Too Much to Ask? Congress, Get Your Sh*t Together!

Sorry but I have to air this. I try to be positive but sometimes being a cheerleader gets old. What is with Congress and the budget? If we, as a country, are over spending shouldn’t we be cutting back somewhere? I don’t have a problem feeding hungry children and making sure seniors have food and a roof over their heads but Congress has a package that rivals any on Wall Street. They can be crappy Reps and Senators and still be taken care of for the rest of their lives with a pension that most of us only dream of. If congressional members are truly committed to the job they hold and the country they are working (?) for, they would, and should, be willing to give up a few of the perks the taxpayers provide.

I try my best to live within my means. I work damned hard at it. I pay my bills, don’t run up bills I can’t pay, and don’t ask others to pay my way. No wonder I’m not a politician.

Thank you. I am getting off the soap box now.

Pacific Northwest: Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 7.22.11

      

I am taking a vacation, a trip, to the Pacific Northwest. Sorry,  but that is where my poor little head’s been at for weeks so I thought I would look at the wonderful Etsy folks and the coolest of the cool, from up that way.

Before I forget, let’s give a round of applause to Amy Jean Originals and her amazing Large Red Oak Platter with Sections, the winner of last week’s contest.

Teardrop Birdhouse by Roy Road Fish Company Cute and colorful way to welcome the feathered fellows and gals to your yard this summer.

Chinook Salmon by Nature Art Studio Looks almost good enough to filet. Have I told you that fishing is all the hubby talks about? This one is pretty impressive work.

 

             Pom Pom Flowers Hand felted  by Berry Island Set of 7 felted flowers. Would be just enough to fill a bud vase.

  Weathered Alder Driftwood Box by Earnest Efforts  What a marvelous trinket box! Look at the purple in the wood! Wow!

 Halibut Haven Solar Lamp by Alaska Laser Maid This is absolutely stunning. Amazing work.

        Log Log Log Magnet Set by Bishop Art Fun and whimsical, just right to hold the important notes on your refrigerator.

  Pine Needle Ring by Clever Jill Billy Clever, well done with an organic look.

   Elk Antler and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Earrings by The Arrow Maker 1  Light weight and unique.

There’s my 8. What do you think? Pretty cool stuff. Don’t forget to vote for your favorites. Winner gets an interview on my blog.

Post by Miss Eileen aka Goofing Off.

Check out our shops: MissEileen Vintage fun, fashion, decor

GoofingOff Etsy GoofingOff Artfire Sewing supplies, patterns, fabrics, Judaic fabric

MetalWoodsnWater Etsy Unique, weird, supplies, bones, metal work.

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 7.15.11 Summer Entertaining

Summer’s here in the northern hemisphere and according to the weather people, it’s been a hot one. Down here in FLA we are finally into our rainy season, which we have sorely needed. The daily (yes, just about every day we have thunderstorms) showers are keeping our volunteer garden alive. We have tomatoes, melons, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydews, on the vine. Talk about a bonus. Very exciting, especially when you realize it is a freebie benefit.

So, how do you stay cool in the heat? Do you stay inside and take a luscious afternoon nap in the AC or go for a dip in the pool? Movies in the AC? Is it too hot to garden when the temp reaches over 100? Do you have parties and cookouts in the evening when it cools off? Maybe a picnic or poolside luncheon? Decorate in style!

           Waverly Sun N Shade Jewel of the Sea Indoor Outdoor 18"x18"  Pillow Cover by SewSusie1 Pretty enough for inside the house and ready to use poolside or in the hammock.

 

                            Mossy Green Pottery Rhubarb Leaf Plate by NancyBloklandPottery  What a lovely serving plate! Imagine this on the table. Even hot dogs will look elegant!

       Personalized Custom Wine Stave Tray by Rock Creek Furniture Co Fabulous way to carry the goodies out to the barbecue! It would make a wonderful wedding or hostess gift, too.

       Glass Pitcher and Glasses with Painted Poppy by Crafts n Nat Elegant (and gorgeous) way to serve lemonade or even ice water. Beautiful.

     Large Red Oak Platter with Carved Sections by Amie Jean Original Love the use of reclaimed wood. Imagine this on your summer table, indoors or outdoors.

     Fabric bowls - set of 2, teal, yellow, orange, purple by Textile Gifts. Fill these babies with snacks or bread. Pretty and summery!

           Turquoise Triangle Cocktail Veil by Cocktail Veils Fantastic idea to keep those pesky insects from dive bombing into your drink. Looks much better than a napkin and the turquoise holds it in place.

