Friday Features: Hearts & Bags

Found two more amazing brand new shops :) Pouncing on Etsy is so much fun!! You can find the most amazing things.

1) Grandma Dede opened in August of this year. She carries the most wonderful bags! I love bags :) This one is my favorite:

2) Gemstone Designs opened in April. What a beautiful jewelry shop! I absolutely LOVE anything with hearts. Isn't this beautiful?

If you have a few moments today - please check out both shops. They have many wonderful items to see!

Recycled Goodness

Some people have the greatest imaginations when it comes to using recycled materials! Pop Culture Rehab uses records, material, scrabble tiles etc. to make some really wonderful items!

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Dawn Anderson and I'm a Southern girl through and through. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA and have lived here my entire life. I've been married to my best friend and college sweetheart for the past 20 years. I'm a self-proclaimed ADD crafter and have yet to meet a craft I don't like.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?

My current shop name is very new - it was chosen just this year. A few years ago I started to use recycled materials in my work and in 2008 I decided to only use recycled materials. My former name didn't reflect that which made marketing my business a bit of a challenge. A good friend and fellow craft business owner came up with the name Pop Culture Rehab and it stuck! I started crafting professionally in 2003. Like most of us, I was making items (back then it was diaper cakes) for friends and kept hearing "you should sell these". So I did!

*What got you started in recycling?

I've been recycling my entire life. My family encouraged it with the general homespun philosophy of "use what you have". My mother was a school teacher and always had her kids doing crafts where they could bring the supplies from home which usually meant using something everyone had (jars, newspaper, etc.). I really feel that we all have to be good stewards to the earth. Nature is beautiful and we need to keep it that way.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?

My supply addiction really is trash en masse. I work heavily with my Goodwill Clearance Center. The Center is where all of the items go when they don't sell in our local Goodwill Stores and it is the last step before the landfill. My addiction will be whatever I find there especially if there is a lot of them. I find so much great stuff there I've even opened a recycled craft supply store to help save it and sell it. As far as commercial supplies go, I can't live without The Ultimate Glue by API. It is my go-to adhesive for anything that doesn't need epoxy.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?

I haven't really figured this out yet. I just know I have to create. I even get grumpy when I don't have time in the studio!

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?

Of what's in the shop now, I'd have to say the SCRABBLE Tile Ornaments. The current design was born out of a "smack your head" moment. I as making a previous design and not really liking it. I had the tiles sitting on a holder waiting to be used and just looked over and said "doh! Why not keep them on the tile holder and make that the ornament?!" I love that its something universal and can represent so many good memories to so many folks all over the world.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?

I'm a little bit of a web junkie so you can find me at the following:

PopCultureRehab.etsy.com

TheBins.etsy.com

PopCultureRehab.com

larkstudio.typepad.com (Blog)

twitter.com/PopCultureRehab

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?

There are so many, it's impossible to pick one! I love any blog or shop that is recycling :)

WW - happiness

It's really Monday isn't it?

Yesterday was a day off for me - no school.  So today definitely feels like Monday.

• Forgot to set the alarm - woke up when Brad should be leaving for work :(
• The creek is up which means it takes 15 minutes to get to my first stop instead of 4 minutes.
• My head hurts.
• I'm behind in everything.
• Have no idea what to make for supper.

MUST BE MONDAY!!

Hope you are having a better day :)

I purchased some Handmade Cards!

Almost 2 weeks ago I received an email from Annabelle's Art about having a give away on my other blog. After looking through her shop - I had to get some cards! They are easily some of the nicest cards I've seen on Etsy. These are the ones I purchased (the red/beige one is an extra she sent)

The photo doesn't do them justice.  It's been cloudy and rainy here most of the week, tough to take photo's.  I've also ordered some winter/Christmas themed Thank You cards (3"x4"), in case I actually sell something from my Christmas shop :)
She sent pictures of what she's making for me. I LOVE THEM!!

If you have a few moments - check out this shop. They also have wonderful pendants and stitch markers. Look for a give away featuring Annabelle's Art in October!

