Layout:
Home > Archive: October, 2007

Archive for October, 2007

Judgement Day

October 31st, 2007 at 10:58 pm

Don't worry, not THAT one!

Welcome Etsyians and SavingAdvicers!

Our California Crafter's Club of Etsy (CCCOE) presents the delightful entries in their October Monthly Design Challenge. The topic was "TRADITION". All members were invited to make an item interpreting this topic.

Now we ask for a public vote on the best entry!

For more detail on any item, click on the link below the picture.

Vote

Text is *here* and Link is http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5299498
*here* and note you must be registered with Etsy, an amazing handcrafted internet marketplace to vote. Please vote only once. Polls open until November 7.

All voters will be entered in a drawing for a door prize (shown
Text is *here* and Link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheapjewelry/1355538512/
*here*). Pssst...It is a red brocade jewelry box. And of course, it will be filled with a surprise! (I am in the handmade jewelry business aren't I?)

Thanks for visiting. Have fun and Good Luck!

1. Butterfly Woman Medicine Bag ...by arttowear diva

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7528213 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7528213

2. Charm Necklace ...by AmandaKLockrowJewels

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7536846 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7536846

3. Dia de los Muertos Alter Kit ...by knittergirl

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7569130 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7569130

4. End of Summer ...by sevenbridges

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7364039 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7364039

5. Halloween Pumpkin Kitty Quilt ...by quiltedblessings

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7496917 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7496917

6. La Mama Loca Portrait Original Painting ...by TresLocas

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7365321 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7365321

7. Look to the Stars Fingerless Gloves ...by shellmitchell[u]

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7538567 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7538567

[u]8. Marimba Band by an 8 year old artist ...by Tresijas


Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7244009 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7244009

9. Pearl and Stardust Choker Necklace ...by luchi

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7371522 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7371522

10. Pretty in Pink Day of the Dead Shrine ...by elenamary

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7360673 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7360673

11. Simply Stunning Ametrine Necklace ...by bellure

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7250942 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7250942

12. Thanksgiving Turkey Adult Bib ...by quiltingmama

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7660892 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7660892

13. Chimney Sweep Necklace ...by hollylynne

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7467881 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7467881

14. The Great Pumpkin Earrings ...by visionquest

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7203394 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7203394

15. Three Traveling Witches Dangly Halloween Ornament ...by creativemuse

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7387159 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7387159

16. Turkey Traditions ...by QuirkynBerkeley

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7478497 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7478497

17. Washi.Chiyogami.Aizome Peace Crane ...by localcolorist

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7312614 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7312614

18. Wilma Wears White After Labor Day ...by peggradyart

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7328578 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7328578

19. Wishbone Necklace ...by prettycheap

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7319355 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7319355

20. Black and Pumpkin Orange Star Earrings ...by theascrafts

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7650988 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7650988

21. HARVEST Oxidized Sterling Silver and Carnelian Necklace ...by SandySimone

Text is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7648688 and Link is
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7648688

Need to Gift Tween Boys?

October 31st, 2007 at 06:04 pm

These little guys are a little harder to please than little girls. Let's consider the ages around 7-12. (By the way, scroll down for a previous entry in this blog on gifts for girls that age).

Help is here!

Rules:
1. Cost $20 or under Big Grin
2. Educational as possible
3. Electronic gaming is an absolute LAST resort.
4. Refrain from guns, war stuff as much as possible Frown and oh yes, they hate clothes.

Soooooooooo, here's a few ideas to swipe.

A. Models--Make sure to give only the easier kits!! These are snap together, or minimal glue, and NO PAINTING kits. There are good ones, especially; cars (cast metal types), aircraft (plastic), ships (plastic).

And use the 40% off Sunday coupon from Michaels to lower the price more!

B. Legos. There are nice kits that make warrior type characters, the only problem is boys who like these usually have LOTS of them already. Try to get a different one, although sometimes the most fun is putting them together so a duplicate is just fine.

C. Good (inexpensive) camera. OK, this does not fall into the electronic category basically in my opinion. Not digital! This can be a decent film camera which is both educational and appropriate for the age.

D. Book Store Gift Cert. Believe it or not, kids still get excited at the book store. And this is a WAY easy one to mail.

Post your ideas here, because I still need a few more (but follow the rules please!).

Free Inexpensive Homemade Gift Ideas-Part 4

October 28th, 2007 at 11:30 pm

How about another healthy snack for fitness fiends you want to gift?

This is the fourth 'Gift in a Jar' you can make for family and friends this December. It is rather inexpensive but thoughtful, especially if it is made even more personal. (Such as including a bowl and spoon, or water bottle, or small gym towel with this granola mix!)

Find more great easy recipes in the 'Handmade' section of this blog. And more are coming for you to collect and make later this year. Some of the recipes are my own originals, some are credited to others. All lean to the healthy diet, as I prefer to avoid heavy sweets and fats. Enjoy!

Remember - Early Planning Saves Money

Rise & Shine Granola
(from Parade Magazine)

Ingredients:
3 clean pint jars w/screw lid
(use a canning jar, or a thrift store find)

2 C oats
1/2 C wheat bran
1/2 C shredded coconut
1/2 C sliced almonds
1/2 C sunflower seeds

Combine above 5 ingredients in a bowl.

1/2 C oil
1/4 C honey
1/4 C lgt brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cook above 5 ingredients in small sauce pan over low heat to dissolve the sugar.

Toss the two mixtures and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Bake 325 deg about 20 min until golden brown. Cool completely.

