The Lowdown on I Sew Cute!

Craftster is so wonderful for making new friends. I met ISewCute on Craftster and was instantly impressed by her crafty skills but it was her sweet nature that won me over. She is an amazing! 

Who is Isewcute? What is she all about?
Born a week before Christmas in the 1970’s to a cobbler &
former teacher, I grew up in a log cabin in the Maine woods.
We didn’t live very extravagantly, but never went
without…so my creativity was nurtured as I learned to
entertain myself.
My mother & Nana both sewed, baked, knit, & made crafts
from kits they’d bought from the Mary Maxim catalog. I
watched them & learned from them.
In grade school I was the quiet dreamer who got in trouble
for doodling cats and mermaids in the margin of the paper
rather than taking the math test.
Lucky for me I had a fabulous art teacher who pointed me
towards art school rather than business college as my
school’s guidance counselor suggested. After 4 years of
that & year of figuring out what I wanted to do with my
life, I went back to school again for toy design. I
freelance as a toy designer now & have worked for Hasbro,
Mattel, Learning Curve, & Gund.
I’m a big kid at heart. I watch cartoons, make stuffed
animals, & play with dolls & thankfully have a couple of
little kids…so it doesn’t seem weird to folks who
don’t know me that well!
I fell in love with a toy-boy who is the ying to my yang &
we’ve been married for over 10 years now. I can’t
believe how fast time flies! Now I live in a little house in
the southwest corner of Ohio, raising my kids…nurturing
their budding creativity, keeping connected to the outside
world via the internet, & listening to music while staying
crafty.

You do so many different crafts-do you have a favorite?
Drawing is my favorite thing to do, but I’m interested in
so many dang crafts sometimes I feel as if I’m being
pulled in several directions at once. It’s a true case of
so many crafts & so little time. I go where the passion
drives me. I can’t explain it other than one day I’ll
wake up & just ‘have’ to knit or paint something. It’s
like I've got to get that out of my system.
At the moment I’m loving everything embroidered &
attempting to finish a cross stitched realistic portrait of
a kitty for a friend. After cleaning out my craft room the
other day, I came across a retro xmas stocking that I need
to finish for my daughter. I love to be busy making
something… anything. It’s all good & I’ve never met a
craft I didn’t like!

I love your resin pendants you do. Is there a special
trick to working with resin?
Thank you for the sweet compliment! I think resin is one of
those things you’ve just got to try & see what works &
don’t be afraid to fail. The main thing is to work in a
well ventilated room…or wear a respirator. Your resin
should be room temp. or a little warmer. Cold resin
doesn’t mix as well & makes more bubbles. Stir your
mixture very well while scraping the sides & bottom of the
mixing cup. Most folks I’ve advised had problems mainly do
to poor mixing. Don’t get discouraged if you botch a
batch. Happened to me too when I was learning…just try try
again. If anyone has any questions…then go to one of the
resin threads on craftster & someone (wink-wink) is sure to
help!

Any advice for the masses?
Do what you love, never stop playing, enjoy your life, &
relish the little things. Keep things in perspective. If you
have your health, family, & friends …& can find some time
to do something creative… then you have a lot to be
thankful for.

Do you have any shows coming up? A website or blog?
No plans at this time for a winter season show. I do have a
book idea in the works that has been put on the back burner
for now…but I’ll be sure to shout it from the
mountaintops when it comes out.

As far as websites: I’m on craftster as ‘I Sew Cute’
…I blog here: www.isewcute.blogspot.com …& sell my
little treasures here: www.isewcute.etsy.com

Bonus questions!
Favorite flavor and least favorite flavor?
Favorite flavor may be Grandma Sanders’ handmade hard
candy in sassafras or cinnamon. I’m crazy for cinnamon in
general!
Least favorite… perhaps chicken livers or oysters. I’ll
only eat them on a triple dog dare!

 EWWW! I don't blame you. Those are gross! ISewCute is such a wonderful person. She is talented, caring and a all around nice person. I would personally love to thank her for her donation to the crisis line I work for.  She brightens the day with her generosity and warm heart. I'm glad to call her a friend.

Tie One On Tuesday!

 

It's party season (actually, when is it not party season?) and everyone as been asking for the perfect party punch. Well, never fear my friends. I have a few alcohol and non alcohol punches that will make you the envy of all your friends.

I LOVE champagne. LOVE IT! So this punch is very special to me and very simple to do.

Champagne Punch
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice
concentrate
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink lemonade
concentrate
1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, chilled
1 liter carbonated water, chilled
2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
1 lemon - sliced, for garnish
1/2 cup fresh mint, garnish
DIRECTIONS:
In large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice concentrate, pink lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, white wine, club soda and champagne. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

Oh my! It's chilly outside! What will warm your bones? How about this yummy treat?

