Just in time for Thanksgiving Dinner!

The Coloring Book Oven has arrived! At least I am expecting it to!?!?! Not just ONE but a 1,000! I've stepped out on faith and finally committed to seriously market something "I" totally originated, designed and created (of course, with God's help). Don't ask, "why another oven, Cheryl?" I don't know. I got this thing about FOOD! One of my most memorable experiences as a child was coloring pictures of it! I liked to color. But pages with "edibles" would capture and engage me for hours! I was, The "Original" Coloring Cook!

My slogan is, "Coloring with a Cooking Twist. A Coloring Book for The Coloring Cook!" It comes in standard white (like most ovens did) but can be painted any color using washable paint and a sponge brush. It is approximately 15 1/4 by 12 1/2 inches, has a fold-out easel, a see-thru window, Velcro closures and coloring pad with 12 food illustrations. Children can select a page or draw and color their own pictures on any 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. Colored pages placed into the window appear to "bake" when displayed using the fold-out easel - How cool is that?

Although created with children in mind, The Coloring Book Oven is NOT just for kids! Coloring is a great stress reliever! Adults and teens too can benefit from it! Why not color up a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies or a Submarine Sandwich for lunch? How 'bout a Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner? With a series of coloring pads soon to be available online at www.thecraftybuffet.com... the fun is endless!

Restaurant owners? Display your "specials" of the day in The Coloring Book Oven's window and have books available for customers to purchase (we have wholesale pricing available). Or use as an incentive to get customers in the door! I can think of numerous ways The Coloring Book Oven can be utilized to engage and entertain patrons of all ages! And it's MADE IN MICHIGAN!

I've designed my business cards to fold into an oven, my flyers are oven shaped, I have an Oven Costume with a "cooked" turkey hat and...an OVERSIZED Coloring Book Oven Prop for display (thanks to my good friends at Michigan Box, specifically Mary and Ryan). Am I serious or what?

I have no choice. The house can't stand it. If I don't market and sell these books we'll be living on the roof and the residents living inside will be oven kits, oven coloring books, big cat glasses, popcorn hats, chocolate charmers and ALL my MANY other crafts and inventions!?!?!? Wish me luck! And as always...stay tuned!

A Word from The Creator

Well, it is October. What will be my "highlight" for 2010?

Last year it was the Martha Stewart Show. In 2001 in was FamilyFun Magazine. In between those years I grew Kid's Crafts. So far, this year I debuted Big Cats (both Tigers & Lions), Chocolate Charmers/Strawberries and The Coloring Book Oven. The Tigers didn't make the playoffs and it does not look as if the Lions will win a game (according to Cliff)! I got bored making the chocolates/strawberries but have since re-visited them (i.e. made chocolate covered strawberries all day Saturday). They represent, "Fruit of The Spirit...joy, patience, long-suffering, etc. The Chocolate Charmers, originally named Love Defined Chocolates, represented the "true" meaning of Love as defined in the Bible. Yesterday, the Lord brought to my rememberance that I had initially created these products with Him in mind. However, somewhere down the road...that got lost. I have since restored the original vision for these products. Perhaps now I can market them in the spirit in which they were originally created!

As for The Coloring Book Oven...I've got 1,000 on the way! This is a must do! The house can't stand it - we'll have to live on the roof when they arrive! I took a HUGE leap of faith...now I've got to back it up with WORK - stay tuned!

One Creative Argument!

Well, I am finalizing my coloring book and have been practicing expressing where I got the inspiration from for when Martha invites me back, or Oprah, Ellen, ,Rachael, Wendy, etc. invites me on (wishful thinking!) or perhaps even from my own show. It goes something like this...

"We had been to Borders, the same one where I met Martha Stewart at her book signing, and Cliff was buying all these Writer's Digest Magazines which HE WASN'T GOING TO READ!! That has got to be a "pet peave" with me. He drives me crazy with it! He's always ordering, buying, subscribing, etc. to things he NEVER uses!!!!! He couldn't just buy ONE...NOOOOOOO he had to buy 3 or 4!!! We got into this BIG argument over money. He had taken me to this "very nice" restaurant and the argument carried on until we ALMOST didn't have dinner!!! I don't recall exactly how, but things simmered down and we had an enjoyable dinner, considering. While waiting for Cliff to finish (I inhale he savors), I began thumbing thru the Writer's Digest Magazine and discovered articles about book publishing and publishers. One thing led to another and the next thing I know I had designed the cover for my coloring book from a sheet of paper! I took that paper template (I hope I still have it somewhere) to my box company and had it designed! What could have been a disasterous night proved to be an evening of ispiration, creativity and the birth of a new idea! Thanks, honey - I love you!"

