Etsy Give Away!

I'm currently away from my computer. 

My husband has whisked me off to an undisclosed location.

 The question is...

 WHERE AM I?

Here are a few clues:

• My plane headed west as I left Denver.
• There are some goofy people around here!
• Some people call this the "happiest place on earth!"

If you'd like a chance to win a gift from my Etsy, you'll have to do two things. 

First, you have to guess where we are vacationing! Those who guess correctly will have their names put into a bowl and I will draw a winner. 

Second, you'll need to go to my Etsy and choose what you would pick if you won this Give Away! The winner will be given a $20 gift certificate to my Etsy and will be able to pick any Wristlet, Dwipe, or Lil' Girl Cupcake Tote of her choosing. I will ship the item free of charge. It's as simple as that! 

Leave a comment guessing where I am vacationing AND telling me which item you would choose if you won this Give Away! No anonymous comments, please. I need an email address or accessibility to a public blog. Private bloggers --feel free to enter, but you'll need to leave your email address. If I don't have any way to contact you, your name will not be eligible.

This contest will run through midnight on Tuesday, November 2nd. Wednesday morning, November 3rd the winner will be announced.

Good Luck!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some...

sandy-colored loveliness.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Love Rules Pouch

Wooden Button

The Westerly Trench Coat

Cuff Bracelet

Fuzzy Pandas

Ruffles Scarf

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Little Girl Dwipes...

I've been busy this week whipping up Dwipes (Diaper and Wet Wipe Mini-Totes) for my Etsy. This time I concentrated on Dwipes for the little girls in our lives! Lots of pink and damask and flowers! Here's a sampling...

Instead of adding a button to the outside of these Dwipes, I have opted to add a fabric flower to these feminine creations. I think the flowers add the perfect touch...

 Here's one last creation. This Dwipe is going to be shipped very soon in anticipation of our 8th grandchild ... a little girl due in a month or so! Can't wait!!!

If you'd like to know more about how a Dwipe is used, go here!

 

November's Plaque Attack!

This may come as a surprise (it certainly has to me), but our Plaque Attack Club is growing in ranks. Over 250 ladies have joined in on the fun in the last two months requesting September and October's plaque documents. Who knew? Thank you so much for your kind words as you've sent in your request for the documents. I appreciate it so much!

For those new to the "Plaque Attack Club," in September I introduced a new monthly feature on my blog and named it "Plaque Attack"! The best way to describe "Plaque Attack" is that it is a plaque-of-the-month club. Each month -- a few days before a new month begins -- I will make a post featuring a new plaque. The plaque wording will reflect holidays or activities unique to the coming month.

 Without further ado, let me introduce November's Plaque Attack... 

 

Many have requested to be put on the email list to receive the plaque wording monthly. In actuality there is no "list." You'll need to check back every month and request the new plaque to receive the document. A number of ladies have sent me photos of their plaques or a link to a post after creating them. Nothing makes me happier than to see your wonderful and unique creations! It fabulous to see the different spin people put on the same basic idea. Please feel free to share your creations!

If you would like to make this plaque for yourself, just email me requesting the Word document. (Make sure you specify the month you are requesting.) My email address is on my sidebar. I will be happy to send you the wording for the plaque in a Word document via email. No purchase necessary. Then all you'll have to do is select a sheet of scrapbook paper, print the document off, and follow the instructions here...

Please remember: By requesting this document you agree not to sell copies of this pattern or sell products with this pattern on them. You may make as many copies as you would like for personal use or gifts.

Enjoy!

Linked to:










Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans
Linky Party @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Get Your Craft on Tuesday @ Today's Creative Blog
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypin's Boardwalk
Nifty-Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Mad Skills Monday @ Support Blog for Moms of Boys!
Marketplace Monday @ Finding Fabulous
Make It 4 Monday @ Cottage Instincts
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show Off
Craft-O-Maniac Monday @ Craft-O-Maniac

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something...

delightfully homespun.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Fabric Birds on Birch

Ghost White Burlap Pumpkin

Burlap Acorns  

Vintage Silver Basket Collection

Burlap and Bees Lavender Bag

Vintage Pilgrim Creamer

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

November's Plaque Attack Coming Soon!

A little birdie told me that Monday will be the unveiling of November's plaque for the Plaque Attack Club! This plaque promises many words we associate with the month of November and my most (extra-specialist) favorite holiday of the year -- Thanksgiving!

Stocking the shelves...

