WOW a red letter day!

Today I was fortunate enough to have been featured in 16 treasury listings at one time.... Eleven for one shop, one for another and yet 5 more for my handmade shop!

It is wonderful to be a part of such great teams like the vintage Etsy Society Street team and the Team Etsy Project Embrace sites! great folks and wonderful shops.

please use the etsy search teamepe and VESTies to find out more about the shops!

Here are links to all of the shops that featured my shops today!

...............................................TREASURY'S......just how lucky am I!...........................................

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=119598 :) vintageaccoutrements.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=119716 thanks zwzzy.etsy.com (alternate) http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91477 thanks dreamyvintage.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91634 ty lauraslocumpainted.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91942 theVintageApartment.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91760 thanks editionbw.etsy.com :) http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91783 this one is mine! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=91826 thanks littlebugjewelry.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=119867 :) rainypenguinvintage.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=120015 thanks sigmosaics.etsy.com EPE http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=119933 thanks taylorseclectic.etsy.com

Lending a Helping Hand

In several weeks I will be conducting an Estate/Moving sale for an old friend.

A wonderful gent who lost his beloved wife last fall asked if I would help him to have a sale after I said I would be willing to help in any way!

Often times one will offer their help and the person just will not ever call, but Bill did!

I am glad to volunteer my time as he needs to sell his home and belongings so that he can travel to his childrens homes around the country and eventually settle somewhere closer to one of them.

He and his wife were antique dealers for many years and they have accumulated so many wonderful things.

I am NOT being paid and I don't mind. It is a pleasure to get to know him and to see his lovely collections first hand!

If you are in the area on the 7th 8th 9th and 10th of April, I hope you will stop by the sale which I will be listing in the chicago area on Estatesales.net !

There will be some wonderful friends helping me out along the way! Many have stepped up to help on the days of the sale too! What wonderful folks! thank you to you all!

see you there!

martha

Plenty of Wonderful Items available NOW at a 50% Reduction!

50% off

all merchandise in

The Secret Garden

&

The Gathering Room.

Sales begin at 50% off on Monday, March 8^th at 10:00 a.m

Many Fall and

Christmas items will be for sale for

50% off beginning

March 8^th through April 3^rd

Fixtures and supplies are now available for sale.

There is still plenty of beautiful merchandise to choose from!

INCLUDING:

Dressers, Tables, Cabinets, accessories, Home decor, Birthday decor, lamps, urns, Vintage books and linens, Framed Antique Etchings, Clocks, Florals,Candles, Vintage Windows, Garden accessories, Desk accents and SO MUCH MORE!

Although we must say goodbye to The Secret Garden and The Gathering Room

for now, our love of antiques and home décor will carry on in the front shop.

Get a piece of the Secret Garden and The Gathering Room before

they are gone.

Thank you for your continued support as we move into a fresh future.

Submission for the CoolmomPicks site and Etsy Valentine collaboration!

I just love creating my little art work, so naturally when the opportunity came up to submit a design to the wonderful women at the Coolmompicks.com site, I thought I would go for it.

The proceeds from the sale of the "color it yourself" Valentine's will go the the Childrens Heart Foundation!

Such a worthy cause...no matter who is chosen!

I hope you will consider helping the cause!

This year, color your own valentine!

thanks bunches,

martha

opendoorhandmade.etsy.com

opendoorstudio.etsy.com

Opendoorhandmade.etsy.com is open for business!

I have recently opened my newest shop OpendoorHandmade.etsy.com.
There you will find many handmade items. I have begun a "line" of greeting tags.
The line includes my original artwork in little collections ...
"it's your birthday" , " your home"," wedding day", "wild things", " project pink", "be mine", " couture collection", " Easter blessings", "be well"... and many others!

I hope you will stop by to see my original illustrations. Each is painted with watercolor and then pen and ink line drawing over top. Each illustration is signed and dated and can make a cute little art collection... just add a frame!

My lines will be growing to include cards and other handmades.

I will be adding my handmade scarves as well, once i get rolling.

