If You met Me on the road Would You See Me?

This is what I drive every morning and every afternoon.

It's amazing how many people do not see the school bus! I have a flashing lights on the top, a stop sign that comes out with flashing lights, it's big, it's yellow - but apparently invisible. Many times a week I have to slam on the brakes because I've been cut off at an intersection by someone who is short sighted (well - I'm assuming they are).


The other day I had a "special needs" student on the bus - I'm surprised she didn't hit the floor when I braked. Someone didn't even stop at their stop sign or look in my direction and just came around the corner in front of me. I sat on the horn, but the bus has a really wimpy horn. I need an Air Horn!! Just like the trains have!


So while you are out driving this week - PLEASE look for the big yellow school buses!



Twitter Tree Today:
Christie Cottage

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

BNE/BNS - Buy N Enter to win prizes:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6763887&page=1

Luke's New Car!

Well - it's almost new :) When Luke went to the Chevy dealer in town to rent a car after his accident, they showed him this one. Hubby met Luke at the dealership that evening - they liked it and two days later it was Luke's. Good thing he has a job, this will be the biggest loan he's had to date. But it is cute.

I got to drive it home from the city on Thursday evening. Luke had 2 glasses of wine at the Grad reception and family rules are - You Drink You DON'T Drive! The car is a 5 speed standard but so much quieter than the bus it took a while to figure out the shifting. It doesn't have power windows, but everything else is powered. It even tells Luke the temp outside. I thought it was pretty funny that there is a light that says "Possible Slippery Conditions" when the temp outside is below 0 degrees! What? Obviously this car was not built in Canada where we have below 0 from November to April lol.

Apparently when you purchase a car at the dealership you also get a "Car Care Package" and a Cup with the name of the salesman on it. Forgot to take a photo of the cup - but it's one of those stainless steel looking travel mugs.

Luke is happy with his car so far, hopefully he drives carefully!

Please check out the Etsy Mini's on the sidebars. They are all new for the month of February, and many of them are newer shops that would love for you to drop by :)

Saturday Blog Shoppers

This is hosted by Quilts Galore and More. I think it's a wonderful idea!! You can sign up to participate on the blog. Pick an item from your shop to feature, and people will come check it out, maybe even purchase it!

Since I drink coffee every morning while I'm on the computer blogging and promoting on Etsy, I always have a coffee coaster beside the computer for my cup. One day just before Christmas I decided to see if I could make coasters using ceramic tiles. It worked so well (after much experimenting) that I started to sell them in my Etsy shop. They took off! They are so much fun to make and I love thinking/looking for new ideas to put on them.

Today ALL CHOCOLATE THEMED coasters are $4 for all my Saturday Blog Friends and anyone that stops by my blog to look. Just put SATURDAY SHOPPER in the message to seller and I will refund you through paypal. I do also take AmazonPayments now, so if you would prefer that - just let me know.

The Best Fluffy Waffles

This has to be the best waffle recipe ever. It's a little more work - but well worth it.  Since this is one of Luke's favorite recipes I try to make it when he is home.  Had them last weekend :)  Even Logan ate them, and waffles are not his favorite food.
 

FLUFFY WAFFLES

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tsps. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

In a bowl, combine the flour, cugar, baking powder and salt. Combine the egg yolks, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.

Twitter Tree Today:
Sweetybird09

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

BNE - Buy N Enter Thread and Team:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6746104&page=1
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7498/bne-buy-n-enter
Draw for 5 big prizes tonight!

Featuring - So Many Memories

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

I live in southern Maryland with my husband and lab mix, Annie. I have a son and a daughter and the most adorable almost three year old granddaughter ever! It took some getting used to, but I'm finally enjoying this empty nest life. I spend most days at the sewing machine or the computer.

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

I worked for a few years at a gift shop where we rented space to artists and crafters. It didn't take long to be inspired by all the unique and wonderful items they would bring in. I hadn't touched my sewing machine in a very long time and I started getting the sewing bug again. I was able to sell my things in the shop until I left the job and knew I would open an Etsy shop. While talking with my daughter about a name, I told her of the memories I had of my mother sewing and she shared her memories of me sewing. We both had so many memories and the name So Many Memories was born!

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

• Wow
• I want one
• quality
• unique
• Beautiful

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

Oh my goodness, I am such an addict! I can't pass up beautiful fabric, vintage hankies, lace, doilies and buttons. My favorite color is pink and I love soft pastels. Those colors jump out at me and I really have to make myself look at other colors sometimes!

What do you do when you're not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

I enjoy blogging, daydreaming while looking through magazines, hitting antique and thrift shops, baking and my most favorite thing to do is spend time with my granddaughter.

