What's up, it is Wednesday?

It's the last day of June.......already half way to the big weekend. Nice temperatures today YAY! Today is a beautiful day! Finally a typical day in June for us 70 degrees low humidity. The kind of day when you go outside you feel refreshed. I will be out taking advantage of this day taking many new pictures. Yes today I get to be the photographer side of myself. Nowhere best than Manchester, NH for an adventure in the gardens. So this will be a short short blog and if I can I will add to it later on today, I just might. One of the items in my shop made it into another Etsy treasury today please check this out this one titled Gentle on my Mind 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c2b34226f6f6d91d6d84b2b/gentle-on-my-mind#4c2b37076f6f6d9104114c2b

Many thanks Sarah for including my vintage cat card in this beautiful soft treasury.

I belong to three Etsy teams so I have decided to create new treasuries one in red another in white and the third one in blue to salute our teams and of course Fourth of July! This weekend is going to be fun. I enjoy watching the fireworks over the river downtown. Enjoy your day wherever you are!

TOO HOT TUESDAY

ATC card from Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Today is a very hot and very humid day up here in Manchester, NH. Yay for temps in the 70's tomorrow. I hope I am feeling better so I can enjoy the day outdoors for awhile. I am feeling a bit under the weather so this blog will be short. I have a feel good moment to share with you. A customer of mine wrote to tell me how nice their garden grew from a packet of wildflower seeds I sent them. I was so happy to read that yesterday. I send packets of seeds with my customers orders. Is there anything special that you do for your customers?  I made my first treasury on ETSY today please check it out http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c29cef1dc1a6d911f8e9895/deep-purple-passion It was very easy and fun to do. All of the items are in my favorites on ETSY. So this morning I thought I would give it a try and it worked. I hope you enjoy it! Future treasuries of mine will be to promote all three teams that I belong to on ETSY~ AWEteam, New Hampshire Team and ACetsy Team. Purple is my favorite color. I have been wanting to make a treasury about that deep purple passion of mine. I hope my treasury refelects that! ENJOY!

SOMETIMES ON SUNDAY

Just one of many.......such a beautiful city!

Entertainment venue for outdoor summer concerts at Veteran's Park Manchester, NH

Veteran's Park Manchester, NH

Do you ever feel like doing absolutely nothing like sometimes on a Sunday? I can't say I haven't done anything today. I feel like taking a nap but if I do it will wreck my schedule. I had so much fun shopping downtown yesterday, especially at the bookstore, I bought a bunch of Golden Books for my grandsons to have something to read when they come to see me. I looked through them and chose the older ones many vintage because I love the illustrations. Besides that it reminds me of the ones I used to read to my sons when they were little.

It is that time to organize my studio. I have been working on it off and on today. I have some pretty neat vintage items to take pictures of and list tomorrow. I have a few more handmade items to list as well. My goal now is 225 sales. I am at 201. Stop on by a pay me a visit at the garden not just any garden Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ every day there are new listings so we will be fully stocked for Christmas in July 15-25, 2010 on ETSY.

I took some pictures along the way and downtown yesterday so I thought I would share them with you.

This city is full of beautiful murals.

This Thursday I will be taking more city pictures at our downtown Farmer's Market. They will be in next Saturday's blog.

DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ~ EMELIA BELLE

Here she is Emelia Belle. Lots of dark hair. Precious and beautiful baby girl. So perfect! A gift from God!

Trees in the Sand http://beckyshander.com/blog/?p=2292 what an awesome story and the photography is is beautiful. I hope you will take a moment and jump over to this blog to read something wonderful I found! As a photographer myself I can't wait to go to the beach here in NH to see if I can find a miracle or two myself!

I found a taker for next weeks Feature Friday. You are going to love this person. She and her family are actively involved in charity work in California. She has a website and Etsy shop. I get the most fantastic deals on crafting supplies from her. In California they have shops that collect arts/crafts supplies much like a thrift shop. So this shop owner purchases there and is able to pass along substantial savings to buyers like myself. When you purchase from her you are making a donation towards various charities. So far this year she has raised $500.00 to put towards donations and their goal is $1,000.

