Ta-Daaah and a SPECIAL in my ETSY shop

Just a quickee post for now--I have a couple things to share. First is the special I'm running for the next two days:


♥♥♥♥ Tomorrow is my 2ND ETSYVERSARY!!!!♥♥♥

April 17th

In honor of this auspicious occassion, I will put $2.00 back into the paypal account of any person who spends $10.00 or over in my shop today and/or tomorrow and writes "HAPPY ETSYVERSARY" in the notes to seller upon purchase!!!

Good April 16th and 17th

Pretty good huh?! lol SECOND---we finished my little office space!! Yeah, I just love it, it's so colorful and cute and CLEAN! If you click on the pic--it will take you to my Flickr page which has some fun little notes about the room!

Well, gotta go and do some sewing--thanks for stopping by!

xoxoxo Karen

Which one do you like?

Hi friends!! The painting is all done! The wood is all stripped! The trim is all trimmed! Yeah, we have a couple of threshold pieces to install and a shelf to put up---and then it's time to mop the floor and move in the furniture. I'm so excited! I will take pics and show off either tomorrow or the next day.

We have a big snow storm coming in so we may spend the day going grocery shopping and preparing for it. The kids are off school this week for spring break, so we must have lots of food on hand....better bake up some brownies huh?!

I have been thinking about opening another Etsy shop for vintage finds--you know, linens and laces and cool old things I run across in my treasure hunting--and craft supplies. There are some in my shop right now, but I'm not sure I'm happy mixing them in with my hand mades? I'd be happy to hear any comments or thoughts you may have about this. Is it OK to have them mixed or should I go ahead and work on a seperate shop?? Help me my wise friends!! Do you guys read Ginny's blog iSew ?? She is getting married in a couple weeks and has been preparing for a real crafty/handmade wedding!! It's so exciting. She is making her own dress--which is impressive as heck to me! lol And it's turning out gorgeous! Plus she has been hard at it making all sorts of wonderful things for the tables and guests....you should really stop by and check it out!

Do you ever do this....make up a batch of things that are all a variation of one thing? I haven't had much time for crafting this week--due to the remodelling and the kids--but I did sit one day and do up a cute little magnet with a flying bird. I liked it so well that I decided to do one up in a different color, and then another, and then another, and then another, etc! LOL I ended up with 6 of them, each a little different than the next. It's kinda fun--try it! So which one do you like best??

Show and Tell Sunday

I was so excited to hear about some bloggers getting together to do show and tell on Sunday's!! LittlePinkStudio and LeesieBella got together and decided to make it official!! You can read all about it HERE.

Show and Tell was always a favorite back in elementary school--being allowed to bring your favorite things to school to show everyone and also getting to see what the other's brought. I remember the excitement that would be around on Show and Tell day! Anyone else remember this as fondly as I do?

This is a bit of a long story so stick with me till the end --OK?? -so, I'm all excited and looking forward to Show and Tell............guess what ? The subject this time is vintage millinery florals. I could've cried! I don't have ANY! No hats, no hat boxes, and not even a little tiny vintage floral. Can you believe that? Oh well, I guess I will have to see what next week brings! *wipes tear away*.

I had such a wonderful thing come to me in the mail this week---just yesterday as a matter of fact. It came in a large long box...and when I saw who it was from....I could hardly wait to open it! I was the lucky lucky winner of Kandeland's blog giveaway!! Yeah !!!!!!!! And she sent me (lickety-split too, I might add) a great big box full of crafty goodies! OMGosh--a regular treasure chest!! Just look at all that gorgeousness!! Thank you SO much Natalea--I am stunned by your generosity!!! AND........best of all...........do you see what is in there---right about center top of the pic..........

Some beautiful vintage flowers!!! Yeah! So I can participate after all----I am so blessed. :o) Thanks again Natalea--you have made me a happy gal!

Know what else made me happy this week? The weather, oh yeah. It actually got up in the 50's and we were able to open up the windows for a bit and air out the house! Lovely. Rosie was enjoying having a little talk with the pigeons on the neighbors rooftop!!

I also got a couple new bagkeepers finished this week. It's been a while since I made any of these with my own embroidery on them--and I forgot how much I enjoy doing them! This cute one with the spring colors and the cute little birds is available in HERE.

I also did this cutey chickens one--in pretty red and aqua--but this one is already sold to the fabulous EstherSunday (if you haven't ever been to her blog---you should! She is really funny and silly--a great read!). Just thought I'd show it off while I still have it!
Have a great day my lovely blog friends!!

xoxoxo Karen

Another Drawing

Guess what? I found another drawing for you to enter! This one is from the wonderful and talented Old World Shoppes etsy street team (of which I am a proud member!)

