Thursday, December 31, 2009

Come and Celebrate the New Year with Willowtree Treasures!


____UPDATED NEWS FLASH!!! Please Read! IMPORTANT UPDATES!_____


HAPPY NEW YEAR Ya'll!
Travel in style into the New Year by starting off with a roll back in most of my prices! You'll find almost everything in my Etsy shop has had a reduction in price to bring in the New Year and help you celebrate with a bit of a savings. Come in and look around. The prices are already fixed so you can begin buying immediately with the roll back prices. No need to contact me and waste your valuable time! Dig right in and enjoy your New Year in a GRAND fashion! Enjoy! My shop accomodates for multible purchasing to save you $$$$! Enjoy!

Look to your left and you will see the link to take you to my Etsy Shop! There is also a list of other places my items can be found!

Friday, December 18, 2009

I Wish You ALL the Happiest of Holidays and Have a few special Links for You!



Good morning readers! I wanted to take some time and wish you all a very Happy Holidays and hope that each and everyone of you see some of your most heart felt wishes come true! There has been so much giving of special things from one person to another here in the blog world and will be doing a give a way of my own very soon after the holidays have come and gone! There are ALOT of GREAT give a ways going on right now and would like to wait until some of this slows down some before I do one. I do however have some awesome links that I would LOVE to pass onto my loyal readers to help you with your holiday preparedness and one of the links where I would like to pass on to you is:

http://www.verybestbaking.com/promotions/programs/holiday-guide/2009/default.aspx?vbbHG0972890#/home

This site is so magical and has anything and everything you would want to make for a holiday get together. It takes you to an animation of a Baking Village with many shops and in each shop you will find recipes for candies, main meals, cookies, cakes and all the trimmings! Talk about doing it right for the holidays!LOL I sit there much like a young child and listen to the music and watch all the signs of what is in the tastey shops and am so taken with just the look of this site that I advise you ahead of time....go in full because if you aren't you will suddenly will need alot of paper to get all of their wonderful recipes printed off and shared with your loved ones! I know that I have started off with a full stack of paper knowing most of what I'd encounter I'd want to print off and now am running out of ink! Lots of good things are in there! Nestle, Canation and Libbys are just some of brands featured! YUMMMY!

I thank Deb Turner for giving this link to me , and the other members of OFG, and I am now sending this information on to you so that you can enjoy the small town shops of Seasonal Cooking!





Another site I would LOVE to pass on to you is the Taste of Home site! I don't know how many of you get Taste of Home for a regular magazine that you get once a year...I know that I get it...then will stop my magazines from coming after the subscription has ended..I'll start missing it again and then start it all over again! This is one very helpful magazine and I have tried many of their recipes out on my family and is a tried and true publication! My newest one has a link of:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Newsletter/NewsletterSignUpOptIn.aspx?OptID=115?Email=

. You can become a member of Taste of Home magazines and pick from a number of newsletters that address from the 12 days of cookies in the Month of December issue to newsletters of main meals based on the month and holiday and ideas. Everything will be sent Free to your Email by just picking one, two ...or like me...All newsletters. You can also join Taste of home and have access to chatrooms, more recipes that can be kept in a recipe file and gain information on other publications that Reiman is coming out with and have the option to get for free and would need to subscribe if you wanted to continue getting a given magazine that they are coming out with at a well reduced price! I was just in there site looking around and marking all the recipes that I will have to save and get a copy of to put it on my list of holiday goodies that I suprise my family with!

If you LOVE recipes and LOVE to cook these two links are for you! Check them out and enjoy how amazing the online foodie sites can make this season for all of its customers! I'm sure there are many more of sites that are making recipes readily available and making their sites sooo enticing for anyone to visit and want to join because that is a very important part of a holiday such as this....food, friends and fresh ideas to make this time a bright and happy one! So spend some time and look for your own sites that could hold the key to your holiday spirit! For now there is what I have provided for you here!

I hope that everyone's holidays answer any special prayers you have, will see some wishes come true and happiness and the true meaning of this special holiday warm your hearts to give something to someone that you don't know, or needs help, or is alone this holiday season! May good health , love and the spirit of giving be in your hearts and only good things come your way during this time! Again, Merry Season to you.... no matter what religion you are! I'll be talking to you again soon!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

A Brand New Day and a Brand NEW SALE! READ Closely!

Hello readers! It is closer to Christmas and I'm sure there must be one last thing that would just make you so happy to put in your collection to give to that certain special someone for Christmas! I am having one last attempt for a sale and involves the following...please read it carefully!

____UPDATED NEWS FLASH!!! Please Read! IMPORTANT UPDATES!_____

"LAST CHANCE FOR AN AWESOME SAVINGS!" ( Starts Today AND Ends Monday December 21st)

-Applies to U.S. Sales ONLY!-

ALL SALES are $1 ONLY to send!

Yes that is right! Starting today Thursday December 17th until Monday December 21st it will cost a mere $1 to send your item(s) to you!

Merry Christmas from Willowtree Treasures!

Please contact me BEFORE you make your purchase(s) and I will make the corrections for you right here on my site and then you can go ahead and make your purchases paying only $1 per purchase (No limit on how many items can be bought)!

(If you buy one item...cost to send=$1

If you buy five item's in one purchase ....cost to send =$1

As long as you are buying items all at one time there is no limit...cost to send = $1)

Have a ball!

convo or contact me at pdq [!at] epix.net
Thank you! Deb

WILLOWTREE TREASURES ETSY LINK TO SALE;

HTTP://WWW.WILLOWTREETREASURES.ETSY.COM
(Copy and paste this link into your search and Merry Christmas!)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Momma B's FrontPorch is having a Wonderful Giveaway!

Hello readers! I just wanted to inform you of a once in a lifetime giveaway that is being put on by Momma B's FrontPorch. It is to give the winner of her giveaway $50 worth of merchandise from her shop. Vickie is well known for her fantastic painting abilities and her , most beautitful welcome signs. I can imagine anything...everything that she will pick for the winner will be the most beautiful works of art! You can read more about this event in her blog and then put your name in to be counted as a participant! I have never seen this as a prize EVER for a giveaway from a blog post and from such a noteworthy artist!