I hope you will stop by and see what is new!
martha

The Easiest and Best Chicken ( or beef) enchilada soup

Ok...so this is not my pic... I never have time to take one... but next time I will...but, imagine this soup in a vintage fiesta bowl...cause that is how it would look at my house!

This recipe can be adapted various ways. You can make it with beef broth ( and ground beef) or Chicken Broth! You can make it in a crockpot to come home to something warm, or in 20 min on the stove... as easy or as complicated gourmet as you like
I will lay out my recipe and write adaptions next to the ingredients you can switch out!

my family enjoys this down the the last ladle full!
here goes

Yesterday I made it Chicken Enchilada

1 48oz box of Chicken Broth ( organic if you like) or 2 small broth cans ... can use beef here...could use bullion if you have it.
1 can white or other type corn ( undrained)
1 can Rotell or other type of diced tomatoes with green chilis ... you could chop your own of both
1 can black beans drained and rinsed ...you can add any other type of bean here
1 1/2 packages of taco seasoning ... any type works or you can figure out the spices and make your own
Chicken I used one large "can" of chicken but ... you could use precooked strips cut in pieces or fresh or beef or chorizo too

optional...if you have time at the start you can saute in a dollop of EVOO ( so rachael ray) 1 onion and potatoes diced. and several cloves of garlic ... this is nice for a hardier soup ... I tend to toss just about everything but the kitchen sink in

NOW... dump all of the top 5 ingredients into a sturdy pot, I have a dutch oven type pot... or now would be the crock pot time
if you have not yet cooked the chicken ...now is the time BEFORE adding it to your soup then add the cooked chicken ( or other meat) Season to taste... let it simmer for 20 min on low or until bubbly and steaming hot... stirring whenever you pass the stove.
serve with
tortilla chips
fresh cilantro chopped
lime
sour cream
cheese ( I like cheddar... but you can use any you like)

If you have the ingredients on hand ( which is easy because you can keep them all in your cupboard) this makes for a WONDERFULLY good soup that your family, friends and neighbors will LOVE!

serves 6

Yet another suggestion... if you have tacos and by any chance have any extra.. of fajitas...toss that in to the pot!
ENJOY!

RELAX!

In a word..RELAX !
That is what I am hopeful will be my motto for 2010!

I tend to be a bit laid back but I am hoping this year to begin anew, cherish family and friends and enjoy all that is around me


This year I hope to feature more photos of my home, studio and garden...
and share some fun ideas for decorating your little corner of the world.
I hope you will come along with me!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

I want to shout it from the rooftops....yes, Merry Christmas to All!...but

what I really want to shout is "Thank you Etsy for my Christmas gift from YOU!" I am the only one in the world with this honor today!

You see, Etsy Admin chose my Christmas tree photo ( from submissions requested a week ago) from a group of several thousand!    I just saw a little blurb about submitting your photo and I did.  I noticed that Etsy had added me to their list of favorites from the Christmas tree photos submitted. Lo and behold, last night I opened my convos only to hear from some new Etsy friends!   Their convos said..."your Christmas tree is plastered all over Etsy!"

They had chosen it as their "Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night" card for the storque article.

I am thankful for all of the new friends I have made on Etsy! It is such a creative community and I just love it there! This coming year I will be heading a new Street team. "Vintage Etsy Society Street Team"

We will get together to share creative ideas and fun!

I am so excited about what this past year has brought me and am even more so about the future!

With Etsy's creative input, how can I go wrong!

Merry Christmas to you and all!

Martha

Fun In Michigan

Just back from my trip to Michigan with some fun fintage finds.

this one is all about color

I picked up 2 wonderful buckets. Perfect to pot your poinsettias!

I have 2 available ... one red and one green! they are adorned with bright enamel paint! great for indoors or out!

Vintage BUCKETs

Red Bucket $22.50 Green Bucket $22.50

Homage to Thanksgiving

After thinking of the cliche Thanksgiving, these things came to mind... Turkey, football, family, nesting,leaves, warmth, food!

I put them all into the mix and came up with a different twist !

I hope you enjoy my choices, from top to bottom left to right.

