Begin Again and Again and Again...

Ah. Vacation. It was only one day, but it was wonderful!! Maybe too wonderful, but more on that later... It was lovely to do some shopping, sewing and reading uninterrupted. I made this: A checkbook cover! It's lemony and wonderful! I heart this checkbook cover... almost as much as the below mentioned cobbler :) I also sewed up a couple of clutch wallets/bags, but I have a couple of kinks to work out before I'm satisfied with them. Stay tuned, checkbook covers and clutches will be available in my Etsy shop soon! As for my day being too good... as you may or may not know, I used to work part time. About three months ago, I was promoted and now I work full time. I am really struggling with it. I miss seeing my daughters in the morning before school and I miss picking them up after. Now, I wasn't doing this everyday before, but at least twice a week. I MISS it. I miss making lunches and I miss braiding hair. Mike is able to be with them before and often after or they go to my...

I blame The Pioneer Woman . Yes, that's right Ms. fancy (awesome, actually) recipe lady. It's your fault. Everyday instead of rushing home from work to run, I rush home to make this: And yes, that is what's left of a ham at the top of this post. This woman, this amazing woman has THE most amazing recipes. EVER, people. However, let me warn you. If you are trying desperately (like me) to lose weight. Do Not visit her website at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ . You will be sucked in. ( By the way, Ree has no idea I am writing this post, nor am I receiving any compensation for it. Just in case you were wondering. I just believe in giving credit where credit is due .) The cobbler pictured above is to die for. I make it at least a couple of times a month. YUMMMM! The basic gist of this post is that I have fallen so far off of the wagon that I no longer see the tracks!! I'm am struggling. I went for a walk last night and considered it a small victory! My treadmill sits and ...

If you've read my profile, you know I am a nurse in an operating room. On occasion we need to tear down a sterile set up. Some of the items are reprocessed (re-sterilized), some are sent with docs on their mission trips, some are sent to research labs and inevitably some are thrown out. I rescued a few things from the trash the other day to bring home for the girls. (Don't freak out here, people, it is clean and I didn't actually take it out of the trash ;) Anyhoo, Mackenzie loved it and has been playing "doctor" ever since. So, without further adieu, here is Dr. Mackenzie: Isn't she adorable? On other fronts, I think I am back in action. Creatively, that is. I have been in a slump. I finally received a new fabric shipment, so I've been doing some sewing and have started making some new collages and some jewelry. I've posted a couple of new necklaces in my shop today: I've also added one skirt to my other shop , Sewin: I am working on more skirts ...

Okay all, time for another installment of getting to know your fellow bloggers and Etsians!! I am telling you all now, you heard it here first, this girl is going places. No sillies, not me ;) Gussy!! This young one is uber talented and more fun than you can imagine. I am a huge fan! Go here , to her blog, " Gussy has a lot to Say ", and prepare to fall in love. With Gussy, her, work, her blog, and yes (sorry Gus) even her husband! Miss Maggie, oops, I mean Gussy, is completely self taught. Amazing. Her bags are unique and one of a kind. I love the ruffles!! Go here to her Etsy shop to see what I mean. Be sure to stop by her blog , because Gussy is having a GIVEAWAY !! and it is the coolest idea ever. So run, don't walk, here to enter! Now, I'm going to level with you. If you win , (or just need a Gussy original before she makes it big and won't talk to any of us ;) you will have a problem. What on earth will you choose?? I have been visiting this girl...

*Edited to add, Comments are now closed. I will post the winner soon and send them an email!! Thanks to everyone who entered and for all of your great comments. In the next week or so, I hope to visit each of your blogs!! I know you've all been waiting with baited breath and trust me, I appreciate it. I'm running a little late with this, due to softball running late, lemon bars that HAD to be made and well, life ;) So, here it is... To celebrate my first ( and only so far ) sale from my new Etsy shop, Sewin , I am having a giveaway!! "What do I win?" you say. Well, in a sense, that is up to you! I have these two lovely fabrics. Tile Mosaic in turqoise, by Laura Gunn, her Lantern Bloom collection for Michael Miller Charima Paisley Tomato, by Chez Moi for Moda You, well, the winner, will get to choose from one of these fabrics and then choose either a skirt for a little girl (up to a size 10/12), a head scarf, or a skirt and a headscarf sized for an 18" doll. Co...

This blogging world never ceases to amaze me. There are sooo many talented, generous, kind people out there. Without blogging, I would never have gotten the chance to "meet" them. Throughout the coming months, I'd like to introduce you to some of my favorite people and places out there in cyberspace. The first people I have the pleasure of introducing you to are the gals at Boojiboo . It's a team made up of a mother and her two daughters. I can think of nothing better than homemade goods coming from a family effort! They carry beautiful aprons: Gorgeous drink coasters: And the cutest kitchen towels ever: Recently I had the opportunity to enter a giveaway on their blog . Boojiboo was looking for input about their blog, shop, etc. I of course, never one to shy from a challenge, entered. I was not the winner of the fabulous clutch from their other shop, Boojibootique . However, generous people that they are, they did offer everyone who entered (and didn't win) a free...

