New Pattern!

I get so many comments on my hobby horses that I wrote a pattern up. I mean, to ship one of these guys in any kind of timely manner is about $20, and I know that you probably could spend that somewhere else besides the post office! So I wrote up a pattern that I listed in my etsy shop, so that you can make your own! Now don't get worried - it is really pretty simple, and I include step by step photographs so that you can see exactly how to put it all together. You can make your own hobby horse for about $15 in materials (or less if you put one together from what you already have on hand!). This pattern is 20 pages, with 36 color photos, and will come to you via a PDF file in an email attachment. You will love it! Your kids will love that you made them their own horse. I made a bunch of these for a Lone Ranger party we had, had a stick horse race, then the guests all took one home! What a great party favor! You can make it from really nice fabrics, then you don't have to touch all the acrylic stuff that the manufactured ones are made of. Or maybe I'm the only one who gets grossed out by the texture of fake fur! Anyway, you can get your own copy here and print it out and have your own hobby horse in about 1 hour and not even have to wait for the mailman!

Fun in the forums

Sometimes when you can't sleep and you've read all the other crafty blogs and the baby doesn't want to sleep and no one else is awake to listen to all the fun things you did all day, there's always someone in the etsy forums!

The other day was one of those days for me, so late late late at night some of the etsy sellers were running contests in the promotions section of the forums, where you had to be a certain number "poster" on their topic. I think there were only 4 or 5 people actually watching the same topic I was, so we were just jabbering on until the appointed post got closer and closer. Then bam, there it was, and I happened to post on the winning number!

Anyway, this was the prize, from Lori of Heartworks by Lori. It's so pretty! I have no idea how people make these things, but I love it!
Thanks again, Lori!

What you really need to know

I got tagged by Jenny this morning to reveal seven random and personal things about myself and then pass it on to others.

Ok, I've never done one of these - now you all get to see how lame I really am!

1. My love for Stash Earl Grey tea is only second to a Starbucks mocha. I pretty much can't live without a cup of tea in the morning, morning being loosely defined as the period of time before hubby comes home from work. Everything is better after a cup of Earl Grey.

2. My wedding band has a garnet in it, not a diamond. We picked garnets because they are a symbol of love, faith, and constancy, as well as a reminder of the blood of Christ that paid for my sin. And I had a diamond once, long ago, and they really aren't forever, no matter what De Beers says.

3. I think Sandra Boynton is the funniest person ever. And then Jerry Seinfeld.

4. I freak out often about chemicals/pesticides/chlorinated water/non-organic food/refined sugar. But then eat out at Taco Cabana no matter what and at every opportunity. I'm pretty inconsistent like that.

5. I thought last summer that I needed reading glasses so I went out and bought two cute pairs. When my hubby sat down at my computer he saw that the screen was going out and making everything fuzzy. So it wasn't my eyes at all! Good thing I didn't spend too much on the reading glasses. But they are so cute I'm saving them for a future time when I might need them.

6. I have read all of War and Peace. But not Moby Dick.

7. I love to take the elevator all the way up and find a window to look out. In our tiny town the pediatrician's office is on the 5th floor of the professional building. The only other taller building is the adjacent hospital, which I avoid at all costs! But with kids, we often visit our pediatrician for something or other, so I love to look out. Yeah, I don't get out much.

Ok, so now I'm going to tag Texas Tesla, Lisa, and Bl Soaps. Thanks for playing!

I want to sell this rock (homeschool economics project)

...that's what Jeremiah said to me the other day.

me: Hmmm, let's see. Not sure many people need a rock.

him: But it's so pretty, and look I washed it and it kind of sparkles.

me: Yes, it does sparkle a little bit. i could put it on ebay for you.

him: Yeah, and then we could sell it for one hundred dollars!

me: You think so?

him: No wait - you could sell it on Etsy!

me: well, the listing fees are cheaper...but it has to be handmade to go on Etsy. You could do something to it to sell it there.

him: can I paint it? Or I could put some glitter on it. And feathers. Do people buy stuff with feathers on it?

me: some do. Want me to research it for you?

him: Yeah - see if anyone will buy a rock.

me: maybe you could offer it customized. Like you sell it and they tell you what to put on it and then you can send it to them.

him: really? I get to pick?

me: no, you get to tell them what you're good at and then they pick what they want you to do to it.

him: Oh. Well can I sell it?

me: sure. Let me put out some feelers first and see what the market for custom-ordered rocks looks like, ok?

So here I am, putting out feelers for the custom-decorated rock market. And trying for the mom-of-the-moment award.

Indierepublic

I just joined indierepublic. I need to spend a little bit of time to see how it all works and make myself a pretty page, but it looks fun! Are you on indierepublic? Add me as a friend because I haven't read far enough how to add you!


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Featured Etsy seller Word4worddesign

I just got this in the mail today from Etsy seller Word4worddesign. It is amazing! She has more in her store, different words, and even does custom orders. I think a set of these would be fantastic for bridesmaids, or daughters, or anyone really! It's simply gorgeous! Thanks again, Claire!