Organizing - Rounding Up Your Recipes

It's that time of year when a lot of us will be doing our holiday cooking. Time to dig out those favorite recipes and get busy.

Are your recipes organized? Mine aren't. I have things stuffed in the back of my cookbooks, in a box... oh they ARE a mess and I really need to do something with them. But what should I do with them?

Shari of www.mattandshari.com has some really helpful tips in this video. I think it's time for me to find a solution for mine.



Thanks for joining us again today - happy organizing!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Blog Party Sunday ---- What Did You Make This Week

It's party time again.   What did you make this week to sell for the holiday gift buying season?

The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button at the end of this post and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg" /></a>

Handmade Sampler Giveaway -- Christmas Stitchery Pillow DONE

Welcome to another Handmade Sampler Giveaway. Today's giveaway is sponsored by Annie of Cornerstone Primitives.

Enter to win this lovely hand stitched Christmas pillow made by Annie.

You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...

1. Visit Annie's Etsy shop,  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CornerstonePrims  and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item in her shop. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower or reader of this blog. Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.

3. Earn an extra entry by posting this giveaway on your blog along with a link to this blog. Be sure and let us know you have done this.

(USA entries only, please)

The giveaway will start today, Saturday,  November 20. The last day to enter will be Dec. 9, 2010 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 10, 2010. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left.


Have fun and good luck!

Would you like to sponsor a giveaway? Are you interested in promoting your store or blog. If so, just email us.

We would be happy to send you the details. byyourhandsblog@gmail.com

We Have A Winner For the Christmas Ornaments

Congratulations to Barb from Utah  on winning these wonderful Christmas Ornaments.

Meet Barb on her blog,  http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/

The winner was picked using the true generator on Random.org. We want to thank all of you who took the time to enter and for all the wonderful comments.

We want to thank all our talented designers for donating their ornaments to this giveaway.  Be sure to visit their websites listed below to see all the wonderful things they make.

1.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderingWhimsies  
2.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/SnugglebugBlessins
3.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherlodeToad
4.    http://www.artfire.com/users/smidgen (Sharon Neths Treasures)
5.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreeksideWhimsies
6.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyExpressions
7.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimitiveSeason
8.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/EweNMePrintables
9.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/GobblernobPrimitives
10.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CornerstonePrims
11.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Primgal
12.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeByBette
13.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimOuthouse
14.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SadiesSnippets   
15.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodworkerOnWheels


Be sure and come back again tomorrow as we will have a new giveaway starting that you won't want to miss.

Today's Featured Artist - Katrinshine

Today's featured artist is Katrin from http://www.Katrinshine.etsy.com 

Tell us a little about you?

    My name is Ekaterina Fedotova. I'm from Russia but I’m now living in South Italy. For the last 2.5 years I have been  living in Brindisi.

How long have you been in business?

    About one year ago I opened my Etsy shop.  Before I have never sold my creations.  I only made them as gifts.

 


How did you get started?

Until 1 year ago I had never heard about Etsy. But after moving to Italy I didn’t find  work and decided to open an online shop. After browsing the Internet I found Etsy.

What kind of crafts do you make?

   

     I make recycled leather jewelry and accessories: pendants, earrings, shoe clips, bobby pins. Other direction of my creations is fabric jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings.

I sew quilted bags and pillows in particular Patchwork Spiral style. Also I make custom made
corsets and medieval dresses.

 What inspires you?

       I am inspired from colours and textures.  When I see some amazing fabric I at once have many ideas on what I can create from it. 

Brindisi is a small antique town in the south of Italy, in region of Puglia. It’s the region of vine and olives, it has long history and many traditions, and it inspires me so much.

What is your favorite thing to make?

      I like to create Patchwork bags, because every bag is unique and original, it’s impossible to repeat it. Also I like to sew historical dresses because I like to participate in historical festivals.

Do you have set hours to work?

    I wake up with my husband and after he has gone to a work I go to the computer to look at my e-mail, blog, twitter, facebook etc.  I check in on forums quickly and promote my store. Then use  my morning to create new items, and to make and edit photos. In the afternoon I  do my homework, and  study because I do postgraduate studies.

I work at home. My studio is placed on the veranda where there is a lot of light, air and space. I also have a special wardrobe, because I work with fabric and need space to keep it in.

What are your future plans for your business?

I would love to open a real business, trade marked – not just working at home.

What does handcrafting mean to you?

    It’s something made by your hands or the hands of other people. It’s something that is difficult to make again and impossible to find similar.
Where do you sell your crafts at?

On Etsy:    http://www.Katrinshine.etsy.com
                 http://www.etsy.com/shop/KarisaGrapic