Loving Fall

I love the change of the seasons (some more than others) The Fall colors are definitely my favorite and such an inspiration to my painting. Golds, brown, burgundy, orange and green are just to name a few. 

This year I've added Mums and Spider Mums to my collection. Morning Glories is always growing and changing. I'm getting ready for the holiday season. Stop by and browse my Etsy shop and see what's new. I'm sure you'll find something for that hard to buy for person in your life. There are so many beautiful pieces to choose from.

Here are just a few:

Large cookie jar painted with burgundy Mums with shades of yellow
and then green vines and leaves

Square stackable airtight containers hand painted with bright yellow
Sunflowers 

A beautiful Fall cake dish painted with Sunflowers, and burgundy
and orange floral designs over leaves and vines in green and soft yellow


And if your in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, Bucks County or Montgomery County stop by and say hello at
Arch Bishop Craft Show

November 14-15,, 2014

655 York Road

Warminster, Pa.  18974

or visit us at: www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

        

Craft Shows

Today was our first craft show of 2014 at Christian Life Center in Bensalem, Pa. It wasn't the best craft show I've ever done but it did pick up at the end of the day. In doing so many shows over the years I have figured out that your best customers are people who shop by themselves or are repeat customers.
If they come with there husband and they find something they like the husband says "you don't need that". She second guesses herself and then they walk away.
The crafter next to me was selling jewelry. Beautiful jewelery "Creations by Francie" www.creationsbyfrancie.com Well this elderly women saw a pair of earrings that she loved and just had to have. But she had two other people with her and she asked what they thought. One of her friends said "their cute" and walked away, so the other person followed her...........needless to say the customer did not buy the earrings!

So tomorrow we have another craft show at Father Judge in Philadelphia, Pa. Here's hoping the husbands and friends stay home so the customers can do some guilt free shopping.

If your in the Bucks county Montglomery county or Philadelphia Pa area stop by and see us tomorrow or:
11/1/14  at  St Basil Academy
711 Fox Chase Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046

11/14-15/14 at Arch Bishop Wood  

655 York Rd, Warminster, PA 18974

A cup of Coffee and a Cookie

After a full day at my day job I come home (on most days) make dinner and paint for awhile...........and then it's time for a good cup of coffee and a cookie! This usually happens between 8:00 - 8:30pm. That's when I am ready to take a break from painting and just sit and relax. I get alot of ideas at this time, most of them designs for coffee cups (I wonder why)!?!

We have a Kuerig Coffee Maker and although it's a little pricey I love the way the flavored coffees taste from this machine. I feel it's one of the greatest inventions they could have ever come out with. My favorites are blueberry & creme brulee'. But recently we have found a new place called One Cup Joe. They have some of the best Kcups around. Bannanas Foster, Italian Crème cake, Tiramisu Twist and the list goes on and on! Some people say that I'm not a real coffee drinker ......but I say whatever floats your boat and makes you happy is what's right for you!

So the next time your enjoying your favorite cup (no matter what it might be) with your favorite cookie, hop onto your computer and visit Morning Glories. You just must find a beautiful coffee/tea mugs to make your drink break special. 

Visit us at: www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Love HGTV Magazine

This is the best home improvement magazine ever!

If you do decorative painting like I do, this magazine is a must. I get so many ideas for my painting and my home from the many expert designers. I am usually talking to myself out loud while going through the magazine saying "why didn't I think of that"!

The things that help me the most with my painting are the color combinations, some that I would never think to put together myself. When you go to the back of the magazine (as shown in the picture above) they give you a list of all the colors that have been shown. They also have a home section that gives you combos that work well together too!
So pick one up at your newsstand if you don't already get one.  I subscribe, I think your gonna like this magazine.

Visit us at:
www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Inspiration

Someone once asked me "how do you get your inspiration"? Well I never really gave it much thought but this question got me to thinking.

