INTERVIEWED BY JEWELZ from Etsy

Jewelz is a lovely shop owner on Etsy.
***** JEWELZ CREATIVES
Check out her Etsy Shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5757134

Jewelz has decided to share with everyone on her blog, interviews with her new Etsy friends that tell about these people and their handmade shops.

Today Jewelz started these interviews to feature each shop owner and help promote the person and their shop. As well Jewelz feels she has a great opportunity to get to know her new friends better this way.

I was the first interviewed and I am so pleased to say that Jewelz blogged about it today! It's a great promo page for UxCritter's Place on Etsy, and I am very appreciative to Jewelz for the work she did putting this together.

Please check out the interview here on her blog:

http://jewelzodonnell.wordpress.com/

MORE COOKIES!!!! Y*U*M*

Well, today isn't a day to really start thinkin' about baking up goodies for Christmas.........but,...

I did get my flyers ready to hand out around our little circle drive of a few houses here where we moved to.

Flyers for my usual "COOKIE EXCHANGE"!!!

Just like my announcement says on my Etsy shop, ...

"**CHRISTMAS NOTE**

Don't forget Christmas shopping early takes the stress off, especially when the season approaches so quickly.

and

so

does

getting the baking done ahead of time.

(oh and christmas card writing too! OR MAKING SCRAPBOOKING CARDS, right Paige?)

be sure to check out Paige's scrapbooking blog!!!!!! It's in my blog list to the right.

I'm going to try a little nudge ahead of time to do some things that sometimes gets put off too long......... like baking. The first cool day I'm going to fire up the oven and bake up some of my Christmas Diamonds! They are very similar to these HELLO DOLLYS shown below. (same idea of layering ingred.s for a very fast and delicious tray of cookies)


First, I'll share the original version of PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES that I usually make when I am inspired to create a full blown version of the cookies. Not cutting any corners as I did with the Quick version in my blog below. Fast, effective, but not the Originals, like these pictured!!! YUMM~~~

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together butter, and peanut butter. Blend in sugars and egg. Stir flour into creamed mixture. Roll into balls. Flatten with floured or sugared fork. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes. Makes 4-5 dozen cookies.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

HELLO DOLLYS

*****************

1/3 cup butter

1 1/2 cup graham crumbs

1 cup coconut

1 (6oz) pkg. chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in the cookie sheet while preheating the oven. Sprinkle crumbs over butter, shaking pan to spread crumbs evenly. Sprinkle coconut over crumbs, then chocolate chips and then nuts. Each in their own layer. Press lightly with hands to level. Pour cond. milk over top by drizzling from the can as best you may manage it in a drizzle. (it's a bit tricky, but it makes it easier to cover all of it easier). Let tray stand 5 min's before baking to let the cond. milk soak in. Bake for 20-30 min's till golden brown. Then cool completely before cutting.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS

************************

1/3 c. butter

1 1/2 c. graham wafer crumbs

1 c. coconut

2 c. chopped mixed candied fruit

1 c. chopped dates (lightly floured)

1 c. chopped walnuts

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in the cookie sheet while preheating the oven. Sprinkle crumbs over butter, shaking pan to spread crumbs evenly. Sprinkle coconut over crumbs, then candied fruit, dates, and nuts. Each in a layer. Press lightly with hands to level. Pour sweetened cond. milk over top. (drizzle it slowly from the can as best as is able. It makes it easier to cover the entire surface of the cookies) Let tray stand for 5 min's to allow cond. milk to soak into cookies. Bake for 20 min's approx. Cool completelybefore cutting. Cut into desired size. THESE ARE VERY VERY SWEET! So a small diamond is enough for one serving. diamonds or squares whatever you fancy.

Now you figure, if you can get even 7 people to exchange cookies with you. There will be quite the variety of cookies when you tray up 7 different kinds of cookies for your Christmas visitors! They store (safer from being eaten) in the freezer till you need them.

