Thursday, December 31, 2009

time will tell ~ Wishes for the New Year

~ The treasury I created today was inspired by New Year's wishes ~

~ My wishes for you ~
adventure ~ explore and travel, experience new things
time ~ there never seems to be enough
luck ~ we could all use some
the key ~ to get where you need to go
foresight ~ just once and awhile it would be nice to know what's around the bend
peace ~ calm from within
joy ~ happiness that makes your heart sing
growth ~ for a stronger, better you
home ~ a place to call your own
family ~ surround yourself with people who care
chocolate ~ speaks for itself doesn't it?

Hoping that 2010 will bring all of these (and more) to you, only time will tell!
Happy New Year!




Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Thrift Store Finds

I knew winter would put a damper on the treasure hunting. What I didn't realize is how much I would miss "the hunt". There are a few thrift shops not too far from here and my mom and I set out today to see what we could find. I was bummed out when we pulled up to one and found out that it was closed for the week. Then I remembered another...




Wonderful Nativity Scene
My daughter saw this and asked if we could buy baby Jesus. We did need a nativity season, after all this is what Christmas is about. So even though the pieces are all marked W. Germany and I know they would look wonderful in my Etsy shop next year, we will keep them for our own!


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Curious Find ~ Virginia Housewife Cook Book

My vintage shop on Etsy has continued to grow and blossom. Each item I've added to my shop has given me opportunity to learn something new. I found this recent addition interesting in so many ways.

This book The Virginia Housewife or Methodical Cook was written by Mary Randolph. This addition is an undated copy published by Hurst & Co. I did quite a bit of research on this piece and would date it circa 1880.

Originally published in 1824, this cookbook has been called the "most influential American cookbook of the 19th century" and "the first truly American cookbook". It contains early evidence of the influence of African cuisine in Southern cooking, though most of the recipes are derived from European traditions.

The author Mary Randolph was the Godmother to Mrs. Robert. E. Lee. Born to an elite family and trained in "proper household management practices", she married David Randolph, an outspoken Federalist. When her husband was removed from his position as United States Marshall by his cousin, President Thomas Jefferson, Mary Randolph opened up a boarding house in order to retain her standard of living. Later in her life she decided to write a cookbook. She died in 1828 and was the first person to be buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

This book contains cooking instructions for everything from hearty soups to lamb and pork dishes, along with fish, poultry, sauces, vegetables, puddings, cakes, preserves and more.

In addition to traditional Southern fare as okra soup, curry of catfish, barbecued shoat (a fat young hog), field peas, beaten biscuits and sweet potato buns, there are also recipes for dishes, condiments and beverages rarely seen on today's dinner table: sweetbread and oyster pie, grilled calf's head, shoulder of mutton with celery sauce, fried calf's feet, pheasant “a-la-daub,” tansy pudding, gooseberry fool (cold stewed gooseberries with custard and whipped cream), pickled nasturtiums, walnut catsup, vinegar of the four thieves, ginger wine and may others.

This comprehensive cook's reference also provides an introduction to the food and customs of the antebellum South, as well as instructions for making soap, starch and cologne water, cleaning silver, drying herbs and much other useful advice.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Chocolate Covered Cake Balls And Other Fine Treats

We made these decadent treats for the holidays. They were way too wonderful not to share. Whip up a batch before the new year hits and you have resolutions to stick to!

Chocolate Cake Balls
Ingredients
1 box of your favorite cake mix (we used golden vanilla)
1 can of your favorite icing flavor (we used caramel)
1 bag or bar of your favorite baking chocolate (we used a bag of white chocolate morsels and a bag of chocolate morsels)
Preparation
Mix and bake cake according to directions.
Let the cake cool and crumble into a big bowl.
Add container of frosting and mix well.
Roll into half-inch balls and chill in refrigerator for about an hour.
Melt down chocolate and dip each ball into the chocolate and then re-chill until chocolate is set.

~ My Cake Crumbler ~
I found it easier to use my Kitchen Aid to mix the cake and frosting together.
This mixture was way too sticky for me to roll into balls.
It really needs to be chilled and then rolled. I stopped rolling several times to re chill.
(*and worked on the following chocolate covered pretzel recipe at this time)
Place the rolled up cake balls on wax paper.

When melting the chocolate be sure not to overheat or get water into the chocolate.
I rolled the balls around the melted chocolate then spooned them out & back onto the waxed paper.

I found sprinkled coconut flakes did a nice job of hiding the less than perfect places.
It also gave my daughter a very important job.

These really were scrumptious and I would definitely make them again!

While I waited for my cake/frosting mixture to chill we made these incredibly easy ...

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

and with the many new Hershey Kiss flavors out we made several different kinds (have you tasted the candy cane kisses, wow!). So simple and little ones can really help out.