I would say that I am inspired by what surrounds me in my daily life. The weather, the seasons, colors, flowers and discussions with other people about my craft. I get some pretty fabulous ideas by just talking to other people. Magazines give me alot of inspiration and information on what's trending also. 

So........what inspires you? However you get your inspiration please put it to good use to color your world and bring special meaning to the life that surrounds you.

Visit us at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Changing Seasons

As Summer comes to an end and the Fall season begins I am once again reminded of candied apples, pumpkin pie, cool crisp days & warm me up soups. 

I always love decorating my home with scarecrows and mums, haystalks and bales of hay to really get into the change of the season. 

This being said there is no difference when it comes to my Morning Glories shop on Etsy.com. I like to bring back some old favorites and introduce a few new seasonal items for your viewing pleasure. Here are just some of the Fall items that have been posted in my shop. Some are favorites and many are new.

So stop by and see many more seasonal pieces at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Summer Fun

In the summer we like to spend as much time outside as possible. We have a pool and the kids and grandkids love splashing and soaking everyone with their water guns. The lil' guy has fun watching the festivities!

One of my favorite recipes to make is pasta salad (always a crowd pleaser). I have tried many different recipes over the years but this is by far the best one.

Homemade Pasta Salad
1 lb. box Rotini pasta (cooked aldente)

                                                    6-8 Campari tomatoes quartered

                                                    1 small can black olives sliced

                                                    1/2 purple onion

                                                    1 Avocado diced (optional)

                                                    1 full bag of Spinach 

                                                    3 Garlic cloves crushed

                                                    1/2 Bottle Robust or Zesty Italian Dressing (or your preference)
                                                    Parmesano Reggiano cheese

Cook pasta in salted boiling water till aldente. While pasta is cooking add olive oil and crushed garlic to a deep frying pan and simmer till just starting to turn color. Add bag of spinach and stir, sautee-ing spinach and garlic together at a very low heat.  When pasta is cook, drain and then submerge into cold water to stop the 

cooking process. Add all ingredients except for spinach and cheese. Mix thoroughly then stir in spinach and sprinkle cheese. 

You can add diced chicken for a complete meal or serve the original recipe with hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob for a delicious outdoor meal. (This looks like it takes a bit of time to prepare but is made in no time at all and is so good!)

And if your looking for a pretty way to serve your pasta salad take a look a these lovely serving bowls especially for outdoor living.

Visit us at:

                                                www.etsy.com/shop/morninggloriesodl

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Happy Shopping!

We Have a New Shop

It has been an uphill climb to get Morning Glories off the ground and on the Etsy map. We are finally getting recognition after 3 years+ (which everyone tells me is normal for a new business) but now we are 

being found and the shop is succeeding and standing on it's own. 

So I decided to tackle a second shop on Etsy. I wanted it to be products for outdoor living which includes

mailboxes, slates, citronella candle holders, plasticware and much more to come. 

I hope you will stop by and check us.

These are just some of the items in my new shop at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morninggloriesodl

&

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

Been Gone Too Long

I am so not good at keeping up with my blogging!! But I'm gonna try to get better at it.

It's been a very hot start to the summer in our neck of the woods.  I have been busy creating some new

designs and would like to share them with you.  I think these glasses are just right for summertime fun 

with you favorite drinks or dessert.

Perfect for sippin' a cold beverage on a hot day or night. 

And for those yummy snacks for you and your guest these pretty chip and dip sets

So invite your guest over and get ready for a good time with family and friends!

Visit us at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1

www.etsy.com/shop/morninggloriesodl

See you at the shop!!

Movie Night

My husband Albert and I love to watch a good movie and we do once a week or so. A few of our favorites have been "The Butler, 51 First Dates, Elf (we can watch that one all year long), Despicable Me (we love to watch this one with our grandsons, they love dancing at the end of the movie), and there are so many more. 

My husband likes comedy and war movies and I lean toward drama and suspense with a little bit of romance.

