What My Mother Taught Me

Found this on the net somewhere. I remember hearing quite a few of these, even used a few on my own boys :) Do any sound familiar to you?

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside -- I just finished cleaning!"

My mother taught me RELIGION:
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why!"

My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Be sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep laughing and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."

My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS:
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?"

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times -- don't exaggerate!!!"

My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

Friday Follow 3 & An Award

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.



Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below.
Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.





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

I was given this award by Annette over at So Many Memories!. Annette has a wonderful blog that I just love to visit :) With this award I'm to list 10 things that make me happy and try to do at least one today.Tag 10 bloggers that brighten my day and they are to link back to my blog and make their own 'Makes Me Happy' list.



What makes me happy:
1) My family :)
2) Blog Friends
3) B&B products
4) Sunshine
5) Going for coffee with friends
6) Riding ATV with family
7) Reading a really good book
8) Cooking
9) Letting someone know they won a Give Away
10) Driving the School Bus - really great kids!

Now for the 10 blogs that make me happy:

1) Peek Thru Our Window
2) Splendid Little Stars
3) Painting Thyme Needfuls
4) Sassy Glass Designs
5) Christie Cottage
6) 2 Virgos Designs
7) AlyGatr's Everywhere
8) With An Angel On My Shoulder
9) Country Mouse City Mouse
10) Jumpin' in the Jungle

Wow! That was a lot of work!

Recycling Paper

White Serenade is a wonderful recycling shop on Etsy. She make the most amazing items out of paper!


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Michigan, now transplanted in Southern California. I’m a wife and a mom of two great kids. They keep me really busy. My husband Travels for his job so he is gone a few weeks of each month.

*How did you decide on your shop name?
My girlfriend helped me pick it. I really wanted another name but it was taken, but I’m very happy with the name it is.
I’ve also been selling at a local store in my area since 2003 and recently a store in Maryland. I’ve seen Etsy and thought what a great way to sell online.

Why did you start your business?
Well really out of the need to help our family. I feel very blessed to work at home and be with my husband and kids.

*What got you started in recycling?
I love using recycled materials in my art. I really think we all have so much stuff mass produced. It’s nice to see items re-used and repurposed so that they don’t become trash.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I love vintage paper and scrap metal.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
I might see something from the past and think can I draw that or do something with things from the past to reuse them in a different way.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
Currently it’s my heart crest wreath. The heart crest came from the crests you would see in France. They were made from metal rather they denote a family member kind of like our tomb stones in the states. The french textbook paper is from 1910 and the drawning are amazing.

*Do you have a blog?
It’s only a few months old. Yes - www.whiteserenade.blogspot.com I have a link on my blog that takes you to a site that helps people donate free rice to end hunger. Please click and see www.freerice.com add it to your blog!

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?
Well this sweet gal doesn’t sell on Etsy she has a great blog. I love her trash to treasure items. She is truly amazing http://www.sassytrash.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Handmade Teddies!

I love teddies! Had many growing up a long time ago :) Never did have the pleasure of owning a hand made one though. Kate's Cache has some really wonderful teddies any child (or adult) would love! She has everything from dogs, cats, snowmen, bears and more! Let's hear more about Kate and have a look at her shop.

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm from a small town in PA. called Leechburg. I have been married for 36 yrs. to a high school English teacher who also has written many articles for boxing magazines and developed several boxing games. We have two beautiful daughters who live in Raleigh, NC and an absolutely adorable granddaughter. I am an avid animal lover. I have two dogs, Enzo and Tessa, a bunny, Tino and a parakeet, Pepino. I am 100% Italian and have been to Italy several times.

The joy in my life beside my family and animals is my crafting. I have tried almost every type of craft through the years but I most enjoy knitting, crocheting and sewing.

*Where do you craft?
I am lucky to have a laundry/craft room in my home where I do most of my crafting especially the sewing. Knitting and crocheting I enjoy doing while watching TV.

