Candy is Dandy!!!

Yesterday there was a double feature on tv of Willy Wonka goodness, and although I love Johnny Depp & Tim Burton...the new version just can't hold a candle to the original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder.

;o)

Waiting for Spring... Wordless Wednesday

Did Somebody Say... Oatmeal Cookies? Yeah, I thought so!

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

(blend together in large mixing bowl)
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 c. margarine softened
5 eggs

In separate bowl mix together:

4 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
6 c. oatmeal


Mix dry ingredients in with the butter & sugar mixture in large bowl a little at a time & when it's well blended:
add 2 c. raisins

Drop onto cookie sheet in large spoonfuls...then flatten them a bit with the back of the spoon.
Note: you can substitute the raisins with chocolate chips too! Yummy! :o)

Bake @ 350 for 10-12 min.

Gorgeous Snow Photographs...with Cat

The kitty isn't mine...in fact I don't think he belongs to anybody & may be living under our tool shed. After the last big snow there was a tunnel dug out from under one corner of the building & footprints. He' s wild too...won't let anyone near him. Lucky kitty got a nice dinner the other night, as we had a piece of roast beef that went bad. DH said he'd put the leftovers away & forgot...so 'cat' (as I call him...giving a nod to 'Breakfast at Tiffany's') ...had quite a feast I should think!

I can handle the cold when the snow is this gorgeous & sparkly! Makes it all worth the icy fingers, runny noses, & the strange noises at night when the house creaks against the wind! The temperature got up to the forties the other day & it all melted enough to look like marshmallow fluff. Today it's been coming down again like a snowglobe. Can't wait for the sun to come out to take more pictures!

Fun in the Snow!

Being slammed with a wave of frigid weather here in Southwestern Ohio...the kiddos have been really enjoying themselves! It takes forever to bundle them up...much like that scene in 'A Christmas Story' where the mom is wrapping up the younger brother to the point where he can't even put his arms down. It's always worth it though...watching them make snow angels & whatnot. We had enough snow & ice this week to have an official snow day where Daddy didn't have to go to work & we all played outside together. It even made me feel like a kid again!

making cupcakes with the kiddos = a pretty good time!

I love making stuff with the kiddos & they love helping Mommy in the kitchen...so this past weekend we made Valentine cupcakes together! I know it's a little early for Valentine's day...but they don't know that...and we had a ball!

We kept it easy by using a box cake mix & frosting. What flavor you may ask? Cherry!

Babygirl broke an egg for the first time. There's a big difference between a four year old cracking an egg and a two year old cracking an egg. The four year old got the egg in the bowl & tossed the shell in the sink. The two year old got the egg in the bowl..on her shirt...on the counter...down the front of the cabinets...in one of the drawers...on the chair...and on the floor...not to mention all over her hands and even in her hair! She was just so excited!

Live & learn!

Spring Cleaning my Sugar Cupboard!

Been spring cleaning ...which includes organizing my craft stuff little by little & decided to attack the cabinet I keep my baking supplies in.

One shelf is for the things I cook with & the other is mainly sprinkles & sugar for jewelry making. I don't mix the 'eating sprinkles' with the 'crafting sprinkles' for health & sanitary purposes.

It feels so good to get organized little by little...and when I open this cabinet it always makes me smile to see all the sweet rainbow goodness in there!

Going out of business sale!!!

Hurry hurry hurry... before this adorable shop closes it's doors forever! If you're looking for a unique embroidered shirt or bib for your little munchkin...then run!... Don't walk! ...to yadayadayada's etsy shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5139310

Yada Yada Yada is a maker of original embroidered children's apparel.
The expressions on the embroidered character's faces are priceless!
I especially love 'Cheeky the Squirrel': http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19887347


and 'Rascal the Raccoon': http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7187807

Many unique shops like this one are closing their doors due to the CPSIA ruling on mandatory product testing. I've never heard of any child being harmed by lead in a pair of hand knitted mittens, or a hand crafted plush animal, or a hand tied tutu... it's such a shame. Sad for parents, kids, & crafters alike.
Please take the time to contact your state representatives & help get this crazy law amended!

You'll be happy to know that the owner/creator of yadayadayada is still getting her craft on with her other etsy shop, "pottery in the round" http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=100013
...where she makes the most amazing felted vessels & flowers!

isewcute is very excited to be taking part in Fred Flare's 'Snail Mail Valentines for Charity!'

I'm no cardmaker...buuuuut was so flattered when I recieved Fred Flare's invitiation... I just couldn't resist the challenge & came up with a design that I'm so proud of!

ALL the proceeds from the sales of Fred Flare's valentines will go directly to Elder Craftsmen, an NYC based organization that brings craft workshops to local senior citizens. Now how cool is that...keeping seniors crafty?

I knew from the start that the card would include more than just printed paper...& came up with the idea of including the silly fun cartoony avatar of myself wearing one of my mini sweetheart for sweetie necklaces!

It's printed on a heavy pink cardstock & I trimmed the edge with decorative scissors...punched holes for the ball chain... strung the necklace through the holes where it is hidden in a heart pocket on the inside.

It's a card & gift all in one!

Be sure to check out Fred Flare's blog about it! http://www1.fredflare.com/blog/?p=3196

Please Vote For 'Catch a Falling Star Right Through a Rainbow Necklace' at Etsy..

This is my 'Catch a Falling Star Right Through a Rainbow Necklace' ...please take a minute to vote for me if you like it!
VOTE HERE:
http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=27

It really means a lot to me as a crafter & is also an opportunity for me to represent my fabulous street team... 'crafting in color'
For more information on the Crafting in Color team... you can check out our team blog here: http://craftingincolorteam.blogspot.com/
...or just type 'CIC team' in the etsy search bar to find hundreds of colorful items by our team members!
http://www.etsy.com/