Sitting on a Wire

Here's a piece I did a few months ago but never shared.  Aren't they cute little birds?

I hope everyone is having a great "Last Day of August".  I'm ready for fall weather.

Hugs,  Erin

Etsy Store Name Suggestions

Bloggers and followers - I need help so please comment and toss any suggestions my way.  Please!!

I am stuck on opening my Etsy store due to indecision with the store name.  It would be nice to use words that are already in my life in some fashion (but not necessary).  Like:  Frenchie, DuFrane, Erin, Hummingbird, Mom, Single Chaotic, Art, Crafts, Chaotic, Sassy,

Here's some basics, things I plan (or hope) to sell (in the future):

• Art Work
• Paper craft projects
• Scrapbook layouts
• Handmade cards
• Other craft projects

I have read the Etsy suggestions for "New Shop" names and still can't seem to come up with an appropriate title.  Some of the ones I really like are already taken (boo hoo).  Etsy says your store name should represent what you sell, be unique and short. 

Here are a few of the titles I've tossed around:

• Chaotic Mom Creations
• Chaotic Crafts and Art
• Witches Cellar or Closet or Attic (suggested by a friend)
• Sassy Sister Designs
• DuFrane Doodles and Crafts
• Doodles and Crafts
• Erin's Art and Crafts
• Frenchie's Designs
• DuFrane Designs
• Sassy Design Diva
• Expressions by Erin

• Erin's Sassy Sensations
• Sensible Art and Crafts by Erin
• Sensible Designs
• Single Sassy Mom Creations
• Sassy Mom Creations
• Sassy Woman Creations
• Passion for Design
• Passion Creations
• Love to Design by Erin
• Love to Design and Craft

Okay I could go on and on but I really would like some suggestions OR tell me if you like/dislike any of the above names.

Thanks for your input.  Hugs,  Erin

Staff Art Show

Well I made a huge leap and submitted one of my painting to the "Staff Art Show" at work.  The following photos show my art piece hanging with a variety of others who also submitted pieces.  This show allowed any type of art work, photography, crafting, painting, metal and glass work, sculpture, pottery, etc...basically anything less than 36"x36" and displayable.

Photos of my Orange and Peach Lily

(hanging in one of the many art galleries at work)

This the little tag that was placed next to my piece.  My name in print....LOL

Pretty cool to see your piece of art hanging with many other talented artists. 

Hugs,  Erin

These are a few of my favorite things........

Beautiful Images of the Iowa Sky...

I get the same wonderful feeling every time I see a glorious sunset like this one.  I don't have a fancy camera but you can see the colors as the sun sets and the reflection of that color reflects against the clouds.  Truly Amazing!! 

"As the sun sets, as the bees sting, when I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad...."

 

 Song sung by:  Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music

Yes, I know I'm goofy but one of the things my Mom, my sister and I did every year was watch "The Sound of Music" on TV.  My mother loved musicals, my sister was taking voice lessons and I was taking piano lessons at the time, so it became a yearly tradition to watch musicals together.  We also watched "The Wizard of Oz", "West Side Story", and many others.  My Dad managed to remain sane by hiding out in the garage or in the family room watching man-shows and ignored us while we watched our favorites...LOL. 

Take some time in August and September to watch the sunset....it is worth the time.


Hugs,  Erin

Organization Part 2 - Hallway Shelves

Here is part 2 of re-organization in my house.  Unfortunately the before photos got deleted by mistake but trust me, these were a catch all for anything and everything.

These are the upper shelves after reorganization........how pretty.

Top shelf: pretty stuff
Next shelf: tote on left has flashlights and batteries;
tote on right has candles and holders, scented liquid and bamboo sticks
Next shelf: pretty candles on square mirror;

tote has books for family to read

 Here are the lower shelves.....so neat and tidy.

Shelf below green candles: tote has miscellaneous gift items that I pick up on saile when I see them

(note pads, journals, pretty pens/cups/mugs, etc.); green vase from a friend;

books recently bought that have yet to be read

Shelf with two totes: tote on left has miscellaneous school items bought on sale; 

tote on right has items for cell phones, camera, ipod, ipad, etc.

Bottom shelf: Recipes books; 

tote has recipe box and recipes printed or given to me but not yet put in notbook

I got the pop-up canvas totes from the Dollar Store, $1.00 each.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Everything is findable with a designated spot.  This was a much needed spot to organize after moving to this house over one year ago.

Hope this inspires you to find a small place that needs some help.

Hugs,  Erin

Art - Abstract of Green and Purple

This painting was done on 8x8 gallery wrapped canvas squares with acrylic paint........just trying some new techniques with paint brushes.

Hugs, Erin

House Organization - Junk Drawer Overhaul

Hello all - I'm back with many posts coming your way. 

Nothing like back to school that makes me want to organize...I started with two junk drawers in the kitchen that have become a catch all for everything that doesn't have a specific place.  I started by heading to the Dollar Store for small organizational things. Found a few and then over to JoAnn Fabrics for more. 

So I forgot to take a photo of both drawers before I started pulling stuff out of them but you can see that my kitchen counter is covered with stuff.  Not sure how all that "stuff" managed to fit in those two drawers.

Here is the BEFORE PHOTO........

Can you believe all that suff (minus the baskets and totes) were in these two drawers?

This is just to show you the size of the drawer. 
They are narrow but very long, which is why we can stuff so much JUNK in them.

Here is my FINISHED PHOTO....

Here's the neat and tidy version. 
After this photo was taken I actually used an empty "check" boxes,
 that work great for each person's medication.

Check back tomorrow, I also organized my built-in shelves in my first floor hallway that were storing all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.  Hope this inspires you to find one drawer, surface, shelf, etc. to organize.

Hugs,  Erin

Toasted Roast Beef Italian Sub on French Bread

Here's another great recipe that is easy, filling and fairly low in cost.

Toasted Roast Beef/Italian Sub on French Bread

Ingredients:

1 - 6 to 10 oz package of Roast Beef
1 - 8 oz package of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 - jar spagetti sauce (or pizza sauce)
1 - large loaf of fresh french bread (or 2 smaller loaves)





We like this brand of Roast Beef too.

This is the package label from the loaf of french bread.

Instructions:

Cut french bread loaf into 3 equal pieces or 4 equal pieces depending on your family.




Slice each of 3 or 4 pieces in half, like a sub sandwich.


Toast for 4 mins under the broiler.






Add spagetti or pizza sauce on both sides of bread







Add roast beef on top of sauce (3-6 slices per sandwich, depending on the thickness of your beef)





Cover both sides of sandwich with shredded mozzarella cheese


Toast for 4 mins under broiler





Let cool 2-3 minutes. Serve with lettuce salad and fresh fruit.






Cost:
Total cost around $8.50 for 3- 6 inch subs. 
     $2.00, mozz. cheese
     $1.50, spag. sauce (you will use half of spag sauce for recipe above)
     $2.50, loaf of french bread
     $2.50 roast beef for approx. 1/2 lb

This recipe is enough to feed 3 adults (or two male teenagers and Mom).
But I make everything in bulk these days since I live with teenagers and always have extra teenagers to feed.

I think this is a pretty good price for 3 sandwiches and I try to buy the ingredients when I can find the cheese and roast beef on sale. 

Hope you try it! Enjoy!

Hugs,  Erin