TIS THE SEASON!

Midnight Inspiration

The SignatureSterling "elves" are busy, busy, busy ~ and we want to let you know it's not too late to get your holiday orders in....BUT some important order/shipping dates are coming up for holiday delivery.  Check your lists and our shops at signaturesterling.artfire.com and signaturesterling.etsy.com to see if you need to pick up something special for that special someone or for someone special like you this season! :)

Sunday, December 12th ~ last day to order/pay for custom listings to receive for Christmas delivery
Friday, December 17th ~ last day to order/pay for all other listings to receive for Christmas delivery
Monday, December 20th ~ January 2nd  Shops are closed for holiday season and will reopen January 3rd.

Blessings and peace to you and yours this holiday season!

Holiday Pearls

HOLLY DAY BLOG HOP

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!

www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net

www.signature-sterling.blogspot.com/
www.allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/
www.tctliebel.typepad.com

http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com

www.singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/
http://camelotstreasures.blogspot.com
www.homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/
www.annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/
www.mylavenderave.blogspot.com/
www.babyjives.blogspot.com
www.babyswank.blogspot.com/
www.babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/
www.handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/
www.katekatenyc.blogspot.com

www.caramagic.blogspot.com/
www.onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/
www.silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com

www.quirefly.blogspot.com
www.cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/

www.handprintlady.blogspot.com

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog. You may have to scroll down a bit on the blogs to find the Blog Hop posts as the week progresses.
2. Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join the EtsyMom Blog email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of the EtsyMom Blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please come back to the EtsyMom Blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did.
Sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.

On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including:

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/

a greeting card from http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/

a lampwork bead bracelet by http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/

sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling

a cream colored cotton scarf given by http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/

a raincloud ornament from http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives

a matching splat mat and baby bib from http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/

two pair of earrings from http://quirefly.etsy.com/
a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage

a lovely sustainable stocking from http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/

a set of holly jolly gift tags from http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/

a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from http://heatheregley.etsy.com/

a $15 gift certificate from http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/

A gift certificate from http://babyswank.etsy,com/
A Custom copper heart necklace from http://www.etsy.com/shop/ct2designs

I, as a part of five generations of wonderful women, am so very blessed this December to be celebrating my grandmother's 100th birthday.  Gram has always been known for her incredible holiday baking.  One of our family favorites among her famous cookie collection (Sea World Orlando even asked to use her cookie recipes when they opened their Florida Festival exposition) are her Candy Bar Brownies.  Here is the recipe first in her hand writing and then printed below.

 

Candy Bar Brownies

2 chocolate covered Mounds Bars - 4 sections

1/2 c. shortening            1 c. flour

1 c. sugar                       1 tsp. salt

2 eggs                            1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

In a large saucepan melt candy bars & shortening over low heat, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

Spread in greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.  While warm, cut in bars.

Your next stop in the Holly Day Blog Hop is

http://allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-with-etsymom-street.html

Happy Holidays to all & enjoy the Hop!

PRETTY IN PINK

You can tell by the "widget" on here, if you haven't already heard (!), that I'm on "MIMI" watch -- aka waiting to become a "grandmother" for the first time (and yes, I am being Mimi because I have "issues" with the "g" word so there...I've admitted it).

My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Mike, have been married almost 3 1/2 years now and are expecting their first child, a daughter, in just over a month so life is very exciting right now. They live just a few blocks away from "soccer girl" and myself -- a real blessing, especially at this time!

Sarah's favorite color has always been pink so it was no surprise that to celebrate the upcoming "delivery," the nursery was "decked" out in traditional pink and white, and a final baby shower we have scheduled this week is themed "Pretty in Pink." :-)

Being the "good" Mimi-in-training that I am, I am really enjoying browsing and shopping for my new little granddaughter -- I've got some wonderful "pink" lovelies for the shower this week! Here are some absolutely new favorite finds -- pretty in pink and so much more!

An adorable gift set from ArtFire's flatplatypus ~

A precious sleeping gown from thepatacakebaby on Etsy ~

This wonderful, cozy hat from Etsy's bubblegirlknits ~

Ready for Valentine's Day? How about this onesie from sweet3leafprints at Etsy ~

Be prepared in style with these fashionable burp cloths from ImNotSpoiledDesigns on ArtFire ~

Oh, what fun! Reminds me of Sarah's very first "doll" when she was just days old - the sock monkey! From 1000Markets' monsterbugblankets ~

SNS - SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS!

Brrr!,baby, it's COLD outside, but the DEALS are HOT inside the shop TONIGHT! Stop by and check out these great savings JUST for TONIGHT'S SNS (Saturday Night's Specials):

۞ BOGO 1/2 on ALL EARRINGS - Buy one pair of earrings, get your next pair of earrings at HALF PRICE!

