WE HAVEA WINNER !!!!

The giveaway is closed and here's the winner chosen by random.org............#88......Carolina Girl Momma!!!  I'll be emailing you to get your mailing address.  Congratulations!!  Thanks to all who entered and to all the wonderful comments and new followers.  Have a very Merry Christmas !!!!

Giveaway Day!!!!!!!

It's that time again. Tomorrow , Dec. 13, beginning at 9 am Eastern,  is the big Giveaway day on SewMamaSew !  After you enter mine, hop on over to her site, grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back and have a blast entering a ton more!!
Here's what I'm giving away.......

It's a 100% cotton, handmade spa set.  The set includes four facial scrubbies and one face/wash cloth in beautiful sherbet-ee colors.  Also included are two handpoured, soy votives made by my good friend over at Grape Country Candles.  Make sure you check her website.  Her candles are THE BEST !
OK, so here's what you need to do to enter to win this set.
1.  Leave a comment on this post.  That's it!
For more chances ( one each action) -
2.  go to my Etsy store and look around, then come back and leave another comment here and tell me which of my products is your favorite.
3.  Post a link to my blog, on your blog and then come back and tell me where you posted it.
4.  For another chance, become a follower of my blog and come back and tell me. (If you're already a follower, leave a comment telling me) 
That's four......count 'em.....four chances to win!!!!  You only need to do the first one but , you'll have a better chance, the more you participate  -just sayin'.
Unfortunately, I don't ship internationally, so this giveaway is only open to the USA.
This giveaway ends Dec.17, 2010.  The winner will be chosen randomly.  Please make sure and leave a valid email address in your comments so I can contact you if you win!!!   Thanks and have a Very Merry Christmas!

REALLY COOL GIVEAWAY !!!!!

My daughter is offering a really cool giveaway on her blog, MAKE MINE BLUE, with 3 chances to enter!!  Go HERE  to enter and win something for yourself or for a gift for someone special on your gift list!

Giveaway

Cool giveaway !!!!  Go here!!!!!

Mindless Monday

Or.....rambling randomness....

Contacts:
I wear contacts.  Not all the time, not even most of the time. In fact, I only wear them about one day each week.  I wear them when I make jewelry and when I drive and need to wear sunglasses.  Or if I have to drive at night, they cut down on the glare that occurs when I wear my glasses.  The problem is, my glasses are bifocals which means that when I wear my contacts, if I want to read or see things up close, I have to wear "readers".  At last count I owned 16 pair of readers in vaious strengths.  I don't buy expensive ones because I like the variety and having a variety of expensive ones would get, well......expensive.  Here is a picture of some of them....

See those beauties in the front?  Yep.... camo

There's red, blue, gold rimmed mini's and classic brown.  And then there are these...

Pink Plaid!!!!!  Love 'em!!!!!

As of right now I do not have any with sparkles, or aminal print or flowers....but...give me time!  If Michael's or AC Moore carries them, I might just have to get them.

GLOP:

This is a recipe that my Mom calls Glop. It's actually a recipe given to her by my Aunt Joyce.  I've heard other people say they make it also but they make it a little differently.  It's super easy and really tasty. 

Here's what you need: 

A large slow cooker (mine is a round one, about 12 inches diameter and 8 inches deep)

3-5 boneless pork chops

6-8 medium sized potatoes

2 cans carrots , drained (I  used the 14-15 oz size)

1 medium sliced onion

2-3 cans diced tomatoes with juice, depending on the amount of juice. (14-15 oz. size)

This is how I think the recipe got it's name.... You glop is all together!

Put the pork chops in the bottom of the dish (you can brown them first if you like) and add each ingredient in order, ending with the tomatoes and their juice. You want enough liquid to almost cover the vegetables.

Cover and cook on high for about 6 hours.  You want it to cook for at least 6 hours to make sure the pork is cooked, so keep an eye on it after that time.  If  after 6 hours, the potatoes are soft, then it's done!

