Monday, November 26, 2012

Free Giveaway: Pamper You and Your Tree

Just in time for the holidays, I'm teaming up with the Willow Wheat Spa to offer you a chance to pamper your fingernails and tree before the holiday rush.


All you have to do is like martha.anne and the Willow Wheat Spa on Facebook and then tell us quickly why you and your tree need a pampering. On December 11th, if you've done all three things, you'll be entered into the draw to win a pedicure and five hand-stitched ornaments!

That's it… that's all it takes! What are you waiting for, go tell us why and be sure to stop by our pages and like them today. (I knew I could make this Monday worth it.)  :o)



Friday, November 23, 2012

The Etsy Shoppe... is OPEN for Business!

I did it. I did it. I did it! Okay, I'm super excited. Last night I opened up the Etsy Shoppe! I still need to add a few more details, but I have my first products listed - the Hand Stitched Felt Stars. I'm super pumped and anxious as I await my first sale. I've been reading the Quit Your Day Job Series for a while now and I heard it can happen over night or take months. I think I'll be grateful if it ever happens. Anyways, here's a peak at the new products:





What's next? I'm going to keep creating. I have clay ornaments that are ready to list but I'm stuck on how I should ship them - they're extra fragile! (Any ideas on packaging?) As well, I have some ideas in mind for other ornaments and jewelry. I'm hoping to get to my first pair of earrings made this weekend. If all goes well, I will just need to buy the packaging and they will be listed by the end of the month.

Ahh! So exciting. If you're reading this blog and know someone out there who loves handmade items, please spread the word. I'm hoping to get enough confidence up to build up a stock and go to next year's craft shows. What do you think?

Anyways, have a great weekend out there. Besides crafting, I'll be online shopping (yay black friday deals!), possibly getting out the christmas decorations, doing my last school assignment, attending a work party… and hopefully squeezing in some relax time!



Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Willow Wheat Spa

I've been meaning to spread the word for a while. This December, my friend Danielle has been running her spa (Willow Wheat Spa) for two years! It's located in the heart of Spencerville (the old hotel for the locals that follow me). She has great prices, an amazing atmosphere and, even better, a Black Friday Sale starting today! But, before I share the full details, take a peek inside.












Okay, now back to business. Danielle has monthly specials, but for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday she is throwing a Black Friday Sale. Tell everyone! Manicures are $15, pedicures are $20, all facial waxing is $5, get a shellac for $25 or a 30 minute message for $20. Stop by her website or call her at 613-658-3330. And... be sure to like her page on Facebook!

Now go and pamper yourself - one more day until the weekend! :o)



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Cape Cod... Before and After!

Finally! The hubby has been bugging me for months. When are you going to put the cape cod before and afters up? Although I've already shared the kitchen & dining room and the laundry room, here is the whole thing! I was going to do all separate posts... but we all know how long that is taking. So here goes, bare with me and what may be my longest post yet!


The Foyer




The Second Bathroom




The Laundry Room




The Kitchen & Dining Room







The Living Room






The Family Room

Oops! I forgot to take after pictures of the family room. :o)


The Master Bedroom






The 2nd Bedroom




The 3rd Bedroom






The Main Bathroom




There. Finally, something that has been on every one of my blog to do lists since forever! What a huge relief and I am certainly glad I could finally share the before and after. Now, I need to keep working away at the lists - today I actually went to the post office to get pricing for my items. Yay! Happy hump day... we're getting closer to the end of another work week!




Monday, November 19, 2012

A Couple of Free Printables

One blog post last week, more this week - promise. While battling the flu and finishing assignment two for school, I definitely didn't make it to the blog… or the craft pile. But enough is enough, this girl has got to get her butt in gear. People are already decorating for Christmas and my table is full of ornaments I need to get sold! So, it's Monday, a new week and a new opportunity to just go for it. While I plug away at getting things in order, here are a couple of free printables I stumbled upon on Pinterest while cooped up on the couch last week. I absolutely love them!


Printables: Foxy Bookmarks (Lonnie Jacobsen)


Printables: Foxy Bookmarks (Lonnie Jacobsen)

Printables: Foxy Bookmarks (Lonnie Jacobsen)


These printable foxy bookmarks by Lonnie Jacobsen are absolutely adorable... and come in two fun colors - orange and blue (click here to get them). I think I need to print them off and finish reading the 50 Shades of Grey series. Yes, I'm that pathetic... I haven't had time to finish reading them yet and I'm dying to know what happens. Shh... don't tell!


DIY Paper Popsicle Memory Game (Eat Drink Chic)


DIY Paper Popsicle Memory Game (Eat Drink Chic)


When I saw these on Pinterest I fell in love. I may not have any kids yet, but I'm definitely printing them off and keeping them around for the nieces and nephews - they are adorable. These colorful printable popsicles are from Eat Drink Chic and can be downloaded here. Perhaps a great stocking stuffer for the little ones in your life?

All of this excitement and I forgot to say… Happy Monday! (I'm trying to be optimistic) Okay, how about - Yay to it almost being over! :o)


Have fun with these great freebies. Talk soon - promise!



