Friday, August 28, 2009

New pen and ink

I have rediscovered the love of drawing. And having worked in a tattoo studio, we didn't do a lot of pen & ink. But I thought it would translate well onto a t-shirt, so I gave it a shot. Check these out.


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The little spider has "Tread Lightly" on the t-shirt, but this is just the line drawing.

PS, sorry about the "sample" text, be people are thieves, and I worked hard on these.

Totally Worth Eating

OK, so I have to share with you...
When I was pregnant with DQ, I loved grilled sandwiches. Especially grilled cheese with tomato and mayonnaise. I think I have previously mentioned my love of Mayo.

When I was pregnant with Itty Bit, I rediscovered the love of stuff grilled between 2 slices of bread. Most important of which was the Grilled PB & J.

No I am not pregnant, nor will I ever be again. My point is, I still make these. My kids love them. You should try it. Much easier to do than say, peanut butter and jelly donuts, which my husband... made... no destroyed my kitchen with. They were good, but so not worth the trouble.

These are no trouble at all and totally worth eating.

It is exactly what it sounds like...

Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I go easy on the jelly, as it can turn into lava.
Butter both sides and fry that bad boy on med-low until golden brown on both sides. Sorta like a grilled cheese, but better.
Now be careful, they are hot. Don't sue me because your kid burned the piss out of his tongue. I'm telling you they are hot.
After they have cooled for a minute or so I cut the kids' up into 1/4 triangles, to help them cool faster. They will beat each other down with a stick, to be the first in line for these.

Very yummy. I should know... I just ate 2! You'll thank me later, so your welcome!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Here's another one for you...

Guess what I got in the mail yesterday?


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The headband, not the person. Isn't it cute? Well, Thanks to Dana, it is also part of the giveaway. I told you guys this was going to be good.

Dana makes the cutest head gear for grown ups and kids alike...


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Dana-banDs is another new Etsy shop that I fell in love with.

This young designer has big dreams of taking her creations world wide. This is what she said about herself and her product.


For the past twenty-two years, I have lived in a small town called North Haledon of North New Jersey. Living only twenty minutes from the city, I intended on working there one day and break out of the small town girl life.

Since I was five years old, I have dreamed of being in the fashion industry like my mother and aunt . My mother had always told me I had a gift, one in which I could put together an outfit for myself or someone else. She also admired my ability to go into a store like Forever 21 and find the most perfect ensemble with coordinating accessories while the store was basically torn upside down.

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At eighteen years old, I got accepted to the University of Delaware and graduated four years later with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising. Unfortunately, Spring semester of 2009 meant one of the worst economic times since the Great Depression. I knew my career and goals wouldn't come so easily. While everyone was partying their last semester of college, I began turning my graduation blues into something that would unknowingly become a craze. The trends were hot and even with less money I knew I had to keep up on my style. I went out to the local craft store in Delaware and started picking up anything I could find; flowers, feathers, pearls, and rhinestones. I sat down and could not stop! I was making pins and headbands just like in the magazines, except for a fraction of the cost.

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Soon roommates, friends, and strangers began noticing my hair accessories and wanted a piece of the collection. I began by giving them away and then the selling started. My creations improved and more and more people took notice.

I now enjoy researching the latest trends and designing headbands that are comfortable and unique. Once I see a band that someone else is selling that looks similar, I discard the design and work on something new. I now get special requests, especially weddings and parties, and soon hope to promote via the Housewives of NJ.

Dana's Etsy Shop


Thanks Dana, for joining in the commotion over her in Left Field. Best of luck to you.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Candy Factory

Check out these prints...

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Wouldn't one of these look super cute, framed up on your kitchen wall? Well your in luck. Myan from The Candy Factory is donating a 5 X 7 print to my giveaway. You will get to go to her Etsy shop and pick which one you want, and she will ship it to you.

It gets better... She is having a SALE in her shop RIGHT NOW! Buy one get one FREE! How can you beat that?

Myan is an artist/photographer originally from the east coast, currently living in Los Angeles. After working as a TV graphic designer and a TV promotions producer, she went back to her first love, photography.

