Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts

Custom Tea Towels

>> Thursday, March 17, 2011

I like to make fun projects when I go visit my aunt. One of our projects was decorating tea towels. She came up with the idea of putting a snap in so you can snap them around the oven or fridge door. That way your child doesn't run off with your tea towel. My children tend to want to steal my towels, if only for the 18 month old to throw them in the trash. The snaps help me in the constant batter that is living with the kiddos. Every mom needs a little help with keeping things organized, and every little thing to make things easier is definitely work it.
My friend EllaBelleEtsy who makes darling jewelry asked me if I could make some with Amy Butler Fabrics which I happened to have lying around so here are some of the options I made for her.



now if only I can bring myself to give them to her instead of keeping them for myself.

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The Sweetest Blog Post Ever

>> Wednesday, February 23, 2011


I will by buying these seeds from Cubits in a month or two... Please come spring!

Well if you love Organic Gardening you should really get to know Cubits' etsy shop. She is one of the nicest people EVER. ever. seriously. and she made a blog post about me that makes me so happy. She got a few tie die shirts from me for a midwife friend. Twins! I can't imagine having twins- one child makes me feel like I will never sleep again. (well I have two, but i mean when you have one baby).
Please comment on her blog post HERE. What a beautiful blog she has. It makes me want to buy some organic fabric and garden supplies. I guess just about everything makes me want to buy fabric though...

My next tie dye adventure did not go well with Danielle- but we sure do have fun. What is it about tie dye that makes kids want to just throw color around all over everything- Danielle loves it and comes out with a shirt that is a kind of puke brown color and wants to wear it EVERY DAY. now we've restricted ourselves to just two colors at a time, and she just douses hers and the table and, if possible, the floor around where she is working.
It makes me crazy! and it is hilarious.
Danielle had an art project today. Underneath the kitchen table. With a permanent Marker. my little artist.
My mom informs me that the payback from my childhood hasn't even begun yet (and this NOT the first marker adventure). How am I so bad at hiding markers? I can never find one...
I'm so excited for going outside with Danielle and working in the yard so she doesn't color on the floor underneath the table. I was IN THE SAME ROOM and I somehow didn't notice. I guess I was just mesmerized by the dishes and Mark emptying the cupboards. Why do child locks only work on adults? I still don't understand it. Soon all that creative energy can be spent working in the dirt :-)


what do you do with your creative energy?

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Twitter

>> Tuesday, February 8, 2011



This Pillow is from Craftsquatch . It rocks.

A lot of people use twitter to promote their etsy shops. You might ask yourself: What does Janae think about the pros and cons of twitter? You might not. Either way I'm going to talk about them. because I can.
I'm happy I joined twitter. I finally know what the fail whale is. At first I just blocked everyone who tried to follow me because I didn't know who they were. Then I realized that the point is to meet new people.
sorry everyone I blocked...I wonder if there is a way to unblock people...

Here is a list of some pros and cons I've experienced

PRO: there are a lot of funny people on twitter. it's fun to read what people are up to.

PRO: One of the positives I've noticed is how soon you find people with common interests. If I had a question about something on etsy I could just write it in my status and within minutes have an answer.

PRO: I've made some great friends. My twitter bff is great and people have helped me promote my shop a lot. It makes me smile.

PRO: I've gotten more views in my shop. More views= more sales. I've felt really blessed about my little shop and how it's doing.

PRO: I've been part of some great teams. I feel like Twitter really has helped me meet people that let me on the teams. Really I don't feel worthy to actually be on the teams because the other shops on these teams are AMAZING! like die amazing. I am so unworthy.

CON- forum links.
In any public forum you hear about people who are unhappy. I never realized how much complaining happens in the etsy forums, and it is on twitter too. I know everyone has bad days sometimes but it can be draining. I'm glad the forums changed formats.

