Monday, December 27, 2010

Awesome Shops to Find Awesome Gifts!

I found two Etsy shops over the holidays that made gifting so much easier! I love these shops and I hope you will too!

Thistle Delight Soapworks had something for everyone in my family! I ordered four of their soaps and every one of them smelled absolutely fabulous! My family loved them! What's even better, the shop had a holiday sale, which made everything so much nicer. Thistle Delight has great customer service too- I ordered two soaps at first, and when they got here, they smelled so wonderful that I just had to get more! So, I ended up ordering SUPER last minute (Like a few days before Christmas) and my soaps arrived way sooner than I expected!

Here is one that I ordered for myself-


Spiced Pear Luxurious Olive Oil Soap....Cold Process...Everyone say Yum.
Smells like heaven!!! I loved having this hidden in my room before Christmas- I could smell it every time I walked in! Wonderful.

Something else really fun- I made these scrubby things for all of the soaps I ordered. They are like little terrycloth (towel fabric) sacks that you can put the soap in, and it works like a washcloth, so you get a nice lather.

But guess what? If you don't have something like this, Thistle Delight has you taken care of! They also sell these neat soap sacks that you can put your soap in. They are made out of the same material as a bath loofa (fun word!) and work up a great lather while helping your soap last for a long time.
Soap Sacks The Awesome invention you shouldn't be without...Purple

Thanks to Thistle Delight, Christmas smelled great! 






Ok, the next shop has fabulous and affordable gifts for all the girls on your list- SinfuneeDelicious! She makes these fun, totally customizable bracelets! I ordered One for my mother, sisters, friend... And customized each with a picture, name, and little message on the inside of the cuff. They were so fun and affordable, that, well, I got one for me too! :)


 How sweet! And funny enough, my mother must have checked my Etsy favorites list, because she gave me some for Christmas too!

I think they are so cute.
See? Totally customizable.

And super light weight too! Perfect for everyday wear.



I loved that I could totally do whatever designs and words I wanted! These make such great gifts!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Oh. My. Goodness. Amazing. Cookies.

Ok, so I love the recipies from Better Homes and Gardens. I go on their website to find delicious recipies to print out, but I always end up printing out like a dozen  or more! It must be the delicious looking pictures!
Anyway, this is one that I just tried out. In the words of my friend who ate one, they are "fantasta-freakin'-awesome!"

Don't they look so delicious? They taste ten times better than they look!

 Peanut Butter Munchies

Peanut butter centers? To die for!!!

Here's the recipe:

Peaunt Butter Munchies

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
  • 1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
  • 1/2  cup  butter, softened
  • 1/2  cup  granulated sugar
  • 1/2  cup  packed brown sugar
  • 1/4  cup  peanut butter
  • 1    egg
  • 1  tablespoon  milk
  • 1  teaspoon  vanilla
  • 3/4  cup  sifted powdered sugar
  • 1/2  cup  peanut butter
  • 2  tablespoons  granulated sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl beat together butter, the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the 1/4 cup peanut butter with an electric mixer until combined. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Beat in as much of the dry ingredients as you can with mixer. Stir in remaining dry ingredients by hand with a wooden spoon. Form chocolate dough into 32 balls about 1-1/4 inches in diameter. Set aside.
3. For peanut butter filling, in a medium mixing bowl combine powdered sugar and the remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter until smooth. Shape mixture into 32 (3/4-inch) balls.
4. On a work surface, slightly flatten a chocolate dough ball and top with a peanut butter ball. Shape the chocolate dough over the peanut butter filling, completely covering the filling. Roll dough into a ball. Repeat with the remaining chocolate dough and peanut butter filling balls.
5. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
6. Bake cookies in preheated oven for 8 minutes or until they're just set and surface is slightly cracked. Let cookies stand for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool. Makes 32 cookies.
To Store: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.




SO GOOD!

Win.

Ok, I am so happy that if my face is stuck in a smile, I really wouldn't be suprised. Once I tell you why, you'll be wondering how the heck I could be so happy about this.


NEWHOTGLUEGUN!!!!!!!!!!   :D


What?

I got a stellar new hot glue gun from my sister for Christmas!

I know what you're thinking right about now. "lame!"
But no, really. I am so stoked. You don't even know. Pretty much, I have been using my mother's hot glue gun for a while now, and it stunk. No, it didn't smell (well yes it did) but it was a major headache!

