Lovely Christmas Items from Etsy Texas Crafters - all on SALE today only!!

Buy One, Get One free from KatiesScrappinSupplies. I love these mini cards/tags. They are perfect to tag all your gifts - and you get 50! Our dog LOVES his collar from CrazyforCollars. Suzanne has a great selection of Christmas ones. Don't let you doggie miss out on dressing for Christmas! These are 15% off for our 1st Monday SALE.

Cozy slippers for your wine glasses. Who couldn't use these? They will keep people from leaving rings on your tables. From carylscreations and they are 15% off today!

Are you naughty or nice? Besemnaturalscents soap is awesome! Yes, I speak from experience. They are really big bars and they lather up great. These coal soaps are too cute! 20% off today!

20% off All items!

Monday, December 7th is Etsy Texas Crafters 1st Monday SALE! We have 107 shops participating this month.

I am having 20% off all items in Handmade Whimzy and Pink Pear Designs.

It's not too late to get a great deal on some cool handmade Christmas items like this Candy Cane bracelet from Handmade Whimzy:

Or these Candy Cane earrings from Pink Pear Designs:

Or, check out these adorable things from some of my team members:

Like this adorable Snowman door hanger from Sassysoapsnsuch.

Or this Candy Cane Christmas stocking from Bailiesbagsbaubles.

Or this infants Elf hat from 2muchstuff2day.
For the complete list of 107 sales, please click {HERE}.

Happy Holidays from Handmade Whimzy and Pink Pear Designs!

Fall/Winter has made it to East Texas

I hate cold weather.

I'm sure I have said that many times before, but I really do.

It has been in the 30's this week, for most of the week and we even had snow flurries on Friday.

The only good part of cold weather is the Christmas holidays. Our neighborhood looks awesome at night with all the lights up on the houses. Many of our neighbors have the holiday spirit, so that makes for a very cheery drive through at night.

I'm sure people in colder areas think I'm a whiny baby about it, but hey, that's why I live in Texas and not Minnesota. You couldn't drag me there in the winter. I much prefer 90 degree weather and wearing shorts to having to "bundle up". Ack! I hate bundling up!

Ok, that's enough of a rant. At least we have some really pretty trees around us. Here are some in our neighborhood.

And this is our still green Bradford Pear tree. For some reason, we always get the ones that hang on to their green leaves as long as possible and then one day, poof, they will all be gone. We can never pick the trees that have the glorious color. Our trees are all dysfunctional. LOL

Stayed tuned for tomorrows December 1st Monday sale info.

I'll be posting it later tonight.

$5 5th Monday SALE!!

Monday, Nov. 30th is the Etsy Texas Crafters $5 5th Monday SALE!!

I've made a special $5 section in all 3 of my etsy shops. Some items have been marked down MORE THAN 50%!!

Check them out here:
Handmade Whimzy
Pink Pear Designs
Whimzy Supplies

To see all the participating team shops, click {HERE}.

Just in time for Cyber Monday! and to buy Stocking Stuffers, Hannukah gifts, teacher's presents, etc.

Apron Labels

Well, I've finally done it. There is no going back now.
I've ordered the fabric labels that I'll need for my new aprons that I will be selling in Handmade Whimzy. I've had the pattern done for a while now and I've ordered some gorgeous fabric. Now all I need to do is start sewing.

I got the labels from mommiemadeit.etsy.com. She makes it very easy to order. If you don't already have a design, you just pick one of hers (which is what I did) and let her know what you want them to say and a few days later, you get them in the mail. Easy Peasy!

I wanted something kind of plain so as not to distract from the aprons. So, I chose a black and white design that makes it very easy to read my shop name.

Despite my health issues of late, I am determined to soldier on and get these made so that I can start listing them. I don't sew super fast, so each one will take me awhile. I hope they will be well received. To see the prototype that I finished this past summer, go {HERE}.

I'm also hoping to have plenty sewed up for the upcoming March Azalea Trails Arts and Crafts show that will be here in Tyler on the weekend of March 21-22. Hopefully, I will be able to participate.

I also, want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is so important - one of the most important things we can do. So many problems are created in families because people don't know how thankful we are for them. Hurt feelings, resentment etc. So tell your loved ones how much they mean to you today and how thankful you are that they are in your life. What would we do without them?

ETC Design Challenge - Gratitude

The ETC design challenge for this month was Gratitude.

Please help us pick a winner. We had 4 wonderful entries (and they will all be getting a prize! YAY).

