Better to Give . . . .

I am sooo excited! Today was my first Lovepetals Crochet Giveaway! The winner was Tamiko Jackson. She has been given the choice of three (3) different bags/purses to choose from. She hasnt decided but when she does I will post the decision and maybe a picture of her holding the bag!

I have been reading alot of blogs and sites on Etsy regarding boosting sales and getting more traffic to your website. I am very interested in doing that but I would like to also have fun along the way! I love to crochet and I dont want to lose that love getting caught up in sales and the lack thereof. I believe that when the time is right I will get the sales/recognition that I deserve (or at least believe that I deserve)!

This has been a week of change, discovery, surrender and cheer! I have implemented some changes in my lifestyle, thinking and daily practices. They have freed me, brought me happiness, made me realize that change is good and holding on to anger, self doubt, bitterness and things do not bring you happiness or success. So, my suggestion to those who may read my blog is to open your heart, forgive, give to others, make a needed change, surrender to God and see things change for the better.

"But see first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33

Thanks for stopping by and if you dont have anything to give . . . share a smile! Love ya.

Back @ School Treasury on Etsy

#linkshttp://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjA1MjE2NXw2NTQxNjczMjg/back-2-school?index=0

Back 2 School!

Hey Guys, Sorry I havent posted in a few days. Ive been busy and feeling a little down in the weather. But, the good news is that the raffle is still in effect and the winner will be chosen tomorrow!! Yoo Hoo!
This is my last year with a child in High School. My son graduates in June 2012! But, I see all of the parents bustling around purchasing school supplies and preparing their children for the new school year. My oldest daughter and my grandson attended a meet and greet with his new 1st grade teacher. The torch will be passed to her and she will now be purchasing supplies in bulk and helping with homework, going to open house, etc. I will definately miss those days as the P.T.F. President and attending my daughter's trach meets, but we are all now moving on to a new phase in our lives.
Change is good but it definately takes some getting used to. I kinda miss my school days. One day in particular that I remember was in kindergarten on rainy days. I loved being able to stay in class and play games most of the day. I remember feeling really loved and cozy for some reason. The colors and lights reminded me of a warm fireplace. I know that is silly, but it did. :)
As a tribute to school days past and present I have created a treasury on Etsy. Treasuries are groups of beautiful items made by the creative people that have pages on Etsy. There are so many and they are sooo creative. This treasury is an ode to Back to school. Hope you enjoy it and check out some of the pages included. Share the love!
http://http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjA1MjE2NXw2NTQxNjczMjg/back-2-school?index=0
Have a great day and dont spend too much money on new school clothes and back to school items! Oh, and good luck on the raffle and please tell a friend. You have less than 24 hours! Smooches!

Grannies Gone Wild!!!

If you wouldve asked me last year if I would make something with granny squares I wouldve thought you were crazy. Now . . . it seems that most of the items I make are with granny squares. I think of things in my head while I am sleeping, driving, cooking, etc. It seems that I eat, sleep and drink crochet and most of it is granny!

I was given a photo of a granny square skirt that was in Vogue magazine, created by a major designer and it sold for $1,300! Amazing!!! I made my take on it with a cute frilly ruffle on the bottom. Since then I have seen so many different dresses, skirts, and recently a jacket in the Vogue Knitting magazine September 2011 issue. It seems that being a granny is the new in thing!! Well, I am a granny and have recently become a new granny! My grandaughter, Katie, was born on June 26th and is the cutest thing ever!!! I have one child left and then my job will be complete!!! Yeah right!

I am in the process of switching my thinking from Summer to Fall and Winter. I need inspiration. I guess I need to walk around, go to the mall and hit a few craft fairs. I get my inspiration around creative, crafty people. There are sooo many of them!

Beginning on Monday I will have a raffle for a bag of your choice (hobo or messenger) for anyone who signs up and follows my blog page. I will post the pics of each bag. The raffle will be held on Friday September 2nd. The winner will be notified via email so please be sure to comment with your name and email address.

Give your Granny a call, hug or take her out to lunch. I wish my Granny was still here! Have a great day and Good Luck on the raffle!

Joy and Pain!

I have been going through alot of different emotions during the last two (2) months. I have lost several relatives and close friends and celebrated life through award ceremonies, grad nites, baby showers and upcoming graduations. Im not sure exactly what to feel or what I feel.

On Mother's Day I was awaken by phone call which alerted me that my brother (Ronald Maurice Spears, 47yrs) died very unexpectedly. To this very day I feel the pain in my chest as if it happened yesterday. On May 28th my godmother/surrogate mother (

Georgia Loud, 54 yrs) died of stage four (4) brain cancer. On June 7th my grandmother (Eula B. Sheffield, 87yrs) and on Wednesday, June 8th my aunt (Greshon Baker, 78yrs) died. On each of these dates my middle daughter was either going to prom or having an award ceremony! So . . . I cried for a couple of minutes, sucked it up and put on a happy face.

