Black Bean Cakes for Toddlers

My mom had sent me a recipe for Black Bean Cakes with Salsa which is so delicious but with the recipe calling for salsa and jalapeno peppers I couldn't give it to bug. Here's how I adapted this recipe just for her! They freeze well so I usually make a whole batch.

Black Bean Cakes for Toddlers:
3/4 cup diced tomatoes ( I usually buy a can but you can dice the tomatoes yourself if you'd like)
1/2 cup green pepper, finely chopped
2 15oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 8.5oz package of corn muffin mix
2 Tbs. Olive Oil

In colander, drain 3/4 cup of tomatoes.In large bowl mash beans with vegetable masher or fork. Stir in muffin mix, drained tomatoes, and chopped peppers.
In 12-inch skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add four 1/2-cup mounds bean mixture to skillet. Flatten mounds with spatula to 3-1/2-inch-round cakes. Cook 3 minutes each side until browned. Remove from skillet. Repeat with remaining oil and bean mixture.  (you can make yours smaller depending on how much your toddler will eat. Bug is a little piggie and will eat a whole bean cake)

This is super easy and affordable to make! Try the adult recipe too! They are so yummy! If you'd like you can put a dab of sour cream on the side for your little one to dip!

Snapple Cap Magnets

[left] Baby Food Cap [right] Snapple Cap

I made some of these magnets the other day because Bug has so many art projects and pictures on our fridge that I ran out of magnets! Here's how I made them:

Wash & Day a Snapple Cap

Trace the cap onto your choice of paper and cut a little inside the traced line.

I added this "f" that was already cut from my scrapbook supplies.

Dab some glue or Modge Podge on the cap.

Place the paper in and let dry.

 The three parts of the cap that curve in hold the paper in too!

Glue a magnet strip on back and let dry.

Put it on your fridge! TaDa!

My hubby drinks a Snapple every morning so I had him save lots of caps. I will be making the whole alphabet in these Snapple cap magnets for Bug to play with!

The Stationery Sisters Interview & Giveaway!

Lets take a look into the shop of The Stationery Sisiters! I absolutely love this shop! She has such great prints that are personalized! I'd love to put one in Bug's room...once she gets one!

Tell us a bit about yourself
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I met this wonderful man and we got married! Shortly after, we moved to Houston, TX. After 2 years, we had our little girl. Life is good. I love to cook, I’m an absolute foodie! I work full time so I try to balance spending time with my daughter and husband while still doing enough around the house.
What made you want to become an artist? 

Since I was young I had a love for drawing. As I progressed in school , I slowly started to notice I didn’t have time for my passion of drawing. By the time I got to college I had absolutely no time to draw and just lost that passion. After I settled down with my husband and my daughter I realized I needed something that is only for me, something that I can call my own. I played around with everything you can think of; sewing, scrapbooking, and whatever else I thought was a good idea at the time until I realized that I love to create art on the computer.
What is your favorite item to create? 

I only make digital art prints and am still expanding my line. Although I’m starting to get my feet wet with motivational art prints that I will have up on my shop soon. I’m really enjoying it because it makes me excited to think that people will soon be looking at my art on their wall for motivation. Ideally, I would like to eventually create greeting cards and stationery.

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy? 

I am new myself but my advice would be make sure your products are unique. Although you will have a lot of artists selling things that are similar to yours, you need to find your niche. I’m still figuring out my niche but remember, hard work, promotion, marketing, and persistence will get you far.
How do you promote your work? 

I promote my work through my blog about my passion for art and paper products. I also use facebook, twitter and the Etsy forums. I also try to get the word out on blogs that would relate to my art prints.
Do you have any websites connected to your shop (blog, facebook, twitter)?
My blog is http://www.thestationerysisters.com/
Facebook : www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stationery-Sisters/140677335990455
Twitter : www.twitter.com/stationerysis
What is the inspiration for your work? 

Everyday life. Inspiration comes from everywhere. It can come from something I see on TV and then I’ll jump to my computer and start creating. Or it can be from a color palette or as simple as one of the blogs I follow. I also have an obsession with fonts and think of them as art, so I incorporate a lot of that into my work.

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?  

