Bake Til Golden Brown Tresury

Thank you sacredsuds!!  Your "Bake til golden brown treasury" is fabulous!



A pair of my potholders -  Chefs on Brown are featured!  Check them out and more in my RitasCreationsOnETSY shop!







Thanks for stopping by....



Rita

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day - January 31

Everyday there is something to celebrate, even January 31!  Did you know that January 31 is "Inspire Your Heart with Art" day?  Because art inspires your heart, your mind, and your soul, this day is all about experiencing and appreciating all of the art in your life. Be sure to check out these 3 fantastic artists!   And as you look through their collections ask yourself  "What are these pieces telling me?  How do they make me feel?"  "What emotions do their works bring to the surface?"



First is Robin Maria Pedrero.   Robin is acknowledged for her luminous and captivating work.  She is an established award winning artist and has been widely published in magazines, newspapers, documentaries, and news broadcasts. Robin makes magic with color!  One of my favorite paintings of Robin's is Grazing Beneath a Garnet Sky because it reminds me of simpler times.



Next is Julie A. Brown of Wabi Brook Studio.  Her hand-crafted designs reflect the beautifully simple organic shapes and colors of nature.   Julie's art demonstrates her respectful celebration of this wonderful planet and the creatures that live on it.  She frequently uses materials that are re-claimed and re-cycled, so that you can embrace your love of the land with nature-inspired, eco-friendly, fine art and artisan jewelery.  I especially like her Heading Home Black and White Photograph.  As a child, I always wanted a horse (never got one though).  They are beautiful, majestic creatures!



Kristen Stein is an award-winning Contemporary Artist living in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region. Kristen creates a wide-range of contemporary styles suitable for all rooms in the house. Her original paintings, handmade crafts, and framed prints are a must see.  Check out one of her latest paintings - Autumn Tree Landscape Painting.  Fall is my favorite season and Kristen's trees remind me all that is good with nature!

 Enjoy your art hop!  Thanks for stopping by...

Rita

One More Free Shipping Day!

The Free Shipping promotion for the UWIB ETSY street team has been highly successful for many of our members.  We would like to thank all of you who have visited our shops, purchased an item, or have hearted us for future consideration!



The Free Shipping promo continues through Monday, January 25 so take another look!  New items have been added.  To see everything that is being offered with free shipping just search on UWIBTEAMFS in ETSYor click here! 



Here is another sampling of what the UWIB team has to offer:







This is one of my Mini Wallets.  These wallets hold credit cards, business cards, rewards cards, folded money!  Check them out for additional colors and designs.











Design Knit Fun features contemporary and unique scarves along with accessories.  Most items are one of a kind unless noted. Different stitches and yarns are used with a mix of discontinued and recycled materials and eco yarns.

Gold Crest Bags carries bags of many styles.  They can be personalized and customized.

The products from WabiBrookStudio embrace your love of the land with nature-inspired, eco-friendly, fine art and artisan jewelery.  The photographs and paintings are awesome! 







Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into the talent of our UWIB Street Team.



rita

Valentines Blog Hop!

Tonight is the beginning of another blog hop with fellow Angels.  The theme this time around is Valenetines!  Hard to believe, but it is just around the corner!

The three projects that I did all use our Uptown Girl coordinated papers, Date Disks, and two of our stamps from the Stamp Spree Promotion - Little Darlins and Furry Friends. Scrappers floss, of course, also embellishes the projects.

Both of the candy boxes use acetate.  I used the Cricut to cut the candy box with the heart - love that die cut machine!!  The clear acetate box was inspired by this tutorial!  And the 3 x 3 notecard - well, it is a 3 x 3 notecard - no more, no less!

Both the owls and the puppy dog  were colored with Copics.  I'm still learning how to use them but really do like them!



Want more inspiration?  Here are the sites of other participating Angels in this blog hop!  Enjoy...

Jen

Kim

Christine

Chris

Laurie W

Chelsea

Rita W

Shirley

Carol

Laurie U

Angela

Seleise

Risa

Diane

Suzanne

Julie



Rita K

Trudy

Stacy

Thanks for stopping by....

rita

Today's Abundance

-The dreary, rainy weather is at least melting the ice on the roof of the house.

-A quiet, uneventful day

-ETSY sales

-Nail biting football between the Vikes and the Saints

-French Toast

More UWIB Deals (i.e. Free Shipping)

Have you been enjoying the Free Shipping Event this weekend from the UWIB, Unique Women in Business, ETSY team?  I'm here once again to present some more awesome products from our team!!









Of course, I have to toot my own horn a bit!  These are my Lavender Sachets that I sell out of my other store, RitasCreationsOnETSY!   This weekend these 3 sachets and gift card will be shipped to the US and Canada for free!













What comes to mind when you hear Starry Night, Moonlight Pomegranate, and Tangerine Lemongrass?   Well, check out the HeavenScentBoutique  to see these bath and body products.  This weekend you will also receive free shipping on all orders totaling $25.00 or more.















