Introducing the lovely, (who am I kidding? Okay, drool worthy…) Kelly Moore Bags for photographers. I absolutely love these! They are the perfect mix of size, storage and functionality that I was looking for in a Lens bag.  Easy access to lenses, nice storage pockets for memory cards and all the little things I carry around, substantial enough they won’t just flop over but soft enough to fit the contours of your body as you move. Oh, happiness! If you listen to my husband he would tell you I am addicted to bags. But really, do you blame me??  I can’t decide which one to get, but I will be ordering one!  And I can’t wait to get it. Yes, there will be pictures!  Until then, go check out her site…

Oh, and get this…the wonderful Kelly Moore has given me a discount code to share with all of you in case you want (MUST HAVE!!) one of these yummy bags, too! So Your $50 discount code is: bloglove  It will expire on January 24th, so make sure to grab yours while the getting is good!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I have been married to Jeff for almost 27 years.  We have two daughters, Rachel is 20 and Rebecca is nearly 18.  I have a degree in Advertising from ASU.

I grew up here in the Valley — I love the sunshine and beauty of the desert.  I enjoy reading (especially forensics and true crime), classic movies, working out, spending time with loved ones, travel and quilting.

Tell us about your Button Bags.

When creating the bags, I wanted to design something functional and fun.  To ensure excellence in craftsmanship, I use only high-quality materials.  Each bag features 3 inside pockets to keep things organized.  Also, I try to use an interesting lining fabric since the bags are fully reversible.

 When I completed my first bag, my daughter thought that a button would be the perfect finishing touch.  Each bag features a button that complements the fabrics.

Rayetta has more fabrics to choose from including some fun animal prints and diaper bags. I couldn’t fit pictures of all of them here!  In addition to her wonderful bags, Rayetta also designs quilts. Isn’t this one lovely?!

What motivated you to start your business?

Last fall I began to consider the looming cost of having 2 kids in college.  I decided to attend H&R Block School, with the hopes of landing a part-time job to earn some extra income.

Meanwhile, I was receiving very positive feedback on some fabric bags I had made for family and friends.  I proposed the idea of making and selling my bags to my brother Charles, who lovingly stated, “Rayetta, you’re an artist, not a number cruncher.  The bags are more an expression of who you are.”  Rayetta’s Homemade Treasures was born.

You are doing something special with the proceeds.  Tell us why you picked this organization.

I have been a stay-at-home mom for years, and sadly, caring for people with HIV/AIDS was never on my radar.  In 2003, someone close to me was diagnosed with AIDS.  Suddenly, AIDS was no longer a set of statistics, or just a red ribbon — AIDS had a face.

As my loved one recovered from a near-fatal illness, I realized how important a support system can be.  I began to pray that God would give me the opportunity to help care for someone living with HIV.  I met Steve Robenalt from Compassion in Action, and began volunteering for his organization in 2007.  I never thought I’d be doing HIV work, but there’s nothing I’d rather do.  Nothing compares to loving people and giving your life away. 

What is one thing you absolutely wouldn’t want to live without?

Hands down, the one thing I couldn’t live without is my Bible.  For me, it’s been a safe place to rest, a plumb line of truth, a flashlight in the dark, and a love letter.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’d love to go to Europe.  What could be more exciting than gazing at the Sistine Chapel, having breakfast in a Paris café, or visiting Martin Luther’s stomping grounds?

What is your favorite saying?

This is difficult because there are so many profound quotes, but this is definitely one of my favorites:  “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.  It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (C.S. Lewis).

What is the best way for someone to contact you?

E-mail me at rayettanathe@cox.net.

Good luck to you, Rayetta! I love my bag and get so many compliments when I carry it!

Well, here is a GREAT idea! As of April 1st of this year and running through April 1st, 2010, you can get a group of 4 into several local venues for FREE. Yup…FREE! How does this work? Using what is called a Culture Pass anyone with a Library card in Scottsdale , Phoenix , Chandler , Mesa , Tempe and Glendale can go to their local library and ask to check out a pass for the particular place you would like to go. Each Library has been given 5 passes to each venue. You walk in, pick up the pass, take it to the check out desk and bada-BING! You are given a pass that is good for a one time admission for 4 which expires in 7 days. Nothing to bring back, even! How cool is that?!!

Here’s a tip. These babies are pretty popular and the place you may want to get passes for may be checked out. You cannot put passes on hold, however you can go online to the Library’s website and look at the availability and status of the Culture pass you would like to check out. The websites list the days the pass becomes available again. I wanted to take my kids to the Children’s Museum last week. I went onto the Phoenix City Library’s website, found out the date the pass was going back to “Available” status and was at the library when it opened. It’s worth a little advance planning to get what you want!

Here is a list of the available venues:
AZ Museum for Youth
AZ Museum of Natural History
AZ Science Center
The Bead Museum
Cave Creek Museum
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Desert Botanical Garden
Heard Museum
Mesa Contemporary Arts
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Zoo
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Taliesin West

I just think this is the best thing to happen in Phoenix in a long time! I am looking forward to taking my kids to several of these venues during the summer. Fun, interesting places that are free and air conditioned? I am so there!

Check out more info about the culture pass here: http://www.showup.com/culturepass
Happy Summer!

Besides the wonderful teaching and people, we were spoiled by the incredible food. My amazing (and I don’t use that word lightly!) friend Kim is truly gifted in event planning. She can whip up a menu that is delicious and filling for a group of 50, or elegant and indulgant for a small dinner party of 10.  She and her husband Nick were part of what made the weekend so special. Sunday morning we woke up to fresh baked scones that were so delicious. I love a good scone recipe and wanted to share this one with you all. If you try it out, let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Kim’s Cranberry Orange Scones

Ingredients

• 4 cups plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
• 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
• 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix 4 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt and orange zest. Add the cold butter and mix at the lowest speed until the butter is the size of peas. Combine the eggs and heavy cream and, with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour into the flour and butter mixture. Mix until just blended. The dough will look lumpy! Combine the dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of flour, add to the dough, and mix on low speed until blended.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it into a ball. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4-inch thick. You should see small bits of butter in the dough. Keep moving the dough on the floured board so it doesn’t stick. Flour a 3-inch round plain or fluted cutter and cut circles of dough. Place the scones on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Collect the scraps neatly, roll them out, and cut more circles.

Brush the tops of the scones with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are browned and the insides are fully baked. The scones will be firm to the touch. Allow the scones to cool for 15 minutes and then whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice, and drizzle over the scones.