          Palm Trees Screen print cotton flour sack towel by Ms Veronicas Love the color (and the look).  These are gorgeous! I use  fabric napkins all the time. Wash, dry, fold, and put away and use again. Better than work, shop, buy, use, throw away.

OK, that’s the eight for the week. What do you think? Good ways to make the summer barbecue the “place to be?” Vote for your favorite. Poll will be in the upper left corner. Winner gets a feature blog interview.

Post by Miss Eileen aka Goofing Off.

Check out our shops: MissEileen Vintage fun, fashion, decor

GoofingOff Etsy GoofingOff Artfire Sewing supplies, patterns, fabrics, Judaic fabric

MetalWoodsnWater Etsy MetalWoodsnWater Artfire Unique, weird, supplies, bones, metal work.

New Listings To Goof Off With: Fabrics and Buttons

I know it is the hidden seamstress in me but my heart just goes pitter-patter  (or a couple of thumps that are a little out of line…the doctor says it is I’m OK, though) every time I see incredible fabric and buttons. Lace does it for me, too but not so much ribbon. Oh, back to fabric and buttons. I came into a fantastic stash of fabric and vintage buttons that, as much as I would love to keep them, I am listing on Etsy and Artfire so everyone can have a chance to enjoy them, too. Some of the fabrics are upholstery (handbags, totes, and/or pillows?), some are just too cute (pumpkins for fall), while others are good weight for quilting (or anything else that comes to mind…and needle). As for the button, holy smokes!, there are some gorgeous buttons, some big (gi-normous!), and some cute (bows and kitties). Here’s a few pics.

                     Campbell’s Soup Panel

                    Sunflowers Fat Quarters

                              Pumpkins All cotton (hasn’t been listed yet, keep an eye on this one)

                                  Light Blue border fabric with flowers (not yet)

   Vintage Schner Block Googly Eyes buttons

                Vintage JHB Bow Buttons

Cute little hearts (not listed yet)

Don’t they just make you swoon? Creative juices going yet?

Love ya! Have fun and do a little GoofingOff. It’s good for you.

Post by Eileen

Shops: MissEileen (vintage)  GoofingOff Etsy and Artfire (sewing supplies)  MetalWoodsnWater (unique, unusual, sometimes weird)

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks July 8, 2011

Good Friday, everyone! How was your Fourth? Lots of fireworks? We had some rain so the fire ban was lifted and there were plenty of fireworks. We are into hard core summer now, Beach, sun, fun. Let’s take a peek at what I’ve found on Etsy.
Can’t go to the beach (or anywhere else) without something to carry all those summer essentials.
        Vintage Geraniums Summer Carry All Tote by GreenBugBags Made from repurposed vintage thrifted fabric
                                 Funky Cute Tote by JitterBag Colorful and cute.

                Stylized Pink Lily Flower Small size tote bag by Amy305

        Simple Tote Blue and White Crisp and Clean by NJayedesigns
                Hip 3 Color Fabric Messenger Sling by Bagabilities  Good size for sightseeing and carrying light.
                          Essi Tote in cobalt faux suede by Raramodo  What a fabulous weekender!

                                     Vintage Tote by 2ChicDesigns
                 Large Whimsical Hand Painted Cat Tote by Ceinnamoss
So, what do you think? Cute bags? Check out my treasury on Etsy for more bags  MissEileen’s Etsy Picks: Just Bags. Voting starts as soon as I put up the poll in the upper left corner. Winner gets a feature blog interview.

Enjoy!
Post by Eileen Patterson.
Goofingoff Sewing Supplies                                             GoofingOff.etsy.com                                            Goofingoff.Artfire.com
Vintage fashion and home decor                                                        MissEileen.etsy.com
Unusual and unique finds                          MetalWoodsnwater.etsy.com                          MetalWoodsnWater.artfire.com


In case you wonder how I decide what goes on the blog, I look for new shops, cool ideas, repurpose and recycled items or supplies, and great pictures.

Curly Girl Crochet: Beautiful Creations from Yarn

A couple of weeks ago Etsy artists from the beautiful state of Michigan were featured in Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks. Here is Curly Girl Crochet, one of the talented Etsians from Michigan.

 Trellis Scarf

 

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)

My name is Jodie Creguer and I live in Byron Center, Michigan USA, along with my hubby and two young children. I am happy and proud to be a Michigander. I love our beautiful state! I love spending time with my family, crocheting, reading, watching movies, and gardening.

What are your favorite materials?

My favorite materials are yarn and vintage buttons. I love any kind of yarn - if it catches my eye, I buy it and make something gorgeous with it! I have loved buttons, especially vintage ones, ever since I was a young girl and my grandma used to let me sort through her beautiful tin full of buttons.

