Crafts and Cooking

Chunky rice crispy treats

2011-12-23T10:13:00.000-05:00

I made Rice Krispie treats (well, rice crispy, because I used generic brand cereal) and I got impatient with the melting marshmallows - so they turned out chunky in the marshmallow sense...but mmm mmm

It had been a long time since I had made them, and the generic cereal didn't have the recipe on the side of the box, so I had to double-check it on the Rice Krispies website.

4 cups minimarshmallows to 6 cups cereal
Melt the marshmallows in about 3 Tbsp of butter or margarine then add the cereal.
Mix well, press into a pan greased with butter or vegetable oil spray (use wax paper to press!). As I figured out, pressing is important for the density of the treat.
I used a 9x13 pan, you can if you want treats about a quarter inch thick (or half inch thick if you don't press)

Chocolate covered goodies

2011-12-22T10:27:00.003-05:00

I tried something new this year...chocolate covered goodies. Specifically chocolate covered graham crackers.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg...I also made chocolate covered graham crackers filled with marshmallow.

It all started when I saw marshmallow cream on the shelf at the store, and I had the melting chocolate in my cart for something else...all I could think about was graham crackers at that point lol

Smore's anyone?

Here's how I did it:

I broke apart the graham crackers on their dotted lines, go to the smallest size because they get to be too much with everything if they're larger (use the larger sizes when it's just the crackers being dipped).

Smeared one side of a cracker with room temperature marshmallow cream (marshmallow fluff is also an option - if the cream is cold it may not smear).

Place another cracker on top to make a sandwich. I had a whole plate of these sandwiches ready to go before melting the chocolate. Be sure to do this in a cool place (i.e. not next to a hot stove - it'll make the marshmallow run).

Melt the chocolate according to the directions, make sure it's nice and smooth. And use a dish that is wide enough that you can easily get into it with your hand and the cracker. Small tongs may be useful - I just dove right in

Dip the sandwiches, holding the crackers in place the best you can. The marshmallow is going to try to run, just cover them and set them down as quickly as you can.

Set them on wax paper to cool. As they cool the chocolate hardens and the marshmallow stops running, though it may leak out through the edges due to pressure over time. Store in the fridge to prevent it.

Christmastime is near....

2011-12-11T13:37:00.001-05:00

I am so excited....I was finally able to buy a full-size Christmas tree!!

Caramel apple muffin blowout

2011-11-19T11:27:00.001-05:00

I started the holiday baking marathon. And the first batch of goodies this season was something a little different, for me at least - caramel apple muffins. I made my standard muffin mix, but substituted half the white sugar for light brown sugar. Also, I soaked the diced apple in apple cider while I mixed the batter, coated in cinnamon.

When filling the muffin pan I put a bottom layer of batter, then some cut up caramel squares, then more batter.

One problem though - the caramel is denser than the batter, so as they baked the ooey gooey yumminess sunk to the bottom and stuck to the bottom. Essentially it blew out the bottoms of the muffins when I tried to take them out of the pan.

So, lesson learned - either use paper baking cups or put the caramel on top and let it sink into the middle as they bake!

Any why yes, that is my Uga Buga Bowl candy dish sitting on the counter top! It currently has Christmas Spicettes in it (the red and green spice gum drops hehehe)

Anyway - back to last night's kitchen trial...see how nice the regular apple cinnamon muffins turned out!? Looks like I need to experiment with the caramel addition...darn!

B

2011-11-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

Looking down the title of the posts in more recent to later, you see it now...BLITZ!

Whskr of The Fantail makes fabulous neck and lapel wear. She shared a new doll pin with us in her promo. And then she linked to Edge of the Wildwood. She's also been posting about the other participants in our round, so be sure to check our The Fantail blog for more great posts!

L

2011-11-05T09:34:00.000-04:00

I hope you're getting cozy...today's Blogfire member has some warm things.

While waiting for the unveiling of this week's title word, stop by Cozy's Stitches to find something to snuggle with. Then follow her links to Just imagine's Artfire shop to get something for your dog.

Stop by tomorrow for the last letter...

I

2011-11-04T09:40:00.000-04:00

Though we only have a few letters, the word for today in bling. Stop by Honey from the bee's blog to check out her vintage upcycled pieces. And then stop by the Blogfire Guild to follow the sticky sweetness to our other members.

Stay tuned for another letter tomorrow...

T

2011-11-03T09:58:00.000-04:00

Ah, good, the birdies have left the breadcrumbs alone for today....

Be sure to see what Will Oaks Studio has to show off at her blog - she's been decking out her shop for Fall and has some new shiny things to catch your attention. Then follow her advice at visit Honey from the bee.

If you get lost in the Will Oaks shop, you can pick up the trail again at the Blogfire Guild.

Stop by tomorrow for the next letter....

Z

2011-11-02T09:01:00.000-04:00

You're wondering what the title of this post is about. Well, you're going to have to stop by the next 5 days to find out!

While you're waiting for tomorrow's post, stop by the Edge of the Wildwood blog to see some fantastic bookends. And then follow her link to WillOaks Studio and see where the path goes...

if you get lost, stop by the Blogfire Guild to find the breadcrumbs.

Epic Glass Collection

2011-10-30T19:05:00.000-04:00

Epic Glass

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Jewelry Supplies

snow?!

2011-10-29T12:15:00.003-04:00

It's not even Halloween yet and we're expecting our first snow storm of the season! Well, before the season! And its not just a little snow - it's a nor'easter. This means wind and blizzard like conditions when it's snowing.

*sigh*

Let's all think of the warmer, flowery months to get us through this

Ahh, that's better

got wood?

2011-10-27T13:52:00.001-04:00

These Artfire sellers can answer "yes" to that question! Check out these awesome wood home furnishing sellers!

Francisco Woodworks

TheCountryMarketplace

HoleeStars Handcrafted Furniture

Colorado Rustic

Savvy Shopper - refinished wood

BuckCreek Furnishings

Blueridge Woodworking

Keating Woodcraft

Country wood

2011-10-26T00:49:00.000-04:00

As I was saying yesterday, I have been window shopping for furniture and home decor items. What keeps jumping out to me is how much I love love love old wood furniture and wall cabinets.

And I found so many awesome handmade wood artists on Artfire. Here's a collection I made of some of their wares.

Country wood

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Country style

2011-10-25T01:45:00.002-04:00

Having the new house, decorating and furniture have come into play. Our rental the last 3 years was small, and we already had furniture to more than fill it, but this place - well, it's big! lol And I can paint and put nails in the wall, and all sorts of necessary steps to decorating it. I've decided I like country style - cottage, primitive - whatever you want to call it. And we've decided we'd rather be without furniture for a bit while we save to afford handmade items, rather than buying tons of prefab stuff that's just going to break in a couple years anyway.

So I've had lots of time to browse and window shop. I've started making collections on Artfire to showcase some of the awesome handmade house stuff. Here's the first:

Cottage style home

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

New house, new plans

2011-10-04T00:18:00.003-04:00

I know - it's been awhile. But I bought a house! We've been busy doing paperwork, packing, cleaning, moving, and setting up for the past 10 weeks...but now I'm back. Limping back...but still moving forward. I've been cleaning up my Artfire shops, been getting Blogfire back online, and am trying to line up holiday plans for crafting, blogging, and promoting.

The new house means I finally have....wait for it....MY OWN SPACE FOR CRAFTING!!! YAAAAYYYY. You cannot know how happy my office slash craft room makes me! I'm still getting it all set up, but eventually I'll have a sewing table, and storage shelves, and filing cabinets, and all sorts of room to spread out and have multiple projects going at once - which is how I work best!

The current state of the room also opens up all sorts of creative possibilities for me. It's currently lime green with all sorts of damage to the wall. In fact, the whole house is kind of that way (except in bright red...eek)! I've done some painting, but the whole place is giving me an outlet (and exercise! Painting a whole wall is a lot more strenuous than a small wood box lol).

I've also been redoing the bathrooms, and kitchen, and all sorts of things! I'll be doing before and after pics with descriptions of the home projects once I get something completed (most are halfway or part way there because of logistics or cost), and the pictures sorted. It's a whole new avenue for this blog!

Also with my larger kitchen, expect better cooking posts. *sigh* I'm so excited!!

See ya again soon :)

Yeah...so

2011-07-17T17:38:00.002-04:00

I know - it's been more than a month since I've posted. We're in the process of negotiating on a house, and the inspections have been dragged out. We should be wrapped up by the end of August (if we get the house, in the next 2 weeks if we don't). Then I'll be able to re-open my shops and work on this blog regularly. If we get the house, I'll also have dedicated space for crafting!! :

cross your fingers, toes, and eyes for us and ask the universe to be kind

I hate summer

2011-06-10T09:48:00.002-04:00

Yes, you read right - I hate summer...the bugs, the heat, the pollen, the sunburn, the sweat...yuck.

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is about Summer Fun. Most people enjoy the pool or the beach, or a nice amusement park - I used to go to amusement parks, but haven't been in years, and quite honestly I can't stand the thought of the walking and sweating all day and the sunburn to follow! lol I'm getting old :) I also don't like to swim - used to love it, not so much anymore.

Now my idea of summer fun is a nice air conditioning unit, praying that the power stays on, and a good antihistamine.

However, there can be nice summer days - a nice breeze, shaded by trees, the pollen down...I'd work on my flowers, sit outside and read, let our little girl cat roam in the grass. So far this year though it just has not happened. I have allergies I've never had before, the heat is ridiculous, the storms are record breaking, and I just am thankful for being inside. Fun fun fun

What do you do to stave off the summer heat?

