Won STAT Team Treasury Challenge!!!

Picture of me and my twin sister Jessica (Eco-Friendly Freckles) a couple of years ago.

Woohoo!!!  Pop open that champagne (or bottle of wine ... whatever is on hand) and celebrate this momentous occasion of victory with me!  Yes, me "Artifact Andrea" (Storybook Artifact shop owner) has just won this last week's Self-Taught Artist Treasury (STAT) Team Challenge!


In celebration of winning this challenge, I have created a treasury that is 100% Self-Taught Artist Treasury (STAT) Team!!!  This treasury is called Pink in the Middle, which is how I like my steak: medium-rare. ;o)~

Check it out, comment on it, promote, etc. :-)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbebbd4af606d91dacfc77a/pink-in-the-middle

When Studying Was Fun! - EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival

In that bleep of a moment when my twin sister, Jessica (Etsy shop owner of Eco-Friendly Freckles), and I lived together in our apartment at the age of 17, we both knew how fortunate we were to have our local library right across the street from us.  We enjoyed spending afternoons cooped up in one of the private rooms with our noses in preparation books for the ACT.  We'd also request movies to watch on our evenings together.  Books we regularly checked out ranged from the appealing coffee table book "a must have" to poetry and how-to books to read on picnics at the park.  "Oh Jessy, I miss basking in the sun on our quilt listening to your novice-style guitar playing while I read Shel Silverstein stories.

View my latest EtsyBloggers Treasury titled: Gathering for Cinco De Mayo

Dreaming of Riverwalk

This weekend marks my husband's and my fourth wedding anniversary, and the first to celebrate with our Baby Bobby!  We have picked a cozy and interactive vacation spot: San Antonio, TX!  I look forward to sharing my inspirations from the trip after we return.

Contributing to my daydreaming, is this new piece of artistic jewelry that I've recently purchased from Whimsical Anythings by CamiArtistica!  It is so creative, and expressive; I love it!

My lastest Etsy treasury is titled Polished and Pumped and features eight FolkReveries team members!  Check it out!!!

First Sign of Spring - EtsyBlogger's Blog Carnival

The first signs of spring are started with having playtime in the backyard.  Warm enough for a momma and her baby to play with the old twigs and grass, while discovering and welcoming the new growth of local flowers, weeds, and plants.

The rose bush (seen pictured above in front of the house) looks like a gaunt old dying plant, but it is still putting on its winter disguise of being in hibernation.  The rose bush (plant) actually is getting new growth of strong beet red stems.  It probably wouldn't hurt to give it a good trimming though. ;-)

Another welcoming plant in the backyard is ironically a weed "chuckle": the chickweed.  It grows under our hawthorn tree in a large patch: great for picking.  I love to chop chickweed finely and steam along with chopped spinach for a quick and easy side dish; I like to add apple cider vinegar during serving.

I also made an EtsyBlogger's Treasury going along the Blog Carnival theme of "first sign of spring"; it is titled Spring Forward!

:-)

My Baby Can Learn to Read!

Featured above is an up-cycled hand-painted decoupage canister given to me as a gift at Bobby's baby shower by his Aunt Jessy (Eco-Friendly Freckles).  Here it is seen in my kitchen windowsill storing straws. :-)  I love it!  What an inspiration to raise a brainy baby. ;-)

After purchasing the first volume of Your Baby Can Read series and after skimming through How to Teach Your Baby to Read by Glenn Doman, I was motivated to continue this curriculum on my own by creating personalized word cards: some shown below.  I found the images online and printed them on regular cardstock. Easy and Affordable!


:-)

Self-Taught Artists Expose Their Treasures

Members of STAT Team (Self-Taught Artist Treasury Team) have created a collection of their most priced treasures to expose to the public.  Please take a moment to appreciate their grand achievements.

