Dessert Deadline

Time is up.  If you haven't commented by now to qualify for our brownie giveaway...well you won't get the taste of chocolate and caramel in the corners of your mouth this week.  We'll pick a winner today.  Come back tomorrow to find out if it is you!!  Thanks for visiting Crafty Life and Style.

FREE Brownies!!

You have until Noon, EST, today to qualify for the brownie sampler giveway.  The rules are spelled out in our Artist in the Spotlight blog from last Thursday.  Click here to find out how to become eligible for FREE BROWNIES!!  Forget the diet, these babies are tasty and only for YOU...our readers.  Good luck.

Brownie Giveaway

This is your official reminder that we are GIVING AWAY brownies!!!  Our friends at Bite Me Brownies were profiled on this blog last Thursday.  Comment on our interview with Emily in our Artist in the Spotlight feature...all the rules are spelled out there...and you could WIN a FREE sampler of Bite Me Brownies.  Click here to find that blog.  Emily also happened to be featured on Arizona TV recently.  Check out the video to find out more about the baker behind these babies.

http://www.azcentral.com/video/850272142001

Artist Spotlight: Bite Me Brownies

Cooks can be artists too.  So, this week we are shining the spotlight on a wife and mother who bakes some fierce brownies.  Like many of our other "Artists in the Spotlight", Emily Mericle turned a personal passion into a small business.  She is just beginning her adventure.  But, the lessons she's already learning may be useful to many of you, who are considering a crafty career.  Meet Emily Mericle, owner of Bite Me Brownies, our Artist in the Spotlight...

1-Why brownies? How did this evolve from a hobby to a business?

Why do I love to bake?  The answer is simple... Waffles! I still remember standing on a chair watching my Uncle Don make waffles from scratch.  These where the best waffles I have ever eaten. Before then, I only thought waffles where made from a mix. From that moment on, my mixing bowl and I were a force to be reckoned with!

Why brownies? Because I love them! I have always loved brownies and I figured why not do what I love!  While I was on maternity leave after the birth of our first son, Mason Patrick, at the end of 2009, the idea for Bite Me Brownies was born! Apparently those sleepless nights paid off!  In October 2010, we opened our commercial kitchen, and by February 2011, I resigned from my nursing job to focus and Bite Me Brownies full time.

2-Naming your business is like naming a baby. How did you decide on that name?

I was trying to think of something really catchy.  I thought if I were walking down an aisle at the grocery store, what would make me stop and look at something?  Then it hit me, what if something yelled out Bite Me!  That would get my attention, like “pick me”!  At first I told my husband, Brian, about it sort of jokingly, but then we really liked it!

3-You obviously don't have to give it to us...but what makes your brownies special...do you have a secret recipe?  


What is special about our brownies? We have 9 unique flavors that are all preservative free. All our brownies are hand mixed, I find the texture is so much better. We make every attempt to use the freshest, highest quality, local ingredients. We only use butter, no oil! It would be really cool if I would say I had some secret recipe passed down generations, but I don’t.  I have had a brownie recipe that I have worked on for several years, “tweaking” over time.

4-This blog has lots of creative readers, who would love to launch a similar small business for their crafty passions. What challenges have you encountered along the way with this venture that you didn't expect?

The food businesses has more challenges than I expected. There are lots of rules, regulations, permits and licenses, and FDA guidelines etc. The internet is a great resource.  But, many times a short trip to the health department or other venues gets information a lot quicker!  I'm very lucky to have an amazing and supportive husband, but quickly had to learn it's ok to ask for help!  As for our project, I found packaging the most challenging. There isn’t a packaging store to just go to and look around, so this required a lot of sample ordering and PATIENCE! Sometime something would look great, but was too small or expensive. In the end, I'm happy we spent the time getting our packaging right.  It is one of the first things our consumers see.

5-What is your vision for Bite Me Brownies?

I want to have a Brownie Empire! Ha ha, just kidding, kind of :) Seriously I would love to see our business grow and expand to some other states, maybe an east coast location! I am also really passionate about giving back and helping however we can. For now we call this our “Bite Back” Campaign. It would be awesome if we could have our own Charity or at least help as many charities as we can!

6-How can people order your treats and what's available to them to choose from?