Her passion for art and photography is fueled by any opportunity to convey life in one little box full of light, colors, and imagination. From L.A. to NYC, Great Britain to Sweden, Australia to Taiwan, she is honored that her art has traveled around the world to be cherished and displayed in numerous intimate collections.

I personally lover her Candy Factory Collection, which she just recently opened. She also has another shop on Etsy, see below, and a home page that flows like an art studio.

zuppaartista.etsy.com


myanartstudio.com

I almost forgot... She blogs too. How freakin' cool is that. Go pop in and say HI!
Urban Junkies Artist Lounge

Many thanks to Myan for donating her services to the party. Now if we could just get to that golden 100 Followers, I can kick this bash into gear!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Random Tuesday Fun

So I am feeling a little lazy this week. Or is it brain fried, from listing all this stuff on Etsy. So I am serving up another video from my photobucket album... Enjoy




I really should make more videos. They are fun, and totally easy blog posts.

Hey over the weekend Sexy Papa and I opened up a new Etsy Shop. You know I rely on you guys to tell me whats good, so have a look and leave me some feedback.

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Sweet Baby onesie $17.00

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Coordinating Hot Mama Tee $33.00

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Babies are the Bomb
$17.00

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No No Onsie $17.00

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Kids "smile" Tee $24.00


We will have all kinds of stuff in there, tattoo and punk rock related. I even came up with a maternity t-shirt. There are guys shirts too.
The Punk Rawk Shop
By The Way, I drew all the graphics on those shirts...except the smile. That one my cousins boyfriend came up with. I just cleaned it up and made it look more like tattoo flash. I had so much fun making these over the weekend. I was a nice break from a months worth of Christmas stuff.

OK back to work for me. Head on over to The Un-Mom to get in on Random Tuesday-ness. Yeah, I know mine was a little lazy, but I made up for that last week. Sue me.



Monday, August 24, 2009

Love this video

So while surfing through my Photobucket albums, I came across this little gem...

I love my family! That's my cousin with my youngest daughter a couple years ago.

We were at a cook out at my brother's beach house.





In case you missed yesterdays list of prizes for the upcoming giveaway/party

Check it out

Sunday, August 23, 2009

100 Followers Giveaway Update

So, I have been busy these last couple of weeks. Gathering a fab group of Etsy shopkeepers who want to participate in the giveaway. So far we have 7 participants who are donating a wide variety of things. I thought it would be fun to run through a list of things to be won:

The book thong from Nann BeadsByNann. I already have this in my hot little hands.

A fun and funky wine glass, to use while reading blogs, sipping wine!

A sweet treats, frame worthy, print

Some shopkeepers are making items just for the giveaway, like:

A custom dog tag necklace that says "Blogging is Sexy". How perfect is that?

A fabulous couture headband.

Plus, lets not forget about my own stuff:


Princess pre-cut quilting squares.

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Stack of Halloween Fat Quarters


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A $25.00 Victoria's Secret Gift Card


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A complete Rag Quilting Kit


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Plus a $25.00 Gift Certificate to my Etsy shop, to spend on whatever you like... such as

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This is my idea of what a Christmas Stocking would look like, If Mary Englebright and Dr. Suess designed it.


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Fabric Scrapbook Covers

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And... For all my tattooed punk rawk friends

OK people. We are still floundering around the 85 mark. As you can see we have some good stuff here. Plus we are going to play a little game during the giveaway. It's going to be so much fun. So send all your friends over here and have them follow me too. I am hoping to kick this off the first week of Sept. Around the 7th... IF I see 100 followers on my follow me widget on the side bar.

What are you waiting for? Do it now!

Friday, August 21, 2009

And this one time... I got drunk

Way Way Way, back in the day, before I had kids, I used to be a bit of a party animal. So, yeah, a little more than 'this one time...'. But this one time, I surprised even myself.

