I Married a Man Who Doesn't Deal Well With Change!

This year was a different Thanksgiving celebration for us. We celebrated a day late! And after almost 29 years of marriage, I realized how badly my husband deals with change.

 

Our kids families often can't come home to celebrate with us because of all their kid's activities, work etc. This year our son's family planned on coming the Wednesday before Thanksgiving! We were so excited! Then the cupcake store our daughter-in-law works at decided to have their grand reopening (they had recently moved to a new storefront) on Black Friday. And Wendy had to work on Thursday to prep for the anticipated crowds!

So I said that's fine, we'll celebrate Thanksgiving a day late. Oh, my. The only thing out of David's mouth was "what are we going to do about Thanksgiving?" I kept telling him, we'll just eat like normal on Thanksgiving and have the big meal on Friday with our son's family. And again "Well, what are we going to do about Thanksgiving?" And on and on.

So finally I said - "Let's have the hot crab dip you love so much for Thanksgiving" and he was a happy man! Recipe is below, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!


Our Favorite Crab Dip

You will need:
     1 cup crabmeat
     1 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
     1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
     1 tbsp. milk
     1/4 cup Onion Blossum Horseradish dip
     1 tbsp. minced onion
     1 cup grated cheddar cheese
     2 ounces slivered almonds

Remove cartilage from crab & sprinkle w/ Old Bay. Stir to blend. In separte bowl beat cream cheese & milk until soft. Add onion, horseradish dip, and half the cheddar cheese. Fold in crab. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and almonds. Bake at 350 degrees 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot with crusty bread or light crackers.

Note: I always double this recipe. If you can't find Rothchild Farms Onion Blossum Horseradish Dip, substitute any horseradish sauce.

http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

http://www.facebook.com/DonnasStuffMore

https://twitter.com/#!/DonnasStuffMore

Collecting White House Christmas Ornaments

We started collecting the White House Christmas ornaments a number of years ago, and have all of them except the first two - 1981 and 1982. We found many of the older ones shopping online. This year we are displaying them in the foyer on this "wall Christmas Tree".

The 2011 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United States. This year's ornament reflects the excitement that President Roosevelt, his wife Edith, and their lively young family brought to life at the White House. The front face of the ornament is a color illustration derived from a political cartoon drawn by William A. Rogers in 1901. Capturing the anticipation associated with the family's first White House Christmas, a jolly Santa Claus crosses the snow covered North Lawn carrying a large bag of toys over his shoulder and announces, "I hear that there are some kids in the White House this year."

I wanted to write a blog about the history of the White House Ornaments, but in doing my research found this fabulous article by John Atchison which I am sharing here:

 

The History of White House Christmas Ornaments
by John Atchison
Created on: November 12, 2010
"To many, Christmas trees and the way that you decorate them makes a statement.  Some go for tons of lights and tinsel, while others are more traditional in nature.  In that traditional framework some also like to incorporate different themes from year to year, hoping to build a rich lore for their families to continue for years into the future.  Are you one of these types?  If you are, there is an ornament collection that you just might be interested in.   The collection comes from the White House and it is rich in history and fabulous to look at.

The collection began in 1981 when The White House Historical Association began selling ornaments to the public, with one ornament created each year.  In the one that started the tradition, an ornament was crafted that was a replica of a famous weathervane angel from back in Massachusetts lore.  This decoration actually hung on a Christmas Tree in the White House Blue Room that year and thus began this unique collection that goes through today.
The following year also went the historic weathervane route, this time recreating the Dove of Peace weathervane that had been present for many years at Mount Vernon, home of the 1st President of the United States, George Washington.  This would be the last White House ornament that would be based on an historic weathervane, but gave hints as to what the continuous theme from then on would be.  Due to the fact that 1982 was the 250th birthday of George Washington, the ornament was crafted from something to do with him.  After this point though, the ornaments would be based on scenes, themes, or memories of different administrations.

1983 became the first ornament that featured the actual White House building's North Facade, this time reflecting its look during the Presidency of John Adams.  It was to symbolize that Adams was the first President to actually live in the White House.  1984 would bring Thomas Jefferson into the fold, with a very unique looking reproduction of the Peace Medal which bears his name.  It is stunning in gold and rich in detail.  1985 ushered in the second consecutive ornament that had the likeness of a President on it, but this time also included a First Lady.  President James Madison and his wife Dolly appear, held up by an American Eagle.  Visually stunning to say the least.
1986 would return to a reproduction of the White House,this time from how it looked during the Presidency of James Monroe.  This one introduced for the first time color other than gold plate, putting white on the facade of the White House.  John Quincy Adams was the feature for 1987, with it portraying the double Mahogany front doors of the White House adorned with wreaths and poinsettias just like olden times.  Red and green make their first appearance on an ornament. 1988 was a scene from a Christmas celebration of President Jackson in the East room picturing children around a Christmas Tree.

The year 1989 took an important symbol and made it the ornament, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Presidential Seal.  This version was the one approved of 200 years ago during the Hayes Administration.  1990 featured the first room of the White House in detail, showing us the Blue Room as it was in the time of President Martin Van Buren.  The color blue appears for the first time on one of these White House gems.  1991 shows William Henry Harrison in all of his glory aboard his white charger horse in full military uniform.  1992 was the 200th anniversary of the White House itself and showed a photo like production of the White House back in Colonial times.   1993 featured the first ornament with just a First Lady appearing, this time the second wife of President John Tyler.  The picture again looks like a photo recreation of some sort.

