2009 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER!

Happy New Year

I hope 2008 was your best year ever and I hope 2009 tops that

I will be back to post my goals for the upcoming year soon (as soon as I figure them out). I hope by putting it our there for everyone to see it will motivate me even more. I love having a goal list because it is so much fun to cross them off when you accomplish them. Happy Thoughts.

Matching Sweater Maddness

I confess, this year I bought my 6 and 8 year old matching sweaters. I have never done this before but I just couldn't resist when I found one of each of their sizes. I think children dressed up a like is adorable but my boys have never fallen into that category because they have very distinct different taste in clothes. In fact they both have had a strong opinion about what they want to wear since they were able to communicate. My youngest has always liked to dress like a skater or a grunge rocker. He does not own a sweater (until this Christmas). My oldest has a thing for collared shirts and he loves sweaters. He is very skinny and tall so he is always cold so the sweaters are just right. He always looks like he is ready to go get the family pictures done. He loved the new sweater I picked.
So when it came time to go visit the grandparnets I asked both boys to put on their sweaters. Mason didn't mind but when Cody had to put his on there was a bit of eye rolling and moaning going on. It was pretty funny. I made him a deal and said he only had to wear it long enough for me to take some pictures and then he could take it off. This picture is one of the cute ones I got. Cody asked his big brother to hop on for a piggy back ride. I think this will be the one and only set of pictures with matching sweaters but I LOVE IT. And.... Cody never did take his sweater off and wore it all day when we were visiting family untll bedtime. Perhaps there is a least one more matching sweater picture in my future

The Case of the Towering Hats

My son Cody was playing with my box of hats and decided to stack them. I was amazed at how high he got this tower of hats to go by himself. He just seemed to be adding more and more. This is the last shot before it tipped.

Kids Christmas Creations Are Done

The boys finally got their Christmas presents made and they turned out wonderful.

First they picked out mugs for everyone and then they made "Special Hot Chocolate".

I created the labels on the computer with the names they created for them. Then we dipped coffee stir sticks in baking chocolate for stirring the drink. We packaged everything together and put them in small paper bags. Next the boys created reindeer labels with their thumbprints. They turned out too cute. Then we tied everything with a bow. They are so excited to give away their presents tomorrow and I think everyone will be super happy with them. We did these steps over the last two weeks because I only get about a 1/2 hour of focused work from each child. The great thing about the hot chocolate mix is that is also taste super good added to your coffee. Which is how my husband and I have been sampling it since it was created.

We hope everyone has a great holiday and a very Merry Christmas.

LOTS MORE SNOW DAYS

The snow has just kept coming. I believe we will all be celebrating Christmas at home because we cant get out of the driveway

SNOW DAY!!!!

We all got a snow day today. Here is a shot of our craft cabin

My boys and I created this video using stop animation. It was our first attempt at it and we had a blast. Mason created the whole background and Cody (his little brother) did all the scenery. It was so hard not to change things around but I truly wanted it to be there own creations and they had so much fun. We spent a couple of hours creating it and only ended up with 30 seconds of video. They are already thinking of different things to do next.

Rocket Ships Rule!

www.grandyandbaa.etsy.com

Creative Kids Christmas Presents

Every year since my first son was 1 we have come up with a Christmas presents the kids can make. I feel it is so important for them to have the joy of giving at Christmas. Especially something they have made with their own two hands. Every year I have the pleasure of watching them present their family and friends with their creations. You can see the pride on their faces when they say they have made it all by themselves. I remember having that same pride as a child. My mom and I would always come up with something I could make that was affordable and not too time consuming but really cool in my eyes.

For the last couple of years my boys have made tie dyed socks for everyone. We would pick the really heavy duty socks that you want to wear around the house and I would get those great kits from the craft store that have all the dyes in bottles you can squirt out. It was a challenge to make the two socks match each other and we had fun trying out different methods. Last year my son Mason actually drew pictures on each sock with something he thought the person liked. It turned out great. The socks held up great and we didn’t have any incidents with the laundry turning colors.

