Last-Minute Holiday Deals

To Our Loyal Customers,

We hope the holiday season is going well for you. We're pretty excited about it around here. We're nearly done with the shopping and wrapping and we're expecting a good old fashioned. Nor'easter storm this evening. In celebration of the storm and the white Christmas it will bring, we're offering the following holiday deals. These handmade gifts are great for those on your list who has everything!

IMPORTANT - All of the following deals apply to in-stock items only. Orders must be placed no later than 3:00pm Eastern on Sunday, December 20th and will be shipped Monday morning via USPS Priority 2-3 day service. While we expect all orders to arrive in time for Christmas, we are not in control of the post office or the weather and can't be held responsible for late arrivals. Please be aware of this prior to placing your order.

Jam & Preserves Combo Deals - Save $4!
Order any four (4) of our 8oz jars of jam or preserves and pay just $20 plus shipping. Order any six (6) and pay only $32. To receive the discount, order the required quantity at full price and we will refund the amount of the discount when we process your order. Shipping will be $10 total for both offers.

New Product - Pumpkin Butter
Imagine spreading pumpkin pie filling on your morning toast. That's what you'll feel like when you take just one bite of our fantastic pumpkin butter. This spread is made from fresh Rhode Island grown pumpkins that have been pureed and cooked with cinnamon, sugar, and other spices until it's a dark brown color. Stir it into your oatmeal. Put a dollop on a corn muffin. You won't regret it!

New Product - Mini-Jar Jams
Want to try out a new flavor but don't want to plunk-down the cash for a full jar? Making a holiday gift basket and want something unique? Order samples of our delicious jams in convenient 4oz jars. All flavors are $3 each or 4 for $10.

Free "Rustic" Gift Wrapping on Select Items
Order any in-stock canned food or hand-crocheted items (blankets excluded) and request free gift wrapping in the "message to the seller" field at checkout. We'll hand-wrap each item carefully in brown Kraft paper and tie a raffia (straw) bow around it. We'll even include a free tea-stained tag where you can write the recipient's name.

Ship Gifts Directly to the Recipient
We always offer free "ship direct" service when you're purchasing a gift. We'll include a free card with a message from you and omit the packing slip. In the "message to seller" area at checkout, make sure we have the recipient's address and include a brief message for the card.

Warm Wishes and Happy Holidays!

Justin & Michelle
JM Creative

Policy Changes

Dear Valued Customers,

Due to some changes in our personal situation, we will be making several major policy changes to our store effective immediately. We apologize for the short notice--especially during the holiday season but this is necessary in order to continue providing you with the best products and the best possible customer service. A summary of the changes is below:

• In-Stock Food Items - Effective immediately, we will only directly list food items that are in-stock and ready to ship. We will guarantee that at least the quantity shown is in stock but there may be more available. Please email or convo us if you wish to purchase more.
• Special Orders & Out-Of-Stock Food Items - We will still accept special orders, including orders for soups and other canned food items that are out of stock. These items will be listed in a separate category within the store. We reserve the right to require a minimum purchase quantity (usually 2 jars). Our regular processing and shipping times do not apply to special orders. A time and shipping cost estimate will be provided after the request is received and we will not begin work on the order until you approve the estimate. If an appropriate deadline cannot be negotiated, you are entitled to a full refund.
• Chocolate Items - Our chocolate food items will still be made-to-order in most cases to ensure they reach you in top condition. Please allow at least 3 business days for baking and the standard 3 business days for shipping. We reserve the right to cancel an order and refund all money if we don't feel we can fulfill your order in a timely manner.
• Processing/Shipping Times - We are abandoning our standard practice of only shipping on Wednesdays. We now ship as soon as your order is ready. Please allow up to 3 business days for processing and 2-3 days for shipping unless you are otherwise notified.
  
• Shipping Cost - We have made the following changes and clarifications to our shipping policies:
• Lower Base Price! - We are lowering the base cost of our shipping to $10. Most orders will fit into a medium flat-rate Priority Mail box at this price and will arrive in 2 to 3 days.
  
• Small Order Partial Refunds - If your order can be packaged and shipped for less than our base price, we will refund any overage once your order ships. Note that single jars of food shipped within the east coast states typically can be sent for under $7.00.
  
• Large Order Additional Charges - If your order cannot be packaged and shipped for our base rate, you will receive a PayPal bill for the additional charges. Your order will not ship until the extra charges are paid. If you wish to cancel the order due to additional shipping charges, we will refund any restockable items. Completed made-to-order items (like chocolate) will not be refunded. You may have them shipped for the base rate if applicable or forfeit the money and product.
• First-Class Mail Option - Small crocheted items often fit in a standard envelope-style mailer. In the event that this option is cheaper than Priority Mail service, we will offer you the choice to ship via First Class mail in the product description. Please specify in the "message to seller" that you wish to use the First-Class option. First-Class mail usually takes 3 to 5 business days with no delivery time guarantees or tracking numbers.

