Little Red Hen Press

Fresh Flowers Are Never Overrated

2011-03-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

Until spring arrives, and flowers start blooming in the yard around the house, I will gladly purchase cheap flowers to scatter around the house in random vases. The skies are finally blue, and I'm going to fake spring indoors as long as I have to!

Chicken Fried Rice

2011-03-02T11:15:00.002-05:00

This was my first attempt at making Chicken Fried Rice, and one of the few times I have tried to cook an Asian style meal. I have shied away from Asian recipes because I don't have a wok (I subbed in this versatile Le Creuset pot), and honestly am intimidated. Well, that's not going to stop me any more! Monday I had a craving for Chicken Fried Rice, and thanks to the internet, I was able to figure out how to make it. Did you know that the cooked rice needs to be at least 1 day old?? So instead of having this Monday, I had to wait until Tuesday. It was well worth the wait, and knowing the quality of ingredients in my meal. I read a lot of recipes, but ended up going with a modified version of this one from Food Network. The directions were the clearest, most detailed, and easiest of any I could find. Here's a pic of the finished product, and my recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups cooked and thinly sliced chicken pieces

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon powdered ginger

5 whole scallions, thinly sliced on the bias, white and green separated

1 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup diced carrots, raw
8 ounce can bean sprouts, drained

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons soy sauce

4 cups cold cooked brown rice, at least 1 day old

Directions

Heat a large heavy bottomed non stick pot or wok over high heat. When hot add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. Add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites and stir fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the peas, carrots, and bean sprouts. Cook until just the peas are just defrosted but still crisp. Transfer contents of skillet to a large bowl.

Return the pan to the heat, lower to med-high and add 2 more tablespoons of oil. Add the eggs. Stir the eggs constantly and cook until almost set but still moist, then transfer egg to the bowl. Break the eggs up with a spoon or a spatula.

Return the pan to the heat and add remaining oil. Add the rice to the pan and use a spoon to break up any clumps. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and stir fry the rice to coat evenly with oil and soy sauce. Stop stirring, and let the rice cook undisturbed until it gets slightly crispy, about 2 minutes. Stir the rice again, breaking up any new clumps. Remove from heat. Stir in the scallion greens. Add the chicken and vegetable mix to the pan, as well as the eggs. Stir all of the ingredients together, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper or soy sauce, if necessary. Serve.

This was so delish, I am going to go have some of the leftovers right now!! Yummmy!

Featured In An Etsy Treasury

2010-08-04T13:38:00.002-04:00

Carol, from Kohn Designs, put together this bright and well thought out treasury on Etsy yesterday. She was so kind to include my recently listed Autumn Pumpkin note cards. To view the treasury and the items, click the image below.

I checked out the Kohn Designs Etsy shop and I love this Urban Angle Bag. It'd be perfect for the beach, and it's super stylish as well.

New Design, Autumn Pumpkins

2010-08-03T15:43:00.001-04:00

When I see pumpkins, it reminds me of the coziness of Fall, of Halloween and Thanksgiving, the brilliant changing of leaves, and family. Send these notes to loved ones, or use them as an invite to your Fall get together. They also make a thoughtful gift. Each one is carefully printed with a hand carved stamp of my design.
♥ Purchase them here in my Etsy store ♥

Back To School Buzz

2010-08-03T11:19:00.000-04:00

These awesome back to school wares from Kate's Paperie make me wish I was headed back to school:

L to R: (top) pencil cup, leather bound dictionary, ruler notebook

(bottom) usb hubman, 6 filex folders, paper clips

Isn't that pencil sharpener cup holder just the coolest, and the Hubman has been on my wish list for awhile! Kate's Paperie is located in NYC, but has a wonderful online store to peruse and purchase goodies if you are not going to be in Manhattan anytime soon. I have been swooning over their products for awhile now.

What A Nice Surprise!