1994 - James Polk and wife being serenaded by Marine Band
1995 - Zachary Taylor remembered with a Flag and Eagle symbol featured in his White House
1996 - Millard Fillmore and the Presidential Seal that he commissioned during his Presidency
1997 - Photo of Franklin Pierce's White House improvements in artist recreation form
1998 - James Buchanan and his Republican Court - featuring flowers by Harriet Lane
1999 - Abe Lincoln recreated from a portrait done of him while in Office
2000 - 200th Anniversary of President in the White House - ornament made from same stone that Washington had used to build the White House
2001 - Presidential carriage in the times of Andrew Johnson
2002 - - East Room in the time of Teddy Roosevelt
2003 - Ulysses S. Grant's son riding a rocking horse on the ornament
2004 - Horse drawn carriage of Rutherford B. Hayes and wife on a snowy night
2005 - South Front of the White House during the time of President James Garfield
2006 - Chester A. Arthur's Tiffany White House 
2007 - Marriage of President Cleveland in White House during first Administration is recreated
2008 - Christmas Tree from Benjamin Harrison Era
2009 - Unique location of Grover Cleveland's Christmas Tree in the White House all lit up
2010 - Army - Navy Band Musical reception during William McKinley's Administration

The bottom line here is this.  What better way to put together a Christmas tree decorated in true magnificence that looks stunningly elegant, and features scenes and pieces of the rich history of the Nation's most important house and office?  Whether you collect them for yourself, give them away to friends, or want to teach you children something of American culture, this is a collection we should all have.  The best thing about it is in most cases you can still get these treasures.  Go to the website listed below, click on ornaments, and read the stories.  You can also purchase this year's ornament and ones from other years as well.  Make this part of your Christmas tradition."

http://www.ebay.com/usr/pt2bch

Visit me on Facebook and Twitter @DonnasStuffMore 

Is Christmas Just Another Holiday?

We have a local church that has short ads on the radio. They are always thought provoking, and end with "not a sermon, just a thought". And that is what this is.

There are alot of Christmas movies on the TV this time of year, especially on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. And I really do enjoy watching most of them.

This year it really struck me as to how secular most of them are. Usually the theme is about a conflict or difficult situation, and how we must "Believe" in the spirit of Christmas, Santa Claus, etc. Very seldom is the real reason of Christmas mentioned - I actually can't think of even one right now.

The first part of Christmas is Christ. The reason we celebrate is His birth. We give gifts to remember the gifts the Three Wisemen brought, and that He is God's greatest gift to us.

I will continue to watch & enjoy Christmas movies. But I will also remember that when they say we must believe that I believe in Christ. Not a sermon, just a thought.       

http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront
 
http://www.facebook.com/DonnasStuffMore
 
http://twitter.com/DonnasStuffMore
 
http://donnasstuffmore.blogspot.com/

Make a Deal Continues at Donna's Stuff & More on Addoway

Let's Make a Deal for any of more than the 575 items in my Addoway store continues! Make a Deal allows you to make offers if you want to get a better deal on any of my products. Just click the Make a Deal button (it's under the orange Buy Now button) and input your offer. When making your offer, remember it will include shipping! If I can afford to sell it at that price, we have a deal. Or I might counter. We can make as many offers and counteroffers until we come to an agreement - what fun!
If we cannot come to an agreement, I will cancel the negotiation (but gladly welcome you back again).

If I accept your offer, you will find it in you Offers Received box and all you have to do is convert it to an order and Pay via PayPal.

I also have a number of items that have already been deeply discounted - they are not eligible for make a deal.

If you are interested in purchasing multiple items, use the Contact Seller button on the right under Meet the Seller. I will create a special listing for you including the items you want.

Your items will generally be shipped within 24 hours of receiving payment, slightly longer over weekends. Contact me if you need expediated shipping, or any other service I can give to make your shopping easier.

And please check back often throughout the Holiday Season as I will be adding new items every week.

http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

http://www.facebook.com/DonnasStuffMore

http://twitter.com/DonnasStuffMore

CyberMonday Make a Deal at Donna's Stuff & More on Addoway

My prices are consistently low, but for this sale you can wheel & deal to get a lower price! And of course, if you think my asking price is fair, just click the orange Buy Now button.

Make a Deal for any of more than the 550 items in my Addoway store! Make a Deal allows you to make offers if you want to get a better deal on any of my products. Just click the Make a Deal button (it's under the orange Buy Now button) and input your offer. When making your offer, remember it will include shipping! If I can afford to sell it at that price, we have a deal. Or I might counter. We can make as many offers and counteroffers until we come to an agreement - what fun!

If we cannot come to an agreement, I will cancel the negotiation (but gladly welcome you back again).

If I accept your offer, you will find it in you Offers Received box and all you have to do is convert it to an order and Pay via PayPal.

If you are interested in purchasing multiple items, use the Contact Seller button on the right under Meet the Seller. I will create a special listing for you including the items you want.

Be patient if I don't respond immediately. I will be spending time with my family, but you will hear from me within 24 hours.  All items sold during this promotion will be shipped Nov. 28th thru 30th. Contact me for priority shipping or local pickup.

And please check back often throughout the Holiday Season as I will be adding new items every week.

http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront
 http://www.facebook.com/DonnasStuffMore
 http://twitter.com/DonnasStuffMore
 http://donnasstuffmore.blogspot.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gifts for $50 and Under at Donna's Stuff & More on Addoway!

Have you discovered the ease of shopping online? No lines, no pushing, no traffic, no looking for a parking space, and on and on. Shop securely in the comfort of your home at Addoway!

You can save even more with combined shipping. Just contact me letting me know which items you wish to purchase, and I will make a special ad for you with the items you want. And you can save even more by using AddoBucks! Payment is easy and secure with PayPal or Google Checkout. I ship within 3 business days of receiving your order and payment, but most often within 24 hours of receiving your payment. And let me know before purchasing if you need expediated shipping so I can adjust your shipping costs.

