While I was away ...

Life, here in Blogland and Etsy-ville, went on while I was Post-Free.

Most exciting (to me, anyway) was that I won the beautiful chainmaille earrings given away by Jessica over at The Chickadee Tree. They were waiting for me when I got home. Thank you, Jessica. I LOVE them!! I've worn them several times in the last few days and had numerous comments on them. (Yes, I gave out a few cards at a family party yesterday.)

And then there were the treasuries over at Etsy.


I may not have been around but my work was getting around. Though the mention is a little late, you may still want to check these collections out for some special gift ideas (or maybe just something for yourself).



On July 15, Alorasadorables featured my Baseball Playing Fish Set in a treasury called I'm Sew Into You a collection of fantastic toddler clothing.





When I got back the other day and got busy filling orders and updating the shop, I decided to go ahead and list some Halloween items. I know it seemed like I was rushing things a bit but a lot of folks are already featuring Christmas items!!

Almost immediately, Betsytkd curated a treasury she named Spooky which featured my Halloween Dog Onesie and on that same day (July 29), Teresa Heffernan included my Crocheted Halloween Trio in a treasury she called A Collection of Pumpkins!! I guess folks really are ready for Halloween ideas!!






Tonight, Bearly Here featured my I Speak Cookie Apron in a treasury called Speak Much?


I want to thank all these folks for helping promote my items in their treasuries. Every little mention is appreciated. I hope you'll take time to check out these treasuries and the many fine shops each features.

Oh yeah, while you're looking, take a moment to check out the shops of Alora's Adorables featuring vintage and antique textiles, quilts and more and Teresa's Heffernan's Crafts where she sells handmade soaps and hand crocheted and scented hot pads.


Well, I've got a lot of new merchandise that I've been working on and I hope to get them all photographed in the next day or two so I can begin listing them in the shop.

Please stop in and see what's new over at Splashin. I'll leave a light on for you.

It's been a good week so far.

I finally got the rest of the first batch of vintage miniature figurines listed in the shop this week. Taking the pictures of these tiny pieces took a lot of time! I was lucky enough to make a few sales, both online and off. I've gotten some new orders, too. (Maybe one of my best non-holiday weeks of all time in terms of orders!)

'Tis the season for all things beachy and ocean-related. I've had lots of requests for my handpainted lamps and lampshades featuring fish and shells so yesterday was spent basecoating a bunch of pieces, mostly lamps. I already have a few new shades in the works. Hopefully, I'll have time to do the detail work on some of these tomorrow.

Remember the little glass canisters with the apple indentations that I bought a few weeks ago? I painted them yesterday, too. Now all they need is some cute bows around their necks. My original plan was to give them to D. for her apple-themed kitchen but I'm seriously considering listing them in the shop instead. If they're still around when I need a gift for her, maybe she'll get them then.

Poor thing! As a child she inherited all the dolls whose handpainted eyes looked a little crossed or the bear that simply didn't sell after a full season of craft shows. Now, as a grown-up, she's still a fall-back for merchandise.

Then there were some custom orders to complete, too. Since they are gifts and the recipients don't have them yet, I can't share them with you at the moment. Maybe soon. Let's just say I had fun and am very pleased with the results.

While all that paint's been drying, I've been sewing a lot of lace onto all sorts of things. Some of the lacy items should be ready to show you by tomorrow. (Most of those also have some painted details.)

On Monday night, Queen of Sienna included one of my glass paperweights in a feather themed treasury on Monday night. You can see the entire treasury here. Be sure to take time to check out Queen of Sienna's Etsy shop, too. She has a really great eclectic collection of vintage pieces.


Then, today, June over at the I Sew Cute blog, featured my "I Speak Cookie" apron on a post about baking her way through the Betty Crocker Cooky Book. Sort of makes you want to jump up and make a batch of cookies. (Or, at least, eat some cookies!)

When you get a chance, stop in and see some of the adorable pieces of resin jewelry June makes and decorates with sprinkles, glitter and love. You can see her shop here.

I think I'm going to sit back, relax and do a little reading now. I've just started reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. it's one of those books, one simply hates to put down!!

Wednesday !!! Already ?!?

How'd it get to be Wednesday again so soon? I've been so busy the last few days, time has simply slipped past !

Last week, I began a new section in my online shop featuring vintage items. At this time, I am fully stocking this new department from "treasures" we've had lying about our home and in storage in the garage, basement, closets, and, yes, even under the bed. It's the first tentative steps toward downsizing in the foreseeable future.


