Give Something A Bit Different for Valentine's Day

The day for love, hugs, and kisses is fast approaching.  Here comes Valentine's Day!
Many people buy the usual card, flowers, and chocolates....but why not do something different this year? All month long I will feature Valentine's Day gift ideas for those of us looking for something a bit "DIFFERENT" and "UNIQUE" to give to the people we love this year! Look at all the sweet goodies I found. Check these out! 

First up are these wonderful Valentine Hearts Ipod/Cell Phone Cozies from Curiouspug.  Alycia designed these with an extra pocket on the back to keep your ear buds in. 

The next item is a Felted Wool Wine Bottle Bag from Rulatwal. Rula designed these in a beautiful oatmeal color with an eye-popping red heart on the front.

While browsing today I also found this cute "Heart on the Line" letterpress print. You can find these at Sweet Harvey. They are hand drawn by artist Brandi Powell. 

My last find of the day are these Glitter Hearts Bottle Cap Magnets. They can be found at Bean Things. Jeanna even includes a beautiful gift box when you order these.

So please share your unique items for Valentine's Day with us. Click "COMMENT" below and tell us where to find more cute gift giving ideas.


Also, I am starting to sell "Ad Space" on my blog for online businesses. Several clickable ads from other businesses will  appear my blog beginning on Monday. If you are looking for low cost advertising for your business please contact me at cokiepop@yahoo.com.

The Birdies go “Tweet”

I am soooo ready for spring and to hear the little “tweet tweet” of our cute feathered friends. Birds seem to be an inspiration at this time of the year for many crafters and artists as they create new designs for 2010.

I use birds often in my designs because they make me think of the beautiful and warm, springtime weather. Here is one of my acrylic albums decorated with what I call....”Zany Birds & Flowers”.

The cover is designed with whimsical circles, jewels, a bursting star, and of course a little “bling bling”. Acrylic albums are sturdy enough to stand on their own. They can stand on a coffee table, bookcase, or desk. They are sure to add a little flair to your home décor.

While browsing Etsy the other day I came across these two cute little birdies from Felt Me Up Designs. Aren't they ADORABLE!

Mel created these adorable love birds. She is a felt maker and fiber artist based in Scarborough, UK. She also makes wedding cake toppers, creatures, bags, purses, tea cosies, slippers, embroidered felt art works, and felt sculptures. Check out her shop when you have time for more cuteness!

If you'd like to be featured on my blog please post a comment below about this post. Do you know of another shop that features birds? Do you make cute birdies? Let us know. We'd be happy to check out your shop! TWEET! TWEET!

Calling All Things Cute and Quirky

I'm a big fan of cute, quirky, and unusual characters. One of my favorite characters is from Etsy seller E. Jayne H. Creations. She is a designer living in the U.K. and she loves to "create random treasures to amuse herself."

One of her cute characters is called "Good Teeth McNashers"

This big tasty apple likes to show off his perfect teeth with a big grin. It's different, it's adorable, and it makes you SMILE when you look at it.

I also love traditional characters like "Hello Kitty".  I have a scrapbook album in my online store that is lovingly dedicated to the "Little Diva"!  Check it out if you are a fan like me!

Do you have a unique character that you sell online?

Would you like to be featured in a new weekly segment that I am lovingly calling:
"Quirky Cute Fridays"
If you would like to be considered please leave a "COMMENT" below with your info. You can also nominate others as well.  Bring on the fun!

Yummy - What's your Favorite Recipe? Tell us Below!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to start eating healthy.  I've been searching different websites for low-fat and heart healthy recipes that I can try at home.  I've found quite a few. I've been using my younger daughter Rachel as my guinea pig. So far so good. She has actually liked the dishes that I have tried so far.

A great place to store your recipes is in one of my custom made recipe boxes. I have two designs so far at the Cokie Pop Paper Boutique website.  Check them out when you have time. My newest recipe box is inspired by bright colors and a "vintage" mom theme.

Another great place to find great recipes is at the Food Network. I love Sandra Lee and Paula Deen. Sandra's dishes are "semi-homemade" which means that she combines 70% ready-made products with 30% fresh products. Her dishes are wonderful and they are easy to make.

Now Ms. Paula loves her "BUTTER" doesn't she?  She is also so fun to watch on T.V. She makes cooking fun.  I do change her recipes up a bit and subtitute fat-free ingredients into her dishes instead of the more fatty ones.  In the end they still taste GREAT and are HEART HEALTHY!

