Mother's Day Giveaway!

Mother’s Day always comes with a mixed bag of emotions for me. My own mom died 18 years ago this May. My dad remarried a short while later and my stepmother is a wonderful woman who could never replace my mom but instead fills a void that was left. I call her my adulthood mother. Several years ago I became a mom myself and that brought a new round of emotions on Mother’s Day - happy because I get to celebrate in a different way, yet sad for the huge sacrifice my son’s birthmother made.

I have so many wonderful memories of my mother but some of my favorites are of shopping together! She loved to shop and we would drive to a mall two hours away and spend the entire day, looking at every rack, in every store.

To celebrate Mother’s Day I’m having a giveaway. The winner will receive a free memory board! You get to choose the 11x14 memory board of your choice! Keep it for yourself to put up all the photos of your mother or give it to mom with all the great photos of you!

The rules (you knew there had to be some right?). The contest ends Sunday, the 25^th of April. Winner will be announced on Monday, April 26:

Two mandatory things you HAVE to do:

1. Be a follower of this blog. There is a little “Follow Me” button over there on the left. See it? People who are already following are automatically entered!
2. Leave a comment telling me you favorite memory of your mother!

To get an additional entry:

1. Leave a comment here about your favorite item from the shop.
2. Tweet about this contest - “Win a free memory board from @memoriestoyou”. (only 1 RT per day please!)
3. Follow me on Twitter
4. Become a fan on Facebook

Cooliris Photo Wall

Proof I'm Doing a Craft Show

In preparation for the craft show, I thought I would share with y'all what goes into it.

First, there is figuring out the set up. So far, no two shows have been the same, so flexibility has been key. Practicing the set up ahead of time is great. Except it all never goes back onto the table the same once you get there. Kind of like the toy that never goes back into the packaging the same! I put my set up together the other day in the backyard. It was a breezy day so it was a good way to figure out what will stand up and what will need to be nailed down. Next comes sorting out the merchandise. I am incredibly organized in my workspace but somehow getting stuff packed up always ends up looking like this.I can hardly walk in there right now and am trying to figure out how I am going to get to the stuff still in the closet. Panda isn't coming along, he is just sitting guard right now. And here is the mysterious disappearing tablecloth. The flowers sitting on top will be part of the display table and the flowers in the tub are all packaged and ready to be sold. Doesn't it look like a fun garden?

Somewhere in the middle is getting display pieces ready. This time I am using spring colored buckets and flower magnets to look like a bucket of flowers. Doesn't everyone love a bucket of flowers? For those of you who might want to stop by and shop at the craft show, you could win a chance to get 50% off your entire purchase. Yep! I am offering scratch off tickets and you could get a really good deal. If you want to do scratch off tickets for your customers, there is a great tutorial at Artmind. Now, I realize that painting is not my strong suit but hopefully a customer getting 50% off won't care about that!
I hope everyone in the area will stop by and say hello on April 17 & 18. The Fred Heutte Center, 1000 Botetourt Gardens ~ Norfolk, Virginia 23507-1866

Craft Show Time

It is that time of year again... craft shows are popping up every weekend. I'm the first one to admit that my luck with craft shows hasn't been that great. I spend hours prepping and spend tons of money on displays only to sell very little. Well, this time I am approaching it a little different. Instead of bringing out every memory board I have in inventory I am going to bring every thumbtack and magnet I have in inventory!I have many, many, many more flowers in inventory than I have listed in the shop! If you are in the Norfolk, VA area, be sure to stop by the Fred Heutte Center on April 17 or 18. There are over 50 craft, art and food vendors scheduled to be there and this time, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous!

Saturday Special

It is a sale! Free Shipping in the U.S. on all magnets and thumbtacks in the Hold It! shop. Shipping has already been removed so you can just shop away!

A Little Update

I have been busy creating in the workroom. I have far more magnets and tacks than I know what to do with but am hoping they will sell at the upcoming craft show. Here is what the Hold It! shop looks like right now.




Want something other than what is in the shop? Take a look at my Picasa Web Album. Everything made is photographed and hiding out in there. If you see something you like, just send me a convo or email and I will happily create a listing for you.

Tickle Your Tastebuds

Summer is finally in sight and that means grills, cookouts, and yummy foods that are easy and do not require heating up the oven! Let's face it, summer is so short that no one wants to waste that beautiful weather cooking in the kitchen.

This is one of my favorite recipes for summer. It will keep for several days (if you can keep from eating it all in one sitting, that is), it is super easy and it has yet to be turned down by anyone! The best part is, you can make just the pasta salad as a side dish, which is what I usually do. Even my picky preschooler likes it!

Party Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad
1/2 Cup red wine vinegar
1/2 Cup olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Finely chopped garlic to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound pasta, cooked according to package and drained
1 tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup pitted black olives (I leave these out because I don't like olives!)
Lettuce leaves

Marinated Chicken Breast
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
Dash of freshly grated ginger root or ground ginger to taste
1 (8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sprigs of parsley or basil, for garnish

1. In a large bowl, stir together the vinegar, oil, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the pasta, tomato, Parmesan cheese, and olives and toss to thoroughly combine. Let the salad stand for 1 hour. Serve on top of lettuce leaves.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together the teriyaki sauce and ginger. Add the chicken, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.

4. Slice the chicken into 1/2-inch wide strips and place them on top of the pasta. Garnish with sprigs of parsley or basil.