Friday the 13th

2011-05-13T23:56:00.000-04:00

I'm squeaking this one in. This week's Blogfire blog carnival is about Friday the 13th. It's fitting that I'm visiting family this week, sitting in my mother's living room while doing this post.

Friday the 13th was my brother's lucky day. That may seem odd given the superstition surrounding the day - but he was born on Friday the 13th (in November 1981 specifically). 13 was his lucky number!

My brother has been gone 12 years this summer - but I always think of him on this day and laugh at the though of it being anything to worry about:

Triskaidekaphobia - the fear of the number 13
Paraskevidekatriaphobia - the fear of Friday the 13th

Sad news

2011-05-07T13:36:00.002-04:00

I'm deeply saddened by the news that DesertMaidenBath owner (and fellow Artfire member) Angelica Shaaf passed away yesterday in her sleep due to complications from diabetes. I had recommended her soap products and candles here and elsewhere for quite some time, and she was one of the friends I made on Etsy over the years. She also became a bit infamous for her work with EtsyBitch.

She has four young boys and a husband she loved very much who, I'm sure, have a long road ahead of them as they come to terms with their loss.

It's always hard to lose someone, even harder when they're so young. Her husband is using her Facebook account for condolences, and CreativeBreakroom has information about helping them in this time of need.

Talent

2011-04-28T23:13:00.002-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is about talents we wish we had.

I wish I had a lot of talents. I really can't list them all! lol From instruments I wish I could play to better artistic talent - oil painting, watercolor, charcoal - and carpentry. I would build bookshelves, a shed, even our house!

I think though that most realistically, the talent I wish I had was sewing. I have a great sewing machine, and I can do some with it, but I find it quite challenging most times to do more than patching. I would make my own clothes if I could!!

The clothes I buy either are not long enough, the sleeves are too short, the neck not just right, the material bunches or something...to be able to fix it, or avoid it altogether, would be wonderful!

Perhaps someday I'll have time to gain the talent...for now I'll just wish

Homemade poultry stock

2011-04-23T09:08:00.001-04:00

I now make my own chicken and turkey broth. It isn't as hard as I thought it would be. All you need is a carcass, some seasonings and veggies, and a stock pot. You can find stock pots at any kitchen store - I have a 7 qt. Whenever we have roast whole chicken or turkey (like at Thanksgiving or Christmas), I clean the meat off the bones and then freeze the carcass. It can last up to about 3 months frozen. I use the extra meat and legs/wings, too. I just freeze them in ziplock freezer bags before they expire in the fridge as leftovers (a couple days tops). In the stock pot I put 4 cups water and the bones to be cooked - usually a whole carcass from a 4-5 pound chicken or a half a turkey carcass. I add a couple bay leaves, sliced onion, fresh garlic cloves, thyme, sliced carrots, and ground black pepper (many others use celery as well). I add 4 more cups of water. I bring the pot to a boil and then lower the heat to low-medium, simmering the goods (turkey carcass with remaining raisin stuffing included) for a few hours. I know it's done when the remaining meat has lost color and has fallen off the bones, and the cartilage is coming away from the bone. You can also smell and taste the broth to see if it's concentrating. If it's getting too strong, more water can be added. Once the broth is ready, I strain the broth into a metal bowl using a metal strainer that can sit in it (this was not a set, this was done by simply finding a bowl I already owned that the strainer fits into. I allow the broth to cool, and then I pour it into clean, plastic Chinese soup containers (not that we get a lot of takeout! lol) for freezing.

Sausage kale soup

2011-04-19T20:59:00.000-04:00

I get a lot of recipe ideas from Woman's Day magazine. I've never been very good at soups, but one of their recipes I've made and tweaked and enjoyed. Sausage kale soup, and then jazzed up as scallop kale soup!

You will need:

1/2 to 1 pound turkey sausage or 1 pound fresh or frozen scallops

6 cups chicken broth (or turkey - I make mine, see the next post for how)

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

12 to 16 ounces kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

onion and garlic

For sausage and kale soup:

Brown the sausage and then saute with the onion and garlic in olive oil (1 or 2 teaspoons).

Bring broth to a boil. Add the sausage, potatoes, and kale. Cook until the veggies are tender.

For scallop and kale:

Boil the broth. Add onion, garlic, potatoes, scallops. Cook a few minutes.

Add the kale. Cook until the veggies are tender. (Larger scallops require longer cook times - adjust cooking times to ensure the scallops are done.)

Tortilla stacks

2011-04-13T08:46:00.003-04:00

My in-laws like to send us bulk food stuffs. One thing includes canned chicken. With the stack of cans is usually a small recipe book because the company wants people to be able to use their product. I found a gem in that book! Chicken tortilla stacks

For each stack you need 3 tortillas (flour are best). You will also need:

refried beans (I use the fat free in a can)

guacamole

sour cream (I use the fat free)

salsa (I use picante)

shredded cheddar cheese

softened cream cheese

chicken (either canned shredded or cooked boneless chicken breast cut into small pieces)

Mix 1/8 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup cream cheese. Add in 1/4 cup salsa and about 13 ounces of shredded chicken (about a half pound of the fresh, cooked chicken).

Use a cookie sheet. Spread refried beans on a tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese (~1/2 cup). Place another tortilla on top.

Spread half the chicken mix on the stack.

Spread guacamole on another tortilla and place guac side down on the stack. Sprinkle the top with cheese.

Bake 10 min at 425 degrees F

Spinach artichoke dip

2011-04-08T20:32:00.003-04:00

I made spinach artichoke dip from scratch. And it was goooooood. I got the recipe from a small recipe book that came with small crockpot that's made for dips (only one heat setting - low). Some things I would adjust, which I note in the recipe below. The recipe says to mix it all together and then put it in the crockpot, but I just chucked it all in and stirred occasionally as it melted together. That's what a crockpot is for isn't it?!

16 oz cream cheese (I used the 1/3 fat cream cheese, and I would reduce this to 12 oz, or 1.5 packages)

3/4 cup half and half

minced garlic clove

diced onion (about a tablespoon, not too much)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated (I used a parmesan romano mix)

2/3 cup montery Jack cheese, shredded (I used a cup plus)

canned artichokes - rinsed, drained, and chopped (recipe suggests 13 ounce can, make sure they're not marinated!)

10 ounces frozen spinach (I used fresh spinach, and 10 ounces is about right, washed and chopped, the stems cook down)

cook 2 hours on low, stirring occasionally until melted and then often until the spinach is incorporated and the dip smooth

My boyfriend liked it with wheat thins, I like it with white corn tortilla chips

A decision

2011-04-03T22:10:00.003-04:00

I've been neglecting this blog. I know. And I haven't made anything new in awhile, and it's been even longer since I updated my shops. Yeah, I know. And I have some time away coming up when I'll be putting everything in vacation mode. So...I've had to make a decision. The truth is, I love making things - but my whims run the gamut. The hope is that we'll buy a house this summer and I'll have more dedicated space to play. And the consequence of this playing is inevitable stuff, which I can't keep! lol So giving up the shops is not an option (I don't think). So, when I return from all of my family obligations at the end of May I will be revamping my shops and products with the goals of clearing out what's there and making room for a revitalization this Fall. And I will be dedicating at least a couple hours 2 days a week to this blog (kind of hard to put the screws to my Blogfire peeps when I'm not following through ;) ) I will be deactivating the Artfire, ecrater, and silkfair shops this week - so if there was something you were looking at, get it now. I'll probably be auctioning off bulk lots later to clear the items, so feel free to make an offer as well. Happy Spring!

Corned Beef and Cabbage

2011-03-17T12:41:00.000-04:00

For St Patrick's Day I bought a corned beef brisket and veggies. Luckily the beef had instructions on the package. Last year's brisket did not turn out very well - it was tough and I chopped it all to heck. This year though...mmmm juicy, tender, and I actually sliced it right! Here's what I did:

I put the corned beef in a stock pot and added enough water just to cover it. I brought it to a boil and then put a lid on and simmered it (cooked on low actually, the stock pot doesn't really "boil" or "simmer" lol) for 2.5 hours (it was about 3 pounds).

After that time I added cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and diced onion.

Let it cook for 15 minutes.

Then I removed the corned beef to a plate and added cabbage to the pot. That cooked another 15 min while I cut the corned beef.

The corned beef should be cut diagonal across the grain (while looked for example pictures, I ran across this excellent website with variations and additional explanations!)

I strained the veggies (salt to taste) and voila. Needless to say, the food didn't last long in my house :)

I am so bad

2011-03-04T11:53:00.002-05:00

I have not been doing well at keeping up with blogging. I've been swamped with work and then got on a video game binge....Mass Effect 1 & 2 and DragonAge Origins have stolen my soul :)

So needless to say, my free time, when and if I have any, is spent away from the computer. I can't help it...I've got cabin fever from the long Winter and have to escape!!!

Speaking of games...there's a seller I met on Etsy way back and have been following on Twitter for like forever who captures the geekiness of gamers in an interesting way. So I'm going to give kittenspawn a shout out and send you to check out her D20 necklaces and other shiny things at Paw and Claw Designs

Die Die My Darling Aurora Borealis D20 by PawandClawDesigns on Etsy

Wow glass

2011-02-18T01:00:00.000-05:00

One of this week's Blogfire carnival themes was to find glass items that just knock your socks off on Artfire. Check it out...

