Fun, fun, fun

I'm having lots of fun getting ready for the holidays this year. I think because I am just taking it very SLOW. We'll see how long this lasts.....hohoho....


I usually get crazy the last week before Christmas and I am determined that this year I will not go down that road. So, I am doing what I have time for and what is important, and the rest will fly away like Rudolph and the rest of his pals.

Can't believe the season is already upon us....but glad to see it. I love the true and good things about Christmas and that is what I plan to spend time on this year.

We'll see how it pans out.....
And off we go.....hohoho.....

here's the pic

This is a picture of the lovely pendant from Michon's shop on etsy.
Great piece!!
♥♥

Lovely Jewelry Piece

Oh this is a wonderful etsy shop. I love this piece. Have a look!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8653991

Try this again-birthday book

Let's try this again and see if I can get the URL right on this wonderful birthday gift idea.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32419749

Lovely birthday book

This is a great idea for a birthday gift. I love it. Check it out!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32419749
Have a great Halloween♥

Give away

HOST is having a blog giveaway. This is open to everyone, team members and anybody else. You don't even have to be a part of etsy.

Here is the giveaway:

http://helpingothersstreetteam.blogspot.com/2009/09/helping-others-street-team-host-blog-is.html

Hope you will stop by. Thanks!!

Scout hangin' out

Well, she is a plump furry baby, but she knows how to hang out and relax!! She is a real hoot.
We got to celebrate.....she has lost 4 pounds.
The Vet was very pleased. Yea! We don't mind her plump figure, but we want her as healthy as possible so she can be with us for as long as possible.
Scoutster - the Queen of Just Hangin' Out!!

So, Scoutster is on this diet. Poor dear, the vet informed her that she is overweight for her size!!! Well, she did not take this news well. We put her on the dry dogfood the vet told us to use. It is the 'weight control formula'. So after 4 weeks on this food she went back to the vet to get weighed in.

She had GAINED 4 pounds!!!!

What is up with that????
So we put her back on the 'senior formula' dry dog food. We'll see how this works out. But I think she is looking mighty fine here, don't ya think???

Just like me, she doesn't like to exercise and she LOVES to eat. She especially likes anything her humans are eating. So we try to be good and NOT give her tidbits. But, look at that face. I mean, really, could you turn down that look??

We love every pound of her♥♥

Another nature adventure. This time I found the turtle instead of the rabbit. This cute little one was roaming around on the gravel in our dog run. Scout, our fearless dog, was of course afraid of the turtle....
We put the little guy on the trail to a better location as our dog run isn't really a place I'd want to reside if I was a turtle. Not sure how the little critter got in the fenced in area to start with as he was having somewhat of a difficult time getting back out of the fence.

Of course it didn't help to have Scout barking madly at him and me trying to take pics at the same time. I probably would have been rather confused on my exit strategy if all this was going on around ME! Anyway, I enjoyed the little guy. He may not be speedy, but he is very cute.

Rabbit, rabbit

Out to get the mail again and ran across this critter munching on the grass. So cute. She didn't hang around long though once she saw me and my camera.

Remember to say "rabbit, rabbit" on the first of each month for good luck and positive vibes all month long. I don't know where I first heard this or when we started it, but it's fun anyway.

Rabbit, rabbit!!

Butterfly Bush

Our neighbor has several butterfly bushes and they are awesome. I was out this morning to get the mail and saw all the butterflies having their 'breakfast'. There was one very large, beautiful golden colored butterfly-really pretty. So I rushed inside for the camera. Of course when I returned it has left. But I still had fun watching these guys and took a few shots.

These are wonderful plants. Pretty and good for the earth at the same time. Great!!

I'm glad our neighbor has provided us with such splendor to enjoy.

Traveling Trunk Show Sisterhood

Hey guys. This is going to be super fun!! If you are in the Michigan area stop by this wonderful show.

There will be lots of vintage inspired items, art, and handmade body products.

What a great way to spend the day!!

HAVE FUN!!!

♥♥

These lovely moisture bars are a wonderful new item from Vintagebella.etsy.com. Not only are they beautiful, but they make your skin feel fantastic. I have already ordered one for several of my friends as a gift and they love it.

I'm so happy to have these lovelies to send to people!! Yippee!!

So, I have all of this lovely glass that I use in my creations. It needs to be stored so that it is protected from scratches and chips. How to accomplish this most efficiently, using the least amount of space and of course, at the least expenditure.

Tried several different approaches, but I still wasn't happy with the setup. Then on one of my travels to Target I stumbled across these mats on sale. They are actually the mats you put in your sink to protect your dishes. When you flip them over, wha-la, they have little recessed cubes. The glass fits in them perfectly. Each little piece has it's own little residence. So happy and protected from damage. And, I can stack these on top of each other if necessary.

I already had the rolling storage bin with the drawers that come out. So I can just take out the whole drawer when I'm working and select the exact piece of glass I would like to use. My lovely glass is happy and so am I.