1. gingham mini baker $18.00 from Justmare.etsy.com

2. the measure of Autumn photo $12.00 from knitalatte.etsy.com

3. fingerless gloves $27.00 from Branda.etsy.com

4. Leather wallet in red $59.00 from Valhallabrooklyn.etsy.com

5. Flower serving bowl $47.00 from Oneclaybead.etsy.com

6. Enchanted Alpine needlepoint cottage $38.00 from 5gardenias.etsy.com

7. Nesting journal $12.00 from Bluetoad.etsy.com

8. Hip to be square cutting board $ 40.00 from Granddar.etsy.com

9. 1950's Bamboo decor plastic glasses $25.00 from allunique.etsy.com

10.Rockin ruby and Red ChaCha bracelet $230.00 ablastfromthepast.etsy.com

11. Wooly Acorns $ 12.00 from littleseedlings.etsy.com

12. Imperial Brazil boots $75.00 from VeraVague.etsy.com

13.Olive green and rusty brown set of flowers $6.00 by milkysupplies.etsy.com

14.Colonial house barkcloth pillow $56.00 from squirrelonaledgetop.etsy.com

15.Gold'N peaches lotus necklace $40.00 from Begurple.etsy.com

16.What's your word wristlet $14.00 from zjayne.etsy.com

All of these wonderful sellers have items that would be great for gift giving ... as my listing says

Ov'r the River...through the woods to G'mas house with a twist! Items that will inspire through Thanksgiving and beyond!

I hope you are inspired too.

I will be featuring individual shops from time to time and groupings like this...whenever I am able to put up a treasury!

martha

ps... my last treasury went to the fp...it was all about Noir...if you don't know what that means... you may have to google it!

Thanks bunches for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Leave me a comment as to what shop was your favorite this week! I will post the results next time!

thanks again

martha

Etsy Project Embrace! If you don't know about it... you should!

My friend Jean of 3squares.etsy.com included my Art shop pleinairpainter.etsy.com and more specifically, my " Kansas Mainline " painting. Her lovely treasury was throughly "peacocky" ! Jean coined that one while creating a beautifully blue and green treasury.

The main intention of the treasury, however, was to support Etsy Project Embrace, an ever growing group of Etsians who together are supporting the fight against cancer.

Said Best by Kristin of loveartworks.etsy.com;

"Etsy project embrace is a Universal Coalition of Artists whose main purpose is to create awareness and support for people who have been diagnosed with Cancer, whatever kind it may be. The project began as a way to help our friend and wonderful Etsian, Laura Slocum, who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is currently having chemotherapy. You can read more about Laura and her incredible uplifting journey here

Feel free to join us on this Thread, by sharing your experiences, giving out healing energy to those who need it and posting any EPE related information including Treasuries, blog posts, donation listings, announcements, etc….. or just a friendly post to say “Hi!”…. "

You can help fight cancer by making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

( you can even make a donation via your cell phone)

I know we have all been touched by cancer one way or another... a parent, friend, loved one, or ourselves!

Please consider giving a gift... the gift of research...of HOPE ...of a CURE!!!

What a wonderful group of creative women! I am hopeful that I will become a member in the near future!

Look ma no patterns ... look what Krista made !

My new Etsy friend Krista is so crafty and creative. Several months back she purchased a wonderful vintage box chock full of bias tape... all kinds and colors and so much fun. I loved the box just to look at but she had something else in mind... She sent me a link to her blog called " look ma no patterns" which is DARLING! She is crafty and creative and made a pillow cover out of the fabric bias tape.

She has blogged a " how to"! I hope you will check it out.

There, you will find lots of other wonderful photos and instructions telling you exactly how she makes her things . She is a woman after my own heart! Kinda a kindred spirit.

I have ideas like that but never put them to use...

Krista, on the other hand... DOES!!!!

Check out her blog for yourself.

She has an etsy shop as well. ( kitschcuisine.etsy.com ) Check it out too while you are at it!

thanks for stopping by and ...remember.... be enlightened...Get Creative!

