Panda Cub

Panda Cub has been on Etsy for almost a year now. It's a wonderful shop run by Stephanie. She has everything from earrings to bobby pins/hair clippies to buttons and magnets, plus a lot more. What a wonderful shop!! Stephanie is from Toronto, Ontario Canada. She updates her BLOG on a regular basis. Stephanie is offering a $15 store credit to one lucky person who comments on this post - just tell us one item you would like to purchase with the store credit!! The winner will be picked on Saturday Morning, bright and early!!

How did you decide on your shop name?
I originally had a shop on Etsy called "blue pebble" which was purely jewellery, but I wanted something more fun and memorable when I wanted to venture into other accessories. My sister and I tossed around a lot of ideas, and pandacub was born. I've loved pandas since I was very young and this was a good tribute to these endangered animals and my cultural heritage (I'm Chinese). I'm glad I changed names too because now there's a healthcare consulting company here in Canada called Blue Pebble!

When did you start crafting?
I've been playing with crafts since as far back as I can remember. My mom introduced me to all sorts of fun things as a child, including Shrinky-Dinks, homemade playdoh, papier-mache, knitting, etc. I've been stringing beads since I was 4! I started focusing on accessories about two years ago.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I've love to learn to sew so I can make and hem my own clothes. And I'm fascinated by resin jewellery and polymer clay creatures.

What or who inspires you?
Everything inspires me. Bright colours, funky textures, travelling. My sister is a great inspiration to me because she's so creative and great to bounce ideas off of.

Do you have a day job?
Unfortunately, yes. I'm off to the "corporate world" at 7am and then not back home until about 6pm. But I daydream about not having a day job all the time!

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I'm in love with my line of Star Sign Rings right now. The vintage intaglio cabs are just stunning and since I only have 2 of each, they're very rare and unique. I think they look amazing paired with the golden-toned filigree rings. This was one collection I was really excited to put together and offer in my shop.

I'm on You Tube (sorta)

Well, actually one of my candle holders is on You Tube. LOL I've joined this amazing advertising blog Handmade Highway . The blog also a directory, not just advertisement, and your space is permanent, you can add links when you've been featured places etc. The advertising is the most reasonable I've found on the net. This is a video of some of the shops you can find there. If you are a shop that is looking for advertising - this is the place for you!!

My Home Town Part 1

Altona, Manitoba Canada - my home town. This last weekend was our "Sunflower Festival". For those of you who didn't know - Altona is the Sunflower Capital of Canada!! WOOHOO!! We used to have the largest sunflower oil processing plant, but because of diseases in the sunflowers about 10 years ago, they switched the plant to canola oil. But sunflowers are coming back! Would love to show you a picture of a sunflower fields in bloom, but they just aren't blooming yet.

When you drive into town from the north, this is the first thing you will see. The "sunflower" is about 20 ft across. Would love one in my yard!

Altona also has the worlds largest Van Gogh Sunflower painting. (not my favorite)


Sat. morning we had the parade. Can't show you the whole parade, so I'll just show you a few pictures that I took. They always lead the parade with flags on horseback. There is the Canadian flag, Manitoba flag, American Flag (we are only 13 miles from the ND border), and the Australian flag.



Why do we have the Australian flag you ask? Apparently Emerald is the Sunflower capital of Australia. They have their festival in April. Every year our "Sunflower Queen" wins a trip to Emerald for their festival and their Sunflower Queen comes to Altona for our festival. Isn't that cool?

Brad and I like heavy horses. So I always take pictures of a few.


I had to take a picture of a Combine that Logan has worked on. We were hoping the town had their new Fire Truck in the parade so I could take a picture of that too, seeing as how Luke worked on that one.


Every year the local Quilting Club has a big quilt show in one of the local churches. I love looking at quilts, and I'm determined to quilt one day. Here are a few that I really liked.





On Sunday there is a big car show in the park. We always check out the cars. The yellow one belongs to a friend of ours. The other car was done by a friend of Logan's . The guy did this when he was 17! I wish I had before and after pictures of this car so you could see what an amazing job he did!



