New Item in Shop - Patches!

Just listed some new patches today! They can add fun to a basic t-shirt, pair of jeans or tote bag. These patches can be sewn or glued on.

Check them out here! More patch designs to come soon!

Chewy Peanut Butter, Flax Seed and Chocolate Chip Cookies

     This recipe makes some tasty chewy cookies! And no flour is needed to make them! I used my small coffee grinder to grind the flax seeds and in my opinion, you don't even taste them in the cookies (but they add protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids). The apple sauce helps add moisture that the flax seeds take out.

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup applesauce
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/2- 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
   Put all ingredients except chocolate chips in mixer. Mix for 1-2 minutes until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Put dough in fridge for about 30 minutes before forming balls and putting on cookie sheet. Makes about 15-20 cookies depending on how big you make them. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes. I recommend checking them at 8 minutes just in case because of oven/cookie sheet variances.

Practically Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

   
      I call these muffins "practically Paleo" because I use regular chocolate chips in them. I don't follow the Paleo diet but I had some coconut flour that needed to be used up and I find Paleo baking interesting because it's a challenge to make yummy tasting treats without the standard ingredients like flour and sugar. I adapted the recipe I found on this blog.

    They turned out pretty delicious and I would make them again, but I have to admit it's the chocolate chips that really make them worth baking.

    I was out of paper baking cups so I put the batter in a greased muffin pan. For easy clean up, I would recommend washing the pan soon after taking the muffins out since the recipe is egg heavy. I didn't do that of course and had a hard time getting the pan clean.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 6 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips 

     Mix together wet ingredients (you may need to melt coconut oil first, but this usually isn't necessary in sunny Florida) except for zucchini and chocolate chips. In a separate bowl mix together dry ingredients, then combine with wet ingredients. Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes 10-12 muffins.

Small Gathered Zipper Pouch/Clutch

    This is a small clutch I made for a birthday present using the tutorial here. The fabric I wanted to use for the band is see-through so I made a band with the teal fabric as a liner.

St. Patrick's Day Items added to Shop

Check out the latest items in the shop! St. Patrick's Day is March 17th!

Green Polka Dot Headscarf

Shamrock Garland

Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Smoothies are delicious and there are so many different ways to change them up. Here's a recipe for my latest version of Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup your choice of milk (I used almond)
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup oats
• about 8 medium sized frozen strawberries
• 1/2 a frozen banana - quartered
• Mint leaves and/or honey (optional)

Blend milk, oats, mint leaves and honey until well blended. Add banana, strawberries and pineapple juice and blend until desired consistency.

New Item in Etsy Shop

Headscarf now available at my Etsy shop. More to come soon!

Homemade Chocolate Syrup

   I love chocolate syrup. However, the ones sold in store have a lot of unnecessary ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavor, red 40 etc. So I found a recipe to make my own and it was very quick and easy. I put it in a vinegar bottle I had previously cleaned.

This recipe is from the book Tightwad Gazette. Although it's delicious, I plan to try using less sugar next time I make it.

Chocolate Syrup:

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/8 tbs salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Mix cocoa and water in saucepan on stove while heating it on medium to dissolve. Then add sugar and stir to dissolve. Boil for a couple of minutes, then add salt and vanilla. Turn off heat and once cool pour into clean jar. Makes about two cups of chocolate syrup. Store in refrigerator.

Embroidery Hoop Memo Board

   This simple memo board for my studio was made using items I already had on hand. I had been storing leftover quilt batting for awhile knowing I could use it somehow and now I'm glad I still had it.

Here's how to make your own:

Materials:

• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Quilt batting or stuffing
• Cereal box cardboard
• Scissors
• Tape
• Pen

1. Trace circle on cereal box with inner hoop of embroidery hoop. Cut out circle.

2. Cut fabric for embroidery hoop, leaving enough fabric to fold edges over on the back

3. Fill back of hoop with batting/stuffing.

4. Put cardboard over back of hoop and tape fabric down. Use end of scissors to push in any stuffing that sticks out.

I know there are prettier ways to finish the back but since this is just going up on the wall, it doesn't seem necessary. If you wanted to, you could cover the cardboard in fabric then hot glue it to the back of the hoop.

  I used thick sewing pins to coordinate with the fabric, but thumb tacks could be used instead. The cardboard prevents the pins from poking the wall.

Knitted Infinity Scarf

    The latest item I have added to my shop is a knitted cowl/infinity scarf. Winter isn't over just yet and this scarf is nice and warm!

You can view the scarf here at my Etsy shop.

Floral Wristlet

   Here is a floral wristlet I recently made. I wanted to make one and test it out for a week or so before making them for my Etsy shop.This wristlet is the perfect size for my essentials- phone, keys, wallet and lip balm. I'm glad I get to keep this one for myself because I love it!
 

 
   I really like the floral and small plaid fabric combo because I am ready for Spring to get here. Both fabrics are upcycled, as well as the ring for the wrist strap. I plan on making the wrist strap an inch or so longer next time. Not pictured is a small pocket on the inside I made with the floral fabric.

What features do you think make the perfect wristlet?

Welcome! Etsy Shop Now Open!

Opened up my Etsy Shop the other day and now starting this blog!

Key Lime Louise features handmade goods from upcycled materials.
You can check out the shop here: KeyLimeLouise on Etsy

One of my first items for sale. A tote/crossbody made out of a rice bag.

I'm looking forward to adding new items soon!