Fantabulous Friday!

Hello Everyone!

After taking a refreshing week off, I'm back to the old grindstone!  I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather.  This past weekend was HOT!  They showed video of people out sunbathing on the news....in October?!?  And along with the cooler weather comes thoughts of delicious comfort foods and goodies -- Enjoy! 

This recipe looks tasty!  Any recipe with pumpkin in it catches my eye -- and to put it in a cookie is even better!  It's from the Neely's on The Food Network.

Whoopie Pumpkin Pies

If  you like cute and whimsy little items -- visit Bubbletime's shop on Etsy!  Add this cute stuffed candy corn to your Halloween collection, or look around for some funny little bugs, mice or birds!  



Cuddly Candy Corn




















And to top off the evening or a great holiday dinner, try adding some MULLED WINE to the menu!  Here is a recipe from Sandra Lee on The Food Network.  I will be trying this recipe for sure!  For a red wine, I think I will use Rosemounts Shiraz -- try it....you'll like it! 

Rosemount Shiraz

If You Blog It, They Will Come.....

Things have been real slow lately around Etsy, and not just for my shop!  Ok, so maybe my stuff just stinks?  It's like sitting in your shop, and constantly walking outside to make sure the sign says "OPEN".  Can everyone get to and find my shop?  Is PayPal working properly......?  If you are selling your crafts online, and are having the same problem, I KNOW you feel my pain!  I would just like to continue creating more jewelry, but unfortunately things must come to a standstill until sales start coming in -- or I become famous -- or we win the lottery!  :)  Anyhoo, Until that happens, I will just keep swimming..... (Sing it Dory!)



Here are a few shops to take a peek at!  This first item is from Bloom and Barnacle's shop.  A cute ghostie figurine created with sculpey clay.  They have many other festive Halloween items listed in their shop -- so hurry on in, before it's too late!



Tall Ghost With Boo Garland







 

 

  

 

The Venerable Bead offers this fun copper enamel skull pendant!  These cute pendants are cut from a copper sheet and then enameled in different colors.  Check out their shop's other beautiful treasures! 

 

Skull Pendant Necklace
 





And some great smelly stuff! Green Briar offers this soy candle collection in 3 delicious scents!  Make your house smell like a home with Pumpkin pie, Caramel Apple, and Apple Harvest!

 



Three Fall 22 Ounce Wood Wick Soy Candles







Aaaaahhhhhh....October!

Cool breezes, colorful trees and....  box elder bugs -- BLEAH!  It's difficult to go outside and enjoy the lovely weather with icky bugs flying in your hair.  All is well though!  Just bought our daughter a cute little witch costume for Halloween!  I will have to hold off on buying the candy -- we have already gone through 3 bags of candy, and it's not even close to halloween!

Here are a few Etsy shop mentions for the day.  Some beautiful items to decorate your home, and some to make you smile!

This little guy is whimsy and cute.  His little beady eyes say, "Take me home!"  Visit bdb world's shop to see other polymer clay cuties, cards, watercolors, and jewelry.

Hermit Crab

I adore these wool pear ornaments from lil fish studio's!  And they are from my favorite town, Brainerd, Minnesota -- where I grew up!  These would be just lovely on a your Christmas tree, or just for year-round decor.

Pistachio Green Wool Pear Ornament

I think that stoneware pottery is wonderful, and I love fall leaves.  I found this beautiful piece from Botanic2Ceramic while perusing the Etsy stores, and had to mention it in my blog!  A rustic looking, unique design with branch-like edges, and a maple leaf motif.



Autumn Woodland Maple Leaf Platter Tray

  

The Moon is Made of Cream Cheese

Okay, maybe not.  But really, if it were up to me, the moon would be made of rice crispies and marshmallows.....

Here are a couple pairs of "Moon" earrings that I recently made (in the spirit of Halloween, yah-sure).  These are made using Czech glass beads.  I know that they are very simple, but Czech glass beads are so pretty that they can stand alone! 

Harvest Moon



Witches Moon



Waiting For Noah....

Supposedly we are going to get tropical downpours tomorrow.  Thoughts of Evan Almighty come to mind....  I'll make sure to batten down the hatches, just in case!

Just a few showcase items today.  I am still in the process of working on another ocean inspired necklace.  Why the ocean when I live in Minnesota, and supposedly have 10,000 lakes to model jewelry after?  Unknown.  But the thought has crossed my mind.

This first shop is worth a look just for a good chuckle!  Obey My Brain's Josh Freeman is so animated in his pictures -- Cute, cute, cute!  (Oh yeah, and the hats aren't bad either)! 

Large Fleece Squid Hat

This next shop has some of the sweetest looking little animals I've ever seen!  TSminibears shop offers PATTERNS (some with materials) for these adorable woodland animals.  This little bear just makes my heart melt....



Miniature bear PATTERN
























If you are looking for some beautiful pictures to hang around the home, Red Leaf Gallery has some splendid nature photos!  With Halloween drawing near -- thoughts of pumpkins come to mind!

Pumpkin

Hope you all have a wonderful afternoon! 