Here is a short video of some my gift suggestions for you - all under $50. I am constantly adding more, so come back often!

http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

Gifts Under $10

Enjoy the ease of shopping online with Donna's Stuff & More at Addoway! No lines, no traffic - shop in the comfort of your own home. And with over 550 items currently for sale in my Addoway store, you will find many gift items under $10.

You can save even more with combined shipping. Just contact me letting me know which items you wish to purchase, and I will make a special ad for you with the items you want. And you can also save by using AddoBucks! AddoBucks will give you an instant 10% savings. Payment is easy and secure with PayPal or Google Checkout. I ship within 3 business days of receiving your order and payment, but most often within 24 hours.

Here is a short video showing a few of the items I have that are under $10. And I am constantly adding more items, so check back often.  http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

 

No Bake Preacher Cookies

I don't know why these are called Preacher Cookies, but they sure are good! These are a wonderful cookie that tastes like fudge, but with oatmeal & peanut butter in them, it's got to be healthy - right!?

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
4 T. Cocoa
1/2 cup milk
3 1/2 cups oatmeal (uncooked)
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter - I use crunchy

Directions: Combine in saucepan the sugar, cocoa, and milk. Heat to boiling for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla, mixing well. Add oatmeal - will be stiff. Drop onto cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Refrigerate until firm. Enjoy!

Those Special Sales That Make Selling Online So Gratifying

There are many reasons why I sell online. I started just to get rid of things I no longer needed or wanted, and then I started "thrifting" - looking for great bargains to resell. Some people sell as a primary source of income, others like me are hobby sellers. But that doesn't mean I spend any less time researching the history of items I'm selling, or looking for those great bargains to share.
But by far the most gratifying reason I sell online is when a buyer finds their perfect item. And that has happened twice this month. Things that were not just bought, but that had a special meaning to the person buying it.
The first was the 2009 Reproduction of the 1961 My Favorite Career Nurse Barbie. A gentleman bought it - and what a wonderful gift it was to be for his special gal! She had been a Hooters girl in college, a flight attendant and then a nurse. He had previously found a Hooters Barbie and Flight Attendant Barbie, and was delighted to find the Nurse Barbie to give her. And what a thoughtful man to find these special gifts. She is a lucky lady!  By the way, I actually have another of these hard to find Barbies - I found two at a closeout store! You can see it at http://www.addoway.com/viewad/Barbie-Nurse-My-Favorite-Career-1961-2009-Rare-Mint-NRFB-New-1576164. I have other Barbie's too.
The second second item was a set of 12 Art Seminars published in 1958. These were designed to be a homestudy art course and each volume consisted of text and 12 large (10" X 13") full color prints of the paintings being discussed - a total of 144 prints in the set! A lady in California contacted me because she had some questions about the listing.  In talking to her, I found out that her parents had that set when she was growing up and they inspired her to study art for 6 years in college. At some point they got "lost". And now her daughter is in college studying art and she wanted to share these wonderful books with her. Isn't that neat?!  I have another set to list, Great Periods in Art. Watch for it!
Sales like these are a bonus! The gratification goes way beyond the money generated!

Feel free to share your special sales in the comment section below.

Video Highlights of my Fall 2011 Addoway Store

Autumn brings falling leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving and before we know it - Christmas. I promise to help you with all your gifting needs by offering great products and fast shipping - because shopping should be x-citing!
Here is a short video highlighting some of the 500+ items currently in my Addoway store:

I am constantly adding new things so be sure to check back often! And you can save more by using combined shipping and AddoBucks! http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/Storefront

All That's Old is New Again!

America has no “now”…. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, re-releases, recreations, re-enactments, adaptations…and nostalgia record collections.
– George Carlin, Brain Droppings, 1998

Platform shoes, zig-zag patterns, and so many of the styles of the 60's are back in vogue. Have you looked at small appliances like toasters lately? The retro look from the 50's & 60's are really popular. I think it is because people are looking for a simpler, more innocent time!

Many fashionistas shop thrift shops - not because they are trying to save money, but because they are looking for a unique look!

All of this got me thinking about how difficult it can be to get rid of things we no longer need. And the title of this blog hits the proverbial nail on the head!

For those of us who go thrifting to fill our stores, it would be easy to become hoarders. Balance between having items we can sell quickly, and keeping something we are sure will sell at a later date, months or even years from now, is something to always keep in mind when looking for items for resale. Not to mention storage space!

Some things that have recently sold on eBay will show why it is difficult not to keep everything:
A bundle of 100 vintage Pan Am cocktail napkins recently sold on eBay for $93.50
A rare Commodore 65 (remember those?) sold for $20,000
A rare Beatles 1963 album sold for over $18,000
Nine Flags Colton Mens Shaving Cologne Set 9 Bottles sold for $1350 - and some were opened! This was made in the mid-sixties!

Most of us thrifters won't be lucky enough to find items like these, but you just never know what will be the next hot thing to sell! And it is exciting to find items that others are looking for and make a few dollars doing it! As a seller, nothing makes me happier than the customer who is looking for something special and I have been able to fulfill her/his desires!

Be sure to browse through my Addoway store for many unique and value-priced items, both new and pre-owned! http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

Watch "Everything Old is New Again" from All That Jazz http://youtu.be/147_ZF_jnjw

Do You Buy Pre-Owned Clothing? Why Not?

There are many great reasons to buy pre-owned! You can save alot of money buying the brands you love from sources that sell pre-owned clothing. Today I will be discussing why you should want to buy pre-owned clothing and how to buy items you will love!

I found this statistic shocking - according to the ecomii website, @http://www.ecomii.com/tips/used-clothing, Americans throw away 2 quadrillion pounds of clothing each year! If you are an environmentally-conscious consumer that believes in recycling rather than wasting resources, know that you can find good quality, gently worn, clean clothing in my Addoway store. That equals smart recycling.