Wow glass

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

What's next

2011-01-20T06:44:00.002-05:00

I've been a bit stagnant with my shops in the last year. I have huge plans, lots of supplies, and have written many designs and ideas down...but I lack time and space. I hope this to change in 2011.

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is about what's in store for our businesses in the coming year. Crafting isn't yet a business for me - but I do hope to become better at keeping up with so it becomes a more self-sustainable hobby.

Here's what I plan to do this year:

1. Buy a house. No, not just for the crafting lol though we do plan on ensuring any house we buy (which we're planning as a life-step anyway) has an extra room for me to store supplies in, work in away from everything else, and spread out in. I really really hope we're able to do this -I'm getting claustrophobic and I hate that I can't just sit down and work, there's a whole hassle of moving things and finding where my stuff is involved that really takes away from any inspiration.

2. List items more regularly. Even when I've gotten things made I'm really bad about getting pictures taken and listing the items. Mainly because I have the hassle of finding somewhere to take photos and then actually putting the information online. I plan on having a light box setup in my new craft area and we have an extra camera now I'll just use for that.

3. Make more things. I love to make things - all sorts of things - and I have the supplies to prove it! I plan on having time set aside each day to make something, anything, just to keep the creative juices flowing and working.

But again, a lot of it hinges on space and losing this claustrophobic feeling I have. So for the first half of the year the plan is to update my shops and get more into blogging again. I know I've been a quiet...I'm just uber-busy planning :)

A celebration

2011-01-11T10:43:00.002-05:00

This month my Artfire blogging guild, Blogfire, turns 2! Stop by our guild blog to join in the celebration!

December Featured EtsyBlogger

2010-12-28T19:52:00.002-05:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is Pruitthandcrafts

Pruitt Creations on Etsy offers a number of fabric items, but she also has a supply shop with fabric pieces, ephemera, and embellishments. and her jewelry shop (PruittDesign) is closing in January so get in on the deals while you can! 50% with the coupon code in her announcement!

Read about Linda, the Pruitt behind the pruitt shops, on her blog

Etsy
pruitthandcrafts

This year

2010-12-23T18:09:00.006-05:00

The last Blogfire blog carnival of 2010 is about the holidays and reflecting back on the year. I'm taking this opportunity to share this with you...

We have a new addition with us for Christmas this year - reflecting back on the year he is probably the best thing about 2010.

Meet Skipper :

Yes, he sleeps like that lol

We adopted him from a local shelter 2 weeks ago. They had found him emaciated and dodging traffic on Main Street earlier this year or so. He's absolutely gorgeous, and such a sweetheart - though he does like to play a bit more than our old girl can tolerate, so I'm on kitty play duty most days...it's horrible ;)

This year was a little rough - I had some questionable health issues that overshadowed good things at my boyfriend's work, and I've been busy as all get out taking on new roles and tasks - but we're hoping next year to visit family - my cousin's getting married, another is expecting a baby - so I'll be visiting back home as well as my boyfriend's family as we've been planning all year. We're also hoping to buy a house of our own, and we'll have our pals with us.

The holidays

2010-12-17T09:22:00.003-05:00

Remember that Christmas song, "...for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!"

So true for me. I live about a thousand miles from my family back home. With work, weather, and travel fatigue I haven't been 'home' for Christmas in a few years. I'm feeling it this year.

This week's EtsyBlogger blog carnival is about how we celebrate the holidays. I'm going to take this opportunity to tell you how I bring in aspects of the holidays as a child back home into my Christmases as an adult far, far away.

Around this time of year the UPS guy moans when he sees our address on a box! His big brown truck can't make it up the steep hill that is our driveway once that first layer of snow is down. So he lugs up the boxes by foot...14 lbs, 24 inches square....he's a trooper! The reason he's subjected to this is due to family - mine and my boyfriend's both send packages filled with gifts. Growing up there was always the mystique of the boxes under the tree...now it's the mystique of the box in the UPS guy's hand lol

We still have our little 3 foot tree on a TV tray behind the couch. It doesn't have many ornaments on it this year though - we got a new kitty (I'll post about him soon) and I didn't want too much temptation. Our family tree growing up was packed with ornaments - more so as the years progressed. Us kids always made them at school and church - and sometimes at home. And we had the yearly family ornament and the baby's first christmases and our small engraved ornaments...I've started collecting snowman ornaments with mine and my boyfriend's names on them. Someday we'll have a big tree and an assortment of personal and handmade ornaments, too!

This year we both have Christmas off from working (at least I think I will lol) - which is a first. So we'll have a relaxing day full of food smells, just like when I was growing up. Usually it's ham for the Christmas meal - but we're doing turkey this year. Either way there's always plenty to eat for the next week :)

Christmas Bells

2010-12-09T21:17:00.001-05:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is Bells. Here is a collection of Christmas bells from Artfire

Christmas Bells

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Current work

2010-11-19T00:09:00.003-05:00

This week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival is about inspirations, including what we're currently working on.

I recently took a couple craft classes that have inspired me. One was felting - and though I still haven't figured out the best amount of wool to use, I have fun designing and squishing the materials.

Another class was bead netting bracelets. So I've been absolutely bead crazy ever since. I've been trying different colors, charms, and even beading styles outside of what the class covered. I'm addicted and once I gain confidence in the strength of my closing knots you'll see more of the bracelets (I wear them now - but eventually I'll have too many! lol)

I've also been painting. I was browsing Artfire and ran across wood cutouts that I could not wait to paint. The first ones are now up in my Eclecticwood shop. Pig and cow ornaments! Enjoy!

Set the table!

2010-11-11T08:54:00.003-05:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is on Table Settings. Preparing for the holidays, the family meal is something I always remember. I found many great handmade items that can help you set your table uniquely, warmly, and invitingly. I shared them in the Artfire collection below.

Set the table

Curated By: TheBookmarkSh...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Proceeds to benefit Feeding America

2010-11-05T09:26:00.002-04:00

The next charity block in my Artfire shops AliciaMae and EclecticWood will be to benefit Feeding America (formerly SecondHarvest)

Any proceeds from those two shops from November 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010 will go to that charity. Feeding America works with local food banks across the United States to help low income families eat. With the holidays upon us, many will donate to help families have a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal. But after the holidays food banks often run low on donations and food, so the donation will be made in January 2011 as a way to replenish the stock.

"Every dollar you donate to Feeding America helps provide 9 pounds of food and grocery products to men, women and children facing hunger in our country"

If you would like to donate to the charity directly, visit their donation page.

The way the donations work:

The shipping cost of the item covers the actual shipping cost of the item. 100% of the price of the item purchased will be considered the donation. Exceptions are if the shipping cost is higher than the shipping charged, then the difference will be taken from the item cost and the remainder donated. Also, if shipping is overcharged, I usually refund the difference to the buyer, but for the duration of the donation time I will add it into the donation. So donations will be figured one of three ways depending on the circumstances: 100% item price, 100% item price plus leftover shipping charges, or almost all the item price after needing a bit to cover excess shipping charges.

Many charities do not take Paypal for donations. Because of this, I will be consolidating all received funds into my account and then making a donation of the accumulated amount with my credit card. Because of this, I will likely not be able to provide proof of the donation.

Halloween Linkfest

2010-10-28T14:25:00.003-04:00

While contemplating what to do for the Blogfire Halloween blog carnival, I decided to search for great Halloween ideas online. What I found is that a linkfest would be so much more efficient than trying to decide on the handful of ideas I should post. So, here it is, a Halloween linkfest to sites that will keep even the most ardent Halloweeny busy.

All About Halloween - looking for costume items, yard or home decorations, how about spooky recipes or music, or maybe you're just looking for a scare. You'll find an assortment on this blog. Just check out the left sidebar and you'll be busy for hours. (by the way, cat litter cake, ewwww)

Need ideas on decorating for the holiday? Stop by the Extreme Halloween Network for tips on decorating your house for Halloween, and then go to Halloween Party Ideas to figure out how to entertain everyone who you're going to invite over to see it!

I can't leave out Halloween Online Magazine, which offers a list of Halloween blogs, recipes, and games.

Need a last minute costume - ABCnews and FamilyFun have you covered with these easy costume ideas

And, of course, be sure to read up on Halloween Safety

Happy Halloween everyone! May it be safe and fun!!

Featured EtsyBlogger- Splendid Little Stars

2010-10-27T13:24:00.002-04:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is Splendid Little Stars, also known as Sparkly Park - she makes unique clothing and earrings.

A sample of her wares is below, but her blog captivated me the most. She participates in a number of memes, but the one for E she did this week was so sweet. You need to meet Earnest, her deaf cat. The story of a small injured kitty getting a loving home and friendly companion kitty...*sigh* Of course C was for cats! And there was Cats on Tuesday!

While you're there be sure to peruse the rest of the Splendid Little Stars blog because she makes stuff too!

Etsy
SplendidLittleStars

Etsy
SparklyPark

Autumn smells

2010-10-14T14:01:00.004-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is Autumn. I already posted some leaf color pics for the EtsyBloggers Autumn blog carnival, so for this one I'm going to show you what I think of when the weather turns as it is now.

Apple spice, cinnamon, glowing fires, crisp air, woodsmoke....ahhhh

Crisp Autumn Air

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

The leaves, the leaves

2010-10-07T19:54:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again. Autumn...when the leaves change color, the air gets brisk, and the leaf peepers invade.