Homemade Pizza Sauce

Was trying to figure out what to do with all my tomatoes.  Happened to go out for coffee with a friend last week, and she was making pizza sauce!  Got her to email me the recipe - so for two evenings this last week I made pizza sauce.  Michelle also uses it in Spaghetti and Lasagna, which we really love!  

Pizza Sauce

12 cup of chopped tomatoes

1 green pepper

1 cup chopped onion

Cook 1-1 1/2 hours.  Put through a juicer, blender or food processor.

ADD:

1 1/2 teaspoons oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons basil

6 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons salt

In a spice ball put: 1 clove garlic, 1/2 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon pepper kernels.

Cook 1 1/2 hours, then add 4 - 5.5oz cans tomato pasted to thicken.

Can or freeze.

It's really easy to make and smells exactly like pizza sauce!  Will be making more next year :)

Feature Friday - A Clutch and A Cupcake

Found two really amazing items again :) There are some truly talented artists/bakers/designer etc just starting on Etsy. Check out these two shops please if you have a minute :)

Remaining Remnants just opened at the beginning of this month. She has four listings. Isn't this beaded clutch just amazing?

Nom Nom Bakery has these amazing S'More Cupcakes. Yes they are real :) It's 4:40am as I type this, haven't had breakfast yet - all of a sudden I have a craving for a chocolate cupcake! These look just toooooo yummy!

I hope you have an amazing Friday!! I am so glad the weekend is here - I need a weekend! Lucky me - there is no school on Monday!

WOOHOO - LONG WEEKEND!

Beautiful Stained Glass Creations

I love stained glass! It's so pretty in a window with the sun shining in. Gail's Glass Garden is a new shop on Etsy with some truly beautiful stained glass pieces. Take a look - you might find something you like :) Christmas is coming!!

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I presently live in a small suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I have lived all over the United States as my father was in the Air Force and we moved a lot when I was younger. I was originally born in Biloxi, Mississippi and some of my family still lives on the Gulf Coast. They have endured the Hurricane Katrina disaster and now are dealing with the effects of the BP Oil spill. I will be visiting them in October for my mother's birthday.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
I wanted something with my name in it and "glass" since that is my passion. One day, it just came to me, "Gail's Glass Garden". I thought it was original. I want to expand my glass work to fusion and other forms of glass work in the future.

*What or who inspires you?
My mother and my sister. My mother, because she started me in glass work at a very young age. We took ceramic classes together when I was in jr. high school and I continued to do ceramics off and on as time went by. My sister, because she started in stained glass and it was something I had always wanted to do. I began making stained glass items after she sent me a small panel as a Christmas present.

*What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product?

• Quality product
• reasonable price
• beautiful
• artistic
• creative

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Oh, this is easy. There is a glass supply shop about three hours from my home and so I only go there a few times a year but it is such fun. It is like going to a grocery store of glass. I just love going there, looking at the different colors and textures of glass. I can't choice one specific color because there are so many different choices. This supplier carries all kinds of stained glass supplies as well as other glass craft supplies. I order from this same supplier online, but nothing is like going there are seeing the different types of glass in person.

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?
I have grandchildren that I enjoy being with. They are 4, 2 1/2 and 2. They are amazing to watch grow and I just love to spoil them. I have a German Shepard mixed breed dog. I enjoy taking him for walks and he loves to swim in Lake Erie. He is so big that he looks like a bear in the water when he is swimming. I also enjoy making quilts and cross stitch. The one reason I like glass work is that I can see the results a lot quicker. A quilt usually takes me about a year to finish. A nice stained glass panel will only take a month. I find that any type of detailed work relaxes me.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
The "Three Iris" panel is one of my favorite. I just like the color choices and think it came together beautifully.

The Common Cold

My question is - If it's the COMMON COLD, why isn't there a cure?