1/2 C dried cranberries
1/2 C chopped dried apricots
1/2 C golden raisins

Place baked mixture back in bowl and add above 3 ingredients.

Fill jars, affix fabric or wrapping paper over the lid with a ribbon tie. Be sure to leave enough tail to add a label "Granola Fit for You!".

Enjoy!

Where there's smoke...well you know the rest

October 24th, 2007 at 02:10 pm


Red world in my backyard (and my front yard) Sunday mid afternoon. It was 2pm about an hour after the Malibu had fire started. Now I live dozens and dozens of miles from Malibu. But it was scary.

I had planned a Seaworld trip with my kids for the Monday/Tuesday as school was out for the week. We headed to LA to stay with my MIL and my hubby and the dog went up to our weekend property (he had taken a couple days off). Good timing, so we thought, to escape the smoke. And there was a fire started far to the east near I5 as well to escape.

Down to LA, no problems there. Monday morn we got on the road after rush hour and went through another orange world in Orange County, (no pun this time). Not fun. Then into San Diego where a fire had started in Northeastern SD County. Our hotel was under mostly clear blue sky (except for a little smoke) but things were getting pretty hairy. More fires were starting by the hour and evacuations drove people to fill every room in the large area filled with hotels where we were.

Everyone was in good spirits but things were definitely getting worse. By Tues dawn I consulted with my husband via cell about the practicality of going to Seaworld. We absolutely bailed and got out of there by 7am practically flooring the gas pedal to make sure we could get north before something forced closure of I5.

We didn't stop until Sta Barbara and went to the zoo. Whew. Back home that evening things were in much better shape than I'd worried.

And the winds are gone. Thank goodness.

Petroleum and Coffee

October 16th, 2007 at 05:44 pm

I use this blog to showcase particularly interesting items handcrafted and for sale in my internet shop

Text is Pretty Cheap Jewelry and Link is http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com
Pretty Cheap Jewelry.

A nice blank book (20 pages, 40 sides) I made using an anonymous quote fits in:

"Petroleum and Coffee had no value a few centuries ago"

For more pics and details, click on the link above. It's bargain priced of course. My specialty. Thanks for havin' a look.

What to Give Tween Girls for Holidays?

October 11th, 2007 at 05:02 pm

Actually these are easy! I have 3 nieces:

1. Knee Socks - Remember getting these as kids? New socks always seem to be enjoyed. Why do I have trouble finding ones less than ~$3+, arghh. They are kind of expensive at Target and even Pay Less Shoes.

Found there are GREAT ones at the dollar store right now as it is fall. Check a couple different dollar stores if you need to. I bought my 7-y-o 5 or 6 pairs. Nice medium weight, good quality!

2. Youthful Cosmetics - Sheer lipgloss, hair brushes, specialty shampoo, light body spray, maybe even a blush. I'm going to fill a small tote (which I've sewn) or buy a makeup bag at the dollar store and fill it up with things also found there.

Michael's (crafts) also has really cute $1 soap, notepads, cards and other stuffers that are not too grown up right now.

3. Diary or Journal - I gave the girls these last year and they were perfect.

Next blog: 'What to Give Tween Boys for Holidays?'

I'll need some help on this one :-/

Asked for ideas for kid's gifts?

October 9th, 2007 at 06:24 pm

YaY! Was asked by a relative for ideas as holiday gifts for my kids (7 and 9 year old). These are my (getting up there) father-in-law and his 2nd wife. They are retired, on fixed income.

Unwritten Criteria:

1. Inexpensive (under $20 each)
2. Not Electronic!
3. As Educational as possible

Sooooooooo, here are some thoughts----

A. Pokemon Cards! They both still love these (??). I really hate letting them buy them because it seems such a waste. Why not let the relative get a pack or two as gifts? They are about $6/pack, and come also in larger sets around $12. and the kids love them

B. Gel Pen Set and a small blank book. Doesn't everyone hoard their gel pens? I love mine and don't let the kids touch them! They have a few, and love them too but are careless in taking care of them. A small set of 4-6 can be had at the craft store, Wal Mart, etc. For some reason, my 9-y-o loves blank books too?! Small blank books are available at the dollar stores.

C. Gift Card for the Book Store. My kids have learned what fun gift cards are (after receiving ones for Amazon last year). Even a $10 card is alot of money to a grade school kid. And picking out a book or two is very suitable to me.

More ideas coming soon in this blog!

Framed

October 5th, 2007 at 10:15 pm

I bought the leaf painting below from a fellow artist. How is the frame job?

I did it by: mounting on pumpkin textured paper and inserting in a walnut shadow box (with a hinged door!). Cost about $20.

The alternate: about $100 for a professional framer (this is the half off cost) for a shadow box type frame.

Opinions?

You be the judge!

October 3rd, 2007 at 05:00 pm

I belong to a state-wide craft group which had a design contest last month. The topic was 'Alternative Media' and the entries are in!

We are inviting the public to vote on the best entry and here is one of our member's blogs showing pics of each:

Text is SandySimone's blog and Link is http://sandysimone.blogspot.com/2007/10/california-crafters-of-etsy-cccoe.html
SandySimone's blog

Each entry has a url to click for more detail and information about the piece.

If you want to vote, you must be registered with
Text is Etsy and Link is http://www.etsy.com
Etsy, an amazing handcrafted internet marketplace. Then go to this forum post and vote for one
Text is here and Link is http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5255108&page=7
here.

A prize is going to be given to one randomly picked voter, just for fun (see the blog for a link to the prize as well).

Thanks for visiting!