Thankful

We have so much to be THANKFUL for...I for one must keep this in mind when my life seems to get out of control. I must remember to take one step at a time, stop and smell the flowers, enjoy the day that the Lord gave me, my family and friends, and how far health-wise I have come. So keeping all of this in mind, I wish each and everyone of you a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Remember those that have and are representing our country this weekend...pray for their safety.


Until next time~Lynn

End of School, Summer Vacation, Father's Day, 4th of July

I'm looking at all of the events in the next few weeks and coming months...for those that have children~be prepared, especially for the "I'm bored" comments!! hehe For those of us that are older, we've been there, done it and bought the t-shirt several times over!! Putting technology aside for a minute, try to think of ways that your children can not only entertain themselves but THEY will think it is fun!! Tall order I know. You would be surprised though at the simplest things that work. I love Family Fun Magazine...I go to it online...some of the ideas may sound silly to you but presented correctly to a child, could make all the difference. Take a look and see for yourself....also remember, children need time by themselves to think, draw, write and learn to entertain themselves. My children (who are young adults now) were six years apart in age...that's a tough juggling act...however, it can be done. I must have done a good job because for Mother's Day I got a card from my son saying things that made me cry (in a good way) and from his girlfriend also saying special things that made me cry (again in a good way). My daughter and I spent a whole day together laughing, exploring, shopping, and enjoying each other's company. I feel very blessed because not only did both of my children and one I feel is like family already, want to spend time with me, they did it willingly and we enjoyed simple things in life.  So Make the Time for your Children...think creatively, be inventive, and most of all HAVE FUN!
Yesterday, ideas just kept coming...putting together a different kind of Imagination Station Kit was one of them...I'm working on it...almost have it together...will show you hopefully this weekend before I list it in My Shop.
In the meantime, with Graduation and Father's Day around the corner, have you thought about making a paper bag album and including gift cards to their favorite restaurants, coffee shops, hang outs? For the Senior graduating and heading off to college, think about items that could be used in their dorm and/or apartment. This was me last year...frantically buying to furnish accessories/food for an apartment for our son who moved away to go to college and live in a furnished apartment. Think of some of their favorite foods...gift cards to their favorite video game stores...cash is always welcome as I was told (haha)...also send them copies of their favorite recipes you cook....most importantly though, send them with all the vital health/insurance information and cards they need. It's amazing how quickly they grow up and become independent. Mine still receives the occasional "college survival kit" from home, basically full of his favorite store-bought cookies, homemade cookies, and "junk food".
If you are lucky enough to still have your Father with you, TIME WITH YOU is what he wants. Your time spent together enjoying an outing, an event, food, a project you can do together...just time together. Special times are memories you hold close to your heart that you remember when they aren't with you physically anymore, only spiritually, like mine. I can remember picnics at the beach, days at the river, days at our home with the children in the pool, and many, many more. Enjoy those times...enjoy your time with Your Father.
I better get going today...I wish for everyone a beautiful day, we are enjoying a terrific day-sunny, cool, breezy, awww just right...wish you were here! Be kind to others...Think Positive...Pay it Forward....Be Yourself. Until next time~Lynn

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

Do you ever have so many IDEAS running through your mind that it's hard to focus on just one??? That seems to be my dilemma this morning. My To Do List seems to be getting longer and longer, instead of shorter! lol I have ideas of new things I want to put in My Shop, special gifts I'm trying to make "come together" for my sister and soon-to-be husband, along with wording for a Toast at their reception, and the list goes on and on.....  Then after my wonderful day yesterday (still jumping up and down) I figured out I need little thank you cards already made, free gift with purchase already made, I think you get the picture. Running your own business is awesome and also so much involved. I made the comment to Donnie last night if an online business was this tough, I can't imagine what a "brick & mortar" business would be like. He told me it might be easier?? Maybe because there would be more than me? Either way, I'm happy in my little corner in the Big World...just have to find more time in a day! and/or more sleep! :o)
I made time for a wonderful walk last night with Donnie~the air was cool, breezy, and I think I asked him questions the whole 2-3 miles we walked...I guess I needed to just release some energy in a productive way...thank you Donnie for going with me (he'd already walked that morning before work with one of our friends and neighbors).
Well, I'm off to make my To Do List for Today...wish me luck!! haha I hope everyone has a wonderful day...it is gorgeous here in Sunny Florida, our weather is cool (unexpected), all the birds and furry friends have been out singing and eating this morning, and TeddyBear has been out chasing them all...so all is right with the world!! Think Positive~be kind~Pay it Forward~Enjoy. Until next time~Lynn

MY FIRST SALE ON ETSY!!