~ ENJOY~

3 Ingredient Cookies!

QUICK PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Do you ever get that sweet tooth and there's nothing in the house to suit your cravings?

Or you have company comming and there's no treats to serve with coffee?

You might not even have the time nor energy to get out all the mixing bowls, measuring spoons, and other materials you require and find all the ingred's that most recipes ask for.


So here's a quick fix recipe that is so easy and so quick!
You'll be serving cookies and enjoying the sweet aroma of cookies in a few short minutes.

This recipe has always been a very favorite of mine and I hope you all enjoy it's simplicity, quickness and ease of preparing. Plus it's wonderful taste and how good it makes the kitchen smell!

** QUICK PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES **

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg beaten
> > > > > > > * one tsp vanilla can be added * optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingred's well. Roll into balls, press with a fork, and bake 10 min's.
MAKES 30 2 1/2" cookies.

*** NEW ESSENTIAL OILS at UxCritter's Place!

*New in the Shop at UxCritter's Place on Etsy

.....................................................................

* Essential Oil Blends *

I've created some essential oil blends in my shop on Etsy.

These blended oils are not only wonderful to breathe deeply and enjoy the aroma of each medley of scents, but they are extremely effective in benefiting a range of day to day natural healing alternative remedies.

Remedies for instances like:

Headaches

~ Headache Away ~

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=14494502

Headache Away Xtra Strength

~ Headache Away Xtra ~

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=14504751

FALL REVIVER

~ Fall Reviver ~

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=14523165

Please have a look at the other listings in UxCritter's Place for more blends.

* BOOST

*BAREFOOT BLISS

* NECK & SHOULDER

Many more blends are in the works and will be listed soon. So please check back to http://www.uxcritter.etsy.com OFTEN!

KIDS CRAFTING ON ETSY

Kids crafting on Etsy.

I created a treasury today featuring some kids who craft and sell their items on Etsy.com

A treasury is a collection of 12 featured items from various shops.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4030

*I hope you can view the above link. If not I've uploaded some screenshots below.

All the artists featured are between the age of 3yrs and 19 yrs.

I'm certain there are more Etsy Kid Crafters to be discovered. If you know of one, please leave a comment. I'd love to know about other kids who craft.

Thanks for having a look at these creations the kids have made.!

Featured with thanks!!!

Our shop is featured today (AUG 25TH) on a blog called ETSY STUDIO'S.

Etsy Studios was created by Kerry Grbich, to showcase Etsy workspaces.

She features new workspaces regularly.

AUG 25th entry (UxCritter's Place)

CRITTERS CRITTERS EVERYWHERE!

http://www.etsystudios.blogspot.com/

Kerry can be found at her Etsy shop, "the red door",

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5768333

I always wanted my craft room organized a bit better...

Since our move to the new house exactly a year ago this month, I've been struggling to get my craft room set up so it's comfortable to create in. It's been a real process unloading boxes, and trying to set up places for everything so it's all handy.

The renovations of the entire house, which was gutted for the most part and redone, was as any reno job, quite long and disturbed any chance of somewhat 'normal' day to day activities. Construction dust, noise, and constant shifting of possessions was a daily occurance for many months.

Some BEFORE & AFTER shots of the house:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/565379897ZvxRGx

It wasn't until the plush carpeting went into the downstairs living areas that the construction really halted. At that point, it was well into winter and too cold to work outside and too nice to bring tools etc inside.

I looked at my room and it was truly overwhelming!and since there wasn't any easy fixes, or mixes.....

At this point I had a lady who is amazing at organizing, (HI TRISH!) come in and help me for a few days to get the main onslaught of overwhelming trimmed to a more workable atmosphere.

It still needed fine tuning, and this is where the little ones, I call, "miracle workers", came in.
My neighbour's two little girls are really cute and are two super little helpers.

Justyce, the older one, can enter a cluttered room and have it organized within a very short time frame. She is absolutely wonderful! And she's only 7. She just turned 7 two days ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTYCE!!!