Next Friday July 2, 2010 is also FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK on ETSY. To find the shops that participate in this activity use the search words firstfridayartwalk, aweteam and ffaw on ETSY search. We also have Christmas in July coming up which is the 15th through the 25th of July 2010.

Yay today is the weekend and a trip downtown is planned. It is always fun to get out and walk to downtown where there is so much activity from sidewalk cafes to browsing in small shops, stopping in galleries, window shopping and parks. We have many parks here...more than an average city and per size. In addtion to parks there are so many beautiful older Victorian era homes that have huge beautiful gardens. My own garden is huge. I am charging up my batteries for my camera. I will be taking pictures along the way as I travel by foot to downtown and back. Tommorow I will blog about it! Have a safe and fun Saturday. Remember to keep on the sunny side!

FINALLY FRIDAY

Feels funny not doing a Feature Friday today~please let me know if you would like me to feature your ETSY shop here on my blog. Even though I have FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK this July 2, 2010 and it is Fourth of July Holiday weekend  coming up I will take someone for this next Friday! I have posted for people in my groups and so far no takers.........

I would like to share this quote with you something to think about for today~

"Self-love seems so often unrequited". Anthony Powell



YAY it is Friday finally. Christmas in July on ETSY is from the 15th to 25th so that is what I am working on and thinking about these days. I have been listing many small gifts in my shop to be ready for this event check it out http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ HANDMADE IN NH I like to purchase small gifts throughout the year and tuck them away for Christmas. Shopping online has sure made a big difference in many people's lives.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT ~ Emelia Belle joined Mom, Dad and sister Lilliana yesterday to create an even more beautiful family. I wish they lived near us we are in NH and they are in FL. May God keep them safe and well! My grandson is due to join us next month~I am a very excited Nana these days with the arrival of new babies. It seems like it was just yesterday when the first two children were born. They are still my babies, only 2 years old. I think I am more excited than anything to see Brady interacting with his brother Carter in person and Lilliana interacting with Emelia in pictures. Of course I can't wait to hold Carter and tell him how much Nana loves him. I was there moments after Brady was born, holding him. I will always feel an extra special bond with him. He is my angel born on my Mother's birthday.He is quite the little man these days with a zest for living life to the fullest. Curious about everything! Where do they get all of that energy from? Pictures of Emelia aren't available yet. I saw her on my son's phone though last night. She is very healthy looking nice chubby cheeks....sweet precious beautiful Emelia Belle welcome to this world!!!!!!!!

Weather today HOT again and the humidity is back up!!!!! We have stabilized the studio so that it is cooler and no humidity.......I think I actually got better sleep last night than I have in a long time or maybe I was really that tired! I feel refreshed today, alive, awake, happy!

To be listed soon at Glenna's Garden shop!

I like to eat lightly in the summer this is a really awesome salad!!!!!

The Summer's Best Pasta Salad

This recipe was copied to share with you! I have made different versions of this salad over the years but I thought this one looks so simple. I would even add some fresh herbs from my garden like basil.
Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta (semolina or whole wheat, your choice)
5-7 cups assorted raw and washed vegetables
(I used broccoli florets, grape tomatoes, Vidalia onions, edamame, sliced mushrooms - you could also use cucumber, carrots, peas, or your other favorite vegies)
1 bottle (8 ounces) of your favorite *Zesty* Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup salad seasonings (I used McCormick Salad Supreme)

Basil planted in a pot from seed this Spring at Glenna's Garden

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to directions on package. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
2. While the pasta is cooking chop, dice and slice your selection of vegies.
3. Put pasta and vegies in a large bowl. Add salad dressing and salad seasonings.
4. Toss to coat. Cover.
5. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to let the entire salad get cold and marinate the flavors.
6. OPTIONAL: sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese

This takes about 15 minutes to prepare - just about 2 minutes longer than it takes to cook the pasta!

ENJOY!

HAVE A SUPER SUMMER WEEKEND!!!!!!

LIKE THE NEW LOOK?