Last night or I should say very early this morning, thanks to "The Late Night QUEENS BNR" Curator Scarletess, on Team Etsy, I was featured in her Treasury List!! The next thing I know, I have my FIRST sale on Etsy to a wonderful person named Lindsay, whose shop sells handmade candles! Her Etsy shop's name is: Lindsay's Lovely Candles and her name on Etsy is cakeordeath5.etsy.com. I was so excited, I'm not sure what Scarletess' group thought of me and my comments but I was over the top with excitement and disbelief!! I want to thank "The Late Night QUEENS BNR" Team and especially Curator, Scarlettess, (who I have found to be Tessa and her Etsy shop is ScarletsDivineVintage.etsy.com) so much for what they did for me...I was FOUND!! With all the thousands, no probably millions of shops on Etsy, my shop was discovered last night. I'm still having a hard time believing it this morning...also trying to stay awake...I'm sure I didn't get much sleep last night! :0)  As a thank you for being my very first customer, I refunded Lindsay's shipping since she had already paid with PayPal...this just seemed appropriate since she was my FIRST!! Now that I've had one cup of tea, probably need another one and a shower to wake up some more (me smiling), I need to see which set of rubber stamps from my Destash~Spring Cleaning, she purchased and get them packaged and to the Post Office. I'm going to include a little "surprise gift" also as soon as I figure out what it will be. For those that know me, I love surprising others (nice surprises)...it only takes a few extra minutes and the recipient is usually pleased. I found new friends on Etsy last night/this morning~others that took the time to find someone who hadn't had a sale yet and give them a chance~the world is full of wonderful people...I just happen to be lucky enough to keep finding them, especially when you least expect it!!! I still believe that paying it forward brings it back to you ten-fold.
I hope all of you have a TERRIFIC day...I'm still on Cloud 9...remember to think positive...pay it forward...be nice to others...enjoy the small things in life...until next time....Lynn

Destash-Spring Cleaning to Me!!

Destash...a word that I have come to know means cleaning out your own "extra stash" of supplies. DESTASH~to me, I'm calling it SPRING CLEANING!! 
We seem to collect so much over time, I know I have. Then you think to yourself if there was a fire and/or emergency, what would you grab on your way out? For me, it would be my dog, TeddyBear, then the fireproof box of all the important papers, and if I had time pictures. So then I look around at everything else that lives in our home and think what about you? Yes, it may be important but not to the degree of certain items. So I'm starting my Spring Cleaning (me smiling) with all my extra supplies and offering them in my Etsy Shop. I feel someone else should gain from my extras...whether I put a few items together and create a good selection or just list items individually like rubber stamps, fabric, ribbon, trims and etc. I feel we all win...I earn a little money from all the "extra supplies/stuff" and someone else wins by buying at a fraction of the cost! Another EUREKA moment, is putting together paper that mixed media artists, scrapbook enthusiats, and others use for their various crafts called Emphera.  A word I have a hard time saying but from all I've been told from friends, artists, crafters is very important. Since I am the "keeper" of all the old paperwork and pictures from both my parents' home and my mother-in-law's that no one wanted, I'm beginning to put paper together and see how much I come up with. Maybe I'll have enough for several listings whether on Etsy and/or my eBay shop, lreclaimedtreasures...sounds like a wonderful way of recycling!!
Well I'm off to list more Destash...come check out items from my personal collection and see if there is any that you can use~PLEASE!! This way I can declutter~rather Spring Clean my home!! :0)
I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. As Donnie and I enjoyed our lunch at Firehouse Subs sitting outside in the breeze and carrying on conversation with others eating at different tables it was nice and relaxing. The weather was perfect: sunny, just warm enough and a breeze! awwww, what a great time....too soon though, our summer heat will descend upon us with 90 plus degree temperatures and high humidity and sitting outside will be like a sauna...so I'll remember this day and think back to the wonderful time we had.
Take care...treat others nicely....think positive....and come back to my little corner of the world soon and check out what other Eureka moments I might come up with!!! :0)  Until next time~Lynn