This year we are trying something different. The boys are creating specialty hot chocolate that we are going to package and stick in mugs. We have spent the last month and a half collecting cool coffee cups from thrift stores. We plan on doing different flavored hot chocolate. So far our favorite is the Cinnamon Hot Chocolate. We designed labels with instructions and their names on it so we can mark each flavor. We are also going to dip wooden stir sticks in chocolate so the Hot Chocolate can be served with it. The mugs have been fun to choose for the different people. I am amazed at how accurate the kids are in picking mugs. Each boy is picking someone in a couple. Mason is doing his Uncle and Cody is doing his Aunt. I look forward to putting the whole thing together. We have been doing it in phases the kids don’t get burned out. I have found that they do best when we only work on one thing for about a half hour. Then it stays fun. I will make sure to post some pictures when we get it all put together.

Gettin into the Groove of Things

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The list of things I am Thankful Could go on Forever

It is the time of year where we all start thinking about what we are thankful for. It is so easy to remember what sucks but it is so much more gratifying to think of all the wonderful things we are lucky to have in our lives. I am, by nature a very optimistic person and I try very hard to only think of the wonderful things I am lucky to have. Sometimes it is harder then others but most of the time it is so easy. I just look around at my wonderful family, friends and the world I live in. I go to bed each night thinking I what a lucky person I am and my dreams are wonderful.

When I was younger and used to get frustrated or down on my luck about situations or family I would turn on Jerry Springer and it would work magic. If you ever thought your life sucked then you just had to watch Jerry Springer and realize that life is not so bad. My brother wasn’t sleeping with my sister, my mom wasn’t sleeping with boyfriend and my husband and my friends hadn’t all stabbed me in the back. I know it was probably not healthy to feel better because other people had such miserable lives but it certainty put things into perspective back then.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving holiday and may all the things you are thankful for make you feel fortunate and loved.

I love great Quotes

Self-acceptance comes from meeting life's challenges vigorously. Don't numb yourself to your trials and difficulties, nor build mental walls to exclude pain from your life. You will find peace not by trying to escape your problems, but by confronting them courageously. You will find peace not in denial, but in victory.
J. Donald Walters
American Author, Lecturer, Playwright

A Fun new site to Sell Your Items Artfire.com

Always Amy stopped by and referred me to a new site that sells handcrafted items call ArtFire. I of course checked it out and loved it. They have a very easy sign up and it was really easy to list products. I have signed up for the free account to see what kind of traffic I can get but I am seriously considering signing up for there great deal of $7.00 a month for life. That is all they would charge for you to do unlimited listings and 10 pictures a listings. They seem to really have a grasp on handcrafted items and they are really promoting having a greener earth. It is in beta right now and I hope I got all the specifics right. So please stop by and check it out www.Artfire.com If you end up signing up please let them know GwynnsGifts sent you.
Here is a link to one of our listing
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=7147

Have a Wonderful Day
Heather

I am 85% Sure. Really!

I just read a very interesting article in O magazine. The question people had to answer was what are you sure of. There where some incredible answers but the one that spoke to me the most was the answer . I am 85% sure and that’s okay. That of course is not a direct quote but what I summarized from the article and I love it. That are so many things in life that you can’t be 100% sure of and if you are 85% sure then that is great. For some reason I found that to be a very comforting thought. There are really lots of things I know for sure.

I would do anything to protect my children
I have found the love of my life
My family is always first
My family is always there when I need them
I really like who I am as a person
We are all going to die someday and it is okay
If we try our best and fail the world is not going to end
A baby hug is the coziest hug in the world
Yellow is not a good color for me because it makes me look ill
Singing in the shower is good for your health

Now on the other hand there are so many things I don’t know for sure but feel pretty comfortable with. All of those thoughts, plans, dreams, hopes, and concerns are going to fall in my 85% sure of column and it is all going to be okay because at the end of the day, my life is GOOD!

