Ahhhh... That feels so much BETTER!

Full House Crafts is a family that crafts together and sells their items in their Etsy store http://www.fullhousecrafts.etsy.com/ . This is one of the great finds from it. It is a hot and cold pack you can use with a removable sleeve. So it is convenient to wash it and it looks cute. This one is filled with rice, chamomile and milk thistle. You can heat it in the microwave or freeze it. This one was especially designed for woman to help with the monthly visit from Aunt Flo and could also be very useful for the nursing mom.

They also offer a selection of paintings, market bags and photos. It seems to me that they are a family full of talent that loves to support each other and that we love to support.

Whimsical Trees with Continuous Flow

These beautiful continuous line painting can be found at http://www.hasullivan.etsy.com Each painting is drawn with one continuous line and then painted in greens and blues. I think it has a very calm, comforting feel to it. Heather has over 10 year experience in painting and has other eye catching works in her shop. This was just one of my particular favorites. You can learn all about her in her blog. http://www.hasullivan.blogspot.com/ . Please take the time to check out her shop and show her some love.

Cupcakes for Breakfast Anyone?

I love cake. Any form of cake. I actually love birthday cake the next day for breakfast with a cup of coffee. Not very healthy I know but everyone in awhile you have to just do it because you want to.

I came across this great shop on Etsy http://www.fatdaddybakeshop.etsy.com/ Where I found ALL THAT JAZZBERRY STRAWBERRY CUPCAKE(tm) in a jar. Wow, a cupcake in a jar that you can get in the mail. How great is that. So now my mouth is watering and I would really love one. All of the cupcakes in her store make your mouth water and she has gotten piles of satisfied customers so if you have a sweet tooth yourself swing by her shop and drool to your hearts content. They would also make great birthday gifts for that person who doesn't live close. Wouldn't it be so sweet to open the mail to a wonderful cupcake on your birthday. I know I would love it.

How could you not have fun eating off this Colorful Fused Plate!

This incredible fused glass plate looks more like a great piece of art then an item you can eat off of. But you can do both, use it to serve or just put it out to dress up your kitchen. I found this great plate at http://www.littlehandstudios.etsy.com/ . There is a great selection of fused glass plates and pendants in their shop. Another great find from another great Etsy seller.

This looks so HOT...Beautiful Fashion Prints

Capree for Capree's Curiosities on Etsy has some stunning fashion prints available for purchase. You can pick three out of her choices and this one is my favorite. I love the finish on the picture and the jauntly angle of her chin. Seem's like she is saying "Is there something you wanted to say".

Capree has a passion for plants and fashion and that is how Capree's Curiosities came together. She also has a incredible collection called the 7 deadly sins available in her shop. Please take the time to see all she has to offer or swing by her blog and say hello http://www.capree.blogspot.com/

Party Bright Recycled Credit Card Bracelet adds some WOW!

This very colorful bracelet is made from recycled pieces of credit cards, gift cards, a hotel key cards. Talk about going green with your green. You can find it and other fabulous finds a http://www.prizedpossessions.etsy.com/ . The creator of this delightful piece has been beading for a couple of years and prides herself on wonderful craftsmanship. Please take the time to cruise through this shop and find your own Prized Possessions .

Whimsical Mermaid that will make you SMILE

I came across Donna from DZFantasy in the forums on Etsy. She is sweet enough to feature all kinds of artist on her blog http://dzfantasy.blogspot.com/ and was looking for some new people to feature so of course I had to check out her Etsy shop. My O’ My, what a talented lady. Her art dolls are stunning and they have so much detail. She prides herself on using the finest materials and making incredibly unique dolls. She is self taught 3-D fiber artist and it seems to me that her creativity has no bounds. Please stop by and check out her shop at http://www.dzfantasy.etsy.com/ Another great find from another great Etsy artist.

Why Was the Chair There?

For some reason there is a plastic lawn chair hanging on our fence about 4ft off the ground

And to our surprise a mama bird decided it was a great location for her nest

Here are her babies

I believe this is her or maybe it was Dad. They were quite vocal in letting us know we shouldn't have found the nest.