Momma B's Frontporch Link:
http://mommabsfrontporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/giveaway-for-christmas.html

Monday, December 7, 2009

I am a Winner of a My Raggedy Dolls Give a Way!

I apologize for taking so long to get this post up and to not show the "cutest doll in the world" that I won during one of Julie G.'s give a ways! You will fall out out of your seat just looking at her this doll is sooo adorable! I'm so much in love with her she is still never farther than 1 foot away from me at all times! Come take a look! This was very much like eating potato chips...you couldn't take just one picture! Here she is.....Belindy!












Isn't she just too cute for words? Along with this beatuful gal there was a tag attached that grants me $15 as a discount in her shop! Not that getting this wonderful creation wasn't enough but I can buy anything on her web and get the $15 discount! Julie certainly does things in style! I will forever be grateful to Julie for chosing my name to win my new addition to my home! I will forever admire her and keep a close eye on what you are working on next! Your creativity, skill and professionalism with be admired always and thank you so much for everything! If you would like to see all that Julie G. has to offer visit her shop today! She has completed dolls, wonderful patterns and doll kits that are all very reasonably priced and she is always coming out with something new. I always go browsing to she what new she has come out with and advise all of you to do the same. It is well worth your time!

Julie G' Marocotte ....My Raggedy Dolls Site Links:

http://www.myraggedydolls.com/

http://www.myraggedydolls.blogspot.com


Again, thank you Julie. Belindy is my little angel and am showering with lots of love! Take care!

KSGP Is having a Wonderful Giveaway!

Good morning readers. I just wanted to let you know that Kindred Sister's Gathering Post are having another give a way and this time it is to give a way some wonderful soaps from Aunt Reens Soap Closet! Known by many Ebay crafters as Doreen has made soap for a very long time and her soaps are amazing. Doreen in fact is who I first started purchasing handmade soaps from and immediately noticed a difference in my skin due to the wholesome/pure ingredients she uses! Enter into this great give a way today you will thank yourself later!

LINK:
http://kindredsistersgatheringpostblog.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Olde Farmhouse Gathering Has Lost A Great Leader and Friend!

Good morning all! I have some shocking news to share with you today! On Thanksgiving we lost one of the sweetest leaders of the OFG Team. Her name is Linda Foster and she touched All of the members lives in one way or other. She passed due to, what is believed to be by a massive heart attack, and left many members in disbelief and an empty feeling that echoed throughout the group of OFG! Many members have already published in their posts and left their messages "saying goodbye" to this wonderful lady and sending their sympathies to her family. I ,as usual, am lagging behind the rest! I just went into Deb T's. blog today, http://debsprimitivecountrykitchen.blogspot.com/, and she has the sweetest way of dealing with her grief by leaving YouTube videos that are in her honor. When you are at a loss of words ...I felt this was the perfect way to leave a strong message of what Linda meant to as all without getting wordy so that inspired me to do the same. I found this video and knew this was the right way for me to say goodbye! I hadn't heard it in years...but just playing it touched my heart in a way that it said to me...THIS IS IT! This is the song that I would like to dedicate to Linda and her family!

The mods and other members of OFG are currently moving ahead and doing so in the name of Linda and all that she has done to begin this group and to set its destiny to be coming a very close knit group of artists that are planning to carry on with what Linda had started! I applaud the wonderful dedication of these fellow members and thank them for doing their work in the rememberance of Linda.

To Linda's family I send the deepest of sympathy for your loss of such a remarkable woman! She was the symbal of kindness, guidance, encouragement and inspiration for the OFG members and we will never forget her or stop missing her! My thoughts and prayers are with you!




Heaven has just received another angel.... and when we look to the heavens Linda will be in our thoughts! HUGS....Deb

Thursday, December 3, 2009

"GET IT BY CHRISTMAS SALE!"

Good morning all! How was your Thanksgiving and Black Friday...not to mention cyber Monday? Are you well on your way to getting all your gift giving shopping done? I know the sales have really been floating around out there and there are still many places that have kept their prices low and very affordable! I have decided to start a new sale that will begin today December 3rd and will go on until December 21st and is called "GET IT BY CHRISTMAS SALE!" The following are the terms of the sale and the savings you will receive. (I apologize but this sale will ONLY apply to U.S purchases.) It will involve all items in ETSY, PRIMITIVE SISTER'S MARKETPLACE AND FUZZB. I have left you the link to get to all shops to look through all I have to offer.

The following are the terms to this sale:

"GET IT BY CHRISTMAS SALE" ( Ends Monday December 21st)
-Applies to U.S. Sales ONLY!-

Make a $30 purchase get 50% off of your shipping and handling cost.

Make a $50 purchase and Shipping and handling is FREE!

Please contact me Before you make your purchase(s) and I will make the corrections for you!

convo or contact me at pdq@epix.net
Thank you! Deb

I hope you have fun looking and find something that will complete your Christmas shopping ! Again...please contact me before you purchase so that I can make corrections right in the site for you! Enjoy!

ETSY:
http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com

PRIMITIVE SISTER'S MARKETPLACE;
http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/shops/willow-tree-treasures/aff_11.html

FUZZB;
http://fuzzb.com/profile.php?profile=102660

Monday, November 30, 2009

Special Savings on Cyber Monday 20% Off !

On Cyber Monday take 20% off of all your items for purchase in Etsy only. Just contact me to adjust the new amount of the item, buy your items in Etsy and then I will send you a new invoice to reflect your 20% savings! There is nothing like an over the top sale during the biggest online sales of the season! Come save with Willowtree Treasures this year!

This will not include Primitive Sister's purchases at this time! Those items will remain at a 10% savings!

My Etsy Link:

http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

We Wish You ALL a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

FRISKEY 16 years




TABBY 14 years



Champagne 1 year



Good morning readers! I wanted to take some time today and wish all of you a full, delicious, not to mention happy, Thanksgiving with a a healthy side of holiday blessings topped off with the most delectable helping of family and friends to finish it off!

Thanksgiving is time of reflection, giving and being with the ones we love so much! Most of all it is time to be thankful for all that has special meaning in our lives!
I hope all of you can spend this day as you see fit and doing whatever makes you happy!

My son comes home with is wife today and it made me think of all the things that I am blessed with this Thanksgiving holiday and I would like to share with you some of why this holiday has such special meaning to me this year! Maybe this will inspire you to write your own blessings , and what you are thankful for, and share it with the people you spend this time with it can give this holiday a special touch!

