I'm Reading A Book by Julian Smith

Tynga from Tynga's reviews posted this funny video this morning. Enjoyed it so much I decided to share it here.

Gluten Free Boxed Mixes

Went GLUTEN FREE!

More and more the Gluten Free label is popping up all over the grocery stores. Here are some Gluten free products I've tried ...

The hardest part is no longer being able to satisfy my bread cravings. It's been hard (with a few set backs) but I'm still not ready to leave bread behind. Next best thing, make my own Gluten free bread. This is a first in making my own bread as well as trying out a Gluten free approach. How was it?

Product : Gluten Free Pantry Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix

Store : Whole Foods

Cost : Around $5.

Taste : Not quite similiar to the white bread I'm used to but the difference is so slight you might not even notice.

Texture : Not quite similiar to the white bread I'm used to but the difference is so slight you might not even notice.

Product : Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Cake Mix

Store : Target

Cost : Between $3-$4.

Taste : a little different but not noticable with frosting. My kids didn't notice any difference.

Texture : The same. The batter was fluffier like mouse. Made the cupcake spooning experience cleanier and easier. I did notice that the batter didn't rise much. For someone who always tends to over fill the cupcakes ... luvd this.

Product : Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Cookie Mix

Store : Target

Cost : Between $3-$4.

Taste : Yummy! Just like a chocolate chip cookie should taste.

Texture : A little grainy and crispier.

Look what I found (not a book) ...

Lotta Jansdotter Stencils: Decorate Your Walls, Furniture, Fabric, and More

There's something so satisfying about stenciling: It's easy, affordable, and it yields such impressive results. Especially when all the design work is done for you by the talented textile artist Lotta Jansdotter. Lotta's hand-drawn stencil motifs are cut out of durable plastic so they can be used again and again on all sorts of surfaces, from walls to fabric to furniture. Simply wipe the stencils clean with soap and water and stow in the handy storage pocket provided. Project instructions and photographs demonstrate how to repeat a design on a structured grid to achieve the look of wallpaper (for a whole lot less money), or apply designs randomly for a unique, playful effect. (Blurb courtesy of Amazon.)

My First Moo Cards

Luv them!! The quality is amazing. The cards are thick and extremely sturdy. I bought the smallest pack, 50 cards. I choose to do 4 designs, if you wanted you could do 50 different designs! You can upload your own images, choose from their design gallery, or use their Text-o-matic feature (like I did above).

Moo offer business cards, mini cards, postcards and greeting cards.

Interested but not sure. Try Moo for free. Moo offers sample packs. 10 free business cards. Try it out here ... link.

A New Obsession With Resa Blatman's Paintings

While reading my daily blogs, I spotted something so amazingly inspiring that I had to share. Paper Schmaper featured the brilliant artist Resa Blatman. It's love at first sight.

Do A Little Online Shopping : LuShae Jewelry

Thank you mailman for delivering my new ring to the right house, my house. I'm sure if my neighbor received it, I would never have seen it.

Isn't it gorgeous? I think so. Thank you LuShae Jewelry for my beautiful ring. I adore it and have the perfect necklace to go with it. Silly me, but I'm in awe of the ring box. I absolutely adore it! It's so different from the normal ring boxes and packaging also plays a role in the customer's satisfaction. If your looking for great quality and fast service, I definitely recommend LuShae Jewelry. They also sell beautifully handcrafted earrings and pendants.

Win A Free Kindle

I just entered a contest to win a free Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too!
All you need to do to enter is to click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser:
http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=1557471766
Be sure to read the email you get from Noobie after you register. You'll get your own unique link that you can use to earn even more entries in the drawing!

Letterpress, Gocco Style

An inexpensive, space saving letterpress kit. It's the Gocco of letterpressing. I want one!

Check out Paper Crave's review of the Letterpress Combo Kit.

My New Bluetooth

Photo via.

I finally bought a bluetooth. I love it. It's small, sleek, with a clean stylish look. Fits very well in my ear with fantastic reception. Where did I find it? TARGET! I didn't even know they sold bluetooths. I shop there every week! Once again, a fantastic Target find.

My First Moop Bag

My first Moop bag! It's just as lovely in person as in pictures. Sturdy, very well crafted. It's perfect when I take my boys for walks and to the park. The pouch fits my Iphone and headphones. There's even a spot to hook your keys. I do worry that the back of the inside snap might scratch my screen. Easily fixable, just turn the phone around.

My only complaint is that it takes over 2 weeks to make! Every bag is made on order. Moop's policy is to expect at least a 2 week wait. Once I placed my order, I didn't receive a convo until 2 weeks, saying it was going to take another week! I would have liked to receive this convo when my order was placed, not once I was expecting it to come in the mail.