Click here and leave a comment to be entered. We are starting a new blog for the team and are trying to raise awareness with our drawing--so stop by and say HI!


While you are there, scroll down to the second entry and click the little video to see a small video featuring a bunch of OWS creations backed up by the official OWS theme song!

A Very Cool Contest

Our friend Diana, from A Muted Palette, has decided to start offering her wonderful artwork in prints--and is doing a giveaway to celebrate!! Head over to her blog and make your pick!!

This is the one that I love., isn't it fantastic??? ...hope I win!!

Sooo....what's new?

Well, it had to be done--we had to move the computer this week! Yuck. Here's my poor baby all piled up on the table, ready to be moved. Made me nervous to say the least, plus it was just inconvenient! But that pretty little piano window that you see here above the table had to be stripped, that shelf had to be taken down so we could spackle that wall, and the carpetting had to be torn out.
The window is stripped and the cartpet is GONE!! We were happily surprised with the beautiful shape the wood flooring is under the carpet--being the front entryway to our home, we were a little afraid that the wood would be damaged, but happily not! Yeah! The walls are spackled and drying, and tomorrow morning we can start priming the wall. We are so happy that the stripping is done--it's taken us 15 years, but all the stripping on the main floor is finished! YEAH! The end results are fantastic and it probably upped the value of our house immensely, but that stripping is the most tedious and yucky job ever! I'd rather change diapers! lol

OK--on to more crafty topics! Check out this beautiful tea towel I scored last week! The embroidery on this one is absolutely gorgeous, intricate and so expertly done--and it even has a pretty scalloped and crocheted edging. I decided to make it into a bagkeeper (you know, for those plastic bags from the grocery store) and I was able to use the towel without cutting it up in any way--which makes me happy! This one is a real beauty--perfect for adding a cute cottage style to the kitchen. It's listed in my Etsy shop.
I also decided to do up a little inspiration kit--I haven't made one in a while and this pretty lace was staring me in the face, lol, so here it is! Don't you just love those little vintage buttons on the bottom--they are delicate flower shaped with a rhinestone center--so precious, I am having a hard time not convincing myself to keep them! LOL

Finally, a sneak peek at my latest project, just finished yesterday--I was able to sneak down to my studio for a little craft time! Beautiful vintage satin brocade in the loveliest shade of pink you ever saw, and lined with a pretty pink satin. I've made it into a pretty pocket--perfect for holding your love letters and other keepsakes!

The little rose applique was a cutey that I recently purchased from TwigandBerries on Etsy --it's the perfect touch to this pocket, don't you think? There is also a cute little rosebud applique applied to the inside that you can see when you open it up. Of course, I had to stitch on some pretty crocheted lace and add a vintage glass button that has a little gold gilding.


I will be listing this in my Etsy shop a little later on today.

Well, I better go jump in the shower and get ready for church. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Isn't it funny.....

I was just over at Diana's blog (which is a great read--do yourself a favor and head over!) and she did a post about exposing her children to art at a young age. It really got me thinking. I think it's great to expose them to being creative when they are young. Let them see how art enriches your life. Let them see how good if feels to create something. Let them get their hands dirty--make a little mess and have some fun! Learn a skill. See something they like and see if they can make it themselves instead of buying one already made.

They don't really get it in school . They don't even get it in play anymore--when they are sitting in a chair pushing buttons and staring at someone else's idea of art displayed on the screen while trying to outwit the bad guy (or good guy depending on the game). It's sad really.
My two kids are only 18 months apart--one boy and one girl. I've always let them be a part of my crafting life--letting them get their hands into whatever happened to pique their curiosity. I always secretly hoped my daughter would enjoy sewing and embroidery like I do, and envisioned many happy hours spent crafting together and sharing secrets and laughs. Guess what?? Not her bag. She doesn't like it. She likes to sing and dance!!

But Joe, he is a natural sewer. He sat down next to me one day, when he was about 6 years old, and watched me as I was stitching blanket stitches around the outer edges of some Christmas ornaments. He asked if he could make something--so I got him a couple pieces of felt, scissors, needle and floss--gave him a couple pointers and just let him go to it. About an hour later he said "Look Mama, I made Purdy (our cat) a Christmas present" and held up a little blanket he had made by putting the 2 felt rectangles together and blanket stitching around the edges. His stitches were so good, I could hardly believe it! LOL Even now, being a macho 16 year old young man, he will sew on a button or mend a hole in a shirt when the need arises.