CON: the treasury team that said no thanks.
sometimes people other than me realize I'm not really worthy of their treasury team, lol.
I was also super bummed when I didn't get on a treasury team some of my friends on twitter were on. They kept tweeting about it non stop and I felt bad that I wasn't on it. It took me a while to get over myself and be excited for them. There is enough success for everyone.
Focus Focus Focus!

CON: Whining.
OK maybe I'm guilty of this too, but I see a lot of whining on twitter. One of the teams I was on had some negative press when members were complaining on twitter. They were saying some people were favorites on etsy. Those favorites were also on twitter, and responded. Some people left the team. I was so sad both for the people who left and the people who felt like they were invisible to etsy. Suddenly harmless complaining became a problem. I watched the drama unfold on twitter- it was mesmerizing. Maybe it's bad that I like watching the drama- I figure it's harmless and as long as it doesn't distract me from what I want to accomplish it's fun to read. Sometimes I want to complain too! Like when my kids color all over the house or I have a headache for a month that won't go away. That's part of life- we all need to vent a little.

PRO: Twitter is up all night.
I love some of my twitter friends. When all of my friends here are asleep and I want to chat with someone twitter is there. When I had breastfeeding questions with Mark twitter was there at three in the morning.

PRO: Justin Bieber is always a trending topic.
oh wait- maybe this isn't a pro. I giggle a little when people make fun of his hair or him. The kid owns twitter! You can't mess with that.

CON: Spam messages.
it's really fast to put an @ sign before your name. start talking about ipads and you will realize how many phony people use twitter. Ten million billion people will announce that if you click to their site you can win an ipad! Boo. still no ipad here.

Pro:
It turns out twitter is one of the best ways to get a hold of me when I leave my phone in New Jersey and you want to go out to dinner with your friends.

What have you experienced?

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Help Me Decorate My Bedroom Walls Thursday Three

>> Thursday, January 27, 2011

I decided it was all right for my bedroom walls to be girly and fun, even though I share my bedroom with my husband. I can want whatever in there and if he wants something else I will quietly move it to his office. As a matter of fact making the guest room into his office is the best thing ever.
not really- but you could imagine the pink paint and Hollywood glam that would happen if John and I didn't share a bedroom.
A while ago I decorated the wall of my bedroom. This may not make sense but I really wanted some vintage bookplate illustrations. I wanted butterflies. I didn't really find very many on etsy. and now a little while later I have no idea what I must have been searching for, because they are all over. I wonder where people get these vintage books. Is there a store with 100s of the pages just lined up and ready to go in a frame? Where can I find that store? I remember where some vintage bookstores were where I grew up, but now I live somewhere else.
but I could still find some.
Shavingkitsupplies makes some of the most beautiful treasuries ever. and she has lovely illustrations. I love that She is from Philadelphia. and her pictures are fantastic.


peaches illustration from shavingkitsupplies

Another thing that would look good on my wall is this print from Buckscountyframes. I love the colors. I think it's dreamy. Perfect for a bedroom. Or any room. I didn't discover this great shop before I moved further away from Bucks County- but it makes me happy to think that it used to be so close to where we lived. I know where New Hope PA is, and I've been there. Too bad I didn't get to see the gallery when I was there. Maybe one of these days I will pack the kids up for a road trip to a gallery I found on Etsy. I LOVE art galleries.
A Sort of Dream from Bucks County Frames


Although I've long said the insects on the front page creep me out part of me wants to buy a butterfly for my wall. I think a butterfly is not creepy, but a beetle or other insect= horrifying. So of course I think about it a lot of the time. Butterflies are beautiful- and so colorful. Bug Under Glass has REAL BUTTERFLIES from their shop announcement:


► Eco Friendly
► Farmed raised insects from rain forest conservation programs.
► No cheap matboard backings.
► SEALED for protection - just like museums
► Archival quality acid & lignin-free linen paper.
► Every display comes with a researched story. Vintage museum style label describing your insect on back.
► Hand numbered and registered to you - not mass produced.