Gifts of Kindness and Love

What a Wonderful Mother's Day!! Actually, my Mother's Day started earlier in the week with a day with Stacy enjoying two new restaurants, shopping, finding my garden flag and sewing cart for My Studio, we wore each other out! It was a long day, yet full of laughs, ideas and fun and I enjoyed every minute...thank you Stacy.
Sunday was spent enjoying my son, Jason, and his girlfriend, Clare, all day! They brought the turkey, Donnie fried it, chickens and squash. I cooked acre peas, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli and cauliflower salad, fruit salad, cucumbers, tomatoes, and sweet pickles, and white chocolate mousse for dessert. We laughed, talked about college, plans for summer, friends, family and most of all enjoyed each other's company. They brought me a flower for my flower bed, a card (I cried over-tears of joy), and gave me their time...there isn't much more one person needs. Thank you Donnie, Jason and Clare for a wonderful day!
In addition to all that, Clare's mom, sent me presents/gifts of some of her crafting supplies!! Three boxes! It felt like Christmas to me! I enjoyed looking at almost every single item in the boxes-each time you brought one thing out, there was more and more underneath! Now my mind is going crazy trying to think of all the things I can do with it~Rebecca your kindness is much appreciated!
This Mother's Day Weekend the Lord also called home a dear lady, Mrs. Taylor. She was a very special lady to me as I got to know her through my sister's husband (at the time) and she was so unique you wanted to know more. You had to gain her trust first and once you did you were friends for life~she was German and apparently that was how they did things. I loved to listen to her tell stories, especially her accent. I will pay my final respects and celebrate her life on Wednesday. After learning of Mrs. Taylor's passing, it opened the "flood gates" for missing my own Mother...even though I know she is with me spiritually daily, there are some moments, which I can't explain, I just lose it and break down from missing her so much. My Mother was my
Best Friend; we shared hot tea in the afternoons (even in the middle of summer!), literally shopped till we dropped, learned between us so many crafts and long forgotten artisan skills. Our trips and times at the beaches are still some of my favorites...the picture I have looked at all weekend was of my mother on the pier at Ft. Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach, Florida~her smile was there as always.
My Sister, Jan, and I talked Saturday morning...checking on each other and wishing the other a wonderful weekend. The excitement was also in my sister's voice regarding her wedding dress...she found "The ONE!" I am so excited and happy for her. Since this is her second and last marriage, she wants everything perfect~so do I and I want her to be extremely happy. I have a feeling she will as she is marrying into a "large-close-knit" family...something we haven't had for a long time and she has truly missed. Now that one of the major components of the wedding has been checked off, on to the smaller details and fun...I still have to find my dress, since I've been given the honor of being Matron of Honor!
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend enjoying all the things you love, being with those that mean so much to you, and remembering the friends and family from our life that have shaped us into the amazing human beings we are today. Thank you Lord for honoring me with such amazing people in my life.~Lynn

Itty Bitty Blank Canvas

These are the cutest things...I just love their size! However, trying to work on them because I am embroidering parts of it is really challenging. I think they will be adorable when I'm finished...hoping to finish today...If I do I will upload a picture. I'm stretched for time today as I have soooo many projects going and tomorrow is Mother's Day. My son and his girlfriend are coming tomorrow, I'm excited, back from college for the day, sad because my daughter has to work-but she'll be back later, and of course, remembering my Mother whose spirit sits on my shoulder and laughs at all of my shenanigans!! So cooking part of the meal today, my husband cooking part tomorrow, being able to enjoy my family and spend time together, sounds like a wonderful Mother's Day. I better get busy!!! LOL
Wishing everyone a Wonderful Mother's Day...Lynn 

Sewing Storage Unit

I was so excited!! My sewing storage unit took 20-30 mins. top to put together!! It was a breeze...I highly recommend this unit....especially when you can find it like mine On Sale!! I love how it will open up for longer projects and then I can fold it neatly away...I think I am going to love having this to work on. Here are pictures of my sewing storage unit:

Now for the "beast" that took forever to put together...it also happens to be for my daughter, Stacy, and her art supplies...I'm not sure how well that will work out...this unit I'm not sure I would recommend mainly based on the "stability" of it, beside the fact it has soooo many pieces. The bottom panels for the drawers are very thin-she won't be able to put anything heavy in them...also, when she moves, it will have to be moved as one piece and lifted...I don't think it would survive being taken apart and it does not have any casters on the bottom nor was there room to add any. In spite of all that, it will serve her purpose for now. This is her storage unit:

Stacy's unit was expensive, in my opinion, so make sure it is either on sale or you have a coupon.

My other addition to My Studio, is Mom, my purple African Violet. My mother, whom I miss beyond words, was a master gardener, me, not so much. The antique plant stand that I have Mom on in her home was completely covered in African Violets in all stages of growth and bloom. I thought I'd start with one and see how she likes it in My Studio beside the window which gets the morning light. I found a ceramic violet planter that my Mother had also made in lavender-now to plant her in it and see how well she blooms!! Thank goodness it is a self-watering planter...my Mother must have been thinking ahead!! hehe

I'm still working on getting My Studio up and together so I'm only showing bits and pieces. I promise as soon as I've got it all together, I will post pictures of the entire room! I can hardly wait.

