The Winner of the Custom RaggBAGG(tm) is...

LORI!!

You were lucky post number 11, and have won a custom RaggBAGG(tm) clutch as well as a $5 gift certificate for either my etsy shop or my artfire shop.

Please email me with your mailing address, and your color preferences for your custom clutch!

Congratulations, and thanks to everyone for playing!

Anna

And the winner is......

....coming soon!!

3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway


GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!

I've decided to join the group of wonderfully creative women who are jumping on the band wagon started by Kim of The Twice Remembered Cottage:

http://owcl.blogspot.com/2009/05/sign-up-now-for-3rd-annual-cottage.html

My offering for the drawing I will hold on May 30th is a custom RaggBAGG (tm) clutch, in colors of your selection, similar to the bag in this post. AND...you'll also win a $5 gift certificate to be used at my etsy shop or my artfire shop. (And though they both look a little empty right now, my warehouse is bursting and there will be new items listed each week from now until the end of the month.)



So...post a comment here by May 29th at 11:59pm central time for one entry into the drawing.

AND...link this post to your own blog and let me know you've done so by commenting with a link to your blog by May 15th at 11:59pm central time for another entry into the drawing.

Join the giveaway fun this month!

Anna




Just a friendly reminder, it's that time of the year again. Please raise your big toes and repeat after me: As a member of the Faux Paux Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes: I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps. I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. I will shave the hairs off my big toe. I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there. If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back in to place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it. I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him. I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat, and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle. I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages. I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes look like they've been dragged behind her car on the way to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good. I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them. I will promise to go to my local beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 and worth EVERY penny). I say spend another $15.00 and get an even better one. I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals... For all our sakes, please don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other Sisters. May God Bless your Soles as well as your Soul!

Beautiful Birthday...start to finish

I am blessed. There just isn't any other way to see it, I am blessed.

My morning began with a few precious moments with my hubby before heading to church to praise my Father God in the preschool area, watching the torrential rains from my vantage point of the check in desk. Afterwards, a quick lunch with my guys at home before heading back to church to prepare for, and enjoy the baby shower for my daughter-in-law, Dena. Much fun was had by all creating, somewhat hesitantly, but beautifully, a scrapbook and onsies for the soon to be grandbabe. I was touched by the friends who were able to share this time of celebration with Dena...ladies who have all touched my life in so many ways, especially my "sistah from anotha mistah", Regina.

I would not have made it through the past year without Regina-her love, her support, her kick in the backside have helped me to find my balance through some turbulent waters. She was, and will be again, I'm certain, my saving grace, an immeasurable gift from my Father God.

My day ended with a few hours with Randy, my beloved husband of these past 17 years. For me, there's nothing quite as romantic as squeezing his hand, tears rolling down both our cheeks, as we watch a moving story together on tv, look at one another as we pass the tissue box, drying our tears, and saying "I love you".

The thunderstorms were just the cherry on the whipped cream on the icing on the cake tonight.

To all my friends who have been with me on this journey of 49 years, I thank you. I would not be the woman I am today without each of you playing your part, for good or for bad. For my family, natural and chosen, I hope that I have been, and will be, the blessing that you have been to me.

I am blessed, and I thank you Father God for the blessings.

Friendly Plastic(tm) fun!

Some of you may recall the 90's and a fun product called Friendly Plastic (tm)...this product softened in warm water and could be molded into a variety of jewelry and craft items. Well...the 90's are OVER and the 21st century is well underway, and Friendly Plastic(tm) isn't just for "crafty" stuff any longer!

http://www.friendlyplastic.blogspot.com/

Go to this website and check it out for yourself! It is absolutely amazing what Jana Ewy and Linda Peterson and a whole lot of others are doing with this product. And it is so easy to use and play with! Here are a couple of items I was messing around with yesterday:

My recent works...one for a challenge, one for a friend

Here are the latest two items I've beaded: my entry for the Use the Muse challenge using the black rubber cording, black o-rings, purple beads of all shapes and sizes, and a beautiful heather seed bead mix; and a gift for a friend that features a stone I picked up when I visited her a couple of years ago and we were able to shop at a gem and mineral show (OH MY GOSH-BEAUTIFUL stones and beads of all sorts!)

Enjoy!