I'll give you five good reasons why it made me sad:
1. It takes 15-20 min to heat up.
2. Its little stand thing doesn't even hold it up.
3. You have to shove the glue sticks in with your thumb due to lack of trigger. (so much for glue GUN?)
4. Just because.
5. Oh, it smells funny.

:(

See? It is a hobo gun! (Nothing against homeless individuals. Or Thermogrip. Or penguins.)

Ok, I know that hot glue guns cost like $2 at Michaels, (which is strangely less expensive than glue sticks) but I was just holding out on this old thing for some reason that I will come up with later.

Ok. So here it is. The awesome-est ever glue gun in the history of ever.
Brace yourselves.






Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!

As far as glue guns go, this is pretty beast. Literally. Hot Pink and Cheeta Print? Heats up in less than 4 minutes? Has a trigger? Score.

Ok, you probably still think this whole thing is super lame, but if you had experience with a hobo glue gun like I did, you would think this was the next best thing after peanut butter chocolate cookies.


Win.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

How about these?

Teal shoe clips! Boring, plain shoes can have a new best friend in any color.

Looking for gifts? Everything in my shop is under $20!

Like this- Imagine how much the little princess in your life would love one of these!
They can be made in any color, perfect for holiday pictures!


How about some cute and easy stocking stuffers?

Clippies anyone?

                                                                Gingham and Yellow clips are so sweet! 


Oh, and I am really excited! I have been featured on Etsy's front page!


So simple...Yet aparently loved, for it has been in quite a few treasuries of late!

Just keeping you all updated!
Over and out!

Monday, October 25, 2010

New Items!

Ok, so I came up with a plethora of new items! Looking for gifts? (Baby shower, birthday, Christmas, yourself *wink wink*) Here's some of my newest items! Look here for all items.


Cinch It Up Headband- Never Before Seen On Etsy- OOAK

Clip Set- Little Inspirations

Sweet Green Rosette Clip

Darling Clippie Set- Green and Brown

Adorable Pink and Green Rosette Clip

Have a great day!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Seller Spotlight

Welcome to Alanah and Emily, two sisters the co-run a wonderful Etsy shop called YarnPlusYarn! They remind me of my sister and I, and how we would stay up all hours of the night knitting together. :)

"A little over a year ago, my sister Emily and I were on a camping trip. We had one of those nights where you dream about the future. I threw out the idea of starting our own Etsy shop, with knitted and crocheted goods. She went with it, saying different things we could do and how it would be so great! I remember turning to her and asking "Why not? Let's do it!" Since then, we have become business partners. It is such a great experience to have a business with my sister, it has brought us even closer than we already were.

YarnPlusYarn is all about making things that are unique, fashionable, and wearable. We never add any items that we would not wear ourselves. We love to use many different colors and designs because it is so great to have variety in one's wardrobe. Running an Etsy store has been a huge challenge, but it is so rewarding to be a part of an uplifting community. I feel blessed."

                                                                             Alanah

Here are a few of their beautiful products!

Cilantro Hat with Pom
Thick Three Color Cowl
Olive Fingerless Mittens with Strap
Thanks Emily and Alanah!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Oh, Sore Bones. And new Items!

So, I spent most of my day yesterday building. That's right, I'm a powertool gal. I was helping out a local Mesa theatre company who was just getting up on their feet after their theatre building got shut down. They recently started back up with a show in the corner of a store, with no fancy lights, microphones, or stage! And it was good! So, anyway, for their next show, they needed a stage and a set. My sister and I went down to the store with some friends who work with the threatre company and we started to build them a stage. It was long and hard, but totally worth it. The show will be great!

New items?!? Yes indeed! I started a new line of satin flowers and bobby pins. I love how they shimmer and shine. My autumn fabric palette consists of gold, teal, deep purple, silvery purple, and brown. I don't have them all up on Etsy yet, but I do have a few!






And a headband!




Let me know what you think!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Seller Spotlight

Welcome to a new seller spotlight! This week, Linda, who owns an adorable shop on Etsy, shares how she started doing what she loves.