Boston Tea Punch
INGREDIENTS:

1 750 ml Bottle Dark Rum
4 cup Black Tea
4 1/2 oz. Triple Sec
12 Lemon Slices
Sugar to Taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat Rum, Tea and Triple Sec in a saucepan, add sugar and stir until disolved. Don't let it boil. Serve in warmed punch cups or mugs.

Now for an old standard. I think everyone in my family hates this punch commonly referred to as "The Green Punch" but I for one love it! It is a tradition to drink a cup of it on Christmas whether or like it or not.

The "Green" Punch
INGREDIENTS:

2 liters ginger ale
1 lg. container frozen lemonade
1 lg. can pineapple juice (chilled)
1 qt. lime sherbet
DIRECTIONS:
Stir together. The lime sherbet melts and makes a milky green punch with foam on top.

Yum! Yum! Love the green punch!

Okay party goers, you have a few options to make your party a rousing success. Now get out there and mingle, sing and dance the night away, the drinks are all taken care of of.

Young at Heart

My oh my is it blustery outside! It's a perfect day for some childhood classics that never get old.

When I first saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang I went around singing the song nonstop for a month. I'm sure that my mother enjoyed her 5 year old daughter screaming at the top of her lungs the wrong words and occasionally slipping up and throwing a cuss word or two in there. What mother wouldn't adore that? Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of a slightly eccentric professor, his extraordinary car and the adventures they get into. The book was written by James Bond's own Ian Fleming-which is very obvious given the name of the lead female character: Truly Scrumptious. This movie stars Dick Van Dike as the inventor and for an added touch, Britain's beloved Benny Hill as the toy maker.

Moving on to another childhood favorite, The Wizard of Oz. I believe that I could possibly recite every line in the movie and sing every song. This movie always reminds me of winter because when I was growing up, it was the a standard during the holiday season. This movie has inspired spin off books, which have inspired Broadway hit plays. It is a timeless treasure that will either make you smile or run for cover from those scary flying monkeys. Dorothy and her dog are "swept" away to a magical land where she meets friends and enemies on a quest to get back home. Again, when I was younger, I ran around the house singing "IF I WERE KING OF THE FOREST!" and my mother not once got tired of it. She may have been a saint.

Another movie that I absolutely adore and has now become a cult classic is The Princess Bride. There are so many little relationship stories in this movie that make me smile and warm my heart. The relationship between the grandfather and grandson, between Princess Buttercup and Wesley and my favorite, Inigo and Fezzik. This is a wonderful movie for all ages and has something for every time of person. To this day, I will recite the wedding scene just out of the blue and most people will respond back to me. It is a modern day classic. The story is within a story told by the grandfather about a princess and her true love. There are wrongs that are righted, love lost that is found and happy endings for all.

Last on my list is The Goonies. This is movie is so awesome and I'm not saying that cause it was filmed on the coastline of Oregon in one of my favorite towns, or because it has a young Josh Brolin in it. It's a great movie because once again, there are happy endings, cute blossoming romance and all of your favorite childhood actors when they were still cute and innocent and not plastered all over the tabloids for the behavior. The story tells of a group of friends and the adventures they have while trying to save their homes from being demolished.  The wonderful message of friendship and being who you are is one that is driven home several times throughout the movie. The one thing I am surprised about is how they got so many sunny days on the coast line?

Well, there ya have it- 4 childhood classics that will warm your heart while you warm your tootsies. Now go make that popcorn, find those footie pj's and park your "adultness" at the door. I expect all of you to giggle like a school girl (or boy!) and enjoy yourself.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Oh my goodness! Can it be true? Another adorable Boston Terrier named Gus? That's right! This Gus is a little bundle of awesome. He has excellent taste in music, people and style.  Let's see what this little man is all about.

Who is Gus? What is he all about?
You cannot put a label on Gus.  Gus is everything Gus aspires to be.  Gus expects only the best from Marbles and Parbles (mom & dad) because Gus deserves it. Gus is a collector of toys and toilet paper rolls. Gus doesn't over-do it because Gus' motto is "leave em wanting more".  Gus refers to himself in the 3rd person.

What was your best day ever?
Marbles & Parbles probably think that it was the day they brought me home but it's really any day that Marbles and Parbles are home sick.  We both sleep late and they'll cook me an egg.  And then we sleep some more.

How do you handle the heat?
In style...

How do you feel about your new brother?
Who???  He is NOT my brother.  He just lives here and if he keeps walking off with my Nylabone there WILL be trouble.

Bonus Question:
My favorite band is.....
Whatever band drops food on the floor.

Gus is a must for people like us (yes, I have been dying to say that). He is a sweet little spit fire that will warm your heart while he's stealing your porkchop and this is why we love him. 

Feel Good Friday!

Ah! Smell that crisp cool air! It's getting closer and closer to the holidays and if you are like me-you are getting more and more excited. Oh no! I just had a thought-I haven't even began to prepare for the holidays! AGH! I need to get on it! Okay, okay, deep breaths. This is Feel Good Friday, not stress and pull my hair out Friday. Let's get down to some feeling goodness. AWWW YEAH!

