25 Things you didn't want to know

I know this post might be a little lame, but my mind was blank. I couldn’t think of what to write next. OK, so it’s not blank, the problem is that there are too many things floating around in my head. I’m getting ready for a vendor show in mid May so I’m busy pre-making as much as I can to have a variety of new product for people to see. Then there are new items that I want to showcase and I’m thinking of new displays I’m also thinking of several topics that I want to write out for my blog. And there is the never-ending “to do” list for stuff around the house. With all that said, I’m trying to spend as little time as I can on the computer; which should be hard. If you read my blog, then you might remember from an earlier post “Have you filled a bucket” that I have about 50 other blogs that are book-marked. Occasionally I lurk, but most often I try to give as much “comment love” as I can. We’ll see how things go. Anyway here’s my latest post…

25 things you didn’t want to know.


1. I love junk food, especially Doritos.
2. I love to ride horses and wish I could afford one and the land to rome around all day.
3. I hate to be alone.
4. Even though I have worked in health care, I can’t stand to be in a hospital.
5. I cry when I hear the star spangled banner.

6. I’m addicted to Law and Order
7. I miss living close to NYC but I’m Sooo happy to live where I am now.
8. I worry all the time about what kind of Mom I am and how my kids will turn out.
9. I don’t remember what my fears were before I had kids.
10. I think people really can learn something new everyday, if they are open enough.
11. I think I am really good at organizing things but I have no idea why my house can’t be organized.
12. I think it is important to try to understand the other person in every situation.
13. I always want to be understood but don’t feel that happens too often.
14. I really love and admire my friends, most of them more than I tell them.
15. I love to be social and have people over especially if it is casual to hang out and eat and drink wine.
16. I love colors; almost all colors but blue is my favorite.
17. I don’t think there is a better match for me than Tony
18. I have always wanted a brother or sister and swore I would have more than one child. I’m so blessed to have my three. I thank God every day.
19. I always wanted to learn how to play the saxophone, but I don’t have a musical bone in my body.

20. Things I thought I might be when I was a kid: veterinarian, stuntwoman, actress, famous artist, detective or a jockey.
21. I love to plan events; I think I have good ideas sometimes.
22. I envy people who read a lot. I can never sit still that long or I fall asleep.
23. As much as I love to go see and do things, it would be very easy for me to be a homebody especially in the winter.
24. I really loved being a therapist, but this job now is the best thing ever and hard in a way you don’t know until you’re doing it.

25. I’m so happy there is such a thing as coffee.

Hubby reads my blog

I walked into the closet the other day and got one of those strange feelings that something was different. Then I look up to the top shelf and… WHAT the?!?!
Apparently Hubby is reading my blog. Remember my post about folding sweaters?
In that post, I strategically cropped the photo to omit his shelf for obvious reasons. Well, low and behold, the man who can walk past the dirty socks on the floor like 20 times now has a neat and tidy sweater shelf.

Go figure???

And on another note...

First,
What's a Lariat???
Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video below.

Secondly,

Put on your leg warmers and I'll see you at the Virtual Girls Night Out over at Ann’s place…cheers!

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Lariat…who?

It’s that time again, shameless self-promotion and a discount for you. One of my favorite jewelry items to make and to wear is a Lariat. The word is derived from the Spanish word, meaning, lasso or to tether. (I know, useless information that you really didn’t want to know).


I’m using the word to refer to a type of necklace. It’s a non-tradition necklace, in that, it has no clasp and is not a continuous circle. A lariat is a long cord or string (usually with beads or some type of embellishment). It is worn simply by tying it different ways around your neck. I’ve been making them for years, even long before I started my business. I finally decided to make a video to show people how to tie them.

FYI- I make them in just about any color or combination of colors you can imagine. If you would like to order one at 15% off the regular price, use coupon code NOT2. Discount is good until May 30, 2009.




Here’s my video, let me know what you think…please be gentle. (I can see about 10 things I would do different and don’t even get me started on that haircut.)

If you want to see it again, go to YouTube and type in “how to tie a lariat”.

UPDATE: Here is a photo of some orange beads for those of you interested in orange. I hear it's going to be very popular this year. ;-)

It is spring...right?

I know for some of us it’s not really warm just yet but I do think it is time to pack up those sweaters. I am done with the cold and I’m ready for warmer temps. It might be pushing it just a bit but my sweaters are going into hiding for the next several months.

Here’s a nice way to keep your sweaters neat during the off-season. This method of folding will help them keep their shape and minimize the fold marks. I also think it’s a nice way to see what you have verses having them in a drawer and it’s much better for the sweater than to hang it on a hanger.

First lay the sweater face down and fold the sleeves across the back at the shoulder line.

If there is a hood or turtle neck, you can fold that back as well.

Then bring the bottom half of the sweater up to cover the sleeves and keep them in place.

Now flip the folded sweater over (so the top is up) and place it on a shelf.

Folding them this way takes up the least amount of space and makes it easy to stack several sweaters on top of each other.