*When did you start crafting?
I actually started crafting when my grandmother showed me how to crochet when I was about 6 yrs. old.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I always have several projects going at one time so I don't get bored. I have container after container full of yarn and I keep buying more. I just love the colors and feel of different yarns.

MMM

Welcome to another addition of Mish Mash Monday! I know - it's only Sunday evening, but the weather people are predicting a Blizzard starting tonight and lasting all day tomorrow, so I may be without the internet. Just being safe and posting early! :)

UPDATE! It's Monday 5:30am. Looks like the blizzard has arrived and I'll be able to stay home today:) We have snow with the winds at 60Klm/h (37 mph) - gusting to 80 klm/h (50 mph)! It's supposed to end this evening. Hope everyone stays warm today! I'm baking :)

1) My new clock!! Darlene, another school bus driver & friend, makes these wonderful cloth clocks. They have a quilted look to them. She had them in our Christmas Craft Store this year. When I was this one I told myself that if it was still in the store by the middle of December I was going to buy it. Lucky for me - it was!! Isn't it great?


2) Have you read any books by Diane Mott Davidson? I brought 2 home over Christmas. One was the first book in the series about a caterer that seems to attract dead people. So she is part caterer & part sleuth. The second book I brought home is close to the end of the series so I had to go back to the library for book 2 :) The have interesting titles: "Catering to Nobody", "Dying for Chocolate", or "Chopping Spree". The "men" were wondering about that last one, until I explained. I think they were a little worried about what I was reading.

3) Why isn't there anything to watch on TV? I get so bored sitting on the couch trying to spend time with hubby in the evening. Usually I will have a book with me or my binder where I write Reviews/Give Aways for my other blog, or MMM posts (like now).
Have you ever watched the Rachel Ray Show? I haven't, but I did purchase her magazine last week. It's actually a really nice magazine. Lots of recipes, cool new products and more. I think I would buy another one sometime. Do you have a favorite magazine?

4) With joining the "Friday Follow" linky, I'm running across some really great blogs! So I think every week I'll show you one that I've found that you might like to see too. Here is this weeks blog:




5)

I Am Cotton

You are conscientious, thoughtful, and compassionate. You care deeply about the world. It's likely that you like cotton because it's natural and environmentally friendly. You examine your actions and decisions carefully. You never forget that you affect others with the things you do. You probably live a fairly back-to-the earth, green lifestyle. It's organic cotton all the way for you!

What Kind of Fabric Are You?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Inspirational Sunday

Yesterday I was home alone most of the day, and was "playing" on the internet trying to find something to post today. I found some great quotes to share with you. Might have to put some on my sidebars. Do you have a favorite quote? I would love to hear it!

* Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.

* What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

"No kind action ever stops with itself.
One kind action leads to another.
Good example is followed.
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.
The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes
them kind themselves."
Amelia Earhart

* Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.

* Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness,heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.

* Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than be fair: be kind.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.

* Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

* Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Paleodeux

Paleodeux has some of the most unique and wonderful jewelry! Sofia has a wonderful imagination. There is so much to see in her shop - and such a wide variety of pieces.
My name is Sofia and I am from Greece living in the United States. I always was fascinated on collecting vintage jewelry. Some of the pieces of jewelry were beautiful but were broken. I wanted to find a way to bring them back to life. I took some lessons on how to make jewelry and eventually I started working.

I start making my own one of a kind designs using old forgotten pieces. In some point I had so many that I come to realize that I should sell them. I found this wonderful place of ETSY and I started my business.

The name of my store Paleodeux came from the word Paleo which means (old) in Greek and Deux which means (two) in French because this is my second store.

My favorite supply is ivory. I can not resist ivory. My favorite stores are those who sell vintage beads and components. I do have another store under the name of Paleorama which is dedicated to vintage jewelry.

Friday Follow 2

Welcome to the second Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.



Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below.
Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

Jean Tote Bag Give Away

I hadn't planned on posting today - but I really need to tell you about this Give Away.

