Nico Designs

Nico Designs, and beautifully I might add! Check out Nico Designs, the January featured Etsyblogger on Etsy and on her blog.



I defy you to find baby shoes cuter than these.

Memories for Life

Memories For Life is the August featured Etsyblogger Team Member. Edi Royer is a scrapbooker and paper crafter extraordinaire. Wonderful albums. notebooks, etc. can be found in her Etsy store.

Memories For Life blog is where you can keep up with it all.

Food For Thought

August 28 Blog Carnival

1) Your favorite food. What is it and why? If it's something you make please share the recipe.

2) Back to school. What does it mean to you?

Since back to school only means I have to drive 15mph on Gowan on my way to work I will choose option #1.

I have many favourite foods so this is a toughy. I love and collect recipes for Sugar Pie, a Canadian treat that is as sweet as the name implies, and Shoo Fly Pie, an Amish delight I discovered whilst visiting a small town in Pennsylvania when I was 16. (On a side note, I also discovered what a taco was on that trip and I love those too!)

I also thought to share a couple of recipes that have been made by my mom (and now by me) my whole life. A lovely banana cake (not bread, cake) and a scrumptious coffee cake. Then there are my grandmother's Butterscotch Curls (drool) and my aunt's Cherry Wonders (which I can't make because the dough must be refrigerated overnight and I really cannot be left alone in the house with raw cookie dough ALL night.)

But you know what? Soup season is approaching, carrots are cheap and healthy, and would it kill us to talk about something that is actually good for us?? So here's a simple carrot soup I make that is delicious, easy and I've discovered, also good cold (in case soup season drags it's feet.)

FRESH CARROT SOUP WITH HERB MIX

1/2 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
Nonstick cooking spray
4 cups nonfat low sodium chicken broth (I just use powdered usually.)
1 lb carrots, sliced
1 teaspoon lemond juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chopped cilantro (I DO NOT use this. Cilantro....blech.)
Chopped basil (dried works fine for me.)
Crushed red pepper flakes

Saute onions and garlic in medium saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth and carrots and heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until carrots are tender 25-30 minutes.

Puree carrots and broth in blender (I use Magic Bullet) until smooth. Blend in lemon juice and salt.

Spoon into serving bowls (I eat it straight out of the pot) and sprinkle each with a little chopped cilantro (again, blech) and basil. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for spice before serving.

4 SERVINGS, EACH SERVING:

152 calories;475 mg sodium;5mg cholesterol;1 gram fat;26 grams carbohydrates;11 grams protein;1.16 grams fiber.

Where Have All The Good Times Gone?

In a few months, the holiday season will be in full swing. What are you planning for: increasing your inventory, festival hopping, networking?

Yes, the subject of the next Etsybloggers Carnival. The holidays. When I first saw this on the schedule I thought "Sh*t...the holidays? AlREAdY???!?!?!?

Well, yes and no. We're a few months away but everybody knows (except for people under, say, 20) how fast the time goes. And crafters need the time to make holiday stuff and get it out there so that it can be purchased on time for gifts and personal wear. Last year I wanted to make myself a pair of those adorable Swarovski tree earrings, but try to find the components for that in December...fuggetaboutit. So I made mine in January.

Now I'm in my "all about resin" phase so I'm on the lookout for holiday pictures and paper to turn magically into super cool bracelets, pendants, rings...

I made one pendant which is at the top of this page. I love her!!

a place of felted and fabric goodness!

Miesmama's shop on Etsy really is filled with felted goodness! Headbands, bag, bowls...just a whole lot of really cool stuff made out of felt. Who'd have thunk it?

Check it out, and then visit Miesmama Blog:
a creative journal of a mother's passion for things handmade.

Hot Dog!

July is national hot dog month (or at least that's what Etsybloggers would have us believe.) I chose the hot dog as my blog carnival subject. I began with Wikipedia, curious about the history of the name "hot dog." Seems nobody knows anything for a fact, everyone wants to be the one who came up with that brilliant name.

