Blog Carnival - April 24th Edition

This week's question: describe your dream studio (or if you already have one, give details!). Decorating, supplies you wish you had, size, etc.


I definitely do not already have my dream studio...as I now sit at a cramped desk overflowing with school books, bills and a sleeping cat, the first thing on my list for a dream studio...SPACE! I'd love to have multiple workstations, one for my computer, one for the actual work to be done, and a third for finished designs and packing up orders.

I'd also love a room with lots of natural light, and windows that I could open when it is nice out. I'd love a view of something other then the neighbors...preferably something nature-y.

I'd have lots of room for inspiration- places to hang images, idea boards and lots of room to put post-it notes and white boards to jot all my ideas and deadlines on. And a whole wall just for organizing supplies and storage.

The room would be bright and airy- painted a pretty color...purple, or blue or green maybe?


I wonder if such a place exists :p

Blog Carnival - March 27th Edition

Topic: Spring is here (or almost here depending on where you live). What spring-y things have you been noticing lately? (Bulbs coming in, birds returning, Easter bunnies in stores...etc. )

I have a most favorite spring/Easter treat...it only shows up this time of year...so I stock up and stock up again after I've eaten the whole first stash...
















Russell Stover's strawberry creme filled chocolate eggs...they are my all time favorite. Only a few stores carry them for some reason, so if you live in the Baltimore area, and see someone digging through bins of candy...it's probably me :p

you can buy them here :)

besides that...I have been gradually breaking in the flip flops for the warmer days...I can not wait for spring!

Blog Carnival - February 27th Edition

Topic: What item from another sellers shop do you secretly wish you had thought of first? (Well, it's not a secret any longer.) Post a pic so we can see!


One of my most favorite things in the world...are polka dots! I have yet to make a purchase from this shop, called JellyBeans, mostly because I can't seem to decide on just one that I want most of all! If I could go back in time, I'd love to have created this beautiful polka-dotted art, because it is so adorable, and she is quite an accomplished Etsy'er! With over 1,300 sales, Angela of JellyBeans, you are my hero!!


Her newest print, Flower Dust, is probably my all time fav!

Blog Carnival - February 13th Edition

Topic: What do you like to do for Valentine's Day?

So Brett & I are coming up on our 5th Valentine's Day together...and we've had a tradition for the past 4, of going to a restaurant we really like, but getting take out to eat at home instead of braving the crowds. This year, since it's a Saturday, I'm sure the mobs will be even greater...but last year, our plan had a flaw...everyone in the greater Baltimore area seemed to have the same ideas as us! Our quick pick up of take out from Olive Garden...took over an hour!


this year...what to do, what to do?? I'm guessing we'll try another restaurant...or in the spirit of saving money, maybe we'll just cook at home :)

it's not what you do or where you go, but who you're with that really matters anyway ;)

Blog Carnival - January 16th Edition

What are your new year's goals for your blog and/or shop?

This year is going to be a good year- I am determined to finally pursue my goals, which I started the path for at the end of last year, but this year...this is the year of Lauren...(haha, I always think of Seinfeld, and the "Summer of George" when I say that...)

That being said...the goal for my shop, is to have a sale per month...that doesn't seem like much, but I had at least one in November, and December...so I think keeping up that small goal will make it easier to accomplish, and not get discouraged while I work out the kinks of how I'd like to run the business...I also want to upload new designs once a week, and get on a good schedule, like create new designs on mondays, photograph wednesdays and upload fridays for example...

For the blog...I really want to come up with weekly topics, so that I can have some sort of format to follow- Friday Finds, New Shop Tuesdays, etc :p


so for 2009...it's going to be a busy year, but fingers crossed, a successful one as well!

Blog Carnival - December 8th Edition

December 8 is "Winter Flowers Day"

There's something about winter, and flowers that just seem to not go together...but maybe that's because I live in the city, and hardly see flowers as it is...so once the winter months set in, I'm doomed to the harsh grays and browns of the city streets, and no color until spring...but I knew there had to be some flowers out there that survive in the winter....so I went on a search...and found a few beautiful examples on flickr! These bright, beautiful flowers stand up to the cold and in these cases...snow to liven up our cold winter days!!











photo by japi14















photo by myfanwyx













photo by BelCan75

Etsy Bloggers November 24 Edition

Welcome to the November 24, 2008 edition of etsybloggers.