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

That would have to be the sachets. I make it without a plan and it doesn't have to be perfect. It just kind of evolves as I go along. It's where I get the most creative.

If you could give a piece of advice to a new shop - what would it be?

Don't lose sight of your dreams and goals. It can get frustrating and discouraging when you're trying to get noticed in a sea of other shops, but never ever give up!

Are there other places on the net we can find you?
Blog: sewcrazed.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/somanymemories1
Twitter: twitter.com/somanymemories







Twitter Tree Today:
a Needle in a Haystack

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

BNE - Buy N Enter Team on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7498/bne-buy-n-enter

WW - Warm

Twitter Tree Today:
Eluna Jewelry Blog

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

Twitter Tree Tuesday!

My friend Jacki over at Christie Cottage came up with an ingenious idea for promoting items in your shops.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: Christie Cottage
Tuesday: Audrey's Country Crafts
Wednesday: Eluna Jewelry
Thursday: I Wish I May, I Wish I Might
Friday: Sweetybird09

Here are the instructions:

You tweet the item(s) for me and all the posts above yours, along with your twitter account so we can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links) from any of your online shops that you would like for all those posting here to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (See above) Check back throughout the day and tweet all the new items posted from other online shops. Etsy, ArtFire, Zibbet, Bonanzle, ebay, your own website, etc..

Please add this tag to your tweets. " #BlueBird"
This way we can Retweet later in the day, simply by searching the tag.
Thanks!

By reaching out thru blogger and blog follower's twitter accounts, we will reach a new audience of viewers and hopefully land some sales. After all, we all have our online shops to make money.

Here are my 3 items for the day:

I Love Tea magnets

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66479741/ #bluebird

Who Me . . . Owl Magnets

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66185179/ #bluebird

Cute Green Owl Coaster

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66258491/ #bluebird

Hope everyone has fun promoting and maybe we'll get some sales!!

What I do in the Evenings

Since hubby is working 6 days a week right now, from 6am - 4:30pm, he though it would be nice if I sat in the livingroom on the couch with him in the evenings and watched TV.  If only there was something to watch! I can't just sit and watch nothing on the TV - I go to sleep. So I needed something to do while "listening" to whatever he's watching.

One day while mailing packages at the Post Office, I got talking about TV with one of the women that works there. She didn't care for TV either, so she knit scarves for the homeless in the evenings while sitting with her hubby. WOOHOO!! What a great idea! I can do that too!! Ok - maybe not the knitting part, but I used to crochet a bit. So I went to Walmart, got a couple of crochet hooks and some really big bags of yarn.

The brown ones are the first ones I did. Started with easy stitches that I remembered. But using the same two stitches is boring, so I went to the internet and found a really great site with many many different patterns and will try some of the easier ones. The site is Crochet Pattern Central. Some of the patterns are just to difficult for me right now, and many of them are basically decoration only. So I've picked out patterns that will actually keep someone warm.

There is a shelter in our capital city that a friend goes to once in a while to help serve meals, so I will send some with her. My sister-in-law told me about a church in a near by town that collects winter wear and ships it over seas to needed families in countries with cold climates, so I will also send some there. I'm averaging about 2 scarves/week right now - that's a lot of scarves in a year :) Though in the summer, I probably won't have time.


What do you do in the evenings to keep busy?



Twitter Tree Today:
ChristieCottage

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

Faith

Saturday Blog Shoppers

This is hosted by Quilts Galore and More. I think it's a wonderful idea!! You can sign up to participate on the blog. Pick an item from your shop to feature, and people will come check it out, maybe even purchase it!

I love magnets :)  My fridge is covered in them, much to hubby's chagrin.  So since I love magnets - I though other people must too and started making them for my Etsy shop.  It's so much fun!!
These are my deal of the day (click on photo to go to listing):





They usually are listed for $6.25, but today they are only $5.00.  If you would like more than one set of these - let me know, I will do as many sets as you like for $5/set. 

Swedish Meatballs

This recipe comes from my mother-in-law. I've made it many times and it is a favorite. Can never go wrong with meat balls, they go with anything.

Swedish Meat Balls

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup bread crumbs

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1 tbsp. salt

parsley

Shape into tiny meat balls and bake at 375 F for 20 minutes.

