Check out this treasury I just finished, featuring all INCrowdteam artists!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c804a15d98e6d9161e80636/girls-night-out
Art Photography Showcase on Etsy!
23
Aug
I have some work that is included in the Art Photography Showcase on Etsy today – be sure to stop by and check it out!!
The Humble Apron’s Not-so-Humble Existence.
23
Jul
The principal use of the apron was to protect the dress underneath because a woman only had a few.
Aprons were easier to wash than dresses.
Aprons required less material than dresses to make and mend.
Aprons served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
Aprons were wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion were even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, it could be wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, a gal could walk out onto the porch, wave her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that served so many purposes.
A Thought:
Grandmothers used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. My, how the times have changed!
Blessings in the Journey – One Couple’s Blog to Help Raise Funds for Their Pending Adoption
20
Jul
A few years back when I started my temp assignment, I worked with a sweet gal who was in the process of adopting a darling little boy from Guatemala. She and her husband worked very hard to put together a cookbook to assist in fund raising, and I was super bummed I missed out on it.
They have since decided that it is God’s will for them to adopt again, this time a little girl from China. Since the first round of cookbooks went over like gang-busters, they decided to do it again, this time with the help of the Internet! I know it’s hard to purchase something that will benefit some one in such a personal way when you don’t know them at all, but if you’re so inclined I know it will be greatly appreciated!
The cookbooks are lovely and would make fantastic gifts for the Holidays or birthdays; the recipes are easy to follow and look very YUMMY!
Favorite Recipes - A Cookbook Benefiting Adoption
Take a couple minutes to check it out, and if you decide to help them out, my sincere thanks to you!
Yummy Summer Treat!
12
Jul
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so I thought I’d jump back into things by sharing a very easy, VERY YUMMY summer recipe with you!
The recipe that follows is for a large batch of strawberry goodness, but it can easily be scaled down as the occasion warrants…
Ingredients (*see notes at the end)
2 lbs strawberries, cleaned and sliced
2 – 12.5 oz containers strawberry glaze*
2 – 10 oz pkgs of angel food cake, cubed
1 large container CoolWhip, thawed
1 – 16 oz can sweetened condensed milk*
1 – 16 oz container sour cream*
CoolWhip, Sour Cream, Condensed Milk
Directions:
Begin by cubing the angel food cake.
Cube the angel food cake
In medium sized bowl, combine sliced berries with the glaze. I like to start one container at a time; you can add as much or as little as you like.
Strawberries, sliced
- Strawberries, sliced and mixed with glaze
In another bowl, combine the thawed CoolWhip with the sour cream. Slowly stir in the condensed milk. You can just stir with a spoon, no need to use a mixer or anything fancy.
Whipped topping, sour cream, and condensed milk combined.
In a large bowl (a nice sized chip or snack bowl is perfect), start with a layer of cake, followed by a layer of strawberries, then a layer of CoolWhip mixture. Repeat until you’ve used up most if not all of your mixtures.
This is the perfect size bowl!
Start with a layer of cake...
...then a layer of strawberries...
...then a layer of the whipped topping mixture...Lather, rinse, repeat!
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made the night before.
*Notes – even though the original recipe calls for the quantity it does, I end up using less. I use about 1.5 containers of glaze, 8 oz of sour cream, and only 1/3 of the can of condensed milk. This leaves you with a mixture that tastes mostly like whipped topping with a hint of richness from the sour cream and condensed milk.
This can also be made low-fat/sugar free – every time I make this, I use sugar free glaze, low fat condensed milk, low fat sour cream, and light or sugar free CoolWhip; my husband who dislikes anything dietetic could not tell the difference :)
A Place For Everything…
28
Apr
…and everything in its place.
I have a lot of stuff.
Craft stuff consisting of fabric, paper, scrapbook paraphernalia, markers, crayons, and most of all jewelry making supplies seem to spew from every container in which I place them. It’s just really out of control.
I don’t have a designated crafting area. It started out in our office upstairs – I’d craft while Mr. Peach Martini worked on his computer gadgets and surfed the interwebz. Then we bought laptops and I’ve since abandoned that area of the house. Now all my craft supplies are down stairs for the most part, living in one of those three-tier basket thing-a-ma-bobers. That worked well until I wanted to work on something, then I’d drag the basket with me, and all the contents would spew forth a giant mess. I hate having to sift for things – I like the idea of plastic storage totes, but I hate having to sort through to find what I need.
In light of our impending move (we close May 14th! Yeah!), I’d like to be able to set up my craft area straight away and get organized. I have a few ideas that I might tinker with, which I’ll share below.
What I want to know, however, is how do YOU keep all your crafty supplies organized and tidy?
Some ideas I’ve come across that I would like to try out…
- over-the-door shoe organizers to hold the frequent cast of characters for projects (markers, pencils, scissors, pens, etc)
- Peg boards tailored to specific crafts/hobbies – one for sewing, one for paper crafting, one for jewelry making, etc.