But whatever you like, schedule a movie night with your favorite people and enjoy a good bowl of popcorn and your favorite drink and serve it in a pretty bowl or glass which you can find in our shop

Get up and dance at the end of this movie.....it will make you feel good!

 

Come visit out shop and see many ways to enjoy your movie night!

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1
http://www.zibbet.com/Morningglories

I Love to Shop

Etsy, Home Goods, NY & Co, Macy's, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, AC. Moore, Michael's, just to name a few (lol) of my favorites. And I love a good sale, if I can get what I want at a better price I am there!

A long time ago my daughter in law taught me to always go to the clearance rack first........it took me a long time to get used to doing this but you can really find some jewels there.  She changed my way of shopping!

Here at Morning Glories we love a good sale too. All our large wine glass sets and Martini sets are on sale now

Large Wine Glass sets on SALE now 2 @ $35.00

And many more designs to choose from

 And an array of Martini sets too!

So start shopping and while your at it stop my Morning Glories and check us out!

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1
http://www.zibbet.com/Morningglories



Snowing Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again it has snowed again here in the eastern part of the country. Thank goodness the weather reporters scared us for really nothing, it only snowed 2 inches. Piece of cake for all of us after the 12 inch last snow storm. Glad you were wrong weather reporters!

So because of the scary report my office closed for the day so I cooked. (Can't take too many more of these snow days.........I'm starting to gain weight!!!)

These were some of the ingredients

          This was the end product

So I decided to cook a recipe I've been wanting to try, Pasta e Fagioli. and here is the recipe. Try it I think you will like it.

Pasta e Fagioli

1 tbs. olive oil

1 medium onion

1 clove garlic

1 large carrot, sliced

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 tbs. fresh basil, chopped

2 tbs. fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup fresh spinach, stems removed

1-2 cups canned or fresh tomatoes

1 cup canned kidney beans or bean of your choice

4 cups chicken broth

2 tbs.lemon juice

1/2 tbs white wine vinegar (I used white wine)

1 tsp. dried oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 cup cooked short pasta

Grated parmesan cheese

Heat olive oil in heavy saucepan or dutch oven. Add onion, garlic & carrot & cook until the onions caramelize. Add the zucchini, basil, parsley & spinach. Cook until wilted. Add the remaining ingredients except for the pasta and cheese. Bring the mixture to a boil & simmer gently 20-30 minutes.

When done add cooked pasta and serve topped with grated parmesan cheese.

This soup was delicious but I will say the my mother in law Josephine made a mean Pasta Fagioli and it was very good also and one that I make every Good Friday. 

And this was dessert, Duncan Hines brownies! 

Don't you want to just lick that spatula!

So if your in the mood for cooking try this recipe, I think your love it.

And while your enjoying your soup and brownies visit us at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1
http://www.zibbet.com/Morningglories

Is that a Leprechan I see?

St Patrick's Day is almost upon us and here at Morning Glories we have no shortage of shamrocks. We have pilsners, wine glasses, martini's and margarita's ready for your favorite libatiion. These painted shamrocks can be hand painted on any piece of glassware. Here's what you'll see in the shop.

One of my favorite recipes for serving Martini's

2 oz. Irish Whiskey

1 oz. Dry Vermouth

1 tsp. Green Creme De Menthe

Pour all ingredients into a shaker over ice, shake and pour into you shamrock martini glass. 

Erin Go Bragh!

May the green be with you!!

Visit us at:

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1
http://www.zibbet.com/Morningglories

Just A Dollop!!

Once winter sets in and there's snow on the ground I like to come home from my day job and have a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with a dollop of whip creme (or marshmallows). And a great way to enjoy that drink is in some beautiful mugs that have been hand painted just for this reason.

There are many to choose from at Morning Glories shop but here are just a few that are available.
So whatever your pleasure please stop by the shop and pick up a mug just for you.

www.etsy.com/shop/morningglories1
http://www.zibbet.com/Morningglories