A Lovely Award

I received this lovely award from Lauren at Betty Mae Artistry. Lauren has a wonderful blog - Please pop over and look!! Thank-You Lauren!!


About the Award:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Here are the blogs I am passing it on too. Please take time to look at Lauren's blog and the following blogs, they are all wonderful!!

Bovine Bubbles & Hog Wash

Kala Pohl Studio

Split Rock Ranch

The Queen Speaks

Sweet Pea Toad

Lilly Shay Style

Dragon's Den
Life, Love, YARN!

Blissful Blooms Paper

Blissful Blooms Paper is a wonderful card shop on Etsy. Joanne has had her shop on Etsy since February, and resides in Bently, Albera, Canada.




1. How did you decide on your shop name?
My shop name was a direct result of my upcoming wedding in July. I was in the process of designing my wedding invitations which have a strong floral influence. I love flowers and the word blissful pretty much sums up the way I am feeling as my wedding gets closer! And thus....Blissful Blooms was born :)


2. When did you start crafting?
I have been crafting for as long as I remember. I come from a long line of crafters and learned many of my talents from my mother and grandmothers. From cross stitch to sewing to scrapbooking to card making...I have pretty much tried it all however my true love is paper goods and sewing. By the time this feature is published, I will have opened my second Etsy shop which caters to infant and young boys clothing. It is called Little Fish Couture and will be found at http://www.littlefishcouture.etsy.com/ !


3. Are there other crafts you would like to try?
There is so much that I would like to try and Etsy is such an inspirational place to be! I admire everyones creativity and visions! I would really like to try my hand at glass blowing and dying/creating my own fabrics.


4. What or Who inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things! I spend a lot of time outdoors in the spring and summer months and get a lot of my creative energy from the environment around me. Another HUGE inspiration is my baby boy! He turned 1 in March and everything I do - I do with him in mind! Each day it amazes me just how much I love him and how he affects each and every decision I make!


5. Do you have a day job?
I have the absolute best 'day job' ever! I am so very fortunate to be able to stay home with my son and take part in his every day! Prior to getting pregnant I worked in the corporate rat race for 15 years and I wouldn't trade my job now for anything in the world!!!


6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
My "All Wrapped Up" Greeting Card is probably one of my favorite items! I love the colors that I incorporated and the ribbon flower is so whimsical! It was a lot of fun to make and each time i see it i smile and hope that the recipient of this card will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it!



Audrey's Accolades:
What a lovely card shop!! I have just started making cards and hope to be as innovative as Joanne one day. She has cards for every occasion and they are just lovely. This card is my favorite - it's a Mother's Day card. Would love to receive this for Mother's Day.

This card is loaded with flowers, a few butterflies and of course - a bee!! The card measures 6.5 x 5 inches and includes a white envelope.

Here are some more lovely cards form Joanne's shop - Please check them out!! Just click on the picture and it will take you to her shop.

What I'm up To!

A few weeks ago I posted a bag swap and had 12 replies!! It's been a lot of fun. I ended up swapping with two people. It was either that or not include myself. One person likes green and I posted a pick of the bag she will receive (along with some extra goodies) a while back. The other person likes pink, which is not a color I would normally work with. This is the bag she will be receiving ( along with some other pink goodies).

I won't show everything - that wouldn't be fun! Hopefully everyone has mailed their bags! If you are ever having a swap - let me know. They are a blast & it's fun getting gifts in the mail!!
If you love to enter give aways - you really need to check out this Spring Give Away Carnival. Last I checked there were 40 give aways listed, and some of them are amazing!!

