Surviving- ESN Scavenger Hunt

Hurricane Irene paid us a visit this weekend.  We experienced high winds, torrential downpours and even a tornado warning.  The tornado was the scariest of all because it touched down about 3 miles from our house.  Our power went out and is not supposed to be fixed before Sunday.  We were fortunate though, our neighbor was so kind and shared his generator with us.  On Monday, after going to at least 7 stores, we were able to purchase a generator.  We consider ourselves one of the lucky ones because we didn't have extensive damage to our house or property. 
Today, the sun is shining, life continues and the clean up begins.

On to the eCrater Stores Scavenger Hunt and my picks for this week.

Checking in with Bargain Express I found a craft book that I could have used during the blackout.  The Simply Handmade book has 365 easy craft projects. Since I am not much of a crafter, easy is good - very good.

Visiting Eccentric Thrifter I chose The PREDATORS Wolf puzzle.  I thought 1000 pieces that should keep the hubby busy for awhile.

Stopping by Barb's Bargain Reading Corner is always a treat.  I found Angel Falls, a romantic thriller, by Nora Roberts. A Nora Robert's book is just right for a Sunday afternoon reading session.

There are so many unique items listed on the eCrater Stores Network. Membership is open to shoppers and eCrater store owners.

Group Therapy T Shirt

One of the perks of running your own embroidery business is we are able to embroider special gifts for family and friends.  And those gifts in turn are listed in our online store.  For instance, the Group Therapy t shirt was initially embroidered for my special group of woman friends.  We've been friends for years and one evening the remark "we don't need therapy we have our group" was jokingly made.  So, for Christmas gifts we embroidered each of my friends a Group Therapy t shirt which features their favorite beverages.  Needless to say, they all loved the shirt.

To see the Group Therapy t shirt visit us online at Embroidery Fashions Boutique.

Eye Candy - In the Eye of the Beholder

This week's theme at the eCrater Stores Network scavenger hunt blog is Candy.  I couldn't help it!  The first thing to come to my mind was Eye candy. Eye candy conjures up a number of different images; however in a marketing sense,  Eye Candy usually means the visual appeal or attractiveness of a product to the consumer.  Since all  ESN scavenger hunt blog member stores are eye candy, it was hard to choose.

 Check out the Hawaiian  shirts available at Eccentric Thrifter.  She has many colors and sizes  and patterns from which to choose.  The Hawaiian Blues Tropical shirt has my vote.

If you are looking for vintage glassware, you must visit Carolinabluelady.

  The 1950's glass daffodil pitcher  is just one of the fabulous vintage glass items she has in her ecrater store.



  The Ancient Dreams Cameo Necklace listed at Twilight's Slumber was my next candidate for eye candy.  She has a few different cameo necklaces listed.  Check them out.

Visit the eCrater Stores Newtwork to see more products available from eCraterSellers.

Move over bridezillas make room for the groomzillas



Groomzilla Black T Shirt



Move over bridezillas and make room for the groomzillas.  According to a recent morning show, grooms are actively participating in wedding planning.  It seems that grooms want to be involved not just in the traditional groom's role; but in every aspect of wedding planning. 

Even though we are planning a wedding right now, I wouldn't classify our bride as a bridezilla.  In fact, she has been budget conscious and pretty easy going during the planning process. Sometimes a little too much laid back for this Mother of the Bride. 

However, what did surprise me was the groom is more involved in the planning process than I anticipated.  Recently, the wedding invitations were mailed.  The invites were designed, printed and mailed by the groom. He is keeping track of the responses. And he will report the tally to the caterer. He has been involved in the complete wedding planning process from choosing the officiant, the wedding venue, the photographer, to discussing the menu. Since I design most of our t shirts, I could not resist the urge to add a groomzilla t shirt and groomzilla hat to the groom line.  Even though he doesn't fit the bill, I thought it would be a cute gift for his bachelor party.

