Friday, February 26, 2010

A Day for Women Seminar



I recently attended a seminar called A Day for Women. It was a great seminar for connecting and networking but not for sales. I still need to find the right shows to present my products in. I need more exposure but not sure where yet. I'm still looking and open for ideas. I could be in lots of shows but I don't want to waste time if it doesn't bring in sales. I'm open for suggestions.

Here is my booth, it was smaller than we expected. So next time need to know more information before attending.

My Rose Apron Featured Today!



Today I found out that my rose basket apron was featured on another blog. Whoo Hoo!
The blog theme today was roses in the Friday Fines.

Please besure and chek out this lovely blog by Christian Artists Street Team on Etsy.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Hamburger Pie- ww 5pt recipe




Ingredients:
1 Cup low-fat baking mix + 2 Tbsp
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 lb ground extra-lean beef (7%fat or less)
1 finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute (or 4 egg whites)
1/2 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 9 inch pie plate with nonstick spray.
To make crust: Mix first 2 ingredients in medium bowl until soft dough forms. Transfer to lightly floured surface and knead 5 times. Roll out dough to 6 inch round and ease into pie plate, pressing evenly against bottom and side of plate.

Spray large skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, onion, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Cook until browned. Stir in 2 Tbsp low-fat baking mix. Remove skillet from heat and let cool.

Meanwhile, mix fat-free egg substitute, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese in small bowl. Spoon beef mixture evenly over crust; top evenly with cheese mixture. Bake until filling is set and crust is golden, 25-30 mins. Let cool 10 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
NI per serving: 234calories/7g fat/1g fiber Points value 5


This is very good, it could use some veggies and more seasoning though. I put ketsup on my serving and it gave it more flavor. Others have suggested taco seasoning and peas and carrots. It's a great basic recipe just adjust as needed but don't forget to recalculate the points for added ingredients. :)
Recipe found in the current Weight Watcher's magazine

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Papa Goes to the Father-Daughter Dance



Saturday was the annual Father-Daughter dance in Lawton, OK. My granddaughter LaRyn didn't have a date because her daddy was away at a school so she asked her Papa to take her to the dance. Of course he said yes.

Now when our girls where little there was no event called the Father-Daughter dance. So my girls missed out and so did my husband. Lasting memories were made as this was papa's only chance to take a granddaughter to a dance.

He did get the opportunity to dance with his daughters at their weddings, but it would have been fun to take them to a dance when they were little too.


Cute pose of LaRyn and Papa before the dance.


Princess LaRyn adjusting her tiara.


Papa doing the limbo. He was such a good sport to participate because he doesn't like to dance in the first place but to do the Limbo and then fall was too funny.

Tuesday's Top 5 Treasures

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. You may also include your blog address if you have one. The next 5 items and shops will be picked randomly from the "Raffle King." Next posting of Top 5 will be next Tuesday! All comments are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Many shops have reported that they have had direct sales due to being featured on my blog.

So be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.


Winner #1 Fluted Candle Holder by Confections in Glass
shop: ConfectionsInGlass.etsy.com


Winner # 2 Mauve tulip series 1 by On A Whimsey
shop: onawhimsey.etsy.com


Winner #3 Pink Butter Dish by Crafts By Katie
shop: craftsbykatie.etsy.com



Winner #4 Fuzzy Neckwarmer in Blue by Matt's Crafty Wife
shop: mattscraftywife.etsy.com
Blog: mattscraftywife.blogspot.com


Winner #5 Concrete Celtic Knot Plaque by Everlasting Leaves
shop: EverLastingLeaves.etsy.com

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Chocolate Covered Strawberries -1pt



Servings: 12 • Size: 1 strawberry • Calories: 49 • Points: 1 ww pts


4 oz dark semi-sweet chocolate
12 strawberries
Rinse and completely dry the strawberries.

In a medium microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate on HIGH for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until all the chocolate is melted. (Do not overheat or the chocolate will become chunky and separated)

Dip strawberries and place on waxed paper to cool. You can eat right away refrigerate to give it a hard chocolate coating.

This was taken from Gina's WW recipes.


I just realized I didn't do as bad as I thought for Valentine's Day. My homemade chocolate covered strawberries were only 1 pts! Whoo Hoo!

I did not use the microwave it changes the molecular structure of food and therefore less nutrient values so I used a double boiler. I try to not use the microwave as much as possible.