Sauce:

3/4 c. water

1 tbsp. soya sauce

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/3 cup ketchup

1/3 cup vinegar

1 tsp. cornstarch

Mix and simmer a few minutes. Pour over meat balls in a casserole. Bake at 350 F for 30-45 minutes.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Friday :)

Twitter Tree Today:
Sweetybird09

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

Hats for Humanity

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

I am a mom to 5 beautiful children (3 boys, 2 girls) who range in age from 2-16, and we currently reside in Mesa, AZ. In addition to being a full time mom, wife, and owner of 3 Etsy shops (HatsForHumanity & 2 others I run with my husband), I work part time at my children’s elementary school as a crossing guard and substitute playground aide. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I am PTO president and a cub scout den leader? Needless to say, life gets a little crazy around here!

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

I grew up with service being a big part of my life, and was looking for a way to continue that and show my kids that being busy isn’t an excuse to not help others. I was already crocheting hats and really wanted to donate some to a local humanitarian aide center near me and felt that if I could sell some hats, the proceeds from that would be able to fund my donations. I wanted the shop name to reflect what I am trying to accomplish, and Hats For Humanity was born. I am spending my “slow days” to get caught up on the number of hats that need to be completed and donated. With 40 hats sold so far, my customers are helping to make a difference in the lives of 40 people!

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

In 5 words: quality, affordable, cute, fun, and warm

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

I just love yarn, all kinds, and most colors! I always walk down the yarn aisle and feel the yarns, and the softer the yarn, the more I want to have it!

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

Most of my “free” time is spent just being with my family. I love to camp, search for new ideas to put in my shop, and read.

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

Hmmmm...I think I would have to go with the Elmo inspired red monster hat because it was made for my 2 year old who LOVES Elmo! After that, I would say the Sweetheart bonnet. It was so different from the other items in the shop, and it was fun to see it all come together.

*If you could give a piece of advice to a new shop - what would it be?

Don’t give up! It takes time and a lot of promotion to get your name out there among all the other shops. Have something unique to you, something they can’t get anywhere else. And once you start to sell, great customer service is essential to creating loyal customers and getting customer referrals. Your customers are your best form of advertising, so treat them well!

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

I am on the net on

Facebook: www.facebook.com/craftedbydesign
Twitter: www.twitter.com/craftedbydesign
Blog: www.craftedbydesign.blogspot.com

They are all under the name of my very first shop, CraftedByDesign.

Twitter Tree Today:
a Needle in a Haystack

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

WW - Joy

Twitter Tree Today:
Eluna Jewelry Blog

Twitter Tree Team on Etsy:
Bluebird
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

Twitter Tree Tuesday!

My friend Jacki over at Christie Cottage came up with an ingenious idea for promoting items in your shops.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: Christie Cottage
Tuesday: Audrey's Country Crafts
Wednesday: Eluna Jewelry
Thursday: I Wish I May, I Wish I Might
Friday: Sweetybird09

If for some reason you are having trouble posting on any of the days, just click on the Twitter Tree button that is on the top left sidebar and it will take you to the home page. Post there - I check every day and will twitter your items.

Here are the 3 items that I would like tweeted today:

twitter account: audreyscrafts
If you follow me on twitter - please let me know. I don't follow everyone back if I don't know who they are :)

Pretty Blue Flower Coaster
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65992432/ #capsteam #BlueBird

Girly Girl Pink Magnets
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65991868/ #capsteam #BlueBird

Love To Bake bottlecap magnets
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65839481/ #capsteam #BlueBird

Here are the instructions:

You tweet the item(s) for me and all the posts above yours, along with your twitter account so we can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links) from any of your online shops that you would like for all those posting here to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (See above) Check back throughout the day and tweet all the new items posted from other online shops. Etsy, ArtFire, Zibbet, Bonanzle, ebay, your own website, etc..

Please add this tag to your tweets. " #BlueBird"
This way we can Retweet later in the day, simply by searching the tag.
Thanks!

By reaching out thru blogger and blog follower's twitter accounts, we will reach a new audience of viewers and hopefully land some sales. After all, we all have our online shops to make money.

Hope everyone has fun promoting and maybe we'll get some sales!!

Luke's Truck - After the Accident

Yes - Luke was in an accident on Friday late afternoon. He decided to go to the city to buy a Kobo. It had been snowing all day, the highway to the city was clear and dry, however the perimeter highway around the city was not clear and dry. While trying to pass another vehicle, Luke lost control, went over the median and into on coming traffic. He was T-Boned by a small car. Thankfully it was not a big truck!  The truck is older and has no air bags.  But he was wearing his seat belt.


The fire people, ambulance attends and nurses/doctor etc where all surprised that he was able to walk away with only a sore neck, back and ribs. He did loose his glasses though, we think they went out the passenger window (which was blown out in the collision) along with his cap. His cap was found in the ditch 10 ft. from the truck.
Here are photo's we took yesterday when we went to the truck to get the license/insurance papers.