Dammit Jim...I'm a Crafter, Not an Artisan!

Yes, that would be me.  Somewhere, somebody asked me that question -- I'm a crafter, and proud of it! 

Anyhoo....I said that I would report back on the few purchases that I had made about a week ago.  The tart warmer, pumpkin cheesecake wax tarts and the Harvest Moon perfume.  Everything is wonderful!  The tart warmer that I had purchased from The Hairy Potter Studio has a wood like glaze on it -- so it looks like it was turned from a log.  Cute!  The pumpkin cheesecake tarts from The Tempting Tart smell fabulous!  They last quite a long time too!  I let them melt in the warmer for a couple of hours, then I blow out the candle -- the scent continues to be released from the wax for quite a while even after it hardens again.  It is so nice to come home and have that wonderful 'spicy' scent in the air!  The Harvest Moon perfume from Solstice Scents is warm, cozy and comforting!  I put a little on my wrists, so that every time I swipe the hair from my eyes, I catch a whiff of the warm, spicy scent!  Very fall feeling -- apples, pumpkin and spice.  Not too sweet or over-powering!

Tart Warmer

Pumpkin Cheesecake Wax Tarts

Harvest Moon

Autumn Rain and Cozy Quilts

I posted a new set of earrings last night!  I named them "Leaves In a Puddle", because they reminded me of taking a walk after a cool fall rain, and watching the fallen leaves drift across the puddles like tiny ships sailing to distant lands.

Leaves In a Puddle

I found this beautiful Autumn themed quilt on Etsy.  It is a Fall Frolic Scrappy Lap Quilt by Pieces of Pine.  I love to wrap myself up in a cozy quilt on a cold winter's day -- and a handmade quilt makes it even more comforting!  



Fall Frolic Scrappy Lap Quilt

  

Beautiful September Morning!

I listed a couple of new items on Etsy last night!  Here they are -- Enjoy!

Grandma's Dress

Fall Frolic

How about a kick-in-the-pants every morning?  Try Wake the F*ck Up Tiramisu Flavored Coffee!  With a name like that, you know it's gotta be strong!  This product is offered through Flaming Mouth -- Extinguish your mouth's desire for hot and spicy foods!™.  And just so ya'll know, I LOVE tiramisu!  Oh yeah, and pumpkin pie, and cheesecake, and junior mints, and.....     Check it out!

Wake the F Up!

Mmmmm...Junior Mints and Coffee....

So, I finally finished another necklace and a set of earrings!  Things have been so slow around Etsy since I opened shop (just my luck), I have slowed my creativeness WAY down.  It has been difficult -- I really love to create new jewelry!  At least I can be busy with my daughter, and there will be much yard work to do in the next couple of months!

Nocturnal Musings

Bohemian Rhapsody

Color me......Pumpkin!

Or shades there of.....

Here are a few of my picks for the day -- makeup in beautiful shades to pick up your mood!

I have featured Beautiful Twists by Ella Dean before, and I can't say enough about how much I get a kick out of her Smoochalicious lip gloss and their descriptions!  Each one has a unique and cute story to go along with it.  Not only is it worth buying the lip gloss, but reading through the shop descriptions is amusing! 

Autumn Leaves and Candy Corn

Patina Mineral's Shop features 'natural organic mineral makeup'.  Here is a 4 piece eye shadow kit in browns.  A beautiful way to show off your Autumn look!

Patina Mineral  -- Browns

And last, but not least (and most certainly because I LOVE PUMPKIN PIE), Virtue Natural's Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub!  A mix of cane sugar, brown sugar, Shea butter, and pumpkin seed oil.  A wonderful addition to your morning shower!

Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub

Please visit each of these delightful shops to view their ingredients list!

Eh?......Am I drooling?

Ok, so this last treasury that I assembled on Etsy just about did me in.  I never realized how many people sell tasty eats on Etsy!  So many tasty, tempting, treats to look through!  With that said, I have to gripe for a minute......  Etsty-ers were complaining the other day about how hard it was to make the front page.  I don't blame them!  When I think of what 'handmade' means to me, I think of the craft shows I have been to.  Quilts, food, painted wood items, crafted dolls, etc.  Etsy has a bad habit of posting too many 'luxe' items on the front page.  IT IS NOT A GOOD REPRESENTATION OF WHAT ETSY IS ABOUT!  Not that the items on the front page aren't beautiful, (perhaps not MY taste), but where is the representation for the rest of the Etsy shops?  Anyhoo....here are a couple of my treasury inspired postings for today!

Halloween Marshmallows

Chocolate Espresso Cake Truffles

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake

Goodies!

Today I purchased a few things from a couple of fellow Etsy-ers: Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart Wax Melts from the Tempting Tart, a tart warmer from The Hairy Potter Studio, and some Harvest Moon perfume from Solstice Scents!  I enjoy the smell of fresh sweets from the oven on those cold days -- it warms the soul!  So why bake when you can melt some tasty wax tarts?  And Solstice Scents has captured the essence of autumn by concocting a perfume scented with apples, spices, pumpkin, and roasted chestnuts!  I will have to report back once I have the goodies in my possession!  Until then, please take a peek into their shops -- perhaps you will find your own goodies!

