Help, My Creative Mind Won't Stop!

But seriously though...I can't catch a break! I wake up in the middle of the night, mind full of ideas, my creativity overflowing that sometimes I give up precious sleep minutes to my project obsessions. I know, you can't relate.

What kind of obsessions? Custom premade illustrated blog banners, for one! I am like so in love with making these. There are only these three designs available in the shop right now but there will definitely be more coming. I also can do all custom ones special for any blog. As I'm typing this, I realize I can make them better by adding navigation links to the banner as well. You know, like "Advertise" "Shop" "Contact" etc...these will of course be clickable. *Sigh* See what I mean? My mind won't stop! Looks like I need to go tweak the designs but anyway they are super affordable and if you buy one, we can work on custom navigation links.


Another obsession: being creative in the kitchen. I've been wanting to share more recipes here but have realized it doesn't fit into what this space is about anymore. Sure, recipes can be creative and that is what I'm going for on "Art By Jacy". Yet I thought, why not start another blog? It's not like I have a house and a family to take care of or anything. But I started the "Food By Jacy" blog anyway! I'll post whenever I feel like, probably a few recipes a week. So please take a moment and head over there right here or by clicking on the screenshot above and check it out! Leave a comment with your honest thoughts. I'll be adding more recipes this week and there's still some things I need to add but I am impatient and wanted to share.

This week I'm planning/getting ready for David's 1st birthday party! Can you believe it? Yeah, me neither. So even though my plate is full with all of that, my mind still won't stop being creative in my design & blogging projects. Oh well, story of my life.

What about you? What projects have been keeping your mind going?

Nom Nom Linky Party/Crockpot Caramel {Recipe}

Mmm how does this look, guys?

This is sweet & tasty caramel, right out of a can! I know, it's a can, in the crockpot...who would have guessed. I made this overnight, while I was sleeping...so by morning, I had this glorious stuff oozing out of the can, ready for me to drizzle it over cupcakes :)

How do you get this overnight caramel, you are wondering?

Well, I found it here {thanks to Pinterest, duh} and knew I HAD to try it!

Take 1 can of sweet condensed milk and place it in the crockpot, with water filled to the top of the can. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4...that's it!!

No, seriously, you're done ha!

Simple, Yummy, and yes...you can eat this right out of the can

{I did and I'm not ashamed. Not even a little.}

Do you have a creative/yummy recipe?

Something that will make us all go "nom nom"?

Let's see it! I love finding new recipes and I'd love to feature some next week {I'm kinda planning on this being weekly but we shall see. Comment and let me know if it should!}

Here are the "Yes & No's" before you link, please read & follow:

1.) No, you don't have to be a follower to link-up

{but it sure would be nice of ya. I will visit your blog if you do :)}

2.) Yes, link straight to the recipe post itself

3.) No, please don't link your full blog address/shop/facebook/twitter etc!

This is a yummy linky...not a social media-stomach ache party

4.)Yes, it would be nice to visit at least TWO other links and say hi!

5.) No, you can't have fun {I lied. You can. I just wanted a #5 hehe}

Be sure to place some text with the link to this party at the bottom of your post!

Yay, so excited to see what you guys are cookin' :)

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies {Recipe}

Pin It One word...WOW!!

Strapped for cash and too pregnant to want to go to the stores for Valentines Day (crowds *cringe*) 

I decided the best gift for my hardworking husband was a nice desert.

He is not picky and loves sweets (especially if I experiment, then he's my taste tester hehe)

I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to make, until I saw this post from Sweet Pea's Kitchen through Pinterest.

Funny thing, sweet pea is actually my aunt's nickname for me! but that's not why I chose this desert...

it just looked amazing and I NEEDED to make them!!

Pin It

It was actually super easy and fun to do.

Here is the recipe with my own highlighted notes in case you care :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped *I used milk chocolate chips, 2-oz*
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 8 inch metal baking pan (I used an 8" glass dish, worked well). Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment. (Foil will also work just fine, but spray it with a cooking or baking spray.)
2. In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. (I threw it in the micromave to melt and it was good. I wasn't patient enough!)
3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. (You can add another 1/2 tsp of coloring if you want it more vibrant.)
4. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
5.  To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. Distribute the cheesecake mixture in 8 dollops over batter in the pan. Swirl in with a knife or spatula. (Knife worked way better for me!)
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife (or toothpick) inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.
7. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting out the parchment paper to remove the brownies.
8.  Cut into squares and serve!!

My little ghetto desert setup hehe 

The husband loved it :)