2010-08-03T01:02:00.000-04:00

I was notified today that I had won a $25 gift certificate to the Cupcake Social online store, and that just made my day. There were so many neat cupcake liners, sprinkles, toppers, and so much more to chose from. If you are a lover of cupcakes, you have GOT to check out this store, www.thecupcakesocial.com. Here is what I finally decided on:

L to R: silver fir tree toppers, assorted red liners, cold one toppers, red foil liners, free-wheeling toppers

I'll be sure to make a post when the baking is done. I loooove decorating sweets, and this is going to be fun! I can't wait to put those retro silver fir trees in a mint icing on a cupcake baked in the red foil liners. I've also had my eyes on those beer can toppers, they'll be perfect for a tailgate. So many ideas...

Featured On Amee Couture

2010-08-01T21:07:00.000-04:00

Amee Couture is a lovely blog, created by Amy, and is dedicated to "wedding themes, color, and inspiration." It's darn cute and I have enjoyed perusing over her treasuries. She put together a delightful citrus themed collection, and was so kind to include my Garden Party Notecards. Go check out her blog and see for yourself. Thanks Amy!!

Featured In An Etsy Treasury

2010-08-01T19:38:00.003-04:00

Colleen from Forever Tuesday featured my Garden Party Notecards in this precious treasury. I looked at all of the items and found some new favorites.

Inspired on Etsy - Frida Kahlo Treasury

2010-08-01T18:19:00.003-04:00

Nickolas Muray
‘Frida on White Bench, New York’
1939

My Aunt Beth first introduced me to the artwork and life of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo. I was totally intrigued by this woman who rocked the unfashionable facial hair, and became aware that quite a few others were into her as well. While on a road trip to visit my family early this summer, Jake and I spent a night in Nashville, TN. We checked out the highly recommended neighborhood of Hillsboro Village and the super funky shop, Pangaea, located right in the heart of it. They had quite a selection of Frida Kahlo inspired goods, and I picked up a neat tote with her picture on it to give as a hostess gift to my Aunt Beth. That is when I first became aware that she is a bit of a folk hero, and yes the crafty Etsians have caught the bug. Here is a little treasury of Frida Kahlo and Mexican folk art inspired goodies. Click the image below to check out the treasury on Etsy and for more info about the items.

Even Google has the bug! I was lucky enough to see this on Google front page that day, and of course I forwarded it to my Aunt ;)

Busy as a Bee

2010-08-01T17:06:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged in a week and a half. Time just flies by doesn't it? I have been very busy though, with work and Jake and I went on a camping trip. We spent two nights at the Delaware Seashore State Park, the trip was fun but we will not be camping there again any time soon. Unfortunately I forgot the battery to my camera, so I have no pictures to share, sorry! I have also been thinking of new designs, and started to create and test print a stamp today. It's a cute design with 3 pumpkins, perfect for fall. I've been looking around on Etsy today, and found some lovely things. I hope you have had a great weekend! ~Kate

ps... there were two baby deer in my backyard just a minute ago, soooo cute!

Fresh and Delicious

2010-07-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

- Lamb chops
- Lettuce, corn and tomatoes from the Stepped In What? stand

Dinner tonight was so delish! Everything was prepared in the easiest way, and we devoured every bite. Luckily it wasn't too hot and we were able to grill the chops, which were basted with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. The corn was boiled with a little sugar added to the water. Lettuce and tomatoes were tossed with a simple salad dressing and grated parm we keep on hand.

Eat this!

2010-07-16T13:20:00.000-04:00

I am in love with this Monrian inspired cake made by Cakes To Remember in Boston, MA. This was found on a post on one of my favorite blogs, Cake Wrecks. Love, love love....

A Rainbow Of Cards

2010-07-15T19:12:00.001-04:00

It has been suggested by my best customer (Mom!) that I should offer the Garden Party cards in a pack of multi colors, not just a single or a few like I have been. Well I took her advice and photographed them today, taking full advantage of a sunny afternoon. I think they look terrific and I just might have to include this for the other prints. As usual, Mom knows best ;) You can see more information and buy them here in my Etsy store.