Jen (bfbeads) of Baby Friendly Beads presents The Thanksgiving Bowl posted at Mama's Magic.

Stacy Gibbs presents EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival posted at The Fancy Fritter.

Two Zany Zebras presents How fast does a turkey trot? posted at Two Zany Zebras.

Julie Antinucci presents Blog Carnival: Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition posted at Creative Mines by Julie Antinucci.

Rose Works Jewelry presents Rose Works Jewelry: My Thanksgiving Story - Etsy Bloggers Carnival posted at Rose Works Jewelry.

Linda Wheelock presents TurDuck...Tee Hee.... posted at Spotted Cow Soaps.

BeadedTail presents Thanksgiving Traditions posted at beadedtail.

Ellen Behm presents Thanksgiving Traditions posted at Down the Street Creations.

miesmama presents Thanksgiving posted at miesmama.

Brigid presents "Traditions" posted at Grey Eye Designs studio.

Yazmin presents It's all about the dessert, baby! - A Pretty Rock - Jewelry Blog and More... posted at A Pretty Rock Jewelry - blog

Donna Pool presents Donna Says...: What's Next...? posted at Donna Says....

Kelly Drill presents Another Totally Out of Character Food-Related Post posted at Macaroni and Glue.

Rainy presents How are you going to prepare your business for the holiday rush? Blog Carnival posted at RainyDayArt.

BunnyKissd presents Thanksgiving Traditions posted at Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too.

Serena Lee Pena presents SAPPHIRE and ICE STUDIOS, LLC: How are you going to prepare your business for the holiday rush? posted at Sapphireice's Weblog

Frances presents Preparing for the Holidays in my Shop posted at Home Made Originals.

Julie Antinucci presents Blog Carnival: What I'm working on.... posted at Creative Mines by Julie Antinucci.

Five O'Clock Somewhere presents Blog Carnival - How are you going to prepare your business for the holiday rush? posted at Five O'Clock Somewhere

Angie A presents Angie's Crafts: Etsybloggers November Carnival! posted at Angie's Crafts.

Patti presents F.........irst Christmas on Etsy posted at peacoxcreations.

Melissa Sinisgalli presents Thanksgiving Traditions posted at Made By Melissa.

Lisa Human presents Blog Carnival: Thanksgiving Traditions posted at Human Touch Designs.

smox presents Christmas Is Coming! posted at The SMOX Workshop.

Erika presents Pecan Pie, Anyone? posted at TOTE-N-TOTS.

Jaime Johnson presents Thanksgiving Thoughts posted at The Sewing Chronicles of JaimeSews.

Melinda Beatty presents The Rush posted at My Aphrodite Jewelry.

Stacey presents Holiday Happenings posted at Elle Belle.

Waxela Sananda presents ThanksGiving posted at SpiritMama Art and Soul.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival: Thanksgiving Memories posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.

Janet Reddick presents Traditions of Thanksgiving posted at Sky Girl Style.

Deanna Lack presents Interlude [EB Carnival] posted at You've Got Maille.

Jo Hoffacker presents Preparing for the Holiday Rush posted at Dogmaw Glass.

Ebony presents Blog Carnival November posted at Off The Peg.

Studio Gilead presents Doda's Creative Wanderings: One box too far? posted at Doda's Creative Wanderings.

Elise presents Betani's Bureau: Blog Carnival: What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? posted at Betani's Bureau.

Nancy presents Thanksgiving Holiday Tradition posted at NanjoDogz.

Anitra Cameron presents THANKSGIVING A NEW WAY posted at Coffee Pot People

Nora Demirjian presents Preparing My Business for the Holidays posted at Nora's Blog.

Lauren presents Blog Carnival - Preparing for the Holiday Rush... posted at Lost Mitten.

shellmitchell presents Getting Ready For The Holidays posted at Shell Mitchell Accessories and Design.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival, Nov 24: Thanksgiving traditions posted at Stroll Through Storyland.

Kirsten Hetherly presents The Holidays are fast approaching.... posted at The Quinna Collection.

Heather presents EtsyBloggers: Blog Carnival posted at Winemakerssister.