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

My Boys are on a Website

I was so excited when I found out my boys were pictured on a website and it wasn't my own. I entered some pictures for a "Cute Kid Contest" and my son Cody was picked. So his picture was in 10,000 publications of this booklet. Then the owner of the company called me and said she had put the picture of my two boys standing together on the website. How cool is that? My oldest Mason was on a poster for "Walk to School" campaign. I feel like a got a couple of little models on my hand. Then my son paints a picture around his belly button and says "look mom, it can talk" Then reality hits and I just smile. Life is wonderful and my boys are precious.
Here is the site if you want to check it out http://www.hooknowswhatcom.com/

Enthusiasm Rocks!!!!

I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm.
Henry Truman

Beautiful Starfish

I love the colors in this picture. They are so fluid and happy. This shop is new to Etsy and I am sure she will have lots of success with her work

Please stop by and see all the other wonderful pictures

http://www.believeinart.etsy.com/

DREAM!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
Henry David Thoreau

For the Little Girl who has Everything

This is the most incredible dollhouse furniture I have ever seen. It has so much detail and amazing workmanship. And it is so tiny. I found this in the shop Dressed Beds by Kelly Curtis on Etsy. There is so many beautiful choices. Now if I could only decorate a nursery like this in real size.

The Most EXCITING THING!

The most arousing thing my husband can say is

"I'll Take Care of That"

"Let me do the Dishes"

"I'll put the kids to bed"

"I love to clean the bathroom"

"Prosperity is living easily and happily in the real world, whether you have money or not."
Jerry Gellis

Kids Pick! Custom Firehouse Playhouse

My kids and I were browsing the toy selection at Etsy.com and came across the coolest thing ever. We found this custom firehouse playhouse that goes over a card table. It has so many wonderful details and extras. You can customize it with your name, color and city. There is removable mail and apples. It is made from eco friendly felt.

The playhouse is available in lots of different themes like fairy cottage, princess, and post office. The feedback for this product is amazing and the whole item is hand stitched.

If you think this is something you would LOVE to have please contact http://www.missprettypretty.etsy.com/ before the 5th of November because she is going to stop taking orders for the holidays by then.

Jungle Jive Funky Jungle Inspired Piece

Who could resist a place with the name HappyArt4u. No me! I thought it was such a great name that I took the time to look around and found tons of great pieces. This piece uses recycled cardboard, magazine clippings, pressed papers and mod podge and comes together so harmoniously. You can check out this and many more "happy" creations at http://www.happyart4u.etsy.com/

Penguin Holiday Card... Perhaps I will pick this one

Here is my newest painting turned into a card. I love all the fun colors so now I can't decide which one to use for my holiday card. The penguin or the snowman? Maybe I should paint another one with both the penguin and snowman. It is available in our shop http://www.gwynnsgifts.com/ and if you are interested in purchases a larger quantity for the holidays we would be happy to give you a discount.

The Value of your Greatest Supporters

I have great cheerleaders. I have wonderful support of my mom, husband, kids, brothers and friends. They seem to like everything I create. They are always pushing me to continue with whatever my newest work is. I don’t know what I would do without them. I really couldn’t imagine accomplishing so much by myself. It feels so good to have compliments and encouragement. I wish I could give them all little trophies that said thanks for being my cheerleader. I truly hope everyone had there own private cheerleading squad. If I had my choice I would have mine meet once a week and they could wear blue and green cheerleading outfits and they all would have there own pom poms. Maybe they could even come up with a little cheer I could play when I needed a little perk me up

Stunning Steampunk Embroidery Cuff

This amazing cuff can be found at http://www.waterrose.etsy.com/ The attention to detail and all the hand stitching is just incredible. The whole shop is full of beautiful items.

This Owl Outfit is Adorable!

http://www.ashlisarmoire.etsy.com/

Gothic Mini Top Hat with Peacock Feather

I stopped by www.kaleidoskopicromance.etsy.com today and spotted this new Gothic Mini Top hat with the Peacock feather and just had to share. I featured Kaleidoskopicromance back in June and it was a big success so I thought everyone might want to see more.