One can order online, by phone, or if they live in AZ...come see us at the downtown Phoenix Public Market every Saturday. We now have shipping available online to anywhere in the US!

We currently have 9 flavors to choose from: • Sweet and Sassy Salted Caramel • You Want a Piece of Me Peanut Butter Banana • There Can Vino Other- Red Wine • Slap My Apple- Apple Pie Blondie • One Crazy Blondie- White Chocolate, Macadamia Nut and Coconut • Get in My Belly Cherry Almond Vanilla • Not Your Mom’s Pecan Pie • Anything But Plain Chocolate • Gluten for Punishment- Gluten Free Triple Chocolate.

Thanks to Emily for sharing her story.  The great news is...she is also prepared to let you sample her product.  


In order to win, you must leave a comment here.  If you are a follower of this blog, let us know...it will double your chances.  Post a link to this on your facebook page and you get another chance.  


You'll have until Noon EST next Wednesday 3/30/2011 to become eligible.  We'll announce the winner on Thursday.  


It is worth it...we're talking about a brownie sampler here.  Let your friends know....Crafty Life and Style has another GIVEAWAY.

Trash To Treasure

Our favorite girls over at Captured Moments are creating beautiful things once again! You'll remember we told you they were our inspiration when they were one of our Artist Spotlights in December. If you are anywhere near upstate New York- please go visit them in person! Want to see how they turned this shelf from trash to treasure? Click here!

Artist Spotlight: Barbara Jean Design

Barbara Jean Design Studio offers an amazing experience to travel into the Adirondaks of New York State and a wonderful opportunity to learn how to create lovely silk wares! Thank you so much Barbara for supporting Crafty Life and Style! We love your work! Congratulations to LisaAnn!! You are the winner of this lovely scarf! Please email me your address so Barbara can send you this lovely gift!

Scarf Giveaway Ending Soon!!!

Take time away from shopping for one minute and leave a comment here for your chance to win this beautiful scarf from this week's Artist Spotlight! Giveaway ends Wednesday Noon EST!

Artist Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Barbara Jean Design Studio

Nestled in the majestic Adirondack Mountains of New York in the town of Beaver River Station there is a unique opportunity to learn silk painting in a rustic setting. As you take your water taxi to your final destination your stress will melt away and your excitement will build for the one of a kind experience you are about to have.

Barbarajean Weingart shares her 25 years of experience painting silk and

other natural fabrics at these weekend retreats and we are thrilled to have her in the artist spotlight this week!

Q: Barbara, can you give us a brief outline of your experience and how it led you to where you are today?

A: I started painting silk in the early 1980's from a trip to Germany where there were beautiful hand painted silks in lots of galleries.  My son, who speaks fluent German, got a description of how to do it and where to get the supplies.  I brought home lots of supplies and began working.  Soon I had requests for my work and had my work in galleries in NY.

Q: What is your technique? How do you make such beautiful designs?

A: I mostly use a technique called gutta serti, which is using gutta (a liquid rubber) to outline a design I draw on the silk, which prevents one color from flowing into another (kind of like a dam).  However, I use many more techniques.  Some of which  I learned in classes with masters.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for a weekend retreat?

A: While in graduate school for art, I discovered that I loved to teach my craft to adults.  I have a cabin in the Adirondacks which I love to be at, and decided to share the wonder of the place with the wonder of learning my craft.

Q:  How can people learn more about your designs and the retreats?

A: They can send for a flyer which describes most of what they will experience.  Preferably on email: weingartbarbara@hotmail.com, or by calling me at 315 474 0402.  I have a website which is being worked on so is not complete: barbarajeanweingart.com

Thank you Barbarajean for being in our Artist Spotlight!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Barbarajean would love for one lucky winner to have THIS to the left as their very own 54x8 silk scarf titled "Water Under Ice"!

*Drop us a comment on this blog post. Tell us what you love most about this blog post.

* For a second entry be a follower of our blog and leave a second comment telling us you are follower. Just press follow- to the right of this blog! It just takes 2 seconds to do it but it makes us oh so excited!

* Contest ends Thursday December 16th at noon.

* One person will be randomly selected!

* Winner will be announced December 17th!

ENTER NOW!!!!