I took a picture of the finished dish but it didn't turn out, so you'll have to imagine what it would look like, think of a tomatoe-y stew.

COFFEE:

• 
  
  Sometimes brewing coffee smells like skunk....just saying....
• 
  
  My son-in-law roasts his own coffee beans and the coffee is delicious!
• 
  
  Finding a good tasting pre-ground coffee is really hard
• 
  
  Fresh brewed, first cup of the morning is the best

  

Here is my latest project. I've seen them other places on the internet and looked at the patterns but as usual, I found something about each one that I wanted to tweak. So I decided to just come up with my own. It works up quickly and in one piece. I'm also a left-y so I frequently have to adjust patterns to accomodate that, although I think this pattern could be made by a right-y too. Here's a few pics of the progress. See if you can figure it out.....

Have you guessed yet?

Ok, I'll tell you....it's a non-disposable, reusable cover for your disposable sweeper dusters and mops (can't say the name - trademark rules, but you know the ones I'm talking about)

Here's the finished product...

Here's where you guys come in. 

I need your help deciding what to do with it. 

• 
  
  Do I make and sell the product? 
• 
  
  Do I just sell the pattern? 
• 
  
  Or do I do both? 

Leave your comments and help me decide.

Just for fun, here are a few pics of some necklaces in

myCrossRoads shop. As always, if you see anything you like, contact me to find out how to purchase them.

Ok, so this isn't a necklace...it's a bracelet made from seashells a friend gathered in Florida.

More grape cluster necklaces

Have a GREAT day and don't forget to leave a comment and help me out of my dilema!

Something to ponder........

Don't you love that word?  .....ponder.....

Did you know that the God of the universe sings songs of rejoicing over us?   Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."   Try this, every morning when you wake up, remind yourself that God in Heaven is rejoicing over you in song. He sings for us!!!

...ponder.....

And the winner is.........!!!!!

Wow !!  My first giveaway is over and it was such fun!  Thanks for all the wonderful comments and compliments.  Like I promised in my initial giveaway post, I drew the winning name from a hat. Here's the proof:

One of my husbands brand, spankin' new hats-

Filled with a bunch of folded up bits of papers with all your names on them

Here's my hand picking the winner -

And here's the winning name -

Taa Daa !!!!!!!!  and the winner is:

Katy-The Country Blossom !!!!!!

Congrats!!!!!

Skip on over to her blog and take a look, you won't be sorry!

And this is what she won -

Thanks again for all of you who entered and visited and hearted my etsy store.  Make sure you bookmark my blog because this was such fun, I'm for sure going to have another one!  And who knows what I'll be offering for the next one.

Keep checking back.

LAST DAY FOR THE GIVEAWAY !

Today is the last day for the giveaway!  Enter, enter, enter, enter !!!  Scroll down to previous posts for details.  This was so much fun, I'm definately going to do more, so bookmark my blog and check back often so you don't miss the next one!

Giveaway Update

I hope everyone is having a fun time participating in all the great giveaways.  I know I am !  If you haven't checked them out yet, make sure you hop on over to SewMamaSew and take a look.  But before you do that , make sure and enter mine!  You can find the details in the previous post.  Remember, you get two chances to win:
1. Visit my Etsy store and come back and tell me what your favorite item is.
2. Post a link to my blog on yours, then come back and tell me where to find it, in a seperate post. Make sure I have some way to contact you. 

So, scroll down and get the rest of the details.   You'll also find a list of other bloggers offering giveaways.   HAVE FUN !!!!

Giveaway !! First one!!!

Because the sun was shining today, it didn't rain and ....  just because.....I'm having my first giveaway!

I'm giving these beauties away

Here's what you need to do.....

......go to my etsy shop

......look around

......come back here and leave me a comment about the item you like the best

.....if you want a second entry, post about this giveaway on your own blog and link to my blog. Leave another comment to let me know!
......make sure you leave me contact information (your email is sufficient - I promise I won't spam you, or sell it)

That's all there is to it!   I'll accept entries beginning 9 am Eastern time, May 17th. I know it will be hard to wait, but, no early birds!!  The giveaway is open until May 20, midnight, Eastern time.  I only ship to the contiguous United States, sorry, no international shipping.

