ByNanasHands

Coming Of Spring ~ The "Honey Do" List.....

2012-02-06T13:43:00.000-06:00

Picture courtesy of Clark Hamilton

Ahhhh, Spring is coming and with it comes the planning of our first garden. We purchased our home on the lake in Missouri about 5 years ago. Part of our reasoning in choosing this particular home was the amount of land with it that would lend itself to a sizable area for a vegetable garden. However, upon arriving and living there a year, we quickly realized we were NOT going to be able to do that. One of the people that lived across from us was the neighborhood cat "hoarder"....the garden idea quickly vanished.

For the next 3 years we fought to try and keep the cats out of our yard that were using it and every single flower bed as one huge litter box. They would even get on our boat and use it along with my potted plants, front door mat, patio furniture, etc. Needless to say by the end of year 3 I was ready to move....the smell was overwhelming and we were not even able to enjoy being outdoors let alone leave our windows open. Flash back to last Summer when a group of us got together and decided something needed to be done.....and it was finally addressed. A group came in and "live trapped" 28 cats and removed them. Now, flash forward to this coming Spring, and viola a vegetable garden in the making!

Joe is always busy, I don't care what it is, where it is, what time of year it is....the man pretty much never stays still. He is always looking for a project to keep himself busy. He needs to look no further than the side of our yard and the list on his desk! He is pretty much been "spoken for" for a "honey do" list that would make any grown man shudder! Here is the start of his list:

1. Level area for garden, removing top layer of junk dirt.

2. Build raised beds for plants.

3. Put up fence all around garden to keep the varmits out (squirrels, deer, racoons, armadillos).

4. Design and install some kind of netting system to cover entire garden from on top of fencing.

5. Build a 2 stage, contained compost bin.

6. Build a compost "barrel" that can be turned as the stage 3 compost unit for final composting of organic materials.

7. Run new underground water line from lake up to the garden area (and that's a LONG way up).

8. Purchase and install irrigation pump down on the dock for irrigation line.

9. Order truck-load of dirt to fill beds and "git er done".

So, hurry up Spring, he has lots to do and we can hardly wait to get going!

Author Robert Brault.....Words to Live By...

2011-11-30T00:37:00.002-06:00

I love Robert Brault. I have often posted Robert's quotes personally on FaceBook and to my Christian Friends Team. Robert has a "way with words" that often make one stop and ponder their meaning. So many times I've been searching for a quote to "fit" my mood, or something I may be going through at the time and I find exactly what I was looking for. I lean on this particular quote of his quite often. "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." How true is that.

I guess you get to a certain age you suddenly realize how many "little things" you've spent precious time worrying about your entire life. Being over 21 (WAY over) you start looking back and wondering where in the heck time went. Seems like yesterday when the boys were little, driving me crazy while I was cooking, getting every single piece of the clothing they had dirty which lead to SO much laundry. Then on the "flip side" I remember my middle child Jason, now a father of 4 with a beautiful wife, standing under the clothesline crying, hanging on to his wet blanket. Your "memories" change from all the day to day stuff to those really important things you MUST remember.

Robert worked very hard on a project all Summer and into Fall. It was a "leap of faith" for him and for the publishing company that took the project on. He now has a beautiful calendar with pictures that just make you feel the stress leave your body and a set of note cards that match the calendar. If you want to pick up a meaningful gift for someone on your Christmas gift list pick one (or more) of these. They make the perfect gift, thoughtful, thought provoking, peaceful and beautiful. You don't need batteries, they don't require assembly and they won't be the wrong size!

You'll find the order information here: 2012 Calendars and Note Cards

I count myself very lucky to have struck up a "friendship" of sorts with Robert. He is a very wise man that loves life and is very passionate about what he does. Talent comes easy to him, well, at least he makes it look easy. He is not unapproachable, reads all the comments on his blog and appreciates everyone that stops to read or to just say hi. Stop by and read some of his blog...I can guarantee you it's addicting and you'll find yourself smiling, laughing and sometimes thinking deeply about what you've read.

Thank you Robert for sharing yourself with us. We appreciate it more than you will ever know.

*The pictures here were "lifted" from Robert's own blog...I take no credit for them. If I knew who took them I would give THEM credit.

Artisan Corner ~ Bob Gast

2011-10-22T23:26:00.000-05:00

I want to start featuring Artisans that I have come in contact with and have worked with on very special custom orders. My very first featured Artisan is Bob Gast. Bob has an online shop on ArtFire. Bob's ArtFire Store bobsrockwerksandgemcutting
I "met" Bob when he asked to become a member of a group I started there called "Christian Friends On ArtFire". Seems God puts people in your path for many reasons. Some we recognize and acknowledge why and other times we never know. I think at that moment Bob needed us (the group) and I needed to find Bob! He jumps right in and is a strong prayer warrior for the group!

Bob is a Lapidary Artisan and takes great love and pride in cutting gemstones, rocks and minerals. He creates freeform cabochons for making jewelry. He has some jewelry in his shop that he did the lapidary on the rocks and set them himself. They are beautiful! You can see the time he has spent working on the many stones in his store. Bob is a perfectionist as most Artisans are. Here is a bit of information on Bob taken from his Bio;

"I have been interested geology, minerals, and rocks all of my life. When I lost my job and my job search proved fruitless I knew that I needed to do something to occupy my time and earn money. All it took was a trip to the Lake Michigan beach. There, I began to collect rocks and beach glass. I bought a dremel rotary tool and a bunch of bits and started to carve, shape and polish the rocks that I collected. I soon learned that there was a lot more to rocks and the lapidary arts than I realized. I was hooked. Whether I am carving a rock with my rotary tool or cutting on the cabochon machine I am in my element. I am learning new techniques and aspects of the arts everyday."

I approached Bob a few weeks ago and he has been working very hard on a very special Christmas gift for my 3 sons and my brother. I can hardly wait to see the finished product and give them to the guys. It has been a pleasure to work with him. He listens intently, offers suggestions, is prompt answering email messages and is very meticulous in what he does. These gifts will be well received and will become a family "heirloom" of sorts.

Please take some time and take a look at Bob's store and see all the beautiful things he has there. If you are a jewelry maker this is THE place to shop for quality stones and gems for all your projects. You will not be disappointed!

Angel's BNR-#2 For Breast Cancer Awareness!

2011-10-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

The Etsy Angels, once again, are hosting a BNR for Breast Cancer! This will be our second BNR this month and the last one. All participating shops will continue to raise money until the end of the month. The BNR starts at 5:00 Eastern time and will run until 8:00 p.m., possibly longer if things are going as well as they did last time! We had 85 sales from our last BNR, a number the Angel's were VERY proud of!

We will be posting the link to the BNR just as we open it so check our FaceBook page ("like us") and you'll know the second it gets underway! Here is our FACEBOOK LINK.

Below you will see just a sample of items that you'll be seeing in the Angel's Think Pink BNR! Join us. Help us raise as much money as we can....and cross some folks off that Christmas list too!

Sock Monkey Hat

MamaJody

Pink Ribbon Fleece Blanket

SewingGranny

Crystal Pink Tennis Bracelet

BeadedTail

MiniMoc Soft Leather Baby Shoes

MyMiniMocs

Join the Angels Today For Our BNR!

2011-10-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

I have recently discovered the joys of participating in a BNR. What is a BNR you ask?

BNR stands for "BUY AND REPLACE." Someone creates a treasury on Etsy and if you want your item featured in this particular treasury, you have to buy one of the items featured in the treasury. It is so much fun: you get to meet a lot of wonderful sellers and it is a great opportunity to get some exposure.

If you are not an Etsy shop owner, it is still fun to participate because sellers usually offer tons of discounts, so you may end up getting a great deal that you would not haven gotten had you not participated.

Based on my experience, if you are a seller, the key to a successful BNR experience is:

1. Great product photography

2. Don't have the most expensive item in the treasury. You want to see what the other items are priced at and try to stay in the lower end if possible

3. Participation is super important: when I am able to participate and interact with the other people who are participating in the BNR, I sell more items.

4. BNRs are a great way to get hearts. Don't forget to heart other sellers' items and add them to your circle!

5. If people invite you to attend a BNR (and chances are they will send you invitations after your first BNR experience), go and say hi! Even if you can't play, people do appreciate the fact that you took the time to visit and favorite the treasury.

Why am I telling you all this?!?

Because today, my dear Etsy Angel sisters and I are hosting our very first BNR! We are raising money in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I would love if you joined us between 5pm EST - 8pm EST today.

The Angels Fall Fundraiser-Breast Cancer Awareness....

2011-10-02T19:25:00.000-05:00

Breast Cancer. I really hate those 2 words. I have lost loved ones to this disease, I have seen friends fight it, heard of young mothers wondering if they will see their children grow up. I have listened to stories of countless people that have been diagnosed with it....many of these stories from friends or family members that speak softly of those lost.....But I have also heard stories of those that fought the good fight and have made it....they were able to beat this disease down, stomp it into the earth, dust themselves off and turn and walk away from it.

Breast Cancer. I think it is safe to say that in our lifetimes we will either know someone that has/had it or heard of someone that has/had it. It touches so many. Only with careful screening, self awareness, regular mammography and research will we see the numbers fall.

In 2011, it is estimated that within the U.S.:

There will be 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer.
There will be 57,650 new cases of in situ breast cancer.
There will be 39,520 breast cancer deaths.

I don't like these numbers....at all.... Research is expensive but without it we don't have a fighting chance! So, please.........

Do monthly self-exams....no one knows your body better than you do.
Have a yearly exam with your Doctor, no, nobody likes to go but consider the alternative.
Get "squished" yearly! Get that Mammogram! And if you cannot afford it there are places within your own communities that can help you pay for them. Contact your local American Cancer Society or search on Google for help in your area.
Eat a healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking.....
If you think there is something wrong...DON'T STICK YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND HOPE IT GOES AWAY BECAUSE IT WON'T! And the longer you wait the less your chances are of beating it!