Among the first listings in that section are these sweet little white bone china miniature rabbits. Tonight they were featured in an Etsy treasury called Vintage Easter Treasures curated by a great vintage shop, Toys of the Past. Please take time to check out the treasury and to check out that interesting shop.


I've also been working on completing so many Works In Progress that somehow got pushed to the side or put on a back shelf or for whatever reason seem to be languishing. So on Friday, after kicking off those shoes and finally letting my toes wiggle a bit after all that shopping, I dug out my lamp that I started before the Christmas holidays got in the way. It really didn't take long to finish it up. Actually, the most time was consumed in waiting for the layers of varnish and then the polyurethane to dry. I got it finished, photographed and in the shop today. What do you think?
I DO so like painting the fishes and sea creatures ! The front of the lamp features Fancy Goldfish and the back has several Zebra Danio fish among the sea grasses.

I told you all about the shoe shopping frustration on Friday. Well, I'm a glutton for punishment. We went shopping again on Saturday - this time for clothes for that upcoming wedding. We've still got about five weeks to get ready but we've got a lot on our plates and will be out-of-town for part of that time so we really do need to get our act together.

We haven't been to a wedding in a few years (after a slew of them over about an 18 month period back then!) I also haven't had to go anywhere formal for a while so I really don't have a thing to wear. Unfortunately, my aging hubby still seems to be a growing boy and has outgrown all of his dressy clothes. So, we set out on that beautiful sunny Saturday to the shopping mecca of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Though known as an outlet capital, all stores in Lancaster are not highly discounted clearance sale facilities selling last year's outdated merchandise or seconds (although there are many such stores there.) Many of the stores are simply company owned retail outlets, no different than those in your local mall. There are, however, MANY stores concentrated in a small area which is quite conducive to shopping. The thought that you might really find a bargain is also a great motivator. We shop there often for all kinds of things - clothes, furniture, goodies, gifts, and more.

Well, The Big Guy did well, coming home with a new jacket and dress pants to match. He still needs to get a new dress shirt. I bought all sorts of things but only one piece of clothing. It's one of those, "if nothing else turns up, this might work" items. It's a fairly simple blue top with some glitz to it. I can make it work with a long black skirt if I don't come up with anything else in the meantime. I am still actively looking, though. Oh yeah, I still need shoes!

On Sunday, we did the monthly family dinner. You know, the one where the 18-year-old cooks. All I need to provide is the dessert. I can do that. (I did that great peanut butter brownie again and a cherry swirl brownie too.) Remember when the younger generation first went out on their own and always took a care package home from family meals ? Well, the tide has turned. WE get to bring the care packages home, now!!!

That's our cook and her helper, Rudy.

Once again, the menu consisted of pizza and stromboli (N's specialties) and we had a huge selection. I believe she made two strombolis and four or five pizzas - each different! Tossing the dough was a bit of a challenge as she now has a 6 month old Dalmation, Rudy, who thought it resembled a frisbee. She had to grab fast to be sure he didn't grab it in midair and run!

The puppy is endearing himself to his grandmom. (They live in her house.) He still has some of those puppy ways - like chewing. We were sitting there after the meal, chatting when she noticed this little "faux pas" on the dining room wall. It was obvious who was at fault as he left incriminating claw marks!!The scene of the dastardly crime!!

Rudy's mom was summoned to the scene of the crime and asked for a comment/explanation/whatever. She looked at it closely and then exclaimed, "No wonder he had an upset tummy!!" This wasn't the answer her Mom was looking for. Isn't it great when they're not YOUR kids?(Or your dining room wall. ) You actually get to chuckle about it.

In addition to leftovers, I also brought home a huge bunch of forsythia that was just ready to bloom. I love to bring them indoors and force them to open up just a bit early. Aren't they gorgeous?

Since then, I've been busy trying to organize the first phase of the vintage items I want to list. This involves a lot of computer research to determine just what they are and what kind of prices they should draw, estimated shipping costs, etc., and then photographing them, writing the listing and actually getting them into the shop. In between, I've been working on those various painting projects that need to be finished up and trying to keep up with the house, prep for our Spring Midwest tour AND begin making the Easter candy. (After all, I do need to take some out West with us.)

Well, hopefully, I'll write some more tomorrow in between all the "To Do" items on my list. Have a great Thursday, ya'll!