To see the entries and vote, click HERE.

And to join us on our etsy promo thread and tell us what you are thankful for, click HERE.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Christmas Bazaar

This coming Saturday, November the 14th, Handmade Whimzy and Pink Pear Designs will be at the First Christian Church Christmas Bazaar. It is located on the corner of Broadway and Loop 323 in Tyler, Texas. If you're in the area, come on out. They are taking a $1 donation to get in the door.

This bazaar has been going on for many years so hopefully, there will be lots of folks out shopping for handmade items for Christmas and the upcoming holidays. (fingers crossed!)

My shops will go on vacation mode sometime tomorrow as I get everything packed up. Wish me luck!

Beautiful Treasury and Upcoming Craft Shows

Thanks so much to NightLady who has featured my Hothouse flower earrings from Pink Pear Designs in her Periwinkle and Lilac Dreams treasury.
What a lovely treasury, NightLady. I love these colors together - they are so soothing.

NightLady sells lovely hair pins and brooches in her shop. I love these Pink and Orange Sherbert Hair Bobbies. So delicate and pretty.

Thanks so much for featuring me NightLady!!

*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*

Now for news of upcoming craft shows!

I will be at the Bullard Red, White, and Blue Festival this coming Saturday, November the 7th from 9 am to 5 pm in Bullard, Texas. This is a really fun festival to attend, so if you're in the area, drop on by. They have a parade, live entertainment all day and lots of good food and of course, arts and crafts vendors.

The following Saturday, November 14th, I will be at the First Christian Church Christmas Bazaar from 9 am to 4 pm. I have never had a booth at their Christmas Bazaar before but I've heard it's a great arts and crafts show and I'm really looking forward to it.

So if you are in the Tyler, Bullard, East Texas area for the next 2 weekends, stop by one of these great shows and support handmade!

1st Monday SALE!

It's the first Monday of November and that means it time for Etsy Texas Crafters monthly 1st Monday sale!

Click here for the list of all participating team members. We have 99 shops participating this month. You can buy everything from soap to jewelry, handbags to knitted scarves - we have it all!

My shop sales are:
Handmade Whimzy - 20% off all items
Pink Pear Designs - Buy One, Get One 50% off
Whimzy Supplies - 10% off all items

Shop now for the upcoming holidays! I know I'm starting my shopping today - especially for teachers. The less time I have to spend at overcrowded stores buying mass produced crap, the better.

Trick or Treat!

My little family at the Fall Festival last weekend (at my son's school). See how he's pulling away as if he's ashamed to be seen near his weird parents? Funny huh? Considering the whole Mario theme was his idea. By the way, I'm Princess Peach who gets rescued by Mario - or so I'm told. My dress is pink but you can't really tell in this picture (I got it for $20 at a used Wedding dress store!!)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!! And have fun Trick or Treating! Go easy on the tricks ;)

Aura Treasury by MyLittleAura

My earrings -I'm So Blue - from my Pink Pear Designs shop has found their way into a treasury by MyLittleAura.

Such an sweet, calming treasury. Thanks so much MyLittle Aura for including my earrings. Your treasury is beautiful.

On a side note, today is the last voting day for the Etsy Texas Crafters Design Challenge for October. The challenge was to make a handmade item representing the Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos.

There were 15 awesome entries. Please help us pick a winner!

Go here:

http://etsytx.ning.com/page/october-design-challenge-day

You can click the link and see all the awesome entries and then click the voting link at the bottom to go vote for one. It only takes 5 seconds to vote and anyone can do it - you do not have to be a team member.

Voting ends at midnight tonight!

Happy Birthday Ben!

My sweet baby turned 11 this week. Why do they have to grow up so fast?

Happy Birthday Ben!

ETC's 1st Monday Sale for October!

We have 113 shops participating in this month's 1st Monday sale!

The sale starts at midnight Texas time (1 am Etsy time)!

Here are my sales for 1st Monday (all day on Monday, Oct. 5th)
Handmade Whimzy is having Buy 1, Get 1 50% off - including clearance items!

Pink Pear Designs is having Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!

Whimzy Supplies is having a 15% off sale on all Handmade Pillow Boxes including custom orders!

For the complete list of participating shops, click here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6306388

ETC Design Challenge "Enchanted"

I have entered two of my beaded bookmarks from Handmade Whimzy into September's Etsy Texas Crafters Design Challenge. The theme this month was "Enchanted".