We thank you for your understanding as we implement these new policies and hope they will provide not only a better value for you but also the best customer service experience. We also look forward to providing some of you with some great handmade gifts over the holidays.

Warm Regards & Happy Holidays,
Justin & Michelle
JM Creative

Special Offer for Thanksgiving

New - Just in time for Thanksgiving

Freshly Made Cranberry Sauce
(Whole Berry & Jellied)

We're thrilled to be able to offer you a new product specifically targeted at Thanksgiving. We're offering handcrafted cranberry sauce, made from fresh real cranberries. It's a perfect, all-natural addition to your Thanksgiving table. Just cranberries, water, and sugar. That's it! No high-fructose corn syrup here.

Limited supply available, so reserve yours now. Orders received no later than Noon Eastern, this Friday (11/20) should arrive in time for Thanksgiving.

Click Here to order.

Newsletter 11/3/2009

Hey Everyone!

Gosh, I love November! The sights, sounds, and smells of autumn have hit their peak here in New England and we're now heading into winter and the Holiday season. This year, Michelle and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time and we're pretty excited about it. In the spirit of the season, we have some great new products for you, including some great gift options as we head into Christmas.

New Products

• "Apple Oops" - This new product with a funny name is a delicious apple syrup with a hint of cinnamon. It's fantastic on pancakes, waffles, french toast, or even as a glaze for pork or chicken. Try it!
• Winter & Holiday Themed Gift Baskets - We all have those people in our lives who are hard to shop for. What better than a handcrafted edible treat from our pantry. Gift baskets come in a number of different containers and can be customized to fit the recipient's tastes and your budget.
• Snowman Gift Boxes - We're happy to offer two styles of beautiful winter-themed gift boxes. Select a few items from our store and one of the boxes and we'll put-together a delicious package sure to warm anyone's heart.
• Toffee & Macaroons are Back!! - We're able to make and ship chocolate again now that the colder weather is here to stay. We're also experimenting to try to bring back the marshmallow-filled chocolate treats we had for Easter. Stay tuned.

Deals & Perks

• Discounted Shipping - Want to buy a single item but don't want to plunk-down twelve bucks to ship it? No problem! If you order contains a single item, we'll calculate the postage by weight instead of flat-rate and refund any overpayment.
• First Class Shipping Option (Beta Test) - We're currently experimenting with first-class parcel post shipping as a cheaper alternative to our 2-3 day priority mail service. If you don't need your order in a hurry or you're only ordering one item, this is probably a good option for you. Currently, we're only offering this to our mailing list subscribers. Please pay the normal shipping price and write "Please Ship First Class" in the message to seller field during checkout. We'll calculate the postage and refund the difference to you.

Free Recipe: Moist Apple-Drenched Pound Cake

1 loaf of pound cake (bake or buy)
1 jar JM Creative "Apple Oops" Syrup
1/2 pint heavy or whipping cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1) If using a store-bought cake, remove any packaging. Place the cake on a cooling rack set over a cookie sheet with a lip.
2) Using a skewer or a fork, poke a large number of holes in the top of the cake, pushing down as far as the skewer will go.
3) Empty the jar of "Apple Oops" into a measuring cup with a pour spout. Heat in the microwave 1 to 3 minutes or until warm.
4) Gently pour the apple oops syrup on the top of the cake, going slowly enough so that the majority of the syrup soaks into the cake instead of dripping off. Take breaks if necessary. Use the entire jar. Let cake sit for 15 minutes.
5) In a stand mixer or a medium bowl with a hand-held mixer, whip the heavy cream on high. Once it starts to develop foam, add the sugar and and continue whipping until you get stiff peaks.
6) Using a rubber spatula, top the pound cake with the whipped cream. Sprinkle a little of the cinnamon on top for decoration and a hint of cinnamon flavor.
7) Slice and serve. Refrigerate any unused cake.

Product Newsletter 10/8/2009

Hello All,

Michelle and I just returned from a wonderful bed and breakfast weekend in Maine. Maine is really ahead of us with the foliage and cool weather, so we were able to enjoy all that autumn has to offer in terms of beauty, hearty comfort foods, and relaxation. We hope you're enjoying the season wherever you are.

Exclusive Items for Our Most Valued Customers
Repeat customers are our lifeblood. With that in mind, we're offering you a few exclusive deals! Take advantage of these deals to stock-up on holiday hostess or Christmas gifts, items for the holiday table, or just to treat yourself. To order any of these items, email jmcreative@creativeinterests.net and we'll send you a PayPal bill.

• Local Blackberry Jam - We have a very limited supply of locally grown blackberry jam made from hand-picked blackberries. This is not available online at this time. We're offering it only to you, our most valued customers. 5.99 (8oz Jar)
  
• Pickles! - We're happy to offer custom orders for freshly made pickles. Choose from classic dill, bread & butter, or half-sour (aka deli-style). Because these are made-to-order, we ask that you order at least two 16oz jars at a time. $4.99 each (16oz Jar).