OK, so picture me, 10+ years younger, we'll say early 20's. I share an uber cool apartment with 3 guys. (I don't tend to live well with other women, go figure.) None of which I am romantically involved with, if I can just point that out. A drag queen, a DJ, and my friend Josh, who does lights for concerts. We are the cool kids, right? Did I forget to mention I was a go-go dancer? Sorry bout that. Now you think we are the cool kids right?

It's my birthday, I won't mention which one. My friend Josh and a couple of our other friends, decide to take me out on the town. Out on the town for us is a bar. Skip movies or dinner, get straight to the drinking.

Before I forget to mention, my birthday is in Feb. We were down in VA Beach celebrating. The bars at the beach are not very busy in the winter time. Aside from a few hardcore locals, the place was pretty much empty. Does that stop us from having a good time? Hell no.

Most of the bars around here allot the bartenders a "tab" to give away. Well since it's wasn't busy, and... I was a little hottie back in the day, and... It was my birthday, the bartender served me his entire tab. ON TOP OF all the drinks my friends were pouring into me.

At some point I woke up on the bar, where I had slumped over... The bartender behind me tickling my back. It was definitely time to go. Thank good for designated drivers. It was a long ride home, but I managed not to throw up. Unlike my girlfriend who needed us to stop on the highway so she could expel some Jagermeister, among other things.

The next day found me in our large claw footed bathtub with my (male) roommate scrubbing my back with orange pumas soap. He was trying to remove the large butterfly, that apparently the bartender drew on me with a big black marker. Because I had to work later that night. Did I mention I was a go-go dancer?

Believe it or not, I took a dozen or so more time for me to realize Jager is not my friend!
Thanks for letting me share.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Huh...TMI?

Since I am such a giver and in a sharing mood....
Prepare yourself for the best Random Tuesday post ever!!!

We had spaghetti for dinner last night. I ate the other half of a loaf of garlic bread for breakfast.

Every time I get out a paper plate, I can't help but fan myself with it.

I came into the kitchen to get some advil for my headache. Which reminded me of my ulcer, which reminded me to take my prevacid, which I did with a full glass of water like a good girl. 20 mins later, I went back to the kitchen to get some advil for my headache, because I got distracted the first time.

I love mayonaise. I eat cheese sandwiches because it's a reason to eat mayonaise.

I don't like soda. The bubbles irritate me. It is a very rare occasion if you see me drinking it. Like if there was nothing else. But I really like beer. Those bubbles don't bother me a bit.

I can't wait for school to start. Not that I don't love my kids, or even the little girl I babysit. It's just that I am sick of being stuck with them all.freaking.day!

I don't argue with someone unless I know I'm right. And if I can't convince you that your wrong, then I will simply let it go. Why? Knowing I'm right is enough for me. I feel like if I can't point you in the right direction, then your a moron, and there is probably no hope for you anyway.

I got my tubes tied without asking my husband. If he wasn't going to help with babies, then he didn't get an opinion on the matter.

I have lots of funny stories that I want to tell you guys. But I can't ever remember what I was going to write about when I sit down to write.


Do you ever have a hard time dragging your self out of the clutches of sleep? Say when you hear an odd noise in the house in the middle of the night. Yeah, so does Sexy Papa.

My oldest, DQ, left yesterday morning to spend 5 days in D.C. with my Mom. Is it bad that I consider that a mini-vacation for me?

I love shopping. It really makes me feel better. I don't think it's about spending money. I think it's more about having alone time. Because I don't love it so much when someone else is with me.


Hows this for random? A pile of denim.
What do you see?

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How about now?

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This one is a little easier to make out.

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Because when I see a pile of squares, I see something cool.
Like repurposed denim stockings!

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I had so much fun making these. And really, that's what it's all about. Enjoyment.

OK, that'll do it for me today. Get in on the action... Go see The Un-Mom and play along.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

10 Things I Hate About You

It's Thrusday, time for writers workshop. I love this prompt... seems to be just what I was looking for.
4.) List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...if you had the hutzpah.

Sexy Papa: Lead by example. You can not get pissed off when DQ doesn't remember to do what you asked, when you rarely remember to do what I ask.

