Halloween Cupcakes with my Critter

Last weekend my little Critter and I had a great time making some Halloween cupcakes to help ring in the spooky holiday. Here's how it all went down...

Started out with our favorite Gluten Free mix from Pamela's.
Because "daddy is allergic to flowers."

I like this whole cupcake baking thing...

While the cupcakes are baking, I'm placing my order, I want 2, no 3 ...

I just want to smell the sprinkles, not eat or touch them yet...

getting a little closer...

they even feel like "ghostes"...

heck with touching...

are they done yet?...

what do you mean, I still have to wait?...

Now this is what I'm talking about!

Happy Halloween!

iCANDY - 60th Edition

Happy Friday! It's iCANDY time and this week I'm bringing to you a few favorites I found while Pouncing around on Etsy. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

1. Numbered Linen Coasters - Hirondelle Rustique, $20.00 Washington
2. Victorian Neck Warmer - Eva Foreva, $40.00 Pennsylvania
3. Embroidered Linen Pouch - Walking Wardrobe, $18.00 New Zealand
4. Vine Linen Pillow Cover - Meringue Designs, $35.00 Utah
5. Wish Bowl - Elm Studios Online, $16.00 New York
6. Love Letter Fabric Ribbon - Nothing Elegant, $3.99 Korea

Pumpkin Pickin' and fun in the N. Georgia Mountains

Fall in Atlanta is especially gorgeous when you get a chance to spend it
in the North Georgia mountains...

and when you get to spend it with your family and great friends visiting from Holland.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBAN!

It was so much fun introducing my Dutch friends to the American tradition called Halloween. Complete with a visit to Burt's Farm for some good old fashioned "country" fun and of course, hot boiled peanuts and people watching. You can never get sick of matching scarecrow sweaters, polyester and home perms {or can you?}

We grabbed a wheelbarrow and were on our way

For the record...Walt Disney/Pixar does not in anyway, shape or form financially supplement this blog or my family for that matter. It is the other way around! How about the $2.00 a piece band-aid on his forehead and hand? There is no boo boo, he wears them like tattoos.

Hubby even getting into the spirit. Perhaps next year we will wear
matching scarecrow sweaters:)

The perfect ending to a perfect day was a trip to Monteluce Winery.

So glad to have met you during the heatwave of 2000 on Santorini. Who would have thought we would have become friends for life? Our friendship is so important to me and I love how it has grown over the years. You are both so special to me and now to my family.
Looking forward to our next get together and making new memories.

Carrie Davis Photography

I'm in love with Carrie Davis Photography! I met Carrie a year ago when she asked me to design some invites for a friend's baby shower. We've been online and Twitter buddies ever since.

I was super thrilled when she announced she had found her true passion and was starting a new photography business. Being one to support women in small businesses (especially mommies) I quickly booked her for some family shots (I know, wearing black and denim is not exactly original, but it matches my roots) We spent a gorgeous, Fall Atlanta, afternoon together this past Sunday and her patience with my 3 year old was completely appreciated. I anxiously await the rest of the shots. Check out her magic.

A Day at the Office

Thanks Nichole for turning me onto this video! It made my morning. I'm also starting to believe one of the guys is my brother in law;0

Stickyfingers - Felted Wool Edition

In keeping with my whole felted wool fetish this week, it should be no surprise the three craft tutorials I'm sharing with you today are made of {what else?} FELT. While combing the web to bring you great ideas, I also came across some new blogs and designers to follow. As always, I aspire to inspire so go and MAKE SOMETHING! and have fun.

Don't you just love this picture's color combinations? Learn how to make this Felted Brooch by green crafter herself, Betz White. The possible uses for this little brooch are endless! You can put them on a sweater, scarf, hat, curtains, you name it! Click here for complete instructions.

Then we have this pillow with rosette clusters that I would wear as an article of clothing! From the felt master herself, Anne Kyrro Quinn offers up this step-by-step tutorial over at Etsy's Storque's How Tuesdays.
Be sure to pickup a copy of her book on the subject Felt Furnishings.

