Reconnected and Refreshed

So today is the first day I reconnect, refresh and try to get myself on track. In so many aspects!!! South beach diet here I come. I was on this diet years ago and did very well and more importantly felt great, so I'm giving it another try. Falling "off the beach" a year and a half ago was not good for me. But I can fix it.
Also reconnecting with many things in my life that have been missing and trying to find more time to organize and schedule myself to do more of the things i love, mainly crafting!!! I have so many ideas in my head and not enough time to complete them all. With the holidays coming, i really want to fill my store http://www.craftheart.etsy.com On top of that, I opened a small supply shop to help destash some of the supplies i will never use along with some of the supplies i bought for my daughter in her "venture to have her own shop". http://www.suppliesfromtheheart.etsy.com
Trying to keep on track and finding that zen place and peace is whats hardest, but I think we all owe it to ourselves in one way or the other. So here i go...................wish me good luck on my "trip". And I hope everyone can find a way to reconnect and refresh themselves as well so we can all be happy! Thats what we're here for after all

The End of Christmas in July

Quite an event that was going on over at etsy.com. Lots of sellers, setting up seperate sections in their shops and running awesome sales. I was one of them. Seemed not too many were into christmas this July, in spite of all the sales. But thats ok, as the items will stay listed in the shops for months still.

And I mean, whats better for gift giving but home made gifts? You can get everything from your christmas and holiday cards, food, gifts, decorations and more. If its stocking stuffers you're looking for, you're visiting the right place at http://www.etsy.com

As a special blog promotion, I will offer 25% off of anything christmas related in my shop till Aug 5th, 2008. Please enter code 25% off blog special in note to seller when purchasing.

And be sure to browse all around etsy. its quite addicting and i promise you will have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!

THE CATS MEOW!!!

My kitty Rajah (who likes to be called Rajah the great) had a vet appointment yesterday. He is quite old, 15 years, and about 17 months ago, the vet said they were pretty sure he had intestinal cancer. Put him on meds, gave him about 3 mos, well he is still kicking! He had a short hospital vet stay about 6 weeks ago, but since then new meds and he even GAINED 11 ounces this visit. I'm so thrilled!!!!! He is soon to be opening a shop on cafepress, lol. I know it sounds silly. But he has all sorts of pics of himself to share on tshirts, mugs, greeting cards etc. Doesnt most of the world love a funny cat?? http://www.cafepress.com/rajahsshop

So in honor of Rajah, I was looking for some kitty related items on etsy to feature here. I found this new shop with these totally awesome kitty cat looking hats. Very unique, wouldn't you agree? I think Rajah would find me quite gorgeous in one of these babies! Visit brokendelilahs shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5711107 and browse around at all the fun things. As i said, she is somewhat new to etsy, so be sure to show her lots of love. I love you kitty cat hat! :)

Another new shop struck me with some wonderfully lovely heart items (fused glass). And we know i have a hankering for those hearts. But in any event, the shop also happens to feature a kitty clock. Admiral glass has some wonderful pieces in her shop. You'd have a ball looking at all the glass. colorful and amazing. Admiral glass is also fairly new to etsy, but her stuff is so awesome, you'll want to be sure you take a peek and show her some love! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5628885

Mothers Day Cards

Its closer than you think! Lets not forget mother this year. Not sure what to buy for her, or maybe you are going to buy a gift card for her fave store or restaurant. In any event, its always best to start with a card. I have my etsy shop chock full of mothers day cards in anticipation of the big event...........even a few grandma cards in there as well as a card for sister, and am happy to do any kind of custom order. My newest this year is flowerseed cards. Pretty, practical and unique. I think any mom would love one. This week I am offering a special for blog readers. Buy any two cards, card sets or minis and receive one FREE. Please be sure to write mothers day blog sale in note to seller at checkout, and I will send a revised invoice to you reflecting your free card. so, why not take a peek. http://www.craftheart.etsy.com/ I am also part of the etsy greetings street team. Lots of great card makers there

Etsy is full of all types of greeting cards, and mothers day is no exception. So, if you are in need of a card for mom, grandma or a special friend, you are only a click away from that perfect greeting. Here in Puppylovecreations shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10550550 you will find this awesome sister to sister mothers day card. Of course it has extra appeal to me due to the featured heart on front!!!! Take a look around her shop for more goodies as well!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5529562

Butterflychic has this extremely feminine and mom-like card in her shop. I cant help but think how cool this card would be paired with a lavendar nightgown and slippers. My mom loves to get that kind of stuff. Butterfly has not only paper goods, but also graphics, banners, avatars and plugs. If you havent yet visited her shop, be sure to stop by. I'm positive she will have something that you need.