۞ SAVE an ADDITIONAL 5% on any and all SETS! Usually a 10% discount for these - TONIGHT you can receive a 15% discount on your favorite "SETS"! Now's the time to buy the one(s) you've had your eye on!

۞ RED, WHITE & BLUE CELEBRATION! We are celebrating Inauguration Week here at SignatureSterling by offering a 10% discount off any item with red, white or blue! Show your colors!

Discounts may not be combined, BUT if your total purchase(pre-shipping) tonight is over $50, domestic shipping (USA) is FREE and international shipping will be discounted by 50%! Be sure to put "SNS" in your "Notes to Seller" at checkout and WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment. One discount code per purchase. Questions? Feel free to convo or email me! Happy SNS shopping!SNS expires at 6am, EST Sunday, 01/18/09.

SIGNATURESTERLING

Decisions, Decisions...

Midnight Inspiration Necklace
Originally uploaded by signaturesterling

Decisions, decisions....new creations finally photographed and ready for listing, but now the big decision! In which venue to place them! LOL!

Well, at least for tonight they can preview here and on Flickr until I make the final placement tomorrow...stay tuned or check out Etsy, ArtFire, and 1000Markets to see where these end up! :-)

January Blues Necklace

January Blues Earrings

A Little Holiday Love!

I'm afraid I've been guilty lately of 'blog-neglect,' and today of suffering from a bit of pre-holiday angst....well, both were addressed in a very special way when I logged on tonight and found a very special note from my friend Robin (sorry about the 'Bama loss, dear!) of BeadNestDesigns. Robin has "bestowed" upon me a very special honor ~ "The Spreader of Love" Award ~ a reminder that I'm "loved" :-) and that there are other very special people out there for me to "spread this love" around with! Thanks, Robin!

So here are the rules:

(1) Post a copy on your blog

(2) Mention who gave you the award.

(3) Pass the award on to 6 others.

(4) Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them.

And now... it's my honor to pass this loving award on to the following blogs:

Brenda of Brenda's Jewelry Box

Brandi of Brandi Girl

Vicki of Orion Designs

Patty of BrokenTeepee

Susan of Red Bess Bonney

Ainsley of AinseLife

Kristy of Simply Shiny

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Thanks so VERY much to everyone who entered the "Black Friday/Saturday Giveaway" for the "HOLIDAY PEARLS" Earrings ~ we had a great response, and it has been wonderful to see what caught your eyes in the shop!! Do hope you'll "stop by" again soon, especially as the holiday shopping season continues....it's a great way to gift (or "gift yourself!") :-).

Congratulations to Jennifer (aka jennem) who is our giveaway winner (as selected by Random.Org). Jennifer (who's favorite SignatureSterling shop item are the "FLOWER POWER Earrings") will be receiving the "Holiday Pearls Earrings" as her gift...FREE! Happy Holidays!

Didn't win, but still would love a pair of the "Holiday Pearls Earrings"? You can find them in the shop ~ stop by again; you're welcome anytime!

BLACK FRIDAY/SATURDAY GIVEAWAY!

It's only Sunday, but it's not too early to be thinking about Thanksgiving (I know many of you have already done your "cooking" shopping!) and...yes, "Black Friday," as it's come to be so "affectionately" called ~ I myself prefer to stay as far away from the stores and malls as I can -- shop online and buy handmade!

OR....even better ~ get it FREE in this terrific SignatureSterling "Black Friday/Saturday" Giveaway! These HOLIDAY PEARLS Earrings were one of the biggest hits "in the shop" during the holidays last year ~ and now, you've got the chance to get a pair of your own!

Red and white ~ always elegantly stylish! A year-round classic...The beautiful simplicity of white Swarovski crystal pearls and sterling silver rounds are delicately decorated with holiday red in Swarovski crystals.

How to enter to win:

Visit the SignatureSterling shop, and then leave a comment below * with the name of and the link to your favorite item. I'll be picking the winner** on Saturday, November 29th, at 9 AM EST, so you have until then to leave a comment.*** The winner will be announced shortly after, so make sure you check back late Saturday morning. Thanks for playing!

* If you don't have a Blogger account, be sure to leave your email address or a way to contact you if you win.

** Winning name will be randomly chosen by using Random.org.

***I hope you will visit the shop often (welcome anytime), but please, enter only one comment per person for this giveaway. Thanks! :-)

ONE MORE DAY!

TGIF! Especially when it's the day before the "BIG GAME," right? All this counting down and waiting....enough is enough! Let's just get to it! 8-)

But, there is another special BMW discount offer available for TODAY only...special 20% off on "BUCKEYE NATION JASPER O Necklace". List price is $29.50, but until midnight, EST, tonight ONLY, you can order this OOAK necklace for $23.60 (plus shipping ~ and remember, local friends of SignatureSterling always receive FREE shipping).

