Palm Tree Note Cards!

Embossed card stock with textured palm decals.  Blank inside in a generous 5.5" square size, these are perfect for 'snowbirds' to write home.  See these & more handmade cards at expressions123.etsy.com! http://www.etsy.com/listing/76511380/4-greeting-cards-palm-tree-tropical

TGIF, Letterpress Letters

An offering of vintagemarvels.etsy.com...

Here's a unique decorating or gift idea ~ ~ a fine collection of 4 large wooden alphabets making "TGIF" which stands for 'Thank God It's Friday'. You can also make the word "GIFT." These antique wooden letters were used for printing in letterpress. See more at:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78020985/free-shipping-sale-thank-god-its-friday

Dichroic Fused Glass

Black Glass with Blue Dichroic Squares by Greenhouse Glassworks.etsy.com

An elegant set of fused glass jewelry. The glass is a rich, shiney black with accents of blue dichroic glass on both pieces. Earrings measure 5/8" x 5/8 " -and- the pendant is 1-1/4" square with a sterling silver bail.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/87137477/dichroic-fused-glass-pendant-necklace

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane

           

MUGGLEES 0-3 Months, Free USA Shipping!

Lil’Bums Boutique is proud to offer soft Mugglees infant boots.  They will help keep baby feet warm and snuggly and are so darn cute!  Made from brushed Polyester fabric, with soft- loft pile inside & leather-look material soles.  See  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88287222/pink-mugglees-size-0-3-months-free-usa for further info.

Vintage Emmons Jewelry!

  Pin & Clip Earrings with Rhinestone Accents...

A Starburst-style pin (brooch) paired with designer clip earrings ~ you'll look simply beautiful in this vintage Emmons (EmJ) jewelry . Both pieces are covered with rhinestone accents ... a super sparkle. The earrings are light weight with a comfortable clip. 1-3/4" W for the pin; almost 1-1/2" W for earrings. In excellent vintage condition for jewelry from the 50s-60s. http://www.etsy.com/listing/89042137/vintage-emmons-starburst-pin-clip

DID YOU KNOW ???

SANTA CLAUS  has 31 hours of Christmas to work with thanks to the different time zones & the rotation of the earth. This works out to 822.6 visits per second!

This is to say....for each household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stocking, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house.

Vintage Gumball Machine!

For gumball lovers or cool wooden toy collectors, we have a prize for you!

 

ThisVintage wood and glass (appears) handmade candy dispenser machine has a Atlas Mason jar on top to hold the sweet goodies. The hand-painted clownish face on the base has a big red knob for a nose which turns to release the gumballs or treats.  About 12" tall x 4-1/4" wide at the base, the piece is in excellent Vintage condition with a few minute dings in the paint.  See: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86456586/vintage-candy-gumball-machine-dispenser

HAPPY FACES Handmade Greeting Cards!

4 cheerful hand-crafted cards with little girls smiling up at you!  This set was designed and then 'scrapbooked' so they are all one-of-a-kind. Fine quality card stock, design papers & embellishments compliment those little girl images to complete the package.  4" x 5-1/2" size card (blank inside), envelopes included. See: http://www.etsy.com/listing/54465366/kids-happy-faces-greeting-cards-polka

GLOGG, a Holiday Tradition!

Glögg is the term for mulled wine in the Nordic countries (sometimes misspelled as glog or glug); (in Swedish and Icelandic: Glögg, Norwegian and Danish: Gløgg, Estonian and Finnish: Glögi). Non-alcoholic glögg can be bought ready-made or prepared with fruit juices instead of wine.  The main classic ingredients are (usually) red wine, sugar, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and bitter orange, and optionally also stronger spirits such as vodka, akvavit or brandy. In Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia, glögg spice extract and ready-mixed spices can be purchased in grocery stores.

To prepare glögg, spices and/or spice extract are mixed into the wine, which is then heated to 60-70 °C (140-158 °F). When preparing home-made glögg using spices, the hot mixture is allowed to infuse for at least an hour, often longer, and then reheated before serving. Glögg is generally served with raisins, blanched almonds and Ginger biscuits (Ginger Snaps), and is a popular hot drink during the Christmas season.

