Ready for a new read?

So... a couple weeks ago I was at the hair salon getting the "natural" blonde put back into my hair:) For those of you with this same medical condition, you know how long this procedure can take and how important a good selection of magazines can become, right? Well that's when I discovered ReadyMade.

Wow! a magazine geared towards hand made items and businesses, how great is that? Not only do they have instructions for some really cool and useful DIY projects, they feature editorials from some of your favorite bloggers, such as Grace (who was kind enough to send me the name of this magazine because I didn't get a chance to steal it from the salon) from Design Sponge, just to give you one example.

As the story ends.... I now have another subscription to a great magazine I will probably only get a chance to read when my leaning tower of magazines topples:)

iCANDY - 25th Edition

Directions: Click on collage for optimized viewing pleasure.

Hey Sweetie! This collection is inspired by St. Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th. I love hearts all year and especially love little conversation hearts - just to read because they are simply the worst tasting little candies ever.

1. Conversation Heart Soap - dugshop, Los Angeles $4.00

2. Sweetheart Sprinkle Necklace - Baby Loves Pink, Vancouver $15.00

3. Dog Silhouette Card You Design - Fire Hydrant Press, Sunny South $2.00

4. Mod Heart Buckle - rDesigns, Atlanta $35.00

5. Sweetheart Ring - Smile Monsters, Aledo, TX $8.00

6. Wood Hearts - Mama Roots, Columbia MO $5.00

ENJOY!

Giveaway Winner

Using my random number generator....

THE WINNER IS...

JO of SMILE MONSTERS!

Congratulations! You've just won a set of

Old World Damask Cards!

500th SALE!

Pop open the champagne! I just had my 500th sale!!!!

..also coincidentally, I have 300 (even) feedback rating of 100% - Thank You Everyone! This far surpasses my wildest dreams considering I was hoping to have at least 500 sales by the time I celebrated my shop's 1 year Anniversary on Etsy, which is April 1st.

"Ink"spiration Everywhere!

So I've been getting in the creative mood again which is a great thing. I find myself getting inspired by just about everything in my surroundings. Here is my latest example... First I bought this cute little purse from Sage Saks, then I saw these gorgeous pillows in a magazine, voila my new Old World Damask note cards were born.

I also forgot to mention I was a child in the 1970's and this was very popular velvet wallpaper, in fact my childhood home had it plastered in just about every room! looked great with the shag carpet.

I'm feeling generous and have not done a FREE Lunch giveaway in a while.

From now until Monday February 2nd

post here telling me how you would use these lovely cards.

I will then have my trusty 3 year old assistant select a name at random to win a set.

Winner will be posted on Tuesday.

GOOD LUCK!

iCANDY - 24th Edition

Directions: Click on iCANDY collage for optimum viewing pleasure

Mmmmmm! so juicy can't you just taste these? I've been battling a cold {like everyone else} for the past couple weeks and have become quite fond of vitamin C, Airborne and Emergen-C. I guess it's only natural I'm drawn to these fruity and fun items from my fellow Etsy sellers.

1. Appledot Burp Cloth - KJ Cowan, Minnesota, $7.50

2. Tangelo Earrings - Polished, Austin, TX $8.50

3. Citrus Slice Soap - Epically Epic Soap, Chicago, $4.00

4. Blood Orange Hand Dyed Yarn - Little Creek Yarn, New York $38.00

5. Indoor Valencia Orange Tree Seeds - Seven Acre Woods, Kentucky $5.00

6. Orange Fruit Resin Ring - Penny Dog Accessories, Loughborough, UK $16.00

ENJOY! if you have some iCANDY you'd like me to know about, send me a message.

...and now he's 3

Well it was a bittersweet weekend over at my house this past weekend. Bitter because my little love is now 3 and that means next year he will be 4. I just want to bottle him up and remember him as the sweet little guy he is right now! He is so affectionate and says the cutest things all the time, even thanks me when I give him a kiss. How can 3 years fly by so quickly? Sweet because Nathan is really into Thomas The Tank Engine so this was his party theme and we had a whole basement full of more than 20 little tikes. They really had a blast tumbling around in the Thomas play hut tent.

I offer Custom Party Packs over at my shop and had so much fun creating my very own Thomas themed pack. This item is not for sale in my shop, but if you would like me to make one up for your little guy, just send me an email or post here.

No party is complete without a goody bag choc-full-of fun. These Thomas whistles came from Party City and the tags were made by yours truly.

We included coloring pages which I found here and who could resist these hand made Thomas the train crayons from Gaddy Nipper Crayon Shop on Etsy?

Must have some sweets for the little sweeties! Check out these adorable Thomas suckers from Sweet Lollipop Shop. They are made from barley and not corn syrup - SO TASTY!

Cake Time! How cute are these train conductor party hats? also from Party City. The Thomas Carnival cake was a real show stopper and I found it at Publix (grocery stores in the South) It tasted even better than it looked.

At Last! Nothing like getting a little help from your friend

Having fun with Grandma and Nana

Can't he stay this way forever? I Love You Little Buddy!

PS. I'm wearing my favorite "Mommy" T-shirt from Fire Daughter Clothing.