Be there for a friend or loved one going through this. Go with them to treatments if you can, drop them a card, send a small gift that can help their treatment times go by quickly. Call them, let them know your there for them. Their attitudes can affect their treatments!

Here are some links that you might like to keep around...visit them and bookmark them, pass them on!

National Breast Cancer Organization

Cancer.Org

Y-Me

Susan G. Komen

And if you'd like, the Etsy Angels are raising money all through October for Breast Cancer non-profit groups in each Angels own hometown. Join us, help us by making a purchase from any (or all) of the Angel Shops listed here in our blog The Etsy Angels "Think Pink" October Fundraiser

Thank you....

Window Shopping!

2011-09-14T17:55:00.000-05:00

I love Fall....really love it! And when Fall comes around my thoughts go to December and Christmas. So what if it's only September, you've got to start that holiday shopping sometime so I thought I would help you get started with some "window shopping"! The Artisans and their beautiful creations below will put you in the mood for sure. Visit them and see what other beautiful things they have. These Artisans are all from my Etsy Angel Team! Enjoy!

SewingGranny~Mona

Mona makes the cutest bib and burp cloth sets. Several of my grandchildren proudly sport her bibs! They wash up wonderfully and are very well constructed. She also sells pot holder sets, place-mats, "mug rugs, coffee cup cozy's, table runners and many other things.

BeadedTail~Sharla

Sharla has so very many beautiful things in her shop. These Smokey Quartz earrings are stunning and she has the necklace (equally as stunning) to match it! I have purchased numerous gifts for my family, and myself, from Sharla. She has jewelry from gorgeous to the whimsical at a price point that everyone can afford. Visit her today and find that very special gift for those on your gift list.

CrochetbyMSA~MaryAnn

Anyone that knows me well knows that Sunflowers are my favorite flower! Even in the winter my kitchen is sunny and bright with them all around! MaryAnn handcrafted this beautiful crocheted Sunflower doily. I just can't help but smile when I see this! Her shop is filled with such beauty and grace! Anyone receiving one of her doily's or other items, would just love them. They truly are gifts meant to last a lifetime and be passed down from generation to generation. Stop by her shop and see what else she has!

These are just 3 of the Etsy Angel Team that I am so proud to be a member of and these are just 3 of many that you'll be seeing in the very near future. I plan on introducing you to ALL my Team members and let you know what beautiful, fun, functional, bright, happy, stunning, gorgeous and wonderful things they create.....stay tuned!

Simple Pleasures.....

2011-08-29T12:43:00.001-05:00

Living rural has so many pros and cons. Driving long distances to get anywhere is one of those "cons". However, over the past 2-3 weeks those long drives have been welcomed because I was able to experience something I've never seen before. Butterflies! Butterflies you ask? Yes, thousands of them. More butterflies than I have ever witnessed in one place before.

Our roadsides in Missouri are kept cut back only a few feet since the gas prices went up. So many of the wild flowers and other plants have been able to take up residence and thrive. One such plant is the thistle. I remember many years ago the dried thistle was so coveted by home crafters and flower arrangers that you hardly ever saw them anymore (I lived in Michigan at the time). I guess that hobby never took off here in Missouri since we have an abundance of them!

Driving the other day I was amazed at the sheer number of butterflies. There had to of been 1,000's of them. The Thistle on the side of the road, for about 12 miles, was just black with butterflies. All moving to the open flowers to eat nectar. It was a beautiful sight to see.

After some searching via the internet I discovered that the butterflies were called a Pipevine Swallowtail and they look like this (photo credit to Charly Mann). Their iridescent hind wings practically glowed in the sunlight. Bright blue toward the bottom and black top wings. It ranges from the US down into Mexico and as far away as Costa Rica. They can be seen from April - October in the Northern part of it's range and from February - November in it's Southern range. They have 2 hatchings in the North and usually 3 in the South.

All scientific descriptions aside they are beautiful. Their graceful movement catches your eye and you can't help but watch them. Hopefully you have either stopped your car and pulled off the road or you are watching them from your patio! I have had the blessing to be able to of done both this Summer. Sometimes I think that the world would be a more peaceful place if we all pulled off the road once in a while and just sat to watch the butterflies.....

What's Up With Cotton? The PRICES!!

2011-04-10T12:15:00.000-05:00

Been to the fabric store lately? Got sticker shock? Well hang on, it's not over with yet! The price of fabric has been steadily rising for months now and it is only going to go higher. There are many factors, floods in Pakistan which is one of the largest cotton producing countries, India reducing the amount of raw cotton it allows for export and China depleting it's existing supply of cotton. China now has gone through most of their "stash" and are literally purchasing cotton at any price just to get their hands on it.

Cotton is a commodity that is traded on the open market like oil, gold, silver etc. So, short supplies and higher demands have made the cotton futures skyrocket. Large manufactures are having to pay anywhere from 18-35% MORE for their greige goods (pronounced "grey" goods, and describes raw, woven fabric that has not been treated, dyed or finished). The cost of cotton back in 2005 was around .56 cents per pound....it's now at $1.52. It all rolls downhill.

The prices are higher, the demand is higher and everyone is scrambling to get what they think they'll need for the future which is just going to drive the price up even more. So, the bottom line here is.....even the home crafter/small business person is going to feel this pinch (actually we already are).

If you notice prices going up and up when your looking to purchase clothing or anything that is "fabric related" please keep in mind that it's not just the business owner trying to "make a buck", we're dealing with those increased prices too.

Micheal Bourlard, vice president, retail sales made this statement regarding the increase in cotton prices; " Hoffman California Fabrics and other textile manufacturers find ourselves inside a “perfect storm” of low supply, high demand and high prices for cotton. Thanks to a healthy greige goods inventory, we were able to keep our prices steady for nearly two years into the first half of this year. That supply now is nearly exhausted and unfortunately, we’ve been continually frustrated by an extremely volatile market with frequent price hikes."

So as you shop and you see the prices creeping up know that I am doing my best to keep prices down. I look for new ways to purchase fabrics at lower prices so I can still make my items affordable for you. I shop all the "sales", purchase larger cuts of fabric, take advantage of "discontinued" prints that are often at a lower price, frequent yard sales, garage sales, thrift shops etc. Fabrics are always laundered prior to cutting them out and stitching them together so you can be assured of a "clean" product!

Believe me, when the prices of cotton start coming down again you'll be the first to know!

Glass Artist ~Julie DeGroot~ GardenJewels on Etsy

2011-03-09T10:07:00.000-06:00

GardenJewels

I happened to run across Julie in the Etsy forums. Her spirit came through in her response to other Artists. I clicked through to her shop and was taken to a garden filled with fairy doors, stained glass wind chimes, garden art and whimsy. A shop that makes you take a deep, cleansing breath of fresh air and let it out slowly....all the while your stress melts away. Julie has an eclectic eye in her designs using the new and the found. She takes Vintage items and incorporates them into her designs. Color, shape and movement are things you'll find in her creations.

Each one of her designs is a one of a kind piece. Giving one as a gift you'll never have to worry about them getting the "same" thing twice! The pieces are not something that will be given away they are truly heirloom pieces.

From her Shop Bio...

"I create one of a kind stained glass art

~ Inspired by Nature

~ Bringing you reflections of color, movement & soothing sounds to your home & garden

~ All of my glass art is individually designed
& handcrafted by myself.
~ Each piece is totally unique and a one of a kind."

Julie lives in Beautiful Western New York, in the country surrounded by the woods and nature. She is a "self taught artist and have been enjoying and creating stained glass, mosaic designs, paintings, murals and my gardens for over 20 years now".

"I have a great passion for glass, for my gardens and the great outdoors, so I combined them to create my glass art for your home & garden, inspired by nature."

"A garden should be filled with not only plants & love, but little surprises throughout it. Something to catch your eye & drag you in to sit awhile to stop and smell the roses. My heart and soul goes into all of my art.
Always on the look out for vintage glass, beads, or objects to reuse. I love to upcycle pieces into my art. Taking nothing and turning it into something! Most of my inspirations come from my favorite place to be in this world, my gardens. Nature always sings to me. My name Garden Jewels comes from my passion for my Gardens & for my Husband who calls me Jewel."

Take some time and stop by Julie's shop, take a look at the beauty she has created. If your shopping for something very special this is the place to find it!

Several members of my family have been the lucky recipient's of Julie's work. They love them and cherish the meaning behind them as well as the care and love that went into each piece.

Visit GardenJewels......

eReaders and Magnetic Cover Closures...the truth....

2010-11-02T11:08:00.001-05:00

Questions have come up regarding "magnets" or magnetic closures and eReaders. Will they harm your device? Simple answer is....no.

Technology has come a L-O-N-G way in the last 10 years when people were warned about keeping their electronic devices, floppy discs and the like away from magnets. You can certainly form your own opinions but by all I have read regarding the matter magnetic closures on a eReader cover will do NO harm. In fact when the first Kindle came out it actually had a MAGNET that helped "hold" it to the leather cover that was an accessory item.

Here are some of the comments I found while doing research on the issue, some more "scientific" than others, others more "humorous".

Quotes taken from Kindle Boards

"There are no magnetic drives in the Kindle that would be affected by anything that is somewhat magnetic."

"Kindle exposure to magnets waves in non-commercial usages are absolutely no problem."

"The electromagnet pulse from a nuclear bomb will destroy unshielded electronics. Therefore, I would avoid exploding a nuclear bomb within, say, a five-mile radius of your Kindle. The actual radius will vary with the strength of the bomb."

