Spring cleaning: sale coming!

 

Rosa Necklace from cardinalhouse  

Okay, guys. It's time. I didn't get around to doing a sale for my 1-yr anniversary on Etsy, or my b-day (earlier in Feb). Now I'm going to make up for that. I started marking down items this week, but I will be marking down the rest of the items at least 15% (stuff that's been in the store since last fall or earlier).

I was chatting with another seller & during those chats, I realized that I want to be much more aggressive in what I started earlier this week. Sure, I'm going through my reclaimed office fabric...but lately I've brought more home from work. I'm heading backwards at the moment. Nicht gut. Even packing a stuffed plastic grocery bag's worth into my son's backpack everyday doesn't seem to be making much of a dent. Hah! And trust me, while his teacher said she can take as much as I can give, that will change soon! I overwhelmed his teacher last year, eventually. 

So, I will be working on mark downs this weekend.  If you see something in the shop & I haven't marked it down, please let me know!   cardinal_house [at] comcast [dot] net

Happy Weekend! 

♥-Kat.

Tunes for Tuesday: The Camaros

 

The Camaros were brought to my attention from a friend. Okay, so they're not for everyone. Immediately I think of the movie Cry Baby, and then bits of older country. Back about 7 years ago, I used to work in a frame shop while in college. When a certain coworker & I worked Friday evenings we'd listen the True Gold segment on a local radio station. So every Friday night, we'd rock out & sing (somewhat badly ;] ) to golden oldie country classics. Good times!

Enjoy!

♥-Kat.

Sunday Treats: Freshly squeezed orange juice. Yum!

 

The sniffles are going around here at the house. I decided to finish off the extra oranges & treat us with fresh orange juice. Unfortunately, it's not something I take the time to do too often these days because it's time  consuming & costly. After 30 minutes (even with a juicer) & 7 oranges later, well, you see the results above. But don't get me wrong, it is quite the divine result. There is nothing quite like  freshly squeezed juice, and I'm not just saying that because of the effort!

When I was a little girl, I remember simply sticking a straw in an orange & enjoying it in my grandmother's garden. But this morning was still too chilly for lounging outside for long, so I enjoyed mine inside scrambled egg whites & wheat toast.

Enjoy your day!

♥-Kat.

Studious Reflection: Mary, Mary, How does my garden grow?

 

I managed to sew up a ton of flowers today (& a few last night). Quite an accomplishment for me lately (you know, above & beyond work-work, household chores & errands, family stuff...). It was over due. Since December, I've really only made a handful of new items so I'm quite proud. These guys are going to be same kind of necklaces or magnets as before because afterward, I want to focus on some different designs that have sat in my sketch book for a while now.

 

Yesterday at the office, I spent all day in the fabric library. We're re-organizing & doing some spring cleaning. Good news-bad news, that meant that I brought home a LOT of fabric books/hang sets that were duplicates or discontinued, etc. 

 

A lot, huh?! The bag on the left had a number of fabric hang sets, too. I need more fabric like I need the flu. So I am determined to make an actual dent in my fabric supply!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.20.10/ update at the shop: I just finished marking over 20 items on sale for 20% (or more) off! Find them here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

♥-Kat.

Thursday Treats: il laboratorio del gelato

 

I came across il laboratorio del gelato on my search for some particular flavors of true gelato. Too bad there isn't a location down here in Atlanta, or I'd be there! If you know of a local place in the Atlanta area with a variety of flavors, please let me know...oh, alas.

Personally looking over the flavor list, I'd try out the walnut nocello or chocolate hazlenut first...but that's just me.

Yum!

♥-Kat.

Snow just the way I like it: wham, bam, thank you m'am..I'm out!

 

Snow started to fall down Friday afternoon & left around 3" into the evening. It was fantastic, but I didn't have anywhere to be either. Really though, it was great. There wasn't much traffic around my area & it was so tranquil. It was a nice quick dose of medicine for the soul. I actually sat outside on the balcony for just a bit & read. Not too long, I didn't exactly want to muck it up by coming down with a cold, you know! ;)

 

 

A lot of it had melted by Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday it was basically all gone around  my neighborhood.

Hope everyone had a great V-day, President's Day, and have a fabulous Mardi Gras!

♥-Kat.