Among other items, Vital Mother Moon carries bulk herbs that are organically grown and dried in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

And check out LindenTreePhotograph for some delightful handmade note cards of dogs, cats, animals, flowers and landscapes.











Search on UWIBTEAMFS in ETSY to see a complete list of all the items with Free Shipping this weekend!



Thanks for stopping by....



rita

Hearts with Free Shipping

You may be aware that UWIB, an ETSY Street Team,  is having its first 2010 team event this  weekend - Friday, January 22 thru Monday, Jan 25!



With Valentine's Day just around the corner I thought it would be fun to see what kind of "hearts" are available for free shipping this weekend!  By the way, these 4 items are just a sampling!  To see all of the products available for free shipping this weekend search ETSY using the tag  uwibteamfs or just click here!  New items are being added daily so check back frequently.

1.  The first item is from my AndMoreBags shop.  This  "Hearts and Roses Mini Wallet" is from a new line that I have just started to carry! 

2.   Ziporgia Bella designed this piece with a  black heart with pink squiggles and a pink centered green flower as the focal point.  The necklace has 20 inches of wrapped wire and lampwork beads.  It is absolutely beautiful!

3.  Cobweb Corner is known for designing pendants and jewelery using digital altered art, scrabble tiles, bamboo pendants, soldered glass etc.  This darling "Quit Stringing my heart along - and be mine" pendant is one of many available this weekend.

4.  The final sampling is a set of heart earrings from JMJCreations.  Wouldn't 't these hand stamped polished brass heart earrings be the perfect gift for that perfect person on Valentines Day?





Again, to find all of the Free Shipping Items for sale this weekend from the UWIB Team, go to ETSY and search on UWIBTEAMFS!



In addition, some members of our team have Independent Businesses that are also participating this weekend.  They include:



Glitzy Events - Use coupon code UWIBFREESHIP

The Angel Company - Rita Wetzel, Independent Demonstrator - Send email to Rita at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com with a list of item numbers, description, quantity.  Rita will email you order total.  Payment via PayPal or Credit Card. 

Charms~N~Things - coupon code FSJAN2010

Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup - Everything ships free all the time. No code needed.

Naughty and Nice Lingerie - Shipping is always free within the US!  Fast, free shipping, dollar rewards and free gifts with certain purchases!  Check out my store for more details or email me at sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com.  Ask me how to get an additional 10% off your purchase!!





Want to learn more about UWIB?  Then click here.   Interested in joining?  All the information is in the link just provided.   And you can use my name as the person who referred you.  Have questions - feel free to email me at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com.



Thanks for stopping by....



rita

Free Shipping This Weekend at UWIB - Unique Women in Business

UWIB, an ETSY Street Team,  is gearing up for its first team event this coming weekend - Friday, January 22 thru Monday, Jan 25!



Both ETSY shops and independent businesses will be offering FREE Shipping on selected items.  Search on uwibteamfs in ETSY to find the sale items.





This Treasury is a sampling of items that are included in the sale.



Check back frequently between now and Monday Jan 25 as new items are being added daily (even hourly) at some shops!!









Independent Businesses participating this weekend include:



Glitzy Events - Use coupon code UWIBFREESHIP

The Angel Company - Rita Wetzel, Independent Demonstrator - Send email to Rita at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com with a list of item numbers, description, quantity.  Rita will email you order total.  Payment via PayPal or Credit Card. 

Charms~N~Things - coupon code FSJAN2010

Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup - Everything ships free all the time. No code needed.

Naughty and Nice Lingerie - Shipping is always free within the US!  Fast, free shipping, dollar rewards and free gifts with certain purchases!  Check out my store for more details or email me at sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com.  Ask me how to get an additional 10% off your purchase!!







Want to learn more about UWIB?  Then click here.   Interested in joining?  All the information is in the link just provided.   And you can use my name as the person who referred you.  Have questions - feel free to email me at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com.



Thanks for stopping by....



rita

Need a Dog Collar?

I have fond memories of the dogs that I grew up - mostly collies but I remember a terrier too.  The terrier didn't like being an outside dog.  He spent every night jumping up on the front door waiting to be let in.  But no such luck; but oh was he persistent!   There was the puppy that joined us for only a few days as he was run over - a sad, sad day - especially for a little girl who adored him.  I loved romping with the dogs when I was outside playing and pretending and imagining the world beyond our small community.



Even though I have no dogs at the moment, I find myself drawn to Suzanne's web site and ETSY store.  Her collars are adorable, are available in a wide range of colors, and she has them for small dogs and big dogs.  This black lab is modeling one of her most recent creations!  Now isn't this the perfect Valentine's gift for you favorite 4 legged friend!



