Custom Frames

Custom Frames

 This was such a unique idea I think by this bride-to-be!  She requested these three custom photo frames to be made for special gifts for her to give to her parents and future in-laws.

The sayings are so meaningful and will certainly remain for years to come as a special reminder of that very special day.  Not sure if she will be using current photos of their wedding day or a nostalgic photo in each frame.  Either would be very special!

Custom Frames

Sisters Make the Best of Friends

We've been doing a few custom frames lately for some customers that I have really liked the way they turned out.  This particular frame has a lot of fun applications.  I love the idea of using old photos from childhood, maybe old Christmas photos opening presents, school photos, picnics, or playing dress-up!  Also makes a very nice Bridesmaid/ Sister gift,  or just using current photos of those special times spent together.  If you would like to see the particulars of this frame check out this frame in our Etsy Shop

Coffee Signs

New Coffee Sign

This is the first in a new series of smaller signs in my Etsy Shop this June. 

Most everyone loves the smell of coffee brewing! Even my husband who would not touch a cup of coffee! I remember the coffee always brewing and the wonderful aroma in my Mom's kitchen. Something so familiar and cozy about the smell of coffee. So if you love coffee....this sign is for you! The sign has a keyhole slot on the back for hanging on a wall...or a peg for sitting on a counter or shelf.

Sized: 13.5" X 3.75"
Color: Black also comes in red or tan

All of our products have a polycrylic satin varnish for protection. This sign is hand screen printed in our shop and uses a combination of two fonts and is an original design.  You can check it out in our Etsy Shop.

Yellow Brick Road



Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

       Could not resist posting this treasury from Etsy today.  In spite of the winter weather persisting outside, this treasury makes us believe again in the fact that spring does follow winter!  To further investigate the items included here just follow this link....

Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

New Vinyl Designs

New Vinyl Designs on Mulberry Creek Etsy

 

Within the last  week we have added several new vinyl decal designs to our Etsy shop.  Here are just a few.

This first one was actually a request from a customer  and we liked it so much that we decided to add it to our shop.  It;s simple, and therefore works nicely added to a family gallery photo wall.  Family is everything. It is sized 20" X 8".

Our second design is The Gathering Room
It measures 27" X 10" but can always be resized to fit your space.  Lots of possibilities for this one...family room, kitchen, great room, or wherever your family likes to come together for those special moments and special occasions.

This has been a very popular quote/saying in the past so we decided to redesign it and change the total layout.  This design measures 25" X 22" , making it more square rather than the rectangular measurements of our first design.  However both are still available in our Etsy Shop.  This new design and size can be found at Dance in the Rain.

Good Morning Sunshine, which includes the flower, measures 22.5" X 9".  All vinyls are shown in black vinyl.   Other color vinyl is available.  And all can be resized for that custom look to fit right within your space.  Good Morning Sunshine

Hope these new designs give some inspiration for your fresh spring decor!

Etsy Valentine Treasury

Red Hot Love In The Heartland

Valentine's Day is coming up really fast.  Whoa...where did January go??

Right now Etsy shops are full of great handmade ideas for your valentine gifting.  Giving handmade, something that has a real story and a real person behind it, adds that special personal touch to your gift giving. 

Here is a fun treasury with just a small sampling of some of the great ideas for your Valentine.  Red Hot Love In The Heartland

Custard Pie



Pie Crust Ingredients



Old Fashioned Custard Pie

In an earlier post I mentioned that I have a tradition of putting up a Christmas Tree in the eating area of our kitchen every year decorated with old family recipe cards,  mostly handwritten by my mother.  I try each year to actually make one of those recipes...so this year it was the custard pie! 

So first...the crust.  Making pie crust is not that difficult and well worth the little extra effort.  My mom and grandmother both were great pie makers so how could I escape absorbing a few simple tips and giving it a try myself.  The recipe I use, which makes one 10" pie crust, is this: 

1 1/3 cup flour  1/2 tsp salt  1/2 cup Crisco and 3-4 Tablespoons of cold, really cold water.

Making the Pie Crust

Add the flour and salt to your bowl and mix.  Then add the shortening and cut into the flour mixture until you end up with a crumb mixture.  Then add the water, one tablespoon at a time and mix after each.  Make sure the water is very cold.  I add ice cubes to the water to make sure it is super cold, a great tip for flaky crust!  You may not need all four (4) tablespoons of water.  Just keep adding until it forms a nice ball.  Then roll it out, making sure to keep it in a nice circle.  Keep dusting flour on the dough and on your rolling pin to keep the crust from sticking.  When you feel it is the size you need, roll it over your rolling pin and transfer it to your pie dish.  Trim any extra off but leaving enough to turn under for your edge.  Pinch all around.  Its done!!