My friend Barb, is giving away a Jean Bag that her mom has made. These bags are amazing!! I know this because we sold them along with a bunch of her jean blankets, knitted mittens & slippers in my Christmas Craft Store. They went like "hot cakes", but she has a few left - so one is being given away on her blog.

The Give Away ends on January 29, it's super easy to enter.
Please help me make this a successful Give Away, by stopping by to enter! If the link to her shop is not working - she does have an Etsy Mini on the sidebar that will take you right to her shop!

Go HERE to enter!
Thanks so much!! & Have an Awesome Day!
(I'm getting new glasses and going grocery shopping)

Wordless Wednesday - World Peace

Pigeon Stitch

I absolutely LOVE bags!! All bags, all colors, shapes and sizes. Pidgeon Stitch has some really nice overnight bags, smaller bags and purses! Love the colors!! :)

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am originally from Reading, England but have lived for over half of my life now in Brighton & Hove, UK. Brighton & Hove (two town now combined to make a city) is on the South Coast of the UK about an hour by train from London.

I was trained originally as an artist and studied 3-Dimensional Design at Brighton Art College, but have since also trained in Horticulture and Garden Design. Apart from that I have always sewn for pleasure since I was about 7! I used to make my doll's clothes but I don't remember ever being taught except for rudimentary use of the old hand powered Singer sewing machine that my mother had. Techniques have been picked up over the years from unpicking, copying or guesswork and reading patterns over the years.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My shop name is PIDGEONSTITCH and this is simply because my surname is Pidgeon and I 'stitch'!

I started putting my produce on Etsy and the UK website Folksy in June 2009 so really that is when the business started properly. I also ran a stall a couple of times on Brighton seafront last summer and intend to continue the stalls alongside the websites - it's good to get out there and meet people to see what they really think!

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Quite often it is a fabric or pattern on a fabric that will inspire me. I collect fabrics and have them colour-coded (well approximately!) in my cupboard on shelves. I love to combine fabrics and often will make something simply because it will enable me to put 2 fabrics together into a useful item. I can't resist fabric shops and cannot pass one by without checking out if there is anything new in there. Even if there isn't I will more often than not find something I really 'need' at that point in time!!

Recently I been enjoying making the larger bags and then adding matching items (using up the pieces of fabric left over). I most enjoy crafting something from, for example, an awkwardly shaped remnant and making the most of it. That's the satisfaction of using up everything and not wasting (having been brought up to be thrifty).

Mish Mash Monday

I almost forgot that today was Mish Mash Monday!! Last week just flew by, and all of a sudden I have to come up with something to post! Yikes :) But I've been really slow this month. Looked at the calendar yesterday, realized it was the 17th of January and my Christmas tree was still up!!! Took it down :)



1) My Etsy Shop has a new banner & Avatar!! Aren't they great? I love the colors!!

They come from Honeysuckle Designs. She has really amazing banners & packages!

2) My friend Janet (who happens to live in Altona) has a great shop on Etsy. Sparkleberry Crafts has the cutest crocheted hats I've ever seen. When I met Janet and checked out her shop, I fell in love with a cute white & red hat. Unfortunately the boys heads are to big to wear it, so I didn't buy it. LOL One day seh sent me an email with a link to some site she was featured on. Of course I went to check it out & comment. Because I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't read the last 1/3 of the post, I didn't realize that it was also a Give Away! Shame on me. Well about a month later, Janet emails me to let me know that I had won the give away and could pick a hat. Guess which one I picked :)


3) What is your least favorite scent? I really really really don't care for Lavender or Peppermint.

4) Thirty-six people signed up for my Valentine's Swap! Thank-you to everyone. I sent out emails on Saturday, now we just wait for our gifts to arrive. I'll be sure to post what I receive :)

5) There are 3 blogs that got together and started a "Friday Follow" (mine is not one of them). You can see how it works a few posts down. This will be so much fun - reading new blogs and following the ones I like (I'm sure there won't be any I don't like). Please come back on Friday when I will post the linky so you can join!