The winner will be chosen from the entrants who have left a comment (s) here about my etsy store .  I'll throw all the names into a hat and pick one!  Easy sneezy!  The winner will be contacted for their mailing address and then I'll send 'em out!

And while you're at it......., On May 17th, one of my favorite crafting websites, sewmamasew, is hosting a Giveaway Day!! They will be posting a gigantic list on that day of hundreds of blogs that will be having giveaways of handmade items and crafting supplies! Very exciting... And all you have to do is leave a comment on those blogs to enter to win!

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

News flash !!!!!
Make sure you check out these great giveaways too:

eager hands is offering a choice of two prizes on her blog.....a handmade tote bag or a bundle of precut fabric quilt squares...you get to choose!!!

Simply Stylish Designs is giving away a cute drink sleeve and storage pouch...

Studio H designs is having a sweet giveaway too... gorgeous prints!

Here's another giveaway at Make Mine Blue.....!!!!!!

Crafty Jennifer is also offering a sweet giveaway....fabric, fabric, fabric!!!! And 3 chances to win!

More new stuff!

Spring has sprung and summer will soon follow. In honor of the new season...here's some new stuff that will soon be available on my Etsy site (http://www.atouchofheaven.etsy.com) and at my shop at The CrossRoads Farm and Craft Market which opens May 1

These are great for facial scrubbies, washing baby, or even washing dishes. They're 100% cotton. Some of the sets include a 7 inch washcloth and most include a soap saver bag for all those pesky end pieces of soap that you usually end of throwing away. Collect a few in the bag and suds away!

And take a look at these beauties......

Keep checking back, you never know what you'll find!

Faith

Just read this on an Etsy forum about Hebrews 11.....Faith is the refusal to panic. 

How do you describe faith?    Faith is....... 

New Etsy treasury

My lion hat has been featured in an Etsy treasury.  Take a look!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=90707

That's all........

Treasury

Here's the Etsy treasury I made.

  

Gathered Waters

Made searching Etsy for castteam, green, aqua, lime, blue, teal, ocean and sea.  The colors of the sea and based on Genesis"  ...God gathered the waters..."

I've been featured in a couple of treasuries and one made the front page! 

Christian creativity

For those of you who know about Etsy.com, you will know that the product gallery that you see on the home page ia called a treasury.  They are generally chosen by etsy sellers, or as we like to call ourselves, "Estians".  They can be a little tricky to get posted because there are only a few SECONDS that an open space is available.  If you don't type fast enough to get your title listed, you will probably have to wait another 2-3 days until the next few seconds opens up. And if you do manage to snag a spot, you'd better make sure you typed correctly because there's no changing it!

All this to say.....I DID IT!!!!!!  It was lots of fun and I got to see a bunch of great products as I searched through alot of great shops.  The treasury I created can be seen here, but only for a couple of days, they expire after a couple of days.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=89924

I included an item from my daughter's Etsy store (http://www.makemineblue.etsy.com/)  and the rest are all members of the CASTTEAM or Christian Artists Street Team.  The title, Gathered Waters, came from the book of Genesis and the account of creation.  Stop by and take a look. If you click on an item it will take you to that sellers' store. And while you're at it , take a look at mine     http://www.atouchofheaven.etsy.com/.

Here's a sneek peek at my new listings:

Have a great day..........

New stuff

A sneek peek at some new stuff.  I've already got the "Easter Egg" hats up on my Etsy shop ( http://www.atouchofheaven.etsy.com ) and the rest will be posted in a few days.  In the meantime, enjoy!

More later !!!!

No ! You can't grow up!