Kathy & Carrie presents Thanksgiving Traditions posted at CalKat The Jewelry Junkie.

Stormy Designs presents Getting ready for the holidays and a SALE posted at Stormy Designs.

PurrPrints presents My favorite (unusual) Thanksgiving tradition posted at PurrPrints: Art, Cats, and Randomness.

Jenni Brighton presents Pie will really gum up a sewing machine... posted at My Lil Etsy Shops:.

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Blog Carnival - November 24th Edition

This week's blog carnival is hosted by me!! The topic I chose to write about is....

What is your favorite tradition for the Thanksgiving holiday?

I absolutely love the holidays...pretty much once October hits until my birthday in January, I'm a happy girl :) Thanksgiving is always fun, because I usually haven't been home to see the family in a while, and all my friends who now live all over the country make it back to good old Hillsborough to celebrate. My dad and I get to watch football, and my mom and I do some baking, and pre-Christmas preparations...but the best part of Thanksgiving, is dinner at my Aunt & Uncle's house. The past few years have been extra special, because my Aunt battled and beat breast cancer, and is back in the swing of things cooking up a Thanksgiving feast...its not the food that's important, but the fact that she can, and does cook a fabulous meal, and we all have the best time together...

and now it's less than a week away!! I can not wait to see everyone at home on Wednesday!!!!!

Blog Carnival October 27th edition

It's never too early to plan your holiday dinners. Share a recipe for something that we can share with our loved ones.

one of my most favorite holiday deserts, is a pumpkin roll...once the month of October hits...I start to crave it...since it's made with pumpkin...I think it's an appropriate dessert for Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas! and trust me, I make it for all of them! if you make it...I guarantee you'll be hooked too!


















The recipe...from allrecipes.com:

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 
  
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes.
4. Lay a damp linen towel on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place the cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes.
5. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.
6. When the cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the cake refrigerated or freeze it for up to 2 weeks in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

Blog Carnival...October 10th edition

I can't say that lately I've had much time to relax...but when I do...boy do I enjoy it :)

I love magazines...but I have so little time to sit and read them, so I save them for my moments of relaxation...and now that the weather's gotten a little chillier, I'll make a cup of tea, get a nice cozy blanket and sit on the couch with my magazines...ahhh relaxation bliss :)

Another favorite way of mine to relax...watching reruns of Friends...

Blog Carnival...September 15th edition

pick a favorite color, and show it in your work

So it's not exactly one color...but the gemstone Labradorite is quickly becoming my new favorite "color"...many times it has hints of silver, gold, white, blue and even green mixed in with the shimmery gray of this stone...
I'll admit...it's become a bit of an obsession...I have this stone in at least 10 cuts and sizes...but it's so pretty, I just can't resist!

this is the only image I have handy at the moment...but I'll put some more up when I get home :p

Blog Carnival...September 1st

This week's blog carnival topic is: Something You Did When You Were A Child That You Will Always Remember

Not to brag, but I had a pretty awesome childhood...there are only a very few moments I remember as being unpleasant...most of the time it was my fault I'm sure :P...but if I could, I know I'd go back and do it all again in a heart beat...I love the saying, "I'd like to go back, not to do anything different, but just to do it all over again"...that is the best way to sum up my life :)

My favorite time of year starts around football season, and ends after my birthday- I could never pick a favorite season, or month, but its a good 4 months out of the year that I enjoy the most...fall, cooler weather, football games, then halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, new years eve and my birthday...what's not to love :)

but the thing that I will always remember from growing up, is going to pick out our christmas tree...we'd get bundled up, and go to the same tree farm every year...the best years there was already some snow on the ground, and we'd find the biggest and most beautiful tree there was...of course the older I got, the more I realized it wasn't that the tree was huge, but I was small :) then we'd get our hot cocoa and wait for the tree to be tied to the roof...

we'd usually go the weekend after thanksgiving, and wait about a week to put it up and decorate it...that was the longest two weeks of my life when I was young :)

we have so many christmas traditions...I could go into them...but no one has a week to read this post :P so I'll stop now...once we get into september, I'll reminisce some more!

