Wednesday Welcome: Stephoto Photography

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Stephoto Photography of San Francisco. The photographer's thoughts about her work: "I think of putting flowers on everyday things as an artistic service. Not everyone can be around flowers; I feel privileged in that respect. So now I put them anywhere I can."
Sounds good to me, especially now that we've had a bit of snow and ice here in Northern Virginia over the past few weeks. Here are a few examples of her matted prints:

Recipe Attempt

Yes, 'tis the season. For the 4th annual cookie exchange here in my neighborhood. We really just use the cookie theme as an excuse to get together for brunch, mimosas, and girl talk! But I do need to come up with 6 dozen cookies between now and Saturday morning. I've used up my tried and true cookie recipes the past 3 years so this time I'm going to attempt to make something new. I found a recipe (see below) for English Tea Cakes. Which are cookies, not cakes but go figure. There are only a few ingredients so it seems like something I can handle. I just finished making the dough and stuck it in the fridge. Tomorrow I'll spend a good portion of the day baking and taste testing. OK, I did already taste test the dough and it was really good. Since there are no raw eggs involved I figured it was safe and someone had to clean the spatula anyway...

English Tea Cakes from Allrecipes.com:
Makes 60 cookies
Prep Time:15 Min Cook Time: 10 Min Ready In:25 Min

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 60 walnut or pecan halves, toasted

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls into greased miniature muffin cups; flatten slightly. Press a walnut half into the center of each.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Sounds like it is pretty foolproof, but then again this fool can find new ways to mess up a recipe without too much effort! Wish me luck :)

Wednesday Welcome: Claytime Studio

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Claytime Studio of State College, PA. An added bonus to these elegant pieces is that the clay and glaze is food safe, microwave and dishwasher friendly. So they're not just pretty to display, but are made to be used! Each piece is decorated with a slip-trailed design. According to the artist, "this is an age old process by which liquid clay is trailed or squeezed onto the piece in fluid movements to create pleasing designs. The process creates a tactile relief effect that remains even after the final firing."
Here is a peek at a few of the items in the shop:



Personally, I'm just glad to see that something other than a crazed PSU fan can come out of State College!

My Own Giveaway on Sew Artsy

Win This Fun & Functional Giveaway Prize:


A matching set of cozies, one for your cup and one for your tissues. This is a very popular blue designs on a brown background, great to give as a gift to someone else or to keep for yourself!
Visit Sew Artsy to enter, details are below the banner.


To win this cozy set you need to do is check out my shop: Maggie Sue Designs (check out the cup cozy sale while you are there) and leave a comment on the Sew Artsy blog about your favorite item (don't forget to leave your email address in your first comment!). And of course, you can earn more entries by leaving a link to places you've made a shout out about this giveaway - Twitter, your blog, or social networking sites, etc. The more shout outs, the more entries!
Be sure to leave your comments on the Sew Artsy Blog to enter; while I'd love to read your comments here they won't be considered as contest entries :)

This giveaway will be open from 12/7 through 11:59pm EST Saturday, 12/12/09. The winner will be announced on the Sew Artsy blog on Sunday, 12/13/09.

Showtime!

I've had a busy week preparing for a craft show. The house is looking a little... filthy! At least the laundry is getting done and we haven't missed any meals for sure (not that I can claim they were healthy meals!).
Here are the show details in case any of you are in the Northern VA area of the DC suburbs:
The 19th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
December 5th & 6th
Saturday 9am to 4pm
Sunday 10am to 4 pm
Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING, show is indoors.
Hourly door prize giveaways!
Click HERE for directions.


My etsy shop will be closed from Saturday morning until Monday at the latest.
I hope you all have a FUN and safe weekend!

Wednesday Welcome: Madame Pumphrey

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Madame Pumphrey. I love the way this shop owner describes her look:

"My vision is to create things that are "granny chic". A little old school with a hint of edge and modern glamour."

Well, she has succeeded. These floral creations are used on headbands, belts, clips, and I'm sure many other places. Also check out her blog called Full House. Aptly named by a mother of a set of twins and a set of triplets. Amazing that she successfully blogs, parents, and creates. Plus all of the other things we all try to do each day! Enjoy a few of her flowers:

Win a great prize from the Giveaway Diva

The giveaway diva is offering another great prize: the Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti® Open Heart Necklace! Click HERE to enter.