Garland can make any space festive, don't you agree? Learn how to make this festive felted garland, compliments of the PurlBee. Click here for her easy directions.

iCANDY - 59th Edition

Brrr, it's getting chilly out there and I'm really starting to {heart} everything felted wool. Mostly I'm curious about this entire process, ever since I saw there was some type of crochet needle involved? Guess I better You Tube this for a tutorial - oh no.... will there be another crafty skill in my future?

Thanks for joining me this week as I enthusiastically bring you some super duper felted wool creations. Who knew you could do all this? Enjoy!!

1. Felted Drawstring Bag - Crafts2Cherish, Ireland $104.00

2. Tall Bud Vase - Papaververt, CA $68.00

3. Dotted Wrap - Nancy Wilder, CA $140.00

4. Flower Necklace - Frank Ideas, Australia $20.00

5. Wool Felt Corsage - Emiko Keller Designs, WA $25.00

6. Felted Wool Acorns Tru Luxe, MA $25.00

Must Haves

When people talk about Belgium they usually talk about chocolate, right? And you get visions like these in your head, right? Especially if you've had the pleasure to visit Belgium and savor these little delicacies for yourself.

So let me ask you this... when you think of America, do you think of chocolate? Probably not, or at least not really good dark chocolate. Last weekend I had the pleasure of a visit from my Dutch friends, who live just close to an hour away from Belgium, the birthplace of all chocolate dark and lovely! My friends can simply jump in their car and drive anywhere in either Holland or Belgium and stuff their faces with all the best chocolate they can stand, right?

So, imagine my amusement when my Dutch friends come for a visit, here to the US and have this list of "must haves"...which include {but are not limited to}

1. DARK Chocolate Covered Cashews CVS Brand only (yes, I mean the drugstore)

2. Bubblicious

3. DARK Chocolate Covered Peanut M&Ms.

4. Everything From Ambercrombie & Fitch

So Ironic!

This has made me start to think of my own list of "must haves" when travelling. I thought I'd share my favorite with you...

Whenever I go home to visit North Olmsted, Ohio, I MUST have Frankie's pizza and salad. In fact, it's not just me, it's my whole gaggle of girlfriends too. We connect over Frankie's food. Perhaps it's emotional because the kid (now 41) who's father owns this bit of nostalgia, now runs the place and we grew up with him. Our childhoods are embedded with fond memories of the best pizza on the planet and oh, can you say mountain of shredded provolone cheese on the salads, topped with a poppy seed dressing? OK, now I really need to get back to OH.

Now I'm curious, what's your "must have"?

SWANKY DEAL

One of my favorite bloggers is Annette of Swanky Tables. Last year she spot lighted my Holiday line and it was so much fun that we are going to make an annual date of it. This year we are teaming up and giving away not only a $25 gift certificate to use at InkSpot Workshop, but also a SWANKY DEAL. Simply click here for all the details and to enter. Hurry! everything expires November 1st. GOOD LUCK!

Stickyfingers All About FALL

Happy Sunday! I'm feeling chipper today because the weather here in Atlanta is in the low '50's! We simply bypassed Fall and went straight to Winter around here. Since I'm longing for the "real" Fall to show it's face, I thought I'd bring you some fun crafts that are reminiscent of this colorful season. I aspire to inspire so go and make something! Have Fun.

These Orange Rind Votives, remind me of the hanging closet pomander we made in first grade. Don't you just love the smell of cloves? Beekman Farms gives you the step-by-step here.

I fell in love with this Ruffle Sweater tutorial from Orange Beautiful last year. Last weekend I spend the better part of Sunday in J.Crew and bought a few too many ruffly collared items and still can't get enough of them. This is one project I'm going to try my hardest to make this year, although I haven't sewn anything since the duffel bag project from 8th grade Home Ec class.

I've especially loving this Mini Forest for your table, since my own dining room is painted this color and has orange accents everywhere. Sunset shows us how right here.

iCANDY 58th Edition

Feeling a bit in the Fall harvest mood these days as the temperature keeps plummeting here in Atlanta. Don't you just love all the orange hues that start to POP this time of year? The following iCANDY is dedicated to Etsy artists who have captured this shade in a most creative way. Enjoy!

