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Classy American Idol, David Cook.

Congratulations David Cook! You are one classy guy. I love the way you shared the stage with all the others. I love the way your family was there for you. I wish you tons of success and happiness.

Lost billy joel tickets!!!

If you were 6 very expensive Billy Joel Tickets that have been misplaced one week before the show, where would you be? I have looked everywhere, prayed to St. Anthony and even recruited my teenager (why bother?) I have a feeling they are either somewhere very safe or in the garbage.
So if you were my tickets, where would you be?
Desperate,
craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

Mother's Day

The day is fast approaching. The day we honor our moms. I know it sometimes seems ridiculous to just pick one day to honor mom for all they do all year, but you know if you don't it spells trouble.
I have a few gift ideas from my etsy shop. They are all reasonably priced and can be delivered to you by Mother's Day.

Cow Pillow Farm Scene Bolster Cushion with solid black back

Come check out all the new items in my etsy.com shop. I have great items for sprucing up your home, children's clothing, men's clothing and lots more fun stuff.

Busy Busy Busy

I had this week off from work and I have been busy sewing and creating. The weather has been beautiful in Connecticut so I feel kind of guilty being inside all day but I am addicted to getting these items out for sale. I don't have the storage space and the money wouldn't hurt :)

I have mostly been working on adding pillows but I also have some men's extra large shirts including a redneck shirt for dad on father's day.


Pretty pillows

Baby Blanket

Are you having a baby? Someone you know having a baby? Know someone who needs a new blankie? Visit my etsy.com shop to find some really cute, soft blankets and burp cloths.

my shop

Animal Print with Red Fringe Skirt for Girls

I just finished this great one of a kind skirt for a little girl. I think it is just precious. It has an animal print with a flirty little red fringe.
I love sewing items for girls because I have two grown boys and never had that chance to buy the pretty fabric and notions that girls adore.
I hope you take a look in my shop. If you would like me to make something for your little princess just let me know.

Window treatments

I have just added some great new valances to my etsy shop. I would love to make some in your color palette. Just visit my shop and click contact under my username and we can discuss details.
Linda

Oprah's Big Give

Do we really need another reality series which pits people against each other? Even though worthy people received lots of money, I found myself being embarrassed for them. The "players" became beggars for these people. Would it not be nicer to do this off air and just help these people some how? Does Oprah really need the income from this show to survive or is it an addition to an ego trip?
She and her fellow judges were on The Oprah Show and were gushing how inspiring this show was and it would help others realize how much we can all do to change lives. Well Oprah and fellow millionaires, believe it or not most of us do contribute to charities and volunteer in our communities. In fact, poor people are much more likely to give than are wealthy people. We do not need this type of exploitment to change the world.
I hope this show does not survive long.

My second most proudest sewing project

My second proudest sewing project
Current mood: artistic
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

I just finished a tapesty briefcase which I totally designed on my own and sewed with all the seams doubly reinforced and it really came out beautifully. It really reflects my style and was a pleasure to work on. I am finding it more and more important to design items I love, rather than what may sell on my online selling venues.

I call it my second proudest because my first was about 10 years ago when my son was in the third grade. I made him a total power ranger outfit from white flannel and gold and black lame. It was so difficult to work with but since it was a labor of love it came out great and lasted for years until he finally outgrew it.

I guess my point is do what you love and things will turn out for the best. It won't be such a struggle. I think we should tryto live our lives this wa

Handmade Boys Birthday Cards Set of 4

You will want to keep a set like this on hand for those birthdays that seem to crop up every month. They are boys favorite themes, sports and pirates. Actually only one card says Happy Birthday so the others can be used anytime.


For other boys' items visit my shop.
Oh , I have items for girls also. :)

The Race for the Presidency

The race for the presidency.
Current mood: contemplative

How closely do you watch these races? Do you really know the messages the candidates want us to understand? Does it really matter who the President of the United States is? These are items I have been pondering lately.
The United States does not seem to be the all-powerful supreme nation it used to be. Other countries are much more prosperous and our light years ahead of the United States when it comes to technology and health care for the elderly. Does the United States still influence the ways others live?
I don't see the big rush for Levis and Nikes we once had from tourists. I am not sure if it is because we are becoming homogeneous or because it is not that important anymore to emulate Americans.
I think 9/11 contributed to much of this. The United States is now seen as vulnerable as other countries. We are no longer the teflon country. We are more likely to kill ourselves with guns on the streets than worrying about violence elsewhere. How did we get to this point? I blame part of it on egos of politicians and how the media contributes to this ego. It is more important how a politician looks and speaks than if they are qualified for the most important position in our land.
There are so many brilliant men and women in our country but they want nothing to do with politics. They don't want the past to be scrutinized. Who cares what one did in high school? Does it really contribute to what one can do for the country when he or she is middle-aged?
The media contributes by repeatedly showing what are considered faux pas like Hillary laughing a bit too hard or one of the men wearing the wrong type of tie. Unfortunately with the advent of the internet these issues are played over and over again on sites such as you tube.
I feel the only way we can gain respect for the position of the President of the United States is too take seriously qualification, including experience, character, and leadership. Let's leave the four hundred dollar haircuts to the celebrities. Let us encourage the best and brightest to run not the one with fewest gray hairs or nicest suit.