- old photo albums with the sleeve inserts to organize ATCs, inchies, bookmarks, or cards…or tags and papers for scrap booking. Also could be used to organize project ideas, craft swap ideas, inspiration, etc.
- paint cans mounted to the wall/surface to display items or store things for easy access (bottom of cans mounted to wall/surface)
- Ikea. I just browsed a catalog from them for the first time yesterday. I less-than-three Ikea.
Ok – lay it on me – what are your best solutions for organization?
INCrowdteam INterview w/Michelle @ Hi Mamma!
12
Apr
Good morning guys and gals! I am pleased to introduce you to our very own Michelle from Hi Mamma! With a unique shop name, and a real passion for her craft, Michelle shares some of her favorite goodies with us…
Name: Michelle Vackar
City of residence: Carmel, Indiana
Shop name: Hi Mamma
INCrowdteam: I love the name of your shop! What made you decide on it?
Hi Mamma: Hi Mamma actually is what my older daughter, now 5 years old, would say walking around the house, pretending she was talking on the telephone, playing with her dolls or to me. I always thought it was kind of a catchy name. When I learned more about Etsy, I thought, that might be a good name for my shop! The products that are offered are all something that have been a part of their lives (as well as mine). Now that we are getting older, we are going to be expanding our product line. My logo represents my two daughters and me. Both of my girls love monkeys! I just thought it was appropriate for the logo to have all three of us as monkeys.
INCrowdteam: Tell me about items for sale at your Etsy shop.
Hi Mamma: I love to sew and one of my favorite things has been to make baby/toddler changing pad covers! There are so many fun prints, as well as beautiful solid fabrics that make cute covers. Currently all changing pad covers are made out of soft flannel. That way the covers are soft and warm to the baby/toddlers back. I also sew a fair bit of customer orders where people will email me to see if I have fabric of this type of theme they are wanting to do for their nursery. It has been so much fun to help another family create something special area for their little one. My younger daughter (who is 2 years old) has had fun with various print changing pad covers. We have one changing pad cover that has owls, lady bugs, birds, etc., on it and she will just talk about them as I change her diaper. She also loves to pick which changing pad cover she would like to have in her room each week. In addition to changing pad covers, I make cloth diaper wipes, have embroidered baby bibs, burp cloths, baby/toddler car strap covers for in the car/strollers and make pumpkin seat covers for babies staying warm in the fall/winter months.
INCrowdteam: What’s your real-world job?
Hi Mamma: Freelance marketing/public relations, logo embroidery for companies, and working to on Hi Mamma items. I work from home so that I can be home with my daughters. I have a little bit of crazy hours after the girls go to sleep but it is worth it to me! I also volunteer my time for Modern Handmade Child online magazine (www.modernhandmadechild.com), where I serve as their public relations manager for the magazine.
INCrowdteam: How did you learn your Etsy craft?
Hi Mamma: My mom. When we were growing up we would always do some type of craft, sew, etc. It was not until I had my oldest daughter that I totally fell in love with it.
INCrowdteam: What’s your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Hi Mamma: My daughters will sometimes come up with some ideas, I will be like hmmm that might be a good idea. After I have thought about the idea, I think try to create my own pattern.
INCrowdteam: What are your five favorite shops on Etsy?
Hi Mamma:
- The Cocoon Wrap Mama (this is my sisters website)
- Gudonyatoo
- My Beautiful Girl
- Paper and String
- Rabbit Stop
INCrowdteam: Which three of your own items for sale are your favorite? Why do you like them so much?
Hi Mamma:
Lady Bug and Bumble Bee Changing Pad Cover
Lady Bug and Bumble Bee Changing Pad Cover from Hi Mamma
Lilly Pad and Frog Changing Pad Cover
Lilly Pad and Frog Changing Pad Cover from Hi Mamma
Whimsy Doodle Car Strap Covers for Car Seats, Strollers, and More
Whimsy Doodle Car Strap Cover from Hi Mamma
INCrowdteam: What’s the best compliment you’ve received from a buyer?
Hi Mamma: I participated in the Etsy Kids Baby Shower. The mom that I had was just about to have her fourth baby. I made her a baby changing pad cover. She shared with me what colors she was going to have in the nursery, the theme, etc. I emailed her some swatches to see if she liked any of them. She wrote me a really nice note after the birth of her little girl.
INCrowdteam: Where else can we find you on the Internet?
Hi Mamma: I have a blog called Hi Mamma Designs.
Are you an INCrowdteam member who’d like to be featured in this Q&A? Or maybe you know a member who’d be perfect for it? If so, contact me at ThePeachMartini!
A Whirlwind of Stuff…
05
Apr
Ack – where has the time gone! Wasn’t it just the first of March not too long ago? And here is it, the first full week of April already. Good-golly miss molly!
