Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Skinny Scarf/Belt - New for Spring!



I'm excited to present my newest accessory, the skinny scarf/belt. I used 10 different coordinating prints from the Valori Wells Sole' line to create this beautiful piece. It is 65" long and 2" wide. It can be worn as a belt or around the neck as an accent. What a perfect way to spice up a blah outfit! You can find it here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9112785

Monday, January 21, 2008

Mississippi Blizzard!

Well, this is our version of a blizzard here in Mississippi. We woke up Saturday morning to a fairly steady downpour of snow, so we hurriedly put on our coats and ran outside. We managed to scrape up a few flakes of snow into balls and pelt each other with them, and of course, you see poor Sparky in the picture below trying to get in on the action. By 3:00 p.m. the sun was shining and it was all gone. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!



Thursday, January 17, 2008

More Etsy Treasures!




How fun is this?! I just received an adorable ceramic ring holder from Sweet Pickles Pottery on Etsy. Not only did I receive the ring holder, but I also received a cute "Diva" ceramic magnet and a little ladybug notepad. Those little extras are just wonderful! Check out her shop at http://www.sweetpicklespottery.etsy.com

My Newest Etsy Find!


Isn't this lovely? I have a friend who has a cross made from wire-wrapped beads, and I am constantly threatening to steal it from her (not very Christian, huh?). Well, I ran across this seller on Etsy who had the most amazing cross pendants. She had a lot of pretty pastel ones, but I really wanted primary colored beads. I contacted her, and she graciously made me the cross above. I am just thrilled with it. You should check out her shop on Etsy. She's at http://www.cherryscreations.etsy.com

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

HUGE fabric sale in my Etsy shop!


I'm having a huge sale in my shop for the rest of January! I'm trying to destash my overcrowded sewing room, and I have listed a ton of fabric in my shop.
For each 1 yard of fabric you purchase from my shop, I will send you 1 yard FREE! If I have another yard of the fabric you are buying, I can send that, OR if you are adventureous, let me choose and I will send you another yard of quality fabric.
Shipping will stay the same up to a total of four yards. For each additional yard over 4, add 0.50 shipping. This is a great buy, you are getting two yards for the price of one!
http://www.azalealane.etsy.com

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Fabric Overload!


Even more fabric is listed in my Etsy shop! Come on you fabriholics, take a peek! You know you want to! These poor things need a good home and a good project to make them feel special. (I know that sounds goofy, but I'm in a goofy mood today!) http://www.azalealane.etsy.com

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Wow! Etsy is making a mark!

I just saw this article from Time regarding Etsy and the top 50 websites:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1633488_1633458_1633474,00.html

It is so gratifying to know that there is a site out there dedicated to artisans and craftspeople that actually is successful. I have totally enjoyed listing my items there, and I am just now really devoting myself to it. I still list on Ebay occasionally, and will continue to do so, but it is hard for artisans to get a fair price for their goods there, in my opinion, because of the garage sale mentality over there.

I encourage everyone to visit Etsy at some point and just browse and discover the true raw talent that is out there.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

New Flower Pins!



Happy New Year! I've started off the new year ready to sell! I made some cute little crocheted flowers awhile back and decided just now to list them on Etsy. I have three listed; the one above, and another multicolor one made of ribbon yarn, and a black and brown made from chenille yarn. They are worth taking a peek at. Very affordable, and they would look too cute on handbags, hats, sweaters, you name it. http://www.azalealane.etsy.com

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Fabric For Sale!!!!!!



Being the fabric freak that I am, it pains me to part with any fabric that I have purchased. But alas, the time has come to whittle down my stash. What you see above is just some of the fabric I'll be selling off in the coming weeks and months. I have some listed at my etsy shop at http://www.azalealane.etsy.com, and some listed in on ebay (azalea*lane).

I just realized how goofy that picture looks since the bottom is so small, but I'm too lazy to take another picture that looks more normal.

On that same note, I just started a group on www.weloveetsy.com called Fabriholics Anonymous. This is a place for those who want to buy and sell fabric, those who just want to talk about their fabulous fabric purchases, or just hang out. I'm hoping lots of folks will join us. Here's the link: http://etsylove.ning.come/group/fabriholicsanonymous . Come join us!

I'm In a Treasury!




How cool is this! I just found out from a friend of mine that one of my bags on Etsy has been selected for this artist's treasury! Take a look!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=21885
I'm totally flattered and honored. I absolutely love Etsy and have bought several things from artists on that site. Everything I have received has been gorgeous and well-made.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I'm off to the post office



Late as usual. These packages have to go to Texas from Mississippi, so hopefully they'll get there in time. These are for the in-laws, most of whom won't appreciate the gesture, but my husband enjoys buying for them, so whatever. By the way, I'm totally loving that retro print in the foreground. I found it at Wal-Mart of all places.


In that vein, I am so proud of what he made for his mother, sister, and sister-in-law. This gorgeous piece is made using various woods such as red oak, white oak, and maple. He is so meticulous in his work. I know his mother will be so proud of it.


Monday, December 17, 2007

What holiday character are you?

For fun, I took this quiz and it looks like I'm Frosty! I definitely love winter weather, even though it virtually never snows here in Mississippi, but I'd rather have a cold day where I can curl up in front of the fire with some hot cocoa and a favorite book than any beach anywhere. What holiday character are you? Just click on Frosty to take the quiz yourself!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

A little holiday pic



I began collection Christmas tree candles a few years ago, and I like to display them together. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

For you organizational junkies out there....