I am blessed for a third chance at life since my last heart surgery!

I am blessed that my son and his wife's marriage are in the final stages of being acknowledged by the U.S. and Canada.

I am thankful for a loving and caring family to spend my special day with.

I am thankful for a giving, unselfish, loving husband that has been with me through thick and thin!

I am thankful for the reduced prices at Wegmans so we can go shopping where there is fresh fruits and veggies!

I am thankful for my devoted online talented friends!

I am thankful for a home, food and clothing...and all the things that make life comfortable and enjoyable!

I am thankful for every smile, hello, or thank you that I get from a stranger.

I am thankful for the hard work of our American troops and the sacrifices they make to keep us all free!

I am thankful for my three cats...Tabby, Friskey and Chammy! They keep me company everyday and keep me feeling needed and loved!

I am thankful that my family is pretty healthy and doing well!

I am thankful for so much ...and can ramble on forever!

If I can wake up, most mornings, and have a smile on my face, feel motivated and inspired, have forgiveness in my heart and patience to deal with anything that may not go right and can give to someone else during my day....I feel that I just about have everything I would have wanted for my life! With the grace of God I have more than I could ever ask for! I hope you feel the same!

May your Thanksgiving have special meaning for you and everything good come your way!


***BTW....if you have nothing to do and want to shop early for Christmas...my Black Friday sales are going on NOW! Go to these links!****

OLD PRIMITIVE SISTER'S MARKETPLACE;
http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/shops/willow-tree-treasures/aff_11.html

ETSY:
http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com

ENJOY!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Oodlekadoodle and Debs Primitive Country Kitchen are having great Give A Ways ! See their blogs for details!

Sue of Oodlekadoodle Primitives is having a GREAT give a way of a Target $25 gift certificate. If you would like to try for this , more than generous gift, sign up at the following blog link: http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/
She also has a host of yummy recipes that you just have to try! She is quite a cook!

Deb Turner is having a yummy give a way of 1lb of tack candy. Homemade by her and a few extra suprises! As I have been told she is the queen of candy making and if you are in the mood for some GREAT homemade sweet treats checkout her blog! LINK: http://debsprimitivecountrykitchen.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Upcoming Black Friday Weekend Sales Planned in my Shops! ALL Welcome!

Come and enjoy the savings on 10% off sales in Primitive Sister's
s marketplace and my Etsy shop!

SPECIFICS:

Black Friday Sales Planned!!!
This event will take place Monday Novemember 23rd through Monday November 30th! (Yup that is a week!)

The steps to get your savings in Etsy and Primitive Sister's Marketplace:

Etsy will take a convo. to get your discount included. Tell me the items you are interested in and I will adjust the prices right in my shop before payment is made. Combined shipping and handling cost issues have already been addressed in the sales. International sales need to contact me for an estimate for shipping and handling amounts.

Primtive Sister's will have it already posted the sale's amount. I will need to be contacted for a combined shipping and handling amount should you purchase more than one item...and for International sales for an estimate for shipping and handling costs.



SPECIFICS:
This event will take place Monday Novemember 23rd through Monday November 30th.

This Black FRIDAY WEEK SALE will involve all of my sales on ETSY and PRIMITIVE SISTER'S SITE and the specifics have changed so please read.....

SAVE 10% on ALL my items in Primitive Sister's Marketplace and Etsy. Information to how about getting your 10% discount is outlined above! The holidays can already be a hassle for the customers and I want to make this a pleasant.... hasslefree experience as I can! So...read the outline and go into my shops and enjoy the savings...without needing asprin! Have fun and enjoy!


International Sales are WELCOME! Just email me your location and I will send you an estimate to ship your items! **Pay Pal payments ONLY for International sales!


If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me and I hopefully will be able to help you out! I hope to see you there and thank you for for taking a look at my shops.


SEE WHAT WILL BE FOR SALE LINKS;

ETSY; http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com


PRIMITIVE SISTER'S MARKETPLACE; http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/shops/willow-tree-treasures/aff_11.html

Beat the crowds and do your shopping online! If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me and I will gladly try to assist you and hopefully will be of help! Hope to see you there!

Monday, November 9, 2009

A Few More items.....1 more to get to 90 items...

Hello all! I just wanted to keep you up to date with the items I have added to my Etsy shop and these are the newest items just put in. Feel free to go and and take a look.











I have one more item to get into my shop to hit 90 items! WOW! There is alot to look at in my shop so go today and see the new additions. Christmas is so close you can almost feel it breathing in your ear..."Buy your Christmas items soon! It won't be much longer and gift giving will be happening! Don't be one that isn't prepared!"

Have fun and I hope you enjoy my new additions!


LINK:
http://www.willowtreetreasues.etsy.com

Friday, November 6, 2009

A few new additions to my Etsy shop!

Just a quick note that I have added a few new Christmas items to my Etsy shop and invite you all to come in and see these new additions!










MY ETSY LINK;

http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com

I'm the WINNER!

Hello all! I just wanted to show my readers some awesome things that I have won when entering into some GREAT give a ways! I don't have a large habit of entering into blog give a ways because frankly , foolish as I am, I don''t believe that most of the time I have a very large chance of winning and plus I end up feeling pretty guilty that I am getting something that I haven't paid for. These artists work hard on their items...and out of the goodness of their hearts just give them to the name that is picked out of everyone that tries for them! I'm one that feels guilty during holidays because I am in the position to get and give but feel bad for the ones that are not in that position....so would it be any wonder that give a ways bring out the same feelings? I don't know where the guilt came from...I had a very happy childhood..but just know that this has been a feeling that I have gotten every holiday! I guess it is time to work in a soup kitchen during the holidays so that I know that people less fortunate than myself are having a wonderful holiday too!

I am writing this post to tell the creators of the items I HAVE won ,in the few give a ways I have entered, ....thank you! I am such a fortunate person to have won items from two wonderful artists and am here to share with you, my readers, what they are and show you what I did with the both of them. They have added such warmth and beauty to my home and have these two very talented craft experts to thank!