I entered my Fire Breathing Dragon Bookmark and my Woodland Fairy Bookmark.

I think they're both "enchanting"! How about you?

To see all of the challenge items and to vote, go here:

http://etsytx.ning.com/page/sept-design-challenge

It literally, only takes 5 or 10 seconds to vote. You DO NOT have to be an ETC member to vote. We welcome all votes. The challenge items are listed on the page link above and at the bottom of the page is a link to go vote.

Of course, I hope that you will all vote for one of my bookmarks (oh please, oh please, oh please!) but I would never try to influence you in any way. LOL

psssstttt:

(Vote for my dragon or my fairy)

(Vote for my dragon or my fairy)

Raven Raven Red and Gray

ShannaMichele, a One of a Kind jewelry designer on etsy, has included my Vintage Black Rose necklace from Pink Pear Designs in her treasury entitled, "Raven Raven Red and Gray".
Her treasury is eerily striking and timely too - just in time for Halloween. To view ShannaMichelle's awesome treasury, go HERE.

Halloween always makes me think of Edgar Allen Poe.

ShannaMichele, your shop is lovely - I LOVE this piece:

I love the citrine and it's perfect for autumn.

Thanks ShannaMichele!

I WON!

Yay! I won Wise Impressions blog giveaway for this past week. It's a really cute pumpkin bookmark.

Thanks so much Cindy!

I can't wait to get it.

Remember all, Cindy is doing a blog giveaway every week. Go to her blog HERE to sign up. Signing up is very easy and she tells you how to sign up multiple times so that you have more chances to win.

To visit Cindy's etsy store, click HERE.

Free Stuff!! Blog Giveaway!!

One of our ETC team members, Cindy of Wiseimpressions is having a blog giveaway of a lovely fall bookmark.

Cindy makes sweet little pottery dishes, bookmarks, magnets, etc.
This is one of my favorite pieces from her shop:

Her prices are extremely reasonable for handmade and handpainted. Her pieces are very cute and would make lovely gifts.

I'm planning to give all my son's teachers a "handmade basket" of goodies for Christmas this year. So I'm already looking and thinking and trying to decide what to put in them. Of course, I will make something for the baskets, but I also want to put in some of the items I love from some of my team mates shops. I think they are going to turn out great. I have my eye on some magnets from Cindy's shop for my baskets.

Cindy is doing a blog giveaway every week in her shop, right now. This week, she is giving away a fall bookmark.
Go HERE to the WiseImpressions blog to sign up. Maybe you'll be the winner - or maybe I will :)

Deadline to sign up for a chance to win the sweet fall bookmark is Monday - that's tomorrow!! So do it now!!
And remember, she's having a giveaway every week, so keep checking back.

**(for some reason, blogger is not letting me post a pic of the giveaway prize but you can go to Cindy's blog to see it)

Divalicious Sample Boxes

The Divalicious Sample Boxes sold out in 1 day!!! That is so awesome!

If you are reading my blog and you got one of my samples, "Little Pumpkin Earrings", then I hope you loved them!!

Thanks to Robin and Penny at Divalicious!

If you are a delightful diva in business and would like to contribute to their sample box, click here for more info.

Also, I'd love to hear more comments on my new apron design!!

My Apron Design

Well all, this has been a long time coming. I've been meaning to post the pics of my new apron design for awhile and just haven't. I've taken it over to my MIL and she has approved it and thinks it's a very wearable apron. Although, she does think I should add a pocket which I am planning on doing. I'll probably work on that tomorrow.

There are so many things I want to get done and so many things I need to get done. I feel really "backed up" because of the health issues I've had lately. Hopefully, those are coming to an end and I can get back on track. I need to get some of these ideas out of my head. LOL

So here are my pics:

My apron as a half apron. The ties are grosgrain ribbon. I'm thinking about changing that for the next apron although, I do like the feel of the grosgrain. It's very easy to work with and to tie.

My apron as a full apron.

My apron with me wearing it.

So, what do you think? I would really like to hear your comments. Is there anything you think I should change to make it more wearable?

This is my own design. I made the top extra big to cover more chest area. I hate aprons that sink down between your boobs. And the skirt hits about mid thigh on me (I'm 5'4"). Do you think it should be longer? Also, the pockets will be added to the bottom portion of the apron - not the top.

(You might notice that my dress form has no legs. I got her at a yard sale but my husband is going to make her some legs. :)

Divalicious Sample Boxes are on sale now!