In response to comments: Yes I did make some changes to my blog layout recently due to Blogger implementing them for our use. I like the way it looks. I try not to make it too complicated and keep it organized. My Owl ACEO sold so I relisted another one. It is my 200th sale, it happened today, and this customer will be getting a special gift from Glenna's Garden along with this adorable vintage owl art card they purchased. I have it in another design as well. I am an owl lover so I may keep one of the other cards. I have been "busy as a bee" listing new summer items in my shop and there is a bunch more to go. Check it out http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Humidity was 87% this morning and it was 70 degrees. It is HOT!!!!!!!!!! We need rain looks dark to the North. Big black clouds too. YAY!

Poking around the internet and I found this:

http://www.craftpassion.com/

Some great how tos!

FOCUS ON ETSY

Yesterday I received a letter from Dr. Dewayne Williams. I looked at his shop and there was an iris wood cutout done in scroll saw work. Dewayne says that you can add stained glass to it. Then for a moment I realized that I have a monogramed tie tack for sale in my shop and the initial is W. So I wrote back to Dr. Williams and he was so kind. I told him I would write in my blog today about him and his ETSY shop. These are the different mediums that Dr. Williams creates fine artwork in acrylics, water color, pen and ink, and pyrography on canvas, wood, paper, bone, leather and leather products. He also has scroll saw designed pieces, carvings, and one of a kind specialty pieces using a combination of the above. You can visit him at http://www.dewaynewiliams.org/ for a complete showing of his artwork. Please check out his ESTY shop at http://www.dewaynewilliams.etsy.com/ He does beautiful work and is such a talented artist. I could go crazy with favorites from in his ETSY shop. I hope you enjoy this blog and meeting Dr. Dewayne Williams from Misssouri. This blog takes the place of the Feature Friday for this week.

I had a huge creative streak yesterday. I made earrings, real .925 silver of course, shepards hook .925 silver bookmarks, a greeting card and a pair of .925 silver and glass beaded earrings. All of these ideas have been in the works I was just waiting for some more materials to arrive. Now what to do. My memory card is full in my camera. I tried deleting pictures and the camera is still behaving badly. Time for a new memory card. This last one held almost 1,200 pictures. The life of a photographer. I finished up my last swap package for June yesterday. It is the Big Fat Stuffed Envelope #4 Swap. I spoiled my swap partner with a bunch of goodies. She is only 20. I am well let's say twice her age plus some. I tried to imagine what someone that age would like. She said in her profile she liked animal print I said to myself "great" because I know I have some perfect ribbons for that I don't like. That is what is so great about the swap, I always have some things to pass along. She likes Hello Kitty so do I. Now I had to share something with her that I liked, my Hello Kitty stickers. I just got them...oh no...I was thinking but then in another thought she will love them. I had an assortment of 100 in this particular set so I gave her 20. I wouldn't do that for just anybody but since she is a Hello Kitty fan well I would feel guilty if I didn't share.

I like to decorate boxes from tiny matchbox size to cigar box size.

YAY it is 70 in Manchester, NH currently and it rained last night. The plants, bugs, birds and wildlife are happy again. It feels cool but the humidity is supposed to build and be ferocius, somewhere around 75% is predicted for tomorrow. I don't mind heat it is the humidity that I don't like. I lived in FL for 15 years near the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean with nice breezes. It was comfortable not really humid just plain HOT. How has this summer started for you? We still have July and August to go!

From Kraft Foods Kitchen:

What You Need!
1 whole wheat pita bread, cut in half 1 Tbsp. MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing 6 slices OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast 4 thin tomato slices 4 thin cucumber slices 2 thin red onion slices 1/2 of a small green pepper, cut into thin slices

Make It!

SPREAD insides of pita halves with dressing.
FILL evenly with remaining ingredients. ENJOY!

Kraft Kitchens Tips Special Extra
Top filling with a sprinkle of cracked black pepper or chopped fresh dill.

Take Along
For best results, assemble sandwich just before serving. If transporting the sandwich, pack the filling ingredients in separate containers and pack in a cooler until ready to assemble sandwich.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing Kraft Foods here you may use any ingredients as an equal substitute.

