fun with a photo booth

I've noticed that for that past few weddings we have attended, photo booths are a big hit.  My nephew had one at his recent wedding, so take a look at my goofy family.

 The photos on the left are me, my wonderful hubby Chuck, and our daughter, Hannah.  She's the social butterfly, lol.  We literally had to drag her off the dance floor when it was time to go home.

On the right we have my sister Barb as the pirate, my brother Butch, my sister Dawn, and me.  Yes, I AM THE PRINCESS!

hahahaha

It was Butch's son who got married, and you may not be able to tell, but he even got his gotee trimmed for the occasion.

We are not your normal, run of the mill, family.  We fight like crazy, and we have gone years not talking, but when push comes to shove, we are always there for each other.  So I guess we are a pretty normal family.

Be blessed,

Debbi



Our Beach Vacation

We just got back from a short weekend vacation to the beach.  I love the Outer Banks.  It's a great family beach...wanna see some pictures? 

...Chuck and Owen with their buckets on their way to the beach.  Owen was all about the sand, he had a nice healthy fear of the water.  He watched everyone else go it without a problem, but when I went in...he screamed!  He was terrified about me going into the water.

My wonderful daughter-in-law Kristen came to my rescue.  She kept Owen busy, and I casually strolled down the beach before getting into the water.  Then I casually swam up the beach to hang out with the rest of the family, and Owen never noticed.  Sneaky Gramma. LOL

The sunsets were beautiful...warm and wonderful.  And they reminded me yet again, just how awesome my God is.



Be Blessed,

Debbi

On Fire for Handmade Team Artist Feature

I'm part of another wonderful team on Etsy besides the BESTeam.  It's the On Fire for Handmade team.  Every week there is 1 or 2 featured shops which we build our treasuries around, and then we just share, share, share.  I've never been fond of treasuries, until I joined this group.  They just make it so much fun.  Here are the featured shops for OFH treasury challenge #39.

The first shop is Petposies.  This shop is a mother and son team that is dedicated to making our babies (dogs) more adorable.  I have to admit that when I first browsed their shop, I thought they were just hair bows for people but after reading their profile I discovered that they created these bows for our dogs to wear on their collars.  I love that!  You can adapt these bows for human use, so just imagine a matching set for you and your loving bowwow.

The other featured shop for this weeks challenge is Georgiamarbles.  Here you will find lovingly created dolls,  and more aprons than you can shake a stick at...(what a silly saying, lol).  I love these dolls,  such a cute vintage feel to them.  And aprons...she has aprons...and since it's almost summertime, YEA, that means it's time to get out the grill and baste them ribs.  So you'll need aprons.  Go check them out here.

Well, now it's time for me to hustle and get my treasury ready for this challenge.  Stop by these shops, and if you're looking for a fun team to join, check out the On Fire For Handmade Team!
Debbi

We love our cats

I have almost always had a cat in my life, and my children (especially Amanda) has inherited my love of all things feline.  Right now she has a grey tabby named Droopy.  He's named that because he is probably the laziest of cats in history.  Droopy is now up in age and very ill, he can't keep food down, and is nothing but bones, but still loves to just sit and be loved.  So, because I know that the end is near for Droopy, and will be hard for Amanda, let me share some of my favorite pictures of Droopy from when he was young and healthy.  And when you read this, please say a little prayer for Amanda, because if you have ever loved a pet, you'll understand.

"Look, out the window, should I chase that bird?"

"Naaaaah."

No box, or basket, was safe from Droopy.  He could sleep anywhere at anytime.  Stuff still in the box?  So what, he'd climb in anyway.

 Ok, is that ham I smell?"  He would wait till he thought we weren't looking, then slip his paw up and steal from the plate.

Now go hug and pet your pet.  All they desire is your attention, and what they give in return can make all your problems just disappear.

Debbi

a misty Monday morning

The weather here has been great (I think), staying warm, with a few cold fronts that just passed on through.  It was cool at the end of the week, but now it's warming up again, which makes for some great misty fog here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  You can see them in the distance.  It's hard to take good nighttime pictures, even though it was 6:30 am, it was still dark outside.  When I tried to "fix" it with my Picassa program, the pictures lost all the mystery of the mist. So I stopped trying to fix them. But it was beautiful outside.  The top picture is my favorite tree, right across the street.  It has this little patch of leaves that turn red in the spring while the rest of the tree is green.  The next one is the kids playset in the back yard.  And the last one is the farm across the street. 

 You can almost make out the house and horse pasture, with the mountains rising up in the background.  It's moments like this that I am reminded of just how much God loves me, because He has so wonderfully blessed me.

Debbi

ever try to blog with a 2 year old around?