Just be sure to order through the Etsy shop by midnight tonight (EST) and put "BMW21" in the "Notes to Seller" when you checkout ~ AND WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment (or if you prefer to make immediate payment, I will refund the discount to you through PayPal). New to Etsy and have questions? Just email me or convo me through Etsy and I'll be glad to help you with the process. GO BUCKS!

And one final joke for our "Michigan Week" celebration....


You're in your car and coming up fast behind a bicyclist wearing a Michigan sweatshirt.Should you hit him or swerve to miss him?


Swerve. It might be your bike.


OH-IO

Be sure to check back over the weekend for a big SignatureSterling Thanksgiving/Black Friday GIVEAWAY announcement!

TODAY'S BUCKEYE DEAL & BMW FUN CONTINUES!

BMW (Buckeye Michigan Week!) fun continues with another special 20% discount offer for TODAY ONLY on..."SCARLET AND GRAY ELEGANCE Earrings". List price is $18.00, but until midnight tonight ONLY, you can order these gemstone earrings for $14.40 (plus shipping ~ and remember, local friends of SignatureSterling always receive FREE shipping).

Just be sure to order through the Etsy shop by midnight tonight (EST) and put "BMW20" in the "Notes to Seller" when you checkout ~ AND WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment (or if you prefer to make immediate payment, I will refund the discount to you through PayPal). New to Etsy and have questions - email me or convo me through Etsy and I'll be glad to help you with the process. GO BUCKS!

And, no, not to be forgotten....here's today's "BMW" Joke-of-the-Day" in celebration of our great rivalry! 8-) Enjoy....GO BUCKS!

A guy in a bar leans over to a guy nearby and says, "Wanna hear a good Michigan joke?"

The second guy replies, "Well, before you tell a Michigan joke, you might want to know that I'm a Michigan graduate. I'm 6' 7" and weigh 280 pounds. The guy next to me is 6' 4", weighs 225 and he's a Michigan grad. The one next to him is 6' 5", weighs 315 and he's a Michigan grad. Now, do you still want to tell that joke?"

The first guy says, "Well, heck no — not if I have to explain it three times."

OH-IO!

BUCKEYE NATION SAVINGS AND...

Continuing our "Michigan Week" Celebration with a special discount offer each day beginning today through GAME DAY on a select item from the "Buckeye Nation" Collection! Once it's gone - it's gone, so if it's an item you've had your eye on, you might want to act now.

Today's "Buckeye Michigan Week Special" is 20% off the "BUCKEYE NATION JASPER Necklace" (whatta deal!). List price is $54.75, but until midnight tonight ONLY, you can order this OOAK necklace for $43.80 (plus shipping ~ and remember, local friends of SignatureSterling always receive FREE shipping). Just be sure to order through the Etsy shop by midnight tonight (EST) and put "BMW19" in the "Notes to Seller" when you checkout ~ AND WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment (or if you prefer to make immediate payment, I will refund the discount to you through PayPal). New to Etsy and have questions - email me or convo me through Etsy and I'll be glad to help you with the process. GO BUCKS!

And the "BMW" (Buckeye Michigan Week) Joke-of-the-Day"? Enjoy!

Why is ice no longer available at Michigan football games?

The senior who had the recipe finally graduated.

First Snow

It's snowing! Our first one ~ and it's not a wimpy, spitting, oh, let me thing about it, maybe I'll just be a flurry snow....it's that beautiful puffy, floating - you're in the middle of a snow globe - snow...I could sit here curled up on the sofa and watch it all afternoon. Well, at least until halftime's over 8-) - GO BUCKS!

The "muse" was working overtime last night, and I've gotten a couple of the new items listed in the shop ~ still a couple more to list.

~ Scarlet and Gray Elegance Earrings

~ White Ice Earrings
.

Feeling Blue? This Will Make You Smile!

Feeling Blue Necklace
Originally uploaded by signaturesterling

Here's one of the latest shop listings ~ "Feeling Blue? Necklace," a deep blue "chunky yet classic" look with nuggets of sodalite and rounds of lapis lazuli and sodalite...and sterling silver, naturally! Added "bonus" is in knowing that the gemstones sodalite and lapis lazuli are associated with the natural properties of inner peace, healing, and love ~ now that will bring a smile to your face!

TAG ~ I'm It!

I've Been Tagged!

Well, another round of "Tag" is making the blogger round, a game similar to what we all played as kids. I've been tagged by Vicki, aka Orion Designs. How does the cyber-version work?

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Here we go....7 things about me....