SO DOWNTOWN WAS NICE TODAY

I had to make yet another quick trip on foot to downtown, Manchester, New Hampshire, or Manch Vegas as it is called or the Shires. This trip involves one hour of walking. It was so nice out in the shade. Great walk and I feel renewed and refreshed. Today I finally have pictures and new items to list in my shop. There is more to do but I am only one person doing many things that always keep me busy. It is going to be another 88 degree day here. It is now the noon hour and I don't feel hunger yet. So I will blog.

This quote means a lot to me so I thought I would share it with you.

"If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were." Kahlil Gibran

This is a numbered vintage ceramic plate Made in Italy by Nove

I blogged about how I became the recepient of this beautiful leaf plate yesterday.

Strange thing is I have always wanted one but it was not affordable to me.

Purple being my favorite color dominates this beautiful afghan I received, which I also blogged about..

Here is a sneak peek at some items going up for sale at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

I am sharing this recipe with you from StonyField Recipes. http://www.stonyfield.com/  It is a local farm nearby where I am located in Manchester, NH

Do you have a local Farmer's Market? We have a very nice one here in Manchester, NH.

Avocado, Yellow Beet, and Green Bean Salad

The combination of creamy avocado with the crunch of crisp beets and the snap of green beans is a real palate pleaser. The colors are as startling and varied as the tastes. Key to this easy-to-prepare salad is avoiding overcooking the beets; they should still be crunchy. Cook in salty water until your fork just pierces them and the skin is easy to remove.

makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 yellow or red beets washed, trimmed and quartered
2 cups green beans, trimmed
1 cup Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice (optional)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 avocados peeled and diced
4 ounces goat cheese
1/3 cup of chopped hazelnuts
10 ounces salad greens

Directions

Place beets in a medium size pot. Add enough water to cover them and season the water with salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes until a fork just pierces the beets. Remove the beets from boiling water and run under cold water, removing the skins. The skins should come off easily. In the meantime bring 2 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until bright green. Remove beans and rinse under cold water.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, pomegranate juice, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper.

On 4 plates arrange mixed greens, beets, avocados, and green beans. Drizzle each salad with dressing and garnish with goat cheese and hazelnuts. ENJOY!

Time to go back to work. If you want to be on my Feature Friday on this blog please let me know. You have to be an ETSY shop owner. This project is my part of a larger group promoting ETSY shops the AWEteam FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK on ETSY!

My grandson's favorite saying Nice to meet you! (from a 2 year old) and see you tomorrow.

MONDAY MORNINGS

All over the city of Manchester, NH we have these beautiful vines growing on the sides of buildings!

Today I am sharing a recipe of a different sort. ENJOY! Not edible!!!!

Cherry Bubble Bath

Supplies:
1/2 cup unscented mild shampoo
3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt (regular table salt is fine)
15 drops cherry fragrance oil for bodies (you can substitute with different fragrances)
decorative jar/bottle

Pour shampoo into a bowl and add water. Stir gently until well mixed. Add salt and stir until mixture thickens. Add cherry fragrance oil and place in decorative bottle. This can also be used as a body wash. Makes a nice gift too!
Wow that is a very expensive tub!!!!!!! Any tub will do. : )


Today's focus word is connect. Connect meaning put one object with another. Connect the dots....I am connected at least I like to beleive I am. My connections include art and gardening two of my favorites. My connections are growing. I nurture my connections. In turn I feel positive!

0 (number)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zero, written 0, is both a number and the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals. It plays a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and many other algebraic structures. As a digit, 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems. In the English language, 0 may be called zero, oh, null, nil, "o", zilch, zip or nought, depending on dialect.

So if I have zero sales lately it still has meaning! It means I need to makes changes and that is a good thing.

It is another HOT day to be almost 90 first thing this morning. Thank goodness we have AC. I was up early watering all the plants. I don't think we got any rain last night. I need to go downtown today to the PO. Not with sales unfortunately but with goodies for my swap partners. If you are looking for a fun way to meet people all over the world check out http://www.swap-bot.com/ you decide which swaps you want to join, some are USA only which costs less than international shipping. So far it has been fun and fair! I am collecting postcards and sending PC's to others. Some of the swaps are email only! The idea is to be creative and share. There is a rating system with hearts that you can give your partner if they send you a really nice package, great email or a good postcard/letter handwritten.