Brad decided to share his cold with me. Isn't he just a sweetie. NOT! He finally decides to share - and it makes me sick! Yes, I have it all - running/stuffy nose, bleary eyes (looks like I've been on a week long bender), very very sore throat, and my voice is going. Good thing I don't need to talk to blog :) If I'm a bit slow commenting back - I'm probably trying to sleep. Not sleeping real well at night right now.

When Brad and his sisters where young, their mom would give them a small shot of hot whiskey mixed with water and honey when they were sick. Apparently it works! Probably scares those germs away. I think I'll stick with over the counter meds thanks, and drink lots of hot liquids. Not really a whiskey fan - it stinks.

I'm pretty sure that there is a cure for the common cold out there somewhere. But all the pharmaceutical companies would go broke if all we had to do was get a shot or take a pill, so . . . they let us suffer.

What do you take or do if you have a cold? or maybe you never get one?

Is Eating Healthy Really Good for You?

Got this in an email from a friend this morning :)


Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste it on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up heart does not make you live longer; it's like saying you extend life of a car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.


Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine's made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is shape!

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Bon appétit and have a great day!

New Additions to my Craft Room!

Well - they aren't anything too terribly exciting. We finally found some lighting that I was happy with. I wanted a few more light fixtures, and they had to be able to swivel. This is what we found after months of looking:


Every time I turn on the lights in the craft room, I'm amazed at how bright it is! A definite improvement from the old fixtures.

I also purchased a wall decal from Beauty in Vinyl a new shop on Etsy. Did a feature of their shop a little while ago, saw this decal and just had to have it for the craft room. Brad thinks it's quite appropriate :)


He had to help me put it up. We have 8.5' ceilings and I needed it to be quite high. Isn't he a sweetie? I think so :)

Have you added anything new to your craft space lately?

I've been Crafting!

Finally starting to get my crafting mojo back. Figured I'd better start painting ornaments before Christmas :) Here are my newest ones in progress.

Here is what they look like finished:

I've opened a new shop on Etsy - The Christmas Corner. Just listed these three ornaments in the shop. One of my other listings is a Ornament of the Month Club. I will send one Christmas Ornament every month for 12 months to the purchaser. Might do a give away with this as the prize yet, but have to paint more ornaments first :)

Winter/Christmas items are my favorite to paint - so I've decided that I'll focus my energies there. Have to do what you enjoy - or it won't get done . . . like cleaning the house :)

Are you doing anything special for Christmas as far as crafting goes?

Easy Cooking Recipes for Logan

Logan was supposed to learn how to cook during his Grade 12 school year. However he didn't think it was necessary since he thought he would be home and working at the John Deere Dealership here. Since that didn't work out, he's having to learn how to cook by "trial and fire" as he puts it. Hopefully there will be no fire included! :) I'm going to email him the link to his favorite sandwich recipe. Both boys love Double Decker Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. They are amazing with a bowl of soup :)


Do you have some easy recipes for Logan to try? We would love to know about them!

FF - Wood/Candles and Soap

As I was pouncing this week, I found so many amazing new shops on Etsy that I have to show you 2 of them today.

1) I absolutely love everything wood, and if you add a candle - It's for me! While pouncing the other day I found this amazing new shop. Bearcat Woodworks has the most beautiful wood lanterns to hang in your house, on your deck, porch, garden . . . Well you get the picture :) This is my favorite:

They also have some other really wonderful wood items. If you have time, please check out their shop :)

2) We all know that I am addicted to Handmade B&B products :) I've tried quite a few different soaps from different shops and I'm always on the lookout for really lovely looking soap. Swell Soap Shoppe just opened early this month. She has 5 wonderful listings. Doesn't the Grapefruit Lime Soap look amazing?

She also has some wonderful gift packs with really amazing looking soap. LOVE the one with the leaves and pumpkins :) Please go visit this shop too.

Have a wonderful Friday.

Beautiful Handmade Crafts

What a wonderful new shop! I love the hand embroidered Moleskine Notebooks! What a really neat idea! Amy's Shop also has tote bags (can never have too many), pendants and cards. Please check out her shop after reading all about her.