5erg

5erg is a wonderful shop that has been on Etsy since March 2008. Silja lives in Estonia, Europe. She also has an Art & Photo Blog. The blog is part personal and part business.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

Well my signature is S.ERg so it was kind of a easy choice. The number 5 instead of letter S is there because someone already had taken the user name Serg. Sergei, dude, you took my name, now I have to use a number! :D My etsy shop name looks like a bar code. What do you have to say in your defense, huh ?Alright :D Sorry. Anyway, I guess I could of thought of something more memorable. But the main thing I do is art not jewelry and I wouldn't want any random shop name associated with my paintings.I mean, I don't have to develop a random label for my paintings. The label is me. If one day an awful or a catchy nickname gets stuck with me, I can use that, but I am not going to promote a label for my miniatures and then promote me as a painter separately. It feels kind of weird though, you know, it feels weird to me to post my real name on the internet all the time. Alias is better I guess, but with my luck...I would choose a random alias and then find out years later it is a copyrighted word or something.So I try to keep it simple :)

#2. When did you start crafting?

You know, it might look like all the kids are are into crafting and finger painting and so on. But I didn't see that, I saw a lots of kids who just took it as something they just HAVE to do. I always liked crafts. The "I have been crafting since I was a kid " stuff, people say it a lot :D I think that means something. It doesn't have a tone, but still. I would always be doing something with my playmates. Like when we played FBI or cops or whatever chasing games, half the time we were running around and half the time we were making like wooden guns, hideouts and hammered picklocks from wire. Some kids were only running around and never built anything. I think what I did as a kid I do now too. I haven't changed that much haha :D I think the same way too! Ask anyone.

#3. What or who inspires you?

Being busy, having a lot to do, when the deadline is in 10 hours. Then you start doing these extra activities - like you have to start polishing your nails or arranging plastic bags or training your dog to speak in French or whatever. Those stressful times just make me think and I get a lots of random ideas at those times, I usually write them down. You know what, I think the reason why they are the best ideas is that I don't just execute them right away, but write them down and filter them later.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Nope. Go to school. I try to study biology-chemistry. Obviously not going to be a scientist, but I don't know. The school is pretty good and I study on government budget so I kind of just am there because I am. I try to appreciate what I have, haha :D But if I will drop out it wouldn't be the end of my world I guess. I would be sad though, because I always wanted to know at least something about chemistry. The lectures are very interesting too and practical work.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

The eyes! Oil painted art cards with eyes on them. Everyone I portrait is so different, I really feel like I am learning something with making each one of those!! See, I used 2 exclamation marks in a row!

Audrey's Accolades:

Silja has a wonderful shop, with amazing ACEO'S, jewelry, cards, felted products and magnets. It was so much fun looking through her shop. Wish I could draw like her!! Because I'm a sucker for earrings - I've picked these as my favorite. Aren't they lovely?

Hanging length of the earrings is approx 2,2"These are made with matte glass pearls,each is about 1/2"Bronze (Brass )French hooks are Nickel free.

ATV Derby

So hubby and I went to an ATV Derby yesterday. This is the third year we've gone to this one. The first year it was dry, the second year it was snowy and cold, this year it was part dry and part mud and a bit of snow on the trails. Boy do my arms hurt!!! Forgot how much work it is to drive through the mud and twisting trails. We did take a few pics, though it's hard to drive and take pics at the same time. The red quad is mine, the yellow one is Brad.

I should have taken before and after pics of the quads. They were clean going onto the truck - but boy were they dirty when we loaded to go home. We might have been dirty - but we were happy!! Had a great time again.

Friday's Fantastic Finds

Please take the time to check out these wonderful shops!! It would be nice to beable to show you more pictures from each shop - but I have only so much space!!

1) Tapestry 316
2) Bluebird Country Crafts
3) Creative Crafts 2009
4) Huayruro Peru
5) Arelel Designs
6) Percival Road Designs


I've also changed the Etsy mini's on the sidebars. Some awesome shops have donated their mini - Please take the time look at the mini's and look at their shops!!
Have an AMAZING day!!

A Lovely Award

I received this lovely award from Baroness Bijoutery an awesome blog that is a must read. She finds the greatest shops to feature on her blog, and has the most amazing jewelry. If she didn't already have this award - her blog would be at the top of my list to receive it.

The Renee Award. This Award was created by Bella and Ces in honour of their friend Renee, an incredible lady who in the face of a frightening life battle is tackling each day with great spirit and courage. Please check out the blogs of these three creative ladies.

Here is what Bella says of this award:
"this is a brand new award and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds it's way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak, giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns..."