Custard Pie Ingredients

Custard pie is one of those old fashioned recipes that is very easy, quick, and made from fresh and simple ingredients.  Eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, salt, and nutmeg.

4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/3 cups milk

Beat eggs well, add salt and vanilla.  Slowly beat in sugar and milk.  I did use 2 % milk and it worked fine,  but whole milk would make it richer.  Slowly pour into the pie crust and sprinkle with nutmeg.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 min. or until set.  Let it cool to completely set for several hours before serving.

Custard Pie

Enjoy!  And Happy Valentine's Day!!

Downton Abbey Fashion

Downton Abbey Fashion

I have just discovered Downton Abbey!  I know, hard to believe ( and I didn't think I lived under a rock! ).  So I am just getting acquainted with the characters and the story line....but already love the series.  I am kind of a history nut anyway...so this fits right in.  This Treasury, Downton Abbey Fashion, is just a small collection of great vintage items found on Etsy pertaining to the series.  Enjoy!!

For those of you wanting to get further acquainted with the series here are some great sites to check out:

http://www.downtonabbey.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downton_Abbey

 

Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

Happy New Year 2013

With 2013 still being pretty new on the scene, there is still time to reflect and determine just what we would like to accomplish this year. 

My List:
#1 Set new goals for my Etsy Shop
#2 Develop several new product lines
#3 Of course...the old standbys that are on the list   every year....eat healthier and exercise.
#4 Continue to work and develop my blog and work on my social media skills.

I think that should keep me pretty busy for the year ( and beyond)!!   Do you have any special goals for this year??  How did your list from 2012 make out??  

To make a small start on one of my goals for this year I developed this new plaque.  Love the saying on this one....this could even be number one on your New Years List.  "Follow your yellow Brick Road"  is the newest listing in my Etsy Shop for 2013. 

Happy New Year everyone!!

Personalized Hand Knitted Christmas Stockings

Personalized Hand Knitted Fair Isle Christmas Stockings



ANNSARTS ON ETSY



Featured here is another example of a wonderful Etsy Shop by the name of Annsarts

The shops owner, Ann Moody,  I have actually known for a number of years.  We share the love of quality handmade items and the love of giving handmade at the holidays.  Right now Ann's shop features her personalized hand knitted Christmas Stockings, but knitting is only one of Ann's many talents.  Ann is an accomplished knitter, quilter, and jewelry designer. She designs and makes handmade quilts, felted handbags, and pearl button jewelry.   It was her Mother who started the Christmas tradition of making personalized hand knitted stockings for everyone in their family.  So now Ann is carrying on this wonderful tradition.

Ann's Story

Crafting has been my passion for the last 25 years. I've especially enjoyed making beautiful quilts from quality quilt shop fabrics, wool felted handbags and several different styles of pearl button jewelry.

I love to work with fresh water pearl buttons, made in Muscatine, Iowa, quality quilt shop fabrics and luxurious fibers, especially wool yarn .

I started knitting the Christmas stockings three years ago.  I first made them for my children and grandchildren.  Then a friend suggested I open a shop on Etsy.  The rest is history. 

 My mother knitted stockings for her 5 children and all her grandchildren. We still use them to this day. I'm carrying on the tradition. I love making them. No two stockings are exactly the same. I personalize them with the name on the front and the birth year on the back. My customer can choose three main designs to be knitted into the stocking. I knit a variety of borders in between the main designs. They also choose the color for the top, heel and toe of the stocking and other colors to be used. 

The stockings measure approx 24" long and 7" wide.  Each one is unique and knitted with high quality wool yarn, hence the stockings are heirloom quality and will last for many generations to come. 

 

Ann is now taking orders for Christmas 2013! 

What a treasure to have for years to come!! 

You can visit Ann's Etsy Shop at this link.   

Who knows....you just might have one hanging from your mantel next Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Banner

 

Well it is now officially December!  Wow....how did that happen so quickly!!  My Etsy Shop is humming and is hopefully well stocked with holiday items.  One item that has been really fun to make this year is this Merry Christmas Banner.

This banner is so much fun for the holidays. I can see it strung on a tree along with all the lights and vintage ornaments, tucked into the branches as shown here.  Or maybe just laid beneath the tree on a red or green tree skirt. Always looks great on a fireplace or just on the wall or hanging from a shelf along with the garland.
It is  made from heavy recycled chipboard.  Each tile measures 4" X 4.5". It is strung with 3/8" antique red ribbon. Included in the " Merry Christmas" is a vintage Santa tile that is placed after the Merry and before the Christmas. The vintage Santa design can vary. Each tile is stamped in metallic gold with a snowflake design and stars.
 

You can find this banner as a featured item in my Etsy shop for the holidays.  Just follow this link. Merry Christmas Banner