Wonderful Etsy Tools

Ok... so I am not working at my official Job... JB Winterberry ... home decor and antiques in Wheaton, IL today and have been surfing the web. Paying much attention to Etsy today. I have decided to experience my very first ( embarrased to say) Virtual Labs Event on how to gain exposure this holiday season... While poking around on Etsy I came up with a wonderful find! It just made my day... and here it is!

http://easyetsy.com/ Click this link to find all of the etsy tools... blog info, non etsy affiliated info... like Heart o matic, Etsy Treasure hunt... and many others

ALL IN ONE PLACE!!!!!!!!

I just love this. more info than anyone can use but so helpful to know... like getting an email when you have been featured on the front page! at STATSY

too much fun for the Etsy addict in me!

mark them as favorites... and have a blast checking them all out!

thanks to Rathina for making this fab list! Check her out at Rathina.etsy.com!

People StyleWatch gift guides for fall!

this afternoon I was delighted to find my original record album chalk board featured in the People style watch gift guides.

I just love that I have been recognized in that way! I hope you can stop by the etsy virtual labs next week and find some more of Peoples picks!

I am happy to be among them!

take a look for yourself!

martha

opendoorstudio.etsy.com

Vintage Etsy Society! Sellers unite!

I have an idea... I would love to get it off the ground, and may need to wait until the beginning of 2010 to take action. I thought I would write it down so that I didn't forget... so here it is!

I would like to start the " Vintage Etsy Society!" A place that would promote vintage etsy ( sellers who sell items 20 years old or older) I would love to do it locally at first...then expand nationally

if you have ever been to a renegade art fair... in wicker park chicago, you will know what I am talking about. This would be where vintage etsians could unite and sell our wears!

How does it sound to you? If you like the idea ... email me

uz2blayton@aol.com and let me know.

we can start the revolution! The Vintage Revolution that is!

viva la vintage on etsy.com!

Happy Halloween Happenings

Hello all,

This weekend I ventured out with my delightul sis and sisterlike, life long friend Jinny! We took on Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles Il.

What a day! While most of the folks were flocking to the usual pumpkin scarecrow display... adorned with the same cliche owls, scary guys, and John Deere displays.... We were wondering Century Corners. A darling little... off the beaten path and oft forgotten area in St. Charles. Bounded on the South by RT. 64 or North Avenue and on the East by RT. 25, this little sparkling jewel of an area, features several darling shops and creative shop owners.

Townhouse books, for example ( reminds me of "you've got mail" or a little bookstore in downtown Estes park, CO ... or the little one I found while in Moab, Utah this summer), a staple for many years, and hopefully many more to come! This quaint little spot has some wonderful offerings. I found a cool little packet of "walking tours" for Chicago... 50 little cards contained in one little box. Grab a card and head downtown for your own guided tour. What a cute place to linger and hopefully purchase something... please keep this local shop in business!

Attached to that is a nice little cafe, restaurant...ok... I have to admit we didn't stay for lunch... because the place was packed and the wait was long... ( good for them) and we had some shopping to do. A darling shop that we were not able to make time for this visit, called panache, sits just up the hill from most of the frey.

We then headed outside to the vendors on the street. Croissants, soaps, bittersweet and a wonderful potter who does other creative crafts as well... she too, was a talent! (tapestries of nature, mary la frenz of princeton, IL) I wanted to turn her on to etsy...but she doesn't have a computer! I wonder just how many talented folks there are in this world who have no way of reaching international audiences... from a venue like ETSY! What a shame... I hope to run into her again sometime!

We headed to the little sale "barn" where I found something I am sure I can't live without ( I may have to head back this week if it is still there... to purchase it... i am not telling what it is... I don't want you to snatch it up...but if you do... your car better be big... cause it is!)

Along the way I collected leaves made by nature... :) to add to my mantel!

( photo above)

We stopped in an antiques shop (The Glos House) that sits across from the stone house, The gal there is SUPER talented and has a wonderful eye for all things vintage.