Striking my Fancy

My friends and followers of my blog probably all know how I feel about hearts. I collect them. I've been collecting them for a very long time. Since kindergarten in fact. I love just about all kinds, so lots of things with hearts strike my fancy. As I was visiting, posting and promoting in the etsy forums the other night, I was lucky enough to spot this beaded pendant, being promoted in a thread. GemsbyJules has some very nice items in her shop, but the heart takes it. Its colorful, its beaded, its fun and its a heart!!! i love it. Visit her shop to find more goodies for yourself or to give as gifts. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=59862 There is certainly lots of beaded goodness to be found there.

Speaking of beads, my friend Leanna at ndnchick.etsy.com, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=13064 does lots of beading. I met her several years ago on a crafting board, and in fact, she is the very woman who introduced me to etsy and inspired me to open up my own shop. I browse around in her shop from time to time and am constantly amazed at some of the unique beading work. This Red peyote stitched hair stick is quite colorful and would look great as a hair decor! She also offers some sewn items as well as handmade greeting cards in her shop. Check it out!

As I continue browsing the etsy forums, and seeing what I can see, I also stumble across this bracelet from burrobranch's shop. Its gorgeous to say the very least. Jewelry certainly does run rampant on etsy, but this piece is right at the head of the line in my opinion. Mother of Pearl Fingers and Freshwater Pearls! What a beauty. She is fairly new to etsy, and has some gorgeous, gorgeous gems in her shop, so please take a peek and show her some love. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5528951

April Showers

So, I was reading the Womans World magazine and came across the cutest little April shower cupcakes made with handcut fruit slices and the handle was made from the "hook" part of a pretzel. So so cute!! But anyway, it got me to thinking of April showers..........which brings me here, cause as you all know, I started browsing around etsy shops to see what I could see in the way of April showers.

In Stampinscrapstudios shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5665445

I found the cutest little April shower card featuring a bunny and frog seeking shelter under an umbrella. Its adorable and upon browsing her shop, I notice she has lots of great stuff. You should check her out. Seems she is fairly new to etsy, so be sure to show her lots of love!

The Rain Drops mixed media painting I found in Nancyviews shop is totally amazing. It gives me such a happy feeling just looking at it, and how ingenious to have sheet music in the background!!!! It so totally makes me think of "singing in the rain". Be sure to visit her shop and oooh and ahhh at all the amazing art http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5110701

Then I stumbled across this absolute TREASURE. I have been eyeballing it since I first found it last night. 1000 rainy days since we first met pendant is very very unique and beautiful! I'm especially partial to it, due to the fact it also features a heart..................and i collect hearts!!! Shinyadornments has a pretty big variety of lovely and colorful jewelry. Take a peek in her shop and be prepared to be amazed. http://www.shinyadornments.etsy.com

BIRTHDAY CAKE

Well tomorrow is my birthday, so what is on my mind tonight, but BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!! So, i do my usual surfing around etsy, out of curiousity to see what I can find that is birthday cake related. ElizabethKnapp has a majorly cool painting in her shop entitle Marie Antoinette Cake. I love it! http://www.elizabethknapp.etsy.com/ this is another really new etsy shop, so please pop in and show her some love. All sorts of awesome "dessert style" painting in her shop to make you utterly drool! You wont even BELIEVE the stuff I found in this next shop........................................................Claudiascreations has all types of recycled papers and cards. Ever see or even BUY recycled paper. Its way cool, and hers looks beautiful. http://www.claudiascreations.etsy.com/ The paper pictured is appropriately named "confetti cake". I love it so much because for yearssssssssss my son and daughter both loved to have confetti cake for their birthday. My son is 23 and somtimes still asks for it. I found a cupcake ring, yes thats right, cupcake ring in the shop of shopbonnin. http://www.shopbonnin.etsy.com Its like something you've never seen before. totally unique and has a little "cherry" on top. Browse around her shop and you'll see lots of other unique items. its quite a cheery little shop, thats for sure. You'll be happy you stopped by. And while we are on the subject of of cupcakes, what about taking a look at this really whimsy print in WHIMSYlove's shop. http://www.WHIMSYlove.etsy.com Cartoony and cute as heck, and how can you resist the name? Cup meets cake! Ingenious! Visit her shop and have a ball looking around. You're bound to find something you like