Please Join Me for MMM! Or If you are a blog that posted today and would love people to visit - Please add the link!

I am Thankful For:

I received this in an email from a friend :)

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Friday Follow!

Welcome to the first ever Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each blog. Here is the great part, We will follow you back.





Come back next Friday for the Next MckLinky! I will try to post it earlier :)

Adorable Teddies!

Here is another amazing recycling shop. Sighfoo has the cutest stuffed "teddies"! Jen has such a great imagination.

Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Evanston, IL and I've lived most my life in the Chicago area. Just a few years ago I moved to Phoenix, AZ and blizzards are now becoming a faint memory. I studied graphic design in college, worked in a communications company for 8 years. left the job for health reasons and took up glass lampworking and created Starving Artist Bazaar (my other shop). I've been doing that for 6 years. I also practice Kung Fu (not now... broke my foot in sparring), have an organic garden, pamper my cat and dog and let my boyfriend beat me at Guitar Hero.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My new shop, Sighfoo, is the phonetic spelling of my last name, Syfu. I don't like it when people call me See-foo. I just started this shop this month. Last year a friend asked me to test out a beginners sewing pattern of a cute bird. The instructions called for felt and I decided to make my own felt from a sweater. After that I became addicted to coming up with my own patterns and creating whatever pops in my head. I started the Sighfoo shop because I can't stop making these things and also to justify time spent away from bead making. I love creating glass beads, but making felt dolls lets me express my weird sense of humor.

*What got you started in recycling?
I think I've always recycled even before I knew what that word was. When I was younger I reused old things because I didn't have that many art supplies. For example, I would cut the tops of old gift boxes instead of buying poster board. I guess I could have asked for poster board, but I was a very frugal kid.

*What's your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can't pass up?
I love going thrifting. My friend and I call it "Goodwill Hunting." We hit 3 to 6 Goodwills in the Phoenix area and end the day at a yummy Vietnamese Restaurant (which happens to be next door to a Goodwill). I'm always hunting for different colored wool sweaters.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
I just can't stop making things. I don't know why. When I was on vacation I couldn't stand not doing anything. I borrowed my brother's car and hit the nearest thrift store, bought some sweaters and made some Christmas ornaments. Maybe I need help.

*Do you have a blog?
I have a livejournal.
http://sighfoo.livejournal.com.
I try to update that when I remember I have it. I'm better about updating my Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/starvingartistbazaar

Wordless Wednesday

McKenney's Keepsakes

I love pendants! They are a great accent to a wardrobe, easy to change and there are so many to choose from :) While looking for shops that would be willing to have their Etsy Mini's on the sidebar, I came across McKenney's Keepsakes. Pendants with inspirational words on them are my favorite, and this shop has some of the best I have seen!


My name is Jonessa, but my friends call me Jes. Currently living in a small town in Northern CT, I just moved from big giant city of Fort Lauderdale about 2 years ago. I am married to a wonderful man, and between the 2 of us we have 4 wonderful children, 3boys, 1 girl.

My shop name McKenneys Keepsakes, was formed because I wanted the products that people buy from me to be something that want to keep forever. I look at some of the things I have, no matter how silly they are, and I love them because of the person that gave them to me or a story it reminds me of. I want my customers to feel that when they look at my pendants. The McKenney part is just my last name. I started my buisness for the same reason I think alot of people do these days. I wanted to make a little extra money doing something that I love.

I have small room in our basement that used to be an office for my husband. He no longer uses it so with his help, we cleaned it out and it became my craft space. It's not very big, but I don't need a lot of space. I have a big desk that I work on and a small radio to listen to. There is a white board on the wall that my hubby and I write our idea's on, but there is not character to it yet. I really wanted to paint it, but have not decided on a color. As time goes on, my plan is to really make it my own. Right now it is also partially storage. I want to add some posters and pictures. Again, over time I will make it my own.