He has been taught to run a sewing machine--as has his sister--but he prefers the hand sewing. Lindsey prefers the sewing machine, and only if she has to! lol I am a little disappointed--but only a LITTLE. Isn't it funny how things turn out their own way.

...And the winner is.......

Sorry this got so late! We went to an award's banquet this evening for Linds' dance team--which was really nice and fun--then got home just in time to watch LOST. Then I loaded up the hat with all the names for the drawing and had Linds and Miss Rosie draw a name........

TIED UP MEMORIES

Yeah!! one of my CSST friends. The funny thing too is that I recently bought a necklace from Tiedupmemories (see the post right below this one)--and wore it for the first time tonight! I received several compliments on my pretty necklace tonight, and even my hub noticed it (which is a small miracle really!).

Oh, one more thing, Linds got her first letter today--we are so proud of her for maintaining such good grades and working so hard at her dance team too. Way to go Linds, yeah!!

I am pooped and heading to bed---so this is gonna be a short posting. Thanks so much to all of you who entered my drawing--your support and your kindness is so appreciated!!! Big hugs to you all!! :o)

Dang I'm getting OLD!

Today is my baby girl's birthday--15th! It's so hard to believe that a 29 year old woman such as myself has a daughter who is 15 already! LOL-- Happy Birthday sweety--we are very blessed to have you as our daughter and are Soooo very proud of what a great person you are turning out to be! I don't remember if I showed you all the staircase since we finished it....isn't it purdy?!! Thought I'd share a few goodies I've gotten in the mail lately---This gorgeous necklace was purchased from tiedupmemories I just LOVE it!! I will finally get a chance to wear it tonight when we go to the end-of-year banquet for Lind's dance team. Should be a fun time--pot luck dinner and then all the girl's will be doing skits and entertainment for us!

And THIS is the gorgeous packaging it came in! Isn't that a treat? Thanks so much tiedupmemories for a wonderful transaction!

AND look at this handsome fella! I ordered this from Treasurefield --one of my favorite artists and a super nice gal too! I wanted something to snazz up my boring brown tote bag--and this is perfect! He is even more handsome in person--I really love it!

Well, I have a cake to bake and some lettuce and stuff to clean and chop for my babies birthday dinner tacos! I'll be back tomorrow to do the drawing for the bag (2 posts down, if you didn't sign up yet!) Have a great day :o)

Tulip Mania!

Who likes tulips?? Have we got a treat for you today! The Cottage Style Street Team on Etsy, of which I happen to be a proud member, decided to do a promotion, and TULIPS is the theme. Each person was to make a tulip theme project in the medium of their choice and we were unveil them all today. Such lovely things in many different materials and colors and interpretations, what a bunch of fun! Any day--just go type CSST into the search at Etsy and see what kinds of cottagey goodness the talented artisans in the group have listed in their shops. TODAY especially you will find the tulip items--have fun and get some tulippy springtime goodies to have for your very own!! Here is the TULIP LIST so far.

This is one of the items I whipped up for the promotion--I am going to have a hard time parting with this one!! The background is original vintage sheet music from 1896--the song is (translated to english) Dancing on the Green--which I thought was perfect because tulips, in the natural, seem to be dancing on the green grass!! I've added a print of one of my favorite poems by Mary McNeil Fenollaso:

God Spoke!
and from the arid scene
Sprang rich and verdant bowers
'til all the earth was
soft with green-
He Smiled!
and there were flowers.

I fussy cut some pretty tulips and a big purple bow from a vintage greeting card and added them to the poem and added them to the collage-- set above the sheet music so it all has a 3-d effect. Add in a little bit of unused vintage wedding trim (I got the trim from a gal who was selling off her Grandma's sewing stuff and Grandma used to sew for other's , including wedding attire.) It's framed in a cute little shadowbox framed that I distressed to give it that nice old-timey feel. It's available HERE.

Here's another project I did for the promotion--come on--you know I had to do something embroidered! lol This pretty tulip is from a vintage Vogart pattern--stitched up in blue onto natural onasburg linen and bordered with a pretty tulips feedsack print. It is a padded pouch so it'd be a great camera or other gadget pouch. It's available HERE.

Don't forget to sign up for the GIVEAWAY drawing (one post down)--just leave a comment in THAT THREAD to be entered--and tell me your favorite color combo (just doing a little un-scientific market research!) lol