It feels good to get it OUT! My new Christmas Paintings

Last month or so I brought my paintings into a imaging store and meet the man who runs it. He loved my work. I have never heard it call "my work" before so I thought that was really cool. I wanted my paintings turned into greeting cards and he did an amazing job. He matched the colors perfectly and they turned out wonderful. I have just been in for my third trip and picked up the cards from paintings I did for Christmas. I wanted them to have a holiday theme but I wanted something very colorful and cheery. I love the way the snowman turned out and that he looks so happy. I think I am going to use him for our family holiday card. I also am very pleased with my PINK Christmas tree. I always thought it would be cool to have a pink Christmas tree. I have got them listed on our etsy site http://www.gwynnsgifts.com/ and I hope they do well. I am also thinking of bringing them around to the local stores to see if maybe they want to stock them for the holidays. I just finished a really colorful penguin painting that I will share with you when I pick it back up. I would love to hear what you think about the cards.

At Long Last ... Incredible

My mom came by this beautiful painting by Jaime Best on Etsy at http://www.bestartstudios.etsy.com/ I just love the flow and colors of this original. She is a self taught artist with over 1000 original paintings done. Her store is full of awe inspiring paintings.

Underwear Man and his assistant Teddy Bear Underwear

Let me start with “kids do the darndest things”. My son was especially energetic tonight at bedtime and as I was listening to him giggle I hear him say “Underwear Man”. Which of course immediately caught my attention? I crept up to peek in the room and saw him standing at the bottom of his brothers bed, posed like a super hero with underwear on his head, underwear on each arm and actually wearing underwear (he refused to wear them any other time and mostly the underwear in the drawer is just for looks). He is 6 years old and just goes to prove that anything can make a superhero. He thought he was so funny. I told him to get to bed and leave his brother along. He asked if he could sleep in his costume and I said yes. Next thing you know he is hollering for me. I go in the room and he introduces me to his new assistant. Teddy Bear Underwear. Who is of course decked out in his own whitey tighties? I got a good laugh from that and now the superhero’s in underwear are fast asleep.

If I carried a FLASK, it would be this one.

I was checking out the newer shops on Etsy and came across this gorgeous tooled leather flask available at www.OpheliaBlue.etsy.com . There is also a journal available with the same motif. It is really just stunning.
I could just imagine pulling this puppy out of my inside jacket pocket and taking a sip. I just know everyone would want to know where I got it from. Wouldn't this make a great guy gift for the upcoming holidays?

Check out what I Found!

I found these wonderful Parrot Pirate wipes at http://www.cheylocreations.etsy.com/ They are cute, fun and practical. You can use them over and over again on your baby and they are so good for our environment. She says they are super soft and you get 5 of them for only $6.00. You really can't beat the price and there are lots of designs to choose from. Please stop by and check out her shop.

A Squirrel was in my STORE!

Yesterday when I was opening my family consignment store I got quite the surprise. In fact, I think my heart tried to jump out of my chest. I was rounding the corner to go into my back room to put something away and a squirrel jumped out of one of my racks. I froze, or maybe jumped I could have even screamed but I am not sure. I wanted to run and it certainly did, actually it seemed to fly. I didn’t run because I wanted to see where it was going so that I didn’t get surprised again. So inside my head was bonking back and forth STAY, RUN, STAY, and RUN
Of course my practical side stood its ground so that I could see where the little bugger decided to land. It almost seemed like he could fly. He went from rack to rack to wall and then to the window. He was hanging onto the trim and just scratching at the window with one hand. The whole thing reminded me of Hammy for the movie OVER THE HEDGE
I decided the smart thing for me to do was to find a way out for him. I opened my back door and he didn’t seem inclined to leave that way. He didn’t seem to want to move away from the window at all. I know they are small furry creatures that actually look quite cute but when they are jumping all over your store they seem more like rapid little rodents. To continue, I decided I would try to slide the window open so I ventured away quite quickly to get the broom and when I came back he was still there. I slowly moved the pole towards him and the window and he went jumping back the other way. Which of course made me want to jump and run? I didn’t, I just slowly slide the window opened and circle wide around him to encourage him to go back towards the window. He got the idea and went flying towards the open window and missed. Smacked straight into the glass and then fell to the ground, jumped back up and decided on a different route. He tried again and just barely made it by two claws. So he is hanging there holding on with all his might and trying to climb the glass with his hind legs just pumping away. By this point I am cheering him on “Come On little fellow you can do it” (I was still gripping the broom just in case he changed routes) and HE DID finally make it out the window which I promptly shut along with the back door.
I spent the rest of the day on edge and peering around all the corners. I was especially loud and noisy too. I am sure he was as scared as I was but I hope to never see him again. I am not sure how he got in but I do leave my doors open all the time. I am thinking that maybe I locked him in for the night. I also thing I will leave all my doors closed for awhile.