Economically - savvy consumers know pre-owned clothing = great value. Plus you can find classic styles that are flattering to you. Cool, hip and trendy styles are also available. Fashion always come back! Look at the platform shoes so popular today - I remember wearing them in college decades ago!

Thrifty consumers know that minor problems that are repairable = unbeatable bagains. Items some consider ugly can be upcycled and repurposed for other things. There are a number of resources on the internet for converting what I call ugly dresses into really fashionable skirts and/or dresses!

Not sure of your size? Most of us have more than one size in our closet that fits us - not all manufacturers use the same standard. The best way to know if something I have listed will fit you is to measure a similar item that you know fits. You will need to take armpit to armpit measurements, length measurements, inseam & rise measurements of trousers. I also include the manufacturer's name in all my ads, so if you have items by that vendor, you probably know the fit.

Pictures are very important - I try to get the clearest pictures I can. Color can sometimes be difficult, the way the computor displays them can even vary, so be sure to read the descriptions carefully.

Fabric content and care are also important. I wash or dry clean all my pre-owned clothing prior to listing, with the exception of leather/suede.

Remember that some items, such as denim, are very heavy so that will be reflected in shipping charges. Contact me if you want the local delivery option. You can also save on shipping by buying more! If I can fill a flat rate box, it is cheaper than shipping each item separately. You can find out how to do that here: @http://www.addoway.com/viewad/How-to-Fill-Your-Cart-Save-on-Shipping-1520023.

Feel free to click on "Ask Seller" to ask me questions about any item in my store. I look forward to helping you! Visit my Addoway Store @http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront.

I Love Saving Money! Do you?

In this increasingly difficult economy, many of us are finding new ways to save money while still buying the items we need or want. One of the easiest is by shopping online. It is increasingly easy to find necessities and gift items through merchants you can trust online.

Addoway is a platform that really encourages transparancy and trust with all their vendors. We are treated with the same respect that we treat our customers, YOU! I joined Addoway in December 2010, and currently have 500 items for sale on the site!

Just how do you save by shopping online? You save money by not having to drive around to find the items you are looking for - and you can literally find nearly everything from antiques and art to toys and video games. You also save because I have searched out the bargains for you. Whether is it new or preowned, my goal is to provide you with items of great quality at a great price. And remember, any pre-owned clothing that I sell is very gently worn, and washed or dry-cleaned prior to listing!

You can also save more by using combined shipping. I am always happy to work with you to give you the best price I can on shipping. If you are interested in multiple items, simply use the contact seller button to let me know which items you want to purchase. I will create a special ad for you so you can purchase them at once with a shipping that would be less than purchasing them individually.

If you are looking something I don't carry, let me know and I will see if I can find it for you.

If you want to register on Addoway, either as a buyer or seller, use this link: http://www.addoway.com/ref/126ddfaad7464489be0462aa4e74884c. You will receive 25 AddoBucks for registering! I accept AddoBucks as partial payment for all my items for sale.

You can go directly to my store after you have registered @http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront. You do not need to register to shop on Addoway, but why wouldn't you want the extra savings?

Spiced Tomato-Pineapple Relish

I first made this in the early 1970's. I love it with roast beef. I know many of you who garden have an abundance of tomatoes and this is a great way to use them. If you don't have a garden, you can get tomatoes in bulk at your local farmer's market. Enjoy!

Be sure to visit my Addoway store http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

Spiced TOMATO-PINEAPPLE RELISH
By BrolenRecipes.com Staff


Prepration:

2 c. prepared tomatoes
1 1/2 c. crushed pineapple, drained (1- 13 1/2 oz. can)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. vinegar
Sugar (see below)
1 box Sure Jell or Certo
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves

Scald, peel and chop tomatoes. Bring to boil. Simmer and stir 10 minutes. In very large pan, put tomatoes, Sure Jell, seasonings. Hard boil. Add 5 1/2 cups sugar. Hard boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir and skim off foam 5 minutes. Ladle into 8 glasses. Paraffin and seal. Use with meat or excellent on toast.

Have You Taken Your Vacation Yet?

Vacation: a period of rest away from work, study, etc.

Vacations are more important than you may realize. We live in a very fast-paced world, and it is really easy to get overwhelmed. We are are tuned in, turned on and always on the go.

Everyone needs some downtime to unwind and de-stress. You may think it will hurt your career, or your business to take some time off, but the opposite is really true. If you work to the point of total exhaustion, you aren't doing anyone any good. Not taking a vacation can lead to bunout, emotional and physical illness, and even obesity!

“Taking a vacation is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” says Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute in Atlanta. “If you don’t have the opportunity to relax and reflect you get stressed, and chronic stress is the driver of most diseases — heart disease, obesity, insomnia.”

And probably the hardest part of taking a vacation, at least for me, is to disconnect. That means limiting (I can't quit totally) time on my smart phone, laptop etc.

Remember, no one person is indispensable. Even if you are a one-person business, you need some time off for yourself and your loved ones!

Find a Community Theater in Your Area!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HrpX5nVau4&feature=player_embedded


Community Theater from Wikipedia: Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community. It may refer to theatre that is made entirely by a community with no outside help, or to a collaboration between community members and professional theatre artists, or to performance made entirely by professionals that is addressed to a particular community.

Community theatres range in size from small groups led by single individuals that perform in borrowed spaces to large permanent companies with well-equipped facilities of their own.

My daughter's family has gotten involved in a wonderful community theater in their hometown of Moorefield, WV. The actual town is only 1.6 square miles and has a population of 4820 people. It is roughly 2 hours west of Washington, DC. But what a powerhouse of talent! Led by Keith Miller, Susan Garrett, Thad Garrett, and/or Betty Stickley, the productions they put on at McCoy's Grand Theater (http://www.mccoysgrand.com/) are superb! Check out the Marquee tab to see some pictures of previous performances.

