Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cozy Up! Hot Drinks for the Holidays~

Christmas is in the air and the days are getting colder. After your evening stroll get in from the cold and cozy up to the fire with some hot and yummy holiday beverages this Holiday Season ~
 


Candy Cane Cocoa

Original recipe makes 4 (1 cup) servingsChange Servings
4 cupsmilk
3 (1 ounce) squaressemisweet chocolate, chopped
4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
1 cupwhipped cream
4 small peppermint candy canes

Directions

In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick.


Pumpkin Spice Latte

Makes 1 to 2 servings

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more to garnish
1 to 2 shots espresso, about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee
Whipped cream, to garnish


Directions

In a saucepan whisk together milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it — just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.
Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.
Top with whipped cream, if desired, and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

 
Minty White Chocolate Eggnog

Makes 8 to10 servings

Directions

 In a medium saucepan, combine 1 carton of eggnog, 1 cup chopped white baking chocolate, and 1/3 cup crushed peppermint sticks. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is heated through. Serve warm topped with freshly grated nutmeg and additional peppermint sticks as stirrers.

 
 
 

thanks for taking a peek ~
Sharon sig

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving~

  
 
 
thanks for taking a peek ~
Sharon sig

Boston Sea Glass Jewelry


Back at the beginning of the year I wrote a post on beach glass also known as sea glass or mermaid tears.

Today I wanted to follow up that post with what Alison at Boston Sea Glass creates with her found glass treasures!



Lime Green Glass -
Sea Glass Jewelry Starfish Necklace in Lime Green Beach Glass

The necklace includes a tiny piece of green wire wrapped sea glass, a pewter starfish charm and a Swarovski pearl drop. It comes with an 18 " silver plated chain.

$25.00
My favorite color!
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alison Goyette
BostonSeaGlass
 

 Alison lives in a small home overlooking the Boston Harbor Islands with her husband and 6 year old son. This is the same street where she grew up on and the beach is like her second home, even in cold weather. Alison collects sea glass and wire wraps it, or combines it
with beachy charms, but her specialty is colorful beach wedding
jewelry. Alison on weddings, "I love keeping up with wedding color trends. This month I am focusing on one-of-a-kind  jewelry for holiday gifts".
In 2013 Alison's jewelry will be featured in several retail shops! 
 
LINKS:
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Boston-Sea-Glass/144051005645169facebook

Alison is also on Etsy : BostonSeaGlass


Cornflower Blue Glass-
Bridesmaid Necklaces Cornflower Blue Starfish and Sea Glass Charms Bridal Beach Glass Wedding Pendants

A perfect choice for your summer wedding, destination wedding, or for any bride who loves the ocean!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Purple Glass

                                                 
Purple Glass-
 

Red Glass-
I have never seen or found a piece of red before, WOW!



Sea foam Green Glass-
This Sea foam Green is absolutely stunning! The shapes you find send the imagination into a creative frenzy. Love the Heart!
How sweet would these be to give away to your Bridesmaids?
Or, how about to your favorite gal-pals!
Love this Lime Green Glass!


Beach glass is created when glass items have been disposed of in the oceans by man or by sunken ships and vessels. Once it is in the ocean they are smoothed by the actions of the waves, sand and stone to create these lovely little pieces of sea glass gems. Sea glass washes up on nearly every beach on earth. The color of sea glass is determined by its original source. Most sea glass comes from bottles and jars.

 The most common colors of sea glass are Kelly or lime green; brown, blue and purple (clear). These colors come from bottles used by companies that sell beer, juices, and soft drinks.
  thanks for taking a peek ~
Sharon sig

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Coastal Cottage Christmas ~*~ Shell Christmas Trees

OH Tannenbaum - OH Tannenbaum~
Coastal Cottage Christmas
 
New in my Christmas Shop on Etsy,
Shell Christmas Trees in 2 sizes,
Small and Tall.
 
They won't last long!
 
Small Shell Tree
Measures 7-1/2" tall x 3-1/4" widest point at base.
$49.00

Tall Shell Tree
Measures 10" tall x 4-1/2" widest point at base.
$69.00

 
 
 
thanks for taking a peek ~
Sharon sig

Friday, November 16, 2012

FUN FACTS FRIDAY -+-+- Interesting facts on the Cranberry!

As a kid I was never one to want a serving of the Cranberry sauce at the Thanksgiving table. I wanted to wait for the Pumpkin Pie. I don't know if it was the gelatinous-jiggle look it had out of the can or for that matter that all the "older" relatives liked it, (what kid wanted what the Aunts and Uncles thought of as yummy...they also thought Fruit Cake was good -- NOT ME!) As I grew older though and my tastes changed, literally, I decided it would not hurt to take a taste from the infamous cranberry dish after so many years of hating something I had never tried. To my delight, I liked what I tasted. I don't know if it was because it was more of a chutney than just the blob that came out of the can but I liked it! Today I wanted to post a little more info on the Cranberry since Thanksgiving is less than a week away.
 