No other insect retailer can match this quality - I guarantee.

═╣ Environment & Conservation ╠═
B.U.G is the first and only GREEN CERTIFIED insect display business in the nation (by SF Green Business Association) and all my insects are farm raised, not wild caught, from forest conservation programs around the world.

═╣ SEEN IN ╠═
Pottery Barn & West Elm Catalogs, Apartment Therapy, Herman Miller Blog and Décor 8.

Now I don't know much about insect conservation but I'm glad they are part of it. Butterflies are beautiful. I want to get one of the butterfly bushes like my aunt did. I thought of two things about this great shop- one is something that grosses me out but I can't stop thinking about- the Beetle riding a tricycle wall art. So gross. Beatles are possibly the worst bugs ever. They squish if you try to kill them- there is nothing more disgusting than the crack and squish- I'm about to throw up as I think about it. If only it was a print and not an actual beetle this print would be fun. But I can't stop thinking about it and I always want to use it in treasuries. because it is just fun looking. as long as you can get over your beetle phobia. Or maybe you don't have one like i do.

After I stop thinking about the whimsical little beetle I love the blue butterflies. We went to the Natural History Museum in Philadelphia a little while ago and they had some butterfly displays- but none of them were as good as the ones from BugUnderGlass. And I didn't see any blue ones. I love the color blue. It is my favorite. the Blue Mountain Swallowtail would look lovely on my wall. Just such a beautiful pop of color.

Blue Mountain Swallowtail (papilio ulysses) Real Framed Butterfly Art Display


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Front Page and a New Team

>> Thursday, January 13, 2011




Well there are lots of new teams on Etsy these days. I started in curation nation and then joined my sister's team, which doesn't say you can't be on any other teams. Selection Perfection is really fun to be part of and I like my teammates. They chat a little less than my last team, but it's nice in a way so I had a break- I was getting burned out of teams. You should visit their blog HERE, it has treasury challenges which are quite fun. Since a million teams were doing treasury challenges- heck they even started a team around it, I thought my blog shouldn't do them anymore.
then I heard about an "extreme" team that was starting and I applied. I thought it was a HUGE stretch but they let me in. seriously thrilling. You can look at the members of team Xtream by clicking HERE. then you will see why I feel unworthy. I am. Still felt AWESOME to be approved. so you can imagine that I felt even better when a few hours later I got to curate a front page treasury! I had made it the day before and it took me a while to make- it was difficult. It made me crazy happy since I combined the Etsy taste test with shops from selection perfection and the Handmade in Pennsylvania team.
Then I sat down and calculated how many treasuries I needed to make until the rest of the month. and now I had better go since it's quite a few.

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Thursday Three

>> Saturday, January 1, 2011

This week the Thursday Three is going live on Saturday. And They are based on my top followers in 2010- an app I found on twitter. I was a little surprised- but I love all these ladies! it's nice to have friends you like- don't you think?



JillHoff is one of my top followers on Twitter- and I love her accessories. I want this headband for Danielle. Actually I want it for me but I am turning 30 in 2011 so it might be a little too young. Or is it?

I love the linen fabric- and the little wooden squirrel. We call my daughter a squirrel. I want one. You can find it by clicking HERE.


My friend Garden22DesignStudios has a beautiful Etsy shop. I love it. and I love this locket-
from her description

This is the last available locket.

A perfect gift for the garden lover in your life. This shabby chic locket has a turquoise acrylic applied and then it is sealed so that it enhances the beautiful vines covering it. It opens for you to tuck in a special memento or tiny keepsake! Necklace closes with a lobster clasp and chain measures a generous 24 inches. Locket measures 33x24mm.


