Monday, May 11, 2009

One in a Million

I'm a little late in posting this tribute, but its the first chance I've had to sit down and blog in the last week. On Monday morning, May 4 my grandmother died, she had a massive stroke on Friday morning and somehow managed to hang in there through the weekend. She is survived by her 3 children and their spouses and her 7 grandchildren plus one grandson-in-law and a great grandson (my little guy).

Everyone who knew my grandmother always said that she was a beautiful woman, and she truly was. She always wore brown and earth tones and loved pearls, her clothes were always perfectly pressed and always fit her like a glove. Listening to people talk about her, I learned something that I never knew - my grandmother was a model before she got married. While it surprised me to hear it, I don't doubt it at all. She always stood tall and her presence was always felt. She always said how proud she was that I inherited her black hair and that we were born in the same month and how we were both perfect Scorpios.

There are a lot of things I will remember about my grandmother, but there is one thing that will stick in my head, it's a conversation we had back in January. I'm sitting on the couch next to her and out of the blue she says to me "Do you know how beautiful you are?" I was stunned by the question and obviously didn't answer quick enough and she went around the room asking people if they thought I was beautiful. Of course they all said yes, being a smart ass, I said "They have to say yes, I am sitting right here!" but of course, it was just to cover up the tears that were welling in my eyes.

That day my grandmother told me this, and I think its something that applies to everyone. Every morning when you look in the mirror, you should say to yourself "I am beautiful. I am worth something. I am someone important."

Thank you Grandma, I'll miss you. I only wish we had more time together, I feel as though there was so much about you that I didn't know.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I'm featured at Unconventional Comfort!

Megan from Unconventional Comfort has featured me in her Earth Day deals blog! Check it out: http://unconventional-comfort.blogspot.com/2009/04/deal-of-day.html

Remember, today is the last day of my Earth Day sale - all washcloths, facial cloths, dish cloths and upcycled jewelry and accessories ship for free! Click here for all eligible items.

Happy Earth Day!
~Melissa~

Earth Day Eco Tips

Did You know?
It takes upto 15 years for a paper cup to decompose in a landfill.
Paper cups are not recycleable due to the plastic lining that keeps the liquids from soaking through the cup.
Similarly, plastic utensils such as forks and spoons are not recycleable and neither are paper plates.

The green solution? Use a ceramic mug for coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water and pack reuseable forks, spoons and plates and bring your lunch in a cloth tote bag or reuse your shopping bags until they get dirty or torn. A ceramic mug and other utensils can be used up to 2,000 times before they need to be replaced.

References:
How long do paper cups take to break down in a landfill?
EcoTip: Coffee cups - spilling the beans

Today is the last day of my Earth Day sale! Get free shipping on all washcloths, make-up removers, dishcloths, pot holders and upcycled/repurposed jewelry!

Happy Earth Day!
~Melissa~

Monday, April 20, 2009

My Dream Space

I need SPACE! My own little space where I can leave my beads, wires, jump rings, clasps and tools out and not waist precious crafting time setting up and cleaning up. You see, I have an almost-2-yr-old who is very curious and very interested in what I am doing. When he sees me photographing finished products he slowly makes his way over and says "oooh, pretty." When I say thank you, he'll ask "Mine?" I'll apologize and tell him that its not his and then he'll look at me with those big deer-in-headlight eyes and say "I touch?". He typically listens when I tell him that he can't touch, but his little fingers get as close as possible to whatever I am taking pictures of and I often have to edit out his hands or his toys from the edges of my photos.

So, my dream is to have a craft room. It doesn't have to be big, it just needs a sturdy table, a comfy chair, lots of shelves and preferrably some good lighting. Oh, and the major necessity - a door that locks from both the inside and the outside and has a high handle that can't be reached by a toddler!

*sigh* We can all dream....

Happy Crafting!
~Melissa~

PS - Don't forget about my Earth Day Sale!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Fun Vintage Finds!

Over at my day job, there has been some shuffling of offices and consolidating of unwanted supplies and paperwork. Someone thought to set up what they called a "junk" table. It was there for a few days and various broken things were shuffled around, I didn't pay it much notice. Then one morning I saw some very cool looking vintage road maps. I snatched them instantly thinking that someone out there in Etsyland would be in need of them.

1981 Restaurant and Walking Tour Guide of Washington DC


Vintage Road Map - Mississippi County and Arkansas State


Vintage Hawaii Road Map


Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

PS - Don't forget about my Earth Day sale!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Earth Day Sale - Just FIVE Days Left!

Earth day is coming fast! There are just five more days until my fabulous Earth Day sale comes to an end. Purchase any washcloth, dishcloth, make-up remover set or upcycled/repurposed jewelry item from my shop before midnight on April 22 and automatically get free shipping!



You'll also get free shipping on any custom washcloth, dishcloth or make-up removers that are ordered and paid for before Earth Day comes to an end.




Go Green!
~Melissa~

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Chunky and Soft - Handspun Yarns

Here are some awesomely delicious handspun yarns that I have been drooling over for quite some time. You'll notice, I like bulky, chunky, funky yarns - I'm not a fan of sock yarn or fingering weight yarns.

Wood Violet Handspun Merino Wool Bulky Yarn by chimera


PARFAIT -Handspun and Handpainted Gypsy Yarn by Pancake and Lulu


Creamsicle, Hand Spun, Hand Dyed Wool Yarn by Pumpky


Scrappy - Handspun yarn by blondechicken

How's that for your daily dose of fiber?

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Monday, April 13, 2009

Count Down to Art Attack!



I'm so excited to be part of the Art Attack craft show presented by the Jersey City Craft Mafia and hosted by Club H in Jersey City. Be sure to stop by and say hello!