Featured In An Etsy Treasury

2010-07-12T23:55:00.001-04:00

My yellow Birds on a Wire note cards were included in this Etsy treasury. Yay!

Packaging the Cupcake Toppers

2010-07-07T20:38:00.000-04:00

Whew! I finally executed my first packaging project, and at first was completely perplexed on how to present these so that they could be sold in a store. I'm happy with how it came out. What do you think?

Decoration Inspiration - Bedroom

2010-07-07T13:50:00.001-04:00

My undecorated bedroom is driving me nuts! I have been racking my brain in the past few weeks trying to decide what to do with the large yet plain master bedroom my partner and I share. Can't be too girly, and I don't want a man cave. What to do? I had to meet in the middle. I've decided to go with a cozy lake house feel.

I have been very inspired by listings from fellow Etsy sellers, and treasuries created, that remind me of relaxing days by the water and the old family lake house I grew up going to in the summers. Granted, the old lake house interior was decorated by my grandmother like a classy 1970's bachelor pad (?!?), so I am going for exterior inspiration on that one, and imagining what my dream lake house bedroom would look like.

Obviously I am dealing with big blank walls in my room, because most of these items are to hang. As I get older, I feel lonely in a room with no wall hangings. What a change from my 20's where clean simple modern was the decor, haha! So now I have the furniture and the bed, I just need the fixin's...

top (L to R) : PointDeAmour, Dolan Geiman, Ichbinsein,

middle: Old New Again, Open Door Studio, Boutique Girl,

bottom: The Wheatfield, Blackbird Letterpress, Chez Sucre Chez

I wish I could purchase all of these items right now! But for now, you all will have to serve as my inspiration. I am grateful for that though, and thank you :)

Musical inspiration today: it's time for a Ryan Adams marathon!!

Tailgate With These Cuties!

2010-07-05T19:51:00.002-04:00

I've been working on this idea for a few weeks now. I love cupcake toppers and thought it would be fun to make some themed with collegiate teams, such as my beloved UF Gators! I think they are simple and fun, and can't wait to see how everyone uses them for decorating. More teams and styles coming soon, keep posted in my Etsy shop.

Don't forget to pick up some Orange and Blue cupcake liners from Fort & Field!

2010-07-04T10:16:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone has a fun one! ~Kate

Longwood Gardens

2010-07-03T13:44:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I went to visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. It is over 1000 acres of horticulture amazingness. The garden was started by Pierre S. DuPont in the early 1900's and is now run by a charitable trust since his passing in 1954. If you are ever in the Philadelphia, PA area, I suggest you take half a day to explore this treasure!

There were thousands upon thousands of different plants, and I had fun photographing some of my favorites. One day when I am able to have a beautiful garden, I will go back to my pics and take another trip to Longwood Gardens to be inspired and decide what to plant.

Flickr Set

*For some celebrity cred, even Martha Stewart's head gardener, Andrew Beckman, has a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from Longwood.
*Follow Longwood Gardens on Twitter and Facebook

Anchors Away Treasury

2010-07-02T01:19:00.001-04:00

Oh this is so exciting! It's my first (that I know of) feature in a treasury on Etsy. Thanks PeachyPopVintage!

I really like what she has put together, in fact I want one of each please. Click here to see it on Etsy and to check out the other items.

Featured on Kate and Oli

2010-07-01T15:07:00.002-04:00

Katie, of Kate and Oli, made a cute anchor themed Heart + Worthy post on her blog featuring my Anchors Aweigh cards (#11). She also has an Etsy page of her own called Ichbinseins, where she sells her own handmade cards, here. Thanks Katie!

Little Red Hen Press Order Packaging

2010-06-30T11:48:00.007-04:00

Wrapping gifts and packages are one of my favorite things to do, especially at Christmas. You should see what I do! I wish I had pictures to show of them, but I don't. Doh! You'll just have to trust me that they are pretty.

