Birthdays, Ladybugs and Gnomes!!

Noli is four!!! And she says it's a lot easier to hold up four fingers than three, because for three you have to hold your pinkie down. Or it jumps up. And you're four anyway. (giggle)

Here she is in all her all-by-herself face-painted glory, festooned with curly ribbons and bracelets. And enjoying the candy left by the pinata monster! Actually a ladybug.


Cover your eyes! No peeking! But I think they all peeked because the ladybug's dots are just a little bit too perfect!!

Can you see the little gnomes?  This is a cute set that I purchased from Little Red Whimsy on Etsy. There are three little gnomes -- two girls and one boy -- a little mushroom and some special fairy stones.  I also got a leaf bedroom set so the gnomies can take their naps.  With more mushrooms and magic stones.  And a sweet little bag covered in butterflies to put it all in!!  Aren't they just too cute?

Personalized for You - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

When I happened across this pillow, I knew where my wanderings were taking me today -- a personalized adventure!

I have always loved to play word games and Scrabble was one of my favorites. When the kids were young we'd play for hours!! We have a friend who carries a Scrabble dictionary wherever he goes, has it handy when he's at a red light!! He's a real Scrabble addict. Has one of those cool boards that turn around. We have just the old regular one with the box falling apart.

This is such a unique pillow design! Of course, each one is custom done and the cool thing is that the names always fit!! It would be great for a wedding gift or something special for granny and grandpa with the grandkids names, or for a special family pillow to throw on the couch. Love it!! (Scrabble Family Pillow by Design Lab 443)

Isn't this beautiful? So perfect for a new mom and dad, or grandparents. She creates all kinds of quilts using your photos; each one is a unique design. Go to her shop to see more of her creations and get some ideas for your own quilt! She also has table runners, placemats and wall hangings. My personal favorites are the tulip table runner and placemats! (Photo Memory Quilt by The Hillbilly Housewife)

I love love love this stool!! Noli would definitely love it (SO much cuter than the Rubbermaid stool she currently uses!) And look! - the legs are painted in zebra stripes and giraffe spots! Butterfly Kisses also makes custom ordered items, painted to your specifications, and of course, personalized. (Jungle Themed Stool by Butterfly Kisses)

These sweet letters would be great in a child's or teen's room (or how about over the bed in the dorm room!). The possibilities are endless! (Of course, the fact that these are my first two initials has nothing to do with my love of them…) Go see! There are lots more letter designs, drawer pulls, wall pegs -- just to name a few.  (Wooden Wall Letters by Simply Made)

Know a little girl who's having a birthday? Give her a cute cupcake with her name on it! You can even choose the number of candles! Give it to her early on her special day and she can wear it to the party! (Birthday Cupcake Ruffle Shirt by Graysie Bug's Boutique)

How totally cute are these? The Posh Bambino is full of neat necessities for the babes - blankets, burp cloths, hooded towels and really neat diaper clutches to hold a few dipes and a matching wipes case to go with. And since we certainly can't leave big brother or sister out -- crayon rolls to keep their colors neat and tidy. All can be personalized!!

(had to include this one -- I'm from Tiger Country!!)  Football Burp Cloth Set by The Posh Bambino.

I hope you enjoyed your personalized Etsy trip today -- I know I had fun!  Be sure to visit each of these great shops -- they have much more to offer than what is shown here!

Please join me next Wednesday to see where my wanderings take me...

A Tale of Two "Starving" Kitties :p

We are patiently waiting.  For our special food.  Our food that comes in a CAN.

We are wondering why we are only getting the DRIED STUFF.



You are getting the evil green eye until you GIVE ME CANNED FOOD.

I do not understand.  I can only sit here and look at you with longing in my eyes.  I do not understand.

Oh my! Poor kitties.  A product of our laziness.

We ran out of canned food (which they get every morning) but of course have two HUGE bags of dried (which stays in their bowl at all times).  But did somebody go to the store for the poor kitties?  Umm, no.  Of course, it wasn't as if they didn't have any food....not like they're starving or anything. 

But, do not let a day go by without the canned stuff!

So their sweet daddy (not me!) went to the store and got their favorite canned food -- made a special trip, mind you -- and what did he get for thanks??

Scarfing down the food and then nonchalantly taking a nap.  Not a thank you in sight.

 

Oh, to lead the life of a cat.

Luck O' the Irish - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

This cute little colleen is wandering along, looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  She looks and looks but cannot find it -- but she does find a lot of really wonderful things to protect her from pinches on St. Patrick's Day!

