I less than a week I'll be blowing out candles once again.  I may just have to stick my candles in ice cream since I happen to be without an oven (lovely appliances they have in this rental), but none-the-less I will be celebrating.

Because I am on the downward slope to Jahred graduating and moving into our next home, it's time to clear out the stocks.  I have added lots of new items from my collection to the Etsy shop.  Antique items, yarn scrap packs, you name it, I'm ready to part with it.

In honor of my own B-day, I'm offering the following deals:
** ALL ORDERS over $27 (not including shipping) will be refunded 20%.
** ALL PDF SEWING PATTERNS are BOGO (buy one get one free...let me know at checkout 
      which one you would like GRATIS)!
** ALL DE-STASH items are 50% off (priced as marked).

Take advantage!  Sale ends at midnight, July 25th!  Supplies limited as everything is OOAK.

Some families have heirloom crown jewels, priceless art, or historic documents; my family had a radio. Of course we have other special things, but one little Sony has filled the places we love with music, recorded voices and captured our energy.

Upon discovering some of Papas handmade tapes, I decided it was time to digitize his many interviews, songs and lectures.  I pulled out my sweet little stereo, given to me by Papa when I bought my first house, and attempted to load the ancient tapes into my computer.  The "Silver Fox Sony" had finally taken a bow.

As a die-hard purger, I can happily throw away most things; this radio I could not.  So, one day last week, I put on my "go green" hat and set out to salvage anything I could.

As I unscrewed and detached, inspiration hit.  From the buttons to the counter, many pieces seemed art worthy.  I was able to make 2 necklaces, a key chain and 4 pair of cufflinks.  What wonderful "heirloom" gifts these will make in our difficult year ahead.

One thing I love more than experiencing Etsy love is to SHARE Etsy love.

Last semester, my brother had to come up with a business proposal for a class in school (yes, I still have a brother in High School).  He came up with a candle business.  He designed, created and sold his product in a "mock market".

Although the candle technique has been passed down in our family, his designs and color combinations were quite unique.  The "mock market" was a success!  He sold loads of candles and the proceeds were donated to charity!

Wanting to build on his business experience, he started inquiring about Etsy.  A proud moment for me!!!  

Tyler has worked hard on his product and has put together a stunning little shop!  CHECK IT OUT!  He calls himself "The Candle Man", a play on words from our favorite childhood movie Willy Wonka.  If "the candy man can", hopefully "the candle man" can as well.

Enjoy this OOAK "man-made" shop! CLICK HERE!

I had to treat myself this week to a few NEW fabrics.  These are straight from the Japanese Textile Design Table (the best in the world), and I like to think I'm the first to get them!  Fabulous design, color and texture; the kind of fabric where you measure twice, cut once.

Upon their sweet arrival in my mailbox, I completed the 19 Louise Totes already started and listed them in my shop. Today, thanks to Buzz Lightyear, Axel was occupied enough for me to put a few Pleated Wristlets together in the NEW prints!  What a treat!

Check them out in my shop.  I have only a limited amount of this fabric, so treat yourself while they last!

Papas bunch.  We sure miss him.  He was the proudest grandfather!

Yipee!!  I am nearly at 2000 Etsy sales!  That wouldn't be possible without loyal customers and lots of help in the studio!

To celebrate customers, I am announcing a HUGE SALE!

Until I hit 2000 sales (less than 80 sales away), I am offering 20% off on ALL sales $20 or more.

To qualify, simply purchase any item or combo of items (yes, patterns count too), and if the total is over $20, I will refund you 20% via PayPal!

Take advantage!!!  Stock up for Mothers Day, Showers, Summer Birthdays . . . no limit to how much can be refunded!

Thanks to all who have helped make my shop and designs a success!  Looking forward to the next thousand!

Signing off last year, I almost couldn't wait 'til the New Year to bring you new blogs.  However, with all the tears and barf around here, nearly all of my new ideas were flushed right out (literally)!

Truly though, Happy New Year to me, finally on the 4th, all three of us have had our course of stomach bug and only the laundry remains.  Sorry to start the year off so nasty.  Hope you partied reasonably hard and drank an extra for me!

Perhaps when one is searching for family drama to discuss in a public venue such as a blog, you jinx the possibility of some occurring.  As I usually go by the rule that "no news is good news", I'll leave my x-mas synopsis at this: pleasant.

While we were on the road with kith and kin, our home yard received just shy of 2 feet of snow, all at once, and topping the nearly 12 inches already covering our sore excuse for grass.  hmmm...nasty surprise.  The week between the 2 coldest holidays in Minnesota was spent digging out, cursing our home state and dreaming of a better life in...say...California...Texas...really anywhere but here.