The first winning was from Bev of Heartland Creations. Bev is a dear friend that I met in the Olde Primitive Sister's Group in Ebay! I had asked Bev if she could make a replica of a dog that my boy owns. I sent her pictures of him and wasn't sure if it was even possible to make anything like Hendrix. Brandon has asked me many times to do it...but I just don't have the know how to put a dog like he has together. He has a puggle dog named Hendrix and is our first attempt at trying to be grandparents to something that is living. We call him our grandpuppy and love him as if he were our grandchild!

Bev took about a week and then contacted me back that she would give it a try and sure enough in just a couple weeks she contacted me back and I was just blown out of my chair! If you look a few posts ahead you will see a picture of Hendrix and what she created! IT WAS A DEAD RINGER! I was so happy and when Brandon and Nicole saw what she had made we all were in disbelief of what talent this gal has! I have been keeping my eyes on Bev's work and she has grown even more with her talents...if that is even possible...she was sooo talented before! Her Halloween doll is FANTASTIC and has a drawn on face that is beyond compare! I'm just a fan of ALL of her work!

Well on the Kindred Sisters site I saw a butterfly doll that was up for a give a way and I saw that Bev was the person who made this awesome doll and, since I LOVE everything that Bev does, I thought I'd try my hand at winnning her! I put my name in to be one of the people to be entered into the give a way thinking that I'd never win her but just loved knowing that ...well it was possible.

A few weeks went past and I forgot about this great doll that I put my name in for and sure enough I got a e-message from Bev saying that my name was picked to be the winner of this beautiful butterfly doll! WOW a second creation from one of my favorite doll artists! What luck! I was so excited and felt so honored for this doll was only a dream if it could be hanging in MY home!

The day arrived and the butterfly doll was on my doorstep! The box was all decorated with beautiful drawings and done with care. That was even a creation I never wanted to part with! It was the present before the present! When I opened the box inside was a perfectly done doll that has a round head, perfectly sewn on facial features and a very feminine lacy top , wings and a pretty little skirt. Her shoes were so dainty and framed with eyelash yarn that just added to her whispy, feminine look and feel! You can tell when a person has put their heart and soul into a creation and this is one of just many dolls that Bev and done that with! I LOVE HER and found a great place to hang her. She is in my back livingroom right next to a lamp to keep the focus on her even when it is dark out! She has added love and beauty to that corner of my home and will always just stand and admire her for she is the greatest butterfly gal I will ever own! Plus my good friend Bev put her together and she is one of the most talented crafters I know!

If you want to see more of Bev's work go to her site to see more and while you their take a trip to her blog and read about her work and learn about her and her craft! These two links will get you there:

BEV'S BLOG LINK:
http://www.heartlandcreations.blogspot.com


BEV'S SHOP:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/heartland-creations*

If it wasn't for the Kindred Sister's I wouldn't be the lucky recipient of this wonderful doll. Thank you Kindred Sister's for picking my name to win this awesome give a way! Visit the Kindred Sister's Gathering Post by going to the following link and read more about them and the other artists that are part of this very talented group!

KINDRED SISTER'S GATHERING POST LINK ;
http://kindredsisterssellingblog.blogspot.com

Here are some pictures of the Butterfly Doll and where she is residing today! You'll see that she is a vision of beauty and adds so much to a place in my home where she is always viewed and admired!





















I have just won in my second give a way and am absolutely thrilled with my second win also! This I won from someone that is a fantastic crafter, creator and friend! I have looked at these in Primitive Amish type stores in my area but NEVER thought I would own one! It is called a Primitive Dough bowl, Dough rolling pin holder and adds so much to a home when you are crazy about primitives! Not only did I get my winnings ..she threw in a candle holder as well! Can you believe that? This gals name is Carol and owns the shop Firecracker Kid in Etsy! I got to know about her and her work through the Olde Farmhouse Gathering Team and am quite a fan. She is also one of the members that I wrote a post about in my Monday Featured Shops For OFG! If you look ahead on my posts you will find a post that shows what Carol makes and other items in her shop. Just look for Firecracker Kid!

Carol's work is fantastic! She has made a business that involves her husband's talents along with her own and together they have created a perfect harmony of creation and finished work! Her shop holds other items as well like wall hangings, dolls and stitcheries. You really should go in to her shop today for she is having an unbelievable sale !!HOLIDAY SHOPPING SALE!!
20% OFF ALL ONE-OF-A-KIND WOODCRAFTS ONLY
10% OFF ALL PRIMITIVE BOWL RACKS
SALES RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30!

I have one of her Dough Bowl/ Rolling Pin holders and had a choice of colors and accessorized it with a Vintage dough bowl and rolling pin,(ok it is really about 1980's but it works!), and FINALLY found a place that it would look perfect! My kitchen has a theme of roosters and I bought a large wooden bowl with two roosters painted on the front and I am using the this very attractive holder to display this bowl and rolling pin to combine the rooster theme with the rooster bowls I have displayed on a top shelf, the rooster place mats, and the rooster clocks that I have in the room! It is so quaint now and looks like this space was waiting for this great display forever to help bring the primitive look into the mix!(I was a antique dealer a number of years and refurbished old furniture for store sales, myself and for individuals in town and kept many primitive items in the process. There is a primitive shelf in the corner of this room and added a second feeling of antiques along with the roosters!)

Having worked with wood items I could see right away that Carol and her husband have a great talent with all of their wooden items! The wood is so smooth, their finish is flawless and the sturdiness of this item is beyond compare! A little creativity from any of the buyers of their items can make a room complete and add so much to your home decor. I can't even tell you! Wooden bowls and wooden rolling pins can be purchased in Etsy or Ebay. They can be used for combining themes in a room, bring out a theme or just to work on your love for pure primitive! There are so many ideas of what you can put in them and how decorate them! It is fun experimenting and seeing it when it is finished! I was thrilled to see it all together when I had everything on mine! It was the tie to combine all that I wanted for my kitchen...primitives and roosters just like an old fashion kitchen nook!


Isn't the candle holder cute? It has a rusty nail down below to hang those primitiive candles that hang by a rope. One candle to another ...I don't currently have one of those but plan on getting one soon! They have thought of everything to make the most of EVERY primtiive item they make! On top I had a large 22 oz jar candle so it holds a good amount of weight. This also is flawless and is well constructed! I'll be finishing off the look of this item soon and also is being used in my kitchen for an accent piece!