From Yahoo "Answers":

"My Amazon Kindle cover uses magnets to snap closed. I have a small room with numerous electronic devices (LCD monitors, a laptop, an external hard drive, a cell phone, a watch); also, I like to carry both my Kindle and my laptop in my bookbag. What I'm wondering is, are these magnets in the Kindle cover strong enough to damage anything, or should I quit worrying about being careful? (Obviously, they do no harm to the Kindle itself....)"

Answer:

"Your question is valid although I believe your concern is not. It's true magnets can effect digital storage and many other electronic devices. The strength of the magnet you describe is not enough to do any damage."

Google has literally pages of questions and answers regarding magnetic closures and eReaders....none of them "warn" or say they will harm an eReader. As always, you must form your own opinions on the matter, but I am convinced that they do no harm.

Giving Thanks by Indie Artisans Handmade

2010-10-29T22:21:00.001-05:00

Indie Artisans is an ever-changing collection of the best handmade has to offer, presented on one timely page that makes shopping for gifts or yourself easy and fun.

The collection changes with the seasons or on a whim, so check back often for the finest artisan goods hand selected from the most creative, experienced group of online artisans ever assembled.

Click on anything you are interested in on the blog page and it will take you directly to that Artisans shop page. You will purchase directly from the Artisan.

Holiday Gifts for the Teacher....

2010-10-28T20:00:00.002-05:00

Apple for the Teacher? Sometimes picking up a nice gift for a Teacher is difficult...they get plenty of candy and other things and many of those end up being "regifted". How about something that they will really be able to use? This eyeglass case would be perfect! A double case that can hold their readers and their sunglasses! Visit my ArtFire store and see ALL the different cases for women AND men.

One Year Today...

2010-08-26T07:58:00.001-05:00

One year ago today we were blessed with grandchild #10, Zeke Landon Olson. He came into this world with a basket full of problems and a Mother and family that loved him with a love that no one could imagine. We prayed then and we continue to pray for him and his health concerns.

Today is Zeke's birthday, "Zeker" as we so lovingly call him. The past year has been fraught with scares, tears, prayers and often thanks and smiles. Zeke has come a long, long way......every day we are reminded of his fragile condition but over time we have been able to see beyond that and have dared to dream of Zeke and his future happiness and health.

Zeke has finally gotten to some fabulous Doctors that have taken incredible care of him and have been able to keep him going and allow him to progress, to grow, to smile and to be a happy 1 year old baby. We also pray for them each night!

I have watched as his Mother has gained the strength she needs to take care of him 24/7. She has gone from a frightened Mother to a woman that has more inner strength, belief and confidence than I ever thought she would have. Not because I thought she didn't have those qualities but because of the depth of his problems and the sleep deprivation she has endured the last year. She is the strongest woman I know...to have been through so much and still smile at some things that many of us take for granted.....a baby's first smile, first time they sit up, first tooth, first time crawling and first word. She never gave up on Zeke...EVER!! I so admire her.

Happy Birthday baby Zeke, you are the bright penny in our lives, our sunshine, our happiness and our love... you'll have many, many more.

I Love You,
Your Nana

My New Sun Visor!

2010-08-19T12:55:00.002-05:00

Well, Mom said I could use the computer and blog about the newest addition to my wardrobe. I got a brand spanking new HOT PINK Visor and bandanna set! It is just to stinking cute! Mom was wandering around Etsy the other night and happened to come across this Etsy shop called HAPPY HOUNDS and I gotta be honest here and say that at this very moment I am one "Happy Hound".

You see, I go out on the Pontoon boat and Jet Ski a lot and the sun is always in my eyes...I mean the sun shining off the water is so bright. Mom tried those stupid doggy sun goggles (boy, were those things lame) and nothing really worked. It would be to tight, to loose, choked me, flew off into the water or just looked like (well, I'm sticking my paw down my throat right now). I am SO happy Mom found HAPPY HOUNDS!

My visor set came in today's mail and I thought "well, here we go again". Mom put my visor on and it fit just perfect! Nothing "grabbed" me anywhere and I love the color. It even came with this hot pink rose on the front...LOVE that part! Mom thought for sure that I'd have it off and ripped up in a heartbeat...but you know, I really love this visor! I mean, look at my picture, it really looks good on me doesn't it?

Anyway, Mom wanted me to add that the lady that made my set, Tammy, was just as sweet as can be. She emailed Mom right away to make sure of the size and let her pick out the material she liked. She even emailed and let Mom know when it was mailed for gosh sakes! When it came Mom was really impressed with the quality and workmanship (and Mom doesn't get impressed easily since she sews too)!

We just had to try it out so I wore it out on the lake on the Jet Ski. It worked just PERFECT, the sun stayed out of my beautiful brown eyes and Mom didn't have to drive back and pick it up out of the water because it stayed on really good....and she drove REALLY FAST to make sure (I love it when she drives fast).

So if you are having trouble with the sun in your eyes when your out walking or swimming or chasing the neighbors cat...ask your Mom to shop over at HAPPY HOUNDS and pick you up some great gear! Mom said she was going to go over there and buy some more....and some things are on sale right now too!

I give my new Visor set a "paws up"!

2010-08-13T09:08:00.000-05:00

Each Friday the Etsy Angels will be featuring some great gift ideas. Many are brand new listings, some are on sale and others, well, they're just fabulous! Visit the Angels blog each Friday for gift ideas....you KNOW the holidays are just around the corner!

MamaJody

Cute as a button crocheted hats.

Ozarknana

Ballerina Babies, darling little friends for your little girl!

Serenity Sac

This thoughtful and meaningful gift will be treasured by the receiver!

Handjstarcreations.

Darling small drawstring bags in Halloween colors.

BeadedTail

Beautiful new earrings.

SewingGranny

Sweet new bib and burp cloth set for baby girls.

Wildlifer

Love this new lavender and aqua color scheme.

Maranda

Beautifully hand crafted card, let them know how special you think they are.

JewelryBargainBoutique

"Spicy" new Cinnamon earrings!

MountainEagleCrafter

You'll love these cotton facial scrubbies!

ArrivingAngels

A beautiful layette for that very special new Angel.

~♥ Etsy Angel's Show Support to Helping Hands Homeless Shelter♥~

2010-08-12T17:35:00.000-05:00

Helping Hands Mascot created by ByNanasHands

Have you ever been homeless? Not many of us have to answer that with a "yes". But, in the current economy and with jobs being eliminated almost daily a lot more people WILL answer "yes" to that question.

In a small town in rural Missouri there is a homeless shelter named "Helping Hands". It actually ran on a total budget last year of only $35,000. The shelter "averaged" 20 people per day for a total of 6,807 bed nights. Think about your own family, could you care for 20 people each day for an entire year on $35,000? I imagine it would be very difficult.

Helping Hands shelters men/women and children as well as families. Ron Estep, Treasurer and member of Helping Hands Board of Directors...

“People seem to have this notion that homelessness is self-inflicted,” said Ron. “Sometimes it is. Once in a great while we see someone who, through conscious decisions about drugs or alcohol or gainful employment, you would have to say is homeless by choice. But by far, most of the clients we serve are homeless because of circumstances beyond their control. They are members of the Lake community, not strangers passing through, who need a hand up. Helping Hands is there to temporarily fill that void, providing a roof over their head, sustenance, and a bed to sleep in.” "The goal for each resident is independence. We help them achieve independence, but we’re not a dumping ground. I compare it with road signs like you see along the highway. We help them understand what they need to do and we help them do it, but the final goal is the exit sign when you’ve reached your destination.”

Helping Hands does what it can to help people get back on track. If a person has a drug or alcohol problem they must attend classes for their addictions. They must work and they must save 75% of their income while staying at the shelter. This savings helps them move on to independence and a place of their own.

The Etsy Angels have chosen Helping Hands Homeless Shelter as their August charity fundraiser. Each member pledges a percentage of their sales for the entire month. The money raised will go directly to Helping Hands. Please visit the stores listed below and make a purchase today and help the Angels lend a "helping hand" to this very worthwhile charity.

Ozarknana - 75% of every Helping Hands "EXIT" mascot (see picture above) and 20% of everything else in the shop sold.

BeadedTail - 20% of all sales in my shop

SewingGranny - 20% of all sales in my shop.

MamaJody54 - 20% of all sales

CBLandCompany - 20% of Jewelery sales designated by Lisa

Handjstarcreations - 20% of all sales in Helping Hands section

CraftsbyChris - 10% of all sales

Maranda - 10% of all sales

Wildlifer78- 15% of all August Sales

MountainEagleCrafter - 10% of all August Sales

SerenitySac - 10% of all August Sales

*********************************************************
Angel Helpers for August
Starwaves - 10% of all sales

Just An Innocent Walk....

2010-04-25T16:09:00.000-05:00

Seems with the Spring season we also get the rain here on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Since we're right on the lake and at the base of the surrounding hills we have lots of that good old "mid-western" red clay. Couple that clay with the rain and you get a slippery, sticky red muck which I realized was NOT a good mix with a white dog!

Our walk started out quite innocent...I was huffing and puffing my way along our road, uphill, and not paying any attention to the little white dog trotting along at my side...until we got to the top of the hill! I slowed to look down and praise her for not pulling her usual "sit in" because she didn't want to walk up the hill...and what I saw was shocking! There was my "white" Maltese and from the feet up to past her belly she was red with wet clay that she must of kicked up while prancing up that hill! She had her ears down, head hung and you could just tell she was really upset. Little white dog does NOT like to be dirty...she is the first one to run into the bathroom when it's her bath time! She looked at me with that "can you please carry me" look, she looked so sad! Instead of going our usual route I turned around and we went home. I had to have her wait out on the porch until I had her bath water run and then went out to get her. She all but leaped out of my arms into the sink!

I could tell that she was so grateful to be in the tub! Her "after" picture showed a little dog that was not at all please with "the Mama" (that's me)....every time I open the door now she looks at me with that "you don't expect me to go out there again do you" look!

