Handrolled Paper Bead Watch Bands

I bought these beads from vividearthdesigns on Etsy. I was told they were made from junk mail she had received. Awesome looking junk mail huh? I made some awesome watch bands with them. Remember...buy 3 watch bands and get the watch face free!

Check out this awesome shop!

Are you looking for travel tic-tac-toe??? How about travel tic-tac-toe made of felt??? Check out this shop: Two Kazoos. Two Kazoos is one of my friends on cafemom. She has tons of awesome things in her shop! Please check her out! She works hard and her items are awesome!

This picture is from Two Kazoos Etsy store. This is the Wool Felt Travel Tic Tac Toe Game Purple with Orange and Green Hearts.

Don't give up on me!!

I've had a ton on my plate recently. Our house is in foreclosure and we are trying to save it. I lost my job June 2008, and I can't seem to find another one (which is why we are losing out house). And now...when I am in the mood to show you my new totally cool items, the heat sink on my computers processor is broken. Computers are not supposed to get to 175 degrees!!!! Tim ordered the new part, and Amazon sent it to the wrong place, so I won't get it today. All my pictures are on my computer...so check back soon! I am going to show you my new watch bands created with paper beads...some of them recycled junk mail!!! Don't give up on me!!!

Where's Waldo???

Has everyone searched for Waldo??? Check out the Artfire guild, Shops with Less than 5 Sales. They are sponsoring a Where's Waldo. It's like a scavenger hunt. Search the members shops and find all the Waldos. If you are the winner you'll get an awesome prize!!!

This contest prize is sponsored by Exquisite Studios, on Artfire. Even if you don't want to hunt for Waldo...check out her awesome shop!!!

And to all who do participate...good luck!!!

Featured Artist...Half-Pint Creations

I would like to talk about one of my favorite Etsy artists! Meet Half-Pint Creations!

I worked with Half-Pint Creations on a special order for my grandmother. She was awesome! She handcrafted little motorcycles for me to use in my jewelry. They came out so much better than I could have ever expected.

Half-Pint Creations has a lot of awesome things in her store. She has an awesome set of beach buttons. There is a beautiful patchwork twirlie skirt in lilac. And she even has stuff for the little man in your life.

Definitely check out Half-Pint Creations!!! You won't regret it!!!

*The photos displayed are the custom order I made for my grandmother using Half-Pint Creations custom made motorcycle beads.

My First Artfire Sale!!!

Thank you Judy! She purchased my 3 Czech Watch bands plus watch face!!! I hope she loves her new watch!!! She chose her colors, her size...everything!!! You can do the same!!!

Steamed Spiced Shrimp

So I love to cook. In Utah seafood...good seafood is hard to come buy. Thankfully, my dad used to work in a seafood restaurant in Maryland. He and my Grandma taught me a couple tricks :)

So let's see how to make this yummy dinner!

Steamed Spiced Shrimp

1 pound uncooked, shrimp, thawed
equal amounts of water and white vinegar
1-2 tablespoon(s) Old Bay Seasoning
1-2 tablespoon(s) pickling spice
1 teaspoon dry mustard
a dash or so of ground red pepper (depends on your taste)
a dash or so of garlic powder

Combine everything into a pot. Make sure all the shrimp is covered by the water/vinegar mixture. You can allow this to sit for a little while (I wouldn't recommend longer than 30 minutes). Boil the shrimp for at least 3 minutes. I usually go a little longer because I like my shrimp that way. You can tell shrimp is done when it is all pink...no longer gray.

Cocktail Sauce

Ketchup or catsup (makes no difference to me or the sauce)
Horse radish

Mix both together. Start with the amount of cocktail sauce you would like with the catsup. I usually use about 1/4 cup. Then combine a small spoon full or horseradish. Mix together and taste. Add more horseradish as you like. Add small amounts at a time...too much and wow will it clear your sinuses :)

The dish pictured also contains rice with cheese and broccoli. It was a heat and serve thing from the grocery store.

Enjoy!!!