Over 100 Blog Followers!

It's time to party, I have made it over the 100 mark of blog followers. As of today I have 108 followers! Time to celebrate and have a party! Whoo Hoo!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tuesday's Top 5 Treaures!

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. You may also include your blog address if you have one. The next 5 items and shops will be picked randomly from the "Raffle King." Next posting of Top 5 will be next Tuesday! All comments are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Many shops have reported that they have had direct sales due to being featured on my blog.

So be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.


Winner # 1 Rose & Pearls Lolita Necklace by Kippys So Mature
Shop: kippyssomature.etsy.com


Winner # 2 Retro Bicycle notecard set by Rue Renee
Shop: RueRenee.etsy.com



Winner # 3 Gazebo of the Gods by Pretty Time Piece
Shop: prettytimepiece.etsy.com
Blog: prettytimepierce.org


Winner # 4 Pink and Black Notebook Cover by Circle in the Sand
Shop: circleinthesand.etsy.com


Winner # 5Girl's Poncho - Green Variegated by Joyful Hand Knits
Shop: JoyfulHandKnits.etsy.com

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Lasagna recipe - 7 pts.



INGREDIENTS
3/4 lb. extra lean ground beef
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 jar spaghetti sauce (26oz)
1 large tomato
9 lasagna noodles
1 container low fat cottage cheese (16oz)
2 cups 2% milk shredded, reduced fat mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS
1) Cook the lasagna noodles per the direction on your package. Chop the tomato into 1/2 inch pieces.

2) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a medium to large skillet, brown the meat along with the garlic and oregano seasonings. When browned, drain if necessary, then add the spaghetti sauce and mix it all up. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn the burner off and mix in the chopped tomato pieces.

3) In a 13x9 baking dish, layer the ingredients as follows:

1/2 cup meat sauce
3 noodles
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup meat sauce
**Repeat the layers**
Top off with the remaining noodles and sauce mixture.

Cover the baking dish with foil

4) Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and top with the last cup of mozzarella cheese. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and continue to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing

Recipe taken from eHow.com

Great recipe and no flavor lost in this yummy dish but less calories or points.

Our Valentine's Day Surprise



For Valentine's Day my granddaughter LaRyn and I made homemade chocolate candies for all of our family. So last night we made chocolate treats: white, milk and dark chocolate. We used a the chocolate factory kit that came with molds. We made the girls chocolate heart suckers and the boys chocolate spoons with hearts on them. We dipped pretzels, strawberries and cherries. Yummy!


Here's our white chocolate treats.



We also made milk chocolate and dark chocolate treats.



Granddaughter Mally could not wait for Valentines Day she wanted to taste our treats! Yummy! They passed her approval. LOL


Here's the cooks. My granddaughter has her own apron but its at home so she had to wear my extra. I need to have an extra child one on hand to my helpers.

Here's a Valentine Song for you: "Time in a Bottle" My husband's favorite!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Top 5 Treasures for the Week

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. You may also include your blog address if you have one. The next 5 items and shops will be picked randomly from the "Raffle King." Next posting of Top 5 will be next Tuesday! All comments are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.


Winner #1 Bride and Groom dogs by Wish With Me
shop: wishwithme.etsy.com



Winner #2 Pale Blue Cameo Ring by Pretty Paris
shop: PrettyParis.etsy.com



Winner #3 Felted Wool Sweater Mittens by Christine's Mittens
Shop: CristinesMittens.etsy.com


Winner #4 Rustic wood CROSS Wall Hanging by Wordz of Life
shop: wordzoflife.etsy.com


Winner # 5 Dishwasher Buddies by ArtWhims
shop: ArtWhims.etsy.com

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Celebrate 300 Fans!

It's time to celebrate! I have reached the 300 fan mark on Facebook! Whoo Hoo!

Know Your Shows & Programs


Before you sign up for a booth, table, or display area find out what exactly you will be doing and what you are getting into. Don't go on preconceived ideas but find out all the facts.

As business women our time is very valuable, whether its a home business or store front business our time is valuable. You need to decide if the activity you are participating in is really worth the time and money spent to participate.