Our first experience seeing a production at McCoys was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in 2008. It was also the first production our daughter, son-in-law and grandaughter were in. Fabulous - and none of the three had any theater experience before. And how the family has grown into their various roles. They have been involved in Beauty and the Beast, Harvey (our son-in-law Derek Barr reprised Jimmy Stewart's role), The Sound of Music (Kirsten played Sister Berta & floored us when she was the first one on stage and came out singing a solo in Latin). Our granddaughter Allison was one of the Von Trappe children and was fabulous. Other highlights were How to Succeed in Business, Death & Taxes, Tom Sawyer (Allison played Amy Lawrence), and most recently Seussical the Musical. And I'm sure once Elliott is old enough, he will be joining this wonderful group.

Now I don't want you to get the wrong idea, the theater certainly does not revolve around my daughter's family. There are so many talented people that put these productions together. Lauren Gresham is multi-talented - she has played a girl, a boy, has a fabulous voice, and when I saw a rehearsal for Seussical, not only knew her lines, but the lines of the characters she interacted with. And I believe she is 11! Heather Thorne sang the lead in Sound of Music and others and is fabulous. There are so many talented people in this troope - my husband always says the actors of Hollywood have nothing over these people in talent - and I am sure that is true in community theaters throughout the country.

I urge you to search out and support your own local community theater. Your attendance is invaluable - ticket sales help pay for licensing & musical fees. Plus there is the expense of costumes, electricity, in some cases renting a hall, and the list goes on. There is also a need for people to help with props, constructing sets, making/altering costumes, and more. And who knows, the acting bug may hit you like it has for Kirsten, Derek and Allison Barr in Moorefield, WV. In any case, you will have a great night of entertainment!

FYI, McCoy's next production is 'An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe' the end of October. If you are in the region, I urge you to check it out!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sewing Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks!

Back by popular demand, here are some more sewing tips, tricks & shortcuts!

Always prewash your washable fabrics and zippers. That removes any finish on the fabric that might gum up your needle.

When sewing seams, always sew in same direction. I always sew from the bottom to the top. If you don't do this, and you sew a pant leg from the bottom to the top on the inseam, and from the top to the bottom on the outside seam, it may seem to be slightly twisted.

The easiest way to sew a pair of pants: Sew both the outside seam and inseam of each leg. Turn one leg inside out and put inside the other - the right sides should be together! Then it is very easy to sew the crotch seam.

When easing 2 lengths that are different such as an armscye, always have the longer piece on the bottom. It is then easy to stretch the shorter piece to fit.

When making a tee type top out of a stripe, where the front & back are the same except for the neckline, cut the back first, then flip it over and line up the stripes on the uncut fabric. Now you can cut the front and the stripes will line up at the side seams perfectly. You will only need to cut out the front neckline, which is always lower than the back!

When sewing 5/8" seams, press seams flat, then press them open. If the fabric is thick, press them open over a seam roll or tightly rolled towel. That will prevent the seams from showing on the right side of the fabric.


You can find beautiful fabrics, vintage patterns and other sewing related items in my Addoway store at http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront/c/14339 and in my Etsy store at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnasStuffMore.

Stamp Collecting for All Ages

"Twice happy is the man who has a hobby, for he has two worlds to live in." Stamp collecting is a very enjoyable and educational hobby that is appropriate for all ages from children through adulthood. It can be worked on individually, or as a family or other group.

You don't need much to get started - just some stamps and an album to put them in! One of my most cherished possessions from my mother is a little binder that my mother used to put some very interesting stamps in. Each page had one or two stamps under which Mom had handwritten everything she could find out about about the stamp - who it depicted, why they were important, what was important about a place that was pictured.

Stamp collecting can educate in the areas of geography, science, nature, literature, history and every subject you can think of.

Stamps are not just used for postage. They have also been used as a form of taxation, otherwise known as a revenue stamp. Cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, cotton are just three examples of taxes that were collected by requiring them to have stamps.

The seeds of the American Revolution were planted when Great Britain imposed the Stamp Act of 1765 on the colonists. This required them to pay a tax via a stamp on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed.

The money collected by the Stamp Act was to be used to help pay the costs of defending and protecting the American frontier near the Appalachian Mountains. The Stamp Act, however, was viewed as a direct attempt by England to raise money in the colonies without the approval of the colonial legislatures - taxation without representation.

You can find stamps and examples of postal history in my Addoway store at http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I really do sell pre-owned magazines!

Yes, I sell back issues of magazines. Some are over a decade old (Martha Stewart Living), and some are current. And yes,

people do buy them. I won't get rich from those sales, but it's a way to recycle, repurpose, and in some cases educate! Vintage magazines can be quite valuable to the collector. Most of mine are about a decade old to current, and in excellent, like new condition . But they will be vintage someday! We all have special interests, and tend to save our favorite magazines, and that is how a collection is started!

Currently I carry the following:

Coastal Living
Colonial Williamsburg
Golf
Golf Digest
Hallowed Ground (The magazine of the Civil War Trust)
Martha Stewart Living
Menu
Money
Preservation (The magazine of the National Historic Trust)
Smithsonian Magazine
Townhall (Conservative politics)
The Hook (The Journal of Carrier Aviation)

Why do people buy magazines from me? Some to get an issue they may have missed. Some to get a magazine that is not normally sold on the newstands, such as The Hook, Preservation, Townhall. People who are into military ship and aircraft models love The Hook. It's a great resource with terrific pictures and articles. Others use magazines for craft projects.

There are wonderful ideas on the internet for using magazines for craft projects - the list is endless. For ideas google "uses for old magazine crafts". For example, golf magazines has beautiful pictures that could be decoupaged for gifts for the golfer.

