Fabulous Finds Friday - Down In The Meadow Market

Okay, okay I realize it's not Friday, it's Saturday morning. I completely forgot about posting last night. Silly me.

Today's featured seller is Down in the Meadow Market aka Downinthemeadow http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6904804

She is located in South Africa and makes the most adorable knitted creations from hand spung merino wool, which means they will be super soft. In her shop announcements she says "It will leave you feeling like you have just walked through a country fair...." which is so true.

My favourite are the pigs. Although I'm a city girl now I grew-up on a pig farm and I had stuffed toy pigs as a child. What's that expression. You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - sweater shopping

Every week I do a post called Whatcha Working on Wednesday. I post a little about what I'm working on and I encourage you to comment about what you're working on. I may just give you a plug next Wednesday.

This week I have been thrift store shopping. I found 5 sweaters and they are being felted as I type. I don't have any plans for them yet but I'm sure inspiration will hit me soon. Stay tuned to see what I turn them into.

So whatch working on?

My Collection - Children's books

Do you collect anything? I do. My most recent collection is children's books, but not just any children's books, ones about dalmatians. Most of them have come from second hand shops and garage sales. I admit I have 3 copies of one book. I'm always amazed how each book has a different version of the same story. Even the Disney ones can very widely between them. Of course all the Disney versions, movies included, barely resemble the origional book (a novel). I have a love hate relationship with Disney. I hate that they are a huge corporate organization who will do anything to make money, but I love their stories.

If you ever see a children's book about dalmatians and the price is right (less than $1) pick it up for me and I'll happily pay you back, shipping included.

So what do you collect? I'd luv to know.

New Look

So I finally figured out how to move beyond the basic comes with blogger templates. I'm still playing around but I'm much happier with this customized one. The other was so popular I was already tired of it.



Whatcha think?

Fabulous Finds Friday - LeahPellegrini

My find of the week is LeahPellegrini and her glass art http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=66888 She makes these fabulous mobiles. I can just see one dancing away in a sunny window like happiness on a wire. The bottom one was designed to hang from a car's rear view mirror. What a great idea.

For you blog-aholics like me you can visit her blog http://www.leahglass.blogspot.com/

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - clutches

I have a wedding coming up and was looking (in my head) through my very bare closet to put together an outfit. I decided I needed a new handbag (I'll be kid and diaperbag free). So being a crafty girl I decided a felted clutch would be perfect.

Here's what I came up with. They are currently both for sale on Etsy (AngelaSpots) but if they don't sell first I'm keeping one for myself, I just can't decide which one. Which is your favourite?

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Last week BonTons commented she was working on tea pouches she donated to http://OzBushfireAppeal.etsy.com

and

Lave-me Soap said she will be listing new soaps http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5560733

So Whatcha Working On?

Key Lime Pie Day

The third Monday in February in Ontario technically we celebrate Family Day. The USA celebrates Presidents Day. My family actually celebrates Key Lime Pie Day.

My parents have a place in Florida and I have spent many mid Febrary's there. There is a local Publix grocery store which makes the best key lime pie. I have searched for a similar recipe and although it's not quite the same it's not too bad. Here you go.

Key Lime Pie

1 graham cracker pie crust

1 pkg cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup key lime juice. (I've used lime juice but key lime is better. Sometimes you can find fresh ones in the grocery store but I have a bottle which came from Florida).

Mix and pour into the pie crust. Chill several hours until set.

It may not be the same as a trip south but it's a little bit of the south here in snowy Canada.

How I got my nickname

My new goal is to try to talk about myself a little more in my blog. I have the stereotypical Mom sydrome, I live for everyone else, and me and my needs are last. Can you relate?

Today I'm going to talk about how I got my nickname. Spots. Way back in grade 6 I did a project on dogs. I had to choose a breed, research it, and give a report. I almost choose the schnauzer but instead choose the dalmatian and an obsession was born. That day I decided I wanted a dalmatian in my life. My parents, on the other hand, were mutt lovers and would not condone a purbred dog. So I found the most dalmatian looking mutt I could find. His name was Dab (dalmatian x lab). He was well loved and just passed away a few months ago.

It wasn't until I finished school, got married and got a home of our own when I finally brought a dalmatian into my life. Her name is Bella, short for Brightspot Bell of the Ball. She is a part of our family, and out chasing squirrels as I type. She is just waiting for the weather to warm up so she can sun herself on the deck once again.

So in short, my nickname Spots came from my life long obsession with dalmatians.

How did you get your nickname?

Fabulous Finds Friday - Chalkydoodles

Today's featured seller is Chalkydoodles. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5533276&section_id=5338827 and her blog http://chalkydoodles.blogspot.com/ This is what she has to say about her shop:

Chalkydoodles just launched it's new Chalkypalooza for TEENS collection this week. Chalkydoodles gets hip with new oilcloth & chalkcloth goods for a whole new generation. Now that's totally fly.

Chalkydoodles splat mats are the perfect spot to get really messy. They make clean-up a snap. I'm all for that!

Also check out her chalkboard labels. They were featured in January's Better Homes and Gardens. Congratulations Chalkydoodles.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - Valentines Day Cards

Okay, okay, I know it's Thursday. We did get my boys Valentines Day cards finished tonight. I hope their friends like them.

Instead of having a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old colour each individual picture I created sheets which they coloured and added sparkles to. Then I cut them to fit the cards. Easy peasy. Happy Valentines Day!

Last week Lave-me! Soap Co http://lavemesoapco.blogspot.com/ said she was getting ready for a craft show. How'd that go?

So whatcha working on?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

This week I'm going to push Whatcha Working on Wednesday back a day.

So I really should have finished my kids Valentines Day cards today but it just didn't happen. We had such a dark dreary day it was difficult to get crafty. Tomorrow I promise.

Are you working on anything for Valentines Day?

CPSIA update

Good news the CPSIA has proposed a Mandatory Testing & Certification Proposed 1 Year Suspension. They realize they need to review things before it becomes law. Check out the article here...

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-mandatory-testing-certification-prop-3347/

Fabulous find friday - goosegrease

I almost forgot to post tonight. Silly me. This seller is worth the wait. Goosegrease http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5881530 specializes in natural wooden dolls. I picked up a do it yourself kit for the preschoolers in my life. She also makes custom cake toppers, families and other finished dolls. You've got to check her shop out.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - freezer play dough

It's time for another Whatcha Working on Wednesday. This week I promised my 3.5 year old we'd make play dough, and being your typical 3.5 year old he held me to it. I decided to see what happened if I froze it (the pink bag in my freezer). Have you ever tried that? Much to my surprise it doesn't freeze solid, even straight out of the freezer it is very pliable. It would be great fun on a hot summer day. Unfortunatly we are having -23 degree Celcius (or -9 Fahrenheit) weather here tonight which makes the heat of summer seem a million years away.

BonTons http://personalisedgiftsforsomeonespecial.blogspot.com/ comment she's working on chalkboard door hangers, what a great idea.

So whatcha working on?