The first thing I thought when we found the nest is "why was the chair there". I can only think it was hung there when we were weed eating the area and we needed it out of the way. Then I thought how come she decided to make the nest there. It is low to the ground and we play in that area all the time. It is quite the beautiful nest and I do suppose the chair seems quite sturdy compared to the trees. I haven't pointed it out to the boys because I don't want them to touch it but I am glad we found it because I totally would have just grabbed the chair and not think twice about whats in it. So, from now on I will always look in chairs hanging from strange places.

My son has turned into a Troll Doll!

Do you know those silly spiky balls made out of rubber? Well my son put one of his head and I took some pictures. Here is the result. He jumped at the camera when I was clicking and now he looks like a troll doll. He doesn't normally look like a troll doll. In fact he is quite cute but I just thought this was too funny.

Movie Moments Cuff would be a Fabulous Accessory!

Have you ever noticed that in old movies they express so much want and desire with just a facial expression? So much is implied in the eyes. I think that the actors in the old romantic comedies were so talented and so is Colette Penketh from http://www.starandthimble.etsy.com/. She created this awesome cuff with stills from romantic films. I think this piece would jazz up many different outfits and what a conversation starter it would be. It is made with hand printed leather and suede. She has lots of other wonderful things in her shop so please make sure you stop by and check out this talented artist.

A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop: Gwynn's Gifts...an Etsy shop that makes me smile.

A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop: Gwynn's Gifts...an Etsy shop that makes me smile. I just love to come across nice write ups. It doesn't happen that often but I was so pleased to see this on such a great blog and to hear the wonderful compliments. Thanks so much

I am so HAPPY with these Paintings

I decided to try my hand at painting with watercolors and then using a black pen and this is what happened. I really like it and I feel that I just hit my mark. I love the way they turned out and I love using both ink and paint to create. I started small with the green and blue one and then moved up to 8x11 for the pink and orange one. I can't wait to try more colors and shapes.

Snowy Night Cups in Beautiful Blue

This gorgeous cups were created by Amy Esther
and they are available at http://www.amyesther.etsy.com/

The beautiful blue of the glaze is what caught my eye. According to the artist the cups are 3" x 3" and hold 6 to 7 ounces.
"That's just right for two ice cubes and a 3 oz drink...I highly recommend trying a touch of Bailey's Irish Cream in one of them!"
For more beautiful handmade ceramics to drool over please make sure to stop by her Etsy shop.

My Darling Niece in her Polka Dot Dress

I got this lovely dress for niece because I just couldn't resist. The cut and style of the dress remind me of simpler times in fashion. So we had her run around the back yard so I could snap pictures and this one is my favorite. She just turned two last month and is talking up a storm. Most of it we can't understand but she says it with such intent. She is also not really fond of the camera and its really hard to get her to look at you. I think I will have lots of fun playing with this in PaintShop Pro

Beautiful Spirelli Greeting Card

My mom created this beautiful greeting card with Spirelli String Art. I love all the dimensions she used and the beautiful color combinations. You can find this and others at our shop http://www.gwynnsgifts.com/

Art Deco Darling Print

So many beautiful pictures can be found at www.matouenpeluche.etsy.com It is a shop full of beautiful women available as print, cards and original art. I love the simple lines and bold colors in all the pieces. This one in particular caught my eye because of the coy look she has. Another great find from another great artist on Etsy. The talent on Etsy never seems to amaze me.

The Birthday Party Rocked!

The water war was a blast. The kids and Adults had so much fun and everyone got into it. We filled up over 400 water balloons and they were gone in minutes but it was so worth it. that was one of the kids stashes of water balloons and the cake was decorated by me and my two sons. We went with an underwater theme due to the water war. The kids and I painted on seaweed, octopus, jellyfish, shells and various other things. I think we ate as much frosting as we used on the cake but it turned out delicious. there was only one piece left at the end of the day. I also had scooped ice cream into plastic cups with a spoon the night before and that made the cake and ice cream part so much easier. Everyone just grabbed a cup of ice cream. When all was said and done Cody's 6th birthday will definelty be remembered with lots of laughs and good times.