The Divalicious sample boxes are on sale now! Get them before they're all gone.

Click here to buy your very own Divalicious box.

Thanks again Robin and Penny for this opportunity! You will receive a pair of Little Pumpkin earrings from Pink Pear Designs with your sample box.

Click here to see the details.

Happy shopping!

GrandmaMarilyns rocks!

I received my Christmas bracelet today that I ordered last weekend from GrandmaMarilyns.etsy.com during her really good Labor Day sale (which also ran over into ETC's 1st Monday sale).

It is gorgeous!! Way prettier in person than in the picture and the picture was pretty good.

It is very sparkly and I know it will be noticed many times as I wear it during the Christmas season. It is delicate and sweet, which is just my style.

Marilyn does bead weaving and has some really awesome cuff style bracelets in her shop. Like this one which is GORGEOUS. But unfortunately, I don't like to wear chunky jewelry - not even something I've made. I'm sure I'm in a minority with that as I see people all the time with chunkier pieces which are absolutely beautiful and very noticeable.

Although, that stained glass cuff in her shop is so pretty, I'm tempted to buy it just to sit on a table, maybe in a stand or something and use it as an art piece.

So, once I received my gorgeous new bracelet, it came to me that Marilyn should be making these in all colors, not just Christmas. I would love to see this in white with purple crystals, or aqua and green (which I LOVE). So I'm going to email her and badger her with my idea. LOL

She has other, beautiful styles in her shop, but I love the delicacy of this one. Please don't get too mad at me when I badger you Marilyn!

I LOVE my new bracelet!!

(please forgive my crappy pictures - it's raining and dark here today)

Delightful Divas in Business

A few weeks ago, I was contacted through my Pink Pear Designs shop by the Delightful Divas in Business - an online community that promotes, connects, and inspires independent business women. They asked if I might be interested in contributing to their Divalicious Sample Box for September. I was honored to be asked and am very excited to be participating.

Their Divalicious sample box will go on sale September 15th at 8 am. I'm so excited! Go buy it!!

You can click here to see all the great participants for September - and there are some really good ones. They are still receiving shipments from participants and will add more banners as they arrive.

My "sample" for the box was actually full size earrings. I called them "Little Pumpkins". They are either faceted orange glass beads or orange cat's eye beads with antiqued brass bead caps and olivine Swarovski crystal bead "leaves". They hang from handmade antiqued brass earwires. I wrapped them in tissue and my handmade pillow boxes with a business card attached that has a description of the earrings and a coupon for 20% off a purchase at Pink Pear Designs attached with a ribbon.

Thanks so much Robin and Penny! I hope it sells out fast.

ETC's September 1st Monday SALE

All day Monday, September 7th is the Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale!

30% off all items in Handmade Whimzy - all day!

25% off all items in Pink Pear Designs - all day!

For more great ETC shop sales, click here.

It's not to early to shop for Christmas - or just for yourself :)

Where have I been?

Well, I have been a bad blogger lately. I've barely blogged at all.

Several things have been happening in the past month or so that have kept me from being a good blogger.

We went on vacation.

School started back (and all the getting ready for back to school that goes along with it).

I was asked to donate samples to a sample box and had very little time to get all that together and get it shipped (more about that later).

And finally, I've been having some health issues that have forced me to take several different medications every day and they all make me tired, irritable and loggy. :(

Needless to say, I also haven't felt like doing any sewing or beading or really much of anything. Which of course, makes me very depressed and blah blah blah.

SO, anyhoo, I'm hoping that things will start picking back up now. I have a ton of projects that I've been SLOWLY working on that I hope to get finished.

I've been working on an apron prototype that I hope to get perfect at some point so that I can start making and listing them in my shop.

So please forgive my bad blogging. I hope to improve very soon. :)

Meanwhile, enjoy these great pics I took on vacation at South Padre Island of the rescued sea turtles. We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at Sea Turtle, Inc., which is a non profit sea turtle rescue in S. Padre. If you are looking for a good donation site for Christmas donation gifts, saving the sea turtle is definitely a good one.

This little guy is missing his back right leg. If I remember correctly, there was fishing line tangled around him when he was rescued and his leg couldn't be saved.

ETC's $5 5th Monday SALE!!

Monday, August 31st is Etsy Texas Crafters $5 5th Monday Sale!!

I have a special section set up in Handmade Whimzy and Pink Pear Designs just for the sale. Some items in Pink Pear Designs are marked 50% off!!