I love Paula's banana pudding recipe called "Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding". Instead of using the traditional Vanilla Wafers. Paula uses the Pepperidge Farm cookies instead. Here's the link to the recipe if you'd like to try it at home.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding-recipe/index.html

Please click on the "COMMENT" section below and tell us what your favorite recipe is. Provide a link to it if you have it. I'd love to try them.

Cricut Expression vs. Quickutz Silhouette vs. “The Slice” – Give me Your Review

I have so many crafty friends who are fans of all of the new and old techie machines for crafters. Several of my friends can't live without their Cricut. Yet others love the convenience of the Silhouette. And still others love the portability of The Slice.

At The Cokie Pop Paper Boutique I use the Cricut Expression in some of my designs and for my own personal craft projects.

Which do you prefer? Please comment below and share your views about these 3 machines!

And remember anyone that comments will have their name entered in a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate from The Cokie Pop Paper Boutique.

So what is all the hoopla surrounding these machines? And what are the major differences?

The main issue is “CARTRIDGES”. The biggest difference between the Cricut Expressions and the Quickutz Silhouette is cartridges. With the Silhouette there are no external cartridges required. You simply connect the Silhouette to your computer and use your existing fonts or images. Should you desire to purchase designs and other items, you can. But the key is that you don't have to.

The Slice made by Making Memories is unique in it's own way too. It weighs less than two pounds and is easily portable. And because it's cordless you can cut anywhere on any size media. It's definitely a machine for the “on-the-go” crafter.

So please share your comments below with us? Which do you like better and Why?

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!

This Saturday is a big day in the country. Thousands of troops will start selling Girl Scout Cookies!

My daughter Rachel is in a troop here in Texas. Their troop has sold so many cookies that they have made "Super Troop" for the last 4 years. The top seller in our area has always been Thin Mints. My personal favorites are the Caramel Delites and the Peanut Butter sandwhich cookies. Yum Yum!

It's been 90 years since Girl Scouts began selling home-baked cookies to raise money. The idea was so popular that in 1936, Girl Scouts of the USA enlisted bakers to handle the growing demand. Since then, selling Girl Scout Cookies has become a successful way to help girls develop important leadership skills and earn money for activities.

I have a cute Girl Scout Keepsake tin in my shop for those looking for a great gift idea for the Girl Scout in your life. It's great to display in your child's bedroom, great for giving to a hard working troop leader, or to carry around while selling cookies in your community.

I will keep you all posted on how sales go this year! I know that I will have to spend extra time in the gym for the next month with all the cookie boxes that will be lying around my house. If you see a Girl Scout troop selling these yummy cookies go and support them and buy a box. They even have reduced fat cookies now! Enjoy!

What a Great Week!

I am slowly but surely getting the new online shop going and in the full swing of things.

This week is starting off great though as the new shop has been featured in a blog. Plus one of my handmade items has also been featured in a Treasury. To see the shop feature and read the interview that was done on me hop on over to Michelle's blog called "Nature Manipulated". There you will find out some interesting tidbits about my background and how I got started crafting.

Also, the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) - featured one of my items in their latest Treasury. For details click on
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=103938

They featured my Butterfly Design Clipboard. This clipboard is also decorated with daisies and bumblebees. It is a fun clipboard that comes with a beautiful gift tag.

For more details check out: http://www.etsy.comview_listing.php?listing_id=37500554

And if you are ever looking for great jewelry, bookmarks, photography, and more check out Michelle's shop on etsy:
www.naturemanipulated.etsy.com

I just love this design by Michelle. It's a Topaz and Green Murano Glass Teardrop Necklace.
The design is absolutely beautiful.

Be sure to leave a comment to this post or sign up to follow the blog to be entered in this month's prize drawing.

The winner will be chosen on January 31st. Your prize is anything from my shop. Yes.....ANYTHING! Good luck!

Capture Memories All Year Long

Happy New Year Everyone! A great resolution to make this year is to take all of your photos still sitting in your memory stick or in boxes and develop them to display in a cute scrapbook album.

If you are looking for a great album to display on a shelf or coffee table then check out my Good Times All Year Long album.

This is a 10 page album with beautiful embellishments and crisp, photo mats accenting every page. This album is truly photo-ready.

You can find more pictures and details about this item by clicking here.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37502935

My sister sent this with me the other day and it is great to share with others.
Enjoy and Happy New Year!

In the New Year In front of you are new opportunities, new friends, new relationships, and new adventures. Time to take chances and follow your dreams. No matter your age or current position in life, there are so many things available to you if you remember that all is anew, that all you desire - you deserve. Find your way in this life, the only life you'll ever have. Enjoy your family and friends. Treasure every breath that is given to you. Accept the blessings that will come your way and take all the chances given to you to bless others.