Captured Moments Giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations Maura!! You're the winner of the Captured Moments giveaway! We know you will have these items in hand very quickly because you are an avid fan of Captured Moments! Thank you so much to Tara and Tiffany for being so amazing and inspirational for us here at Crafty Life and Style! We love you both and are so thankful you are our latest Artist Spotlight!

And The Quilted Purse Winner Is....

 

The Redhead Riter! She said...

"Sewing is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been working with needles and fabric in one form or another since I was a child"

I can TOTALLY relate! I love sewing and your work is beautiful!!! You can tell that it is a labor of love. Fantastic post and I love the pictures!!!

The early bird caught the randomizing worm this time! Redhead Riter was the first to comment and her number was randomly selected as the winner! Congratulations Redhead Riter! Thank you so much for supporting our little blog and thank you to Sharon Bottle Souva for being our latest "Artist Spotlight".

We are always looking for new Artist to shine a light on. If you know someone who would be wonderful for this please let us know!

Artist Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Captured Moments

 I can thank my husband for introducing me to Captured Moments of Rotterdam New York and feeding my addiction to scrapbooking. Several years ago he gave me a gift certificate to one of their "Crops" and before then- I had no clue what a crop was.

For you new scrapbookers a crop is an organized gathering for scrapbookers to meet and play with their papers and tools. It's the best way to learn new techniques and grow as a crafter!

The crops at Captured Moments are second to none- home cooked meals, generous gifts, amazing advice- I can go on and on because I'm a big fan of the store and the sisters who run it Tiffany Reutter and Tara Burtt.

-Ladies, I can go on and on about your awesome work but I guess I should ask some questions too!LOL Your store just celebrated 6 years but I know you have been "scrapbooking" before there was even the official term-- tell us about your background.

Answer: Tiffany: I was a stay at home mother of three before Tara and I decided to open a business together. A scrapbooking store is what we decided on but we toyed with a number of possibilities. I had started scrapbooks for my girls before it was an officially named hobby and I realized that a scrapbook store in our area was desperately needed. Tara was a new Mom and was just getting into scrapbooking her daughter, so our decision was easy. tara and I have both dabbled in creating and selling unique gift items so taking on a small business together was exciting.

-You are always so generous with your knowledge and your products. One great note- people can come in and crop anytime they want. Talk about your business philosophy.

Tara: Our vision for Captured Moments right from the start was to be a “House of Inspiration” for anyone interested in scrapbooking as well as other paper crafting projects. Even though our business philosophy has not changed over these last 6 years, our knowledge of the craft has, and we try to relay the latest trends and techniques to our customers as fast as we are learning them. We want to keep everyone excited about their hobby, challenge them to do things that they think they can’t and really, there are no rules in this area! Scrapbooking is extremely social. We have so much to share and so many to share it with. It brings so much more personality to our business and true friendships are created among us. It is the best job.

-If you could only use one technique/product on a page what would it be and how would you use it?

Tiffany: Ok, this is an easy question and maybe too easy so I will answer it in two parts. Unless you are excluding ink, ink would be my one product/technique! If I only had paper to work with and I could grab one other thing from my supplies, it would be ink. Applying ink to the cut edges of paper, (and to stickers as well) adds dimension. It pops the edges out and gives very flat paper depth. I can’t live without ink on any of my projects! If ink is a “given” then my one technique would be layering. I love to layer paper and I love to use prints that most people can’t see being used together. I try to encourage people to be bold and grab paper that isn’t a perfect match and show them how awesome it can look together.

-Ha ha! I thought that would be a hard one to answer! How can people learn more about your products, services and store?

Tara: Captured Moments just launched a new state-of-the-art website,which was designed specifically to bring Captured Moments, the store, with it’s personal look and feel to the world wide web. The site is full of information and inspiration. Capturedmomentsstore.com links you directly to our blog where you will find, tutorials, scrapbook page layout ideas and all kinds of useful information on scrapbooking and paper crafting. You can also shop our on-line boutique. The website offers information about all our classes, clubs and events and complete details about the monthly scrapbook kit club we host, called the Kit Terrific Klub.

Thank you Tara and Tiffany for all your inspiration you've given to these crafty ladies!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Tara and Tiffany have put together a Kit Terrific Klub kit along with some Captured Moments'items for one lucky winner! Honestly- this is the time I was a reader and not author of this blog!! You are so lucky!

