June 2014

Occasionally Crafty: Advertise

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Occasionally Crafty is a PR 4 blog with several advertising options.  We’d love to see if your company is a great fit for our readers.

For a media kit with our current statistics please email Valerie at  [email protected]

Ways to Advertise:

  • Giveaway a Product or Gift Certificate: We’re always happy to host a giveaway of your product if we think it and/or your business would be a good fit with our readers.  Giveaway packages include an introduction to your shop or business, product features including text links and images, two entries of your choice for readers to complete (sign up for a newsletter, like you on Facebook, etc.), and a social media campaign with “touts” on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.
  • Sponsored Posts (no giveaway)–  We only do sponsored posts for items or companies we love or really think our readers would love.  A Sponsored Post package includes a full post review of your company or product, including text links and images, and also includes a social media campaign with links on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

Again,  email us for a price quote if you are interested in advertising with us!  We would love to partner with you! Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: Advertise

⋅

Occasionally Crafty is a PR 4 blog with several advertising options.  We’d love to see if your company is a great fit for our readers.

For a media kit with our current statistics please email Valerie at  [email protected]

Ways to Advertise:

  • Giveaway a Product or Gift Certificate: We’re always happy to host a giveaway of your product if we think it and/or your business would be a good fit with our readers.  Giveaway packages include an introduction to your shop or business, product features including text links and images, two entries of your choice for readers to complete (sign up for a newsletter, like you on Facebook, etc.), and a social media campaign with “touts” on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.
  • Sponsored Posts (no giveaway)–  We only do sponsored posts for items or companies we love or really think our readers would love.  A Sponsored Post package includes a full post review of your company or product, including text links and images, and also includes a social media campaign with links on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

Again,  email us for a price quote if you are interested in advertising with us!  We would love to partner with you! Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: “Time for Baby” Shower Gift + Free Printable Gift Tags

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Posted by Valerie Earnest
A few months ago, I attended a baby shower for one of my friends from church.  I wanted to do something for a shower gift, so I put together a cute gift basket for her.
I was inspired by this “Time for Baby” gift basket from Darling Doodles.  What a great idea!  However, I changed a few things.  First of all, I used slightly different items.  And second, the tags weren’t really my style.  I wanted something a little different, and I wanted the wording to be a bit different as well, so I created my own gift tags!  We’ll get to those in a minute. In a “Time for Baby” gift basket, I chose to give gifts for feeding time, time to get dressed, and bath/bed time.  You could also do play time, but I chose not to since she already has plenty of baby toys. I chose a baby food spoon for feeding time.  They did not have these when my littles were babies, and I’m so jealous of those of you that have them!  How much easier would feeding on the go have been!  So now they are a staple baby shower gift for me. I chose some cute shoes for dressing time, since EVERYONE gives outfits at a shower. And finally, for bed/bath time, I gave her a little lovey-size blanket I sewed along with some lavender baby wash (my favorite for helping baby get sleepy!)

I finished the gifts off with these cute gift tags.  You can download them by right clicking on the image and saving them to your computer, or by clicking here for a (somewhat) editable file.

Everything went in a cute gift bag, and I was off to the shower! The mom-to-be loved it!  And I had fun giving something useful while still being able to add that handmade touch to it.

I’m linking these up to some of these parties this week.  Come party along with me!

Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Posted by Valerie Earnest

Last week I was at the store and I saw an ingredient that I really wanted to try- peanut butter and chocolate chips.  But for whatever reason, I put them back and went on with my shopping.



But those chips have stayed with me.  Niggled at my brain.



Yesterday I was at the store again, and this time, I put them in my cart.  So, when I woke up this morning craving peanut butter, I knew I had to pull them out.



I love to make cookies for my family.  I rarely bought store-bought cookies because I always have a batch of homemade ones ready to stick in a lunchbox or dunk in a cold glass of milk.



So, when my kids come home from school today, they’re going to be really excited to find these delicious Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies waiting for them on the counter!






This cookie has extra peanut butter to satisfy my craving, and then on top of that (!) the peanut butter chips bring it over the top.



And of course, peanut butter’s best friend is chocolate.  These cookies are perfect.






The best part is, they are simple to make, and only use one bowl!  

Just remember, it’s a little bit of a dry dough, similar to play-doh that you can squish together into a ball.  Roll it in sugar, then flatten with the back of a measuring cup or something similar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.  Don’t overbake- these should be soft with a sugar-crisp firm outer crust.