Except this year we had a warm summer, then a warm-cold-warm start to the Fall, then a big inland swirling tropical storm - which absolutely decimated the usual beautiful foliage. *sigh* C'est la vie

We have some great pictures from previous years though and this week's blog carnival theme for EtsyBloggers is to show pictures of what Autumn looks like where we live. I live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The blog carnival is hosted by my state neighbor Mrs. Moo (Spotted Cow Soaps of Vermont!). So here is what I, and likely she, gets to see when the weather shifts and the trees shake.

Candy, chocolate, and mm mm mmm

2010-09-29T23:08:00.001-04:00

This week's Blogfire guild blog carnival theme is candy - so I took a stroll through the edibles category of Artfire.

Mmmmm

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

But I also found some non-edible goodies by searching for "candy". Sorry about the drool ;)

Not Quite Candy

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

The last of summer

2010-09-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Fall is here - the weather is cool, the smell of woodsmoke is in the air, the leaves are changing, scarecrows and pumpkins are out - we have a frost advisory tonight!

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is on the last hurrah, and with summer winding down up here I wanted to share my flowers that I just hadn't gotten to sharing yet.

My carnations finally bloomed this year! They grew as big plants and small plants and bloomed! They were gorgeous, but I only got a few pictures of them at the beginning back in June/July. They smelled like cinnamon :)

Now the flowers are all but gone, the leaves are browning and droopy, and it's time to trim and set them aside. Hopefully they'll come back next year *sigh*

Donations to benefit ASPCA

2010-09-11T00:00:00.003-04:00

From now until October 31, 2010, all proceeds from AliciaMae and EclecticWood on Artfire will beneft the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

The way the donations work:

The shipping cost of the item covers the actual shipping cost of the item. 100% of the price of the item purchased will be considered the donation. Exceptions are if the shipping cost is higher than the shipping charged, then the difference will be taken from the item cost and the remainder donated. Also, if shipping is overcharged, I usually refund the difference to the buyer, but for the duration of the donation time I will add it into the donation. So donations will be figured one of three ways depending on the circumstances: 100% item price, 100% item price plus leftover shipping charges, or almost all the item price after needing a bit to cover excess shipping charges.

Many charities do not take Paypal for donations. Because of this, I will be consolidating all received funds into my account and then making a donation of the accumulated amount with my credit card. Because of this, I will likely not be able to provide proof of the donation.

If you are concerned about how much will be donated to the ASPCA, you can donate to the organization directly via their donation page.

(Photo Copyright AliciaMae 2007-2010)

Etsybloggers Life

2010-09-10T18:41:00.003-04:00

This week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival is interestingly on topic with my life right now. My birthday was this week - I turned 31. Not a major one, I know, but there's something odd about rolling over into the 30s. Where did my 20s go? When did I become an adult?

The blog carnival asks "What are your goals for this quarter of your life?", for me that would mean now to 50.

I don't know. That's what is so odd about rolling over into 31. Up to the late 20s and 30 it was school, then it was work, now it's...hmmm yeah.

I guess my goal is to spend time doing things I enjoy, to buy a house (thus facilitating the doing things I enjoy part by having a big kitchen and a crafty work space), but somewhat to rediscover who I am. I'm at a point in life where the things I was supposed to work towards are already behind me. So I have to figure out what's important to me to keep going forward with.

I guess I kind've bypassed the norm by not having kids - I don't have the day to day that seems normal for many - the drive to get up in the morning fueled by the needs of a dependent (unless you count the cat, but she's nice for snuggles in the morning and doesn't mind if I take my time getting up). And it really isn't on my list of goals for this quarter. Maybe later when I've seen the world and mastered every craft and read every book - the next quarter of my life lol

So I guess my goal is to just enjoy the fact that it's my life to choose - each day can be something new.

Starting the day

2010-09-03T12:00:00.003-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is "How do you start your day?"

Me? I start with a groggy plod down the hallway and then I see this, cat included

And then I remember that the coffeemaker is in the other direction...and chances are I'm the first one up so I have to make it. mmmm coffee

Engrave wood sign by WoodDesign on Artfire

Coffee and Sugar Scrub by Essensu on Artfire

Featured EtsyBlogger - Patch

2010-08-31T16:00:00.003-04:00

Are you interested in Swarovski crystal and beaded custom jewelry? Then go no further than PatchFirstShop!

Etsy
PatchFirstShop

How about vintage clothing?! Stop by PatchVintageShop!

Etsy
PatchVintageShop

And don't forget the supplies for wedding favors, packaging, and other crafty needs - from PatchSupplyShop!

Etsy
PatchSupplyShop

Be sure to stop by Patch's Wedding Guide to take full advantage of all that's offered in her shops.

This has been brought to you by the EtsyBloggers - Patch is the August 2010 Featured Member. This is not a paid advertisement, I'm just extremely loony from not posting in 2 weeks. Read more about Patch, her shops, and the EtsyBlogger members who've featured her at her Wordpress or Blogspot blogs.

That Hot Sun

2010-08-19T19:32:00.003-04:00

It's been an unusually hot summer up here. We're starting to have cool and not as humid nights again, and yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, but today is a glaring hot day again. Some of you who have known me or read my blog for awhile probably remember that I moved up here from North Carolina 2 years ago to (for one reason) get away from the southern heat. Well, the weather lately has made me think about the Hot Carolina Sun.

I much prefer the gentle pinks and purples of the clouds and mountains at sunset instead of the glaring orange sphere.

But soon it will be cold again, and I'll long for a little sun through the window - I've already seen a few leaves starting to change. The red sugar maples are feeling the cool down start and they're popping ever so slowly here and there.

To every end there is a beginning, for every sunrise a sunset. That's the theme of this week's Blogfire blog carnival. Stop by the guild blog to read others' posts.

Summer is almost over

2010-08-13T16:23:00.010-04:00

*sigh* Summer is almost over. It's been a hot and humid one here, so I can't say I'm not anxious for Fall, but we haven't really done much either. Summer is usually vacation time, and we did finally get away for a couple days earlier this week, but it's nothing like we had been planning on doing. One of this week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival themes is on our favorite getaway this summer - well, since I only have one to talk about, it's an easy choice.

My mom grew up taking a summer trip every year to Lake George, near Ticonderoga, New York. She's talked for years about going back there. So we joined her and my sister and various other family members there for a few days this year when it finally happened. We stayed in a nice little lake cabin, just a quick walk down to the lake. It's absolutely beautiful, clear water. And the area is beautiful. I can see why my mom has such fond memories.

Of course we also visited Fort Ticonderoga - a rebuilt structure representing 300 years of American history. From its role in the French and Indian war, when it was Fort Carillon, to the famous men who graced its footpaths during the Revolution - George Washington, Ethan Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Benedict Arnold, and Thaddeus Kosciusko (that's funny because I grew up in Kosciusko County, Indiana).

We also went up on Mount Defiance, a strategic position from which vantage point they could fire cannons at invaders and receive/send signals from/to the Fort below. On the right you see the view of Mount Defiance from the Fort. At the top now is just a picnic area, a flagpole, and some fake cannons.

The location is where Lake Champlain meets Lake George, major waterways to the Hudson River, an important route during the Revolutionary War. From on top Mount Defiance it's a breathtaking view of the Champlain area.

Stop by the EtsyBloggers blog to read other entries from this carnival on Monday August 16.

New Artfire Collection

2010-08-06T22:15:00.001-04:00

Blogfire dreams in color

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Featured EtsyBlogger - Sykin

2010-07-30T17:11:00.002-04:00

July's featured EtsyBlogger is Missie of Sykin.

She has two different Etsy shops: Sykin's One Stop Twilight Shop, which features Twilight inspired items, and Sykin's NW Wonder, which features photography from the Pacific Northwest as well as Northwest inspired jewelry and accessories.

Sykin at Etsy also has a One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide and blogs at Sykin.net. She is currently holding a giveaway over on her Twilight Shop Facebook fan page. You only have until tomorrow to enter! So stop by and see what's going on.

A sample of her Etsy items is below.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
sykin.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
nwwonders.etsy.com

A Double Feature

2010-07-23T12:54:00.002-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme was to feature another guild member. I didn't participate with a sole post (or include myself on the feature list) because I wanted it to be about the guild members.

The Main Feature is up at the Blogfire Guild blog. In my own way of participating in the feature and giving a shoutout to the active guild members, here are the guild members everyone had to choose from:

Artfire name and blog address:
Wildwood http://edgeofthewildwood.blogspot.com
BoutiqueKarma http://boutiquekarma.wordpress.com/
Cozy http://cozyetsy.blogspot.com and http://cozystitches.blogspot.com
RoseWorksJewelry http://roseworksjewelry.blogspot.com
TulipsTreasureBoxJewelry http://FusionArtJewelryblog.blogspot.com
MizKatie http://www.mizkatie.com
Fiveoclocksomewhere http://www.fiveoclocksomewherejewelry.blogspot.com/
Merigreenleaf http://merigreenleaf.blogspot.com/
Tiltcreations http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/
kittyballistic http://kittyballisticscreations.blogspot.com
livngood http://livngoodjewelry.blogspot.com/

Dream Vacation

2010-07-15T02:04:00.002-04:00

This week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival about vacation, the dream getaway.