I was the recepient of a $1.00 bag from a yard sale this past Saturday. In the bag was a beautiful variegated purple (my fave color) handmade afghan doesn't smell looks almost new (great for the harsh winters up here in NH), a hardback book 1997 The Ghost Danielle Steel (I have not read it....yet), a lovely Nove Made in Italy ceramic green leaf plate which is numbered and has value, a 1986 NE Patriots mug, collectible (my older son has already claimed it), and a NY Jets NFL mug nobody wants ....YET! So there I will be this next Winter.....wrapped up in my new afghan blanket, my fine Italian made plate holding sweets by my side, sipping something warm from my NY Jets mug... reading The Ghost as snow gently falls past my window. Stay cool this summer and keep on the sunny side!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2010

Happy Father's Day from Glenna at Glenna's Garden!!! For me what makes Father's Day happy is talking on the phone with my oldest son who is now a Father to a two year old son and he is expecting another son next month. I used to read that first book to the son I am speaking of here in this blog, 30 years ago. I am not very close to my own Father in CA. I will call him of course. I always call my sister who raised two children on her own without their Father...she always seems to enjoy the special call, even though we talk just about everyday anyway. We are having really nice and hot temperatures up here at Glenna's Garden in Manchester, NH. My sales need to be hot too. I am stuck at 199 sales. I am offering the person who makes the 200th sale a really sweet extra surprise from Glenna's Garden so please check things out at the garden. Many new things have been listed and new things are ready to go http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/  Did you know that you can click on my banner at the top of this blog and it takes you right to Glenna's Garden? I apologize I still have not taken pictures of my latest work. I really wanted to post it yesterday. I am still feeling sick, ear infection whooping my butt and requiring lots of extra rest. We are going to be having a great dinner tonight. We are having steak which has been marinating in the freezer. Did you know you can do that? Put steak in marinade for a day or two, then freeze when ready to use take it out and thaw it. Cook. It can make a cheap chuck steak very tender and delicious.

I chose this picture I took of my studio calendar because it is a lighthouse.

My Father likes lighthouses and so do I.

SUPER HOT SATURDAY

A visitor stopped by one day! Happily rolled all over the concrete stoop and chattered at the bird feeder nearby.

I was up very early and at our newest local diner for breakfast at 6 AM this morning. I had blueberry pancakes and coffee. They were good. Headed straight back to the studio to stabilize some cool air. It is now 3 hours later and finally cooling down. The plants love it very hot and humid. The humans don't. I believe we are looking at 90's today here in Manchester. Good picture day later on if it stays sunny. Nice day to stay cool and create. I have almost finished a Zentangle on a bookmark. I am going to call it Garden Tangles. I always incorporate leaves and flowers in my Zentangles. So each one from now on will be a Garden Tangles. I have been creating the Garden Tangles on ACEO's too. I find it very relaxing. I also like the fact that I can work on a piece over time. The bookmark is a little over half done now and I think I have been working on it for three days now. I will take some pics later and post them of these projects. I gave one of the Garden Tangles ACEOs away to my swap partner for a swap called "Make Me Happy." Do you do that, give away any of your creations? I like to every once in awhile surprise someone with a piece of my art. It makes me feel good. Well tomorrow is Father's Day are you ready? I will be calling my Dad in CA. I have a really cool picture I want to share with you, it is of the gift I am giving my son. He is a Father now of my 2 year old grandson and the unborn second grandson due next month. I have to take a picture of his gift so that will be later on here.

Here is some Father's Day desserts for you to check out from Womans Day magazine online ~

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Food/Recipes/10-Delicious-Desserts-for-Dad.html?zeta_mid=HFMU_276960&zeta_rid=10485147

Been Out Sick

It is unusual for me to miss so many days blogging~I have been feeling under the weather! Today the weather is on us. It is rainy and somewhat cool today. Not a good day for pictures.

