Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Mischief Night!

Do you remember Mischief Night? They don't have it here anymore and my kids have only heard of it through us. I think its a shame but then again, we were less destructive 30 years ago!

I started remembering all we did on that wonderful night! We would soap every ones windows, and TP our front yard and the neighbors. We also always tried to make a TP wall across the street. We would wrap it around a tree in our yard and walk across to wrap it around the tree across the street. The goal was to have it be high enough before a car would come down the street. It was funny to see all the cars slow down, afraid to drive through it. some would turn around, and some would race through. We would hide and crack up. Man did we go through a lot of TP! My dad probably had a fit.

We would also ring doorbells and run and I always thought the people who would answer were pretty stupid for even bothering on that night!

I heard of some funny things people would do like dress up a scarecrow and tie it to a rope and put it in the middle of the street so people would think there was a body in the road. When they would stop and get out, the rope was pulled and it would scare the heck out of the person!

I also think the classic dog doo in a paper bag is funny although I would not want that to happen to me now!.

Good times, good times.....

Have a safe and fun Mischief night and Halloween!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Twittering

Ok so the hottest new thing apparently is Twitter. Twitter is a website that is set up like chatting with people you choose to follow. It is supposed to be a great marketing tool and has gotten a lot of people sales so I am now twittering away hoping for some!

If you would like to check me out there my address there is http://twitter.com/bstauffdesigns

Let me know if you twitter and we can follow each other!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Funny things kids say

My youngest, Emma will be 7 shortly and she is really a funny kid. She says the funniest things at times and cracks us all up. I recently taught her how to chain stitch because she wanted to learn how to crochet. (I barely even know how so she won't get too far!) She got the hang of it pretty quickly and woke up early one morning to start again. As she was working away she announces "Crocheting is my life. I was born for it" Well, needless to say her sister Erin and I just lost it.

My oldest, when she was about 5 was saying grace and thanks God for "our family, the good food and the merry drinks". Maybe coming from a wine/beer loving Italian/Irish heritage was rubbing off!

My middle one, has a very dry sense of humor and although she may not come out with the funny phrases the other two have, she will make a comment without even knowing how funny she is. Brian and I will burst out laughing and she will look at us like"what's so funny". She also gets humor quicker than the other two and will appreciate a more complicated joke.

There are so many times my girls have made us laugh and I am so blessed to have those memories. When times are tough like they are now, it is such a nice relief to just sit back and laugh with them.

Check out the new favorites I have posted, as well as my new 1950's styled tweed bag.
Have a great day and happy crafting!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Pics, books, and recipes

I am going to cover three topics today since I have lots of sewing to get to! First off My daughter's Homecoming dance was last Saturday and she looked beautiful. She and her date had a wonderful time. Here is a picture of the vintage dress she wore.



I have also been busy adding new items to my shop on Etsy. My latest handbag is a gorgeous cranberry floral print hobo bag. It sells for just $35.00 and would make a great gift for the holidays! I have also added some new vintage jewelry pouches as well as new table linens so check them out.




I also wanted to share with you an appetizer recipe that is so easy but so delicious. I get rave reviews on this and with the holidays approaching it is an elegant and easy appetizer for your next party.

Brie Toasts:

Bruschetta toasts - plain or only lightly seasoned
14oz. wheel of Brie Cheese
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 melted butter

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F

On a cookie sheet, make a single layer of bruschetta toasts either store bought or home made, from a sliced baguette and toasted in the oven until golden.

Slice the brie cheese into 1/4" think pieces large enough to cover the toast. Place one slice on each toast.

Melt the butter and mix the brown sugar and walnuts into it. Spoon this mixture over the brie toasts.

Bake 5-8 minutes or until the brie has melted. Serve hot. Yummm! You won't be able to stop at one!

Have fun and happy crafting!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Fall showings

The air is finally getting cooler today here in PA. For the past week or so we have had an Indian summer and while it is nice, I am longing to have to pull on a sweater without fear of sweating or having a hot flash!

The leaves are beautiful around me, and my house is decorated for Halloween. I got a late start this year because I have been busy preparing for a show on November 1 I am having at my home. It's kind of my debut party for my friends and family. I'm am stressing out that I won't have enough stuff or worse, I will have too much, and no one will show up. I hate having to do these things but I need to get my name out there and have people see my bags and scarves and other things.

This weekend is the big Homecoming formal for my daughter! Very exciting! She is wearing a vintage dress I had to seriously alter for her but it fits her like a glove and is so lovely. I will post pictures Sunday!

The new items listed on my etsy faves are finally up. Really great fall/Halloween things so check these artists out.

Monday, October 6, 2008

New Beginnings

Sorry for the long time frame between posts. It has been a very busy week here for me and my family. We changed schools for my younger two and today was their first day. They were excited and nervous at the same time but we really feel good about the change and know this will be a better fit for them.

New beginnings can be hard. Just like starting up a business from scratch and all the work that goes into that. They can also be exciting, like starting High School and getting asked to Homecoming by a junior when you are only a freshman (say a prayer for her father's nerves! :D ). They can be challenging like starting a new exercise program and diet, or going back to school after a long absence. They can also give you a fresh start and a new look at your life that you may not have seen before.

This fall, try something new. Take up a new craft, learn a new language, take the road not taken, expand your circle and see where it leads you. Feel free to share with me what you have done new and what you experienced from that new beginning.

Also, it's a new week so please check out the new featured etsians in my faves mini to the left!

Have a great day!