The time is NOW!

Please VOTE for ME!!
http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/elizabeth-pickett-1008# 

Sometime in August I saw a post on Etsy's blog? about a contest called American Made sponsored by Martha Stewart.  And I entered...

This was the product I started with - my Patriotic Ribbon Wreath -  but I also included

My Colors of Nature Ribbon Wreath

Polka Dot Daisies Ribbon Wreath

White Chocolate Ribbon Wreath

Spring Green Nest Ribbon Wreath

Pleated Skirt Recycled Envelopes Card

Bow Tie Recycled Envelopes Card

FistiCuff Men's Tab Top Cuff

and my Tab Top Key Chains

The voting starts today - September 7th and ends September 24th.
Vote early and share 'viral' ly - thanks!!

http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/elizabeth-pickett-1008# 

Love ya, Liz

Cherries wet and heavy on the branches

I should be blogging about all sorts of things right now - but probably not this one.  However, whenever I make this meal for dinner - it takes me back to a most magical moment.  
During college I studied so much about European art, furniture, architecture - that it made my teeth hurt; I wanted to see it so badly.  As an American, I truly feel blessed to have been able to visit Europe (1990) during my lifetime.  I would give my eye teeth to go again.  
The meal - Cassoulet - eaten first  - in Carcassonne, the very south of France.
We arrived in the town around midnight, by train - and made our way to the hotel (the Termini, I believe) - close to the railway station.  The town of Carcassonne is two 'parts'.  The surrounding lower, modern town; the older town, on the fortified mountain above.  These were Roman fortifications that were later made into a town by the Visigoths.   This town was the first recorded 'exercise' in Historic Preservation.  Viollet le Duc, a French architect and theorist, was the man who spear-headed the preservation of this amazing place in 1853.  Having a degree in Historic Preservation simply meant I had to see this place.  Oh, I was in heaven.  We spent all of our first day in 'old town' walking the cobblestone streets, and exploring every nook and cranny.  Before we left to go back to the hotel in the afternoon, we made reservations at one of the restaurants in the restored mountain fortifications of Carcassonne. 
Early evening falls.  Storm clouds gather.  As we walk the paths winding up the mountain, the wind picks up, and the rain drenches us.  But - who cares?  We are in France.  The image that stays with me so strongly from this moment - is the cherry trees along the mountainside.  There are lights in odd places along the pathways - and the cherries are so heavy on the branches - that with the wind and the rain -the wet, bright red cherries, bob in and out of the light.  It is the most dramatic and fabulous sight - in my memory for all time.
At the restaurant, I believe it was the Auberge des Duc's d'Oc, we sat at a table for two, in a stone building with low ceilings and wonderful atmosphere.  
I ordered the cassoulet.  There were no words...

 I won't give the recipe here - but I use Martha Stewart's that I got out of her magazine years ago.  You can look there.  It is fairly long and complicated, but so worth it.  Because I know what it is supposed to taste like, I cheat when needed.  I rarely have confit of duck close by... 

 The dry, crusty bread (4 cups) is tossed with 4 tablespoons of butter - and put on top of the cassoulet towards the end.

 I do all of my cooking on this 1920s Oriole gas stove.  My favorite appliance in my home.

The cassoulet during one of it's liquid checks...

 

 The toasty crunchy bread on top; the bread underneath has absorbed some of the delicious broth.

Ready to savor, served in my antique ironstone soup bowls.  Because it is so rich and complex in flavors - a hearty red wine is recommended to compliment it.  
Enjoy - and with me, think of cherry trees, branches heavy with cherries, bowing and swaying in a May rainstorm.


Love, Elizabeth 


   

The Art of ReUse Contest Sponsored by Etsy and Green is Universal

 WoW, have the last two weeks been a wild ride!  Two Fridays ago, I opened up my Etsy email, and saw this:   Last Chance to Enter the Art of ReUSE Contest    Calling all upcycling DIYers!  Green is Universal and Etsy want to see your creative ReUSE project.   Get the details and submit your project here for your chance to win.  Last day to enter is Friday, April 8.  


I thought why not take a chance?  I have been selling my Tab Top bracelets for a couple of years now, and at my last show, a customer asked if I would make one into a dog collar. I said "Of course"!

This lead me to make one for my medium size Pit Bull Mix, Cali, and to give the design a run for the money.   

I used snap rings from Tractor Supply,
and just clipped Cali's ID through the tab tops.

 This was the only collar I had made at this point - so I took some pictures - and submitted my entry.  I had to list and describe the materials, tell how it was made, and then talk about the finished product.
I didn't have a whole lot of time because I was supposed to meet my daughter Virginia, at school - we we going to hear Mary Badham speak.  She is the actress who played Scout - in To Kill a Mockingbird.   I managed to squeeze in submitting my Up cycled Feed Sack Totes as well http://www.etsy.com/listing/51606722/recycled-feedbag-tote-baling-twine but was informed, a bit later, that I was only allowed to enter one item per day.  I chose to drop the tote, and keep the Tab Top Pet Collars.  
We had a talk to go to that night, and then off to see Philadelphia University the next day, and then York, Pa to move a truck and trailer load of furniture.  It was CrAzy!