Blog Carnival...August 4th edition

I love eating food off the grill...only problem, I am not so good when it comes to grilling...I leave that up to B...for some reason, boys just seem to be naturally good at grilling food...knowing when its done, etc...I am not :P

My favorite thing to grill is burgers, and I love to stuff the cheese inside before grilling...its less messy and a fun surprise :)

my newest grill obsession...grilled asparagus! olive oil, salt and pepper and on the grill...could not be easier or more delicious!

and finally, I guess we need a starch to complete my grilled recipe meal :P my mom's famous grilled potatoes...

I usually figure like 1 large potato for every two people, sliced thin and mixed with butter salt and pepper and any other seasonings you like (I always include garlic, or garlic salt) and put the mixture in tin foil...then throw it on the grill about 20 minutes on each side...

so there you have it...now go on, grill!

Blog Carnival for July

Catch up! now that it's summertime, and you (and/or the kids) are out of school, it's a good time to catch up on those chores, reading list, organizing that etsy shop, etc. What are you going to catch up on, in July?

I must say, the thing I miss the most about being a student, and well not a full time grown-up, is having that nice 3 month hiatus from any sort of responsibility...now with a full time job, and school that goes 12 months a year, along with trying to do anything for fun, or to travel, even that seems like work! summer months go so quickly now it seems, but in the spirit of this carnival question, I plan to set some goals for myself!

1. transfer to full time status at school...and finish my degree!

2. do something creative every day - participate in the 21 day drawing challenge

3. post new things to etsy store at least once a week

4. get my office/craft room completely organized

5. finish one of the books I've started

okay, good list...now it's time to get started...ready...go!

Blog Carnival for June

We have two topics for this week's blog carnival...and I thought I'd touch on both :)

Theme 1: What does success mean to you? We all have our own ideas about what makes a person successful. Do you feel you are a success in your business? What makes you feel or not feel that way.

for me, I've been struggling, basically since the day I graduated from college to discover what it was that would make me happy in my day-to-day 'work life'...so far, I really haven't found it in any paying job I've had...and there have been many, actually too many...but they've paid the bills, and that is why I am still just going through the motions in my 9-5 (actually 8-4:30) day job...it wasn't until I started working on crafty projects that I really felt happy, and the discovery of Etsy really was the push I needed to get off my butt and try and make something happen for myself...it's been a little slow coming, with the demands of a full time job and school, but I think that I'm on my way to success :)

lately I've had a few very positive steps forward with my jewelry making, and that is something that always makes me feel successful...the most important thing, is not to get discouraged, and keep working towards my goal...the hardest part to understand, is not all successes happen overnight...they definitely take time and effort :)


Theme 2: Lovin the Craft So, you have an Etsy shop. You enjoy to make and create and really love it when others love it as well. What kind of crafts do you do for yourself? Any adventurous do-it-yourself handy work stories? Is your home filled with your creations? Do you make your own clothes, jewelry, etc.? If so, why not show off your favorite item you kept for yourself.

I make everything I can think of...I've made myself jewelry, painted and photographed images for my walls, coasters, candles, the list goes on...the list of projects that have yet to be started, also a very long list...but the way I see it, if it's something I plan to sell, at least I can enjoy it before it gets sent off to its new home :)

It's not the best picture, but my most favorite thing I've kept for myself recently is this smoky quartz and pink chalcedony necklace, that I am actually wearing today :)

Blog Carnival for April

This is my first month as a member of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team...so hopefully I am doing this right :P The theme is Poetry Reading Day, so this post can be about anything Poetry related...

I'm not sure if it's technically poetry, but one of my absolute favorite author/poets was Dr Seuss. The silly made up words, the goofy rhymes, but always heart-warming stories make him my favorite as a child, and still today. I actually just found a book, that's a biography of the good Doctor, and I can not wait to find time to sit down and read it!

My all-time favorite Seuss work is How the Grinch Stole Christmas...I can basically recite the lines from memory...I'm very annoying if you watch the movie with me ;)

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Oh, please don't ask why, no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or maybe his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.


now if that isn't pure poetry, I don't know what is!

and then of course, another favorite of mine, the Lorax, always wanting to save the environment, to 'speak for the trees'...I was always impressed with the ability to get a message out there, but all the while in a fun and interesting way for children and adults to read...there really is no one else like him :)


I really could go on and on...but I'll stop now, and end with something inspiring...Oh! The Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!