That's it for now. Come back Saturday for Part 2.

Fire Seed

Fire Seed is an amazing bead shop on the internet. Louise lives in Merrickville, Ontario Canada, and makes the most amazing beads. One day, I want to watch someone make a bead from start to finish.



How did you decide on your shop name?
I tried to think of something memorable that also described a little of what my shop was about - my glass beads are made in the flame - so they really are a little like Fire Seeds!

When did you start making beads? Can you tell us a bit about the process?
I began making beads in 2006 - I was completely hooked after seeing beads with frogs on them and then realising what people were creating with glass - I've never had such a burning desire to do something - oops that's a bit of a pun, but it's true. I was scared to death to light the barbecue let alone a torch that uses gas, so it really was a calling of some kind.

Each bead is made by melting coloured rods of glass in the flame of a torch that uses oxygen and propane. The glass is applied to metal rods that have been dipped in a clay based liquid - without this they would be stuck to metal for ever! I shape the glass using tools, decorate it with different colours of glass and sometimes use silver foil or leaf. There really is no end to the possibilities of styles, shapes and colours that can be used in a bead. Once the bead is complete I put it right into my kiln where the stresses that have built up in the glass while it's been worked are allowed to release. This creates a bead that is strong and durable. Each one is really a miniature work of Art - I think that is what's so appealing, no two are exactly alike, and what better than Art you can wear!

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
Oh yes! I'd love to do felting, and also work with some of the metal clays that are out there, esp. bronze clay. I could list a whole lot more, but those would be top of the list.

What or who inspires you?
Almost everything! Other artists, nature, things I read or see, wallpaper, fabrics, colours, - even advertising can be inspiring at times!

Do you have a day job?
Yes, I do real estate photography for a virtual tour company and also web design.

#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22867829 I think the Space Monkees are the most enjoyable. They are fun, I can't help but smile when I make them, and I'm never quite sure how they will look until they are done. The pupils of the eyes are very important because they really make the face expressive.

So many times we hear the words "be thankful for what you have". Sometime we just agree for the sake of agreeing but don't really think that there is much to be thankful for in our lives, we just focus on what's NOT right. Another saying we hear sometimes is "it could be worse". Yes, it could always be worse, but who wants to hear that? We don't want to be reminded about how bad some other people actually have it, ruins our pity party.

I found this story on the internet. It made me think of how good I actually have it even if my life isn't anything like I thought it would be 20 years ago. Sometimes life throws you a curve, but if you can make the best of it, smile through it all, remember that there is a purpose for everything that happens in your life (even if it just doesn't make sense right now) and just keep remembering how lucky you are and just how much worse it could be - life isn't so bad.

TRAVELLING ANGELS

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied...

"Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die!"

"Things aren't always what they seem," The older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.

"Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later.

Think about this:
*Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight; just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
*Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.
*Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
*Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.
*Should your car break down leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
*Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
*Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, "what is my purpose"; be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
*Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!


GIVE AWAY!


(click on picture to
enter Give Away)

Busy Busy!!

Who said that summer holidays were relaxing? They obviously haven't been to my house in the summer. Crazy! I'm the only one home all day, yet it seems I'm always doing something! When do my "holidays" start?

~ Please enter this give away! (click on picture)



~ Got lazy this year and decided to buy my strawberries already picked! Much easier on the back. Made 14 little jars of Strawberry Jam (freezer variety), and froze a whole bunch in little bags. Yummy!! There is nothing like the taste of freshly picked strawberries.


~ Managed to sew a new bag. This one has a magnetic closing device. It's made from light weight upholdstry fabric.

~ If you are over 40 - you really need to read this post on a blog I found the other day. It is so funny, yet so true!! Oh - make sure to read the comment from Mr. Martian! (you'll understand when you read it):
Why Olders Chicks Rule

~ Do you enjoy scrapbooking and have lots of little pieces of paper left that you just don't want to throw out? I have a solution for you!! Found this wonderful paper making shop on Etsy, and Chrystal has a listing where you can send her your paper pieces and she will make you brand new - handmade - paper from those pieces. Isn't that the coolest? Click on the picture to go to that listing.