DQ: Some days I find it very hard not to put your head through a wall.

Itty Bit: If you don't stop screaming about every.little.thing I may be forced to strangle you.

Mom: DQ and Itty Bit are not your children. They are mine. While appreciate your trying to "help" I am not going to do it your way. Stop fussing at me as if I were 13 years old.

Allison: I knew Chris wasn't good for you, but I didn't say anything. I just liked that you were happy. I'm sorry.

Dora: I am so glad you and Bart aren't together anymore. But enough time has passed, you can come home now. I hate that your so far away.

Abby: You need to leave your husband. I don't know why you put up with it.

Abby's Husband: Your an asshole, and your kids don't want to come home when you are there alone. If your not going to be nice to your family, you should at least watch your back. I may kill you myself.

Elderly Neighbor: We are non-denominational. We believe in God, but we don't believe in organized religion. My children are free to choose what they feel best when they are older. I am never going to let them go to sunday school or vacation bible school with you. Stop asking.

Brother: It really upsets me when you act like I am a mean parent. You don't have kids, therefore you aren't entitled to an opinion.

Post Script: Wow, after reading that, I sound depressing and violent. Don't take it literally people. I have no intention of killing anyone... And I never touch my kids, that's probably why they act like little shits sometimes.

BONUS:
10 things I want to say to people I don't know, but totally would if I had the chance....

PETA: You have potential to make a difference in the world, if you would stop acting like an extremist group. As of right now, your not far from being lumped in with terrorist.

Haynes Furniture: You have a sale twice a week, which leads me to believe the "sale" price is just your regular price with a bow on it. I am not the only one who has noticed. Spend less money on massive advertising for sales and actually give me a sale price!

Radio stations: When I hear a Haynes commercial, I change the channel. I am betting your other advertisers wouldn't be happy to hear that.

TV Stations: See above? Same to you.

New Mailman: I know it's a pain in the ass to deliver all those sale papers and what not, But I actually look forward to some of them, ahem, I NEED my Joann's Fabrics coupons!!!


Rush Limbaugh: Shut the fuck up already. You sound like an uneducated driveling moron, and we are all laughing at you.

Bill O'reilly: You should quit while your ahead. Your giving Republicans a bad name.

Networks: A "season" of television is more than 5 new episodes in a row. A "season" Starts in Sept. and goes straight on through until May, with maybe a break for the holidays. Got it!!!?

Dell: If a computer is going to cost me the same as a down payment on a house, it should last more than 2 fucking years!!!!

Democrats: Where are you when all the fear injected protesters are disrupting town hall meetings? We really need to get together and say we are For some sort of change!


Thank you for your attention, you may now return to your regularly scheduled lives.

If you want to participate, go hit up Mama's Losin' It. She posts the assignments every Wed. So you have no excuse not to play along.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

To Hell or The Zoo?

I was such a good parent/babysitter and took all the girls to the zoo. We would have gone yesterday, but it was forcast to be 10 degrees cooler today. I was actually excited about this. We could get out of the house, which we don't do much, and go see somethings we don't normally see. Sounds like a good idea....

NOT

Turns out the zoo isn't even remotely worth the trouble.

We weren't in the gate before Itty Bit started complaining about the heat. I know she doesn't like it when it's hot. But they ALL wanted to go to the zoo. Surely she understood the zoo is outside?

As we stood in line for tickets I explained to them: We will all stay together and we will not be eating lunch here. (Zoo food sucks, to say nothing of the cost.) Fair enough right? They all agreed.

10 minutes later, they all start to complain about how hot it is. "Can we sit down in the shade? I am sweating." Blah, blah, blah. I am allergic to direct sunlight. I have on long pants and a long sleeve shirt. I point this out to them, and say I haven't even broken a sweat yet.

Somewhere along the way DQ appointed herself the field trip leader. She and Miss. Thang (the girl I watch) kept getting ahead of me and Itty Bit. I kept telling them to wait up. Then we would all stop to look at an animal, only to be told a moment later by DQ "OK, let's go." Several times I had to remind her that she is not the mother or the boss.

