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!

Last Tuesday, Papa (Richard Ruedy) went to heaven.  He wasn't sick, suffering, and we definitely weren't ready for him to leave.  Silently he fell to a hemorrhagic stroke and was gone in a blink.

Several of us flew to Florida for goodbyes and to help Nana get home.  As we struggle to put ourselves back together, I can only be thankful for the 27 years I've had with him, and the never ending stream of stories and memories that will forever be in my heart.  Papa was a story teller, a Navy veteran, a leader of Saint Paul, the cornerstone of our family and my biggest fan.

I found this simple grocery list on his dresser.  Suddenly it is precious, and symbolizes so much!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  We are Celebrating his Life on Wednesday, May 5th in his home town of Saint Paul.

In the above photo, he is front row (on the right).  He lead both Police Officers and Fire Fighters to the capital to fight or strike for health and retirement benefits.  Seen below he is speaking to Minnesota congressman, leaders and media.  They WON!  

As Axel explores his new town, he has discovered 2 things:
 - pine branches make great brooms
 - dandelions are "BEAUTY"

Yesterday we found a park with possibly the last "old-school" metal slide.  I see metal slides as a right-of-passage through childhood.  There's just something about that hot metal on your thighs.  It makes you hold them up, slide only on your clothing and thus zoom out of control down the slide. You can pick up a few problem solving skills from a metal slide.  I'm glad Axel got to experience one yesterday (and don't worry, since he's only 2, I checked the surface temp to avoid any serious burns)!

If you haven't sniffed a Dandelion lately, it has whole different meaning when your little guy asks you "smells good right mom?"  Suddenly it's the best smell in the world!

A girl has to fake a few things to get through life; and I have been faking my breakfast habits for a long time now.  Even my husband is completely blind to my inner cereal desires. The truth is, although I can put on a pretty face and choke down a bowl of granola with yogurt on top, what I really prefer is a larger than life helping of marshmallow cereal.  Preferably Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Mattees...really anything that turns the milk a funky shade of greenish pink.  I subconsciously eat the oats first and save the goods for last.  With each heaping spoonful of only mallows, I am already dreaming of my next bowl.

While shopping the co-op yesterday, I suddenly stumbled into my cereal Nirvana.  To my surprise, some respectable adult like myself developed an all-natural marshmallow cereal?!  Was it that hard to just swallow your pride Mr. Organic Companies and create the cereal that we all secretly desire? $3.79 was all this large box cost.  In the last 24 hours, 2.5 of my meals have consisted of "Mallow-Oats".  It is seriously yummy!

Another confession to faking it comes down to fashion.  When the 80's style started to make a comeback, I began dreaming of neon sunglasses, checkers and big hair.  Maintaining my "JCrew" style, I have compromised with myself and last week I bought a neon yellow sports bra. It is satisfying on 2 levels: the teens won't be able to mock me for being the mom who thinks she's a kid again, yet on the inside I know that I've still "got it".

This week, you all have my permission to fake or not to fake.  It isn't easy to turn a fake into reality, but sometimes you can meet it half way.

Feeling like I am emerging from a shelter post tornado, we are "settled" in the "Chateau Del Mar".

The closing on our property is less then 48 hours away, Axel has only asked twice "please lets go home", and I have managed to tearlessly lead the exodus and final cleaning.

Despite our tiny living quarters, I have managed to create a liveable version of the home we loved so much!  It also helps that I am very fond of our new town.  Not sure if it's the nostalgia of returning to my college stomping grounds, the smell of the food co-op or the library that is more beautiful than a Rocky Mountain lodge, I am happy to be here.

Being so "snug", I am learning quickly to think verticle.  Every shelf has a purpose and every shelf top is utilized as well.  I am secretly pretending that "Chateau Del Mar" is in New York City.  I've wanted to live there possibly my whole life and I just consider this practice (or maybe the closest thing I'll get).  Never mind the shabby siding, I see our place as a lovely brown stone on the upper east side...our door man just happens to be on an indefinite vacation.

Well, more to come when the closing on 810 Baker is actually over and I can officially breathe again.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY ETSY SALE . . . see previous post.

Ok, really.  I need to get my butt in gear.  We have access to the apartment in less than a week, and from what you can tell, my house is NOT ready for the move.  I am trying to keep things as normal as possible for Axel and our routine, but when I decided to sit down for a beading project last night, the procrastination appeared to be out of control.

Can you blame me?  Nana's birthday is coming up, she turns 49 AGAIN!  Lucky girl.  So, I had to think of something worthy.  In my private stash, I had been hoarding a few picture charms (the add your own type of deal).  Well, for lack of better things to do (like pack), I dug them out from possibly the only bins that were ready to go.

Adding a charm here, a bead there, I created what I think is a LOVELY little neck piece.

Worth mentioning here...The plant featured in a blog post nearly a year ago (the plant I refer to as my "plant, dog, kid experiment plant")?!  I think I killed it.  After a long winter indoors, the plant is nearly deprived of life and as soon as I can, I slip it outside into the sun.  Well, a little too early this year, forgot it out over night, it froze.  In a desperate attempt to "buy" my way out of it, I bought it a larger pot, new potting soil, plant food and have spent hours doting on it.  I'll keep you posted.  Jade plants don't particularly like 30 degree overnight weather!

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WARNING.  Speaking of the weather, it hit 70 degrees in MInnesota today.  This can only mean 1 thing.  HURRY and get your emergency candy stash out of your car.  It could be that I'm the only one who keeps a stash there, but sometimes all you need is a little escape, a drive alone and a nice variety of sweets.  Not realizing the temperature, I reached for a handful of deliciousness today and it was a little soft.  So, closet candy fiends, you've been warned!  Nothing worse that 10 bucks worth of candy melted into goo beneath your car seat.

Ok, enough of this nonsense.  Back home to get something DONE!!!

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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!