So on the 10th, I thought to promote the contest on Facebook.  I may have even tweeted it at some point.   On Thursday I was having Virginia help me design some business cards on the computer (to take to a show that coming Sunday in DC) - and I stopped to check my email.  


Go figure - I was told that my Tab Top Pet Collars were one of the products that were getting some buzz.  I was asked if it was possible to send a collar to NYC.   I said 'You bet'! Friday morning there was a FedEx label in my email - and I had 2 collars ready - one small size for a cat or small dog, and one larger, for a bigger dog.
I was PUMPED!

Off to Rockefeller Center, NYC

I took some pictures before I sent them off - and thought - I better get these listed in my Etsy shop!  I was up a little later than usual that night - but I was good with that :)   I had re-engineered the design somewhat - and am pleased with the more durable results that you see here. 


On Saturday the 16th, Jessie Katz put together a treasury on Etsy titled The Art of ReUse http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da9ca3e793e8eef851b14f2/the-art-of-reuse giving a nod to the TOP TEN - and I was in the TOP TEN.  I was stunned!
Needless to say I was on a high all week long.  The products were to be received in NYC on Monday April 18th.  Of course the email said that breaking news would take precedence over our items being featured - but if they were to be shown - it would be during the 4th hour of the TODAY SHOW with Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford. 


I called my Mom Ginny, my daughter Virginia, my husband Bob, and a friend Patty -  and told them to watch.  At the top of the hour - I looked at the desk where Hoda and KLG were sitting - and there THEY were!!!  MY Tab Top Pet Collars.  I was SO excited!  


There was all kinds of stuff they were talking about to start - and the banner at the bottom of the screen covered the top of the desk, and my collars (!)  But eventually they got to the Esty (sic) (Hoda) Etsy/Green is Universal contest.  First they talked about the jump rope made from dried up magic markers http://www.greenisuniversal-reuse.com/toys-games-gadgets/coloring-markers-jump-rope, then on to my Tab Top Pet Collars.  Of course I took pictures of the TV - with Hoda and KLG holding them - trading them back and forth - and Kathi Lee said they were cute!         


OK - so this is only Tuesday...but I am definitely floating on air.  How awesome :)


Somehow I made it to today - I watched the TODAY SHOW at 10:00 every morning.  
On Wednesday they showed the Firefighter Coat Turned Messenger Bag by Evon Cassier, and the sweater skirt by Brightly Colored Twirly Skirt of Upcycled Sweaters by Kelleyanne Wank www.Discordthreads.artfire.com.  

On Thursday they showed the Flying Alumifish by John D. Richards JohnDRichards.etsy.com Cast Iron Claw Foot Bathtub Couch by Jill Morrison, ruffhouseart.etsy.com, and Weego the Scarecrow by Leslie Wilton, ZjhunkMetalArt.etsy.com


They didn't mention Re-Zip It! Zipper Brooch by Heather Sennabaum, or Gift Card Earrings by Jessie Katz or 20 Minute Dog Sweater by Jennifer Kerr.




So that was it, Friday was here - and I was ready.  I spent the morning photographing and naming all of the colors of ribbon for my Tab Top Pet Collars.  Getting collars ready for A show next weekend in Purcellville - Paint the Town Green - as well as for a shop in  Purcellville - Everyday Elegance.


10 o'clock was fast approaching - and then I got THE email, at 9:36 a.m.:  "Although you were chosen from among hundreds of other participants as one of our ten finalists, the judges have not selected your project as one of the final three winning entries. We thank you for your participation, hard work and commitment to ReUse". 


OH WELL!  I was still a winner!


I had the greatest ride for two weeks of my life - MY design/product was on National television - if only for a minute - and the judges Andy Cohen, Angela Matusik, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee, Lauren Bush, Martha Stewart and Tori Spelling all may have hands on my project.
And the most important part - people obviously saw merit in something that I created!


Thanks to Etsy/Green is Universal, the Today Show, AND everyone who supported me on facebook, twitter, Etsy, and in my local community.  

It was a great adventure!

    

Acorn Jewels

I just love looking at these - don't you? Talk about eye candy - this is it!

Just before Christmas, my friend Patty gave me some glittered acorns that she had made - following the instrustions on the Martha Stewart Show. She had also shown them off to her book club members - some of whom happen to be customers at my shop. Sherry, had to have some - and so here they are. I sent them in to school with my daughter today - special delivery - A jeweled rainbow of acorns!