    Tote Bag in Blues and Greens

What is your favorite color combination?

I love all colors, but especially reds, greens, orange, and turquoise blue. At the moment my favorite color combination is blue and green.

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing I remember making by hand were potholders when I was around 9 or 10. I had a potholder kit that came with a loom and different color loops that you weaved across to make the potholders. I sold them door to door in my neighborhood (yes, I started young!).

  Mixed Berries Scarf

What inspires you?

Many things inspire me. Things I see inspire me, but first and foremost, colors inspire me. Often when I see a yarn and love the color(s) I can picture in my mind what I can make with it and then I'm off and running! Sometimes I will look at the sky as the sun is setting and think "Those colors would make a beautiful scarf!"

     Embroidered Flower Cuff

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas often come from conversations I have with friends and family. Friends and family are always good resources for ideas. Also, sometimes I will see a yarn/yarn color and I just know it will make a beautiful scarf, shawl, etc.

     Harvest Cowl

Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration are my customers. I have had wonderful feedback from my customers and they share stories with me about how they are enjoying something I made. I also love hearing from customers who tell me funny and sweet stories about how their cats are enjoying their cat toys. Many have sent me pictures of their cats enjoying their toys and one customer even sent me a video of her cat playing with her new toys! Stories like this warm my heart. I couldn't ask for better inspiration!

        Robin’s Egg Blue Coasters

What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity?

My favorite thing to do with my creativity is to share it with others through my crocheted creations. I love knowing that someone is enjoying their soft, warm shawl that I made or that their cat's are playing with and enjoying their new toys that I made.

Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?

People should buy handmade because by doing so you are supporting a true artist. Handmade items beat mass made items hands down in their quality, uniqueness, and creativity. Love, pride, and thought go into each stitch, each piece, and it shows. I would rather buy a unique, one of a kind creation that no one else has from an artist rather than a mass produced piece that everyone has.

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?

The most valuable thing I have learned from other artists is that there is a real person behind every shop. I have met so many wonderful friends on Etsy!
 Shawl in Blue and Brown

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Apart from running my online Shop, I have run a licensed day care in my home for the past 3 years and take care of my two young children. I love it! Every day is an adventure :)

What are the Web addresses for your work?

www. CurlyGirlCrochet.etsy.com

Are you offering my readers any specials?

As a thank you to you and your readers, I am offering a 10% discount on any items in my Shop through July 23. :) Just enter coupon code "GOOFINGOFF10" during checkout to receive your discount. Thank you very much!

I just love Curly Girl’s work. Very pretty. The 10% discount is good, too. Just right to help you get started on your Christmas and Chanukah shopping. Order those gifts now and kick back later, maybe make cookies or just enjoy the holidays without so much fuss.

Post by Eileen Patterson.

Goofingoff Sewing Supplies GoofingOff.etsy.com                                                Goofingoff.Artfire.com      

Vintage fashion and home decor                                                        MissEileen.etsy.com      

Unusual and unique finds                          MetalWoodsnwater.etsy.com                            MetalWoodsnWater.artfire.com

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 7.1.11: Happy Birthday USA!!!

Bring on the fireworks! Today starts the Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration weekend in the United States. In the USA, Independence Day is celebrated with parades, barbecues, going to the beach, racing, and finally, capping the evening off with fireworks in the night sky.

Independence Day Country Skirt by ForgetMeNotShop             How adorable!


Nascar Plate by ThreeSistersPlates Just right to serve those munchies to snack on while you’re watching the race.

Liberty Stroller Sized Blanket by HeatherJaneDesign Ready for the parade!
                                  Patriotic Fireworks ID Badge Holder by DabbleDoos Some of us have to work……:( but what a way to show our colors!

Recycled Auto Piston Desk Clock by StevenShaverDesigns This is so beautiful. What a gift for the gearhead.
                Red White and Blue Stars 4th of July by LittlePolkaDot What fun! This would definitely brighten up a 4th of July party.

           The Skinny Cotton Jersey Scarf Necklace by EcoShag Beautiful, lush way to make a statement and show your colors.

Red, White, and Blue Flip Flops Women’s/Girls’ by AlannahsGarden01 Are there any shoes for summer other than flip flops?

So, what do you think of my picks? Fun and patriotic? Now it is up to you to vote for your favorite.
Don’t forget to stop by the GoofingOff shops, MissEileen.etsy for awesome vintage, GoofingOff.etsy and GoofingOff.artfire for sewing supplies and patterns, and MetalWoodsNWater.etsy and artfire for unusual and unique supplies and creations. Look for us on Facebook!

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!