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Thursday, January 19, 2012

New Friend.

My Hubby won't let me...

but I want another puppy.

Preferably a rescue dog.

Look at some of the choices out there:)

Yorkies:)

Maltese

Peek-A-Pook (like our Otis)

Wishful thinking always,

Kimmie B.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

It's ONE Month Away!!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays!

Now that I have entered into married life,

it's all the more meaningful to me:)

This year (our second V-day as a married couple)

I wanted to give something to my hub extra special.

We normally go to Tapa's 177 Lounge in Rochester

on February 14th for a romantic and expensive dinner.

Hell, it's only once a year!

I can justify spending the money:)

We normally exchange gifts before or after dinner

when we are at our home.

This year I want to present my gift to my love at dinner!

Tapa's is a very hip and artsy kind of place.

It's a yuppy kind of hang out,

which makes it all the more fun to people watch!

Since David doesn't have facebook and only

reads my blogs when I let him:)

Let me share with you what he is going to get.

First of all you all know

we are big art lovers at 5 Wilelen,

but we also have a budget and limited money

for the finer things in life,

such as expensive art work.

Hence that's why I have painted much of the art work

up on the walls and

I have be on a serious hunt for great new

artists with reasonable pricing!

Make's no difference to us if an artist is just starting out.

Art is art.

It just has to appeal to an individuals eye!

There are just as talented starving artists as

there are famous rich ones.

I just prefer someone's art less stressful on the

pocket book!

So, getting to my point.

I decided to buy this lovely 14" by 18" screen print on Etsy.com.

for my husband.

He LOVES the Big Labowski movie and he

likes art work.

Put two and two together...

BAM!

Big Lebowski "What do you do for Recreation" Print

( find this artists shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BasemintDesign?ref=seller_info)

It's so Dave!

This print is a dime!

It has come in the mail already and it's all

I hoped for and more!

I bought this frame for it.

(amazon.com)

It was very inexpensive and have five star reviews!

I think he is going to LOVE it:)

Shhhh!

Don't tell him.

I was just too excited not to share a month early:)

I will post pictures of that special day when it comes.

Have a happy Sunday ...

off to sew:)

Kimmie

Giving old things New life.

I am on my way.

Last Sunday I sat down and learned how to

thread my sewing machine.

Since it has been 12 years since the last time

I have done this and on a completely different type

of machine,

it didn't come easy.

Honestly I took me a good hour to finally do

this successfully!

But I am on my way.

I have been practicing and I am actually not as

bad as I thought I would be!

Suprise:)

Today.

I am going to attempt a simple throw pillow.

I bought a patter for pillows I can follow.

I have a ton of vintage fabric and the stuffing!

Let's see how this goes!

Inspirations.

I found a few gorgeous pillows made out of

recycled vintage fabric.

I hope someday mine look as beautiful as these!!!

So bright and uplifting!

Makes me wanna put them all together, lay on em and snuggle up

with a good book!

Just lovely<3

Wish me luck:)

Always inspiring,

Kimmie B.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Big New in Small Shop!

Things are happening.

I forgot to mention in my last post how

well my shop is doing in the past month or so:)

In December The Vintage Gamble at Etsy.com sold...

a grand total of EIGHT items.

In my shop STATS that is a record!

I feel accomplished.

Here is a look at what I sold in Dec.

It's the first week in January and

I have sold two more items:)

The depression glass plate was the FIRST item I ever listed

on Etsy, last February!

I am so pleased it found a home")

I have been working a little harder on promoting and on adds...

hard work does pay off!

Here are two more wonderful items I put up for sale

this morning!

Happy Searches...

Rare Strawberry Shortcake mug

Flower Power Mod Mug

Vintage mugs seem to do extremely well in my shop.

I have sold many sets as well as single serving "friends"

LOL!

Tea Cups do great too!

Lots of coffee and tea lovers out there I suppose.

Strawberry Shortcake from the 1980s does exceptionally well also.

Three out of four in my shop have found homes.

Cheers to 2012 a new year for the Etsy lover in YOU!

I will be coming up on my year mark in February so

keep an eye out for sales in The Vintage Gambler shop!

Proud owner,

Kimmie B.

Busy Bee

Sometimes the Sun Hides.

It's been quite an emotional ride the last few weeks.

As a lot of you know my Granny Betty DeAnthony passed away

last Monday.

Very Very sad.

I do realize that she is at peace now.

And this keeps me at ease.

It's been a struggle,

death in a family is never easy.

RIP Bob and Betty.

On the Brighter Side.

Beside the sad news

I have been keeping my self very busy!

It's the only way not to loose your self in grieving.

I am convincing my self this!

It's time to try a NEW recipe!

Last night I made chicken chili for the first time!

I followed this (five star) recipe:

Ingredients

4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
1/8 cup good olive oil, plus extra for chicken
1/8 cup minced garlic (2 cloves)
2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
2 yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken
2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
4 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

Chopped onions, corn chips, grated cheddar, sour cream

Directions

Cook the onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes by hand or in batches in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (pulse 6 to 8 times). Add to the pot with the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Let cool slightly. Separate the meat from the bones and skin and cut it into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Serve with the toppings, or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.

It came out PERFECT!

Art Cleanses Your Soul.

Besides cooking and cleaning this past week,

I have also found time to do my favorite past time ever!

PAINT:)

I have a lot more to do but I am def. elbow deep into

this new painting!

It's bright colors cheers me up when I become down and out!