A Little Lollishops Sneaky Peak...

One month from today (give or take a day or two), Lollishops.com will have it's Beta Opening ( a test run for 30 very lucky vendors- wish I was one of them!). If you have never heard of this brand new "frou-frou" friendly shopping venue, go poke around here or here to get a better idea of what Lollishops will have to offer. 

I am very excited about this because for some time now, I have had a feeling that I didn't quite "fit in" on Etsy. I love the site, don't get me wrong, and will continue to sell there (and SHOP there),  but for the most part, I do not fit the demographic (No I am NOT old!). It never is good to put all of your eggs in one basket anyway (learned that the hard way with the the other "E" selling site), and what a pretty and fun basket Lollishops will be offering...

I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time a few weeks ago and managed to snag a spot in Lollishop's first co-op advertising effort (already!).

It's an issue of Somerset Life, available in January of 2009....January means Valentine's Day, so prepare yourself for some off-season viewing pleasure (I hope- and welcome to my world because with magazine work, I am always six months ahead of myself)....

No Monkeys anywhere to be seen (remember MIMM? Scroll down if you don't- the monkey will be back after the holidays), but a definite WIP (work in progress) nonetheless... 

Initially I thought I would send Sadie (the froufy muscle behind Lollishops) a picture of something I already had made, but I just couldn't get it out of my head...the sugary stew made up of Lollishops and my recent obsession with cupcakes plus a dash of Valentine's sweetness kept swirling around in my noggin...

It's at this point where I usually just give in and start drawing. If I don't, nothing else gets done (and I just might acquire a cavity or three)...So here it is...my sweet cupcake bouquet, with a few lollipops thrown in (of course!)...

What's Valentine's Day without conversation hearts? 

 And this little guy gave me fits...he's supposed to be a kitsch-y little 50's inspired figurine...he's much cuter in color (as is the entire picture), I hope....but you'll have to wait to see...the only peeps who have seen the finished piece are me (of course), Sadie and my mystery critic (she always gives great advice on WIPS, thanks mystery girl!)....

Everyone else has to wait for Lollishops....I'm such a tease....

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

(and what the heck happened to Monday?? It's going to be one of those weeks)...

Until Next Time,

STEPH

Shades of Inspiration...

I haven't had time to contribute to the Shades of Inspiration Flickr Group for quite awhile...busy,busy busy.

This week the featured color is pink, in a close crop, to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Great choice....had to contribute just a few shots...

That shot above is a rare capture of the ever-elusive ("don't take a picture of ME!") creature, commonly referred to as teen-age girl-child.....a tricky beast, teen-age girl-children often swear they are NOT girly and they HATE pink, but are often spotted using

pink paperbacks (featuring VERY girly girls on the covers) as camouflage....a mystery for sure....

I will just label the rest of these photos "greatest pink hits" some of my favorite pictures from my flickr photostream....

Happy Pink Thursday Everyone!

Until Next Time,

STEPH

Saturday Afternoon Surprise

Sometimes it really is the little surprises that make us happy. About a week ago I was chatting on the phone with my step-Mom. I like to pace when I talk on the phone. As I headed towards the computer area, I looked out the window that looks out on my very small, government- issued back yard. Right behind the fence of said yard, there is a small grove of trees-big beautiful trees- one of the things I actually like about my sardine-box 1960's duplex.

This was the view through the window (standing on a kitchen chair, of course).....

Seems one of those big beautiful tree is an apple tree....

This doe had that figured out long before I did.

Now, living on a military post that is fairly heavily wooded, we have allot of deer, turkeys, all sorts of critters wandering around. It is a fairly safe haven for them because for obvious reasons, you can't hunt amongst a ton of houses and other buildings. But being the wild animals that they are, they are still skittish when they see a human. I have never seen a deer this close to my back fence.

These pictures were not actually taken on the first day I saw this doe (no, I don't know if it's the same doe, but it's easier to go with the singular). I took these yesterday afternoon after my super-hunting poochy (ha), the sheltie named Molly was going bonkers in the back yard.

See that brown haze at the bottom of the photo? That's the top of my fence. This time I was standing on a patio chair, very gingerly, as they are the types of chairs that rock just a bit when you sit in them. Yes, that's quite a visual, isn't it? I think my new "deer" friend was laughing at me too. Hey, anything for the photo...

All I can say is despite the ruckus that Molly was creating (I did put her inside before I crawled out but she was still whimpering at the back door) and the human swaying precariously on the patio chair, this doe was not leaving until she was good and ready. She enjoyed her apple lunch for a good five minutes, in spite of her clownish audience....

...And then she sauntered off. But as loaded as this apple tree is, I suspect she will be back...

I'll be waiting because for some strange reason, this made my day....

Until Next time,

STEPH

Today Is....

World Card Making Day!!

Quite the coincidence that I stayed up until 3am last night/ this morning getting these cards just right to list on Etsy today...honestly, it really was a coincidence. The email informing me that today was the big day was in my inbox this morning when I got up from my three hour nap.

Been working on these for ages, it seems (more like a month or so). I finally think I have taken control of the love hate relationship between my fancy new printer and my laptop. I am the grown up in charge now !

Woohoo!

Anyway, off to a soccer game this morning, so I'm really rushing....just had to share what a special day today is. Go have a cupcake in honor of...

 WORLD  CARD MAKING DAY!!

Happy Saturday, everyone...

Until next time,

STEPH

A tray Full of Wholesale Goodness....

THIS is what has been keeping me busy the past few weeks....

A wholesale order for a great shop in Florida...thirty six spoon ornaments...

I wanted to take pictures for some markets and advertising I will be doing in the upcoming months...so I thought I'd share. 