1. Clutch Wallet - Cotton Purr, GA $38.00

2. Pumpkin Neck Warmer - Knittles, Canada $55.00

3. Leaf Pillow Cover - Mod Diva, $19.95

4. Pumpkin Spice Journal - Pease Blossom Studio, TX $26.00

5. Pumpkin Bike Necklace - Kylie Parry, WI $16.00

6. Orange Flower Headband - Bethany Lorelle, $29.00

Round Of Applause For Sara Tams

Please join me in a round of applause for Sara Tams, the imagination behind Sarah + Abraham. Woo Hoo! She just had her 2,000 sale on Etsy, and as I post this I'm sure a few more have trickled in.

Over the past 1.5 years since I started InkSpot Workshop, Sara has been the best online mentor a girl could have. As a stay at home mommy of two and home based business owner, she has always been open and quite generous in sharing her time, information and experiences with me. The area where she has helped me the most is when it came to choosing a web designer (used hers because I had serious site envy) and then what to do when it came to getting my own site up and running.

Thanks to Sara, I now pay the generosity and support forward and readily assist women inquiring about starting their own business.

Thanks Sara and a BIG Congratulations Hug to you! I wish you many more thousands of happy sales!!

Stickyfingers - Kid's Halloween Edition

Happy Monday! This week's Stickyfingers is dedicated to throwing a fun kid's Halloween party. If you missed last week's edition click here

for a super spooky adult themed Halloween party.

Have fun!

What a great way to make a creepy candy buffet! Learn how to make these Pumpkin Candy Faces by clicking here. Thanks Martha.

Also compliments of Martha we're featuring these Glow in-the-Dark Funkins. Never have to throw your pumpkins away again! Click here for the tutorial.

Can't throw a party without knockout invitations. Your guests will know they are in for a hoot when they receive these fun invites. Click here to download the templates and simple instructions, plus more Halloween crafts.

iCANDY - 57th Edition

Sorry for being a day late with this week's edition of iCANDY. I would have much rather brought you this feature than attend a {day job} trade show, trust me!

As a craftier since I was a little kid, I've had many, many years to dabble in all types of hobbies. Now that I'm a full-blown business owner, full time medical sales rep and mommy, it seems I don't have the time to do some of my "other" hobbies that used to bring me simple pleasure {sigh}. One of my hobbies from days-gone-by is cross stitching and I've really been missing this lately. Today I thought it would be fun to feature Etsy sellers who bring to light the less country and kitty cat side of this lost art. Enjoy!

1. Leaf Necklace - Nea Wear, Canada $55.00

2. Cat Eye Glasses - You Heart Us, NY $30.00

3. Bicycle Button - Ma Magasin, England $16.00

4. Boy Silhouette - The Time Is Now, Jerusalem $42.00

5. Custom Initials - Chez Sucre Chez, PA $36.00

6. Wall Snail - Central Ave, CA $39.99

You Got Skunked!

Finally!

A game where both my husband and I can play with our 3.5 year old and not want to scratch out eyes out from boredom! Have you had enough of 5 Little Monkeys On The Bed? Or Candyland? Then head over here and pick yourself up an Uno Moo game. It really is FUN!

When you have 2 sales people as parents, you are doomed to be competitive and this game gives everyone a chance to compete. We don't even have to "let" our son win. There's even strategy (did I really just say that?) built right in... get the skunk and the next player loses his turn. Trust me, we're all about skunkin in this family:)

Fire Hydrant Press Holiday Update

In addition to launching InkSpot Workshop's Holiday 2009 line, I've also been a busy beaver making some fresh and modern Christmas card designs for Fire Hydrant Press. Click here to read the story behind my fury little charitable division. A portion of every sale is donated to Last Chance For Animals and I'm happy to say $420.00 has been donated since opening in December 2008.

Only available in my Etsy shop, you get your choice of...

- 3 fab color combinations

- Dog breed silhouette (complete with Santa hat)

- Greeting for front

- Greeting for inside

Such a fun way to include your pupper this holiday.

Also NEW are these adorable personalized wall hanging 2010 calenders, featuring your pal and his/her name. Easy gifts for every dog lover.