I started crafting when I was little. My mom taught me how to cross stitch and eventually I moved on to counted cross stitch. As time went on, I would make what ever came to mind. The thing I love about crafting is that it is my stress reliever. Time flies by when I'm doing it. I don't think about anything, I just completely relax.

My current supply addiction is digital collage I find here on Etsy. I have just recently started to work on making my own, but the ones I find are just so great. Not to mention I really do enjoy helpping others here on Etsy. I just bought 3 new ones yesterday and inquired about another this morning.

My favorite item in my shop currently is my "Someone with Autism Loves Me" pendant. I originally made one of these for my husband as a key chain because his daughter is autistic. I decided to put one in my shop because I thought others in our situation would like them. I have several more designs, I just haven't put them up yet.

Mish Mash Monday

Please Grab the Button!
<a border="0" href="http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo148/audreyscountrycrafts/MMM.jpg" /> </a> <br/>

1) I love to enter give aways and have been trying to win a necklace on the Baroness Bijoutery Blog for quite a while. Guess What! Just before Christmas I got an email informing me that I had won her latest give away. This is the necklace - isn't it beautiful?


I was so excited. Green is one of my favorite colors & I love butterflies! She has a wonderful SHOP with truly beautiful jewelry. It's a MUST SEE shop!

2) January 15 is the last day to join the Valentine Swap!! Click on the button to go to the post and enter.



3) Do you love to Swap? Check out this blog. She lists the swaps she finds on the internet.


4) Have you ever tried to make a weekly meal plan? I've tried but after day 2 I'm off the plan. I really hate trying to figure out what to make each day. Weekend when Son #1 is home are the easiest for me because I usually cook food that will have left overs he can take back with him on Sunday. I hadn't realized that during the week I wasn't cooking as much until Son #2 complained that I only cooked when Son #1 was home. OOOPS :o!! So now I'm trying to cook a larger meal a couple of times a week, but I hate to think of what to make and "the men" are no help. Does anyone know of a blog/site that will tell me what to cook?

5)During the 2 weeks we had off for Christmas we had some pretty good temps for the end of December. Christmas Day we had about 12-14 inches of snow. So hubby put the tracks on his ATV and Son #1 got out his snow shoes!


Son #1 walked 4 miles to town the day we went to visit my Grandma. Luckily it was with wind :)

6) I was going to keep it to 5 separate items, but I found this great blog that is having a give away of sorts. If you have an Etsy Shop and need a new banner or two - check out this blog. If you follow the blog during this next week, you get 2 banner's for the price of one! She has some really lovely banners to choose from. The blog is Honeysuckle Designs.

If you are joining me in MMM please add your blog link below - I would love to come visit!

Your Know You're in a Redneck Church if . . .

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... people ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... when the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering," five guys and two women stand up.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... a member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of" (Love it!)

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the choir is known as the "OK Chorale".

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... in a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... people think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too heavy.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized "Wheeling" washtub.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy Bob's Barbecue.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the collection plates are really hubcaps from a'56 Chevy

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... instead of a bell you are called to service by a duck call.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the communion wine is Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ... "Thou shall not covet" applies to huntin' dogs, too.

You know You're in a Redneck Church if ... the final words of the benediction are, "Y'all come back now, Ya hear."

Recycled Books!

I seem to have a fascination with shops that use recycled materials to create amazing items. So to feed my fascination I have decided to feature these shops every Friday until I run out of shops :) If you happen to be such a shop or know of one - please let me know!! So here we go -

Journals were something I just have never understood. I just can't ever seem to figure out what to write in them. But Forrest Concepts has the coolest ones I've seen to date! Makes me want to buy one :) And they happen to have a sale on right now - ends Sunday Night!!
Journals....$15.00 or 2/$25.00
Journals...$.20.00 or 2/$35.00
If you buy a $10.00 and a $15.00 you will be refunded half of the shipping.
ALSO - all stamped Jewelry is 10% off. All Refunds will be through paypal.