If you would like to see the rest of my nature inspired jewelry, visit this link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Garden22DesignStudio?section_id=6761751

To enter my storefront, click here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Garden22DesignStudio


So my last friend is KimArt and I love this embroidered peice from her shop. It is titled "rain rain, go away." You can find it HERE. KimArt is a student and she is really nice.
you can learn about Kim on her Etsy Profile:
I am a college student and I love to create pieces in my spare time. Originally I wanted to go into Art Therapy, but I turned to business instead. Being an Economics major with a minor in Human Resources, life is hectic but always fun & interesting! I hope to oneday establish my own line of artwork and own an art gallery! I love creating bright, interesting pieces that make people smile. I'm a hopeless romantic and I've found my beau that completes me :)

My main website is:
http://www.kim-art.org

Find my blog:
http://www.kimartblog.blogspot.com

Follow me on Twitter (i chat a lot!):
http://www.twitter.com/kim_art

I make:
Original Paintings
Handmade Cards
Hairpins & Brooches!
Bridal Bouquets
Home Decor

I am a proud member of:
Etsy Chatters Team
Etsy Labrats Team
Indie Free Spirits Team
and Crafting in Color team!

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Sarah's Wedding1 31 of 31

>> Thursday, November 18, 2010


My friend Sarah is getting married. She sent an email asking for wedding ideas on etsy. I think my brain exploded with happiness. here is treasury 1 inspired by her wedding. More to come..
Please visit Sarah's wedding treasury 1 HERE


THE MONTH CHALLENGE IS OVER! I am so excited that I made a treasury a day for a month. I almost quit on the last day! time to think of a new challenge...
thanks Factorygirlashli, for letting me borrow the idea from your blog A TREASURED YEAR

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Natural 8 of 31 Month Challenge

>> Tuesday, October 26, 2010


A little bit natural. A little bit silly. A little bit classy. Today it is Nice Outside. A break from the coming winter.
comment HERE

how much do I love the beard? A LOT!
this month challenge was inspired by A Treasured Year
a treasury a day for an entire year. now that is commitment.

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Thursday Three

>> Thursday, October 14, 2010

Three Things on My Mind Today

1. I hurt my car today. I feel stupid about it.
2. Both of my children took a nap.
3. I love Food and Anti-Depressants. They make me happy.

The Thursday Three today is inspired by these thoughts.

Maybe I wouldn't have over corrected and hit that pole if I had purchased a car trash bag, like this one from AllysonHill on Etsy. I love the idea of a little bag to hold trash- no more trash in the door for my husband! The woman has had like 8 billion sales on Etsy and I like her stuff.


I didn't take a nap when my kiddos did, but I could have. It was a large miracle that both children napped. I vacuumed, which I sometimes find just as relaxing as a nap. I am pretty sure it is normal to have a warm fuzzy feeling when the stairs are freshly vacuumed and the house smells a little bit like bleach. I realized that it had been two days since I vacuumed, and our hair machine dog had been hard at work. Just imagine how I would have loved to sleep with this cute pillow on my bed. I want a bed drowning in pillows and I think I could sneak another another one past my husband. Maybe I could just put it on the couch and tell him he can take naps with it. He seems to like to nap on the couch. I love the Pillows from HoneyPieDesign. They are fantastic. once I won a blog contest and got one so I just have warm and fuzzy feelings for them.



Last night I got really anxious. I started to have a pounding heart and difficulty breathing. This is the gift of my second child- really bad anxiety. In good news my heart is doing just fine- but I love taking medicine to help me function as a mother. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with John in school. I feel like I should be able to do more. Last night I just wanted hot chocolate. So I got some. My husband remarked that I seem to really like hot chocolate. This is true. I like the Swiss Miss marshmallow lovers mix. and I would love getting some special hot chocolate or marshmallows, like the white almond marshmallows from OhYum on Etsy. Seriously she also makes white chocolate popcorn I covet.


What did You Want Today?

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Treasury Challenge Week 15 :Isha Earrings

>> Tuesday, October 12, 2010


UPDATE- this Challenge is going to be extended until Saturday October 16th- ENTER PEOPLE-!