Yes these bags are beautifully made, but a 2-3 week wait is the only thing that might discourage my return. Just remember if you do plan to order a Moop bag (for a gift or special occasion), order about 3 weeks earlier than needed. This company is very popular and in high demand.

Cold Weather Brings The Yearning For a Cowl

1.Sewlustions By Amo

2.MsSunflwr

3.Amanda Sainsbury

4.MsSunflwr

5.G. Sakowski Designs

6.Kiwi & Company

Lucky Me :: Red Ruby Rose

This was on my Etsy favorites list. How lucky for me to win this beautiful bag, courtesy of Red Ruby Rose. The giveaway was hosted by Marichelle of Heart Handmade. Heart Handmade is a wonderful blog that promotes Indie designers.

Now about the fabulous bag ...

I'm loving it! It's just as beautiful as the photos. Beautifully crafted and I'm loving the print. I was just as impressed with the packaging and fast shipping.

Tidbits And Bits

Amazing new artist find :: I'm mesmerized by her beautiful artwork.

Especially the scratchboards (outer images). I love her simple geometric shapes with splashes of color. She etches out her designs on the scratchboard, to reveal the underlying white clay. Then she paints in areas for a pop in color.

The image in the middle is a original acrylic painting- Whisper Tree. I love the colors that the artist chose. They're bright, but calming, and blend smoothly into each other.

Visit her Etsy shop and have a peek at her beautiful work ... Tidbits And Bits.

Stickers From The Tiny Fig

Started my Holiday shopping. First stop The Tiny Fig to pick up some super cute stickers, for Santa to stuff in the boys stockings. I can't say this enough ... these stickers are so much cuter in person!

Wonderful seller! Fast shipping, fast response. As soon as my order was received, she sent me a convo on when she would be shipping my order ... very much appreciated. Then when the order was shipped, she actually checked the shipping box. I still have sellers that have not checked the shipping box. I highly recommend this shop ... if you couldn't tell.

Beads In The Belfry

I've fallen hard for this jewelry. I can't remember where I first came across this shop, but I always seem to fall back to browsing it. I know your not suppossed to do any Holiday shopping for myself, but I really want one. I'm a sucker for wire wrapping. She takes it to a new level. It's dainty, feminine, stunning, beautiful ... I can go on and on. I have a necklace and ring on my wish list ... hint hint hint.

Beads In The Belfry

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Bace - Business and Creative Exchange

New blog find ... BACE ...




Great resource for artists, designers and anyone starting a design business. Found this link through Freshly Blended.

Printing by Hand Forum

Lena Corwin started a Q&A forum for anyone who has questions regarding her fabulous book (or projects in the book), Printing by Hand. Pop on over if you have a question, or just check what others are asking. It's new so no posts are up yet.

Target Find

Love that Target. I came across this new eco friendly stationary line a couple weeks ago. Today I picked up this cute notebook. I love the pattern.

Gocco Screen Storage

Photo via.

Currently I've been storing my used Gocco screens in a file folder. I came across these lovely Tripp tins at Ikea. Now my screens have a new home. (Screens are separated by a piece of paper.)

Now I have to figure out what to do with the last tin.

FYI: The word around Yahoo Groups is that Riso is stopping production. Not 5 years like currently stated. Here is a quote from YG:

• I just received a letter from RISO stating that the supplies are now limited and not likely to be available after December this year although they are taking orders while they last - and will no longer be manufactured -Anyone else get this information? (Jane Parillo)

I'm so very very sad. I will definitely be stocking up. Welsh Products has unframed mesh rolls. The same as Gocco's! I'm emailing Welsh, but I believe they are all compatible with Gocco. I know the 135 and 200 mesh is.

UPDATE: I received an email from Mary informing me about the mesh rolls Welsh carries...

The mesh that is sold by Welsh Products IS Riso mesh made for Print Gocco machines. Many textile people call the mesh Thermofax film as they use this mesh to image on Thermofax machines. These machines were originally made to image transparencies for overhead projectors but these can now be printed through a photocopier so the machines were obsolete. However it was found that they were suitable to image the unframed Riso Gocco mesh, hence they have a new life. So if you want to find a substitute for bulbs, look for a Thermofax machine but keep in mind they will only image unframed mesh, not already framed Masters.

Unfortunately the mesh rolls is Riso not another brand we can look to when Riso is no longer. Thanks Mary for the information.

Lotta on You Tube

Found these on You Tube.

Lotta's studio tour ...



Lotta printing with Etsy ...