Grossgrain ribbon and vintage buttons with just a sprinkling of German glass Glitter...oh yeah, and polka dots. Must. Have. Polka dots. Somewhere.

Fantastic old silver pieces. I love everything about them: the details, the patina, the weight of them in your hand. This is a true example of "they just don't make 'em like they used to"...

Two different feels...a calm, feathery Christmas tree or a distinctly Grinchy stocking...

These ornaments are my absolute favorite project for the holiday season. Call me kooky but the whole, re-use and recycle thing tied up into such a whimsical package just makes me smile...it's a win/win situation....

To totally change the subject, thanks to all who responded on yesterday's post. Mr. Sunshine got his promotion and the kids and I got to watch. Everything went off without a hitch, not even a break in the video, which is uncommon over there. And just in case he gets through again and manages to see this, I will say it one more time....

Congratulations, Mr. Sunshine! We are very proud of you! 

Love, Steph, Shannon and Connor

Until next time,

STEPH

Slinking back to blogland....

Well, my "blog-iday" seems to have turned into a full blown exile. Believe it or not, I have not run away from home or been kidnapped....nothing near as dramatic...Just not in a "bloggy" place...

But I have an awesome new autumn look thanks to Shabby Miss Jen and I'm feeling the blog juju once again. There were winners in the Create and Decorate contest. Instead of embarassing myself even more, I will simply say that the winners have been contacted, so check your "in" box.... and I think from now through the holidays, I will keep my blogging very simple and without deadlines. MIMM (Monkey in the Middle Monday) is not dead, but on a tropical vacation. I'll get that up and going again once I survive the holiday rush. Let's just say the Monkey is taking his own little "blog-iday"....

And on that note, I sign off. Mr. Sunshine has a BIG day today...he is getting promoted today (BIG deal for you non-military types), and the kids and I are off to watch via video teleconference. This will be the first promotion in his almost 20 year career that I am not physically there. But through the wonders of modern technology, we can be there.....sort of.....

Happy Wednesday to ALL!

Until Next Time,

STEPH

A Little Humble Pie is good for the soul...

I have a little confession to make and a peace offering too. Obviously, no posts at all last week. No MIMM, no contest winners, no nothing.

I am sorry. Forgive me?

Do you ever get to that place where your "to-do" list is SO long that it makes you want to shove your head in the proverbial sand? Or grab the nearest box of Godiva chocolates (sure I just have them lying around, don't you? *wink*) and park on the couch, watching re-runs of Project Runway in spite of that mental list marching across your frazzled, sleep deprived brain?

Seems since Mr. Sunshine left, things get overwhelming very quickly, much more quickly that they would if there were two pairs of adult hands in this house. I had a couple of very large orders that had to go out last week, two kids starting school (one in High School for the very first time, which stressed me more than her, I think), soccer games, supply shopping (there are always a few things they need that are not on the list OR you have to visit several different stores to even find the requested item), lack of sleep, and so forth and so on....I won't bore you too much. I think it's fairly clear picture.

For the sake of my own sanity (not to mention the mental well being of everyone around me), I just had to prioritize last week. Unfortunaltely, the blog lost.

But I am back, and I will announce the winners of the Create and Decorate contest tomorrow.

There's nothing new for me to show you as far as MIMM goes, so I thought I might offer a slice of very delicious Humble....errr....Apple Cider Pie for your enjoyment. This is an oldie but goodie from Cooking Light magazine (Oct. '98). The air is crisp and there's a nice breeze here in the North Country today, quite appropriate for a slice of yummy Apple Cider Pie....

And hey, it came from Cooking Light, so it has to be healthy, right? Ok maybe just a little healthier....enjoy!!

Apple Cider Pie
Ingredients
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/3 cup ice water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chilled stick margarine or butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
Filling:
2 cups apple cider
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice
7 Braeburn apples, peeled and quartered (about 3 pounds)
Cooking spray
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation
To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 1/3 cup flour and ice water, stirring with a whisk until well-blended. Combine 1 2/3 cups flour and salt in a bowl; cut in margarine and shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water mixture; toss with a fork until moist. Divide dough in half. Gently press each half of mixture into a 4-inch circle on heavy-duty plastic wrap, and cover with additional plastic wrap. Roll one half of dough, still covered, into a 12-inch circle, and chill. Roll other half of dough, still covered, into an 11-inch circle; chill.
To prepare filling, bring cider to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan over high heat. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 20 minutes). Cool completely.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine cooled cider, 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and pie spice in a large bowl. Cut each apple quarter crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stir apple slices into cider mixture.
Remove 1 sheet of plastic wrap from the 12-inch circle; fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray, allowing dough to extend over edge of plate. Remove top sheet of plastic wrap. Spoon apple mixture into crust, and brush edges of crust lightly with water. Remove 1 sheet of plastic wrap from the 11-inch circle, and place on top of apple mixture. Remove top sheet of plastic wrap. Press edges of dough together; fold edges under, and flute. Cut 6 (1-inch) slits into top of pastry using a sharp knife. Combine egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush top and edges of pie with egg mixture, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Place pie on a baking sheet, and bake at 450° for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove pie from oven), and bake an additional 45 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information
Calories:
302 (28% from fat)
Fat:
9.5g (sat 2.1g,mono 3.5g,poly 2.9g)
Protein:
2.9g
Carbohydrate:
52.6g
Fiber:
3.9g
Cholesterol:
0.0mg
Iron:
1.5mg
Sodium:
173mg
Calcium:
16mg

P.S....go visit my friend Kathy at Catnip Studio to see a real MIMM post...

Until Next Time,

STEPH