All my magazines are shipped with care, the same way I would like to receive them! That means cardboard stiffeners (unless they fit in the stiff priority flat rate envelopes). And it is against postal regulations to ship magazines by media mail, so they are usually shipped first class, the heavier ones by priority mail. And yes, I do combine shipping for you - you can really save if you buy more than one magazine!

You can find my magazines in my Addoway store @ http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront/c/280

If you want to learn more about vintage magazines, check out http://www.things-and-other-stuff.com/magazines/

Hollywood in World War II

Once we were attacked at Pearl Harbor, Hollywood went out of it's way to support our troops. Many stars gave service by donating their time for being everything from being Civilian Defense marshalls to personal appearances at War Bond drives. And Jimmy Stewart, Gene Autry, Eddie Albert, James Arness, Ernest Borgnine, Mel Brooks, Charles Bronson joined the military, just to name a few.

And many of the greatest films of that era were about the war or focused on patriotism: "Casablanca", "Mrs. Miniver", "A Yank in the RAF", "Sergeant York". Plus many training films were made by Hollywood.

We all know how dedicated Bob Hope was in entertaining the troops. There was nowhere he wouldn't go to entertain our service men and women - the best audience he ever had. And he brought many stars of entertainment with him. In the summer of 1944 Bob Hope hopped from island to island in the South Pacific to entertain the troops. It was an emotional, as well as dangerous, journey for Hope and his colleagues. He logged over 30,000 miles and gave more than 150 performances. Accompanying Hope on the trip were guitarist Tony Romano, singer Frances Langford, dancer Patty Thomas, and gag-writer and Hope chum, Barney Dean. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTzFfBMoE8

Many great songs came out of the war too. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company B" by the Andrew Sisters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pfCFU3Mqww&feature=player_embedded#at=15) and so many more!

And when our servicemen and women had the chance to visit Hollywood, she threw open her arms! Lavish theater productions were in vogue - and they loved to cater to our troops! From the back of a program from the Ice Follies of 1945: " Again the show-folk have gone all out for victory during war-time. On the global fronts ... many times under actual enemy fire ... the grim task of Our Boys. On the home front ... war bonds, shows for war charities, talent freely given ...added to the Road to Victory..."

One of the best films made after the war was "The Best Years of Our Lives" . It tells the very moving stories of 3 veterans coming home after the war. Disabled veteran Harold Russell, who was not an actor, won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in the film. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you watch it.

Collector's look for all kind of things from WWII, including uniforms, medals, and other memorbelia from the war years.

A side note: Unfortunately, our Sevice Men and Women were treated disgracefully during and after Vietnam. No matter how you felt about that conflict, they were doing their job.

Research done at Wikipedia and http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope/uso.html

You can shop for WWII Memorbelia in my Addoway Store @http://www.addoway.com/DonnasStuffMore/storefront

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE!

I am currently running a Christmas in July sale in my Addoway store. Any item that has Christmas in the title of the listing is 20% off - no coupon needed - from now until July 31st, at which time they will revert back to their regular price. Use the Contact Seller button if you have any questions! Included are Christmas/Holiday collectibles, ornaments, Barbies, music and more. Type Christmas in the search box to easily find the sale items.

I also accept Addo Bucks on every item in my store, so you can increase your savings.
Addo Bucks is a special currency you can earn on Addoway for sharing with your friends.
I accept Addo Bucks for up to 10% of the purchase price in every item in my store. Visit at http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront

Every Addoway member is given 25 Addo Bucks to start with, and can earn Addo Bucks for referring friends, placing orders, rating sellers and more. Sign up @ http://www.addoway.com/ref/126ddfaad7464489be0462aa4e74884c for your FREE 25 Addo Bucks!
Addo Bucks can also be redeemed for discounts on Addoway purchases, Prizes & Rewards and more.

You can also save more by using combined shipping. At this time there is no shopping cart on
Addoway. If you want to purchase multiple items, add them to your watch list, then copy & paste them to me in a message and I will send you an invoice through Paypal. Payment is due 48 hours
after receiving invoice.

I do ship international to most countries. Contact me to get a quote on shipping cost prior to your purchase.

Pay It Forward!

I loved the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde and the movie starring Kevin Spacey. In the book and the movie, the idea is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in repayment of a good deed that one receives. But the idea of paying it forward is not a new idea.

In ancient Athens (317 B.C.), the popular play "Dyskolos" by Menander used the concept as a key plot element. The text disappeared and was not re-published until 1957.

In April of 1784, Benjamin Franklin lent a sum of money to Benjamin Webb, and told him pay him the sum when he could by giving it to someone else who was needy. Franklin hoped it would go through many hands before there was some "Knave that will stop it's Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with little money."

Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay "Compensation" wrote "the benefit we receive must be rendered again, line for line, deed for deed, cent to cent, to somebody."

In 1944, an anonymous spokesman for Alcholics Anonymous said in the Christian Science Monitor, "You can't pay anyone back for what has happened to you, so you try to find someone you can pay it forward."

And so it goes. A variation of the Golden Rule? Perhaps - but that rule taken a bit further!

And by the way, there is a Pay It Forward Foundation. You can check it out @http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/.

My Passion for Sewing

My first blog on Addoway was the result of Frederick Nijm, co-founder of Addoway, suggesting that I write about what I am passionate about. So here goes another -

I love sewing, specifically making clothing. I haven't done much in recent years except for a few things for my grandchildren. But the love is still there. It goes dormant for a while, but always seems to come back.

In previous lives I taught sewing, managed a fabric store, and had a dressmaking business.