I do the same thing with my spring and summer sweaters. I move the winter or heavy sweaters to bottom shelves and the lightweight sweaters come up for the summer months. After a quick toss in the dryer with a damp towel on the low heat setting, they are fluffed and ready to go. I cover the winter sweaters with some tissue paper to keep the dust off of them. (Not that there is any dust in my house. Wink wink).

What do you do to change your wardrobe for the new season? Do you have any good ideas on how to organize your closet?

Have you filled a bucket today?

So I was wondering today what I would blog about next. Then I got my bucket filled.

Eh???

I know…What is she talking about???? I checked my comments and a friend of mine tagged me in a contest she is running. I have mentioned my cool, smart friend in the past and I think I mentioned that she has her own blog too. Well, she is running a contest with some really fun games and activities to go with the book “Have you filled a bucket today?” Anyone can play along so go over and check out the rules for yourself.

First, let me tell you who fills my bucket.
My kiddos do that all day long. Ever smile and random expression of love. Especially when they don’t know I am watching and they are sweet towards each other. The hubby is a bucket filler too. He’s an awesome hubby and the best dad ever. And of coarse my friends totally rock when it comes to bucket filling. They are funny and uplifting and always supportive.

Now, comes some blogs I like and ones that I find to be “bucket fillers”. Narrowing down list wasn’t so easy. I think I have a blog addiction. I have at least 50 blogs book marked. Is there some kind of 12-step program for bloggers???

Anyway, here are just a few blogs I read and ones I thought would also benefit from this contest. In no particular order…

I like to swing over and see what Stacy has to say. She always manages to bring a smile to my face. She’s good for a cute story and really comes across like a sweet, down to earth woman with a good heart. The kind of girlfriend everyone needs to have.

I can be found over at Yaya’s at least twice a week. Alicia is a tell-it-like-it-is kinda gal. I truly admire her honesty and her inner strength. She seems to me like the friend I would go to when I needed a shoulder or when I needed someone to tell me if I’m off base or not.

Then there is this great lady who seems to just do it all. Alexis is another woman who is funny and supportive. Do you see a theme here?? I guess I find it important to surround myself with people who can make me laugh and help hold me up.

It can be a crazy would sometimes and we can all be harder on ourselves than we need to be at times. Laughter is important to me and good friends are defiantly “bucket fillers”. That must be why C is such a good friend of mine. Thanks for tagging me in your contest.

Good Luck Everyone! Now go fill someone’s bucket.

Look what she won!

As many of you know, Ann hosts a Virtual Girls Night Out party on Friday nights. During April 3rd’s party, I sponsored a giveaway.

And the winner is…
{Insert drum roll here}

Robin from Cinnamon and Honey.

Here are the lovely earrings I made this weekend, just the way she wanted. Go say hi and give her your congrats!

Keep your eyes open for more fun giveaways, coupons and special offers

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Eat Some Chocolate!

Have a wonderful weekend. If you observe Passover…Enjoy.
If you celebrate Easter…Enjoy.
What ever you do, eat some chocolate, it does a body good.

What’s your favorite Vignette?

Vignette? No, I haven’t started writing in a different language. Although, the origin of the word, as best as I can determine, is French. I also found several different meanings. One of which has to do with wine. (Probably why I like the word). The context that I have heard this word used in and try to use it myself, is in reference to decorating. (I work this word into a conversation, more often than you might think possible). Yes, I watch way too much HGTV. In decorating terms, the word vignette refers to a small space with a distinct focal point or a small group of decorative elements. I think I like the word because it makes me sound like I know what I’m doing when it comes to decorating. I try new ideas anytime I can get one past my husband. (He cringes every time I say the word paint).

I may not love all the decorating I have done in my house but there are a few vignettes that I really enjoy. One of my favorites is my kitchen window. I like this window in general because I am able to look outside and see my gang riding down the hill in the snow or watch them play in the sand box. I really like when I’m washing dishes and I can see the cows grazing off in the distance. The best part of this window is the way the light comes through the colored glass I have collected. I started several years ago, when I held onto a wine bottle that was a deep royal blue. Shortly thereafter the collection grew. Friends found blue glass and saved it for me. I started picking up a few items here and there at flea markets and discount home stores. Once I put it all together on this window seal, I started expanding my collection to include different colors.

I display red glass from Christmas until Valentine’s Day and then I change it out for green. After Saint Patrick’s Day I put my favorite blue glass back up for the rest of the year. It was one of the easiest areas to decorate. I even incorporate my dish soap into the action. I have a clear glass bottle that I fill with soap and top off with an oil dispenser. I got this idea from Martha herself years ago. I thought the glass bottle looked much better sitting on the sink instead of the original soap container. I have even been known to add a few drops of food coloring to get just the right shade to match the current color of glass. (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking and you’re not the first).

So what is your favorite vignette? What strange thing have you done to make something fit into your décor? What area do you want to decorate next?

Happy decorating!

How would you like a pair of earrings?

Not only can you get a free pair of earrings, but also you get to have a say in what they look like. Check out the earrings pictured on my web site. Remember, they are all examples of what I make. You get to pick what style you like and you can also choose the color or combination of colors that you prefer. I’ll put things together per your request and send you a custom pair of earrings. Just join in on the VGNO over at Ann’s and give her a comment telling her what you like.

Good Luck!!!