Take for instance a holiday show for business women or a business women's seminar with booths. Is this just a social group gathering or is it a sales meeting or a training seminar? Find out who will be in attendance at this function. Look at the time of day it is being hosted and where it is located, and read between the lines. If a show is scheduled during the day during normal business hours and open to they general public realize that the average person is working and that they will not be in attendance so don't count on many sales. Every person in attendance has their own agenda, promoting there own business. So take this in consideration if you want to spend the time to meet the other business women and network or if you really are interested in getting your products sold. If you want to get many sales than this is not the place for you.



A real craft show or even a women's show will be in the evening and or on the weekend when those who are attending are looking to buy and can actually come to buy. The middle of the week between 9-5 is just for those are wanting to connect and network.

I recently went to a business women's seminar thinking that I would get sales but in reality it was more a social group of networking women. There were good speakers but not about what I was interested in. Topics included priorities, getting the most our of your salon, getting physically fit, all of which I already knew about.

The things I was interested in are web marketing, planning and organizing your business, tax deductions, but these were not offered. I was naive to think that this seminar would be a great selling place but it was not.

I will keep looking into where to get the real help for my business. I am looking into my local technology center and my local university co-op too. And not all information is costly to attain, much information is free for the asking, or have a nominal fee. Oh, one more thing, don't join a group who promises to mentor you for a fee and also wants to tap into your knowledge without paying you for your information. Your information is valuable too, and if your not being paid maybe you should be. If you choose to give it away freely then you should be able to get it back freely too.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Getting Ready for 1st Craft show.

Due to me getting ready for a craft show on Wednesday, I will be delaying the top 5 shops featured to later this week. I just wanted to let you know I have not forgotten just need to use my day to prepare.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

New Dance Game Fun




My daughter came to visit and brought her dance game. Oh my gosh is it fun and its great for the whole family. It sure is more fun than my Dancing with the Stars. This puts my game to shame. My next game is to get a dance revolution for the Wii so I can have this much fun all the time. It's really a good work out. The only one not interested is my hubby he rather golf with Tiger Woods for the Wii.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Three New Mannequins

I've been needing mannequins for my products for quite some time. I love live models but I have trouble getting some who are available to work and its just not always practical for me at this time. I've used my vintage female full dress maker mannequins but I needed at least a male and a child one. I started my online search and I would have to say they are very pricey. But I found some great deals on Ebay.com. I found three mannequins for a very good price and just could not pass them up. I hope this helps my business or at least make my products look really great.


My Sweetheart apron looks great on my new female mannequin


My candy heart apron looks good on my child mannequin

My male model was very hard to get time to work with as he has a whole other career other than modeling. LOL So now I can just slip on my finished apron on my new male mannequin.

Contact me if you need the information for which seller I used. Very quick service and delivery.

Oriental Pepper Steak (4 Points)


Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients
1 teaspoon Canola Oil
1 pound Flank Steak trimmed & cut into strips
1 Onion sliced
1 Green pepper sliced
1/2 Yellow bell pepper sliced
1/2 Orange bell pepper sliced
2 tablespoons Reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Cornstarch
1 3/4 cups Beef broth


Preparation
1. Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Add the oil, swirl to coat the pan, then add the steak. Stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Reduce the heat and cook, covered, until the vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Uncover and stir-fry until the vegetables are browned, about 4 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in the broth. return the steak to the skillet, along with the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Taken from Big Oven.com


I added 1 chopped tomato for extra flavor and vegetables. This is very tasty. I served it with brown rice. Of course you must add more points for the amount of rice to add to your meal.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tuesday's Top 5 Treasures

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. You may also include your blog address if you have one. The next 5 items and shops will be picked randomly from the "Raffle King." Next posting of Top 5 will be next Tuesday! All comments are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.



Winner #1 PDF Crochet Plarn (plastic yarn) Tote by Plastique Recreations
shop:Crochooley.etsy.com

Winner #2 Wing earrings by MIZUHO DESIGN
shop: mikeuchi.etsy.com


Winner #3 Russian Quartz necklace by My Little Blackdog
shop: MyLittleBlackdog.etsy.com


Winner # 4 Christian Tee Eagles Wings Scriptureby Lavon Tees
Shop: LavonTees.etsy.com


winner #5 Jean Picnic Blanket with tote by Audrey's Country Crafts
by AudreysCountryCrafts.etsy.com

Monday, February 1, 2010

Candy Heart Apron





Valentine's Day is just around the corner and what better way to share your love with your little girl than with a candy heart apron. It's so cute and yummy. Every little girl would love to have it and its reversible. Going green these days with upcycled vintage sheets and pillow cases for fabric.