Doesn't take much to make me SMILE♥♥♥

I just recently joined

Etsy for Animals.

I'm happy to be part

of this team.

Of course, Scoutster

thinks it is a great

idea too.

Animals bring such

joy and love into our lives. It's terrific when we can do anything to help out those animals in need.

About Us
Etsy for Charity (EFC Team) - We are a group of Etsy sellers who contribute to the community with our crafts.
Through our crafts, we wish to generate as many funds as possible to be donated to various charity organizations from all parts of the world.

We have come together to run the EFC Store at http://etsyforcharity.etsy.com .
100% of the sales (less the Etsy and Paypal fees) from this team store will be donated to the Charity of the Month.

Make a purchase at our team store and help make our dreams come true!
To be an EFC Team member, please register at http://etsyforcharity.ning.com .

Thanks so much for your support!!

I've started to make some nice little scrabble tile magnets. They are a great size and also REALLY strong. The little guys will hold at least 7 sheets of paper to any metal surface. Small, but mighty. More to come in the future......♥♥

So, my dear Scoutster has been gaining weight and her doggie doc stated her concern about this.

Well, she had blood tests (she has seizures and has to have her blood levels checked regularly) and they decided to check her thyroid. Turns out she has a hypothyroid condition-and so do I!!

Now we take our thyroid medication together. Ha! Hopefully this will help with her weight issue. We'll just see how it goes.

She is older and has arthritis so she can't really jump up on things like she used to-the weight doesn't help matters either.....heehee.

Now she has her own doggie steps. They work great. She wasn't sure about them at first, but quickly learned to walk right on up and make herself comfortable in her favorite places; the bed, and the sofa. I recommend these if your pet has similiar issues.

Here is a wonderful new product from Vintagebella. These are delicious new lip balms that smell wonderful, feel great and are terrific to use. Plus what beautiful packaging. This is not your average lip balm. You will feel like a Queen for sure when you use these....just don't lose your head (sorry, couldn't resist the urge!!)

Here's some of the description about the great new products from this creative shop:

"Vintage Bella is proud to announce its new line of natural, handmade body products called Vintage Bella Body. We use all natural ingredients, nothing artificial or petroleum based. We make everything from beginning to end. We don't purchase already made bases and merely add a scent. We make it all right here."

And they come in a variety of flavors to suit your taste, like:

Pink cake http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23782621

Blueberry Muffin http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23776282

and Cherry frosting http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23764142

Hurry over to Vintagebella and grab some for yourself♥♥

Whoooo's watching........just like the look of this guy. Very dignified fellow and keeping an eye

on everything.

We have owls that live in the wooded area behind our home. Many times I hear them.....very cool.

My parents, on the other hand are not big owl fans. They have a little dog, whom they adore, and they are afraid an owl will steal him away.

This becomes less and less likely as he eats more and more treats provided to him often.

Forgot to put the URL so you can get some of this

glamourous glue for your very own!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22631939

Glue away......♥♥

Here's something you just must have!!! This is great stuff.

Non-toxic and easy to use for so many different projects.

Plus, I love anything that is not only extremely useful,

but 'glamourous' as well. Not surprising that Annie Howes has offered

us a fantastic product like this Glamour Glue. Never thought

I'd be so excited about glue.....who knew...did you???

All tied up with a bow and ready to go!!

This is one of my new scrabble tile pendants.

Fun for spring. This one is made of recycled

fabric....love to recycle whenever possible.

Enjoy the coming week!!♥♥

Need something green for St. Patrick's day???
Well, here you go. This is green and also nice
and cheerful for spring.

Happy St. Patrick's Day--Go Green!!

I have this wonderful, inexpensive magnifier that I just love. So, I wanted to share it with you. It stands by itself and will fold up nicely to put away when not in use. I have purchased several of them and they are just great for close up viewing.

If you need to get a closer look at anything you're working on, I highly recommend these. Great little item - good value for the price and really does the trick.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10746197
They are from EviesToolEmporium.etsy.com.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

This is the new lady in town. She is all decked out and on her afternoon stroll. Ahhhh.......the pampered life.
I'm just glad I don't have to wear those dresses.
Arghhhh!!! How did they sit down or do anything for that matter.
At least she is lovely, but as for me.....I'm lovin' my jean, sweatpants, t-shirts and dansko shoes.
And I rarely have an umbrella when I need one.

So, it is March in North Carolina and what happens......we get snow!!! Of course, we don't see it all that often so we think it is beautiful and we all get to stay home-so it's great.

Lovely to look at and it will be gone shortly-didn't even have to shovel the driveway. Who could ask for more????

"When I first open my eyes upon the morning and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God that I am alive."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm having fun making different types of pendants. These are flat bottomed marbles with this cool swirl design inside.

Each of these marbles has a different swirl pattern and I like that-and they are all various degrees of 'roundness'. It makes it interesting to work with them.

"Creating is living doubly." Albert Camus

Happy creating!