I love this "tattooed" lady. Mimi K. is AMAZING! I literally spent an hour looking and all of her awesome creations.

One Small Object is the sweetest blog chocked full of free downloads, tutorials and just all around crafty goodness, wrapped up in a sugar coating of kind words. 

If you are looking for some wonderful holiday gifts, look no further than The Cutie Pie Company. I am currently dying over the girl and her puppy in the snow. Seriously-it's me and Lola and I WANT IT! I hope everyone got that subtle hint. ;)

 

I found this wonderful book at the library about the quirky history of Christmas. It's really interesting and a pretty quick read. I strongly recommend it!

Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to build a fire and curl up with my book, my puppies and my hubby. Maybe if I'm real nice, OMP will make me some hot chocolate with marshmallows. I really should start working on that holiday list but I'm just too snuggled in to reach for a pen and paper. 

UPDATED!
And because I was told that I should have my gratuitous cute animal picture. Here ya go (happy now OMP? )

Kubrick, and I'm not Talking Stanely

Kubricks were invented by a Japanese Company by the name of Medicom Toy over ten years ago. There are so many different types that have been produced it is impossible to have them all (week not really - if you have a TON of cash).
 

There are regular boxed series of Kubricks that are released as seen here with Universal Monster. There are two different series' shown. These were sold in what are called blind box assortment. All the boxes in the case look alike and you take a chance on what figure you get. There were also special items or chase figures included in the boxes. The coffin and operating table are examples of these, as well as different figures as seen in the two different Invisible men.

Kubricks were also sole in little sets based on certain movies or characters, were you could get lots of accessories to make your own little Kubrick world. Planet of the Apes, Resevoir Dogs, just to name a couple, were produced in Kubrick form.

Bearbricks are a whole different monster. Also made by Medicom Toy,they are little bears that are painted up in different fashions beleive there are like 18 different series out now). There are different types of bears in each assortment: Basic (plain colored Bear with a letter on it - get all 8 and spell Be@rbrick), Pattern (a basic pattern all over the bear like the blue pinstriped bear in the pic),Jelly (a clear colored bear), Flag (a different flag from around the world - see the Russian Bear in one of the pics), Horror (like the glow in the dark electrocuting bear in the picture), Science Fiction (like the two in the picture that are basically Bubo the owl from Clash of the Titans and the one next to it is Maria from the movie Metropolis), Cute (name says it all) and Animal (once again...). There were also randomly inserted chase bears per assortment. Making the
chase for all of them in the series mind numbing.

So, if you have a ton of money to spend and a lot of time on your hands-go for some Kubricks. As always, I prefer to pick what I like and not worry about getting everyone I can. That would just make me go a little crazier than I already am.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Okay, Okay, I know a lot of you out there may not take part in the spirits and want some good ol' fashion hot drinks. Ya know, something that you can sip by the fire with your sweetie or a little pick me up in the morning. Well, this week I'm gonna give you some "dry" hot drinks to check out. Maybe a little something for the kiddies. I've heard NyQuil is good for them (and people wonder about me and kids-hmmm...)

The first combines two of my favorite taste. Carmel and chocolate!

Hot Carmel and Chocolate (makes 6 cups)

1/3  cup sugar 
1/3  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3  cup water
6  milk-chocolate-covered round caramels
6  cups milk, half-and-half, or light cream
  Whipped cream (optional)
  Milk chocolate-covered and/or candy-coated round caramels (optional)
Directions
In a large saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add candies; cook and stir until melted. Stir in milk. Heat through. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream and additional caramel candies.

Looking for something a little more caliente?Oh! I got that for you too!
Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate(Makes 2 cups)
1  2/3 cups milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 red chili pepper, split with seeds removed
1 cinnamon stick, around 3-4"
1  1/2 oz chocolate (bittersweet)
Directions:
Simmer milk in a saucepan with vanilla bean, cinnamon and chili. Heat through for about a minute. Whisk in grated chocolate, and continue to simmer until melted. Remove from heat and let 'steep' for another 10 minutes. Strain out the spices and serve.

 Now if chocolate isn't your thing (we might not be able to be friends anymore if this is true) how about a nice cider recipe?

Harvest Apple Cider

8 whole cloves

4 cups apple cider

4 cups pineapple juice

1/2 cup water

1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick

1 tea bag

Directions:

Place cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. Place the remaining ingredients in a slow cooker; add spice bag. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours or until cider reaches desired temperature. Discard spice bag, cinnamon stick and tea bag before serving.

Mmmmm...these recipes sound so yummy I can almost smell them simmering up on the stove. I strongly suggest that the next time you have a chilly night-build a fire, snuggle up with your loved ones or maybe even by yourself with a good book and take a nice sip of the warm rich drinks. Now where are my marshmallows at?