Holiday Traditions

Even in this day of e-cards, instant messaging and photo cards, I still enjoy making my own Christmas cards. So when the Etsy bloggers team asked about holiday traditions, I quickly snapped some pictures of this year's edition. I've been taking a card class with a Stampin' Up dealer, and the ornament punch, border punch, stamps, embossing tools and a series of new colored papers inspired me. They were great fun to make, and I loved making use of the unusual colors for Christmas. Hope the recipients liked them, too!

Special Christmas Designs

Scrubbies are always a best seller for my shop, so for Christmas I've designed them in a wreath shape. Once the bow is removed, they serve for all kinds of scrubbie uses, from cleaning pots and pans, to exfoliating heels, to getting bugs off car hoods and windshields. What's also neat about this style is that they can also be used for stocking stuffers or package tie ons, saving on ribbons and bows or for mailing flat packages. They're also available in two shades of green. They'll last long beyond the holidays!!

Memories of Santa Fe

Even though I'm a little late in doing so, I still want to thank Divine Designs Jewelry, http://divinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/ for some fantastic memories. She was the November EtsyBlogger of the month and these exquisite earrings are only one of the lovely items that make her shop so well worth visiting.
But especially precious to me were the memories this particular set have brought me. I had the joy of visiting Santa Fe several times and experiencing its unique culture, architecture, art and lovely people. If I weren't so happy living in Kohler, WI, Santa Fe would certainly be my next choice! So thank you, Divine Designs, for the memories as well as the visit to your Etsy shop!

The Walk Begins

On Saturday, October 31, a group of us participated with "Team Margo" at the track of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for the American Cancer Society. The four miles were challenging but we were able to finish in less than an hour and a half. Mike McGill, a Road America photographer shot this photo at the starting line...and of course, there I am in the center, talking! The lady who organized the team is right in front of me. She also provided us with pink fleece scarves which were a godsend on the cool, damp morning...Next to me is my friend, Judy, and several other team members are behind us, including Margo, our aerobics teacher (the one waving). Best of all, she is in remission from cancer and we were able to raise a great deal of money for that most worthy cause!

Just Splendid!

Our Etsy blogger of the month is Rita, of Splendid Little Stars. She has two Etsy shops, http://sparklypark.esty.com in which she features jewelry and http://SplendidLittleStars.etsy.com which has fun and fabulous tie-dyed items. I'm especially liking her snowman socks and long sleeved T which you see pictured here. Wouldn't they make a darling set for either a boy or a girl? In fact, she even will do special orders in colors and sizes that you want! Please take a moment to visit her shops and her blog for more information about her and her creative process.

MMM...Mustard!

No, you're not seeing things!! Those are apples to the right. However, the latest Etsy Bloggers Carnival has asked us to tell about a favorite fall activity. We just happened to extend it past the wonderful Lapacek Apple Orchard in Poynette, Wisconsin, where this first shot was taken, to...are you ready for this...the one and only (perhaps thank goodness) National Mustard Museum!!

That's right, folks, inside this seemingly unimposing building lies a true treasure, for you mustardholics that is! It truly spices up the lovely town of Middleton, Wisconsin. Here you can learn about (and sample) hundreds of mustards amidst the "tongue in cheek"...after you stop sampling mustard...displays orchestrated by the museum's official curator.

A good example is a visit to the Poupon U book store where you can gobble up t-shirts, books, and even diplomas! My fav was the "Doctor of Diddly Squat" degree. You can also take mustard quizzes, view more types of mustard than seems possible, and pay a visit to Mustard Piece Theatre to view a film that will have you salivating as you laugh. Not really a pretty picture!!

After exploring and sampling many mustards on such delicacies as mini-hotdogs and pretzels, we made our purchases. We send our thanks to Barry Levinson, the curator (and sometimes preacher) and his staff for a smacking good time.

If you're ever near Madison, Wisconsin, it's worth a visit. And be sure to sign up for the occasional newsletter from the curator or visit the website!

The Bride Wore Black

On Christmas Eve almost 97 years ago, my grandparents were married in a simple home ceremony. The bride wore black. It was quite a surprise to me the first time I heard it until she explained that it was the custom in her city at the time. Besides, she added, she would wear the dress again.

So it seemed quite natural to me when my husband and I were married four years ago to do the same thing, especially because it was not the first marriage for either of us. We were married in a simple ceremony in our home, by a dear friend, an Episcopalian priest. The bride wore black, of course.

When the topic, weddings, was chosen for the Etsy Bloggers Carnival, it was a story I had to share! The photo above is from our wedding, but as I look just like my grandmother, it was almost a step back to that simpler time, 97 years ago. I guess that happy marriages do not come from the color of the wedding dress....black, white, or any other color!

What about you? What color was your wedding dress?