We stopped to buy a bottle of water, for 2.25 mind you, and all have a rest. The whining continues, and I say if everyone is so miserable, we could just go home. No No. Not 10 steps later, they want to sit down again. I'm like holy crap. I can't believe these kids.

We were about half way through the zoo when I let them go play in the water fountains. Our zoo has the tall shooting water spouts in a courtyard style area that the kids are encouraged to get wet in. Itty Bit doesn't like to get wet, but they other 2 were all for it.

Itty Bit and I were sitting on a bench on the outside of the courtyard, holding all the "stuff". DQ and Miss Thang come slinking over to us, and I ask "What?" DQ mumbles something about a baby being in the water so I say "So?" They both had this morified look on their faces. "What about the baby?" I ask. "We stepped on her." DQ says. I was in complete shock. And I am searching the area for a baby who might have been stepped on. Nothing! "Where is the baby?" I ask. DQ points to a woman with a baby wrapped in a towel standing by a stroller. "Oh My God, what did you two do?"

I snatch up Itty Bit and all our stuff and race over to the woman. "Excuse me, did one of my girls knock your baby over?" The woman looks up and sees DQ and says "If that's your kid in the black (She was wearing purple) then yeah, she plowed her right over." I am instantly appoligizing up and down. This lady is pissed. I would have been too. Well I was pissed, actually. This baby couldn't have been more than a year old. My 2 were busy running around like maniacs and smacked right into her. Poor thing.

That was it for me... I told the girls I'd had it and we were going home! To top it all off, the back seats in the car are soaked, because, of course, my crack heads didn't have time to dry before they got in.

But the animals were nice. They didn't mind the heat at all.

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He gives new meaning to butt ugly monkey. His hind end was all shades of the rainbow.

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Up close and personal with a giraffe. The girls seem less than impressed.

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Some BIG striped deer type thing with long horns?

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A teeny tiny fox.

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Wrestling meerkats

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Grumpy Children

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The star of our zoo, the red panda. She is actually pretty big. Her mate is up in the tree behind her. They have escaped their enclosure twice.

Some of the Kool Kids

You all know I think I am brilliant, so I am sure you will agree with me when I say these people are fan-fucking-tastic. I have been handing out the "New Favorite Award" here and there. It's time for a mass awarding. I have really been looking at great newborn or toddler stage blogs lately. I thought you would think me Fab-u-lous for sharing. So here we go.

The following people are entitled to My New Favorites Award. In order to be considered for this award, your blog must be relatively new, I say with in the last 6 months. AND must evoke a response from me... Laughing out loud, Fit the bill for obnoxious, give me something useful in everyday life... You get the idea.

Be kind and pass it on to just one of Your new favorite blogs.

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KrisGC is a great story teller. She kicked her hubby out of the car!

Frannie Fires Back Is not nearly as scary as her photo depicts.

Happily AFTER ever
Rocks the mole who looks like a penis

I'm Just Saying... Totally not afraid of the word fuck.

Moments, Not the Milestones Has some interesting stuff to say.

Read With Girlfriends is a new book club blog I found.

The Half-Assed Housewife says it all in her real life blog


Alright then... That will just about do it for my list of new favorites. Show some love to your new favorites, you can copy the image code from my side bar.

And now, because I am so addicted to your praise... I got these done too. I know I am the shit. I am almost done with all my stockings now. I am excited to get them listed in Sept. BTW, most of the stockings have coordinating tree ornaments available too.

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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Yeah Random Tues.

Random Tuesday... Oh how I love thee. Of all the days of the week, you are the one who best understands me.

Yep, this is what I remember of VA summers. HOT. A heat index of 109 yesterday. And not the "dry heat" that everyone seems to think isn't soooo bad. The nasty, humid, sticky heat, that dictates I let my children stay inside all day long.

