Going Green Etsybloggers Blog Carnival

Organic Bamboo PaperLess Towels: Natural with green thread

When I saw the topics for this month's Etsyblogger Blog Carnival I knew this one was perfect for me, Going Green! I offer a few "green" products in my shop and also try to live as green as possible.

CANDY DAMASK waterproof diaper cover

I started off learning about being more environmentally responsible when I began cloth diapering my boys in 2007. I joined a cloth diapering online community and there are lots of chat about other "green" things other than cloth diapers. Of course, cloth diapering was a big part of us being "green," but we also started looking at all the plastic and paper we were using.

We got rid of using paper towels almost entirely and now we use unpaper towels. They are the same size as a paper towel and even snap together on a roll like paper towels but they are cloth, washable, and reusable! I also started using reusable grocery bags. I love those things! You can really use them for anything.

Eco Friendly Reusable Sandwich/Snack Bags

When I started my business in 2008, I included some of the green items in my shop. I make wetbags for dirty cloth diapers (no more plastic bags) and reusable sandwich bags. My sandwich bags are affordable and save you so much in the long run. I don't know about you but even packing one child's lunch I was using at least 3 sandwich bags. That doesn't even include all the ones we use for snacks!

So there is a peek inside my little "green" life. Maybe I taught you something new!

Wetbags (used with cloth diapers)

March Featured Etsyblogger

The March featured Etsyblogger has some beautiful jewelery to share! Mystic Wynd sell's some beautiful one of the kind pieces! I absolutely love her style. I'm not a big jewelery person, but this is one shop I will be hearting. Go check her out and give her some love!

I've picked out some fun, spring looking pieces to share with you!

Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: I Love Red!

Valentine's Day is coming up and I just love red! Perfect opportunity to created a red inspired treasury. Make sure to take a look at all these wonderful items. Some are from my Etsybloggers teammates. Check it out!

It's the perfect time for a custom!

Spring is quickly approaching and my customs list is open! Perfect time to get in your order for a new spring bag! Lots of styles to choose from. Contact me if you are interested!

January Featured Etsy Blogger!

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is The Art of Joy! She has the greatest little shop with the cutest designs. I love all the Kawaii designs. Soooo cute! I have her hearted for a reminder for the next time I need birthday invites. Go visit her shop and blog too!
I'm keeping these gift certificates in mind of my own shop!

Enter to win!

Want a chance a win this handbag? Go visit The Spotted Box's facebook page and enter to win!

Something for ME!

Well the house actually, but that counts, right? I was reading some blogs this morning and stumbled upon this great Patchwork Plastic Bag Holder tutorial over at Retro Mama. Tutorial is originally from Saidos da Concha but Retro Mama throws in some nice helpful tips.



Now, I know your wondering, you don't really still use those things do you? And I can happily so no, not usually but there are the times that I forget my Chico Bags and have to use plastic. Or ya know, the hubby forgets. So I do end up using them for big messes that require on the spot garbage pick-up or in the bathroom trash cans.

Anyway, back to the tut. I'm not usually one to do patchwork because that takes time and I like quick stuff but I decided to give this a go and it turned out pretty good. Just don't look too close at my quilting.... seriously. I used a couple different prints. I'm not sure of all the specific names but they are from Cosmo Cricket, Michael Miller, and Amy Butler.

So get busy and go make yourself one!

Supplier Favorites

I created this fun treasury using my purchases and favorites lists. I included items from sellers that I had either bought or have marked to buy in the future. Check out this fun treasury!

Have you visited recently?

If not, stop on by my shop! I've been busy sewing and have some great new items with fall colors. Here is a little sneak peek for you!

EtsyBlogger’s October Featured Blogger

This month's featured blogger has such a fun colorful shop! Splendid Little Stars makes some cool looking tie dye shirts and other unique shirts as well. She has some great shirts for the upcoming holidays so stop by and check her out! Make sure to tell her I sent you!

Finally Fall

It's finally fall! Well, it seems to be for the time being here in NC. It seems like the weather is just so crazy sometimes that one day we are in the 90's and the the next the 70's. It seems like for now and we are in the low 70's and we are having those cool mornings and evenings. Fall seems to be the time when we do a lot of family activities together. We enjoy going to the farmers market, pumpkin patch and this past weekend, the zoo! The temperature was just right and the kids had a blast! So tell me, how do you spend your fall days?

Amy's Oranges

I created this bright and seasonal Etsy treasury with my favorite fabric designer, Amy Butler, in mind. Check out these beautiful handmade items!

Reidsville Downtown Fall Festival

Hey all you locals out there! Got plans next weekend? If not, come out and visit me at the 19th annual Reidsville Fall Festival. There will be food, fun, a car show, and most importantly, arts and crafts! Look forward to seeing you there!

What I've been up to...