I thought with these winnings I certainly have been won the jackpot! I just love the look of my kitchen with the use of the well designed, awesomely crafted and superbly finished Primitive Dough bowl /Rolling pin holder and candle display! You have helped me create a kitchen that I could have only wished for and am so proud of now! It is amazing how this can change the feel of a room and help it become more welcoming and warm just by adding your items in the right places! Thank you Carol/hubby for your great addition to my home! Here are some pictures of how I have displayed both and plan to accessorize the candle holder soon! It looks great even when there is nothing on it ...but am planning to accessorize it so that it draws more attention! Now this is one of my favorite rooms of my home! I just wish I was a better photographer! It even looks better in person!




















Come in to Etsy and see Carol's store and take advantage of her gracious sale! Her items are absolutely done with the utmost care and can add so much to your home. It is quality that you can't get just anywhere! I know....for I am now a new owner of some of her wonderful work and would never steer someone the wrong way when you are about to purchase something from a shop! I give FirecrackerKid Shop all thumbs up ..plus a few toes!

Come see her items today and read about her art in her blog!


FIRECRACKERKID SHOP LINK:
http://www.firecrackerkid.etsy.com

FIRECRACKERKID BLOG LINK ;
http://www.firecrackerkid.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Hello and Welcome to Willowtree Treasures OFG Recipe Swap!

Good morning all readers! Today you are in for a REAL treat! I have recipes that I hope you have never tried before ..or may not of every heard of before... and will hopefully will find a few recipes that sound good to enough to become a new addition to your fall/Autumn holiday meals, snacks and deserts! Come an enjoy the recipes that I have provided for you today and click on the left banner about the recipe swap and it will tell you of other participating OFG Team members that will have recipes available for you to copy, use and share with friends! Have fun and don't forget your pencil and paper...or these days..just a computer with a copy and paste! LOL Life certainly has changed!

My first recipe is a really delicious dessert! If you love toffee this is a true keeper! The texture of the pecans and toffee is incredible! It is a sweet treat for praline lovers and is a great treat on a cold fall or winter day!
It is easy to make and is a great treat for company or special dinners!

DESSERTS AND TREATS:


PRALINE MINI BUNDT CAKES

CAKE
1 package Betty Crocker SuperMoist Yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup English toffee bits

BROWN SUGAR GLAZE:
1/4 cup butter (DO NOT USE MARGARINE)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbl. corn syrup
2 Tbl. milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup English toffee bits

1. Heat oven to 350. Generously grease 12 mini fluted tube cake pans or 12 jumbo muffin cups with shortening (DO NOT SPRAY WITH COOKING SPRAY!) and Lightly flour.
2. In large bowl beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed for 30 secs. Geat on medium speed for 2 minutes more , scraping bowl occasionally. Fold in peacans and 1/2 pecans and 1/2 cup toffee bits. Divide batter evenly among mini pans.
3. Bake 18-23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes then remove from pans to a wire rack. Cool completely for about 1 hr.
4. In 1 quart saucepan melt butter over medium high heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and milk. Heat to rolling boil over medium high heat stirring frequently and remove from heat. Immediately beat in powdered sugar and vanilla with a wire whisk until smooth. Immediately drizzle about 1 Tbl. glaze over each cake. Sprinkle each with 1 tsp. toffee bits. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes 12 mini cakes.
(from Betty Crocker Super Moist Party Cakes edition!)




How about some sweet and buttery homemade carmel corn! I've made this one time and am planning to make it again soon. It is a true people pleaser! Simple to do and quick! This is great gift for a friend or snack for yourself! Smells delicious as it tastes!



CARMEL CORN

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup dark brown corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 small amount(pinch)
of cream of tartar
salt to taste
1 tsp. of baking soda
8 qt of popcorn popped

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in saucepan. Bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, cream of tartar, salt and baking soda. Cook until it turns a lighter color and increases in volume. Pour the mixture over the popped popcorn and toss until the popcorn is mostly covered. Place in roasting pan and bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour stirring 2-3 times while it is cooking. Once finished lay it out on wax paper and separate to cool. Makes 8 quarts.
(author unknown)


I love peanutbutter and have always wanted to make peanutbutter icing that didn't taste like powdered sugar. I have looked and looked and experimented with many a recipes to find one that didn't say "powdered sugar" after I was finished! I then ran into Ina Garten's version, (Barefoot Contessa), of peanutbutter icing and finally found one that is the most delicious peanutbutter icing recipes and you don't just taste the powdered sugar. I've made this many times and it always turns out yummy! Even to the point of having your tongue stick to the top of your mouth ...LOL She has a chocolate cupcake recipe also but I used to put this icing on a boxed cake mix cupcake instead. I'm sure the cupcakes are just as tempting but, haven't as of yet, tried it myself!


The recipes from the Foodnetwork are copyrighted so I have left you a link to take a look at this recipe from the Foodnetwork website. Copy and paste this recipe into the search area and enjoy!





PEANUTBUTTER ICING

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-cupcakes-and-peanut-butter-icing-recipe/index.html
(author: Ina Garten)



The next recipe is from NorthwindStars Blog. This sounds like a delightful Fall dessert and who doesn't go for pumpkin anything...this time of year! I plan to make this for the holidays and just know that is sounds delectable!



PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL WITH TOFFEE FILLING AND CARMEL SAUCE

*For the Cake Roll*
Nonstick vegetable oil spray 3/4 -cup cake flour 1 -1/2 -teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 -1/4 -teaspoons ground ginger 3/4- teaspoon ground allspice 6- large eggs, separated 1/3 -cup sugar 1/3 -cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2/3 -cup canned solid pack pumpkin 1/8 - teaspoon salt Powdered sugar