The passion that Republicans feel about the possible changes to health care, as upset as all the protesters are... I would bet that all those screaming, ranting, fear soaked lunatics have insurance. As pissed off as they are, I am just as pissed off because I can't go to the fucking Doctor. I DON'T have insurance. Because it will cost my family almost 900 bucks a month to be covered. And can I just say, for the record, that's WAY more than 10% of our monthly income.

I am only 15 followers away from my 100 followers goal. I got the book thong in the mail from Nann yesterday. Thanks Nann! Plus, I finished up a couple more stockings over the weekend. I was thinking of listing these as a twin set. What do you think?

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I know they are not traditional Christmas themed, but I thought they were cute.

Getting a kid registered for school is a pain in the ass.

Hey did you guys know I am a contributor to The Real World: Venus vs. Mars ? No, you probably didn't. I only just signed on last week. You should go check it out. We talk about all kinds of stuff, including s e x!

Get in on the Randomness that is Random Tuesday. And you too could feel the love I have for this modest day of the week. Or you could just visit The Un-Mom to see who else is spouting off at the mouth in total randomness.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Tags, Awards and Tattoos

Tag I'm it? Oh I got tagged alright. Last week sometime, and totally flaked on it. Facts From a Fact Woman had a very interesting, but sort of confusing, tag session on her blog last week. And in true duck duck goose fashion, came runnin around that circle, smacked me on the head and took off. No not really.

OK, well I don't hand out homework to others but I am happy to participate.

►Open your first photo folder
►Scroll down to the 10th photo.
►Post that photo and the story about that photo on your blog.

So This is what I come up with... A photo of the tattoo on my husbands back. Did I mention I worked in a tattoo studio in Detroit? Yeah, I think I have somewhere. Anyway, the dragon head is the 2nd tattoo I did for my husband. I thought it turned out pretty good. Far better than the 1st one I did when I was still "learning".
This photo was taken right after I finished. Still raw and red. It's kinda cool, cuz the tips of the long horns stick out, just a bit, from his shirts.



OK, now that's out of the way, moving on...

Another award for another great new(ish) blogger.
Lil' Miss June Freakin' Clever , This bod, um I mean award is for you.

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Alrighty, I think that's it for me today. Hope everyone had a good weekend. I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow.

Friday, August 7, 2009

I am The Bomb...

No really... I think I just figured out how to schedule posts. I know, duh right?
Not only that, but I put the finishing touches on 3 stockings. You can right click the photos to see the bigger view. Notice the details, they make the stocking!

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So we are at 84 followers and counting...
I have another Etsy shopkeeper who wants to participate in the giveaway. (if you are an etsy shopkeeper, and you want to participate in the giveaway, contact me!) I will do a write up on her when she is finished with the piece she is creating just for the giveaway. And see those stockings up there? By the time school starts, I will have a bunch of them listed in my etsy shop and will be giving away one, winners choice right from the shop.

Plus, if things go well, I will be posting a Foxy Friday entry later today. Keep an eye out, you might hate to miss the eye full.

So yeah, I am The Bomb.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

100 Followers Update

Real quick I would like to say I now have 78 followers. We are almost there. 1 month to get 22 new followers. Think we can do it? OK, moving on...

Today I want to introduce you to Nann. She is the Etsy Shopkeeper of Blessed Beads By Nann. She created the cutest little things called Book Thongs.

Nann lives in St. Lois and has been crafting all her life. She spent 20 years as a Home Economics teacher. She also owned her own dress making/bridal business for 6 years.

Bead work is relatively new to Nann. She started by making rosaries and things progressed from there. Although she has had great success with brick and mortar stores, she is new to Etsy.

I got the impression that even though she works with jewelry, she might also be addicted to fabric. Sound like anyone else we know? She is also new to the blog world. You can check out her blog.

Nann has been kind enough to contribute this butterfly book thong to my 100 Followers Giveaway.

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In addition to the book thongs, her shop also has:

Lanyards
$15.00
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Eyeglass holders
$12.00
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Bracelets
$9.00
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And much more. Her items are very reasonably priced. Bonus... She is having a Summer Sale of sorts. 33% off !!! Please go check her out and support handmade in America.

Blessed Beads By Nann