Today I think she's forgiven me.....and it was raining again so no walk today! I'm sure she's hoping things will dry up soon and we can take a walk on dry ground!

2010-04-03T08:48:00.000-05:00

When we arrived back in Tucson, after being gone the entire summer, our roses had taken a turn for the worst. An irrigation system quit working and we didn't have anyone watching them. These roses were SO important to my husband as his Sister gave them to him the year before she passed away.

He was devastated, I could see it in his eyes. He looked at them and then at me, "honey, is there something you can do for them?". Now, I don't have the greenest thumb in the world, but I have read quite a bit on their care. Now it was time to put that knowledge to work!

I cut them back as much as I thought I should. I watered them carefully never letting them dry out. I fed them a good diet of special Rose food. I added bone meal to help feed and strengthen their roots. Then we waited....and waited....and waited.

About 2 weeks later I was out turning over the soil to make sure it was loose enough to accept and hold the water.....and I thought I saw something, just a little shoot of green! There were 10 roses in all and 5 of them had new shoots coming off the brown dried out stems! 5 of them crawled back from their dormant stage and were now growing.

The weeks turned into months and today those roses are beautiful, the brightest, strongest and most vibrant I ever remember them being.......and you know what? We're all like those roses.....

We thrived when we took care of ourselves, but when we quit doing so we all withered...we grew frail...and we gave up. Then we found SparkPeople. Let's just consider SP as our "fertilizer". We educated ourselves by reading, every day, some of the wonderful articles we found here. We "pruned" ourselves back by cutting our calories, fats and carbs. We added exercise, (our bone meal) to help strengthen ourselves and we carefully drank our water (at least 8 glasses a day) and we waited.

Some of us only had to wait a week or so to start to see a change, some of us had to wait longer. But while we waited our Teammates, the new friends we made and all the wonderful SparkPeople Team stood by us. They turned over that soil to make sure we "accepted" what had been so lovingly given..... and they believed in us.

I wanted to thank you all for all your care. Because of SparkPeople, because of my Teammates and my new friends I have started to "bloom" and so have so many others.....

The roses today......and we can all be just like them.....

Time? Who has time......

2010-03-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

- H. Jackson Brown

We seem to "make time" for something when we want to. But when things aren't exactly fun we say we "don't have time". There are 24 hours in each day. Obviously there are things we HAVE to do each day. But, how many things do we do that are unnecessary or that take lots of "time" that we could be doing some of those things we really don't want to do.

Take exercise, we know we should and we know the health benefits we get from it....how much "time" do you devote to exercising? Don't have time? Think again...exercise is a gift you give yourself AND your family. A healthy YOU is the best thing you can give!

So today make some "time" to get in a nice long walk or 10-30 minutes in front of the Wii getting some movement in...how about breaking it up into 10 minute sections? 30 minutes a day would be so beneficial to you. Can you find the "time" to do 30 minutes a day? I think you can....be happy, be healthy and above all MAKE THE TIME!

...and I thought Leslie was my FRIEND!!

2010-02-27T13:19:00.001-06:00

WATP=Walking Away The Pounds by Leslie Sansone. Seemed like a great idea. I picked up a DVD that had 4 of her workouts on it for a steal! Her beginning 1 mile walk, 2 mile brisk walk, 3 mile and 4 mile walks. I LOVE the way I always seem to think I can just jump into something because I think I can do it....C25K comes to mind (who do I think I am).

I plugged good old Leslie into my computer and there she was! Skinny little thing, so tight you could bounce a quarter off her thighs, smiling, acting like she was talking just to me. So positive, so motivating...she talked through the warm up (did you hear me, she was able to TALK while "warming up")...heck, I could hardly catch my breath! She went on to encourage me to do "just 4 more"...I felt as if I had been hit by a wrecking ball....and that's when the "friendship" ended..."Let's increase the pace"....yeah, RIGHT Leslie...and all the while her little band of merry men and women bounced, kicked and smiled behind her...it's a conspiracy you know, they are moles, put in the background to infiltrate your living room, suck you in and get you to believe in your "good old friend, Leslie". HA!

It's one thing to "think" you can do something and an entirely different one when you try it (I've always had a vivid imagination). It's also kind of a let down to realize that even at a "beginning" level your struggling. But if it was easy it wouldn't be worth it would it? No, it wouldn't (I keep telling myself that).

That was last week, I have since made friends with the "beginning Leslie" and her lying bunch of paid assassins.....and moved on to another one of Leslie's "multiple personalities"...this morning I met the "it's a brisk walk" Leslie....BS, "brisk"?...it was 2 miles of hell! I sweat, I could hardly catch my breath, my muscles hurt and yes, for the first time in my life I could "feel the burn"...so much so that I was wondering why this DVD came with a "stretchie band" instead of a fire extinguisher! But, I'll keep up with Leslie, and I'm hoping that by the time I work my way up to the "4 mile Fat will jump off your thighs" part of the DVD that her and I will have REALLY become friends.....right now....well, not so much....

The American White Pelican......

2009-11-14T19:15:00.000-06:00

A new visitor has stopped by the lake this past week and 1/2. The American White Pelican. We didn't know what kind of bird it was, we thought it might be a stork by the looks and size of it but it wasn't.

I sent a few pictures into the Missouri Wildlife Department, they are always SO helpful, and this was their reply:

"Thank you for providing such nice clear pictures of American White Pelicans. They are a common transient on lakes and freshwater marshes. If you look to the sky during migration, pelicans may be seen flying in formation high in the air over many parts of the state. They can be confused with much smaller Snow Geese which usually migrate earlier in February and March.

Many more American White Pelicans migrate through the western half of Missouri then the eastern half. A visit to one of the lakes, rivers or large freshwater marshes in the fall usually yields from 50 to 5000 pelicans. They are usually in Missouri from the first week of March until the third week of November."

Funny thing though, we have NEVER seen these birds before this November nor has anyone that lives around us ever seen them on the lake before! We have no idea why they decided to stop by and grace us with their beauty, but we're so very grateful we had the opportunity to see them. They are magnificent, huge birds with a wing span that appears to be about 3 ft. or more (I'm talking big here). They spend their day just drifting around on the lake "fishing" for their meals.

The largest group we've seen appears to be in the 100's all brilliant white against that blue sky and dark water, they are beautiful! Enjoy the pictures!

Fun and Whimsical Lampwork Beads at Maybeads!

2009-11-09T07:57:00.000-06:00

While searching Etsy one afternoon for a special gift for my grand daughters birthday I came across Maybeads. I had so much fun just "window" shopping through her store! Her handmade lampwork beads are some of the cutest I've ever seen. It was quite hard to pick just one for a necklace for Savannah! I ended up purchasing this darling tropical fish, something Savannah collects. Maybeads put it on a special "stretchy" cord so it couldn't be pulled off her neck and broken in school.

If you are a jewelry maker, or you are a collector of small animals and such Maybeads is a "must see". She is wonderful to work with and gives 200% to each of her customers....and her packaging and presentation of her products is just as pretty and sweet as the actual product!

Looking for something fun and special this holiday season? Stop by Maybeads and see what adorable lampwork beads you can find there!

Beautiful Fused Glass by Dpholk Designs

2009-11-06T08:12:00.000-06:00

Finding unique and affordable gifts during the holidays is often difficult. You want something special, something created by hand but you can't afford it! DPholk Designs has so many fabulous gifts that are not only beautiful they are affordable and eco-friendly too!

I purchased a star suncatcher last year from her...it is on my wall along with other beautiful clay sculpted works that we picked up in Hawaii. That beautiful blue star just fit there! And I received one from her as a little gift, that one hangs in my sunroom where I see it every day.

Stop in to DPholk Designs on Etsy and take a look at her shop. There you will find many, many gifts that you'll love giving and the person receiving it will love it too!

PUZZIMALS- Another "Favorite" for the holidays...

2009-11-04T08:06:00.000-06:00

Puzzimals, what beautiful scroll work. Fantastic attention to detail, great customer service. These puzzles were the hit of last years Christmas gifts for the grandkids and my niece! Many of the puzzles are colored which adds depth and life to them. They are sturdy and can take hours and hours of play from little hands. You can choose puzzles that are "easy" or harder for older kids.

These make wonderful gifts for children and adults alike! Stop by Puzzimals and see all the cute things they have to offer this holiday season. I know I'll be making some purchases there again this year!

Another FAVORITE Etsy Seller...GARDENJEWELS

2009-11-02T07:39:00.000-06:00

Can you imagine walking through your garden? The sun is coming up, the dew is still on the plants and something off in the distance sparkles in the sunshine....sometimes I visit GardenJewels shop just to look at her things, they bring a sense of peace to me.

In GardenJewels Etsy shop you will find the most beautiful "jewels" for your garden or the window in your home. I purchase a breathtaking butterfly for my Sister last Christmas from GardenJewels. It was a gift that she loved and it was just gorgeous.

Take some time today to visit GardenJewels shop, you will not believe the beautiful things you'll find for everyone on your gift list.

BEADEDTAIL - Another one of my very favorite Sellers on Etsy!

2009-10-29T10:05:00.000-05:00

BeadedTail is a wonderful jewelry designer. Her shop has everything you could want in jewelry for that four legged fur lover on your holiday shopping list! "We make beaded jewelry for animal lovers with a portion of ALL sales proceeds benefiting animal awareness causes. See our profile for a list of charities we support."

BeadedTail also does beautiful custom work. She created several stunning earring and matching necklace sets for me last year. She is so easy to work with and keeps at it until she's sure you have exactly what you had pictured. Stop by her shop and see the beautiful jewelry she creates and help her "make tails wag one bead at a time"!

Some of my FAVORITE Holiday Sellers!