I need a vacation. Badly lol. I don't know what my dream getaway would be - sleep, food I don't have to cook myself but that isn't microwavable either, cultural stimulation, beautiful nature, architecture, museums - I don't know, anything but work lol

I've very much enjoyed Foxwoods, the casino resort complex on the Mashantucket Reservation in Connecticut. It suits our late night schedule, and 24 hours a day there's something going on. And it's weather-independent. Wonderful food, free music, lots of slots and lights and sounds...wonderful hotel rooms (we stayed at the Pequot Tower). Very pleasurable getaway.

However, I've always wanted to visit Paris, as well as other parts of Europe. The castles of Ireland would be an interesting trip.

I also have Las Vegas on my list of places to visit. And I'd love to go to New Orleans again. We're hoping to travel there for Jazzfest next Spring, my boyfriend's parents live just outside the city, so it'd be a family and fun trip in one. And I really want to go back to New York as I miss the city tremendously.

There are just so many amazing places in the world I haven't seen yet, and great places I'd love to see again, that I can't really pinpoint a dream vacation - but I'd like anything at the moment :)

Hot hot hot

2010-07-06T13:35:00.004-04:00

Wooooo it is hot up here. This heat wave made us break down and buy an air conditioner. I'm testing out the little window unit as I write. The 4th of July weekend was nice though, cool at night. I tried to see the town fireworks from our porch but a grove of trees hid my view. They were loud though, and every now and then sky would get a little bit lighter as a big one went off. The cat was not a happy camper.

This week's Blogfire blog carnival is about red, white, and blue - so along those lines I've got some hot stuff for you.

To the right is my Americana bottlecap pendant. It's made from polymer clay and it looks how I feel at the moment. A little runny, but held together.

Below is a Star spangled bikini by debbieleather

Vintage lady with USA flag scrabble tile pendant from Creating Nature

Red white and blue fantail bustle tutu by KimberPerry

CraftHope update

2010-07-02T18:15:00.002-04:00

Remember that towel project for CraftHope project 8 I mentioned awhile back. Well my 30 or so towels and dishrags is just a drop in a bucket. The response they've gotten has been overwhelming and they are now running out of space to hold all of the donations and they now need to rent trucks to deliver the overflow to other Gulf animal agencies.

So now they need money, instead of towels. This huge response also has them filing non-profit status. They will try to work with the agencies they deliver to to get receipts, but at this time it's going to be donations for donation-sake instead of tax purposes.

A small community of crafters trying to make a small difference has just mushroomed into an international non-profit. This proves how it only takes a seed of hope to make a huge difference.

In the meantime the IMMS is cleaning turtles with our (collectively, the hundreds who have donated) lovingly cut towels. How awesome is that?!

Goaallll

2010-06-18T13:30:00.002-04:00

Ha! I got your attention with the title. No, this is not about soccer/football. But you're already here, so just keep reading!

This week's EtsyBlogger blog carnival is about goals, and boy do I have a list! The big plan is that this time next year we'll be buying a house. We set the long-term goal because we're ready to address the financial planning, but also because I need more work space!!

Good reason huh :)

Yes, I can no longer handle shifting between having my laptop and sewing machine on my desk, or working with the polymer clay on whatever available surface space in the house, and I want a pasta machine and clay oven, but we don't have anywhere (and I do mean absolutely nowhere) to put them! or even store them! We had to get a storage unit for my books!! *whines*

So yeah - that's the long-term goal. And along with it comes dreams of a garden, a room dedicated as a library, and a woodshop in the garage with all the great table-based tools (though short-term I'm hoping for a Dremel and drill attachment). I want a sewing table where I can leave the sewing machine and fabric out, fighting with the cat over the prime table top territory, and to be able to walk away from work, and craft without seeing it (I might die from anticipation).

We'll see if we've done our homework in time for this to be true a year from now. I'm extremely picky :) lol If not next year, then the year after that....I hope.

Deep Blue - A Showcase

2010-06-11T02:25:00.003-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival has themes around water and blue - so I thought of that deep blue color associated with the deep ocean. Plus, I am sending out the first set of dishrags to IMMS today, so I have clean, blue, Gulf water on my mind.

Here are a number of deep blue items I found on Artfire:

Deep Blue by aliciamae280

Items by (top left clockwise spiral): BryantDesign, parisgal, Balandaria, Glasscat, FlamingFools, VCheGlassFusions, and SandyPandyBeads

Featured strawberry trinket box

2010-06-09T17:59:00.002-04:00

The featured item from Eclectic Wood is this hand painted and wood burned strawberry trinket box. Summer is here and the fresh fruit is delicious. This berry is red and ripe and ready for a home..perfect for rings and small stones or that one special chain or bracelet.

Craft Hope for Gulf Critters

2010-06-05T18:31:00.002-04:00

CraftHope is working with a crafter/organizer in Pensacola to aid the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies in cleaning the dolphins, turtles, and other marine life of oil along the Gulf of Mexico. They are accepting donations of handmade or repurposed dishrags (10x10) and hand towels (14x27).

See the CraftHope post on Project 8 for specifics (i.e. where to mail them, what's acceptable) and updated FAQs as questions are asked.

I have some old cotton sheets that were headed for the dumpster...not anymore.

Happy Memorial Day

2010-05-31T15:03:00.003-04:00

We've had a batch of decent weather bringing us through this weekend, I hope you have too. I've had to work, but I wish I was at a BBQ with the family. To everyone who has a chance to relax and welcome the summer, and for everyone remembering the servicemen and women in their midst - Happy Memorial Day!

May Featured EtsyBlogger - HandmadeBySandi

2010-05-26T19:20:00.002-04:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is HandmadeBySandi. The great part of the timing of her feature is she's currently having a birthday bash until May 31 in her shop (happy birthday!). Everything is 50% off!

*fast forward*

Sorry...I got distracted looking at the crocheted can cozies. It's nearly impossible to list all of the things she has in her shop - from oven mitts and hats to decorative lace and earrings. She also has a destash shop...

*fast forward*

sorry, got caught up looking at fabric lol

Below is a sample of what you'll find in her main Etsy shop, but you should also stop by her blog, The T-shirt Lady, and say hi or just lurk to keep up blog carnival entries, her finds, and new items.

Etsy
Buy Handmade
HandmadeBySandi

Grow garden grow

2010-05-21T19:18:00.003-04:00

One of the theme's for this week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival is to discuss gardening plans for this season...I wish I had garden plans...but I need room for veggies and strawberries that I don't have...*sigh*

I had planted seeds in pots for carnations and bachelor buttons (a type of cornflower) when the weather started warming up a month ago...then we got snow (yes, from 80 degrees to snow in late April!!). See my poor little flower box on the left, all covered :(

So the poor little germinating greenies got frozen...but they seem to be greening up and growing again!

In the meantime, I have planted multi-color pansies and dark red snapdragons from a local greenhouse. I have wrought iron hanging boxes on the front and side porch. The first ones planted got hit with frost (grumble grumble grumble), so if they don't spring back I'll likely get marigolds or geraniums to replace them.

Black and wite AFFP challenge

2010-05-17T19:42:00.003-04:00

The current Artfire Fiery Photographers challenge (search Artfire for the AFFP tag) is black and white. My entry is this photograph of flowers in bloom. I currently have it listed for 8x10, printed when ordered (~1 week turnaround), but can also do 5x7 and 4x6 (with some adjustment of the border edges) if anyone is interested.

Artfire proceeds to benefit Free Clinics

2010-05-11T18:19:00.002-04:00

$5 is being donated to the Red Cross International Relief Fund. For the next round, the proceeds from my Artfire shop from May 10-July 4 2010 will be donated to the National Association of Free Clinics.

The way the donations work:

The shipping cost of the item covers the actual shipping cost of the item. 100% of the price of the item purchased will be considered the donation. Exceptions are if the shipping cost is higher than the shipping charged, then the difference will be taken from the item cost and the remainder donated. Also, if shipping is overcharged, I usually refund the difference to the buyer, but for the duration of the donation time I will add it into the donation. So donations will be figured one of three ways depending on the circumstances: 100% item price, 100% item price plus leftover shipping charges, or almost all the item price after needing a bit to cover excess shipping charges.

Many charities do not take Paypal for donations. Because of this, I will be consolidating all received funds into my account and then making a donation of the accumulated amount with my credit card. Because of this, I will likely not be able to provide proof of the donation.

For more information on previous charitable contributions and future causes, click here.

If you are worried about how much will actually be donated, you can donate to the National Association of Free Clinics directly.

Daffodils plaque

2010-05-10T14:38:00.002-04:00

The next featured item from my EclecticWood shop is the daffodils plaque. This pine plque was wood burned and painted, then sealed with a spray acrylic sealer.

My first sewing project

2010-05-09T14:22:00.004-04:00

My first major sewing project was a success - and it now hangs on my mother-in-law's wall :) This is the simple throw (~3.5 ft x 3.5 ft) I made her to practice quilt blocks. She really likes it. Next up is to make my mom one for her kitchen table in neutrals and greens - she really likes the quilt block motif.

MSOE Astronomy Challenge

2010-04-30T15:38:00.003-04:00

This month's Mad Scientists of Etsy (MSOE) challenge was based on the astronomer Henriettia Swan Leavitt, who worked in an observatory and developed a theory that revolutionized how we see the stars.

My entry is this starry night drop pendant, made from hand mixed polymer clay. 2 inches long, 1 inch wide, half inch thick. Lightweight and sparkly :)

I have other drop pendants on Artfire.