Because you'd rather be... shopping: favorite things

 

Hand-stamped martini earrings by insanejellyfish  

 

Aerial art locket necklace by heartworksbylori

cameo necklace by laralewis  

stunning golden leather necklace by eninaj 

  

scrumptious teal Italian leather bag by morelle 

  

aqua pumps by starletvintage

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, now get back to work!
-♥Kat.

List of online venues.

 

 Bursting at the seams with stuff to sell? Well, thanks to scarlettcat, we have quite the list of online venues to branch out to if needed. See scarlettcat's original Etsy forum thread here for various details, opinions & descriptions. I've included suggested sites found throughout the forum thread ('cause I love you all ;] )--at least up 'til page 40.  

Before you get too frantic, some of these are not additional selling venues like Etsy & Artfire rather just show images & link back to your shop. I have included other sites that I didn't see listed. Please leave a comment with any others you want to add!

http://www.1000markets.com/

http://www.alittlemarket.com
http://www.artfire.com/
http://www.artflock.com/
https://www.artfulhome.com/
http://www.artbyus.com/
http://www.artsefest.com/home.php

http://www.babylonmall.com/
http://www.blujay.com/

http://www.bonanzle.com/
http://www.bouf.com/
http://bigcartel.com/
http://www.buyitsellit.com/
https://www.byhand.me/

http://www.coriandr.com/
http://www.craftmall.com/
http://en.dawanda.com/
http://www.ecrater.com/
http://www.elsewares.com/commerce/index.php
http://www.erayo.com/

http://www.etsy.com/
http://funkyfinds.us/theshops/
http://www.folksy.com/
http://www.gozabo.com/
http://handmadecatalog.com/
http://handmadefusion.com/
http://hyenacart.com/
http://www.icraft.ca

http://www.indiepublic.com

http://www.kaboodle.com/
http://www.kinfolkcrafts.com/
http://www.lollishops.com/
http://lov.li/

http://lovelyclusters.com/index.html
http://lunacraft.com/
http://www.madeit.com.au/

http://mainstreetmallonline.com/

http://shop.marketpublique.com/
http://www.mintd.com/

http://www.misi.co.uk/
http://www.myartplot.com/
http://www.mycraft.com
http://www.mystore.com/

http://www.neoloch.com/
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

http://www.onlineauction.com/

http://www.oztion.com.au/
http://www.papernstitch.com/
http://www.pinkdoodle.com/

http://www.plunderhere.com/

http://www.primitivecrossroads.com/index.html
http://www.redbubble.com/
http://www.rubylane.com/
http://www.silkfair.com/
http://www.shophandmade.com/home
http://www.shopify.com/

http://www.soleyne.com/
http://www.smashingdarling.com/

http://www.specialistauctions.com/
http://www.strictlyhandmade.com/
http://supermarkethq.com/browse/everything
http://www.thumbtackpress.com/
http://www.ustrendy.com
http://veganica.com/
http://www.wagglepop.com/bin/Auction
http://www.winkelf.com/
http://www.wwcrafters.com/
http://www.yabblebabble.com/
http://www.yessy.com/
http://www.yinia.com/
http://youcraft.org/
http://www.youcraftylot.com/index.php
http://www.zazzle.com/

http://www.zibbet.com/

And as beadedwire points out on page 25 of the forum thread:

You may want to look up traffic on some of these sites before spending much time on them. You can see trafftic on
http://www.alexa.com/
It is hard to sell on sites that don't get visitors. 

I intend to go through & check out some of these, then help categorize. But you know what they say about good intentions... 

 Happy Listing!

-♥Kat. 

PS- The pic at the top shows the guts of the mini-shop where my grandmother sold her crafts. This was after she passed & a lot of things got piled into that particular building. I'm hiding in the background trying to clear a path, I think! Anyways, that's the non-stop burst of color that I grew up with...kitsch (to me), but oh-so-colorful!

Friday Treats: Something sweet and homemade for Valentine's Day.

 

I love baking my own cookies. My friend & I are something like pastry-Nazi's...we like our baked goods our own particular ways & tend to be VERY critical when sampling others' goods. And I'm the less critical of the pair. I will use frozen ready-made crusts at times, whereas she gives me hell. Alas.