Now to pass on the award. Here are the 7 blogs I picked.

Quilts Galore and More

Mamutopia

Hazelnut Cove

Sassy Glass Designs

The Muddy Moose

Front Porch Reviews

KaHolly

Dragon's Den

Please visit these blogs, and thank you to Baroness Bijoutery for this wonderful award!!

I made a new bag today - thought I'd better post a pic before I package it and mail it!!

Glitzy Things

Glitzy Things is a wonderful shop that has been on Etsy since Oct. 2008! Rosella resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. Only 65 miles north of me!! Rosella also has a beautiful web store with vintage jewelry! You will find the link below.

1. How did you decide on your shop name?

I have a webstore that is called Glitzy Jewels which features some of the same kinds of items that are in my Etsy store. So when someone pointed Etsy out to me, I decided to use a similar name, ergo, Glitzythings. My web adress is http://www.glitzyjewels.com/ if you would like to look at my webstore. It also features some of my hand crafted items, as well as vintage jewelry.

2. When did you start crafting?

I started crafting a long time ago, probably in the early 70's. When I started having children (and not having much money) I started making toys, quiet books, dolls, and clothing for them. One thing lead to another and I began doing all kinds of sewing, crafting and painting. One of the things I am thankful for is that, even though I didn't know it at the time, I had talents that allowed me to do many things that helped my family and also allowed me to make a little money at craft fairs.

3. What or who inspires you?

Well, I guess it is that way I can see something beautiful developing before my eyes as I craft an item, or paint a picture, etc. Just to be able to use my hands and the talents I have been given, to create something wonderful!!

4. Do you have a day job?

I have a part time job that is nothing like what I do in my spare time. I have been a "support specialist" or in other words, office manager, secretary-clerk, for around twenty-six years.

5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

The newest craft for me is the hand made purses and bags, and it is probably the most enjoyable I have done - after making children's clothes, which I did for years. I really love being able to take fantastic fabric (I love, love, love, fabric!!!) and craft it into a useful item that is also beautiful. I think my "chopsticks" purse it the cutest! ( I used chopsticks for the handles).

Audrey's Accolades:

I love this shop!! Rosella has such amazing vintage items. The bags are amazing, and the jewelry is stunning!! I love this bracelet and earring set!!

Unique engraved cuff bracelet with a flower and leaf pattern in champagne color over black on top of copper. The cuff will fit a 7 1/2" wrist, is 1 1/2" wide and is somewhat adjustable because of the style. The earrings are 1 1/2" long, made of the same materials and are for pierced ears. These are probably from the 70's.

Look What I Made!!

I've actually been crafting this week. Have to make presents (give away gifts), and gifts for the "Craft it Forward" I posted last week, or was it the week before? Purple and Pink seem to be popular colors. They aren't something I would usually craft with, but if that's their favorite color ...

So here is a pick of a gift one person is getting, she like purple:

I've been doing quite a few blank note cards w/envelopes for people as extras in an order or part of a give away. They are quite a bit of fun actually. Should have taken pics of the ones I sent last week. Oh well.

It felt like Christmas today!! This is what I got in the mail - all from Bovine Bubbles and Hog Wash. Got to love her products. I am going to be so soft and smell so good!!!

Soaps:

*Almond Coconut Smoothie

*Rice Flower & Shea

*Creamy Coconut

*Earth Child

*Vanilla Spice Bar

*Bamboo Charcoal Bath & Body Bar (son uses it to control acne - works really well)

*Cherry Almond Buff Bar (have it in the bathroom, helps clean the men's hand after working in the shop)

*Pillow Fights & Slumber Parties (isn't in the picture. It's a lovely light pink color and smells amazing. I bought it to add to a swap I'm doing and promptly put it with the rest of the swap, forgetting it when I took the picture.)

Butter Creams:

Creamy Cocobanana

Fresh Picked Apple

Honey Bee Sweet

Lemon Lush

Mulberry Hand & Body Lotion (for Sister-on-law's bday)

Please check out Bovine Bubbles, she also has wonderful jellies & jams, and is making new soap weekly.