Thinking about my Mom

2010-04-29T00:54:00.001-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is an approach to Mother's Day, which is in about a week in the U.S. Seems fitting that I should get a chance to write about what I'm planning on sending my Mom since she's on my mind quite a bit the last 2 days. Tuesday she took a hard fall and nearly broke both arms! Currently she's limited in movement and is waiting to hear for sure that she didn't break both wrists! Luckily, my aunt lives just a few blocks away and she has friends who can help her with odds and ends until she gets the full use of her arms back.

Anyway, I had put together a nice package of smelly things for her to help with her normal summer activities. Her birthday is around Mother's Day, so I try to overdo it just a little, which means this list probably isn't complete, though I haven't decided what else yet.

Aloe vera soap from SilverPalaceSoaps: It never fails that she burns her forehead in the sun. She'll be good until the end of the summer, and then bam, she's a tomato. Or she'll "only" be working outside with her flowers/weeding and end up calling me to say she's burnt and wants an "aww". Now she can soothe the burn when she takes her post-outdoors stuff shower.

Speaking of her outdoor gardening, I got her felted gardener's scrub soap from ABreathofFrenchAir. Now she can scrub her fingernails and get all the grime off at the same time. And it smells wonderful (I got tea tree scent).

And then I got her a ladybug lotion and decorative soap set from SpottedCowSoaps. She loves ladybugs, and I totally thought of her when I saw this set. In fact, Ms. Moo is the reason I went the smelly route for Mom, because I just had to get her the ladybugs.

April Featured EtsyBlogger

2010-04-28T15:11:00.003-04:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is MagdaleneJewels.

In her Etsy shop you'll find a number of pretty shiny things...................................................

Sorry, I'm easily distracted by shiny things :) She has a number of quartz and swarovski crystal jewelry items, mostly bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

Be sure to stop by her blog to see the cute pics of her cats!

You can also find her as MagdaleneKnits on Etsy, where she has crocheted baby maryjanes and other baby and adult items.

I have included minis below for both of her shops!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
MagdaleneKnits.etsy.com

Reflection as a self portrait

2010-04-15T02:28:00.002-04:00

Mirrors appear all around us. Reflection can alter the view - of oneself, a room, or objects.
Artfire has a number of examples of reflection as self portrait:

New things and growth - an EtsyBlogger carnival

2010-04-07T16:03:00.005-04:00

This week's EtsyBlogger blog carnival theme is to talk about a new item and the creative juices behind it (well, that's my paraphrasing of it anyway lol) to celebrate Spring, which is a time of new things and growth.

I've made lots of new things lately, and been growing a bit as well (see the crochet adventures), but only recently got around to getting a few of these things up in my Artfire shops. I have to get going on an astronomy-related item for MSOE, which will go up in my Etsy shop. But to keep on the theme of Spring, let me show off my fairy pod pendants.

Using polymer clay, I shape a type of drop/pull pendant with a cup, and then place a pearlescent ball (also made from polymer clay) in it. After curing I ensure the ball is adhered (if not, I get out the industrial strength adhesive), and then I give it a nice glossy glaze.

When I shape them I give them a built in bail that I thread hemp or waxed linen through and then add the findings for clasps.

I've made them in a couple of colors and plan on making more, but I've been making swirl drop pendants, another style I wanted to try, and that you can find here.

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail, Hippity Hoppity

2010-04-01T15:34:00.003-04:00

Easter weekend is upon us and this week's Blogfire blog carnival is revolving around the various aspects of the holiday.

When I was growing up, Easter weekend was very busy - Good Friday and Easter morning church services, Easter breakfast at church, and then family dinners on Friday and Sunday. Since my college years, though, spending Easter with my family hasn't always been an option and the customary practices have gone to the wayside. Without a family church I don't celebrate the religious holiday much these days, but I still remember the egg hunts, Easter baskets, and goodies that I enjoyed as a supplement to the days in and out of church.

Bunnies, chicks, colorful eggs....cute cute stuff. My mom, errr I mean the Easter Bunny, used to hide our baskets and leave notes with either riddles or games we had to complete to find them (I used to turn the tables and make mom hunt for her Christmas gifts hehehe). Kids in search of candy do not heed hints well lol And we had a huge yard where eggs could be hid, so often my dad couldn't remember where he, errr the Easter Bunny lol, had hid them all!

Well, I went on a hunt on Artfire for good ol' Peter Cottontail (hoppin' down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity...) and his goodies:

Crochet update

2010-03-29T17:47:00.005-04:00

Woohoo! I finished the bag this weekend

However, I also learned that I did the single crochet stitch wrong. The ribbing is because I only went behind the front of the stitch in a row and not in the complete hole (probably because I was stitching too tightly). I actually really like the ribbing texture for the bag, so it's not a bad thing that I messed up (and it least it was consistent lol).

The yarn end poking out of the upper left is a piece I tied on to hold stitch markers I made. These helped me learn to recognize the rows as well as when I did the handle and didn't want to lose the loop on one side (they have lobster clasps so they're removable and hold the yarn, unlike the rings used for knitting that slide on and off the needles).

The green plaid sticking out between the handles at the top is part of the crochet hook case I made.

Because of my faux pas I've started a dishcloth sized piece with the acrylic yarn to make sure I can do the real stitch (and more loosely) before moving on to half double and double crochet. So far, so good.

Looks like fingerless gloves are the next project in my book (woot woot) and I've got a nice, soft, light brown wool to do them in (double woot woot).

Featured butterfly box

2010-03-28T14:27:00.001-04:00

The most recent featured item from EclecticWood is the butterfly trinket box (you can find it on the right sidebar).

It's a small pine box with a see through top (glass). I wood burned two butterflies, one on the front and one on the side. I then painted them pink and purple, the rest of the outer box white, and the inside of the box purple.

Its pink counterpart found a home awhile ago, and now it needs one, too.

All proceeds from both of my Artfire shops go to charitable causes.

I'm learning to crochet

2010-03-27T20:10:00.004-04:00

Yep, you read that right. I gave up on knitting for the time being because I just don't seem to have the dexterity to handle two needles lol (though the local yarn shop knitting group has offered that I can sit in with them any time I want to attempt it again). I still have a long piece on the needles because I can't seem to get past a few rows before I get frustrated.

So I decided I'd try crochet (as my mother had suggested when I mentioned knitting)...and I took right to it! Working with a single hook and without anything on the needle to slide forward better suits my current dexterity level. I got the Chicks with Sticks crochet book (the counterpart to the knitting book I mentioned previously) from Crafter's Choice and with the first stitches (slip stitch, chain formation, and single crochet) I started working on the first project, a bag. The first panel (as you'll see below) had some issues lol it took me several rows to recognize the ends to get all the stitches in a row. My gauge was pretty consistent, though it got better as I went along and I'm still stitching too tight (working on that!). The second panel is much much better lol It's more square, as you can see from the way it started.

I've gotten farther along since I took that picture. I have finished the second panel and am now stitching the panels together. I'll try to take a pic when I finish (should be soon). I'm also proud to say that I was finally able to set up my new sewing machine (Christmas present from my in-laws) and I got to play with it to make a crochet hook case from old torn clothes I'd been stashing as practice fabric. It's not too good aesthetically lol but it's practical and works for the time being.
So much good stuff going on in my crafty corner!

March Featured EtsyBlogger

2010-03-26T01:51:00.002-04:00

Uh oh. This month's featured EtsyBlogger...well...she hand dyes yarn...and...umm...I'm a new yarnaholic!!! I started crocheting (I'll post pics in my next entry) and ever since I got the hang of it I've had this odd compulsion to feel yarn - any yarn - and I drool at the sight of skeins.

I'm going to try to get through this feature without buying anything! (though I can't make any promises about after I hit Publish *grin*)

Vicki of DizzyDragonflies offers hand dyed yarn and knitted items. On her Knitting Dragonflies blog, you'll be able to read about her dyeing techniques, the colors she chooses, the projects she's working on, and even what yarn fibers she prefers and why.

Below is a sample of what is available on Etsy...for now muahahahahaha :)

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
DizzyDragonflies.etsy.com

In celebration of Ada Lovelace

2010-03-24T00:06:00.000-04:00

Today is Ada Lovelace day. In honor of her achievements as a woman in technology, a global blogging event is celebrating women in science and technology (2nd annual). I am participating as part of The Mad Scientists of Etsy (MSOE).

Whenever the occasion to write a biography or a description of a scientist arises, I am always drawn to the life of Marie Curie. The daughter of a school teacher, she was one of those rare women in the late 1800s - educated and literate. She worked to pay her sister's way through school as her sister had helped her, she took a backseat to her husband Pierre Curie's scientific endeavors until his death, and she raised another Nobel winning woman scientist, Irene Joliet-Curie. Her intelligence and abilities became known after her husband's tragic death, proof that she was his partner and not his assistant. I always marveled at the pictures of early 20th century scientific meetings, Madame Curie sitting at the table among men like Einstein, reading or writing all the while, a stark contrast.

Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium, provided the mobile radiography (X-ray) units for the front during WWI, and died from the radiation produced by her discoveries. She gave her life to investigative endeavors (Her papers and notes from her laboratory are purported to still be too radioactive to be handled).

Though known for chemistry, Marie Curie proceeded her late husband as a Professer of Physics at the Sorbonne in France, a world famous institution at the time - the first woman to do so. She was also the Director of the Curie Laboratory at the University of Paris in the second decade of the 20th century, as well as founding the Radium Institute in collaboration with the Polish government and an award from President Hoover of the United States.

