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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Too much time

It has been far too long since my last post. I have been very busy with a couple new business lines and working on new products for my KPDreams line. As well, most of you know I spend my winters in Florida so that I can help with my Dad's care. He is in late stages of Parkinsons and cannot walk. And the dementia proves a real challenge when most days he doesn't know who you are. But, that can't be changed, so I try and make the best of it.

My new shop on Etsy, Somethingbluewedding, which specializes in wedding, evening and prom accessories, is my newest store. At the present I am practicing the art of making flower accents, but hope to venture into more elaborate items. Available is custom items to match the colors of the wedding party, and we have even provided a bride-to-be table centerpieces for her bridal shower. I am pretty excited about this line as it gives me a new learning experience.













I have also been designing and building a website for a friend of mine that specializes in western wear. Sunshine Western Hats is a family business built by Char and Ed Pratton, and with the help of their two sons, Jim & Aaron they travel throughout the southeast and eastern United States selling hats, attire and western accessories. The website also has proven to be a job as they have had me list over 600 items to date, as well as designing the graphics.

I will sign off for now, as it is dinner time and I must put on my cooking cap and fix dinner. I hope you will stop by again so I can share some of my new designs.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Does this depress you?

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It comes in different colors, designs, shapes and sizes and is referred to as "depression glass, but finding one of these colorful pieces of glass, always brings me joy.

I was recently included in a treasury of green depression glass. My inclusion was a green glass bowl. Being from Ohio, this glass is very plentiful and many discard it, but the fact that is was made in U.S.A., and was pressed glass was enough to catch my eye.

Depression glass was manufactured during the Great Depression between the 1920's and 1940's in the midwest, and often given away as promotional pieces; included in oats, laundry soaps, given at movie theaters and gas stations. The manufacturing process of pressing the glass into molds allowed it to be made very inexpensively.

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Depression glass was made in several colors; from amber, pink, green, blue, green and clear, and others as well. Most people recognize the pink as it seems to be the most sought after, but in fact, each color was made from the same molds during the same time period. White or milk glass is a form of depression glass as it was also created by using molds.

Take a look at some of the various depression glass items I currently offer and remember the first time you saw a piece of this glass. See, it isn't depressing at all.
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I hope you enjoyed this look at the past, and I want to remind you that the end of my Etsy 20% off sale is fast approaching. Click on the round Etsy button at the top of my blog and visit my finds of days gone by and handmade objects. This sale ends January 31, 2011; so don't delay.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

January White Sale

It is mid January and time to clean house.  Through the end of January I will be offering a 20% discount on all merchandise in my Etsy store, KPDreams.  That includes all merchandise from antique tintypes, vintage milk glass, pyrex and handmade, hand painted signs.  Nothing has been spared....so shop away.  Here is a peek at some of my special items..

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Enter the words, "Januarywhitesale" at checkout to get your 20%. Happy shopping!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

New twist on an old comfort food

In most of the country it is snowing and chilly outside. This is the time of year you fire up the stove for some comfort food to take the chill away. You don't want to spend a lot of time, and if you didn't make it to the market before the big storm hit, you need to use pantry items. I have the perfect dish. This frugal and quick recipe was all the rage in the late 60's and early 70's, fueled by the casserole craze and the prices and availability of canned tuna.

I enjoy a good tuna noodle casserole but have found it dry and bland at times. I set out to enhance the texture and taste. Here are my adjustments and ingredients.


















1 bag of wide egg noodles, boiled and drained. Be sure to add oil to water.
2 cans tuna packed in water (preferably not albacore, too dry)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 tbsp of mayonaise (not salad dressing)
1/4 cup of sour cream.
1/4 cup of milk
1 cup peas, either frozen or canned (optional)
1/4 cup of bread crumbs (crushed corn flakes can be used as well)
2 tbsp of butter cubed
1/4 tsp Mrs Dash (regular)
Salt & pepper to taste.
Loaf of crusty bread.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cooked noodles, mushroom soup, mayonaise, sour cream, milk, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add peas if desired, and remix. Now without draining the tuna, add to the bowl and stir lightly trying not to break up all the tuna. Over mixing mashes the tuna into small pieces which brings nothing to the table as far as taste.

Now select a lovely 1 1/2 quart baking dish from your cupboard. Remember this casserole will be served on the table from this dish, so make it something warm and inviting. Presentation is everything. Grease the casserole dish well and add the contents of the bowl. Combine butter cubes with bread crumbs or cereal crumbs at this time and sprinkle across the top. Place in a preheated oven for 30 minutes until bubbly. Remove and let stand for 10 minutes and you are ready to serve. A loaf of crusty bread is an excellent complement for this dish.



Here are a few options for casseroles.
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I hope you enjoy and stay warm.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The new year, a time to get organized

This morning I was alerted to a treasury that one of my fellow etsians had created and used one of my items. I quickly looked, as I love these features, and found it was my vintage silverware tray that had been handmade out of several old dairy boxes. I believe they were butter as the words butter can be seen, as well as the word Fairmont. Photobucket

This brought me to think, why not repurpose several of my items into something to reorganize. Perhaps an old cheese box, Photobucket by a sink to hold soap dispensers or scratch pads.

Or a lovely depression era green vase to hold pencils, make up or scissors? Photobucket

Just before Christmas I sold a lovely piece of vasemate Photobucketand was told it was to be used as a soap dish in a bathroom.. What a fresh approach to decorating.

I hope you look at objects you have around the house or perhaps on your favorite Etsy store and find an old object for a new purpose.

Have a great day and happy shopping.

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