1. I love to sing and play the piano, but just returned to playing last night after a several year hiatus! :-)
2. My children are more "travelled" than me ~ something I hope to remedy!
3. I am a magazine "junkie"...
4. So many books, so little time (is that related to the magazine problem?)
5. I changed my college major 5 times...music (voice - then realized I wanted a "life" & my high school choir teacher LIVED her job 24/7 - she was incredible!!); elementary ed. (but then the head of the dept. "hit" on me and I did what any insecure, inexperienced freshman would do - changed her major!); pre-law (but then a good friend from high school reminded me I wasn't "bitchy" enough to do that!); English (loved it, but wasn't sure what I was going to do with it)...so finally - secondary education (English) - ah, ha! The 4 1/2 year plan! And no, I'm not teaching today - go figure!
6. I have recently become a coffee "snob" - hooked on Stauf's fresh roasted coffee beans -- ahh. And, yes, I'm out.... :-(
7. I frequent a "high-end" Goodwill shop - great buys and great fashion! What can I say! Means I can afford to be a coffee snob and buy more books/magazines!! LOL!!

And, now, here's who I'm "tagging" ~ be sure, to check out their blogs to read what they share and maybe discover a new favorite blogger as well! :-)
1. http://brandi-girl.blogspot.com/
2. http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/
3. http://beadnestdesigns.blogspot.com/
4. http://derondadesigns.blogspot.com/
5. http://redbessbonney-akasusan.blogspot.com/
6. http://chickadeebeads.blogspot.com/
7. http://artworkbyandrea.blogspot.com/

END OF SUMMER SALE

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
All items in the "END OF SUMMER SALE" Section of the shop are available NOW for a limited time at 20% off the list price. Just be sure to put "SUMMERSALE" in "Notes to Seller" at checkout and WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment (or make immediate payment and I'll refund the discount to you, if you prefer). Discount is pre-shipping and only one discount code may be used per transaction.

"Switchfoot" Says "This Is Home"...Definitely, PLUS, "This Is THE Season!"

So are you are you ready for the start of the best-ever Buckeye football season? Got your "Buckeye" gear set?

~BUCKEYE NATION Bracelet


~THREE WISHES BUCKEYE NATION RING (oh, c'mon, you KNOW what to wish for!)


~BUCKEYE NATION JASPER "O" Necklace


Check out the complete Buckeye Nation collection at the SignatureSterling shop, and get your game on!

A Change in the Air?

Maybe it was the first soccer scrimmage of the year, a sign of the upcoming fall season...or the noticeable coolness as the sun set last night...or perhaps, the refreshing late summer breeze this afternoon as we enjoyed another day on the pond but this time aware of the water being just a bit chillier...and, yes, the weather forecast for this weekend is almost early autumn-like.

No doubt, we will have many more warm sunny summer days ahead, but a change is in the air ~ getting us ready for our Buckeye football, back to school, a full successful soccer season, warm fall sweaters, Friday night lights, brilliant trees, and all the many changes that come with every autumn.

Breathe deep and enjoy!

FALLING IN LOVE Necklace


HARVEST LACE Earrings

A CHANGE OF HEART Necklace

Remembering....

Not quite "Caribbean" but as close as I get, and I'll take it! :-) Just found out Sarah and Mike will be heading to the condo as well in a few weeks - a great way to end the summer!

Naturally, all that time on the beach was inspiration for these pieces...
CARIBBEAN DREAMS Necklace


CARIBBEAN DREAMS Earrings

English Gardens and Beautiful Sunsets!

Well, proof that beautiful sunsets can happen anywhere! :-)

And...some new pieces inspired by the beautiful artisan lampwork beads of DerondaDesigns which made me think of rich, wonderful English gardens...a matching set if you like! Check out the new listings in the shop.

ENGLISH GARDEN Necklace

ENGLISH GARDEN Bracelet

ENGLISH GARDEN Earrings

PICK YOUR FAVORITE ~ WIN A PRIZE!

Today's the day! Don't forget to stop by the Creative Minds for Charity site for the "poll link" and vote for your favorite design (I know - it's so hard to pick just one - they're all so gorgeous!!)....all the pics are there (and there are more pics of the designs if you need to see more available at the CMC Flickr Pool). Once you vote, you'll need to enter either your Etsy ID or your email address (no worries - this is ONLY to contact if you are the winner of a great prize - no email addresses will be sold or shared & no one will be contacting you for any reason after the challenge is completed :-)).

The poll is open until 11:59 PM EST TODAY ONLY so don't delay - vote now! You could be the winner of a terrific prize donated by etsyBEAD, CGGE (Creative Glass Guild of Etsy), and HOST (Helping Others Street Team)! See a design you'd like to purchase? Be sure to check back with the HOST shop to see when the items are listed (some are already available!) as they are currently being added with ALL proceeds going to the mission of HOST (be sure to check the shop profile about the great work this team does!).