2009-10-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

The holiday's are right around the corner and I wanted to share some of my very favorite "buys" of the past season! So every few days I am going to blog one of my favorites. These very, very special Etsy Sellers were tops on my gift shopping list last year and I plan on shopping with them again this year! Take a look and see what they have to offer. If you don't see something in particular they each are more than willing to customize something just for you! Drop into their shops in the coming weeks and see what beautiful, unique and special things they have....all wonderfully crafted and made with quality and care!!

Today's fabulous seller is ChickenHawkLures! Great attention to detail on everything I purchased and very, very well packaged. If you have guys, or gals, on your Christmas list that are really into fishing make ChickenHawkLures your first stop this year!

And enjoy the pictures of the one's that "didn't" get away!!

Chickenhawklures (fabulous fishing lures that catch the BIG ones)

Surprise Lily-Lycoris

2009-08-03T21:19:00.000-05:00

Named for Lycoris, a Roman actress and mistress of Mark Antony Pronunciation: ly-KOR-iss

The "Surprise Lily" has many names, Naked Lily, Magic Lily, Resurrection Lily...but whatever you call it it is a true "surprise".

When we moved to Lake of the Ozarks gardening in general was a challenge, seems everything around here is rock. You cannot dig a hole to plant anything because it's just to hard to do. I'm from Tucson and thought the soil was bad there. So planting in my new yard was disappointing to say the least. I just ended up watching things that had been previously planted by the old owners come up and felt grateful for that.

In the Spring, around mid to late April I noticed some very pretty and very green elongated leaves poking through the rocks on the south side of the house. They got very thick and grew to about 12 inches tall. I had never seen them before so I was quite excited with the prospect of having something "bloom". I watched those leaves for weeks, then all of a sudden they started to die off. I grumbled and complained about "the only thing that came up here died". I had that discussion with a neighbor. I asked her what they were and in her quiet Missouri way she smiled and said "you'll see" and she went home.

I was beginning to think maybe she was a little "forgetful" and just didn't know what they were or why they died. She even mentioned to me in July that I had "better water those". Uh, "those" what, there wasn't anything there! She came over and said "just water there, you'll see". I thought this must be some sick joke that only folks that lived around here understood, I was actually getting a little miffed!

But, I did as I was told, I watered the dry rocky ground as instructed all the while thinking "she's probably in her kitchen looking out her window laughing her head off". She wasn't. Toward the end of July I happened to be out (watering my rocks) and was totally shocked to see all these pointy little plants sticking out of the ground where those dead leaves had been. I was so excited. I ran over to Elsie's and said "you'll never believe this, there is something coming up". "Yup, just watch them, you'll see". That statement was getting old!

Less than a week later there were stalks that had grown to about 18" high. On top of the stalks were huge buds....and yes, Elsie kept telling me to "watch them", I did.

We had some hot days and I dutifully watered my "stalks". In a few days the most beautiful blooms emerged from those dead leaves and tall stalks. A lily, a beautiful pink lily that was huge! They were so full and soft looking, I was absolutely thrilled with them. And yes, they were a surprise, one of the nicest surprises I've had.

Thank you Elsie for my "surprise", something to look forward to every summer, the Lycoris squamigera, Surprise Lily.

Pileated Woodpeckers....

2009-07-31T08:02:00.000-05:00

Wow, that's the first word that came to mind when I first saw this guy! He is HUGE....almost the size of a large crow. He was hanging on the suet feeder in the yard making the most unusual call....that's what alerted us to the fact that there was someone "new" at the feeder!

The Pileated Woodpecker has a territorial range of 1,000 to 4,000 acres. They mate for life, meaning they pick their mates and stay with them for a lifetime. The male as well as the female will sit on/hatch their clutch of 4 eggs. The male always takes the "night watch", he sits on the eggs at night. The eggs hatch at a little over 2 weeks and the babies "fledge" at about a month. They are born early summer and the parents will care for them and teach them to find food until around September and then the young go off on their own. In the Spring they will find their own homes and start their own families!

The Pileated Woodpecker is the 3rd largest Woodpecker in the United States/Canada. They grow to about 16 inches long...huge! They also have small yellow feathers that cover their nostrils so when they are pecking through wood they don't get the wood chips in their nose. Their "drumming" or pecking on trees, can be heard from quite a ways away. They also use this drumming to communicate with each other and to "warn" others away from their territory's.

He is a beautiful bird and we hope he stays around our feeder!!

Do You Have Craft "ADD"

2009-06-06T08:39:00.000-05:00

I think I finally figured out what was wrong with me....craft ADD (attention deficit disorder)....how do I know? Well, I had 3 sons, 2 had ADHD...and that's ADD with hyperactivity thrown in there for more drama!! And craft ADD? ....yup, I've got it...see if this sounds something like you!

1. Have a closet full of rubber stamps, most of which are still unmounted...

2. Have boxes and carriers and shelves FULL of paper of every pattern and color you could imagine...

3. Have boxes filled with pictures that are in various stages of being "sorted" (like that will EVER happen)...

4. Have a Sister that use to sell Stampin' Up and Creative Memories stuff (this explains #'s 1 and 2) Do I scrapbook? No, I tried once, it drove me crazy, but I have everything a scrapbooker could lust after!

5. Have boxes full of beads, wire, stretchy threads and tons of books on making jewelry... Do I make jewelry? No, I tried once, it drove me crazy, to tedious. My granddaughter will get this stuff!

6. Have boxes full of molds... Have a box full of "essential oils", of course they have been in there so long it all smells like the same thing. Have tons of books on soapmaking....glycerine, oils etc... Do I make soap? No, I tried once, it drove me crazy to have to WAIT so long to use something I just made!!

7. Have SHELVES full of fabric, (you see, she who dies with the most fabric wins)...I'm gonna win! I also have gutters (yes, I use regular house vinyl gutters) full of rolls of ribbon in every color you could think of. Have 5 sewing machines, 2 regular, 2 embroidery and 1 serger...(yes, I know how to thread it)...Have thread boxes FULL of embroidery thread, most at $6 per spool...that doesn't count the regular and serger threads...I belong to enough online forums for sewing and embroidering that I often forget which ones I've posted in lately... Have 10 different pairs of scissors for everything from applique work to clipping embroidery threads...

Do I sew, you bet your life I do! Sewing is my passion, all the others were what my DH calls my "one night stands"...I can't think of a time in my life that I have NOT wanted to sew...and since my retirement, that's all I have done! I opened 2 online ecommerce stores and have steadly been getting more and more business.

I love my craft, I love creating things and my true love is creating baby and toddler toys. Toys that are safe, toys that Mom and Dad don't have to stand over the toy box with a print out in their hand having to take away the latest recalled toy! Just safe, soft, washable toys...toys that are bright and happy, toys that children can use their imaginations to play with.

So, after all these years of going from one craft to another, buying every "gizmo and widget" that was needed, I came full circle and right back to my needles and threads and my fabrics and I couldn't be happier..... Do you have craft ADD? I use to.....

THE BOX TURTLE....

2009-05-15T10:24:00.000-05:00

What if nature were to have a beauty contest.....where do you think turtles would place? Put them up against the cuter, furry raccoons, squirrels, deer and such I imagine turtles would be way down on the "cute" O meter! In fact, the only one they may beat in a contest might be snakes!! And in the turtle "world" I bet we'd be happier picking up a Box turtle over a Snapping turtle any day!

Have you heard the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." ? Mother nature seems to have given turtles the "it ain't broke, so don't fix it evolution". Fossil records tells us that turtles have been on earth about 200 million years, and have changed little in all that time. Box turtles won't win any races but they must have what it takes to be around that long!

Box turtles differ from other turtles in several ways. They are terrestrial (land-dwelling) turtles. Their high, domed shells and unwebbed feet are adapted for life on land, not water.

But to discover the unique feature from which box turtles get their name, you have to turn them over. The bottom shell, known as the plastron, has it's own "hinge". This hinged shell allows box turtles to close their lower shell against the inside edge of the upper shell (called the carapace). The turtle's head, tail and legs are pulled inside - as if enclosed in a box, hence the name "Box Turtle".

Missouri is home to this little guy. The three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) is found statewide, except in the northwestern corner and extreme northern Missouri. Adult three-toed box turtles are 4.5 to 6 inches long (115-145mm). Three-toed box turtles, as their name implies, typically have three hind toes - but some individuals have four. They are a forest species, although they may also be found along forest edges and brushy fields. They consume earthworms and insects, but adult three-toed box turtles tend to be more vegetarian, eating a variety of plants, berries and mushrooms. This is the common box turtle of the Ozark woods.

Adult male turtles can generally be identified by their more colorful heads and forelimbs, a slight depression in the plastron and bright red eyes. As in most of nature, the males are more bright than the females.

A close examination of each individual plate (or scute) of a box turtle's bottom shell can reveal the turtle's age. Box turtles exhibit growth rings on each scute similar to the annual rings of trees; one ring equals one year's growth. On young turtles up to 10 years old, the rings are conspicuous and easily counted. However, older turtles gradually wear these rings smooth. A turtle with a completely smooth lower shell with no visible growth rings can be estimated to be at least 30 years old. Just how long box turtles live is uncertain. Estimates range from 32 to more than 80 years. Three-toed box turtles of over 50 years have been documented.

Most box turtle mating takes place in the spring. Two to eight white eggs are laid in the spring or summer. Young turtles hatch in two to three months; however, some clutches laid in summer may not hatch until the following spring.

Box turtles are usually homebodies with small home ranges of about two to five acres. However, some turtles do travel. These are the turtles that drivers encounter crossing roads in the spring. Research has shown that road-crossing box turtles are typically young (not yet sexually mature) turtles or young adult male turtles. Adult females and older males make up but a small percentage of these wanderers.

During the Spring, here in Missouri, Box turtles become roadkill at an alarming rate....Joe hates taking me anywhere when they are roaming as I always have him pulling the car over so I can "rescue just one more". Last Spring I almost got hit by a car trying to save one!