Have you ever tried to blog (or do anything) with a 2 year old around?  Especially a rambunctious all-boy 2 year old?  I don't recommend it, hahaha.  Owen wants attention, and he wants it now, but first let me share with you his new bike.  Yes bike.  You see, Owen is a big 2 year old, and he out-grew a tricycle before we even got to buy him one, so he has a Lightening McQueen bike.  He sits on in but is not sure about the pedals, so he watched Brandon.  Now, Brandon does not pedal, he walks, so now Owen walks too.  It's too funny watching these 2 together. :~D

See you tomorrow
Debbi

Some new and old listings

I finally put some new items in the Etsy shop today.  Got to get ready for the Christmas rush, you know.  So let me share with you the 3 new items, plus 4 older items that are due to expire.  Which means this is your chance to save 40% on those 4 by using the coupon code ONEWEEKLEFT.

So first up, my 3 new listings...

I found these "beads" at Fire Mountain Gems, and being a tea drinker, I had to buy them.  I paired the copper tea pieces with an amber crystal bead for these cute little earrings.  For only $6.00 this would be a great stocking stuffer for the tea drinker in your life.  You can find them here.

Next is this shades of brown choker.  It was hard to get a good picture of this, even with a lightbox.  The color of the beads are so deep and rich, like a good piece of chocolate candy.  The large beads are of graduating sizes and I paired them with smaller glass pearl beads, and bicone beads, with little copper colored spacers.

You can find it here for only $25.00.

My last new listing for today is this wonderful brown and green beaded necklace, with a definite African feel.  It was created using a double strand of wire, so in the pattern you will see a depth of texture with the frosty green beads, and the brown wood "teeth" will make you feel....wild. :~D  This necklace is a matinee length of 28", so it is quite long.  I priced this piece at $23.00 and

you can find it here.

Now for my sale items....

I call these "Shades of Blue", and you can probably guess why.  These dangle earrings are only 1 3/4" long, so they would be a good length for any age female, from a grown woman to a little girl.  I have them listed at $8.00, but with the coupon they are only $4.80.

You can find them here. 

These black and white teardrop earrings are such a classic look.  They are 2 1/4" long and hang from hypo-allergenic lever back hooks.  Perfect for that little black dress, or the holiday season at the Philharmonic Orchestra.  They are listed at $7.00, but with the coupon, you can have them for $4.20.

You can find them here.

I took this picture long before I knew about taking good photos, or lightboxes, as you can tell by the reflections, lol.  This very long beaded necklace measures 31" and was created with a great variety of beads.  I used some multifaceted amber beads, small white pearl beads, and a collections of silver spacer beads.  Listed at $18.00, it can be yours for $10.80.

You can find it here.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is my one of a kind blood red heart choker.  I found the dark pewter grey choker at a local thrift store, and it was just calling out to be re-vamped.  As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly the beads this necklace needed, and this is the finished product.  It has been featured on many treasuries, and is much prettier then the picture.  Listed at $28.00, with the coupon it is now only $16.80.

You can find it here.

Now these last 4 pieces will expire sometime this coming week, so don't wait to take advantage of this sale.  Because what is not sold will be listed at full price in our new shop on the Handmade Artist Shop site.  I'll have more details on that shop for you in the future.  So happy shopping!

Debbi

Falling leaves are God's toys for kids

I was watching my Hannah play outside with Owen last week, and I just had to run and get my camera for this.  They had so much fun, and just love being together.

I can't wait to see what they do with snow!
Debbi

Saturday shopping linky party - baby blues

Today I decided to share baby blue items from shops of the Etsy teams I belong to, starting with the CAPSteam. This Knit Miniblanket comes from the shop of LoveNYarn.  We have had a plethora of babies in the family lately, but this would be a perfect gift.  The Capsteam is a team of Christians supporting and praying for each other.

Jewelry by Jaynemarie is a member with me on the BESTeam, and these Sapphire blue dangle earrings are so delicate and feminine.  New mommies would love this, to remind them that they are women too. The Besteam is a team of bloggers promoting each other.

I find this embellished picture frame by Ginalimosaics amazing. Simply amazing.  Not only would it show off any photo wonderfully, it also looks great by itself.  Ginalimosaics is on the On Fire For Handmade Team with me.  The On Fire Team supports each other with treasuries.

I truly enjoy all the teams, and invite you to try them out for yourself.  Now link up below any item from your shop that is blue, any shade will do.  I'll see you all on Monday.  Take tomorrow to visit a church near you for some refreshing and refilling and worship to the One who gave us all life.