*Where are you from?
Grand Rapids, MI. I have lived here all my life, except for a year, where I traveled to different cities for my job.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 34 years old. Married to a wonderful woman and we have 2 sons. They are my joy and inspiration for everything I do.

*How did you decide on your shop name?
My Brother-in-Law was our money man. His middle name is Forrest and since it fit with our "green/recycling" theme, it was an easy choice.

Why did you start your business?
For a simple need to provide for my family. I lost my job due to downsizing and needed to do something. It was an easy choice, to be home with my family and still be able to provide for them. What could be better?

*What got you started in recycling?
A few summers ago, we were at a garage sale and this guy had 3 huge boxes of old books with a free sign on them. Really couldn't pass them up. We had gotten a vintage bookshelf and wanted to fill it up. But we knew that we couldn't keep them all, but were sure what do to with them. One day my wife had bought a journal and it came to me that I could do that with the books that weren't in good shape.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Books, now I can't pass a yard sale or resale shop without going in to find a new one for a journal. The older the better!

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
Knowing that I am helping the universe in my small way.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
The journals, it is fun to be able to flip through those books picking out which chapters are going to be kept.

*Do you have a blog?
Yes, my wife sorta keeps it up.
www.diemdesigns.blogspot.com

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?
Mine of course!
I really enjoy sjroemer.etsy.com . She uses recycled pop tabs.

Wordless Wednesday

Recycling at it's best!

Last year I did a whole series on Recycling/Upcycling and have been fascinated ever since. So whenever I come a cross a shop that does one or both - I have to check it out. Plastique Recreations recycles and makes bags!! How much better could it get?


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a air force military brat born in San Antonio, TX. I learned how to crochet at the age of 9. My mom paid a neighbor girl to teach me as a means to keep me out of trouble. After 23 years in the military and tired of traveling, my father retired in Kokomo, IN. I have lived there since my high school sophomore year and lived there for approx 33 years. During this I met and married my husband of 29 years and raised 3 fantastic kids. In June of 2007, my husband and I relocated to Lake City, FL.

*How did you decide on your shop name?
Since our minds visually interpret the written word I wanted individuals to perceive plastic creations in an upscale manner. So I figured the best way to describe plastic in an attractive manner was to not just call it plastic which is when I came up with 'plastique'. And since the plastic is being recreated from it's original form, hence 'recreations'.

Why did you start your business?
For years I have crocheted and knitted plarn items for family, friends and co-workers as gifts, charities, etc.. While living in Kokomo, I developed a clientele whom I designed and created crocheted and knitted items for throughout the years. This provided me with extra spending money. This became non-existent when I moved to FL. By the urging of family and friends, I was encouraged to begin selling my creations online. After extensive googling and research, I discovered Etsy.

*Do you have a blog?
Yes I do - www.plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com

*When did you start crafting?
When I learned to crochet at age 9. I've been crafting for 40 years. I self taught myself how to knit.

*Where do you craft? what does it look like?
I have a sewing room that houses my Janome sewing machine which is my pride and joy together with all my material and acrylic yarn (which hasn't been used for a very long time). My sewing room also houses my organized piles of plastic.

*What would you love to add to your crafting space?
I would luv shelves.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up
My addiction is to rummage through recycle boxes and containers looking for different colors of plastic bags. Most of my supply currently is dominated by brown w/black and brown w/green from Publix and white w/blue from WalMart and Food Lion. So I would luv to receive and gather other colors.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
This market bag/tote: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32760668 means a lot to me because it was the first bag that I made and listed in my shop.

Over the years crafting with plastic, I have learned the harmful affects plastic has on the environment mainly land and sea animals. I have also seen the horrible saturation of plastic bags in the landfill. Both reasons continue to fuel my motivation and drive to do whatever necessary to keep the plastic bags out of the landfill.

I am very much in favor to the banning of plastic bags. However, until this is accomplished, Plastique Recreations will continue to design and create.