                                                                                                             Peanut Butter Bandit - Irish Step Dancer

Don't get caught without your green on St. Pat's Day!!                          

Wearing O' the Green

                                    1. Gigglebugs Designs - Girl's Headband Bow  2. Ragamuffin Design - Little Leprechaun Elf Hat

3. Princess E Marie - Shamrock Earrings   4. Duncan Creative - Emerald Crochet Necklace

5. Desert Diamond Crochet - St. Patrick Day Leprechaun Hat

6.  Bead and Cactus Nest - Green Goddess Cuff Bracelet  7. OMG, Chocolate Frog - YoYo Bracelet 

8. Lush Beads - Luck of the Irish Bracelet   9. Crystal Bouquet - Lucky Leprechaun Tile Necklace

10. Wee Nimble - Lil Leprechaun Onesie or Shirt  11. Art's Daughter - Lucky Four Leaf Clover Pin

12. Spotted Frog Designs - Lucky St.Patricks Day Clover Earrings

13. Beadtanical Garden - Spring Green Flower Hair Clip  14. Homespun Ireland - Kiss Me Fabric Brooch

15. New Hope Beading - Jade Clover Necklace  16. Yellow Yellow Design - Irish Floral Headband

I hope you enjoyed our little walk today, and I guess we did find that pot of gold --- in these Etsy shops!
Please join me next Wednesday to see where my wanderings take me...

Giveaway Goodies! The Posh Bambino

I've blogged about giveaways a couple of times, but now I'm going to introduce a new feature to promote some great giveaways and bring them to you to enter!!

How about Giveaway Goodies and I'll just post them when I find them. 

So keep on the lookout for some awesome freebies!  I will be linking to the shop giving the item, and to the host site so you can follow all the ways to enter.

HAVE FUN!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

                                   

Just found this cute, cute giveaway!  It's from The Posh Bambino and it's for a free crayon roll up of your choice!  I think this one is especially cute with the ladybugs. If you have a young child or baby, or grandchild, this shop has lots to choose from -- the cutest hooded towels, tote bags, and diaper clutches with matching wipes case (wish I'd had those when mine were babies!).  She also has gift sets if you need something for a baby shower or new mom.

This is the one I would get if I won because it's PURPLE and I would be giving it to Noli whose favorite color is, you guessed it, PURPLE!!

This giveaway is being hosted by The Ivy Twines and ends on March 10, so you still have plenty of time to enter. The Ivy Twines hosts lots of giveaways and if you'd like to know more about how you can enter, go to their "Giveaways 101" to see how it's done.

A purple good luck to you!!!!

The Cat's Meow - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

I own two cats, or should I say two cats own me...  Sam and Oliver. Sam is long and skinny; Oliver is short and (very) fat.  Sam meows when he knows you're up, and keeps meowing until he gets fed; Oliver rarely says a word (except, of course, for his powerful purr motor).  Totally different, yet the best of buddies.

Can you tell which is which?

So, on my wanderings today, I'm looking for cats! Funny cats, weird cats, smarty pants cats, clever cat stuff. Let's see what I found!

What a priceless expression! Kitty just does not look happy to be wearing this hat!! "But it's so cute, Kitty, and looks so lovely on you." "Hiss, snarl, bite" says Kitty, but leaves it on because she knows, deep down in her kitty heart, that she is very beautiful indeed.

Love the hat……love the cat......go to Pampered Whiskers to see more (and, yeah, there are some for doggies too).  Plus, part of the proceeds from each sale goes to animal rescue - how great is that!

Isn't this just so typical of cats! Wouldn't you like to do the same?? At my house we say Sam and Oliver have to rest after a full day of sleeping! I love to cross-stitch and try to do a little every day 'cause it's so relaxing. And then I can nap….. Visit Downeast Stitchin' from 1librarylady to see some more cat-isms in cross-stitch! 

Here mousie, mousie……come visit your bestest friend!! Anywhere you hang it, this cat mask will brighten your day and make you smile. It can even be hung outside on your patio or by the front door -- visitors will come in laughing! And I do love the whiskers. Check out Dottie's shop for more Wild Wild Things!

I had a much loved cat once named Domino -- the bestest cat ever EXCEPT when he unrolled the toilet tissue and there was MILES of it all over the bathroom -- and with little kitty claw holes included. This apparently was his favorite and most fun thing to do when no one was at home...  Maybe if he'd had this cat toy, he would have left the real stuff alone (after all, it does have catnip in it!!) Run over to Oh Boy! Cat Toy and see more cute toys for your much loved kitty.