I really like this reusable shopping bag system. The best part I think are the mesh drawstring bags for you to use for fruits, vegetables and loose goods. No more of those thin plastic bags. I am getting really good about bringing my own bags for groceries when I shop. This is so nice you have to check it out. I love the color purple and they have it!
http://www.moukisac.com/

If you go to this giveaway you may win one of this companies shopping systems

Here's the link to the give away:


http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/06/mouki.html


Disclaimer I am in no way affliated with nor endorsing this particular product. It is simply a really nice set up! I also wanted to let my readers know that there is a giveaway for it.

I am sorry to say that there will be no Feature Friday tomorrow unless someone speaks up quickly today. The rest of the year is open. Tell your friends that own shops on ETSY. I will be happy to feature you or them!

The next FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK is July 2, 2010

Lately I have been doing some surfing on the internet for not only tasty recipes but interesting websites. I would like to introduce you to this one

http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-zentangle

Have you tried making a Zentangle? I have and it is so relaxing, meditative. I am making one for my Swap Bot partner her name is Aimee so I chose to do the letter A for her name. This is something that takes several days to complete. You work on it some and then put it down and they work on it some more again and so on until it is complete. I keep one next to me at my computer so when I need a break and to relax I can easily pick it up and keep going. Sometimes just looking at it sitting there I get an idea to try. Currently I am doing balck and white but you can do them in color too. Before I send Aimee her Zentangle I will put a picture up here in a day or two.

One of my larger pieces of art is in an ETSY treasury called We're Having a Heat Wave. My art piece is an art collage using mostly pressed flowers, leaves and greenery with some watercolor on an 8 by 10 canvas.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c19319920e46d91fa9071da/were-having-a-heat-wave#4c1940060cfd8eef6f1fe98e


For sale at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/


Let's see what we have for a nice recipe. Perfect Father's Day is this Sunday June 20, 2010 How about this whole menu plan for a barbecue from Bon Appetit

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/menus/fathers-day/2009/06/fathers_day_menu_guide?currentPage=7

ENJOY!

In a Treasury

What Day Is It?

FEATURE FRIDAY: ART by Marlene http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lazyhawk

1. You have been with Etsy since 02/04/08. How has Etsy changed during this time period?

"I don't think it really has changed that much. There have been a few format changes and some improvements in the listing process but all in all it is basically the same."

2. You are a member of the DAWG team on Etsy. Please tell us what DAWG stands for and what your team does.

"DAWG stands for Designing Artist Women's Group. It had its origins on Ebay and was a group of women who created ACEO's. We moved to a Ning site and focused on selling on Etsy when Ebay started making changes that were not to the sellers benefit a couple of years ago. It is a group of women who not only have a love of art but a love for God as well. We have fun monthly challenges, swaps, and we have done a few things together as a group that we auction off for charity. We made a group quilt that was auctioned for breast cancer and are currently working on a mini ACEO Album, done Round Robin style that the proceeds will be donated to a mission in Haiti. We also have a team blog at:

http://www.dawgteamonetsy.blogspot.com/

3. You create ink drawings, watercolor, create jewelry and collect and sell vintage items. Which do you like best and why?

"I think I like watercolor or watercolor pencils the best. They are easy to take with me to the mountains or the beach. I also love to create with needle felting. ACEO's (2.5 X 3.5 inches) are my favorite size to create in."


4. Are there any other activities that you are involved with that you would like us to know about?

I really enjoy sketching and using graphite pencils for drawing. I try to do a sketch every Sunday. Sunday Sketches is hosted by Sophia at http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

I also have a blog at: http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com/

5. Do you have any advice or tips for running a successful ETSY business?

"The only advice I have is to be as active as possible in the forums. Join in the threads and chat, let people get to know you and get to know them. List as often as you can to keep your store active in the searches."

Thank you Marlene for sharing your beautiful works of art with us!