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Our Trip to Philadelphia...

Wow, what a crazy weekend. First of all, I need to apologize for the lack of blog posts for the past week or so. With a planned trip for a weekend away, I was concentrating on everything but what I enjoy most! :o) Anyways, I'm back and did we ever have an amazing weekend... well for the most part. The weather was perfect, the hotel (off of Hotwire - I always have success with that) was located in the historic part of the city, just a quick walk from the Liberty Bell, and the Dallas Cowboys won!!

The Liberty Bell (martha.anne)

So, the trip started on Friday and not off on the right foot. The hubby got a speeding ticket... oops! But, after deciding we weren't going to think about it for the rest of the weekend, everything else couldn't have been better. We started Saturday off with a quick tour of the historic district and got to see the Liberty Bell. Then we took a walk down to the shopping district and went to Tiffany's (a girl can dream right?), Lacoste and more. After heading back we got into the car and set out for Pottery Barn - they have an amazing dish set I have my eyes on. Unfortunately they didn't have all the pieces so it looks like I'll be ordering it online. After that - the Premium Outlets! Shop, shop, shop. Followed by an amazing dinner at Chima (a brazilian steakhouse) and it was delishes. Saturday was a complete success - a definite turnaround from the day before.

Tony Romo (martha.anne)

Then, came Sunday. The whole point of the trip. Back in September I had given the hubby a pair of Dallas vs. Philly tickets as a surprise for his Birthday. For those of you who don't know him, he's a die hard Dallas fan. And, after Sunday, I can say I am absolutely in love with football as well. The experience was ten times better than any hockey game. We had a blast. And, although we got warned about trekking around the city and game in Dallas gear, most people were really nice and even nicer when they discovered we were Canadian. And of course the most important part - the Cowboys Won!!

Dallas Cowboys (martha.anne)

An amazing town. Amazing people - one of the nicest places we've travelled. And, an all around amazing weekend. What more could we have asked for? Anyways, I'm back and I have a busy few weeks ahead as I near the end of a University Course and I still have two assignments and an exam to complete. But, I promise to keep on blogging and hopefully get the Etsy Shoppe online - I know I keep making that promise but the shipping costs and packaging are still scaring me. If you want to see more pictures from the trip, be sure to stop by Facebook.

Anyways, chat soon!



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Simple Pie Crust Recipe | Fresh Pumpkin Puree Recipe | Thick Pumpkin Pie Recipe

I hope you had a great Halloween! We had just over 130 trick or treaters - and sadly there weren't too many little ones. All in all though, it was a great night and the decorations have been put away for another year and the pie pumpkins are waiting for me to bake them.


Did you save your pie pumpkins? Other than the amazing pumpkin cake I make, this pumpkin pie is the next must on the fall dessert list. But, before I can share it, I must share the best crust recipe and baked fresh pumpkin puree recipe. No pumpkin dessert is complete without some fresh pumpkin.


Simple Pie Crust Recipe

2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Margarine/Butter
1 Egg Yolk
2/3 Cup Milk

Mix flour & margarine until it is crumbly. In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk and milk and add to flour mix. Stir until the dough peels away from the sides of the bowl. Roll out dough. Makes 2 crusts and it is absolutely delicious. My mother-in-law even asked me for the recipe over her time tested family ones! :o)



Baked Fresh Pumpkin Puree Recipe

All you need is a pie pumpkin. I usually use three larger ones.

First preheat the oven to 350º F. Cut the pumpkin in half and clean out (Yuck!) Cover a baking sheet with tin foil, brush butter on the edges of the pumpkin and then lay them cut side down on the sheet. Cook for an hour or until pumpkin is soft.

When the pumpkin is soft, take it out of the oven and let it cool. Remove the skin (I usually do this while it is still hot and I nearly burn myself every time). Cut into pieces and blend or put through a processor until mixture is smooth. Now you can use it right away or store it in the freezer for later!



Now, one last recipe...

Thick Pumpkin Pie Recipe

1 1/4 Cups Pumpkin Puree
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Ground Ginger
1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Tsp All-Purpose Flour
2 Eggs, Lightly Beaten
1 Cup Evaporated Milk, Undiluted
2 Tbsp Water
1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Unbaked Pie Crust

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices and flour in a mixing bowl. Add eggs and mix well. Next, add evaporated milk, water, and vanilla. Continue to mix well and pour into a pie crust. Put in oven for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 350º and bake about 35 minutes or until the center is set. For me it usually takes about an hour and a half and I always make sure to cover my pie edges in tin foil so they don't burn (but they always seem to get pretty crispy anyways). If you know a better technique to bake it quicker, be sure to let me know.

Now while the hubby watches duck dynasty (what is with that show?), I'm going to read some "Quit Your Day Job" posts on Etsy. A little motivation as I ramp up to open the store. Speaking of which, I actually bought some more product supplies today for some new products I have in mind!  Getting excited, I just need the time to get it all set up and shipping costs figured out. Then, I'll be good to go. If anyone has an Etsy Shoppe and wants to offer some advice, please let me know!

Have a great night, tomorrow is finally Friday to what seemed like the longest week of my life!