White Groomzilla T Shirt

Black Goomzilla embroidered Cap

Comfort Food - Italian Style

Yesterday was one of those days. You know the Murphy's law kind of day.  What can go wrong; did go wrong.  Traffic on I-295 was worse than normal.  Customers were waiting for us when we pulled into the parking lot.  Ok- that's not such a bad thing.  Our blank t shirt order was wrong.  The embroidery machines were acting up.  And some much needed inventory still has not arrived.  Finally, it was 4:00pm - closing time.  On the way home, we decided to go out to dinner.  What I needed was some good ole comfort food - Italian syle comfort food.  We headed to one of our local Italian restaurants.
That's when things changed.  The spaghetti and brocolli rabe was just what I needed.  And the coolest  part - the restaurant even featured a Frank Sinatra singer.
All in all it was a pretty good ending to a crappy day.

Buttery Delights

The theme for this week ESN scavenger hunt blog is butter.
When I was a child I remember holding  buttercup flowers under my chin to see if I liked butter. It is impossible to do that with the ESN blogggers.  But, it is easy enough to search their eCrater stores for products which are butter related.
 I went hunting at Carolinabluelady and found this Federal Depression Diana Crystal Bowl Bread-Butter Plate.  The bowl and bread-butter plate is a terrific find because it can also be used to serve sauces or salad dressings.

 I need something to go on the bread and butter plate.  What could be better than homemade bread.  Check out this bread machine cookbook from Bargain Express.  I can just picture homemade bread oozing with butter. 

The next item I choose is the cookie press from EccentricThrifter.  I use a cookie press for making only one kind of cookie-. Butter Cookies.  Butter cookies are my hubby's all time favorite and I make them frequently.

 It's been a fun and interesting blogger hunt this week.  Enjoy!

BBQ Time on ESN

This week's ESN scavenger's hunt blog theme is Grill Kings.  Can't you just picture your first BBQ of the season.?  I can. 

Besides preparing new recipes, I enjoy using unique BBQ serving pieces and tableware.
These salt and pepper shakers that resemble canning jars are perfect for outdoor use.  Comycgyrl has some really cool salt and pepper shakers in her store.

Since I like to serve both  hot and cold dishes at a BBQ, the  Tasty Temp 454 Food Server from Eccentric Thrifter  would be a good choice. It is Water temperature controlled. So there are no worries about dangling electrical cords.

I can visualize my friends enjoying a favorite summertime dessert in these vintage Tupperware parfait dishes from Bargain Express.  Check out her ecrater store for more vintage Tupperware.  You won't be disappointed.

Seeing all the cool grilling items from the eCrater Stores Network reminds me I'd better start planning my first BBQ of the season.

This morning I was checking out some of my friends' news feed on  facebook.  There were tons of posts, videos, and pictures of their kids and grand kids playing little league.  I am definitely a baseball junkie and will read or watch anything  baseball related.  And when it comes to kids playing the sport, the games are priceless.  In one video, the batter hit a double, the camera panned to his little sister who was jumping up and down and cheering her big brother. 
Bingo!  New t shirt idea for our store.  Big brother, little sister and baseball rolled into one. 

Camouflage Ring Bearer T Shirts

Since Memorial day is considered the unofficial start of the wedding season, Embroidery Fashions Boutique is busy adding new wedding party t shirts to our eCrater store.  One of our best sellers is our custom embroidered camouflage Official Ring Guard ring bearer t shirt.  We've expanded the camo line and

just added a new King of the Ring camo ring bear t shirt.

The camouflage ring bearer t shirts are custom embroidered on our premises.

To see more of our embroidered camoflauge wedding t shirts and hats visit our Bridal Shop.

Vintage Books

The last part of our ESN scavenger's hunt blog for this week is to post an extraordinary item from another blogger's eCrater store. 

It was so difficult to do because there are so many unique items from which to choose.  Since reading books is one of my passions,  I looked for a book.

 After much hunting, I choose the Stoddards Practical Arithmetic For Men Schools and Business textbook from Comycgyrl    Collectibles.    I know - a vintage arithmetic book. The name alone makes me smile,

Comycgyrl has an eclectic selection of  books.  I'm sure you will find one to suit your fancy.

Visit the eCrater Stores Network where you will find a sampling of  products available from all of our members.