Oh yeah...I was getting to how hard it is to find unique cookie cutters. I actually discovered this site when I was searching for fluer-de-lis cookie cutters for this particular picky friend nicknamed Paris--& been going by that before the Hilton sisters were even conceived...I just hope she never reads this or I'm french toast! Off the Beaten Path sells all kinds of cookie cutter shapes (V-day set above here) & a ton of miniature cutters too.

~~~~~~~

 

Now, my favorite place to find super-specialty baking  goods is at King Arthur Flour, based out of Vermont. Every time I receive an update in my in-box, my mouth instantly salivates. Check out the recipe for their Lemon Love buns here. Yes, there are all other sorts of yummy recipes on their site. 

~~~~

Okay, I officially need to go raid the kitchen now!

-♥Kat.

In case you hadn't heard of... Lotta Jansdotter

Lotta Jansdotter is fairly well known among the indie community. She's definately inspiration for fellow indieprenuers as she has made quite the brand & international following for herself. Also, she released multiple how-to books.  Très impressive.

Her line includes everything ranging from home decor to stationary to totes. In addition to the instructional books, she sells kits for certain items including her own fabric & offers classes in the Brooklyn, NY area.  Check her site out here.

Note: Although she sells her own fabric, etc...there are clear instructions that it is not to be used for resell/commercial  purposes. She has a section devoted to wholesale, so I'd contact her after researching for further information.

Enjoy!

-♥Kat.

Design Fix: Eucalyptus & cotton blend bedding from Valley Forge Fabrics.

 

Valley Forge is a contract fabric company that I work with at my design office. One of those lovely benefits of being a designer are promotional freebies. Valley Forge has recently expanded their product line to include bedding using a eucalyptus/cotton blend. Our rep brought a few of us in the office "sample" pillowcases.

Now, Valley Forge's fabrics are sold to the trade only...but I recently discovered that there is a "Shopping" section on their website. It may be that the general public is able to purchase a more limited selection there.

This was my package for trade promotional purposes.

It included samples to show the process from eucalyptus wood chips, into pulp, then spun into fiber, and blended with cotton into fabric.

The samples had a simple, yet elegant neutral tan embroidered design to them.  Pardon me, I didn't iron the pair yet!

So, the hand of the fabric is very, very soft and satiny feeling. They are cool to the touch, so I plan trying them out once after they're laundered & will get back to you. It's too cold to switch from my micro-fiber fleece sets just yet...can't help it! Now, I think I might just want to smell a faint eucalyptus aroma...again, I'll let you know. We'll also break these puppies out if one of us gets the sniffles, just in case!

If you're interested, read more about the sustainable bedding here and browse items to purchase here (bedding and misc.).

>>>>Update 3.04.10: When I laundered them, I could see some issues with this being marketed for hospitality design. Through just one laundering looked like they had visited the washer multiple times. The outcome wasn't terrible, but doesn't look promising for hotels when they are constantly used & laundered. They will definitely need to be ironed too. Just passing along my observations...

-♥Kat.

Book Nook: A few more reads...

Skippyjon Jones. Too hilarious! Okay...if you're very cautious & try to be PC, then I warn you this is Siamese cat meets up with the Taco Bell chihauhua gangs...it's a kid's book, though, so chill out & have fun!Our favorite parts were when Skippito (aka Skippyjon Jones) broke into a little song & dance (clap clap) & I insist that you must sing with an accent & clap (clapp clap)!  We plan on reading the rest of the series & put this one our wish list.

Where's Waldo. My boy loves the "I Spy" books & I managed to get him hooked on the Waldo books! In addition to Waldo, we've made certain to find our "Waldina" & "EVIL WALDO!" in each picture as well. Just so you know...when you spot "EVIL WALDO!", it is quite necessary to shout out "EVIL WALDO!"  Note: Waldina looks like Waldo, except the hair is feminine &, well, Evil Waldo looks like regular Waldo (but) in yellow/black stripes instead.

The Shadow Year. Quick & easy read. I enjoyed it, but the first half of the book was my favorite. It was more humorous to me than suspenseful & there are certain passages that I almost busted a gut. It's a little dark humor...so don't expect to get all bubbles & fizz descriptions of days gone by. I could almost hear "Mother's Little Helper" by the Stones playing in the background! It was especially comical having experience with an italian-american family life & remember watching those delightful, "informative" movie reels with little Johnny, Dick and Jane this and that. I don't remember one with little Johnny being mauled by a train, but oh well!

