WiP Wednesday #15

It's been a wonderfully busy week, craft-wise. I'm still steadily working away to restock my Etsy shop, and part of that has been making needlebooks.

About half of them still need pages, and most of them still need buttons. I think the buttons are my favorite part, probably because they're not at all structural. There's no pressure to picking them out and sewing them on. I'm hoping to get these completely done this week. Wish me luck.



Mom's quilting group has been good enough to save their scraps for me. I've also been turning this:



Into this (covers for needlebooks):



If you'd like to read more about my WiPs, please click on any of the images above to visit my blog. :)

Last week we had two brave link partiers (is that even a term? It is now). Bonnie, from STUFFellaneous shared some really cute handmade books, inspired by tutorials on Pinterest.



Click on the image above to visit Bonnie's blog, or click here to visit her Etsy shop.

McKenzie from Girl Loves Glam shared a truly inspired tile make-over. I would never in a million years have thought of this, but I love it.



How cool is that? Click on the image above to see more at McKenzie's blog, or you can visit her Etsy shop by clicking here.

Ready to join the linky party? It will be open from today through next Monday. You can join up at any time between now and then.

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

Featured Seller - Cheery Groove Crafts

Say hello to the Idaho Etsy Team's featured seller of the week, Cheery Groove Crafts! Read on to learn more about Sharon and get a sneak peak into her shop!

(click on any photo to take you directly to the listing so you can learn more about the item!)

What is your shop name and what is the significance?

Cheery Groove Crafts. I love the Emperor's New Groove movie, and we try to be cheerful too.  I smashed the two together and came up with Cheery Groove.

What do you love about Idaho?

The scenery! I love the Mountains and trees the best. I love the view from the tops of the mountains, and I love hiking in the forest. I love coming across unexpected streams. I love everything about Idaho, but most specifically the forest :)

Name one thing you would suggest people do when they come to visit the state?

I love hiking in North Idaho, though I live in the South. I grew up in Washington on the Idaho border and could literally throw a rock into Idaho from my house. There were lots of places to hike, right outside my door.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I can to the worm. I also love hamburgers :0)

What do you do to relax?

Photograph my kids.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

England. I want to visit England because I love the rain, and I love how green it makes everything. England seems to green and lush. Totally the kind of vacation spot I dream of. Plus I love everything English. Especially Harry Potter, yes I'm a nerd!

Currently, what is your favorite shop item?

My corduroy boys blessing suits.

How did you become interested in your craft?

I started sewing when I was little, my mom loved to sew and showed me how.

What do you enjoy about the creative process?

Seeing it all come together in the end.

Any suggestions for those interested in selling their handmade items or vintage finds?

Just find something you love and don't worry about being popular. If you love it, others will love it too.

Thank you Sharon for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better! I highly encourage you to check out Sharon's shop HERE to see more!

This post was created by PhDstressrelief.

WiP Wednesday #14

Welcome back to Work In Progress (WiP) Wednesday here at the Idaho Etsy Team Blog. As usual, I'm Jerimi, from Three Cat Limit. It's been a busy couple of weeks! I hope your week was happily full of good things. On the crafty side of things, I've been making needle books. Lots and lots of needle books.

A look at some of the book covers in-progress.

Some fun new fabric I found online. Can't wait to use this!

One of the completely finished books.

I'm pretty excited about getting so much done. It doesn't always work out that way! If you'd like to read more about my WiP, please click on one of the photos above. Thanks!

And now for my favorite part - showcasing some of our talented team members.

Diane from Russet Lodgejoined us last week. She shared some fun shots of in-progress kilt hose, and actual spinning with hand-dyed fibers. I don't knit, but spinning has always looked so peaceful and meditative to me. I love seeing other people doing it.

Isn't that blue just gorgeous? You can read more about Diane's work by clicking on the photo above to visit her blog, or click here to visit her Etsy shop.

We were also joined by Amanda from Stitch to Stitch. You've got to see these shots of her garden. The peonies are just beautiful.

You can click on the photo above to visit her blog, or click here to visit her Etsy shop.

Ready to join the linky party? It will be open from today through next Monday. You can join up at any time between now and then.

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

Featured Seller - Just Hangin' Around

Say hello to the Idaho Etsy Team's featured seller of the week, Just Hangin' Around! Read on to learn more about Susan and get a sneak peak into her shop!

(click on any photo to take you directly to the listing so you can learn more about the item!)

What is your shop name and what is the significance?

Just Hangin' Around. I make and sell jewelry, wall decorations and clutch bags...things that hang!

What do you love about Idaho?

My husband and I love the weather and fishing!

Name one thing you would suggest people do when they come to visit the state?

Be sure and spend time in the outdoors, even if its just for a drive in the mountains.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I cannot pass up a garage sale, even if I'm going to be late for an appointment if I do.

What do you do to relax?

Fishing. Fishing. Fishing. Catch and release of course!

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

England. Its where my husband is from, and I would love to see where he grew up.

Currently, what is your favorite shop item?

The green beaded cuff bracelet.

How did you become interested in your craft?

It evolved when my girls were young. It was a peaceful place I could go to be creative.

What do you enjoy about the creative process?

Taking and object and making it into something else.

Any suggestions for those interested in selling their handmade items or vintage finds?

Don't get discouraged! There are plenty of people out there who will think your stuff is as cool as you do!

Thank you Susan for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better! I highly encourage you to check out Susan's shop HERE to see more!

This post was created by PhDstressrelief.