Sale is Monday only - but I've already changed my prices so for me it starts NOW!!

Go Shop!!

For more ETC members who are participating in the sale, go to this etsy.com forum thread.

Field of Sunflowers

Driving through drought stricken South Texas a couple of weeks ago, we came across this beautiful field of sunflowers.

Enjoy.

Sunflowers, as far as the eye can see.

Ready, Set, VOTE!

Today starts ETC's Design Challenge voting for the month of August. The theme was Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.
We had 31 entries!! YAY!!

Please help us pick a winner. Anyone can vote - you do not have to be a member of Etsy Texas Crafters.

To vote, go to this link: http://etsytx.ning.com/page/august-design-challenge

You will see all the great entries and just click the button at the bottom of the page to vote on your favorite.

Vacation at the Beach

Last week, my family and I drove the 650 miles down to South Padre Island. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE to drive long distances in cars? Well, I do!

We've always been a Galveston beach family - mostly because it's about 8 hours closer than South Padre. It only takes about 4-5 hours to get to Galveston, we've been there many times and know it well. But I must say, South Padre was really alot different. The beaches really were alot cleaner and the water was so clear.

We loved the beach there but I don't know that we'll want to make the drive there again anytime soon.

My son got to practice his sand castle making skills. He and his dad built several and unfortunately, because of my son's penchant for wanting to build them as close to the water as possible, most of them didn't last very long.

However, on the last day, they managed to build a really great sand castle dubbed Fort Harvey. It was awesome.

I also took several pictures of an elephant sand scuplture that someone else did. I thought it was great. Very cute.

And now summer vacation is over and school starts back next week. My how the time flies.

Pass it on!

Liz of LavenderLizard recently tagged me with this:

Here are the rules:
1. Collect the book you have most handy.
2. Turn to page 161.
3. Find the 5th complete sentence.
4. Cite the sentence on your blog.
5. Pass it on to other blog friends.


Here is Liz's:
Pretty soon, other bikers will find excuses to walk past so they can take in the sight of her leaning against the table just right. (Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell)

Here is mine:
For a moment he thought they had not left the wedding after all: They still seemed to be surrounded by people. (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling)

I love Liz's quote. I've never read any of Patricia Cornwell's books but this quote makes me want to :)

To read Liz's blog, go here.

So now, I'm suppose to pick 3 people to tag. I pick:
Milly at http://thistlecraft.blogspot.com/
Cheri at http://roycheri.blogspot.com/
Charity at http://subearthancottage.blogspot.com/

Well ladies, give me a quote! LOL

Gift Swap Goodies!

I received my gift swap goodies on Wednesday for the Etsy Texas Crafters 3rd quarter 1-1 gift swap.

My gifts were made by Holly of EdenEssentails. She sent me 3 yummy smelling handmade soaps. I love handmade soap, so this was very exciting! Holly sells the soaps along with essential oils at her Eden Essentials etsy shop.

Thanks so much Holly! I love it!

Mac's New Collar and a Thrift Store Find

This past Monday, during our team's First Monday Sale, I purchased a new collar for our dog Mac from Suzanne at crazyforcollars.etsy.com. We got it today and it is soooo adorable. It's a turquoise bandana print - sewn very well and with a super easy clip to take it on and off.

Mac was soooo excited when I showed it to him. He smelled it for a long time and just danced around with a smile on his face. He wore it tonight during our walk but unfortunately, his cute little fluffy girlfriend who lives down the street wasn't out tonight :(

Also, this week, I had to sojourn downtown to take the sacks of glass bottles to the recycling center. It's too bad that I didn't know they were closed on Monday and Tuesday. LOL So, since my trip downtown was a bust, I decided to stop in at the thrift store that I don't usually go to because it's ALL THE WAY downtown.

And look what awesome find I made there! Brand new Martha Stewart napkins in aqua which match the cute placemats I got on clearance last year at Target. I haven't been able to find napkins I liked to match and was just planning to make my own. Now I don't have to! They were really cheap too. Only $0.75 each. I bought 12 for $9. YAY!

I have Fiesta ware in pretty much every color of the rainbow that I use with these and it will look great. The napkins are the ones on top and the striped fabric is the placemats. And yes, I know I need to iron them - I promise I don't use them all wrinkled for company. I love for my table to be full of color. No one gets matching plates. They get one color for salad and another for main course.

So, if I block all the aweful back to school shopping from my mind, it was a good week!! LOL