Rules:

*Drop us a comment on this blog post. Tell us what you love most about this blog post.
* For a second entry be a follower of our blog and leave a second comment telling us you are follower. Just press follow- to the right of this blog! It just takes 2 seconds to do it but it makes us oh so excited!

* Contest ends 12/8/10 at noon.
* One person will be randomly selected!

* Winner will be announced 12/9/10.

ENTER NOW!!!!

Noon Deadline For GIVEAWAY

Crafty friends click here  to enter our quilted purse GIVEAWAY! It ends at noon today!!

Crafty Shopping List

It is officially Cyber Monday!!  Start your online shopping right here.  Since our launch a couple of months ago, we've been thrilled to introduce you to some crafty people with unique ideas in our Artist Spotlight blogs.  These entries always get a lot of attention...and the giveaways are as much fun for us as they are for you.  If you are looking for one of a kind gifts for someone in your life...we've compiled a short list of the artists we have featured so far...and those we are introducing you to in the weeks leading up to the holidays, along with links where you can find their crafts.  Happy Holidays!!

1-Abishai:  Fatima Bey makes beautiful shoe bags, popular on the ballroom dance scene.  People can visit www.AbishaiStore.com, where they can purchase the Shoe Bags and see the other products that are available.  A portion of every sale goes toward Warm Blankets Orphan Care International.  For those who would like to see where Abishai will be next and want to see the products in person, there is a link titled "Calendar" on the home page.

2-The Clock Keeper:  Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard makes brooches with clips you can pull down to reveal hidden clocks. Go to http://www.clipclocks.com/ to see clips in stock.  If you don't see anything there, she can turn any piece of jewelry into a ClipClock. Your Grandmother's, Mom's, Aunt's or a favorite gift from a friend can have a new life.  Just mail it to her and Deanna will come up with some designs, photograph them, and email them to you for approval. Crafty Life and Style readers get free first class shipping through the holidays!!!

3-Loretta Fontaine Jewelry:  You can keep the people you love most close to your heart with a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, or brooch featuring pictures of your sweeties the size of your finger nail.  Loretta takes your loving photos, crops them to size and inserts them into beautiful jewelry that she creates, including her own metalwork.  Find her goods on her website:  http://www.lorettafontaine.com

4-Ragged Edge Print Studio:  Kathy Klompas uses a unique printmaking to build designs for silk scarves.  She'll even host a class for 3 to 6.  You can contact her directly at The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, The Textile Studio in Saratoga, and The Artisan's Gallery in Middleburgh.  At Boght Art Center in Cohoes, a portion of sales supports their programs.  Visit http://www.raggededgeprintstudio.com/ or schedule classes at http://www.kathy.klompas.com/

5-Barclay Fine Woodworking:  David Barclay makes everything from headboards to bowls, clocks, rolling pins, and cutting boards.  For 27 years he was an engineer for Eastman Kodak.  He turned a passion for woodworking into a full-time job five years ago.  http://www.barclayfinewoodworking.com/ has not only many of my items for sale but the list of Fine Craft Shows David will be at as well.

6-Tammy Lee Bradley is a familiar face and talent to our readers.  Tammy shares her fabulous photo tips with us on select Shutterbug Sundays.  She even offered up four custom greeting cards for a special giveaway last week in her I Heart Bokeh blog.  Now, you can order her beautiful pictures online.  Tammy recently launched a sale site.  You can buy orders of her prints and some great vintage pieces!!  Log onto:  http://www.tammyleebradley.bigcartel.com/ and scroll through the blog to find several of Tammy's posts.

7-Sharon Bottle Souva Fabric Handworks:  The pictures of her work are visually stunning.  Imagine seeing them in person or hanging one on your wall!!  Sharon is inspired by nature, incorporating it often in her quilts and other handsewn creations.  Her work is in several galleries: Grovewood Gallery in Ashville, NC; Haven Gallery in Austin, TX; Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin, FL; Eureka Crafts  in Syracuse, NY; Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY; Sea Hag Soaps and Art Mercantile in Brackney, PA;  She has pieces on display throughout her home AND on her web site  http://www.sharonbottlesouva.com/

8-Captured Moments:  What started out as a scrapbooking business venture by two sisters has evolved into a full-fledged artistic outlet.  Tiffany Reutter and Tara Burtt hold themed workshops every month, inviting locals in New York's capital region to come in and create for the day.  They have games, contests, and incredible homemade food.  If you love to scrapbook or create in general, their site is worth a look.  We will be shining the spotlight on these artists later this week.  For now, find their work online at:  http://www.capturedmomentsstore.com/  But, we hope you come back here to find our interview with them.  We are big fans of their creations.