Featured Seller - Bubble Wabble

Say hello to the Idaho Etsy Team's featured seller of the week, Bubble Wabble! Read on to learn more about Elena and get a sneak peak into her shop!

(click on any photo to take you directly to the listing so you can learn more about the item!)

What is your shop name and what is the significance?

Bubble Wabble - My kids helped me to come up with this name.

What do you love about Idaho?

Mountains! I also really enjoy camping!

Name one thing you would suggest people do when they come to visit the state?

Just drive around - meet people, try our food...

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I was born in Europe.

What do you do to relax?

Spend time with my children and read books.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

Europe - Everyone really needs to go to Europe at least once in their lives!

Currently, what is your favorite shop item?

My gator mitt and French Vanilla soap :)

How did you become interested in your craft?

I started doing my whimsical bath mitts when my son was little and hated to take baths...I came up with a mitt - he loved it, so did my friends ...

What do you enjoy about the creative process?

The final result - I make my own patterns for the mitts and see the bath mitt "to be born" from the picture - that's my favorite part.

Any suggestions for those interested in selling their handmade items or vintage finds?

Go for it! It won't hurt, and you'll have so much fun doing what you like to do!

Thank you Elena for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better! I highly encourage you to check out Elena's shop HERE to see more!

This post was created by PhDstressrelief.

WiP Wednesday #13

Welcome to Work In Progress (WiP) Wednesday here at the Idaho Etsy Team Blog. As usual, I'm Jerimi, from Three Cat Limit. If you're new to link parties, this is where team members can share a link to their blog (or Picassa, or Flickr, etc) to show off something they've been working on. You can jump in anytime between now and Monday night. I hope you'll consider giving us a peek at your work! Each week I try to feature someone who shared a WiP with us.

Since my sewing machine has been broken, I've been shaking the rust off my book arts interest. In other words, I've been turning this:

Into these:


It's been a lot of fun, and actually a nice change of pace. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to make little books. Ready to join the linky party? It will be open from today through next Monday. You can join up at any time between now and then.

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

Yum-Idaho Potato Shell Taco Pie

One of our team Pinterest's most repinned photos is that of the Idaho Potato Shell Taco Pie.  I, myself, have not tried it yet (I don't like potatoes...shhh living in Idaho I did NOT just say that) but my wife really wants to try it.  With over 450+ repins I thought I'd share the recipe here.

Idaho Potato Shell Taco Pie

© Photo: The Idaho Potato Commission

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

¼ cup butter 
⅔ cup milk 
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix (1¼ oz.)
2½ cups mashed potato flakes
1 lb. ground beef 
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup barbecue sauce
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded (4oz.)
sour cream, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter.

Add milk and 2 Tbsps. of taco seasoning mix. Remove from heat and stir in potato flakes until incorporated. Press mixture over bottom of 10" pan.

2. In a medium skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is browned and onions are tender. Drain off fat and stir in remaining taco mix and barbecue sauce. Cook while stirring until bubbly, then pour into prepared potato crust.

3. Bake uncovered in oven for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, and then top with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cut into squares and serve with sour cream.

Recipe: Culinary Operations Manager Robert Landolphi, University of Connecticut, Storrs. Photo: The Idaho Potato Commission

Featured Seller- Every Little Thing!

Say hello to the Idaho Etsy Team's featured seller of the week, Every Little Thing! Read on to learn more about Pam and get a sneak peak into her shop!

(click on any photo to take you directly to the listing so you can learn more about the item!)

What is your shop name and what is the significance?

Every Little Thing- I found some random word dog tags and looking at them in my hand they spelled out "Every Little Thing" and that is what I use in my art -found objects or every little thing I find.

What do you love about Idaho?

There are lots of places to hike and bike ride.

Name one thing you would suggest people do when they come to visit the state?

Visit Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I just competed in my first mountain bike race.

What do you do to relax?

read, bike ride, watch a movie

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

Cinque Terre, Italy

Currently, what is your favorite shop item?

"Frog goes to the stream" reminds me what I love about Idaho.

How did you become interested in your craft?

I've always loved art. I was a painting major, then an art teacher and now incorporate my collections of stuff in my art.

What do you enjoy about the creative process?

It is literally like playing with the materials and coming up with fun combinations.

Any suggestions for those interested in selling their handmade items or vintage finds?

Start with a local event and grow from there.

Remember to have fun!

Thank you Pam for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better! I highly encourage you to check out Pam's shop HERE to see more!

This post was created by PhDstressrelief.

Mineral Ridge Hiking

Me-(Bill) enjoying my hike

11 miles east of Coeur d'Alene city center is an awesome place for a afternoon adventure.  

(Take US-90 east from Coeur d'Alene for eight miles to Wolf Lodge Bay (exit 22), then go south on Highway 97 for three miles.) Mineral Ridge was the 1st BLM recreation site built here in Idaho.  It is a 3.3 Mile trail and has wonderful views of the Lake.  It is uphill the first half and downhill the second half and for that reason it is more intense then Tubbs Hill (see old blog post).  It is a guided trail in which you can get a brochure at the entrance and follow the 22 markers-learning all about the animals, plants and when the area was used for mining.  Picnic areas both at the bottom and top of the hike make for a great place to stop and have lunch.  One of the best parts is the 700 ft rise in elevation and the view that that provides.  I have done this trail three times now and I would recommend it to anyone passing through.  If you live here you should go, maybe a good way to spend Memorial Weekend.  

Here are some photos from my last time hiking it:

At the Entry

Mining hole

As seen in previous photo

Near the top

At the top

Almost done