We are very thankful that Luke wasn't hurt more. Glasses can be replaced . . . son's - not so easily!  So if you are driving today - PLEASE wear your seat belt!

Peace

Saturday Blog Shoppers

This is hosted by Quilts Galore and More. I think it's a wonderful idea!! You can sign up to participate on the blog. Pick an item from your shop to feature, and people will come check it out, maybe even purchase it!


My item of the day (click on photo to go to listing):



This is the last item left from my old shop. Have really marked it down to try and sell it. Was $20 - Now $15. I love to make these bags - it's so much fun :) Was cutting all the squares and putting the pieces together for sewing while watching TV with hubby. Well - at least we are sitting together! lol

There is always an extra gift or two sent along with every order from my shop :)
Have an amazing Saturday!!

Luke's Favorite Dessert

The plan had been to post a recipe on Saturdays, but I found something else to blog about every Saturday, so I've switched it to Fridays. Never could keep a schedule :)

Everyone has a favorite dessert. I love anything with lemon :) However Luke's favorite is Bread Pudding. Don't make it often though it is really easy. Usually I'll whip up a little cream to go with it, but hubby grew up eating it with milk and sugar?

BREAD PUDDING

13 1/2 oz evaporated skim milk

1/2 c milk

2 tbsp butter or hard margarine

5 slices raisin bread, cut bite size

2 large eggs beaten

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup currants or raisins

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Heat both milks in heavy sauce pan until steaming. Remove from heat. Add bread and butter. (usually I put the first 3 ingredients into a glass bowl in the microwave and just heat it until the hard margarine is melted)

Beat eggs in small bowl. Add brown sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir in raisins and cinnamon. Pour into milk mixture. stir well. Turn into greased 1 quart casserole. Bake, uncovered, in 350F oven for 40-45 minutes until set. (takes almost an hour in my oven)

What's your favorite dessert?
Have an awesome Friday!!

* Today the twitter tree is on Sweetybird's Blog:

http://sweetybird09.blogspot.com/

* Join the Twitter Tree (BlueBird) Team here:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird

The Cutest Teddies :)

I am on many promotional threads in the forums on Etsy. And every once in a while I come a cross a shop that just makes me smile and wish I was a kid or at least had a little one to make a purchase for :) Crafty Little Kitten is one of those shops. When I do a feature of the shop - I let them pick three items that I will show the pictures off. She didn't pick my favorite from her shop - so I'll show you what it is. Then we will learn about this really cute shop.

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

I am from Omaha Nebraska. I am married to a very wonderful man. WE have no children (our choice) but we do have one spoiled cat!

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

My shop name came from our cat. We has just got her (to replace one we had lost) and she was always trying to get into my craft items. MY husband always called her Little Crafty Kitty. When I decided to open my shop I just played around with the words and came up with Craftylittlekitten.

I have always been crafty and I had been crafting for friends for a long time. I was always wanting to sell outside of my circle of friends and family so I decided to come to Etsy and see what would happen. I do just about any craft that I can get my handson. I am always wanting to learn a new craft.

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

A. How cute is that?

B. Where can I get one?

c. Wow she is GOOD!

D. Nice workmenship

E. what else can she do?

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

My supply addition right now is fabric! I just have to go to the fabric shop at least once a week just to see if anything is new. I am starting to love the fur fabrics that I see. Use to always be just cotton but now it is all the fur that I see. I love the way it makes my animals look so real.

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist/crafter? What activities do you enjoy?

Most of my "Off" time is working at my regular job. I do like to read and play computer and video games with my husband.

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

The item that I mostly enjoyed making in my shop is Barkley! Barkley was just a joy to put together. The closer I got to finishing him the more excited I got. The first one I made of him was for a custom order here in Omaha and I knew when I finished him I needed to make one for my shop.

*If you could give a piece of advice to a new shop - what would it be?

A piece of advice to a new shop.. Right now everyone is watching all there pennies because of the economy. When making an item to sell keep that in mind and don't be discouraged if it stays in your shop for a long period of time. One day you may sign into your shop and it will be gone! Of course make sure you promote. promote. promote.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?
You can find me on Twitter:
  twitter.com/craftingkitten
and I am on Facebook: 
 www.facebook.com/#!/Craftylittlekitten
and of course Etsy: 
craftylittlekitten.etsy.com







SHOPS OF THE DAY

* Today the twitter tree is on Eluna Jewelry's Blog:

http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/

* Join the Twitter Tree (BlueBird) Team here:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7199/bluebird