Solstice Scents
ENCHANTED FOREST PERFUME

The Hairy Potter Studio
Tart Warmer

The Tempting Tart Pumpkin Cheesecake Grubby Soy Wax Tart Melts

                               

Create and Imagine.....

The last of the message charm necklaces that I have made -- 'Create' and 'Inspire'!  The Swarovski crystals are so pretty!  'Create' has a peridot crystal leaf and two deep brown pearls, and 'Inspire' has a starfish pendant in crystal golden sand with two bright gold pearls.  Say it sweetly, say it simple....say it with a message charm necklace!

Create

Imagine

Dollhouse Pumpkin Pie

Doesn't this look absolutely tasty? Ok.....but unfortunately it is only for your dolls! Betsy Niederer Miniatures -- Goddess of Chocolate on Etsy, will provide you with detailed instructions on how to make this and other cute confections for your miniature collection! Oh if I could only bake like this in real life!

And for those of you who could never make something so small by yourself (because it would just end up looking something like a mouse poop), here is Allie's Minis....maker of Dollhouse Food and Food Jewelry!  Now I have to go make something to eat......

Miniature Pizza

Simply Charm-ing!

Another fun and bright bracelet creation!  Mariel's Garden is bold and beautiful -- glass lampwork, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals in full bloom!  Fabulous colors in pink, lemon, lime, cherry, and green.  Wear a little bit of summer!

Mariel's Garden

I have always thought this was a great idea for gifts!  Meg's Creations at Etsy offers pre-assembled mixes for cookies, brownies, dips and more!  Check out her Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix -- Yummy!

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Love Message Charm Necklace

Love Message Charm Necklace

Sending a message of love works any time of the year!  I created this sweet and simple necklace as a gift for someone special or just a way for you to express how you feel!  A beautiful Swarovski crystal heart accented with two tiny pearls, and a message charm with "Love" printed on it.  Great for any time of the year!  Check it out in my Etsy shop!

Every Day is a Potential Friday.

I went to the great Minnesota get together yesterday -- the Minnesota State Fair!  Cheese curds, mini doughnuts, hot dog, cotton candy.....my diet went on hiatus.  It was a girls day out with my friend and our little girls.  What a great time!

Chocolate and Pink Necklace

My necklace choice for today, is a 'Chocolate and Pink Necklace', created with snowflake jasper, rose quartz, and crazy lace agate.  It reminds me of a wonderful blend of chocolate and strawberry ice cream with swirls of caramel drizzled in! 









Aside from wine.....I do enjoy a hot cup of tea from time to time!  If you drink tea, and have a penchant for the exotic, or enjoy trying something new, come take a browse through Red Leaf Tea's shop at Etsy!  Like a little sugar with that tea?  Here are some Demitasse Sugar Swizzle Sticks -- YUM!

White Demitasse Sugar Swizzle Sticks

Time to UnWine-D!

I am all about lip gloss.  Use it every day...many times a day....and if it is flavored, my 3 year old will eat it.  Well, I suppose it IS tasty!  Here's a great shop called Beautiful Twists by Ella Dean.  Fun, fun, fun lip gloss and body mists in scrumptious flavors!  Don't be too surprised if people start standing a little too close -- you might make them hungry!  My choice -- Wonder Waitress and Evil Waitress.   I get a kick out of the little stories she writes for each of her items too!  Which one will you choose?

Beautiful Twists
Wonder Waitress and Evil Waitress

And the UnWine-D part!  I truly enjoy ending the day with a nice glass of wine.  My favorite?  Rosemount Wines -- Pinot Grigio.  Crisp, refreshing, and downright relaxing!  So, sit down and enjoy a glass.  A toast, to us!

Rosemount Wines
Pinot Grigio

Aaaaahhhh....Good Morning Coffee!!

Nothing like a cup o' joe to get me going!  I just ordered a few things to make some cute charm necklaces.  I can't wait to get to get the stuff -- it's like opening a Christmas gift!  Meanwhile, I will happily show you some of the other things that I have made (and are available on Etsy).  This cute beaded necklace is called 'Rain Forest Retreat".  The pendant is serpentine, and is wrapped with sterling silver wire. 

Rain Forest Retreat

I found these CUTE little gnomes from Julie Blanchette  the other day on Etsy!  They are so sweet!  Check out her site to see more of these lovable gnomes and other items! 

Needle Felted Art Child with Teddy

Precious!

FeltFarm

In the spirit of Halloween, I have been keeping an eye out for those Halloween-y (er... Halloweenie?) type items!  I saw this beautiful needle-felted barn owl, and fell in love with his sweet face!  Check him out at the FeltFarm on Etsy! 

Looks Tasty Enough to Eat!!

KCSoapsNmore

Here's a great gift idea!  These items look sooooo yummy!  I also found a tasty looking pumpkin pie.....  I'm a sucker for most anything that has to do with fall or Halloween.  Cupcakes, cookies, candy, sugar scrubs, bar soap, and more.  Check out KCSoapsNmore to see what other sweet soaps there are!