Chili Cook-Off!

One of the funnest and most tasty activities that can be done is a Chili Cook-Off.
My friends and I as well as their friends and others gathered together on a Saturday evening before it got dark and played some outside competitive games. we split up into teams and did a relay race. the first leg of the race was the wheel-barrow, which I did with a teammate - she held my feet up in the air while I had to walk on my hands as fast as I could go.
*TIP: Do this in the grass or make sure that everyone is wearing gloves to protect their hands from the pavement.
We did really great in the beginning but my arms gave out twice! Also, the skin blistered and peeled off my palms because we were doing it on pavement (reason to wear gloves or do game in the grass).
The next part was a hopscotch, then a sack race, and a nail race (who could pound a nail into a piece of wood all the way the fastest), and lastly the three leg race.
It was a ton of fun even if a little bit painful. After we were all tired we went inside to eat. each person has brought a food item. Chili was brought by those who wanted it to be judged, and the other foods were rice, corn bread, pumpkin pie, cookies, etc. the food was great, and some boardgames were played at each table as well.
This sort of activity can be done anywhere - we chose the Church building because it was primarily a branch activity, but a house is good to save on money instead of going to a park. everyone contributes in some way or another, and some people also carpool to the activity from lack of transportation. because of pioneer day, this particular one was chosen to the the "chili cook-off", but a different theme and layout of activities can be chosen to do.

Awesome Miscellaneous Items

Feel free to share the love and leave a comment!

www.chep.etsy.com







www.joannasphotography.etsy.com























www.imaginationkids.etsy.com





www.handjstarcrreations.etsy.com














www.magnolysdesigns.etsy.com












www.elmstreetstudios.etsy.com













www.bathbuddies.etsy.com











www.lolos.etsy.com














www.comfuzzled.etsy.com
Sells vintage and glassware items








www.ourrootsandwings.etsy.com











www.tattietats.etsy.com













www.matthewronan.etsy.com

Movie Night

Nowadays things have become increasingly expensive, which means that having a good time out with friends for Young Adults has also become difficult in many ways. Many of us are going to school, in debt from school, jobless, starting a family, and numerous other things. It is sometimes a strain to come up with activities to do together that are cost efficient and also enjoyable.

My aim is to bring up things that I have done, or heard of others doing that are fun, cheap, and great to give a try with your own friends and/or family.

Movie night!
Recently for a Young Adult activity, the local church group got together to watch some movies. We didn't go to the movie theatre, which would have been about $10 per person plus more for snacks and gas for the trip there and home. Instead, we all gathered at the church in one of the larger classrooms and set up the proector that someone had. we got movies that anyone already owned so that no money would be spent to rent one. Couches from throughout the building were brought into the room and arranged around the screen, blankets and pillows were also carried in with each person.

Pizza can be a great addition to the scene! It is amazingly easy for each person to chip in $3-5 and for someone to pick up a ton o pizza's. Perhaps a few others can bring popcorn or soda's. Everyone contributes in some small way, and carpooling is done as well! Instead of spending $15 that night, each person spends about $5!

Because we are all adults, and mostly single, at this function and others we try to keep things clean and simple. Dress is appropriate, and the movie provided is also appropriate to the surrounding. This night we chose to watch "Holes", which is a GREAT choice! It doesn't have anything that makes anyone uncomfortable, and is very entertaining to watch as well. Though we are all over the age of 18, everyone enjoyed the movie.

Of course, this kind of activity can be done absolutely anywhere! I have personally watched movies similar to this at the beach, the side of someones house, in a living room, and it can be done a number of other places. You choose for yourself the specifics, but the idea is a superb one for a fun and laid back Friday or Saturday night where you all can watch a good Flick, and interact with one another.

Thinking of the Revamp

The blog as sort of slowed up and stalled recently. I really do like to do features on etsy artists, and also post tips and things as well, but I'm having a hard time staying interested myself! So I have been thinking about rethinking what I blog about. Something closer to my own life and what I do but that still intruduces other ideas would be good.

So, heads up! You may see some different things here, but I will include all the same old things but will just add more to keep my posts alive and interesting. I am more than happy to hear any suggestions of things that you would like to hear about, or questions that you would like answered.