So when orders started rolling in for the cards and bags, I started experimenting with different ways to package and ship the items. I decided on boxes, even though they cost a little more to ship, because I knew the cards stood a better chance of arriving undamaged, and who doesn't like to open a box? ;) I originally wanted white boxes, but I couldn't find the perfect size for an affordable price. I didn't want to have to charge an extra dollar to my customers for a custom box. So, I decided to go with brown paper ones with mostly recycled content. The liner is 20-30% and the flute is 100% recycled (flute is the wavy part). I also found white tissue paper that is 100% recycled. Unfortunately the red isn't completely recycled, but it's just so nice, I had to include at least one sheet in each box. Red is in the business name after all! The two most recent orders have been shipped in a decorated box:

I have had a lot of fun coming up with this, and I hope I can continue to create a fun package for my customers to open! Of course each package will be slightly different, but always pretty.

This is the housewarming present I gave to me sister last Saturday and the gift contained within. She just graduated from the University of Florida, hence the orange and blue Gator theme, and loves cupcakes. She is very creative so I put together a cupcake decorating kit for her to use in her new kitchen, along with handmade Go Gator cupcake picks (I will be selling them on Etsy soon, so keep an eye out!). Also included in the package, but not shown, were 2 boxes of cake mix, and 2 containers of white icing. I made her promise to take pictures of the cupcakes she makes, and send them to me so I can post them on this blog. The cupcake liners came from Fort & Field, and you can purchase them here. The icing bags and tips, sprinkles, and pan were purchased at a local baking supply store.

Her base color scheme in her new home is black and white, so coordinated the wrap for that. The bow is upcycled from an Anthropologie package, and the tag is made from my black Birds on a Wire print. She LOVED it all!

I hope I have inspired you!

Delicious Summertime Beverage

2010-06-29T00:59:00.001-04:00

Looking at my yellow Birds on a Wire print got me thinking about the yum summertime drink called a Yellowbird. I first had one while out on Lake Hamilton with my family in Hot Springs, AR. My Aunt Kay whipped them up and they were so refreshing on that hot summer day! When I was bartending in Florida, it was always the perfect drink to serve when someone requested "something fruity"and I didn't want to make the obvious and give them a rum punch or pina colada.

Yellowbird

Coconut rum
Banana schnapps/liquor
Pineapple juice
Orange juice
Ice

For a drink: In a glass, add 1 1/2oz coconut rum and 1/2oz banana liquor; fill glass with ice; add equal parts of orange and pineapple juice until glass is full; stir & serve. You can garnish with an orange or pineapple slice.

What Exactly Is "Paper Weight"?!?

2010-06-28T00:06:00.001-04:00

Boy, I have had a hard time figuring out exactly what paper weight means. The labels can be so confusing! I print my designs on card stock, and have recently switched over to 100% recycled vs. the 10% I was using before. The web site I ordered the new 100% from said it was 80lb weight. I was looking around Etsy and realized most people were printing on 110lb, and thought well this can't be good. I can't have wimpy thin cards! No one will buy from me! Jeez those sellers must have a brick of a card! Imagine my surprise when the new 100% paper arrived and it was quite a bit more thick than the 10% I was using before, even though it claimed to weigh less. So I was totally confused, and I'm sure I have confused you too. What in the heck is this paper weight thing anyway? Well I found a website that explains it all:

PAPER WEIGHT DEMYSTIFIED

Thank you paper-paper.com!

So out of all of this, I realized card stock is called "index" paper when measured, and my new 100% recycled paper is somewhere around 119lb weight. Hooray for nice thick paper! I do notice a big difference between the two. I am also glad that it is fully recycled. It helps me sleep better at night... hehe!