My current project is for the McCoy's Grand Theater's production of Seussical, the Musical! I am making the costume for the Amazing Mayzie. I can hardly wait for their performance at the end of July! The McCoy's is a wonderful community theater in Moorefield, WV., a little over 2 hours from my home.

I would like to share some of the basic sewing tips I have used over the years. Most of these are applicable whether you do craft sewing, quilting or dressmaking.

One of the easiest way to mark your fabric is to use a sliver of old-fashioned bar soap. You can get very fine marks that will usually steam out of the fabric with an iron - do test this first. Or you can wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Threading a needle can be a challenge, esp. with my old eyes! Many people will wet the thread in their mouth to try to thread the needle - but that actually splits the fibers. A better way is to put on some chapstick, and wipe your thread between your lips coating them with the chapstick. Voila, easy threading!

When you are pinning a seam, pin from each end going towards the center. That way you won't end up with extra fabric at one end. (I'm assuming the cutting was accurate - LOL)

When sewing, never sew over your pins. You risk damaging the fabric, or your machine. And when removing your pins, if the pin is between the presser foot and the feed dog, make sure you lift the foot with the needle in the fabric before pulling out the pin, or you could damage the feed dog. (Bet that one puzzles you non-sewers!)

Let me know if you like this blog and would like more sewing tips! I have a lot more I could share if you are interested. You can leave a comment at the end of this blog.

You can find some beautiful fabrics, vintage patterns and other sewing related items in my Addoway store http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront or at my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnasStuffMore.

Summer Clearance Sale!

Summer Clearance Sale in My Addoway Store!
Today through June 27th.

40% off your entire purchase of $10.00 or more
with Coupon Code Summer!
This will be my biggest sale this year!

http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/

Many items are already under $5.00! I can sell for less
on Addoway at this time since I do not have to pay a
final value fee as on other sites. Combine your purchases
to reach $10.00 or more to take advantage of this sale. For
example, if you purchase 10 magazines at $1 each, you
will pay $6 plus shipping!

Sorry, shipping is not discounted when purchasing one
item, but your shipping will be reduced for multiple items
sent to one address (except for very heavy items). I will
send you a separate invoice from PayPal when you are
purchasing multiple items - see note below. Shipping in
listing is for the US - if you are an international customer,
contact me so I can give you a shipping quote.

Local pick up is available.

Included in this sale are books, magazines, LP Records,
clothing, accessories, jewelry, collectibles, coins, stamps,
dolls, beauty items, fabrics, patterns, items for the home,
and so much more!

Please note: At the time of listing there is no shopping cart on
Addoway. If you want to purchase multiple items, add them to
your watch list, then copy & paste them to me in a message
and I will send you an invoice through Paypal. Payment due 3 days
after receiving invoice.

 

What Are Addo Bucks?

http://tinyurl.com/3btrfyg

Addo Bucks is a special currency you can earn on Addoway for sharing with your friends.

Every Addoway member is given 25 Addo Bucks to start with, and can earn Addo Bucks for referring friends, placing orders, rating sellers and more. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/3rbtzd8
Addo Bucks can be redeemed for discounts on Addoway purchases, Prizes & Rewards and more.

I accept Addo Bucks for up to 10% of the purchase price in every item in my store. http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront

Early Summer on Addoway

What is DealOWay on Addoway?

DealOway allows buyers to make offers on items if they want to get a better deal on the product.

Just click the DealOWay button and input your offer. It is as simple as that.

If the seller accepts your offer, it will then be located in your Offers Received box and all you have to do is convert it to an order and Pay.

With DealOWay you can make as many offers and counteroffers as possible until you both come to an agreement. If an agreement cannot be made, then the seller can decide to cancel the negotiation.

Look for the DealOWay button on select items in my Addoway store http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront .

Huge Memorial Day Sale!

Huge Memorial Day Sale in my Addoway Store! Today through May 31!http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/

Take 20% off any item priced at $5.00 and above!
Or take 20% off your total order of $5.00 or more!

Use coupon code Soldier at checkout to get this discount.
This coupon expires May 31, 2011.

Please note: At the time of listing there is no shopping cart on
Addoway. If you want to purchase multiple items, add them to
your watch list, then copy & paste them to me in a message
and I will send you an invoice through Paypal. Payment due 3 days
after receiving invoice.

ITEMS PURCHASED DURING THIS SALE WILL BE SHIPPED ON
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN
YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER!

Ah, For the Love of Reading!

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." — Jacqueline Kennedy

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

There are so many wonderful quotes about reading, but these are two of my favorites.  There is so much to be learned from books, so many worlds to visit!

My personal story of discovering the joys of reading began when I was in third grade. Up to that point, I had been a C/D student. We moved to a new school district part-way into the school year. As if that wasn't bad enough, I got sick with rheumatic fever and was confined to bed for 3 months. My teacher, Mrs. Butler, sent work home for me to do, and my Mom brought home stacks of books from the library every week, and I devoured everything! Back in the 50's, we only got one B&W TV station! My principal wanted to hold me back that year - but Mrs. Butler fought for me and was certain I would do fine if I was promoted. And I was, and by 6th grade I was a straight A student and graduated Valedictorian of my High School class. And it was really because of books, my Mom and Mrs Butler.

I still love to read - and with my Kindle, I can easily keep the books I want to reread! And I read everything - nonfiction, science fiction, historical novels, the classics.  What do you like to read?

Check out the BBC's top 100 books @ ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml. How many have you read?

I have a variety of books and magazines for sale @ http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/ and am always adding more! Check them out - you may find something to expand your world!

BEACH SALE NOW THRU APRIL 27, 2011!!!

BEACH SALE!!! TODAY THRU APRIL 27, 2011 20% OFF ANYTHING $5.00 and above!

USE THIS REFERENCE #http://www.addoway.com/ref/126ddfaad7464489be0462aa4e74884c to register on Addoway.