~ I won two give aways and received the prizes this week!! Remember: if you don't enter - you don't win! The first one is a wonderful zippered pouch from Finn Fancies. The Second one is the cutest sandwich/snack wrapper and napkin set, along with some really fun magnets from B is for Badger. Just click on the pictures to go to the respective shops.

~ What flavor icecream are you?

Apparently I am Coffee Ice Cream:
Energetic and lively, you are always on the go. You're doing a million things at once and doing them well. You tend to motivate others and raise spirits. You are most compatible with chocolate ice cream.
Here is the link to the quiz(and have a twitter account):
http://fun140.com/quizzes/16-what-flavor-ice-cream-are-you/preview?s=dm&t=283815&z=54105

Blue Jean Blankets Plus

(click on picture to
enter Give Away)
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Blue Jean Blankets Plus is a wonderful new shop on Etsy. It's the brain child of a mother/daughter team and features items made from old jeans, quilts and paintings!
Barb and Helen (Barb's mother...she does the sewing)are from Manitoba Canada, and actually only live about 20-30 minutes from me!! Will have to get together for coffee soon!! Barb also has a BLOG.
How did you decide on your shop name?
Well I wanted it to relate to my user name as well as the products that I am selling. Not that creative but it was available!

When did you start crafting?
Have been sewing for a lifetime but never thought to sell anything before!!

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
Hmmm...painting is fun! I painted a few oil landscapes during the past two years but I really want to try abstract painting...just need to find a class. I decided to list one of my least favorite paintings....LOL just to see what happens......I really like the other ones so they are not for sale! I might photograph one of them and print Christmas cards.

What or who inspires you?
I don't really know...in the last couple years or so I have found that I really like helping out other people rather than just doing my own thing.

Do you have a day job?
I work as an accountant at a concrete construction company that my husband and I own together with another couple.




What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
The strawberry jean blanket....because it is a fun print!

Designs by Kari Give Away July 21- Aug. 4

The winner of the Adorable Angel Earrings from Designs by Kari is:





Arlene Harrison!
Congratulations!!




Designs By Kari is an amazing jewelry shop. She carries necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. She has had her shop on Etsy since the end of January. Kari currently resides in Perkinston (South) Mississippi with thanks to the U.S. Navy.



How did you decide on your shop name?
I've had this name for years. My mother and I would do craft fairs and I needed a name. It was the most simple I could think of, and while some of my designs are similar to those you've seen, they are all slightly different and designed by me. Kari.

When did you start crafting?
As far back as I can remember. My mother taught me to cross stitch and sew. But, when I was about 10 we learned about Jewelry. Growing up with boys, my mom and I needed to find something for us Girls. We found this little shop and when we walked inside it was the most amazing sight. Beads wall to wall, work spaces and friendly faces. Oh, what were we in for? Well, a love for jewelry making, color, special time together, oh and the bill. The store still exists, though it’s changed locations several times: Beadin' Path

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I’d love to learn fused glass. Etsy has a few remarkable fused glass artists and I’m in awe of their work.

What or who inspires you?
I’m always intrigued by nature. The natural span of beautiful colors and combinations that appear in our everyday lives. I love the delicacy and simplicity of nature.

Do you have a day job?
I do! I work for an Engineering Firm as their office manager which requires little or no creativity. I also have two children, so a busy mom am I.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Sea of Dreams
This piece was something my mother cam up with and through her description I created it. This necklace is a terrific piece that can be worn with jeans or that fabulous black dress.

I’ve also enjoyed making these new earrings in my shop.
Earth Candy - Green because they are fun and funky.