News & Announcements

• English Toffee & Macaroons are Back! - We're happy to announce that we've brought-back our popular English Toffee and Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons. These products were on hiatus for the summer months because we couldn't ship them without the chocolate melting.
• Pasta Discontinued - Our hand-made semolina pasta has been discontinued because the drying process is unreliable and produces too much waste. We're looking for a way to bring it back soon, so keep your eyes out.
  

Free Recipe: Peach-Glazed Chicken

4 Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup JM Creative Peach Jam
1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar
salt and pepper

1) In a small bowl, combine vinegar and peach jam.
2) Microwave jam mixture on high 1 minute at a time until completely melted and liquid. Stir well and set aside.
3) Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy saucepan.
4) Generously salt and pepper each side of the chicken breasts.
5) Heat oil in a large saute pan on medium-high. Using tongs, place the chicken breasts into the pan. Allow to cook on high, not moving the chicken until it is completely brown on one side. Turn each piece of chicken over.
6) Cook chicken on medium-high until the second side is completely browned. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through.
7) Remove chicken to serving platter. Pour jam mixture over chicken, using a spoon or pastry brush to completely coat each piece of meat.
8) Sprinkle pecans on top and serve. This dish pairs well with white rice and steamed green vegetables (broccoli, green beans, etc.).

Product Newsletter 9/10/2009

Wow! TWO free recipes this week! But first, let's see what's new at JM Creative...

New Products

• Vegetarian/Vegan Rosemary & White Bean Soup - Our popular Tuscan-Style White Bean Soup has been reformulated into a vegetarian version and tastes every bit as delicious as the original.
• Locally Grown Peach Jam - We're happy to offer a very limited quantity of peach jam made from locally grown peaches. This jam is delicious, makes a beautiful gift, and will be one of the most versatile things in your pantry.

News

• Send Freshly Baked Cookies - Know someone in college who may be homesick right about now? Send them a treat with our College Care Package with freshly baked cookies and more. Packages start at just $30 including FREE shipping!
  

Free Recipe: Quick Mini Bread Bowls (Great for Kids!)

1 jar JM Creative Hearty Soup, Stew, Chili, or Chowder
1 batch still-warm homemade popovers

1) Mix and bake popovers as directed in recipe. You may use muffin tins in place of a popover pan.
2) While popovers bake, reheat soup, chili, chowder, or stew as directed (3-4 minutes on high, stirring each minute until heated).
3) Turn fresh popovers out of the pan immediately when done cooking.
4) Cut the top off of each pop-over and place into a bowl. Fill each popover with soup.

Free Recipe: Quick Fruit Cream Puffs

1 jar JM Creative jam, jelly, or preserves
fresh or canned whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping
1 batch still-warm homemade popovers (add additional sugar if you want a sweeter cream puff)

1) Mix and bake popovers as directed in recipe. You may use muffin tins in place of a popover pan.
2) Turn popovers out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
3) Slice each popover in half. Fill each half with whipped cream.
4) Place a dollop of preserves on top of the cream on one half.
5) Re-assemble each popover and serve with a dollop of cream and preserves on top.

Product Newsletter 8/31/2009

Hi All,

How we love the harvest season and it is definitely upon us! Fresh fruits and veggies abound at the farmer's markets and farm stands. Justin spent a few hours this week in the fields harvesting delicious, juicy red raspberries. You'll love the bright, sweet flavor of our new product, Locally-Grown Raspberry Jam!

New Products

• Locally-Grown Raspberry Jam - Made from fresh local raspberries hand-picked from a small family farm. This jam has a firmer set than most of our jams and a bright raspberry flavor.
• College Care Packages - We're happy to offer college care packages in two sizes, small ($30) and large ($55). Each care package offers your homesick student the comforts of home with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, handcrafted soups, and other great treats.
• Jam Sampler Three-Packs - We have a limited quantity of our jam sampler three-packs. Buy these now and put them away for Christmas! The three 4-oz jars are a delicious handmade gift.

Free Recipe: Blueberry Jam Cake
(Inspired by: Two-Layer Blackberry Jam Cake)

1 1/2 sticks of butter, room-temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup JM Creative Local Blueberry Jam
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
buttercream frosting or fresh whipped cream to frost or garnish

1) Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs, beating well.
2) In a separate bowl, sift-together flour and baking soda.
3) Add flour mixture to wet mixture a little at a time, mixing together thoroughly.
4) Stir-in nuts (optional) and blueberry jam. Mix well.
5) Pour into a single greased and floured cake pan or pie plate.
6) Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.
7) Either cool completely and frost with buttercream frosting or serve slightly warm with a dollap of whipped cream. Garnish with fresh blueberries if available.