                                                                       

This vintage set is so comical with their chubby cat cheeks! And check out their cute whiskers! There's a cookie jar, teapot, sugar and creamer, and even a grease jar. You gotta admit, it would look so cool on your kitchen counter! See some more cookie jars at  Jazze Junque.
                                   
What kid wouldn't love wearing this wild kitty hat!! I know the little kid in my life would. Hats Out Loud has the most colorful and funky hats I've seen -- when I stumbled on this shop, I knew I had to stop in! She has hats for all ages, but I personally love all the animal hats for kids the best. They are just so cute and unique!

Well, I guess that's my shopping experience for the day -- I could go on and on; there's so much cool cat stuff on Etsy! But I'll stop here -- hope ya'll enjoyed my all my nifty kitty finds!

Be sure to stop back next Wednesday to see where my wanderings take me...

Spring Flower Coasters

I'm in the mood for Spring!  How about you?

I wanted to list something in my shop that would be bright and Springy, and also that I could get finished quickly  : )  I'm thinking coasters! 

I love the colors of these and they make me happy, even though the day outside is rather dreary.

                                    

I also love the way the flower petals show around your cup.  Even with a bigger base glass or mug, they'd show.  The cup is one from my mother's china - another thing that makes me happy.

Of course, now my mind is racing with all kinds of coaster ideas!!  We'll just have to see what I come up with next!!

Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way - Grapefruit

PINK GRAPEFRUIT, to be exact!

Did you know that February is Grapefruit Month?  I had no idea!  I'll have to run right down to the grocery store and get me some!  My mother had this really cool grapefruit knife that was curved and serrated all around.  Made cutting those little wedges so easy.  The closest thing I have ever found to that was a grapefruit spoon which was serrated around the end.  Didn't work.  So if you ever find a grapefruit knife, let me know!

Grapefruit is one of those things that you either love or hate, but after looking through all the cute Etsy grapefruitiness I found, you'll definitely be in the love category.

It's morning and time to get up. You stumble into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and glance at the wall where this luscious painting looks back at you…

Get out your grapefruit spoon and dig right in! Put out plenty of napkins because the juice will just run down your chin! This original acrylic painting is named "Morning Grapefruit" and looks so real I can just imagine the juice kind of fizzing as you spoon out the fruit. Visit Art by Meg to see her other paintings in her fruit series, plus lovely landscapes and beautiful butterflies. (And she's a new shop in January!) 

Grapefruit is now on your mind so you grab one and slice into it, put bread in the toaster and sit down to a yummy breakfast…

Isn't this cuter than cute?!!  I love pretend food and I really like the felt ones!  This just looks so good -- but don't dare take a big drink of milk!! Yikes! If you've ever done that, you'll know what I mean!  Go to  Little Picklepotamus to totally go off your diet (ok ok, the little ones can play with it too...)  (By the way, isn't that the cutest shop name? And she's pretty new, too.)

 OK, now it's off to work. Still thinking grapefruit, you decide to go ahead and indulge yourself -- have another for lunch! Besides, you have this nifty grapefruit cozy to carry it in and you know everyone at work will love it!

Now here's a great idea -- a Pink Grapefruit Cozy so your grapefruit doesn't get all banged up in your lunch box or picnic basket! What makes this one neat is that it's pink on the inside and a dotty yellow on the outside, just like the real thing. It closes with a zipper and it's stuffed between the layers with fiberfill to cushion your yummy grapefruit in pillowy softness. Go to Stuffed Fruit to see this one and more.

And for dessert, you'll have these yummy grapefruit cookies -- organic to boot! All your best work buddies will be sooo jealous -- maybe, if they're really nice, you'll share.

Jeanettes Patisserie has the most delicious looking goodies in her shop -- your mouth will start watering and your tummy will INSIST that you get some! You really should see the brownies...  And all organic and made from scratch by a self-taught pastry chef.  Wonderful!  Please be sure to visit her new shop!

Grab your new grapefruit coin purse on your way out the door! Talk about your buddies being jealous! Just let them see this -- they'll think you're so cool to be recycling…

                                   

Talk about unique! Everyone will be asking where you got it when they see this cool coin purse! It's made out of a juice container and the screw-on lid closes it! (and this one is not from concentrate : )  Great recycling idea! B. Mary Maker has more of these clever coin purses plus some very nifty earrings in her shop.  Check out her sold items and see some more of her recycling cuteness!  

 What a day at work! Now it's time to relax with your new grapefruit bath soak. You lay back in the warm water and ease away all the tensions of the day….