Now for the Give Away!!
Kari is offering this adorable pair of earrings as the Give Away Prize! These beautiful earrings feature Pink Swarovski flat rounds in 6mm and 4mm Rose fresh water pearls, they are accented by a gold wing design that's heavenly.
They measure about 1 1/2" top to drop.




Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away:

* Go to:Designs By Kari
* Pic your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link
* 1 extra entry - grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry - twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
* 1 extra entry for every time you do this - twitter about your favorite item in the shop, leave me a link
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

The draw will take place on: Aug 4th!
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************

Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded to Kari.
Thank-you for entering!!

John Toft Basketry July 20

John Toft Basketry has the most amazing hand woven baskets made from cane, grapevine and willow. John is having a sale in his shop till July 31, Buy One and get the second one (equal or lesser value) for 1/2 price. John is from Ottawa, Ontario Canada and has been on Etsy since the beginning of March. He also has a BLOG. This is his blog on everthing you might want to know about basket-making, raising an son to adulthood with autism, and other topics that take his fancy.


How did you decide on your shop name?
The decision to use JohnToftBasketry as my shop name was made in a momemnt of non-inspiration. I had to find a name, not used by others, when registering my business in Ontario. The muse was not with me. So I made the prosaic choice of my name plus the indication of what the business was about, basketry. When it came to my etsy shop choice of name, I used my existing business name.

When did you start making baskets?
My introduction to basket-making came as a child in elementary school in England. There, in arts and crafts, the class was introduced to basket-making. My twin brother and I were so fascinated, we went at this craft competatively, as in all things. We competed so much the school almost ran out of basketry supplies. A few years before I retired I said to my wife, Anne, "I should do something else when I retire other than golf and garden. I made a basket once." Anne listened and a book on basket-making appeared under the Christmas tree. This was twelve to fifteen years ago. I have not looked back since.

What materials do you use and how do you decide on a design?
I use homegrown willow and grapevine for the structures of my rib baskets, and weave with rattan cane imported from China and Indonesia. I make three major types of baskets that combine English basket-making techniques and North American ones. The sewing baskets reflect English traditions while the rib baskets and market baskets reflect North American traditions.

For design elements I use ideas from the collection of books on basket-making I have made over the years, plus an inspirational book, "500 baskets" that shows a huge array of designer baskets from around the world.I like to combine different textural elements with the varying weave patterns and use my colour sense to bring whimsey and elegance to what I make.

What or who inspires you?
Inspiration comes from the comments made by people who see my work at studio tours, exhibitions and in chat rooms in etsy. Inspiration also comes from people I meet at the meetings of the Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild, and the basket-makers I meet when we visit other places in North America and England.

Do you have a day job?
I do not have a day job. I retired from teaching high school in 1998.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most?
Most recently the items I most enjoyed making are the "kits" so that others may be exposed to beginning basket-making. I enjoyed putting the kits together and adding to my blog of June 9th an eight section tutorial, with photographs, showing how to make the tray baskets. As a general rule, the item I like most is the last one I worked on. Anne's favourites are the sewing baskets, to which she adds the liners.

Inspirational Sunday

Wouldn't this world be an amazing place if we could just all get together and sing? I could listen to this video all day. I've always loved this song, and this is now my favorite version. Hope you all have a Wonderful Sunday!

Brand New Give Away

Please click on the picture to win
Your Choice of Booties!!

Two Awards

Hyla from Green Earth Journey as made a wonderful award for blogs promoting "Green"! (You can read more about it on her blog). My blog is one of the first 11 blogs to receive this award! I am truly honored. Thank you so much Hyla! The only rules are to mention the blog that gave the award and to pass it on to blogs that promote recycling, and offer "Green" tips on their blogs. Luckily I did a whole series on recycling a while back and have a great list of amazing blogs to award this too!! So here goes:

Crafty Bitch 101
Red Neck Chic
Goal for the Green
Eco Mama
Sweet Greens
Eco-Diva

My blog also received this lovely award from Linda B's Jewelry Beaded Designs. Thank you so much Linda!! She has an amazing blog and the coolest jewerly in her SHOP. Please check out both of them!