Thanks for taking a peek ~
Sharon :0)
 
FUN -INTERESTING FACTS ON THE CRANBERRY
 
1. Cranberries are one of only three fruits that are native to North America. It's a wild fruit that grows on long-running vines in sandy bogs and marshes, mostly in the Northeast, but also in the Pacific Northwest.

2. Native Americans were the first to enjoy cranberries. They mixed deer meat and mashed cranberries to make pemmicana—a survival food. They also believed in the medicinal value of cranberries—long before science discovered cranberry's health benefits.

3. Native Americans also used the rich red juice of the cranberry as a natural dye for rugs, blankets and clothing.

4. Cranberries were called “sassamanesh” by Eastern Indians. While the Cape Cod Pequots and the South Jersey Leni-Lenape tribes named them “ibimi,” or bitter berry. It was the early German and Dutch settlers who started calling it the “crane berry” because the flower looked a lot like the head and bill of a crane.

5. It wasn't until the 1800's that people began farming cranberries. At first growers would pick the cranberries by hand. Today most cranberries are harvested using a technique known as wet harvesting. That's when the bog is flooded with water and the cranberries float to the surface, where they are easily scooped up.

6. Sailors once used cranberries as a source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy. Besides Vitamin C, we now know that cranberries are also full of antioxidants that help cleanse and purify the body.

7. Some cranberry bogs are more than 100 years old and still produce today.

9. Americans consume some 400 million pounds of cranberries a year, 20 percent during Thanksgiving week.

9. American recipes containing cranberries date from the early 18th Century.

******************************************************

Here is a recipe I am going to try out this Thanksgiving~

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

from Todaysparent.com

You can make this Chutney ahead of time so you have more time for all the other goodies you will be making, plus more time with your family instead of the kitchen! This cranberry classic will go great with your turkey and stuffing.
 
Ingredients:
1 bag frozen cranberries
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 tbsp peeled, grated ginger
  • zest and juice of one orange
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  •  
    Directions~

    1. Bring all ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 min.

    2. Store in a clean jar for up to 10 days.


    Wednesday, November 14, 2012

    Whimsical Wednesday - It's all about the Paper at PAPER POTPOURRI on ETSY



    Linda over at Paper Potpourri on Etsy has a love for paper! You can see it in every one of her creations in her shop. Handmade gift tags, cards, bookmarks, thank you notes, wedding favor tags, personalized stationery, and altered journals. Vintage style is prevalent in her work but there is plenty of whimsical, fun, holiday and let’s not forget the little touches of “bling” in her designs as well.

    Linda specializes in custom orders. She has oodles of Christmas tag’s this Holiday Season so when you get a chance stop by her Etsy Shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/lucyizzy.

      By the way…….did I mention she is also a Southern Californian !

     Thanks for taking a peek ~

    Sharon :0)
     
    Banners....

    Stationary Gift Sets....

    OOH-LA-LA Frenchy French....

    Gift tags....

    Here comes the Bride..Weddings!

    Ho-Ho-Ho Holidays...

    Scrapbooking & Embellishments

    Thank You...
     

    Tuesday, November 13, 2012

    Fantastic Find Tuesday ~ Loo Jewelry

    Here in Southern California on any given weekend you can find some sort of event to go to. Whether it is a festival, craft fair, flea market or art fair, you can always find vendors that will really wow you with their creations.  I attended our Second Saturday Art Fair last month and found not only the most unusual but the most creative item I can say I have ever purchased. What was it? Loo jewelry. Huh? What? If I was to hand you one you may think it is just a cute ceramic bobble for the windowsill or garden. But oh contrare!
    You know those toilet bolts you have on each side of your bathroom toilet? Ugly, huh? Why not replace the plastic cap with a cute and unique accent – Made from durable ceramic they fit quite easily over the bolt and so much easier to clean. They come in a great selection of colors and are so unique I purchased some for myself and for stocking stuffers.
     
    Thanks for taking a peek~
    Sharon :0)

    
    Stephanie Wirkkala, artist/entrepreneur, is the mastermind behind Jewels for the LOO®
     
     
    The Turtle, Fish and Frog are $23 a pair. And come in a variety of colors!
     


     
     
    The Lotus, Plumeria and Spiral are $20 a pair and come in a variety of colors!
    plumeria

    spiral
    lotus

     
    My Bathroom Loo Jewelery!

    
     
    

    Friday, November 9, 2012

    My Christmas Shop on ETSY -*-*-*- "NEW" Scented Coastal Ornaments & Glass Ornaments!

    Christmas is right around the corner so why not get a jump on your Holiday decor? New in my Etsy Shop are Scented Holiday Hanging Stocking Ornaments and Heart Shaped Glass Ornaments filled with Shells! Come get them before they are all gone.
     
