Thursday, May 28, 2009

Decoratethediva http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5385458 created this beautiful treasury. I was fortunate enough to be included in it. It made the Front Page this morning. All of these items are beautiful. I'm honored to be in such good company. She has a beautiful shop with some great jewelry pieces. Don't forget to visit her and check it out.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Spring has Sprung

As I was strolling down the gravel road leading back to the barn I caught a glimpse of something black and speckled on the ground. After living in Arizona for so many years I've become programmed to see small quiet things on the ground (think snakes, scorpions, tarantulas eek!) Anyway, on this day I saw something else. Right in the middle of the roadway was a little nest containing 4 black speckled eggs. They're pretty large eggs at nearly 1 1/2 inches long. Aren't they cute!



My first thought was to wonder why the mommy nested right smack dab in the middle of the road, directly on the gravel. I had never seen that before. Suddenly I heard some aggressive chirping. I looked in the grass nearby and saw what looked like an injured bird. She was flopping, flailing her wings and acting as if she had been in a cat fight. Some investigation showed that this is the normal habit of the Killdeer.
Apparently they lay their eggs on the gravel with no other nesting material so they will blend in to escape being seen by egg eating predators. The mommy birds will separate themselves from the nest when danger approaches (me) and make themselves appear to be wounded and easy pickings to distract the intruder from their young. These birds are precocial birds, meaning that they stay within the egg longer than other many birds do. The eggs are larger and contain more nutrients allowing them to stay longer and therefore develop more prior to hatching. Apparently they will be nearly self sufficient when they're hatched, with a little tutoring from Mom. How long this process will take I don't know. I'm concerned about the location of this nursery and hope that we all remember not to walk or drive over it. I'm going to keep tabs on it and get pics up once the babies arrive if I can.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Amazing Photographer

While in the Etsy forums today I happened upon a new shop. I am always in awe of really amazing photos, maybe because I am so completely photography illiterate (is that a word?). Anyway, I saw some beautiful shots taken by Valentine Photography. Here are 2 of them.




Go to
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7121173 to see more beautiful photos.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Twins New additions to the Family

OK, that title grabbed you didn't it? Actually my huge excitement is over my new washer/dryer. My husband bought this set for me for Mother's Day. It was only delivered today though. I've needed a new set for a while. I put a huge workload on appliances in keeping up with my family and their various messes. I just love this set so much I had to show you all.


I've got seven kids from 5-34 years old. Trust me, this is a close to twins as I'm getting.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Front Page!

Thank you so much to The PaperKingdom for incuding me in this beautiful treasury!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Featured Seller

I'm so excited to be able to introduce you to one of my new friends. I asked her to tell us about herself. I'd like you to meet Lori. After you read all about her don't forget to visit her at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6449096
You'll be glad you did.



I'm 48 years old and I was born in Sanford, Florida. When I was a year old, my parents moved to a small nine-acre farm in the rural outskirts of Tampa. I grew up the oldest of five children with a strong work ethic. My childhood was spent milking a cow, shoveling manure, and working in a large garden--not to mention changing lots of my brothers and sisters dirty diapers! In 1979 I graduated from Jefferson High School and that fall married my husband, Alan. We have been together ever since; this year we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. We presently live in Palm Harbor with five parrots and one Maine Coon cat.

Although I was a voracious reader as a child (I read Gone With the Wind when I was ten years old, with a dictionary by my side to help me understand it!) and I had definite artistic ability, both in drawing and writing, artistic fields were discouraged by my mother, who didn't feel it was a 'real' job. Therefore, I took extensive clerical classes in high school, and became a very proficient typist. For the next five or six years after graduation, I worked in offices, but was often restless and bored. In 1981, fed up with being chained to a desk for $6.00 an hour, I started my own cleaning business. For the next 27 years I cleaned both residential and commercial, often working for millionaires due to my high standards. At last the physical labor took its toll, and I decided to retire.

I had given writing serious attention and penned my first novel, Crawford County, around 2005. I had previously written many short stories, all rejected by mainstream magazines and journals, and disgusted with the publishing industry that has a tendency to churn out cookie cutter writing, I decided to learn how to make books and market my own work. My first published book is currently available in my store, entitled Fabricated Family--A Comedy of Victorian Biographies.





The book is sharp, witty, with double wordplay and definitely NOT mainstream. Is it marketable by current publishing industry standards?


I've never submitted any of my work to an agent, so that remains to be seen. Although the reading public seems hesitant to purchase a hardcover book put together by a writer that is not only the creator, editor, and bookbinder, the books and stories I've sold have met with an unwaveringly positive response. I am presently polishing and refining my novel, with the goal of copywriting it and releasing it to the public (in my store) within the next year. I enjoy complete creative control, a rarity for mainstream, professionally published writers. Perhaps I may eventually submit my work to an agent, but for now, I'm content to enjoy my freedom and make people laugh.