In 5 minutes my youngest daughter will turn 24 !  No !  Where did my little girl go?  Where is my little girl who loved to play dress-up? Who loved to sing? Who would disappear and we'd find her sitting in the dirt beside our dog petting her and singing to her?
I guess it has to  happen.
She's become a lovely young lady, working, out on her own, miles away (I still insist she contacts me in some way everyday so I know she's alive and well), making decisions on her own, showing courage that I never had, and whose older sisters go to for fashion advice.
We're proud of you sweetie !  We miss you ! Feel our hugs across the miles. 
Happy Birthday - xoxoxoxoxo

Call your mother.

My baby!

My baby turned 22 today.  Naturally, he'll hate me calling him that, but none the less, he's my baby.  I remember very clearly the day he was born.  We had called our dear friends to come stay with our 4 older daughters. The drive to the hospital took about 15 minutes. 45 minutes after we left the house, he arrived !  My apologies to all you girls who were not as fortunate as me.  I remember my husband yelling "Open your eyes, see what we got!"  In my mind, I was thinking, "I know what we got, another girl."  The odds were slanted that way.  When I had finally collected myself enough to open my eyes, There he was!  My daughters were thrilled to finally have a brother even though I had tried to prepare them for another sister..."You don't want a brother, he'll just pull the heads off your Barbie dolls!"  Oops!  Thankfully, most of the Barbie dolls survived.  So today we had the traditional cheesecake birthday cake (he doesn't like cake so he hasn't had one since he was about 10, a Ninja Turtle cake).  Sadly, his sisters are all living on their own now so there was no big ta-do.  Tomorrow he and his Dad are traveling to a big Cabela's store for his birthday.  So Dad and son are getting a "gift".  Here's my question - what does the Mom get?  Why don't mom's get presents on their kids birthdays? After all, what did the kid do? The mom does ALL the work!  I think mom's should get gifts too.  Oh wait, I did...... I got him.  Thank you God for my precious gift!!!!!!!  (although a bottle of Ici perfume would be nice too.  Just saying.)           Happy Birthday Bud!!

Did I mention my baby is engaged? 

Handmade may be a thing of the past!

There is a ruling (CPSIA) from the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commision) that would, in effect, make it cost prohibitive for crafters, such as me, to continue to sell handmade items for children.  I know of well established handmade craft websites that have already removed ALL their children's products. While the intent of the ruling is admirable, I feel it is a knee-jerk reaction to the influx of lead laden toys imported from China and other countries.  As a mother of 5 and grandmother of 3, I too am deeply concerned about the lead content of anything that is sold for children's use.  However, rather than penalize and effectively put millions of small business owners and entrepenuers out of buisiness, it seems that the more practical and efficient way to handle this is to require testing and certification of products and components at the factory and import stage. For instance, why should I have to spend hundreds of dollars to have a sweater tested because I use 3 buttons to close it?  Why not require the button manufacturer to certify the lead content?  Why should a wood toy maker need to spend hundreds of dollars to have his painted toys tested instead of requiring the paint manufacturer to certify the lead content.  We need more testing at the import level, not the garage or dining room table level.  This ruling will also effect thousands of libraries across the country because of the ink that was used years ago in printing the children's books.  They will need to either destroy these books ot clasify them as collectible, as I understand it.  Most of these books are classics that have gone out of print and may be lost to our children and future generations forever.  I hope I have that wrong, but from what I've read, that's what is going to happen.
You can help by visiting the Handmade Toy Alliance website at   http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

You can also go here  http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-updates-and-calls-to-action-3157/

Besides requiring expensive testing, the CPSC will also require expensive labeling and record keeping.  That means that the crafter who makes baby sweaters, like me, will not only have to pay for expensive testing but also will have to receive certificates from whoever she gets her supplies from certifying them lead free and keep a record of where each button, skein of yarn, spool of thread, etc. comes from. Again, I hope I've misunderstood this, but I don't think so.

Comment and let me know what you think!

Superbowl!

Just in time for the superbowl! Cute football hats in what ever size you want!  Go to my etsy site http://www.atouchofheaven.etsy.com/  

If you can't find it look in my sold items then just convo me.

  

Happy New Year!