I'm Bad. T-Rex with an attitude (quite Mr. T). It's cute & the boy kept engaged & had fun. Most of it's written with contractions/slang, so this is a book to goof off with & make funny voices (throw in an "I pity the fool..."!). Check out another book if you're looking trying to help your child to practice (proper) reading/pronunciation.

 

****

Of course I check in on my vices...preview LKH's next book Flirt here, which comes out next month. Also, there is a preview of the next Sookie Stackhouse book (May release), Dead in the Family, here (link at top of page). LKH's is a typical 1st chapter for the AB series - Flirt will be about AB's necromancy/zombies vs police work based on the preview. Not sure what to think about the SS preview yet...it sounds like a downer. Based on the preview, the story could go a number of ways & I guess I will just have to wait until it's released to find out.

****

 

♥-Kat.

Worth a Thousand Words

Tax man actually plays the hero to homeowners? No, really, I'm serious! National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently featuring an article about how homeowner's benefit from photographs required for tax purposes back in the late 1930s. This is actually a wonderful idea. I've worked with historical societies across the southeast while doing projects & to have so many photos in one collection is amazing!

I know quite a number of cities now require a copy of blueprints for new construction so that, for example, the fire department will know the building's layout in case of an emergency. It would be so useful to have a picture of the building too--hmm, a building census. Oh well...it sounds like a fantastic idea to me, at least! For any of you that have had to drive around from universities to various historical societies & libraries, etc all day long (x's 5...) to do research would understand! Read the article here: Worth a Thousand Words

♥-Kat.

Book Nook: Good reads from over the holiday...

 So...here are some reads from during the holiday. No major book reports, but I'll give you a quick one, two.

Necessary As Blood. I'm just now realizing that this is book #13 of a series. I will be investigating the library catalog to read more. Detective/suspense/mystery type books are a favorite of mine. There was a lot of environmental details, which is always a plus. And I was absorbed into the book--so I would recommend most def. There was a Scooby Doo moment because you realize that you met the villain towards the beginning of the book. That's all the hint you'll get from me, though.

Grave Secret. Since I love the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, I thought I'd give another of her series a try. Another detective-type book (with a twist). Okay, I liked the book and was absorbed into the story. I guessed who-dunnit early on, but still enjoyable. What I do have to admit is that the characters just don't seem as endearing as are those in the Sookie Stackhouse series. This is book #4 (most recent) in the Harper Connelly series. Before I commit one way or another about the characters, I will try out the earlier books.

The First Death. Okay. I studied art & some close friends of mine worked on comics as part of their art. Here's my geek side shining through...what can I say? Comic art, zombies, and two of my favorite written characters (Anita & bad-ass Edward).

Pirate Latitudes. This was found as a "completed manuscript" after Michael Crichton passed in 2008. Not sure who verified that info (or where the $$ went to)...but it is an easy and enjoyable read. It perhaps seems a bit different than what you'd expect from Crichton & is "short" (apprx. 300 pages). I just wonder if this was a final, final copy is all, I guess...there is all sorts of typical pirate lore (sea monsters, hurricanes, buried treasure...). I did enjoy it because of the historical/political undertows in addition to the adventure. Port Royal is the main geographical point of reference (before the notorious city was destroyed by earthquake in the late 1600's). There was also quite a bit of the everyday life references (i.e. ground earthworms into a paste for topical hair treatments...ick). Again, my geekier side coming out having studied/done field work in archaeology in St. Augustine.

A Touch of Dead. Sookie Stackhouse short stories by Charlaine Harris. From the forward, it doesn't seem like Charlaine played with the Sookie character in short stories before the books (vs. LKH's Anita Blake, which both the character & Anita's "world" appeared in some short stories beforehand). The author used these short stories to fill in the details about references from the books. While it's nice to get the background stories, I'm glad I borrowed the book from the library vs. bought it. If you're a fan of the books (or TV show..True Blood), go ahead & read. But there's only a handful of stories &, well...don't bother if you're not a fan. I like short stories on their own when there's a meaning (A&P by Updike) or are more gripping (think Bradbury). My favorite story from A Touch of Dead was "One Word Answer" filling in the details about when Sookie found out about her cousin's final death.