2012 Calendar of Art!

Paintings by Deana Mattos

This Calendar is sure to brighten up your day. 12 months of photos of original paintings by Deana Mattos of BellaCosaArt.  Printed on heavy glossy paper, it's a great addition to any home or office, brighten up a dorm room with the gift of art, great teachers gifts, these can go anywhere you need color, practicality and art. When open: 17"x11"    See:
 

"Traveler's Rest" Copper Wall Art

Copper backed wall hanging in 3-D relief of stage coach travelers reaching 

an inn for a night's rest...very unique!  Different effects when light hits the

copper backing.  14" long x 9-1/2" wide with a built-in hanging hook.  A VINTAGE creation of the Coppercraft Guild!

See: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87959626/vintage-copper-wall-art-3-dimensional for more!

...good 'ol Winter time!

Healthy Recipes from Diabetic Living

 

Champion Chicken Pockets Recipe

Nutritional Info (Per serving):

Calories: 231, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 392mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Total Fat: 8g, Carbs: 21g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Protein: 20g

Exchanges: Vegetable: 0.5, Starch: 1, Lean Meat: 2, Fat: 0.5

Carb Choices: 1.5

Total Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup(s) yogurt, low-fat plain
• 1/4 cup(s) dressing, reduced-fat ranch
• 1 1/2 cup(s) chicken, breast (cooked), chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) broccoli, chopped
• 1/4 cup(s) carrot(s), shredded, shredded
• 1/4 cup(s) nuts, or walnuts (optional)
• 2 large pita, 100% whole-wheat, halved crosswise

Preparation

1. In a small bowl stir together yogurt and ranch salad dressing.

2. In a medium bowl combine chicken, broccoli, carrot, and, if desired, nuts. Pour yogurt mixture over chicken; toss to coat. Spoon chicken mixture into pita halves.

Hand Woven Salt & Pepper Basket!

Creation of:  basketsbyrose.etsy.com

This cute handwoven basket comes with the salt & pepper shaker.  Size 5" x 3 1/2" x 3" tall. Red reed has been woven into the sides but you can request other color strips.  The basket keeps the shakers from falling over.  And, it's very reasonably priced for a unique Holiday gift!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78164279/salt-pepper-basket-hand-woven-red

           

Vintage Rockwell Figurine

A Norman Rockwell hand-crafted porcelain figurine called "The Alarm". It depicts a home town fireman & neighbor boy rushing to the fire alarm.

Issued by Danbury Mint in the early 80's, this vintage piece is substantial at 1# and measures 6-1/2" tall by 6" wide. "The Alarm" is in pristine condition...the perfect gift for the Volunteer Fireman while any big city Firefighter would appreciate the intensity when the alarm sounds, just like these two!

See http://www.etsy.com/listing/77542332/vintage-norman-rockwell-figurine-the for more information!

September 11, 2001.......R.I.P.

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW? is a new feature in our blog 
                                that's full of trivia tidbits!

 FACTS ABOUT KRAKOW, POLAND

• Per legend, Krakow was founded by & named after the mythical ruler Krak who built the town above a cave occupied by a ravenous dragon 
• Its only real regional rival for pure drop-dead beauty is the Czech capital, Prague.
• The beautifully restored Old Town is complete with its fairy-tale castle
• The former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz was a film location of Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning movie Schindler's List.

Vintage Polish Dolls

with very detailed Krakow Region Folk Costumes handmade in Poland, absolutely no plastic in the construction. Hand sewn costumes, hand painted faces & movable arms. Close to 10" tall for the male, 6" across the base.  A super nice Vintage collectible!

For complete specs, click on:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65974004/vintage-polish-dolls-dancers-price

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW? is a new feature in our blog 
                                that's full of trivia tidbits!

• Hawaii imports 90% of its food.
•  In 1866, 1,186 varieties of fruits and vegetables were produced in California. Today, California's farms produce only 350 commercial crops.
• A typical carrot has to travel 1,838 miles to reach your dinner table.
• In the U.S., a wheat farmer can expect to receive about six cents of each dollar spent on a loaf of bread—approximately the cost of the wrapping.
• Farmers' markets enable farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.
• About 1/3 of all U.S. farms are located within metropolitan areas, comprising 18% of total U.S. farmland.

