Half Price Sale

Today only! 12/14/09

Any twitter follower can purchase one item from either of my etsy shops for 50% off!
Just convo me and I will adjust the price. Click contact to convo me.

Both shops
http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

Fast shipping, great gift items.

50% off one item

Happy Birthday to Me

Good Morning all! So today is my birthday. I got a card from my husband and a hug from one of my sons. Both were very nice to receive. I am not sure if I will hear from my older son because he crashes at friends' homes during the week to attend college and rehearsals. I would love to at least get a call (hint hint).

As we get older, we moms, don't want fancy presents that will bankrupt our children. We want a simple thank you for all we do. A nice handmade card would be wonderful. It may sound selfish but I think we all want to have our birthday acknowledged no matter what the age.

Well, happy birthday to me and to all those that share my birthday, even Britney Spears. :) We moms have to stick together, especially moms of boys.
Linda

Red Sox Dish Towel Embroidered with stockings

DSC05113
Originally uploaded by linda pare designs

Got a Red Sox fan on your Christmas List?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34446713

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

A Year of Holidays

With this set of 8 beautifully machine embroidered, cotton waffle towels you are set for the year.
Holidays represented are:
Happy New Years
Valentines
St. Patricks
Easter
Fourth of July/memorial day/labor day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas

You can find these and more at my shop

http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com

Celebrate all holidays

Are you a family of different faiths? Do you believe in diversity? Do you hate hate? Well this is a way for you to show your feelings. Let's just say "Happy Everything". I think that is what a higher spirit would want us to do. Be Kind.

craftsfromtheheart





Unique Gift Ideas

Bath hand towel blue striped with football by mustlovehomedecor

Bath hand towel blue striped with football by mustlovehomedecor

new sellit widget

Craft Fair Season

It's that time of year in New England, USA
leaves are changing colors
days are getting frightfully short
pumpkins are popping up everywhere
and it's craft fair season!
It seems every weekend in many small towns there is a church fair, civic art show, flea market etc.
I will be jumping in with both feet this year. My inventory is up, as are my bills, so off to market I go.
This weekend I will be in Berlin, CT at a Harvest Fair. Weather predicted is heavy rain so it will probably turn out to be a lovely day. The fair info, if interested is:

Harvest Fair
American Legion Post 68
154 Porter's Pass
Berlin, CT

Hope to see some of you there.
Linda
Crafts from the heart

Spruce up the blog for new followers.

Hi New Followers!! You have motivated me to really start working on this blog and make it presentable. Hee Hee.

SALE - Limited Time Only

Hello Everyone!
I am in a generous mood today so decided to add more things to my SALE section in my mustlovehomedecor etsy shop.

Come take a peek. This will be a limited time offer on some of the products. Happy Shopping!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5987544&section_id=6331473

Online Selling Venues

I am spreading my love around. Well my products anyway. I am not only on Etsy but also 1000 markets, artfire, and silkfair. I am finding this very time consuming and leaving little time for actually making items. I need to be able to find a balance between computering (is that a word),
sewing, working my day job and taking care of a household oh yeah and sleep. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, a cleaning person is out unless I can find a volunteer that works for home decor rather than money :)

Here are my new links
Visit my etsy.com shops for your home decor needs and fun items for yourself and gift ideas.

http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com

my silkfair shop

http://craftsfromtheheart.silkfair.com

and my artfire shop

http://craftsfromtheheart.artfire.com

and my 1000markets shop

http://lindaparedesigns.1000markets.com

and of course my website

http://lindapare.com

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Is there anyone that hasn't been touched by this awful disease. Most women in my husband's family have had it. A few have passed but some thankfully have survived. My mom had it about 15 years ago and now is doing well although lost her breast.

I hope a cure can be found soon and relieve us of this one worry.

To all you brave women out there - this one is for you.

Sincerely,
Linda

New Dish towels added

I have been working hard to get these towels ready for the autumn and winter season. They make wonderful hostess gifts. You can always use a brand new dish towel to brighten up the kitchen.
They are also great for lining baskets and apple barrels.
check them out in my etsy shop or artfire shop.

New Chocolate Brown Clutch from Placemats

No one needs to know this clutch started from 2 designer placemats. The embroidery makes this look like a designer clutch selling in a boutique for lots more money. You being a smart shopper can get it for just a little over $20.

I won't tell if you don't.


This chocolate brown cotton, clutch purse is purely stunning. The embroidered swirls on the front are deep red, orange and copper. What a magnificent purse for the autumn, winter season. The cotton lining is a pumpkin orange.

This clutch has enough room for everything you would need for a day or night out.

I have attached a decorative matte gold vintage button on the front but the clutch has no formal closure. The crisp weight of the fabric will keep it closed. If you find this to not be the case, you can add a strip of velcro or a snap closure.

Do not miss out on this one of a kind clutch purse!


Measurements
13" wide x 6.75" tall
33 x 17 cm.