Music to my eyes clothespin and gift card set

I thought it would be cute to honor those music lovers in our lives. Do you remember that special vocal coach that helped you or your child's first piano teacher? Would it not have been great to give them a special set like this? They can use the clips to hold their sheet music together or to mark a special song they are working on.
Show your child you appreciate the hours they put into practicing and every little squeak their instrument may make.
Surprise them with this on Valentine's day or just a whenever gift.

Landline vs. Cell Phones

So evidently today's youth do not realize that using a landline phone is not the same as a cell phone. Case in point, my average landline phone bill runs around $45. Since my son starting dating a girl who lives in another state my phone bill has been over $200. He says, "Don't we have free nights and weekends?" Um no! That is on cell phones where we already pay over $100 per month for service.

Now who should be responsible for this bill? My almost 20 year old for just not thinking or knowing such things or me for not educating him. Mind you, these calls are all placed after midnight and were over 3 hours long. If I had known this was happening I would have put an end to it immediately. I guess for this one time I will have to cover it but he better have learned from his mistakes.

Each generation is growing up with such different technology it is hard to keep up and make sure both the youth and the "elders" are educated on how each works and the finances involved.
I am now in the process of switching to a service that provides unlimited long distance calling. I hope this helps the pocketbook or as the younger generation would say the ATM card.

Brothers and Sisters

How romantic was that wedding last night? When they were exchanging their vows, they just seemed so genuine the way they had tears in their eyes. And I love the way they left the wedding early. I just really enjoyed last night's episode and hope the quality continues throughout the season.

For your shopping needs
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

Happy Birthday Britney Spears and Me

Being that I turn 45 today, I thought it would be a good day to evaluate my life thus far. My childhood years were anxiety ridden due to my older brothers serious illness which caused his death at 18 and another brother with the same genetic illness's death at the age of 12. I always had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was next.
I lived a very 'safe' life. I did not take chances. I did not experiment. I stayed home when I was not in school because I just knew something terrible would happen if I ventured out in the 'real' world.
Because of this, I find it hard to meet new people and try new things but I do try to push myself to do just that. Luckily my husband recognizes my fear and encourages me all the time to try something new and to get out of the house.
Well my biggest challenge last year was to really get my small craft business going. I did some research and found etsy. With each item is made the anxiety rose. Those awful what ifs set in. What if someone buys it and hates it? What if it falls apart? What if I become a laughing stock? The idea of failure was just overwhelming.
Well this year I have to report my sales are up dramatically and my feedback is just so wonderful. With increased confidence comes the will to be better and to succeed. My skills have improved tenfold since I started and I feel I can be part of this 'real world.' Of course I will probably get a negative feedback once in a while and I will have to deal with that and move on. No one is perfect and we will all make mistakes.
I like to think I started this business for the money but it really is an extension of me and what I can do and who I can be once the fear is kept at bay.
I have come a long way. Happy Birthday to me and my fellow sagittarians.
Britney Spears is also celebrating a birthday today. Hopefully by the time she has reached my age, things will have settled down for her too!
Linda

Etsy on the Today Show

Etsy.com is a website filled to the brim with wonderful handmade creations by artists and craftspeople. It is a global site so you can buy items from around the world and have them delivered to your doorstep. What can be better?

The Today Show had a piece about buying from etsy.com on their show today and we couldn't be prouder! Etsy is an established site and is here for the long term. If you are a crafter you can buy your supplies here and there is even a vintage section for you collectors. So come shop today from the comfort of your own home.

While at Etsy.com visit my shop http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com and support a craftsperson rather than a large retailer that will not provide the quality and service that we can.
Linda
Crafts from the Heart.

Christmas Gift Guide

Let me help you with your Christmas Shopping. No lines, no fake deals, no pushing or shoving. Shop from home.

My ideas for a girl:

a blanket




a tee shirt




a princess pillow

For boys:

a baseball blanket



a new pirate sweatshirt







For Dad:

a fishing shirt






For Mom:

a denim linen jacket





a luxurious pillow set





And lots more waiting for you at my shop
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
and other great shops at etsy.com

Global warming and my Christmas shopping

It is the first week of November and our trees are still full of leaves. Usually by this timeof year, the yard would be full of leaves and we would have had our first few flurries. It is strange. I am not sure I believe in global warming being dire. I think it is probably part of the cycle of life but I do think something is happening.

Now, I think I know what if feels like for those that live in warm climates to celebrate Christmas. I used to get holiday cards from cousins in Florida that showed them dressed in Santa outfits but their outfits had short shorts. I could not understand how anyone could celebrate Christmas with green grass and green trees in their backyards.

Christmas for us in New England means snow, at least frost. I cannot begin my Christmas shopping unless we get a good hard freeze. It just would not seem right. How can I decorate my house if my hands are not freezing cold hanging wreaths and lights? The weatherman predicted snow for us tomorrow but has now reneged. It just is not fair I tell you.

I plan on buying handmade items for family and friends on the site on which I have a shop, etsy.com. but I need that little push of seeing a few flakes before I start.

How do those of you that do not see snow in the winter do it? How do you get the Christmas spirit? I need some inspiration. Help me. Send me your stories. Do you decorate your palm trees, do you use that fake snow on your windows?

I can't wait to see your comments. Help me!!
craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com