What To Do When You're Snowed In?

Besides fight with your kids?

How about taking video's of your cat playing in the snow...

I missed when he was pouncing on a leaf frozen to the ground.

It was pretty funny.

Want to know what else I'm doing?

Setting up my spring/summer/fall craft show schedule.

I love doing craft shows, meeting people, watching them touch and look at my creations.

When it's a good day, they actually purchase something.  :0)

First up?

The Statesville Artisan & Crafters' Spring Expo.

I participated in their fall show last year, and this is a very well organized show.  I'm looking forward to jumping into the craft season with this show.

April 2, 2015 is the first day of 

The Evening Farmers Market

in Pecan Park, 

in historic downtown Statesville, NC.

This market is open every Thursday evening from 4-6, and is a great time.  We have our own balloon man, tons of fresh fruit and veggies, fresh baked goodies, and handcrafted items.

Plus special times of live music.

Then there's the Statesville Arbor Day Celebration...

and The Spring Art Fest at The Coffee Mill....

The Hiddenite Art Festival...

The Taylorsville Apple Festival...

and any other festival I can find within a 75 mile radius of my house.  :0D

I love it when a plan comes together.

Be blessed,

Debbi

It's almost here....Spring!

This past weekend we moved our clocks ahead one hour and I'm still looking for that hour of sleep. :-P

But on the plus side, it's daytime longer, and spring is almost here.  Let's see what fun spring tine handmades I can find...

At The Craft Star I found...

Pansy Bunch Watercolor Print by Gerda's Garden

a mini wallet card case by Purse and Pocket 

and this adorable Daffodil Mouse by Warmth.

And from my shop Yankee Burrow, how about a pretty 

pastel seed bead memory wire bracelet.  

How about you?  Are you ready for the snow to go and the flowers to bloom?

Be blessed,

Debbi

Handmade Artists feature....it's Springtime!

We're on week 2 of our new promotional ring set up at HandmadeArtists.  The theme is still spring but we get to choose any shops we like, so I thought I would go back and revisit some old blogging buddies that I have not heard from in a while to see what that are up to today.

First up....Finding Charm.

Sarah has a jewelry shop on Etsy, and that's where I found this wonderful butterfly locket necklace.  It's one of my favorites, and butterflies sure do say spring.  And the color of this pendant is just a plus for me. :0)

While checking out her blog, I've learned that she has had some major changes in her life lately, a new job, and a loss of someone special to her.

"Sarah...I've been thinking about you, and hope to see you back in the blogging world real soon."

Ok, so red, white, and blue is traditionally for the 4th of July, and Tammy from TamsJewelry calls this a 4th of July anklet.  And yes, July is summer not spring, but let's think how I can use this with our theme, because I love this anklet!  I've got it, Memorial Day!  Yeah, that will work.  :0)

Tam was the blog ring queen when I first joined HandmadeArtists, but had to pass on the duties of queen because she was going back to school.  I hope she comes back soon, since even though I love wearing the crown, lol, we miss her in the ring.  And lest I forget, you can get this awesome design in a full jewelry set, to deck out every part of your body. 

You want to know what else speaks springtime to me? Flip flops, sandals, bare feet.  Of course, around my house and with all these chickens, you are being brave to run in my yard in your bare feet. hahaha.  In my shop you'll find several pairs of flip flops all decked out to show off your pretty little tootsies while keeping your feet safe from whatever is lurking on the ground, like these fun blue flower flip flops.  I liked the flowers when I first saw the pattern, they are suppose to be for buttons, but hey, I'm difficult you know.  So I crocheted around the straps of these comfy blue flip flops and then added the flowers.  Love them, but my feet are too big, these flip flops are an extra small.  But if you really like them, I can make them in any size you need, just call me.  We'll do lunch. :0P

So that's it for this weeks artists feature from the Handmade Artists Forum.  

Come and visit us there, we have tons of fun.

Be blessed,

Debbi

HAF artist feature....a new way to feature

It's time to start up our featured artist blog ring over at Handmade Artists, and Pam from Beadthing and I thought we would mix it up a bit this time around, and blended the blog ring, the twitter ring, and the facebook ring into one big fun party.  This post is our first trial feature to see how well this will work.

The first thing we decided was to choose a theme to center our features around...and this round the theme is 

"SPRING"

I know, not very original, but hey.... :0) .....ok, let's try this puppy!

Our featured artists this week are the Kitchens, the power couple behind the whole Handmade Artists world.  They have 2 shops, Making the Best Of It, and Chainmaille by MBOI.  I chose this very cool stretch bracelet from the chainmaille shop.  The colors are classic (and my bathing suit is black and white) and with it being stretchy...easy to put on.  Plus I just love the look!  So if you want it, you better hurry before someone else snatches it up.

Next we get to showcase an item from our own shop that is in keeping with the theme.  I chose my smiling copper sun anklet, because to me, spring is when I break out the summer shorts, and get my first pedicure of the season.  And what better way to draw attention to your pretty toes then with this boho style anklet?  Lightweight and with an adjustable clasp, this chain will fit any ankle all the way up to 10.5".

