SusieQTpies Cafe

Friday

Coffee Month- Jon Whitney Pottery

Happy Coffee Month! I had the pleasure to come across a beautiful store on ETSY, Jon Whitney Pottery. He makes functional pottery that is affordable enough to use it every day!

Here is his bio: Jon Whitney Pottery was established in the country setting of Mason Michigan in late 2004. Since that time he has strived to make beatiful functional pottery that is affordable enough for every day use. He thrives off inspiration from natural forms and the ideas of the arts and crafts movement. All of his wares are high fired stoneware finished in a gas reduction kiln. The work is safe for the dishwasher and microwave for easy handling.

Some School and Work Information: He attended Eastern Michigan University with the intention of becomming an art teacher, then started making pots. As any potter can tell you that was the end of that. He loved making pots and decided to make it his life. He quit his job at a retail store in his junior year and went to work in a slip casting shop to pay the rest of his way through school by working with some type of clay. After school he worked at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. Pewabic is one of the last 3 functioning arts and craft pottery studios still going in the states. The experience of being the wheel thrower and running the glaze room gave him what grad school would not, that being training as a production potter. After 4 years he got the itch and moved out to the country to seek his fortune in life. He built my own gas reduction kiln and works out of his own home/studio. His wife helps to keep him sane and his studio cat Osiris keep him company durring the day.

He is also a member of the Etsy Mud Team (EMT) check us out at http://etsymudteam.craft-sense.com.

My take on his product: I reviewed a piece of Jon's art! He sent me one of his espresso cups. It is a beautiful piece of art. It is a perfect 1/2 cup sized espresso cup. It is strong and durable. I'm so impressed with his work. All of his products would make great gifts for anyone. I learned that his wares are high fired stoneware in a gas reduction kiln. This makes each piece safe for the dishwasher and microwave.

Stop in and visit Jon Whitney Pottery at ETSY, his Blog and on Twitter! He also post his newest work for viewing on flkr http://www.flickr.com/photos/29331762@N02/

Leave a comment below on something you learned and go claim 10 EXTRA entries to any of my current giveaways!

Shutterfly Experience and Giveaway

There are quite a few online photo shops! One of my all time favorite is Shutterfly. I've used them on and off over the years. Every order turns out as expected. I usually order based on the special that catches my attention. Last Christmas, I ordered customized photo books for the Grandparents for Christmas gifts. This by, far, was the best thing I have ever ordered from them. The books looked like I spent a lot time making. Shutterfly made the experience extremely easy! Once I made one book, it was super easy to make 2 more using the same photos or adding in more.

I've been neglectful the past few years with sending out Christmas cards and photos to friends and family. I'm thinking this year that I might order Christmas Photo Cards because it will be quick, easy, affordable and appreciate by those receiving them. Do you send out Christmas cards? Photos? I love the professional look of their cards.

When I was searching their site today, I found these adorable Thank You cards! Sometimes I'm slow at sending Thank You cards. The cards that I found where perfect to make up for my procrastination disease. You upload a photo on to the card and the word THANKS is on the front. HOW ADORABLE! Who wouldn't LOVE to get this in the mail!? I love their site because they give you a lot of ideas! I love the card with the pictures of the bride and groom from their wedding. What a great way to say THANKS to those who attended your wedding by sending them a Thank you card with pictures of your wedding.

GIVEAWAY

36 photo cards -3 winners will get 12 photo cards (5 X 7s)

To enter- Tell me what type of photo cards you might buy if you win! Leave email with entry.

Bonus entries - 5 each
1) Follow my blog (any way, right side bar)
2) Tweet giveaway "Enter to win photo cards from Shutterfly! http://bit.ly/PhotoCards " , unlimited
3) Follow on twitter @susieqtpies and @Shutterfly
4) Have you ever ordered from Shutterfly? Share your experience.
5) Enter any of my other giveaways (right side bar)
GIVEAWAY ends September 14

Shutterfly and SheBlogs provided me with the post opportunity which includes the giveaway cards and photo cards for myself to enjoy. USA.

DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE your chance to win?? GO check out
Snow White's Blog and The Creative Side of me. They are doing the same giveaway!!!

Amish Proverbs Kindle Giveaway Book Tour

My Take on the Book: This is such an awesome book of wisdom! The chapters in this book include: Time, Money, Faith, Children & Family, In Word & Deed, Work Ethic, Handling Adversity, Education, Community, Character and Just for Fun! It is explained that "proverbs are short sentences drawn from long experiences." That makes total sense to me. I never really thought about it before but each culture has their own proverbs and as the book pointed out, to know the people and their culture, know their proverbs.

Here are a few of my favorites: If you let your children have their own way, you must not complain if they give you trouble. Swallowing words before you say them is so much better than having to eat them afterward. Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it because a butterfly.

The pictures are simple and beautiful in the book. This is a book you can read over and over. It would make a great gift for any one at any age.

Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour here.

Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway! (OVER)

About Amish Proverbs: Simplify your life with Amish wisdom

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

About Suzanne Woods Fisher: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

~~(OVER) One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:~~

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation
* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

~~To enter, simply click on the icons below (if not working click the links 1 and 2) to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.~~
Winner of this Grand Prize will be announced on September 1st. Hurry and go enter!