If you happen to be in the woods in Missouri and find one, pick him up, see if you can figure out how old he/she is....but please, put him/her back down. Where you found it is most likely the area it has called "home" for many years and will be for many more.

When your driving through Missouri in the Spring, watch your speed, and watch for our Three Toed Box Turtles crossing the road....if your careful you can avoid them and let them go about their slow lives for years to come!!

My Best Friend, My Mom...

2009-04-30T18:11:00.000-05:00

A best friend, someone that I can turn to when I need a shoulder to lean on. Someone that listens, even though she might like to give advice. Someone that doesn't give that advice unless they are asked. Someone that feels my pain and understands without me ever saying a word. Someone that will pray for me...unceasing...until God hears her. Someone that was there with me to celebrate the good times and someone that was there to hold my hand during the tough times too.

She watched me grow, she lead me in the right direction and at times pushed me in the right direction! She was proud and disappointed at times, but the love she felt for me was never different. It was always an unconditional love.

Sometimes I resented her, but most times I listened and so appreciated the advice she imparted. And as I "grew up" I realized how much she really knew, how smart she is.

With all the love she could muster she opened her arms and let me go, even though she wanted to protect me forever. And I went, running into that new world of adulthood, never thinking I'd look back....but I did. Over and over I looked back and then ran back into the comfort of her arms.

She always knew what to say and she also knew when it was alright not to say anything. She knew when to make me go back into that adult world even though it was so hard for her. She knew she gave me everything I needed to survive in it, and I have. I may have some scars to show for it, but I survived.

She stood by while I made mistakes in life and let me make them so I would learn. But, she was always there to pick up the pieces when I failed. She let me know that it was alright to fail as long as I picked myself up and kept on going.

It's not just one day a year that is so special to honor her, I honor her every single day. At night my prayers don't end without asking God to continue to protect and bless her, I thank Him for her every night. He gave me to her to watch over for Him, He trusted her with His child...to raise as He would see me raised, to honor Him and to honor her.

I call her Mom, she is everything to me and I thank God every day for her. Happy Mother's Day Mom, I LOVE you!!

The Hands Of An Artist...

2009-04-22T18:15:00.000-05:00

Are you an Artist? Look at your hands. What do you see? Do you see skin dried from making soap, skin "colored" from dying cloth, the palms of your hands calloused from doing woodwork or leather work? Maybe your hands are very sensitive from creating beautiful jewelry with tiny, tiny seed beads. Are your hands so covered in oil paints or India inks that you quit worrying about getting it off? I've seen the hands of a paper Artist covered with cuts. Or maybe they look like mine, a seamstress, full of pin sticks from hand stitching in poor light at night.

No matter what your hands LOOK like, it's what they create that matters. Hands guided by your ideas, your thoughts, your dreams and your heart. What they create makes you smile quietly to yourself. They make someone else smile to receive a gift made from those same hands.

Look at your hands....they say volumes about you as an Artist and they are so special...what would we do without them? Our craft would never be realized, it would just stay a thought or a dream that would never come to fruition. Our hands, they say we are Artists, they say so much about us.

The love of our craft can be seen not only in the things that we create, it can be seen in our hands...

Marketplace of Blessings...

2009-04-17T11:06:00.000-05:00

I just recently joined a new market venue at 1000markets.com. It's called "Marketplace of Blessings". It is a beautiful market filled with creations from Christian Artisans. Everything there has been created with the utmost care and love.

These are just a few samples from Marketplace of Blessings you'll find there;

* Tatted Cross by "Joy of Tatting"

* Prayer box bracelet by "Jewel Fire Designs"

* Paperweight by "CreationsAnew"

* Prayer Box by "Gpdesignsart"

Please take a moment from your busy day and browse around the Marketplace of Blessings, I'm sure you'll find something that touches your heart and soul!

Back Home....

2009-04-10T10:03:00.001-05:00

After a 14 hour day we finally made it back to our lake for the summer. It's amazing how a "place" can fill a hole in your soul. I love Tucson, 2 of my kids and 7 of my grandchildren are there, but it just isn't home anymore to me.

This lake seems to calm me immediately. I can just feel the tension and stress drain away. The first thing I did was to go down to the dock and just breath! The air smells cleaner, and right now the lake smells cold and fresh.

As I sat there a pair of Loon's swam by, not paying any attention to me. I watched huge flocks of Canadian Geese winging their way back north for the summer. The Mallard ducks and their mates were "talking" over in the cove, I couldn't see them but I could hear them. And one lone Bald Eagle was soaring over the lake, they are so majestic...

My soul feels renewed, spring is coming, the leaves are just barely starting to bud out, the pink dogwood trees are bursts of color in the woods that still look asleep. Home....where Lake of the Ozarks fills your soul and takes you back to a much quieter pace of life....

2009-04-03T09:59:00.001-05:00

ByNanasHands will be packing and traveling over the next few days. We're heading back to our beloved Lake of the Ozarks for the summer. If you intend to make a purchase, please feel free to do so. But please know that it will not be mailed out until Friday next week.

The packing up of one's most precious "tools" is always an effort for me. I worry when my "girls" (my sewing and embroidery machines) are traveling "unescorted" 1,400 miles across country in the hands of the Post Office. Actually, it sends chills up my spine. Due to physical problems regarding my husband's knees, we cannot drive there, we must fly. So, the girls are on their own for a few days. And since the airlines cannot seem to get a bag from point A to point B without losing it putting them on the plane is NOT an option. We don't even travel with luggage anymore!

When we went from the lake to Tucson for the Winter one of my girls was MIA in the mail system. You would of thought that it was a child lost in the woods. The people at the Post office counter would scatter when I showed up EVERY SINGLE MORNING FOR 10 DAYS. But, I found out that a crazed and dazed woman at exactly 8:00 a.m. every day asking the same questions finally did get answers! Melting down in the lobby of the Post Office wasn't exactly "pretty" but it got results. Somehow, my favorite embroidery machine ended up in Utah (go figure)...that's a far cry from Tucson, Arizona! And I am sure the fact that my machine was put on a plane and sent to Tucson that day and delivered the next had NOTHING to do with those meltdowns. :)

Let's see what today brings when I go into the Post Office, at exactly 8:00 a.m. with 8 boxes that all need to be sent Priority and all need Insurance and all need Delivery Confirmation and all need Signature Confirmation.....bet I get out quick....because I'm sure they will remember me.

Blogs have gone to "the Dogs" !!

2009-04-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

I love finding interesting blogs and reading about different things. Yesterday I just happened upon a "dog blog" that is written completely by two loveable and sassy K-9's named "LuLu and Lolly". 2 Maltese that have their very own website and their very own blog. LuLu and Lolly's website helps raise money for Maltese rescues. LuLu and Lolly's Blog

I had a good laugh reading about some of the trouble these 2 get themselves into, there was even a great story about a trip to Vegas and "borrowing" their human's credit cards (you won't want to miss that one). As a Maltese owner myself I am partial to the breed. Our Sissee Louise actually runs our home, as I am sure is a fact that many dog owners will attest to. Sissee has "staff", not "owners"! LOL...our lives tend to revolve around her needs at any given moment.

LuLu and Lolly stopped by another Maltese website and commented on a picture of Sissee in her life jacket standing on the dock, that is how we "met" them! So if you get the chance and need a good laugh, stop by their website, read their blog (completely written by them) and be prepared to be amazed by these two!

And while you are there, their 2009 calendars are 50% off right now, buy one and help a rescue because every Maltese (as well as every dog) needs a loving home!! LuLu and Lolly's Road Trip Calendar

A fellow "Etsian" uses their shop to help rescues too. BeadedTail

Her Etsy shop is filled with the most beautiful jewelery. "We make beaded jewelry for animal lovers with a portion of ALL sales proceeds benefiting animal awareness causes." Please stop by and see her amazing jewelry, make a purchase and help an animal!!

Now we're off to see some pictures of LuLu and Lolly turning into a couple of evil "Skwirrls"....oooo, scary....

8 Years Ago Today....

2009-03-26T21:15:00.000-05:00

In Our Hearts

We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday.
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories.
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake.
With which we’ll never part.

God has you in his keeping.....We have you in our heart.

Eight years ago today, it seems like yesterday. He was here one minute, we were having a conversation, and the next minute he was gone....Hugh William MacLeod, my Father, died 8 years ago today in my arms.

I remember telling my Mother that night that "life has come full circle for me", Daddy was there and held me the night I was born and I was there and held him the night he died....full circle. You never really know how much you miss someone until they are no longer there. You still pick up the phone when you need someone to talk to, you still look at Father's Day cards even though you don't buy one. Full circle...

The great grandchildren he never met, the grandchildren that married and he wasn't there...you never forget them, you never stop missing them...hug your loved ones today, be thankful they are still right there with you.

Eight years ago today.....

A NEW Market Venue!

2009-03-20T21:49:00.000-05:00

New to the handmade scene is 1000Markets.com. As a merchant there, I have to tell you that the "look" of 1,000 Markets (or lovingly nicknamed 1KM) is something you've never seen before on any other online venue. Clean, crisp and classy...

The home page lets you browse through all the different markets available to shop from. You can choose a specific market or just take a stroll through all the marketplaces to your hearts content. Fine Art, foods, children's items, beautiful jewelry etc. You'll not run out of markets to window shop through!

I'm a merchant member of a very special market called "Child's Play". It is a market where you'll find all sorts of things for babies, toddlers and children from clothing to toys. All beautifully created with loving hands and care. The quality is one thing you'll recognize along with the variety of things made. Each merchant was chosen carefully by the other merchants in the market itself. We are a self-juried group of merchants, we run our own marketplace inside 1KM itself.

A prospective merchant must first pass through the jury process to be accepted into 1KM and then they have to apply for membership into whatever market they are interested in joining. Almost every one of the current markets at 1KM are individually run by their own voluntary "staff" as it were.

