Camping Vacation

This September, I was able to get away for a fun camping vacation with family. The weather couldn't have been nicer, except for a couple of rather warm days.

For the first time, I stayed in a yurt! It was really cool! I can see this as a great option in the future. Sort of camping, without roughing it too much!

Some of the things that I enjoyed the most, were singing old Sunday School songs around the campfire. Gazing into the night sky and watching for shooting stars. Also, just being together, visiting, recalling memories, laughing, and enjoying the uniqueness that God has placed in each individual family member.

Thank you God for my family, and for the opportunity to enjoy them.

Inside of Yurt

Canning Season Is Here

I've been busy in the orchard, and in the kitchen this last week.
Picking apples before the deer eat them all is an never ending "chore" around here.

Once we picked the organic apples, then "putting them up" is the next task on the list.

Thankfully, I've had the best kitchen help possible...my foodie fanatic daughter. Well, I must say, that is "fanatic" in the very best way! She keeps me sharp in my kitchen skills, and mostly, we just have a lot of fun together.

No wonder women of yesteryear, did things in groups. Sewing circles, quilting bees, and even preserving the harvest together. I've decided that together is the best way to accomplish what other wise may seem like a chore.

So, if you don't seem me around much on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, or Etsy, just know that I'm in the kitchen, laughing and perspiring, and savoring the sweet smell of cooking apples.

Canning 2012

Learning, Growing, Changing

There is something about Fall that makes me get in the mood for "learning". After years of formal education, and Fall representing school starting after Summer break; my mind still wanders down the familiar path of being ready to learn. I seem more engaged and ready to "start a fresh", in the Fall more than the other seasons.

I am planning on not only designing new ideas for my little on line shop, but also nurturing my spirit/soul as well. Looking forward with anticipation to what God has to teach me this Fall, as I study and learn from Him.

My goal/plan is to post with more frequency and share the nuggets of truth that I'm learning and hopefully how I am growing and changing through applying these truths in my life.

Planning for Fall

The apples on our trees are quickly telling me that in a week or so, I will be busy making applesauce, pies, and who knows what other goodies I'll come up with.

In preparation for this years canning season, I came up with some new canning sticker designs. By nature, I'm an embellisher...if there is such a word. I enjoy adding a "little something" extra to most things that I do. So, with that in mind, I embellished these vintage inspired canning stickers with felt buttons and some raffia bows.

I'm excited to get started "putting up" this year's bounty, and use these fun labels for gift giving.

Fall Medley Harvest Decor

I just had to share what's new in my shop! I'm so excited! I love all things associated with Fall, so when I came up with cutting out these Fall Felt Shapes, I was tickled.

As I type this, I'm looking out my front picture window onto our heavy laden apple trees, and am already licking my lips for all the yummy apple goodies we will make.

With all these homey thoughts, I've been excited to create some decorations for others to use to design their own Harvest/Fall decorations.

I can just imagine these Fall felt pieces strung along some jute or ribbon for a folksy garland. Or these shapes are ready to be adhered to a scrapbook page, or a Fall card.

Hopefully, these ideas will get your creative engines going, and you will have endless ideas of how to use these fun felt shapes.

Cottage Style Canning Stickers

It was so much fun to add to my current canning sticker, label and tag collection in my Etsy Shop. Just recently added are these cute, Cottage Style Canning Stickers.
I love the checked border, and then contrasting the black checks with a fun splash of colorful buttons and glitter flowers.

These stickers will also be cute as gift tags on packages. They can "dress up" whatever purpose you use them for.

Featured in Mother Earth News Magazine

I'm so honored to be featured as one of the shops on Etsy that offers unique, creative, home goods canning jar tags. Mother Earth News has a whole section of their magazine set aside for information on home canning and preserving. Along with the how to's, and where to buy supplies, they also feature links to shops on Etsy where you can purchase your favorite style canning jar tag or label.
Go here to check out the article: http://www.motherearthnews.com/canning.aspx

Rainbow Button Stickers

Making these darling little button labels was like being a kid in a candy store! Rubber stamping, a favorite of mine; rainbow of colors that are so bright, and then top them off with adorable little buttons...what could be more fun?

I originally planned these stickers for canning jars, but they can be used as name tags, gift labels, and even organizational tags. Just a couple of additional thoughts on ways to use these cuties. Do you have any ideas? Let me know.

Planning for "Canning"

Planning ahead is often hard for me to do. I am working on stocking my little shop with canning jar labels and tags so that the "home preserver" can be ready when the harvest comes on. Come by the shop and take a look at the home canning items that are in stock and ready to ship.

Mother's Day Auction

Do you need some great ideas for your special Mom?  Attend the live auction on Tophatter to find handmade, unique, one of a kind art pieces that your Mom will treasure for ever.

Helping others through Micro Loans

I have had the opportunity to help several small businesses through my own business! World Vision has a category called: Micro Loans, which enable entrepreneurs an opportunity to borrow money to help their business grow. The pay back rate on the loans is pretty incredible.
For the last 8 months or so, I've been able to help fund LOTS of small business. As God continues to grow and bless my business, I'm able to share that with others.
This month I chose Maria del Rosario Valdivia Utrera in Mexico to help her grow her small business that she is using to pay for her college.

For more information on this great opportunity check out World Vision.

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2MicroLoan.jsp?lpos=top_drp_WaysToGive_Micro&go=micro&
Selling handicrafts