Vintage Asian Figurines

Hand-painted porcelain, 6" tall x 2-1/2". Great attention to detail...traditional design, expressive faces & superb coloring. A creation of Ardalt Lenwile Verithin, same as "Lenwile" from the 40's.

For further info: http://www.etsy.com/listing/72606119/vintage-chinese-figurines-pair-porcelain

North Lake Tahoe!

http://www.gotahoenorth.com

Here's a GREAT link that will get you thinking about the Sierra Nevadas and beautiful LAKE TAHOE.  We  heart the North side of the Lake, a small community called INCLINE VILLAGE.  This eastern North Shore enclave features some of Tahoe’s most striking boulder beaches.   Scenic drives through the mountains to the Lake are filled with sweet smelling pines.  Pine cones can grow 8" tall around Incline...the ground is thick with them!

Vintage St. Jude Statue

St Jude is well known as the patron of things despaired, lost causes, hopeless cases.  Close to mint condition for a mid 1900s piece, this chalk ware statue measures about 12.25" tall. The base is marked St Jude and hand painted.  Colors are strong and shows St Jude in his later years. This is a wonderful classic to add to your altar or collection. 

See etsy.com's moXieantiques for sale information: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78824130/vintage-nuns-convent-saint-jude-chalk

           

           

Wee Vintage Madonna Figurine

Here's a small vintage porcelain bust of the Madonna.   High gloss porcelain, stands 4-1/2" high x 1-3/4"  It's nice to have a religious icon that's small enough to be personal, one you can carry even when traveling.  See http://www.etsy.com/listing/69765747/vintage-small-madonna-head-figurine for specifics!

Vintage Puppy Dog Figurines!

Vintage black & white puppy dog figurines! Cute as can be, the porcelain pair can easily be displayed interacting with each other. Great detail in their expressions and fur coats. The standing pup is 3-3/4" tall, the other 3-1/4" long.  Well cared for over the years & not played with, both were 'shelf sitters' ~ part of a personal collection.

See http://www.etsy.com/listing/78231401/vintage-puppy-dog-figurines-porcelain for further information!

Welcome to Vancouver!

Vancouver, BC, Canada is truly one of the world's most beautiful cities and one of the healthiest places to visit or live. It is a sophisticated, vibrant, fun loving, outdoor living city.

 

 Don't miss the harbour - you can watch float planes take off and land in the Burrard Inlet, cruise ships arriving and departing in summer and boats and ships sailing, rowing or motoring back and forth year round. Vancouver's Convention Centre is so green it has six acres of grass growing on the roof. From its windows, you can see Stanley Park and the North Shore Mountains in one direction and downtown Vancouver in the other.  And, you are 120 km from Whistler, a spectacular winter ski resorts and summer playground.

 
One tenth of Vancouver's nearly 600,000 inhabitants live downtown, most in innovative, high rise apartment buildings that feature glass and more glass showcasing the city's light and views.  Moreover, Vancouver has one of the most diverse populations in North America and with that diversity comes all the benefits: great new ideas, an embracing, cooperative spirit, ethnic food, shops, customs and celebrations.  

"Spice It Up" Centerpiece

This 8 x 12" woven basket is chock full of fine-quality faux veggies artistically arranged (and secured) to look 'fresh from the farm.' Its got everything you'd need for a (pretend) bowl of homemade salsa outside of the cilantro! See etsy's Expressions123 for specifics: http://www.etsy.com/listing/33271645/centerpiece-spice-it-up-veggie-table

BRAIN GYM "visualize with me"

 Brain Gym's® concept is...'moving with intention' leads to optimal learning.  It brings about dramatic improvements in areas of concentration, focus & memory plus the all-important attitude & self-responsibility. We had family  experience with the program, it's an excellent tool. 