I'm really excited about my new line of pendants. I have the privilege of working with the artwork of Marisa Hopkins at www.ElegantSnobbery.etsy.com

Her drawings are lovely, fun, colorful and just terrific!! So I am enjoying the opportunity to turn some of them into pendants.

Scoutster likes them as well.....although she thinks Marisa should draw a round Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix that looks like her. Now that would be something indeed!!

So relaxed....

So, I'm working away on my pendants and this is what Scoutster, my wonderful companion has to add to the endeavors of the day. But she gives me lots of snores to cheer me on in my work. Gotta love her. She knows how to relax!!

It's the birthday celebration for FAM. Come join in the celebration. Visit our shops and you can enter in the drawing to win some terrific prizes--great stuff by Fabulous Artistic Moms♥♥

Hope everyone is having a Valentine's day full of smiles and love!!

Here's some great quotes to celebrate Valentine's day:

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." Marc Chagall

"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better" William Shakespeare

"The essence of love is kindness" Robert Louis Stevenson

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa

O.K. ...enough already.....Happy Day♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

So, I've been working with some different shapes for my glass pendants. It's a lot of fun. This is one of my latest listings. Really cool!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20762604

Have a great weekend!!

EMBRACE OUR 'BAD HAIR DAYS'

So, I've decided that bad hair days aren't all that bad....as a matter of fact, I think we should just relish these days. As a breast cancer survivor, I have been through the many stages of hair and hairlessness.

First I got a 'buzz cut' since I knew my hair was going to fall out. That was an interesting look and everyone wanted to rub my prickly head. Fun!!

After chemo started I lost all my hair....and I do mean ALL my hair. Being bald wasn't really so bad, except my head got cold. The bald head didn't LOOK so bad either...and I got to wear lots of cool scarfs and hats.

When my hair began to come back in, it came back wavy-I've always had extremely straight hair. This was REALLY fun. It lost the waves as it got longer, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.

So, now, I have a short hair style-easy to manage. And there are the days when I wake up and my hair looks really odd, sticking up in all the wrong places. I often chuckle at the sight, and try to 'settle' it down to some type of order. It has a mind of it's own and I'm glad it does!!! I'm glad that it is there to keep my little head warm and to entertain me from time to time.

Bad hair days aren't so bad, after all......♥♥♥

Sending warm vibes to all of you out there dealing with the cold, snow, ice storms and just general yucky weather. The weather reports look pretty dismal for a lot of folks.

So here's hoping you have someone warm to snuggle up with, plenty of good books to read, music to listen to and great stories to tell.

Things to do when your power is out:

- go to someplace where they DO have power (LOL)

- make shadow designs on the wall using your candles

- share family stories, the really old funny kind

- eat everything melting in your freezer

- snuggle by the fire in your fireplace (if you have one!)

- sing, read, play games

- take pictures; who looks the worst not having a shower in several days???

- stop trying to use your microwave; it won't work!!

- drink and be merry-eat more melting food!!

Take care♥♥♥

Are you looking for something different for your next party? Well, here it is!! This is a fun do it yourself kit complete with everything you need (including instructions) to make your own jewelry. What a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends....you will share your creative spirits, laugh at your mistakes, share stories and have a lovely piece of jewelry to show for it all. Now who could ask for more.

Check it out at anniehowes.etsy.com

You'll love it!!♥♥

Well, I love music. So it is no wonder that my faithful companion, Scoutster loves music too.

We happened to catch an American Idol show the other night. Since then, Scoutster has been determined that she wants to be a contestant on the show. And let me tell you, she can 'sing' really well. Every night she does her snoring sonata and it is something to hear, let me tell ya!!

So, I don't know when she will make it to the show....but she is lovin' watching the show. And she is a cutie pie and a really great companion....so I guess that makes her my 'american idol'!!

I like to reuse and recycle things whenever I can. So I found a great use for this old silverware tray that was hanging around the house. It is super for holding some of my craft supplies. The compartments are great and keep things in order. Plus it slides right under this metal shelf that I had that I wasn't using for anything. It's a good setup and the price is right!!!

I had my bead boxes stacked on top of each other. It was a real pain to move one box to get to another box underneath it. And it was difficult to really see what beads were in each box. I needed serious bead organization help!!

Now I know most of you beading folks probably have more sophisticated ways to keep your beads organized. I was looking for something inexpensive and this is what I came up with.

I purchased inexpensive letter trays that interlock and stack. Each bead tray slides perfectly in the trays. So now I can slide each one out and easily view the contents. I love it and it was an affordable way for me to get organized. Also purchased the grid system on the wall from the container store. It also helps out a lot. Hope this may give you some organization inspiration.

Have a great weekend.

Just discovered these really cool muslin bags at vintagebella.etsy.com. They come in different sizes and you can have your logo placed on them. Super fun!! Or, they will design a logo especially for you....These would be great for parties or gift bags. They would be nice to have around for lots of different options. Check it out....there are lots of other really nice things in this shop as well, so have a look see. You'll have fun browsing around this etsy shop....♥♥