Here's how it works...

I'm going to share seven facts about myself and then pass on the award to seven other happy bloggers! So here goes...

1. I color my hair to hide the fact that it is pretty much mostly gray. 47 is way to young to have gray hair, isn't it?

2. I just listed 2 new slouch bags!! (remember - I'm not above self promotion while receiving awards)
Purple
Green

3. I love entering give aways and hosting them!!

4. People who don't comment back when I comment on their blog annoy me.

5. I've started Christmas Shopping. In July?! Of course - have to beat the rush!!

6. I'm having a tough time coming up with anything interesting about myself.

7. I just had a salad for lunch!! Now for a big piece of cake!! Hey - I had a salad after all, that's healthy. (getting this ready thurs. noon)

Here are the 7 awesomely wonderful blogs that I am passing this award to (in no particular order)! You really need to check them out, I love to visit them all.

Cabin & Cub
Kim's Country Cottage
Country Mouse, City Mouse
Olive Street Studio
HollyRocks
Where Eagles Dare
All Things Tangled

WOOHOO!!!

Little Studio Jewels

Little Studio Jewels is a wonderful shop on Etsy. She has earrings, necklaces, wrist and ankle wear, and has started collections! They are amazing!! They are called the NeoAmour (NewLove) Collection - Based on Powerful Women of the Past, but Redesigned for Women Today! Meg is from Merrickville, Ontario. This is what Meg says about her home town: "Merrickville is an artist town, full of wonderful artists' shops, and I'm not among the shops, unfortunately, lol" Well - maybe one day Meg, you just never know!! Would love to visit one day and take a tour with you. Meg also has a wonderful BLOG that she updates with new items from her shop and give aways!! Meg is offering to give one lucky person, who comments on this post, $10 their next purchase in her shop!!

And the winner is: Cabin & Cub!!! Congratulations! Thank-you to everyone who commented.


How did you decide on your Shop Name?
I started my business offline in 2005 and Little Studio Photography was what I registered. I started selling my jewellery full-time through my business in 2007, so I added "Jewellery" to my business name so people wouldn't be confused. When I started on Etsy, I thought an Etsy search title of "littlestudiophotographyandjewellery.etsy.com" would be too long, so I settled on "LittleStudioJewels.etsy.com" - not quite what I wanted (LittleStudio was taken), but it was all that was available! The business name is still officially "Little Studio Photography and Jewellery", however.

How did it all start?
I started in photography as a kid, always fascinated by cameras and how you could get really really good images. In high school I was lucky enough to get into an arts-specific school and did some sort of visual art for at least 2 hours per day in school. We did photography and darkroom classes and I was hooked!
The jewellery came later in high school when I wanted to be able to wear cool jewellery, but couldn't afford the things I wanted. I loved items in a jewellery store, but could only afford the cheap stuff in those unnamed "teen" accessories stores - you know the ones; cheap prices, trendy pieces with such horrible quality, it's a wonder they are still in business. I started making my own jewellery, focusing on quality materials and craftsmanship and making pieces similar to things I'd find in higher-priced stores, but without the higher price tags!

Are there other crafts you would to try?
I would love to be good at sewing. I'd love to be a better (read: faster) knitter and crocheter. I love to knit, crochet and sew, but I need WAY more practice at them - my jewellery just seems to take up all of my time (which I really don't mind)!



Where do you get your Inspiration from?
Wow, that is a hard one! My fiancee inspires me, for sure - he went to university and worked his butt off to get his current job, which he loves to death and gets paid well for.
I'm also inspired by powerful women of the past, which is where my new jewellery collection, NeoAmour (which means NewLove), comes from. Women like Boudicca, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth 1, all had positions of power, dealt with people hating them, trying to kill them, stop their way of life, etc., and they said NO! This is how things are going to be, deal with it (and they looked pretty fabulous doing it)! Basically, I suppose, I am inspired by those with courage, who are willing to work for what they want and are always trying to improve themselves.