Marie Curie has two Nobel prizes to her name (the first scientist to achieve this, let alone a woman) - sharing one in Physics with her husband in 1903 and being the sole holder of the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Radium Institute has become the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Poland, a leading research and treatment center. So her legacy of discovery lives on.

Marie Curie (Maria Sklodowska-Curie) 1867-1934 and beyond

For more pictures and award listings, see those uploaded to her Wikipedia entry

Featured!

2010-03-20T13:18:00.002-04:00

The Spring-themed spotlight I put together for the EtsyBloggers blog carnival earlier this month has been added to the ByHand Spotlight Gallery!

Thank you to LuminaJewelry!

This reminds that I need to make a smiley graphic :)

New Stuff!

2010-03-19T15:55:00.002-04:00

I got all of my painted wood items moved to my new EclecticWood shop! I have a new snowflake to box as soon as I get it sealed and photographed.

I finally got some new polymer clay pendants added to my Artfire shop:

AliciaMae

Sell Crafts

The Emerald Isle

2010-03-18T17:12:00.004-04:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival has a few different accessorizing themes to choose from, including green/gold. Because of the proximity to St. Patrick's Day, I'm delving into the green wonders of Artfire.

A long time ago when I was only a couple feet tall and dreamed of being able to pick out my own clothes I loved the color green. I'm still somewhat attracted to the color, but moreso because it means Spring - new grass, budding trees, sprouting flowers - rather than actually liking the color (though dark greens are very tasteful for many things).

Because of my old love of green, I had a fascination with emeralds. I loved the term "the Emerald Isle", and of course Ireland is associated with the color green. As well as clvoers, shamrocks, leprechauns, and all things Celtic.

I've put together a spotlight below of these various themes, all linked by color, even if entirely different in theme: Spring, Emerald, Irish

Luck of the Irish

2010-03-13T21:14:00.004-05:00

Ohhhh yeahhhh...guess what! I won Boutique Karma's March Madness giveaway!

You know what's better than that? The coffee cuff arrived today!

I don't have a coffee cup in need of a cuff at the moment, but it's also handy to prevent slippage of the Guinness glass. hehe Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Don't despair...she's got more available in her Artfire shop!

Spring is a comin'

2010-03-12T11:13:00.005-05:00

Ah *deep breath*, the warm moist air, the smell of growing things...Spring! It's right around the corner and the EtsyBloggers blog carnival this week is talking about the various seasonal changes this month, Spring among them.

So I wanted to show off some of the Spring-y-er items I have made, as well as some from Etsy.

Daffodils, some of the first flowers to come up each year in the yard of the house I grew up in. I used to make a bouquet out of them and irises to leave in our neighbor's mailbox as a surprise (she loved it). The daffodil plaque will soon be available in my new EclecticWood shop.

Seashells...down by the seashore...need I say more?

And now to show that Spring has sprung on Etsy:

New shop!

2010-03-11T16:05:00.004-05:00

I have decided to make my Artfire store more navigable by moving my painted and wood burned items to their own shop: EclecticWood

This move will encompass the trinket boxes, wall plaques, and handpainted costume jewelry as well as any other painted wood items. I have some new boxes that will be added soon, as well as some new polymer clay pendants, and it was really starting to feel like I have two lines of creativity going.

My photography will remain in my namesake shop, AliciaMae, along with the polymer clay, because it's my guild-associated shop (Fiery Photographers, Blogfire). Most likely, my novelty pieces, like the painted pine cone ornaments will be included as EclecticWood under my new mental division, but I have yet to decide that.

I have added a small RapidCart to my right sidebar here on the blog for the new shop, and I will feature an item (hopefully) every week or so. This week it is the triquetra trinket box, just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

The Scent of Moonlight

2010-03-04T14:36:00.003-05:00

This week's Blogfire theme is about favorite scents. Mine for many years now has been the Bath and Body Works "Moonlight Path". Luckily, many handmade bath and body (and candle) makers have found a way to capture the scent (referred to as Moonlight path type). There are also other sensual scents similar to moonlight, as you'll find in the center of the spotlight below.

I haven't yet tried any of the items in the spotlight below, but I found that DesertMaidenBathworks captured the scent perfectly in her moonlight path type soap (unfortunately, she's on vacation so I can't link you to it). I'm hoping to test out a few of the great possibilities below.

Sepia Cat

2010-03-01T22:40:00.003-05:00

I opened a new CafePress shop as the home of the sleeping cat - SepiaCat

The designs are from a digital photograph of our cat, her name is Pink, and she likes to curl up and sleep. I have 5x7 prints available on Artfire if photography is more your thing. I also have black and white versions of the mousepad and postcards on Zazzle.

My favorite new item from the CafePress shop....the sleeping kitty thong *wink*

Proceeds to Red Cross

2010-02-27T15:07:00.003-05:00

Due to the number of earthquakes and winter storms across the globe, and now an expected tsunami, the proceeds from my Artfire shop from today until Mother's Day May 9, 2010 will be donated to the Red Cross International Response Fund.

The way the donation works:

The shipping cost of the item covers the actual shipping cost of the item. 100% of the price of the item purchased will be considered the donation. Exceptions are if the shipping cost is higher than the shipping charged, then the difference will be taken from the item cost and the remainder donated. Also, if shipping is overcharged, I usually refund the difference to the buyer, but for the next month I will add it into the donation. So donations will be figured one of three ways depending on the circumstances: 100% item price, 100% item price plus leftover shipping charges, or almost all the item price after needing a bit to cover excess shipping charges.

The Red Cross does not take Paypal for donations. Because of this, I will be consolidating all received funds into my account and then making a donation of the accumulated amount with my credit card. Because of this, I will likely not be able to provide proof of the donation.

If you are worried about how much will actually be donated, you can donate to the Red Cross directly.

Featured EtsyBlogger - February

2010-02-22T15:32:00.002-05:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is also a fellow Blogfire member and maker of bags I covet - TiLTCreations!!

Oh yes, I covet those bags...those lovely, lovely bags...and she's having a buy one get one 1/2 half off sale. I think my Paypal account just ran behind the bookcase to hide itself lol :) See the TiLT Creations blog for more information.

In addition to the clutchs, totes, and other carrying items, TiLTtoo has patterns and destash. Just more for me to covet once I get my sewing machine setup (still trying to get a little table and a place for it in our tiny house). And she's got a second blog - Tilt creations too

There's just too many great things in her shop to do a spotlight - I have to let the Etsy Mini do the picking for me:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
TiltCreations.etsy.com

For the Kitchen

2010-02-18T15:11:00.007-05:00

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is to either show off your workspace or find items for the kitchen. Well, my workspace is a couch and computer with occasional infiltration by a tv dinner tray and polymer clay or paints. Not very exciting. But I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen and have found some great handmade or vintage items to use there.

I've previously discussed great handthrown stoneware made by CabbageHead Pottery, we still use and love the teapot set I got from her almost a year ago.

I have a small kitchen. The space is used for canned goods, appliances, and other necessities, so I don't really decorate. However, we do collect different types of tumblers and practical items.

I browsed Artfire (and Etsy) for some interesting handmade kitchen items, which are in the spotlight below. I also found some interesting vintage items like this WWII Japanese porcelain creamer and sugar bowl set from BeauMonde (vintage home section). Other items from the pattern set were in the shop too (I'm holding back my "add to cart" finger!)

Heart Healthy - An EtsyBlogger Carnival

2010-02-12T15:14:00.003-05:00

This week's EtsyBlogger carnival theme is heart health. I tried to think of a heart healthy recipe, but I really don't have one. My approach to healthy eating is more about decreasing calories and fat and increasing vitamins as opposed to specific heart recipes.

What I've done, in general, is to reduce the ingredients and condiments I use that contain high fructose corn syrup (added sugars, in general, should be ingested in moderation). I also choose low fat ingredients as long as they aren't loaded down with sugars to make up for the consistency/texture. One point is to not use fat-free because fats are a dietary necessity and completely removing them from the diet doesn't help the metabolism. We've also cut back on red meat, replacing some servings with chicken and fish, particularly increasing fish for the omega 3. We've also added in whole wheat bread to replace some of our white bread use. And we try to cut back on our sodium intake, finding a no sodium diet soda, low sodium canned soups (or making our own from scratch), and reducing the consumption of packaged/processed meals and ingredients (forzen veggies instead of canned, for example).

These small things are easy and inexpensive steps we've been taking to eat healthier in general, but mostly to benefit our hearts because they are steps to cut back our risk of hypertension and diabetes.

(Now we're entering my area of expertise *puts on PhD hat*) Heart disease is an umbrella term for several disorders that can affect the heart. Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease and occurs when the blood vessels that feed the heart get blocked. This is sometimes attributed to high cholesterol levels (particularly LDL and triglycerides, but the ratio with HDL - the "good" cholesterol is important too). Hypertension is increased blood pressure, which is influenced by sodium intake and exercise (exercise good, excess sodium bad), but it is somewhat genetics dependent. Diabetes is an inability of the body to properly process glucose or secrete insulin. It isn't necessarily due to high sugar intake, but can be genetic, lifestyle related, or age related.

Most of these disorders simply occur with age or among families, but in recent decades high volumes of processed foods have increased the proportion of the population dealing with these issues. I actually have several articles about the heart and heart disease if you're interested in more in depth information.

