Shopping Cart Re-Play

In the past I've shown pictures of old shopping carts that I've lined with fabric. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in them. So as a result of a special request, I'm going to show them again and add a new one that was a custom order.

The first one I made for myself just before going to Farm Chicks. It was the first time I had used one of these little carts and was I ever happy to have it. I have filled it many, many times at recent venues. What a life-saver!

The second one is for sale on my Etsy store. It is the same design: new and vintage fabrics & laces, fully lined and washable. Sturdy ribbon ties secure it to your cart at strategic spots. It includes a roomy storage pocket on the back which is divided into two compartments. Part of the pocket has a spot for your water bottle and the rest provides plenty of room for whatever you need while mega-shopping: cell-phone, kleenex, business cards, protein bar, tape measure, pen, etc. Sorry - no cup holder for your coffee. You will have to improvise until I figure that one out!

This last cart liner was a special order. It required a little more planning as the cart is a new, improved version of the older ones. The front and back are higher than the sides. It fit like a glove!

So, if you would like a custom liner for your little cart, just comment or e-mail me and we can discuss fabrics, size and cost. It is a nice way to keep all your treasures from falling through the cart. Each one is unique and a must for die-hard shoppers! M.

It's A Party !!!

A couple weeks ago, a few of us got together for a visit and thought how much fun it would be to meet some of our fellow bloggers. We feel like we "know you" through your posts, but it would be nice to have a chance to visit "for real." So Joy had the idea of hosting a Blog Party!

There will be treats and much merriment! In addition to this little get-together, we will be hosting a "Make and Take" Crown &/or Valentine Workshop from 1-3 pm. All we ask is that you let us know through a blog comment or email if you intend to sign-up for one or both of the workshops. The cost is minimal: $18.00 for a crown and $5.00 for a valentine (pictures to follow). We will provide all the materials and will have examples if you need some inspiration. Reserve your spot now because space is limited and you don't want to miss out on the

F-U-N!

In the Valentine Workshop, you will be making the little folded, secret message valentine below. The recipient unties and unfolds each layer of the valentine until they find the secret message inside. Each layer is a different paper. This design was featured in Martha Stewart Living a few years ago. I gave it my own "twist" by creating it using vintage materials: wallpaper and book pages. The ones you will make at the workshop will also be made of some vintage materials!

This is an example a crown that you could make at the Crown Workshop. Joy will have many more for you to use as inspiration. If you have a favorite piece of jewelry or what-not you would like to use - bring it!

Hope to see you there!

Silly Little Cupid

Last year I found this silly picture of a baby in his diaper.

Something about the pose made me think of a little cupid. A little cupid that would say "Hey Baby, Baby" in a lounge-lizard kind of way. It made me giggle just looking at him. I don't know that it is a "him", but my guess is it is a "him". Anyway, I recently ran across the picture and knew it was time to transform him into a little, silly cupid ...

just in time for Valentine's Day!

You can find him at my Etsy Store along with a little one-of-a-kind Valentine figurine! M.

A Sweet Award

I have been given the Lemonade Stand Award by Katrina!

This award is for great attitude/gratitude and now I am supposed to pass it on to 10 bloggers. Ten bloggers that I feel have great attitude/gratitude.

Many of them I know personally and a few I have met through blogging.

The first seven are women I know and feel they have fabulous attitudes toward their work and their lives. I'm passing this award on to them. In no particular order, they are:

Cindy - Queen of Tarte Joy -Auntie Joy Linda - Willow Nest Lisa - A Thing For Roses

Isabel - Maison Douce Aleta - The Silly Bear Deb - My Shabby Roses

Sue - Bella Shabby

The other three are women I have met through blogging. I admire them and have grown by reading their blogs. Again in no particular order:

Dawn - The Feathered Nest Cammy - Freckled Farm Deena - Deenas Story

I am adding an 11th person to my list. She is not a blogger yet, but may be in the future. Her positive attitude and work ethic has motivated me many, many times: Diane, Molly Mo's.

As with all awards, there are some things you need to do! Acknowledge the person who gave the award by linking to their blog in a post acknowledging this award. Place the award logo on your post. Nominate 10 people/blogs which show great attitude/gratitude and add their links to your post. Leave them comments to tell them of their award.

I know this all takes some time to do, but I think it is time well spent when you are letting someone know that they have a positive influence on your life! Thank you all. Keep this moving along and spread lots of positive energy! M.

New Year, New Thoughts

Each new year, I try to think about what worked last year, what didn't. For the most part, it all worked in one way or another. The hard part is deciding what worked the best for me. I love to do it all and sometimes that doesn't work so well. It's that old juggling game. It is hard to make sure each aspect gets an equal part of the pie. It never gets divided equally so there is always a part that gets neglected. The end result is "catch-up". I have always been an organized person, so this game of catch-up makes me crazy.

I decided this fall that I would take the month of January "off" from creative ventures and focus on getting caught up and some rest. Well, I'm a week into that plan and my mind is still thinking ahead! Spring is just around the corner so there are nests and eggs and all that springy stuff to seek out. Things are forming in my head that need a prototype made so I can get it out of my head and focus on something else.

One area that I would like to give more time is my Etsy store. I seem to have a following there that doesn't require me to drive, set-up, lug stuff, etc. I just need to provide more "pickins" for them. It is a fabulous way to sell, however, I miss the one-on-one interaction. So, I need to choose which shows will work the best for me. Again, choices have to be made. It's finding the right balance. I will continue to think this process through, in addition to filling the pages of my sketch book and get organized for rest of the year. After packing up at Monticello yesterday, my storage totes are a mess!

Above all, I want to thank you all for making this my most successful year yet! It has been a pleasure to meet you all and I look forward to visiting with you in the months to come. M.