Enter Name That Chocolate Dessert to win two iron-on applique patches
from Little Bird Creations.

Little Bird Creations is a sweet little Etsy shop. Jamie is the creative mind behind all of the delightful finds. Chocolista Colleen reviewed this adorable Sweet Puppy Love Iron On Applique Patch.

I (Colleen) was thrilled with the Sweet Puppy Love Iron-on from Little Bird Creations. I love the mod dot print, and my son was excited that it looked like a dog. I bought an inexpensive T-shirt to put it on. All I had to do was plug in the iron, and about five minutes later we had our own unique tee. It's hip, colorful and I'm pretty sure my son will be the only one at the playground with a shirt like this.


Chocolista Deborah interviewed her.

I love the name of your Etsy shop. How did you come up with it?

My shop name is completely inspired by my son. He received the nickname "little bird" when he was born by one of the nurses and it just stuck. When the items I started making for him began being requested by friends and family, choosing a name for my business seemed easy since it was mostly inspired by my Little Bird.

Your applique patches are darling. What inspires you?

So much really is inspired by my son. He is pretty much the reason I even started making baby and children's items. Often times he has "requested" me to make something for him and it turns into something others see and want too. It's a great process and now that he is older, it's fun to collaborate together on some things I end up listing in my shop.

With a husband, son, and Siberian husky, how do you manage homemaking and working at home? Yes, in case you are wondering, I have visited your blog, Chirpings of Little Bird, so cute and so fun!

Good question! Truth be told, I don't. Wouldn't it be great if there was such a thing as a little laundry and dusting fairy to make our jobs easier?! I love having a creative outlet and my little biz Little Bird Creations, but being a wife and mom definitely come first. It's a constant balance. Then, you add our precious husky to the mix and it's sometimes hilarious! If anyone reading this has ever owned a husky, well, ya know they are like having another child! Thankfully she adores my son...life would be boring without either of them!

We have something in common. We both entered the Girl Indie 2008 Designer Chick Contest. Was this your first time entering your designs in a contest? It was for me.

Yes, I had never heard of it until this year. It was fun and there were some really great and creative designers!

My Grandmother told me when I was a little girl that, "Busy hands are happy hands." Then she taught me how to crochet. Thus, my introduction to the world of crafts and sewing, quilting and knitting. How did you get your start?

Funny, my Gramms had a huge influence on me getting into the world of sewing. I don't ever remember a time when I was not designing and creating some sort of thing. I used to design and make clothes for my dolls by hand. Then, finally, at age six or seven my Gramms taught me to use the sewing machine. She also taught me crotchet and knitting along with embroidery. My world has never been the same since!

Give me a roll of that refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough and I'll be very happy...a favorite chocolate treat of mine. Give me a tub of it and I'll call it my "Tub of Happiness!" So tell us, what's your favorite chocolate?

Dark chocolate! There is also a local place called Lamme's Candies...they have some scrumptious chocolate there!

Do you have any yumilicious Texas chocolate recipes you can share with us?

Hmm, I have to think about that one! I am a first generation Texan and most all my family is from the North Eastern United States. But, here are two yummy recipes that combine two things loved by most (chocolate!!! ) and a well loved ingredient here in Texas, pecans! :

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate and pecans -- an unbeatable combination.
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light or dark corn syrup (Karo)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, chocolate, butter and vanilla, blending well. Stir in the pecans. Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

AND

Southern-Style Pecan Fudge

1 pound confectioners' sugar (3-3/4 cups)
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Note, below)
In a medium saucepan, heat sugar, butter, cocoa, milk, vanilla and salt over low heat, stirring until smooth and mixture begins to thicken. Stir in pecans. Spread mixture quickly in a buttered 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cool and cut into squares. Makes 2 dozen piece.