What is your day job?
I was originally planning on working and going to school, in addition to running my business, but in early 2006 I got really sick with Fibromyalgia, and by the end of 2007 I was unable to work outside my home, which is when I started pushing my business. I do not qualify for disability (I was off sick and didn't work enough hours to get it), so my business, Little Studio Photography and Jewellery is my only source of income. This is now my "full time" day job, and I hope that one day it will be a "full pay" day job also.

What is the favorite item in your shop and why? Oh gosh, this is tough! I love my new collection, it is so inspiring to read about these women, do research on jewellery of that time, and then translate it to something we'd wear today. I love my NeoAmour collection, probably my newest pieces from the NeoAmour Marie Antoinette section would be my favorite - she was so feminine and unafraid to do different things with jewellery. The newest pieces - the Pink Daisy Lace Necklace and matching Bracelet - were wonderful as I had previously done all wire work, and these are actually bead woven (using special thread and 'sewing' the beads together in a specific pattern to achieve the desired effect). They took ages to make and every second was such a labor of love, I can't even describe!

Two Give Aways & Storms a Comin'

First: Please check out the Etsy Mini's on the sidebars. I changed them this morning. They are all new shops that would love for you to drop by and have a look!
Don't forget to enter the give away on my Give Away Blog, the link is on the right.

Here are two wonderful give aways a friend is having on her blog! Please check them out! Just click on the picture to enter.









Yesterday evening a storm was coming. These pictures were taken at about 5:30pm. It got here around 6pm, rained like crazy for about 1/2 an hour. Wouldn't you know it - I went out early to take pictures, but didn't think to put the spouts down on the eaves troughs till it started to rain. Man - was I wet!

Random Tuesday

~ My garden! Well, when everything started coming up it looked awesome!! I had beautiful rows of cucumbers, onions, pumpkins/squash, tomatoes and corn. The neighbor decided to spray his field for broadleaf weeds and ended up killing my cucumbers, really hurting the tomatoes (didn't think they would survive), 1/2 my pumpkins and squash plants were gone and the corn was really hurt.

A few of the cucumber plants survived but not many. I make my own relish and dill pickles, so I need quite a few cucumbers. Last year I didn't get any plants, so this year I really need quite a bit. We went to the green house, picked up some plants, and reseeded a row too. So now I have about 5 different stages of growth in my cucumber rows. Everything from vineing and blooming to just poking out of the ground. Should be interesting. At least they won't all be ready at the same time! LOL


The corn survived beautifully!! 3 nice rows. Should have lots of Corn-on-the-cob this fall!!


There are still a few pumpkin plants and a few butternut squash plants, guess we'll see how many "fruit" we get.

Bought some more onions too. Had one row - which seems to have survived after being sprayed. So now I have 3 shorter rows.

So we bought 12 more tomato plants, and out of the 12 that got sprayed - only one died. Oh dear, we will have a lot of tomatoes.



~ Do you love handmade soap? Lip balm? Julie at Latherati Soap is having a FREE soap challenge!! Check it out! You can win 2 soaps and a lip balm just by telling Julie what your favorite children's book is and why!

~ I joined a lip balm club!! Just received my second lip balm: Lavendar Vanilla. Yummy! The club is through Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash. You can never have to many lip balms. Cara is having a birthday sale in her other SHOP. 29% off - just add "BIRTHDAY" for the code to the discount.

~ I'm part of a Recycling Craft Challenge. Everyone was sent a milk jug cap, 3 plastic clip thingies from bread loaves, and a small string of blue beads. We are supposed to make a crafty item incorporating these items. This is what I made:

~ Here are some great give aways that need some love!
250 business cards: The Queen of Re
2 items of your choice: ShelleAnne's Splendor
Summer inspired headband: Skylar's Candy Clips
Body Balm: Glory be Herbals
Beautiful beads: Etsy Fest
Your choice of corsage: Kerrera Skye