Captain Hippiechicjewelz says:

GREEN with envy everyone will be when they see you wearing this Hand Sculpted Rustic Citron Cross Bracelet by Hippie Chic Jewelz!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68062863/rustic-citron-cross-bracelet

Leader oddballartco says:

Skulls can be girly, and cute as can be! Don't believe me? Check out these tags and find out.... 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68111968/girly-skull-original-hand-painted



Leader ecofriendlyfreckles says:

Cheer up on rainy day with this gorgeous, meticulously handcrafted, one-of-a-kind money tin "Sunshine on a Rainy Day":

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68873793/sunshine-on-a-rainy-day-hand-painted



Leader asiabataev says:

Have you ever seen winter playing with spring? Check it out :-)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65078116/blue-and-green-knitted-cats-ready-to

SaratogaSpinning says:

Warm and toasty you will be when you knit up a delightfully warm hat or scarf and bring a Flannel Pajamas jolt of color to this crazy winter we are having!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66835003/handspun-flannel-pajamas-superwash?ref=pr_shop


labellechanson says:

Delicately hand made with freshwater pearls to adorn your hair for your wedding or any special event of yours.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67048661/winter-cherry-blossoms-freshwa 

VeraArt2010 says:

Rose in shades of grey...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67853920/original-photograph-from-white-rose

holeestars says:

What a great way to hide your toaster with class with my new Mr Toaster cupboard.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68098107/mr-toaster-primitive-toaster-cupboard



Pod Pals - Great for children and parents on the go!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67742076/pod-pals-tommy-the-turtle-for-children



Time and protection in a bottle

http://www.etsy.com/listing/36882594/original-art-canvas-abstract-greek

Red White and Denim...Does anything say welcome to summer better than this bag.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68861243/red-white-and-denim-bag


Hi! Your beautiful item has been included in a Treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6909203

yifatbareket says:

Are you a March B-day girl or just like blue? Those stunning earrings are especially for you!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65906892/march-birthstone-goddess-earrings-with


Nothing like colorful skulls to brighten your day!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68930573/magnesite-skull-necklacee

Magical Sea Glass necklace from Salem MA

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68741112/salem-green-seaglass-with-fluorite-and

Storybook Artifact says:

Rekindle your lover's alluring memory with this original painting inspired by great thought into the hazy future of soulmate's dream: titled "Is He the Man of My Dreams"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66475507/is-he-the-man-of-my-dreams-30-x-40

BarSoap says:

Celebrate St Patrick's day with this deliciously sweet Irish Cream Soap. The lather of the soap is as soft and smooth as that first creamy cocktail of the evening but you can use this bar of pleasure any time of the day!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64627686/irish-cream-soap-traditional-cold



Dreaming of a wonderful summer in the adirondacks with this wall hanging.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67317111/wall-hanging-bear

Don't get caught not wearing green, or you may get pinched! Beautiful glass bracelet set, including free earrings!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62630191/czech-green-crystal-glass-bracelet-sale

This Octopus is just too cute!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67137587/octopus-macrame-bracelet

KCIADesigns says:

A blue burst from the sun to colour your day!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67426472/victorian-sunbust-necklace-blue

Hooty Birthday

  I was browsing through one of my older subscriptions of Parenting Magazine the other day, and came across this adorable cake decorating scheme: a hoot owl.  I decided to make this for my husband Robert's birthday this last weekend, and it was a hit.  For the cake recipe, I made a simple Texas Sheet-cake.  On the decorating, I made a simple delicious icing with just powdered sugar and butter; I added cocoa for the chocolate part, and turmeric for the yellow beak, feet, and writing.  I also used Newman O's for the owl's eyes. ;-)

TEXAS SHEET CAKE

from COOKS.COM

---

1 c. oil
1 c. water
4 tbsp. sweetened cocoa
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
Dash of salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream or buttermilk

^"I used my Milk Maiden Kefir"
1 tbsp. baking soda

Bring oil, water, and cocoa to a boil. Note: If using unsweetened cocoa, add 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar.

Remove from heat; add dry ingredients. Beat eggs in a dish; add sour cream and baking soda. Mix well. Add to chocolate mixture and beat well. Bake in a greased jelly roll pan at 375 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes. Cookie sheet can be used.

"Happy Birthday!" to my Sweetheart, and much loved Bobby's "Daddy". "xoxo"

<3