Em and Sprout creator Lindsay Gibson.

I did manage to pick two favorite projects in the book, and trust me, it was hard to chose! My two fav's were the beaded Spider Earrings, and the Fuzzy Bats(the adorable bat on the cover). I promise, if you love Halloween and crafty books as much as I do then this book is a must have.

In the Halloweeny Spirit!

Yes, that's my eerily lit face behind those pumpkins and lanterns

Even though it's extremely unseasonably warm for October here in NE right now, yesterday it hit 91 degrees, I am starting to scheme for Halloween. I know I've probably mentioned before on here, lord knows I have everywhere else, that Halloween is my favorite holiday, which could be why I own enough Halloween themed craft books and magazines to put Amazon out of business.

I am currently working hard on some scary-cute projects for the up coming holiday, including one to enter in the big Craftzine Halloween crafts contest, so wish me luck! In the meantime though, why don't you check out two of my past spooky(and yummy) Halloween projects/treats! I do ahve to apologize for my older Halloween posts, I had just started blogging, wasn't quite sure how to go about writing down instructions yet, and the pics are from an old shoty 6 mega-pixel digi.

*Crispy Halloween Treats

*Halloween Lanterns


Pssst! Check back next week for some Halloween crafts and fun! :)

SnapDRAGONS!

I decided to take some pictures in the garden the other day, before the frost kills all the little lovelies. After taking the pictures & upon reviewing them I thought "Hmmm there's something fishy about those snapdragons...but I just can't put my finger on it". :)

Perry Imitates Art

'Cluster Headache' by Kristen Tercek

Perry Imitating Art

I have long admired the artwork of Kristen Tercek of Cuddly Rigormorits. Her cute yet slightly dark style has me constantly checking her site for her new work. And when Shana Logic sells her prints I squee with delight! One of the prints Shana Logic is currently selling called 'Cluster Headache'-(pictured above, and if you remember I posted about it a couple of weeks ago)- was an instant favorite of mine, for duh reasons. It reminded me so much of my own creation, and fellow tomato pincushion, Perry, that I had to pay homage to the genius of Kristen Tercek with my own interpretation of 'Cluster Headache'. Perry is imitating art in these photos, and he loved it. The photo shoot was done in an old dollhouse of mine, Perry's choice of course, and was a lot of fun!

Sauteed Veggies With Noodles

Like My Dill Garnish? :P

Here is another one of my Mom's uber yummy vegetarian dinner recipes. I loooove to make this dish! It's very easy to make, so good, and healthy too.

You'll Need-

• 1 small Zucchini, sliced.
  
• 1 can of quartered Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped.
• 1 carton of fresh Cremini or baby Portabella Mushrooms, sliced.
• 1/4 of an Onion
• Around 2 cups of a pasta of your choice, I used Rotini.
• Water
• Salt
• Pepper
  
• Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Around 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
• Parsley flakes (optional)

1. Start by chopping your zucchini, onion, and mushrooms on a cutting board, then put them into a pan and saute them with about 2 tablespoons of Olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Now that your mushys, onion, and zucchini's are sauteing, start boiling two cups of pasta, I used Rotini this time, but I have been known to use all sorts of noodles, including spaghetti.
3. While your pasta is boiling open the can of artichoke hearts and drain the excess juice from the can, set them aside.
   
4. Add about a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to the veggies, saute a little longer, and then add the artichoke hearts to the mix.
5. Add the tablespoon of butter to the veggies.
6. While the pasta is boiling add several spoons full of the pasta water to the sauteing vegetables to keep them nice and moist and create a little bit of sauce.
7. Add grated Parmesan cheese to the mix now.
   

Once your pasta is aldente drain and add pasta to veggies, mix together and serve. You can add some more Parmesan when you serve. Also try making this dish with red bell pepper, fresh asparagus, or black olives, which are my personal favorite to add. Enjoy!

Angry Pincushion Anniversary

I can DIY?

On September 27 The Angry Pincushion turned two years old! I better look out for those terrible twos. It's hard for me to believe that two years ago, I sat down at my laptop and decided to start a crafty, DIYish, cute stuff, and recipes blog that for some reason is still around. When I started I thought it would be easy, I soon learned that "making it" in the internets world is very hard work, very time consuming, and not cheap, although I still manage to get by with photographing my subjects with a substandard digi camera, and an old Mac laptop(hoping to get a new one soon, fingers crossed!).

I hope you've enjoyed a little something on Angry Pincushion in these past two years, I know I have enjoyed creating all of it, especially Perry. I'm already looking forward to celebrating three years of Angry Pincushion :)

Perry...

Just as disgruntled as ever, and ready for more gruntle in the year to come!

Silica Gel Packets, Throw Away No More!

Tonight I decided to clean out some of the drawers in my dresser, and my closet as well. While cleaning I came across several of those Silica Gel packets in old shoe boxes. As I went to throw them away I remembered a blog post I read awhile ago on Craftzine blog about genius ways to reuse Silica packets. Why bother reusing Silica Gel packs you ask? Well, number one, less things going into the landfill, and number two, some of the ways to reuse them are actually quite helpful! How helpful you ask ? How about helping to save your ipod after you accidentally drop it in your glass of water, or keeping important papers from getting all mildewy, ick! So next time you get a new pair of shoes and you find those familiar little packets, don't throw them out, reuse them!