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS TUESDAY

I have had an EBAY account for years. I never really started using it until recently. I just won a bid for several rolls of Nature themed deco tapes. These tapes are nice and great for decorating your packages. What I can't use will go up for sale on ETSY in http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ Glenna's Garden. I put in a couple more bids for various other craft supplies. What got me hooked back into EBAY was last week I was bidding for a Cricut machine, they normally sell for $300.00 and the bidding in the last hour was at $30.00 I just had to have it so I played the bidding game down to the last second and at $51.00 I was out bid by $1.00. It sold for $52.00 I lost but maybe that person that won needed it more than me. So now I am keeping my eye on the crafts section at EBAY. I don't have that book EBAY for Dummies but I do have some other books for Dummies. I often find them to be very helpful especially when it comes to technology.  I can see how EBAY is going to be another fun activity to complement my ETSY shop.

Bisquick Recipe for Picnic Chicken

Ingredients

2/3 cup buttermilk

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 1/2 lb)
1 cup Country® Corn Flakes cereal
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix or Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 packages (1 oz each) ranch dressing mix (dry)
Cooking spray

1.Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

2.Pour buttermilk into shallow glass or plastic bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat. Let stand 5 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, in 2-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag, crush cereal with rolling pin. Add Bisquick mix and dressing mix (dry) to cereal in bag. Remove chicken from buttermilk; discard buttermilk. Add chicken to cereal mixture. Seal bag; shake to coat.

4.Place chicken on cookie sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).

Do-Ahead Tip

Bake it the night before, then pack it up for a picnic in the park the next day!

Variation

Create a new recipe just by cutting up the chicken! For Oven-Fried Chicken Fingers, cut chicken breast halves crosswise into 1 1/2-inch strips before coating with buttermilk. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Turn strips; bake about 20 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

 (I make this all of the time and everybody always loves it)

Disclaimer of course you may use any manufacturer's product equivalent as a substitute.

ENJOY!

MONDAY MONDAY

What about Monday. I always find it hard to get back into gear on Mondays. This weeks Feature Friday is set to go for Marlene for her shop http://www.lazyhawk.etsy.com/ I am very excited to do this for her. The temps are cooler today and we got washed out with a lot of rain over the weekend. YAY for the pollen really bothers me. The plants and trees are loving it. I did some shopping this weekend. I found packs of blank recipe cards. Do you keep recipes? I started doing this when I was a little girl. I don't know where they went to. So I have decided to start writing my recipes favorites and ones I want to try that may become favorites. Something to pass down to perhaps my grandchildren or sons. My sons have a few favorites of Mom's cooking. I also belong to a swap group that swaps recipes. Check out http://www.swap-bot.com/ for every possible swap you can think of from recipes to books, arts and crafts, supplies you name it. It is so much fun!

Kraft Garden Salad

What You Need!

1 pkg. (16 oz.) farfalle (bow-tie pasta) 2 cups broccoli florets 1 each red onion and red pepper, chopped 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 1 bottle (8 oz.) KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing 1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Make It!


COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and adding broccoli to boiling water for the last 3 min. Drain; rinse under cold running water. Place in large bowl.
ADD all remaining ingredients except cheese; mix lightly.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Stir gently before serving; top with cheese.

From Kraft Kitchens:
TipsSubstitute
Substitute 1-inch asparagus pieces for the broccoli florets.
Special Extra For added flavor, sprinkle salad with OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits just before serving.

Disclaimer: Of course you can always make the above recipe with other brand names!

Feature Friday: Charlene from Cssupplycloset on ETSY

FEATURE FRIDAY: Charlene's Creative Closet of Great Supplies

Charlene says when asked how she has become so successful on ETSY:

1. I truly don't know how I have had such a successful Etsy shop. But, I think there are a few key things you can do, finding out what people like/like to buy, pricing right, and posting at least every other day if not every day (including when you re-post from a sale).



2. I love Etsy, it has never given me any problems. They are quick to refund if you get an order that doesn't pay on it. Easy to navigate and have a great social community. I really couldn't tell you the least favorite, might be the way they have the posting set up. I'd love if they could have it all on one page!

3. Brads are my favorite. If I had more time I think I'd make my own like http://www.aimoobaroo.etsy.com/

4. I belong to Team Esst (Esty Supply Street Team) and FirstFridayArtWalk which Glenna from Glenna's Garden introduced me to.

Some feedback Charlene has received:

ThePinkZebraCompany says:

Unique products! I will definately purchase more supplies from this seller!