BaileyBelle won the last treasury challenge and now we will make a treasury with a beautiful item from her shop.
ISHA Earrings

I S H A
Hebrew name meaning woman.

This whimsical pair of Peacock feathers have been hand cut and wrapped by me with Sterling Silver wire. They are attached to hand formed sterling silver ear wires and adorned with antiqued silver bows. Very feminine and flirty.
For this challenge you just have to make a treaury with this item in the first three rows.
The Prize: a Ten Dollar Amazon Gift Card

THE RULES:
first off, please follow my shop blog. now for the official rules:
  1. Go to the Treasury page of Etsy HERE and make a treasury with ANYTHING, as long as the ISHA Whimsical Peacock Feather Earrings in Sterling Silver from BaileyBelle is included in the first three rows of the treasury.
  2. Put "Treasury Challenge" somewhere in the title of the treasury.
  3. Link Back to this blog post- that way people can find the challenges and you can get credit for referring them!
  4. Tag your treasury "treasury challenge"
  5. Tag your item "Peacock"
  6. COMMENT with your link to the treasury- BUT YOU HAVE TO COMMENT HERE.
  7. Please refer people- tell them to say you sent them. If the winner mentions your name you will also get a the same prize they do.
Notes-
  • if your treasury makes front page you win a ten dollar gift card from amazon in addition to other prizes from this competition.
  • MULTIPLE TREASURIES ARE ALLOWED. and encouraged. You can feature this item to your hearts content.
if the item sells out just pick a different item from the shop- as long as you link back here and write a comment you are good to go.

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Etsy Blogs: A Treasured Year

>> Monday, October 4, 2010





There are so many beautiful Etsy Blogs out there. One of my favorite is inspired by Etsy treasuries. It is from my friend Ashli from twitter. She is so fabulous on Twitter she is private. You have to request her elusive friendship. And I would, because it will blow your mind. She's nice. and she's quite a force- she has a well maintained Etsy shop, a shop blog and posts regularly on the curation nation blog. Also, her blog I wanted to talk about today features a daily treasury.
I like her treasury making style- I would describe it as "romantic". I can't imagine how hard it would be to make a treasury every day.
You should check out her treasury blog. and follow it. If you look on the right of the blog there all links to all the front page treasuries she has curated- so many!

to see it click HERE

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Giveaway: Advertising

>> Friday, April 9, 2010

Well this blog is still a little baby in the shop blog world. So I thought I would participate in a Blog Carnival (Thrilling!) and do a little giveaway.
For this Giveaway- I am giving away free advertising on this blog for three people- 3 months with your button on my blog.
Requirements-
1. Follow the Blog
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Have a button (I don't have the skills to make them- I will grab your html code or post your etsymini here).
4. Post a comment on THIS POST

seriously what a great idea.
There are so Many Prizes- I LOVE PRIZES- Here are links to some sites I would LIke to win prizes from.
1. Apple Gift Card. Maybe My dream to have an iphone could come true. #17USC
2.$55.00 Amazon gift card. Hubs has called amazon gift cards the "Ultimate" gift. #8
3. Pedal car Giveaway- I LOVE these things. #1US
4. Leg massager- Hello AWESOME! #101US
5. #11US Restaraunt.com gift certificate from Thrifty Jinxy
6. Paypal Cash- hello Etsy wants...#35
7.Wall sticks Gift Card- so cute. #60
8. Cute baby Shoes #57
9. Blog Redesign which is International #14
10. Target Gift Card from Pegsplay #3
11. #39USC More Paypal money! from Momdot

People are so generous- it blows my mind!

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About This Blog

I am a stay at home mom with a little bit of a fabric habit. I like selling things on etsy to see if other people like the same things I make. I have two adorable kiddos and my husband is in medical school. So when the children go to bed and husband is still away studying, I use my lovely pfaff and bring myself to cut up the fabric I adore so much.
This blog helps motivate me to get things done.

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