TWITTER: Does anyone twitter? I just signed up today (audreyscrafts). Not quite sure what to do now. Any suggestions?

So She Sews

So She Sews is an amazing store that opened on Etsy in November 2006. Brooke lives in Atlanta Georgia. She also has a Blog where she posts about things that interest her . . . tutorials, crafting advice, love life, etc.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

The name just kind of came to me one day. I was actually mulling over a tongue twister in my head while I was driving in the car… “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” I accidentally said “She sews sea shells…” I toyed with it for a few days with some variations and finally came up with SoSheSews. I thought it had a nice ring to it.

#2. When did you start crafting?

Basically, I’ve been “crafting” all my life. My mom taught me how to use the sewing machine when I was very young. I attended a Fine Arts Magnet School for middle school and high school, so arts and crafts have played a major role in my life. I officially decided I’d like to do it (as a business and as my dream) about four years ago. My best friend and I at the time would get together every Tuesday night and sew together. After a little while, we thought it might be fun to try to sell some of the things we were making. SoSheSews came out of that. So, it started as a joint-venture. But, when our schedules became too different to cohesively keep it “together”, she graciously allowed me to take over. It’s been my baby ever since.

#3. What or who inspires you?

Right now I’m really inspired by European style and street fashion. Specifically, some of the design-styles that are coming out of Norway and Finland. I absolutely adore hel-looks.com! I look to things like that for inspiration, then I add a dash of practicality, and infuse it with my desire to keep things eco-friendly. Also, I am constantly inspired by my frequent trips to the thrift store. I’ll find some vintage linens or a gaudy sweater and envision it reconstructed into something more fashionable, more practical.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Yes, I do. I work as an administrator/assistant in the health insurance industry. I like it because I work from home most of the time and I can multitask between that “day job” and my Etsy store. It’s nice to be able to call the shots on what I can do with my time. I’d like to make SoSheSews my full-time job within the next year or so, and I’m very grateful to have a day job that allows me to build by business up before I finally take the plunge into being completely self-sustaining.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I would have to say my Textile Fleurs. I was just so proud of myself for coming up with the design idea. Plus, the resulting product struck me as much more stunning and functional that I thought it would be. Making pretty-smelling flowers also appeals to my really girlie side (which I secretly long to embrace).

Audrey's Accolades:

Brooke has a truly lovely shop. There is a wide variety of items, definitely something for everyone. Everything from dresses, to bracelets, hair clips, clutches & wallets, felted products and flowers that will never die! This wallets is so cute and made from recycled materials! My favorite item.

This adorable, practical wallet was made from a special fusing process using plastic bags. The plastic is sturdy and pliable- sure to stand the test of time! The process I use results in this wonderful eco-textile which both looks and feels like wrinkly plastic leather!

Something New

I'm going to try something different for 2 listings in my Etsy Shop, and I'll also have links on the sidebar too. The listings are "Surprise Packages"!! The prices on the listings are:

1) $2.50 plus $1.50 shipping, for a package worth $5.00 or more

2) $5.00 plus $1.50 shipping, for a package worth $10.00 or more

Here is what could be in the package:

*blank note cards/envelopes
*or coasters
*or an upcycled bag
*or a hand painted ornament
*or scrap booking supplies
*or something I haven't tried yet.
*or any combination of the above.

Please state your favorite color at checkout.
You can make requests, if I have it or can make it - it's yours.
Items will not be like those in the pictures, these are examples only.

Our youngest son had some excitement this week. Logan was taking Diesel Mechanics as a vocational course in school. He is in Grade 11 this year, but has gone as far as he can with the mechanics courses, and is now a Diesel Mechanic Apprentice. That means that he now has to buy a tool box and his own tools. So on Tues. Brad and Logan met the local Snap On dealer to check out tool boxes and Logan bought one!! Very exciting stuff. He had the Snap On dealer deliver it to work, so we went to town today to take some pics of it. I haven't seen it yet and Luke wanted to see some pics of it too.