I hope to find those "original" Writer's Digests, still in the bag with the receipt - never read by "you know who?!?!?" I'll let you know when I'm on...stay tuned!

Happy Birthday 2 Me!

Greetings from Maiah's Mom!

Well....I am another year older! Today, September 7th is my birthday and I vowed (after seeing the movie Julie/Julia a couple weeks ago) to BLOG everyday. Afterall...I have alot to BLOG about! I am crazy creative and always inventing SOMETHING! My latest creation is due to debut later this month at Metro Parent Magazine's 15th Annual Education Expo. It is my first time participating, and I am hoping for a successful outcome. Last year this time it was Chocolate Charmers...remember? With pink & brown tee-shirts? I have chocolate covered strawberry charms too! But I got bored with them!?!? That's my problem...I need a marketing & distribution team to get my products out before BOREDOM sets in and I've moved on to the next creation! I will be opening my official EBAY store soon, at the prompting of my wonderful hubby, Cliff who is constantly burning himself with my glue gun!?!? You would think after the 2nd or 3rd time he would realize that the glue gun is a "stationary" item on the kitchen counter ALWAYS plugged in and ready for use! Fortunately for him I ONLY use low-temperature guns so the pain is minimal! In any event, he thinks I am the best thing since sliced bread and wants to produce my tv show - I think I'll let him! Stay tuned! :-)

When was the last time you made something with your child or grandchild?

Well...when WAS the last time?

I've decided to take The Crafty Buffet Oven Kits on the Mommie & Me, Daddy & Me, Grandma & Me. Grandpa & Me circuit - offering Parent and Child "Make & Take" Workshops!

Available at your location or mine - just think of the delight parent and youngsters alike will feel walking out with a toy you both made together!

And what a toy it is!

With a light, knobs that turn, removeable racks and window for displaying coloring pages of food...the fun is endless! I can just see the happy, smiling and proud faces eagar to say, "look what mommie/daddy/grandma/grandpa and me made! It makes for a memorable experience that won't soon be forgotten.

Well...enough said. It's time to start moving.

I'd like to offer the first workshop just in time

for Thanksgiving dinner! Stay...tuned!

BIG CATS R in the D!

Well...well...well! I can't believe it's been six months since I've blogged! In fact, it's been so long I had forgotten my logon info! However, that doesn't mean I havn't been busy creating!?! Never! My latest invention Big Cats, are OVERSIZED glasses with fierce Tiger lenses soon to be available at http://www.thecraftybuffet.com/ . With (3) lens types to choose from (PICTURE, SEE-THRU and LIGHT-UP) and priced introductory from $8 to $15 I'm looking for BIG CATS to be a GRAND SLAM - Go Tigers!

Old News...just posted!

Well...it's a new year and I can't believe I'm just now updating my Blog! Sold (4) Crafty Buffet Oven Kits this week (yippee!)

Working on another creative and exciting project (at least I think so) to be added to the website. It is in the "prelimenary" stages i.e at the printers. I hope to get the cost(s) for production later this week.

Also, The Crafty Buffet Oven Kit is new and improved! It noew comes in white (no need to paint), with a pre-cut window, pre-punched range and slots for oven racks - it's a "cinch" to put together! Hopefully Martha will have me back on her show to demonstrate???? Or maybe Rachael? Ellen? Oprah? (smile).

Let's see...what else? Well it's almost Opening Day at Comerica Park. I have no new creations as of yet but I ran across an "awesome" product that should be "hot" for the season! It is sooooooooooooooooooooooo cool! And I mean that "literally!" It's a message Fan for the Detroit Tigers. I will try to post a pic later this week. If I don't sell out...I'll be surprised!

Uhm...what else...??? Oh, I am now teaching Character (i.e trustworthiness, diligence, responsibility, etc.) and I LOVE it! The children are embacing it! The ages are K-5th. I'm liking it better than the Arts & Crafts...can you believe that? Well...better go now and do some paperwork I really NEED to do!!! Tomorrow is the start of a NEW 11 week session and I've yet to develop my curriculum?!?! Will keep you posted...!