New Pillows added

I have really been having fun with my husqvarna viking Designer SE. It can be challenging but the end results are worth it. I have added these items to my etsy shop:

bird pillow angel pillow

Young men or Big boys?

Well my nineteen year old, "not sure what I am doing next semester," has just bounced his first check - that I know of. He says it is impossible he has been putting in money from his paycheck every week. "That bank is wrong!", he says. So I ask "Are you sure you are putting money in your checking account and not your savings account?" "Yes mom I always check checking on the deposit slip."

Ok so he checks the checking box on the slip but puts in the savings account number. Couldn't someone have caught this once and let him know? Argh. He is nineteen, he should be able to do this, but, as I said, is he a young man or a big boy?

Please visit my shop at http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com for fun dorm furnishings for those children (young men and women) returning or starting college. Good Luck.

Sampler of my items

A Sampling of what you will find at my shop at
craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com. Enjoy shopping!

Not much to say except $1 cards for sale

I'm clearing out part of my online shop at etsy, so, I am selling individual handmade cards for a buck each. Can't beat that. Sets are only $3.00. Come help me clear out and achieve a goal of 100 sales. Thanks.

Dogdays of online selling

Well these hot summer months are what weed out the part time sellers from the professionals. As a professional seller, you know that every year this slowdown is inevitable. Buyers are on vacation, spending time with family, or just getting out of the house. There are no major holidays to shop for, hence, no need to spend disposable income.
This is the time a smart seller uses to get their inventory ready for the busy months, increases their advertising presence, and pretties up their shops. It is not a time to sit around and whine about the decrease in sales, be proactive not reactive.
If you carry lots of summer items in your shops, you may want to have a sale to generate interest. The key is to still turn a profit. Do not undervalue your hard work. Whether it is time you spent creating an object or the time you spent looking for the item to sell. Of course buyers are always looking for bargains but you can make them feel they Need what you have.
Make sure you have professional photos, excellent descriptions, and offer excellent customer service. Packaging is key for return buyers. Make a buyer feel like he/she has just received a gift in the mail. Enclose a few business cards so the buyer can pass them on to friends. Include a hand written note whenever possible. Let the buyer know you are willing to work out any issues with them.
Now go out there and make the best of these slow days, maybe take a day or two off yourself.

Children's Sports

Sports Fans, you may be one or maybe not but I know you know more than one. This is the season we see the town fields crowded on Saturday mornings with children playing all kinds of sports. The benefits of course are exercise, learning teamwork, and having fun.

The problem begins when the game is no longer fun and the pressure to win overshadows the benefits previously stated. When the kids are just out there playing with their friends and learning new skills their faces beam with pride. When they lose and the parents go home with frowns the kids can pick up on that.

Let us stress to these children their accomplishments. Let us tell them how they improve each time they are out there and that we appreciate the way the work together towards a common goal. Do not promise them anything if they win. Treat them win or lose or better yet just a pat on the back may be all they need.

Let us not live through our children’s wins and losses. Let us live through their kindness and respect for others. Make sure they thank their coaches and assistants and refs. after every game and practice and make sure they shake the hands of their opponents.

The examples we set are the way our children learn.

If you would like to thank those coaches or surprise your budding athletes with a little something, I have the perfect items. These sports magnets are nice and strong and are great on the fridge to hold rosters, schedules etc. or for the kids’ lockers.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=100569&section_id=5055602

Virginia Tech

What happened at Virginia Tech is sickening. But we must remember it was the work of one sick individual. The world can be bad but it can also be a beautiful place. You have to find beauty in even the smallest things. When I go to a grocery store and see a baby smiling in a cart, my heart melts. When I see a man holding a door for a woman behind him, I think isn't that lovely. Please do go out more often. I think too many of us (myself included) spend too much time in front of our computers and are missing out in the beauty all around us. Don't be fearful, what will come will come.
A way we can all help is to get involved with children. I do it by substitute teaching and really listening to what the kids have to say. When they see me they give me a big hug and tell me I am the only one that lets them talk about issues. It would be great if we could all mentor one child and change the world one child at a time rather that stay in our homes, in our private worlds.
Ok enough preaching for today, I'm taking my kiddo out to lunch.
Have a great day everyone (no matter the weather)