I think I'm hooked on the auther Kay Hooper. Almost finished the third book in this trilogy she wrote. It's as good as the first two. Still reading the "Stephanie Plum" series too. They are so different I don't have to worry about forgetting what is happening in which book.

Did you have anything exciting happen during the week? Tell us about it.

Please check out the give away on my other blog. The link is on the right at the top.  If anyone is interested in having a give away - I'm looking for items for May and June.

Hope everyone has an awesome Sunday!!

Fantastic Finds!!

Another installment of Friday's Fantastic Finds. I love these shops! Every week when I pick 6 shops from the list of followers I'm amazed at the talent out there. This week there is quite a variety of shops to choose from. They are all wonderful and worth a look see!! Please check each one out.

Also you will notice on the right sidebar that the mini's are from different Steampunk shops I have found on Etsy. I had decided to do themes each week with the mini's. After talking to my oldest son on the weekend, Steampunk became this weeks theme. Luke thinks that steampunk is the greatest art form out there and is amazed at what people can make. He's right - some of the items are truely amazing! If you have any ideas on themes for future weeks of mini's please make a suggestion in the comments. I change the mini's every weekend.
Now - without further ado - Friday's Finds:

Ashlawn Farms is a wonderful shop with rag quilts, bags and patterns. I bought one of her patterns to make raggedy bags! Ashlawn Farms is having a sale on rag quilt patterns until the 20th.



Creative Spirit Too is an amazing bead shop. They have polymer beads, handmade raw canes, jewelry, and supplies.



Hollyz Hobby has the most beautiful handmade quilts. They are also quilted the old fashioned way - by hand.



Lady Jane's Emporium has a variety of wonderful chic, whim, vintage, and prim items. These are my favorites.



Polka Dot Candle is a lovely smelling shop!! (I can imagine - can't I?) This shops carries, candles, and home frangrance sprays in wide range of scents.



Soft Pencil is a shop full of original art, prints, printable designs and more. Amazing talent.

Big B-Day Give Away

I have my computer back!! It's amazing how long 2.5 days is, when you don't have your computer.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

I have a birthday at the end of the month, and have been collecting items from some awesome shops, willing to donate their product, for a really big give away!! 14 shops have made a donation! Following is a picture of the bag I am donating and also a picture of all the other items that will be part of the prize. This is all for ONE person!!

The Give Away begins now and will run until April 29th!! (the big day!) Go HERE to enter.

Computer Issues

Just a quick note - my computer has developed some issues that I'm sure will have to be fixed.  So don't be surprised if I'm not on for a few days.  Will probably have to take it in to get reprogramed or is it deprogramed.  What ever it is - it's annoying.  So I have posted the next feature for this week a day early - Please check out the wonderful B&B shop below!!  

Thanks so much for understanding.

Bubble Tub

Bubble Tub is a wonderful B&B shop. Gail has been on Etsy since November 2005! Gail resides in a little town called Alliston, north of Toronto, in Ontario Canada.

1. How did you decide on your shop name?

One of those catchy names that you don't forget, it's simple and easy.

2. When did you start crafting?

I have been tinkering and creating for 25 years now. My mum used to take me around the garden showing me herbs teaching me their properties and how to use them in cooking etc.

3. What or who inspires you?

What inspires me is the world around me, I look around and I see the world's beauty my passion gets transferred into my products.

4. Do you have a day job?

This is my full time job and I love my job.

5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I love to create cold processed soap. It enables me to become an artist through colors and scents to create something truly special.

Audrey's Accolades:

I love handmade B&B products!! Got hooked on it before Christmas. Gail has some amazing looking soaps and the coolest scents. She has bath bombs, scrubs, soap whip, shower gels and more!! According to my Hubby, I am addicted to lip balm, and I just love vanilla - so I've picked this lip balm as my favorite item in Gail's shop.

Brace yourself for a truly delish delight of creamy vanilla frosting. Oh so lip smacking good, as much as you want to, please do not eat the lip balm. Vanilla lovers over the world rejoice this one is for you!Our Lip Balms are packed full of moisture rich ingredients including Mango Butter to help soothe those winter chapped lips. Drench those lips with our special lip quenching formula.