NVBarbarella says:

Recieved Quickly, Packaged Nicely, Will purchase again!

Pugglebugs says:

Flawless international transaction. Excellent item, service and communication - thank you so much!

5. Other Activities thats a Great question! I think my life is one big activity. From running around with the kids for soccer and swimming. I'm the secretary for my local MOMS Club, I sit on the Soccer club board as the Uniform person. I'm a part of MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) which is an group of women who get together for support and fun! I'm a hardcore swapper on swapbot (charlenescreativecloset). I have just started posting my finished items on Artfire (http://www.artfire.com/users/charlenescreativecloset) The reason I'm using Artfire is because it's free. I'm really only using it to send people to that I meet at craft fairs. I'm not depending on it to sell anything. I occasionally go to the gym... when I feel a little heavy and next on my list might be to join a soccer team. Oh yeah and tonight I have Bunco :) What a cazy busy life us Moms lead!

Before I go I'd like to say thank you to Glenna for featuring me and my ETSY shop. Glenna is a great friend.

~~Charlene Moss~~

http://www.themossfamily123.blogspot.com/

http://www.charlenescreativecloset.blogspot.com/

http://www.cssupplycloset.etsy.com/

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love smores now you can make them in a new way without the campfire. I love to camp and have campfires and make smores the old fashioned way too.

Here is a delicious interpretation of a campfire classic from Epicurious Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup whipping cream
5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
16 large marshmallows
1 1/2 pints coffee ice cream

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 8-inch square baking pan. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Whisk butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Add flour mixture. Stir to blend. Mix in nuts. Press dough over bottom of prepared pan. Bake blondie until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool.

Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store blondie airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate chocolate sauce. Rewarm sauce over medium-low heat before using.)

Cut blondie into 16 squares. Place 2 squares in each of 8 large sundae dishes. Thread marshmallows onto 4 skewers; hold over gas flame or under broiler until soft and golden. Place 2 scoops ice cream atop blondies in each dish. Spoon sauce over. Top with 2 marshmallows.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smores-Sundaes-101824#ixzz0ppewPSHk

TIME TO GRILL

Tomorrow is FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK on ETSY June 4, 2010

Use search words aweteam, firstfridayartwalk and ffaw for shops on ETSY that participate

My grandson is feeling better today so I am back in my studio. It looks like rain this afternoon. No sun ~ no pictures of new items for Glenna's Garden shop http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ I love to grill in the summertime and when I lived in FL we grilled year round. Of course the following recipe is from Kraft foods so they mention their BBQ sauce but any would do and I also add an onion slice or two. I like to do kebobs so tomorrow's recipe will be for kebobs. Yay! It is almost the weekend again! Does anybody have any great plans for this weekend? Please share in the comments section below. I am having a really great time swapping things I don't need or want and more with people all over the USA. If it sounds like fun it is! Check out http://www.swap-bot.com/ free to join easy go at your own pace and find swaps for items that interest you such as postcards, notecards, letters, email, books, craft supplies, big swaps and little swaps, art swaps and so on! There are a few Etsians on there including me my name is glennasgarden of course. I hope to see a few more people join up.

BBQ CHICKEN THE EASY WAY
from Kraft Food Recipes

What you need

1 small boneless skinless chicken breast half (1/4 lb.)

1 pineapple ring
1 green pepper ring
1 Tbsp. KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce

HEAT grill to medium heat. Place chicken in center of large sheet of heavy-duty foil; top with remaining ingredients. BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. GRILL 15 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening packet. ENJOY! These would be so easy to prepare ahead of time and then serve to guests.

TOTALLY TIRED

I have been out of the loop for a day or two here now. I am caring for my 2 year old grandson because he is sick and can't go to school. What nice break and mini vacation for me. I am sooooo tired. Sleeping good!
I have been busy making cards like these with real pressed flowers. Also I made a few Mary Engelbreit tags. We had so much smoke from the fires in Canada that the sun was drowned out. I use natural lighting by a window to take my photos for my shop. I need to take a bunch of pictures and then everything will be listed in my shop at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Real pressed flowers on a notecard made of mulberry paper with a matching envelope.