This past Saturday my oldest daughter had a Baby Shower celebrating my upcoming granddaughter. That same day I attended the funeral of my godmother and missed the funeral (it was out of town) of my aunt. This coming Thursday will be the funeral of my grandmother, which I will miss because I must attend my daughters High School graduation the next day. Whew! Im tired just typing it!!

So. . . I have put my Etsy shop on vacation until I can get past all of the celebrating and grieving and get inspiration to create new and beautiful items for my shop. But, the best thing that I have experience through all of this is the meeting of two new friend on Etsy. I met one Tess @ www.bannerpaperscissors.etsy.com) because I added one of her items to my treasury. We started talking and bonded. She felt compassion for my grief and mailed me a free banner to bring my happy back and make me smile! (which I did). The second person saw my crocheted items and extended an invitation for me to participate in a craft fair. I told her that I was just thinking of giving up and she shared a sermon excerpt with me that spoke about gifts from God and being patient and not giving up. This inspired me because people dont usually share their faith with friends and family let alone a stranger! I have had a few friends throughout the years but these two ladies have encouraged me in ways they will NEVER know! I am sooo grateful.

So I say to you . . . There will always be a ray of sunshine in the midst of a storm. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help, your help comes from the Lord. He will always give you a rainbow at the end of the storm and you will experience JOY while going through PAIN. Be encouraged and look our for new items in my shop in the coming weeks. Also, dont forget to check out my friend Tess' shop on Etsy. (I have included a picture of one of the banners she sent me). If she was sweet enough to be a blessing to me . . . her gifts are heaven sent and she is gifted beyond measure. Share the Love!

God doesnt make mistakes!

Summer is rapidly approaching! With summer comes brightly colored, skimpy clothing. Towards the end of the year I was obsessed with making crocheted purses from granny squares. They are actually very cute and I made alot of sales.

Now my focus has been on halter tops and dresses. They are time consuming but the end result makes me smile. I am currently working on a design but have to purchase more yarn. I went this morning to purchase more and, of course, they didnt have the color I need. I am going to make another run to another store and see if they have it. Right now I have a couple of summer items posted on my etsy site. Ive had alot of views and a couple of hearts but not alot of fan fare. I am trying not to get discouraged. But, Ive been at this for a while with not alot of results.

I am currently making changes to a bikini for my daughter's friend. They actually dont take very long to make. But, I dont have the desire to make them. I have to envision the design and create things as they come to me. Otherwise, they dont turn out very good.

That made me think of God creating the world and each and every one of us. He numbered the very hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). Once He completed it He looked at it and said "Good!". So, whenever we get discouraged and/or think we arent good enuf (2 Corinthians 12:9). . . remember that we were wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:13-14)! God doesnt make mistakes. We make the mistakes. We can also change them for the better when we "unravel" our thoughts and ways (kinda like how we unravel yarn to start a project all over again) and ask God to direct us in the correct manner we should approach our lives and thoughts. Ask God to forgive you and He will. He only wants the best for us. Just as we always want to present our best to others. God wants us to be our best so that He can get the glory.

As spring represents new life, and summer represents freedom. . . God also represents those same things. Give Him and chance. . . dont give up, stay committed keep the faith and watch things happen! Remember. . . . God doesn't amke mistakes.

EtsyMom Spotlight - Cobblestoned

I have been trying to post a new blog all week. I had lots of thoughts but no time to express them. I still dont have the time but I have committed myself to post at least once a week. Sooo. . . here goes! I have joined a couple of team on Etsy. For those of you who are not familiar with Etsy it is a site where alot of creative people who make handmade items have websites that you can browse and see their items and even purchase or make a special order if you desire. Today, I would like to spotlight the etsy site of one of my team members today. The shop has really nice jewelry. . . earrings, etc. . . I have seen a few items that I like and plan to purchase soon. My team friend is Kristina Pick and her site is Cobblestone, isnt that cute! :) I urge you to check it out. She has lots of avenues for you to do so. . . you can connect via . . . http://www.cobbledstone.com/, http://www.cobblestoned.etsy.com/, www.facebook.com/cobblestone, www.twitter.com/cobbledstone. I wouldnt suggest someone to you that I didnt think was talented or reputable. I also admire her entreprenural spirit and desire to be a great mom and design such beautiful items. Being a mom alone is hard work add a business and you are already over your head! LOL! So, while you are surfing the web, click on her site and check it out! In addition to my crocheted designs I also do balloons and vinyl, digital, handpainted signs and banners. I am working on a banner for a good friend of mine. Just found out that the store gave me the wrong version of a product I purchased for the banner. Im a little irritated because I have to make a 20-30 min drive to have it replaced. Gas is $4 and Im not smiling!!! So, Ill cut this short. Have a great day and remember to check out that site and share a smile today. Someone may really need it! God Bless.