New Babies on Etsy

After a short spring break vacation at the Oregon coast, it's back to work. Sparkle ( AKA - Elf Patty) and I worked on new little Fairy Babies. You can see eight of them on my Etsy Store. See the link to the left. If you would like a better picture, just email me. I'm still learning how to use my new camera. I need my son to give me some tips on close-ups and lighting. Okay, so I tried his lighting tip and it didn't really work well. So, like I said, if you would like a better picture, just whistle.

I am also beginning to make new items for the Home and Garden Show at Monticello Antique Marketplace. The show will run April 24th through May 24th. More info to the left. I will be taking lots of nests, eggs, and springy stuff along with new collectibles!

In addition to spring items, I'm working on something for Halloween! EEEK - I know - it's only the end of March. I will tell you more soon. Hope the week flies by for you - M.

Thank You !

When I first thought about becoming the 4th Friend this year, I had no idea what a wonderful response there would be! I was just hoping to have a few people come find me and with any luck, break even.

Was I ever surprised! People began arriving just before 10 a.m. and it didn't wane until 3:30. I am still overwhelmed and completely flabbergasted. My little "shop" in the front room was brimming with happy shoppers! No lie, I was so shocked I couldn't speak. And for those of you that know me very well, you know that doesn't happen very often. I was very fortunate to have friends Patty and Betty here to help me. Patty (aka "Sparkle") baked cookies throughout the day which created the most wonderful aroma throughout the house and out the front door. Very enticing! Betty did what she does best -- she greeted and welcomed everyone (and made sure we captured everyone on a mailing list). They are the best friends a gal can have. Without their help, I would have never made it.

I want to thank everyone that made it to my neck of the woods in South Salem. You made my day by coming, giving so many positive comments and wanting to know when I would be opening my little "shop" again. It was a real boost to my confidence. I can't say thank you enough. I will open my front door again this time next year for the next Friends sale. Until then, you can find me at the Monticello Antique Market Place from April 24 through May 24. I'll post details soon, as well as other future events. If you saw something this weekend and would like to purchase it or place a special order - just email. I will try to accommodate you if I can. Someone also requested that I teach a class or two. I'm going to give that some consideration. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on a class topic, please let me know.

I did promise to provide the recipes for the coconut nests and lemon cookies. I'm glad they were a hit. I hope to see you soon and again, many thanks. M.

Coconut Nests

1 pound white candy coating (the white stuff you dip pretzels in or make peppermint bark)

1 16 ounce package of sweetened, shredded coconut

small jelly beans - atleast 48, more if you snack while you bake

Toast the coconut on a baking sheet with sides at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Stir it often to make sure it doesn't get too brown too fast. Remove and cool.

In a double boiler over simmering water, melt the candy coating, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Add the coconut to the candy coating and mix well. To form nests, very lightly spray mini muffin tins with a vegetable spray. Place a rounded tablespoon of the coconut mixture into the muffin tin and pack down. Then take one jelly bean and "smoosh" it into the coconut until it is "nested" in it. Let the nests cool completely before removing from the tins. If they seem stuck in the tin, just loosen the edge with the tip of a knife. They will come right out. The recipe makes approximately 48 nests. Store them in plastic storage containers.

Lemon Marguerites

1 box lemon cake mix

1 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping - thawed

1 egg, beaten

sifted powdered sugar

Combine cake mix, thawed topping and egg in a large bowl. Stir until well mixed. Drop by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar. Roll to coat. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-15 minutes. Remove and cool. Yields about 5 dozen. A chocolate version can be made with chocolate cake mix.

One More Day to Go

until the 4 Friends Sale! I spent the day emptying my front room and setting up -- everything. It's almost ready and I'm ready for it to be ready! I think that there is a little something for everyone -- even something for the guys. Here is a peek at what you will find on Saturday. Don't miss it! M. PS. I'm so lucky to have such great friends: Patty and Betty. Thank you so much.

It's Almost Here

The 4 Friends Sale is almost here! I have made more new items and let me tell you, my storage room is about to explode!

I am so grateful that last Friday was sunny and warm. I spent the entire day outside making these ... there are 5 of them and the picture doesn't do them justice. They are really springy!

I didn't just make those, there are bulb dishes ...

many, many grass nests. Some with eggs, some without...

And ... just a peek into my workroom ...

Don't miss this sale and all the fun we are going to have - this Saturday, March 21st. Lots and lots of new, wonderful merchandise. See you Saturday - it will be worth the trip! For more info - see the sale notice to the left! M.

Sneak Peek

I've been promising to show you a few little peeks of what I've been up to! These little babies and more of their friends, will be available during the 4 Friends Sale (see info to the left).

There will also be a tree of these little "pocket tags"!

And ... next time ... more tempting totes! Hope to see you all soon - M.

Busy, Busy.... Busy

It was a busy weekend. Not that they all aren't busy, but this one kept me moving. Friday morning I finally got inspired to make a couple creations before meeting my friend Betty at Diane's to help her cut pussy willow branches. Luckily (since the bush was a million feet tall), Diane's husband came home and made the job much, much easier. Thank you Matt and his new lopper thingies!

On Saturday morning I was going to make a quick - notice I said quick - run to the post office and Kinkos. Just before I left the house, I noticed that there was an estate sale in the neighborhood. Well, you know how that goes! I almost got back home when I had planned. Just a tiny bit later. It was worth it. I found a couple wonderful old suitcases, a box that was used to store old collars and cuffs - in the sweetest color of aqua, some old metal bank safe deposit boxes - with keys - and a black, wool felt man's derby that is labeled "Salem Woolen Mills". Love it!

After I returned home, I had to refocus and find some more inspiration to work on a box and another old suitcase. I didn't take "before" pictures, but here are the "afters". I played with a couple of other ideas, but nothing much came to me. Hopefully another day. Instead, I made some more business cards and decorated my shopping bags ready for the March 21st 4 Friends sale.

Sunday morning, bright and early, Diane and I went to our favorite, first-of-the-month flea market. Many of our friends were there as well! Quite a reunion. Anyway, found a few things. After shopping, Diane came home with me and we designed her NEW BLOG !!! Yes, Molly Mo's finally has entered blogland! So check it out at http://www.mollymos03.blogspot.com/!

Since I hadn't done much to make the household run smoother (the hubby has been doing above and beyond to allow me to prepare for March 21), we made a run to COSTCO. That's always a treat and a test for my patience. We survived, I didn't hurt anyone, and kept it under $125. Successful trip. Once we unpacked at home, it was back in the workshop for me. I have found that I must make what interests me at that specific time or it just doesn't happen. Oh, it might happen, but no one would want it. (For example some snowmen last fall that no one but Diane saw before they hit the trash can.) My attentions for the evening were directed at making a crown. I didn't make one at the Blog Party last month and had been wanting to. It was fun and I think it's kinda cute. Once the hot glue burns heal on my fingers, I will appreciate it more!

I decided to join my hubbie to watch some TV, address some postcards and savor a couple little scoops of half-the-fat, no-sugar-added vanilla bean ice cream before calling it a weekend! Really had heavy eyelids by that time. If the ice cream hadn't been so cold, I would have probably fallen asleep in it. Like I said, busy weekend. Elf Patti is coming over today to help me with more projects. Love Elf Patti. We really crank out the stuff when she is here. So, had better clear the worktable and be ready to hit it! Have a great week - M.