Debbi

Autumns colors

Today Chuck and I took advantage of the last of the beautiful weather, hopped on our bike, and went antiquing.  This time I took my camera and tried to catch some of the beautiful fall colors while they are still here.  Pictures aren't too bad, considering I was on the back of a moving motorcycle. 

I had on my sunglasses, not my reading glasses, so I just point the camera and shoot in the sports setting.  I saw a speck of a hawk, and am please that a major crop brought him this close.  And the red trees seem to be peeking out from behind their mothers skirts. :~)

Whenever I see a dirt road, I get an urge to follow it and see where I might end up.  At a farm, in the woods, or face to face with a bull.  (I actually did that once, the bull part, not fun).  Looking up the trees makes me realize just how small we humans can be, and yet God gave us dominion.

We made it down to Cornelius and stopped at "the Mill", and old mill turned into a strip of antique shops and boutiques.  I was very disappointed in the boutiques when I found several of them selling some "handmade" items, but the back stated "made in China".  That's just sad.  I did find these wonderful roses bushes there, in full bloom.  I'm sure the red ones are knock out roses, but the peach ones on the left were just amazing.  Big and Bold and full of that wonderful rose scent.  So let me leave you with this last picture.  And then thank God for His many gifts.  Because despite the OWS and debt issues and employment problems, this country is still very blessed.  And the amount of new cars on the road, and in the shopping mall parking lots, and restaurant parking lots, proves we are so much better off than most of the world. \0/  And for more of the thoughts that passed thru my head during my read, visit My Hope My Faith My Life.

Debbi

I love me some Capsteam

I'm taking a stroll one day, thru my Etsy teams, and took a detour to my see my wonderful Capsteam buddies.  Lookie what I found....

Check out these Rhinestone Wedges by Rhinestone Revolution. I had a pair similar to these back in the 70's, and I loved them.  I think I was the only one in high school with a pair like these.  Of course, I lived in the burbs and liked going to downtown Buffalo to shop, which is probably why I was the only one with shoes like these.  I also had platforms with a see-thru bottom that had little plastic fish floating in them, lol.

With the weather getting cooler, my PeeWee could use a sweater vest, like this Knitted Mustard Dog Sweater from the shop of Mailo.  When you have small breeds, especially chihuahuas, I don't care what anyone says, they get cold.  Whenever anyone sits down, PeeWee is on their laps, trying to snuggle under their arms, and just shivers at night.  But I love him!

WOW and WOW.  This Dreams of Atlantis choker is absolutely amazing.  I love summer and I love the beach, and I am definitely putting this on my Christmas wish list.  I don't care what season it is, this choker it IT!  You can find it in the shop of Angelfish Originals.

As many of you may know, I am in the process (haha) of reconstruction work on my home, so unfortunately I am out of shopping time.  But you can find more wonderful things made by wonderful Christian artists by searching for Capsteam members while doing your Christmas gift shopping on Etsy.  If you find something you love, share it in a comment.
Love you and God Bless,
Debbi

What's new at my place?

Wow, it has been crazy at my house lately.  First I've been super busy with the Besteam, and then I joined the On Fire For Handmade Team, plus we decided that this was the year we are going to enclose our back deck and make it our living/family room....by Thanksgiving.  Is that even possible you say?  Well, here is what my back deck looked like this past Friday.  As you can see, it had become "the junk room".  Do you have one?  Growing up, my mom had a junk drawer which was suppose to be for those items you're not sure where to put?  But our junk drawer consisted of a whole dresser, plus the top, and the table next to it...you can see where this is going.  My mom hated to throw things away.  She once joined a club called the "messies club".  It was suppose to help her organize and sort her stuff, but instead she just started a new pile for the "messies club" newsletters. hahaha.  Well, the deck is now cleared off except for the glass top picnic table, the grill, and the "bowflex" machine. (I have no idea where to put that thing, Owen is the only one that messes with it, sheesh).  So that leaves me 3 1/2 weeks to move the electric meter, add windows, doors, walls, and a new floor.  Hmmm,  we shall see.  Now I also want to share with y'all some new items I finished and listed in our Etsy shop, just in time for fall/Thanksgiving home decorating.

We have this cute little scarecrow just relaxing amongst some bitty yellow flowers in a vintage basket, and a straw wreath wrapped in a rust ribbon and accented with yellow and orange silk flowers and a little pinecone.

And just yesterday I listed this little straw hat just brimming with fall leaves and little pumpkins.  Great for your front door, or you can wear it if you have a small head. :~D
When I found this vintage straw basket with a little scarecrow in front, I knew it just needed some bright flowers to bring it to life.

You can learn about these items, or the aforementioned Etsy teams by clicking on their links.  I'll see you tomorrow with my Besteam finds of the week.
Debbi