For a personal contact, Aimee Edwards, Licensed Brain Gym Instructor from River Forest, IL (suburban Chicago) will be happy to explain the technique & work with you.  She's very approachable...the Mom of young adult sons, Aimee is in the Education field as an ESL Teacher with a Montessori background.

http://www.visualizewithme.com
visualizewithme@ymail.com

Vintage Cat Figurine

Cute vintage white ceramic cat with a super expressive face in pristine condition.  Ready for gift giving if you don't keep it yourself! Substantial size, 7" tall. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72947750/vintage-cat-figurine-ceramic-white

OKTOBERFEST, facts about...

1) It's an annual 16-18 day Fest in Munich, Bavaria, Germany from late Sept. to the 1st weekend in October. 2) Only beer brewed within the city limits with a minimum of 13.5% Master Spice (the crucial measured variable when brewing beer) is allowed to be designated Oktoberfest Beer. 3) The traditional drinking vessel is a 1-Liter glass or clay stein. 4) The fest is in Sept. simply because the weather is better for an outdoors party...nights are warmer. 5) Others believe it was originally held to drink up the old stocks of beer to make room for the new brew that would be made after harvest.  6) The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in 1810 to honor of the marriage of a Crown Prince & his Princess Bride.  This 5-day gala ended with a horse race and 7) Others say it's simply a fun German festival celebrating their culture and society. 

Friendly Reminder Towels!

* AS SEEN IN AUGUST 2011 SHAPE MAGAZINE *

Beautifully embroidered spring green hand towels to hang in the bathroom to remind yourself how great you are! Check this etsy.com shop for more colors and the rest of the Friendly Reminder Towel sets! http://www.etsy.com/listing/78959957/friendly-reminder-towels-you-look-pretty

Stained Glass Round Panel

...a charming 11-1/2" handcrafted stained glass panel with a beveled border and light champagne colored background glass called waterglass.  For striking glass creations (such as hand-crafted stained glass panels, suncatchers, candle shelters, etc.) see etsy's barncatstudio.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/barncatstudio

Bakery Delight @ Whole Foods

Check out this awesome 'Back to School' cake created by the talented bakery artists at our local Whole Foods Market at 7245 Lake St. in  River Forest (Oak Park) IL. 708/366-1045. Whole Foods has stores nationwide in the U.S. plus Canada and the UK. 

Stained Glass/Wire Mobile

            

FiveSparrows (an etsy.com shop) created this cool stained glass mobile of 2 abstract suns or flowers that twirl as they hang in the window. Made from recycled repurposed glass jars.  See http://www.etsy.com/shop/FiveSparrows!

Wood Burning par excellence!

MADONNA - original Pyrography Burning

by Leighton Davies

http://www.etsy.com/shop/custompyrography

Remember wood burning kits as a kid?  This gentleman has gone well beyond!  He started burning wood (pyrography) just one year ago and has created Celebrity pieces you'd be more than proud to display. 

Small but pretty...

As always, think of using that small but pretty plate as a cache  for change, a sweets dish, fancy soap holder or simply an under-plate  to accent one of your decorative pieces...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78051765/vintage-green-square-cut-glass-plate

DOCTOR, DOCTOR...

I

If you're looking for something unique for the Doctor in your life, this may be it!
An 80's product of Country Artists (a firm well respected for life-like art) this vintage figurine is in excellent condition ... looks like Doc is waiting for the best time to shoot the shot!  To check it out, click on:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77289371/vintage-doctor-figurine-humorous-resin

Chicago Realism by ArtdeJoie

This Chicago painter brings 'The City' to us with gritty 'behind-the-scenes' as well as striking renditions of  Downtown and eclectic neighborhoods.







You can see ArtdeJoie's expressive work at:
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtdeJoie
or Facebook.com/ArtdeJoie

'The Great Outdoors' Note Card

The 'Great Outdoors' card will please anyone who's in love with Camping or Hiking.  4-1/4" x 5-1/2"  Individually hand-set ('scrapbooked') with care ... there are many elements of a great day (and night) outdoors!  Check out this etsy shop!  www.expressions123.etsy.com

Agate/Glass Candle Lantern

A unique, one-of-a-kind design that's reminiscent of the red rocks in the Southwest.  See http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenhouseGlassworks for this and many other striking glass pieces.