I'm participating in the LitFuse book tour. A book was provided to me to review as well as one for the giveaway. USA only

Thursday

Coffee Month- Java Dog Cafe Tshirt Giveaway

Woof Woof Happy Coffee Month!!! Check out this awesome shirt from Ruby & Bee. "Ruby" got the concept for the line was to create a fun, sporty line of "boutique" clothing for dogs and coordinating tees for their humans. She created a doggy and me line! They make highly durable, high quality, American-made garments. Ruby & Bee (cutest dog, ever and aka CNO- Chief Napping Officer) is a small company that cares about customer service and the design process. Ruby is a proud member of ETSY for Animals and 10% of each sale goes to help the animals.

I reviewed the Java Dog Cafe tee! All the tees are American made and hand screened. They have a slim fit to accentuate all of a womens curves! This is a high quality, soft feel tshirt. In the tee description, it states that the tees run small and they really do! So make sure you order up a size. You can also get a cape/vest for your dog to coordinate a "doggie & me" look! How fun!

GIVEAWAY

1 tee of your choice

Entry: Go check out Ruby and Bee and tell me which tee you would get if you won! Leave comment with your email address
BONUS entries- worth 5 each

1) Follow my blog-Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs (right side bar)
2) Follow @Susieqtpies on Twitter
3) Check out Ruby and Bee on ETSY- tell me something you learned, something you would give as a gift and heart her shop.
4) Check out her store website, too! Leave a comment on something you learned.
5) Tweet Giveaway "Check out this line of Doggy and Me clothes! You can win a Tee! Woof Woof http://bit.ly/JavaDogTshirt "
6) Enter any of my other giveaways (right side bar)

Giveaway ends September 15th
Ruby and Bee provided the review and giveaway item. Opinions expressed are my own tasty words.

Coffee Month- Artist Wire Coffee Clip Giveaway

Happy Coffee Month! Let's celebrate today with a wonderful ETSY store, Occasionware. Store owner, Ginger, sells kitchen serving items wrapped in wire and glass beads. These items are gorgeous! They would make wonderful gifts for a bridal shower, housewarming gift, etc. These items should be sold in specialty kitchen shops and gift shops.

I had the pleasure to review the 1 1/2 Tbsp, stainless steel (no rust, no tarnish) coffee scoop and bag clip. I was so impressed with the stainless steel clip. Very high quality. The wire with glass beads is wrapped around the handle. It works great to clip a bag of coffee. It is orginal and looks beautiful, too! The colors available are red, green blue, aqua, purple, brown, black and hematite.

Would you like to win one?? Win it for yourself or as a gift for someone else!

GIVEAWAY

1 Coffee Clip

To enter: Go visit Occasionware and leave a comment on which item from her store you would love to have! Leave your email address with this entry.

BONUS ENTRIES:

5 entries for each

1) Follow my blog-Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs (right side bar)
2) Follow @Susieqtpies on Twitter
3) Check out Occasionware on ETSY- tell me something you learned, something you would give as a gift and heart her shop.
4) Tweet Giveaway "Check out Occasionware Kitchen item and WIN your own! http://bit.ly/KitchenWare "
5) Enter any of my other giveaways (right side bar)

Giveaway ends September 15th
Occasionware provided the review and giveaway item. Opinions expressed are my own tasty words.

Coffee Month- Sustainable Art Giveaway by TreeBed Designs

Happy Coffee Month! I'm excited to share with you a really cool ETSY store, TreeBed Designs. The artist, Micah, is a designer with a passion for sustainable community. Here is his ETSY Bio: Hand made stories are such a big part of sustainable community, which makes Etsy a great fit for my work.

Much of what I make uses found objects, I am currently even using clay that I dug up out of my back yard. I live just outside of the Napa Valley, and find many materials (and inspiration) there.

Other than that... I am just a guy who loves to create, whether its in clay, music, paint or just random things I find along my travels. Thanks for taking a look at my shop, and participating in my story.

What a fun designer! I reviewed the above, coffee magnet! I am so impressed with the wire work on this magnet. It is wonderful to see someone make Art using "found objects." This magnet as well as his other art should be sold in specialty gift shops.

Enter to win your own piece of art from TreeBed Designs. He is making the same magnet for the winner of this giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

1 magnet

To enter: Go visit TreeBed Designs and tell me something about his store, product you like, etc. Leave a comment with your email address.

BONUS ENTRIES- 5 entries for each

1) Follow my blog-Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs

2) Follow @Susieqtpies and TreeBed on Twitter

3) Check out TreeBed blog and TreeBed Shop- tell me something you learned

4) Check out TreeBed Designs on ETSY and heart his shop and comment here on something you would buy

5) Tweet Giveaway "Enter to win sustainable art from TreeBed Designs http://bit.ly/SustainableArt "

6) Enter any of my other giveaways (right side bar)

Giveaway ends September 15th

TreeBed provided the review and giveaway item. Opinions expressed are my own tasty words.

Super Quick Pumpkin Dip Recipe

My KIDS LOVE this dip!!! If you kids love are a little shy to try pumpkin this is a good one for you to try for them. The pumpkin flavor isn't overwhelming and makes for a perfect fall dip.

Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

1- 16oz carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

1- 5oz pkg instant vanilla pudding mix

1- 15oz can solid pack pumpkin

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

ginger snaps, graham crackers, apples cinnamon graham sticks

Directions

Mix in a large bowl and refrigerate. It is ready whenever you want to eat it. I love it with graham crackers. It is very easy and is a hit with all ages! I always sprinkle the serving bowl with more pumpkin pie spice.

Here are some pictures! My girls and I were having fun with the whipped topping before we did the mixing! Enjoy!