Cat in a Topaz Tango. This is a fairly "tame" series compared to what I read. The book doesn't get too dark & the good guys save the day before much damage is done. I have yet to read any of the other books in the series, so I can't say about them yet. What I love about the book is that it's partially written from the perspective of a cat. Tee hee. Detective/ mystery enjoyable read.

Coming soon to a blog near you...

Immoveable Feast. Actually, I'm just starting on this book. Believe it or not, I like travel memoir-type books too. My friend gave this one to me over the holidays, so I put it off to last so I could get the others back to the library. I'll let you know what I think soon.

Also working on. Dining chair redo & eco-friendly eucalyptus linens. Pictures & info this week.

Whew, glad to get all of that over with! Happy reading.

♥-Kat.

Stepping Stone: cardinalhouse has 500 Etsy hearts

Wow!

Thanks to all!

♥-Kat.

How-to: DIY stickers made from recycled wallcoverings (or scrapbook paper).

I came across a cardinal paper punch at Jo-Ann's with their holiday crafting gear. Tee-hee...a cardinal...I might have jumped up & down with my son shaking his head beside me. "Yeah, Mom..I get it"...Sigh, it really does come down to the little things, huh?  So, my little birdies will be used in the packaging at least since I've opted for a more recycled/handcrafted aesthetic.

Make your own stickers..it's really easy & fun (& addictive)! Here's how:

Materials: scrap paper (I recycled scrap wallpaper), scrapbook sticker maker with adhesive (I used Xyron/permanent), paper punch(es)

Punch out shapes using your paper punch

Okay, here's where it starts to get difficult (hah!). Insert the cut-outs into the sticker maker.

Pull on the adhesive roll & check positions of cut-outs so that they're not touching.

Once you tear off a strip of stickers, rub & smooth down to help bond with adhesive.

Peel off film...

& voilà!

Merry sticker making!

♥-Kat.

events. 11.20.2009 (That don't involve Twilight movies-bah)

Calloway Gardens Fantasy of Lights opens this weekend

Lake Lanier Magical Nights of Light

Spruill Gallery Holiday Artists Market (Dunwoody)

Atlanta ICE Holiday Shopping at Ambient Studios

Ice skating @ Centennial Olympic Park (through 1.31.2010--wow, 2010..seriously?!)

Radio City Christmas Spectacular/ Rockettes at the Fox Theatre (through 12.06.2009)

♥♥World of Coke is featuring Paula Deen this Monday (11.23.09);

unfortunately...the event's sold out :( ...but I'm sure that at least a few pounds of butter are endanger come Monday!♥♥

Have Fun!

♥-Kat.

Beginner's food tip: How to keep sliced fruit from turning brown.

My grandmother & mother had me help out in the kitchen when I was a little squirt. Apparently, this tradition seems to be a not-so-common thing these days & I'm not sure if that makes me mad or sad. For those of you that do spend time in the kichen, you probably know this one...but just in case...

After you've cut up your fruit, sprinkle lemon juice over it. Do me a favor...if you're using lemon juice à la bottle...please make sure it's real lemon juice at least...not the imitation kind or from concentrate or whatever else such non-sense..Sorry for the little rant but, trust me, it really does make a difference (in any recipe, not just this).

*Note: You should be able to use other acidic juices (orange, pineapple, etc). There are other products in canning/preserving aisles that would work (Fresh Fruit) if you don't like the taste, but we (the fam.) love the flavor mix & that it's easy/natural. It all comes down to personal preference, I guess!

Yum!

♥-Kat.

Children's Book Nook: Willy's Pictures by Anthony Browne

There are a number of books out by Anthony Browne featuring Willy the chimp.  This book, like Willy the Dreamer, isn't so much a story book.  They are very creative & are great for jump starting the kiddies' imagination. Willy's Pictures also seems like a kid-friendly intro into art appreciation.

& who am I kidding?! Alex liked it because Willy's dressed up in clothes painting himself into all these strange pictures & one of the character's name is Buster Nose. Oh, in case you were interested: per Alex, Willy's version of the Mona Lisa is most definitely smiling & ladies can't have trees growing out of their arms for real. Kill joy. He also stopped believing in Santa Claus over a year ago. Thank you, ladies and gentleman...I'm out!

 >>>US Residents, follow this link to find your local public library: http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Public_main.html

Happy reading kiddies of all sizes!

♥-Kat.