While I am primarily a writer, I also love vintage and antique items, and so my store carries vintage jewelry, china, and crystal.
I am restlessly creative, with a need to learn and create new things, so making my own books may not be the only handmade items in my store. I am already exploring the idea of making dolls and I am presently working on another comic story, entitled "Angels of Assisi Asylum", based on the photograph used in my Etsy avatar.
FabricatedFamily
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6449096

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Stray

You city dwellers have probably found a stray or two in your yard at one time or another. This is the kind of stray I get. About a year ago I had at least 50 of them munching grass in my yard. That time they stayed for 2 days. Isn't she cute?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Susan Bolye Lets hear it for the girl!

I am blown away by the pure, honest and natural talent of this amazing lady. This is Susan Boyle singing I Dreamed a Dream on the season finale of Britain's Got Talent.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Handmade For You

If you love handmade creations as much as I do, you really have to visit
http://madeforyoublog.blogspot.com/
There is an ever growing collection of amazing creations and artists. You can browse them all or easily click to go directly to their shop to purchase or contact them. No doubt many of them offer custom creations as I do. Check it out!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Featured Artist

I have discovered an amazing artist on Etsy. I would love to introduce you all to her. She creates the most adorable soft sculpture animals. I noticed her when one of her sweet little lambs caught my eye. I asked her to tell us a little bit about herself. Meet Judy Elizabeth of judyelizabethsflock.etsy.com


I was born in northern Illinois and lived there until I moved to Montana in 1970.
I live in a very rural area on a ranch in the northwestern part of Montana right by the US/Canadian border. We raise beef cattle. At one time we also raised sheep -- I loved my sheep and found that I could easily handle them when they were lambing. In the early 1980's I designed a soft sculpture lamb ornament. From that small design I began to make my lambs/ewes bigger and bigger. In 1984 I began the process of copyrighting my lambs/ewes and any other designs that I created. I then obtained a Design Patent on my lamb/ewe design. I trademarked and established a business name of Judy Elizabeth's Flock (my first and middle names). My soft sculpture lambs and ewes are based on a special ewe, Jena, that I raised as a bum and all the other ewes and lambs during the 16 years we raised sheep. Jena was a white-faced ewe and had long black lashes and freckles on her nose. I added the lashes to my lambs/ews and since I am a cartoonist by nature, exaggerated the lashes on each and every lamb. I love the lashes! The only sheep I raise now are made with my needle and thread!



I have been sewing since I was a child. I have always loved fabric and design. When I was very young, I also loved to draw cartoons. I designed and made soft sculpture bears, rabbits, and hand puppets. When my children were growing up I designed and made hand puppets and as a family we put on puppet shows. I truly enjoy being creative with my hands. Stenciling is another art I love to do.

Each lamb or ewe that I make gives me a special joy. I enjoy putting on the bows and bells. I think every little lamb or ewe needs a bell. I always had them on my favorite ewes.



I worked off the ranch in the summer in law enforcement starting in 1979. After approximately 29 years of working part-time and full-time in law enforcement I retired the end of 2007.

I heard about Etsy from Martha Stewart while watching her TV show and that is how I started my shop on Etsy.

I decided to start making my little lambs and ewes and opened my shop on Etsy in March of 2008. I joined the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team and have made many friends and am part of a wonderful support group.

What is so great about the Etsy community is that you get to communicate with wonderful people all over the world.

Rosemary featured one of my items in her treasury and I featured one of her beautiful clutches in one of my treasuries!

I look for the best in people and in every situation and I am an optimist. I am a people person and enjoy meeting and getting to know people! Everyone has such an interesting story to tell.

I had a special order to make a ewe with a lamb at her side for a new mother-to-be! I love all my little sheep but the ones made with the wool sherpa are the softest!


My Etsy shop is: http://judyelizabethsflock.etsy.com
My Blog is: http://judyelizabethsflock.blogspot.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

A big thank you to my fellow Etsians

I was lucky enough to have been noticed by some amazing artists today. All of them are awesome in their field. Each one has been kind enough to include one of my clutches in a treasury along with some other amazing etsy artists. Fabricated Family has some gorgeous things in her shop. Here is one of them.

She added a flower arrangement to a beautiful vintage piece creating a true work of art. Check out her shop to see many other beautiful things.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6449096

Here is the treasury she curated
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50820

RedRobinDesigns included one of my clutches as well. She actually makes her own buttons! They're so pretty! Here's a little peek

You really should pop into her cute shop. You won't be sorry you did, if you love cool things that is. You can find her here
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6257279
and here is the treasury she curated.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50500

Raw Beauty added one of my clutches too. I told you, I was blessed today. Raw Beauty actually makes her own organic beauty products. They look scrumptious! Here's a tiny glimpse into her beautiful world

The stunning treasury she created it here. Please check it out
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50448

Canadian Creationz used one of my embroidered Peacock Feather Clutches in her treasury. She has a real eye for color and blended them beautifully
Here is the one she curated http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50681
After I saw it I checked out her shop at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20977263
I was thrilled to see beautifully handpainted homewares among other things
I marked this trivet with a heart because it matches my kitchen and I'm coming back for it soon.
It looks like TabithasBeads loves purple and blue as much as I do. She created one using my Spring Flower in purple clutch. Stroll on over to see it at
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=50871 I ventured into her shop and found this gorgeous bracelet there. Isn't it great?!