My highest and best option is to blog for the 20 and 30 year olds. Activities that are good for a group of friends, a family, dating couples, recipes, places that are a MUST to visit, etc. Let me know what you think and I will give it a shot. If it doesn't work I will just switch it around to a slightly different angle until I find something that everyone likes.

Thanks for your time, and support and watch of my blog. I hope this works out well!

Uses for Peroxide

I got an e-mail that my mother sent and it was about the many uses for peroxide that I thought were very useful or interesting. Take a look! There is probably something that you will give a try yourself.

"1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.. (good one!)

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the coun ters. (Wouldn't it be nice if restaurants would do this?)

4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. (really good one!)

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drasti c change. (hmmm!)

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections..

12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary. (I'll try it!)

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this."

Alinahayes

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5281677


You are in for a treat today! Alinahayes makes her own wheel thrown and handmade pottery from porcelain and stoneware. "It is highly durable as it withstands temperature over 2260 degrees F in the kiln." Each of her pieces are food-safe, unless said otherwise in the etsy listing. They are also microwave/oven/dishwasher safe.

Alinahayes has been making pottery for the last four years! And her favorite material to work with is porcelain - " I love the buttery feel of porcelain, so that would have to be my favorite. It's a bit more tricky to throw and shrinks between 15-18%, but it is well worth it."



I love Alinahayes work. Each one is unique and different than the last, and the colors and shapes are great to look at - which makes it extremely difficult to chose which ones you like best. From the wide assortment of items she has listed on etsy, I doubt that you would less than five or six favorite items that you secretly wish to buy, I know that I do.

Some of the specific items that she makes are: tea set items, Robin eggs, Kitchen items (including mugs with words on them), lidded jars (some look like mushrooms), bowls and dishes, vases and vessels, ceramic jewelry (like the earings in this picture), and beautiful porcelain pears.

Also, congratulations to Alinahayes! One of her pieces was was selected for the AMOCA (American Museum of Ceramic Art) Exhibition in August. " It is a fundraiser for the museum and all work is for sale."

If you would like to see more of her amazing work or the Exhibit you can visit her etsy shop through the link at the top of this post, or her blog: http://alinahayes.blogspot.com

PlumsPudding

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7093228

PlumsPudding has a fantastic shop on etsy where she sells play food, silk, cloths, toys, and a few other items. My personal favorites are the Felt Wool Play food which sometimes looks like real food in pictures! They are so detailed and realistic, I could not help but go through and look at every single item in her shop.

"Having a chef background, I am also usually food inspired!"
The play food is needle felted made from wool roving and she also deals with playsilks dyed in brilliant colors "(usually named for food also)", hand-stamped t shirts with fruits and veggie designs, as well as market totes and a few "whimsical" adult items like hair ties.

What I think is great besides how awesome her items look is that they are made with natural materials whenever possible, especially since many of her items are made for children. And this hobby of PlumsPudding has been a part of her life for years but only for the past three and a half months has she been selling her creations on etsy, and she has been doing quite well!

One item that is best seller is her Marshmallow Wool Dryer Balls, which are used in the dryer to speed up the drying process when you do laundry! It is a neat idea and worth the purchase.

"I would love to give hand-carved rubber stamps a try, that pink material that most are made from seems like it would be really satisfying to carve into. I love creating new food items that aren't common, like my pineapple, cottage or cannoli."

Good luck to PlumsPudding, and I can't wait to see more of her creations in the future!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am so greatful for everyone who has allowed me to do features on them here on this blog, and the wonderful individuals who have begun to watch this and read my posts! Thank you to all.
Recently I have been thinking and I decided that every now and then, or once every other week or two I would shake things up and do a post on Great Etsy Finds, Personal Favorites, Art Styles, Cool Places, and many more things. Basically I would post about other things as well as Etsy sellers! I am open to any and all suggestions, so feel free to comment on something you would like to read about!
Again, thank you to everyone, and I cannot wait to begin writing about more topics that are fun and new to read about.

AmonetteN

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5343335
AmonetteN is a very creative etsy seller who is passionate about making cards and scrapbooking pages. Because I've done a feature on scrapbooking already I will focus mainly on her beautiful cards.
She has been creadting cards for the past 5 years and has been sharing her creations with friends and family but has now branched out and begun to sell her items on etsy.