I actually have a really good reason for not posting much as of late. It all started when I got curious one afternoon and started searching for homes on the market in a cute little town we’ve been wanting to move back to. Lo and behold, I found one…so we looked at it. And we loved it. And now…it’s ours!
We’ve been waiting for almost 8 years (great googly-mooglies, Mr. PeachMartini and I have been married for almost 8 years in October…sheesh!) to get back to this little town and settle in for the long haul. And now this house we found – this beautiful, charming farm house – is just exactly what we’ve been searching for!
So far we’ve got the signed purchase agreement, and now we’re waiting on inspections to be done. We won’t be able to move in until early May, I have a feeling, which is OK. That gives us plenty of time to sort and pack and all that fun stuff. We’re not selling our current home right away – it needs a little sprucing up still and it will be much easier to do that once we’ve got all our stuff out of the way.
Anywho, that’s where I’ve been lately…I’m not neglecting you on purpose my lovelies…I promise! I’ll have some crafty goodies for you soon!
March is National Craft Month!
18
Mar
Spread the word! Share your craftiness with every one you know, and even those you don’t!
- March is National Craft Month – Celebrate on Craftster.org!
March is National Craft Month. How can you celebrate, you ask? I thought you’d never ask!
- Join a crafty group in your community. If there are none, make your own!
- Teach a friend a new craft or technique!
- Learn a new craft or technique!
- Offer to teach a class or work shop at your local community center!
- Spread the word about your craftiness – post it on your blog, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
Do you have a project you’re working on, one you’ve just finished, or one you’re antsy to start? Share it with me! I want to see what you’re up to 
THEN, once you’ve shared it with me (because I’m selfish like that!) go share it with the lovely folks at Craftster.org here!
Blog Interview – Julie @ Jane’s Apron!
17
Feb
Hello, blogland!
How was every one’s Valentine’s Day? Were there any sweet surprises this year? My sweetie and I were both fighting nasty colds over the weekend so we didn’t too much. I’m OK with that!
I’m completely thrown off schedule this week since Monday was President’s Day; I work at a company which follows the New York Stock Exchange, and since it was closed, we were closed. (Yeah! for a day off! Boo! to not remember what day it is!)
At any rate, I’d like to post the latest edition of the Blog Interviews – please give a warm welcome to Miss Julie from Jane’s Apron!
TPM – Tell us a little about yourself.
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – I’m a mom at home…trying to create and finding time where I can.
TPM – I’ve followed your blog for quite a while now and I really enjoy all your posts. Tell us a bit more about your blog – what you were expecting when you started out vs what it is today. What is your favorite topic to blog about? Do you have any tips for those readers who might be curious about starting their own blog?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – I’m probably the last person you would expect to have a blog…I’m not all that interesting but have found that if I like something then there is SOMEBODY else out that likes it too. The best part of blogging and sharing is finding all of those “somebodies” like me.
TPM – Have you always been interested in creating? Do you have a favorite medium? What kinds of things inspire you to create? How do you mange to stay inspired and creating while juggling every day life?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – Creating is a part of my everyday life…drawing, coloring, painting, sewing, whatever…I’ve been doing it all of my life. It truly is part of me. Of course, there are periods of high creativity followed by lows but it’s always something I come back to.
TPM – You have a shop on Etsy – are you pleased with how it has done since opening it? Do you have any advice for craft mavens thinking of opening a shop? What are your favorite Etsy features (Treasuries, Shop Local, Pounce, etc)?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – I love etsy….probably more as a shopper than a seller. When I am fortunate to sell a few items, it usually gets put right back into another etsy shop. I love the etsy treasury and have been so excited to be found on it a couple of times. (Julie’s shop can be found here – http://www.etsy.com/shop/janesapron)
TPM – Share a few of your favorite websites, blogs, or Etsy shops with us.
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – I love blogs that are quite, serene, real, and fun or thoughtful to read. One of my favorite is OodlesAndOodles and a find a new favorites all the time.
TPM – I love to learn new techniques and crafts; if you could learn one new crafty skill, what would it be?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron - I always loved to paint and would like to try again…just have to make the time to do it.
TPM – Any closing thoughts – crafty or otherwise?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – Always be yourself…crafty and otherwise!
TPM – Well, I can’t rightly close out this interview without asking a totally random “What if…” question! If you were stranded at the airport for 24 hours, what would you do to pass your time away?
Julie @ Jane’s Apron – Read…and occasionally people watch.
Ooh, people watching – I could spend hours doing that!
I want to thank Julie @ Jane’s Apron for humoring me and answering my silly questions. I hope you’ll check out her blog and leave a comment or two. Stop by soon for more interviews!
If you’d like to be interviewed for The Peach Martini’s blog, please contact Kim via email: thepeachmartini [at] gmail [dot] com!