Keep on Adding on

Etsy Decor

Etsy.com is a website with handmade and vintage items. I have two shops on etsy. One specializes in home decor. I have yet to have anything featured in the Etsy Storque emails promoting Etsy decor items. Many of the items they choose are either vintage or ultra modern. I think this is the current trend of 20 year olds. I am in my 40's and tend to gravitate to the more traditional, cozy feel. I personally find modern and some vintage very cold. Of course this is ONLY my opinion.

I would like to see Etsy.com home decor articles feature more traditional, country, and primitive items sometimes. A little something for everyone. :)

http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

New holiday towels, Decorate your home or give as gifts.

I am adding lots of new towels every day. Super premium quality too!

http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
http://lindapare.com

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

Craft Show coming up Sept 12 and 13

I will be in a women's expo in Hartford, CT on sept 12 and 13. I am hoping for a huge crowd willing to spend some disposable income. I know times are tough but sometimes taking home a new trinket or two can lift your spirit. Hope to see you there. I believe we are in booth 115.

Hartford Expo CTR.
Hartford, ct

Is it worth it?

I spent all day yesterday in my computer/craft room on the second floor of an expanded cape. It was freaking HOt!! It took me all day to machine embroider this pillow which I listed on etsy. I love the way it came out. The colors are so pretty and it is super stuffed. My question now is do I make more? The time involved and the supplies used is insane. To charge $42 seems like a lot but don't I have to factor in my time, thread, stabilizer, fusible web, fabric, and broken needles? I know a pillow like this in a boutique would be priced over $100 but can it sell for that much online?
I may try one more and see how it goes. In the meantime, I am sweating it out up here because if I put on the window air conditioner it will blow the items off my craft table. Oh such a dilemna in the life of a crafter
Linda

Make you plans now for this great event

Connecticut Women's Expo

http://www.ctexpocenter.com

Open Date:

Sat, September 12, 2009

Close Date:

Sun, September 13, 2009

Description:

Since 2003, Ideas on women's health, fashion, cosmetics and overall topics of interest.

Additional Features:

Commercial Vendors, Crafts, Designated Parking, Gate Admission, Handicapped Access, Public Transportation

Location:

Connecticut Expo Center
265 Reverend Moody Overpass
Hartford, CT 06144

Hours:

Sat. 11am-6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm

Admission:

Admission Fee

Look for
funkey monkey
Crafts from the Heart
Gotta get it

Michael Phelps Car Crash

Michael,

Do you really need to drive a huge truck like the Cadillac Escalade? I know you have the freedom to drive whatever you want but really? Why don't you try to clean up your image a bit and get a gas/environmentally friendly vehicle. Maybe your visibility may be better and this poor girl you hit would not be in the situation she is in.

Sincerely,
Me

Walter Cronkite Dances

I love this snippet of a magazine article I have. It shows Walter and his son or grandson singing and dancing. It is hand signed by Mr. Cronkite and it shows a side we didn't often get to see. I wish I knew the magazine and date of issue but in the meantime, looking at it gives me a smile.

Happy News!

Glad to say this has been a good day after a few weeks of medical worries. The poison ivy is getting better, ultrasounds saw just simple cysts, and back is getting a bit better. Other good news to come my way involves my items on artfire.com. A wonderful blogger named Chris has added my pillows on a blog for all the world to see! http://www.shopindieonline.com/blog/

It is a great indie blog and will give you lots of choices for creative, unique, well made items.
Check it out.

My blog is being ignored.

I have been very rude to my blog, I must admit. Now that face book and twitter have grown so large, I have been using them to save time. Today I have decided it is time to catch up on my first means of communication online.

I have purchased an embroidery machine. The salesperson could sell ice to eskimos. I bought a used Husqvarna Designer SE for about $2000, I guess they retail for $5000. Well the learning curve has been pretty huge for me but each day I make progress. I know I need to go for lessons to learn about digitizing and more complex features, but for now I am enjoying downloading designs from the net and making cute items from them.

You can see some in my etsy shops
http://www.craftsfromtheart.etsy.com
http://www.mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com

What I did not anticipate was the amount of time it takes for one design to be created. Designs with lots of stitches can easily take over an hour. That would be fine if I could walk away and get other stuff done in the meantime, but you really have to stay close in case the bobbin runs out, it's time to change colors, needle breakage, etc.

I love the look of the finished products and I hope it all pays off in the end but for know it is all about learning, learning, learning :)

Linda

Father's Day

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26596400


Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Especially for those of you that are the mom and dad. You have a difficult job and aren't always thanked for all you do.

Happy Etsy.com day

Today is officially Etsy day. Come visit http://etsy.com today for all your handmade, vintage and craft supply needs.

http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com

Or just http://etsy.com

CheapTweet - 10% off for twitterers in my shops see for a list of my shops! - Twitter Deals, Coupons, Bargains, Sales and Discounts

10% of all my shops if you mention 10%blogger in notes to seller, convo or email.

http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com

http://craftsfromtheheart.artfire.com

http://en.dawanda.com/shop/craftsfromtheheart

http://www.winkelf.com/CraftsfromtheHeart

http://craftsfromtheheart.silkfair.com/

new bibs on artfire

I am trying to build up my artfire shop since there are no fees to list or sell there if one has less than 10 items. I have added these really cute bibs today if you would like to take a peek.
Thank you.