These past few weekends have been filled with fun fall craft fairs! I've spend my weekdays creating new items to fill up my booth and the weekends selling my wares. I took this weekend off for my birthday and to have a little more time to make some new items.

And I even created something fun for my booth! A fun, colorful banner! It's cute and it makes my booth stand out from all the rest! Whenever I get some spare time (what is that?) I intend on making some smaller banners for the front of my tables.




I got this great idea from on of my favorite blogs, Craft + Show Designs. I seriously visit this blog weekly even though it isn't updated that often. It's a great blog to check out if you are looking for new display ideas or are a new craft fair person.









And next weekend I'll be back at it again at another fun fall festival! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

First Day of Kindergarten

My oldest just started school this past Wednesday. I can't believe he is all grown up. It seems like yesterday he was just learning to walk. Now he is going to "big" school as he calls it. His first day went great. He is a picture I took of him in his classroom.



Speaking of school, here is one of those lunch bags I was talking about the other day. I still have 2 available in my Etsy shop. You can find them here. I'd also be happy to make customs as well.

Summer's Almost Over

I can't believe how quickly this summer has flown by! It's going on the end of August and my baby is getting ready to start kindergarten in just one week. I'm excited and sad at the same time. LOL.

Speaking of school, has anyone thought about school lunches? I'm sewing like crazy and getting ready to stock a bunch of reusable sandwich and snack bags. I'm also coming out with a new product, lunch bags! Customers have been asking for these for the last couple years and I've finally got a pattern I'm happy with and ready to start selling them! Look for these new items at my Hyenacart stocking on Sunday at 2pm and shortly to follow in my Etsy shop!

Wedding

Long time no blog but I'm back and plan to keep up with the blogging now.



Scott and I got married on December 12th and it was beautiful and everything turned out great. It was so cold that day but so pretty outside. We got married by the lake where we spend lots of time at each summer. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures.

I'm alive! Really!

Ok, so I'm a bad blogger. You will have to excuse me. Life has been super busy lately with the business and Scott and I are finally getting married in December and I've been busy planning that as well. I just listed some new items in my Etsy shop and my Hyenacart. Both great for gifts! Here's a sneak peek for you!

Recipe Thursday: Homemade Marshmallows

So I've been a little slack (errrr a lot slack) about blogging this week. But I have an excuse, really, I do. Monday was my birthday. And I have to tell you, my mom got me the most awesome cake. A sewing themed cake! It was a round cake, pink with brown polka dots and it had my name on it. Then, there were various sewing notions on it. Scissors, spool of thread, buttons, needle threader, etc. I took some pics but they were with my moms camera so I'll have to share later. On to the recipe...

I have to say this one is fabulous. And I made this one last night myself. My very first time making homemade marshmallows and they turned out delish! I have some awesome ideas for when I do them next time. This time, I did some plain, some dusted in cocoa, and some in cinnamon. I think the cocoa was my favorite. I LOVE me some chocolate. So on with the recipe. I found it through a google search here.

Homemade Marshmallows Recipe

1 day | 1 hour prep

40 marshmallows

• 2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

1. Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment.
2. Let it stand 30 minutes.
3. Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup of water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved.
4. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.
5. Clip on candy thermometer; raise heat to high.
6. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244° (firm ball stage).
7. Immediately remove pan from heat.
8. With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin.
9. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes.
10. Add vanilla; beat to incorporate.
11. Generously dust an 8x12 inch glass baking pan with confectioners' sugar.
12. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan.
13. Dust with confectioners' sugar; let stand over night uncovered, to dry out.

Now, since I made this, I'll share some tips:

• You don't have to have a stand up electric mixer, but be prepared for your hand to almost fall off from vibration if you don't. Mine almost did.
• If you don't have that pastry brush, don't sweat it. Fine turned out fine without doing that step.
• You really will have to beat the mixture for 15 minutes. See above.
• Spray your glass pan with PAM first, and then dust with the sugar. Makes things easier when taking them out.
• I didn't let mine sit overnight, only about an hour and I was able to cut them. I did let them sit out after cutting though. I'm impatient.
• You can substitute the vanilla extract for peppermint or almond.
• Dip your marshmallows in melted chocolate

The possibilities are endless here. Hope you have fun with it!

PS: I took pictures and my camera seems to have ate them. I know I took them and they are no where to be found on my camera. Grrrrrr.

HUGE Etsy Weekend Deal: October 2nd-4th

I'm having a BOGO (buy one get one) sale in my Etsy shop this weekend on any item $20 or less. In other words, the lesser valued item must be $20 or less. Refund will be given on lowest priced item via Paypal. Excludes custom items. Just enter code "weekend deals" in the notes.

Take advantage of the sale and start your holiday shopping early. I won't be having another sale this big until Black Friday.