Child's Play is a fabulous market to window shop through. If your looking for a gift for a new baby, a first birthday gift, an heirloom you can pass from generation to generation, stunning one of a kind clothing, beautiful mobiles, creative and fun toys Child's Play is the place to look!

Join all the merchants at Child's Play, come and take a look at all we have to offer.

How do you "see" your final product?

2009-03-09T16:09:00.000-05:00

I had a customer ask me the other day "how do you see what a child would like"? I thought it a rather odd question and then I started to really think about it. I went into my sewing room and just sat there for a while looking at all I use that helps me create the toys I make. What did I "see"?

Machines first, an embroidery machine, a "regular" straight stitching machine, a serger and then fabric, thread, stuffing, scissors.....and pictures. Pictures that parents had sent me with their babies or toddlers playing with the toys I made. When I looked at those pictures I saw several things; a happy baby, maybe a smile or that darling drop of drool while they chewed on a toy. Then I really focused on the toy, here is where the "how do you see what a child would like" part came into play.

I looked at it first as a Mother, then a Grandmother (or Nana as my 9 grandkids call me). I saw something that was safe, no removable parts, nothing to small to choke on, something that can be washed (every Mothers dream), something that can't bang up little heads or hurt them when they fell on it as they learned to toddle and walk and nothing that could dent or scratch the furniture! Then I looked at it from a child's point of view, it was bright, colorful, chewable, small enough for tiny hands to hold on to, interesting enough to create my own "fun" with.

As I sat there a bit longer I realized that the very last thing on that list of what I "saw" was "will it sell". All of the other things were more important to me. I firmly believe that when you turn your thinking and your creating from something you love to do, something you want to share with others to something you just want to make a "living" off of, you've missed the boat. You have just taken the "Artisan or Crafter" out of the picture and put the "retailer" in!

You've gotta have heart I guess I'm trying to say...put your heart into your work and the rest will follow...I see the babies and the toddlers, and I see the Mothers and Fathers and Grandparents that feel good about giving their little ones something created by hand, that is safe, and something that is fun, something that will last for years and years to come. THAT is how I "see" my final product...

So Much Fabric....So Little Time...

2009-03-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

It's amazing how much fabric one can collect for no apparent reason! When I start calling for the need for more shelving in my sewing room my other half tells me to "get rid of 1/2 that stuff your never gonna use it all". Then I take a walk out to his tool shop and start touching and counting ALL the hammers....JUST the hammers.

Here's how this conversation usually goes...

"How many hammers do you have Dear"? "I have just exactly as many hammers that I need that's how many"! "Well, Dear, I've counted 21, what on earth are you going to do with 21 hammers, can't you get rid of 1/2 of these cause your never gonna use them all"..."I have a hammer for every job, they are all important and each of one them is different" (kinda like the shelves full of fabric I have, I have just what I need for every order I could ever wish for and each of them is different). "Honey, it seems to me that you really don't need ALL these hammers do you, look at how much room they are taking up on your tool bench"....."All right DEAR, I get your point, where do you want the new shelves".

I rest my case.... and my favorite fabric store is having a sale this weekend, how nice!!

"Our Neighbors Are Pigs..."

2009-02-15T17:39:00.000-06:00

Well, not really, our 2 footed neighbors are actually quite nice! These "neighbors" are rather odd looking and not really pigs at all, they are Javelina, or collared peccaries.

Javalina have a very good sense of smell and really poor eyesight. They are a small animal, and stand about 1.5 feet at the shoulders and are about 3 feet long from nose to tail. Their average weight is from 40-60 pounds. Javelina travel in herds ranging anywhere from 8-27 animals (the largest ever counted was a herd of 54). Their dorsal scent gland and their sharp sense of smell, helps each javelina identify other members of the herd. You most likely will "smell" one coming before you see them!!

Javelina are usually found in the low to mid-altitude deserts and cactus desert grasslands between 1,000 and 5,000 feet. Sometimes they will travel into the higher altitudes for food which may include pinyon pine-juniper, oak, and pine-oak vegetation between 4,000 and 7,000 feet but they don't live there.

Javelina are pretty much herbivores (plant eaters), although they have been known to eat insects once in a while. They primarily eat cactus and other spiny and succulent plants, roots, tubers, and pods .

Javelina babies, or "piglings," are born pretty much all year long, with the highest numbers born in June. A litter consists of one to four piglings, with an average of two. They are just the cutest little things, you wonder how they can keep up with the herd as their legs are so short! Mother Javelina are very protective of their young, and they WILL go after you if you come upon them and they have their babies with them. They have been known to attack dogs and kill them. So when we walk our dog we walk with a large walking stick and we try not to walk during the time the "locals" come out to forage for the night!!

Our "neighbors" are quite in tune with the beat of the rest of the "hood". They seem to know which night is the night before garbage day. We see large herds of them (usually the same herd as they are very territorial) roaming down the subdivision streets on Monday nights! We learned to not put our trash out the night before as they knock over the trash cans and forage through the weekly throw aways!! They make quite a mess....many of the old time neighbors still insist on putting their cans out on Monday's and they can more often than not be seen Tuesday mornings in their bathrobes picking up trash! We also learned, quite early on, to keep our garage door closed because they will go through there as well rooting around looking for something good to eat!

This guy seemed to be alone today, maybe he was the scouting party leader for tonights feast....and the night before garbage day is tomorrow!!

LET It SNOW !!

2009-02-10T09:50:00.000-06:00

Yup, even in Tucson, Arizona it snows. One of the neatest things about living in this desert is the fact that we have Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains within driving distance from town. You can literally drive 45 minutes and be on the slopes skiing here in the winter! Mt. Lemmon received 8 inches of snow on Sunday night and another 10 inches last night. The "snow level" dropped to about 3,500 feet (Mt. Lemmon is about 9238 feet tall). Where we live, at the base of the mountains, we're at a little over 2,500. It's wonderful to walk the dog in a light jacket and still see the snow in the mountains.

The grandkids love it when their parents take them up the mountain to go sledding. One of our grandkids, Noah, just turned 3. Noah can't go up the mountain due to having to have 2 different surgeries on his ears, the altitude just makes him scream from the pain. My son, Noah's father, took the other 2 boys up to frolic in the snow. Now Noah knows he can't go, but was just thrilled when his Dad and his brothers William and Dakota brought a pickup truck bed FILLED with snow back to their house! He had hours and hours of fun making a "snow boy" as he calls it and tossing snowballs at his brothers! They even piled it high and let him slide down on his plastic saucer.

Tucson does have lots to offer, but the summers here are just brutal, that's why we now head to Missouri and the lake in the Spring! I thought I wouldn't miss Tucson when we moved, I'm beginning to think otherwise. And as the remodel on the house starts to take shape, I think I will miss it even more this year....we may be rethinking renting or selling this house...somehow we would like to hang on to it.....if we can...

Look For The Rainbow In Any Storm!

2009-02-01T12:11:00.000-06:00

On Friday, January 31, 2009, Congress placed a "stay" of enforcement on the CPSIA Law which would of gone into effect on February 10, 2009. This means that the CPSIA required "third party" testing for all children's products will not have to take place. This does not, however, mean the existing laws requirements for lead and other chemicals can be ignored. We must still adhere to the "reasonable testing" portion of this law. To my business, this just means I am now turning to my suppliers of fabric, stuffing, thread and ribbon and asking them if they have written certification that their products are free of lead and other chemicals that the U.S. Government is regulating. So far, I have had very good luck with my suppliers. They can assure ME in writing that their products are safe and that allows ME to assure YOU that my finished toys are safe for your baby!

One of the biggest victories in this entire thing is the fact that the "big toy companies" (who were very, very involved in writing this law) are very upset right now! They had fully intended for this law to put the "little guys" out of business, thus allowing them to monopolize the market. Sad to say this would of taken your "choices" as a parent away from you. Because, the only ones that could afford the third party testing would of been the huge manufacturers.....so sorry guys!!

Bottom line, my toys are safer now than before. Is it because my suppliers have done something different to the manufacturing process of their goods? No, my toys are safer now because I now know, for sure, that the supplies I am using are safe.....and I have that in writing from them! Nothing has changed except my peace of mind, and YOURS.

Thank you for supporting me through this. If you wrote to someone to protest this law, thank you, if you listened to me whine about it for months, I REALLY thank you, and if you kept my spirits up when I was down, bless you......remember, there is always a "rainbow" in every storm!

Anderson House "Tilly"

2009-01-27T14:12:00.000-06:00

All of January the Etsy Angel Team has been raising dollars for Anderson House, an organization for battered women and children.

"The Anderson House is located on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The Anderson House was established in 1980 to provide a place of safety for women and children who are victims of abuse and to work towards the elimination of family violence. The Association believes that it is a basic human right to be free of abuse and fear of abuse in relationships. The women are provided with support from the trained staff there and help with their children."

It is partially funded by the government but relies a great deal on donations. The Anderson House also does fundraising of their own. For more information go to their website: http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=5531

This is such a fantastic organization that has done so many wonderful things for these women. A "safe" place. One of our Angels lives on Prince Edward Island, Mona or "Sewing Granny" to us! She, along with ALL our Angels, have worked so hard all month on this charity.

"Tilly the Turtle" kinda became Anderson House's mascot, we don't know how it happened, it just did. The thought that Anderson House "helps these women and children come out of their shell" was the motto we picked up on, and what better way to demonstrate that than with a turtle!

Tilly has done a great job raising money for Anderson House and she was so very glad to do it. To know that so many "Tilly's" went to people all over the United States, Canada and even as far away as Thailand!

This is a very special Tilly, she is the only one of her kind. On her shell is embroidered "Anderson House" and a heart. She will be taken by Sewing Granny and presented to the Administration at Anderson House along with all the money we raised for them. We don't know that total yet as our sales continue to bring money in until the last day of January, but Tilly will report back as soon as we find out.