I've been busy stocking the shelves of my Etsy the last few days. I'd rather be creating in other ways, but occasionally one needs to get down to business. I've had a number of sales lately and my shop has been getting smaller and smaller, so it was time to build up the inventory a bit before the holidays! This week I've been working on wristlets...

A wristlet is a versatile little clutch that can be carried day or night. It can be used as a purse to carry cash, a debit card, your phone,a license and keys, or it can be used in a purse or luggage to organize accessories (i.e. as a cosmetic bag, sunglasses case, or for personal items).

The pattern of this wristlet is unique -- I designed it myself. I love the earthy, textured feel of the gathered muslin combined with the patterned fabric. A beautiful fabric flower finishes it off with just the right touch!

The dimensions of this mini-tote are 8" x 5". It is fully lined and interfaced with fusible fleece to give it plenty of body and support.

This clutch would be perfect as a gift. You might want to tuck a little crinkle paper and a few items (lipstick, perfume, hand lotion, etc.) inside!

These wristlets are on the shelves of my Etsy awaiting a new home!

Apples to Applesauce...

We have two apple trees in our backyard. In years past the apples haven't gotten very big or very ripe by the time the first frost came around. This year we have a bumper crop, and we've yet to have our first frost. As a result we have a huge selection of big, beautiful, lusciously-crisp apples...

 

Friday morning I picked a bucketful and decided to make some applesauce with these sun-kissed beauties!

 There's nothing better than home-made applesauce with just picked apples.

I don't even bother peeling them. I suspect it's healthier that way since I've been told that most of the nutrients of an apple are in the peel.

I core and slice them, add a little lemon and water (or apple juice) and place them on the stove to cook and soften.The aroma of cooking apples fills our home with the scent of apple pie...

If you want chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples. If you prefer smooth applesauce, run the cooked apples through a food mill or blender. Then add a little sugar and cinnamon to taste!

It's a beautiful thing...

Linked to:
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

  

I spy with my Etsy eye something...

mossy green.

Clockwise, starting at top left:

"Silence" Fine Art Photography

Chamomile Tea Wreath

Forrest in Moss Green and Olive Pillow Cover

 Floral Shoe Clips

Flower Headband

Have a great weekend!

The sweet hum-drum of a sewing machine...

I've been busy building up my Etsy shop the last couple of days. I've ignored my shop horribly these last few months. This week I'm working on building up the supply of Dwipes in my shop. Several of our friends and family members are expecting, and I not only want to whip up a few dwipes for those special people, but also for any little expected bundles that you might be looking forward to! I'll also be stocking the shelves with more wristlets and cupcake totes as well.

Here's a sampling of what I did the last couple of days...

 

I concentrated on little boy babies yesterday. Later this week or next I'll focus on little girl Dwipes. If you're unsure what a Dwipe is... go here and find out for yourself! These items are residing in my Etsy.

Have a nice night!

Pat's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

When I was growing up we had a close family friend that worked in the chocolate business. Mike was a chocolate salesman for Ambrosia Chocolate. Believe me when I say that there is nothing better to a youngster than having a chocolate salesman as a family friend. Whenever Mike came to visit -- which was several times a year -- he always brought our family samples of his chocolate. Ambrosia Chocolate was aptly named as their chocolate was most definitely "food for the Gods." The samples that Mike delivered to us were not itsy-bitsy bite-sized samples. These were three pound blocks of scrumptious velvety chocolate. My brother, sister and I would start salivating the moment we heard Mike was coming for a visit. Even with our voracious appetites for chocolate, these blocks would last us for weeks. For me, Mike's visits were met with giddy anticipation as Mike and his wonderful wife Pat were as sweet as the confections they brought. Mike had a boisterous, infectious laugh that I can still hear echoing in the recesses of my mind. Pat was as soft spoken and calm as any individual I've ever known. I loved them both so much. Later when I had my own children, Pat and Mike would load us up with blocks of chocolate for my children to test. Sweet memories.

This recipe is one that Pat made for our family when we were visiting her in Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. It incorporates the chocolate that I associate so strongly with their family. Pat and Mike have both passed on, but every time I make these muffins -- which is often during the fall and winter months -- I think of them. It is chocolaty goodness at its best! Enjoy...

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine or butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
"Sugar in the Raw" (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with foil or paper liners. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl and set aside. In separate mixing bowl mix mashed bananas, egg, melted margarine, and milk. Stir dry ingredients into banana mixture just until blended (do not over mix). Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. I sprinkle a few crystals of "Sugar in the Raw" on the top of the muffins before I bake them. Bake muffins until tops are golden -- about 32 minutes. Makes 12 - 15 muffins.