Socktopus has been Recycled!!!!

This is too cute. Recycled Wool Sweater Plush Octopus that is really a Socktopus. This delightful creation can be found at http://www.blackbirdfashion.etsy.com/ There are a great many different creatures to be found in all kinds of wonderful colors. These are sure to put a smile on any ones face from a newborn to a grand mama.

Your Little One Can Pretend to be A Chef

Sometimes you come across a great product and you just think "How Cute" This was my first thought when I found this darling Little Chef Pretend Play Set at http://www.littlepeanutshop.etsy.com/ How perfect would it be for that little helper in your life. It comes with an Apron, Pots Holders and a tiny table linens set. I can just imagine the fun you would have making treats to go with your afternoon tea. The design of this set is so cheery and colorful. If you are into pretend then you will also love the monster tail available. It just made me smile. All creations at LittlePeanutShop are done by a stay at home mom who manages to create in her spare time "nap time" Please stop by and shop.

He's a SCREAMER!!

This Clay version of Edvard Munch's Famous "the scream" can be found at HAPPYMONKEYART on Etsy. He stands about 3" tall and is a great reminder that things could be worse. The people behind Happy Monkey Art are two best friends who love creative art and it shows. Please swing by their shop and check out all the wonderful items they have to offer.

I have been sent to JAIL to help raise money!

I have been sent to JAIL to help raise money for Jerry's Kids.

Somebody who is in the "witness protection plan" has turned me in to "Jail" I got the call earlier this week and they are sending over the paddy wagon to pick me up and "arrest" me.

I have never been part of a fund raising challenge but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to get started. I have always wanted to help and this is such a great cause. The "bail" I raise will help send two kids to MDA camp.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect a million Americans. MDA is making landmark achievements in research for cures and treatments of these devastating neuromuscular diseases. These lifelines of help and hope are only possible with support like yours. Nearly all funding come from private donors. If you would like to help please check out the web page I have set up. Any amount helps.

https://www.joinmda.org/2008bellinghamlockup/heathersaulsbury

Thank you for taking the time to read and for your generous donation in helping me reach my "BAIL"

Wow! Wonderful Mosaic Wall

My mother in law is doing a wonderful job of making her boring wall into a mosaic wall with an incredible underwater scene. You should check it out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/CuckKooCottage/Mosaics/photo#5238274993705996882

Beautiful Wedding Cake Toppers

This beautiful hand crafted cake topper was made by the hands at www.Livinginthepast.etsy.com They are made from polymer clay and would surely be a wonderfully unique item to make your special day perfect. Living in the Past has lots of choices for cake toppers and doll house miniatures and is based in South Australia. She is available to do customs orders so if you have something special in mind don't hesitate to chat. Another talented hand crafted artist you can find on Etsy so please stop by and take a look.

The Freedom of Riding on the Back of The Motorcycle.

Do you every dream of a place with no worries, no concerns and no interruptions? Well I have found that place. It is riding behind my husband on his KLX Motorcycle. I never thought riding behind someone on a motorcycle could be so much fun but I am so glad that I did it.
When I swing my leg over that seat and snuggle in behind my husband I know that for a little while I don’t have to worry about a thing. I can’t talk to anyone, I can’t answer the phone and I can’t accomplish anything. I just have to be, relax and enjoy. I only have to hold on and move with the bike which just comes naturally. I feel the most protected and safe when I am riding behind my husband. I trust him completely to take me wherever he wants to go and that he will protect me at all costs. You would think that be that exposed would be scary or terrifying but it isn’t for me. It is like a whole new world has opened up. I feel like I am floating on a cloud of pleasure and just soaring thru the atmosphere. I can feel every change in the environment. I can feel the shade of the trees cooling my body and the heat of the direct sun warming me up again. I can smell all the wonderful scents of summer, the flowers, the trees, the grass and the BBQ’s. I can’t see what is ahead of me but I can see all around me. I have nothing better to do then simple enjoy the experience.