Ingredients
Bag of pretzels ~ the recipe I found called for circle pretzels but I picked up a bag of these window panes and it worked just fine.
Bag of Hershey Kisses ~ we used dark chocolate kisses, cherry, and hugs. The cherry ones were delicious but a bit messy as the melted cherry filling doesn't quite harden (don't let this deter you if you like the cherry kisses!)
M&M's ~ you won't need a whole bag (oh what to do with the leftovers)

Directions
Remove foil from the Kisses. (perfect kid job but keep your eye on the kid or they will eat your chocolate)
Place the pretzels on a cookie tray (lined with wax paper for easy clean up).
Place one Kiss on top of each pretzel.
Heat in 200F oven for about 5 minutes or until chocolate has softened (the hugs/white chocolate tend to melt faster).
Remove from oven, place an M&M on top and lightly press down.
Cool in refrigerator for about 10 minutes or until set.
Store in an airtight container or eat them all right away!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

and it was a Merry Christmas!



From picking out the perfect tree...


and after much head scratching figuring out how to save Christmas from the little guy.
(and it worked!)

Hoping your Christmas was filled with the makings of happy memories.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Voter ~ Favorite Autumn Decor ~

Wouldn't these Vintage Milk Glass Candle Holders just look
Fabulous
on Your holiday table?

I thought so as well and put them up for nomination in this week's Favorite Autumn Decor Voter. Etsy thought they were pretty nifty as well & included them in this week's voter!

Here is the Voter link ~ So many lovely items, I know a difficult choice. Perhaps you'll give my Candle Holders some much needed love?



Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Perfect Gift

My little girl just turned 4.
She's a funny creature and seems to love the simplest of things.

I had really wanted to get her something special for her birthday. A trip to the toy store turned out to be a disaster. We offered up dolls, games, and the like but nothing seemed to grab her eye. Then she found a ball. Once she got a hold of it there was no letting go. I tried to take it away from her in order to get her to focus on finding a birthday gift. The result was tears. I did realize how ridiculous the situation was, so we paid the $1.65 for the ball and left.

I decided to look for something special that was not a toy ~ and found the perfect gift. Ever since she read "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn she loves to give the ASL sign for "I love you". It's become the thing we do at bedtime when I'm leaving her room and a way to say goodbye once she is in her classroom at school.

I searched Etsy for something with this sign & found the perfect item by Silver Shed Studio. Casey was wonderful to work with and quickly sent out this beautiful necklace.
As you can see by the picture my daughter really loves it.
Thanks Casey for a wonderful gift.

If you haven't seen the previous post about my banner & The Voter
scroll down and Please vote!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I Made Voter!


Although sewing has been put on the back burner for the moment, I did manage to make a Halloween Banner for my Etsy Corr Creations shop. Etsy runs a weekly voter where you can nominate items based on a weekly theme. 40 of these items are selected & the following week all are invited to vote for the best item in that theme.

This week's theme is Vote for Your Favorite Halloween Item. How excited was I to find out that My Banner was included!

If you have a moment please go & check out
Hurry! Voting ends October 12!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Hi



♥*¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸*´¨(♥ Well Hello Out There~
(¸.·´ (¸.·´♥

I know it's been a Really looooong time. But Summer is over and it's time. I've missed this place and am really looking forward to getting back into it.

Hope your summer was a good one. We're making a nice transition into Fall. There has been a definite change in weather, routine, & activities - I've even had to pop the heat on for a bit to take the chill off.

This past weekend was the big Fall kickoff event ~ The Adirondack Balloon Festival ~
Absolutely wonderful. We met up with our friends for a picnic dinner and marvelled at the beautiful sites. Here are just a few for you to enjoy!










Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Pick Me Up

I received some disappointing news today about a job 
I was really hoping to get. 
A Real Bummer.

Imagine my surprise when Alk from my Quiltsy Team posted that she had made a treasury that she hoped would cheer me. 

I went to check it out, lovely I thought. Then I got to the bottom ...
and smiled!

I'd love it if you went over and checked out the "live" treasury!
and be sure to check out Alkdesigns. She's a lovely person who makes beautiful things!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Oh Drats ... BATS!

Well it's summer (though it doesn't feel like it here) and with summer comes the critters. 

Let me add right now, I KNOW how good they are, eating mosquitos by the thousands per hour (or something like that). I KNOW they are facing some disease that is wiping them out at an alarming rate (not a disease they will pass on to me mom).

We have a lovely little pond very nearby and with that of course mosquitos. We also have a colony (as in very many) living behind the chimney. 

Behind the chimney is really okay with me. I don't mind having bats in my belfry ~ honest! It's just that every summer one or two makes its way into our house, and that's just creepy!

I went up to get a sweatshirt the other night and saw this bat flying about. We were not able to find him that night but he was located and promptly removed the next day ~ phew! 

