Treasury Challenge Winner and HM's....

I hate to call these treasuries winners as I truly loved them ALL!  But the challenge rules stated that I HAD to pick a winner and at least 5 Honorable Mentions, so following are those treasuries.

If you'd like to see the list of ALL the challenge treasuries, click here.
To see our team blog for more info about participating in the challenges, click here. (You don't have to be a member to participate)

Up first is the treasury I chose as my ultimate fav...Just Breathe, but it literally took my breath away.  I love every-single-item, I love her use of colors, but I especially love the dreamy, ethereal quality.  It was the first treasury entered in the challenge and it grabbed me from the first glance, I just kept going back to it again and again.

Next up is Joys of Life by PamelasJewelry and I could have chosen ALL of her treasuries, but had to choose just one, she is quite simply an amazing curator.


And if you're in need of adorable baby clothing, handmade...go check out alpaca kids.  Her treasury is titled "A Seaside Romance" and oh my...she completely captured my romantic heart.   Can't you just see lovers cuddled up with my Beach Blanket???

Just click on any of these amazing treasuries to go see the larger version where you can check out each curators shops and all the items. I will be completely shocked if you don't find some new ones to favorite!!!!








And this last one is by Acorn Alley Designs, she is in charge of our team challenges and truly does an amazing job keeping everything organized.  I was not allowed to choose any of her treasuries, but since this is MY blog, I've decided to share this one with you...I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love with it too.


Okay, that's it for the ones I chose, but seriously, they all deserved to be featured, so go check them all out. I'd love to hear which ones are your favs....

 

An Amazing Weekend!!!!

I just had one of the THE most amazing weekends EVER!!!!

I mentioned in my post last week about winning a treasury challenge...so I had to choose an item from my etsy shop as the inspiration item for everyone to use in this week's challenge treasuries. 

And I chose....(drum roll)...

Beach Cottage Lap Blanket -- Aqua/Turquoise, Cream, Driftwood, Stone colors in Organic Cotton -- Crochet All Season Afghan

I had to judge all the treasuries, chose my fav for the winner and include at least 5 honorable mentions by 6pm Saturday night, with a write up sent in by 6pm Sunday night.  I can't show them here until after tomorrow, so watch for them at the end of this week.

Now I enjoyed every minute of it, but....we left early Thursday morning for our NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) Ohio State Finals.   It was a 2 1/2 hour drive , then had to get three horses settled in their stalls, then ready to exersize and exhibition...as soon as I finished with that and put my horse away, I had to go back and work the exhibition from 2pm-10pm (I did get to take a dinner break)...then worked it again Friday morning from 7am-11am.  The open class started at noon and I was the 38th draw to run.  So it was rush, rush, rush....and in between, I was booting up the puter to look through the challenge treasuries....I really had a blast!!!

Which brings me to the 2nd best thing that made my weekend awe-some...
In the finals, you get two runs to make it into the final on Sunday... in years past I never made it in on the first run...but I did this year...my horse finished 15th out of 330!

Then in the final on Sunday, we finished with the title of NBHA Ohio State Open 2D Reserve Champion.....(lots of whooping and hollering going on here).

Here's the vid of my winning run...it's not perfect...I let him drift out coming up the alley, then I didn't help him close the 2nd barrel, completely forgot to get both hands on the reins heading for the 3rd....so I've still got a lot of improvements I need to work on.

This is such a huge, mega, stupendous accomplishment for all the years of work "Red" (TNT Red Money) and I have been doing, not to mention all the training my hubby did on him before I stole him.  And when I broke my foot and ankle last year, my daughter kept him going the whole season.

I hope everyone in blogland had an amazing weekend as well...and here's one last pic for you to enjoy (I simply fell in love with it, it's so appropriate for the holiday weekend).

Baby Shower Gift and Favor Guide

This will be my last baby shower posting, if you missed the other baby shower postings and would like to see them...here they are...

Princess Baby Shower PreView
Baby Girl Shower Topiary DIY Tutorial
Baby Girl Shower Table Decor
Baby Girl Shower Invitations and Branch Centerpiece Tutorial
Baby Girl Shower Menu featuring Strawberry Truffles, Edible Butterflies and Pearls

I thought it appropriate to end the shower series with some shower gift and favor ideas.

For my daughter's shower, we had planned to make the favors, but my little sis found some online... cheaper than we could make them (as seen in the photo at the top of this post, the image below is from beau-coup.com, where you can check out ALL their favor ideas for ALL occasions).

Egg Soap Baby Shower Favors

My sister was very impressed with how fast the favors shipped (they were delivered much sooner than the site stated) and they are always offering deals, I think she purchased them for 20% off.

They were delivered already assembled, all we had to do was remove the cellophane wrap each one was encased in.

Now on to some gift ideas...