For a printable recipe, click here:



Recipe below:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter ( I use Jif, but your favorite kind will work too!)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

12 oz bag Nestle Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips

granulated sugar for rolling

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter or margarine until smooth.  Add peanut butter and mix 

until well combined.

2.  Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.  Beat till combined, 

scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

3.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix till combined.

4.  Add the flour and mix until smooth.

5.  Carefully stir or fold in the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips.

6.  If necessary, cover and chill dough until easy to handle.

7.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll in additional granulated sugar and place on baking sheet.

8.  Flatten each ball using the bottom of a cup or something similar.  

9.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.  Do not overbake. 

 Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

10.  Makes about 36 cookies.

Enjoy!
P.S.   I’m linking to some of these parties this week- come check them out!



Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

⋅

Posted by Valerie Earnest

Last week I was at the store and I saw an ingredient that I really wanted to try- peanut butter and chocolate chips.  But for whatever reason, I put them back and went on with my shopping.



But those chips have stayed with me.  Niggled at my brain.



Yesterday I was at the store again, and this time, I put them in my cart.  So, when I woke up this morning craving peanut butter, I knew I had to pull them out.



I love to make cookies for my family.  I rarely bought store-bought cookies because I always have a batch of homemade ones ready to stick in a lunchbox or dunk in a cold glass of milk.



So, when my kids come home from school today, they’re going to be really excited to find these delicious Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies waiting for them on the counter!






This cookie has extra peanut butter to satisfy my craving, and then on top of that (!) the peanut butter chips bring it over the top.



And of course, peanut butter’s best friend is chocolate.  These cookies are perfect.






The best part is, they are simple to make, and only use one bowl!  

Just remember, it’s a little bit of a dry dough, similar to play-doh that you can squish together into a ball.  Roll it in sugar, then flatten with the back of a measuring cup or something similar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.  Don’t overbake- these should be soft with a sugar-crisp firm outer crust.







For a printable recipe, click here:



Recipe below:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter ( I use Jif, but your favorite kind will work too!)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

12 oz bag Nestle Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips

granulated sugar for rolling

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter or margarine until smooth.  Add peanut butter and mix 

until well combined.

2.  Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.  Beat till combined, 

scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

3.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix till combined.

4.  Add the flour and mix until smooth.

5.  Carefully stir or fold in the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips.

6.  If necessary, cover and chill dough until easy to handle.

7.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll in additional granulated sugar and place on baking sheet.

8.  Flatten each ball using the bottom of a cup or something similar.  

9.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.  Do not overbake. 

 Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

10.  Makes about 36 cookies.

Enjoy!
P.S.   I’m linking to some of these parties this week- come check them out!



Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

⋅

Posted by Valerie Earnest

Last week I was at the store and I saw an ingredient that I really wanted to try- peanut butter and chocolate chips.  But for whatever reason, I put them back and went on with my shopping.



But those chips have stayed with me.  Niggled at my brain.



Yesterday I was at the store again, and this time, I put them in my cart.  So, when I woke up this morning craving peanut butter, I knew I had to pull them out.



I love to make cookies for my family.  I rarely bought store-bought cookies because I always have a batch of homemade ones ready to stick in a lunchbox or dunk in a cold glass of milk.



So, when my kids come home from school today, they’re going to be really excited to find these delicious Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies waiting for them on the counter!






This cookie has extra peanut butter to satisfy my craving, and then on top of that (!) the peanut butter chips bring it over the top.



And of course, peanut butter’s best friend is chocolate.  These cookies are perfect.






The best part is, they are simple to make, and only use one bowl!  

Just remember, it’s a little bit of a dry dough, similar to play-doh that you can squish together into a ball.  Roll it in sugar, then flatten with the back of a measuring cup or something similar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.  Don’t overbake- these should be soft with a sugar-crisp firm outer crust.







For a printable recipe, click here:



Recipe below:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter ( I use Jif, but your favorite kind will work too!)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

12 oz bag Nestle Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips

granulated sugar for rolling

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter or margarine until smooth.  Add peanut butter and mix 

until well combined.

2.  Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.  Beat till combined, 

scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

3.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix till combined.

4.  Add the flour and mix until smooth.

5.  Carefully stir or fold in the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips.

6.  If necessary, cover and chill dough until easy to handle.

7.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll in additional granulated sugar and place on baking sheet.

8.  Flatten each ball using the bottom of a cup or something similar.  

9.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.  Do not overbake. 

 Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

10.  Makes about 36 cookies.

Enjoy!
P.S.   I’m linking to some of these parties this week- come check them out!



Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: “Time for Baby” Shower Gift + Free Printable Gift Tags

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Posted by Valerie Earnest
A few months ago, I attended a baby shower for one of my friends from church.  I wanted to do something for a shower gift, so I put together a cute gift basket for her.
I was inspired by this “Time for Baby” gift basket from Darling Doodles.  What a great idea!  However, I changed a few things.  First of all, I used slightly different items.  And second, the tags weren’t really my style.  I wanted something a little different, and I wanted the wording to be a bit different as well, so I created my own gift tags!  We’ll get to those in a minute. In a “Time for Baby” gift basket, I chose to give gifts for feeding time, time to get dressed, and bath/bed time.  You could also do play time, but I chose not to since she already has plenty of baby toys. I chose a baby food spoon for feeding time.  They did not have these when my littles were babies, and I’m so jealous of those of you that have them!  How much easier would feeding on the go have been!  So now they are a staple baby shower gift for me. I chose some cute shoes for dressing time, since EVERYONE gives outfits at a shower. And finally, for bed/bath time, I gave her a little lovey-size blanket I sewed along with some lavender baby wash (my favorite for helping baby get sleepy!)

I finished the gifts off with these cute gift tags.  You can download them by right clicking on the image and saving them to your computer, or by clicking here for a (somewhat) editable file.

Everything went in a cute gift bag, and I was off to the shower! The mom-to-be loved it!  And I had fun giving something useful while still being able to add that handmade touch to it.

I’m linking these up to some of these parties this week.  Come party along with me!

Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: “Time for Baby” Shower Gift + Free Printable Gift Tags

⋅

Posted by Valerie Earnest
A few months ago, I attended a baby shower for one of my friends from church.  I wanted to do something for a shower gift, so I put together a cute gift basket for her.
I was inspired by this “Time for Baby” gift basket from Darling Doodles.  What a great idea!  However, I changed a few things.  First of all, I used slightly different items.  And second, the tags weren’t really my style.  I wanted something a little different, and I wanted the wording to be a bit different as well, so I created my own gift tags!  We’ll get to those in a minute. In a “Time for Baby” gift basket, I chose to give gifts for feeding time, time to get dressed, and bath/bed time.  You could also do play time, but I chose not to since she already has plenty of baby toys. I chose a baby food spoon for feeding time.  They did not have these when my littles were babies, and I’m so jealous of those of you that have them!  How much easier would feeding on the go have been!  So now they are a staple baby shower gift for me. I chose some cute shoes for dressing time, since EVERYONE gives outfits at a shower. And finally, for bed/bath time, I gave her a little lovey-size blanket I sewed along with some lavender baby wash (my favorite for helping baby get sleepy!)

I finished the gifts off with these cute gift tags.  You can download them by right clicking on the image and saving them to your computer, or by clicking here for a (somewhat) editable file.

Everything went in a cute gift bag, and I was off to the shower! The mom-to-be loved it!  And I had fun giving something useful while still being able to add that handmade touch to it.

I’m linking these up to some of these parties this week.  Come party along with me!

Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!

Occasionally Crafty: “Time for Baby” Shower Gift + Free Printable Gift Tags

⋅

Posted by Valerie Earnest
A few months ago, I attended a baby shower for one of my friends from church.  I wanted to do something for a shower gift, so I put together a cute gift basket for her.
I was inspired by this “Time for Baby” gift basket from Darling Doodles.  What a great idea!  However, I changed a few things.  First of all, I used slightly different items.  And second, the tags weren’t really my style.  I wanted something a little different, and I wanted the wording to be a bit different as well, so I created my own gift tags!  We’ll get to those in a minute. In a “Time for Baby” gift basket, I chose to give gifts for feeding time, time to get dressed, and bath/bed time.  You could also do play time, but I chose not to since she already has plenty of baby toys. I chose a baby food spoon for feeding time.  They did not have these when my littles were babies, and I’m so jealous of those of you that have them!  How much easier would feeding on the go have been!  So now they are a staple baby shower gift for me. I chose some cute shoes for dressing time, since EVERYONE gives outfits at a shower. And finally, for bed/bath time, I gave her a little lovey-size blanket I sewed along with some lavender baby wash (my favorite for helping baby get sleepy!)

I finished the gifts off with these cute gift tags.  You can download them by right clicking on the image and saving them to your computer, or by clicking here for a (somewhat) editable file.

Everything went in a cute gift bag, and I was off to the shower! The mom-to-be loved it!  And I had fun giving something useful while still being able to add that handmade touch to it.

I’m linking these up to some of these parties this week.  Come party along with me!

Connect with us! You can find us here:

Pin It Now!