*For the Filling*
2 -tablespoons dark rum (I would assume, you can use rum flavoring if you prefer) 1 - teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1 -cup chilled whipping cream 3 - tablespoons powdered sugar 10- tablespoons plus 1/2 cup English toffee pieces (or chopped English toffee candy; about 7 ounces) Additional powdered sugar 1 -1/2 cups-purchased caramel sauce, warmed
*For Cake:*
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with vegetable oil spray. Sift flour, cinnamon, ginger and allspice into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar in large bowl until very thick, about 3 minutes. On low speed, beat in pumpkin, then dry ingredients. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites and salt in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into batter in 3 additions. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester is inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Place smooth (not terry cloth) kitchen towel on work surface; dust generously with powdered sugar. Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out onto kitchen towel. Fold towel over 1 long side of cake. Starting at 1 long side, roll up cake in towel. Arrange cake seam side down and cool completely, about 1 hour.
*To make Filling:*
Pour 2 tablespoons rum into heavy small saucepan; sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir over low heat just until gelatin dissolves. Beat chilled whipping cream and 3 tablespoons powdered sugar in large bowl until firm peaks form. Beat in gelatin mixture. Fold in 6 tablespoons English toffee pieces. Unroll cake; sprinkle with 4 tablespoons English toffee pieces. Spread filling over. Starting at 1 long side and using kitchen towel as aid, roll up cake to enclose filling. Place cake seam side down on platter. Cover with foil and refrigerate if you are not going to use immediately. When ready to serve: Trim ends of cake on slight diagonal. Dust cake with powdered sugar. Spoon some of warm sauce over top of cake. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup toffee. To serve, cut cake crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices. Pass remaining sauce.

Read more: http://northwindstar-primitives.blogspot.com/2009/09/pumpkin-roll-with-toffee-filling-and_17.html#comment-form#ixzz0RNbDCbLn

Visit the below link to actually read the recipe from her blog and visit her site today! She always has a great recipe to copy in her posts and love to see what is next on her list of great new foods!LOL
(author unknown)



This next dessert is from the Foodnetwork website also! I have to admit I have never made this but it just sounds so ooey and gooey yummy. I'm going to have to try it soon! If you like smores this would be a great recipe for you! It is called smore brownies!






BROWNIE SMORES

4) www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/smore-brownies-recipe/index.html

Copy and paste this into your search and enjoy!
(author Foodnetwork staff)



The next recipe if for a Spice cakes that was made into a work of art for us one day for dinner by my sister Amy....Winterberry Creek! With her icing she made her cakes into pumpkins and showed her artistic ability by putting faces on them and making them up as if drawing her idea on a piece of paper. Amy is a great cook and can find recipes like no one else and is always so willing to share the recipes she has with others. A great place to find some great recipes is from her blog. I would love to live in her home for she knows what to eat and bake anything that would make your mouth water. Visit her blog today!

http://www.winterberrycreek.blogspot.com

She is not only my sister she is a very talented artist that I share my ETSY experiences with and we share in our talent for creativity! You'll have to see her altered art works and her doll creations while you are there! Here is a recipe I got from her...



PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKES

Make spice cake from a mix according to box recipe.
Spray inside of mini Bundt cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and pour
into molds, filling about 1/2 full. Bake according to cupcake recipe times.
When done, cool 10 minutes in pan. Put on wire rack to cool.

When completely cool drizzle with butter cream frosting.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

8 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
3-3/4 confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend butter in mixing bowl. Add confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla
extract slowly. Blend until mixed. Add red and yellow food coloring until
desired shade of orange. Put in microwave bowl and microwave about 35
seconds or so on HI until desired pourable consistency. Drizzle over cooled
cakes and decorate with green gum drop and green leaves made out of
frosting.

Thank you Amy! This is a fall special that is only seen in the fall...but thanks to you have a new way of making an old favorite!


MAIN MEALS

Do you like comfort food? I know I do and usually go for something comforting that I can make for meals during the changing season. This next recipe is so delicious ..I can't even tell you! When you are done the chicken will fall off the bone and all the vegetables, and meat, won't need one bit of salt or seasonings. It is absolutely the most amazing meal I have ever made! Again, I found this keeper through my sister and can be found on the Foodnetwork. It is called Garlic Roasted Chicken and is the best meal you will ever eat! It became quickly one of my favorites and hope it becomes one of yours!





GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-roast-chicken-recipe/index.html

Copy and Paste this in your search and make this today! You're family will be glad you did!
(Author Ina Garten)


This second comfort food I just stubbled across. It is nothing really special ...but when I was all done it had become a comfort meal for both my husband and myself! This is a Beef Stew but I added dumplings to go ontop and it was like a meal that just fed the soul and have all the items to make it again this week.



BEEF STEW AND DUMPLINGS



1)What you need is a McCormick stew seasoning mix.
2 lbs stew beef cut into 1" cubes
3 TBL. flour
2 TBL. oil
3 cups water
5 cups of fresh vegetables such as potates, carrots, onions and celery
(I used canned)

1. Coat beef with flour and heat oil in deep skillet on medium heat, add beef until browned on all sides.
2. Stir in seasoning mix and water
3. bring to a boil , cover and reduce heat and simmer 1 hour stirring occasionally . Add vegetables, simmer 45 minutes or until beff and vegetables are tender stirring occsionally. Thicken stew with additional flour if desired.
(author McCormick Co.)

DUMPLINGS:

3 TBL. shortening
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk

Cut shortening into flour, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles find crumbs. Stir in milk . Dorp dough by spoonfulls onto hot meat and vegetables in bloiling stew (DO NOT DROP DIRECTLY INTO LIQUID) Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook about 10 minutes longer until spongy and done.
(Author Betty Crocker Cookbook)



I am a big soup eater and love new soup recipes that are easy and delicious! This week I'm making a homemade Cream of Potato soup and is easy and so tasty that you'll
just have to have it again. This recipe is also a great comfort food and I usually make it as the fall season progresses! Add a favorite sandwich and you have yourself a meal!


POTATO SOUP

4 cups chicken stock
2 1/2 milk
1 1/2 cup half and half
1 medium onion
1 cup celery diced
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 lbs of potatoes , peeled and diced
(I use canned potatoes that are diced)

Cook potatoes in chicken stock until soft.(Or just cook the canned diced potatoes in the stock until hot. In separate pan melt butter, add onion and celery and cook until soft. Add a small amount of chicken stock , than add flour slowly and stir until thick and smooth in with the onion and celery mixture. Add mixture to potates in the hot stock, stirring continuously. Slowly add milk, seasoning and half and half. Heat through, but do not boil.
(author Dianne Souders)


Another soup that I would put under comfort foods is my chicken noodle soup! With all the colds and sicknesses that are going around this is the perfect soup to make as the weather gets colder and is a favorite with my family! I used to make it all the time for my father in law that is no longer with us! It used to be his favorite! It also makes a great gift if you know someone is sick! This is a traditional favorite!


CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP


2 1/2 pounds broiler chicken
1 Quart water
4 medium celery cut into 1/2" slices
1 TBL. salt
3 carrots cut into 1/2" slices
1 TBL monosodium glutamate (optional)
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
3 chicken bouillon cubes
2 cups uncooked egg noodles


1) Heat ALL ingredients except noodles to boiling in 4 quart dutch oven, reduce heat.
2) Cover and simmer chicken is done but not dried out! (about 45 minutes)
3) Skim fat if neccessary
4) Once chicken it cooked cut into 1" pieces
5) Put pieces back in with vegetables
6) Cook noodles in separate pan to the directions on package
7) Once done drain and put noodles in with chicken and vegetable mixture and stir.

(I usually just go by taste with how many boullion cubes I add. I find that three makes the soup a bit too weak in taste!)



Get yourself some soup crackers and enjoy! This is an American favorite and has certainly been a favorite of mine too!


My grandmother was always an amazing cook! There is a meal she would always make it we liked it so much I grew up and made it myself. It brings back so many memories of being at her house during the summer and enjoying her great meals. This is an old favorite and is also in the list of Comfort foods. It is called Poor Man's Stew!


POORMAN STEW:

1 regular can chopped potatoes
1 regular can peas
1 lbs hamburger
bisquick
1/2 cup water
2 TBL flour

1)Open can of canned peas and potatoes, drain and put into baking dish.
2) Brown hamburger and put that in with vegetables
3)Add water to come up to about middle of pan and add flour to thicken
4) Make bisquick biscuits from box recipe
5) Place biscuits onto of vegetables and water/flour mixture to bake.
( Or make the biscuits separately and add to top of mixture once everything is cooked)
6) If putting the biscuits directly onto the vegetable, meat mixture put oven on 350 and cook until biscuits are done and meal is hot. Butter the biscuits and your about to taste down home cooking! It is a fantastic meal to make when you want something that will stick to your ribs ...but doesn't take hours to make!


I love homemade bread and one of my favorites is a recipe that my mother has made of years. It is a very simple banana bread. It is a true treat to go to her house when she has made it ....but I got her recipe and it is one that you will need to try for it is the very best!



BANANA BREAD

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 twp salt
1 eggs
1/4 cup butter
3 mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups walnuts


1)In a small bowl combine the flour, baking power, soda and mix.
2)In a medium bowl combine the sugar, shortening, eggs milk and bananas until well blended. Fold in walnuts.
3)Slowly add the flour mixture into the sugar mixture and combine.
4)Grease and lightly flour a bread pan and fill with mixture.
5)Bake at 325 until done, 45-50 minutes, and when a toothpick is inserted, comes out clean.



Another favorite of mine is an English muffin bread! For this recipe you will need a bread machine. This bread is amazing because the texture is exactly like english muffins and has all the nooks and crannies! UMMMMMM! I can almost smell a loaf cooking right now!LOL


ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD


1 1/4 cups Water
2 teaspoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
3 cups Bread flour
3 tablespoons Nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoons Yeast
(This is great to put on the timer to have first thing in the morning)

Follow the instructions for your bread machine for putting each item in your machine. This recipe is a definite keeper!


There is nothing better than an apple dessert during the colder seasons. One of my favorite is making apple fritters! I don't know why when I run into a great recipe I have a habit of making it only once or twice but that is the case with this next recipe. I have only made this recipe once but I remember is well for we bought a bag of our first seasoned apples from a local orchard and I tried this apple fritter recipe and for some reason just haven't made it a second time. My husband is a diabetic and I have greatly reduced how much of the sweets that I make him at home or bring into the house. I know apple deserts are his favorite and don't try to tempt him ...but give this recipe a try! I can see is with a carmel topping and icecream for a pure treat!


APPLE FRITTERS

1 1/3 cup sifted all purpose flour
1 TBL sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBL salad oil
2 eggs beaten
2/3 cup milk
3 cups of apples cut into small strips

Sift dry ingredients together.
Blend eggs , milk and salad oil.
Add dry ingredients all at once and mix just until moistened.
Stir in apple strips
Drop from tablespoonfulls into deep, hot fat (375 degrees)
Fry until puffy and golden (3-4 minutes)
Turn once
Drain on paper towels
While warm sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve at once!


These are crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside and are just so tasty! They are a delectable treat!


During the colder seasons...I don't know about you but I get a hankering for fresh fruits and veggies. I know that ranch dressing is a great dip for veggies but I never knew of a really good fruit dip until I went to a home decoration party a number of years ago and the hostess had this great dip. I asked her what was in it and this is the fruit dip recipe that she gave me.


FRUIT DIP

1/4 cup fluffernutter
1/4 cup cream cheese

Cream the cream cheese and add the fluffernutter. It is a lightly sweetened dip that is great on apples, bananas, kiwi or any fruit. Great for parties!




My last recipe is for a all time favorite chocolate chip cookie. I have never tried them but they sound delicious and may get out the bowls and cookware soon and give them a try for when my boy and his wife come home for a visit. Chocolate chip cookies have always been their favorite. I have left you the link to go and see the recipe because of copyright laws. Just copy and paste into your search! Enjoy!


CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Big-Fat-Chewy-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

I have just added a few new recipes for all readers to make note of. I hope you can something here that sounds delicious to you and would be a good meal, snack, or treat to make for your family this fall season. Until tomorrow happy cooking!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

OFG Marketplace Tuesday Last Featured Shops!

Hello readers! I'm sorry I'm late I was with my son and his wife this weekend to help them move to a new apartment! What an apartment it is too! My husband and I were so glad to help them move things in from their old apartment and make pickups to different stores ,where they had made other purchases, to fill up their new home! It was turning out pretty nice when we left and they seemed to have things under control by early Sunday morning so we helped one final time and then went on our way to head home! What a time...but it has provided us with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime and are so glad that we are in the position to do these little/ helpful tasks to be able to watch them begin their journey as husband and wife! Makes me feel pretty good!