I just came across the site http://www.seejanework.com , and I am IN LOVE! I am one of these folks who could spend hours in an office supply store looking at anything and everything that can help organize my life. Of course, looking at my desk you would never know it, but the desire is there. I just ordered myself a gift for under the tree (I have to do it, or it won't get done!), the Pepperpot Internet Journal. This is the coolest notebook! I have a stack of post-it notes, each with a website that I either shop from or pay my bills at. It looks tacky and messy, and this notebook will be the perfect way to corral all that information in one neat, cute little package.

The cost is only $8.95, and it's adorable to boot! I think I'll splurge and have it gift wrapped. When it comes in, I'll present it to my husband and tell him he just bought me something.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Something You Should Know About Beagles...



It's been awhile since I posted about my lovable little rascal Sparky, so I thought I would let you in on a little information I learned about beagles in general.


Yep, that is my favorite Shabby Chic pillow being consumed. He didn't get too far with it, but this little guy is FAST. If the remote is left anywhere out in the open, he waits until we leave the room, grabs it, runs to us to let us know he has it, then takes off running.


Monday, December 10, 2007

Buy Handmade this Year!

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

I signed the pledge!

As a designer, I know how hard I work on a new handbag design and the pride I get when I am finished with it. I love to see the looks on people's faces when they receive one of my bags and truly love it. I absolutely love to make special things for my family and friends and surprise them with it. My husband, an avid woodworker, made absolutely gorgeous wooden quilt block plaques for his mother and sister last year. It took a lot of time and effort on his part, but it meant more to them than if he had gone to the store and purchased a sweater or blouse.

I just love this paragraph from www.buyhandmade.org : "The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing."

So folks, make an effort this year to buy handmade. Go to www.etsy.com and let your fingers do the walking. You would be astounded at the talent and creativity that is on that site. If you yourself make things, you should consider opening a shop there and listing.

Nifty Christmas Gift!



I'm at the point in my life where Christmas is all about getting to see my family members I have not seen in awhile and enjoying their company, it's really not about the whole gift-giving hype. Most of my family gets annoyed at me because I can't or won't give them a list of what I want for Christmas. Well, like I tell my mother-in-law, you can put a cheap pair of earrings in a pretty box with a cute bow and I am happy! That being said, I try very hard to come up with unusual gifts for my family and friends.





One day I was browsing through a fabric catalog when I came across the "Dick and Jane" licensed prints. I mentioned to my mother that I thought those were just so cute. She then stated that she wished she had an original Dick and Jane book from when she was a child. She murmued that she would have to get her sister, who is an avid garage sale goer, to look for one. I immediately went home and searched good old Ebay, and found these two books. I'm pretty sure they would have been something she would have studied from based on the publishing dates. It is going to be so much fun to surprise her on Christmas morning! Does she need the books? No, of course not. But she wants the books, it was in my power to get them for her, and it will make her smile. Plus, it will let her know that I DO actually listen to her. That's the fun part of Christmas, making other people happy.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Life Goes On and On

Oh my....this is embarressing. I have been so lax about posting to this blog. Which means I am really, really boring. At least to myself. And probably some other people. Life has been happening at my home, just the usual school, homework, etc.

One piece of good news....the Januvia is working great! I am logging my blood sugars on http://www.sugarstats.com/ and the 30 day average is in the 120's. This is fabulous news. I think I finally found the right combination of medication to keep my blood sugars in line. I do keep thinking to myself, "Okay, now I'm cured! I can go off of all the medications now!" I keep having to remind myself that it does not work that way.

Ben made honor roll this nine weeks! All B's, and I am so proud! He had a nightmare situation last year in 5th grade with math, but thankfully this year seems better. New school, more responsibility, but he takes it all in stride.

However.....I'm not ready for this, but my dear, sweet child is turning into a hormonally imbalanced, snotty, cantankerous beast of a preteen at least 80 percent of the time. I'm told by my friends who have 11-year-old boys that this is normal, which makes me feel somewhat better, but GOOD GRIEF, I'm shocked at his attitude most of the time. I think God is up there laughing at me, and this is just payback for all the grief I gave my parents. The other day I asked him a question, he mumbled the answer, I nicely told him I could not hear him, to which he replied, "Well, YOU need to listen better then!" Excuse me???? Needless to say, I adjusted his attitude and he sulked off. I'm thinking this is going to last for awhile.

Oh yeah! Today I got an email from http://www.topmomma.com/ telling me I am on the home page of their site. I am not sure exactly what this entails, but if people click on my blog from that site, I get to stay on the front page longer, thus get more blog traffic. Pretty cool, huh?

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Time to Get your Designing Caps On!




How cool is this! Would you like the chance to win a car? I know I would, ever since I managed to total hubby's car.

Scion is challenging independent artists and crafters to design hand-made car accessories (such as floor mats, fuzzy dice, key chains, etc.)

Deadline for submission is October 22. All the details can be found at CraftMyRide.com.

Judges from all over the country (Etsy is one of the judges- Yeah!) and they will pick the finalists on November 2nd. Then each finalist will bring their designs to life and the winners will be chosen.

The first place winner will receive a 2008 Scion xD, with the second place and third place winners receiving $1,000 and $500 respectively.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Cleaning out my Closets


Geez, I can't believe I have not posted before now. I have been so busy typing and sewing a large order of handbags for a local client. Anywho, I am finally getting around to selling off some of my Longaberger baskets on Ebay. I have one listed right now with more to come. This one is so cute! It's a 2000 edition hard-to-find pumpkin shaped little number complete with a lid that has an iron stem and leaf design. To see more pics, just click my link on the left side of the page titled "My Ebay Auctions".