cloth napkins

I found these cloth napkins on etsy.
they are all so cute.
and I love supporting other etsy shops when ever I can.

faith, hope an dlove napkins are from HelensCorner.
vintage floral napkins are from Sparklepower.
birdcage napkins are by CottageDayDream
eat napkins are from lemonademakinmama.

thrift store finds...just what I needed

My heart pitter patters over a good find at a thrift store the same way another girl's heart might skip a beat at a good sale at anthropolgie.
don't get me wrong...I love antrho.
it is just that my wallet doesn't.

I have been really searching for a good book club or bible study in my area.
I have even contacted another sweet blogger for advice on finding one.

I still haven't found a perfect fit but I think my weekend finds are a good sign.
I have been searchng crosses on etsy, but nothing really caught my eye.
then I found this vintage cross. it is perfect.
next I was checking out books and found this daily devotional. it was a sign.

and I also scored this Charles Dickens book.
it might go in my etsy shop.
or it may go on my coffee table.

I have really been talking to God the last few days.
and HE surely has sent me a few signs of encouragement.
it is just what I needed.

DIY Update with Vintage Frames and a sweet gift

I decided to rearrange my photos and home decor today since we were snowed in.
I took two of my vintage frames that I painted a shabbychic white a long time ago and gave them a new home on my bookcase.

For the large frame I printed one of Dear lilie's free printables.
and for the small frame, I printed a silhouette of a girl and attached it to a piece of scrapbook paper.

The last frame I changed out the photo I had of my oldest daughter who will be five that I had of her from when she was 9 months old and put in her dancing photo from last year.

The cross made from clothespins was a gift from one of my sweet seventh graders. They made the crosses in religion class and she gave it to me as a gift!

Currently....

Ok, so Sweet Sasha from Lemonade Makin Mama posted about this today and I just wanted to share it too because I love learning about all of you!

Currently loving....all of the vintage pretties on Etsy...mostly clothes! (gasp!)

Currently reading...about to start Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Currently waiting for...my new camera that is my birthday/Christmas present!

Currently excited about...a new business adventure I have in the works.

Currently missing....my alone time

Currently trying...to eat healthier and lose weight.

Currently planning...to get organized and stay organized!

Curently working at...my self image. After having to girls in 18 months I have not lost the "baby weight" and I am trying to work on it! And my time with God.

Currently enjoying...my rare opportunities to get away for some alone time to thrift shop or some girl time with fellow teachers!

Currently snacking on...nothing because I am trying not to eat snacks after dinner!

Currently using...Buts Bees Sensitive Skin Cleanser..Perfect for my sensitive skin.

Currently wearing....the outfit I wore to school today which always includes a long beaded necklace of some sort!

Currently singing....My God is an Awesome God. Can't get it out of my head!

Currently needing...new underwear. At least I am honest!

Currently learning...that people are all different.

Currently listening to.....my girls

Currently wishing...I could meet a few fellow bloggers for girls' weekend!

Currently doing...photos for my Etsy Shop.

Currently praying for...my father-in-law who recently passed away, my dad who has been in the hospital, my family and a new business adventure.

Currently dreaming of...our annual family trip to New Hampshire in the summer!

Sorry about the blurry piicture of me!

one thousand gifts in 2012

I have the day off from school today.
(THANK you Martin Luther King.)
after spending the morning organizing the girls' toys
again,
I decided to sit down and read a few blogs.

That is when I read Ann Voskamp's post for today
WHAT IS TH ANSWER TO ANXIETY?

WHOA!
does she secretly spy on me because that is my number one downfall.
it cripples my daily life.

But Ann has an answer.
The answer to anxiety is the adoration of Christ.

And one way of doing that is by counting 1000 gifts in 2012.

Baby it's cold outside and an Etsy update

It is freezing here in New england today!
We are not getting out of the teens.
So the girls and I are staying in.
Working on crafts and updating my Etsy shop!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
I know I am happy that I have the day off from school tomorrow
I always feel like one of my students when vacation or a holiday gives us time off from school!

How Great is Our God!

2012 has been a tough year so far.
my father-in-law passed away just two days into 2012.
my own father is in the hospital.


i have stumbled and gotten back up.
but one thing remains strong.
my FAITH.

i decided to log onto Pinterest tonight to keep my mind off things
and searched Chris Tomlin
the first thing that popped up was his video on youtube for

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

this is one of my favorite songs and it is sung often at my church
this song really moves me
and it was just what I needed to hear tonight

Etsy Treasury

All image are from Etsy.com


As a fellow Etsy shop owner, I really try to support fellow Etsians and buy from Etsy whenever my pocketbook allows. There are so many creative and talented people as so many of you know.

And while I love home decor, all things vintage and jewelry to name a few of my favorite things, I really am interestd in American made and hand-made items for children. Which is why I decided to make a handmade Memory board game to sell in my shop.

Much to my surprise, another Etsy shop owner was thinking along the same line and put together a treasury on Etsy featuring children's gift ideas for under $50 and included my game!

I think she she did a great job and I have included photos of some of the items she included in her treasury. Loop Sheep has a cute Etsy shop featuring crocheted stuffed animals for children.

Out with the old and In with the new!

2011 was a very challenging year for me, emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. This is a BIG year for me!

I am going to be the big 4-0!

So I need to make some healthy lifestyle choices. One of my goals for 2012 is to see a naturopath. I met one at my local health store and I really am interested in making this change. One of the things he told me was to try Marshmallow tea. (The root~not the candy!) I hate to admit, but I am a coffee drinker and I have invested a small fortune in trying EVERY tea out there and just never met my match until I found this last week!

Another goal is to spend more time finding items for my Etsy shop. I truly believe what Etsy stands for and I always try to buy handmade and American made and support other Etsy shops when I can.

Happy New Year my friends!