I don't know about you, but I am kind of a freak about my soap. I prefer homemade. Geesh, there, I said it. I'm not sure exactly what it is. Maybe the amazing variety of fragrances; maybe the fact my skin doesn't feel drier than it already is (Wisconsin, ya know); maybe it's because I love buying handmade when I can; maybe I just like it, okay. Enough said about that. So, if you have never tried homemade soap, or you are like me and love to try as many as you can, I have an offer for you! Go here and check out "soap swap" on the right hand menu. I am anxiously awaiting my sample from Nothing but Soap ! I'll let you know in a few weeks what I think. :) Now, amusing little story (I think) that kinda shows what a small world this blog/Etsy community is. I am preparing for my garage sale and decided to cruise some new blogs while I take a break for lunch. You know what I mean... I typed "blog" into the main search page on Etsy (because I love readin...

I think that the new decals are the greatest thing since sliced bread ;) What an easy and unique way to freshen up a room! Lewa's Designs has wonderful wall designs to suit every taste and... LAPTOP decals!! Super c ute! So, head on over to http://www.lewasdesigns.com/ and snag yourself a couple. While you're at it, check out their blog ! You can even check them out on Etsy ! And for a limited time, if you blog about this very cool shop, they are being very cool and will send you your very own decal!! Check out the details on their blog . Trish

My daughter had a birthday part to go to last Saturday. Of course, she reminded me of this at about 8pm Friday night. Hmmm... Racked my brain for any forgotten gifts I might have stashed - nothin! So, I made this: And I L.O.V.E. it!! I must make more :) Check out my Etsy shop for new listings - new rings, some pins, etc. And someday soon, maybe, pillows??? ;)

Hi all I've been remiss in posting a couple of wonderful giveaways I've won recently as well as about the awesome swap package I received. So... From the wonderful Anna Sophia over at Our Daily Chocolate , I won this totally cool pendant! My picture does not do this pendant justice. I love it! The neutral colors go with everything. Head on over to Anna Sophia's blog . She's having a 100th post giveaway!! The other giveaway I won is this great purse via Vanessa's blog , It's from Deb at GirlygirlBags. See her Etsy site her e . Let me just tell you, I was not having the best day and I received an email from Vanessa telling me I won!! Woo Hoo!! The bag is as delish as it looks!! Last but not least (gosh I hate saying that, but it's true :), my amazing swap package from the fabulous Terisa at SabiiWabii . She looked into my soul and sent me a swap box that took my breath away. Terisa, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Please check out her Etsy shop for the cool...

Gosh, my mom always said I was :) Hehe!! Sorry, it's just I am soooo giddy over winning these awesome giveaways! First, I won this: (Yes, it is a coffee cozy on my glass of water, but hey, whatever works!! I had to try it out right away :) Please visit Kati's blog at http://kpmattingly.wordpress.com and buy yourself one. As if that wasn't cool enough, I also won these: I won these prints from Pam. She is a very cool lady and has wonderful artwork here: http://babeta.etsy.com . And check out her blog here: http://pamwardenart.blogspot.com Thank you both so much. I am in awe of your generousity! I've also won another giveaway, which I will post about as soon as it arrives. With all of my luck lately, I've been thinking I should host a giveaway of my own. I'll do so within the next couple of days, so check back!!

I'm baaack! I feel like I've been on vacation. Not so, simply too busy and too lazy to update my shop or my blog. So, tonight for the first time in forever, I'm doing both! Check out my Etsy shop for some cool new rings. I've recently signed on with a local brick and mortar shop to sell some of my goodies, so I'm very excited! Most of my items never make it to Etsy (due to the painful process involved in downloading from my camera), but hopefully I'll get a new and improved camera for Christmas (hint hint, Mike) which will make it much easier. My first attempt at a craft fair was a success. Hence the new home for my "stuff" in an actual store. I was also asked to attend another local craft fair. WOO HOO!! I love making things and have found my inner artist. I've begun to decorate for Christmas. I love this time of year and the spirit that goes with it. So, yes I am one of THOSE people. I've been listening and singing Christmas music for a coup...

I am hosting an Etsy giveaway!!! I have 3 of these great little pouches left from my recent purchase from Sonya. If you are one of the first three people to make a purchase from my shop, I will include a free mighty mini pouch from Sonya's shop! That's a six dollar value! You can check them out here: www.sonya.etsy.com . These little pouches are fun and very handy! My friends love them! (I only have one like this green amoeba style, the other two are very, very cute as well!) To go to my shop click HERE!