New Years brought on more than GI upset this year however, a week at 20 below zero creates cabin fever in a 2 year old like no other.  I must keep the curtains closed.  The new white fluff continues to taunt Axel...but there's just no playing outside this week.

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Although I am strictly against resolutions...because I can keep NONE of them, I do have a few "shop announcements" and a short list of things that may happen without "resolving to do them".

It is with a heavy heart that I am no longer advertising Crib Bedding in my Etsy shop.  Jahred has made me realize that I put WAY too much time and stress into their perfection, and really, I (he) can't handle it.  Word of mouth sets will no doubt trickle in, but I will no longer be advertising for linens.

As Jahred's school schedule picks up in the "sprint to the finish" (under a year remains), I may be offering less and less finished product.  Get it while you can. I plan to spend more time on pattern development and publication.  In that way, I feel it can offer more to the art world, and I will be continuing my "sew it and sell it" policy.

Above all, in 2010 you may see my craziest side yet.  The house will be back on the market, Jahred is SUPER busy with school and Axel officially turns 2. The fact that Axel insisted on wearing "moon boots" and "Lightning McQueen" pajamas to the mall today may just be a preview of what's to come.

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I'll leave you with this piece of advice.  NEVER feel guilted into making your husbands "favorite cookies - the ones he missed out on x-mas eve because we were are at YOUR FAMILIES - the ones his grandma makes from a family heirloom recipe".  If something to that effect slips out of his mouth (about cookies you have NEVER heard of in your entire marriage), just let it pass or say: "You can feel free to purchase the ingredients and make those cookies any time of the year Honey."

If by some kind gesture you decide he should have them, you may end up spending HOURS making tiny dough balls from a "SUPER SIZED recipe - one that isn't written out clearly - makes no sense actually - and has you cooking a sugar mixture to a specific temperature in order to make a special ICING - in the end you may just toss out half of the dough to save yourself the torture of rolling another single ball - perhaps the cookies do taste wonderful - BUT THATS NOT THE POINT".

The cookies may just turn out like this.  Although delicious, the recipe will just have to be modified to fit into your time constraints.  It turns out there's a reason his grandmother only makes them ONCE A YEAR...Christmas makes people do CRAZY things!

Happy New Year from my frozen tundra to yours.

Despite feeling the nearly 2 years of isolation during the longest "snow day" in my career.  This is my first "real" snow day since grade school.

Jay Leno said during is opening monolog last night that according to survey, they "angriest" people on the planet are 20-30-something women who stay home with babies and toddlers.  Jay mentioned how scary that is...I know how sad it can be.  How glamorous it must seem to working men and women to be able to "wake up at your leisure" - yeah right; to "stay in your pajamas all day" - clearly not by choice; and to "coffee or lunch with your other stay-at-home friends" - I've been trying to schedule coffee with a friend for literally 18 months, hasn't happened yet.  One would think that a snow day for someone already stuck would seem devastating.

Something about this real snow day is different though.  Jahreds finals were cancelled today leaving him stuck inside with us.  Although it's terrible to delay the inevitable of a final, I have to admit, him being stuck home is a breath of fresh air for me!  

A REAL snow day today, just like when I was young, is MAGICAL.

If it weren't for the 30 mph winds, it would be hard to keep me indoors.  On a blustery day like today, I know I am a part of an exclusive club.  Very few regions of the world experience such extreme weather and have no excuses for a "snow day".  Even more exclusive is the club of those who have seen snow at all.  How bizarre to think the substance that brings nutrition to our spring grass, simultaneously causing so many road pileups and furnace malfunctions, has NEVER been seen by many fellow earthlings.  Some people read of snow in national geographic or hear of it in folklore...we curse it and love it every winter here in Minnesota.

Today on this REAL snow day in December, I am proudly still sporting my pajamas, I almost woke up at my leisure (thanks to a plow) but I probably won't get that coffee date with a friend.  Instead, I am listening to Jahred play with Axel, relieving my stress just a bit, and playing quietly in the basement with some fabulous new fibers.

Happy snow day to fellow Minnesotans...so sorry the rest of the world has to miss out!

If you're snowed in like me...check out the ALL NEW items in my Etsy shop.

Perhaps you're shocked with the new look around here...just learning a bit of html and experimenting with techniques.

Unlike my hair that is depressingly natural in color, my web page doesn't have to be.

Enjoy the eye candy.