She creates new designs constantly so that you can have something different and unique from a plain card you can purchase at the store. She also likes to personalize them so that each is special to the individual.
The types of cards you can find in her chop are: Birthday, Baby, Sympathy, Thinking of You, Thank You, Congratulations, Friendship, Different Holidays, and Blank Cards for all Occasions.
"I put either white or cream cardstock inside each card which I stamp the message on. This makes the card heavier with a finished look. It also makes it easier to add your own message to the card."

All cards are made and ready to go when you order.
"Each card comes with an envelope with a design stamped on it to match the card. Sometimes I will use clear envelopes with certain cards but I will put that in the description of the card. Cards will be shipped in a cellophane bag to keep the cards protected. I will mail your item in a protected envelope so it will arrive to you in perfect condition."

Instead of going to hallmark and buying a card that many others have purchased, stop by AmonetteN's shop and select for yourself some amazing cards that are sure to catch the receivers eye and attention.
Even for the Holidays you can have a customized card such as this red, white, and blue card which is great for the 4th of July coming up!

PaperAffection

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6238740

I would like to start off by saying that "PA"'s work is so very unique and beautiful. When I went through her shop I was compelled to look at every single piece because each one is so different and pleasing to look at!

She uses the "art" of origami in her work, but likes to give it a pratical function as well. So, she makes jewelry, hair accessories, gifts, and ornaments. This has been going on for about a year and a half, but she has been doing origami since about the fourth grade.


"I love colors and textures. Origami allows me to make simple and delicate items, that are bold at the same time. I love how one sheet of paper has so many possibilities. In addition, I would love to try Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and get back into sculpting again."


A tid bit about the artists herself: "My favorite things in life have got to be ice cream, sunshine, and hugs. I live in New York City and have the big job that a lot of people my age dream about, but secretly I'm a Jersey girl who sang in the glee club. Go figure :)"


Because PaperAffection's work is so beautiful, I had such a difficult time picking out specific pieces that I would show in this post, and so I chose more than I usually do! But I hope this gives you all a good taste of her work, and that you would go further and look into her shop more.

I noticed also that though her work is paper, they all are very durable and will last a long time. Don't feel discouraged that it's paper! Her items are great for gifts, and personal buys, and anything else you can think of.

More amazing shops are coming up! So continue to stop in each week, and I apologize for the lag in my posting, but they are starting up again and will become regular as well.

KT Motif

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6141355

KT Motif is a passionate scrapbook design company who who makes scrap booking pages to capture your memories and to portray your story in an elegant, fun, and beautiful way.
"I approach my designs by using chic techniques with your mementos to create custom collections through albums and pre-made scrapbook pages. I take your pictures with those accompanying memories and treasured thoughts and make them into pages you will be able to share and re-live over again each time you or a loved one opens the book."

KT Motif's work is an art. The pages she creates are put together in such a way that the page itself looks amazing without any pictures. Using her work for your scrapbooks would make your memories come alive, and every time it would be a treat!
KT Motif's goal is to make this scrap booking hobby into a full time job. Because of recent hip problems she feels that this is something she can keep up with - to use her energy towards creating what I consider art, that will last forever.

"My hope is that we inspire you to gather your photos and let me help capture that moment and memory forever."
KT Motif surely does creature some amazing pages that absolutely ANYONE would like to own for themselves, and I wonder how she is able to make these pages and then be able to let them go! She makes custom request items, or you can buy her premade items. It is worth it to just peruse her shop and find out for yourself.

And a last tid bit of information! Congradulations to KT Motif, she was the winner of the giveaway hosted here on this blog!
Also, a HUGE thank you to all those who participated, and I am looking forward to the next giveaway.

ongamjewelry

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7078134
ongamjewelry is relatively new to the etsy scene but has been beading for some time now.
She started when she went out on a girls weekend with her mother and some friends. She learned to bead on this trip and has since then been addicted to her new hobby.

Ongamjewelry loves to work with natural gemstones, pearls, glass beads, and recycles vintage jewelry because "it gives each piece a unique history."
Her style tends to lean towards a bohemian and hippyish flavor, which is great for so many jewelry lovers, and compliments many fashions.

She likes to recycle old or broken jewelry that can be salvaged or pieces can be used, and all her work has a great quality that must be seen close up.
Pictures simply do not do her work justice!