And lil miss Penelope, as John calls her, as it's her real middle name, is Justyce's sister.

Alexis, turned 5 last month.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS!!!

So, now my two little miracle workers are revealed. They both love to craft and draw, and spend time with us drawing pictures to put on our fridge, and making beaded items too.

They like my bead room and find sorting little tiny beads etc, a treat. They are rewarded with beads and craft things to take home. It's a great sharing experience.

THANKS JUSTYCE & ALEXIS!
Terrific little girls! And budding crafters!

The Forgotten Days of the Week ~ Whoosh they go by!

Tues, Wed, & Thurs. are just the fillers as we wait for Friday.

Other than Wed. dubbed hump day when we can be thankful it's half way through at that point. We're over the "hump" and it should be an easy slide down to Friday.

And we're almost there with Thursday.......

But at least all the filler stuff can get done on these filler days, like: running errands, attending appointments, maybe some grocery shopping, a little housecleaning, and all the other mundane filler stuff.

*FILLER * FILLER * FILLER * FILLER * FILLER * FILLER * FILLER*

So I guess I was busy with filler stuff and missed those all important days in the middle of the week! EEEK GAD!

Naw it wasn't that bad really. Some cool things happened...........

Liam Patrick was born!

Our friends had the cutest little boy and it was a pleasure visiting them during this past week.

Isn't he a cutie!

*

And YES!!! It's FRIDAY!!!

no wait.......

Darn! I missed posting this "ON" Friday. I was having way too much fun!

It's SATURDAY!!!

that's cool too.

~ HAPPY SATURDAY! ~

And So Starts Another Week....

monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,mondaymonday,monday,monday,monday,monday

Are Monday's really that bad????

Yeah, they certainly can be!!!
monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday

But if you want to think about Monday's in a better way...
1) It's only 3 more days and then it's Friday again!

2) If you screwed up last week, you've got a fresh new start with this week to make it better.

3) It only happens once a week. (thank goodness!)

monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday,monday

Add to all this the crazy weather that can accompany some Monday's...

Like RAINY MONDAY'S

Our Monday here in Southern Ontario started out hot with lots of sunshine.

Then a wind came up out of nowhere and the rains came.

Then the sunshine,

then more rain,

then sunshine,

then more rain.

This happened about 6 times and then the hail started and I thought the winds were going to blow the large tree down outside our window!

I wanted to take a picture... but could only get a pic of this funky feeder...

The rains and wind were so bad I grabbed a quick pic of this hummingbird feeder that came from Arizona. Tubac AZ to be specific. It has test tubes to fill with nectar to represent access to a real flower's nectar, as well it has hangers to hang up regular feeders, or anything else you'd like to hang up, including flowers or seed feeders.

I will insert awesome pic of hummingbirds from my trip photos in a bit....when I find them...

Well, I didn't find the awesome humming bird upclose photos that I hoped to find, ...

but here's one from the feeder in the above photo.

I have a bunch of feeders altogether that bring in a wide variety of birds. I have many different hummingbirds comming to the feeders. I think one pair have a nest in the tree outside our window, but I have yet to spot the itsy bitsy nest of theirs.

I have so many feeders for them to access, plus I have a niger seed feeder for the finches, and I have 2 black oil sunflower feeders for the rest of the birds. Chickadees, purple finches, gold finches, cardinals, doves, blue jays, baltimore orioles, grosbeaks, and other plainer looking birds I haven't yet identified. I love them all! They make me happy!

When the hail came down it wasn't a lot, but enough to chase the birds away and bring everyone else inside for shelter.

Here's a pic of the size of the hail. Relative to a dime, it wasn't all that big really, but it sounded larger as it hit things like the windows.

Despite all the craziness that Monday's can sometimes offer...

A day that means varying things to all.

For the most part to me, it means, WEEKEND. Yay! Hoo Haw, it's Friday!