I'm wishing all Mothers out there a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend (yes, weekend!)...may you be able to enjoy it with family and friends...find relaxation...Enjoy...and for those like myself whose Mothers are with them daily in spirit sitting on our shoulders, may they be remembered with positive memories, stories and pictures. God Bless each and every one of you. Until next time, Lynn

Furniture in a Box!

Oh, the picture looks great....but then you open the box and OMG there are pieces among pieces among pieces! This was my experience yesterday as I tried to assemble a storage center. I'm still working on creating my retreat/studio but needed more storage space. So Stacy, my daughter, and I thought we would look at all storage options. Be Aware! After 11pm last night, I finished one storage center...I feel like a truck ran over me. It looks great-even like the picture on the box...next time I'll know what I'm in for...oh, that's right, I have another one to put together today!! This one is a little different...hopefully not as difficult.
However, on the BRIGHT side, my Studio is coming together...I'll post pictures tomorrow once I remove the clutter from the assemble it yourself storage!! :-)
It is cool out this morning, the sun is shinning and my furry friends are all out. I need to fill the bird feeders and put corn out for the squirrels--will add to my list. I wish each of you a wonderful day...pay it forward...give your smile and hug to another and always remember God is there for you. Make today a great day!!
Back to the drawing board---haha---almost literally!! Take care friends, until next time. Lynn

Flat Stanley

Have you ever participated in a Flat Stanley project? Know what Flat Stanley is? I feel honored to have been included by A.J. from Texas to participate in his Flat Stanley project. Basically, it is a drawing of a boy that is mailed to different family and friends to see how many places Flat Stanley can visit in a certain time and gain geography knowledge. I felt even more special as Flat Stanley's visit to me was his last visit on his tour before returning to school. Donnie, my wonderful husband, and I took Flat Stanley out for the day yesterday and enjoyed the sites and sounds of Lake City, Florida!! We visited our new Firehouse Subs with its awesome drink machine (I could play with that all day myself), the high school where Donnie is an Administrator, our District DOT building, our Historic Downtown, Courthouse, Lake DeSoto, our very special friend and Chef, Dana Faucher at The Blue Roof Grill, and then home to help Donnie clean up his bike (motorcycle), meet Teddy Bear and help me out in the Studio. Once Stacy, our daughter, returned from work, we watched one of my favorite shows on FoodNetwork, Last Cake Standing, then off to bed. I would say Flat Stanley had an eventful day and time in Lake City. In addition to this, Flat Stanley had to write a letter describing his time here and what he did; that was a long letter but cute, I think. Today I must mail Flat Stanley back to A.J., along with all the goodies we collected for him to share about Lake City. I will be sad to see Flat Stanley leave but I have the pictures to remember him by! I'm even posting a couple here for you to enjoy.

As you can see, we enjoyed ourselves immensely!! Always remember to take the time to help someone else, even if your plans are delayed. You never know how much that little boost or in this case, all the pictures he can share with his fellow classmates might mean. So once I get Flat Stanley and all his goodies packaged up and mailed, it will be back to business at Ladybug's Cottage.
Wishing everyone a wonderful day! Pay it forward and the reward is even greater!
Until next time, Lynn

Social Butterfly

This is the name I'm giving to my crocheted butterfly project...it seems appropriate now...I couldn't decide on a background for her, even after trying different mediums...finally, a black "velvet-like" fabric underneath makes her stand out (thank you Jan for the idea). Looking to see if "pearl-like" beads for the eyes will do her justice and some seed beads incorporated into the wings will bring her to life. This is my challenge today or one of them :-)  still working on My Studio and getting it organized, which will take time I know; I also have to add some more kits to my shop! I got so involved in making the butterfly picture come to life, I let it take up all my time. This is one of those things I will have to remember: if you're going to sell it, you cannot put a lot of time into unless you are going to charge an exurbanite amount--which I'm not. At the same time, I'm not going to try to sell something I don't feel is up to par either--a balancing act, I'm finding out. Oh, the things you learn as a business owner!!


It is a gorgeous day today...all my feathered friends are out in the yard and lot eating breakfast, the sun is up and God has given us another day...how wonderful! I hope each and every one of you enjoy your day, take time to stop and enjoy a moment of what we have, pay it forward, and laugh...laugh as many times a day as you can-it really does make you feel better--and pass on your smile and positive attitude to another.


I'd like to put little squiggles here and there and make it look like a picture; however, I haven't learned how to do that yet, so I'm waving and smiling to you!!! ~Lynn~