I just happened to find these adorable baby cowboy boots from one of etsy's bns treasuries and knew I had found our little princess her first pair of cowboy boots...

The boots are made by Megan of meganesass etsy shop, I would have included the link for these particular boots, but Megan is on vacation until the 18th....she makes them in different colors as well and I debated whether or not to get them in pink/brown, but thought the cream/brown looked more like cowboy boots.  They were truly a hit at the shower when they were opened.

While browsing Etsy, I found sooooo many shower and gift ideas, I couldn't possibly list them all here, but I have made a few treasuries with some of my favs....so if you are going to be planning a shower or in need of baby gift ideas, take a look at some of finds in the following treasuries.

I have 2 AWESOME giveaways coming up within the next two weeks, so stay tuned!!!

And past treasuries...

Rain, Rain, Go A W A Y!!!!

I am not one to complain about the seasons, I love the changes and for the most part enjoy the weather that comes with each season. BUT...last year I do remember complaining that it seemed like we went straight from winter to summer with no spring....famous last words as Mother Nature is most definitely making up for that lack with a vengence this year.

I will admit that although I love the seasons, I could never live in Texas and endure that heat all year long, nor could I live in Alaska, and have the cold for that long. So for me, Ohio is almost perfect...at least it was until now.

Normally, I love rainy days, they are great for getting things done in the house and knitting/crocheting, but Enough Already. I am really starting to feel dreary and gloomy, just like the sky outside all my windows.

It did not actually rain yesterday here, so I had to ride the horses (poor things are really behind in the "getting in shape for competition department"), and since every single field, the arena, and round pen are soaked, yes completely soaked, we had to work the trails. Walking around the hay field (which normally is never muddy), each step was "squish, squish, squish". So they scrambled up and slid down every muddy hill, but luckily through the woods wasn't terrible, we were able to trot and lope in a few places.

The only good things about all the rain so far, is that I am getting the Beach Cottage Blanket just about finished, and starting work on a custom order "Wubby" blankie using white, coral and pale mint green, I'll show pics of that when it's finished, it should be beautiful.

I'm starting to fret a bit about all that needs done for the baby shower that's coming up fast...I'm making a couple of items for the soon-to-be grandbaby that I really want to have ready for the shower, all the diy decorations that I want to make...AND still work on items for my etsy shop. I'll be sure to take lots of pics of each project and include links and instructions to post, but I doubt I'll get them posted until after the shower, which is set for the first weekend in June, so stay tuned for all that's coming, and let me just apologize now if I'm a little scarce on here for the next couple of weeks.

In case you missed my post of Rainy Day Horse Play, check it out, you'll see how the horses are coved in mud, then you see what I'm talkin' about. (maybe all that playing will get them in shape...).

I just have to include this treasury that includes my Nature Cotton Lap Blanket, it soooo fit my mood this morning. The whole treasury is just so cozy!

U N F O R G E T T A B L E -- Honorable Mention

Wake Up Paris -- 8x10 Fine Art Photography
by
trekkerjen
This photo was the inspiration item for this week's treasury challenge put on by the members of Treasury Challenge NonTeam etsy team. It is of course, a total joy to see the inspiration item of the week and go through the process of interpretation, coming up with a vision for a treasury and browsing etsy for items to fit that vision. Then looking at all the other treasuries made with that item and seeing all the different and truly spectacular interpretations.

I joined this team several weeks ago and am really enjoying the creative aspect of the treasury making process. I'm sure I'll be participating in many, many more.

This week's challenge is my very first to have received an Honorable Mention!!! I-AM-THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you'd like to give these challenges a try...check out the team's Blog, anyone can join and participate.

Here is my Honorable Mention Treasury, let me know what you think...

Girl and Guy Grad Gift Guides -- And a Front Page Honor

Graduations are coming up fast....here you will find some truly awesome gift ideas for the girl and guy grads you need to buy for, items made by some outstanding Etsy Artisans.

This first treasury is for Guy Grads and it made it to Etsy's Front Page last evening, my first curated treasury to do so, so I'm extremely excited...HUGE Honor!!! I'm attaching the widget for the front page AND the actual treasury...Go check out the sellers etsy shops and see what else they have.

This one is all about the Girls...

Comments on the treasury pages and here are of course always welcome, and please feel free to share this post and the treasuries on twitert, facebook, blog...whatever you social networks are. I've always had a hard time coming up with ideas for gifts for grads, but these etsy shops take all the guess work out of it, so Enjoy!!!

Mother-in-laws are Mother's Too...

A few weeks ago, I posted a Mother's Day Gift Guide in honor of my mother's birthday. And since this coming Sunday is Mother's Day, I wanted to share a few more gift ideas.

Wood Hanging Shelf by OldNewAgain etsy shop
I would love to have a shelf like this to hang our keys on, and they make them in a wide array of colors. They also make them in different sizes.