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 23 and originally from Lansing, Michigan. I moved to the west side of the state to attend a small college and graduated in May of 2009. I’ve been working for a year trying to decide what to do as a career. I’m one of those people who can’t make up their mind! My ultimate dream would be to own a shop where I can sell my work and help other local artists launch their career.

*What or who inspires you?
I love bright colors. I can look at a crazy piece of bright scrapbook paper and come up with 100 ideas for what to do with it.

*What do you want people to think when they see your product?
First, I want my work to bring a smile to someone’s face. I want them to enjoy what they see and feel the effort I put into it. I make a ton of greeting cards and I love it when people buy a card and tell me exactly who they thought of when they saw it.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I have a HUGE scrapbook paper addiction! I’ve honestly had a craft store employee laugh as I came in the door during a 12x12 paper sale because I’m there so often and she knew what I was up to. I buy so much of it at a time that once a cashier had time to tell me almost her entire life story as she rang me up.

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?
I love being with my family. I also recently got a kayak and love spending time exploring the shore of Lake Michigan. I have a golden retriever who can’t get enough of the water, so we spend lots of time there. I also play and watch a lot of tennis.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
The Scrabble Pendant Necklaces I have for sale are a ton of fun to make. Scrabble is my favorite game, so when I saw a friend with a necklace made out of a tile, I knew I had to make some. It’s fun to go through my massive collection of scrapbook paper to decide what would look best on the tiles. I’ve also chosen pictures I’ve taken to put on the tiles to give to friends and family and they always love them.

Give Aways that need some Love.

My give away blog has 2 give aways that need some love :)

The first one ends this Friday at 10PM, and only has 125 entries as I post this. The prize is a $30 Gift Certificate to Tracey Knits. She has the cutest golf club covers, coasters, belts and even patterns.




Please check out the give away HERE and enter if you have some time.

The second give away ends on the 24th, and the prize is 2 Mint Scented Sachets and a YoYo keychain. This give away comes from What's Her Name and only has 136 entries so far. These Sachets can be used in the dryer, placed in your closet or dresser - I'm sure you will come up with many uses :)


Please check out the give away HERE and enter please :)

Thanks so much and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Have a Great Day!

Blog Hops - Yes? No?

Have you joined any blog hops? I've tried a few, but they seem to pretty much be a waste of time. With the ones I did try - I would spend quite a bit of time checking out all the blogs, and commenting, only to have maybe 2 or 3 of the blogs comment back. So why bother joining a blog hop - if you aren't going to return comments?

Does anyone know how many there are? There seem to be more popping up every week. They are almost becoming annoying. You want to check out a blog only to find out that on a certain day all she posts are links to the different blog hops. There is no way one person can join 8 blog hops in one day and do them justice.

I've joined Java at Never Growing Old for Meet Me on Monday, well - because I needed something to post on Monday and just because it's fun. She always has cool questions we get to answer to find out about each other. There seems to be a pretty good following and people are pretty good about commenting back. Though you always get those that don't.



What's the point? Does anyone know? Have you joined any blog hops with some success?

Logan Update - You asked :)

First of all - thanks to everyone who has asked about Logan. He finally found a place to live this week. It's nice he could get out of the boss's house :) I'm sure the kids will miss him, however living with the boss isn't necessarily a good idea.

He's renting a room in a house owned by a young woman. She's a massage therapist - wonder what she charges? There is also another man renting one other room, he's in his early 50's. Quite a mix of people, but Logan said everyone was nice and it was perfect. His room is quite a bit smaller than he is used too, but he has the run of the house and can use everything she has in the kitchen. It's really a nice place, and the rent is right, only $350/month everything included.

He LOVES work! Logan doesn't call it "work" - to him it's "fun"! Lucky guy!! We always told the boys to do something you love and if you can make a living at it - all the better. There are so many people we know who hate their jobs, but can't quit because there is nothing else out here for them to do. It's a shame really. Oh - did you know he works at a John Deere dealership?