Well now onto the task of the day. I have two final OFG Etsy shops that I will be featuring today! So ,in other words, I have written something about all of the shops that took place in the Marketplace Mondays and this will be my last post concerning the shops that I have information on. Again, this is a small glimpse of what the OFG team has to offer and invite you all , that come into Etsy, to put OFG in your search and find ALL the others that didn't take part! You will be amazed with the scope of talent this group truly holds!

Ok...the first shop I will be featuring will be Artpod Studio and the second is a new artist that has joined us and her shop is Sugar Mountain Mercantile. My first shop to feature will be Artpod Studio.




This artist features a variety of items such as hang tags, paper art, potion bottles, patterns, party invitations and Ephemera cutouts. Her whole shop is dedicated to Halloween and making your holiday special and truly scarey! I have picked out some of my personal favorites. Come join me as I post them for you to take a look what this, very talented artist has to offer!





































This artist has Halloween down pat and knows what her customers need to meet their home decoration needs to put on any party or to hang on their surroundings to add a feeling of Halloween spookiness! Thinking Halloween? This is the gal to see!

Now spend some time and meet the artist behind the art and findout how artpod studio came about!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

Art Pod Studios ~ First of all, I love art so I knew that word needed to be
in my business name, secondly, I make such a wide variety and
styles of art that I needed a word that said "serendipity or all kinds"
so I used a trendy word that I thought conveyed that ~ Pod. That is how
the name Art Pod Studios was born.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

Since May 2009

3. What type of items do you offer?

Right now I am featuring my Halloween Items, but I am what you would call
a Serendipity Artist. I love to work in a large variety of mediums and
styles. Creating to me IS art, so everything is a potential art project
waiting to happen.

4. How long have you been crafting?

I have worn many hats during my 24 plus years of art experience.
Designer, Artist, Craftsperson, Vendor, Mentor and Teacher.

5. Who or What inspires you?

The world around me, Family, Friends, Music, Nature and even current
events. Sometimes even a sound or color can cause me to snap into a
creative mood. I have also been using a book called Caffeine for
the Creative Mind. It's a great book with creativity exercises. I have
been awed at how this really does help me put on my creative thinking cap.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

Can't say I have a favorite. All of my art is like my little children
being sent out into the world, I could never pick a favorite, each one
is unique and different, but I love them all!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

http://www.artpodstudios.blogspot.com


I found her answers to show the mind of an artist , that not only creates ...but puts part of herself into every item she has "given birth to." I found her answers to be personal and definitely original that shows how much using her creativity is so close to her heart by referring to each item as her "children". Creation is a little like becoming a mother because you give birth to an idea, watch it grow and you feel connected to it , because you put so much of yourself into your work as an artist you end up being protective of each and every piece of art that is "creatively born" from your heart and soul and ends up being part of your personality, an expression of who you are and shows your customers a little about you as a person! Strange it must seem to people who work in other areas other than art and creativity...but I understand her on this issue and are very revealing statements of her love for her art!

Please spend some time and visit Artpod Studios Etsy shop and take a look at all the other items she has available! Her ideas are revolutionary to meet her customers needs and all of her art shows the love that she puts into her work.

ARTPOD STUDIO LINK:

Http://www.artpodstudio.etsy.com


The second shop I will be featuring is Sugar Mountain Mercanile is a new member of the OFG team and has provided another shop to the Etsy forum. I will be seeing this shop for the first time myself and am anxious to see what this artist specializes in.

I have gone in and am having problems locating this shop. In the meantime I will give you the portion of this feature where she has answered an number of answers to questions that were posed to her.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
The name of my shop is Sugar Mountain Mercantile, which I named for the mountain in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee on which I am blessed to have a beautiful log home getaway. I called it a "Mercantile" because I just knew I'd be offering up a wide variety of items, kind of like a general store.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
Just over a year.

3. What type of items do you offer?
Well, it depends on how the mood strikes me! Nearly everything is holiday- themed, as I adore each and every holiday. I do machine and hand-embroidery, crochet, make primitive soaps, and I may list a few vintage items here and there. I haven’t yet filled my shop with what I really intend to sell. I also have plans to open a second shop in the near future, selling strictly baby items.

4. How long have you been crafting?
Gosh, ever since high school…I started out as a ceramics instructor in an after-school program for grade-schoolers..made me decide really quickly I did NOT want to be a teacher when I “grew up”!

5.Who or What inspires you?
Honestly, I am inspired and rejuvenated each and every time we go down to the cabin. It’s so peaceful and beautiful there, it would be hard not to be inspired. Every season has something to offer..the beautiful Fall colors, the snow-covered mountains in Winter, seeing the Spring flowers begin to bloom..and the beauty in Summer is just amazing!

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I always like listing glass-blocks, because each one has a personality of its own, depending on the graphics I use, and how I choose to decorate it. Plus they seem to sell well!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
I don’t yet have a blog, but can be found on the following:
http://twitter.com.SugarMtnMercant http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1639453199&ref=profile


Ok...found it...now meet Sugar Mountain Mercantile:



Again this shop has just been opened and I've looked over the list of items that they eventually have stocked. Look over the list and see what great things she will be creating!

# Hand decorated soaps
# Gift boxes
# Holiday Checkbook Covers
# Holiday Candles
# Vintage wares
# Primitive Fixens
# Prim Decor
# Prim Lighting
# Primitive tags
# Prim Ornies

What a great collection of crafts she will be having in her shop! She does have a few things already stocked and are the following:
















She has a great start of items in her shop and quite a variety of many more things to come. Keep your eye on this shop! I really think she has alot of potential to be a very well recieved shop!

I welcome her to the OFG Team and send her best of wishes starting out her business in Etsy! Make sure to visit her shop and see her shop transform and more things are added!

Sugar Mountain Mercantile's Link:

http://wwww.SugarMtnMercantile.etsy.com



Well, I guess our time here is done with all of the featured OFG Etsy shops and it is a bit sad. I have to admit that I have learned so much more about the people that I share the OFG Team with than I had known before and feel that getting to know about them, what they do, and how they conduct their shops have truly enriched my experience and an OFG Team member and as a Etsy shop owner! I hope you have enjoyed this experience as much as I have and take a look at what I have talked about here! Enjoy your experience and hope it is one that you will remember and invite your friends to visit as well! Take care all and until my next post....bye for now!