Italina Herb Garden Marker Set by monpetitchouboutique etsy shop
I am drooling over this garden marker set for my herbs...they also make really beautiful spoon jewelry.

Classic Ticking Seaside Tote by Pesky Cat Designs etsy shop
ANY mother would love this summery tote bag!

French Chair and Words Eco Tote by Take Flight Boutique etsy shop
Here's another gorgeous tote, great to carry around knitting or crocheting projects, or for picking up a few things at the grocery. She makes adorable hats and jewelry as well.

Dahlia Pillow-Decorator Fabric by martha & ash etsy shop
I have several of their pillows marked in my favorites list, some very unique patterns.

And for those of us that love our mother-in-law like a mother, I dedicated this weekends treasury to mine. Meet Joy, (wish I had thought to post a pic of my mother in the posting I dedicated to her, so I'll just have to post about her again in the future and include one).

I have been very blessed to have Joy as my mother-in-law,... she helped out with babysitting when needed, she somehow manages to give the most thoughtful gifts you love receiving (lucky for me,she passed on this characteristic to her son and grandchildren), last year when I broke my foot and ankle, she spent a whole week helping us to clean & declutter (we thought we were putting the house on the market), she brought meals, basically anything we needed. She is also the BEST baker I know...her apple, pumpkin and custard pies, really all her pastry crusts are TO-DIE-FOR!!!
She's always there to listen, but never interferes...she has had much loss with burying her parents, her husband and a son, yet still manages to smile everytime you see her. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is outside.

How very BLESSED I am to have two absolutely amazing women in my life???!!!

So if you still have Mother's Day shopping to do, don't forget your Mom-In-Law.... Following is the treasury I dedicated to Joy...

Gift Guide for Mother's Day...

April 16th is my mother's birthday and to honor her, I made a treasury (which I included at the bottom of this post) dedicated especially to her.

My mother is amazing, she grows her own garden and cans all the veggies, she's an amazing cook, she knits, crochets, sews. She makes beautiful quilts. She made my first dance dress when I was in 8th grade, she taught me how to make flannel pajama pants and a purse, how to crochet, how to quilt. She helped me make my first door wreath.

She's one of those women that will learn a new craft and make it look easy. If she doesn't know how to do something, she'll learn if she wants to.

She's the kind of mother that all my friends loved and enjoyed having around. Is she perfect? No...but that's what makes her "perfect" for me, as I am sooooo not perfect, although she usually makes me feel as though I am.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought this was the perfect time to share some awesome gift ideas for other moms....Enjoy!

Modular Messenger Bag by bayanhippo

Organic Lavender Sachets by PeppermintPinwheels

Mini Quilted Soap or Lotion Dispenser by MidwestFinds

Bulletin Board - Chalkboard Keyhook by KARozWoodworking

Reversible Organizer Fabric Bin Basket in Chocolate Brown Paisley by baffinbags

Family Personalized Letter Sign by NelsonsGifts

Organic Cotton Big Tote Bag by ecofriendlybeauty

Welcome - Burlap Feed Sack Pillow Door Hanger by nextdoortoheaven

Happy Birthday MOM and Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cocoa Chai -- Treasury Honor

Last Tuesday, my Cocoa Chai Treasury was chosen to be featured on The Painted Rabbit Blog in the Tuesday Treasury Roundup: Coffee and chocolate, the most delicious mix. Hop on over and check out all her picks to see why it's such an honor for me.

Nonteam Treasury Challenge

I've been enjoying composing etsy treasuries featuring some amazing etsy artisans as I've talked about in previous posts, but yesterday I entered one in a treasury challenge. The challenge was to compose a treasury around a specific item, which happens to be this absolutely Awesome Leather Folio/Case made by RuneLeather

As soon as I saw it, I knew EXACTLY what my treasury would be, and if you've been checking out my previous treasuries, you'll probably have a pretty good idea what I'll be doing with it...

If you'd like to learn more about this challenge, check out the blog

Here are a couple more items in the treasury, to see the whole treasury, go to the bottom of this post...

Blue Ball Mason Jar Lantern by BrigidsFancy

White Horse and Mountains Fine Art Photograph by TailedBluePhotos


And here's the complete treasury...Prairie Style my way...Collection #3

Go check it out and leave comments at the bottom of the treasury page...this will go a long way towards helping it get noticed!!!! Then come back here and let me know what you think....

Etsy Front Page Featured--Again!!!!

My Sparkling Aqua Dreams Afghan was Featured on Etsy's Front Page ---AGAIN!!!

Yes, this is the second time for this amazing afghan (I am STILL seriously considering keeping this for myself).

The treasury named Close enough to daydream was curated by

Jennifer of palimpsestic

"Thank You Jennifer!!!"
For some reason I thought palimpsestic was a member of Team Awesome, the same team I'm on, but I was wrong, we are soooo going to need to recruit her as she makes some amazing treasuries!

