http://allthingsholdtogether.com A blog about cooking, crafting, and making soap. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:14:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I have had a few people ask me about how to start making cold process soap, so I thought I would gather up some resources and post them here for all to see. Cold process soap making involves mixing oils with a lye and water solution. The resulting chemical reaction, ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/03/05/soap-making-resources-for-beginners/ I recently discovered the awesomeness that is gluten-free peanut butter cookies.  Who needs flour?  It only takes away from the peanut buttery goodness! I used chunky peanut butter to get those little peanutty bits. I use what I call the 1-1-1-1 recipe (don't say the dashes).  I call it that because it ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/19/my-new-favorite-cookie/ Remember the scrapbook paper-wrapped boxes I made for Christmas?  I used the same technique to make some Valentine's Day boxes to package chocolate cold process soap hearts that I made using a heart-shaped silicone muffin pan. The embellishments were made using "Candy and Cupcake" stickers and microbeads from Martha Stewart Crafts, ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/12/scrapbook-paper-wrapped-valentine-boxes/ My 6 year old, Ethan, loves maraschino cherries.  Loves them.  So, I decided to make him some Chocolate-Covered Cherries for Valentine's Day.  I used the recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens cook book.  The recipe is for 60, but I only wanted 20.  The recipe is easily divisible by ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/12/chocolate-covered-cherries/ I have a couple more Valentine's Day posts that I am working on for today.  In the meantime, check out these other Valentine's Day ideas from the web. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies (they're heart-shaped!) Rice Krispie and Coco Pops Treats (dressed up for Valentine's Day) Valentine's Day Treats Recipes by Martha Chocolate Lip Balm ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/12/valentines-day-ideas-from-around-the-web/ The Valentine's Day soap cupcakes looked good enough to eat.  Add to that the fact that I scented mine with a yummy amaretto-like fragrance oil, which is my favorite flavor, and I just had to make an edible version. To make these yumtastic goodies, you will need 2 boxes of Jello ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/11/jello-cupcakes-for-valentines-day-or-any-day/ Learn how to make this simple, yet adorable felted heart scarf from The Crafts Dept. blog at Martha Stewart.com. I have always wanted to try needle felting.  It looks fun and rather simple to do this beginner project.  I might have to try it. http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/09/felted-heart-scarf-from-the-crafts-dept/ Okay, I am a blog slacker lately, I know, but on the bright side, my long-time readers are used to it! I really wanted to do tons of awesome Valentine's Day posts and here I am, only a week before the big day, just now kicking it off. And what better way ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/02/08/valentines-day-soap-cupcakes/ 4 green or red bell peppers 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese 3/4 cup salsa 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup frozen corn 1/3 cup uncooked converted long grain rice 1 & 1/4 teaspoons chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Mix everything (except the peppers) together.  Cut tops off peppers ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/01/29/easy-slow-cooker-stuffed-peppers/ My sister and brother-in-law bought me these awesome silicone cupcake cups fro Christmas, Regency Sili-Cups. Unlike other silicone cupcake cups, Sili-cups gold their shape without needing a muffin tin and the edges are crisp little zig-zags.  They are, in a word, awesome. I decided to play with my Soapylove Jewelry Box colorants ... http://allthingsholdtogether.com/blog/2010/01/26/melt-and-pour-soap-cupcakes/