No, but there are a few charities that are dear to my heart and I would love to be able to donate a % of my sales to that cause when I get up and running on my feet.
Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both? 

I work full time as a department manager at a high end retail department store. It is very difficult to handle both but after I leave work I will create a schedule for myself. After I get home I will cook dinner then watch TV as I create on my computer. I make sure I don’t spend all my time on the computer without chatting with my husband and daughter. When my mind is at a creative block, I use that time to spend with my family or do something around the house. On my days off, I make sure my housework is done in the morning so I can get to work on my shop. There is no perfect formula; you just have to see what works best for you.
Where do you create? 

Mostly in the family room watching TV. I don’t want to be stuck in an office feeling like I’m being forced to create.
What are your goals for your shop? 

I would like to eventually expand to stationery and greeting cards. I would also like to make a living out of this, and quit my job. Or at least make some extra cash enough to add an extra addition to our family.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 

I create because I love to do it. But I create art prints because I want them in people’s lives, in their homes and in their hearts. I want my prints to leave my hands and into the hands of someone who would give it a nice home and in return, that home would give it character. 

You can win your choice of any one print 

in The Stationery Sisters shop!

If you don't want to wait for this giveaway to be over you can buy it now here!

 Here's how to win!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit The Stationery Sisters Etsy shop and tell me what you would choose if you were the winner!

Each one of these is a contest entry. 

Please post a separate comment for each that you do with your email address.

Become The Stationery Sisters facebook fan & invite your friends to become her fan as well.
Follow The Stationery Sisters blog on blogger or rss Feed
Follow The Stationery Sisters on twitter & Tweet about my Etsy shop
Follow The Stationery Sisters on twitter & Tweet this giveaway & Interview

Blog about The Stationery Sisters Etsy shop.

*For each entry requiring you to blog or tweet please include the link where we can find it.* 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, February 25, 2011. 

Sunday, February 27, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants 

and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact. 

Contest open to U.S. residents only.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who participated and congrats to the winner!

Caps for Good

I posted a little bit back about the Caps for Good organization and I only received one reply from someone who is going to donate so here is what I am going to do. From now until February 18th for each purchase of this hat (in any size/color) I will donate a cap for the Caps for Good organization. 

Please pass along, tweet, facebook,blog or anything else if you know someone who would be interested. 

If you'd like to donate a crochet or knit hat please email me: totshop728[at]yahoo[dot]com

The "in" Colors for February

The "in" colors for February (as Etsy is predicting) are bright pops of pinks, turquoise, orange, yellow, peach and avacado. Here is a brand new treasury including all of these awesome colors!

'February Fun' by crocheting4baby

Fun colors for February: pinks, turquoise, yellows, avocado, peach, and oranges

Neon RaspBerry Ring - L... Kirameku $14.75	Neon Dicro Dangle Earri... haydenbrook $20.00	Bright orange zest adju... vintagefusionj... $26.00
Forest Green Lampwork D... GlitzGlitter $22.00	Full Bloom Rose Flower ... BenAndOliver $5.00	Spring-Summer 2011....C... Textilemonster $17.00
Tutti-Fruiti Sorbet Sw... WillieandLu $29.00	Big bright pink accent ... dianasamper $10.00	Glow in the Dark Chainm... rabbitdance $10.00
Zippered Wristlet with ... wooden45 $9.50	Orange Phoenix screenpr... Bamilla $20.00	Outdoor Pillow - Turquo... Mazizmuse $39.00
Give Peace A Chance Art... colorbee $15.00	Avacado - Green Wooden ... TheKoiPond $7.00	Retro style pink and te... handmadefun $16.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

Also, check out the listing for my new hat! I'd love some views and hearts!

Have a happy February!

New Hat Coming Soon

I have been working on some hats for my shop and I was asked to make some of these. I'm planning on listing them shortly so I'd like to know what you think! Trying to decide on a price. I'd love your input!

Hooked Up Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all who entered the Hooked Up Giveaway! 

The winner was chosen using random dot org.

The winning comment is #22 - Kristen! 

[Kristen said... I have hearted Hook Up's Etsy Shop]

Congratulations! 

Look out for an email from me (totshop728 at yahoo dot com)! 

Want a chance at winning another item? 
Here's another Giveaway to enter!