I'll Have Some More Punch, Please

2010-06-25T14:38:00.004-04:00

(Photo: Matilde Delich)

I found this great recipe for punch in a cookbook handed down to me from my mother. I am obsessed with finding the perfect thrift store punch bowl. I see them all of the time, but most only have a few glasses or some are chipped, etc. I have passed up so many good ones in the past and am kicking myself for it now! We all know that feeling, right? So when I find my perfect punch bowl, I am making this immediately:

Florence's Southern Punch

2 cups sugar

2 1/2 cups water

Juice of 6 lemons

Zest of 2 lemons

Ginger ale

Juice of 2 California oranges (or any other juicing orange)

Zest of 1 orange

2 handfuls of fresh mint, crushed

Syrup: Cook sugar and water together to the boiling point: boil 10 minutes. Pour over juices, zest, and mint: cover and let sit for 1 hour. Strain and chill.

For a drink: Fill glass 2/3 full with crushed ice. Add 5 tablespoons of syrup and equal parts ginger ale (a little more ginger ale, if desired).

For a party: Fill bowl 1/2 full of ice: add equal parts syrup and ginger ale (more ginger ale, if desired). Garnish with slices of orange or frosted grapes over the side.

From the cookbook Blessings by The First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff, AR. Recipe by Frances Toney Hall

Birds On A Wire Print

2010-06-21T15:04:00.002-04:00

This is the newest print up for sale in my Etsy shop. I enjoy watching birds sitting on wires and fences, and these two make a cute pair!

The Perfect Perch For A Hummingbird Cake

2010-06-21T15:00:00.001-04:00

Anyone that has been in my home, car, and especially my kitchen knows that I LOVE the color red. In fact, before I moved to Delaware, the only room in my home that didn't have red accents was my bedroom. Though that room was still close to red with the pink accents, haha! Well I just found this cake stand for sale on the Williams-Sonoma site and think it would be perfect for my kitchen, and would be even better with a Hummingbird Cake sitting right on top. You can't go wrong with a Paula Deen cake recipe!

(Images courtesy of wiliams-sonoma.com and marthastewart.com)

A Little Bird Just Told Me...

2010-06-16T14:59:00.001-04:00

...there's a new stamp in town.

Lucero Love

2010-06-15T14:02:00.002-04:00

I recently found this 2006 tour poster stashed in between the large pages of a drawing tablet, and completely forgot that I put it there for safe keeping almost 4 years ago. I love the nautical print, the ship in the bottle, and the turquoise used in the back ground. I also LOVE the band Lucero, and this makes me wish I bought their tour poster more than just once! It's put in a safe place now and I will definitely frame it one day. They have been getting around these days and played Bonnaroo last weekend and Coachella in April. Way to go guys!

Here is the video for their song She's Just That Kinda Girl (love the DIY vibe!):

Anchors Aweigh

2010-06-08T12:38:00.004-04:00

This morning I began test printing the anchor stamp I've been carving. My recent trip up the Northeast coast had me totally inspired to do something related to the sea. Standing on the beach with my toes in the sand is my happy place, and it was great to get back to the coast. I picked up this cute Seaside Terry Hoodie at the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, Maine and will be my comfy beach coverup for years to come.

Oh, The Combinations!

2010-06-07T21:19:00.005-04:00

I love looking at tubes of paint and imagining all of the yummy combinations that can be put together. My favorite section in the craft store is the paint aisle.

I'm ready to start printing and I'm feeling nautical, ha!

Summer Has Begun!

2010-06-06T14:22:00.006-04:00

What better way to start the summer season than by going to a barn party? Our friend David threw one heck of a bash complete with a huge spread of summertime food & drinks, horseshoes, fireworks, and live music all centered in and around his beautiful barn. We had a blast yesterday and it felt so good to get out on the floor and dance!

Going Green

2010-06-04T20:00:00.004-04:00

100% recycled card stock and envelopes arrived today. I can't wait to print the new designs on them!

Here We Go (again)

2010-06-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

Now that I have started a small printing company, called Little Red Hen Press, complete with an Etsy store, I figured it's about time to get back to blogging. I tried unsuccessfully a few years back, but I wasn't online nearly as much as I am now.

I will be blogging about up and coming prints I am creating, creative ideas for my products, and things that inspire me. I hope you enjoy reading this slice of my life!