Bekahsquilts GIVEAWAY (Ended)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6276022 <----My Shop

Spring Colors Baby Quilt / Lap Quilt
38in X 38in square
Top pattern is cotton fabrics, a middle layer of batting, and a soft light purple flannel for comfort.
Hand tied with white yarn to keep it together, and is machine sewn at home with love. It is also washing machine and dryer safe!


Duration: 5/18/09 - 5/24/09

To enter you post a message with the following requirements on my blog or the etsy thread. http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6155373&page=2
Requirements for Entry:
1. "To Win" entered at top of post
2. A link or way to contact you if you win
3. Link to 3 favorite items from my shop (with any comments you would like to make, though you don't have to comment on the items)

I will choose at random from a hat the name of who will win.

If you would like more entries to win you just just follow the same procedure, but add "To Win 2" or whatever number.
Winner will be notified on the 25th of this month, and announcement will be made here on this blog.

Good Luck!

Peaches4me Spotlight

I would like to start out by saying thank you to all those who have started to watch my blog! You are all so great.

Peaches4me - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6481189

Peaches is a mother of two, and has a little more recently really gotten into making a wide variety of jewelry to sell on etsy.
What's great about her shop is that there are so many different things to choose from- elegant and beaitufl, to colorful, crazy, cute, and unique. A lot of her items have a sort of vintage feel to them.

She makes a lot of necklaces with charms, all beautiful and intricate, and she also sells rings, bracletes, earings, hair accessories, and unisex items. A plus is that she offers gift certificates, and has a clearance section.
If you can't find esxactly what you are looking for then you can ask her about custom items, and she trades as well!

So, stop by her shop for a quick look, there is so much that you will want - of that I am sure! I know I have some things I am keeping an eye on. All her items are great for personal buys (of course), and gifts to friends, family, and anything else you can possibly think of!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Random addition!
Uses for SALT (some you may not have known about)
1. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
2. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
3. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
4. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
5. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
6. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.
7. Ants: Sprinkle salt at doorways, window sills and anywhere else ants manage to get into your house. Ants won't walk across salt and they will stay outside where they belong.

CSpaperandbeads Spotlight

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5323828

CSpaperandbeads
CSpaperandbeads has been making paper for nearly 13 years now, and started literally the day before her daughter was born.
"I had completely cleaned the house and had so much energy I decided to pull out the paper making kit I had purchased the previous summer."
She uses practically anything that she can - flyer's, junk mail, used printer paper and scraps of scrap booking paper - which I think is amazingly creative, resourceful, and thrifty.

Besides regular paper, she makes crayon papers - melting the crayons onto the paper, which gives it a deep color and interesting textures.
With the paper she makes, she creates beautiful thank you cards, greeting cards, and journals.

If you are still looking for something nice for Mothers Day, then you should stop by CSpaperandbeads' shop and pick something out. Her cards and paper are the perfect gift - Homemade, beautiful, and unique!
Apart from paper, CSpaperandbeads likes to work with beads and make necklaces and beaded crosses. She has been on Etsy for a year and a half, and loves it.
If you have scraps, recycle! Send them to her to use or make you some paper from you left overs!

Like most of us crafters, she has a TON of boxes filled with her personal craft(paper)and 4 or more gallon size Ziploc bags filled with crayons, and it never seems to get any smaller. Help her out and buy yourself some amazing paper!

SmallShinyObjects Spotlight

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5624375

SmallSO has been beading for a few years now for fun, and she loves to work with natural stones, mixed metals (sterling silver, gold filled, antique finished brass, etc.), crystals and vintage findings.
"Some of my best finds I get at antique fairs…I find piles of under-loved chains and strings of pearls, then the ideas start to pop in my head of how to put them all together differently."

"I got more serious after a long project with my daughter, making beaded bookmarks for her entire class. They were so popular with the kids, that some of the parents started asking for them…and before I knew it, I was opening up a shop on Etsy, selling all kinds of things. Jewelry, key chains, bookmarks, beaded bottles – if you could stick a bead on it, I wanted to make it."
Because she loves to do things that are new and different, she always has things that are one of a kind. Every now and then though she will make multiples of an item if someone has requested it for a wedding or something else but even then there are some variations.

SmallShinyObjects makes an assortment of items from earrings and necklaces to key chains, bookmarks, and bead chained glass bowls. If you are looking for something unique and a great buy, stop on by SmallShinyObjects!