You DO NOT need to register on Addoway to shop, but if you do, you will receive 25 FREE Addo Bucks to spend, and yes, I do accept them. You can use Addo Bucks with the coupon code at the bottom of this announcement.

If you want to register (and who knows, it's so easy to sell on Addoway, you may want to do your Spring Cleaning here), do that first, and then go to my storefront by clicking on View Storefront above or by going to @http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/ to shop.

At this time there is no shopping cart at Addoway allowing you to purchase more than one item. So if you want combined shipping, click on the Watch Item button for each item, copy & paste your list & send it to me using the Contact Seller button to let me know what items you want, and I will send you an invoice directly from Paypal.

I am getting ready to go on a BEACH vacation, hence your coupon code is BEACH

Write what you're passionate about!

A friend suggested that I write what I am passionate about!

Great advice! But how to narrow that down - I have so many interests. I guess that's why I changed my college major 3 times so many decades ago! And yes, I still managed to graduate in 4 years!

So today I will talk about what is consuming most of my time right now - internet sales.  I consider myself a hobby seller - but I certainly DO want to make some money doing it.  I started out just to get rid of things I no longer wanted or needed.  After over 18 years of retail management I have an incredible professional wardrobe I no longer need (or fit into - LOL). Then, as those started selling, I found lots of things that were just gathering dust. And now I've come full circle - I am actively seeking great bargains to resell to my customers at a great price.

I have learned alot about photography, writing short & accurate descriptions of  product, and of course the computor.  But mostly I have learned that there are so many wonderful people out there - both buyers and sellers - who are willing to share and give of themselves as I continue to learn. Bless all of you!

LP Vinyl Records Revisted

As I mentioned in my previous post dated February 8, 2011, @ http://donnasstuffmore.blogspot.com/2011/02/vinyl-lp-records-why-they-are-still.html, vinyl is not dead!
 What is really exciting is that young people are discovering the depth and warmth that is found listening to music on vinyl as opposed to listening to digital music. I want to share the following article http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/21/young-people-with-old-souls-prefer-records-to-cds/.  Be sure to check out my listings on Addoway @ http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/.  I listen to each record prior to listing, unlike many online sellers.  You will be happy with any records you purchase!  And I have many, many more to list so check back often!

Early Spring 2011 at Donna's Stuff & More on Addoway

Highlights of Early Spring in my Addoway Storefront

@ http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/

Early Spring 2011 at Donna's Stuff & More at Bonanza

Highlights of Early Spring at Donna's Stuff & More @ http://www.bonanza.com/booths/pt2bch

My Fabric Stash!

  I have a rather large collection of  fabrics that have been languishing in boxes, aching to be made into something wonderful!  Most were purchased in the 1970's and 1980's.

I do not know the fabric content of every piece.  I will describe them to the best of my ability.  They are sold as is - by that I mean I will not cut them into shorter pieces - unless otherwise stated.  All pictures are actual scans of the fabric. It is sometimes difficult to get the exact color for your viewing - keep that in mind if you are trying to match something.

In order to prepare them for sale, I WASHED everything in cold water and dried them in the dryer.  Therefore, every piece has been pre-shrunk for you!  In some cases, this has changed the texture/hand of the fabric, as well as ending up with some unusual widths.  I do my best to describe what the fabric is now like. For instance, I had some raw silks that were very stiff and are now soft with a lovely drape.  I hope you are pleased with your selection and I would love to know what you made - emails and pictures are welcome!

You can find my fabrics, along with vintage Stretch & Sew Patterns, in my Addoway storefront @ http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/ or my
Etsy shop @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnasStuffMore.  Check back often for new selections.

If you are unhappy with any fabric purchase, I will refund your purchase price (shipping not included) once I receive the returned, uncut yardage.

Stretch & Sew Patterns

In the early 1960's Ann Person had been teaching sewing classes, coordinating fashion shows, and more when she was given a carton of knit remnants as a thank-you for teaching one of her sewing classes.  But when Ann tried to turn those remnants into clothing for her daughters, it wasn't as easy as she first thought.  There were no patterns or guidelines for knit fabrics in the home.  So Ann started experimenting - first by taking apart knit ready-to-wear garments.  From there she developed easy sewing techniques and teaching them all over the area.

Her first patterns were on butcher paper - her students traced the sizes they needed and then got to work.  From there, commercial patterns, and eventually stores evolved. I had the privilege of meeting Ann in 1977 when I completed my first Teacher Training Course.  In my opinion Stretch & Sew Patterns are still the best on the market.  I can make size adjustments on the patterns, and they always run true.

What is different about Stretch & Sew Patterns?  They are multi-sized master patterns.  Most patterns have up to nine sizes in one envelope.  They are met to be traced, not cut.  This gives you the advantage of being able to combine sizes for a perfect fit - for example, in a dress pattern a size 12 bodice and 14 skirt.  Also, patterns can be used for more than one person and you don't need a new one if your size fluctuates.  This is really great for kids patterns - we all know how quickly they can grow!

The basic, classic styles of these patterns make it easy to be creative.  Many times you can easily take parts of different patterns and put them together in a new way to create your own design.

Originally designed just for knit fabrics,  in the mid-eighties Stretch & Sew started making a few patterns for woven fabrics.  They also did extensive research on their knit patterns and found with a few adjustments like tracing up a size, many could be used for woven patterns.  I do have that information available for anyone who may need it.  Just ask about a specific pattern by leaving a comment here.

You can find the Stretch & Sew Patterns I have for sale at Addoway @ http://www.addoway.com/donnasstuffmore/storefront/
 or in my Etsy store @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnasStuffMore.  I will be adding more as I sort through the ones I am willing to give up!  I will also be listing fabrics in my Etsy store in the near future, so check back often.