I bought a vintage red leather chair with brass tacks that was adorned with vintage cotton flour cloths.... I just love it. How fresh looking! ($20.00) and a wonderful EauClaire Wisconsin shop sign, complete with hooks to hang your hat or jewelry or just about anything else you may find. She painted the top board with chalkboard paint! (how useful) Now I can leave notes for everyone! I wanted to buy everything in the place, because her prices are CRAZY reasonable! I stopped myself... but my sister bought a little vintage pillow that was made from an old needlepoint piece that was exactly like my grandma Stewart used to house on her 3rd floor in Narberth! Les just had to have it!!! What great memories of our childhood!

Off to the cliche craft show. Much smaller than in years past. I am sure the economy has gotten to the little festivals too! Lots of junk vendors, doors, window, siding, dips... dips, dips... 2 vendors selling the same DIP...yuck!!! ( don't ever double dip please!)

Some talents in the crowd included a woman who makes her own paintings

(stenciled) on canvas and she adds a bit of glitz... making just the cutest artwork. www.momsenterprises.com

Last year her things were flying out of the booth...this year with the cold, she was the only one in the booth ! My how times change! I hope she did well. Click on her link to find her cute things!

The other favorite booth was Jewels by Jay. Original knitwear & Accessories. I loved her neck warmers with buttons...they doubled as head wraps...SO CUTE! Great chunky yarns and vintage buttons.

In all, it was a wonderful day. Capped off with seeing this darling Halloween Home!

Enjoy your day in the country this fall and be sure to share some business with the small, local shops. They need your business to stay afloat in this economy

check out the 3/50 site for more details!

Open 7 days a week. Please call for hours. One block east of the Fox River, in St. Charles, Illinois. One block north of Route 64.

Brant Miller NBC channel 5 weather photo

I was honored tonight when I arrived home to find an email from Brant Miller, an X dj in Chicago turned weatherman. Brant features weather photos that are submitted by viewers. I finally found his email address and wanted to send him a photo that I took several weeks back, in Fish Creek... Door County Wisconsin.

I am sitting, waiting to see the news to see it on the TV. The best part is that it will be in the Sunday Sun Times News paper in Chicago!

I hope to see it there.

this is a digital photo taken on a canon EOS camera. NO alterations to the photo other than cropping. No Digitalization. All nature... All Gods paintbrush!

enjoy

A big thank you to LazyTCrochet.etsy.com for the treasury!

A major shout out to my etsy blogger friend LazyTCrochet.etsy.com for featuring me in her latest treasury. I am honored as I know there are so many bloggers that she could have chosen. I know the etsybloggers team sent out an email to the entire team and I know that may bring more folks together! Thank you so much once again and hello to all bloggers that may stop by my site!

Must appreciated!

martha

Opendoor Studio is almost "open"

Click on the photos for greater detail!

My dream for my little studio is to make a wonderful environment in which to create.  I have been sorting and filing and stashing and have come up with some ideas.
Primarily I want it to be a space where I am able to paint my Oils.  My thoughts were to make it a place where I can ask friends to join me in the creative process by attending a "workshop" style get together.
I had a thought to create and "antique shop" feel to the entry area.  I have had so many items in totes from years of flea marketing and I thought, if I put them on display, it may be inspiration for all.  So, after the walls were painted, I began displaying my items.  I will be able to pull them, photograph them and list them on Etsy.  Making the entire process so much easier.

Of Course...if I have a garage sale, I will be able to share my little space with those wishing to take a peek.  I will also happily open by appointment.  I will be available and listing on Etsy on Tuesdays and Thrusdays! 

   I hope to see you soon.

          martha

Ahh... Summer ( or the end of it anyway!)

Summer is winding to a close,   the kids have returned to school, albeit a half day.  That means only one thing.  I will be spending more time on my Etsy site.  I have been stocking my " shop" with all kinds of goodies and will be listing soon.

       I am torn between styles.  I am loving the clean look of threepotatofourshop.com but I have so many " shabby " items yet to sell.  I will try to see if I can do anything with them first ...then shift styles to my " clean line" look

         Until then,

   Stay tuned and watch daily for my new Etsy Listings!

                  martha