New Facebook Group!!

Stuff by Stace has a new facebook group! I'll be posting all of my entries there so you can follow along there to know when a new post is up. It's a great place for questions and comments too. So join me!
Stuff by Stace on Facebook

Product Review - Cuisipro Measuring Cups and Spoons

If you're looking for a great gift for the chef in your life, check out the Cuisipro Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons.  I've owned these cups and spoons for about a year now and they are fabulous!!! Their solid stainless steel construction will last you a lifetime of baking and they are truly stainless.  My set has no rust or water marks on it and they still look brand spanking new.  One of the best features of these cups and spoons is the oval shape which will let you dip them down into jars and spice containers much easier than a round spoon.  Check em' out!!

Buy the measuring cups here and the spoons here

Fall!

The air is getting crisp and the first leaves are starting to fall.  Howie is always eating leaves off the ground so he's about to be in heaven...

Summer in Wisconsin

This is my first summer living in Wisconsin and it definitely doesn't disappoint!  Seems like there is a different festival, party, or event to attend every weekend.  Guess you've gotta get it all in before it turns back into the north pole and no one leaves their house.  Here are some pics of this Summer's highlights so far...

Cedarburg Strawberry Fest

EAA Airshow in Oshkosh

Packers Training Camp

Playing with the pup in the back yard

Milwaukee Brewers games!

NKOTB concert with my friend Kellie in Chicago

4th of July on Lake Michigan

Backyard parties

It's been a good summer!  We are just starting to feel a cool down in the air this month and Autumn is just around the corner.  Crazy since it doesn't start cooling off until October in Florida!  I'm getting excited for hay rides, apple picking, and wearing cute scarves.  :)

Coming Soon!

UPDATE: This weekend was a little too much fun and not enough down time so I wasn't able to finish up everything that I need to get the shop rolling.  It should be coming this week and I will write another post once the shop is up!

On August 1st, I'll be re-opening my Etsy shop after a 2 year hiatus.  Getting married and moving across the country has been keeping me busy so I decided to set the shop aside for a bit.  But I'm back!!!

Be sure to check out http://earthjewels.etsy.com on August 1st for jewelry handmade by yours truly.  My jewelry is made from all natural materials like fine silver, pearls and gemstones.  I don't use cheaper metals that will rust or turn colors.  This jewelry should last you a lifetime and will only require a few swipes of a polishing cloth if the silver gets tarnished, which eventually all silver does.  I'll be posting a few sneak peeks on Stuff by Stace in the coming weeks so check back for updates!

Bunny Rabbit Girl's Baby Shower Cake

I made my latest cake for my friend Gina, who is one month away from having a baby girl named Lilah.  :)  All of the decorations on the cake are handmade in fondant and the insides were vanilla cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese icing.  YUM!  The decorations for the party were bright pink so I decided to make most of the cake a lighter pink with bright pink accents.  Here she is!

Strawberry Buckle

Last weekend hubby and I went to Cedarburg Wisconsin's annual Strawberry Fest.  It was a nice Wisconsin summer day...

We enjoyed walking around, looking at all the artisan stands and enjoying the yummy food including lots of strawberry goodness like strawberry wine and strawberry shortcake!

I couldn't resist the fried Wisconsin cheese curds either...

At the end of the day I picked up a pint of fresh strawberries and headed home to find a fun new recipe to try that included them.

I decided to try a Strawberry Buckle which is basically a coffee cake with strawberries in it.  YUM!  You can mix up the fruit too.  I really want to try it with blueberries or apples.  The recipe is so simple and the finished buckle was deee-licious!  Tastes just like a coffee cake with strawberry jam in it.  Here it is...

Strawberry Buckle
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cups flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Topping:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1 In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
2 Blend in eggs and vanilla, then milk.
3 In separate bowl sift together dry ingredients.
4 Stir into wet mixture.
5 Fold in strawberries.
6 Spread in greased, floured, 9x9 inch baking pan.
7 Topping:.
8 Cream butter and sugar.
9 Blend in flour and cinnamon.
10 Sprinkle over batter.
11 Dash with nutmeg.
12 Bake in 375°F oven for 30-35 minutes.

Recipe adapted from food.com