What I've been up to: In pictures!

I've been Jigsaw puzzling...

 Trying out new weaves and making new jewelry (soon to be properly photographed and posted on etsy)...

Baking for the volunteer that is leaving us at work and heading off to college...

Coming up with a display for a jewelry craft show (and subsequently being bored out of my mind at said craft show because it was a complete flop)...

 And to top it all off I found a new friend at the Renissance Faire this weekend!  His name is Wingsley the second of House Fuzzypaws.  And yes he is indeed a winged wolf/dog.  I owe the fantastic name entirely to The Boy who names things better than anyone.  

Not pictured here is the lightbox which I finally got sorted out somehow.  I'm not sure exactly what I did, but I've been afraid to touch it much since it got straight.  My to-do list this week includes photographing and listing all the new pieces I made, so stay tuned to my etsy site for the influx!

The other major thing on my to-do list for the week is coming up with a preliminary plan for Christmas so I can get anything that needs to get started early started now.  Any suggestions for crafty gifts that you all care to share?

Chicago Food Swap

So there's this new thing showing up across the country called a food swap.  I don't remember where exactly I first heard about it, but I was thrilled by the idea and immediately signed up.  Basically you make a bunch of food items and bring them to a location and swap them with other people for the food items they made.  Awesome!

The one I did was at the beginning of June and I baked up a storm for it.  I brought bagels, tortillas, and chocolate cookies.  In exchange I came home with some pretzel rolls, whoopie pies, jams, limoncello, salsa, popcorn, banana bread, and fudge.  It was a fabulous haul!

Delicious!  I've also signed up for the next swap in August.  So far the plan is cinnamon butter, tortillas, and multigrain bread.  I can't wait!!

Cooking Week 25: Regional Italian Beef

I live in Chicagoland.  When it comes to regional food we're known for our hot dogs, Italian beef, Deep Dish Pizza, and since I'm close to Wisconsin- Brats.  I don't like the first and the last and since week 26 was going to be pizza, I didn't want to do two pizzas in a row.  So I set upon making Italian Beef from scratch for Father's Day dinner.

I found my recipe here.  And loved being able to use my crockpot on such a hot day.

I served it on classic Gonnella rolls with oven fries and salad (not pictured because I forgot).

I'm back!

I apologize for the extended unexpected absence.  Things have been a little crazy here in the ThunderCrafts household and between that and the heat, I haven't felt much like posting.  I'm back though, with plenty to share in the upcoming days.

Short post for today since I have to figure out how to make my new light box (light tent? not sure what the official name is) stand up straight.

Any suggestions?