Gift guide; upcycling and recycling on Etsy

'Upcycle , Recycle' by BluKatDesign

Magnet, Vintage Pap... LBCpaper $	Be Mine gjarvisjewelry... $60.00	Recycled Magazine E... SquishySushi $30.00	Fun with Wine Bottl... Jiveworks $400.00
Recycled Wood Bottl... WoodcraftsandC... $23.50	Handmade Necklace -... BluKatDesign $64.00	Recycled Skyy Vodka... bottlehoodjewe... $15.00	Recycled Soda Can A... apmemory $6.45
BURDOCK BASKET ... thekeepershous... $48.00	blue recycled elast... schultzyvette1 $28.00	SALE rustic wood bu... edithandlulu $9.00	Recycled Stone Brew... bottlehood $30.00
Book Sculpture - Bl... Kenjio $98.00	Soda Can Art. Upcy... jillmccp $9.00	calm skies mini pic... colorstorydesi... $32.00	Upcycled, Repurpose... formydarling $36.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Recipe: Easy Quick Fix Ricotta Cake

Recipe: Easy Quick Fix Ricotta Cake

Everyone thinks I am weird for making my own birthday cakes but I like GOOD cakes; store bought cakes are just okay and I would never want my husband to bake one!  My favorite cakes are hazelnut torte, (not really a cake) which is a big project and this easy Italian inspired chocolate cake,  made from a mix with a yummy not-too-sweet satisfying ricotta filling.

First, bake your favorite mix according to the directions in 9" rounds; I add the zest form one orange and 1/2 tsp almond extract to the mix for more flavor.  I cool and freeze cake until needed.

For the filling,  I chop 1/2c each toasted almonds,  semi-sweet chocolate, dried cherries, candied ginger, zest from one orange and add to 15 oz ricotta cheese, along with  1 T Grand Marnier or Brandy, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp almond extract

Whip up 1/2 c heavy cream with 3 T sugar and gently fold into mixture. Filling should be slightly sweet; may need to add 1T more sugar but you don't want it too sweet because the cake is super sweet!

Slice cake rounds in half and add 1/3 of the filling to 1st layer, then repeat with next layers, then I smush it together making sure everything is even and not leaning.

I frost with gobs of my favorite chocolate buttercream frosting. Tastes best if left overnight for the flavors to marry.

16 great gift ideas for Mother's Day

'16 great gift ideas for mom!' by BluKatDesign

NEW - Crochet Daint... petrillij $8.00	Vegan Faux Leather ... Giftedpapers $22.00	The Olive Tree Luxu... paintboxsoapwo... $6.00	Pink Flower Porcela... SuiteOneStudio $25.00
Owl Family Soap SatinandBirch $11.50	Dandelion Yellow - ... susannajarian $25.00	Pale Pink Handcraft... Roltinica $29.00	Earrings. Glass, St... slipstreamblue $14.00
Whimsical Cottage M... EleganceFarmHo... $99.00	Statement Necklace ... BluKatDesign $47.00	Off White Stem Leav... Kainkain $32.00	RUNNER Damask Runne... FantasyVintage... $13.00
Flower Mom Card DankhCreations $3.50	CLEARANCE - Green S... suzyqtep $15.00	Swan Garden Planter... fruitflypie $59.99	Green and Red Poppy... MarciG $11.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Gift Guide: 12 Ocean Themed Picks from Etsy

'The Ocean' by BluKatDesign

My Sea Finds Waterc... LouisestArt $60.00	Soap Sea Shells set... SatinandBirch $17.00	Green sea urchin sh... NewCreatioNZ $20.00	Small Scallop Bowl elementclaystu... $95.00
Upcycled Chenille S... Hepstyles $60.00	Charm Necklace - Vi... BluKatDesign $78.00	Sea Shell Picture F... SilknLightsdes... $21.00	Aqua Shell Bowl NJDustandRust $22.00
Pattern-Sea horse A... nanasue $2.50	The Coast Fabric Po... SewUpscale $10.00	Rustic, Tattered pa... hudsonmotherof... $12.00	SHORE ........Scott... Sophiasparkles $31.00
Stinson 28 x 22 lindadonohue $265.00	4 seashell spice/tr... Clayshapes $22.00	Pretty Bag in AQUA ... bayanhippo $36.00	Ocean Dreaming - Na... mingtaphotogra... $100.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.