As I stated the first time my blanket made it onto the front page...this is a "HUGE, STUPENDOUS, MEGA HONOR". And I can tell you now from experience (I promise the fame is not going to my head--yet), it's just as BIG this time as well!!!

New Etsy Team -- Team Awesome

Team Awesome

I'm exploring something new for me, and if you've been following my blog, you've probably noticed that I started making my own Etsy Treasuries

Spring...
by
MyBluePeacock

Welllll, right about that time, I was invited to join an etsy team. Etsy teams were developed to help members promote each other's items and help each other out in general. Each team has it's own set of rules and guidelines for membership, there is no fee, but usually there are a few requirements. When approached about joining Team Awesome I jumped (well, not literally, but you get the idea) to join as it's main goal is for it's members to promote each other through the etsy treasuries and social media networking. (I'm personally not involved with twitter, or my space, but I do promote my etsy store on my personal facebook page, I should probably think about making a facebook page for my etsy store..).

Etsy figured out pretty quickly that shoppers were more likely to buy, when the listings were beautifully displayed, hence the treasuries . And I've said it before, but I'll say it again, if you haven't checked out the treasuries, you are really missing out on a great way to find some really awesome gift ideas. I also find the treauries to be very inspirational for my own creative process.

Necklace by

Amy

of

rainestudios

Amy is Team Awesome's captain..and the captain is, well, just what you'd expect a captain is, she also sells handmade sterling silver jewelry in her shop.

Handmade fabric coasters

by Merry of

SEWMERRY

Merry makes beautiful coasters, sewing machine covers, aprons and super-great list takers. She is also the team leader AND the etsy member that invited me to join the team. (Thank You Merry!)

If you want to view the treasuries made by a particular etsy shop, you just go to that shop, click on their "profile" and you'll find any treauries they've made at the bottom of the page. You'll also see any teams they are members of, favorite shops and individual items they've marked as favorites.

If you'd like to be involved with an etsy team, simply go to the teams homepage and request to join.

So far I'm having fun looking at the other team members shops and items! Be sure to let me know what you think of the treasuries...

My Etsy Treasury Picks

I have finally ventured into Treasury Land at Etsy. That is to say that I've finally made my own. I've often browsed the treasuries, I find that looking at them is like browsing through a high-end catalogue. The displays the treaury curators create are, more times than not, simply stunning.

***

For some reason, I had it in my head that it would be difficult to make up my own, but...nope, easy-peasy. It was so easy and in fact, extremely fun, that I made a second one! I really wanted to post them both in this blog posting but, not gonna happen today...for some reason it's not working. I did however, get them posted on the right side-bar, so you can just click on them or click on

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear...

or

Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair...

And since Miranda is now expecting her first baby, and that happens to be on my mind, alot....I think it's only natural that I would pick baby items and be thinking in nursery rhymes.

***

My own items have made it into 61 different treasuries, wooohooo, and I started posting them along the right sidebar, but so many of them was really bogging down my blog when opening the page, so I've ended up posting them all when they first come out, but only keeping my favorites. I felt it only fair for me to start "giving back" to other etsy artisans by featuring their items in my very own treasuries!

***

So, if you haven't checked out treasuries yet, you are really missing out, I've found some really great, high quality, gifts just by looking through the treasuries...(see, not only entertaining, but serves a great purpose as well).

FEATURED on Etsy FRONT PAGE

I was going to post this tomorrow but couldn't wait! My Aqua Dreams Afghan was featured on the FRONT PAGE of etsy!!!! HUGE HONOR...MEGA...STUPENDOUS

Click on the above pic to see it as it was on etsy or you see the front page archive on craft cult at this link...
http://www.craftcult.com/vault_list.php?list=16671&userid=&fm=0&esn=&m=12&d=15&st=1&pagenum=1&ls=0

I would never have known if it wasn't for a great etsy seller, Mila (micerv84). To see her store go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/micerv84

She is a jewelry designer and sells some really unique jewelry, AND she sounds like an amazing woman! Here is a pendant I love.

Another Treasury Honor

The IllusiveSwan

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IllusiveSwan

Luminita

http://www.etsy.com/shop/luminita

retrotreasurehunters

http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrotreasurehunters

OMGoodness, my Sparkling Aqua Blanket/Afghan made it into another treasury! I have to admit, it really is a show stopper.

My Fantasy Christmas in Paris by danceswithflowers (you really need to see this collection)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cef5dd5dcf56d91c8fba47d/my-fantasy-christmas-in-paris

The pictures above are just a couple of the items that are in the treasury.

danceswithflowers shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/danceswithflowers

Friends, if you haven't started shopping on etsy, you are really missing out on some truly amazing and unique items and artists!