Jules & Company Handcrafts

It's been seven years hatching this plan, and here I am, finally ready to launch it. I've never been one to just go for things, and slow and methodical is not a great business plan. I can't tell you how much procrastinating went into this endeavor, and self doubt. I mean...what if I screw something up? But making things is what my soul relishes in doing, and I need an outlet for that. Therefore, I'd like to announce the opening of my Etsy shop! It's still in its infancy so please be patient with me as I figure this all out.

Earlier this year I opened a Facebook page to list my handcrafted items, but an Etsy shop will help reach a larger audience. I will continue to use the Facebook page to advertise what I list on Etsy. Also, here on my blog I added a column on the right with items I listed in my shop, and I'll now update those with the Etsy listing.

If there are things you've seen me make in the past that you would like to see added to my shop, please feel free to share the suggestions!

Jules & Co Handcrafts Etsy page

Guilt-Free Taco Pizza: What's For Lunch

By request, my lunch from the other day:

Guilt-Free Taco Pizza
120 calories/piece
Makes 16 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. Betty Crocker pizza crust mix (use whatever you like but calorie count may differ)
• 1 can refried beans (if you use fat-free beans the calorie count will be lower)
• 1 cup salsa (calories based on Pace, but I used my mama's homemade salsa)
• 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning
• 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
• Lettuce, shredded
• Tomato, diced
• Salt & pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease an 11x15" baking sheet. Prepare crust according to package instructions. Spread on baking sheet and stab all over with a fork to release air pockets. (Crust will be very thin.) Bake for 5-10 minutes until crust is starting to brown a little. Mix taco seasoning into beans and spread on crust. Spread salsa on beans, then sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top. Bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes or until edges of cheese start to brown. Cut into 16 pieces (4x4). Top each piece with lettuce, diced tomatoes, and salt & pepper to taste.

A general serving size is about 3 pieces, so a 360 calorie lunch isn't bad!

Enjoy!

Irons in the Fire

My Mom used to caution me when I was younger: "You have too many irons in the fire". Apparently I still have this flaw, judging by the stations of clutter around the house and the time it takes me to complete a single project. I heard somewhere once that your personal space is a reflection of your mind. Welcome to the chaos!

We are officially done with school for the year. I tell myself this will give me more free time to get things done. How long have I been lying to myself, you ask?

The epicenter: my craft desk. Home to a million projects and ideas not yet brought to fruition. Currently housing clothes that need altering and patching, broken toys that need glue, and a basket of fabric for projects I hope to start soon. Duration: years. (The dowels in the drawer handles are to keep little monkeys from ravaging my supplies. Necessitated by the acrylic paint incident of '13.) And it doesn't end there. I hang my head in shame. Under the craft desk:

Dang you, Pinterest!

But look at all that gorgeous fabric!

The outgrown clothes project. These are supposed to be taken down to the basement and sorted into the appropriate size tote as boys have growth spurts and seasons change. This time it started with 4 winter sleepers. Location: dining room. Duration: 1+ (?) month.

The peg doll project and thrift store box project. Location: dining room table. Duration: 2 weeks

The next school year project (reorganizing the bookshelf to include next year's curriculum and supplies). Location: dining room. Duration: 1 week

The quilt project. Location(s): dining room table, dining room floor, craft desk. Duration: 3 days & counting 

I know what you're thinking. Good thing we have a spacious dining room! More often than I'd like to admit I have to let the boys eat at the coffee table in the living room.