"The best thing I can think of to share with your readers is how I found my “dream job”.  I’ve been making hand crafted things for as long as I can remember.  I have been selling my things at craft shows for years.  Then I found Etsy.  Etsy is like a huge craft show with worldwide customers.  How great is that? So after I “quit my day job” almost a year ago, I plunged right into developing my own Etsy shop “A Sign of the Times”.  It was a lot of work and a big risk.  However, the ride over the past 10 months has been a joy for me.  This is truly my “dream job”.  I won’t kid you, I’m probably working more hours than ever and there is no “off” button.  My mind is always working on the next best item I can put in my shop, how to photograph it or how I will get my orders all finished on time.  My customers have been wonderful to work with and I’ve made friends all over the world through my shop.
 If you visit, you’ll see that I have a large variety of handcrafted items.  That’s because I love making all sorts of crafts.  The most popular items seem to be baby gifts and wedding jewelry for flower girls, brides and bridesmaids.  Since getting married and having babies are two of the most wonderful times in our lives, I enjoy making things that will make those times extra special for my customers.  The customers help to keep my ideas flowing by the requests they make.
I also started a blog to share the many things I find on the internet that spark my interest and think others would enjoy.  I would love people to stop by my shop, A Sign of the Times, or my blog and share their  ideas too."
                                                                                              Thank you,
                                                                                              Linda Quackenbush
My shop: A Sign of the Times http://mmtncrfts.etsy.com
My blog: A Sign of the Times http://mmtncrfts.blogspot.com


Here are a few of Linda's adorable items!

Little Girl Pearl Bracelet perfect for flower girl or first pearls
 

So Sweet.

Seller Spotlight

Welcome to the first Seller Spotlight! This week, Julie of Julie Magers Soulen Photography shares a bit about herself and her successful career.

Living in a remote Colorado off-grid home powered by solar energy and surrounded by acres of pine forest allows me to immerse myself in nature. Living so close to nature's rhythms becomes a way of life. I have always been an outdoors type. As a child I was outside more than inside, exploring the leafy deciduous woods of Ohio near my home. I always felt at home with nature, poking around being curious about the natural world.

The most important thing I want to give people with my photography is inspiration. I would love for people to be inspired, awed, happy, contemplative, or just plain moved by my images. I consider photography an art form and as such it should evoke emotion.

My photography was featured for over eight years on DenverPost.com in "The Colorado Journal". I have also been featured twice on the Daily Ray of Hope published by the Sierra Club. My work has been published in the "
2009 Paws for Charity Art Book" and "She's a Rainbow Photography Book."

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                                                                                                                        Cheers!
                                                                                                                             Julie


1000 Markets Gallery
Etsy Gallery
Facebook

Here are a few of her amazing photos!


Bird Photo -FREE SHIPPING -Hummingbird Repose -5x7 Photograph
Colorado Western Landscape Photo-Home on the Range-8x10 Photograph-FREE SHIPPING
Dog Porch Photo -FREE SHIPPING -Golden Bliss -8X10 Photograph


Thanks Julie!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Treasury

Well, today a very nice seller named OhDearWatson, who owns a darling vintage shop here, put one of my rosettes into a sweet red gingham treasury.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

So, I found the most AMAZING recipe on bhg.com! For peaunt butter and chocolate addicts (like me) these treats are heaven!


Here's how to make them!


Ingredients

  • 1  12-oz. pkg.  miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
  • 2  Tbsp.  milk
  • 3/4  cup  butter, softened
  • 1/4  cup  creamy peanut butter
  • 1-1/2  cups  granulated sugar
  • 1  tsp.  baking soda
  • 1  tsp.  baking powder
  • 2    eggs
  • 1/2  cup  milk
  • 1  tsp.  vanilla
  • 1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3  cups  all-purpose flour
  • 1  recipe  Filling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set aside 1/4 cup chocolate pieces to sprinkle on cookies. In microwave-safe bowl combine 1 cup of the chocolate pieces and 2 tablespoons milk. Microwave on 50 percent power (medium) 1 minute or until melted; stir once. Set aside.
2. In bowl beat butter and peanut butter with electric mixer until combine. Add sugar, soda, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat to combine. Add eggs, 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, and melted chocolate; beat until combined. Beat in cocoa powder and flour until combined. Stir in remaining chocolate pieces. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate. Bake 9 minutes or until tops are set. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely. To assemble, spread flat sides of half the cookies with Filling; top with remaining cookies.
3. Filling: In bowl beat 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup marshmallow creme, and 2 cups powdered sugar with electric mixer until combined. If needed, beat in 2 tablespoons milk until spreading consistency. Makes 30 servings.


Enjoy! I know I did!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome all! My name is Juliette, and I run the Bloomin' Cute Boutique on Etsy! On this blog, you will find pictures and links to my new items. I will also put up treasuries people have put me in and treasuries that I have made so that you see all of the great things other sellers have to offer. Once a week, I will do a Seller Spotlight, which will include a paragraph written by a seller that I am impressed with and pictures of my favorite items from their shops.