And for our last item, we get to pick any item from any shop that fits the theme.  And just because I like to think outside the box, I chose this steampunk watch from the shop of Uniqlets.  Can you guess why?  Because it has springs in it!!! LOL

I know, totally goofy, but hey, I'm just like to be difficult, um, different.

Ok, now it's time for the other parts of the new promo ring....

All those that tweet and have facebook pages, please use the buttons below to share this post!

See, not too bad.  What do you think?  I like it. :0)

Be blessed,

Debbi

Look what we got today!!!

Well, spring is just around the corner, the sun is shining, the air is warm(er), so Chuck and I went out for lunch (a date!!!) and then off to Tractor Supply (one of our top 10 favorite stores),
 and picked up these...

NEW BABY CHICKS!  Blogger is being freaky lately and not letting me load pictures normally, or placing them where I want them...I have been working on this post since yesterday...so aggravating.  But here they are, the newest additions to the family

farm.  These bring the total to 1 rooster, 8 adult hens, 9 chicks (hopefully all hens), and 2 ducks.  There will be no walking barefoot in our yard this summer. lol.
We also stopped at the post office today and picked up hubbys birthday gift surprise...this absolutely beautiful mosaic dove is from MyEuropeanTouch.  It is hugh!  I have it laying on the arm of my Adirondack chair (trying to hide from Chuck during the photo shoot) and it took up the whole arm.  And the colors are great, blues and pearls and oh so pretty.  And for me, she sent this lovely hand quilted stocking ornament, and this flower pin/hairbow with a vintage rhinestone center.  AND she included 2 wonderful letters, one of her history (very interesting) and one of her technique. I love this!  So if you love this too, pop on over to Monika's shop and get some for yourself.

 

Until next time...

Be blessed,

Debbi

Stitch Princess and the wedding season

I love spring, fresh flowers, green trees, and weddings.  My nephew Jason is marrying his long time sweetheart this July, and I know that she has been so busy, looking for a band, the food, flowers, invitations, etc.  But the most important item for a wonderful wedding is the dress!  And so, for my BESTeam feature, let's take a look at the amazing dresses from Stitch Princess on Etsy.

 Wow, look at this dress.  Faith hand-sewed all the sequins on the bodice of this dress, and it is beautiful.  Every woman dreams of her wedding day, and having every eye on her as she walks down the aisle, and with this Sequin Dress, no one would be able to look away.  Especially the groom. :~)

There is a modest knee hi slit on the side, and right above the knee you can find this..

Every bride needs a garter, and to have 2 is even better.  One to throw, and one to keep.  Faith has several styles of garters to choose from, and I'm sure she would love to change the ribbon color to suit you.  After all, the bride is always right!

And don't forget yourself...
what to wear, what to wear.

I love this party dress.  The model looks like she's having fun just wearing it.   A great spaghetti strap short dress, perfect for dancing up a storm with all those groomsmen at the reception. ;~P
Faith has been sewing for most of her life, so she is a very accomplished seamstress, and loves custom orders.   So go and check out her shop, and you can also find her here in cyberspace.
Etsy / Blog / Facebook

If you have an Etsy shop, and a blog, come and join this merry band of bloggers and we support and promote each other through our blogs and other social media.  You can find us on Etsy, or follow our Blog and Facebook to keep up to date with the awesome members of this team.
 Debbi

Spring has sprung in the BESTeam

Spring officially started on the 20th of this month, but the weather has been spring for many weeks now.  And I love it!  So today I want to share with you the flowers blooming in the BESTeam.
I love having my jewelry match, and you'll find some great pieces that match, at BlueWhiteWear.  Claire has many great pieces listed in her shop. I first chose the Cabaret Pink Red Bead bracelet and then right next to it I found the matching necklace.  A great set to wear to your next picnic.  Look for more of BlueWhiteWear here

Etsy / Blog / Twitter

The next shop is one I have personally done business with (which reminds me...I need another card for another great-grandbaby, wink wink).  Empty On The Inside.

Annie is an amazing artist, and devout vegan who tried to help me bake bread...a good friend.  I love this Purple Coneflower card, I look at it and wait for a butterfly to land.  And this Daisy Chain card reminds me of the chains I used to make with my BFF on warm summer days.  Annie keeps her cards "empty on the inside" so you can write down your own personal feelings.  They are also great framed!

Etsy / Blog / Vegan blog / Facebook / Twitter

My last share for the day is Patty's Dream Design.  Here is where you'll find the prettiest and most feminine jewelry.  Pearls and pastels.

This one on my left has a colorful orange flower pendant, and Patty paired it up perfectly with green and orange beads.  And the necklace on the right has a pretty pink dogwood pendant on a chain of light pink and green glass pearl beads.  What a perfect accent to wear to a summer wedding.  Look for more of Patty's Dream Designs here.

Etsy / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Stumbleupon

I hope you like my choices for spring...and be sure to visit these wonderful shops and see all the great items there.  And if you're an Etsy artisan with a blog, or a blogger with an Etsy shop, come join the BESTeam on Etsy.

Debbi