Family time.

A bit of relaxing time.

Visiting time, especially with summer months, it spells goodtimes and possible BBQ's if the weather permits.

A bit of travelling to see some sights, a bit of shopping, and of course, it (the weekend), never seems to be long enough to do all the many things you'd like to do!

*you do not see this subliminal advertising here.... please shop ETSY.COM now!

yes! ESTY for all things handmade!

So,... with Friday, you can sort of jumpstart your weekend.

Maybe try extending the weekend a wee bit, not only by putting your mind into a prestart for the weekend, but some will actually, if possible, rev the day up a bit by getting all the work done early with hopes of stepping out early.

I thought it would make a Friday, even a nicer Friday, with some photos that really make me laugh out loud.

A good dose of "FUNNY".

So.... to start, the number #1 photo that made me laugh this morning:

The "minimalist" look.

#2 Funny Photo:

Quiet enough neighbours.

And FUNNY photo #3:

(Dubbed SURVIVAL...)

Oh so true of a saying!

Enjoy your weekend Everyone!

A busy day but we had time to be creative

Today was quite a busy day running errands. Scooting around to several appointments. I had hoped to list more items on Etsy today, as I haven't in awhile, but instead we managed to be creative once again in the kitchen. And now I have something to blog about this evening. Late, but here is our excerpt for today.

We decided to try our hands at egg rolls.

Remember this is very new to us. So we aren't sure of our flavors just yet. So I won't be uploading the recipe for these right away.

They taste rather good, but we tried a bit of this and a bit of that and want to prefect it a bit more prior to uploading our definitive results. Please share if you have any really nice recipes you enjoy for egg rolls.

We were surprised at how easy they are to make and how many that can be made from one batch of wraps.

We made pork egg rolls. We made shrimp egg rolls. And we made beef with shrimp egg rolls.

This was such a fun process creating the egg rolls that we continued on with making some wontons for wonton soup. This soup is John's absolute favorite soup when we go to the chinese buffet.

WONTONS

Sarah (aka lilUx) is the best wonton and egg roll wrapper! Her's look so great!
And with all this creative flow in the kitchen she carried right on by making a nice pie for dessert! A butterscotch pie! YUM!

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

DESTASH of my supplies:

I did manage to get a bit of sorting done this evening. I have 2 bead cases FULL of beads, findings, and just a whole potpourrie of destash items that I'd like to list in my Etsy Shop hopefully tomorrow.

LOT #1: Golds

The above case I tried to make a mixed lot of gold colored items.

And the case below I tried for more silver items in that mixed lot.

LOT #2: Silvers

Here are some close-ups of the 1st LOT of gold colored beading supplies:>

And a few close-ups of the silver lot of beading supplies:>

PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!

Link Referral and Google Base are working nicely for me.
I recommend them.

http://linkreferral.com/

http://linkreferral.blogspot.com/
The blog tells the story behind the creation of link referral.

http://www.google.com/base

With just a quick sign up process I was receiving great promotion to my website immediately!

You really will not be dissappointed with these websites that help promote your site. From the positive experiences I am having in such a very short time, I don't hesitate to let everyone know of these links to help with other's to have success online.

It's plain and simple that I found them to work. I wouldn't recommend them if they didn't. Positive PROMOTION is all I am benefiting from them. And you can benefit too.

PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!

All the best!

~ Paula a.k.a. UxCritter
www.uxcritter.etsy.com

Kittens On Parade

Yesterday we were away visiting and we brought our camera and got some really nice pictures of the new kittens.

The kittens were born about 3 weeks ago at our friend's house near Leaskdale, Ontario, and are just old enough now to go exploring without thier mother

.

So much to explore for these little tykes.

But only very briefly.

Though it was an excellent day with lots of sunshine.

It was a quick photo session.

Some of them didn't look so sure about this adventure.

And soon tiny persistent meows let us know that it was time to get them back inside to thier mommy.