Bonus Pictures!

Sharon Bottle Souva has some amazing designs! I just posted the information on our new giveaway yesterday and as I was preparing a new blog I came across some pictures I took of her work at a recent Artist Fair. VERY eye catching!!

Be sure to comment on yesterday's post for your chance to win one of her beautiful quilted purses!

Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Sharon Bottle Souva Fabric Handworks

Vibrant colors and fine craftsmanship. You will not be disappointed by Sharon Bottle Souva Fabric Handworks. The attention to detail and beautiful creations are going to make all of you quilters out there giddy with excitement.

Sharon Bottle Souva is based out of Syracuse, NY

Q: Sharon- you sew beautiful creations. Tell us how you got your start and how that start took you to today.

A: Sewing is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been working with needles and fabric in one form or another since I was a child, starting with sewing my own, then my children’s clothes. I began making quilts in 1976, putting them on the walls instead of beds. This allows a greater freedom in exploring ways to manipulate the fabric.

I find myself looking at nature and man-made structures with the question: How could that be interpreted in fabric? How can I incorporate those elements of texture and design into my work?

Several years ago I discovered the joys of unfinished edges and loose threads which has become an important part of my current work. Dying and painting my fabrics has given me another dimension to my creativity. I work rather intuitively; the expression of “if it occurs to you…. Do it” is a big part of how I work.
Today all of these beginning elements show up in my work in various forms. Coming from sewing clothing has given me the technical accuracy I need for construction, while exploration of color and pattern brings in the creativity aspect. The needle is an extension of my fingers, the threads and fabric my palette. For me, color and pattern are equally important as my finished work. Fabric art is appealing to me, due to the fact that it’s more than a visual art. It is very much linked with a sense of touch and with memories.

Q: You are also great with combining various colors and patterns. You make it look so easy- but we all know it's not! How do you come up with your designs?

As I said, I look at the simple design in nature. I am keenly aware of the lights and dark, shadows and shapes. These all feed me information that end up in my work. I very rarely make a piece from a photograph (in fact I don't even take alot of photos for inspiration), instead I try to pick out elements in the view that speak to my spirit and bring that into the process. Sometimes it's a matter of a simple shape that gets the juices flowing. I work on a vertical design wall that allows me to put fabrics up and move them around until I see something pleasing.


Q: What is your number one tip for someone who wants to be a quilter or get better at it?
TAKE A CLASS AND START SMALL (sorry I'm not good at one tip)

Q: It's ok, It's a great tip! He He! How can people see more of your work? My work is in several galleries: Grovewood Gallery in Ashville, NC; Haven Gallery in Austin, TX; Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin, FL; Eureka Crafts  in Syracuse, NY; Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY; Sea Hag Soaps and Art Mercantile Brackney, PA; my home AND on my web site  http://www.sharonbottlesouva.com/

Sharon thank you so much for being in the artist spotlight!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Sharon would love to give one lucky winner a hand quilted purse!!!

*Drop us a comment on this blog post. Tell us what you love most about this blog post.
* For a second entry be a follower of our blog and leave a second comment telling us you are follower. Just press follow- to the right of this blog! It just takes 2 seconds to do it but it makes us oh so excited!
* Contest ends Wednesday December 1st at high noon!
* One person will be randomly selected!
* Winner will be announced Thursday December 2nd.

ENTER NOW!!!!

Scarf Winner!!!

CONGRATULATIONS  JANE MONK! You have won a beautiful hand made scarf from Ragged Edge Print Studio! Last week's Artist Spotlight! Thank you for entering and thank you to Kathy from Ragged Edge for being such an awesome spotlight!

Don't forget to enter this week's drawing for the most beautiful earring holder you will ever get your hands on!!