I asked Logan for a photo of him at work - but he doesn't have a way to get it from his phone to his computer so he can send it to me. Will have to work on that :)

Again - thanks so much for asking :) And just an update on Luke (our oldest), he started his last term in Mechanical Engineer Technology and graduates in December. Then I guess he'll also be joining the work force in the real world. LOL

Friday Feature: Aren't these just the Coolest?!!

I've decided that on Thursdays I'm going to go "Pouncing" on Etsy and find some cool new shops with really neat items, and feature on of the items in their shop. We all know what it's like to be the "new shop on the block" and how hard it is to get seen on Etsy. So here is my first find.

While waiting for Logan to text me back - I found these amazing chairs!!

Robin's Wonderland is a brand new shop! Wonder how long it takes to paint a chair?

Amazing Wood Boxes for Your Treasures

I love wood! And these boxes are amazing! Just think of all the wonderful treasures you could put in one of these beautiful handmade boxes :)


Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
We are a two-person family business, started, funded, and ran by an uncle / nephew team from Indiana. We describe ourselves as artists and woodworkers and joke tellers. We try to laugh a lot.

How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
The name reflects the way our business began, and the way we still operate today: we have personally gathered most of the wood we use from trees that have been naturally felled or from the leftovers discarded by initial harvesters, and therefore, Second Harvest Inc is a reminder of our commitment to the environment and its resources.
We started the business because of our passion for the product, our desire to create artwork about which others can be passionate, and for all the challenges that come with. So far we have not been disappointed.

What or who inspires you?
Our inspiration comes from the artwork and creativity of others, and from our own motivations to continually improve and create boxes that are more impressive and eye-catching. We want to produce the highest quality functional art possible, and we drive ourselves to achieve that goal. Seeing astounding works from other artists proves this to be possible.

What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product?

• Unique
• stunning
• creative
• intriguing
• and of course -must-have

What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Highly figured woods or striking minerals, fossils, or stones are what usually excite us. However, since we can put almost any item into our boxes, we are always drawn to new ideas and to trying new types of supplies: making a lid with pressed rose petals, replica rings, and photos from a wedding, for example. Our supply addiction comes from the fact that our supply possibilities are endless, and so we’re continually getting items in brand new categories.

What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?
We share many of the same interests, including hiking, outdoor activities, sports, traveling, and reading. We also try to make time for individual hobbies such as wood turning, painting, and classic vehicle restoration, but above all, spending time with our family and loved ones takes precedent.


Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
We really enjoy making malachite boxes because of the variety of grain patterns you can find in the stones, but the most enjoyable box we’ve ever made would probably have to be one no longer in the store. Recently we made a box specifically for an order of nuns in Peru, South America, and then hand-delivered it to their monastery. Witnessing their joy in receiving the box made all the work we put into it well worthwhile.

Are there other places on the net we can find you?
Our website is www.secondharvestinc.com, and it contains pictures of the wide range of styles, sizes, and accent types we have built, along with more information on our company.

WW - My Onion Crop

Meet Me on Monday

Java over at Never Growing Old started this great "meet me monday" meme! I love getting to know different bloggers, but you don't want to start asking a bunch of questions - so Java is doing it for us :) Please join!!

Here are this weeks questions and answers:

1. Do you wear socks to bed?
No way! I would be sweating all night!

2. Do you have any pets?
Rascal :)

3. What topping(s) do you like on your pizza?
Cheese, meat, peppers and onions

4. What time do you go to bed?
10pm is my limit. I'm more of a morning person

5. Would you rather get free chocolate for one year or free potatoes forever?
Definitely free potatoes. I really like potatoes - you can do so much with them. Besides chocolate isn't good for me :)


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Time to link up and meet!!

This is a blog hop so if you want to put the linky on your post just click the "Get the Code" at the bottom of the linky.

Your link MUST include your Meet Me On Monday post or it will be deleted!

Remember if you don't have a blog or if you just want to post your answers in the comment section then that is fine too!
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