~Do You Shop @ Michael’s Arts & Crafts Store?~

In these tough economic times many of us sacrifice purchases and unnecessary shopping sprees.  If you shop at Michael’s you know that many times the store gives out coupons like they are going out of style. 

This past week Michael’s didn’t have a weekly ad in the Sunday paper…I was so disappointed.  Since I am signed up to receive email updates from the website: www.michaels.com frequently I receive coupons.  I received this 50% off (any regular priced item) coupon today and wanted to share with all the crafters out there.  The best thing about this coupon is you can print as many as you want and use them throughout the week but only one per transaction. 

Even though you are supposed to use one coupon per transaction per day I’ve been known to go back the same day and have yet to have a problem.  This coupon is good March 29th through April 4th. 

Click HERE to get the coupon!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

~March Featured Etsy Blogger: Design By Nora~

Congratulations to Nora of Design By Nora for being chosen as the Etsy Bloggers Team featured member!  Nora’s shop is filled with cute handbags and unique jewelry pieces.  I have picked some of my favorite items from her shop and have featured them below.

The first item that caught my eye was this adorable floral purse called "Mabel’s Purse”.  This purse can be used for a casual outing or a for a hot date out on the town.  With spring finally here I imagine this little handbag will look great with any spring dress.  The attention to detail on this handbag is amazing and I love that it is made with bamboo! 

Have a purse fetish?  Check out the other handbags in Nora’s shop by clicking HERE!

Even though the cold days are coming to an end there is always a need for a warm cozy blanket.  What better to buy than a handmade one?  Check out this Green and Pink Crocheted Bed Spread.  What a great way to decorate a room handmade style!

My favorite jewelry piece from Nora’s shop are these Lavender Flower Studs.  These flowers are the perfect size and are just in time for Easter.

Want to see more from Nora’s shop?  Stop by today…and if you do decided to purchase something let her know Cards By Jenna sent you. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Welcome Spring Chickens!~

Even though Spring is officially here it sure doesn’t feel like it here in the great Northwest!  Hopefully the warm weather will be here soon but if not I always have my upcoming Kauai trip in May to look forward to. :)

To celebrate the official arrival of Spring I am dedicating this post to some very talented artists on Artfire.com.  The theme for my post is “Spring Chicks”.  All the items feature chicks! 

This adorable Easter Baby Chicken and Word Blocks Spring Home Decoration is perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself.  You can find this baby chicken in Sawdusted’s Artfire shop. 

Are you a crafty person yourself and looking for an awesome and unique Easter sewing project?  Check out this Easter Basket Felt Pattern from LittleCricket’s shop.  Not only is this Easter Basket filled with fat free goodies but will keep year after year.  Please note this listing is for a PDF pattern.

Does your kitchen need a spring touch?  Decorate with this fantastic Yellow Crocheted Chicken Potholder from ArtLoCraft’s shop.     

HAPPY

SPRING!

~Flax Banana Bread Recipe~

Ever get tired of making the same banana bread recipe?  I had 2 lonely bananas that were getting a little too ripe on my counter.  I didn’t want to use my typical banana bread recipe so I went searching on Prevention Magazine’s website (www.prevention.com) and found this flax banana bread recipe.  Not only is this a healthy recipe but it tastes delicious too!  Next time I make this I will be adding walnuts.  Also instead of making bread I used this recipe to make muffins, still bake at 350°F but lowered the baking time to 20 minutes.  

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pureed bananas (about 2 medium bananas)

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a nonstick 8- x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2.  In a large bowl, combine the sugar, buttermilk, egg substitute, and oil. Whisk until smooth.

3.  In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to mix.

4.  Add to the liquid ingredients, and stir just until blended; do not over mix. Add the bananas and stir to mix.

5.  Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pan to a wire rack, and let the bread cool slightly. While it is still slightly warm, turn the bread out of the pan.

*Recipe Tips*

For best results, choose very ripe bananas, place them in a blender or food processor, and puree until smooth. Ground flaxseed is sold in natural food stores. Store any unused flaxseed in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer.

*Recipe courtesy of www.prevention.com*

~Cinnamon Anyone?~

Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices and is used in so many different items.  You wouldn’t know it but cinnamon is actually a small evergreen tree and is native to Sri Lanka.  According to wikipedia cinnamon is harvested by growing the tree for two years and then coppicing it.  Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management in which young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level.  The next year, about a dozen shoots will form from the roots. These shoots are then stripped of their bark, which is left to dry. Only the thin (0.5 mm) inner bark is used; the outer woody portion is removed, leaving meter-long cinnamon strips that curl into rolls ("quills") on drying; each dried quill comprises strips from numerous shoots packed together. These quills are then cut into 5–10 cm lengths for sale. 

Cinnamon is mainly used in cooking and flavoring but has been known to have health benefits.  For more information click HERE.

I decided to go window shopping on Etsy to find items that contain the spice, remind me of it, or are named after it. 

This little Cinnamon Toast Guy Card is bound to put a smile on the lucky recipient’s face.  This card could be used for any occasion and can be found in Jackeyo’s Etsy Shop. 

This Natural Cinnamon Soap comes to you from Dragon Soap’s Etsy Shop.  Each ingredient in this soap is 100% natural and creates a luxurious lather.  This soap would make a perfect gift for you or for that special someone.  This dragon even comes with a lucky coin!

I couldn’t post this without adding in some real cinnamon rolls!  These yummy cinnamon rolls can be purchased from Dreamy Pleasures Etsy Shop.  You will receive about 15 delicious hand made cinnamon rolls loaded with cinnamon!  Sounds good to me. :)

If you are looking for a fat free and no calorie version of the cinnamon roll check out these Cinnamon Bun Earrings from The Scoop Pat Boops Etsy Shop.  These earrings are made with polymer clay.  They look good enough to eat!    

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to post a comment, especially if you have some yummy cinnamon recipes. :)

~Tag You’re It!~

Designs By Vanessa tagged me!  Once tagged you pick the 4th photo in your “pictures” file on your computer, upload the photo to your blog, and tell everyone about it.  Since my most recent photos are of my cards I decided to pick the 4th folder in my “pictures” file then picked the 4th photo inside that file.  Turned out to not be one of my card creations but Christmas last year. :)

 

This picture is of my parent’s Christmas tree on Christmas morning with all the goodies and gifts underneath.  Long long ago we planted little saplings that are now all grown up.  Every year we cut a tree down.  Since I moved out of the nest I get the treat of getting my very own tree off the lot.  We have so much fun every year.  It’s a great family tradition.

~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~

So spring is just around the corner, are you ready?  Why not jump start the season by entering to win this set of 3 lavender greeting cards made by me! 

To enter the giveaway click HERE.

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on the post telling the world what your favorite flower is.  Be sure to leave your contact information so you can be notified if you win.  

The winner will be chosen via the famous random number generator.  The deadline to enter is 11:59pm EST, March 7th.  Good Luck!