Grapefruit Bath Soak - mmmm, doesn't that sound relaxing? According to the description, "grapefruit can be detoxifying and may also help with muscle fatigue, headaches and mental exhaustion." Now I can tell you, I REALLY need this bath soak! Be sure to check out Cool Therapies; she's brand new to Etsy and has some really yummy scrubs and soaks. 

Hope you like all my "shops found along the way" today. I had a fun time shopping! And now we know, grapefruit is not just for breakfast anymore!!

Be sure to stop back next Wednesday to see where my wanderings take me...

I'd Like You to Meet My Neighbors :)

Meet my across-the-street friends -- Mr. and Mrs. Sn-Oh-Man, I'm Cold!!!

There were several teens and little kids and two Great Danes building the snow people. They look like they're about 6 feet tall. Can you see the girl's eyelashes?  The dogs were having the time of their lives!!           

Well, maybe the dogs weren't actually building the snow people....

This is totally unheard of here in north Texas!  It has snowed three different times over the winter and each time it snowed more!  It's supposed to clear out Friday noon though and get in the mid to high 30's.  So far, the news is saying that about 7-9  inches average has fallen.  More to fall all night.

My poor hedges!  Will they ever recover?

This was about 7 am this morning.  I just thought it was a cool shot.

Just had to show you!!

Stay warm!!

Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way - Mardi Gras

Now that the Super Bowl is over and especially since the Saints WON, the New Orleans theme will have to be continued with a visit to Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).  "Laissez les bons temps rouler" - Let the good times roll!

I remember my first Mardi Gras -- I was in high school and believe it or not, my parents let me go!  Unbelievable.  Of course, I might mention that it wasn't THE Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but a smaller one in a neighboring town.  Still, it was Mardi Gras.

I lived in New Orleans for several years (my "moving out of the house and being on my own" time).  Of course, this was made possible because my older brother lived in Slidell which is just across the Ponchartrain River from N.O.  And about 50 miles from where I grew up in Baton Rouge.  Anyway, I experienced the real thing then. 

In honor of that wonderful tradition of floats, crazy costumes, loud music, and "throw me something, Mister" I'm doing a little Mardi Gras shopping.  C'mon, let's go!

                                 

The first stop is at Soapalaya Soaps for her very cool King Cake Soap.  The soaps are the colors of a King Cake and even include a little baby... (Tradition says that whoever finds the baby in their slice(s), must provide the cake for the following year.)  If you've never had a King Cake, you must rush to a bakery in Louisiana and get one.  Decadent.  But you don't need to make a trip down south to try the soap - just a visit to the Soapalaya shop.  By the way, she took her shop name from a combination of "soap" and "jamabalaya" (while on your trip to New Orleans, be sure to get some - delicious).  Being a Louisiana girl myself, I love that idea!

This Feather Mask Pin is the perfect thing to jazz up your Mardi Gras outfit! Be sure to check out the shop, they even have Mardi Gras earrings!  Naturally Native Creations is a husband and wife team who live in Louisiana on their own private nature preserve in the beautiful piney woods area.  How cool is that?

And speaking of jazzing up your outfit -- you can keep your identity secret with this beautiful masquerade mask featuring ostrich and peacock feathers and sparkling jewels.  Perfect for that Mardi Gras party you'll be attending!  Run over to The Treasured Petal for this mask -- plus she has some lovely things to get you in the mood for that upcoming spring wedding!

Want to party hardy all night long and keep your head warm at the same time? Then wear this cool crocheted crown! But be careful, don't get too close to the floats or somebody will surely snatch it to make it their own! It's from Flaming Daisies who says her "signature style is lots of color" -- visit her shop and you'll see!  She's got more Mardi Gras hats and, among other things, some very clever polymer clay sculptures.

Party on Bourbon Street in style with this Mardi Gras Sparkle bottle cozy!  Note the Swarovski crystals placed like a bead necklace around the neck of the bottle! It's even got the marabou trim on the bottom!  Priceless.  It's from Savara Gifts and is great for protecting your bottle and also makes a terrific keepsake to remember your Mardi Gras fun!

Speaking of keepsakes...  Remember your good times at Mardi Gras with this Carnival Mask Ornament - made from a light bulb!  What a fantastic recycling idea!  Be sure to visit The Enchanted Owl -- she has ornaments for all kinds of special days, and will even personalize! I love her "Magical Creatures" section -- unicorns, butterflies, ladybugs, owls and more (even the ever wonderful Hello Kitty!).

Hope you like all my "shops found along the way" today.  I had a fun time shopping!  Be sure to stop back next Wednesday to see where my wanderings take me...