Funny thing is he looked tremendous flying around but actually no bigger than 3" long lying in the driveway (recovering from a trip out the window in a butterfly net). 

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Rainbows Are Lovely



Saw one tonight ~ made me feel like a kid!

RAINBOW CONNECTION
Kermit the Frog

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbow's are visions
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
Are these the sweet sounds that called
The young sailors
I think they're one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something that I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me


Monday, July 6, 2009

And The (belated) Winner Is..

My sincerest apologies for the suspense! Without any further ado... 


Congrats to Laura! Scroll down a bit & use the email button on the right 
to send me your address so I can send you some vintage goodies!

Friday, July 3, 2009

On The Road

Up and out early (again) this morning. On the hunt of course. 
Some interesting sites along the way

The kids are very patient and Erin is usually able to acquire her own treasures. This necklace was something she was given today. Makes a lovely accessory don't you think?

Love this sweet house!

Heaven help me ~ I couldn't resist!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Vintage Fabric Project

Vintage Fabrics ~ New Project!

There are a few ufo's that could use some attention...

I need to wash my batiks and cut the charms for the Quiltsy swap ...

The crafty nook looks as if a cyclone hit it...

Sounds like it's time to start a new project ~ don't  you agree?

I decided to cut up some of these beautiful vintage fabrics and make something lovely. This post is just a little bit of a tease because I'm not going to tell you what I'm making yet ~ stay tuned!

You of course have a few more days to enter my giveaway, scroll down to the post below!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Vintage Rick Rack & Mini Giveaway

Oh So Sweet...
Heaven, I'm in heaven...
Feast your eyes on the Catch of the Day!

I found myself at an estate sale today. Lots of knick knacks and the biggest collection of tupperware I have ever seen in my life. No joke ~ many cabinets chock full, the woman must have been selling it. Also Avon bottles, never seeing them before and not knowing anything about them, I passed them up. Funny thing is I saw them at another sale today as well. 

There are so many things that are collectible, I happen to be drawn to what I love ~ fabrics and sewing notions. You can just imagine how I felt when I happened to find this little treasure box!
Vintage rick rack as well as lots of old bias tape & seam binding! I googled Betsy Ross Rick Rack and found that it was made in the 1940's-50's. Don't bother running over to my vintage shop to look for it, some treasures are meant to be kept. They are sitting in a Shwayder Brothers Samsonite which I was excited to find and will be selling! 

I would like to share a little of my booty though, so how about a little giveaway? Leave a comment on this post about anything you'd like! For an extra chance go on over to my vintage shop Corr Nucopia, have a peek around then come back and tell me what grabbed your eye. 
Don't forget that although I have sold several of those vintage embroidery kits, there are still some left! 

Drawing will end Wednesday, July 1st!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Family Week & Craft Fair

This past week has been a busy one. My folks came up (and with that comes the pre visit cleaning frenzy) and brought with them a truckload of  lumber which would soon become kiddie heaven.

So we've had a big back yard project going on. Unfortunately the weather was noncooperative, very rainy. But after much head scratching and bug swatting we now have a super sweet playset for the kids to enjoy. 

Aaack! all the pics of the kids going down the slide together are on mom's camera! I'd wake the kids and take them out for a photo but ~ you just don't wake sleeping kids! 

I also went to Plattsburgh for their crafts fair. It was also a garage sale and car show.  Not very many sales but you know what ~ it was fun

There is something very exciting to me about getting up early, loading my car up with all my goodies, and setting up a booth. 

No matter what, it's a great opportunity to see people and talk to them about your work, their work (because you will meet other quilters),  and get out there. And compliments, lots of compliments!

Of course my folks were up & watching the kiddos for me. They came up to the show to visit me (a bit of a hike actually) and lend moral support ~ as well as to offer a bathroom break.  Aren't they incredible? 

I only heard about the show from my blogger/etsy buddy Julia over at Adirondack Mama's Gifts.   It was great to see her and her sister Laura there and chat if only for a short while.


Here's the little guy. Crackers in each hand and seriously on the go. 
He got to spend some time with me while my little girl:
 got her feet wet at the beach 
rode a horse
visited the petting zoo
went down the inflatable slide
jumped in the bouncy bounce
had ice cream
ate cotton candy
and pretty much did what she wanted, 
she was after all with Nana & Bampy!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

New Shop!


I decided to take the plunge and open up a Vintage Shop. I'm quite proud of the title ~ Corr Nucopia. I've been busy filling it with some super finds and am looking forward to adding new things. I'd love it if you stopped by to visit, let me know what you think.

At the moment I have MANY unopened (yup, still sealed!) Vintage crewel embroidery and needle point kits. My favorites of this bunch include an Embroidery  Purse and a Walt Disney Mary Poppins doll kit.
(sold !)


among other things, I have another incredible purse kit ~ so incredibly kitschy, I love it!

I did create this treasury to honor my new shop!