Savings for those that sew

http://www.createforless.com/Gutermann+Sew-All+Thread+250M/plid3919.aspx?page=1


great price for guterman thread.

I could use your votes on Blockhead Radio Live

I would love for you to vote for my clutch in the Artisan's Challenge. I think my clutch is unique because it is made from a nice thick vinyl placemat. The placemat provides a waterproof lining for the clutch. The outer layer of the clutch is a pretty, cotton, feather fabric. I have added a snap closure with a decorative vintage button.

If you are so inclined, I would love for you to vote for my item. Voting continues through April 6.

http://blockheadradiolive.com/wildcard

thank you.

To have me make you your own clutch
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

A beautiful email I received

Just got this today and thought I would share.


How to Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate hi s wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman t old me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

________________________________________________________________________________

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

children's boutique items spring launch

Your invited! Come join CBDC having SPRING TEA!

Seach SpringTea in Titles!

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=springtea


Team CBDC IS AN ETSY STREET TEAM FOR SELLING HANDMADE ITEMS FOR BABIES, CHILDREN, TWEENS, TEENS and MOMS TOO


Also be sure to search TEAMCBDC in tags to always find us!

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=teamcbdc


We are a open membership group for buyers and sellers! We currently have 75 members and growing. Come join us!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cbdcetsyteam/

Be sure to include your esty id in a request for membership thats the only requirement!

More items for our Spring Launch will be added more and more though the next 2 weeks so be sure to check back!!

How cute is this from stichnlove!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_10&listing_id=22226457&ga_search_query=teamcbdc&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=&min=&max=&order=

Finally added a new pillow

It may not seem like a big deal but actually finding time to create a new pillow has been a challenge. This time of year finds me collecting receipts, calculating business expenses, inventory costs and the like for the dreaded IRS.

Of course it would be easier if I used an automated accounting system and actually recorded to it daily but that wouldn't give me the adrenalin rush that scrounging around for paperwork gives me. I still would rather record in a paper ledger than online. Not sure why but that is how we did it in accounting class way back when.

Well must run. Off to find more free advertising space.....

I hate desperate spammers

To my spammers, and there are many of you on the various sites on which I participate:

I know we are all here to further our careers but I find it troubling when I am left tons of comments for me to view your sites and sign up for your services before you have even taken a peek at my shops. I am not looking for any get rich quick schemes. If that is your angle, than I am not your gal. If you have useful pointers on how I can improve what I am doing, I may listen. Isn't the first rule of marketing Know Your Audience? Spamming any newcomer or oldie here isn't going to earn you any long term customers, but then again that isn't what you want, is it? You want a quick buck. I guess your new role model will me Bernie Madoff.

Help the independent dealers

Time to Unite

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls, Aj Wright 15% off

Customer Appreciation Day!

On 1/22/09, get 15% off your purchase at all TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods, AJ Wright stores nationwide.

15% off of everything, no exclusions, and the prices will not be changed from what they currently are, if anything they will go down further before the discount day.

Anyone making a purchase the entire day is getting 15% off no questions asked. Extra 10% if applying for a credit card.

Cannot be used to put items into layaway.


They are doing this to apologize for the credit card number breach a while back, but it doesn't matter if you were affected by the breach or not, you still get 15% off your purchase on 1/22.


I mentioned this to some cashiers at my local Home Goods and they had no clue about this. I really think management would let their workers know what is going on. The cashiers told me they were already having a clearance and were not marking anything down. I wonder if they were told to not say anything today or just were not told.

Barak Obama Inauguration speech

Text of speech.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/full-text-president-obamas-inauguration-speech-2009

Stumbleupon Tutorial

I found this great tutorial that answered many of my questions about stumbleupon. I think I can use it much more effectively now. It is great fun to just stumble different sites, sites I would never have noticed otherwise.


http://www.doshdosh.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-stumbleupon-how-to-build-massive-traffic-to-your-website-and-monetize-it/

Talent Database Feature

My work has been featured in the Talent Database featured listings. It is great to get this recognition during these tough economic time. Maybe I will get a few bookmarks and reap some business when times get better. :)

Thank you Talent Database.

Tina Fey at the Golden Globes

I was so sorry to see that Tina Fey had to waste her special moment admonishing website bloggers. She would have been better off being classy. Now they have more reasons to hate her and be mean.
I have no idea who Dianefan or cougar letter are or even if they exist but I know giving them publicity can't be the best way to go.

STORE CLOSING 50% OFF

Closing my craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com store. It is getting to be more than I want on my plate right now.

All items are marked down 50%. Final Reductions. Shop now for best selection.

http://craftsfromthehearty.etsy.com