Thanks for stopping by....



rita

Sneak Peak - New Level A Hostess Stamp

This adorable hummingbird is from the 2010 Serendipity Level A Hostess Set titled Swirled Spring Life.  In addition to the hummingbird the set also includes a bird, a bumblebee, and a flower!  You'll be able to start ordering from this new publication on February 1.

To create this cute 3 x 3 notecard, I selected the Miss Moxie paper collection and used paper piecing on the bird's body, tale and wings.  After that I added some brads and then used foam tape when adhering it to the rest of the card to make it standout a bit.  Quick, easy, cute!

Thanks for stopping by

rita



Today's Abundance

-Time to read a book, A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

-The new 2010 Spring Serendipity publication

-Time with paper and ink and time with fabric and thread

-Hot chocolate with marshmallows - yummy

-Not one, but two blog posts today!

Purr-fect Friend

Most of the packages I send out to my ETSY buyers include a card of some kind thanking the customer for their business.  This is a new 3 x 3 notecard design that I'm playing around with for future packages. 

The stamps, Furry Friends, are from our Stamp Spree Promtion.  The stamp is matted with paper from the Amberly Grace collection.  Copics were used for coloriong.  And, of course, I used scrappers floss too!

Thanks for stopping by.



rita

Today's Abundance

-Bright sunshine

-Puddles - we hovered around freezing today

-A few more minutes of daylight each and every day

-A quiet day with few interruptions

-The rabbits hopping across the snow

Year 2010 ETSY Goals

A real quick post for today...



I wrote an article on ETSY Goals for the HandmadeMN ETSY Street Team.  If you have time take a look!



Hope you had a great day.



rita

Minnesota Green

I grabbed a Treasury West today!



The challenging part of grabbing a treasury is being on the ETSY Treasury page when it opens up!  Once that is done, then I decide on a theme which kicks off the fun part:  hunting for items that match the theme.  Sometimes the theme is a color, like this one.  Sometimes it is an object, like buttons or cars or guitars.



I try to alternate the treasuries between the ETSY teams that I belong to.  Occasionally, I will also create them without a specific team in mind.



Minnesota Green is for the HandmadeMN Street Team!  As you can tell from this treasury we have a wide variety of artists in this team!  Look at the prints, the napkins, the potholders, the jewelery, the bags, the scarf, and the reusable lunch and snack bags.  If you are from Minnesota please consider joining the team.



I hope you have time to visit the shops included in this treasury.  I know everyone would enjoy some company!







Thanks for stopping by...



rita

Ceramic Tiles

There's never a dull moment around here as I dig into yet one more way of creating things.  I'm convinced I will be a multi-crafter forever.  I've already told the kids that when they take me to the funny farm they need to send craft supplies too!!  One of my latest endeavors has been working with ceramic tile and paper and here is what I've come up with!

The tiles are those shiny white tiles that you can get at any home improvement store!  The paper in the first set of coasters is from More Mimi and the second set  features Mia's Cottage!  I have a few more partially done using not only scrapbook paper, but also pictures from books.  I will be listing them on my RitasCreations ETSY site in a few days.   I'm starting to look at paper - new and old - in a much different light now that I've discovered ceramic tiles!

I have found more than a few ways to work with ceramic tile and have yet to decide on a favorite technique.  So here are some of the resources that I have found as I venture down this creative path!



Modge Podge Tile PDF

DIY Tile Coasters

Curbly Video

Stacy's Paper Crafts



Have fun as you discover your favorite way of using Ceramic Tile with your designer paper!



Thanks for stopping by...



rita



Today's Abundance

-No new snow today

-Hot chocolate and marshmallows

-An updated blog

-Quality time in my sewing room

-The lost mitten was found - yeah!!  It is my all-time favorite set of mittens, too!

A New Year for AndMoreBags

As you may recall, I opened up my AndMoreBags shop back in October, 2009 - right before craft fair season followed by the holidays!.  So, needless to say it was a bit quite both at the store and here on the blog.  Well, that is about to change!



I have started to feature Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags in my shop and they have been a hit!  They are constructed from cotton fabric, nylon, and velcro.  Some have been grabbed soon after they were listed - and Etsian's dream for sure!  I have coffee themed snack bags, wild animal themed snack bags, and some pink and black ones to name a few.  My favorite one to-date is this coffee themed set -  I like the browns, the blues, and the greens!  Be sure to stop by the shop to see the full offering!  I will be adding more this weekend so stop by often!.



During the upcoming weeks, I will be adding more resusable/go green types of products to the shop so watch for the unveiling of more new products!  In the meantime, I would also like to share with you some of my favorite shops that reuse, recycle, and/or upcycle!

Tamara Garvey  uses recycled kraft lunchbag-esque envelopes for her boxed notecard sets!















Recycled comics are an integral component for the wallets found at Japip!















 And I love this pendant that is made from recycled vintage buttons by  Kellybot!







Thanks for stopping by...



Rita