    Thanks for taking a peek ~
    Sharon :0)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     





    Wednesday, November 7, 2012

    Handwoven Originals by Amy C. Lund on Etsy

    I have had a love of textiles since I was a young girl. In my lifetime I have had the opportunity in assisting with the production of thousands of yards of fabric being produced for sleepwear and bedding lines. From start to finish the process has always amazed me starting with the design and colors than the layout and finally the finished product. 
     
    From an interest in fibers and hand spinning her own yarns at an early age, Amy Lund has mastered the skills of Handweaving. I came across her Etsy Shop earlier last week and asked her if I could write a blog post on her craft. She eagerly agreed and in her own words below she describes how she came to weaving and how she creates her incredible Handwoven Home Furnishings. 

    Thanks for taking a peek ~
    Sharon :0)
     
     
     
     My name is Amy C. Lund. I am a hand weaver of home furnishing textiles and personal style accessories. I have a Studio & Gallery in Tiverton, RI where I make and sell my work, as well as online through Etsy, ACLhandweaver.

    Lakeside/Seaside Cottage Hand Woven Natural Cotton Cup/Mug Coasters Set of (4) $40
    4" x 5-1/2"

    Cottage Rug - Hand Woven - Recycled Cotton Rags
    27"w x 30"l - $185
    I make table linens, rugs, blankets, scarves, shawls and more in what I consider simple, yet sophisticated, styles. I’m inspired by colors and textures in the world around me, and how textiles relate to our everyday lives. Every culture uses textiles, yet in many different combinations. I like to try to match form and function, texture, color and design to create a pleasing effect in ordinary objects. This often means understanding the individual details at one level and how they work together in a greater context. I try to incorporate my visions into the pieces I make. Some of the basic styles are universal and carry over between cultures and history. Although I use traditional forms and techniques, I am not trying to be old-timey, or of any one style, but to bring all my influences together in my work for use in contemporary lifestyles. For instance, while I make simple white linen table runners, they could be used in Traditional Historic homes, or Contemporary modern condos.
    
    Recycled Wool Christmas Tree Ornament
    $18.00 each
    I make things that I like to use and think other people would find enjoyment in using. While it is true that there is a lot of “stuff” in our lives, we can pick and choose items that suit our needs both practically and aesthetically. Too often we forget that we should take time to live in the moment and be mindful of our lives and the world around us, both for ourselves and for others.
     
    Weaving, to me, is about order and repetition, with some variation allowed with color and pattern. There are almost infinite possibilities, just depending on which parts are chosen and brought together in the structure being created.
     
    Hand Woven Alpaca Scarf
    $185.00
    Seaside Cottage Hand Woven Scarf
    $125.00

    Sometimes it’s too easy to fall into the trap of over-thinking a project, just as much as it is easy to under-think it. While it takes some conceptualization to determine some of the details of a project, sometimes the fun is in seeing what will happen. Some of this comes from practical experience and some from artistic insight. It’s all a balance and an art as much as concrete counting and placing of threads.
     
    Hand Woven Wool Windowpane Check Blanket 
    $675.00
    For those Cool Nites at the Cabin
    Wood Tote Log Carrier
    Recycled Wool Rag 
    $225.00
    Knit Felted Wool Slipped
    $68.00
    Recycled Cotton Rag Tote Bag
    $280.00
    I often think of what I want to make as an object and what qualities I would like it to have, then determine the fibers, materials, and then gravitate to colors and patterns. I try to reach for the point where I think form and function should meet. After sketching the general design and colors and working out the determination of number of yarns, the finished size, quantity I want to make, I dive into the actual process step by step from winding the warp, beaming on the loom, threading and tie up to actual weaving of the material. The processes of washing, edge finishing with fringe or hems, pressing, labeling, tagging, and pricing for sale completes each piece, turning it into something useful beyond yardage. Lastly, without marketing or display an item is not really done until it is in the hands of a customer and enjoyed.

    Amy's Background…

    I came to weaving through an interest in fibers and hand spinning when I was very young. With encouragement I bought some wool, fixed up a spinning wheel and practiced. Of course, I had to learn what to do with the yarn I created. I learned first to knit, then became interested in weaving, fascinated with textile history and technology. My first woven project used some of my handspun yarn on an old barn loom that a weaver set up in a museum setting. Eventually I took a class and learned the set up process myself and was given a loom. I worked off and on during my school years, reading both history and technical books and working on a few projects. After college in the late 80s, I found an internship under the guidance of a working weaver at Hancock Shaker Village Museum in Pittsfield, MA. This solidified my practical knowledge and encouraged me to get a graduate degree in the field of Textiles at University of Rhode Island, with focus on Conservation and History. While working in museums with textiles for a while was okay, I missed actual weaving. So, I again sought work with other artisans to understand some of the business-side of craft, before jumping in full-time myself in the late 90s. Initially, I exhibited at craft shows and art fairs, until becoming involved in an open studio and gallery started by another weaver. This new shop situation seemed to work well for me, and has become my main format. I have since expanded my shop online, adding websites, blogs, and through Etsy as a marketplace.

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