The Etsy Angel's "special" Tilly will be leaving here and heading to Prince Edward Island very soon, and some other Angel's purchased additional Tilly's to go with her for the children to play with. If you have not made a purchase from any of the Etsy Angel's this month, please do so, we only have a few days left of our charity benefit. You can find the shops listed here:

Etsy Angel's January Benefit for Anderson House

Wall Street Journal article on the insanity of the CPSIA Law

2009-01-26T21:25:00.000-06:00

Below is a link to a fantastic op ed (opinion editorial) written in the Wall Street Journal. Take a few moments and read it if you will. It really explains the insanity of the CPSIA Law.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html?mod=article-out

Here are some of the letters to the editor in response to the WSJ op ed a few weeks back.

"New Lead Law May Have Toxic Consequences for Jobs"

"Thanks for putting the editorial spotlight on the new lead in children's
product legislation passed by Congress last year ("Pelosi's Toy Story Review & Outlook, Jan. 14). The sad part is that adequate federal law existed to stop the import of Chinese toys containing lead, the importers simply did not obey existing law.

Now comes the silly part. The prior law was based on toxicology (how much lead can be extracted from the children's product through use or abuse). The new law only considers total lead in the product. And the maximum allowable lead content starts at a very low level, and keeps getting smaller in future years. Many metals, metal alloys, and a wide range of other materials are perfectly safe and comply with the earlier law, but will become "banned hazardous materials" on February 10.

The new legislation covers "all products designed for children under 12 years old." The crowning glory is that all children's products now need to be tested for lead content. By the way, did you catch that this means all children's products in existence on February 10, not just children's
products manufactured after that date?

Put it all together and we have a spectacular example of incompetence. For example, elementary schools are designed for children under 12 years old. Does this mean that everything inside the school, and all of the construction materials used to build the school, need to be tested for total lead content by February 10? What about library books? The Consumer Product Safety Commission can make exclusions, but the law is very broadly written, allows no phase-in time, nor does it grandfather previously made products.

The law says "The Commission may, by regulation, exclude a specific product or material from the prohibition . . . if the Commission, after notice and a hearing, determines on the basis of the best-available, objective, peer-reviewed, scientific evidence that lead in such product
or material will neither -- result in the absorption of any [my emphasis] lead into the human body . . . [OR\][or] have any other adverse impact on public health or safety." This doesn't seem to give the CPSC much wiggle room.

All products and materials that exceed the total lead content will need to be disposed (a few examples of these banned hazardous materials include bicycles, desks, ballpoint pens, chairs, computers, and HVAC systems).

It will indeed be an early (and very long) summer break for our
children.

Jeff Green
Midlothian, Va.

---------------------------

Thank you for highlighting this issue. We are a small Washington, D.C.-based manufacturer (probably the only one) that will likely be compelled to close our doors because of this legislation. The minimum cost for testing our products -- harmful items such as headbands -- would be triple our gross revenue. As a result of this law, only the Wal-Marts of the world will continue to exist. The opportunity for individual expression or individual initiative will be permanently
quashed.

Let's hope that Congress can do the right thing before hundreds of thousands (or millions) of quite small businesses go under as a result of this crushing and utterly unrealistic legislation.

Marc Chafetz"

EDUCATE Yourself about the CPSIA Law...

2009-01-25T08:33:00.001-06:00

Below are a few website you can visit to educate yourself regarding the new CPSIA Law which will go into effect on February 10, 2009. Please do what you can to "Save Handmade". Even if you do NOT manufacture children's products, this law is going to affect YOU. Do not let the large toy manufacturers which prompted this law reap the benefits of small businesses going bankrupt. They were the ones that outsourced their toy manufacturing to China, they were the ones that had no quality control over their own products, they were the ones that were more worried about their "bottom line" than the health of our children.

Your only "choices" will be those SAME large manufacturers as the small business, home crafter, cottage industries will ALL BE GONE DUE TO THE COSTLY TESTING REQUIREMENTS.

Educate yourself, educate others, call, write, email, fax....let's work together to STOP THE INSANITY OF THIS LAW.

http://cpsia-central.ning.com/

http://www.nationalbankruptcyday.com/

http://www.change.org

http://Wallstreet Journal

ETSY Stands with it's Sellers of Children's Products...

2009-01-24T15:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Friday, Matt from Etsy Admin. held a virtual chat with concerned Etsy Sellers regarding the CPSIA laws and the ramifications to our stores. The chat was laced with "technical difficulties" but he kept at it until he got them fairly well worked out. It was wonderful to see Etsy stand up and link arm and arm with it's Sellers....in fact....it's about darn time.

I don't think that they (Etsy) realized how big a deal this was and how it was impacting those of us that have been fighting this thing tooth and nail. We go from civil disobedience to being totally insane over what is happening to us all. It often feels as if we are knocking our heads against a brick wall and everyone is standing around watching us....

Etsy decided to allow us to put our "CPSIA Inspired" listings back up for the time being.....and we agreed to that. We will, if asked by Admin., take them down on January 30th when the "public comment" window has closed.

So please, if you have not done so, write to whomever you can and try and get them interested enough to do something about this law. If you sell children's items or not, this is going to impact YOU TOO!

Join the Handmade Toy Alliance for the most up to date information on the CPSIA law...

http://groups.google.com/group/handmade-toys?hl=en

You do not need to be a manufacturer of children's toys to join, joining is free....

Today Is A New Day...

2009-01-20T08:28:00.000-06:00

"Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty."

-Henri Frederic Amiel

Pushing back at a line someone has drawn in the sand. Being made of strong enough stuff to push back at things that life challenges us with every day. Believing that if we push hard enough our efforts will be rewarded. These are just a few things that we must remember.

A good friend sent me a convo last night reminding me of these things because I was ready to "give up and give in". She told me that I cannot quit "pushing back" because to do so would mean being defeated by my own "giving up". Today, push back at things that are trying to keep you on the other side of that "boundry-line". Sometimes you need to stand and fight.

Etsy Pulls My CPSIA Listing!

2009-01-19T21:46:00.000-06:00

I can't understand why Etsy, that professes to care about the issues surrounding all it's merchants of children's items, pulling my CPSIA listing. There is a group of sellers of children's items on Etsy that have joined together to "protest" the CPSIA Law which goes into effect on February 10, 2009.

This law will force small artisans, stay at home mom's, grandmothers and grandfathers that create items for children 12 and under to have their "final" products tested by a Third Party certified testing lab. The costs are staggering!

My listing for my Tools for Tots-Tool box, with the required testing fees, would sky rocket to $10,940.00! My normal charge is $20. This is the ACTUAL price I would have to charge to recover the testing fees, plus my usual $20 price tag. Below you will find the actual listing as posted in my store on Etsy.

"CPSIA INSPIRED SPECIAL-Tools for Tots-Baby/Toddler Tool Box $10,940.00

Be the first to purchase the new CPSIA Inspired Tools for Tots Tool Box! I can just about guarantee you you'll be the first parent on the block to own this beauty.....and we KNOW that YOUR baby is well worth the price!

Based on the new CPSIA law which goes into effect on February 10, 2009, and using the current costs for testing this tool box is a steal!

My Tool for Tots Tool Box has a grand total of 26 "different" components....as follows:

* 6 different fabrics
* 17 different embroidery and regular sewing threads
* 1 kind of interfacing
* 1 hypoallergenic polyfil stuffing
* 1 length of belt webbing for handle

At $70 PER COMPONENT for lead testing, that adds $1,820.00 to the cost. PLUS each of the 26 components need to be tested for phthalates at $350 per component which adds an additional $9,100.00. Add that to the "true" cost of the Tools for Tots tool box, at $20.00 and you have a total of $10,940.00

Jump on this listing because at this price it won't last long!! NOT !!!!

And I am offering FREE SHIPPING anywhere on this item, how can you go wrong!!

For further information, please read:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-deadline-for-changeorg-vote-cnn-article-3247/

cotton flannel, fleece, cotton thread, poly embroidery thread, belt webbing, interfacing, stuffing

Item ships from: United States
ship to:
• United States: $0.00 ($0.00 if shipped with another item)
Payment Methods
accepts the following forms of payment:
•
PayPal Credit Cards

So YOU be the judge, what terms of use did I violate? It is a true item, already made and ready to ship, and that is what the actual cost WILL BE IF THIS LAW IS NOT AMENDED !!

New Toys Coming for the New Year!

2008-12-27T23:45:00.001-06:00

I have been working on a new line of toys for little boys....my babies/toddlers "race cars and big wheel trucks"! It will come with a "racetrack" that will be perfect for little hands and easy on your furniture! Soft, plushie fleece toy cars and trucks (you'll receive one of each) and a racetrack which is also made of fleece....it will be baby's FIRST race car set! The racetrack rolls up and ties so you can take it with you and slip it in your diaper bag or your toddler can carry it themselves. Look for this new www.ByNanasHands.com exclusive coming the first of the New Year!!

What Is a Safe Toy?

2008-11-14T21:00:00.000-06:00

What constitutes a "safe toy"? NO toy is "safe" unless Mom or Dad is standing right there supervising baby! But, we don't always do that do we! ByNanasHands toys are as "safe" as I could make them! The fabric is pre-washed in a detergent with no dyes, or scents added, the ribbons and rick-rack has had the raw edges "heat sealed" to prevent fraying and they have been sewn into the seams 3 times. The eyes, dots, mouths, decorations are all embroidered on so there is nothing removable. This also extends to my "Tools for Toddlers" sets. Everything is soft, fleece, flannel or minkee fabric. No cardboard or plastics are used to "stiffen" anything...so if baby falls on anything they will NOT be hurt by the toys. So feel good about purchasing a toy from ByNanasHands....they were made with baby in mind, with extreme care and, as always, with love!