I really can't thank you all enough for including my clutches in your beautiful treasuries.

Friday, April 3, 2009

I DID IT! I made the Front Page on Etsy!

OMG! I'm so excited!. Thank you so much to adornbyamysingley for including my clutch!

What a pair!

So I'm rambling around last night and checked out the shop of one of my friends on MyCraft.com. Her name is Leandrea and she's a real sweetie. Anyway, Leandrea makes some awesome jewelry. I have several peacock themed clutches in my shop so I was thrilled to see her gorgeous peacock feather earrings. I've paired them up with one of my clutches. Awesome huh? I think the next one I embroider I will fine tune to exactly match the colors in her earrings. You really need to check out her shop
http://www.blaisedenvy.com/

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Featured Again

What a nice surprise! I woke up to discover that Planet Treasure had featured my Floral in Watercolors clutch in her treasury this morning. She created a beautiful one using green and purple, a gorgeous combination. Here is the treasury shot


Planet Treasure does beautiful work. There is so much to see in her shop. I fell in love with this piece

but that's just the beginning. She has lots of jewelry and even has some very cute appliqued T shirts there. Drop in her shop and see for yourself
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5227261

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A Chickadee Treasury

RedPanda was kind enough to have included my Spring Chickadee Clutch in her gorgeous treasury. So many sweet little birds. I'm honored to have been included. Here is the treasury she curated.


After I discovered the treasury I discovered her shop. She's an amazing chainmail jewelry artist. So many things to see there that I found it difficult to select my favorite piece. If you like fun and fabulous jewelry you really have to check out her shop at

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=22621

I think I like this one best, since it reminds me of a piece I had a long time ago.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

New Website

Well, I finally did it. Or at least I've spent the day attempting to do it. I've been working on a new website. I don't have the Paypal buttons or shopping cart set up yet. Instead for now I'm linking to my etsy shop to see more pics or purchase. Check it out at

www.clutchthatonline.com

Let me know if you find bugs. I so need to get a pro for this.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Easter Hatchlings from Nifty Knits

Nifty Knits has been busy making the most adorable Easter Hatchlings! Here is an example of her adorable creations. You can see more at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5829594
She's also been very sweet and helpful to me. Thank you Nifty Knits!

Featured in Treasuries

It's my lucky day!. Today 3 of my items were featured in Treasuries!The first was curated by Shinianen. She has the most adorable stuffies in her shop. Check them out http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5167969. Here is my favorite one. Isn't he sweet!




Here is the treasury she created. She did an amazing job didn't she? The Hot Pink and Lime Green Clutch is mine.




The second one was curated by Aphrodite888. If you love beautiful jewelry you have to check out her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5530054. Here is a pic of my favorite piece












And here is the Treasury she curated. The Bluebird clutch is mine.


Last but certainly not least is the Treasury created by Katncar. She's taking a break in her shop right now. I can't wait to visit when she reopens. Here is the stunning treasury she curated.




Thank you all for including my clutches in your amazing treasuries!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Yay! I was fortunate enough to have one of my clutch bags included in an amazing collection of peacock themed items by http://www.foundhandmade.com/

Check them out. My clutch bag is in their blog along with many other gorgeous items. Wanna see? Here's a pic. That's my Peacock feathers clutch.


Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Sad Beginning






I have a plan of sorts for this blog, a schedule of things I will include here. On my schedule, Thursday is a day that I will talk about my life or the events going on in it; good or bad.

On this first entry it hurts me to say that I lost my father 6 days ago. Dad's passing was expected and unexpected at the same time. Expected only because he had had several close calls medically speaking over the last few years, all of which he had bouced out of unscathed. Expected because he was nearing his 74th birthday. Expected because I felt that since my mother passed 9 years ago he had secretly wanted to follow her-to find a way to somehow make things as they were before she died and left him all alone. Expected because it was my worst fear come true, to be parentless.
But it was unexpected too. Dad had phoned me daily for the last few years. Last Friday he didn't. In the afternoon hours as I reached for the phone to call him it rang. I got the news that he was in the hospital in ICU, 5 hours later he was gone. That was it, it was over. No second chances, no medical miracles, no goodbyes...just over. As I write this I'm trying to stay focused on the good times, the laughter, the Christmas mornings as a child, the talks we had after I was grown. I'm also trying to make myself believe it's true, because somehow no matter what I say I don't think I really do believe it. It can't be true. It can't be so suddenly final.
I smile through tears when I remember his face; how much he loved lemon pie and cheese enchiladas, history, TV news and reading western books.
I openly sob when I recall the sad times when my Mom passed and took a large piece of him with her and when I recall his eyes when he was afraid or lonely. In some ways I think he willed himself to her, to recapture what he'd lost with her. Somehow I think he made it. I hope so. I hope that they're having coffee somewhere. Dads telling Mom about the Clutch Bags I make for my shop. Mom is saying how proud she is and saying for the 1000th time how strange it is that out of 4 daughters that I was the only one that wanted to learn to sew. I can accept this pain if they're together again so I'll believe it's true. Pour a fresh cup Mom and Dad, you've got a lot of catching up to do. I love you both more than you ever knew and I will miss you forever.