I believe there is only one thing you need to know when it comes to hot dogs. Costco. 'Nuff said.

Yet Another Summer-Related Blog

It's Etsyblogger carnival time (yes, I missed some, sue me.)

Share your favorite Summer Recipe!



Tall glass
ice
lemonade (pink or yellow)
vodka
straw (optional)

Put ice in tall glass. Pour in lemonade and vodka.

Makes one serving.



On another subject, I'm so very into my resin jewelry. No bottle cap is safe! I'll post some when I get some pictures done.

LazyTCrochet

As much as I seem to love most crafts, I have never felt the yen for knitting or crochet. My mother tried to teach me when I was young and I just didn't take to it. I like to think it was because she is so darned left handed that it made no sense to a righty like me. I imagine there may come a time when I want to give it a go but until then, I will just adore the works of LazyTCrochet, on Etsy and Blogger.

A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose Is A ....Rose?

June 5 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival subject: 1) Schools Out For Summer! What are your summer plans or share your favorite end of the school year story.
or
2) June symbols - June's birthstone is the pearl or moonstone. June's flower is the rose. Share your favorites or stories or blog on June symbols of your own.

I choose ROSES. Wait. No. A picture paints a thousand words (I've heard) so to save space and time, here is a picture of my rose bush, which was thriving when I moved in here.




'Nuff said.

You Say It's Your Birthday

Etsybloggers has a Blog Carnival twice a month. Though one is only expected to do one a month I’ve made it my personal goal to do every one.

Then this one came along, and I almost decided, the heck with goals. But no, just ‘cause it’s a toughie doesn’t let me get out of it. It’s a choice between these subjects.

1. Tell me about your favourite birthday memory, gift, wish.
2. Show & Tell. Summer Line. What will you be making/showing in your shop through the summer.

I don’t really create for seasons, I create to fulfill my whims. My stuff is good year round and for all occasions (that’s what I tell myself so I won’t be bound by things like season.) So nothing to say on option #2.

Option #1. Is it pathetic that I don’t have ANY happy memories of my birthdays past? That my birthdays were just blah with one really miserable one that ended in tears? And why is it that I remember the miserable one and nothing much about the others? (Except that bakeries tended to make my cake pink when my mom specifically ordered blue, or the time I had a red cake.) Is it pathetic that I want nothing to do with my birthday? Is it pathetic that the only thing I like about birthdays is butter-cream icing? That I consider it a day to mourn the loss of my youth and little more? That I’ve never even considered taking the day off from work?

Thankfully it is but one day out of the year (albeit a day that comes faster and faster each year.)

Uh oh, the mourning may be starting early this year. Thanks Etsybloggers for bringing up this delightful subject.

Etsyblogger Of The Month: Create A Thought

Ok, I love Create a Thought’s blog. It’s so darn colorful! And it did create a thought. I thought, “Gee, I wish my blog was colorful.” Then I checked out the Create A Thought shop on Etsy. I thought, “I want everything here!”

Think for yourself.
Create A Thought Blog
Create A Thought Shop

How Does My Garden Grow?

Barely.

Etsy Bloggers ask, “Spring has sprung, what would your dream garden look like?


My dream garden would feature lavender, tomatoes, peas, various other vegetables as well as an array of herbs. Sunflowers running along the walls.

Unfortunately I’m awake and my garden is more of a nightmare. It’s a shame really. It’s big enough to grow many things I like, yet small enough for one person to tend to.

In my dream garden is a dream gardener who, out of the kindness of his/her heart, sets it all up, leaves me detailed instructions and checks on it periodically. Or someone who loves to garden but lives in an apartment and takes total control of my garden for a 50/50 split.

Apply within.

Two Zany Zebras

If ‘zany’ appeals to you, gallop over to Two Zany Zebras, the Etsy home of all things zany, as well as home to the Zarkles. Zarkles are whimsical creatures, each with it’s own name and personality. They also feature a Zarkle pocket blankie so they are ready for sleep-overs.