We are going to get me my own bike but I am in no hurry. I know I will enjoy it but for now I am more then happy to strap that helmet on and just hold onto my husband and experience the open road with the one I love.

My husband and I at the top of a mountain we rode the bike to.

Blog Love.... Oh' how I enjoy it!

I really really enjoying blogging. I also really enjoy clicking along reading everyone’s blog. I am always amazed about the great information I come across, the wonderful stories people write and the great finds people share.
I love getting little glimpses of people’s lives. I feel so often that I have come across a kindred soul and that without the wonderful world of the Internet I wouldn't be able to stumble upon such great characters.
If time allowed it and I didn't have so many other commitments I think I could spend my days dashing from blog to blog reading all kinds of things and leaving wonderful comments. Where else can you share your thoughts so easily with the entire world? It is just amazing.

Custom Drawn Photo Charm

Great personalized items are available at CraftyGirlFred. She takes a picture that you have supplied and turns it

into something you will cherish for a very long time. You can have it turned into a necklace, bracelet, key chain or part of a charm bracelet. I thought this would make such a great gift for a grandma with a picture of their grandchild. Maybe a whole charm bracelet with all the grandkids would be fantastic. Please swing by her shop and check out all she has to offer on Etsy. Where handmade

is the only way.

Mushrooms have Sprouted!

I finally just got some new watercolor paper and I was asking my kids what they thought I should paint and my 7 year old son asked for colorful mushrooms in different sizes. This is the result and he loved it.

A new picture I did with watercolors and pens. I was trying out colorful backgrounds. I like the way it turned out.

The internet has gone on VACATION!!!

My husband and I have decided to take a break from the Internet and Cable TV so that we can spend more time together as a family. So we have eliminated the internet at home and are only using it for a limited amount of time a work.
It is amazing how much time we all spent online. The first couple of days were very enlightening. When there was nothing exciting to do the TV or the Internet went on in an instant. Now that it is not there we have been reading more, playing cards and spending a lot more time talking to each other. My children even seemed to adapt faster then my husband and I. I do love to write and surf and promote my business but I want that to be my second choice and my family to be my first.
So, the blog writing will be a lot shorter and not so much for a while so I hope everyone enjoys there summer and I will be back to do more when the sun stops shining so much.

John Lennon Walks in White

www.aJubliantCollective.etsy.com

Monkey’s and Giraffe’s O' My!

Crafts by Candice made this adorable file Birthday Card with a giraffe and Monkey on it. I really like the unique shape of the card and all of the wonderful colors. This would be a perfect card for that little boy in your life or anyone that loves wild animals. She also has in her shop a great greeting card that is shaped like flip flops which would be great for any beach lover you know. She can be found at http://www.drumchick99.etsy.com/

Nature Lover Twisted Bracelet

This delightful creation can be found in the wonderful shop of http://www.naturalamber.etsy.com/ on Etsy.

This bracelet features twirls of beaded stone, shell and vintage wood. They are a wonderful combination of natural colors. Amber strives for color, beauty, and originality in every piece she makes. Her obvious love of nature is evident in her work. You can also read more about her on her blog http://naturalamber.wordpress.com/ She is new to Etsy and has lots to offer so please stop by her shop and check out all her pieces.

Handmade is always made with lots of heart.

Strawberry Delight in her hair Tonight!

This uniquely handcrafted hair piece can be found at http://www.clippyhut.etsy.com/ There are tons of delightful choices to be found at the shop to make your little girl look even more adorable. There are butterflies, flowers and seasonal choices. This handmade shop is run by a SAHM with twin girls. It's amazing that she has time to create so please stop by and check out her shop.