every little thing

A Drop in the Bucket

If I actually shared pictures of ALL of the thrifting I've done lately, I think you would collectively stage an intervention.  The goodies I have listed in the Emporium are just the tip of the vintage iceberg.  I have giant rubbermaid tubs full of more things, just waiting.  And that doesn't even include the things I actually keep for myself.   I'm making an honest effort to only keep things I really truly want and love.  Or things that I find multiples of (which is happening a lot lately.  Like the polka dot tray for instance.  One for me, one for the shop.  I'm a happy girl.) 

Sometimes, especially lately, I feel like I'm going overboard.  And I feel greedy.  And I feel like a crack addict.  But, I figure I better thrift while the thriftin' is good.  Because it's not always an easy road.  There are dry spells and days when you go to 5 shops and can't find one thing worth buying.   The thrift stores, in general, seem to get more and more pricey every day.  The yard saleing around here this season has been s-t-a-l-e.  But thirfting has been good to me, and I am grateful.

For all of you out there this weekend, eagerly hunting for lost treasures, hopefully digging to the bottom of every pile, driving to just one more yard sale before you go home - I wish you luck, my friends.  May the thrifting Gods be with you.

(Amen.)

New Miniature things and Thank-you's Galore

Wow, I was really REALLY happy to see all the enthusiasm for my recipe box creation!  Thank you so much everyone, I'm pretty excited about it myself!   I can't wait to load it up with recipe cards, hopefully I'll have some time later this weekend to work on it.  Today, I've been working on another Emporium update.

Look at all the fun, new things I found!  I'm really in love with the all of them.  The pine cones are so strange....can't imagine them on a cupcake!  Since I've got a good-sized stash of minis now, I think it's about time I put together a "One-of-Each" variety bag for the shop too.  For that person that just can't make up their mind, and wants to try everything (like me!)  Oh, and look at the kitschy bakery labels!  I love those things.  Don't know what I'm gonna use them for, but I just can't live without them.  I've been pondering things lately, and I'm starting to feel that all these miniatures and things may be drifting a bit too far from the "etsy aesthetic" (so to speak.)  Etsy, being a handmade marketplace, does allow vintage items and supplies, but I'm starting to think some of these things (and other items that I'm dying to add to my shop) are pushing the definition of "supply" too far.  Decorating supply?  Yes.  Craft supply?  Hmmm.  That may be a stretch.  I'm definitely going to keep my Emporium on etsy for as long as they allow commercial supplies and vintage items (which I hope is a very long time!)  But, I also want to have a back-up shop where I can keep these items too (just in case) and even expand on the novelties and grab bags that I offer.  I have so many fabulous thing lying around that I know everyone would love.  No, they are NOT handmade.  Yeah, they are mass-produced.  But I get just as much of a kick out of packaging and shipping the miniatures and vintage items  as I do from selling my handmade items.  I'm still providing a service, and I just really like doing both!

There, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  Be on the look out for my own website in the semi-near future.  (As if I don't have enough shops already...sheesh.)

Now I will distract you with some cute, cuddly, oh-so-trendy, vintage owl things:

oh my gawsh, they're so darn adorable!  (wait....what was I talking about before?)

Introducing yet another blog feature (drum roll, please.....)

It's the all-new Every Little Thing Recipe Box!!! (link is located on my left sidebar, just scroll down a bit.)  Click on that box, and you will be transported to a treasure trove containing all my super-favorite recipes.  The best part?  They come in a printable, recipe card form for your easy, baking pleasure.  Does any other blog treat you this well?  I think not.

This is what the cards look like (you fold them so they're double sided, with the directions on the back.)

Please let me know what you guys thing about my new feature!  And let me know if you have trouble printing or downloading the recipe card.  I saved it in pdf form, because the jpg one I tried didn't seem to print correctly.  If anyone has any computer tips for me in that area, I'd really appreciate it!  I would like for everything to be as user-friendly as possible.

The first recipe I added is my sweet friend Carolyn's chewy granola bar recipe.  I will also post some pictures of the finished product as soon as I can whip up a fresh batch.  I'm going to add the "famous" soft pretzel recipe and the ginger tea bread soon.  I will try to make cards for all the recipes I blog about here!  Happy eating!