More Zany-ness ensues at the Two Zany Zebras blog.

Check them out at Two Zany Zebras and let your imagination run amok ‘cause customs orders are happily accepted!

THIS MARCH OF MANY MONTHS

Apparently March is a very busy month. EstyBloggers ask, “Which of the following means the most to you, why, and how do you celebrate/remember?”


* Irish American Month - I’m neither Irish nor American. I don’t even think either of these can be found ANYWHERE in my ancestry. However I do like potatoes, four leaf clovers, apple pie, and 2 out of 3 colours found in the American flag. I am eligible to become an American citizen however that would mean I’d also be eligible for jury duty. I think my most impressive asset to potential employers is that I will never have to take time off for jury duty.

* Music in Our Schools Month - Don’t they bring their Ipods to school every month??

* National Craft Month - Similar to the response I’d get when I’d ask, “When’s kid’s day?” EVERY month is craft month in my world.

* National Frozen Food Month -On behalf of Stouffers, I’d like to thank you for this honour that we initiated and paid big bucks for. If it warms up enough, I’ll celebrate by eating ice cream. A whole gallon. By myself. Because I care.

* National Irish American Heritage Month- designated by Congress in 1995. - Huh?

* National Nutrition Month - Ok, so I’ll eat something green. Like pistachio ice cream, which would kill two celebrations with one gallon.

* National Peanut Month - Where would the airlines be without peanuts? And while I don’t care for them myself, I do adore peanut butter. Not so much salmonella.

* National Women's History Month - I will celebrate by getting old. I am an undocumented part of women’s history.

* Poetry Month - "The March wind roars
Like a lion in the sky,
And makes us shiver
As he passes by.
When winds are soft,
And the days are warm and clear,
Just like a gentle lamb,
Then spring is here."
- Author Unknown


* Red Cross Month - If they had thrift stores I would celebrate by shopping there. Other than that, I’m all for them but that’s it.

* Social Workers Month - Why do they get a month and secretaries, I mean administrative assistants, only get a day? Do you have to take them out for lunch every day of March?

Quickly Does The Time March On

EtsyBloggers ask, “We are already on March!! What have you accomplished this year in real life or on Etsy?? Have you followed your New Year's resolutions? What are your plans for the rest of 2009?”

Good questions. I know I’ve washed the kitchen floor at least once. As far as New Year’s resolutions, I didn’t make any. I set goals (if I set goals) as the opportunity arises. I don’t see a need, then postpone it until the New Year like a diet (everyone knows diets can only start on Mondays.)

I have taken my jewelry making in a slightly new direction. This year I’m actually (gasp) doing something other than Peyote Stitch. I’m doing some pieces featuring dazzling Swarovski crystals and fire polish beads in triangle weave and right angle weave.

And the rest of 2009? I let my jewelry obsession take me where it chooses so who knows? I do need to knuckle down and get a few more items on Etsy, which means I need to work on my photos. I’d love to be more involved with craft shows however I have to put most of that burden on my mom as I can’t get there early (I work until 1AM.)

And finally I’d like to get off my big fat chair and hit some yard sales.

While I believe in reaching for the stars, I go for the...you know...closer ones.

Design By Nora

Nora’s shop on Etsy features adorable (or should I say a”nora”ble?) polymer clay button earrings. Just the kind of thing that brightens up an entire outfit or a gloomy day. Her line of purses, made by her uncle Naz, run from snazzy & fun to contemporary & classy.

For another quick pick-me-up, check out her blog. It’s fun, fast reading, a bright light in the blog sky.

Introducing Donna Pool

Have you ever spent time in one of those really eclectic gift shops, the kind where you're not surprised to find just about anything and yet everything you find is surprising? Well, featured Etsy Blogger Donna Pool's shop is just like that.

I wandered through, virtually picking up fun vintage buttons, adorable hand-stitched toys and oh, the most wonderful photographs!

Check out Donna's shop at Etsy and for more information on her creative endeavours, head on over to Donna's blog.

A good time is guaranteed for all.