doodad

I think I've been doing pretty good with my Etsy shop.  Since I've opened it I've made 9 sales on the site itself and a few from friend that weren't recorded.  I was a little discouraged for a little while, but things have picked up some.  I've sold three scarfs this week.  Yay!  But that also means I need to get back to the sewing room and replace those 3 scarfs.  

 This week my new business cards came in the mail.  I'm very pleased with them.  Pardon the bad lighting.  It hasn't been particularly sunny lately.  It makes it difficult to take indoor pictures.  Thanks to photoshop, we can fix a lot.

They came in these cute little boxes.

 One side has the shop name and the other 

side has my name and information. 

So far I've only been able to use them in a couple of orders.

It's a little bit difficult to see here, but they have a high gloss finish.

I've ordered a few supplies off of the Etsy site.  It's interesting to see how others package their things.  I got one order that had a sticker with the shop name on it.  

I liked it and that's where I got the idea.  

Cute, right?

I think it adds just a little something to a bag.

So that's the news for the Etsy shop.  Stop by and check it out.

www.sweetpeadoodad.etsy.com

And We're Back!

So I finally just broke down and paid the crazy monthly fee.  

On to things past...Thanksgiving.  We had a nice one.  David and I invited all the Americans we could think of and had them all over for a turkey lunch the following Saturday.  It's not a holiday here you know.  Usually about a third of the people we invite can't make it.  However, only one person canceled.  This meant that we would be having 18 adults and - get ready - 12 children eating in our home!  Where were we going to put them?   It worked out.  The kids never really sat down, so that solved that seating problem.

Here are a few good pictures of the day.

Centerpieces 

 The tables

All the guests 

(or most of them.  Some were still filling their plates)

We had a nice day and it was a nice Thanksgiving.  The food was great and the company was even better.

Happy late Thanksgiving!

Picture-less

It's been a while since I've last posted anything.  There's a reason for this.  Last week I went to update my blog with some pretty pictures of our Thanksgiving feast.  As I was getting ready to load my pictures, a message popped up on my screen informing me that I had used all the free space they were allowing me to post pictures with.  If I would like to post any more I could kindly pay a monthly fee.  What?!   Not sure what I'm going to do just yet.  My writing skills are not at a level where I can post without pictures.  And really, what's a blog without pictures?  Boring.  So this will be a picture-less blog post just letting you know the scoop.  Hopefully I'll figure this out and be back to posting pictures soon!

Apple tote

I finally made something from that vinyl I found at the salvation army.  I just listed it on the Etsy shop.  We'll see if anyone likes it or is interested.  I think it's cute and fun.

So I've been told that November can be a busy month for Etsy.  With that in mind I'm getting ready to vamp up the shop.  More bags, more scarfs, more stuff!

Yum!

I got an unidentified package in the mail today.  I've ordered a few supplies since I started the Etsy Shop, so it wasn't unusual to get a package.  I pulled it out of the mail box thinking I couldn't remember  what it was I had ordered from the States.  I'd already gotten the zippers.  The magnetic closer things came last week.  What was it?  The writing on the envelope looked familiar.  So I did what any intelligent person would do.  I shook it.  It kind of rattled.  Now, the return address should have been a clue.  Especially since it did have the name of the person mailing it.  But in my defense, I was talking to someone while I was checking the mail.  So I didn't really read who it was from.  Anyway, after I rattled it and realized where it came from, I knew EXACTLY what it was that was rattling from within.  I quickly came inside to rip it open (those padded envelopes don't rip very easy by the way).  I got it open and immediately shoved the contents into my mouth.  Here's what I found.

That's right folks.  I like candy corn!  I'm not a big candy fan.  But for what ever reason, I have always liked candy corn.  I can't get it here in Switzerland and have lived without it.  But every now and then a  kind soul will send a bag my way.  Thankfully I am the only one in the house who likes it.  I've already eaten a little too much.  But I can't help myself.  Yum!

Oh yes.  Thanks mom for thinking of me.  It was a great surprise to find in the mail today. 

Cookies

I'm not a huge cookie fan.  I never have been.  Growing up my mom made molasses cookies.  I did like those.  I still like those.  The other day I made a batch.  They have a lot of spices in them that seem to go with the fall.  

Here's the recipe.

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together the first 4 ingredients.  Add flour, baking soda, salt and spices.  Chill dough for one hour.  Form into balls, roll in sugar and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.  

I have to say I'm never patient enough to chill the dough. I didn't do it on this batch and they turned out 

great.  I'm pretty sure I ate the whole batch.

Grandma's Brooch

I've been making more scarfs for my shop.  Partly because it's very scarf-y weather here and plus they are fun to make.  As I was arranging the scarf on Betty for a photo shoot it came to me.  I have my grandma's brooch and it would look great with this scarf.  So here it is.  Isn't it pretty?  

Sorry, a little blurry.  But you get the idea.

 I really like this scarf.  

I really like all the scarfs I make.

It's hard not to want to keep them when they are done.  I might make myself one of these though. And I might have to get all gussied up and wear it somewhere with grandma's brooch.  

P.S.  If you're interested in one for yourself you can find it here in my shop.

doodad

So I finally did it.  I opened an Etsy shop to try and sell some of my sewing creations.  It's been open for a day now.  I posted about it on Facebook and have had quite a bit of attention.  We'll see how it goes.  Here are a few things you will see in the shop.

It's been a long process putting all the pictures on the website.  Actually, sewing the products was the easy part.  When I finally opened the shop I was excited and nervous.  What if no one looks at the shop?  What if no one buys anything? Are they really worth buying?  So far-no sales.  I'm trying to be patient.  After all it's only been a day.  If you're interested in looking at the shop go here and buy your next Christmas gift!