Oh My Heart

2010-02-04T11:57:00.004-05:00

Yes, it's February, and there is a pretty popular holiday coming up...President's Day! lol just kidding, it's Valentine's Day. The theme for this week's Blogfire blog carnival is Valentine's Day or red/pink. I decided to delve into the V-day stuff on Artfire and find some heart-shaped items for you to enjoy.

First though is my latest creation, a lightweight polymer clay heart pin with a matte paint/glaze.

The pictures don't really show off its best features. The color is unique due to the glaze mix and how I applied it. There's also a nonuniform wave to the heart to make it more of an active piece rather than just a pin.

Here is a showcase of other great hearts that are just a little bit different than your normal Valentine's day heart jewelry

Feb 1 EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival!!

2010-02-01T04:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the February 1st, 2010 edition of the rockin' EtsyBloggers blog carnival! The theme is all about snow, snowflakes, and winter fun!

Lois presents Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! posted at Foxy G's Den of i-KNIT-quity.

Eugena Topina presents New Free Tutorial Snowflake Cane posted at Eugena's Creations.

Nancy presents Boston Terrier Snowflakes are Kisses from Heaven posted at NanjoDogz.

Two Zany Zebras presents Rain Rain Go away! posted at Two Zany Zebras.

Lauren presents Canadian Winters (and How to Make the Most of Them) posted at Lost Mitten.

gilliauna presents Snow Day Activities - A Rare Post By Leal posted at The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

Erika presents A craft for kids--bulletin board circle posted at NICO* Designs.

Beth presents Snowflakes! posted at Sunshine Daydreamz.

Brittany Wende presents Blog Carnival for January!! posted at - B.W. SILVER -.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival - Jan 29, 2010 posted at Stroll Through Storyland, saying, "enjoy the fireplaces with me!"

tanya presents snowflakes posted at whimsy & charm.

Alicia Mae presents Snowflakes! posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Jane Poh presents Etsyblogger's January Blog Carnival - Snowflakes posted at Projects by Jane.

Maggie Knight presents Rain, rain, go away. Come again, like ...in a few years, or maybe never. posted at Magpie Night.

Sandy Simpson presents A little flakey posted at Punky Jane.

Rainy presents Snowflakes Blog Carnival posted at RainyDayArt.

Karen aka MysticWynd presents Winter Busy-ness in the Desert Southwest posted at Mystic Wynd.

Vicky presents Dreaming of snowflakes... posted at Shore Debris' Handmade Creations.

Sykin presents Etsybloggers.com Carnival Post posted at Sykin's One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide.

dizzydragonflies presents Snowflakes posted at dizzydragonflies.

theashgrove presents Blog Carnival: Snowflakes posted at Notes from the Ash Grove, saying, "Hope I'm not too late!"

BunnyKissd presents BlogCarnival: Snowflakes posted at Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too.

HomeMadeOriginals presents Is it True No Two Snowflakes Are Alike? posted at Home Made Originals.

TiLTcreations presents Etsybloggers Carnival: Snowflakes and Winter Activity posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

Kat Lantz presents The wonderful thing about snowflakes posted at SassmowthDesigns.

Linda Pruitt presents Carnival Post - Snowflakes posted at Pruitt Handcrafts.

Margaret Freije presents snowflakes posted at Splendid Little Stars, saying, "fun!"

Lisa Nguyen presents Snowflakes - Carnival Blog â€“ Jan 2010 posted at Jewelry Delicacies.

ThorisDesigns presents Seasonal Snowflakes posted at Thoris Designs :: Cooking. Crafting. Calumny., saying, "Yay! My first on-time blog carnival submission. Enjoy ;)"

Joey & Aleethea presents does it snow in Raleigh-Durham? yes it does!! posted at J o e y & A l e e t h e a, saying, "We're in a winter wonderland!! Come see our snowy fun!"

Enjoy!

Featured EtsyBlogger - January

2010-01-30T14:53:00.003-05:00

Wow, I'm getting it in at almost the last moment this month. Amazing how crazy busy I've been :)

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is Erika of NICO Designs

She has so many great sewn decor items and art dolls. She also makes pin cushions and totes. Her designs aren't flashy, she uses neutral tones and colors, but they have a vibrant aesthetic in the patterns she uses. Or maybe it's just how she takes her photos that makes her shop look so elegant.

Be sure to stop by the NICO Designs blog to check out various charitable causes and to enter a giveaway for a doll or a wee mouse.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
NICOdesigns.etsy.com

@rainnwilson Etsy funny

2010-01-24T23:51:00.003-05:00

Thought my Etsy friends would appreciate this set of tweets I just saw on my Twitter feed

If any of you are wondering who this Twitter user is, he's an actor (most notably Dwight Schrute on The Office)

Snowflakes!

2010-01-24T17:54:00.002-05:00

This week's EtsyBlogger blog carnival theme is snow, and I'm hosting :) One option was my favorite snowflake item on Etsy...but there are just so many amazing items that it was impossible to choose just one.

Look at the vast range of materials! From the design on pottery to being shaped in glass and leather to being an abstract visual...snowflakes!

If I had to choose a favorite from the collection I assembled above, I'd have to say it's PotatoBirdStudio's mixed media snowflake ACEO. There's just something about the dark contrast to the white of snow and the allure of the text hidden beneath that draws me to it. There's something victorian to the printing that makes it complex, yet so simple in that it's just snowflakes.

Look for the full blog carnival on Monday, February 1.

Wow and Warm

2010-01-21T21:47:00.002-05:00

This week's Blogfire guild blog carnival theme is Wow Items: Knitting and Crochet, and what this brings to mind is warm things...warm, fuzzy things.

I haven't done too well at learning to knit, mostly because of a lack of time spent on practicing, but I love the outcome when someone knows how to do it.

And crochet is more than fabric and more than wearable, as shown among the samples I found on Artfire, which are spotlighted below.

Store Proceeds to Doctors Without Borders

2010-01-15T13:44:00.004-05:00

Until Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), all proceeds from my Artfire shop will be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins sans Frontieres. This organization is working in Haiti to save lives, patch up limbs, and alleviate suffering. They also work in other third-world countries on a regular basis and are involved in medical responses to natural disasters.

The way the donation works:

The shipping cost of the item covers the actual shipping cost of the item. 100% of the price of the item purchased will be considered the donation. Exceptions are if the shipping cost is higher than the shipping charged, then the difference will be taken from the item cost and the remainder donated. Also, if shipping is overcharged, I usually refund the difference to the buyer, but for the next month I will add it into the donation. So donations will be figured one of three ways depending on the circumstances: 100% item price, 100% item price plus leftover shipping charges, or almost all the item price after needing a bit to cover excess shipping charges.

Doctors without Borders do not take Paypal for donations. Because of this, I will be consolidating all received funds into my account and then making a donation of the accumulated amount with my credit card. Because of this, I will likely not be able to provide proof of the donation.

If you are worried about how much will actually be donated, you can donate to Doctors without Borders directly.

Haiti

2010-01-13T20:17:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a break from work to post some information in the hopes that it will help someone find what they need.

The US State Department has a phone number for Americans seeking info about family in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747

Any Americans in Haiti who want to leave should go to the airport, the state department has military, diplomatic, and international help to evacuate US citizens to the states.

If you would like to donate:

American Red Cross International Relief Fund will include help for Haiti
GlobalGiving has a specific relief fund for Haiti (they even tell you the administration fee so you know exactly how much of what you donate goes to the Haitian effort
Doctors Without Borders/Medicines sans frontieres are running the hospitals and treating the injured in the wake of the earthquake.
You can text your donation to the relief organization of your choice as well - this article has all the information and additional relief organizations

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-03T17:22:00.002-05:00

A new year...it seems like it was just the other day that we rolled over into 2009, heck, 2000. It's amazing how much faster time goes, especially the older we get!

What's ahead this year? I have no clue :)

I have a new sewing machine to become familiar with, but it requires a space and surface I don't yet have. I have a notebook of polymer clay ideas, I hope to work in a little of that every week. I have new wood boxes to paint, an activity that I find soothing and relaxing. I have knitting I've been meaning to keep up with, in order to learn it better.

So many things I would like to do this coming year. But it may be a move to a larger abode that will make it all happen. We'll see.

What I'm doing exceptionally well at keeping up with (besides work lol) is learning to play the guitar. My boyfriend gave me an acoustic guitar for Christmas, because I've been talking about wanting one all year. And I'm taking a little time each day to limber up my fingers, work on my strumming rhythm and learn new chords. Eventually there will be a song, tune, or something recognizable :)

2010, it'll be the year of new things and finally doing things I've put off (I hope!)

This week's Blogfire blog carnival theme is "What's in store for 2010"

December Featured EtsyBlogger

2009-12-29T22:34:00.003-05:00

This is the last featured EtsyBlogger of 2009! This month's feature is calkat.

Kathy and Carrie love jewelry, and they have a huge selection of metal and beaded accessories, including bookmarks, necklaces, and earrings. The jewelry junkie blog has give-aways, features, and links to some great handmade stuff. And they're offering free shipping until New Year's Eve!

Calkat is also known as Ametista where they have apothecary bottles and furry monster boxes, with the Ametista Artistic Offerings blog, and they also have YogaFairies and clay molds at TheClayShoppe (you know I totally just hearted that shop!).

I couldn't decide which shop I liked best, so I've made a spotlight of some of their items rather than using the EtsyMini :)

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T22:23:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Be safe, be happy, be healthy...