Pumpkins

Fall is in the air.  We've had pretty nice weather so I haven't been too disappointed that summer has finally passed us by.  However, I was a little sad that I had to put on fuzzy socks last week.  

This morning the boys and I went and picked out some pumpkins and a few other things.  We drove by this stand on Sunday and came back today to have a look.

There are all kinds. 

Here are the pumpkins

It's an honor system.  You pick out your squash and then drop in your money.

We came home with a couple of pumpkins and a few other things.  Happy fall everyone!

The Golden Rule

"Special attention should be paid to footwear, because it is the crown of all elegance..."  At least that's what the Golden Rule says.  And I think I am inclined to agree.  

I ordered this pattern book from a friends vintage shop on Etsy.  She introduced this little treasure on her blog some time ago and I've been waiting for her to put it up for sale.  I thought it would be a cool addition to my sewing supplies.

It's full of instructions.  This first couple of pages gives advice on how a women should dress from morning to evening.  Apparently a well-dressed women begins the day in a morning-gown, which creates an impression of charm and good grooming.  Well, then I am most definitely without charm this morning because I'm still in my pajamas.  Maybe I'll try for a morning-gown tomorrow.

It goes on to show some different sewing techniques.  

The back of the book is filled with pattern after pattern for men, women and children.  According to the pictures it looks like it's late 50's early 60's.  Not sure.  I couldn't find a date on it any where.  I think I might actually try and make that apron on the first page.

This book was originally printed in Germany, right around the corner from us.  Interestingly enough the company still produces pattern books today.  I just might have to take a trip down there and see what I can find.  If I ever get to it, I'll be sure to post the picture of my apron.

Thanks again Lisa for such a cool find.  I especially liked Lina's artwork!

Baking

I made cinnamon rolls last week.  And if I may say so, they were pretty good!  My mom gave me a basic bread recipe and commented that they would make nice cinnamon rolls.   So I gave them a try.  I ended up making two pans.  I really could have made three, but at the time I didn't realize how much they would rise.

Pre-risen, pre-coooked cinnamon rolls.  This is the smaller dish.

I already had the bigger dish in the oven.  Poor squished rolls.  Next time I won't cram so many in there.  Even so, not so bad looking.

Finished product.

I covered one pan with the frosting and left the other one plain for David.  For some strange reason he likes his without.  I can't understand it.  Who eats cinnamon rolls without frosting?  That's OK.  More for me!

Annual Pantlifest

Last weekend we had our neighborhood party.  The weather was nice, maybe even a little hot, but we still had a nice time.  

Earlier in the day the kids had a bobby car race.  Adrian was beside himself with excitement.  He rode a bobby car that is about 20 years old.  Needless to say it was a little slower than the newer models.  But he still did great.

Here he is waiting his turn.

 This is the course looking toward the finish line...

 and then back up.   Ryan is at the bottom of the picture with a neighbor friend.

 Here he comes!

He did great!

After this we went down to the buffet area with our pasta salad and apple crisp and had nice time, and as usual, ate too much.  

Until next year Pantlifest.

Check Me Out!

I don't usually make clothes for myself because they end up not fitting or they look really home-made.  But I am proud to say these turned out pretty good.

I found the tutorial for the cardi here.  And then I tried it.  But then I needed a tank top to go under it.  I figured I could try and make that too.  I found a tutorial on how to make a tank top from an old one at this blog. 

Not so bad, right?

My material wasn't as stretchy as my old tank top.  It turned out a bit tighter than I had hoped.  

 I wore my new outfit to church today.  It was kind of fun to wear something I made that didn't look all that bad.

A Little Thrifting.

Yesterday we all went to the Salvation Army.  Our church is re-doing the nursery and I went to scope out anything we could use.  I found a big fat nothing.  But I did run across something for myself.  How's this for a find?

You can't really tell what it is in the picture above.  So I'll tell you.  It's a vinyl cloth.  

It says Benetex on the back.  I looked it up and couldn't find anything about it.  All I found was one german blog that couldn't find much either.  Her blog said that it was made in the 50's and came from Germany somewhere.  If anyone has ever heard of it you are more than welcome to fill me in.

It's a little yellowed in places, but I think I can salvage some parts and make something cute.  I immediately thought of a gift for a teacher.  We'll see what comes of it.

A Zwetschge or Two

We planted a plum tree in front of our house last summer.  I didn't figure it would have any fruit this year, but surprise!  Last week I realized there were at least 4 hanging from its branches.  I prematurely picked two and ate them...not ripe, but still, the satisfaction of planting and growing a tree tasted pretty sweet.  Naturally I didn't think to take a picture before I crammed them in my mouth.  So here's the only proof I could produce.

Yesterday I was outside and discovered some of the last ones disappeared (probably a bird) and there is one lonely piece of fruit left.  I think I'll pick it today, ripe or not, for fear it might not be there tomorrow.

A Late 4th of July Update

We celebrated the fourth with some friends from church.  I usually pull out all the stops and we invited lonely Americans over for a BBQ.  But this year Adrian had, had his last day of school on the same day and we had been so busy, that I put it off.  Thankfully our friends were on top of things and we still celebrated.  I dug out all our flags and took them along for decoration.  On the drive over I sang all the patriotic songs I could think of to our boys - including the national anthem.

 I made fruit pizza and rice crispy treats for dessert.  

The weather was warm and the company was nice.  I think it was a success!